Community News
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

Why You Need Kombucha!

Kombucha is a living health drink made by fermenting tea and sugar with the Kombucha culture. The result can taste like something between sparkling apple cider and champagne, depending on what kind of tea you use. Known as the “Immortal Health Elixir” by the Chinese and originating in the Far East around 2,000 years ago, Kombucha is a beverage with tremendous health benefits. It can efficiently act in health preservation and recovery due to four main properties: detoxification, anti-oxidation, energizing potencies, and promotion of boosting immunity. Seven main health benefits of Kombucha include: Detoxification by counteracting liver cell toxicity, aids in digestion by counteracting free radicals that create mayhem in the digestive system., Kombucha also increases energy, boosts immune health, helps heal and prevent joint damage, and reduces the risk of cancer as a result of the glucaric acid. In addition to this Kombucha also helps with weight loss by improving metabolism and limiting fat accumulation.

Nutrition Plus Organic Market

www.nutritionplus.com

Senior Safety Checklist

Are all throw rugs and scatter mats secured in place to keep them from slipping? Yes_ No_
Do you have a first aid kit and know where it is? Yes_ No_
Do the steps of your stairs have a non-skid surface? Yes_ No_
Are there solid handrails on both sides of the stairway? Yes_ No_
Do you remove your reading glasses when using the stairs? Yes_ No_
Are heavy items on lower shelves or in bottom cupboards? Yes_ No_
Do you use a ladder or a stable step stool (with a safety rail) for reaching high places? Yes_ No_
Are all chemicals, such as bleach, cleaners and paint thinners, clearly identified? Yes_ No_
Are flammable materials stored as indicated by the directions on the label and away from sources of heat and flame? Yes_ No_
Do you keep night lights or other sources of light on in case you get up in the middle of the night? Yes_ No_

Life Assure

www.lifeassure.com

Differentiating Between IBS and IBD

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) are common today and are often viewed as the same thing. They are not. IBD is a broad term referring to chronic inflammation of the bowels, mostly linked to Crohn’s and Colitis. IBS is not classified as a true disease, it’s known instead as a ‘functional disorder’, which means they don’t know what is causing the symptoms and test results generally come back normal. IBS is usually characterized by a combination of abdominal pain, cramps, constipation and diarrhea. IBD can cause the same symptoms as IBS as well as; eye discomfort, extreme fatigue, joint pain and rectal bleeding. Both can cause urgent bowel movements. There are natural therapies including reflexology and acupuncture that can help keep symptoms under control.

Trenna Reid, Discover Reflexology

www.discoverreflexology.ca

Exercise During Pregnancy

There once was a time when many pregnant women were put on bed rest, but there is more and more evidence supporting exercises during pregnancy. Even those who haven’t been active prior to pregnancy are encouraged to gradually increase their physical activity, especially during the second trimester. According to the American Counsel of Sports Medicine, benefits of exercise far outweigh risks. Benefits include decreased chances of developing gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, decreased lower back pain and better weight control. Guidelines for exercise intensity use the ‘talk test’, whatever activity you’re performing; you should still be able to carry on a conversation without being excessively short of breath. It’s recommended to exercise 15-30 minutes/day 3-5 days per week. Types of exercise include lower impact activities that don’t involve contact or high risk of falls. Your physiotherapist can show you different exercise modifications to keep workouts safe yet effective throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Susanne Robson, BMR(PT) Prairie Trail Physiotherapy

www.prairietrailphysio.ca

Managing Multiple Medications

When taking medications more than twice a day, the likelihood of forgetting increases. For this reason, it is preferable to use convenience packing / bubble packs to serve as a reminder. This type of packaging can help to space your medications appropriately. 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 – this can potentially change the effectiveness of the drug and cause harm. If you are on prescription drugs, it’s important to have a discussion with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over the counter products. A pharmacist can also conduct a full medication review with all your prescription and over the counter products and advise you on safe use. If you are on a complex medication regime, a pharmacist is able to help you monitor the effects of your medication.

Ray Hogue, Care At Home Pharmacy
www.careathomepharmacy.ca

Clean Eating: Oven Roasted Chickpeas

Oven-roasted chickpeas are about as simple as it gets — toss with olive oil, your favourite spices, roast and eat! They are nutritious and a great source of protein and fiber!
This recipe makes approx. 2 cups of snacking goodness!

Ingredients:

2 15-oz cans organic chickpeas
2 TBSP olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2-4 tsp spices or finely chopped fresh herbs, like chili powder, curry powder, or smoked paprika.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse chickpeas thoroughly, then pat dry with a clean towel. They should feel dry to the touch. Toss chickpeas with olive oil and salt: Spread them out in an even layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Stir to make sure the chickpeas are evenly coated. Roast for 20-30 minutes, shaking the pan every 10 minutes. The chickpeas are done when golden and crispy. Toss with the spices and serve warm!

Eilsa Pitamber
www.elisanutrition.com