Savor Ecuadorian Cuisine To Your ‘Hearts’ Content With Bold New Ecuadora™ Brand From Plant-Based Pioneer Edward & Sons™; New Organic, Vegan & Gluten-Free Line Includes Two Delectable Hearts Of Palm Pastas
Initial Low-Cal Offerings Include Grain & Sodium-Free Lasagne & Linguine Plus Low Sodium Hearts of Palm
CARPINTERIA, CA, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 – Edward & Sons Trading Company™ (edwardandsons.com), a vegetarian company and pioneer in the plant-based foods industry that first introduced Miso-Cup® instant soup and gluten-free Brown Rice Snaps® in the 1970s, welcomes a new member to the company’s family of brands: Ecuadora™ – a bold new line created to enable American consumers to savor authentic Ecuadorian cuisine right in the comfort of their own homes.
The announcement was made today by Joel Dee, founder and CEO of Edward & Sons™, which has been at the forefront of the vegan and vegetarian movement for close to 45 years. Ecuadora™ joins the company’s family of brands, including Edward & Sons™, Let’s Do Gluten Free®, Let’s Do Organic®, More Than Fair®, Native Forest®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics® and organic gluten free specialty sauces under the Premier Japan® and The Wizard's® brand names.
Although each Edward & Sons™ brand has its own unique identity, they all share the company’s longstanding commitment to Convenience Without Compromise® – a promise that’s more attuned to the needs of today’s health, cost and convenience-conscious consumers than ever before.
A Taste of Ecuador Without Leaving Home
Created to offer home cooks a passport to the many culinary wonders of picturesque Ecuador (which straddles the equator on South America’s west coast), the new Ecuadora™ brand debuts with three certified organic, low-calorie, plant-based specialties. The two new pastas have zero sodium while the Hearts of Palm contain only 25 mg of sodium per 14 ounce can. All are free of cholesterol and trans fats.
Land formerly used to raise cattle in the stunning countryside of Ecuador has been converted into certified organic farmland where indigenous palms, known locally as chontaduro, are cultivated for their “hearts,” which are the basis of the three new Ecuadora™ products introduced today:
Organic Hearts of Palm (Palmitos Organicos) – Prized by professional and neophyte cooks alike, Organic Hearts of Palm are a delicious addition to any meal and a welcome way for home cooks to vary their dishes in these challenging stay-at-home times. They are naturally low in calories and carbohydrates, making them especially sought after by those who follow Paleo and Keto diets. Simply slice and toss them into your favorite salads or sauté them with oil, onions and garlic to create a savory side dish. Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm can also be blended with roasted red pepper and mayonnaise for
a tasty alternative to hummus or just enjoyed as a yummy low-calorie snack directly from the can. Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm are USDA Organic, gluten-free, vegan and Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm, Water, Citric Acid, Salt.
Organic Grain-Free Hearts of Palm Lasagne Sheets – Ecuadora™ has cleverly crafted organic hearts of palm into low calorie, low-carb, grain and gluten-free pasta. As such, they are ideally suited to numerous popular diets currently followed by millions of discerning consumers.
Packed only in water, organic palm pasta – which is also vegan and Kosher – retains a naturally creamy color and texture that deliciously resembles its grain-based traditional counterparts.
Ecuadora™ Organic Hearts of Palm Lasagne requires no boiling – simply remove it from the can, then layer it with ricotta, tomato sauce, spinach or mushrooms and shredded cheese, then cover and bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes for a piping hot entrée bursting with wholesome flavor.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm and Water.
Organic Grain-Free Hearts of Palm Linguine Noodles – Like the new Lasagne, Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm Linguine offers a tantalizingly fresh, natural and versatile alternative to mainstream pasta for those following a restricted diet or for anyone who’s ready to lower their calorie intake without lowering their flavor expectations. Simply heat Ecuadora™ Linguine with your favorite tomato sauce and serve with a sprinkle of parmesan, or serve it warm with olive oil and garlic for “pasta aglio e olio.” The new Linguine is likewise USDA Organic, grain and gluten-free, vegan and Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm and Water.
Available online at https://store.edwardandsons.com/collections/new-products and soon in health food stores and mainstream supermarkets nationwide, the two new Ecuadora™ pasta products are sold at a MSRP of $4.79, with the new Hearts of Palm available for $4.99. All three new products are sold in 14-ounce cans.
Passport To Natural Splendor
Ecuador’s varied landscape encompasses the Amazon jungle, the Andean highlands and the wildlife haven of the Galápagos Islands. The country is universally known for its staggering biodiversity, including the many thousands of species of plants and animals that thrive in its lush tropical climate.
