1. Knowledge & Health literacy – to obtain health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. 2. Mental wellbeing & Self-awareness – knowing your body mass index (BMI), cholesterol level, blood pressure; engaging in health screening. 3. Physical activity – practicing intensity at a desirable frequency. 4. Healthy eating – having a nutritious, balanced diet with appropriate levels of calorie intake. 5 Risk avoidance – quitting tobacco, limiting alcohol use. 6 Good hygiene – washing hands regularly, brushing teeth, washing food. 7 Rational use of products and medicines – being aware of dangers, using responsibly when necessary.
Community News
Sunscreen 101
Have you been protecting yourself against sun exposure? When selecting 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. Secondly, look at the ingredients. Physical blockers (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) provide the best protection and cause less skin irritation than chemical sunscreens.
Stay Healthy This Summer
Stay cool this summer with our exclusive Seniors Discount Program! Mortar and Pesto is dedicated to looking out for our seniors, offering a fantastic 10% off on vitamins, health food, self-care, and natural cleaning products for those aged 60 and above. Beat the heat with daily savings on refreshing drinks and soothing aloe gel for sunburns. Our range of affordable sunscreens and natural bug sprays provide protection without harmful chemicals. We prioritize seniors amidst rising inflation, while also celebrating all customers on our monthly Customer Appreciation Day with a 15% discount on front store products. Experience affordable, high-quality natural living at our store today.
Book Club: The Longevity Paradox
How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age. by Dr. Steven R Gundry. In The Longevity Paradox, he maps out a new approach to aging well—one that is based on supporting the health of the “oldest” parts of us: the microorganisms that live within our bodies. Our gut bugs—the bacteria that make up the microbiome—largely determine our health over the years. From diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s to common ailments like arthritis and the appearance of our skin, these bugs are in the driver’s seat, controlling our quality of life as we age.
Clean Eating Recipe
Spinach Tofu Smoothie
Add a touch of freshness to your breakfast with this delicious, protein-rich smoothie. It’s a great way of incorporating tofu into the first meal of the day! Ingredients: 3 c. fresh spinach. 2 bananas. 1½ c. chopped frozen mango. 1 c. chopped frozen pineapple. 10 oz. soft tofu. 1½ c. milk or almond/soy beverage. Fresh mint, optional. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add extra liquid, as necessary. Enjoy! Pair with a serving of whole grains for a complete breakfast!
End the Self-Sabotage
Did you know your unconscious mind could be keeping you from having what you truly want in your life, and could even be sabotaging your best efforts? Most of us don’t realize that we make commitments to ourselves other than the ones we’re consciously aware of. These unconscious commitments fuel your thoughts and behaviours, and create your reality. They are what creates the gap between what you say you want and what you are actually experiencing. For example, when you were young, you experienced a difficult situation and didn’t know how to process it. You made a decision (consciously or unconsciously) to make it mean something about you or the world around you. This formed a belief as a coping mechanism and your mind believed it was necessary for survival. Maybe it’s “I’ll stay quiet so I won’t seem stupid” or “Good girls do what they’re told”. Even though these beliefs and decisions are old, they have stuck with you, been reinforced over time and prevent you from having the things you truly desire. Ready to expose and erase those unconscious commitments and choose new ones? This is the powerful work we do in the Shine True programs.
Lesley Steppler RHN, BSW, RSW | Shine True Wellness
Teachings From Nature
Trees teach us how to live our lives with resilience. When we turn to the trees as our teachers watching how they grow and transform, they can teach us how to live our lives with resilience. They remind us of the importance of being grounded and rooted, fully planted deep beneath our feet into the earth. Their roots connected with other like-minded roots and souls as a foundation to draw upon. Our trunk solid like the oak or flexible like the Willow allows us to adapt and shift to the demands of unforeseen changes around us. Resilient when storms or branches break, finding creative ways to re-emerge or work around. Their branches wide open with leaves creating a canopy of growth, shelter a pathway of expansion to receive. Then they shed, release and begin a new cycle once again.
