Ontario's doctors urge everyone to celebrate Valentine's, Family Day safely
TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2021 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors say it's more important than ever to limit physical interactions and follow public health guidelines this Valentine's and Family Day weekend so that we curb the pandemic rather than extend it.
Doctors who have been treating patients on the front lines for almost a year say there are many ways to celebrate this holiday weekend safely: in person with household members or phone calls or virtual meals with other friends and relatives.
But now is not the time to gather with others or let down our guard, no matter how difficult it is to be separated from our chosen family, loved ones and friends. Only by continuing to adhere to public health guidelines in different regions of the province and continuing to practice physical distancing and good hygiene will we stop the spread of COVID-19 and its new variants while waiting for widespread vaccinations.
"We never stopped holding our families tightly in our hearts, but COVID-19 has challenged us all to find meaningful ways to connect from a distance," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "Vaccines give us all hope that someday soon we can hold our families tightly in our arms as well. That day isn't today though. So, for the sake of all of our families, this Family Day cherish, support and connect with your family while adhering to public health guidelines."
The lockdown has been especially hard on seniors and others who live alone and on children who have been unable to play and socialize with others. COVID-19 restrictions have worsened mental health and addictions issues for many people, and the health-care system needs to prepare to care for them now and for years after this pandemic is over.
The OMA has questioned whether there is enough evidence to support the government's plan to gradually lift the province-wide lockdown and return to the colour-coded framework. It recommended instead waiting for a few weeks after schools reopen to assess how that will affect transmission of the virus, how quickly the new variants spread in the community and how soon Ontario will get a steady supply of vaccines.
Ontario's doctors say the most important things everyone can do to prevent the spread of the virus are:
Wash your hands often
Wear a mask or face covering at all times unless you are at home with housemates or outdoors at a guaranteed two metres' distance from others
Prepare for contact tracing if you get COVID-19 – download the COVID Alert app and/or keep track of where you go and when
"We urge everyone to pay special attention to their mental health and to that of those around us," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "Reach out to a friend or family member."
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
Feeling Forwards: Learn How to Harness the Infinite Energy of Your Emotions
"Feeling Forwards helps you find the power within to overcome unbelievable challenges and take a quantum leap forwards." — TONY ROBBINS
New York, NY, February 12, 2021 — Everything you need to transform your life is already within you, asserts bestselling author and personal reinvention coach Elizabeth Gould. Her empowering new book, Feeling Forwards: How to Become the Person Who Has the Life You Want, can help you say farewell to negative habits, release painful beliefs and tap into your full potential by harnessing the infinite energy generated by your emotions.
“Feeling Forwards is a thinking and feeling revolution. It’s not about writing to-do lists or visualizing every step toward a goal,” Elizabeth says. “Feeling Forwards is about living life as the complete person you’ve forgotten you already are and not as the person who’s just waiting to shine.”
The first half of Feeling Forwards is a fascinating deep-dive into the science proving the true power of our emotions, enabling them to travel forward and backward in time, influence pre-programmed computer outcomes, reverse aging, impact crime rates, fast-track personal reinvention and much more. After understanding the effects that our emotions can truly have on our lives, Elizabeth offers practical applications of the strategies in Feeling Forwardsusing real-life examples of those who’ve successfully integrated the principles into their lives.
Woven throughout are Elizabeth’s candid, personal stories of embracing these principles to thrive through several life-threatening events and dramatic personal upheavals.
The result is a refreshingly relatable, actionable guide to help you create the life you genuinely want to live. Feeling Forwards teaches you how to become the person who has the life you want … today. As Elizabeth reveals, “Today is the past of your future.”
About the Author
A bestselling author and founding member of Randi Zuckerberg’s global leadership school at the Zuckerberg Institute, Elizabeth Gould experiences the joy of working with people around the world to unlock their potential. She has spent decades interviewing thousands of successful professionals to understand how they behave to achieve what they want. Her work is endorsed by world-renowned life and business strategist, Tony Robbins. Feeling Forwards is her third book.
Today I want to share some tips on boosting your immune system.
Supplements are not meant to replace anything in the diet; after all, they are called “supplements.” In fact, with a solid nutrition plan, you probably don’t need any supplements, but not many of us have a diet that has enough variety, the right quantity, and the ideal quality of foods to cover all our bases.