Commenting on the introduction of the new Ecuadora™ brand, Edward & Sons’ founder and CEO Joel Dee said, “Ecuador boasts a rich culinary heritage based on locally grown fruits, vegetables and spices. Restaurant-deprived families are eager to incorporate new tastes and recipes into their meal plans, so the timing seems perfect to introduce our new Ecuadora™ brand to the marketplace. We’re heartened by the very positive initial responses to our three debut Ecuadora™ products and look forward to expanding the brand with more wonderful regional specialties in the years ahead.”
In addition to Ecuadora™, Edward & Sons Trading Company™ brands include Edward & Sons™, Let’s Do Gluten Free®, Let’s Do Organic®, More Than Fair®, Native Forest®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics® and organic gluten free specialty sauces under the Premier Japan® and The Wizard's® brands.
CHICAGO — A recent survey commissioned by the American Association of Endodontists reveals that more than half of Americans say the COVID-19 pandemic has caused them to put off general dental check-ups, which can lead to serious oral health problems. The survey also showed that the pandemic is takings its toll on those working or studying remotely when it comes to changes to their daily dental hygiene routine. Significant findings include:
31% were snacking more on sweets
28% didn’t schedule or forgot to schedule a dental visit
1 in 4 said they waited until later in the morning to brush their teeth, while 21% didn’t brush in the morning at all
There was also a major drop off in flossing, with 24% saying they’re flossing less frequently, while 23% say they aren’t flossing
Millennials more frequently reported experiencing dental disruptions, with 43% of those surveyed indicating that working from home or attending virtual classes from home led to disruptions to their usual dental hygiene habits during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Clearly, the pandemic is causing a major disruption in Americans’ dental habits, which is leading to more serious tooth problems. Fortunately, it appears much of the public understands the importance of facing serious dental issues head on: Even with the pandemic, 60% say experiencing tooth pain that won’t go away would lead them to make a dental appointment. The survey also asked about tooth loss versus procedures to save a bad tooth, with four out of five people stating that it’s better to go the root canal route versus extraction.
When it comes to tooth pain, it’s important to know that an endodontist is a toothache sufferer’s greatest ally. It’s also important to remember that it is extremely safe to visit the endodontist in the era of COVID-19, with endodontists practicing the utmost caution and disinfection protocol. Even at the height of the U.S.’s COVID-19 shutdown period in the spring of 2020, most endodontic practices remained open to safely treat dental emergencies.
To keep emergency rooms clear, in the case of a dental emergency, you should continue seek an endodontist instead of dialing 911.
“If you’re suffering with a toothache that wakes you up out of a sound sleep at night, or because you’re eating hot or cold food, you need an endodontist,” says Dr. Alan H. Gluskin, President of American Association of Endodontists. “You should not delay treatment.”
AAE experts are available to discuss this topic further. Contact the AAE to schedule an interview today!
Alan Gluskin, D.D.S. Dr. Alan Gluskin, D.D.S., is the President of the American Association of Endodontists, and is professor and vice chair of the Department of Endodontics at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, in San Francisco.
Mark B. Desrosiers, D.M.D. Dr. Desrosiers is a Board-certified endodontist and serves as a clinical assistant professor in the department of endodontics at Boston University School of Dental Medicine. He is chair of the AAE’s Public and Professional Relations Committee, which is integral to the Association’s important Worth Saving public campaign.
Avina K. Paranjpe, BDS, M.S., MSD, Ph.D. Dr. Avina Paranjpe is associate professor, Endodontics, at University of Washington School of Dentistry. Dr. Paranjpe says there is definitely an increase in cracked tooth cases she is seeing in the graduate endodontic clinic and in private practice.
Drake’s Organic Spirits® Expands National Distribution
for ready-to-drink cocktails with innovative new Boxtails™
Minneapolis, MN (February 16, 2021)-Drake’s Organic Spirits, founder of the better-for-you and better-for-the-planet spirits category, announced today that its new ready-to-drink (RTD) all-organic Boxtails are being offered by more major liquor retailers across the country.
Drake’s Organic Boxtails are now available at 25 WB Liquors & Wine locations across Texas, all 22 Lee’s Discount Liquors locations in Nevada, 20 Rouses Markets in Louisiana and seven WinCo locations in Arizona. Boxtails can also be found in Cub Wine & Spirits locations in Minnesota and Crown Wine & Spirits and Mega Wine & Spirits in Florida.
