Community News
Meet Coach Jon McLernon

An online nutrition coach specializing in helping men and women over 30 who have 30-80 lbs of fat to lose, Coach Jon has real-world experience, having lost and kept off over 80 lbs. Coach Jon works with clients to create an optimal plan for their body, so they can spend more time focusing on the fun stuff being healthy enables. His formal education is in chemistry and marketing from the University of Victoria. Currently a Precision Nutrition certified coach, Coach Jon has an extensive background in nutritional supplements and sports nutrition, having operated a retail supplement store for three years.

Retirement Living at its Finest

You deserve the best and a place to call home. Sit back and relax at The Hamlets at Deer Park while you enjoy 3 meals a day restaurant style, complimentary bistro snacks, weekly housekeeping, in-house salon, theatre, the privately owed bus for scheduled transportation and weekly excursions, and monthly live entertainment. All this, PLUS peace of mind with 24-hour-a-day, on-site care staff. Your furry friends are even welcome here! Call today for a complimentary lunch and tour.

Try This for Better Digestion

As we observe the changing colours and dry chill of the fall, so too must we adapt. The more we follow nature’s lead, the easier our lives can become. To live with more ease, consider eating your largest meal at lunch. Your metabolism is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and reaches its peak at high noon, so take advantage of that and eat a warm, nourishing lunch. Consider an immune-boosting root vegetable soup, or a warming Buddha bowl, or maybe try Kitchari – an Eastern rice and mung bean dish known for its nourishing and cleansing properties.

Keep Your Pet Smiling

Dental disease is a painful condition that affects the quality of life of our loving companions. It is an increasing problem and it is the buildup of plaque and tartar that can lead to additional health problems such as heart and kidney disease. Left untreated, plaque and tartar buildup can lead to more gingivitis and cause gum recession and tooth loss. Pet owners should consider routine observation and brushing of the teeth, as well as dealing with problems as soon as they are noticed. These actions will help prolong and improve the quality of life of our beloved friends.

Providing Supported Independence

If an adult has the capacity to make decisions but would like help to make and communicate these decisions, they can sign a form that authorizes someone they trust to be their “supporter.” This allows healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, to share information about their medical circumstances with the supporter. It’s a good option to ensure persons with mild to moderate capacity issues are supported while still exercising some independence. This can continue until the person loses their capacity to make personal decisions and the court appoints a co-decision maker or a guardian, or if their Personal Directive is enacted.

Connecting Children with Nature

Studies show that there are numerous benefits for connecting children with nature at an early age. It supports creativity and problem solving; enhances cognitive abilities; improves academic performance; reduces Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) symptoms; increases physical activity; improves nutrition, eyesight, social relations, self-discipline and reduces stress. Kerry Wood Nature Centre, WaskasooPark.ca/nature-nursery

Adopt the Practice of Gratitude

Did you know that negative emotions are incompatible with gratefulness? The practice of stopping to count your blessings is necessary to lift depressing and negative thoughts. However, sometimes we need a reminder to be grateful. Make a gratitude board using a white board or poster. Write your thoughts on it at least once a week. A family or a workplace gratitude board can result in many positive emotions, both in stimulating your own thoughts and in knowing how others feel. Use Thanksgiving as a great opportunity to plan how to include gratitude in your life.

Yoga Breath to De-Stress

When stressed, your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. With simple yoga breathing practices, you can consciously relax and soothe body and mind. To start, make your inhalation and exhalation the same length, such as breathing in for the count of three, and out for three. As you exhale, let your shoulders relax and soften away from the ears. Bring a slight smile to the corners of your mouth. Repeat three or four times, then see how you feel. If that feels comfortable, try lengthening the exhale to a count of five for a few more breaths. Namaste.

Product Profile: The Beam™

Eighty percent of Canadians will experience back tension. “As a massage therapist, I see a lot of people with back and neck tension and it often stems from their posture at a desk and computer,” says Pam Kats, RMT from Calgary. Brandi G. shares, “I like to put my Beam™ at the back of my chair. It keeps my posture straight, which reduces tension in my shoulders. I’m so grateful for this product.”

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow!

However you cut it, thinning or receding hair is a common problem for both men and women. Most people have approximately 150,000 hair follicles on their scalp, which go through growing, shedding, and resting cycles that change with age and might be affected by diet, illness, stress, or medications. Common non-surgical treatments include topical minoxidil, oral propecia, or application of the patient’s own platelet rich plasma (PRP) into the scalp. These treatments are often combined to get the maximum benefit. PRP, for instance, can improve hair growth by lengthening the growing phase and shortening the resting phase.

Consistency Breeds Success

“I’ve tried everything, but nothing works!” Have you ever said that? It’s true. Quick-fixes don’t “work.” That is, they won’t do the hard work for you. Fad diets set you up for failure with unrealistic expectations of being fast and easy. To add to the struggle, it’s the age of too much information, but not enough help. No wonder we feel overwhelmed. It’s often hard to know where to begin. Keep it simple. Start with 1 small habit you can consistently do: perhaps, walking 10 minutes per day. Once you master that habit, BUILD on it. Don’t stop doing the first habit. Consistency breeds success and imperfect action ALWAYS beats perfect inaction.