Inappropriate footwear can increase an elderly person’s chance of a fall. Many people purchase the wrong footwear because they want to help their aging parent by finding something that is easy to put on, and they think that softer is better. Not true. As we age, our motor and sensory skills decline. Our loss of proprioception skills (one’s ability to sense where our limbs are in space) makes us feel less sure of our footing and therefore less balanced. Loose fitting, soft-soled footwear do not provide appropriate signals to the feet to inform them of where they are in relation to the ground. Properly fitting, sturdy shoes with non-skid soles provide more direct contact between the ground and the foot, sending sharper signals to the brain. Choosing lace-up or velcro closure shoes instead of slip-ons ensures the best stabilization of the foot within the shoe.
Essential Oils – A Natural Choice!
Remember those summer days as a kid when mosquitoes would come out in the early evening to interrupt your fun? As a farm boy who loved to run around in bare feet and cut-off jeans, preferring the coolness and sense of freedom over feeling protected from the bugs, I was an easy target. I still remember how my head would spin, and my senses cringe when my mother pulled out the old spray-bomb of bug repellent and covered me in a small cloud of noxious chemicals. Granted, there was less awareness of natural alternatives back then, and she was only doing what she thought was best. I’m sure glad that now when I want to extend my gardening pleasure well into the evening, I can reach for a safe and effective blend of essential oils that is so simple to use.
Ask the Expert:
Q: What’s the best colour tint for sunglass lenses?
A: The short answer is: choose brown to enhance your perception of pleasant colours like greens and reds, or choose grey to limit brightness without altering colour perception. There are other, equally important attributes to sunglasses. Lens materials can affect transparency and durability. Polarised lenses reduce glarish reflections from shiny surfaces like icy roads or sun on the water. Ultraviolet protection is necessary to prevent short and long term damage to the eyes. Photochromic tints get darker in brighter light and can increase the functionality of the lens. The size and shape of the lens is important for adequate coverage. An anti-reflective coating on the back surface of the lens can reduce reflections from behind the wearer. The general style of the sunglasses is important too, in that they should not be embarrassing to the point of not wearing them.
10 Tips for Dealing with Stress and Tension
The following are suggestions to get you started on managing the stress in your life:
- Use relaxation techniques – Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or massage.
- Exercise – Physical activity is one of the most effective stress remedies around!
- Manage time effectively- Do essential tasks and prioritize the others.
- Get enough rest, sleep and “me” time.
- Talk with others – Talk with friends, professional counsellors, support groups or relatives about what is bothering you.
- Volunteer work can be an effective and satisfying stress reducer.
- Work off your stress – Get physically active, dig in the garden, start a project or hobby.
- Tackle one thing at a time – Don’t try to do too much at once.
- Don’t be too competitive.
- Make the first move to be friendly.
Have some fun!! Laugh and be with people you enjoy!
5 Ways to Improve Lymphatic Health
Your lymphatic system works like a “drain” to keep toxins moving out of your body. A clogged system can result in poor health and disease. Here are five ways you can keep your lymph system working in top order and experience better health: 1. Massage- Lymphatic massage is gentle using very little pressure to move and stretch the skin to stimulate flow through the lymphatic capillaries that are located just under the skin. 2. Dry Brushing-This technique boosts lymph flow by stimulating sweat glands and supporting circulation below the skin. 3. Exercise & Yoga- Unlike the circulatory system, lymph does not have a pump to keep it moving. Movement and muscle contraction will assist lymphatic circulation. 4. Anti-Inflammatory Diet- Consuming a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and full of healthy fats is critical to support a healthy immune system. 5. Hydrate- The lymphatic system is primarily composed of water and must be hydrated to function at the highest level.
Clean Eating Recipe: BETTER THAN MAYO
A great spread on crackers or sliced veggies, used as a dip or salad dressing, or as a topping on Sunburgers.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 cup raw cashews
– 3/4 cup water
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
– 1 1/2 tsp Italian spices
– 1/2 tsp sea salt
– dash of cayenne
Place all ingredients in a blender. Can blend right away, or soak 1 hour for a smoother texture. Blend until smooth. Store in fridge. Stays fresh for several days, but is so tasty you’ll probably eat it sooner.
Uncooking with RawRose – rawrose.com. Your guide to Raw Foods, book available at Rawthentic Eatery.
Clean Eating Recipe: Strawberry Chia Jam
Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and protein. They will absorb several times their mass in liquid, creating a jelly-like substance in the process. Instead of cooking fruit down, relying on pectin, and adding sugar to help it set, all we need to do is mash up some fruit and stir in a few tablespoons of chia seeds! So easy! Ingredients: 2 cups chopped strawberries, 1-2 tbsp lemon juice, 1-2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp chia seeds. Cook the berries on medium heat until they start to break down. Mash the fruit with the back of a spoon or a potato masher, leaving it as smooth or as lumpy as you like. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp of the honey and lemon juice. Stir in the chia seeds. Let stand until thickened. If you’d like a thicker consistency, stir in more chia seeds 1 tsp at a time. The jam will thicken further and become more set once completely chilled.
Mental Health Resources
Did you know that the Canadian Mental Health Association has information online regarding different mental health issues? As well, your local Canadian Mental Health Association branch can answer any questions you may have and provide services to the public. Workshops and courses are another great way to learn about these issues. The Canadian Mental Health Association along with other organizations in your community offer this service. Research what organizations are around you and call them to find out times, dates and whether courses are available for free at a cost. Visit your local library to take advantage of free resources or head to a bookstore or shop online to purchase.
5 Reasons to Eat Flaxseed
Flaxseeds are the richest sources of Plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the world! 5 Benefits of consuming this super food are 1. High in Fibre – Fibre aids in digestion, prevents constipation and suppresses hunger. 2. Women’s Health – The lignans present in them help in battling high levels of estrogen and assist in balancing hormonal levels. 3. Healthy Hair & Skin – The ALA fats in flax seeds benefits the skin and hair by providing essential fats as well as b-vitamins which can help reduce dryness and flakiness. It can also improve symptoms of acne, rosacea, and eczema. 4. Lower Cholesterol – The soluble fiber content of flax seeds trap fat and cholesterol in the digestive system so that it unable to be absorbed. 5. Weight Loss – Since flax is full of healthy fats and fiber, it will help you feel satisfied longer so you will eat fewer calories overall which may lead to weight loss.
Book Club: Is Your Child’s Brain Starving?
By Michael R. Lyon MD and Christine Laurell, PhD
Michael Lyon went from overweight academic underachiever to graduating as the top male student in his high school a year later, thanks to a total change of diet and lifestyle. He ultimately became a medical doctor involved in research on nutrition. This book is an inspiring guide to better brain function through diet and lifestyle changes. The minor downfall is the promotion of supplements he has helped to develop, but it is still a valuable book for parents and has a good recipe section.
IQ and Nutrition
What if you could increase your child’s IQ with nutrition? Inhabitants of a tiny island off the coast of Japan have the highest IQ scores in the world and produce seven times as many geniuses as any other place in the world. Seniors living there don’t seem to struggle with cognitive decline either. The secret: DHA, an essential fatty acid found in fish, krill, squid and some algae. The brain is made mostly of fat, 60% of which is DHA. DHA is found in mother’s milk and has long been recognized as aiding IQ scores in children. Almost everyone nowadays is deficient in DHA. This may be one of the reasons for the increased rates of ADHD, learning disabilities and autism as well as increasing rates of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive problems.