Boxtails are pre-mixed organic craft cocktails featuring Drake’s ultra-premium organic certified vodka and rum. Offered in Watermelon Tini, Mango Punch, Mojito and Black Cherry Limeade, Drake’s Organic Boxtails provide a quick and easy way to enjoy delicious organic cocktails with less waste than canned seltzers. Boxtails are Certified USDA Organic Gluten Free®, Non-GMO, vegan and kosher. Each box contains 1.75 liters of pre-mixed organic cocktails with 12% alcohol similar to a standard mixed cocktail.
“Top liquor retailers across the country are adding Boxtails to their shelves because their customers want the convenience and great taste that Boxtails offer,” said Drake’s Founder/CEO Mark Anderson. “Boxtails are easy to pour, easy to store and made with only the best sustainably farmed organic ingredients. Like all Drake’s Organic Spirits products, Boxtails contain no unnecessary chemicals, pesticides or artificial colors.”
Drake’s Organic Spirits can be found in 33 states as well as Japan, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. A complete list of locations offering Drake’s Organic Spirits products can be found at https://www.drakesorganicspirits.com/find-us.
In addition to award-winning organic vodka, white rum and spiced rum, Drake’s product line includes Spiked Ice freeze-and-eat adult treats and organic Bloody Mary and Mojito mixes. Drake’s Organic Spirits is the first and only spirits line in the world certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, vegan and kosher.
About Drake’s Organic Spirits Launched in 2017, Minneapolis-based Drake’s Organic Spirits is the first and only spirits line in the world certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, vegan and kosher. Drake’s uses the highest quality USDA organic and non-GMO Project Verified ingredients to create a line of ultra- premium, 12x distilled spirits and mixes at a better price than the leading premium brands.
Drake’s Organic Premium Vodka was awarded Double Gold and Drake’s Organic White Rum received Gold at the most recent Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention & Exposition in Orlando, FL. The highly-respected awards are widely considered among the most prestigious in the industry because judges are industry experts who blind taste-test each spirit.
Health Canada Authorizes Canada's First Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Test
BARRIE, ON, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW/ - Verify Diagnostics announced today that Health Canada has authorized the Assure Tech Ecotest COVID-19 serological rapid test to be used at the point-of-care (POC) for the purpose of screening for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Building on the U.S. FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) granted last year, Verify Diagnostics has worked diligently with Health Canada, since March 2020, to bring this test to Canada. The Assure Tech Ecotest was the first point-of-care fingerstick blood test to be authorized for CLIA Waived use in the United States and is the first Canadian test to be authorized as well.
"Antibody testing is key to understanding the prevalence of COVID-19 in our Canadian communities and, although complicated laboratory solutions are available to accomplish this, rapid testing offers an easy and inexpensive option to healthcare professionals and public health organizations." said Tim Salter, President of Verify Diagnostics. "Use of these rapid tests have been proven effective in dozens of countries that we have provided solutions to and we are very happy to be able to now provide a solution for Canada.".
Verify Diagnostics has promoted the use of antibody tests globally since the beginning of the pandemic as a way to measure the disease's spread through communities and, more recently, to track the efficacy of vaccination programmes. "One of the unknowns related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is how long the immunization will remain effective against the virus." said Salter. "We hope that Canada will follow suit with some of the other governments and organizations that we are working with to monitor those that have received inoculations to better understand how long immunity against the virus will last.".
Appropriate training is also an important factor in ensuring that rapid tests are both used properly and interpreted correctly. "We have invested significant resources into creating multilingual online courses for all of the testing solutions we offer, including COVID-19 tests." said Salter. "There's a difference between selling a product and providing a solution, we have always focussed on the latter.".
About Verify Diagnostics Based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada Verify Diagnostics is focussed on delivering innovative point-of-care solutions with specialities in drugs of abuse, fertility and infectious disease testing.
SOURCE Verify Diagnostics Inc.
Health Canada Approves REBLOZYL® (luspatercept), New Class of Treatment for Adult Patients Living with Myelodysplastic Syndromes
REBLOZYL®, an erythroid maturation agent, is the first and only of its kind approved for use in Canada
MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW/ - Bristol Myers Squibb Canada (BMS) and Acceleron Pharma Inc. announced today that Health Canada has approved REBLOZYL® (luspatercept for injection) for the treatment of adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia requiring at least two RBC red blood cell (RBC) units over 8 weeks resulting from very low-to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who have ring sideroblasts and who have failed or are not suitable for erythropoietin-based therapy.1 REBLOZYL® represents a new class of treatment for eligible patients as the first and only approved erythroid maturation agent in Canada.1
"Those living with MDS are often dependent on regular RBC transfusions. While these transfusions help manage symptoms of anemia, transfusion dependency is very burdensome for patients," said Dr. Rena Buckstein, MD, FRCPC, Haematologist, associate professor and Head of the Hematology Disease Site Group at Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "Treatment options to remedy transfusion dependence are limited once first line therapy fails, so REBLOZYL®, as the only erythroid maturation agent in Canada, provides an important MDS treatment to achieve RBC transfusion independence in a subgroup of patients."
