It’s no secret that Manitoba is a mosquito haven. Quite frankly, our mosquitos can rival some small birds! While a lot of you still use traditional (and toxic) bug repellents, many of us want to know our alternatives. Lemon eucalyptus oil could be a much safer and more natural weapon against these little monsters. So what’s so bad about DEET, you ask? DEET toxicity can be blamed for skin irritations, rashes, lethargy, headaches, tremors, involuntary movements, seizures and convulsions. When applied to the skin a certain percentage of DEET is absorbed into the bloodstream. And the toxicity of the chemical goes up when it’s combined with isopropyl alcohol or freon, both of which are common ingredients in commercial bug repellents. In fact, DEET products are required to carry several child safety warnings. Studies have confirmed that lemon eucalyptus oil can be as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitoes. Other essential oils that mosquitos loathe are: catnip oil, neem and citronella!
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!
Benefits of Chlorogenic Acid
Chlorogenic Acid is the main active ingredient in the Green Coffee Bean. It is a powerful thermogenic fat burner and has been found to aid in weight loss and help slow down the body’s absorption of fat from our regular food intake. It increases metabolism which also helps in the weight loss process. It holds promise in many aspects of health and cognition similar to bioflavonoids and shares some effects similar to caffeine, but less potent. Studies show that Chlorogenic Acid may also decrease the absorption of dietary carbohydrate, as well as provide anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This may have benefits for people who are at high risk of diabetes and heart disease. It also helps regulate the flow of bile from the liver thereby reducing liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. The Healthiest Coffee on the Planet!
Vicki Friesen
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
Ask Your Dentist
Q: How long do dentures last. A: Dentures can last a long time. As your gums and bones change dentures can be relined to make them fit well again. What can’t be changed readily is the way dentures support your face and lips. Without proper support your chin will get closer to your nose and the lower half of your face will begin to look collapsed. This will make you look older, will cause deeper lines around your mouth and make your jaw joint or TMJ uncomfortable. To compensate for these changes you should have new dentures every 5 of 6 years. The dentures themselves make look fine and they may feel like they fit well but the loss of support means they need replacing. New dentures can give you a facelift.
Dr. George Cadigan, Exclusively Dentures
www.exclusivelydentures.ca
Why Reiki
Reiki is a form of hands-on healing that releases feelings of beneficial well-being and calm. The energy of Reiki encompasses the whole body, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. The practitioner holds their hands over the client. It is not a massage. Enjoy the following benefits: Reiki heals. Reiki can be preventative. It increases your mental, spiritual and emotional well-being. Reiki raises your level of perception and heightens your quality of life. Reiki taps into new-found talents and gifts. Reiki is a Japanese technique passed on through teachers and Reiki Masters. It dates back to the 1800’s and was ‘discovered’ by a Christian minister, Dr Mikao Usui. Reiki also works in conjunction with other medical or therapeutic techniques, relieving side effects and promoting recovery. Many people find that their spiritual awareness opens and that their vibrational level increases after one or more sessions.
Cheron D. Long-Landes
www.cherondearle.com
Make Yourself a Priority!
It’s easy to get lost in the day to day routine that has become life. Taking time to relax, to reflect, and to manifest your desires is essential to your happiness and well being, so make the decision to take at least 20 minutes to yourself each day. Exercise can help release stress and it is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are a lot of different options, so choose something you like and that works for you. Spend time outdoors walking, gardening, at the beach, or just enjoying nature. Its amazing how spending time outside can help release stress! Make a gratitude list! This will help you stay focused on the positive things in life and helps put things in a different perspective. Most importantly, prioritize the events in your life and be ok with saying no! Making yourself a priority plays a key role in a happy and healthy lifestyle.
Nicole Guthrie, Reiki Master
www.nicoleguthrie.com
Just Eat Real Food
It’s simple, safe and effective. Eating real food typically eliminates, reverses or halts chronic conditions. Diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, IBS, migraine, Crohn’s, anxiety, high blood pressure, PCOS, excess weight, thyroid, lymph and adrenal system issues, auto-immune conditions, atherosclerosis, poor sleep and allergies are just some of the chronic conditions that respond to a diet of consuming real foods. These conditions occur over years or decades of a poor diet. The body attempts to stay healthy as long as it can, but eventually becomes overwhelmed. Allow your body to heal through the consumption of proper foods. If excess weight is a concern, think of that as just another symptom of improper metabolic function that is likely caused by the same processes that are causing other chronic health conditions. Be in control of your health destiny rather that jumping from pill to pill and treatment to treatment while it continues to decline. You are the author of your own fate.
Tom White
www.becomeHEALTHY.ca
