Community News
7 Tips to Keep Holiday Spending in Check

The holiday season shouldn’t be stressful – but the reality is, whether you need to prepare for a visit with the in-laws, host a large family dinner or check a number of items off of a wish list, the time and financial crunches can take their toll.

These tips can help you keep your holiday spending in check – as well as your stress levels.

Make a list and check it twice

Plan a budget ahead of time – and stick to it.

  • There are plenty of online budget calculators to lend you a hand if you aren’t sure where to start.
  • Although it may look good on paper to have a small budget, if your budget is unrealistic you are more likely to go over it.
  • Try to anticipate all the costs, including the little things.

Don’t forget to track your spending and keep it in check with your budget. If you go over in one budget line, try to make up for it by under-spending elsewhere.

Be a savvy shopper

Planning in advance and sticking to a shopping list can make all the difference during the holiday season.

  • Look for sales, use coupons and take advantage of free shipping for online purchases – planning ahead can help you to avoid last-minute purchases that are outside of your budget. You can cut down on express shipping charges if you don’t leave that last-minute online purchase until too late.
  • When watching for sales, be wary of signage that is put out to draw you in – just because it’s marked as a sale doesn’t mean it’s a good deal!
  • Plan your shopping trips and avoid the extras. It’s nice to treat yourself once in a while, but if you’re getting coffee or food at the mall each time you go, those costs can add up. Eat before you go out on your shopping excursion and take snacks with you for when you’re feeling a little peckish.

Reconsider your gift giving

Consider changing your gift giving habits – cut back on your list if you can, introduce the idea of a Secret Santa for your family instead of buying gifts for everyone or suggest a group gift to charity.

If you’re sticking to a list, check off everything you buy and then stop shopping. Going off-list can have a significant impact on your budget.

You could also consider homemade versus store-bought gifts. If you’ve got time and creative skills, giving homemade gifts can help to cut down on your budget. Plus, it’s very personal and comes from the heart!

Practice smart party planning

A potluck dinner is a great way to cut down on the stress and costs of hosting a family dinner or party. If you’re hosting, plan to make the main dishes and ask others to contribute sides, salads, desserts, etc.

If you don’t have the option to share the work and the spread out the financial contribution, keep track of all that you spend so that you can budget effectively for your next party.

Remember that decorations may add ambiance, but they are optional. Cutting back on decorations for your holiday party can translate into significant savings.

Travel wisely

Many people go home for the holidays – and travel companies are well aware of that.

  • Plan travel as far in advance as possible or look for seat sales and use discount fare-finding sites.
  • If you’re going by car and not going far, try carpooling.
  • Budget for spending money during the trip as well – buying food and drinks at convenience stores in airports and gas stations on the road can add up quickly, so consider buying less expensive (and healthier) snacks for the journey.
  • Ask if the hotel you’re staying at offers discounts, for example for CAA members. Book in advance or use cost-saving sites to find your accommodations for less. Or stay with family (if you can handle it)!

When possible, purchase a little bit at each paycheque to avoid a large payment all at once. This will also help to prevent the “holiday hangover” of seasonal debt.

Ginseng for Weight Loss

Ginseng does many things to help human health, but many people do not realize that ginseng is good for weight loss. It gives an energy boost and can help fight fatigue. Because of this, it allows for you to be more active. One of the big things that it does in the weight loss battle is by regulating blood sugar. It does this by reducing the amount of carbohydrate that is converted into fat. Also, it is important to point out that ginseng alone will not help lose weight if you engage in poor dietary choices. It is vital that a well-balanced diet is followed and that you are active. Otherwise, like the old English proverb says, “Don’t dig your grave with your own knife and fork.” One of the active ingredients in SlimROAST weight loss coffee from Valentus – The Healthiest Coffee on the Planet!

What are Non-Scale Victories?

Your success at weight loss is not measured by the number on the scale alone but also by many other changes to your body and the way you feel. So look for these wins along the way to your fitness goals!! Your clothing fits more comfortably. Even if you haven’t lost any weight, a positive change in body composition—more muscle, less fat—slims your silhouette. You have more stamina and energy every day. When you drop extra pounds and gain strength and endurance, you have more energy all day long. You feel happier, you sleep better and you can help lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and/or cholesterol levels. Regular physical activity reduces stress, boosts confidence, and improves your mood day to day. You’ll enjoy more compliments. Be sure to celebrate the many other victories you achieve as you continue your journey toward being fit and healthy. Curves International,

Natural Product Review

So you want radiant skin, thicker hair and stronger nails? Not to mention, stronger joints and bones? Meet collagen. Collagen is a complex structural protein that maintains strength and flexibility throughout the body. Super Collagen+C is made up of the collagen peptides Type 1 and 3 which support collagen in skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. Super Collagen+C is enzymatically hydrolyzed, providing an amino acid ratio with a low molecular weight for maximum bioavailability and utilization by the body. When Super Collagen is taken internally, the body receives the raw materials it needs to supplement the collagen found in all of these areas and may act as a messenger to trigger the synthesis of new collagen fibers. Vitamin C is added to provide optimum supplementation of your dietary collagen needs. Super Collagen+C is free of Soy, wheat, lactose, starch, yeast, artificial flavors and gluten.

