Urban Libraries Take a Leading Stance to Advance Equitable Data Governance and Literacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
The Urban Libraries Council launches initiative to expand the role of North American public libraries in promoting democratic digital citizenship and educating communities about artificial intelligence.
WASHINGTON — Artificial intelligence has emerged as a revolutionary force in the modern world. The transformative power of this new technology has already been seen, and is expanding at a rapid rate, across nearly all areas of 21st-century public life – including education, employment and civic engagement. While AI promises to enhance our communities in remarkable ways, it also poses significant threats to the prosperity, privacy and security of individuals who do not understand these new technologies and their data rights.
The Urban Libraries Council has launched a new initiative to empower North American public libraries to stand at the forefront of the movement for an equitable and inclusive future for the storage, privacy and application of data as AI technology becomes more ubiquitous. This initiative began with a working group meeting held January 9-10 that convened library leaders from across the U.S. and Canada to discuss opportunities for libraries to collaborate in order to get ahead of the potential risks presented by AI and to maximize the technology’s potential for public good.
The working group session included top-level leaders from:
Anythink Libraries (Colo.)
Baltimore County Public Library (Md.)
Boston Public Library (Mass.)
Broward County Libraries (Fla.)
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (Pa.)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (N.C.)
Chicago Public Library (Ill.)
DC Public Library (D.C.)
King County Library System (Wash.)
Los Angeles Public Library (Calif.)
Milwaukee Public Library (Wis.)
Roanoke County Public Library (Va.)
Toledo Lucas County Public Library (Ohio)
Toronto Public Library (Ontario)
Participants in the working group meeting were also joined by Paul Kihn, Washington D.C.’s Acting Deputy Mayor for Education. Kihn offered a perspective on how public libraries can serve as valuable partners in advancing informed digital citizenship in cities and counties, and how they can serve as models for equitable public data policy and processes to their local government partners.
Following this initial meeting, ULC and its members will work together to develop AI definitions, terminology and frameworks to best position libraries as trusted public institutions for equitable access to AI information and education. ULC will also develop new tools, educational programming and research to share best practices and insights generated from this initiative with library field leaders.
“As our digital footprints become increasingly intertwined with the pursuits of our dreams, we face enormous challenges to social equity brought on by careless or biased handling of public data,” said ULC President and CEO Susan Benton. “As beacons of trust, innovation and information, public libraries are perfectly positioned to lead this work and to establish blueprints for how AI can augment our futures without sacrificing our core democratic values.”
About the Urban Libraries Council
The Urban Libraries Council, founded in 1971, is the voice for public libraries and the force that inspires them to evolve. ULC creates the tools, techniques and ideas to make ongoing improvements and upgrades in services and technology. ULC also speaks loudly and clearly about the value public libraries bring to communities, and secures funding for research that results in the development of new programs and services. And by serving as a forum for library leadership, ULC produces innovative ideas and best practices that ensure community impact.
How Health Coaching & Support from Novus Health Is Preventing Disability in the Workplace
TORONTO, Jan. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Novus Health, a leader in health navigation, provides organizations the tools to help individuals and their loved ones live healthier lives. The innovative programs from Novus Health tackle some of the most pressing health challenges that people face so that they are empowered to improve their health and well-being.
Disability is a key concern for many employers. Whether temporary or permanent, disability can become quite costly—not only for employers, but also for affected individuals and the family members who rely on them. Being able to work has many positive effects on a person: it creates a social network, a feeling of accomplishment and purpose, and generally keeps people active and engaged in their lives.
Novus Health understands the critical importance of early intervention in preventing disability. That is why they created a Health Coaching & Support program (Stay Healthy at Work™) to address health concerns and common conditions before they lead to extended absences and disability claims.
The result? A healthier population, with higher productivity and lower costs for organizations. With this program, organizations can provide their employees, members, and customers the tools to take charge of their everyday health goals, commit to meaningful and sustainable changes that work for them, and live healthier and more productive lives—both at home and in the workplace.
Here's How the Health Coaching & Support Program Helps
The Health Coaching & Support program is an end-to-end solution that helps individuals tackle potential health challenges before they lead to disability. An integral part of our health navigation solution, the program can work alongside other health management programs and support services - but aims to keep individuals on top of their health concerns and enact positive change before access to other programs is even required.
To get started with the program, individuals can follow a simple step-by-step process. First, those with access to the Novus Health Navigation Platform can fill out an online self-assessment questionnaire, which will generate a personalized report about their health risks. Eligible individuals then have the opportunity to:
Receive one-on-one health coaching support via phone or email
Develop health improvement strategies and personalized action plans
Better understand their health issues and evaluate their treatment options
Depending on their needs, they also have access to a multidisciplinary team of experts to assist in achieving their health goals, such as psychologists, dieticians, and social workers.
