Main Street Kelowna eMagazine

Magazine

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DECEMBER 2010

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H appy H olidays!

Adopting A Holistic

Approach to Health The Magic of Companionship The Most Popular Home Renovations

Word of Mouth Marketing

Startling numbers that will help you

Flip Your Thinking

90% 60% 50% of businesses rely exclusively, or almost exclusively, on word of mouth advertising.

of businesses believe that a good marketing campaign would raise their revenue.

of businesses are using social media as a part of their marketing strategy.

Nothing is more powerful than word of mouth to deliver your marketing message. Isn’t it time you joined the conversation?

You’re invited to participate in a powerful new marketing tool by joining an exclusive group of Kelowna small businesses who are creating a unique word-of-mouth advertising campaign using the power of social media marketing.

Call now—limited spaces available! Campaigns start at less than $175/month.

To start your word of mouth campaign, call

888 412-1067 info@mainstreetkelowna.com www.mainstreetkelowna.com Read the full results of the survey in the Okanagan Business Examiner, September 2010 issue.

Word from the Publisher

Doug Watson Publisher

Main Street Kelowna Magazine is published monthly by Main Street Marketing Group and serves the residents and business community of Kelowna, British Columbia.

101 -1865 Dilworth Drive, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9T1. Tel 888 412.1067 info@mainstreetkelowna.com • www.mainstreetkelowna.com

Business Development Luke Vorstermans

doug@mainstreetkelowna.com

luke@mainstreetkelowna.com

Editorial Manager Augusto Meneses

Account Managers Dustin Shanks

augusto@mainstreetkelowna.com

dustin@mainstreetkelowna.com

Publication Manager Linda Ryan

Laura McKinnon

linda@mainstreetkelowna.com

chris@mainstreetkelowna.com

Gerd Drexler gerd@mainstreetkelowna.com

lori@mainstreetkelowna.com

Executive Assistant Ana Marie Banares anamarie@mainstreetkelowna.com

Subscriptions Russel Leo Orais russel@mainstreetkelowna.com N

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laura@mainstreetkelowna.com

Lori Jones

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Publisher Doug Watson

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The Most Popular Home Renovations 22

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Don’t Buy Pets for Xmas

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Adopting a Shelter Dog

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Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter

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Maximize Your Closet Space.

School Lunch Tips .

Wine… with Natalie MacLean

in every issue 13 A Greener View 15 3 FREE eBooks 17 Top 10 18 Around Home & Yard 37 The Back Page

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EALTHY LIVING

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Adopting A Holistic Approach To Health 54

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Why do Food Companies use MSG. Compliments to the Chief

inside

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How to Have Naturally Healthy and White Teeth The BeneďŹ ts of natural Crystal Deodorant Headache Home Remedies

in every issue 41 A Healty Perspective 43 3 FREE eBooks 45 Top 10 46 Healthy Matters

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SENIORS

The Magic of Companionship Click

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How To Check for Identity Theft Multi-sport Adventures for the 50+ Adventurers Five Ways to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

78 85

How To Get Thru Airport Security Fast Bull and Brilliance

in every issue 67 Wisdom Comes with Age 71 3 FREE eBooks 73 Top 10 74 What Matters Most 85 The Last Word

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How to Create Word of Mouth Advertising

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New Business Opportunities

Lesson In 105 AEntrepreneurship

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Steps for 101 7Generating

Balancing Your Business and Family Making Your Sales Presentation a Winner A Short Course on SEO

in every issue 91 Foresight 93 3 FREE eBooks 95 Top 10 96 Business Briefs 105 The Last Word

BUSINESS 98

Allure Beauty Lounge

4-1790 K.L.O. Rd Kelowna, BC V1W 3P6 Tel: 778.478.9912 h�p://www.dimensionsfitnessexpress. com

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1131 Sutherland Avenue Kelowna, BC V1Y 5Y2 Tel: 250.861.8626 h�p://www.allurebeautylounge.ca

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CrocTalk

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DaxAir Charters

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Gord Turner Renova�ons

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Heart to Heart Counselling 38 #6-1638 Pandosy Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 1P8 Tel: 250.864.1135 h�p://www.hear�oheartcounselling.ca

Kelowna CleanPro 2405 Collingwood Rd Kelowna, BC V1Z 2C3 Tel: 250.826.7896 h�p://www.kelownacleanpro.com

Natural Eye Photography

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106

203 Rutland Road North Kelowna, BC V1X 3B1 Tel: 250.765.1146 h�p://www.outboundcycle.com

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1 - 415 Commonwealth Road Kelowna, BC V4V 1P4 Tel: 250.766.4255 h�p://www.sweetlife.com

Trade Exchange Canada

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748 Bernard Avenue Kelowna, BC V1Y 6P5 Tel: 250.717.0026 h�p://www.tectrade.ca

Vata Health

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Kelowna, BC Tel: 250.979.0400 h�p://www.naturaleyephotography.ca

SweetLife Realty

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111-2365 Gordon Drive Kelowna, BC V1W 3C2 Tel: 250.860.8165 h�p://www.momandmeflowers.com

Outbound Cycle

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JP Garage Doors

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Crea�ons by Mom and Me 80

Fresh Face Makeup Ar�sts 31

Genessa Jackson Design

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547 Bernard Ave Kelowna, BC V1Y 6N9 Tel: 250.763.2020 h�p://www.downtowneyewear.com

Aquassure Accessible Baths 68

Blinds Plus

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Dimensions Fitness Express 84

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A Greener View

Rethinking Our Consumption of Plastic Bags While the convenience of plastic bags is just part of the consumer culture, a slight shift in our habits may bring some sensibility to this environmental blight.

Data released by the US Environmental Protection Agency shows that somewhere between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year.

Less than 1% of bags are recycled. It costs more to recycle a bag than to produce a new one.

If you used a cloth or a recycled bag, you could: • • • •

Eliminate six plastic bags a week That’s 24 bags a month.

That’s 288 bags a year.

15,840 bags in an average life time.

If 1 in 5 Canadians used cloth bags, we could eliminate over 110,088,000,000 bags over a lifetime.

Help solve a global problem by giving up this one little convenience.

“

Many community grocery stores will now recycle plastic bags for you. Next time you go to the store, bring in that stash of plastic bags and ask where you can recycle them.

”

SUBSCRIBE... it’s free…

it’s delivered…

and so are the dozen ebooks inside each issue.

to your inbox, computer, iPad, mobile phone... each and every month.

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it’s eco-friendly … no trees are used to produce Main Street Kelowna magazine. And… it’s always available online.

3FREE eBooks

Aeri’s Kitchen

1st Mini Korean Cooking Story

A beautifully photographed cookbook with dozens of traditional Korean recipes including Kimchi Fried Rice, Tofu Soy Bean Paste Soup, BiBimBap and Fried Seasoned Cuttlefish.

CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY

Disaster Preparedness Kit Compiled by Rod Purnell

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones-were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.

The Diaster Preparedness Kit covers the six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items as well as how to deal with children, the elderly and pets.

Morning Has Been All Night in Coming

By John Harricharan

“John Harricharan’s new book takes off where When You Can Walk on Water, Take the Boat, leaves off.

When you read it, you’ll love the style. You will see the ordinary life of an average man who becomes a widower and tries to raise two children by himself. He worries about making a living, taking care of the two children, and still has time, in a way, to grow spiritually and emotionally. If you have no problem in moving from one reality to another, from the physical plane to the spiritual plane, and back and forth within a few pages, this book is definitely for you.” Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, MD

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Home & Garden

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Top 10 Adopting a Shelter Dog

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Do research. This will give an idea of maintenance, feeding and identify any characteristic which may require special care.

Adopt for the right reasons. From lovable Dalmatians to the cute Chihuahuas, dogs are often pursued because of exposure in the media. Unfortunately, many end up in shelters once the next fad comes along.

8 9

Purchase pet insurance. You can’t protect your dog (and your wallet) from accidents or sickness, but most vet costs can be cut by insurance.

Timing is everything. Adopt on a weekend when you can be sure to have time at home with your new dog.

Wait it out. Make sure the decision is appropriate for your lifestyle, factoring in work hours, housing regulations, and other pets in the household.

Look past the puppies. Young puppies are often prone to chewing and accidents, so an older dog might really suit your lifestyle better.

Spend time at a shelter. Once you do ďŹ nd a dog, play with him or her to see how the interaction goes.

Schedule a checkup with a veterinarian.

Due to prior living conditions, many shelter dogs need extra care in addition to regular vaccinations.

Prepare your home. Stock up on supplies, including leash, collar, bowls, etc.

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Be patient! Problematic behaviors are often caused by underlying issues, which can usually be resolved by training, extra love and TLC.

http://www.nativeremedies.com/blog/author/grano/

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Around the Home & Yard Colors play an important part in your home decor process. Colors are what give life and personality to your room. Here are some tips to keep in mind when deciding over colors.

• If you are using many colors in one single room, make sure you use a color at least three times in the same room. You could use shades and tints of that color. For e.g. your curtains, pillows and tablecloth can be of the same color. This gives a look of harmony and help avoid the ‘too much’ and ‘confused’ look.

larger and more spacious.

• Avoid contradicting colors and themes. If you want your room to look larger and need to use cool colors to achieve it, choose a theme which goes with cool colors.

• If same-colored sofa, carpet and other upholstery give a monotonous look, use colorful cushions and wall-hangings to break the monotony.

• For filling space, use warm colors like reds, yellows and oranges. They tend to grab the eye and fill the space and are soothing and warm.

• For giving an illusion of more and open space, use cool colors like blues, greens and violets.

• For a serene and comforting look, use pale pinks.

The closer pink gets to red, the more energetic it becomes.

• Use vertical stripes on walls and curtains for an illusion of height.

• Light colored walls and ceilings make the room look

Using

S R O L COin Your Room

Home & Garden

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8 Tips to Prepare your Home for Winter Here are eight steps that may help you catch one or two things you forgot to do last month.

• Empty the gas from your lawn mower and other garden equipment. Wintertime condensation will ensure engine troubles in the spring if gas is left sitting through the winter. If you can’t empty the tank, add an additive to combat condensation problems.

• Disconnect the garden hose from the spigot.

