Meet a few of Canada's heart heroes
(NC)-In 2006, Becel (www.becel.ca) went on a mission to find Canadians who love their hearts and are helping to spread the word about heart love and heart health. Here are just a few of the hundreds of Heart Felt stories we received. A love that inspires Heart heroes: Rose and Al Sarkany Seeing a jogger happily running in the rain made my wife Rose stop and think - and start walking. Daily. Her walks turned to runs, and soon I couldn't help noticing that Rose was losing weight, eating healthier and feeling great. So I began following in her footsteps, literally. Together, we've lost over 100 pounds and are now running 10K races and half-marathons. All it took was one small step, and each other, to put our lives on a new path to health. Giants come in all sizes: Heart hero: Aidan Meilleur-Wilson To a four-year-old, life is full of wonder. But for us, it's our son Aidan who amazes. Born with multiple congenital heart defects, Aidan hasn't let this stop him from enjoying a full and active life. When he's not out exploring his world, Aidan is showing other families in hospitals how normal the life of a child like him can be. It's no wonder Aidan is a little giant in the hearts of those who know him. Every cloud has a silver lining: Heart hero: Mitch Ramsay After Mitch's husband was left disabled by a severe stroke, she decided to strike back. Motivated to make a difference, Mitch began volunteering with Heart Healthy Kids, educating children about healthy eating, physical exercise and the importance of not smoking. You don't need to ask Mitch about the rewards of volunteering. You simply have to look at the smiles on the faces of the children she teaches - and on her own. Eighty-two and going strong: Heart hero: Eddie Gudbranson At 82 years old, my dad continues to be our role model for heart healthy living. Twenty-five years ago, he had a quadruple bypass operation and since then he hasn't missed a beat. He exercises, follows doctors' orders, watches his diet and serves as a beacon of positive attitude and stamina for everyone he meets. This past Remembrance Day, we spent the day watching him walk straight and tall with his comrades - our hearts bursting with pride. Healthy Home Quick Tip Mould spores: begone!(NC)-Excessive mould growth in your home can make you sick. If uncontrolled, the adverse health effects of air-bourn mould spores could range from a mild irritation, to allergies, to severe illness. Controlling the humidity in your home is one solution - and so is the material used in home construction. Health Canada says that for an optimum household environment indoor humidity should be kept between 30 to 55 percent - and that requires a careful watch of your humidifier. At the building stage of your home, or during renovations, consider building materials that do not retain moisture. If the main structure of your home is wood for example, mould growth is a risk due to its inherent natural elements. The alternative is to build your home with concrete - and the more eco-conscious manufacturing companies like Nudura, have created pre-assembled forms that are filled with concrete to replace traditional stick framing. Providing double the insulation, this is an energy efficient system that delivers benefits to both the environment and to the occupant's health. The Lego-like building forms have foam panels (EPS) all of which create an easy-to-assemble, energy efficient envelope. As a result, the monolithic concrete wall eliminates gaps where moisture can collect, a primary source of mould so common in wood frame homes. It is reported that buildings with this concrete innovation are up to nine times stronger, provide far more fire protection, far more sound insulation and can produce energy savings of up to 70 percent. More information is available online at www.Nudura.com or by calling 866-468-6299. Don't be rattled by rodents
(NC)-Nothing can cause insomnia quicker than the sound of a rat or mouse scurrying around your home at night. According to the experts at Orkin Canada, it's no wonder these pests keep homeowners awake - one pair of mice has the potential to produce as many as 200 offspring in only four months. "Homeowners hear rodents at night when the pests venture out from their nesting spots, which are often in attics or wall voids," says Orkin Canada Technical Specialist Karen Romel. "Most mice and rats first go to the kitchen in search of food." In fact, rodents move indoors during the cold winter months in search of food and warm shelter. Once inside, they can cause structural damage to your home by chewing through wood, plaster and electrical wiring. Rodents also pose serious health threats. Rats can carry more than 40 diseases and bacteria, including Hantavirus and salmonella, and transmit them through their urine, droppings and bites. The house mouse is the primary carrier of an illness called Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus, or LCMV, which causes symptoms such as headache, fever, chills and muscle aches in people with poor immune systems. Bites from rodents do occur, and it's usually sleeping babies, inquisitive