Community News
Clean Eating: Naked Energy Bites

These chocolatey treats contain no refined sugars, and are loaded with protein and fibre for a quick snack that really packs a punch!

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup date puree
1/3 cup water
1 3/4 cup Rolled Naked Oats
1/3 cup peanut butter
3 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup almonds
1/4 cup hemp hearts
2 tbsp chia seeds
3 tbsp cocoa
3 tbsp each oats, coconut, and hemp hearts

DIRECTIONS:

Combine in mixing bowl.
Roll dough into balls, and roll in extra coconut, hemp and/or oats to cover the outside and make them look oh-so-pretty.
Keep in fridge for 20 minutes to harden…or just eat them on the spot.

www.adagioacres.com

Book Club: Furiously Happy   

A Funny Book About Horrible Things

Jenny Lawson, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, explores her lifelong battle with mental illness. A hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety? That sounds like a terrible idea. But terrible ideas are what Jenny does best. Furiously happy is a book about embracing everything that makes us who we are – the beautiful and the flawed – and then using it to find joy in fantastic and outrageous ways. Maybe crazy isn’t so bad after all!

Jenny Lawson, www.thebloggess.com

Muscle Maintenace Needs Breakfast

March is National Nutrition Month. For the mornings that you’re running a little late and can’t sit down to eat, you might be tempted to pick up something at a fast-food drive-thru. A high-carb start to the morning might deliver a rush of energy, but within a couple of hours, you’ll come crashing down along with your blood sugar levels. Adding protein to your meal slows the release of glucose for steady energy, mental focus, and satiety. Protein helps keep you satisfied so you don’t devour the donuts during your break. You’ll be better able to control your cravings and your weight. A protein-packed meal is the true breakfast of champions as your body is busy all day long repairing and building muscle, especially if you are active. By including protein in every meal throughout the day, you supply your body with the material it needs for optimal muscle maintenance.

Reprinted with permission by Curves Interenational, 2015, www.curves.com

Muscadine Grape Seeds

Do you want to improve your immune system? Do you suffer from frequent illness or a high level of stress? Muscadine grape seeds are rich sources of polyphenols and other nutrients studied for their potential health benefits. The reason for this is the ‘genetic makeup’ of this special fruit. Muscadine grapes have an extra set of chromosomes, containing genes that allow them to produce a unique and powerful balance of phytonutrients and antioxidants. Greater protection from physical, mental, and environmental stressors mean less damage to tissue, less chronic illness and degenerative diseases, and a longer symptom-free life. This ability to survive the elements can be passed on to us! These grape seeds provide support for a healthy immune system. In a day where environmental toxins, contaminants, and stress have caused growing concerns to health and the aging process, the Muscadine grape seeds provide the perfect health partner to help shield us from harm’s way.

Darlene Savage, www.peopleswaylc.com

Clean Eating: Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Cauliflower is a great low-carb substitute for crusts, breads, and more! Here’s the cauliflower pizza crust recipe everyone is buzzing about!

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower

½ cup shredded mozzarella

1/4 cup grated parmesan

½ tsp dried oregano

½ tsp kosher salt

¼ tsp garlic powder

2 eggs lightly beaten

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Break cauliflower into florets and pulse in food processor until fine. Steam cauliflower and drain well. In a bowl, combine with all ingredients. Transfer to baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Add your favorite pizza toppings and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Family Endorsement 

Care At Home Pharmacy is the epitome of what is needed today to help seniors remain in the comfort of their home and have quality care come to them. My parents have greatly benefited from “visiting pharmacist” Yolanda Yeung’s involvement. She initially developed a medical profile for each of them and made recommendations to their doctor regarding medication changes. She pays weekly visits to my parents’ home to monitor their progress and well-being and readily provides their prescriptions and any other pharmaceutical needs as recommended by their doctor. I am my parents’ primary caregiver but do not live in the city so Yolanda and I communicate by email. She also regularly communicates and collaborates with the doctor and nursing service involved with my parents’ care. It just doesn’t get any better than that in my view!

