Community News
Stress Often Leads to Disease

Little bits of ‘acute’ stress are normal, sometimes even healthy. It’s CHRONIC STRESS that often leads to disease. Headaches, fatigue, depression, anxiety, to name a few, are the first signs of ongoing chronic stress. These symptoms wreak havoc on our bodies and when coupled with an unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to molds, heavy metals, food intolerances, inflammation, infections and parasites within your body, this mixture is why chronic stress is linked to diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Get down to the underlying cause of your stress by having your stress hormones tested and by adopting these healthy lifestyle tips: 1. Practice some deep breathing techniques. 2. Get plenty of sleep. 3. Eat fish at least twice per week or take an Omega 3 supplement. 4. Drink water! Eight glasses a day. 5. Avoid junk food!

Stacie Rasmussen RNCP, Blossom Nutrition, www.winnipegnutritionist.com

Clean Eating: Almond Date Energy Bites

1 cup Medjool Dates (de-pitted).

1 cup raw almonds.

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut or rolled oats.

1/4 cup raw cacao.

¼ tsp cinnamon. Pinch of sea salt.

1/2 tbsp vanilla. 1/2 tbsp maple syrup.

1 – 2 tbsp almond milk.

1. Place dates in food processor and pulse until it forms a ball. Break up the date ball with a spatula and add almonds, raw cacao, coconut and salt. 2. Process for 3-4 minutes 3. Add vanilla, almond milk and maple syrup 4. Process until mixture forms a ball. Add more almond milk if the mixture is not forming. 5. Roll mixture into balls and dip in shredded coconut if desired 6. Can be stored in an airtight container or frozen.

Stacie Rasmussen RNCP, Blossom Nutrition, www.winnipegnutritionist.com

Help is Available

Professionals can help! If you have a mental health concern, deciding to take that first step toward reaching out to a professional can seem daunting and scary. However taking that first step can open the door to feeling better. Who do you go to if you have a mental health concern? Your doctor can be a great professional to turn to. They may even refer you to other professionals to ensure you get the care you need. There are many different types of professionals that can help us. For example, counsellors can help you work on relationship issues, past life events and many other topics. Financial planners can help you save money or reduce debt. Reaching out to a professional doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you, it means you’ve recognized a need for change and want someone to help you through it.

Canadian Mental Health Association, www.cmha.ca

Benefits of Cassiolamine

This multi-flavonoid compound helps in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and in the reduction of high blood pressure. Cassiolamine helps to maintain healthy blood vessels by reducing the adhesion (stickiness) of blood platelets, which promotes healthy blood flow. This important ingredient also serves as an anti-oxidant, which helps to maintain a healthy heart and improved immune system. What this natural legume-based extract is mostly known for is its powerful lipase-inhibiting features, which results in the prevention of fat absorption and an effective carbohydrate blocker.

Roma Stefanowich, Valentus
www.easygo.valentustour.com

Medication Timing

It is important to understand clearly when to take medications and how to take them. Some prescriptions have to be taken on an empty stomach while others are taken with food – check with your pharmacist to ensure you know what that means (how long before or after a meal do I have to wait). This helps with the appropriate absorption of the medication. Some medications should not be taken with other drugs as this can lead to reduced effectiveness. Timing of medications is also important in terms of when to take them – morning vs nighttime – to alleviate side effects. As well, it is key to follow the instructions on the number of times per day to take the medication. When receiving a new prescription, ask your pharmacist to fully explain the medication so you have a clear understanding of it. A full medication review of all your prescription drugs and over the counter products can further help you see how they work together.

Care At Home Pharmacy
www.careathomepharmacy.ca

Go DEET-Free With Essential Oils

It’s no secret that Manitoba is a mosquito haven. Quite frankly, our mosquitos can rival some small birds! While a lot of you still use traditional (and toxic) bug repellents, many of us want to know our alternatives. Lemon eucalyptus oil could be a much safer and more natural weapon against these little monsters. So what’s so bad about DEET, you ask? DEET toxicity can be blamed for skin irritations, rashes, lethargy, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures and convulsions. When applied to the skin a certain percentage of DEET is absorbed into the bloodstream. And the toxicity of the chemical goes up when it’s combined with isopropyl alcohol or freon, both of which are common ingredients in commercial bug repellents. In fact, DEET products are required to carry several child safety warnings. Studies have confirmed that lemon eucalyptus oil can be as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitoes. Other essential oils that mosquitos loathe are: catnip oil, neem and citronella!

Protect Your Pet from Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is an endemic in Manitoba for people and pets alike. The disease is spread by black-legged ticks, or commonly called deer ticks. When a deer tick infects a dog, there are common symptoms to look out for. One is lameness due to inflammation of the joints. There may also be a lack of appetite, stiff gait, sensitivity to touch and difficulty breathing. More serious complications include damage to the kidneys and heart or nervous system. Avoid allowing your dog to roam in tick-infested environments where Lyme disease is common. These ticks are found in grassy, wooded areas of Southern Manitoba. Check your dog’s coat and skin daily and remove ticks by hand. Remember, deer ticks are TINY! They are often very hard to find. Pet stores and Veterinary clinics have tick-removing tools and knowledgeable staff to show you exactly how it’s done. Your veterinarian can also recommend a Lyme vaccination as well as a variety of products that repel and kill ticks.

Lisa Tustin, Professional Pet Services
www.facebook.com/propetservices1

How to Choose a Safe Sunscreen

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.

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!

www.kathrynbudig.com

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