Summer at last! Days get longer and temps get hotter! While we all love the sun, it’s time to be mindful of the damage it could do. When choosing a sunscreen, go for the “broad spectrum” protection. Sunscreens with this label protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against harmful rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. For example, a bottle labeled SPF 85 has no better protection than a bottle of SPF 50. Always be wary of dangerous ingredients in your sunscreen. These include parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and sodium laurel sulphates. Retinyl palminate, a form of vitamin A, has been linked to skin tumours and lesions on sun-exposed skin. Also, use creams not sprays or powders, as creams offer more sun protection without the nanoparticles.
Community News
Clean Eating: Vanilla Chia Breakfast Pudding
Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or raw honey
Seasonal fruit for topping, Almonds or other nuts for topping.
Directions:
Combine almond milk, chia seeds, vanilla and sweetener in a bowl. Mix well until combined and the mixture begins to thicken. Store covered in the refrigerator overnight or for at least an hour (the longer the better)! Stir well before serving and add a bit of water to the pudding if it becomes too thick. Top with fresh fruit and nuts of your choice. (Yields 2 servings)
Book Club: Aim True by Kathryn Budig
Love Your Body, Eat Without Fear, Nourish Your Spirit, Discover True Balance! Yogi and motivational speaker Kathryn Budig is known for her ability to encourage others to set their intentions and goals, no matter how lofty, and work toward them while staying true to themselves. Whether your goal is to love who you are right now, reshape the way you view food, develop a meditation practice, or discover new ways to embrace the great balancing act that is life, this holistic approach to yoga, diet, and mindfulness has something for you. Filled with vibrant photographs and whimsical illustrations, this guide is as beautiful as it is life-changing. Available at a book store near you!
Are You Struggling with CRA Debt?
LCTaylor Licensed Insolvency Trustees
All debt is stressful, but most people would agree that owing money to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is a frightening prospect. CRA debt is never ignored or written off. Collection attempts by CRA are often aggressive and can even include wage garnishment and liens on your home.
If you are struggling with back taxes, don’t panic. There are resources in place that can help you get caught up on your taxes. Here’s what you need to know about dealing with CRA debt.
Request a payment plan.
While CRA will not negotiate with you on back taxes, they will work with you to split the amount you owe into more manageable payments. Contact CRA and ask them if you can go on a payment plan. This will allow you to pay the full amount back over a certain period of time.
There are a few drawbacks to a payment plan. Until the balance is paid off, it will accrue interest. Depending on how much you owe, this can be very expensive. Also, if you default on your payment plan, the CRA will begin collection attempts. This can include wage garnishment or a lien on your home.
Consult with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
Let’s say you discuss a payment plan with the CRA, but the payments are too expensive. Or, you’ve recently lost your job and cannot afford to make any payments. If this is the case, you may need to visit a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.
One option to discuss with the Trustee is a Consumer Proposal. This allows you to settle your debts for less than you owe. The Trustee will work with the CRA and your other creditors to negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Then, you’ll make a payment you can afford to the Trustee. This kind of settlement has advantages over one that you could arrange yourself. When you file a formal Consumer Proposal through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, the proposal is binding on your creditors, and they are prevented from pursuing any further collection practices.
If a payment plan or Consumer Proposal fail, Bankruptcy is another option. Because tax debt is an unsecured debt, it is included in debts to be discharged in a bankruptcy. Depending on your circumstances, a Bankruptcy is sometimes a better option than a Consumer Proposal, because it may cost less and be completed sooner. A Trustee will help you decide the best option for your situation.
Both a Consumer Proposal and Bankruptcy stop collection activity from your creditors.
Above all—act quickly.
When it comes to CRA debt, it’s important to act quickly. Although it’s easy to ignore a notice or call from CRA, especially if you don’t have the money to pay your taxes, it’s the worst thing you can do. CRA will sometimes work with you, but only if you communicate with them.
CRA debt can be stressful, but it can be manageable if you follow these guidelines.
L.C. Taylor
www.lctaylor.com
Shoulder Pain Prevention
Have you ever had shoulder pain? Did you know that the shoulder is the second most pain-affected joint in the body? Some common predisposing factors are age, gender, work conditions and repetitive postures/activities that compromise the rotator cuff tendons/muscles. Some of these factors we can’t change, but many can be modified. The shoulder can be physically readied with proper stretches and strengthening exercise as a prevention tactic. Here are a few things you can do to avoid being a shoulder statistic: Stretch your pecs. Tight chest muscles encourage a round shoulder posture and that compromises the rotator cuff tendons. Stand on a small step stool to reduce overhead reaching. Optimize your computer work station. Do not sleep with your elbow tucked under your head. Play a variety of sports so your body is not subject to the same challenge over and over. Prevention is always a better option than treatment!