Daughter – Lorna, www.careathomepharmacy.ca

Ask your Dentist

Should you leave your dentures out at night?  Simple answer is yes.  If you cannot bear to go to bed toothless, then you must be ten times more careful to keep your dentures absolutely clean.  Brush dentures with soap or a denture cleaning paste.  Regular toothpaste is too abrasive for denture acrylic and will cause premature wear.  Brush over a sink full of water; that way, if you drop the denture, it will go splash instead of crack.  Brush your gums where they are in contact with the denture.  If they are sore or bleed then you must leave the dentures out overnight.  Soak the dentures in a cup of water with a couple of tablespoons of household bleach at least once or twice a week.  This will not harm the denture.  It will kill bacteria and spores and remove stubborn stains.  If your gums are sore or bleed for any length of time, please go and see your dentist.  You can always get new dentures; new gums are more of a challenge.

Dr. George Cadigan, www.exclusivelydentures.ca

10-Point Risk Assessment 

When do you know it’s time to get a medical alert system in your home? Take this short assessment to find out! If you answer “yes” to most of these, maybe it’s time to consider one!  Are you over the age of 55? Do you live alone? Do you lead an active lifestyle? Do you use a cane, walker or devices to assist you in walking? In the past year, have you fallen or been at risk of falling inside or outside the home? Do you take daily medication? Have you been hospitalized in the past 3 years? Do you sometimes feel weak or dizzy? In the past 12 months, have you been concerned about falling in the home? Is it important for you to continue living independently? With a medical alert unit, you can have peace of mind knowing that at any time, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, help is available at the push of a button.

www.lifeassure.com

Medication Reviews

Most people are aware that 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 – these interactions can potentially change the effectiveness of the drug and lead to harm, such as a fall. This in turn can lead to an emergency room visit or hospital stay. If you are on prescription drugs, it is important to have a discussion with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over the counter products to ensure you are taking the right products at the right times. A pharmacist can also conduct a full medication review with all your prescription and over the counter products and advise you on safe medication use. If you are on a complex medication regime, a visiting pharmacist can help you monitor the effects of your medication in the comfort of your home.

Care At Home Pharmacy, www.careathomepharmacy.ca

Garcinia Cambogia Fruit

An incredibly efficient fat burning ingredient, Garcinia Cambogia has received much media attention for it’s effect on weight loss and food consumption control. This pure ingredient is 100% natural; it is sometimes referred to as Tamarind, and it grows primarily in the lush green mountains of India, southeast Asia as well as in Central Africa. Its primary ingredient is the dietary super supplement known as HCA, which is proven in scientific studies to stop hunger in its tracks. The tamarind fruit has traditionally been used in soups as appetizers before meals, because of the smaller portion sizes due to limited amount of food. It’s appetite suppression qualities helped make villagers feel more full (satiety) and the fruit would increase the workers’ fat burning skills (thermogenesis) providing an increase in energy and productivity.

Greg and Bridget Doll, www.myvalentus.com/lakewinnipeg

The Magic Bean Sprout

Did you know that Mung Bean Sprouts contain EVERY vitamin known to man? These delicious home-grown sprouts are packed so full of nutrients that they can actually be considered natural supplements. Kids love watching them grow, and even more, they love the fresh garden taste. Mung beans produce an edible sprout that’s crisp and nutty tasting. These sprouts are substantial enough to stand-up to stir-frying, but they’re often used raw in salads and on sandwiches. Because of their high nutrient density, mung bean sprouts are useful in defending against several chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. While mung beans may be new to some people in Canada, they’ve been a part of traditional Ayurvedic diets in India for thousands of years. Mung beans are considered one of the most cherished foods in the ancient Indian practice. Don’t just take our word for it – try sprouting today!

Rick, www.scoopandsave.com