Community News
Senior Safety Checklist

Are all throw rugs and scatter mats secured in place to keep them from slipping? Yes_ No_
Do you have a first aid kit and know where it is? Yes_ No_
Do the steps of your stairs have a non-skid surface? Yes_ No_
Are there solid handrails on both sides of the stairway? Yes_ No_
Do you remove your reading glasses when using the stairs? Yes_ No_
Are heavy items on lower shelves or in bottom cupboards? Yes_ No_
Do you use a ladder or a stable step stool (with a safety rail) for reaching high places? Yes_ No_
Are all chemicals, such as bleach, cleaners and paint thinners, clearly identified? Yes_ No_
Are flammable materials stored as indicated by the directions on the label and away from sources of heat and flame? Yes_ No_
Do you keep night lights or other sources of light on in case you get up in the middle of the night? Yes_ No_

Life Assure

www.lifeassure.com

Differentiating Between IBS and IBD

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) are common today and are often viewed as the same thing. They are not. IBD is a broad term referring to chronic inflammation of the bowels, mostly linked to Crohn’s and Colitis. IBS is not classified as a true disease, it’s known instead as a ‘functional disorder’, which means they don’t know what is causing the symptoms and test results generally come back normal. IBS is usually characterized by a combination of abdominal pain, cramps, constipation and diarrhea. IBD can cause the same symptoms as IBS as well as; eye discomfort, extreme fatigue, joint pain and rectal bleeding. Both can cause urgent bowel movements. There are natural therapies including reflexology and acupuncture that can help keep symptoms under control.

Trenna Reid, Discover Reflexology

www.discoverreflexology.ca

Exercise During Pregnancy

There once was a time when many pregnant women were put on bed rest, but there is more and more evidence supporting exercises during pregnancy. Even those who haven’t been active prior to pregnancy are encouraged to gradually increase their physical activity, especially during the second trimester. According to the American Counsel of Sports Medicine, benefits of exercise far outweigh risks. Benefits include decreased chances of developing gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, decreased lower back pain and better weight control. Guidelines for exercise intensity use the ‘talk test’, whatever activity you’re performing; you should still be able to carry on a conversation without being excessively short of breath. It’s recommended to exercise 15-30 minutes/day 3-5 days per week. Types of exercise include lower impact activities that don’t involve contact or high risk of falls. Your physiotherapist can show you different exercise modifications to keep workouts safe yet effective throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Susanne Robson, BMR(PT) Prairie Trail Physiotherapy

www.prairietrailphysio.ca

Ask Your Dentist

Q: How long do dentures last. A: Dentures can last a long time. As your gums and bones change dentures can be relined to make them fit well again. What can’t be changed readily is the way dentures support your face and lips. Without proper support your chin will get closer to your nose and the lower half of your face will begin to look collapsed. This will make you look older, will cause deeper lines around your mouth and make your jaw joint or TMJ uncomfortable. To compensate for these changes you should have new dentures every 5 of 6 years. The dentures themselves make look fine and they may feel like they fit well but the loss of support means they need replacing. New dentures can give you a facelift.

Dr. George Cadigan, Exclusively Dentures
www.exclusivelydentures.ca

Senior Health & Fitness

For Grandma, Grandpa, Granny, Gramps, Nana, Papa and all our well-loved elders, Senior Health & Fitness Day is a time to explore the many senior-friendly physical activity options, and to understand the importance of exercise and nutrition for ongoing health and illness-prevention. A healthy diet can boost energy and immunity. Regular exercise is necessary to retain bone mass, lower the risk of fractures, build muscle strength and reduce the risk of falls. Why not set realistic goals that you can easily attain? These five easy fitness tips may not turn you into a rock-solid triathlete, but they’ll get you into better shape and will help you feel much better about yourself.