Have you tried Cupping?

Cupping has recently gained attention at the Rio Olympics. It is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine practice with writings found dating back 3500 years ago. It is simply a plastic cup with a valve; a hand pump is used to remove the air creating suction on the skin. This expands the blood vessels below the skin, increasing circulation and reducing pain, and it also triggers the lymphatic system. A round bruise may form and is usually painless and will disappear in a few days. As seen at the Olympics, athletes enjoy the benefits of cupping. The professional athletes used them to relieve tight muscles and reduce pain. Anyone can enjoy the benefits, from increasing blood flow to help your natural healing, to helping reduce fatigue and release stress. What does it feel like, you may wonder? It feels like it looks, slightly uncomfortable, but should not be painful.

Pharmacists as Prescribers (Part1)

Many times we have found ourselves lost in the big aisle of non-prescription medications. Spending time, trying to match our symptoms with the most suitable medication, trying to eliminate the occurrence of adverse reactions and also getting confused at the thought of weather to approach the BUSY pharmacy staff or not and finally end up buying tried and tested medication. BUT…. maybe your symptoms do not require the same old medication or use of the same medication has worsened your condition. At times like these even your family physicians may not be available for immediate assessment, and you may not have the time or patience to wait in a walk-in-clinic. Here in Winnipeg, Expert Pharmacist can assess, diagnose and treat certain medical conditions. For the better health outcomes of Manitobans, we are putting our knowledge and skills to maximum use. Hence, next time one less worry for you.

 

Hajra Mirza, Rossmere Pharmacy

Using Your Intuition to Your Advantage

By definition, Intuition is a person’s capacity to obtain or have direct knowledge and/or immediate insight, without observation or reason. It’s the “gut feeling” you get. For the past many generations, society influences have pushed us away from one of the most amazing and helpful tools we naturally hold – our intuition. It is our natural ability to use both instincts (from our connection to the animal kingdom) AND logical reasoning (thank you human brain) to our advantage. By seeking a balance between the intuitive AND the logical sides of our brain, we are able to utilize ALL resources our brain has to offer. Intuition is a wonderful tool to use when looking for the answer to a question and the solution to a problem that our mind cannot solve. Having a strong connection to our own natural intuition provides a whole new level of clarity and understanding to our lives.

Suffering from Sciatica?

Are you experiencing pain down the buttocks, or even the leg and foot; with numbness, tingling, or abnormal sensation in those same areas? It is very common, especially in Downtown Winnipeg, where nearly everyone ‘sits-for-a-living’. Research says ‘flossing’ may not help our teeth, but flossing or dynamically stretching the nervous tissue is another way to prevent, and lessen this back pain. Almost everyone has seen that ‘camel or cat back’ exercise; on all fours, rolling the back upwards, and downwards, we move the nervous tissue associated with sciatic pain. Reaching, with back extension exercises will help strengthen the muscle supports around the spine.

Ginseng for Weight Loss

Ginseng does many things to help human health, but many people do not realize that ginseng is good for weight loss. It gives an energy boost and can help fight fatigue. Because of this, it allows for you to be more active. One of the big things that it does in the weight loss battle is by regulating blood sugar. It does this by reducing the amount of carbohydrate that is converted into fat. Also, it is important to point out that ginseng alone will not help lose weight if you engage in poor dietary choices. It is vital that a well-balanced diet is followed and that you are active. Otherwise, like the old English proverb says, “Don’t dig your grave with your own knife and fork.” One of the active ingredients in SlimROAST weight loss coffee from Valentus – The Healthiest Coffee on the Planet!

Relax Your Brain – Enhance Learning

Your ability to learn is directly related to how clear your brain pathways are between sensory (intake) and execution (performance). Over two‐thirds of your brain is based on sensing or input; one‐third is based on execution. If you have trouble focusing or concentrating, it is simply because the pathways between the sensory and execution network areas are not clear. Integration of the feeling, emotional, or “gut” senses is necessary for even abstract forms of knowledge. You make the greatest use of your capacities when you have free and intelligent access to your feelings and imagination. Brainwave Optimization, a computer-guided relaxation technology, works to balance and harmonize your brain, helping it move beyond stuck patterns into healthy patterns. Once your brain is balanced and harmonized, you can overcome previous challenges; achieve more, laugh more, enjoy life more completely and engage in a healthier social life with self‐awareness and confidence.

Achilles Tendinitis

Are you suffering from heel pain? Whether there was one event that caused it, or the pain has come on over time, there are many factors that could contribute to your discomfort. Being physically active or sedentary can cause Achilles Tendinitis. Running, jumping, and landing, can all put an excess of stress on our Achilles tendon. As we land on our feet, there is an eccentric force placed on the tendon. After repetitive movements, this can cause microtearing within the tendon and inflammation will lead to pain. Even if we aren’t active, our calves can tighten up, and without regular stretching, just everyday walking can put stress on our tendons. Ice will help calm down the pain, but you should begin some mild stretching of your calves. Other treatment options include rest, massage, or even adding a heel lift in your shoe to decrease the amount of force on the Achilles tendon.