Water trapped inside the hose will expand when frozen and easily burst the water line supplying the outdoor spigot. Store hoses away for the winter to prolong their life.

• Protect outdoor spigots over the winter with a cold-weather faucet cover. These covers are specifically designed to attach to the spigot and insulate it during sub zero temperatures.

• Prune back shrubs and perennial plants. Cover the smaller plants with 6 inches of mulch to hold in the winter’s moisture and protect the root ball from severe temperatures.

• Prune back any low-hanging tree branches that might cause damage to your plants or home when weighted down with snow or ice.

• Stack and cover any outdoor furniture to protect it from the elements and prolong its useful life.

• Clean off your outdoor air-conditioning unit and cover it with a water-resistant tarp or air conditioner cover. This will also reduce the back flow of cold air into your home throughout the winter.

• Drain any rain barrels.

Leave the spigot open to ensure water won’t accumulate and freeze.

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Around the Home & Yard It’s Party Time!

Let’s Decorate!

The Christmas holidays are almost here and so is the spirit of partying. Here are some wonderful ideas for transforming your home into an innovative party scenario and giving your guests an occasion that will forever remain etched in their memories.

ENTRANCE: The entrance to your home should be magnificent and welcoming. Line the driveway with luminaries. Place a guest book at the front door for expressing sentiments. Clean up clutter near your entrance. Decorate the entrance traditionally or with something unusual to set a celebratory mood.

You could also decorate according to the theme of your party. Sleigh Bells or wreaths for for Christmas and popping corks and champagne bottles for New Years.

LIGHTING: Sets the mood for the party. Interesting ways to play with lighting are to cover light bulbs with multi-colored cellophane strips, cover lights or battery-torches with soft white cloth and place them separately to give the room an air of mystery, or use all your beautiful candles together instead of lights to create a romantic mood. If using candles, combine candles of various colors, shapes and sizes together.

FABRIC AND LINEN: The color and texture of the fabric in the room should be decided according to the occasion, theme, season etc. Cool fabrics go for summers. Rich brocades and Velvet go with a Victorian theme. Red, golden and white will give the room a Christmas feel.

A SPECIAL TOUCH: Give the party scenario a special touch by placing an object which will be the center of attraction for your guests. A party is the right time to show off your beautiful collection of FLOWERS: Flowers will never go out of fashion. dolls or your set of original oils by a famous artist. A Use lots of seasonal flowers to add freshness and set of rare books placed together as a ‘mini-library’ fragrance to your decor. Use garlands to decorate in your party room will also become a major attractall structures, floral arrangements on mantels and tion if your guests are Literature-Lovers. Apart from corners and floating displays of seasonal flowers and floating candles for an eye-catching centerpiece. If you collections, you can use mini-aquariums, waterfalls, expecting kids at your party, place such arrangements miniature indoor gardens etc. These will not only out of reach of children or use wooden or metal vases beautify the room, but also give your guests a beautiful theme to start a conversation. and bowls instead of glass and porcelain.

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Bamboo Flooring Growing in Popularity Floors are a big part of the renovating industry and bamboo flooring has become the ideal choice for millions of homeowners. Besides its unique appearance bamboo requires no clear-cutting of rainforest trees and can be grown on carefully-managed plantations. In fact many of these plantations are in North America so that the energy used to get the bamboo to market is not as much as products grown overseas.

Although sold as a hardwood bamboo flooring is actually a grass that grows in tropical and subtropical climates. The average growing time for flooring bamboo is typically 3 to 5 years when the average hardwood tree takes almost 60 years to reach harvesting maturity.

Not only does it grow fast it regenerates and produces new shoots immediately after the bamboo is harvested.

• • • • •

Self-sustaining, natural resource.

Most varieties grown without pesticides Hard, durable, long lasting 15% to 35% cheaper than domestic hardwood floors Many varieties grown in the U.S so the carbon

footprint for transportation is small.

Unlike standard hardwood bamboo flooring can be installed in almost any place in the home whether above or below the ground level however, like most hardwoods, it is not recommended in wet locations such as bathrooms, saunas or outside areas When installing bamboo planks a standard hardwood felt is put down on the subfloor much like it is installed under hardwood. Bamboo can also be made into interlocking flooring that goes together like laminate ‘click” flooring. This can be glued or “floated” over a foam underlay.

The finishes for bamboo flooring are similar to those of high-end hardwoods. An aluminum oxide finish is standard with most flooring products and works well with bamboo finish. The floors can be vacuumed and then cleaned with a damp mop.

As the knowledge of environmental diseases became widespread it sent into motion a trend to build with environmentally-friendly materials. This also included flooring which saw the introduction of materials like cork, reclaimed wood and bamboo which provide a lasting beauty to a home while reducing wastage.

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Organizational Tips

Maximize Your Closet Space

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o matter what size home you have, whether it is a house or apartment, there never seems to be enough closet space. There are a few options for making the most of the closet space you do have.

The first step to getting more out of your closets is getting more out of your closets. Going through each one in the house, sort things in four piles: keep, sell, donate and toss. You might surprise yourself in how much space you can find just by removing things you never use. Once you’ve sorted things into the piles, decide if there is a better place to store some of the items than in the closet. If you have seasonal or keepsake type things, consider putting them in plastic

containers in the basement, attic or garage.

That leaves the closets for things you need on a day-to-day basis.

Now that you’ve sorted the things, you need to decide what will be stored in each closet.

This will help you decide what type of storage system is best. You may need something different for each closet.

There are closet organizer units you can purchase and install. There are even services that can help you chose and install the best system for your needs.

The main types of closet storage are rods for clothes hangers, shelves, baskets and drawers. They can be made from wood, plastic or metal. There is something for every budget as well. After measuring your closet space, you

Home & Garden are ready to go shopping for the things you need to get organized.

One of the quickest, easiest and cheapest options is to get an adjustable bracket system. You hang the metal rods with slots on the sides of the closet. Then simply place the support brackets where you want shelves. Wood shelves are easy to cut to size. Many home improvement and lumberyards will cut the pieces to size for you. Sometimes they may charge a fee. The shelves can be sanded, painted or stained and you are ready to start organizing the closets.

There are plastic shelving units that snap together which can be placed inside the closet. They aren’t as

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adjustable, but they are sturdy and take no tools to put together. These also come in a variety of colors - some speciďŹ cally designed to be used in children’s rooms.

If you prefer a more permanent storage solution, there are organization units that can be built right into the closet. They combine clothes rods, shelves, drawers, boxes and baskets. There are do-it-yourself options as well as companies that will come in and help you put together the perfect system for your home.

Regardless of which system you chose, it will take a bit of time and effort to get your closets organized and maximize your storage space. But, it is well worth it in the long run.

Renovating your home?

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We provide full services ranging from helping you develop your plans, guiding you in your selection choices to keep within your budget, to generating a comprehensive, written agreement for your project.

Our experienced Project Manager (also a highly skilled carpenter) is on-site to assist you through your project, to its completion.

Over the years, we've built a solid reputation backed by happy clients and a long list of solid references that we will confidently provide to you. In fact, our clients are so happy with our work they want their testimonials on our website.

Why choose us? Because we’ll make things go smoothly and we won’t disappoint you!

250.469.9379, ext. 1

www.gtrenovations.com

Home & Garden

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Thinking of a Facelift?

The Most Popular Major Renovations Projects

By Lori Gilder

W

hen it comes to initiating a major renovation a home, many homeowners ponder the inevitable question: Which area should we renovate to gain the maximum return on the dollars invested? The answer is not always so simple.

If the renovation is motivated by a decision to upgrade the house and put it on the market, then those areas that receive the most traffic are your best bet. Other than making sure your home has ‘curb-side appeal’ and the exterior is in top shape, the most important space is the kitchen. Bathrooms upgrades also provide a good return.

However, if the renovation is motivated by a change in lifestyle, for example the kids have left the nest and you want to re-configure the space, then it comes down to a personal choice. If that is the case, then the return on investment is not as important as your wants and needs.

A few of the most common major home renovation projects and their return on investment to prepare a home for resale are detailed below.

Major Kitchen Remodels (ROI 75-85%) The function of the kitchen has evolved over the years and now more than ever the kitchen must

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Home & Garden

meet those needs.

• Buyers want to envision themselves in a gorgeous newly renovated kitchen where they can actually see themselves - preparing meals for their friends and family -where the kids nestle into a cozy banquette doing their homework, or their guests mingling around that gorgeous island. Buyers want to see this in their minds eye and know that it’s attainable.

• A major kitchen remodel may need to include a new floor plan to improve on a poorly designed work triangle.

• If the kitchen is completely dated, isolated and compartmentalized with an inefficient floor plan and layout - don’t think that replacing the cabinets and appliances will camouflage the problem. It won’t!

• If at all possible add an island into those plans.

Everyone loves them!

• Replacing all cabinetry, appliances, lighting, flooring, finishes and fixtures and new French doors and windows will grab the buyers’ attention.

• Since kitchens and baths are the costliest rooms to renovate, the buyer will be thrilled that the work is already done for them.

Family Room Additions (75% ROI) The family room is the second most popular space in the home after the kitchen.

• Adding 400 sq. ft. of bright and cheery living space (if your neighborhood will bare it), will definitely improve the value of the home • Increase the overall height of your space and introduce a vaulted ceiling. Creating a sense of volume instantly makes a room feel more spacious.

• Consider the details and add beautiful French doors, floor to ceiling windows or even skylights to flood this new space with light and maximizes a view. Take it one step further and add the deck.

Deck Addition. (72-95% ROI) Deck additions are quite possibly the best investments these days. They naturally transition the interior to the exterior - instantly expanding your living space. And who doesn’t love that?

• It’s a vacation-at-home experience, as it expands your living space and extends the summer season

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Should You Stay or Should You Go? One question that a major renovation brings up is: should you stay in your home or pack up and leave during the construction phase? Obviously this will depend on the size of your renovation, but if you’re intending on staying put during the entire process, be prepared to make some serious lifestyle adjustments! Here are a few things to consider:

If You Stay: Pros • • • • •

See progress and attend meetings easily.

Handle challenges quickly.

Avoid added cost in renting.

Minimal disruption of family routines.

Monitor security of property.

Cons

• Putting up with noise, mess, and lack of privacy.

