Thursday, May 31, 2018

Throw Shade, Not Resting Squint Face on National Sunglasses Day


MyEyeDr. shares commonly overheard phrases on squinting, importance of wearing sunglasses.

Vienna, VA, May 31, 2018 --(PR.com)-- While the majority of American adults report
spending time outdoors most often during peak sunlight, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.,
27 percent admit they don’t typically wear sunglasses when they are outside.
Sunglasses play a key role in protecting eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays,
which can cause an array of symptoms.

According to The Vision Council, an independent authority in the optical industry,
the most common symptoms American adults experience due to sun exposure
 include: irritation in the eye (15.5 percent), trouble seeing (13.5 percent),
wrinkles around the eye (8.3 percent), red or swollen eyes (2.5 percent)
and cancer on or around the eye (0.6 percent).

Sunglasses also play an important role in maintaining one’s image, decreasing
 the chances of suffering from a case of resting squint face. MyEyeDr. coined
 the term to refer to individuals who squint through various life situations due
 to insufficient vision correction as well as recognizing the direct impact of
 failing to wear sunglasses outside during daylight hours.

In recognition of National Sunglasses Day[JS1] on June 27, MyEyeDr.
 shares some commonly acknowledged misconceptions which could in turn
pose risks for vision health.

· “It’s cloudy today, I’ll be fine just squinting.”
UV rays are just as dangerous on cloudy days as they are on clear days.
 Just like skin, eyes can accumulate harmful UV radiation on overcast
 days. If spending time outside is in the forecast, it’s important to ensure
eyes are protected. Avoid RSF with a fun wraparound style to shield the
 whole eye and the skin around them.

· “It’s summer, time to break out the sunglasses.”
Similar to cloudy days, UV risks exist even in cold weather. The sun is
 present year-round, which means UV rays are a constant regardless
of the temperature. UV rays can’t be seen, but their long-term effects
are extremely damaging to the eyes. While we celebrate National Sunglasses Day
 in June, it’s important to sport the shades all year round. And, for summer
 days spent lounging by the pool, cruising on a boat or laying on the beach,
consider special polarized lenses to reduce glare from the water’s reflection
in intense sunlight.

·“All sunglasses protect your eyes.”
Despite the health risks of UV exposure, not all sunglasses have quality
UV protection. Since UV protection is crucial to shielding eyes from damaging
radiation, it is imperative to look for a label, sticker or tag indicating
UV protection before purchasing a pair of sunglasses and purchase from
a reputable provider.
· “As long as sunglasses have dark lenses, they’ll work.”
UV protection has nothing to do with the color of the lens. Wearing
sunglasses with dark lenses and inadequate UV protection can actually
 be worse than wearing no sunglasses at all. Because darker lenses
cause the eye’s pupil to dilate, eyes are more exposed to unfiltered UV.

· “I only wear sunglasses when I drive.”
While only 68.6 percent of American adults report wearing sunglasses
 while driving, it is important to sport the suns during any exposure
 to natural light, including when casually spending time outdoors, relaxing
 near a body of water, watching a sporting event or participating in
 an outdoor activity. If you require vision correction, prescription
sunglasses offer a great choice to ensure you are seeing clearly and
protecting eyes from harmful UV rays.

“Many don’t realize vision loss is the number two health concern
 in the US, behind only cancer,” said Dr. Artis Beatty, chief medical officer
at MyEyeDr. “Incorporating sunglasses into your everyday routine is a
 simple way to prevent short-term damage, including sunburn of your
 eyes, and more serious vision issues from prolonged exposure, including
 cataracts and macular degeneration.”

Choosing the right sunglasses is critical for protection against the
 sun’s harmful rays, especially in locations that receive high
amounts of UV radiation. While many types of sunglasses boast
UV protection, there are a couple of key ingredients that a patient should look for:
1. Proper UV filter
2. Polarized lens treatments
3. Backside anti-glare coatings to protect from harmful sun glare.

For the best protection, schedule your annual eye exam to ensure your
 vision health is up to date and consult with your trusted optometrist
 to ensure you are properly protecting eyes from the sun. Most Americans
 have vision insurance, typically covering an annual eye exam.
 Your MyEyeDr. optometrist can help make recommendations regarding
sunglasses personalized to an individual’s lifestyle needs and unique vision.

About MyEyeDr.
MyEyeDr. is a network of local optometry practices located East of the
Mississippi. Each MyEyeDr. office offers comprehensive eye care services,
 a wide selection of designer and value prescription eyeglasses and
 sunglasses and standard and specialty prescription contact lenses.
 By welcoming all vision insurance plans and providers, MyEyeDr. makes
 vision health attainable for all individuals. The full-service eye care
management company is headquartered in Vienna, VA.
For more information about MyEyeDr., visit www.myeyedr.com
or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact:
Jami Sowers
Largemouth Communications (on behalf of MyEyeDr.)
jami@largemouthpr.com
919.459.6463
Contact Information
MyEyeDr.
Jami Sowers
919.459.6463
Contact
myeyedr.com

Wednesday, May 30, 2018


Bubba's Fine Foods Rewrites the Healthy Snack Stereotype




The gluten-free, grain-free, paleo snack brand is giving the people what they want: real food snacks that satisfy real-world cravings.