children or the bedridden elderly who fall victim. To stop mice and rats from taking up residence, homeowners should begin reducing rodent-appealing elements around their homes while it's still warm outside. Implement the following tips to guard your home: ● Seal any unnecessary holes and gaps in floors, walls and ceilings with weather-resistant sealant, and install kick plates or sheet metal under exterior doors. Mice can squeeze through holes the size of the inside circle of a "toonie," while rats can enter through openings the size of the outer circle of the coin. ● Trim and prune trees, shrubs or other plants that touch the exterior of the home and may provide rodents with access. ● Store firewood away from the house and more than 30 centimetres off the ground to minimize potential nesting sites. ● Keep food, including pet food, in tightly sealed containers. Do not leave dirty dishes out overnight. If you do notice droppings or signs of gnawing around the house, contact a licensed pest control company to help identify the culprit and quickly eliminate the infestation. More information is available online at www.orkincanada.ca or toll-free at 1-800-800 ORKIN. |
Healthy Home Quick Tips: Prevent mould growth
(NC)-Excessive, uncontrolled moisture in your home could lead to rot and serious damage. It is also damaging to your health if mould appears. Airborne mould spores are often pegged for mild irritations and allergies, and can cause more serious respiratory illnesses in infants, pregnant women and the elderly. Here are a few of the key ways to stop it: ● Check home humidity. Health Canada recommends year-round relative humidity levels of 30% to 55%, depending on personal requirements. It is often difficult however, to maintain a humidity level above 20% before condensation appears on the windows. ● Replace windows. New windows should incorporate energy-efficient features that help control condensation. Windows labelled by the international organization, Energy Star, qualify as the highest in their category for energy efficiency. These products could save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs and will significantly reduce pollutants in the air as well. ● Build and renovate with concrete, not wood. If your home is built with traditional stick-framing methods, mould growth is a considerable risk due to the natural properties of wood. But, the more eco-conscious building suppliers like Nudura, have created pre-assembled forms that are filled with reinforced concrete for constructing homes. These Lego-like blocks deliver double the insulation and also eliminate gaps in walls where moisture can collect causing mould. It is reported that buildings with this concrete innovation (nudura.com) are up to nine times stronger, provide far more fire protection, far more sound insulation and can produce energy savings of up to 70 percent. ● Control water use at home. Excessive use of humidifiers, showers, washing machines saturate the air. ● Quick Fix. As a temporary solution, open a window in each room for just a few minutes. This will allow stale, humid air to escape, and fresh dry air to enter, with minimal heat loss. Watch your step with a new floor
(NC)-If you are thinking about installing a new floor, flooring professionals can help you navigate the myriad of choices in flooring materials and performance that meets your budget. New floors can make your home look bigger, brighter, newer, and actually increase your home's value. Hire a professional installer to help avoid missteps and poor installation. Did you know? Hardwood floors do not trap mould, dust, pet hair or other allergy-aggravating pollutants and cleaning is fast and easy. More information is available online at www.directenergy.com or toll-free at 1-888-334-8221. Duracell and Habitat for Humanity Canada take home fire safety to the next level
(NC)-As part of its ongoing efforts to help Canadians keep their homes safe, Duracell has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Canada to equip 100 new homes this year with 'Home Fire Safety Kits' that include smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, flashlights and batteries. "We are thrilled that Duracell is offering this very important service," said David Hughes, president and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada. "Preparing for an emergency can save lives and we are grateful that Duracell is helping our families build on their fire safety practices to protect their new Habitat homes." According to the annual fire safety study commissioned by Duracell and the Canada Safety Council, while most Canadians have the right tools in place to protect their homes in a fire emergency, a huge majority remain less than fully prepared to respond in the case of an actual emergency. While an overwhelming majority of Canadians surveyed said they had working smoke alarms (97%), as well as flashlights (88%), fire extinguishers (67%) and a fire escape plan (64%), less than half have working carbon monoxide detectors and in the past year, 77% hadn't practiced a home fire drill and only 28% had replaced the batteries in their smoke alarms twice, as recommended by safety experts. All Canadians across the country can improve their fire safety know-how at the sixth annual Duracell Fire Safety Drive, and attend interactive fire safety education events at participating retailers. More information is available online at www.duracellfiresafety.com. |