I offer 1 on 1 coaching to help directly but some general tips:
Therefore, I always recommend a few supplements for most of my clients. Others might be recommended depending on your goals.
HD Muscle is my mail brand of choice because quality always equals better results.
High Quality Multi Vitamin—To ensure you are getting all your vitamins and minerals, a multi-vitamin is a must. This is a coverall and ensures you have the necessary components in your diet to keep you healthy.
High Quality Fish Oil or Omega 3Supplement—To ensure you are getting enough of this essential fat in your diet, a supplement is very important. A balanced diet often does not provide enough omega-3 fats. The research is pretty clear that fish oil is critical for reducing inflammation in the body and keeping you healthy. Look for high quality fish or krill oils that have high levels of DHA and EPA.
Probiotics are made up of good bacteria that helps keep your body healthy and working well. This good bacteria helps you in many ways, including fighting off bad bacteria when you have too much of it, helping you feel better.
Glutamine—This is something that can be added in for convenience or to ensure you are getting proper recovery and good digestion. It helps with bloating as well!
I hope youre all staying happy, healthy and safe!
Also reminder to anyone who is still waiting for a calendar. The mail here has been exceptionally slow - we are in lockdown again so my apologies. They should be arriving next week!
Alicia Bell IFBB Figure Pro and Online Coach
Feeling Forwards: Learn How to Harness the Infinite Energy of Your Emotions
"Feeling Forwards helps you find the power within to overcome unbelievable challenges and take a quantum leap forwards." — TONY ROBBINS
New York, NY, February 11, 2021 — Everything you need to transform your life is already within you, asserts bestselling author and personal reinvention coach Elizabeth Gould. Her empowering new book, Feeling Forwards: How to Become the Person Who Has the Life You Want, can help you say farewell to negative habits, release painful beliefs and tap into your full potential by harnessing the infinite energy generated by your emotions.
“Feeling Forwards is a thinking and feeling revolution. It’s not about writing to-do lists or visualizing every step toward a goal,” Elizabeth says. “Feeling Forwards is about living life as the complete person you’ve forgotten you already are and not as the person who’s just waiting to shine.”
The first half of Feeling Forwards is a fascinating deep-dive into the science proving the true power of our emotions, enabling them to travel forward and backward in time, influence pre-programmed computer outcomes, reverse aging, impact crime rates, fast-track personal reinvention and much more. After understanding the effects that our emotions can truly have on our lives, Elizabeth offers practical applications of the strategies in Feeling Forwardsusing real-life examples of those who’ve successfully integrated the principles into their lives.
Woven throughout are Elizabeth’s candid, personal stories of embracing these principles to thrive through several life-threatening events and dramatic personal upheavals.
The result is a refreshingly relatable, actionable guide to help you create the life you genuinely want to live. Feeling Forwards teaches you how to become the person who has the life you want … today. As Elizabeth reveals, “Today is the past of your future.”
About the Author
A bestselling author and founding member of Randi Zuckerberg’s global leadership school at the Zuckerberg Institute, Elizabeth Gould experiences the joy of working with people around the world to unlock their potential. She has spent decades interviewing thousands of successful professionals to understand how they behave to achieve what they want. Her work is endorsed by world-renowned life and business strategist, Tony Robbins. Feeling Forwards is her third book.
Since March, due to the pandemic, people the world over have typically spent more time on the couch watching Netflix and slumped over computers while working from home in less than ergonomically correct situations. With some gyms closed, this has led to less activity and more sitting, hunching and less walking. All of these factors can lead to poor posture. Conversely, the latest figures show that $16.7 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in the U.S. All of that tweaking of facial and body parts means nothing if poor posture ages you, or reveals your real age. In fact, the wrong posture can even create an unflattering silhouette which kind of defeats the purpose of the latest fat melting and zapping techniques. Lastly, the wrong posture is bad for your health and even your frame of mind. Dr. Gbolahan Okubajejo is an NYC area Spinal and orthopedic surgeon www.nynjspine.com He can discuss some quick fixes for incorrect posture and the effects poor posture can have on a woman’s health.
Effects of Poor Posture on Health
Poor Posture deprives oxygen from your body and brain
When you slump, your brain, heart and lungs cannot function efficiently. Oxygen equals energy.