1: Walk every day

2: Drink water

3: An apple a day

4: Park farther from the door and take the stairs

5: Be moderate with alcohol

 

Rick Drury, Scoop & Save
www.scoopandsave.com

Managing Multiple Medications

When taking medications more than twice a day, the likelihood of forgetting increases. For this reason, it is preferable to use convenience packing / bubble packs to serve as a reminder. This type of packaging can help to space your medications appropriately. Prescription medications can interact with each other, sometimes causing adverse side effects. However, over the counter products such as vitamins or herbal products can also interact with prescription medications – this can potentially change the effectiveness of the drug and cause harm. If you are on prescription drugs, it’s important to have a discussion with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over the counter products. A pharmacist can also conduct a full medication review with all your prescription and over the counter products and advise you on safe use. If you are on a complex medication regime, a pharmacist is able to help you monitor the effects of your medication.

Ray Hogue, Care At Home Pharmacy
www.careathomepharmacy.ca

Clean Eating: Oven Roasted Chickpeas

Oven-roasted chickpeas are about as simple as it gets — toss with olive oil, your favourite spices, roast and eat! They are nutritious and a great source of protein and fiber!
This recipe makes approx. 2 cups of snacking goodness!

Ingredients:

2 15-oz cans organic chickpeas
2 TBSP olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2-4 tsp spices or finely chopped fresh herbs, like chili powder, curry powder, or smoked paprika.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse chickpeas thoroughly, then pat dry with a clean towel. They should feel dry to the touch. Toss chickpeas with olive oil and salt: Spread them out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Stir to make sure the chickpeas are evenly coated. Roast for 20-30 minutes, shaking the pan every 10 minutes. The chickpeas are done when golden and crispy. Toss with the spices and serve warm!

Eilsa Pitamber
www.elisanutrition.com

Book Club: Making a Good Brain Great

by Daniel Amen, MD

When our brains work right, we work right. But the brain is easily injured. A bump on the head, sleep deprivation and poor nutrition can all have long-term consequences leading to problems with attention, mood and even dementia. Dr. Amen shares his exciting insights into protecting, repairing and maintaining our brains with good nutrition, supplements and special exercises. A great read!

Dr. Anke Zimmermann ND,
www.drzimmermann.org

Top 5 Ways Oregano Oil Can Help You

1. Defence Against Harmful Organisms. Oregano oil is known as nature’s most potent defender against unwanted invaders.

2. Strong Antioxidant. Antioxidants fight free radicals and oxidation — the process by which your cells age and wear out. Oregano oil contains high levels of antioxidants to help fight damaging free radicals.

3. Supports Good Health. Taking oregano oil is no guarantee that you’ll never get sick, but when you want to avoid what’s going around, oregano oil can be an extra line of defense and provide support against common, seasonal ailments.

4. Digestive System Support. Oregano oil supports digestion by stimulating the flow of bile to your digestive organs. This can help you get more nutrition out of your food and enjoy a more consistent system.

5. Excellent Nutrition. As an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E, and zinc, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, and niacin, oregano oil can be helpful in helping you meet your nutritional requirements.

L-Carnitine & Chromium

L-Carnitine with Chromium is a blend of two nutrients that play important roles in the metabolism of fat. L-Carnitine is required for the breakdown of fats into energy, while chromium supports healthy glucose metabolism. Its main function is to help insulin carry sugar into muscle cells where it is stored as energy. A lack of chromium could cause fluctuating blood-sugar levels which trigger sugar cravings. As a carbohydrate dependent society, increasing the amount of L-Carnitine & Chromium in our diet in our formula’s proportions will assist the body’s ability to manage its carbohydrate cravings and, in turn, assist with a successful weight management protocol.

Valentus – The Healthiest Coffee in the World.

Greg Doll
www.experiencevalentus.com/lakewinnipeg

Communicating with Animals 

Our animal friends, both domesticated and wild, are acutely sensitive beings. They are our teachers and friends, children and guardians. They always seem to know how we’re feeling and even though they may not know why, they are always here to support us. Many humans wish they had the ability to listen to what our animal friends are telling us. Whether they are exhibiting sudden strange behaviour or whether nothing has changed, they just love their animals and  want to know more about them. Humans unconsciously have the ability to understand our animal friends from a whole different angle if we simply put our minds to it! We are all born with this ability, however through social and environmental conditioning, we have lost it along the way. The good news is that it’s still accessible with practice. Animal Communicators practice and teach this ability.

Jill Saifer
www.soulsticespirithealing.wordpress.com