• Need to manage stress of disruption and disorganization.

• Project may take longer due to contractor needing to work around you.

• Health concerns. Quality of life temporarily compromised.

• Relationships will be challenged.

• Lack of space for family to live comfortably.

If You Go Pros

• Easier on contractor and sub trades to get work done.

• Subcontractors can perform more efficiently

without being scrutinized.

• Don’t have to put up with construction mess and disruption of house.

• Less stress, easier on relationships.

Cons

• Not on site to oversee progress and problems.

• Need to trust contractor. Disorientation in relocating.

• Financial burden if project takes longer than estimated Should you decide to stay, there are lots of things you can do to survive during this adventure to keep your sanity and relationships intact: Be flexible. Be patient. Be realistic. Be understanding.

Your renovation may be challenging but remember that your mental, emotional, and physical health is most important. Your contractor is more than likely managing several other jobs at the same time, so you may not see him or his crew when you expect to. Plans are altered, schedules change and delays are inevitable.

That doesn’t mean you sit by idly by. After all, you hired the most reputable, competent, and reliable contractor out there – right? But keep in mind that your extreme makeover won’t be completed in a mere week like those ‘reality shows’ on TV! The unfortunate reality is, if the contractor says your project will take four months, be prepared for the unexpected, allow for extra time and make most of the disruption!

And above all, make sure your feet stay firmly planted on the ground.

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- forcing you to live more outdoors before the winter season sets in.

• Its design can be as simple or elaborate as the home it’s attached to.

• Multi-leveled or single, built in seating or casual seating areas, hot tubs, and outdoor kitchens - all of which add to the vacation home atmosphere.

• Decks are more popular than pools and relatively easy to build.

• Design the deck to compliment the character of your home’s exterior architecture. Give it some thought in planning - it should be proportionate to the size of your yard.

•

Incorporate energy efficient solar or led lighting.

Main Floor Master Bedroom Addition (73% ROI) • Adding a 400 sq. ft. master bedroom suite and spa-like bath provides a private retreat and appeals to many home buyers. Access to main floor is gaining in popularity.

• Empty nesters and others, who no longer want to tackle stairs, prefer to have the master bedroom and bath retreat on the main floor level of the home.

• Immediate access to a gorgeous deck or patio outdoors also adds to the return.

Two-Story Addition (77% ROI) • A two-story addition of 800 square feet could include a new main floor family room and an upper level master suite complete with a full bath.

• Or utilizing that extra space and designating it, as the home office, is very appealing to home- buyers.

• Homeowners are spending more time working from home and with the homepreneur trend growing, buyers are attracted to the extra space dedicated solely to operating their home based business.

Lori Gilder, is an award-winning Interior Designer specializing in residential renovations and additions and CEO of Interior Makeovers Inc. Sign up to receive your complimentary copy of “15 Money Saving Strategies When Planning Your Home Renovation” at www.lorigilder.com

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Home & Garden

School Lunch Tips

by Lori Phillips

I

t’s no wonder why more parents sign their kids up for school lunches. Preparing a nutritious lunch box five days a week can add a lot of stress to your daily schedule. Unless you’re one of the lucky parents whose kids demand the same relatively healthful choice of peanut butter on whole wheat and an apple, you spend a lot of time trying to come up with easy, healthful lunches that your kids will actually eat.

I like to cook so it wasn’t too much of a chore to whip up hot foods on cold days or chilled foods on hot days. There were cute sandwich cut-outs, yummy pastas, pinwheels, rice balls and fruit flowers. But it was far from simple. One of my kids was embarrassed to eat these silly foods that made his friends laugh and point. And although my little girl loved her hot pasta or curry, the thermos would get lost, broken or stolen again and again. Peanut butter was out of the question due to another student’s nut allergy.

When I realized that I was spending far too much time and effort on a meal that lasted 15 minutes or less because recess beckoned, I simplified. Here are the things I learned: • Reusable lunch boxes are eco-friendly and the act of having to

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Home & Garden

remember to bring them home teaches early responsibility lessons. But effort will be required to teach kids to bring their lunch boxes home. If you don’t have the energy to fret over lost lunch boxes, use disposable paper bags that are made from recycled paper that comes from renewable resources.

• Plastic containers require lids to be kept, returned and washed. And cute containers tend to get pilfered.

• Most kids don’t want to spend their lunch time eating. They want to down their food and move on to playing with their friends.

• If you give your child premium goodies, he’ll be harassed to trade them or get bullied to give them up. If your child has a shyer or weaker personality, better to save those treats for home.

• The most wasted lunch food item, according to the observations of school aides, is whole fruit.

Orchards of whole apples are sent to decompose in dumps. Whole fruit is healthful and easy to bag but they simply don’t get eaten. Instead, they get tossed around, bruised and neglected after a bite. Send sliced oranges, chunked melons or dried apple rings instead.

• Make ahead easy sandwiches, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze them. They’ll defrost in time for lunch. Bologna, ham, turkey, cheese, peanut butter and jam all freeze well.

• Chilled salads - fruit, pasta, greens - are a nice change from sandwiches. Just set aside a few servings from the previous night’s dinner.

• A flour tortilla makes an excellent sandwich bread alternative. And kids especially love Pizza Roll-ups.

• Rethink what makes a meal. Most kids prefer little snack items. Choose healthful crackers, cheese bites, veggie sticks with dip, yogurt, and dried fruit.

• Don’t force a food war with a school lunch. You won’t be there to enforce any follow-through and a well-intended lunch will get thrown away. Don’t feel guilty about giving your kid the same lunch every day of the week. It’s only one meal of the day. There are many other opportunities to fit in nutritious and variety.

A lot of lunches get thrown away. Don’t put in candy or treats and expect your child to be self-disciplined enough to save it for dessert. © 2010 by Lori Phillips

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Home & Garden

34

Wine… with Natalie MacLean

Top Ten Gift Wines for Your ...

“W

ine is one of the few presents that makes both the giver and the receiver look good,” says Natalie MacLean, the red-nosed e-sommelier behind www.nataliemaclean.com, Canada’s largest wine web site. “You look like you spent a bundle on the gift (even if you didn’t) and the recipients are happy that you think they know something about wine (even if they don’t).”

mas shopping list. The app and site also pair wines to thousands of dishes, including holiday favorites, such as turkey, goose, duck, and even partridge in a pear tree.

This holiday season, anyone can tap into MacLean’s expertise via her free web site and mobile apps for iPhone, BlackBerry, Droid and other smart phones. They help consumers with a whole new type of pairing: wine with the people on your Christ-

1. Hairdresser: For the person who combines humor and optimism every time she styles your mop. Go for a light, gulpable wine like a dry rosé.

It’s versatile and fuss-free—a great quaff for your coif.

“When you give wine, doubles are fine, there are no wrong sizes and you can always find something good in stock,” MacLean adds. “Vintage gifts will get anyone into the holiday spirits.”

Home & Garden 2. Psychiatrist: Of course, he’ll analyze whatever you give him so choose a wine that’s all about balance. Easy-drinking pinot noir is medium-bodied yet packed with flavor. Surprise him with a large-format bottle, like a magnum. Big thinking means big progress for you. This wine also works for psychologists, marriage counsellors and bartenders.

3. The Boss: Pick too pricey a wine and your boss will think your last raise was too much; go cheap, and she’ll think you lack judgement. Focus on a label with a lot of white space since that makes the bottle look more expensive. A castle in the distance also works, but avoid fluffy animals.

4. Personal Trainer: Think a muscular, robust red would work? Hold that position. Instead, try riesling: this light white wine pairs well with a healthnut diet of salad and seafood, plus it’s low in alcohol.

You can also give it to Pilates instructors, yoga masters and Tai Chi coaches.

5. Financial Planner: You and he both know it’s going to take decades before your portfolio recovers after the crash of 2008. With that long-term view, vintage port makes the perfect gift. This fortified wine from northern Portugal, with its long aging potential, will be around for both of you into your retirements.

6. Travel Agent: She’s been everywhere and seen everything, so go local with your choice of wine.

Even better, if you live close to the winery, get the bottle signed by the winemaker.

7. Teacher: If you can’t find a suitably obscure wine with a Latin name, there’s always cream sherry.

It’s the tipple of Oxford dons, not to mention the centerpiece of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story The Case of the Amontillado.

8. Mail Deliverer: Go for a winery that’s consistent year after year in producing a wine that can be enjoyed in snow, rain, sleet or hail. Try an Australian shiraz or Argentine malbec.

9. Mechanic: Yes, there’s a wine called Red

35

Truck, but try to be more imaginative.

Why not give a wine made by Mario Andretti in California or Ferrari in Italy?

10. Online Date: So you’re on your second or third rendezvous with the person you met on eHarmony or Dating.com. If you’re not sure yet whether marriage is a possibility, try something middle-of-the-road, like merlot. Yes, it’s the soft jazz of wine, but until you know, play it safe.

And after all that shopping, don’t forget yourself: even Santa’s little helpers need more than milk and cookies. Try something with high-alcohol like Italian Amarone or Rhone syrah: these big reds easily drown out tonedeaf carolling and pair beautifully with tired feet.

For Natalie’s favourite wineries, tasting notes and recipe matches for all the wine types mentioned above, visit: http://bit.ly/GiftWines

NATALIE MACLEAN is author of the bestseller Red, White and Drunk All Over. Nat was named the World’s Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. She is the only person to have won both the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award from the James Beard Foundation and the M.F.K. Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing from Les Dames d’Escoffier International. www.nataliemaclean.com

What can YOU give to help us feed Kelowna children and families this Holiday Season?

Kelowna Community

Food Bank

Caring‌ for our community.

Tel: 250.763.7161 Fax: 250.763.9116 info@kcfb.ca www.kelownafoodbank.ca

Home & Garden

37

The Back Page The Joy of

Bonsai Trees

By Andy Guides

P

enzai is an ancient Chinese practice of growing small plants in pots. Penzai literally translates to “tray scenery”, but loosely means potted landscape. The practice moved through Asia and eventually into Japan. Bonsai trees, a Japanese pronunciation of Penzai, became popular during the Heian period in 794 to 1185.

