Monday, November 24, 2014

TLC for Holiday Feet


No one wants soreness or injuries to slow them down, so it’s important to care for your feet so they can carry you through all those seasonal celebrations and chores. It is possible to shop without dropping and enjoy the holidays more with less pain.  Lou Paradise, president and chief of research at Topical BioMedics, the makers of Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Cream, offers tips to keep feet happy and healthy so you can get through the season without suffering. 

Treat Feet Right:

--When shopping or doing errands, leave heels at home and wear comfortable shoes.  Athletic shoes, flats, or low-heeled boots with good arch support and padded soles help increase comfort and prevent ankle and foot pain that results in wearing heels.  For specific footwear recommendations, click the following link to see which types of footwear have received the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval for promoting foot health.    http://www.apma.org/learn/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1108&navItemNumber=535

--If shoes feel tight, use a shoe stretcher to make them more comfortable before heading out the door.
-- Distribute the weight of shopping bags evenly on both sides of your body.  Lighten your load by making frequent trips to the car to drop off packages.

--Whenever possible use a shopping cart to avoid stressing your back with heavy packages, and ask for assistance lifting heavy objects. 

--When walking, keep your back straight and relaxed; try not to slouch as it shifts your weight forward and puts you off balance.

--Women should opt for carrying a small backpack rather than a heavy purse.

--Keep your energy up by taking frequent breaks to enjoy a snack, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and rest your feet.  During your break, try to elevate your feet to help reduce any swelling.    

--Apply Topricin Foot Therapy Cream before heading out for a heavy-duty day of holiday shopping, hours of travel, or a night on the town,ssaging it onto legs, ankles, feet and all around your knees.  This quickly helps to maximize the body’s healing and repairing process to keep you comfortable.  Massage again when you return home.    
--After a long, punishing day on your feet, take off your shoes and exercise them.   Stretching is a good way to avoid muscle cramps.  You can stave off toe cramps by raising, pointing and curling your toes for five seconds. Repeat 10 times. Rotating your ankles can also help relax feet. Cup your heel and turn each ankle slowly five times to loosen ankle joints.
-- Soak your feet in a warm Epsom salt bath, dry, and massage in Topricin Foot Therapy Cream for soothing relief.  Running your feet over a reflexology roller, golf ball, or tennis ball after applying Topricin gives feet a great massage. 
--See your doctor or podiatrist immediately if you have concerns about any foot issues.

HOW TOPRICIN WORKS AND USAGE:

Don’t pop a chemical pain pill or just soak your feet in Epsom salts—soothe pain and pamper your feet and legs with Topricin Foot Therapy Cream.
Topricin Foot Therapy Cream specifically targets ankle and foot pain, and is patented for the topical treatment of pain associated with neuropathy.   The product’s fourteen natural biomedicines naturally support and assist the body by helping the subcutaneous skin layers of the feet drain toxins and excessive fluids from the tissues that increases blood flow and helps heal the damage that is causing the pain.

Apply Topricin Foot Therapy in the morning before putting on shoes, periodically throughout the day whenever possible, and again at night to maintain healthy, pain-free feet. As an added plus, Topricin Foot Therapy Cream is moisturizing, so it soothes dry, cracked skin.

Topricin Foot Therapy also relieves foot pain symptoms associated with Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, sprained and swollen ankles, forefoot pain, blisters, aching feet, flat feet, hammertoes, corns and calluses and other painful foot conditions and injuries.

Free of parabens and petroleum, Topricin Foot Therapy is safe and natural and doesn’t use any volatile oils such as camphor, menthol, petroleum or lanolin, fragrances or irritating chemicals.  The cream is fast absorbing, odorless, and greaseless and will not stain clothing.

Topricin Foot Therapy is formulated for maximum absorption.  Free of side effects, it can be applied many times, as needed, to relieve foot pain.  It will not interference with other medications, and is safe for diabetics.   

To learn more about Topricin Foot Therapy Cream, go to http://www.topricin.com.

