According to a national survey, over one quarter of people tell white lies to their dentist about flossing. (Pssst.. We see through them every time.) In fact, 7% of people would rather hear the sound of nails on a chalkboard than floss; 18% would rather wash dishes and 9% would rather do their taxes! The reality is, flossing should be a critical part of your daily oral hygiene routine and should never be skipped. Commit to flossing for just two minutes during your bedtime routine and you’ll have a clean, fresh mouth. Something we all want.

Lakeside Dental Clinic, LakesideDentalClinic.ca

Fall finds many of us back to our usual busy schedules and sometimes that regular yoga class falls off the “to do” list. Here are my top three reasons to squeeze in a weekly yoga class:

1. To relax: “Happy hormones” like dopamine and serotonin are released during yoga.

2. To cope with stress and emotions: In the long-term, yoga helps you cope with stress, anxiety, and even grief. Yoga teaches you to breathe through emotions, slow down and recognize your strength.

3. To improve your athletic performance: Yoga will increase flexibility and core strength, thereby helping to prevent injuries.

Susan Pederson, Owner, Suga Yoga, SugaYogaParksville.com

After all those years of independence it can be devastating to be without wheels. Time to make a new plan. Many experts agree, it is best to sell the car and put that money into an account marked “My RIDE”. Then make arrangements to have a service be your driver. Check your calendar and pick your dates. A standing appointment allows you to plan ahead and to know Your Ride is available when you want it. Having YOUR RIDE means you can still have your independence. Take control; life can still be better than good! It can be meaningful and fun!

Dorothy Spencer, Oceanside Area, DrivingMissDaisy.ca

Life takes courage. To be more courageous, simply gaining new information is not enough. We learn by doing. This is core for David Osborn, the facilitator of the SOS Men’s Personal Growth program. Some of the outcomes of the program include helping men to gain understanding of their anger and conflict style, improving their communication skills, and helping them develop a deeper sense of purpose. David provides new and practical experience while establishing an environment for men to become more assertive and compassionate with themselves and with others. Working as a school counsellor and a Registered Clinical Counsellor (R.C.C.) for over 25 years, David is passionate about restorative justice, energy psychology, and current brain research.

Lissa Alexander, Marketing Coordinator, SOS, SOSD69.com

The Pioneer Wellness Centre at #1, 534 Pioneer Crescent in Parksville opens September 1st, 2017. The centre’s holistic practices include energy healing & balancing; individuals, couples, families & youth counselling; counselling services for grief, trauma, depression, anxiety and many other counselling areas.

The Pioneer Wellness Centre is made up of three enthusiastic women and their businesses:

Permelia Parham, Vibrational Healing

Sharon Thomas, Ocean Sky Counselling

Meghan Robertson, Cornerstone Counselling Services

GRAND OPENING is on Friday, September 8; 2pm to 7pm and Saturday, September 9; 2pm to 5pm.

RSVP: 250.240-2656. A great opportunity to check it out.

Pioneer Wellness Centre
CornerstoneCounsellingServices.com
VibrationalHealing.ca
OceanskyCounselling.com

Having a home that you are happy in is extremely important to your overall well-being. There are several factors that you should consider when purchasing a home. The main ones are budget, size and location. Other considerations are also important. Are you purchasing a home where you are going to live into your 80s or 90s? If so, consider a rancher with no stairs. Also consider if the hallways and doorways are wide enough for a walker or a wheelchair. Is the house in an area accessible by public transportation or close to amenities such as a grocery store, drug store or activity centre? This becomes vital if driving becomes difficult in the future. One of the most important things when purchasing a home is to hire a real estate professional. She will work with you and help you find the perfect house for you.

Rita Callan, Realtor, REMAX First Realty, RitaCallan.ca

Refined carbohydrates are plant based products, mostly grains like wheat, corn and rice that have been stripped of their fiber, vitamins and minerals. Sometimes, they are referred to as “empty calories”. Because they digest quickly and easily, they release a large amount of sugar.  This results in a rapid rise in blood sugar level that is harmful to the body and can result in high cholesterol or chronic inflammation. Eating a healthy diet of whole foods, lean meats, fruits and vegetables is the best way to avoid refined carbohydrates. Unfortunately, for many of us, this is not realistic. Help is available. Emulin+ is the world’s first carbohydrate manager. It contains a patented botanical mix called Emulin^® that helps our body better manage the large number of refined carbohydrates; starch and sugar that we consume in our diets.

Irene Booth, Global Leader and Distributor, iGalenLife.ca