Community News
Sore, Itchy, Burning Eyes?

It could be “Dry Eye”. This is a medical condition that occurs when the eye does not produce the correct volume of tears, when tear chemistry changes, or when tears disappear too quickly. Dry eye can be a temporary or chronic condition caused by risk factors such as hormonal changes, certain medications, diseases, ageing, and laser eye surgery. Dry eyes are not vision threatening but can affect everyday life in doing things comfortably like computer use and reading. It should be managed to avoid future potential problems such as corneal scars. See your Optometrist, as they will assist in prescribing proper relief of symptoms.

Natural Product Spotlight:

Innotech Nutrition Fasting Days™ – Research shows some of the main benefits of intermittent fasting include: safe weight loss, more energy, improved cardio wellness, relief from aches and pains, rebuilding of liver, normalization of insulin sensitivity, and immune system optimization. Innotech Fasting Days™ is doctor-formulated to help support your goals with a balanced nutrient powder that’s very low in calories, keto-friendly, vegan, non-GMO, non-dairy, and free of sugar, gluten, artificial sweeteners/flavours and colours. It has 42 nutrients balanced for easy and SUCCESSFUL intermittent fasting, and helps with optimized energy, glucose metabolism, hydration and electrolyte balance, bone density and muscle mass, collagen formation, and hunger suppression. InnotechNutrition.com

Fight Colds & Flus & Viruses

Your immune system needs a strong thymus and spleen to produce antibodies and specialized white blood cells that help prevent disease. Do you know how yours are functioning? Nutritional testing is a great way to find out if there is a weakness or imbalance in these immune organs. If a weakness or imbalance is identified, specific nutrient formulations designed to naturally support and strengthen the thymus, spleen and immune system can be taken. This will help you to better fight against influenza, rhinovirus (common cold), pneumonia, and COVID. Remember the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Help for Mask Anxiety

Face mask conversations seem to go one of two ways — a debate about why people should wear one or a debate about why they won’t wear one. But there is another stance that we might not be taking into consideration. For some people, the thought of wearing a mask can cause a great deal of stress or even panic. This is known as mask anxiety. Mask anxiety is a very real thing for people who have anxiety disorders, who suffer from trauma, or sensory processing. Simply wearing a mask is not as straightforward for everyone. If you could benefit from a mask-anxiety coaching session, please connect with me.

A Unique Holiday Gift

This holiday season, why not give the gift of wellness with the tasty combination of HEYRU Hibiscus Flowers and Monk Fruit Sweetener? HEYRU Hibiscus Flowers are ethically-sourced and cultivated in Nigeria, and when steeped in cold or hot water, make a highly nutritious, caffeine-free beverage. The high vitamin C and antioxidant content in the flowers help boost the immune system. HEYRU Monk Fruit Sweetener can be used to sweeten the hibiscus beverage without adding any calories, while providing antioxidants for reduced inflammation and improved heart health. Shop local this holiday season and give the perfect flavourful gift for everyone!

Mental Health This Winter

Winter months can be difficult for those experiencing a mental health challenge or illness, especially during and following the holiday season. There are, however, a myriad of evidence-based ways to boost your physical and mental well-being. One important tool is vitamin D. Research clearly shows the benefits of this powerful vitamin for improving body and thereby brain health. Our bodies synthesize this nutrient through exposure to the sun. However, during reduced daylight months we are unable to get what we need from our solar source. If low mood persists, contact your healthcare provider or local CMHA for additional information and resources.

Smart in Everything but Reading

When you have a bright child who doesn’t achieve to his or her potential we often affectionately call them underachievers, because we know they are capable of achieving so much more. Over the years, I have found that bright underachievers often have vision problems which make reading difficult. It may surprise you to learn that many of the children who have vision problems interfering with learning actually have 20/20 eyesight (with or without glasses). A Developmental Vision Evaluation is needed to determine if a vision problem is interfering with reading.

Importance of Sleep for Exercise

If you’re not getting enough sleep, it’s difficult for your body to perform at its best. When you’re tired, your muscles won’t operate at peak strength and you’ll find it harder to get motivated to work out. This not only means that it will be difficult to exercise at your top level, but you’ll also be more likely to suffer an injury. Adults should try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night if they want to perform at their best. However, if you are frequently doing intense workouts, you may need more. Listen to your body and, if you feel very tired, you’re likely sleep deprived.

Holiday Season Safety for Pets

The holiday season presents many hazards for pets. Holiday treats such as rich, fatty scraps of meat, pork and poultry bones, alcoholic beverages, chocolates, and other treats have been linked to pancreatitis in dogs. Xylitol, a sugar substitute, can cause a dog’s blood sugar to suddenly drop, potentially leading to kidney failure. Holiday plants like berries from mistletoe, holly, hibiscus, Christmas roses, and poinsettia are toxic to pets. Christmas tree water can be poisonous, and things like ornaments, hooks, tinsel, candles, lights, and electrical wiring can all pose hazards to a pet’s wellbeing. Keep your pets safe this holiday season!

Protection Against the Flu

Flu shots are our best defense against many strains of influenza virus and cause antibodies to develop in the body a couple of weeks after vaccination. Flu shots are generally recommended as early in fall as possible, usually by the end of October or early November, and can be given by pharmacists quickly and easily. Now more than ever, it is imperative that everyone protects themselves as much as possible. Given the pandemic world we are all currently living in, the flu shot is one more way to decrease your risk of respiratory illness and complications that can come along with it.