June is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month
Thyroid health affects all aspects of wellbeing, both genders, all ages. It is estimated that 200 million people in the world have some form of thyroid disease. In Canada there is a staggering number of people affected. Recent studies indicate that 1 in 10 Canadians suffer from a thyroid condition of one type or another! Of those, as many as 50% are undiagnosed! The thyroid plays a key role maintaining healthy weight, energy, and mood. If you are experiencing weight gain (or loss), hair loss, abnormal menstrual cycles or changes in energy and mood, consider having your thyroid evaluated.
Be Safe in the Sun
Make the most out of the outdoors while you relax in the sun, free of buzzing and biting bugs (& the diseases they carry), and concerns of regrettable-scorched skin. Research revealed an incredible 84% of sunscreen products are harmful to consumers. Choose biodegradable sunscreens with natural minerals like zinc and avoid synthetic chemicals that can cause health concerns. Too much sun? Aloe vera & lavender can soothe & accelerate healing. Studies found that lemon eucalyptus essential oil, used in natural outdoor sprays, can be more effective at warding off mosquitoes than DEET. Prepared, you can have the best summer ever!
Seniors’ Week June 5-11
Every June, Seniors’ Week is observed in Alberta and it is an opportunity for Albertans to show appreciation for our seniors and all that they contribute to our province and our individual communities to enhance the quality of life in Alberta. Seniors’ Week was inspired by the vision of the late Alice Modin. More than 30 years ago, she began a campaign to start a seniors’ day in Strathcona County that helped pave the way for Seniors’ Week to be celebrated across the Province!
Seniors Week 2023 is June 5 through 11 and the overall theme for this year is “Celebrating Seniors”. At the Golden Circle we are excited to be able to do just that with a week packed full of food, entertainment, and celebration here at the Golden Circle located at 4620 47A Avenue in Red Deer! Register for daily meals or buy a weekly pass at Reception for just $40 to eat all week, for a savings of $10.00!
Seniors’ Week June 5-11
Monday, June 5th join us starting at 11:00am where Mayor Ken Johnston will be reading an official City of Red Deer proclamation to kick off the week. Wear your Hawaiian outfits because that’s the theme for the day. We’ll be eating Kahuna Burgers with Potato Wedges, Salad & Dessert and enjoying a special performance by our very own Ukelele Club – the Golden Ukes. Lunch is $10.00
Tuesday, June 6th is ParticipAction Day where at 10:00am the Golden Circle’s Fitness Instructor Tammy will be facilitating a drop in, low intensity fitness class along with outdoor games. Come see Rosco the clown & more! Lunch is $10.00 and we’ll be having Soup & Sandwiches and since we did all of that exercise earlier, we’ll follow lunch up with an Ice Cream Bar.
Wednesday, June 7th is – Western Day. Dust off your boots and mosey on down to the Golden Circle for $10.00 lunch of BBQ Chicken lunch with Baked Beans, Coleslaw & Dessert starting at 11:30am. You’ll want to do some stretching after, because rumour has it there may be line dancing afterward!
Thursday, June 8th is Vintage Day! Make your way down to the Golden Circle for 11:00am and take a step back to the past, or should we say, take a drive? There will be vintage cars in the back parking lot along with their drivers who are excited to share their stories with you. Lunch is $10.00 Taco in a Bag with dessert and it starts at 11:30am.
Friday, June 9th is our Wrap up Breakfast and Senior’s Information Fair. Join us any time between 8:30am to 1:00pm for a $10.00 breakfast and Seniors Information fair. We’ll have a variety of vendors and organizations who provide services for seniors here in the building.
Did we mention that there will be raffles and door prizes? You really do not want to miss out on this incredible week of Celebrating Seniors!
The Coffee Shack will be open every day that week from 9:00am to 11:30am as well so drop in, meet your friends or make some new friends! Coffee Shack is by donation.
