April is Earth Month and in yesterday’s Earth Day post we discussed how eating locally and in season can help reduce your carbon footprint. But this can also be better for your health and your pocket book! How do you know what is available and when? Foodland Ontario has compiled a Fruits and Vegetables availability chart so you always know what’s in season. Check it out here!
FoodLand Ontario: Availability Guide
Today is Earth Day! A day to celebrate the planet that facilitates our survival. With continuing climate change, extreme weather events and heavy pollution, becoming environmentally conscientious has never been more important. Remember that even small changes to your lifestyle and habits can make a difference in protecting our precious planet.
· Always use reusable bags when you shop!
· Weather strip windows and doors to reduce drafts
· Walk or bike—you’ll reap the healthy benefits and the earth will thank you
· Give “Meatless Monday’s” a try! Reducing meat consumption can be beneficial to the earth and to your health!
· Hang clothes to dry
6.
Put on a Sweater:
· Adjust your thermostat by 2 degrees (higher in the summer and lower in the winter) to save energy
· Put on a timer while in the shower to keep them quick
· Have a yard sale or list items on sites like Kijiji or Freecycle—there’s always someone who will want or need your unwanted items
· If natural cleaning products don’t fit the budget a simple mixture of vinegar and water will clean almost anything!
What’s the difference between a jeweler and a jailer?
One sells watches, the other watches cells.
With some warm weather this last week, the bikes are out! Biking is fantastic for cardiovascular and muscular health, is an environmentally friendly way to travel, and is a great way to get outside and keep active! However, biking has many safety risks that need to be discussed before allowing kids (or yourself) to hit the road. Most importantly, always wear a helmet. The following from kidshealth.org discusses the importance of helmets, and other bike safety tips that every child and adult should know. It also has a great jingle “Wear a Helmet” that will get kids singing and remembering their helmet every time!
The old adage “you are what you eat” is becoming more prevalent in today’s health conscious society. There is an importance in selecting the proper foods to fight off disease and nourish our bodies to optimum health. In honour of Cancer Month we’ve decided to share with you some of the top cancer fighting foods that you can easily incorporate into your daily meal plans. Check out this slideshow from Reader’s Digest:
It seems fitting that on the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing that we share this inspiring Ted Talk about the future of prosthetic limbs. While we can’t seem to
stop tragedy in this world, and can’t prevent many types of disability, it is true that great ideas, determined people, and advancements in science and engineering are greatly benefiting how people with disabilities function. Check out this video as we all remember those who a year ago today lost their limbs, or their lives, simply enjoying a race.
Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)
When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was required to have a mastectomy. Feeling helpless but wanting to support her, I sent her a list of the things we could do together pre-surgery. This included anything from loading up an iPod with her favorite tunes and stand-up comedic acts, sorting my ridiculous stack of family photos, scrapbooking, and of course some retail and spa therapy. I figured the less time she spent just waiting for surgery, thinking and processing what was to come, the less this diagnosis would impact her now and into the future. She responded to my ideas with something along the lines of “you should help people through tough times for a living” and I reminded her that my job as an OT allowed me to do just that.
The yellow daffodils in April signify that this is the month of Cancer Awareness. Defined, the word “Cancer” is a blanket term used to describe the abnormal growth of cells in any part of the body. There are more than 100 types of cancer, which may affect specific tissues, organs, blood, or lymphatic systems. Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada, responsible for about 30% of all deaths in our country. Many of us have been affected by cancer, either personally, through friends or a loved one. My mom is only one example of how cancer has affected my family, and sadly I have countless other stories of friends and colleagues who have also been impacted.
Cancer and cancer treatment can lead to changes in how we do our daily activities due to physical, cognitive or emotional changes resulting from the diagnosis, resulting surgery, medications, chemo and radiation. For a cancer patient sometimes just doing daily activities leaves little energy for leisure, social, or work-related tasks. Common side effects of cancer or its treatment include fatigue, pain, weakness, cognitive difficulties, anxiety or depression, and changes in self-esteem or self-image. Each person diagnosed with cancer will experience different challenges in his or her participation in various daily activities and life roles over the course of the disease.
Occupational therapists have knowledge and expertise to allow individuals with cancer to do the things they want and need to do to maintain their level of independence and quality of life. Occupational therapy services are helpful for individuals throughout the continuum of cancer care, including those who are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, receiving hospice or palliative care, or who are survivors reintegrating into previous roles. Caregivers also benefit from the training and education provided by OT’s as this arms them with the essential tools to offer support and assistance to their loved ones when performing daily, important, and meaningful activities. Some of the things occupational therapists can help with include:
Other roles for occupational therapy also include return to work involvement post-treatment, education on general health issues, and training on use of a prosthetic if an amputation was required. Some therapists are also specifically trained to provide lymphatic drainage to reduce the swelling and pain that can result from the disease, its’ surgery or treatment.
So, for the month of April let’s honor those fighting and remember those that fought. Buy some daffodils, donate, wear a ribbon, or call or visit with someone you know that has been impacted by this prevalent disease.
References
American Association of Occupational Therapists (2011). https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/MH/Facts/Oncology%20fact%20sheet.pdf
Canadian Cancer Society (2013). http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-101/cancer-statistics-at-a-glance/?region=on
A man is trapped in a room. The room has only two possible exits: two doors. Through the first door there is a room constructed from magnifying glass. The blazing hot sun will instantly fry anyone or anything that enters. Through the second door there is a fire-breathing dragon. How can the man escape?
If he waits until night he can go through the first door.
After a year of blogging I’ve been approached by many colleagues who have thanked me for spotlighting the wonderful profession of occupational therapy on the web and social media. I am hoping that my efforts will bring increased awareness to the benefits Occupational Therapy. The following post from September 2013 is a favourite that gives an overview of OT and how it works to provide solutions for living.
Pin The Tail On The OT
These are just a few examples. Really, OT is everywhere. Many people actually “OT themselves” by finding new ways to overcome challenges. We all might do this every day even if we are not disabled. OT is a great profession – why struggle to solve problems of function, take longer than needed to complete tasks, rig up unsafe solutions, or become unnecessarily dependent on others? Consider OT. We are here to help, and love nothing more than sharing our skills and knowledge.
Car insurance in Ontario is mandatory. However, how much do you really know about your insurance? Many shop on price, not recognizing that, like many things in life, they may get what they pay for. I wrote the following in June 2013 about why it’s important to really know your coverage. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but if and when you do, you will want it to meet your needs!
Computer vs. Car Insurance… Gigabites or Irb…
I find it strange that people take the process of buying a computer more seriously than the process of renewing insurance – especially when driving is the riskiest thing we do daily. In a PC World survey (2012), 63% of people indicated they bought a computer “extended warranty” yet research repeatedly shows that the $16B spent yearly on extended warranties is a waste of money. Compare this to the less than 1% of people that bought an “extended warranty” (i.e. extra coverage) on their car insurance. Buyer Beware! It is time that Ontario drivers start to understand the product that is car insurance so they can ensure they have appropriate coverage for an appropriate price.