Bonsai is a strictly decorative art form. It is meant to be a contemplative piece for the viewer and an exercise in patience and ingenuity for the grower. Unlike most horticultural projects, there is no food or medicinal purposes for these plants. One of the oldest known living examples is a five needled pine considered to be at least five hundred years old.

They can be made with nearly any material as long as it is a perennial and has woody growth. It should also branch and remain small in containment with root and crown pruning. These characteristics make them visually appealing in their compact scale and usually include small leaves or needles. Some favorites include figs, since it is easy to grow, and many of the evergreen trees because of their unique woody textures and small needles.

Most growers don’t want to start from seed because the ultimate goal is a mature and weathered appearance. It would take many, many years to achieve this, so growers use source material that is already mature or partially grown.

There are many intricate techniques in forming a tree. Pruning is usually the first step.

It involves cutting off pieces of the plant to make it an appropriate shape. Wiring is used to hold trunks and branches in place. Clamping can be used in place of wiring if the specimen is too tough. Leaf trimming defines the shape and cleans up the trunk. Grafting can be used when a new piece of growing foliage is desired in a place that didn’t have foliage before. Defoliation can be used to make smaller new leaves grow in place of larger, old ones. Deadwood is another technique used which involves removing the bark from an entire branch to give the look of dead wood.

Bonsai trees are a meditative hobby with deep cultural ties. Any level horticulturalist can take these beautiful sculptures on as a hobby for years of satisfaction and delight.

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EALTHY LIVING .COM .COM

A Healthier Perspective

The Controversy of Soy as a Health Food The perception that soy is a “health food” is a very common one. This is highly unfortunate, for a number of reasons which this video discusses.

One of the primary reasons for avoiding soy products is because the vast majority of soy grown in North America is genetically modified (GM). The GM variety planted is Roundup Ready -- engineered to survive being doused with otherwise lethal amounts of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide. (Interestingly, Monsanto produces both the Roundup Ready soy seeds and the herbicide, Roundup.)

The logic behind GM crops such as soy is that you can decrease the cost of production by killing off everything except the actual soy plant. Unfortunately, consumers pay a hefty price in terms of health instead.

But as Dr. Mercola explains, unless the soy you’re consuming is fermented, you’re putting your health at risk.

“

Even if you were fortunate enough to find organic soy, there are still several other significant concerns with unfermented soy that make it far from attractive from a health standpoint. Soy contains a number of problematic components that can wreak havoc with your health. - Dr. Joseph Mercola

”

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45

Top 10 Top 10 Healthiest Foods

1 2 3 4 5 6

Olive Oil contains monounsaturated (good) fats, which may help lower your risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Blueberries contain powerful antioxidants that may help lower LDL cholesterol.

These antioxidants were rated #1 in antioxidant activity in a recent Tufts University study that compared 40 fruit and vegetables.

Yogurt contains healthy bacteria that helps boost your immune system, fight infection and improve your gastrointestinal health.

It is an excellent source of calcium and B vitamins.

Broccoli is high in antioxidants and loaded with vitamin C, calcium and folic acid and a proven cancer fighting food. Eating broccoli stimulates the body to create natural cancer fighting substances.

Spinach prevents muscle and bone loss and has been linked to decreased risk of cancer and heart diseases. It’s very high in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium and folate. Calorie for calorie, spinach is one the healthiest foods you can eat.

Tomatoes are high in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant and are packed with vitamins A and C, and potassium. Eating tomatoes also decreases the risk of developing heart disease, increases prostrate health and may lower cholesterol.

7 8 9 10

Apples aid in lowering cholesterol, prevent numerous types of cancer, and have health benefits related to other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, and diabetes. Apples are high in antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber.

Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a decreased risk of sudden-death heart attacks, heart disease, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s. Salmon may also help control symptoms of arthritis and depression.

Sweet potatoes are nutrient-rich that contain high amounts of fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Sweet potatoes have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and have been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Almonds are loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats and contain protein, fiber, potassium, and calcium. They are rich in vitamin E and potassium and help to lower cholesterol levels and your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

For more healthy eating tips, free healthy recipes, and free exercise plans, go to http://www.thehealthyeatingguide.com

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HEALTHY LIVING

Health Matters How much is enough?

How much you eat is as important as what you eat. That’s because a healthy body weight helps reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.

An online tool called My Food Guide tells you how much of each choice – from apples to zucchini – is a single serving. For example, a bagel is two servings of grains.

Give yourself a hand with portion size Measuring everything before you eat it isn’t realistic. You can use your hand to gauge a healthy serving size. Based on an average-sized woman’s hand: • Use your two open hands to guide you in selecting

a healthy serving of vegetables.

• Use your fist to select a healthy portion of grain products. Your baked potato, serving of pasta or rice should be equal to your first.

• Include a fist-size serving of fruit with or between your meals.

• Use your palm to measure a healthy serving of meat and alternatives. Your chicken breast or lean steak My Food Guide should be the size of your palm.

This interactive tool that will help you personalize the information found in Canada’s Food Guide.

• Use a thumb tipBy entering personal information, such as age and sex, selecting various size serving of fat. items from the four food groups and choosing different types of physical acChoose fats that are tivities, you can create a tool that is customized just for you. soft at room temperThere are lots of foods to choose from in each of the four food groups, so ature, such as nonbe sure to try different combinations when creating this tool that illustrates hydrogenated marhow you can eat well with Canada’s Food Guide. garine or vegetable oils. These fats are START BUILDING MY FOOD GUIDE! heart-healthy.

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HEALTHY LIVING

How To Have Naturally Healthy and White Teeth Flossing and brushing regularly are the first steps to keeping your teeth healthy. There is no substitute for that basic regimen, but there are things you can do to augment it. Here are some tips on keeping your teeth healthy and white using natural materials and methods.

1. Use natural toothpastes. If you are concerned about the chemicals in conventional toothpaste, there are a lot of natural alternatives on the market. Look for toothpastes free from sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate. There are also natural whitening toothpastes.

2. Neem oil is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal that promotes healthy gums and teeth. You can mix a drop or two of neem oil with a tablespoon of baking soda to make your own toothpaste. Add a drop of peppermint or cinnamon essential oil to improve the taste. Shake well to combine. Or, you can buy a commercial toothpaste containing neem.

3. Tea tree oil is also anti-bacterial and antifungal, making it good for your teeth. Use it as you would neem oil.

4. Dip your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide and brush your teeth with it. Do this right

after you brush your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide helps whiten teeth with the toothpaste of your choice.

5. To a tablespoon of baking soda, add 1/4 teaspoon or less of xylitol. Add neem or tea tree oil if you like. You can also add some peppermint or cinnamon essential oil. Dip your toothbrush into this mixture and brush. This sweetener is derived from birch trees and is very healthful for teeth.

It is often used in commercial toothpastes and in sugar-free chewing gum.

6. Cardamom is an herb that contains cineole, an effective antiseptic substance. Make a healthful mouthwash by steeping two ounces or so of crushed cardamom pods in two cups of vodka. Add a handful of spearmint leaves to improve the taste and add even more cineole. Just leave the herbs in the vodka and use as needed.

You can also chew the cardamom pods, and spit them out when finished.

If you don’t want to use the vodka, make a strong tea from 1 cup boiling water poured over 1 tablespoon each of crushed cardamom pods and chopped spearmint leaves. Use as a mouthwash and store in the refrigerator.

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HEALTHY LIVING

Health Matters Benefits of the Banana Bananas are rich in potassium and low in salt.

They help the body maintain blood pressure. Bananas are especially useful for people who suffer from stress or hypertension. Bananas are also high in B Vitamins which help the nervous system.

Boost of Energy At only about 100 calories, bananas will give you a natural boost of energy. They contain sucrose, fructose, and glucose which will give you an instant and sustainable amount of energy. Athletes eat bananas frequently for this reason. A good way to start the day is to slice up a banana and add it to your whole grain cereal.

Keeps You Alert It’s widely known that bananas help improve brain function. Once again, it’s a good idea to add a banana to your breakfast before you start the day.

Soothes Your Stomach Bananas are known for soothing sour stomach and heartburn. Studies have shown that bananas with milk can significantly cut down on the level of stomach acid your body produces. Bananas also help eliminate bacteria that causes stomach ulcers.

If you suffer from sour stomach, it’s a good idea to have bananas around the house instead of always relying on Pepto Bismol, Tums, or Alka-Seltzer.

Cure a Hangover A great remedy for a hangover is a banana milkshake with honey. The banana soothes your stomach. Along with the milk, it rehydrates your system.

The honey also comforts your stomach and brings

your depleted levels of blood sugar and potassium back to normal.

Helps Quit Smoking The combination of magnesium, potassium, vitamins A1, B6, B12, and Vitamin C help the body with nicotine withdrawal. http://www.mrhealthy.com

Give Tea Bags a Second Life If you’re a tea drinker, you may be wondering what to do with all those leftover tea bags.

Here are a few ideas: Compost Tea bags make wonderful compost for your garden. Simply add them to your compost heap and let nature takes its course.

HEALTHY LIVING

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The Benefits of Natural

Crystal Deodorant

Natural crystal deodorant is chemical free and does actually protect against body odor. Here are just a few of the advantages of a natural crystal deodorant.

1. Prevents odor-causing bacteria When you apply crystal deodorant, made from mineral salts, you typically wet the top of the crystal.

When applied to your underarm a thin layer of mineral salts will stay on your skin. You’ll still sweat (it’s not an antiperspirant) but that sweat will not form bacteria, which is the cause for the body odor.

2. Mineral salts are easy on the skin Many commercially prepared deodorants irritate the skin, causing rashes and allergic reactions.

Mineral salts are a natural element that your body is accustomed to processing and rarely causes any type of allergic reaction. You’ll want to make sure you don’t have any abrasions or cuts on your skin before applying or you’ll feel the sting of salt being put into

Under eye soother Used tea bags, particularly chamomile bags, can be cooled and placed on the eyes for a wonderful soothing relaxant.

Use on sun burns Peppermint tea bags are great for sunburns.

Leave to cool then place the bags on the burnt areas.

Use on cuts Used tea bags are also great on cuts and bruises. You can use any variety but green tea, peppermint and chamomile have good soothing qualities.

an open wound! Not dangerous, but not comfortable either.