About Topical BioMedics


20 years in business and a Certified B Corporation, Topical BioMedics is a research and development leader in topical patented natural biomedicines for pain relief. The company’s flagship product, Topricin® Pain Relief and Healing Cream, was introduced in 1994 and is now a leading natural therapeutic brand. A combination biomedicine formula, Topricin has been awarded a patent for the treatment of pain associated with fibromyalgia and neuropathy, and was listed among the Top 100 Green Products of 2012 by Healthy Holistic Living. 

The Topricin family of natural healing products also includes Topricin Foot Therapy Cream, specially formulated to treat painful foot and ankle issues and conditions, and Topricin for Children, which received the Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval (with 5% of sales donated to pediatric cancer foundations). Made in the U.S.A., all Topricin products are federally-regulated over-the-counter medicines with no known side effects, no parabens, petroleum, or other harsh chemicals, no grease, and no odor.
For over 20 years, the company has assisted hundreds of thousands of people suffering with pain and those addicted to painkillers to achieve fully restored and robust healthy living. Unfortunately, millions of people continue to suffer in pain, with many experiencing the hazardous side effects of OTC chemical pain pills or negative effects of narcotic Rx painkillers—an epidemic that turns the lives of American families upside down and is undermining the very fabric of our country. 

Because of the company’s experience in addressing these challenges, it has launched its “Get Relief, Give Relief” initiative:  for every Topricin product purchased directly from the company, it will donate a tube of Topricin to a free pain clinic or charitable organization.  To participate in “Get Relief, Give Relief,” order from www.topricin.com or call 1-800-LES-PAIN (537-7246).
Topical BioMedics now offers TopTrack, a new app for on-the-go pain tracking and monitoring.   TopTrack is available free of charge for iPad via the App Store, and will roll out on additional devices in the coming months. http://bit.ly/1rIQD89

Topricin is available in independent pharmacies, natural food and co-op stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Pharmaca, The Vitamin Shoppe, Fred Meyer, Wegmans, CVS (Foot Care Section), Walgreens (Diabetic Section), and other fine retailers, as well as directly from the company.

For more information visit http://www.topricin.com.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Peppermint Smoothie


Peppermint can reduce headaches and help you feel rejuvenated. And this smoothie makes a tasty alternative to eggnog. Garnish it with a pretty rim of crushed candy cane.

11/2 cups (375 mL) skim milk
11/2 cups (375 mL) low-fat vanilla yogurt 
11/2 cups (375 mL) ice cubes
5 peppermint leaves, torn
1 Tbsp (15 mL) ground cinnamon 
A few drops peppermint extract (optional)
Blend all ingredients and serve in cups garnished with a pretty rim of crushed candy cane.

Serves four.
Per serving: 114 calories, 8 g protein, 1 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 19 g

Chocolate Almond Smoothie  
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/recipe/chocolate-almond-smoothie

Thursday, November 20, 2014

OATMEAL WALNUT CARAMEL COFFEE CAKE RECIPE





A satisfying nutty cake perfect for breakfast, or a snack.
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¾ cup quick-cooking oats
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup chopped and toasted walnuts or pecans
  • ½ cup salted caramel sauce, slightly warmed just enough to loosen for easy drizzling

Monday, November 17, 2014

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies


Serves 48

A great pumpkin cookie.                      


Prep Time - 20 min


Cook Time - 10 min


Total Time - 30 min

Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter - room temperature
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups chocolate chips


Instructions
1.Preheat oven to 350
2.Line baking sheet with parchment paper
3.In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and pumpkin until evenly combined, about 3-4 minutes
4.Add in both sugars and beat another minute or two
5.Add in egg, vanilla, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice & salt
6.Beat until smooth
7.Turn mixer on low and add in flour
8.Once combined fold in chocolate chips using a spatula
9.Drop rounded 3/4 tablespoons onto lined baking sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes, or until centers are set and edges are golden
10.Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to wire rack


Notes
Each cookie is 5 WW+ points


Nutritional Info
Calories: 140 Total Fat: 6.4 g Saturated Fat: 3.9 g Trans Fat: 0.2 g Cholesterol: 13.9 mg Sodium: 83.8 mg Total Carbs: 20 g Dietary Fiber: 1.2 g Sugars: 11.9 g Protein: 1.2 g