MDS are a group of cancers which cause limitations in the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy and mature RBCs,2 and typically occur among older people, and in men more than in women.2
"MDS can significantly impact quality of life; especially for those who are dependent on regular RBC transfusions," said Cindy Anthony, Executive Director, Aplastic Anemia & Myelodysplasia Association of Canada (AAMAC). "We're pleased to see an alternative to transfusions available which can help alleviate some of the burden of the disease and support patients."
REBLOZYL® helps to regulate late-stage RBC maturation in order to potentially reduce the need for RBC transfusions.1
"Bristol Myers Squibb is thrilled to provide Canadians with an additional option beyond RBC transfusions to treat MDS-associated anemia," said Al Reba, General Manager, Bristol Myers Squibb Canada. "This first-in-class treatment is an example of Bristol Myers Squibb's commitment to develop innovative therapies for Canadians living with severe blood disorders."
"Working with our partners at Bristol Myers Squibb, we are excited to help address the needs of Canadians living with MDS," said Habib Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. "By targeting the ineffective erythropoiesis associated with MDS, REBLOZYL® represents an important addition for the treatment of patients living with this condition."
Health Canada's approval of REBLOZYL® is based upon findings from the phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled MEDALIST study, which involved patients with very low- to intermediate-risk MDS with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) requiring regular RBC transfusions (>2 RBC units per 8 weeks).1 The patients were randomized 2:1 to REBLOZYL® or placebo.1 In the trial, results demonstrated significantly greater percentage of patients treated with REBLOZYL® achieving transfusion independence for eight weeks or longer during the first 24 weeks of the trial as compared to placebo (38% vs. 13%, P<0.001) at primary endpoint.1
About Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb global operations, visit www.bms.com. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. delivers innovative medicines for serious diseases to Canadian patients in the areas of cardiovascular health, oncology, and immunoscience. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. employs close to 400 people across the country. For more information, please visit www.bms.com/ca.
About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
About Acceleron Acceleron is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases. Acceleron's leadership in the understanding of TGF-beta superfamily biology and protein engineering generates innovative compounds that engage the body's ability to regulate cellular growth and repair.
Acceleron focuses its research, development, and commercialization efforts in pulmonary and hematologic diseases. In pulmonary, Acceleron is developing sotatercept for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), having reported positive topline results of the PULSAR Phase 2 trial. The Company is currently planning multiple Phase 3 trials with the potential to support its long-term vision of establishing sotatercept as a backbone therapy for patients with PAH at all stages of the disease. Acceleron is also investigating the potential of its early-stage pulmonary candidate, ACE-1334, which it plans to advance into a Phase 1b/2 trial in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) this year.
In hematology, REBLOZYL® (luspatercept-aamt) is the first and only approved erythroid maturation agent approved in the United States, Europe, and Canada for the treatment of anemia in certain blood disorders. REBLOZYL® is part of a global collaboration partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb. The Companies co-promote REBLOZYL® in the United States and are also developing luspatercept for the treatment of anemia in patient populations of myelodysplastic syndromes, beta-thalassemia, and myelofibrosis.
Aifred Health Named Top 3 Finalist in Global IBM Watson AI XPRIZE Competition
MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Aifred Health announced today that the XPRIZE jury has selected Aifred Health as one of the 3 finalists for the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE. The company is competing for the grand prize of US$3.0 million which will be awarded in June, 2021, with 2nd and 3rd prize winners receiving US$1.0 million and US$0.5 million respectively.
Montreal-based Aifred Health was one of more than 700 applicants for this XPRIZE focused on employing AI to solve the world's grand challenges. Teams were judged by world-leading experts in AI who conducted extensive due diligence and reviews of each team's application and their ability to meet the key criteria of achieved technical impact; evidenced real-world impact; scalability of real-world impact; and ethics and safety.