Protecting your backyard habitat
(NC)-Whether you have a small yard in the suburbs or an acre in the country, your private green space serves as habitat for wildlife-from a variety of native and non-native plants to insects, birds, and other animals. With habitat loss and degradation taking their toll on biological diversity in Canada and around the world, habitats on private lands can play an important role in providing food, shelter, water, and the other necessities to a wide range of species. Here are some tips on how you can help preserve and create valuable wildlife habitat in your own backyard: ● Restore native plant communities. The wildlife in your area co-evolved with these species, and depends on them for food and shelter. ● Plant a variety of trees-from fruit and nut-bearing species to evergreens and deciduous trees. Trees provide critical food and shelter for birds and animals. ● If you have a forested area on your property, leave a few dead or dying trees standing. These "snags" provide homes for cavity dwellers, such as chickadees, woodpeckers, and squirrels. ● Piles of rocks and logs serve as homes for small animals, such as chipmunks and snakes. ● Eliminate the use of pesticides and other chemicals in your yard. ● Put up bat houses and birdhouses as shelters, and help control insect pests naturally. If you have a large
property whose natural features have been preserved, consider
donating the land-or a partial interest in the land, such as a
conservation easement-to a qualified recipient through the federal
Ecological Gifts Program. In addition to knowing that their
cherished piece of land will be protected in its natural state
forever, donors receive significant tax breaks. For more
information, visit the Ecological Gifts Program web site at Home sustainable home(NC)-From your favourite room to your comfy chair, your home is your palace. Here are a few ways to make sure your energy bills don't cost a princely sum: ● Install a programmable thermostat and lower the temperature by 3°C at night. ● Lower your hot water temperature to 49ºC and turn it down when you're away for an extended period. ● Wash your clothes in cold or warm water. ● Hang your clothes to dry. ● Draft proof and insulate your home and duct work. ● Purchase your appliances that are EnergyStar qualified. ● Use compact fluorescent lightbulbs. ● Use the energy-saver option for your dishwasher. ● Look for Ecologo certified consumer products like paint and paper. What's so great about getting older? Plenty
(NC)-We're winning leading roles in blockbuster movies, running big businesses, creating great art, and finally, the world is waking up to the beauty of older women. Dove pro-age (www.dove.ca) shares some favourite things about being on the wiser side of 50. Feeling confident Sure, bright young things are beautiful. But it takes years under your belt to develop the grace and confidence that come with really knowing who you are. And that brings a deeper kind of beauty that youth can never emulate. Mistakes along the way? Sure. Regrets? Never. It's all part of how you got here. Knowing who your friends are You started out with one in kindergarten, and it snowballed from there. So you lost a few along the way. But the ones that stuck around for the ride? They're the ones you really love and who love you back - flaws and all. Having original advice to pass along Remember that tacky poster with the inspirational saying you used to have? Over the years, you developed your own philosophy. Sharing your own personal wisdom with loved ones, colleagues and cherished friends is much more meaningful than passing along off-the-shelf advice, don't you think? Possessing a sense of true style It's not about embracing fads or fashion. True style comes from knowing who you are, which cuts flatter your figure and an awareness that fluorescent green just isn't right on anyone. Oh yes - and finally finding a really great tailor to make that off-the rack shell dress you bought on sale look like custom couture. Seeing beauty in the world - and in yourself The young believe in the beauty of perfection. It takes experience to see beauty in the flaws: that hand-painted candy dish your youngest made you in Grade 1; the little scar that gives your lover's face so much character; the patina of age that adds depth to your favourite building. And now, in your own face, the laugh lines you once fought are beautiful proof of all the joy you've known. Acknowledging your accomplishments - and always seeking new ones Whatever our age, we've got a fresh attitude and a desire to embrace change that keeps us doing more, feeling more, winning more, than any other generation of women that came before. No more best-before dates. No more past-her-prime criticisms. Simply put: we rock. |
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