Boost Immune Health with These Easy Weekday Recipes

The Christmas season has always been my favourite time of the year! Sure, I do love summer, but there is something very special and cozy about the Christmas holidays. People seem to smile more and just generally be in good humour. However, it's also a very busy time of the year! Not only are there gifts to buy, stockings to fill, treats to bake, a house to clean, school concerts, Christmas plays, and family parties...phew I'm out of breath just thinking about all of this...and there are still … [Read more...]

Dietitians Can Help You Combat the Fall Flu Spike

Fall has arrived in all its glory! Unfortunately, the not so glorious Fall Flu Spike has also arrived! This is the time of the year when those of us spending our days in enclosed spaces, such as classrooms, shopping malls, office buildings and entertainment venues are more susceptible to becoming sick with influenza and then bringing those germs home to our families. In fact, studies show school children often bring germs home from school and spread them to their parents and younger siblings, … [Read more...]

4 Tips to Avoid the Dreaded Fall Flu Spike

Even though I am still missing the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, there are so many things about the fall season that I love too.  The gorgeous reds, oranges, and yellows of the deciduous trees, visiting our local Farmer's Market, marvelling at the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables and the brilliant blue of the sky on a cool, crisp autumn day. However, there is one thing about this time of year that I do not love and that is the arrival of the much-dreaded cold and flu season, … [Read more...]

October 29th is World Psoriasis Day ~ What You Need To Know

If you don't live with it yourself, I am pretty sure you probably know someone who has the skin condition, psoriasis.  I personally know a couple of people and in my career as a nurse, I helped care for many people who were living with psoriasis. If you are unfamiliar with this condition: Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition characterized by lesions, which are areas of inflamed skin where the cells grow too fast. This creates red, scaly, thick patches of skin (called “plaques”). … [Read more...]

~ CLOSED ~ Cold and Flu Season Essentials {w/Giveaway}

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label. Although I am still missing the summer, I have to admit, I do love this time of year. The gorgeous colours of the trees, the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, the crisp, clean air and the brilliant blue of the sky. Even though the autumn is not the beginning of a new year, for me, it always feels like it is.  With the end of summer, our lives seem to reset and we get … [Read more...]

Seize Your Poise Moment & Live Life to the Fullest

For the past several summers, my sisters and I, and occasionally our adult daughters, head out for a "girls only" camping trip. The first couple years we stayed in a tent trailer, but then we discovered the "rustic shelters" at a nearby provincial park and have stayed in one of them ever since. When I say rustic, I mean rustic.  The shelter is basically a 14' x 14' wood frame covered in a heavy-duty tarp. A couple of years ago they ran electricity to the shelters, but that is the only … [Read more...]

Vacation Slipup Solutions

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label. Summer may soon be officially drawing to a close, but that doesn't mean vacations are over! Whether for a two-week vacation or several weekend getaways, the fall of the year is the perfect time for travel. Many domestic hotels and attractions are not as busy, often you can get off-season rates, you avoid the crowds and save lots of money. You can then use the money you saved … [Read more...]

Important Conversations to Have this Father’s Day

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label. With Father's Day quickly approaching, I can think of no more appropriate time to have an important conversation with the men in our lives about taking better care of themselves. Let's face it, most dad's, husbands and men, in general, are super busy, independent (as in...instruction manuals are for other people and asking for directions is unheard of...lol), and tend to put … [Read more...]

Are You Newly Diagnosed With Atrial Fibrillation

As many of you know, I am a nurse and as such enjoy taking any opportunity to educate people on a variety of health issues. I'm certainly not claiming to be an expert on these conditions, but often times I find people will ask me, "what should I do about this",  or maybe, "can you explain this to me"? I think what happens is, no matter who you are and what your background, when a doctor says you have a specific medical condition, it's often overwhelming and a lot to take in. So, when asked, I … [Read more...]

Hot Flashes Can Be Unbearable, But Help is Out There!

If you're a woman, there's a pretty good chance that hot flashes are something you may experience at some point in your life. Hot flashes are frequently a symptom of menopause and perimenopause. A feeling of warmth that spreads over the body and often begins in the head and neck regions. Hot flashes are a common symptom experienced by women prior to and during the early stages of the menopausal transition. However, not all women approaching menopause will develop hot flashes. … [Read more...]

Vaginal Dryness ~ Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid To Ask

I'm an "older" nurse who has worked since before many of you were even born. So, trust me when I say, I have heard and seen just about anything and everything medical related. Nothing surprises, shocks or embarrasses me. Just ask my family! Plus, I grew up in a family of nurses, including several aunts and both of my sisters. Let me just say this...family gatherings are never dull! So when I was asked if I would be interested in interviewing Dr. Marla Shapiro on the topic of vaginal … [Read more...]