"To be named as one of the Top 3 global AI teams in the world is an incredible accomplishment and endorsement of our approach to better serving patients suffering from debilitating depression. Over the last 4 years, our AI technology and tools have been reviewed and validated by some of the best AI and subject matter talent on the planet. We are indebted to the XPRIZE organization and IBM Watson for their leadership and vision throughout the process. The prize money, along with our C$4 million seed financing that closed in December 2020, is being used to fund the clinical trial required to attain US FDA and Health Canada approval for our AI decision support device for depression and will also permit us to further develop our therapy-agnostic AI tool in other areas of high unmet medical need", declared Marina Massingham, CEO.
Dr. David Benrimoh, Chief Scientific Officer added: "We began Aifred Health because of the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE and our belief that modern AI tools could be developed and applied to identify patterns in clinical data that would allow the use of simple personal information to choose the right treatment for each individual patient. I want to thank all of the incredibly talented people who have worked with and supported us as employees, students, investigators, advisors, investors, physicians, and patients for their contributions to creating and building Aifred."
About Aifred Health
Aifred Health, a Montreal based healthcare technology company, is delivering clinician-focused solutions for the treatment of mental health including electronic access to best practices guidelines and a world-class AI approach to providing decision support for personalized therapeutic choices for clinical depression. Aifred is initiating its regulatory approval clinical trial for decision support for therapeutic treatment choice for depression in H1/2021. For more information, please see www.aifredhealth.com.
SOURCE Aifred Health Inc.
Fastest Growing EMR Provider MEDFAR Raises Nearly $25 Million Investment Led by Walter Capital Partners
MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - MEDFAR Clinical Solutions, the leading pure-play Electronic Medical Record (EMR) provider in Canada, announced today a minority investment of nearly $25 million led by Walter Capital Partners. MEDFAR will dedicate the funds to accelerate its expansion, innovation and acquisition agendas in North America.
"We are excited to join forces with Walter Capital Partners," said Elias Farah, CEO of MEDFAR Clinical Solutions. "We look forward to fulfilling our objective of increasing our momentum and completing bolt-on EMR provider acquisitions at a sustained pace with Walter Capital's strong and talented team." MEDFAR has rapidly evolved MYLE (Make Your Life Easy) from an EMR to a complete Care Management Solution, including a virtual care platform that fosters patient engagement. "We have also expanded our footprint throughout Canada with 2 acquisitions within 18 months," added M. Farah.
"We share Elias' vision of innovation serving client success in healthcare clinics," said Éric Phaneuf, President and CEO of Walter Capital Partners. "We partner with strong management teams possessing deep sector understanding and we know that MEDFAR has all the ingredients to become a leading player globally. We are especially impressed by MEDFAR's resilience and agility in adapting to the pandemic and rising to the challenge of better serving their users with fast-paced virtual health advances in unprecedented circumstances."
Mr. Phaneuf will join MEDFAR's board of directors. MEDFAR serves nearly 7,000 physicians delivering 10 million consultations annually in Canada. In 2020 only, nearly 400 clinics in Canada deployed MEDFAR solutions, most of them switching from a competing EMR to MYLE.
About MEDFAR
Founded in 2010 by two aeronautical engineers, MEDFAR Clinical Solutions was the first to certify a fully web-based EMR solution in Canada. With the support of experts from its medical and clinical advisory board, the MEDFAR team evolved its solution, MYLE (for Make Your Life Easy), from a simple EMR to a powerful end-to-end Care Management Solution that streamlines each and every clinical process, freeing caregivers from the burden of administrative tasks and helping them achieve more. MEDFAR grew to become the preeminent pure-play EMR solution provider in Canada with a growing presence in international markets. MEDFAR is relentlessly committed to its mission of driving excellence and efficiency in healthcare across the world. www.medfarsolutions.com
About Walter Capital Partners
Walter Capital Partners is a private equity firm part of Walter Financial, the investment unit of the Walter Group. Its investment model combines capital inflow and operating expertise to support the growth of promising companies on solid and sustainable foundations, by drawing on the entrepreneurial background of the Walter Group and the extensive business leadership experience of its managing partners. Headquartered in Montréal, Walter Capital provides a solid international network. www.waltercapital.ca
Over the weekend I had the opportunity to be interviewed for a podcast. The episode is live on all channels (Spotify and Apple) as well as YouTube so I hope that you have a chance to check it out!
Happy Valentines Day!
xoxoox
Episode 24 - The Train It Right Life - Self Love
Alicia Bell IFBB Figure Pro is back with another episode of the podcast about self love, fuck boys and online coaching! What a better time to return with some podcast love then Valentines Day Weekend!