Doug Christie, Doug Christie Physiotherapy and Associates
In Season: Apples and Oranges
Both fruits have been shown to reduce the risk of stroke. Researchers estimate that if every adult over age 50 ate an apple a day, there would be 8,500 fewer strokes and heart attacks every year. One medium apple has 95 calories and 4 grams of fiber. Half the vitamin C content is in the skin, so don’t peel it! And yes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away because its vitamin C may boost the body’s resistance to germs and viruses. One medium orange has 60 calories and 3 grams of fiber. It supplies 120% of your daily-recommended intake of vitamin C. While you’ll probably want to peel it before eating, you can add the orange layer of the peel (zest) minus the white part, to stews, roast poultry, or yogurt for a rich, citrusy taste and a dose of phenolic acids, powerful antioxidants also found in apples.
Benefits of Chlorogenic Acid
Chlorogenic Acid is the main active ingredient in the Green Coffee Bean. It is a powerful thermogenic fat burner and has been found to aid in weight loss and help slow down the body’s absorption of fat from our regular food intake. It increases metabolism which also helps in the weight loss process. It holds promise in many aspects of health and cognition similar to bioflavonoids and shares some effects similar to caffeine, but less potent. Studies show that Chlorogenic Acid may also decrease the absorption of dietary carbohydrate, as well as provide anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This may have benefits for people who are at high risk of diabetes and heart disease. It also helps regulate the flow of bile from the liver thereby reducing liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. The Healthiest Coffee on the Planet!
Roma Stefanowich
10 Reasons to Have a Himalayan Salt Lamp
Salt lamps are simply large pieces of pure Himalayan Salt with a small bulb inside. They can be solid pieces of salt or decorative baskets filled with large crystals of salt. Himalayan salt lamps are made from pure, food grade, Himalayan salt crystals and can even be powdered to use as salt in recipes if needed. When salt crystals heat they emit negative ions into the air. Negative ions help clean the air, improve focus and promote healing. The top 10 benefits of Himalayan salt lamps include; cleanses and deodorizes the air reducing allergy and asthma symptoms, eases coughing, increases energy levels, neutralizes electromagnetic radiation, aids in better sleep, improves mood and concentration, helps in treatment of seasonal effective disorder, reduces static in the air and lastly, is an environmentally- friendly light source. These beautiful lamps are available in different tones and sizes and are an excellent addition for every room in your home.
Julie Sagnes, Authentic Wellness
Natural Healing For Your Body
Bowen is a restorative therapy that allows the body to heal itself. It can provide a path for the body to heal even in the presence of a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia or sensory neuropathy. In addition to restoring muscle and nervous system integrity, Bowen treatments can shift the central nervous system from the sympathetic (flight and fight) response to the parasympathetic (rest and restoration) response. As a result, it can positively affect physiological functions such as circulation, arterial pressure and heart rate, digestion, sleep, lymphatics and the endocrine system. Bowen is very gentle such that individuals, even when in constant pain, find the treatment relaxing and calming for the body. Bowen can be performed over loose clothing or with the individual sitting in a chair or a walker. This makes it ideal for individuals of limited mobility.
Julie Rempel, Sage Water Health
5 Tips for Eye Strain Relief
1. Get a comprehensive eye exam. Having routine exams is the most important thing you can do to prevent or treat eye strain problems.
2. Use proper lighting. Eye strain is often caused by harsh interior lighting. Many computer users find their eyes feel better if they can avoid working under overhead florescent tubing. Avoid blue light!
3. Minimize glare. If you wear glasses, purchase lenses with anti-reflective coating. AR coating reduces glare by minimizing the amount of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of your eyeglass lenses.
4. Create a soothing eye mask using tea bags. Tea bags contain tannins that can help constrict vessels, relieving puffy eyes from eye strain.
5. A major cause of eye strain is dry eyes. Use over-the-counter artificial tears if your eyes feel dry after reading, knitting, or concentrating for a long period of time.
Christine Neustaeter, Eye GO Mobile Optical
Grace, Loveliness & Confidence
Amoena is a Latin word that translates to grace and loveliness. For over 40 years, this lingerie and clothing brand has provided options for women, specifically those who have had a surgery related to breast cancer. With lingerie, active wear, leisure wear, nightwear and swimwear, all of the clothing is pocketed so that a breast form may be worn, but it is not limited to women who need a breast form. The Valletta tank top for example, is made of ‘modal’, which is a rayon made from beech trees. This fabric is comfortable and easy to wear. The Valletta tank top is constructed with a supportive shelf bra, therefore alleviating the need to wear a bra. Perfect for summer time on its own, under jackets or blazers or worn as a camisole. Wear the Amoena line of clothing with grace, loveliness and confidence.
The Unexpected Gift
