Paul Pethick

A shot in the arm with healthy pa aging innovation / Paul Pethi

What a relief! One quick jab in the arm and more than a year’s worth of anxiety and fear seemed to drain away. After more than a year-and-a-half in lockdown (some self-imposed), it felt like I was getting a new lease on life, a new beginning. I imagine many people felt the same way after getting their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, knowing that an end, of sorts, to this tragic pandemic was (maybe, hopefully) just around the corner. As one of the lucky ones who was able to work from home, it also signalled time for a reality check: I have got to get in better shape if I’m going to venture out into post-lockdown life. For more than a year my slothful tendencies have gotten the better of me, and the waistline has paid the price. So it is a time for renewal. Time to get the mojo flowing again, cuz this peacock needs to get out and strut.

For me, my personal fight against COVID-15 (the 15 or so pounds I’ve gained after more than a year of lockdown) has got to start with diet—snacks in particular. No more chips, nachos or other such carb-heavy treats for me. From now on, it’s Smartfood Delight from Cambridge, Ont.-based Frito Lay Canada. This seasoned popcorn has got to be good for me, as the minimalist graphics of the 35-gram bag pretty much scream “Healthy Choice!” Aside from the Smartfood corn cob logo, a few splashes of blue and some oversized popped kernels, the most prominent graphic elements on the package are the health claims, of which I count no fewer than seven, not including the guaranteed fresh until date. For the weight-conscious types, the “35 calories per cup” claim is placed right smack dab in the center of the package. Other claims let the health nut in us know that there are “no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives” in the snack, and that it has “30% less fat” than the regular Smartfood brand product. Another part of my renewal plan is in the area of oral health, by way of a new toothbrush. For me, the days of the plastic environmental disaster are over. The new me is going to make the right choice and go with the earth-friendly bamboo and charcoal-infused toothbrush from Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc. With a 100%-percent natural, biodegradable handle made from sustainably grown bamboo, not only will this help keep my teeth clean, it’ll also absolve me of a bit of guilt. Do you know how many plastic toothbrushes one person uses over a lifetime? A lot, and I’m sure they’re all sitting in a landfill somewhere just waiting out eternity. It was nice to see an environmentally-friendly option in the toothbrush section, and kudos to Colgate for working its signature red-and-white brand colors into the background design, with its earthy brown and green tones, so seamlessly.

I’m not the only one up for a renewal. Toronto, Ont.-based Mondelez Canada Inc. is also looking to put a new face on its Halls Soothe line of throat lozenges. Having read a few reports recently on gum and breath mint sales being down this past year due to the pandemic, I couldn’t help but wonder if this renewal wasn’t part and parcel of that same phenomenon. Since I’ve been hibernating indoors, hiding from the virus, I have managed to avoid any need for throat relief. I haven’t even had a sni e in over a year. So what made me reach for them? Primarily pure impuls:tThe beige-andbrown color pallet used across the Halls Soothe family of throat candies leverages earthy simplicity to distinguish itself from the varied assortment of more colorfully packaged lozenges. I also liked the pool of honey (real honey is the distinguishing factor behind the Soothe line), which acts as a backdrop for the vanilla bean graphic. To top it o , the stand-up pouch features the ingenious “Cooling Flavour Meter” that indicates how much menthol is contained in the pouch and individual pieces. Bravo!

(Left to right) the charcoal-infused toothbrush with a biodegradable bamboo handle from Colgate-Palmolive; The Smartfood Delight brand of low-calorie popcorn snacks from Frito Lay Canada; the Halls Soothe line of throat lozenges from Mondelez Canada uses soothing graphics to project a message of welcome relief and well-being.

PAUL PETHICK is a healthcare communications editor currently working from home in downtown Toronto.

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