Q: I want to do some tricky hikes this summer. My partner and I plan to do some scrambles and I really need my reading glasses to see the maps. Is getting progressives worth it for this?
A: Your optometrist or optician can take a look at your prescription and records to see if it would work for you. I often tell my patients that progressive bifocals are built for convenience, so that you don’t have to keep switching between reading glasses and far distance glasses. Some newer designs of progressives are made for comfortable vision in difficult situations like steep stairs or uneven terrain, and they’re easier to get used to than ever. As a bonus, full-time glasses can not only enhance your vision, but also protect your eyes from ultraviolet light and become darker in bright conditions if you so wish.

Jane Warren Campbell, in her book “Conversations with a Tree”, states that, “Love is the unconditional appreciation for all life, it is the acceptance of who you are and the allowing of others to be who they are. Love is the foundation to happiness. If you do not truly love yourself, deep inside, you will not create the life you dream of.”
Trees have a bounty of love for all and are worth having a conversation with. Seek out a tree, hug it, talk to it, lay your back and head against its trunk, and you will receive love, wisdom, and healing.

In holistic healthcare, inflammation is often recognized as a root cause for many chronic and acute conditions. The four major signs of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pain. For management of chronic inflammation symptoms, using food as medicine can be very effective. The first step is to minimize foods in the diet that promote inflammation, which include any type of sugar (including honey and high-sugar fruits), grains, and processed vegetable oils like canola oil and peanut oil. The next step is to focus the diet on high quality, nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, high quality animal protein, turmeric, and healthy fats.

Kombucha is known for its ability to help aid in digestion, stimulate metabolism, and decrease infections, and studies have shown that along with probiotics and antioxidants, kombucha also offers a variety of vitamins and minerals. One study conducted in the Republic of Macedonia in 2001 looked at the mineral and water-soluble vitamins in kombucha that was made with 0.7% sucrose and 5 g/L of black tea. The researchers found that the kombucha contained vitamins B1, B6, B12, and C, along with minerals like zinc, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and cobalt, all of which contribute to better health.

About 71% of seniors are online every day. Of those who are online, their main reason is to stay connected with family and friends. Whether it’s joining forums or sharing photos and stories with loved ones, social media and email allow seniors with limited mobility the opportunity to interact with others. If you’re interested in getting online but don’t know where to start, community centres and local senior groups often have programs to teach seniors about the internet and how to participate in online communities. It is important as we age to continue to stay socially connected to friends and loved ones.

Reiki is a gentle but powerful energy healing technique used for relaxation, stress reduction and balance that can promote healing on many levels. It is typically given by ‘laying on of hands’ as you lie on a massage table fully clothed. This higher frequency, positive energy flows through the hands of the practitioner into your energy field releasing ‘energy blockages’ by lifting and transforming lower frequency energies such as worry, fear, anger and anxiety. The deep relaxation experienced with Reiki can have many beneficial effects including more calm/stillness to the body & mind, better sleep, reduced stress & pain and reduction of overwhelm and anxiety.

What is the best diet strategy for weight loss? The answer depends on your weight loss goals. Unfortunately, the evidence is conflicting about what strategies work best. At the end of the day, the best diet for you is the one that you can faithfully follow for a lifetime to help you to reach your optimal weight and allows you to not feel hungry or deprived. Medications can also contribute to weight gain, so have a pharmacist review your medications to ensure a medication is not contributing to unwanted weight.