Article Recommendation

The article is for anyone, but if you are a cancer survivor and live in the Calgary area it may really interest you.

The article is from the CBC Calgary site regarding how light therapy may energize cancer survivors and also about looking for cancer survivors who may be interested in participating in the study at the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services. Check out the link above.

Quick Tip

I don't know about you, but there are times (way, way too many) where I wake up in the morning and feel as if I have an hangover when I haven't even been drinking. You probably know what I mean, the headache, blurred vision, fatigue, groggy, fuzzy tongue and sometimes nausea. Well I decided to try and figure out why this kept happening to me. What I discovered was that I was probably waking up dehydrated! 

So this is my quick tip: The very first thing upon waking up, without even getting out of bed or very soon thereafter, have a glass or bottle of water. For an added benefit, add some lemon to the water. The lemon will help kickstart your digestion and apparently has an alkalizing effect on the body's Ph balance. Lemon also makes the water taste better. Because you are drinking water the very first thing in the morning, you are also rehydrating yourself before you have your morning caffeine jolt (caffeine is a diuretic) and you are also filling your stomach with something so you'll be less likely to eat too much for breakfast!

I've been doing this for about a week now (though I don't use the lemon myself) and I've found that I wake up faster (it used to take me over an hour feel like I was awake) and those hangover-like symptoms went away really quickly.

Mediterranean Diet Infographic

The Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan infographic

Rosemary, That's for Remembrance

As famously quoted from Shakespeare's play Hamlet "There's Rosemary, That's for Remembrance; Pray you Love, Remember", Rosemary has been around since ancient times and long known for it's properties of improving memory and stimulation of the nervous system. Now science is beginning to prove that rosemary essential oil may improve the ability to remember things that will happen in the future as well as long term memory.

On April 9th at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society in Harrogate,  the findings of a small study, by Dr. Mark Moss and Jemma McCready, were presented on how the aroma of rosemary essential oil may improve prospective memory in healthy adults.

Basically, the scientists were looking to see if blood levels of a compound in rosemary (1,8 cineol, also known as eucalyptol) were related to performance levels and changes of mood after exposure from a diffuser and how this affected the ability to remember to do certain tasks at a certain time in the future (prospective memory).

Photo courtesy of markuso/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Candle Diffuser

What the results of the experiment revealed was that those in the study who had been exposed to the diffused rosemary essential oil  did better on the tests to remember to do certain tasks at a particular time during the experiment and that the higher levels of 1,8 cineol in their blood suggested that this difference was pharmacological.

Now this is all fine and dandy, but what does it mean to you?

Using an aromatherapy diffuser, whether electric, candle or a diffuser ring on a light bulb, it allows the therapeutic benefits of the essential oil to enter the body via the nose and lungs just as in an aromatherapy shower. The advantage of using a diffuser is that you are not just scenting the air, you are getting the therapeutic benefits of your essential oils. By choosing essential oils that are high in 1,8 cineol to use in a diffuser such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or marjoram, you can possibly enhance your memory and recall.

How to Use a Diffuser

If you have an electric diffuser, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

For a candle diffuser: place some water in the top, but not to the rim as you need room for the essential oils. Add 5-8 drops of your essential oil(s) to the water and place lit tea candle underneath. Keep an eye on the water level as the candle causes the water to evaporate - you don't want it to run dry because burnt essential oils smell awful.

For a diffuser ring: place 5-8 drops of essential oil on the ring and place on (or over) a regular light bulb that's turned on - the heat from the bulb will cause the essential oils to diffuse into the air. (This type of diffuser is handy for the office)

Other forms of diffusers include wall plug in types like the Glade ones but using a pad, car diffusers (some just like the Febreze vent clips and those you plug into a car lighter socket), pocket diffusers that look like the Vick's inhaler tubes and Berger Lamps.


Rosemary aroma may help you remember to do things : http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-rosemary-aroma.html

Quick Tip

Make sure you are drinking enough water. Water helps prevent fatigue, headaches, chapped lips, can help fight infections and much more.

InfoGraphic authored by WaterCoolers Direct.com Ltd, selling Water Coolers, Fountains and Filters in the UK. To view the original post, see the original Benefits of Drinking Water InfoGraphic

When the Tax Man Cometh

Some Tax and Other Benefits You May Not Have Known About

Being a caregiver or having a disability can be expensive so getting a break on your taxes can be a real boon. Since tax time is almost upon us I figured I'd look into what tax and other benefits my husband and I might be eligible for. Here's a list of some tax and other benefits that you may not have known about and click on the links for more information. Now, I'm not a financial or tax professional so be sure to speak to your advisor to see what else you or your loved one may be eligible for.

Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits. This is for people who have to take time off from work to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death. You may also be eligible if you are self-employed. You can find more information at 
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/benefits/compassionate.shtml.

Caregivers and Tax  This site summarizes four key tax credits that you may be eligible for such as  the Amount for an eligible dependant, Amount for infirm dependants age 18 or older,  Caregiver amount and  Family Caregiver Amount.

Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit  This is a permanent, refundable personal income tax credit for seniors and family members who live with them to help with the costs of improving safety and accessibility in the home. You basically get 15 % back on claims up to $10,000 worth of eligible renovations on your taxes.

Ontario Senior Homeowners Property Tax Grant Gives you up to $500 to help with your property taxes.

Here in Ontario there is the Trillium Drug Program which helps with high prescription drug costs  relative to household income.

Disability Tax Credit. People with one of nine long-term disabilities can collect as much as $1,100.00 a year - more if they seek retroactive credits. Anyone who has problems with seeing; speaking, hearing, walking, bowel or bladder functions, feeding, dressing or performing mental functions necessary for everyday life may be eligible for the credit. Search for form T2201.

Children's Activity Tax Credit If you are paying fees for classes or activities for your children you can claim up to $526 in eligible expenses and get up to $52.60 back for each child under 16 for 2012. You can receive up to $105.20 back for a child with a disability who is under 18.

If you are temporarily looking after a child who is in financial need and you are not the legal guardian you may be able get money to care for them though the Temporary Care Assistance Program.

This list is by no means comprehensive so check out your Provincial Government and the Federal Government's web sites for more benefits and tax credits that you may be eligible for and talk to your tax or financial advisor.