Thursday, March 31, 2011

Synchro Canada announces the 17 clubs selected for the 2010-2011 Club Excellence Program

Synchro Canada is pleased to announce the 17 clubs selected for the 2010-2011 Club Excellence Program.


The Club Excellence Program, now in its third year, encourages clubs to streamline their operational guidelines in order to help develop better athletes, coaches and club programs with the main objective to keep Synchro Canada among the world’s elite in synchronized swimming.

While respecting the specific needs of each club that applies for the program, Synchro Canada reviews various criteria such as daily operations, marketing, and the hosting and planning of competitions.

“On behalf of Synchro Canada, I wish to congratulate all the selected clubs for their unique contribution in elevating the level of excellence of Canadian synchronized swimming,” said Khadija Cutcher, Synchro Canada’s Interim Domestic Technical Director. “The success of our national team can be credited to the strength, depth and hard work of our clubs and their coaches. The Club Excellence Grant Program was created in 2009 in order to recognize the work of these clubs which contribute to the pride we show to the world in Canadian synchronized swimming.”

More information on the Club Excellence Grant Program is available on-line at Synchro Canada’s website: http://www.synchro.ca/

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRIES: A NUTRITION STAR

Great tasting and available now at grocery stores across Canada

Strawberry Tostada


Recipe and image courtesy of the California Strawberry Commission

2½ cups (625 mL)fresh California strawberries,

stemmed and quartered ½ cup (125mL)chopped celery ½ cup (125mL)chopped cilantro 1 tsp (5mL)minced jalapeño peppers 2 tbsp (30mL)lime juice 3avocados, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice 77-inch flour or corn tortillas 6 tbsp (90mL)crumbled mild feta cheese 1lime, cut into 6 wedges salt chili powder

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). In large bowl, mix together strawberries, celery, cilantro, jalapeño peppers and lime juice. Add avocados; fold together gently. Season with salt. Arrange tortillas on oven rack in one layer. Toast about 10 minutes or until crisp and starting to brown. Remove from oven and place one tortilla on each plate. Divide strawberry mixture equally among the six plates and place the mixture in centre of each tortilla. Sprinkle each tostada with chili powder and 1tbsp (15 mL) of feta cheese. Garnish with 1 cilantro sprig and 1 lime wedge.

Makes 6 servings

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Pain Pills: What's the difference? Tablets capsules, liqui-gels - how to choose

Pain Pills: What's the difference? Tablets capsules, liqui-gels - how to choose
by Dennis Bryan, R.Ph., M.B.A., FAPhA


Q -What’s the difference between all those pain-pill forms?

A -Really, not much. Here’s a general scorecard, from the pills that work fastest to the ones that work slowest.
Liquids

Liqui-gel caps (liquid in a gelatin coating)

Chew or rapid-release tablets

Capsules (powder in a gelatin coating)

Hard tablets

In the end, though, a medicine’s quickness depends more on the medication than the form in which it’s delivered. And certain medicines that are slower to kick in may also last longer.

Other things that affect how quickly it takes a pain pill to start working (around 30 to 60 minutes) include:

what and how much you’ve eaten. Usually, the fuller your stomach is, the slower a product works. (Take as directed; you need food with certain medicines.

brand versus generic. Though the active ingredients are about the same, the stuff that sticks them together and helps the medicine break down may be different.

So why are there so many forms of the same pain medicines out there? Well, some people find certain forms easier to swallow than others. But simple marketing is another reason. As patents run out, prices drop, but strangely, new, “improved” and more expensive delivery forms appear!

DENNIS BRYAN, R.Ph., M.B.A., FAPhA, is a pharmacist at WBC Pharmacies Inc. in Chicago.

Friday, March 25, 2011

A new line-up of toys from MGA Entertainment


Lalaloopsy 3 Inch Mini Figure with Accessories Crumbs Sugar Cookie

Mini Lalaloopsy® - Like her cousin Lalaloopsy® (13 inches), Mini Lalaloopsy® 4 inch dolls are inspired by a world where everything is created with a needle and thread and the dolls magically come to life when their last stitch is sewn. Each of the eight Mini Lalaloopsy® dolls has a unique personality created by her garments, pets and accessories. They live in a colourful world where the unexpected comes to life - houses are askew, elephants are tiny and purple and horses are striped. Mini Lalaloopsy’s® are available at major all across Canada and sell for a suggested retail price of $6.99.

National Poison Prevent Week - How to Keep our Kids Safe

Health and Safety Watch would like to remind you that this week is National Poison Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Locked out of Reach” and focuses on protecting children under six, who are the most at risk for accidental poisoning.