DENVER, May 30, 2018 / -- Located in the epicenter of Colorado's natural and organic product industry is Bubba's Fine Foods--a pioneering paleo snack brand whose flavor-laden creations are convincing consumers there can be life after grains.

At Bubba's, they're standing apart from other paleo snacks by honing in on what the people want most: an addictive crunch and taste, simple real-food ingredients, and no refined sweeteners.
"After I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes I had to come to terms with the damage overly processed foods were doing to my body," said Bubba's COO and gourmet chef Jared Menzel. "I got my act together and dropped 150 pounds on a clean, high nutrient, and low-glycemic diet. The problem was that I missed the taste, and especially the crunch, of my old snacks."
His solution was to create his own.
  • Snack Mixes -- Pecans, cashews, and dried green bananas are liberally zested with taste bud awakening spices for the perfect on-the-go snack. Flavors include Savory Original, Righteous Ranch, and Smoky Chipotle BBQ.
  • 'Nana Chips -- These crunchy kettle cooked chips taste nothing like bananas! They use green bananas for the ideal level of spice without that banana sweetness or taste. Flavors include Blazing Buffalo, Grand Garlic Parm, and Macho Nacho.
  • UnGranolas -- No oats? No joke. This low-glycemic treat is filled with almonds, coconut flakes, and cashews for a satisfying crunch in yogurt, as cereal, or straight from bag to mouth. Flavors include Bourbon Vanilla, Uber Chocolate, and Cinn-Ful Apple.All of Bubba's Fine Foods' snacks are proudly made in America in the heart of Loveland, Colorado, and are paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and free of refined sugars and artificial flavorings.   They can be purchased online at http://www.bubbasfoods.com, Amazon, and national retailers Natural Grocers, Sprouts, Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, King Soopers, and more in select areas.
For additional information, contact Brooke Daily at brooke(at)veteranpr.com.
About
Since 2014, Bubba's Fine Foods has been at the head of a natural health food revolution with crunchy, real food snacks boasting addictive flavors. The company is run by gourmet chef Jared Menzel and health coach and former CrossFit trainer Jeff Schmidgall, brothers-in-law with a passion for placing the health of their consumers at the top of their priority list.



SOURCE Bubba's Fine Foods

Thursday, May 10, 2018

CANADIAN HEALTH COALITION APPLAUDS HESA'S NEW REPORT ON PHARMACARE


The Canadian Health Coalition is a public advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of Medicare. You can learn more about our work at healthcoalition.ca

Facebook: CanadianHealthCoalition | Twitter: @healthcoalition
Ottawa, April, 2018: The Canadian Health Coalition, which represents health care advocates across the country, applauds the Parliamentary Committee on Health (HESA) on its report on a national public drug plan: Pharmacare Now: Prescription Medicine Coverage for all Canadians.
 
"It should be acted on as soon as possible", said CHC Chair Pauline Worsfold, RN. "Bravo! The Committee has not just recommended improved, universal public drug coverage for all Canadians, but has given us a clear road map for how to get there."
 
The recommendations provide a detailed guide for a federal-provincial-territorial drug plan that would include everyone. The Canada Health Act that now provides public health care for doctors and hospitals would be expanded to include prescription drugs. This would also mean a significant financial contribution by the federal government to the cost.
 
The committee also proposes serious improvements to the protection of Canadians from the self-interest of pharmaceutical companies. New drugs would be evaluated by an independent government agency free of influence by pharmaceutical companies. There would also be a new national data collection to collect and review adverse drug reactions.
 
The Committee also recommends transparent negotiations with the drug companies over prices, building on the work of the pan-Canadian Alliance, but with the important additional bargaining strength of covering the whole population.
 