It weakens bones and muscles causing pain and injury
Forward head posture can cause back pain and other issues. It can be the culprit of “tech neck.” Every time you lean over even 60 degrees, whether over your phone, the computer, or good book, you’re adding up to 60 pounds of pressure on your neck.
It can make you depressed
Poor posture can result in increased stress, potentially leading to chronic stress. Correct posture in the face of adversity maintains self-esteem and elevates mood.
3 Quick Fixes For Great Posture
Develop a strong core
Research the exercises that will help you develop a strong core to support your back. This doesn’t mean you need to develop a six-pack.
Using an open doorframe, place your bent arms against either side of the door with your elbows in line with your shoulders. Adopt a staggered stance and push your chest forward until you feel a stretch in the chest. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds or until the muscles relax before forcibly pushing your elbows against the doorframe to create muscular tension (try not to generate any movement) for five seconds. Relax and increase the stretch. Repeat this three times before holding the stretch in place for 30–60 seconds.
Walking with your pelvis forward-
Stretch the hip flexors
Get in a lunge position with your back knee on the floor. Maintaining an upright body position, squeeze your glute muscle on the back leg and push the hips forwards. Hold this position for 30–60 seconds, increasing the depth of the stretch as you adapt. To increase the stretch, try taking the arms up overhead.
Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, leads The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices in the greater New York City area, as a spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Okubadejo specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions.
Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Okubadejo completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Okubadejo is a published research author and has presented his findings at several major spinal conferences around the globe. While a surgical resident, he won the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Resident Award for the best research project.
In 2017, Dr. Okubadejo formed company 360 Dynamized Core, which is focused on creating innovative, spine safe core fitness products and routines. The first patented product, 360
CoreBoard, launched to the market in 2020. Find out more at 360coreboard.com
Dr. Okubadejo believes in the power of preventive care, minimally invasive surgical procedures, open communication with patients, and personalized care. When he’s not caring for patients, he enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and the arts, and playing golf.
4 Ways to Stay Active When It's Cold Outside
It’s hard to stick to your fitness regimen during the winter months. Between short days, freezing weather, and ongoing gym closures, you have plenty of excuses to give up. If you’re not ready to quit, but you aren’t sure exactly how to keep fit during cold weather, try one of these winter workout ideas.
Bundle Up
If the weather outside is frightful, put on a down jacket and comfy scarf and head outside. You might not be able to run or ride a bicycle if the sidewalks are slippery, but a long walk can offer low-impact exercise and a reason to get out of the house. Plus, if you’re walking, you can hold onto a cup of hot cocoa without sloshing any on yourself. Try to walk during the middle of the day, when the temperature is usually highest, and look for hilly routes to keep your muscles warm and active.
Try Indoor Cardio
2020 was the year of the home gym as COVID-19 forced even the most passionate exercise enthusiasts to stay inside. Manufacturers are still recovering from record-low levels of stock. While you may not be able to find that squat rack or weight set you’ve been eyeing since March, you still have plenty of options for indoor cardio, including treadmills and exercise bikes. If you’re missing the communal aspect of exercise, give at-home spin classes a try. Performance-focused studios like Plan 7 Coaching offer high-tech class options that carefully monitor your heart rate, caloric output and V02 rates so you’ll get exactly the workout you’re looking for.
Clean Up the House
According to theAmerican Heart Association, cold weather is no excuse for slacking on your exercise schedule. Instead, stay active around the house with aerobic exercise like vigorous cleaning, raking leaves, or shoveling snow. As long as you’re moving fast enough to keep your heart rate elevated, you can turn your chore list into an exercise session.
Throw Yourself a Dance Party
You have to get creative to stay active during the winter. Why not have a little fun and throw yourself an at-home dance party? Crank up Spotify, grab a weighted hula hoop, or just get funky on your own. Give yourself permission to let go after a long day, find a private place to work out and dance like no one can see you.
With some ingenuity and planning, you can stay active even when it's cold outside.
Your Veterinarian Needs Help
Atlanta, GA, February 11, 2021 — Your veterinarian chose to dedicate his or her life to the altruistic pursuit of tending to the health and lives of pets. What you may not have considered is that the health and life of your veterinarian also needs protecting: he or she is nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than someone among the general population. But there are ways you can help.