3. Fragrance Free If you, your friends, family and co-workers are sensitive to fragrances, or you just don’t like smelling of summer meadows, rainbow breezes or vanilla fields, then a crystal deodorant is just the thing. It’s 100% odorless.

4. The little stick of crystal deodorant lasts forever!

Well not really forever, but it can last up to one full year, which means you’re saving tons of money and eliminating a lot of deodorant sticks from the landfills.

5. Mineral salts don’t stain your clothes How many times do you find that your deodorant leaves a yellow or gray stain on your shirts? Not to mention that icky white residue you find on your shirts if you put deodorant on before you dress.

Mineral salt crystal deodorant has no residue, which means it won’t mark up or stain your clothing.

6. Natural crystal deodorant is cruelty free Animals are not tested in the production of this product so you can be sure you’re not contributing to that practice by purchasing it.

7. Aluminum and toxin free Natural crystal deodorant is chemical free which means your body isn’t absorbing potentially harmful chemicals and toxins. It’s a much safer alternative.

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HEALTHY LIVING

ALL ABOUT MSG (Monosodium Glutemate)

Why do food companies use

M

MSG?

SG does not affect

food, instead it tricks your brain into thinking the food you are eating tastes good. Manufacturers can use inferior ingredients, and by adding MSG, mask the inferior quality and freshness of foods.

I

t is used to disguise the tinny taste of canned products and to give a fresh taste to frozen or freezedried foods. Food companies are able to make their ingredients go much further with the help of this flavor enhancer, thus cutting their production costs. Inferior products and higher profits prevail at the expense of consumer health. MSG is not a preservative and does not protect food from contamination or spoilage.

Why do some people experience a reaction after ingesting MSG? MSG works like a drug, altering taste buds’ sensitivity. While all people do not seem to react to the current dose levels found in our food supply, about 30 percent of the population does respond adversely.

As higher and higher doses of MSG are added to foods, more and more people are experiencing reactions...

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HEALTHY LIVING

Current levels added to food are fifty times higher than amounts used forty years ago—and the quantity continues to grow every year.

Definite Source s of MSG

What kinds of reactions can MSG cause in people?

Reported reactions to MSG include: headaches, migraines, stomach upset, nausea and vomiting, autolyzed yeas t diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma atgelatin sodium casein tacks, shortness of breath, anxiety or panic attacks, ate heart palpitations, partial paralysis, “heart-attack like symptoms,” balance difficulties, mental confusion, mood swings, behavioral disorders (especially in children and teens), allergy-type symptoms, skin rashes, runny nose, bags under the textured prote eyes, flushing, mouth lesions, depression, and in vegetable gum more. In addition, medical research has demonspices strated glutamate relationships in Alzheimer’s natural flavori ngs Disease, ALS (Lour Gehrig’s Disease), diabetes, beef flavoring Huntington’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease. smoke flavori ng broth NOTE: Scientists used to feel that infants were barley malt the group most at risk from MSG. Now, however, malt flavoring researchers have found a relationship between whey protein isolate MSG and some of the dreaded neurodegensoy protein erative diseases such as ALS, Parkinsonism, soy protein co ncentrate Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, soy extract which all affect the elderly.

calcium casein ate hydrolyzed p rotein yeast extract

Possible Sourc

HIDDEN SOURCES While MSG in its pure form must be labeled, food manufacturers are aware that consumers have become savvy to the term, “monosodium glutamate,” and are now adding enormous amounts to our foods under devious and difficult-to-identify names—with the Food and Drug Administration’s approval.

When added to another ingredient (frequently the case with carrageenan, for instance), the FDA does not require that MSG be listed as such on a label.

Food labels are arranged in descending order of ingredient concentrations. The earlier an ingredient below appears on a label, the higher the likelihood that the food contains MSG.

es of MSG

carrageenan seasonings flavorings chicken flavo ring pork flavoring bouillon stock malt extract whey protein whey protein concentrate soy protein is olate soy sauce

Unfortunately, is impossible to provide an all-inclusive list because the food industry is always inventing new labeling deceptions to confound consumers.

We also suggest elimination of the excitotoxin, aspartame (Nutrasweet™ et al.), from your diet, as many people who react to one also react to the other.

It is also important to know that MSG can also be found (though not always) in vaccines, flu shots, IV solutions (as maltodextrin), and in vitamin supplements. MSG is always present in any gelatin-encapsulated vitamin or supplement.

Visit www.nomsg.com for more information.

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HEALTHY LIVING

HEADACHE

Home Remedies

H

eadaches affect almost everyone now and then. The steady throbbing pain of a headache can drain your energy, cause a serious lack of concentration and interfere with all the activities you need to perform during the day.

If you are trying to avoid painkillers, experiment with these natural headache cures.

MASSAGE. For tension head-

aches, ease tension by having someone massage your head, neck and shoulders, or you can try massaging your scalp with your fingertips. Put both middle fingers on your forehead at your hairline. By gently applying pressure, move them back to the crown of your head. Keep repeating this motion until you get to your temples. You could also try this.

Place your thumbs in the center of each temple and massage using a circular motion for about two minutes.

APPLY ICE TO YOUR HEAD.

It will create a numbing and cooling feeling. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel on your forehead or on top of your head when you first notice any pain while soaking your feet in hot water.

APPLY HEAT. Try a heating pad

Drink three glasses of very cold water when you first notice any pain.

HEALTHY LIVING

55

or hot water bottle on your head, neck and shoulders. Or take a hot shower.

It will help relief the tension off your muscles.

RELAX. When you have a headache

you are more sensitive to light and noise. Find a dark and quiet room and sit in a comfortable chair or lie down.

Breathe deeply. Tighten and then relax your muscles starting with your feet. Apply this process to each muscle group, moving up your body until your reach your hands. Visualization works great. Visualize all the tension from your muscles leaving your body while you see yourself in your favorite environment.

ACUPRESSURE. Using the thumb

and index fingers of your right hand, press on the web of skin between the thumb and index finger of your left hand for one minute. Repeat this process on the right hand.

HERBS FEVERFEW can be taken as a treat-

Have a snack. Being hungry can cause headaches.

ment and prevention of migraine headaches. A relative of the sunflower plant, feverfew has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. Feverfew blocks the excessive secretion of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter secreted in the brain. In the initial stage of a migraine, the blood vessels constrict and serotonin is released.

Feverfew is believed to counteract this contraction by dilating those blood vessels.

CHAMOMILE has natural relaxation properties

and can help with nausea and stomach upset caused by migraines. More popular is the German variety

and it can be taken as a tea or in the form of capsules.

GINGER may reduce the frequency of migraines

and may also help with the nausea that accompanies migraines.

CAYENNE PEPPER is used for cluster headaches and appears to increase one’s resistance to pain. http://www.forhealthtips.com

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HEALTHY LIVING

COVER STORY

Adopting a Holistic

Approach to Health

C

onsidering the hectic pace of today’s modern lifestyle, it is natural that we are always pressed for time. We never seem to have enough time to sit down and eat, let alone pay attention to what we are consuming.

We do not know what actually goes into our foods to increase their shelf life.

Our body was never meant to ingest chemicals and toxic substances. Despite advertisements to the contrary, we do not know what actually goes into our foods to increase their shelf life. In addition, our reliance on conventional medications often creates further health problems than the original condition we were treating, which present the risk of side effects, addiction and sacriďŹ ce to health.

Because most of us in the Western

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world have grown up in a society in which allopathic medicine is the prevailing norm, we forget that, only a few decades ago, homeopathic, herbal and other natural medicines were commonly available - and freely used even by conventional doctors. Due to their unique manufacturing method, homeopathic remedies do not produce negative side effects and will not interact with prescription drugs. They may be taken by all ages and also during pregnancy.

While conventional medicine works by often treating just the symptoms, natural medicine strives to create holistic balance in the body to support systemic health, relieve ailments, and help prevent future disease.

While there are often heated debates about which system of medicine is better than the other, many responsible doctors (whether they are allopathic or not) recognize that both have a role to play in the treatment program.

Holism, is derived from the Greek word meaning all, entire, total and is the idea that all the properties of a given system (be it biological, mental, etc.) cannot be determined or explained by the sum of its component parts alone.

Instead, the system as a whole determines in an important

way in which the parts behave. Similarly, our bodies are a collection of complex tissues, cells, organs and body systems. So with regard to poor health we should not be viewed as just the sum of our symptoms. The underlying root causes of an ailment must be addressed for complete healing to take place.

These root causes can exist at many levels: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. An increasing number of physicians are advocating a holistic approach to health care, emphasizing prevention as well as natural treatment.

Natural medicine strives to create holistic balance in the body

In fact, even the World Health Organization deďŹ nes health as being “...more than simply the absence of illness. It is the active state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being.â€? This is a wonderfully clear description of holistic or natural medicine, which strives to support health (thereby relieving or preventing symptoms), rather than simply eliminating disease.

Contrary to common perception, and provided that they are manufactured in the correct way, natural medicines can work quickly and safely to promote healing. In many cases, they can succeed where pharmaceutical drugs have failed. Despite frequent reports that they are unproven and untested, the opposite is true.

As the systems of the body are interrelated, proper functioning and optimal health occurs

HEALTHY LIVING

Natural medicines can work quickly and safely to promote healing.

when they are in balance and harmony. Therefore, if one system is out of balance, one problem can lead to dysfunction or imbalances in other areas systems. It is important to consider all disturbances in these delicate systems and opt for a holistic approach to caring for your body. Many natural remedies work well together to provide increased support for many common conditions, as well as to support general well-being.

with emotional pain before we seek treatment to address symptoms, the holistic approach to health urges us to start off how we intend to finish. In other words, we need to maintain health and well being in all aspects of our life.

Therefore, taking a smaller maintenance dose is sometimes beneficial for ongoing support as part of a preventative program for continued health and well-being.

People respond to natural medicine in different ways, and some experience immediate results, while many others have reported optimal benefits taking effect within several weeks. To ensure optimum results, it is important to take natural remedies as directed and remain consistent. While most of us may wait until we are in the grip of a cold or battling

Effectiveness is greatly increased if a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and regular exercise are followed as well - all of which go a long way in contributing to good health and wellbeing.

