Community News
Winter Hazards & Your Cat

It can be a scary situation. You get into your vehicle and you hear a faint sound. When you pop the hood, you’re able to see that a tiny kitten has crawled in. Year after year we see our share of cats who have been injured because they just wanted to keep warm. During the winter months, a kitten, who doesn’t have very much body fat, can get quite cold. When he feels the warmth coming from your engine, up he goes. It may seem like folklore, but there have been several instances of this happening. If you suspect a cat could get under your car, honk the horn or bang loudly on the hood before starting the engine. Ultimately, cats do seek shelter in and around vehicles and some are badly injured, burned, or killed when drivers fail to notice their presence. Always keeping your cats indoors is the best way to keep them safe from vehicle dangers.

Lisa Tustin, Veterinary Assistant

DIY Natural Deodorant

Traditional deodorants contain many harmful ingredients including aluminum. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin that has been linked to breast cancer and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Want to know how to make your own natural, aluminum-free deodorant that WORKS? Simple! All you need is: 3 Tbsp coconut oil, 4 Tbsp baking soda, 2 Tbsp shea butter, 2 tbsp corn starch and any essential oils (like lavender and tea tree). Make a double boiler by placing a glass jar in a small pot of water. Bring water to a simmer. Add coconut oil and shea butter to the jar and let melt. Turn off the heat, add the baking soda and cornstarch, and stir until smooth. Mix in essential oils and let cool. To use, just scoop a small amount from the jar and rub onto your armpits until absorbed. Some people transfer the deodorant to an old anti-perspirant tube to make application easier.

Good Dog Behavior 

Have you ever had company over to your home and had to profusely apologize to your guests as your dog attacks them with love. “Sorry” as you pull your dog away. It happens. Now envision a scenario where your guests come to the door, your dog goes and lays down waiting patiently for permission to “Go Say Hi”. Then, once your dog goes and introduces them they go back to their designated spot and waits for further instruction, as you stand there proudly thinking “Yeah that’s my dog”. Now which scenario would you prefer? Obviously the latter would make life simpler. By teaching our dogs that when people come to the door, it does not mean chaos, it means calm. By changing your dogs attitude you are giving them a lot more balance in their life, making them a happier dog and a happier family.

Shalin Hustad, www.grassrootscanine.com

Bowenwork® Therapy 

A painful body is often accompanied by an anxious mind. Bowenwork® therapy is a gentle, medication-free therapy for the body and mind. It works to balance and restore the musculoskeletal system, hydrate fascia and resolve related neurological issues, providing relief for acute and chronic injuries. This gentle, yet effective technique is also ideal for individuals who might find conventional body work painful, as such it can bring relief to fibromyalgia sufferers and for individuals undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.  Another key feature of Bowenwork® is the ability to shift the autonomic nervous system (ANS) from the sympathetic (fight/flight) response to the parasympathetic (rest/repair) response.  When in pain, the body’s natural tendency is to go into the fight/flight response to protect the area with pain. Shifting towards the rest/repair response promotes healing. During a session, this shift may be apparent as a sense of profound relaxation. In this New Year may you all find peace for your body and mind.

Julia Rempel, PhD, Certified Bowenwork® Therapist, Sage Water Health, www.sagewaterhealth.com

Apple Cider Vinegar for Beauty

If you’re only using apple cider vinegar in the kitchen, you’re missing out!  Apple cider vinegar is one of nature’s most powerful ingredients that offer many health and beauty benefits. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is rich in acetic, citric and malic acids as well as vitamins, enzymes, minerals and amino acids. For those struggling with acne or pimples, it has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help keep your pores free from bacteria.  ACV increases blood flow to the skin and minimize pores. In addition, it helps restore and balance your skin’s pH, which is essential to prevent skin breakouts. To use: Mix 1 part raw, unfiltered ACV and 2 parts water in a bowl. Soak a cotton ball and apply it on the affected skin. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. Reapply a few times daily for a few days.