Each year an estimated five Canadian children under 14 die and another 1,280 end up in the hospital with serious injuries due to poisoning. In BC, poisoning is one of the top three causes of death.
Ways to reduce the risk of poisoning and important facts are currently available at Healthandsafetywatch.com.
Parents need to remember that it is not only prescription drugs and medications that they need to keep safely locked away from children. Pamela Fuselli, Executive Director of Safe Kids Canada, explains that “…household cleaners, garden chemicals, personal care products, plants and art supplies are other common causes of poisoning.”

Health and Safety Watch provides critical public health information in real-time. Designed for individuals and families, this service provides users with news about food, water and drugs, product recalls, disease outbreaks, and many other concerns.





Thursday, March 24, 2011

Stem cell breakthrough in breast reconstruction

Scientists are working on using stem cells to help women grow new breasts after undergoing mastectomies. Dr. Jennifer Ashton spoke with Erica Hill on a possible breakthrough in breast cancer reconstruction surgery that may be on the horizon.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Vintage Clock Ring



This is a gorgeous ring featuring a clock face taken from a photograph of a Victorian timepiece.

The image has been printed with archival pigment ink and sealed for longevity, then encased behind a glass cabochon. The glass has the lovely effect of magnifying the image.

The ring is adjustable for size and is made from brass with an antique finish.

*This ring is also available with an antique silver finish, see the last photo for colour.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Tips for feeding your hunger monster Courtesy Tillman’s Toasty™





Tips for feeding your hunger monster Courtesy Tillman’s Toasty™

Did You Know? 80 per cent of parents are interested in quick snack and mealtime solutions that their

school-aged children can make themselves*.

As a result, Tillman’s has launched “Toasty,” a “toastable” new snack that is easy to make, and can also be

eaten on the go. Frozen, fully-cooked, individually wrapped Toastys come in three varieties, including Chicken

Breast, Pork Schnitzel, and Garden Vegetable, which is ideal for vegetarians.

How to Feed Your Hunger Monster

If your child can use a toaster then Tillman’s Toastys provide the ideal after-school snack and also make a fast lunch or dinner for families on the go.

• Place frozen Toastys into toasters slots

• Toast them once on highest setting

• Serve immediately

Three Easy Lunch or Dinner Suggestions

Uma Sebastiampillai, Registered Dietitian and mother, recommends

Toasty as a part of a complete meal

1. Toasty Express

• Slice your favourite Toasty in half

• Place Toasty halves on toasted whole grain bread or bun

• Add toppings, such as lettuce, tomatoes, condiments and sliced cheese

2. Toasty Salad Supreme

• Cut your favourite Toasty into bite-sized pieces or strips

• Scatter Toasty pieces on top of crisp lettuce. Add apple slices and grated cheese

• Drizzle with low-fat salad dressing

3. Toasty Monster Fingers

• Cut multiple Toastys into strips

• Dip Toasty strips in a dipping sauce of your choice, such as plum sauce, low-fat ranch dressing or barbecue sauce

• Serve with celery and carrot sticks to make it a complete meal

Tillman’s Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted by Ipsos ASI for Tillman’s Foods Canada Ltd. Data was collected via an online poll from January 13-16, 2011 from more than 600 Canadian parents.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Dorothey Ley Hospice

Dorothy Ley Hospice



Upcoming events and activities:

Day Program - Every Wednesday,  10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Picking Up the Pieces- Support Program for Newly Bereaved -Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. Mar. 14&28; April 11 & 25, May 9 & 23
Therapeutic Touch- Thursday, Jan. 6 to Mar. 31, 2-6 p.m.
Hike for Hospice-May 1, Registration 11 a.m.
Beyond Traditional BBQ- June 9, 6-9 p.m., Cirillo's Culinary Academy, tickets $200 ($100 tax receipt)
Highland Golf Classic- July 12, $275 per person; $1,100 for a foursome

Friday, March 18, 2011

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Squeeze proper nutrition into your diet with fresh Florida orange juice

Florida Citrus




Squeeze proper nutrition into your diet with fresh Florida orange juice
 As March is Nutrition Month in Canada, it is a great time to consider the importance and impact proper nutrition has on healthy living. But in order to incorporate more nutritious ingredients in our diets, we need to peel the winter comfort foods away and squeeze in healthier choices like 100 per cent pure Florida orange juice. Packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, orange juice helps improve overall health.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Coconut Water