Ensuring Safety - Due to the recent rise in popularity of natural remedies, many com-

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panies have sprung up to take advantage of the market. Unfortunately not all of them are equipped to manufacture to the correct standards, often resulting in a flood of inferior (and sometimes even unsafe) remedies onto the market and giving natural remedies a bad name.

Even some pharmaceutical companies have rushed to claim their market share by producing so-called standardized extracts of herbs and offering these as superior to the tried and tested methods of naturopathic manufacturing. Nothing could be further from the truth.

While standardized extracts may offer benefit of easy consistency of dosage (and cheaper more efficient production lines), they have severe disadvantages. These include an increase in side effects as the medicines produced in this manner lose the natural protective properties of the herbs. In some cases, these side effects have proved fatal - as was seen in the liver tox-

icity associated with standardized extracts of kava kava, an herb previously safely used for generations without any known side effects.

Most naturopaths recommend what is called the Full Spectrum Method of extraction - which retains the benefits of ALL the active ingredients within the herb as opposed to isolating only one - thereby providing a more complete treatment as well as superior protection against side effects.

Whatever your choice, always choose wisely. Research what is best for you.

If you have a chronic or life threatening condition, don’t make changes without first discussing them with your doctor in order that your condition may be monitored. Wellinformed and supportive practitioners will support patients who want to take responsibility for their own health. http://www.nativeremedies.com

Whatever your choice, always choose wisely. Research what is best for you.

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Compliments to the Chef

Veggie Stew

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great way to use a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs.

3 cups water 1 cube vegetable bouillon, low-sodium 2 cups white potatoes, cut into 2-inch strips 2 cups carrots, sliced 4 cups summer squash, cut into 1-inch squares 1 cup summer squash, cut into 4 chunks 1 can (15-oz) sweet corn, rinsed and drained, or 2 ears fresh corn, 1½ cups 1 tsp thyme 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 stalk scallion, chopped ½ small hot pepper, chopped 1 cup onion, coarsely chopped 1 cup tomatoes, diced (Add other favorite vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower) Heat water and bouillon in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add potatoes and carrots to the broth and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients except for the tomatoes, and continue cooking for 15 minutes over medium heat. Remove four chunks of squash and purée in blender. Return puréed mixture to pot and let cook for 10 minutes more. Add tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from flame and let sit for minutes to allow stew to thicken.

Makes: 8 servings Serving size: 1¼ cups Each serving provides: Calories: 119 Total fat: 1 g Saturated fat: less than 1 g Cholesterol: 0 g Sodium: 196 mg Fiber: 4 g Protein: 4 g Carbohydrate: 27 g Potassium: 524 mg

Article Source:

http://www.healthandwellness.com

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Wisdom Comes with Age

Gems of Wisdom from the World’s Oldest Man Happy Birthday to Walter Breuning – 114 years old.

On August 31, 2010, Walter Breuning reminisced about his life in three centuries. As the oldest man in the world and in celebration of his 114th birthday on September 21, Mr. Breuning agreed to this exclusive interview.

Questions were gleaned via the internet from individuals around the world.

“

Everyday is a good day -- make it that way! Be kind to everybody. People should help other people -- the better you will help yourself. – Walter Breuning

”

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The craziness of the title should be obvious, but this is not a book about health care. Granted, there is a chapter on “Medical brilliance,” which should point out the fact that doctors, nurses and hospital administrators have their mental moments. From your experience, I’m sure you know that. “Humor is the best medicine and it’s available even without a referral.” This ebook is to good health and plenty of laughs.

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Top Ten Activities After Retirement

Go Online - Surfing the Internet can be fun

and good for you at the same time. Look up your favorite topics, follow a sports team, read the news or do some online shopping.

Exercise - Exercise will keep your blood pres-

sure and cholesterol count down, and it can be a social activity as well if you join a class.

Volunteer - Use retirement to give something

back to your community, country or planet.

Become a volunteer for your favorite cause. It might be working at a local hospital, reading to kids in a school or joining Greenpeace.

Eat - Eat healthy during your retirement. This

doesn’t mean eating bland or uninteresting food. Find a local cooking course and learn some new recipes. Or, purchase the cookbook and test your creations on friends, family and neighbors.

Relax - Take some time to relax; this will help re-

lieve stress, which is particularly important for seniors. Some relaxing activities include meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy or massage.

Be Social - Get into social networking. There

are many social networking sites on the Internet. Look up old friends, get in touch with those family members whom you haven’t seen in years, join some interest groups and make some new friends.

Travel - Retirement means having the freedom

to go where you want and when you want. You can travel during the off-season when prices are reduced. If you want to get some extra excitement, look around for special adventure tours for senior citizens.

Learn a Language - Language learning is

another great activity for keeping your brain active. Join a class at a community college, and you’ll get to meet some new people to share your interest.

Read - Reading can be a great solitary activity, but you could also join a local book club if you want to meet some new people. Read the latest bestseller or go back to the classics that you skipped in college.

Go Back to School - If you have an inter-

est that you’ve been tinkering with during your working years, but never really had time to explore it as much as you’d like, you can do that now. Explore and broaden your horizons. Some universities now have senior citizen discounts.

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What Matters Most How to Check for Identity Theft Check your bill statements. Whether you

receive your bills electronically or by snail mail, be sure to carefully check your bill statements every month. If you see any activity on your accounts that does not belong to you, contact the bill company immediately. If you have been a victim of identity theft, you may receive bills from companies you don’t even have an account with. Again, contact these companies immediately to report that the account is not valid and does not belong to you.

Check your bank statements. Thieves tend to

be sneaky and come up with unique ways to steal your money. Whether it is stealing one of your bank checks or using your debit card number to make purchases, you need to look for unauthorized transactions on your bank statements each month also.

Check your credit report. At least once

or twice a year, you should pull and check your credit report from the credit agencies such as Equifax. Review all the personal information on all three of the credit reports. Check for accuracy of facts, as well as unauthorized credit accounts, loans or other types of transactions that do not

belong to you. Report any inaccuracies to each of the credit agencies immediately.

Be aware. The key to checking to see if you have

become a victim of identity theft is to be aware.

Carefully review all of your financial records on a regular basis. Make sure these records are accurate and work on correcting any inaccuracies immediately. By being active in your financial situation, you will help to ensure you do not become a victim, and if you do fall prey to an identity thief that you can head it off at the pass before it blows up into a major financial problem.

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Elder Expeditions Multi-sport adventures for the 50+ adventurer Elder Expeditions consists of an active team dedicated to the belief that physical fitness, activity and diversification are essential keys to physical and emotional health, longevity and graceful ageing.

They regard the fiftieth birthday as a new threshold, an exciting epoch in life’s evolution: OUR TIME, a time to self-indulge, a time to re-invent and re-create, a time to explore.....

Elder Expeditions was designed for fit, active, adventure seeking seniors, 50 and over, who love the outdoors, who enjoy participation sports and who picture themselves: • riding horses through remote areas of Europe, the Americas, and Africa, • hiking through the countryside in off-the beaten path locations, • whitewater rafting in Costa Rica, Bulgaria, Wales, etc., • hot air ballooning over the Serengeti, • Biking through scenic countryside regions of France, England, etc.

• paddling a canoe in England’s Lake District, • zip wiring across vast chasms in Costa Rica, • enjoying a horse drawn sleigh ride in Transylvania, • exploring ancient caves in France or Romania, • going on camel or elephant safari in Africa or the Hi-

•

malayas, bow and arrow hunting with Tanzanian Bushmen.

Tour packages are typically one to two weeks during which time participants are immersed in the local culture, engage in different sporting activities and include cultural activities which are sometimes unusual, sometimes eccentric, and always entertaining. At most of destinations, participants will have some “free” roam about time as well as shopping opportunities.

For more information visit: www.elderexpeditions.com/

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What Matters Most Five Ways to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Research conducted in 52 countries reveals several controllable risk factors attribute to 90% of all heart attacks. Previously, it was believed only half of the heart attacks were caused by factors such as smoking and cholesterol. Today, most heart attacks can be pinpointed to one or more of the risk factors mentioned below. These factors are neither gender speciďŹ c nor related to a particular ethnic group.

1. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle Smoking changes the viscosity of blood. This can potentially lead to clumping in the blood vessels that supply the heart. The National Library of Medicine published a study stating that smoking inhibits vitamin and mineral uptake. It also depletes levels of vitamin C, and creates a toxic internal environment. An imbalance of essential vitamins and minerals may exacerbate the harmful effects of smoke components on cancer and coronary heart disease. Giving up smoking can help avoid cancer and lower the risk of heart disease.

Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant; it protects molecules in the body from damage

2. Watch Cholesterol Intake It is important to not only control your cholesterol, but to decrease fat intake when faced

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with the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and other disorders caused by atherosclerosis (fatty deposits of plaque in the artery walls). A diet high in “bad” saturated fats (butter, cheese, red meat, fast foods) increases your blood cholesterol. The body has its own daily quota for cholesterol production. Too much cholesterol may cause fat to build up in the arterial walls and cause diseases that slow or stop the flow of blood.

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3. Control High Blood Pressure A famous study, known as the Framingham Heart Study, found that half of all people who suffer a first-time heart attack and two-thirds of first-time stroke victims, had moderate to high blood pressure.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, aneurysms, loss of vision, and kidney failure. Normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80. Experts have advocated eating less salt as a way of controlling blood pressure. In addition, mineral-rich foods and herbs like Hawthorn and Chinese Cat’s Claw, folic acid, and branched chain amino acids are known to naturally help control blood pressure.

4. Reduce Unnecessary Stress Stress causes chemical changes in the body and if left unchecked, it can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health. Studies show nearly 80% of all health related problems are attributed to stress.

A study at the Ohio State University found that stress slows the body’s metabolism of triglycerides (fat linked to cardiovascular system disorders). The slower metabolism allows fat to linger in the blood advancing the development of atherosclerosis.

5. Diet and Exercise Research conducted around the world showed waist circumferences of more than 34 inches in men and more than 32 inches in women increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Salim Yusuf, MD, who conducted the study says, “It is a measure of abdominal fat, which is most closely associated with heart attacks.”

Walking is not only relaxing but a great, low-impact way to lose weight.

