Q: With back-to-school time happening, I was thinking of getting my kids eyes examined to see if they’re okay. Or is there adequate screenings at school?

A: I believe screenings are a very noble effort, and I am very grateful to these useful programs for catching some children’s eye problems that would likely have gone undetected for too long. However, I’d still recommend young children come in for a thorough exam of visual function and ocular health, ideally before preschool, to ensure treatable problems are detected as soon as possible.

Dr. Alex Kennedy, MosaicVisionCare.com

While any type of yoga can bring health benefits, therapeutic yoga involves employing a variety of yoga practices to try to improve a health condition or ease a natural process, such as pregnancy or menopause. A well-rounded class will use all of the following practices:

• Breathing Exercises (Pranayama): Involves a series of breathing exercises ranging from energizing to balancing breaths.

• Physical Postures (Asana): Focuses on yoga poses that address problem areas. For example, the “Legs Up the Wall” pose is used to treat things like anxiety and insomnia. In this pose, the person lays on his or her back with legs positioned up against the wall.

• Meditation: Relaxation and mindfulness are the focus of meditation when it is combined with yoga poses.

• Guided Imagery: Is used to calm the body and mind by providing a guided visualization intended to bring inner peace.

Katie White RMT, CYT, HTP, Courtenay Massage Therapy, CourtenayMassageTherapy.com

Let’s face it, we all have odors we could do without but masking pet odors with the fake scent of “Red Velvet Chocolate Cake” is not how nature intended us to breathe. The air in any household is already being inundated with unhealthy chemicals (VOC’s) off-gassing from glues and building materials that make up your home’s interior. Fortunately, there are healthier alternatives to freshen air. The use of naturally derived charcoals is one solution that will absorb pre-existing chemicals and eliminate odors to leave your space scent-free. The most absorbent of these charcoals come from sustainable bamboo or coconut shells. After a year of deodorization use, they can be mixed into your garden soil to benefit your plant life. Breathing clean air is your right and charcoal is the natural choice to free your air of odors.

Christopher Tio, Owner, Aircoal.com

Data shows that 70% of Americans and 54% of Canadians are overweight or obese. These individuals are at increased risk for a host of health complications associated with excess weight, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and reproductive problems in women. The Ideal Protein Protocol is a four-phase, low carbohydrate, moderate protein, ketogenic weight management solution. Dr. Rothrock, Ideal Protein Chief Medical Officer, is passionate about the Ideal Protein Protocol. “This appointment affords me an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of millions affected by the epidemic,” he says. “It’s the science and education behind it that makes it different. It has been found that the Protocol is an effective intervention to help people manage their weight and potentially avoid serious health complications related to obesity.” Healthcare practitioners offer the Protocol to their patients to help them lose weight and, as a result, reverse metabolic syndrome.

Success Weight Loss, SuccessWeightLoss.ca

Are you ready to give your kids “the talk”? Many families struggle to teach their children about money management and financial health. A parent is the primary source for a child’s financial education, but most are reluctant to give the “money talk”, as they fear their own personal financial situations make them a poor role model. To open a discussion about finance, allow children to be responsible for saving and spending their own money. A small allowance and piggy bank provide opportunities to start learning about long-term financial stability. Together, you can learn how to save for a goal, balance income and expenses, budget purchases, and learn about the effects of interest. It is never too late for parents to set a positive example and nurture positive financial techniques. Take the first step towards a healthier future for you and your family by seeking help from a financial advisor.

Derek L. Chase, CPA, CA, CIRP Licenced Insolvency Trustee, ChaseSekulich.com

While many allopathic health practitioners probably give oil pulling little credence, it has long been an important part of the holistic system of medicine originating in India 3,000 to 5,000 years ago, called Ayurveda. Ayurvedic oral health practices include chewing woody stems of certain plants and eating specific herbs, as well as oil pulling. Original practitioners of oil pulling would use sunflower and sesame oils, while coconut and olive oil have gained popularity recently as well. Typically, one or a combination of these oils would be held or swished in the mouth for several minutes and then spat out and disposed of. The intention is to reduce buildup of oil soluble toxins from the mouth, as well as draw them out from the body. If your oil pulling routine has become a bit boring, consider adding one drop of pure therapeutic grade essential oil, such as peppermint or wild orange!

Nelson Meggitt, OptimumWellnessFactor.ca

Habitual chocolate eaters welcome a host of benefits for their hearts, including lower blood pressure, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and a lower risk of heart disease. One of the reasons dark chocolate is especially heart-healthy is its inflammation-fighting properties, which reduce cardiovascular risk. Chocolate contains a lot of saturated fat, but it is largely stearic acid, which doesn’t boost cholesterol levels. Even a daily ounce or so of milk chocolate doesn’t appear to harm cholesterol levels, although it does add fat and sugar to your diet! Researchers from San Diego State University conducted a small controlled study illustrating that eating dark chocolate has positive effects in lowering blood sugar levels and “bad” cholesterol levels and increasing “good” cholesterol levels – all of which could have positive effects on heart health.

Stephen Dalley, B.Ed., MA, Comox Valley HCG Holistic Weight Loss

Q: I know it’s dangerous to look at the solar eclipse. Would it be OK just to wear sunglasses to view it?

A: Vancouver Island is probably the very best place in Canada to see the solar eclipse on August 21, so I understand your enthusiasm. It won’t be a total eclipse from where we are. As such, looking at the sun at this time has the potential to cause eye damage, not just from ultra-violet light, but also from other wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, which your sunglasses may not filter out. You should be able to find some special inexpensive filters, or discover other ways to see the eclipse with just minimal research.

Dr. Alex Kennedy, MosaicVisionCare.com