The average person will eat about 6,000 calories on Christmas day. This is 3,500 – 4,000 calories more than they need and will add more than a pound of fat to the not-so-secret stash. And Christmas day is only one day of the season! The chocolates, party buffets and endless cookies go on for weeks. Unfortunately, the excess Christmas pounds are not going to melt away like snowmen. They’ll become part of that year-on-year upward creep. A bit of smart limiting and determination to plan ahead will help you stay on track without spoiling the festive feeling or fun. It also may make your self-talk a bit sweeter when you first step on the scale in January!

“Good morning, Joy. It’s Patricia and I’m a volunteer caller with Friendly Phones.” These simple words open endless conversations at South Cowichan Community Policing (SCCP) through our free, Friendly Phones service. If you live alone, or cannot leave your home, then you may want to receive morning telephone calls from our volunteers. You can also contact them by email, or leave a voicemail at the SCCP office. The Friendly Phones service lets you share your thoughts, opinions, and experiences with people who care about your well-being. Several times a year we have gatherings where our Friendly Phones clients can meet our Friendly Phones Volunteer callers as well as staff and directors. Volunteer callers are welcome to join the SCCP team. Come visit our office at Mill Bay Centre.

Studies show that missing some of your teeth do not only affect your general health and appearance but can also lead to depression and low self-esteem. Social embarrassment is a very real problem related to the worry of missing teeth and poorly fitting dentures. Having an incomplete smile greatly affects many patients. Don’t let tooth loss or improperly fitting dentures cast a shadow over the quality of your life. Your denturist can explain the best ways to restore the function and appearance of your smile. Properly fitting dentures can restore your self-esteem and bring back your smile.

With your help, Cowichan will soon have a new modern facility for children at risk to learn, grow and develop for optimal wellbeing. Over the years, Sundrops Centre for Child Development has helped hundreds of children and parents through the Child Care Resource and Referral program, the Children & Family Support program and the Child Development team. This Christmas, when trying to find a gift for that hard-to-give to person, consider making a donation to the Sundrops Children’s Fund. Donations can be made in person at 5856 Clements Street, by phone at (250) 746.4135 or through Canada Helps. Your gift will continue to make a difference in the lives of children for years to come.

Here in the South Cowichan Area, we have numerous opportunities for our seniors to stay active and engaged. South Cowichan Community Policing has an active role in the well being of our residents and our seniors. We offer programs like Block Watch, Friendly Phones, Speed Watch and many more and we welcome volunteers to be actively involved in them. BE ACTIVE! Bring your best self out and continue doing what you love or explore activities new to you. Let’s keep our amazing community safe and supportive for all.

Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes have become worldwide pandemics. They are so common, doctors often refer to them as “Diabesity”. The pandemics prove conventional treatment for diabesity is not working, Counting carbohydrates and calories only is not enough to combat insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The more overweight we are, the more fertile the ground is for diabetes to develop. The more processed food we ingest, with its colouring, flavour enhancers and hidden sugars, the more our waistlines increase. The less we exercise, the more lethargic our insides get, the more toxic our bodies become. We can halt or reverse this trend personally and globally. By changing daily eating and exercise habits, diabesity can be undone. Is it time for you to take action and control of your life? All it takes is a conscious decision and determination. There is help available to assist you along the way!

When you have found a well-fitting bra, you want to take good care of it. It should be hand washed in warm water with a detergent made especially for fine lingerie. Do not use bleach, fabric softener or wool wash soap. Soak for about five minutes to let the deodorants, perspiration and oils dissolve, then agitate and rinse. Do not wring. If you must use your washing machine, wash on the delicate cycle and use a washing bag to protect your bra. Bras should never be put into the dryer. Dry by hanging them from the centre front panel or lay flat.

How do you navigate the maze of the hundreds of brands of health and nutrition products available in the marketplace? There are so many products available in different locations that it is difficult to figure out where and what to buy. Your local health food store is a good place to start. It is staffed by knowledgeable experts who keep up with what is new in the industry. They will ask you questions and take the time to find out your needs. Once this discussion has taken place, they will be able to recommend the best products for you.