Keeping up with the rising cost of living is very difficult for many residents. Thinking about the upcoming Christmas holidays only brings feelings of worry and anxiety, wondering where the meals will come from, let alone gifts for the children. For more than 50 years, the SOS Caring for Community at Christmas program has been making sure local children and youth have something special waiting for them under the tree. The program also provides grocery gift cards so residents can choose food that is meaningful to them over the holidays. Visit the SOS website to make a financial donation, find gift drop-off times and learn how to access the program.
Community News
Sleep Changes & The Elderly
Seniors who wake up more often during the night and earlier in the morning, usually have a harder time falling asleep, and spend less time in deep, dreamless sleep. Some measures to help you sleep better include: 1) Eat a light bedtime snack. 2) Avoid caffeine for at least 3 or 4 hours before bed. 3) Avoid napping during the day. 4) Exercise regularly, but not within 3 hours of bedtime. 5) Practice relaxation techniques at bedtime. 6) Don’t watch TV or use devices while in bed. 7) Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Profile: Revitalize Laser Clinic
At Revitalize Laser Clinic, we are passionate about education and knowledge! It doesn’t matter what age you are: investing in yourself is a vital part of your life journey! All our treatments are provided by trained and certified professionals who can create a custom treatment plan to fit your needs. Our Nanaimo location offers skincare treatments for face and body including treatments for men; we’ve got everything you need in one place. Great skin doesn’t happen by chance; it happens by appointment. Be sure to enter this month’s Wellnessnews contest for a chance to win an AFA Facial.
Online Health and Wellness Resource
Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® invites you to check out the Wellness Hub, your online Health and Wellness resource for Vancouver Island. The Wellness Hub features hundreds of local business and practitioners offering services and products. In addition, there are hundreds of health tips and articles on a variety of topics. It is easy to search, access and share information. While you are checking out the Wellness Hub, don’t forget to subscribe to receive a monthly email letting you know about events and the monthly contest. You can also read the digital version of our five island editons of the newsletter.
Health Benefits of Knitting
Did you know that knitting has mental health benefits? Knitting involves the movement of the hands and fingers. This active finger and wrist movement, dexterity and fine motor coordination can facilitate improvements in other functional skills. Recent studies show that knitting can help with: ▪Lowering blood pressure, ▪Reducing depression and anxiety, ▪Slowing onset of dementia, ▪Distracting from chronic pain, ▪Increasing sense of wellbeing, ▪Reducing loneliness and isolation. Knitting is one of many activities offered and encouraged at Sherwood House.
Sleep Influences Food Choices
When we are tired, drained and recovering from a poor night’s sleep, we are more likely to reach for foods that are quick, premade and packed with sodium and unhealthy fats. We are much more likely to give in to our cravings. Think of the last time you had an awful night’s sleep. If you’re like participants in a Cleveland Clinic study, you probably gravitated toward high-fat and simple carbohydrate-rich foods. Sleep influences our food choices during waking hours. Pay attention to the foods you crave and gravitate towards when you’re tired and what it’s like after a good night’s sleep.
Profile: AJ Pedal Wheelchair
Whether your mobility has been impacted by Parkinson’s, MS, a stroke, or knee or hip trouble, the AJ Pedal Wheelchair is designed to get you moving again. Like a bike, it’s powered by you – so you can reconnect with your body, rebuild muscle tone and improve your cardiovascular system. Designed to maneuver in tight spaces, the AJ rides easily into elevators, buildings and shopping centres. More robust than a wheelchair, the AJ allows you to pedal through parks, along sidewalks and even ride public transit. Each AJ is hand built in Victoria, BC, using durable materials for a safe and sturdy ride.
Stay Active to Maintain Health
Being physically active can help with injury prevention, maintain health and improve mobility. If we don’t use our muscles or move our joints, we can “rust” just like a piece of machinery that is left to sit idle. Being active does not necessarily mean lifting heavy weights or running a marathon. It can be as simple as performing gentle prescribed exercises, mobility drills, and active release stretches that can help us maintain mobility and prevent injury. Making small changes in our routine can have huge impacts on whole-body health, the healing process and general well-being. Contact us – we can help you get started.
Profile: Heart to Home Meals
Heart to Home Meals delivers delicious, nutritious meals right to your door. The company’s team of experts has developed a wide-ranging menu to suit many tastes, dietary needs, and lifestyles, including high-protein, low carbohydrates and/or saturated fat, low sodium, high fibre, vegetarian, and no added sugar options. Heart to Home Meals has a useful diet coding system to help you choose meals that are right for you. Meals also come in mini versions (for smaller appetites), hearty versions (for larger appetites), as well as minced or pureed options. It’s as easy as ordering online or by phone!
Heart Health Recipe
Crispy Chickpeas & Pumpkin Seeds. 2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and well drained, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 2 tsp. smoked paprika, 1 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, grated zest 1 lime. Preheat oven to 425 °F. Combine chickpeas, oil, paprika, cumin and garlic powder. Toss until well coated. Spread mixture on large baking sheet in single layer. Bake 30 min. Stir every 10 minutes. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, stir and bake 5 minutes more or until chickpeas are crispy. Remove from oven and toss with lime zest. Let stand 30 minutes for crisp texture and peak flavours.
Meet the BC-Grown Aronia Berry
The Aronia berry is dark purple, about the size of a blueberry, with three times the anti-oxidants. Its outstanding nutritional and pharmacological properties are well documented. Aronia berries contain high levels of antioxidants which research has shown may help in reducing inflammation, free radical damage, and blood glucose in diabetics. Local BC Aronia berries are available frozen to make wonderful smoothies. You can also purchase delicious local Aronia berry juice, jams and bottles of vinegar. When dried, they are excellent in cereal, trail mix and salads. Aronia Berries Are Antioxidant Gold™