What does all this mean? It means public drug coverage for all Canadians, as now exists for doctors and hospitals. It means an end to different access to drugs depending where you live and work. It means an effective process to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, reducing costs to a more reasonable level.
-30-
For more information, please contact: 

James Hutt
National Director, Policy and Advocacy (Interim)
343-777-6283
policy@healthcoalition.ca

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Private care is an essential part of an effective health system

We should stop demonizing private clinics - and the patients who need them - and recognize that they're part of the solution



By Bacchus Barua
Associate director
Centre for Health Policy Studies
The Fraser Institute
Bacchus Barua
Bacchus Barua
Last month, on the heels of a new threat from the British Columbia government to fine doctors who accept private payment for treatment already covered by the government-run health-care system, a trial - initiated more than seven years ago by a private Vancouver clinic led by Dr. Brian Day - resumed.
Day, a former head of the Canadian Medical Association, is fighting to allow privately-funded treatment for patients who the public system has failed.
Just a few days later, data from the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) reported that about one-third of patients in B.C. did not receive joint replacements and cataract surgeries within the remarkably long government benchmarks. And it's getting worse.
These events have again raised the contentious topic of patient cost-sharing and the appropriate role of the private sector within, and alongside, a universal health-care system.
Unfortunately, defenders of the status quo have misled Canadians into believing that to maintain universal health care, patients should neither expect to share in the cost of their treatment nor use their financial resources to access treatment outside the public system.
And yet a glance around the world reveals that private-sector options and cost-sharing are norms, not exceptions, in successful universal health-care countries.
A recent Fraser Institute study compared Canada's approach to universal health care with systems in Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Each of these countries share the same goal of universal access to care, spend about same as Canada (some more, some less) but have remarkably shorter wait times.
And most of these countries embrace the private sector as a fundamental part of their universal health-care framework. In the Netherlands, for example, individuals are expected to purchase health insurance from private (including for-profit) insurers in a regulated but competitive market.
More than one-third of hospitals in Germany operate on a for-profit basis but are generally also accessible by patients with public insurance.
Even the U.K. has a robust parallel private system, often used as an alternative to the ailing public National Health Service (NHS). In fact, Prince Philip recently received a hip replacement at a private facility and questions have been raised about whether the NHS, which has long waiting lists, would have even treated someone his age.
All these countries except the U.K. accept cost-sharing as a normal part of universal health care. Cost-sharing establishes the right incentives to ensure patients make more informed decisions about when and where to use scarce medical resources.
Patients in Switzerland can expect to pay the first 300 franc (equal to roughly C$390) of their medical bills before insurance kicks in - and 10 per cent of the cost of their treatment, up to a maximum of 700 franc per year.
In Australia, although much was made of the government's recent see-saw on the question of a $7 fee for general practitioner visits, patients can still expect to pay about 15 per cent of the cost of specialist visits (sometimes more, if doctors charge above the government rate).
Of course, all the countries examined protect vulnerable groups, and therefore either exempt certain populations from payments (children, mothers), provide a government safety net or set annual ceilings on out-of-pocket expenses.
Only in Canada are doctors threatened with fines for looking after patients privately and outside of the government-funded system, while patients are made to feel guilty for paying for their own treatment. In no other successful universal health-care system does government step between doctor and patient, and forbid doctors from providing medically necessary treatment.
Of course, if our governments provided timely access to care, patients would be less inclined to pay for treatment. However, that's not the case. Data from the Fraser Institute's annual survey of wait times reveal that patients are waiting longer than ever.
Until governments in Canada realize that the private sector and patient cost-sharing are a normal part of universal health care, Canadians will likely continue to wait for the treatment they need within the confines of the only system available.
Bacchus Barua is associate director of the Fraser Institute's Centre for Health Policy Studies.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Starkist® Launches New Chicken Creations™ Pouches




CHICKEN?! That's Right, CHICKEN!  StarKist Expands Product Line Beyond Seafood with the Introduction of New Chicken Creations Pouches



