If you smoke and are looking to buy life insurance in Canada, you can expect to pay a much higher premium than a non-smoker does. On term policies, the premiums can be more than double, and on permanent plans, the difference in rates is less pronounced. The insurance definition of a smoker is a male or female who uses nicotine, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, a nicotine patch, or nicotine gum. Remember that to qualify for preferred rates, the insurance company can look back up to 12 months. Rates can be up to double for smokers on term plans, but only about 25% higher on permanent plans.
Community News
Combining Medications
People often don’t think about over-the-counter (OTC) drugs when a health professional asks if they are taking any medications. OTC drugs can include things like pain relievers, allergy medications, and even herbal supplements. Mixing doctor-prescribed and OTC medications can present numerous problems related to dangerous drug interactions. Interactions can cause simple reactions such as rashes, or more serious reactions such as difficulty breathing or seizures. Certain ingredients in medications can also overlap, meaning the patient is ingesting more than the recommended amount of a certain ingredient. To prevent dangerous interactions between OTC and doctor-prescribed medications, tell your pharmacist or health professional about ALL drugs and natural products you are taking.
Celebrate Aging!
We often hear the negative about seniors in our society, rather than celebrating them. Seniors offer wisdom and life experience integral to the fabric of a vibrant community. They contribute by shopping, using services (keeping people employed), and paying taxes. Seniors volunteer and make more charitable donations than any other age groups do. Many organizations could not function without them. Additionally, they help with babysitting and caregiving for spouses and friends, ultimately helping others to successfully “age in place”. Take the time to acknowledge the contributions made by seniors. By making our community more age-friendly, we can all play a role in inspiring more intergenerational understanding and connection.
Do You Have a Valentine?
Do You Have a Valentine?
Are you single on Valentine’s Day? Although it is only a day, it is representative of where your love life is at. Finding yourself single can be very isolating in today’s couples’ oriented society. People often start out with online dating and become increasingly frustrated and disappointed with the games and lack of accountability. As a professional matchmaker with over 24 years of experience, I have facilitated thousands of successful love connections that are still going strong many years later. As a matter of fact, I just received a call from a couple I matched 22 years ago. They called to thank me and let me know I enabled them to live a life of love.
Healthy Valentine’s Day
Is the person you care about constantly on the go and always juggling multiple tasks? The body is not capable of differentiating between life-threatening stress and minor stress. Accumulated stress can do more harm than you realize in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Making the time to take care of the body is a critical skill. Not to mention that reducing stress levels can improve the immune system and aid in sleep quality. If your loved one is not capable of making time for themselves, why not give them the gift of a relaxing spa experience this Valentine’s Day?
Make Dentures a Priority
We all want to be healthy; however, many disregard their oral cavity and teeth (whether real or false). We forget that the body is a holistic and interconnected system; one that can only function optimally if everything runs smoothly. Old or ill-fitting dentures can cause an array of health issues. From headaches, digestive problems, and temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ) to hearing loss. It’s imperative to see the right specialist for any health issues. When it comes to dentures, that specialist is a denturist. We at Anna’s Denture Clinic believe in this so strongly that we offer free oral exams to ensure your optimal oral health.
Book Club: The Natural Makeover Diet
We all want to look our best, feel attractive and be healthy. Energy and appearance are important at any age. And now achieving these results is possible without unsafe quick-fix diets, risky surgical procedures or other invasive measures. Whether you want to increase your energy levels; improve your skin, hair or nails; or lose weight, your true beauty will shine through when you achieve optimal wellness from the inside out. By following Dr. Joey’s four steps to inner health and outer beauty, you will quickly see and feel long-lasting results.
REALLY Clean Away Allergens
Don’t get caught in a vicious circle of allergy flare-ups! Did you know that using the wrong cleaning products to minimize allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold can actually make your allergy symptoms worse? Here are the 10 most common toxic chemicals found in cleaning products that might be worsening your allergy symptoms: • Phthalates • Parabens • Lead • BPA/BPS • 14 Dioxane • SLS • PVC • Triclosan • Oxybenzone • Diazolidinyl or Imidazolidinyl Urea
Make sure you always read the labels of your cleaning products. With the right products, some elbow grease, and a regular cleaning regimen, you can find allergy relief in your home.
Soup up Your Gut
Our intestines are responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from the food and liquids we consume. In order to accomplish this, the gut lining must be semi-permeable. Sometimes this lining is more porous than it should be – a condition called leaky gut – which allows undigested food to enter the bloodstream. This causes inflammation, a potential root cause of most illness and disease including mental illness. One effective way to repair the gut lining (and warm up on a cold winter day) is to drink mineral and nutrient rich bone broth made from organic beef, chicken, or fish bones.
Got Vitamin D?
One of the best sources of vitamin D occurs naturally from sunlight. However, those of us living in Winnipeg are in short supply of this natural resource in the winter months. Some symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include depression, reduced wound healing capacity, fatigue, or becoming sick often. During the winter months, consider asking your physician about taking a vitamin D supplement, or eating foods that are high in vitamin D, such as fish (tuna, mackerel, salmon, and cod liver oil), egg yolks, beef liver, cheese, and mushrooms. When summer arrives again, go outside for some fun in the sun!
Clean Eating Recipe: Hot Chocolate
Store bought hot chocolate “packets” contain massive amounts of sugar and even hydrogenated oils (an unexpected, undesirable ingredient). You can serve this with whipped cream made of organic heavy cream with a little bit of stevia.
1/3 c full fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
2/3 c boiling water
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
15 drops liquid stevia
(optional) 1-2 drops peppermint oil, whipped cream, or cocoa nibs
Boil water on the stove. Add in all remaining ingredients. Stir well. Let cool a little bit, serve and enjoy!