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How To Get Thru

Airport Security Fast

F

or many people, the most stressful part of a vacation is making their way through airport security. Even in smaller airports, such as the one serving Kelowna and the Okanagan, security is a prime concern and taken very seriously.

Since September 11, 2001, airport security has become extremely difficult and time consuming to get through. Travelers now find

that they must arrive at the airport in advance in order to get through all the security checkpoints and board their flight on time.

Although the increase in security is ideal for keeping Canadians citizens safe while flying, getting through security at the airport can be trying and frustrating.

Here are five easy tips for getting through airport security with time to spare.

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1.

Make sure you have planned your vacation well. Most stressful vacation scenarios arise because of reservations that have fallen through, flights that have been cancelled, or baggage that has been misplaced. To avoid situations such as these make sure to plan ahead as well as possible. Make sure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to take care of checking in, getting through security and getting to your flight’s gate before your flight takes off.

2.

Make sure to have everything you will need readily available. Having to search through bags for your boarding pass, license, or passport can be an unnecessary hassle.

3.

Make sure you ditch all contraband items.

There are a number of items that are surprisingly not allowed onboard airlines in Canada and the US. An item such as a pair of tweezers can be seen as a potential item and will most likely not be allowed on board. To get through security in a fast, easy manner make sure to leave all illegal items - and even items that may be deemed questionable by airport security at home.

4.

Make sure you dress smart. When passing through security your clothing may be checked as well. Any clothing with metal buckles or buttons that may set off metal detectors should best be left at home or packed in a suitcase. Avoid wearing too many layers of clothing, if your outfit looks suspicious like you are hiding something you will most likely be pulled aside and searched further.

5.

Make sure to scope out the area. For some reason people are often drawn to longer lines, overlooking the fact that there may be a faster and easier way to check bags, move through security, or check your boarding pass. Make sure to take your time and look around before hastily getting in a line because everyone else is.

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The Magic of

Companionship How friends, family, and pets help you live a longer and fuller life

T

here are many mental, physical and emotional health benefits of companionship. They can best be seen by comparing the health of people who have a solid social network to those who are without one. The most visible of the “networks” is marriage, but it is only one of the support systems available an individual; friends, family, pets, and community: each group offers a specific set of advantages.

Marriage Study after study has shown that men in stable relationships live longer than single men.

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What is it that married men are receiving from their relationship that is lacking from single men’s lives?

It has long been thought that married men are more likely to be healthy because they are prompted to eat healthier, see a doctor more often, and live a healthier life overall. The presence of another person to remind him to do the “little things” like wear sun screen and get a bit of exercise and well as the sense of responsibility to another person (or persons in the case of children) reduces men’s tendency to live life “on the edge.”

In general, adult men (taken as a group) lead women in most categories in the “causes of death” listings (the exceptions being endocrine diseases and mental disorders excluding suicide - Health Canada Stats). According to a StatsCan study conducted between 1995 & 2001, older married men had a 40% lower risk of death, compared with men who were single, widowed, divorced or separated.

But, that doesn’t seem to hold true for women. It seems quite likely that men derive benefits from their primary relationship that women achieve with a broader range of people.

Friendship The statistics on the value of a close social network of friends is conclusive.

Studies focusing on women who have lost their network (for a variety of reasons - moving, financial difficulties, etc.) have shown that they have: • more admissions to hospital, • longer stays in hospital, • a greater number of physician visits, • higher number of pharmacare claims, and • used home care services.

Comparisons of men who are culturally more inclined to have closer social groups vs men of the same ethnicity and age in less supportive environments (with similar lifestyle as far as diet and smoking) has demonstrated similar results. The

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men without the close contact have higher incidents of heart disease and suicide, and were more likely to die of any illnesses they did contract. Men reporting the fewest close ties were twice as likely to die of illness than those who reported having the most.

Friendship is definitely good for longevity!

Pets As Westerners, we are often accused of “babying” our pets - placing a value on dogs and cats as high as (if not higher than) we place on family members.

But how many times have you seen statistics showing that bringing a cat into a nursing home improves the quality of life and the well-being of the seniors living there? The phenomenon is so widespread that it even has a name: Pet Therapy (or Animal Assisted Therapy).

Pets alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression, and raise your general sense of well-being. This on top of studies showing that stroking a cat or dog can actually lower your heart rate, and reduce your blood pressure. The US Department of Health even showed that 28% of heart patients with pets survived serious heart attacks, compared to only 6% without pets.

So many options!

True companionship comes in many forms and all of them are good for your health. Other

life-extending networks include support groups (for particular issues or ailments), and, of course, your family.

The key is to find healthy relationships - ones that do not add to your stress and make unreasonable demands of you.

So, make time to maintain healthy and solid relationships. If you are a “type A” personality, play hooky and go to a ball game with a buddy.

It’s good for you!

Here’s a toast to friends, even the furry ones!

Copyright © 2004, More articles can be found at http://Naturalhealthcare.ca/articles.

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The Last Word Bull and Brilliance A wealthy older woman decides to go on a photo safari to Africa, and takes her faithful aged poodle, Cuddles, along for the company.

One day the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that he’s lost.

Wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch.

The old poodle thinks, ‘Oh, oh! I’m in deep trouble!’

Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to pounce, the old poodle exclaims loudly, “Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?”

Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike. A look of terror comes over him and he quietly slinks away into the trees. “Whew!” says the leopard, “That was close! That old poodle nearly had me for lunch!”

Meanwhile, a monkey, who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes. But the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figuring that something must be up, follows in pursuit.

The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, “Here, monkey. Hop on my back and come see what’s going to happen to that conniving canine!”

Now the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, “What am I going to do now?” But instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attacker, pretending he doesn’t see them.

Just when they get close enough to hear, the old poodle says with an impatient voice, “Where the heck is that monkey? I sent him off over an hour ago to bring me another leopard!”

The moral of this story...

Don’t mess with old folks! Age and wisdom will always overcome youth and skill! Bull and brilliance only come with age and experience.

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Peter Hinsen provides Perspective on the Digital Society How your business response to the digital world is a critical component to its future survival.

Technology has been transforming our lives. We’ve experienced the death of distance. We’ve done CRM, we’ve done eBusiness, we’ve integrated much of the business processes, but are we really delivering value to customers?

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What will the digital society look like, how will the digital natives act, think and live? And above all, how can us ‘digital immigrants’ learn to live in a truly digital society?

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For the first time ever, most of you have more technology and bandwidth at home than you have at work. Technology is no longer the domain of work but rather the domain of home.

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BERNARD ARNAULT

Net Worth: $53.5 billion Source: Telecom Residence: Mexico

Net Worth: $53 billion Source: Microsoft Residence: U.S.

WARREN BUFFETT Net Worth: $47 billion Source: Investments Residence: U.S.

Net Worth: $28 billion Source: Oracle Residence: U.S.

Net Worth: $27.5 billion Source: Luxury goods Residence: France

EIKE BATISTA

Net Worth: $27 billion Source: Mining, oil Residence: Brazil

MUKESH AMBANI

AMANCIO ORTEGA

LAKSHMI MITTAL

KARL ALBRECHT

Net Worth: $29 billion Source: Petrochemicals, oil and gas Residence: India

Net Worth: $28.7 billion Source: Steel Residence: India

Net Worth: $25 billion Source: Fashion retail Residence: Spain

Net Worth: $23.5 billion Source: Supermarkets Residence: Germany

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Business Briefs BALANCING YOUR BUSINESS AND FAMILY Home-based entrepreneurs often struggle to balance their business and family environments.

The following ideas may help you walk that fine line.

Whenever possible, create a separate workspace for your business. And always use a separate phone line.

Fight the temptation to work all the time.

Establish regular work hours and keep them. block so he could tell himself he was on his way Set boundaries, both physical and psycholog- to work and then reversed the process in the evening—do whatever it takes to draw the line. ical. Tell your family what you expect from them and what they can expect from you.

Try to give yourself a cushion when setting deadlines.

It’s easier for home-based entrepreneurs Establish rituals. As silly as they may apto get off schedule. pear—I knew a man who walked around the

THE POWER OF GETTING Here are some smart tips from Valerie Young, author of the Changing Course newsletter, on the best way to stop dreaming and start doing.

• Get to the point of life. It’s short; if you don’t do it now, when will you?

• Get passionate. Most successful businesses are built on the entrepreneur’s passion.

• Get a grip on “it”. “It” is what scares you—and “it”

is different for everyone.

• Get support. If you have a network, call on them. If you don’t, create one.

• Get real. Know that it isn’t going to be easy.

• Get ready. Set a target date and create a plan to get there.

• Get going. Do at least one thing a day to advance your plan.

• Get informed. Talk to people, join associations and read stuff that’s relevant.

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HOW TO PROVIDE SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

1 2 3 4

Offer your customers personal attention, even if they don’t buy anything. Engage them in pleasant conversation and find out why they’re not buying. Make use of what you learn.

Educate your customers about your products and services. If you own a hobby shop, for example, you can keep customers coming back by helping them develop knowledge of their own hobbies.

Show appreciation. Make sure employees always thank customers for their business. Consider sending occasional handwritten thank-you notes.

Make sure items are delivered in good condition. Call the customer after delivery and if a piece is not right, offer to fix it or replace it.

5

Go out of your way to meet customer needs.

One interior designer got draperies made for a client in a hurry so they would be ready for an at-home wedding.

MAKING YOUR SALES PRESENTATION A WINNER Even using the most sophisticated presentation technology won’t help you make the sale if you haven’t polished your presentation skills. Here are six smart ways to come across like a pro: Stay loose. If you feel tight, you’ll likely come across as cold or unsure of yourself.

Connect with your audience.

Make sure you talk to them in

Speak up. Make sure your tone conveys conviction and authority. And don’t forget to project so listeners can clearly hear you.

terms they understand. Watch them, and address their concerns on the spot.

Use body language to project confidence. Stand or sit solidly, don’t sway or waver, but don’t be stiff either.

Don’t hide your passion. Your enthusiasm and energy will help you make your case. And clients want to know you will feel strongly on their behalf.

Most important, relax—and don’t forget to smile. Remember, you are communicating with real people who are seeking to make a connection with you In other words, be yourself.