PITTSBURGH, May 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- America's favorite tuna, StarKist®, is proud to announce the launch of its newest product innovation, Chicken Creations™ pouches, available nationwide this summer.  The launch of chicken pouches marks the brand's first foray outside of the seafood space.  The line of premium white chicken is available in four flavors in the signature ready-to-eat pouches, including StarKist® Chicken Creations™ BOLD Buffalo Style, StarKist® Chicken Creations™ Ginger Soy, StarKist® Chicken Creations™ Zesty Lemon Pepper and StarKist® Chicken Creations™ Chicken Salad. 
"After 100 years in the tuna business, we proudly announce that StarKist is now a diversified healthy food company," said Andy Mecs, Vice President of Marketing & Innovation, StarKist Co. "It is our goal to provide convenient, healthy options that satisfy the palates and nutritional needs for all Americans.  Chicken Creations is a natural extension to our highly successful Tuna and Salmon Creations® as we already have the pouch expertise and consumer trust in our high quality flavored protein products.  We are pleased that consumers will now have even more to love as they can Tear, Eat, and Go®."
The new, premium, white meat chicken pouches are made with chicken sourced from American farms – raised cage free and hormone free*. As protein snacking is on the rise, StarKist Chicken Creations pouches ensure that consumers are satisfied with great taste, while staying fueled with the protein they need. This exciting meal solution maintains a convenient, tear-open and no-drain design, a necessity for those always on the move.
StarKist's Favorite TV Mom Loves Chicken Charlie the Tuna's wingman (er, wingwoman) on this launch is StarKist spokesperson Candace Cameron Bure, star of "Full House" and "Fuller House".  She will help to launch the line of single-serve pouches as a new way to fuel her "go" as an actor, director, producer, author, exercise enthusiast and dedicated mom.
"I've loved working with StarKist over the past year.  Their delicious line of tuna and salmon pouches – especially BOLD Hot Buffalo Style – has become my go-to snack post-workout or on set," said Candace Cameron Bure. "The launch of StarKist's first ever chicken pouch line is big, and I'm thrilled I can enjoy the same convenience with this new protein option!"
The launch of Chicken Creations is part of a fully integrated marketing campaign, with TV commercials, print media, influencer outreach, social media promotions and couponing. Bure will be featured prominently in StarKist's multimedia campaigns, including a 15-second television commercial.  In addition, Bure will be featured in a national public relations campaign, and digital and social media, where Bure will be sharing her own personal health tips including quick and easy recipes featuring her favorite StarKist products.
Chicken Flavors to Satisfy any CravingStarKist's current line of delicious, single-serve, seasoned Tuna and Salmon Creations pouches consist of 15 varieties, including six new BOLD flavors, to suit everyone's craving and support the recommended two servings (8 oz.) of seafood weekly.
The new line of Chicken Creations features four varieties including:
  • Chicken Creations: BOLD Buffalo StyleBuffalo Style delivers the BOLD taste consumers are looking for. Its delectable, Buffalo-style chicken, prepared with a dash of paprika, vinegar and fiery hot sauce.  It has 80 calories and 9 grams of protein. A lot like Buffalo wings, only better, because you can take this spicy deliciousness anywhere.
  • Chicken Creations: Ginger Soy:  Chefs around the world love ginger because it pairs with so many ingredients. StarKist's premium chicken with vinegar and tangy Asian ginger soy seasoning has 90 calories and 10 grams of protein, making Ginger Soy perfect to enjoy in a lettuce wrap, over rice or as a quick snack right out of the pouch between errands. 
  • Chicken Creations: Zesty Lemon PepperPrepared with citrusy lemon and black pepper, this new gluten free, soy free chicken with 70 calories and 9 grams of protein per pouch can be enjoyed anywhere – on an energetic walk or as an afternoon snack.  It's perfect on a Greek salad, cucumber slices or straight from the Pouch.
  • Chicken Creations: Chicken Salad: StarKist's tasty chicken salad includes savory dill relish, crisp celery, red peppers and a unique ingredient – convenience. With 70 calories and 9 grams of protein, you can add the ready-to-eat premium white chicken salad to a sandwich, salad or enjoy straight from the pouch.
The lean, low fat protein retails for approximately $1.75 per pouch and will be found adjacent to tuna in the shelf-stable meat section at retailers nationwide and at your favorite e-tailers this summer.   While Chicken Creations can be enjoyed straight from the pouch, they are also a great addition to a variety of meals. Visit www.starkist.com to learn more about the brand, its products and to explore StarKist developed recipes such as the Weeknight Buffalo Chicken Tacos below:
Ingredients:
2, 2.6 oz. pouches StarKist® Chicken Creations™ BOLD Buffalo Style
4 small whole wheat soft tortillas
1 cup shredded Bibb lettuce
½ cup diced tomatoes
1 avocado, diced
Directions:
  1. Place 2 tortillas or taco shells in taco stand or on a plate.  Repeat with the other 2.
  2. Fill with ¼ cup shredded lettuce, 2 Tbsp. diced tomatoes and ¼ of the avocado.
  3. Top each with ½ a pouch of Chicken Creations™.
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
*Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in poultry products

About StarKistStarKist Co. provides trusted, healthy, food products in the United States. An industry innovator, StarKist was the first brand to introduce StarKist single-serve pouch products, which include Tuna Creations® and Salmon Creations®, and now Chicken Creations®.  As America's favorite tuna, StarKist represents a tradition of quality, consumer trust and a commitment to sustainability. StarKist's charismatic brand icon, Charlie® the Tuna, swam into the hearts of tuna fans in 1961 and is still a fan favorite today. StarKist Co. is a subsidiary of the Dongwon Group.

About Candace Cameron BureCandace Cameron Bure is an American actress, producer, New York Times' bestselling author, and former TV talk show host. She is best known to millions worldwide through her role as D.J. Tanner on the iconic family sitcom "Full House," and continues to flourish in the entertainment industry. She is currently starring in the hit Netflix spinoff "Fuller House," producing and acting in multiple movies with Hallmark Channel & Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and previously served as a co-host on ABC's "The View". While juggling her successful career, Bure is also a devoted wife and mother of three who is outspoken and passionate about her faith and family. She shares her family time between Los Angeles and Napa Valley, California, and she enjoys eating healthy and being physically active. Candace hopes to inspire others through her work as well as her social media channels.