Vita Coco 100% Pure Coconut Water, 11.2-Ounce Containers (Pack of 12)

Vita Coco 100% Pure Coconut Water, 11.2-Ounce Containers (Pack of 12)

Product Features

  • Case of 12 11.2-ounce containers (total of 134.4 ounces)
  • High in potassium, free of fat, cholesterol, and sugar; low in acidity
  • Contains five essential electrolytes--potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and phosphorous
  • Serve chilled or mixed in a cocktail
  • A product of  Brazil

Friday, March 11, 2011

Introducing Rebalance, the freshest fragrance ever* from Dove®

 
Introducing Rebalance, the freshest fragrance ever* from Dove® - The crisp, nature-inspired scent of plum and sakura blossom

Thursday, March 3, 2011

DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction - Natural Breasts With A Tummy Tuck


DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction - Natural Breasts With A Tummy Tuck
By Minas Chrysopoulo, MD

DIEP flap surgery - so why all the hype? If you are a woman facing mastectomy due to breast cancer you have a decision to make: do you want breast reconstruction? If the answer is "yes", plastic surgery and particularly DIEP flap breast reconstruction, may hold the answer.


Although reconstruction cannot replace the breast(s) you were born with or allow you to breastfeed, it can restore your natural silhouette and make you feel "whole" again after mastectomy.
 Depending on your health, breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after your mastectomy so you can wake up with new breasts already in place. While the cosmetic results with immediate reconstruction are generally superior (particularly when combined with nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy), reconstructive surgery can also be performed at a later time once the cancer treatment has been completed.


DIEP flap surgery represents today's gold standard in breast restoration. Advances in breast reconstruction have made it possible to use excess skin and fat from the abdomen (rather like the tissue removed during a tummy tuck) to create a new "natural" breast without the need for implants or the sacrifice of abdominal muscles.  The DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap is a sophisticated modification of an existing surgery known as the TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous) flap.


TRAM flap surgery is a common breast reconstruction technique that requires the rectus abdominus (sit-up) muscle to be sacrificed and moved to the upper abdomen. Unfortunately, this technique can be associated with significant post-operative pain, prolonged recovery, loss of abdominal muscle strength,
abdominal bulging (or "pooching"), and even abdominal hernia.


DIEP breast reconstruction is similar to the TRAM procedure but spares the rectus abdominus muscle completely. SKIN AND FAT ONLY are removed from the abdomen, transplanted to the chest and connected using microsurgery to create the new breast. NO MUSCLE is sacrificed. As the sit-up muscle is left behind in its natural place many of the above abdominal complications are avoided and the patient essentially receives a tummy tuck at the same time. There also tends to be far less pain and a quicker recovery time because the abdominal muscles are left in place.


Knowing the significant advantages of DIEP flap surgery it is easy to understand the reason for all the hype, especially for active individuals who don't want to sacrifice the strength of their abdomen. A breast that has been reconstructed with fat and skin will also look and feel more natural than an implant reconstruction and will last longer without the long-term risks that can be associated with implants. Unlike an implant, the reconstructed breast is warm and also ages like a natural breast.


As with all types of breast reconstruction, 2 or 3 stages performed a few months apart are often required to complete the reconstruction process and to obtain the best cosmetic result. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the surgery very few centers in the US perform the DIEP procedure so many patients are forced to travel for the procedure.
The good news is that many of these specialist centers wil accommodate out-of-state and even internatinal patients.
So how do you find a top DIEP flap surgeon? To learn if a breast center or plastic surgeon near you offers this advanced procedure, please check the following websites:

 www.diepbreastreconstruction.org/diepdocs1.htm - http://www.diepbreastreconstruction.org/diepdocs1.htm




The lists on these websites seem very thorough. Having said that, currently there are only about 40 plastic surgeons in the US that perform DIEP breast reconstruction routinely.



Questions to Ask your Surgeon

Before choosing a DIEP surgeon be sure to ask the following questions:


  1. Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Your surgeon should be a board certified plastic surgeon.


  2. Do you have extensive experience with this type of surgery - How many have you performed? Preferably your surgeon will have performed over 100 procedures.


  3. What's your success rate? Top specialist centers boast a success rate of at least 98%.


  4. How long does the surgery take? This will vary between institutions based on experience. The most experienced surgeons typically take between 3-6 hours depending on whether one or both breast are being reconstructed (not including the mastectomies).


  5. How often do you plan to perform a DIEP flap but end up changing the procedure to a free TRAM flap during the surgery? This should happen infrequently.