Sandy Weaver, author of the groundbreaking new book Happy Vet Happy Pet: Caring for Your Pet’s Caregiver, is on a mission to ease the lives of veterinarians, one client’s heart at a time.
“I’ve known for years, as have those in the veterinary field, that there was an issue with suicide and veterinarians,” Sandy says. “Then in early 2019, the CDC report on veterinary suicide was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and what had been anecdotal became data: male veterinarians are 2.1 times more likely, and female veterinarians are 3.5 times more likely, to complete suicide than their non-veterinarian peers.”
Happy Vet Happy Pet is a distillation of Sandy’s research into neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology mixed with data from the CDC report. The result is an impactful approach that weaves easy-to-understand science with stories that touch the minds and the hearts of pet owners — empowering them to be part of the solution.
Chapters dive deep into topics all pet owners should understand, including:
1. The heart, mind and life of a person who decides to become a veterinarian; 2. The very human, very vulnerable person behind the scrubs; 3. The ways clients unknowingly mistreat their pets’ caregivers; 4. Three simple rules to follow to help your veterinary team; and 5. What to do if you feel that someone near you is facing suicidal desperation.
Happy Vet Happy Pet shares Sandy’s unique point of view that it takes a village to save a veterinarian. “Making pet owners mindful of how their behavior impacts their veterinarian mobilizes the village to help solve the problem,” she adds.
This book will change your relationship with your veterinarian and their team forever. And what you learn in this book could save your veterinarian's life.
Author Sandy Weaver is an expert speaker, trainer, mastermind facilitator and lover of all things dog.
As the Program Director of the Center for Workplace Happiness, Sandy creates the training programs, workshops, mastermind groups and keynotes that help people lead happier, more successful lives. She is also a citizen-scientist in the fields of neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology. In 2019, she took the resilience tools and strategies she’d been teaching to general audiences and crafted programs specifically for veterinary teams. Her goal is to touch the life of every veterinarian and technician in a way that helps them avoid the pain and despair that comes with an inability to manage stress.
Now in her 40th year of Siberian Husky ownership, Sandy is a passionate advocate for veterinarians and their teams and an ongoing donor to Not One More Vet.
Perfect for Black History Month, New Kid’s Book Teaches Diversity, Equality and Blended Families
“Freeda the Frog and Her New Blue Family will help to foster a young child's understanding that blended families with mixed ethnicities, religions, and races are all a family just the same…” - Midwest Book Review
New York, NY, February 11, 2021 — In a culture that is divided, the subjects of diversity and inclusion have become vital to build a more unified tomorrow. Although discussing these topics with children may be difficult, books have always served as bridges of communication to help pave the way to acceptance. Gold Mom’s Choice Award-winner book and series author Nadine Harunispecializes in making awkward conversations, such as racial equality, fun and approachable. Nadine’s book, Freeda the Frog & Her New Blue Family (Mascot Books; ISBN: 978-1-68401-132-2; $14.95; Hardcover), teaches children and parents alike to welcome people of differing ethnic, religious and gender backgrounds. Being the proud mom of a blended family, Nadine has a personal perspective on the subject.
The book follows green tadpoles Frannie and Frank, who learn two blue frogs, Samson and his son Jack, will be joining the family. They wonder if they will all get along and if Samson will replace their green biological father. However, spending time with their new blue friends teaches the green tadpoles a valuable lesson: a frog is who they are on the inside and shouldn’t be judged by the color of their skin. Nadine is no stranger to subjects like this, or others addressed in previous books such as divorce and losing a loved one.
To that end, the Freeda the Frog series helps educators, school counselors and parents discuss difficult topics in a positive, non-threatening way with children. Each book reinforces Nadine Haruni’s mission of “helping families of all species, one tadpole at a time.” The entire series has even been leveled for schools to align with National Education standards, and all five books in the series have a Readers’ Favorite 5-star review and the Gold Mom’s Choice Award for excellence in the family-friendly picture book category.
Author Nadine Haruni has gone through a divorce herself and is now the mother of five kids in a blended family. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, an attorney and a certified yoga instructor. Haruni has also created a lesson plan inspired by her books for Garden State Equality in New Jersey, her home state. For more information, please visit www.freedathefrog.com.