By MJ

Friday, November 14, 2014

Travel Tips for the Holidays from the Jinja Jewelry Family

-- The Jinja Jewelry brand was established through a love for travel, especially to places far away with unique cultures and diverse people. Founder Don and Elaine Helmig and their friend Joy Daniels all came together after developing a lifelong attachment to the island of Bali and the Balinese people. They formed an extended family over in Bali and then started their own line of coral and sterling silver jewelry, all handmade in Bali. The Jinja Jewelry family loves sharing stories of their travels to Bali and beyond, and now they are sharing their own personal travel tips for those looking to go abroad for the holidays.

1. Pack wisely.

Many people make the mistake of over packing when they are traveling abroad but the truth is you should always pack light and only bring the absolute essentials. Small toiletries and personal items can be found anywhere you go – hotels, airports, tourist shops, etc. Skip those and bring a comfortable pair of shoes, waterproof jacket or poncho, and clothes that you can wear several times during your trip. Leave some space in your suitcase for fun souvenirs!

2. Choose an off-peak day to travel.

Around the holidays, everyone chooses the same days to fly out, which causes chaos in the airport and huge traffic jams. If you can, try to avoid traveling on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which is considered the biggest travel day of the year. Sometimes it’s better to fly on the actual day of the holiday to avoid the long security lines and mobs of people.

3. Give yourself plenty of time.

Do not leave packing for the very last minute because you will end up feeling rushed and stressed out and forget some important items. Leave the house early so you have extra time to deal with issues like icy roads and long security lines. If you find yourself at your gate early, grab some lunch and magazines or a book and use the extra time to relax before your flight.

4. Ship out holiday gifts.

If you’re planning on traveling with gifts to bring to friends and family, consider shipping out the gifts earlier before you travel. This will ensure that the recipient receives the gift in time and that it won’t accidentally get lost with your baggage. If you still plan to bring your gifts with you in your luggage, don’t wrap them until you’ve arrived at your destination. TSA will most likely have to unwrap any gifts to inspect them so wait to wrap them up.

5. Bring snacks and charge your electronic devices.

Delays are to be expected when you’re traveling during the holidays and the winter months, so it’s a good idea to pack plenty of snacks with you to give you energy and save money at the airport. Also have your electronics fully charged so you don’t have to wait around to find a free outlet at the airport to charge your phone. It’s also helpful to pack some battery chargers or power packs with you to keep your devices juiced up. Having a smartphone or tablet can be a lifesaver when you’re stuck on an airplane or your flight is delayed a couple of hours.

To schedule an interview with Elaine Helmig, Co-Founder of Jinja Jewelry, please contact Tasha Mayberry, Public Relations, at tasha@myprgenie.com or call 207.317.6099.

About Jinja Jewelry

Jinja Jewelry is proud to offer a large selection of handmade jewelry from Bali including necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings. Jinja Jewelry draws inspiration for its beautiful, high quality coral and silver jewelry from local and global trends in affordable jewelry and accessories. By purchasing Jinja Jewelry our customers are helping to support the talented people of Bali and providing their families with a safe and secure future. These exclusive designer creations cannot be found anywhere else! Shop online at www.jinjajewelry.net.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Springwater Catering

http://www.springwatercatering.com/



Based in Elmvale and serving the surrounding area.We are a brand new company specializing in pig roasts, birthday / anniversary parties, luncheons, funerals, staff and community functions. All of our menu items are prepared from scratch, nothing is mass produced or previously frozen to ensure the quality of each dish. We offer many different menuoptions to please every palate and all items can be altered to suite your needs.

Address: 1390 Flos Rd. 8 East
Elmvale, Ontario
L0L 1P0

Phone: (705) 279-4489 
contact@springwatercatering.com

Friday, November 7, 2014

LEMON-GLAZED LAVENDER SHORTBREAD COOKIES

These sophisticated shortbread cookies are a wonderful pairing of citrus and herbs.


Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup superfine sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp dried lavender
  • 1 cup icing sugar
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions
1 Cream the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the flour, sugar and salt; beat on low speed for 1 minute. Add the lavender, beating until just incorporated.

2 Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and roll to a 1⁄4" thickness. Cut out the cookies using a round cookie cutter and place 1" apart on a greased baking sheet.

3 Bake on the centre rack of a 300°F oven for 20 minutes; let cool.

Make the glaze by whisking the icing sugar and lemon juice together. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the glaze over each cookie, spreading to cover the whole surface. Let set for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.

Makes 36 cookies. 

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Unique Lamps


http://wasagabeachdecorating.com/interior-decorating-blog/unique-lamps-lighting-express-taste/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=wordjack&utm_campaign=reposts


Unique Lamps and Lighting That Express Your Taste
Lamps and lighting are a great way to improve your living space and reflect your favourite styles. With so many options to choose from, it’s fun to shop and pick out lamps that go with your furniture, colour schemes, and overall feel of your home.
Wasaga Beach Decorating has plenty of options available. Our store offers excellent customer service, and we are a local business, so you can feel good about supporting your community. Our owner, David Hutchison, bought a paint store in 2006. Over the past seven years, he has expanded it to include home furnishings, window coverings, and lamps and lighting. We carry top lamps and lighting brands, including Dainolite, Monte Carlo, Kichler Lighting, Barclay Lamps, Galaxy Lighting, and more.

Monday, November 3, 2014

GoodLife Fitness and Peter Munk Cardiac Centre collaborate further to improve heart health across Canada


Dr. Paul Oh named GoodLife Fitness Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention

TORONTO, October 31, 2014 – The teams at GoodLife Fitness and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) have been hard at work for the last two years building a solid foundation for their unique, first-of-its-kind public/private collaboration to advance cardiac care and preventative programs. 

Today, they are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Paul Oh as the inaugural GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention.  

Currently Medical Director of the University Health Network (UHN) Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Dr. Oh will lead a comprehensive research program that will include investigating best practices in cardiac rehabilitation and analyzing cardiovascular databases to better understand long-term patient outcomes.

The collaboration brings together two leading Canadian health and wellness organizations to further enhance the world-class care cardiac rehabilitation patients receive at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, as well as develop an innovative approach to the continuum of care for patients with cardiac disease. 

GoodLife Fitness has committed $5 million to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre with the goal of transforming the lives of Canadians affected by heart disease and helping prevent this reality for many.   

The collaboration supports the following resources: 
- GoodLife Fitness Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine, which is internationally recognized for excellence in heart health and exercise and drives care and research in post-acute cardiovascular health and secondary prevention. 
- GoodLife Fitness Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention. 
- An innovative club-based program developed by Peter Munk Cardiac Centre cardiac rehabilitation experts along with GoodLife fitness experts, that will help patients transition into the community and achieve life-long success in their cardiac rehabilitation and health. 

Media Alert
What: 
An event to recognize GoodLife Fitness for its role in establishing the GoodLife Fitness Centre of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine at PMCC. The event will mark the official announcement of the inaugural GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention. 

When: 
Monday, November 3, 2014; 6p.m. – 8p.m.; 6:30p.m. Remarks

Where: 
DeGasperis Conservatory, Toronto General Hospital

Who: 
David Patchell-Evans; Dr. Barry Rubin, Chair and Program Medical Director, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, UHN; Dr. Paul Oh, GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention; Mr. Jim Leech, C.M., Chair, Board of Directors, Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. 

**Interview footage with Dr. Paul Oh is available for media use at: http://youtu.be/tPX3ys2-P3U

Quotes from special guests: 
David Patchell-Evans, Founder & CEO, GoodLife Fitness 
"At GoodLife, we are excited to see our collaboration with UHN and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre grow and evolve," said Founder & CEO, David Patchell-Evans. "As a leader in the health and fitness industry in Canada and global advocate for exercise as an important contributor to overall health, we understand the significant benefit that innovative collaborations like ours will have on the quality of life and health outcomes of all Canadians. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Paul Oh to the GoodLife family, as the GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention. We are confident that with his leadership and expertise  the work done through the GoodLife Fitness Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine and the research that his team will undertake will make an incredible impact felt around the world by heart patients and their families.” 

