Jennifer Fookes, RPh., BSc. Pharm, owns Mortar & Pesto, an independent pharmacy that bridges modern medicine and traditional healing. She is an integrative pharmacist with special skills in compounding, bioidentical hormones and nutritional approaches to health. One of the first pharmacists in Alberta to create a consultation-based practice, she collaborates with an extended network of interdisciplinary practitioners. Jenn is a sought-after health professional who has taken additional training in functional medicine through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Uniquely, she uses quality of life indicators such as perceived energy, sleep satisfaction and digestive health help guide her approach.

“Enduring” is a reference to the fact that the Power of Attorney endures the loss of capacity of the person who has granted it to someone. It can be drafted to come into effect when it is signed by the grantor or only upon the confirmation that they have lost capacity to make decisions about their affairs. A properly drafted Enduring Power of Attorney can save the cost of an application to have a Trustee appointed and subsequent reporting to the Court. It’s assumed that if the grantor chose the person to be their attorney, that the person must be trustworthy.

Yes, it does happen! Women also lose hair as they age and often notice significant thinning of the hair on their scalp. Topical medications can be used to stimulate hair growth, but one of the most effective treatments is the additional use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) to wake up and rejuvenate dormant hair follicles. Recent studies done in females show an 80% response rate in just three treatments. The treatment is safe and effective, with no known side effects.

How can you tell whether a retirement living community fosters a sense of belonging? The feeling a welcoming and inclusive environment creates sounds like this:
● Millie shares, “I am grateful for my home at the Hamlets; I feel valued and cared for.”
● Jeanette reveals, “I love our Knit Wit Club; volunteers Bonnie and Shirley are wonderful. I love all the outings on our bus and the smiling staff.”
● Dell declares, “I love how the staff are so friendly. I also love the full kitchens in the suites; the dishwasher and full-size fridge are a huge bonus! Really feels like home here.”

“Bike commuting has been my choice of transportation from April to October in the last four years,” says Tatiana Tilly, Red Deer Public Library staff and Cyclovia Committee Member. “I love the sense of freedom that comes with biking in our beautiful city and the purposefulness of bike commuting that allows me to stay healthy and fit at the same time it takes me places. Biking is one of my weight management tools and regulates my low blood pressure.” If bike commuting is something you’d like to do, check out what materials we have in the Red Deer Public Library.

The ‘back to school’ health list: clean and check teeth, get an eye appointment, chiropractic adjustment, new shoes, clothes, and book a massage. Why massage? It improves adolescent posture, often affected by computer time and backpacks, aids in sports injury prevention and repair, and can even help reduce anxiety and improve concentration. For younger ones, it can help with sleep! It can also help with body awareness for teens, and promote a healthy lifestyle going into adulthood. Check your health benefits for massage coverage; they often extend to your children, too!

Janet Spafford has lived in Red Deer with her family for over 20 years. She has expertise in assistance with mental health counselling, program coordination and facilitation, career and employment services, and education. In 2016, she received her Master of Counselling from Gonzaga University. As a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counsellor and Psychotherapy Association, Janet has found her true north purpose. Janet shares, “The most rewarding part is supporting clients as they shift perspectives of themselves, their surroundings, relationships and expectations by applying new skills and strengths to realign with their own authenticity.”

Having a healthy morning routine is essential to create radical change in your life. Summer is the perfect time to start! Here are five small things that you can do: 1. Get up 15-30 minutes earlier. 2. List three things for which you are grateful and write them down! 3. Drink a glass of warm lemon or lime water. 4. Try out ‘dry skin brushing’ before you shower! 5. Have a cooling medium-sized breakfast such as oats with stewed apples. Try this for 30 days starting tomorrow! You in?

Preschool and school-aged camps at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre and Historic Fort Normandeau guarantee lots of warm weather fun! Outdoor adventures, mystery solving, a trip through time: something for every young explorer! Register up to three days before camp: $72 preschool/$150 school-aged, per child. Early drop off/late pick up available. Call 403-346-2010, ext. 111 or visit WaskasooPark.ca for more information or to register.

Did you know that there are two 9-hole disc golf courses in Red Deer? They’re in Victoria Park (Allan Street) and Kentwood (Kent Street and Kendrew Drive). All players have their own disc (from local sports store) or frisbee. Each player throws their disc into the baskets using as few throws as possible. Great fun for families, friends, or special events. Visit CADGA.ca to join a league. Scorecards for each course can be printed off at reddeerpcn.com. Portable disc golf sets can be borrowed from RDRPCN for events.

Big Bend Market supports local farm families and locally made food products, and believes that we are what we eat. We specialize in hormone and antibiotic-free meat and have a variety of gluten-free products. Supplying Alberta with natural, local, healthy produce since October 2007, Big Bend Market South, located in Southpointe Common, is your full fine meats and fresh cuts deli. We also carry ready to go homemade meals: chicken pot pies, cabbage rolls, perogies, tourtiere, meatballs, and stuffed potatoes. Local organic milk, fresh farm eggs, fresh local vegetables, and a variety of locally produced products. We truly are your year-round farmer’s market!