Stroke is the No. 2 cause of death worldwide, which means it’s important to know the warning signs. Remember F.A.S.T. (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty or slurred speech – if you see any of these signs, it’s time to call 911). Other signs that someone is suffering from a stroke include sudden vision loss, a severe headache (caused by swelling in the brain), dizziness or imbalance, and nausea and vomiting (both of which are very common early signs of stroke). By understanding what to look for and taking the signs of stroke seriously, you could save a life!
Community News
Ask a Pharmacist, Your Local Medication Expert!
Medication mix-ups can and do happen. It’s easy for people to lose track of what they are taking and how often they are taking it. Asking a pharmacist questions is a powerful action that can improve medication safety, they are an expert in medications. Patients are also a very important partner in medication safety. Ask questions every time a new medication is prescribed, given or purchased. A full understanding of all aspects of medication is so important to help patients manage their health. Questions save lives, it’s safe to ask.
Optimize Your Health
Optimize your neurology and you optimize your health! Did you know that the metatarsal area of your foot has over 10,000 nerve receptors? Their main purpose in life is to report back to your brain, via your nervous system, what is happening in your body. A neurological problem, such as MS, Parkinson’s, and Fibromyalgia can compromise messaging to the brain. Voxxlife HPT helps to improve that communication. VOXX HPT is a very specific sequence and pattern of neuroreceptor activation on the bottom of the feet that triggers a signal that aides in the brainstem reaching homeostasis. Voxxlife is a proud “cause-partner” with the Canadian MS Society.
Signs of Poor Mental Health
It can be hard to know if someone is suffering from poor mental health. It is impossible to know the thoughts another person is experiencing unless they share them with us. If you suspect someone may be struggling, look for common signs of poor mental health, such rapid mood swings, increased anxiety, social withdrawal, and lack of self care. Other signs to look for include concentration or memory issues, lack of motivation, and withdrawing from friends and activities. Offering to listen and sharing about your mental health can open up lines of communication so they can start to feel better.
Do’s and Don’ts of Dating
In today’s distracted world, where people are panicked when they don’t have instant access to their electronics, face-to-face meetings can be a foreign concept. When getting to know someone, it is important that they feel you are giving them your undivided attention. Cell phones need to be on silent and put away while on a date. Exes are not discussed. Communication needs to be real. Texting and emailing are not appropriate ways to get to know someone. Take the time to call them and have a real conversation. Do an activity on your date where you have ample time to get to learn more about the person. Mini golf, bowling, the zoo, or walking through craft shows are some suggestions that allow you to get to know one another without pressure.
Let Your Skin Bloom
We live in a climate where dryness and cold weather can be brutal on our skin: dulling, drying, chapping, dullness, redness, irritation – blah, blah, blah. But with a good skin care routine, you can ditch the blahs and bloom again. Make sure your skin retains moisture by using a hydrating cream with vitamins A, D and E and an essential oil blend that helps strengthen and regenerate your skin barrier. A home or office humidifier can also provide a moisture balance. And remember that regular facials and good organic creams are your best arsenal for fighting away dryness.
How to Grocery Shop Smarter
Ensure you are making the healthiest choices at the grocery store for your body and your wallet. Here’s a few tips to help you stay on track: Make a plan. Plan your meals and snacks for the week so you buy what you will use. This will cut down on wasted ingredients and reduce processed food purchases.
Never go shopping when you are hungry. This will reduce impulse purchases.
Buy in bulk. Most grocery offers a bulk section to help you buy what you need and save money.
Shop the Periphery. The outside edges of the grocery store are where you’ll find most of the nutrient-dense, whole, fresh foods.
Yoga for Treating Back Pain
Yoga is an easy and ideal practice for soothing and even eliminating back pain. Poses like cat-cow, sphinx, cobra, two-knee twist, and bridge work the spine, and strengthen and lengthen various muscles that contribute to back pain, such as the psoas muscle. Always consult with your doctor before beginning any fitness program and never push yourself so hard that you feel pain. Discomfort is OK. Pain is the body saying “stop”. Yoga works best when you honour the limitations of your body. As you exhale, you can go just a little farther into the pose as your muscles release tension.
The Wonders of Aloe Vera
Humans have used aloe vera therapeutically for over 5,000 years. It is truly a medicinal plant, full of nutritional benefits. It contains 20 minerals, 19 of the 20 amino acids required by the body, and 12 vitamins. Aloe vera also provides the enzymes lipases and proteases, which aid in digestion; saponins, which are substances that exert a powerful anti-microbial effect against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast; and salicylic acid, which when used topically helps to break down dead tissue. When taken orally, aloe vera acts as an anti-inflammatory. No wonder it is used for such a wide range of remedies.
Book Club: Hack Your Anxiety
How to Make Anxiety Work for You in Life, Love, and All That You Do. What if anxiety is not a monster to be tamed, but a resource to be tapped? In this revolutionary book, Dr. Alicia Clark recognizes anxiety as the unsung hero in the path to success and happiness. It can become the motivating force that will lead to a better you, and The Anxiety Advantage aims to restore anxiety to its rightful place as a positive resource. Reclaim your anxiety as a powerful energy source, and bring yourself peace, growth and success.
Clean Eating: Matcha Green Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients: 2 frozen ripe bananas, 1/4 cup chopped ripe pineapple, 3/4 cup coconut milk, 2 tsp matcha green tea powder, 1 cup organic spinach or kale. Topping ideas: berries, coconut flakes, banana slices, chia seeds, almonds. Instructions: Add frozen banana slices, pineapple, coconut milk, matcha powder, and spinach to a blender and blend on high until creamy and smooth. Enjoy!