  6. How many microsurgeons will be performing the surgery? Since the DIEP flap procedure is so technically demanding and long, it is preferable to have two microsurgeons performing the surgery rather than just one. Not only will this ensure you benefit from the expertise of two specially trained surgeons, but it will also significantly cut down the length of the procedure and anesthesia.


  7. Do you have residents or fellows? Will they be performing any of my surgery? Some centers have surgeons-in-training known as "residents" or "fellows" that may be helping with your surgery or even performing part of it. This may or may not be something you are comfortable with considering the complexity of the surgery.


  8. Do you "balance bill"? Centers that are in-network for most insurance plans will ask the patient to pay ONLY what's laid out by the patient's insurance plan (ie copay, deductible, etc). Other centers "accept insurance" and will often help the patient get money back from their insurance company - however, the patient is still expected to provide the difference between what the insurance pays and the doctor's fee. This is known as "balance billing". While many centers do this, some DO NOT balance bill. Make sure to ask ahead of time to avoid nasty financial surprises down the line.


  9. Do you have Insurance Specialists on staff? Unfortunately, some patients will face difficulties in gaining access to DIEP flap specialists even though insurance companies are federally mandated to pay for the cost of breast reconstruction. Here again it pays to seek out centers that specialize in these procedures as typically an insurance specialist is available to help patients with insurance issues.


PRMA Plastic Surgery has successfully performed over 3,000 DIEP flap breast reconstructions. We specialize in advanced breast reconstruction procedures that use the patient's own tissue.

Procedures offered include the DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, and TUG flap. We are In-Network for most US insurance plans. Patients are routinely welcomed from across and outside the USA. Connect with other breast cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery
.

Gaiam Green Sale begins tomorrow + NEW Sitewide Savings


What's Hot in March
Our Green Sale has been clearing through inventory on bedding basics! Inventory is limited for your shoppers to save 25% off on all-natural comforters, mattress pads and pillows.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Laser Hair Stimulation- Too Good To Be True?

Allura Skin and Laser Clinic

What is it and how does it work? Laser Hair Stimulation, or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the clinical use of low intensity lasers to promote hair growth. They are also used in hospitals the world over to improve wound healing of ulcers. Research into the exact way it works is growing daily, but overall, we believe that the laser energy penetrates the skin and increases blood flow to the follicles. This increases nutrients to the follicular matrix and improves removal of metabolic wastes as well. Importantly, there is reduction of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the main culprit that causes male pattern baldness. The end result is increased hair growth cycles and fuller, thicker, healthier hair!
1830 The Queensway (across from Sherway Gardens) QEW and 427 Telephone:416.695.9992
Dr. Roger Lam A graduate of the University of Toronto Medical School, Dr. Lam is certified in both Family Practice and Emergency Medicine and has worked at various ER’s in the Greater Toronto Area for the last 12 years. He is also a member of the International Society of Hair Transplant Surgeons and Canadian Association of Hair Transplant Surgeon, and has performed many hundreds of transplants with outstanding results.
read more...  http://www.canadiancosmeticsurgery.ca/latestNews_detail.asp?id=803

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

EveryDayLiving.com™: The Mom Squad

The Mom Squad is an exciting new website which offers Product Reviews and many resources including a directory, product recalls, events and news.  The Product reviews are tested by our Mom Patrol including volunteer moms; and winners receive our Badge of Excellence, all in the pursuit of Everything Exceptional.

The Mom Squad is moms trusted source for tried tested and true products and services and keeping moms informed.  The Mom Squad is patrolling neighbourhoods in the in pursuit of everything exceptional because not only does Mom know best, Mom deserves the best. 

The Mom Squad came to exist because as a mother of two and an Aunt to so many, I was tired of purchasing products and trying services that were either of poor quality or just unnecessary.  In the same token, I was always going crazy searching the internet to find play groups, product ideas and amenities in my area and seemed to find many websites that offered only partial information.  So the search continued.

We are also very excited to be having our 1st Annual Mom Squad Product Testing Day.  Bring your family and enjoy a day of fun and activity while testing products for us.  Don’t miss out on your chance to test the products, get your VIP Card today!  www.themomsquad.ca

Tracee Sheldrake, SCS., CTP  She is a Certified Mystery Shopper and Tourism Professional with over 15 years of experience.  Tracee is the Founder of The Mom Squad, Facilitator / Event Specialist for Simple Solutions, and most importantly Mother of two.  She has a wealth of knowledge and information working for companies and being an independent contractor.  Tracee is dedicated to improving customer service.