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!

www.kathrynbudig.com

What is trust and why does it matter?

As you might imagine, trust is a topic of conversation that often comes up in counselling. Individuals, couples, children, youth, and families walk in the door demonstrating an issue with trust — a lack of trust between people, or a deep need to rebuild trust after it’s been broken. An individual saying “I trust this…,” or “I don’t trust you…”, speaks volumes about the overall wellbeing of a relationship.

 

So what is trust and why does it matter? Trust is consistent, ongoing interactions that say “I’ve got your back”, “I see you”, “you matter,” and, as humans, we like and need this in our primary relationships. With our most important people, it’s about safety, emotional and physical safety. At a deep level, having or not having trust significantly changes the dynamic of how safe we feel.

 

Trust is something we all want and we constantly seek. We notice vocal tones, eye contact, consistencies, and inconsistencies. And when trust is in doubt, we notice more that doesn’t sit well, fit or feel good. We do this because on some deep level, we want to feel safe, so we are making judgments all the time about what’s around us that impacts our lives. Do I trust this food is edible, do I trust that politician has my best interest at heart, does my lover deserve my trust—these judgements are based on our wellbeing.

 

Overall, trust isn’t something we can give once and we’re done. We choose over and over again to work on increasing trust. We have to wake up each morning and decide to strengthen that part of our relationship or the risk is, we simply don’t— and our relationships suffer. As a partner or parent or employee, we need to ask ourselves —are my actions building trust or tearing holes in the fabric of this relationship, weakening its structure. And at its heart, the answer is in better communication. Good relationships require great communication— and that means both good speaking and listening skills.

 

Caroline Bradfield, Registered Clinical Counsellor, MaCP. RCC.
Comox Valley Counselling
www.comoxvalleycounselling.ca

Are You Struggling with CRA Debt?

LCTaylor Licensed Insolvency Trustees

All debt is stressful, but most people would agree that owing money to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is a frightening prospect. CRA debt is never ignored or written off. Collection attempts by CRA are often aggressive and can even include wage garnishment and liens on your home.

If you are struggling with back taxes, don’t panic. There are resources in place that can help you get caught up on your taxes. Here’s what you need to know about dealing with CRA debt.

Request a payment plan.

While CRA will not negotiate with you on back taxes, they will work with you to split the amount you owe into more manageable payments. Contact CRA and ask them if you can go on a payment plan. This will allow you to pay the full amount back over a certain period of time.

There are a few drawbacks to a payment plan. Until the balance is paid off, it will accrue interest. Depending on how much you owe, this can be very expensive. Also, if you default on your payment plan, the CRA will begin collection attempts. This can include wage garnishment or a lien on your home.

Consult with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.

Let’s say you discuss a payment plan with the CRA, but the payments are too expensive. Or, you’ve recently lost your job and cannot afford to make any payments. If this is the case, you may need to visit a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.

One option to discuss with the Trustee is a Consumer Proposal. This allows you to settle your debts for less than you owe. The Trustee will work with the CRA and your other creditors to negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Then, you’ll make a payment you can afford to the Trustee. This kind of settlement has advantages over one that you could arrange yourself. When you file a formal Consumer Proposal through a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, the proposal is binding on your creditors, and they are prevented from pursuing any further collection practices.

If a payment plan or Consumer Proposal fail, Bankruptcy is another option. Because tax debt is an unsecured debt, it is included in debts to be discharged in a bankruptcy. Depending on your circumstances, a Bankruptcy is sometimes a better option than a Consumer Proposal, because it may cost less and be completed sooner. A Trustee will help you decide the best option for your situation.

Both a Consumer Proposal and Bankruptcy stop collection activity from your creditors.

Above all—act quickly.

When it comes to CRA debt, it’s important to act quickly. Although it’s easy to ignore a notice or call from CRA, especially if you don’t have the money to pay your taxes, it’s the worst thing you can do. CRA will sometimes work with you, but only if you communicate with them.

CRA debt can be stressful, but it can be manageable if you follow these guidelines.

L.C. Taylor
www.lctaylor.com

Shoulder Pain Prevention

Have you ever had shoulder pain? Did you know that the shoulder is the second most pain-affected joint in the body? Some common predisposing factors are age, gender, work conditions and repetitive postures/activities that compromise the rotator cuff tendons/muscles. Some of these factors we can’t change, but many can be modified. The shoulder can be physically readied with proper stretches and strengthening exercise as a prevention tactic. Here are a few things you can do to avoid being a shoulder statistic: Stretch your pecs. Tight chest muscles encourage a round shoulder posture and that compromises the rotator cuff tendons. Stand on a small step stool to reduce overhead reaching. Optimize your computer work station. Do not sleep with your elbow tucked under your head. Play a variety of sports so your body is not subject to the same challenge over and over. Prevention is always a better option than treatment!

Doug Christie, Doug Christie Physiotherapy and Associates

www.dougchristiephysiotherapy.com

In Season: Apples and Oranges

Both fruits have been shown to reduce the risk of stroke. Researchers estimate that if every adult over age 50 ate an apple a day, there would be 8,500 fewer strokes and heart attacks every year. One medium apple has 95 calories and 4 grams of fiber. Half the vitamin C content is in the skin, so don’t peel it! And yes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away because its vitamin C may boost the body’s resistance to germs and viruses. One medium orange has 60 calories and 3 grams of fiber. It supplies 120% of your daily-recommended intake of vitamin C. While you’ll probably want to peel it before eating, you can add the orange layer of the peel (zest) minus the white part, to stews, roast poultry, or yogurt for a rich, citrusy taste and a dose of phenolic acids, powerful antioxidants also found in apples.

www.curves.com

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!

Roma Stefanowich

www.easygo.valentustour.com

10 Reasons to Have a Himalayan Salt Lamp

Salt lamps are simply large pieces of pure Himalayan Salt with a small bulb inside. They can be solid pieces of salt or decorative baskets filled with large crystals of salt. Himalayan salt lamps are made from pure, food grade, Himalayan salt crystals and can even be powdered to use as salt in recipes if needed. When salt crystals heat they emit negative ions into the air. Negative ions help clean the air, improve focus and promote healing. The top 10 benefits of Himalayan salt lamps include; cleanses and deodorizes the air reducing allergy and asthma symptoms, eases coughing, increases energy levels, neutralizes electromagnetic radiation, aids in better sleep, improves mood and concentration, helps in treatment of seasonal effective disorder, reduces static in the air and lastly, is an environmentally- friendly light source. These beautiful lamps are available in different tones and sizes and are an excellent addition for every room in your home.

Julie Sagnes, Authentic Wellness

www.authenticwellnessonline.com

Natural Healing For Your Body

Bowen is a restorative therapy that allows the body to heal itself. It can provide a path for the body to heal even in the presence of a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia or sensory neuropathy. In addition to restoring muscle and nervous system integrity, Bowen treatments can shift the central nervous system from the sympathetic (flight and fight) response to the parasympathetic (rest and restoration) response. As a result, it can positively affect physiological functions such as circulation, arterial pressure and heart rate, digestion, sleep, lymphatics and the endocrine system. Bowen is very gentle such that individuals, even when in constant pain, find the treatment relaxing and calming for the body. Bowen can be performed over loose clothing or with the individual sitting in a chair or a walker. This makes it ideal for individuals of limited mobility.

Julie Rempel, Sage Water Health

www.sagewaterhealth.com