“I am very proud to have one of the great leaders and role models at GoodLife join us here today. Heather Evans has been a General Manager with us in Calgary for a number of years. She, along with her seven siblings have all experienced heart disease. Unfortunately, two of her siblings have passed away and another just received a quadruple bypass. Heather has made a significant impact on me and is a passionate advocate for the many benefits of exercise.”

Heather Evans, General Manager, GoodLife Fitness
“Exercise saves lives,” said Heather Evans, GoodLife Fitness General Manager. “It is exercise that is truly keeping me alive and well and strong. The only time that I have issues is when I don’t exercise. I believe that GoodLife and our teams are just like paramedics and doctors – they save lives. I will fight heart disease every day by going to GoodLife and staying active.” 

Dr. Paul Oh, GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention
“I am most looking forward to taking on this exciting new role as Chair, supporting our unique and important collaboration with GoodLife, while continuing to build on the significant efforts to foster an environment where rehabilitation is the natural next step for all cardiac patients in recovery,” said Dr. Paul Oh, Medical Director, Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, UHN. “Statistics show only one third of heart patients who are recommended for cardiac rehab following a serious heart event and subsequent hospital stay actually take part in this critical form of therapy. Given the host of well-documented, life-prolonging benefits of cardiac rehab, coupled with the climbing rates of heart disease in Canada and worldwide, we need to dramatically increase those numbers through greater awareness and better access to a wider network of support including cardiac rehab-trained fitness professionals in the community---which we are now able to provide through this Centre of Excellence.” 

Dr. Barry Rubin, Chair and Program Medical Director, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, UHN 
“We conducted a broad and extensive search over many months for the best candidate with the precise blend of proven medical expertise, extraordinary vision and superior leadership skills necessary to head this uniquely-structured Centre of Excellence. Dr. Oh is far and away the ideal choice for GoodLife Chair,” says Dr. Barry Rubin, Medical Director, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. “His appointment furthers a long and globally-recognized history of excellence in care at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, which serves as the last stop for heart patients before their journey moves to a recovery and rehabilitation phase. A smooth and fluid transition from hospital bed to exercise environment with key support structures in place is pivotal to a patients’ success in maximizing and maintaining their heart health on their own, into the future.” 

-30-

About GoodLife Fitness
Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness company in Canada. GoodLife is the largest privately owned fitness club chain by a sole owner and the fourth largest overall in the world. With over 320 clubs from coast-to-coast, including 70 Énergie Cardio and EconoFitness Clubs in Quebec, approximately 13,000 employees and more than 1 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of 1 in 35 Canadians every day. Motivated by GoodLife's purpose of giving every Canadian the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life, David Patchell-Evans, Founder & CEO, strives to develop innovative partnerships and collaborations in all areas of health, fitness and wellness and continues to play a significant role in the healthcare system in Canada. GoodLife has achieved Platinum Status Canada's Best Managed Companies, as well as Platinum Level Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures.   Fit4Less by GoodLife is GoodLife's low cost and high value fitness club. It makes high quality fitness affordable and provides even more Canadians the opportunity to achieve their health and fitness goals.

About the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre
The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre is the premier cardiac centre in Canada. Since it opened in 1997, the Centre has saved and improved the lives of cardiac and vascular patients from around the world. Each year, approximately 55,000 patients receive innovative and compassionate care from multidisciplinary teams in the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, and the Centre trains more cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons than any other hospital in Canada. The Centre is based at the Toronto General Hospital and the Toronto Western Hospital - members of University Health Network. www.petermunkcardiaccentre.ca 

About Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation
Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation raises funds for research, education and the enhancement of patient care at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital as well as their respective research arms, Toronto General Research Institute and Toronto Western Research Institute. www.tgwhf.ca

Media Contacts:
Krista Maling
GoodLife Fitness

519-661-0190, ext. 302