Life Assure

Life Assure Medical Alert is Canada’s foremost provider of medical alert devices for seniors. Our goal is simple, to keep seniors safe and allows them to live comfortably in their homes while remaining independent. Life Assure provides state of the art technology with each one of our extremely affordable and reliable units. With Life Assure Medical Alert Units, 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. Whether you need to contact a family member, friend, or the local paramedics, our team of highly trained and dedicated staff is available whenever you need. Our simple and low monthly prices provide premium services with no hidden charges or extra costs. Additionally, our lifetime guarantee makes it easy for you to maintain the lifestyle you enjoy, while also staying safe. Remain independent and protect your life with Life Assure

Medical Alert. Life Assure, www.lifeassure.com

Book Club: Ritalin-Free Kids 

by Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, ND & Robert Ullman, ND
Ritalin-Free Kids offers a natural alternative to Ritalin and other drugs such as Adderal and Dexedrine for the treatment of ADHD. The authors describe their experiences with more than 400 ADHD patients whom they have treated. You will learn how lives have been dramatically changed and improved through the use of homeopathy. Before parents agree to give children stimulants, they should read this book. http://healthyhomeopathy.com

Dr. Anke Zimmermann, BSc, ND, FCAH, www.drzimmermann.org

Clean Eating: 3 Ingredient No-Bake Applesauce Brownies 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut flour (sifted)
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup coconut palm sugar (or any natural sweetener)
1/4 cup nut butter of choice (optional)
Cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Line a small baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine your coconut flour and coconut palm sugar and mix well.
  3. Add your applesauce and nut butter (if using it) and mix until a very thick batter is formed.
  4. Transfer the batter to the lined baking tray, top with cinnamon and refrigerate for an hour or so, until it has firmed up slightly.
  5. Cut into brownie-sized pieces and enjoy.

Note:

Depending on the brand of coconut flour, you may need more applesauce. Keep adding more in until a thick batter is formed- Firm but still quite moist. Brownies are best kept refrigerated and can be frozen.

www.thebigmansworld.com

Caregiver Pharmacy Support

It can be difficult to be a caregiver and manage multiple or complex medications for a loved one.  It is important to ensure medications are taken appropriately to help maintain good health.  A visiting pharmacist provides personal support with regular medication delivery and home consultations. The pharmacist reviews a client’s prescription drugs and over the counter medications to advise if there are any drug interactions and makes adjustments as necessary. This level of support can reduce emergency room visits and hospital stays and results in strong, trusting relationships between clients, caregivers and pharmacists.  The visiting pharmacist also provides seamless care for hospital discharge patients and works closely with other health professionals to deliver a high level of care to the client.  Care is tailored to specific individual needs such as assisting with blood pressure readings, adding medications as needed to adherence packaging and making changes in an timely manner.

Care At Home Pharmacy, www.careathomepharmacy.ca

YOUR DECEMBER COMMUNITY EVENTS!

December 7 @ 6:15pm
Holiday Stress Busters Advanced Workshop @ Academy Chiropractic
2-525 Academy Road

 

December 16
Holiday Toy Drive @ Academy Chiropractic
2-525 Academy Road
Let’s make sure every child has a toy for Christmas!

 

 

Thursday, November 26 – Sunday November 29
Holiday shopping in one place!
It’s our annual Forum Art Fair at the Forum Art Centre
120 Eugenie Street & Tache
www.forumartcentre.com

 

Give the Gift of Art Classes starting January 11
Registration starts November 28
Free admission, free parking, and wheelchair access.
Call 204-235-1069 or visit www.forumartcentre.com

Trying to Lose Weight?

With so many quick weight loss tips and products on the market today, it’s easy to get confused. Try sticking with a real-food “diet” that will help you along your fitness journey. There are known foods that, when eaten with balanced meals, will help you shed those pounds. Cabbage is high in antioxidants, including vitamin C. It’s also high in fiber to keep you staying full for longer periods of time. Organic eggs are very high in protein, and contain a hormone that helps us burn fat, particularly around the abdomen. Yogurt is great because it’s not only delicious, but it’s full of probiotics. These good bacteria help get rid of the bad bacteria in your digestive tract. Keep in mind that when you eat, chew your food! Chewing will send a signal to your brain that you’re actually eating something solid. This helps your body to feel full faster.