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dynamics

Business Briefs TIPS ON LEASING EQUIPMENT

1

Leasing equipment instead of buying it can help you manage your company without tying up funds needed for working capital. You can use the equipment to make money while you are paying for the lease.

2

Use leasing to help you meet objectives that might otherwise be out of reach. Instead of giving a deserving employee a raise, one cash-strapped entrepreneur instead more cheaply leased a new car for the employee.

3 4

Monthly lease payments are often tax-deductible and may offer a larger tax break than you would get if the equipment were depreciated.

Do the math. Leasing is a form of borrowing, and usually the interest rate is higher than that of a commercial bank.

5

To find a lessor, Google “Equipment Leasing” or “Leasing Services.” followed by your city’s name.

THE 4 DON’TS WHEN STARTING YOUR SALES PITCH 1. Don’t talk about yourself.

3. Don’t recite your sales pitch.

2. Don’t talk about your products.

4. Don’t talk about your services.

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A SHORT COURSE ON SEO Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most vital marketing strategies you need to have for your business.

Here are the keys to SEO. Generate Keywords Gathering a listing of words that relates to your company and the services or products you are offering. Use the words you believe would prompt people to respond to what you wish them to do and concentrate on them. Once you have this list, select just one, which you must use on your web page.

Place Keywords in Your Page URL Search engines also look into your page URL text to ascertain its contents. To make things easy for them and to increase your rankings, place your keyword or key phrase on your web page URL. You can do this through using either the page name or the folder.

Place Keywords in Your Page Title If there is one thing that search engines look into first to establish the content of your web page that is the page title. Place your keyword or key phrase here, but it brief.

Spread Some Keywords in the Content of Your Web Page Placing your keyword or key phrase in the content of your web page will also let search engines know that your page revolves around that particular word or phrase. This should result in your web page being indexed and landing in search results.

Place Keywords in Your Heading The heading is basically your article’s headline. As this is very conspicuous to search engines and considered quite critical in SEO, then make sure it contains the keywords you want to be seen.

Place Keywords in Your Meta Data Although a lot of people say that page metadata is not as vital as it was before, it still holds significance. Make use of it by placing your keywords or key phrase here. Ensure that your description could be read legibly and is sensible.

Your keyword metadata must also concentrate on your specific keyword or keyword phrase.

With this, less is better.

Always Keep Track of Your Ranking Keep an eye on your ranking always. After you have applied some SEO tactics on your web pages, allow search engines to do their work and after a few days, check where you are in search results.

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1

7 Steps for Generating

Focus on your core product. Prospects buy when they trust your value is applicable to them and believe your company is stable. Keep this statement in mind as we go through the rest of the seven steps, because internalizing this mantra is the key to a solid plan.

2

Keep your pitch simple. What every company needs is a simple “elevator pitch.” That’s a short, concise message that can communicate your message to a prospect in 30 seconds or less. It explains the value your product or service provides so the prospect understands why it’s applicable to a them.

3

a Stay true to who you are. Knowing who you are and what gets you excited (and what bores you to

tears) will help you reach your goals. Stay true to who you are and what you do best: Hand off those tasks that will blow you off course because you don’t like doing them, so you don’t! Stretch and grow your capabilities in alignment with your interests and expertise.

4

Map it. Mapping your capabilities with your target clients’ needs is an excellent way for you to determine your service strategy. One common trait among many entrepreneurs is the urge to “cast

New Business Opportunities

by Linda Kazares wide net” by being all things to all companies. In almost every case, however, a small business flourishes because it has narrower service offering.

5

Utilize marketing tools that work best for you. When deciding on a marketing strategy, implement one that fits your personality and the customers you serve. Identify the top two marketing tools you’ve used in the past that have worked for your company. Decide what will yield the best return on your efforts. Each tool should lead to a revenue-producing result in one way or another.

6 7

Implement a plan of action. Establish goals that can be reviewed at three and six months.

At incremental points within each three-month period, keep checking your plan to see if you’re meeting your goals.

Exercise the plan. Just do it: complete the daily actions, and then do something extra to accelerate your success plan. If you approach your plan and get butterflies in your stomach, either get over it or substitute an action that you’re comfortable with so you stay on course. Don’t let unplanned tasks waste precious time that should be applied toward reaching your goal.

Source: Linda Kazares, “7 Steps for Generating New Business Opportunities,” http://www.businessinsider.com/author/lindakazares

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How to Create

Word of Mouth Advertising If people like you and like what you do, they’ll want to tell their friends about your product or service. Help them get the word out.

W

ord of mouth marketing is giving people a reason to talk about you and then finding ways to amplify and accentuate that conversation.

When you say something, it’s marketing.

When your customer says the same thing, then that’s word of mouth.

Word of mouth marketing has always been around because people love to talk. The key distinguishing feature of word of mouth marketing is the fact that it’s organic rather than tightly scripted. It springs naturally from what you do well, rather than being orchestrated and managed. For this and other rea-

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sons, word of mouth marketing is more credible and believable. It comes across to consumers as being genuine rather than the end result of carefully designed advertising and marketing. If you have a product that people love so much they just can’t stop talking about it, that’s a very nice place to be.

Word of mouth is about giving your customers a voice. To achieve that, you have to be honest. You can’t use stealth marketing techniques or deception. You can’t trick customers into giving you a word of mouth recommendation. Nor can it be faked. Word of mouth only succeeds when you are the genuine article and when you deliver on what you have promised in the first place.

Word of mouth marketing is the most profitable marketing you can do. Nothing else you do will make you more money.

11-point word of mouth marketing manifesto 1)

The best form of advertising that exists is happy customers.

2)

Marketing is actually quite easy to understand. Earn the respect and word of mouth recommendations of your customers, and let them do your marketing for you.

3)

Ethics and great service come first because they lay the foundation for everything else you want to do.

4)

You are the user experience—not what your ads or what your PR department says. Give customers memorable experiences.

5)

Negative word of mouth is an opportunity to learn what you need to fix. Don’t be offended. Listen and learn.

6)

People are already talking about you, your company and your offerings. Your only option is to join the ongoing conversation.

7)

Be interesting and do something noteworthy and exceptional.

8)

If it’s not worth talking about, it’s not worth doing. Stand out from the crowd.

9)

Make the story of your company one worth talking about.

10) It’s more fun to work for a company others are talking about.

11) It’s smart to harness word of mouth productively to make businesses treat people better. Customers deserve a better deal. Give it to them.

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The five keys of word of mouth marketing 1.

Customers are in control

Whether you realize it or not, people are already talking about you with their friends, on blogs or in online forums. You can either use this to advantage or let things happen without you.

Your challenge is to make sure what is being said about you is good on an ongoing basis.

2.

You are the user experience

3.

The Internet creates a permanent record

Marketing today is much more about what you do rather than what you say. Word of mouth means what you deliver to customer’s counts for more than all your advertising combined. If you do what you say, more people will respect that and choose to do business with you. If you advertise one thing but deliver something entirely inferior day-to-day, people will be aware of that too.

Problems and foul-ups live on indefinitely when they are posted to websites, blogs, message boards and so forth. You need to ensure the human face of your company gets equal coverage and correct the record rather than ignoring it and hoping it will go away.

4.

Honesty is essential for word of mouth

You can’t hide a bad product behind an expensive advertising campaign, nor can you hide bad service behind a big brand. Word of mouth requires absolute honesty and transparency.

It gives the customers a voice and provides a platform for them to either attract others or

warn others away. Respect them, make them happy, and everything will work out just fine.

5.

Word of mouth changes the math of business

When you factor in the negative value of bad publicity multiplied by word of mouth, ideas that look profitable on the surface may end up being bad business moves. Ultimately, loads of satisfied customers translate into public trust, which greases the skids for more transactions in the future. Word of mouth has a direct impact on bottom line profits.

Adapted from the book Mouth to Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking by Andy Sernovitz

A recent survey of local businesses by the

OkanaganBusiness

EXAMINER*

revealed these interesting facts:

90% 60% 52%

of businesses rely exclusively, or almost exclusively, on word of mouth advertising. of businesses believe that a good marketing campaign would raise their revenue. of businesses are using social media as a part of their marketing strategy.

Nothing is more powerful than word of mouth to deliver your message. Come join the conversation.

Take advantage of a powerful new marketing tool by joining an exclusive group of Kelowna small businesses who are creating a unique word-of-mouth advertising campaign using the power of social media marketing. Act now! Limited space available.

To start your word of mouth campaign, call

888 412-1067 info@mainstreetkelowna.com www.mainstreetkelowna.com * For full results of the survey, see the September 2010 issue .

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The Last Word The Story of the Dead Donkey

A Lesson In Entrepreneurship Clem was a young farmer who needed a donkey to help with the plowing. The trouble was that a good donkey cost at least $500, and he didn’t have that much money.

Frustrated and desperate, he decided to buy a donkey for $100 from a farmer he didn’t know. He didn’t expect much from the animal for only $100, but figured that although the donkey was obstinate, old and lazy, he would still get some work out of him. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day.

Clem was pleased. Unfortunately, when the farmer showed up at Clem’s farm the next day he said, “Sorry, but I have some bad news. You know that donkey I sold you?

Well, he died last night.”

“He died?” Clem exclaimed. “I can’t afford to lose $100! You have an obligation to either produce the donkey or refund my money. So, if the donkey is dead, give me my money back.”

“I’m really sorry but I can’t do that,” the farmer replied. “Unfortunately I already spent the money.”

Clem was dumbfounded. He had lost both the donkey and his $100. What could he do? Then he came up with an innovative idea to capitalize on this catastrophe, as well as make enough money to buy a new donkey that would do great work and—hopefully—live a long and prosperous life.”

“Okay, just bring me the dead donkey then,” said Clem.

“What ya’ gonna do with him?” inquired the farmer.

Clem said, “I’m going to raffle him off.”

“But you can’t raffle off a dead donkey!” exclaimed the farmer. ‘”Sure I can, just watch me. I just won’t tell anybody he’s dead,” Clem said.

A few weeks later, the farmer met up with Clem and asked, “What ever happened with that dead donkey?”

“I raffled him off just like I told you I would,” replied Clem. “I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $998.”

“What?” said the farmer. “Didn’t anyone complain?”

“Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back,” replied Clem.

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