Dance studio leaps into success during the pandemic
At Lovely Leaps Dance Studio in California, they’re keeping the rhythm alive through FREE virtual classes and the dream that one day these classes might connect kids across the country and all over the world!
What makes Lovely Leaps stand out?
FREE virtual classes on Thursdays
$15 classes/$100 for unlimited virtual classes
A monthly performance for a princess so kids can stay engaged and build their performance skills with a magical experience
A focus on making dance fun and developing key motor skills
A whole child approach to help grow their confidence and comfort in their own bodies
Appropriate for ages 10 months to 10 years
Lovely Leaps recently reopened its doors at its new location in Escondido, CA with safety protocols in place. Classes will continue to be also available via Zoom, giving families the opportunity to dance in whatever way fits best.
Lovely Leaps is the creation of Lisa McCabe, an African-American engineer turned dance instructor with a passion for cultivating the love of dance in kids. Available in multiple locations as well as private and charter schools across Southern California, Lovely Leaps teaches ballet, jazz, hip hop, and cheer.
Lovely Leaps has been featured on NowThis, World of Dance, Good Morning America, Nightly News, MSN, CBS, Cheddar and many media outlets nationwide.
New Year, New Outlook: Life Coach Shares 10 Reasons Why the Future is Brighter Than You Think
Stafford, TX, February 11, 2021 – Without question, 2020 was a difficult year, and it’s understandably easy to get bogged down by negativity in the news. Life Coach Michael Taylor has a powerful, inspirational message intended to help you view 2021 through a perspective of positivity.
“It is my belief that there has never been a better time to be alive on the planet than right now,” he says. “Obviously, I recognize all the challenges, but at the same time, I honestly believe that every human being has the capacity to be, to do and to have anything that they set their minds to.”
In his latest book, Don’t Believe the Hype of the Negative Media: 10 Reasons Why the Future is Brighter Than You Think, the self-described “irrepressible optimist” uses science, spirituality and psychology to inform his insights into a range of topics, including:
•Being Human: Understanding what it means to be human, the role of trauma in our lives, how to move on from past trauma and taking 100 percent responsibility for our lives; •Divine Intelligence and Evolution: The Divine Intelligence as the creator of the universe, the driving force behind human evolution and how to use its power; •Spirituality: Recognition and acknowledgment of a connection to a power higher than oneself, the spiritual connection to the Divine Intelligence as a result of evolution; •Race: Realization that there is only one race and that is the human race — only through evolution will we heal our race relations and accept that we’re all the same; •Love: Accepting love as the highest power that can heal this universe and how to create meaningful connections and develop healthy intimate relationships; •Plus health, wealth, education, technology and everything in between!
“If you’ve been looking for a resource that inspires you and motivates you and lights you up, this is the book for you!” Taylor adds.
Author Michael Taylor is uniquely positioned to spread hope and optimism. A high school dropout, he overcamea divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, depression and being homeless for two years on his way to becoming a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, radio and TV host, and author of nine best-selling books. He has dedicated his life to empowering men and women to reach their full potential by transforming their lives from the inside out.
Taylor is President and CEO of Creation Publishing Group, a company that specializes in creating programs and products that empower men and women to live extraordinary lives,and Too Cool Club, a company that develops transformational education programs for youth. He has been featured in the Amazon.com bestselling book Motivational Speakers America and in USA Today magazine about the changing roles of manhood and masculinity in society. He has won numerous awards for his dynamic speaking style, and he is an Amazon.com bestselling author.
He is the host and producer of two TV Channels on the Roku Network, Joy Passion & Profit and Shatter The Stereotypes, and hosts two podcasts of the same names available on most podcast platforms like Spotify and iTunes.
Most importantly, he has been blissfully married for 18 years to the woman of his dreams and he is a proud father of three grown children.
At Lovely Leaps Dance Studio in California, they’re keeping the rhythm alive through FREE virtual classes and the dream that one day these classes might connect kids across the country and all over the world!
Lovely Leaps recently reopened its doors at its new location in Escondido, CA with safety protocols in place. Classes will continue to be also available via Zoom, giving families the opportunity to dance in whatever way fits best. 