Through the program's positive reinforcement and ongoing coaching support, Novus Health has helped a diverse range of individuals to tackle their health challenges and regain their livelihood. From managing chronic pain, to creating new pathways for handling stress and anxiety, to reducing alcohol consumption, the Health Coaching & Support program puts the power for positive change in one's own hands.
With Novus Health's suite of products, organizations can lead the way to a healthier and more productive population.
About Novus HealthNovus Health is a leader in health navigation. We deliver personalized support, reputable information, and health-related services in one single destination, using technology to help individuals make informed health decisions. In doing so, we create value for our partners while improving their members' and customers' health and well-being.
SOURCE Novus Health
Beleave Receives Health Canada Authorization to Sell Cannabis Oils
TORONTO, Jan. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Beleave Inc. (CSE: BE) (OTCQX: BLEVF) ("Beleave" or the "Company") is excited to announce its wholly-owned subsidiary Beleave Kannabis Corp. has been authorized by Health Canada to sell cannabis oil products effective January 11, 2019. After reviewing the application and supporting documentation, Health Canada granted an amended licence with modified conditions allowing for the sale of cannabis oil under the Cannabis Regulations.
"This license is pivotal to us meeting our goals in 2019, while driving product innovation and augmenting our research and development initiatives," said Roger Ferreira, Ph.D., Beleave's Chief Science Officer. "Oils will continue to make up a larger part of the cannabis market, especially as we ramp up for the regulatory changes coming in 2019. Receiving our sales authorization allows us to provide a wider array of products while providing Beleave with higher margins than dried flower."
ABOUT BELEAVE INC.
Beleave is a vertically-integrated Canadian cannabis company headquartered in Oakville, Ontario, that cultivates high-quality cannabis flower, oil and extracts.
Fully-licenced to cultivate and sell medical and recreational cannabis, Beleave is leading the way through research partnerships with universities to bridge the gap between science and tradition and to develop pharma-grade extracts and derivatives. Beleave has developed new product lines, including cannabis-infused powder and sugar products for 2019 as the recreational market is expected to allow for food and beverage-based cannabis products.
Beleave has also developed a network of medical cannabis clinics in Ontario and Quebec under the Medi-Green banner. Through its majority ownership of Procannmed S.A.S., Beleave is fully licensed to cultivate, produce, extract and distribute medical cannabis in Colombia to capitalize on exports and the expanding Latin American market. In a strategic initiative to penetrate the European medical market, the Company has partnered with Canymed GmbH to supply the German market with medical cannabis.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). The use of any of the words "plan", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur are intended to identify forward-looking information. These statements are only predictions. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, by its very nature it involves inherent risks and uncertainties. This information speaks only as of the date of this news release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents, which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.
SOURCE Beleave Inc.
CFHI expanding access to innovative palliative approach that will improve end-of-life care
OTTAWA, Jan. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) today announced that it is working with seven organizations across five provinces and one territory to spread Embedding Palliative Approaches to Care (EPAC). EPAC is a proven innovation that helps staff in long term care identify residents who could benefit from a palliative approach to care, have conversations with them and their families about what they want, and develop and implement comprehensive care plans.
Palliative care improves the quality of life for people with life threatening conditions and their families, helping to manage their pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual issues, make informed decisions about aggressive treatments, and helping them to die in their place of choice.
Teams announced: CFHI will provide funding to support the following organizations to spread the approach to 22 homes in this initial expansion.
Yukon Health and Social Services
Institute for Continuing Care Education and Research (ICCER), Alberta
Parkwood Seniors Community, Waterloo, Ontario
Haliburton Highlands Health Services, Haliburton, Ontario
Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec, Quebec
New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes
Western Health, Newfoundland and Labrador
Using a train-the-trainer approach, this model will then be spread throughout regions where participating organizations have regional responsibilities.
EPAC was developed by a team at Vancouver Coastal Health in British Columbia and implemented in 48 long term care homes. From April 2014-March 2018 the program resulted in a 56 percent decrease in emergency department transfers, and a 45 percent reduction in number of days residents spent in acute care in the last 3 months of their life. In 2017, CFHI identified it as an innovation ready for scale as part of its Call for Innovations in Palliative and End-of-Life care.
The EPAC approach supports healthcare teams in long term care to:
identify those residents who would benefit from a palliative approach to care,
discuss goals for care with the resident / substitute decision maker, and
develop and implement a comprehensive care plan that is unique to the needs and wishes of each resident.
Offering a common, consistent approach to supporting residents who are near the end-of-life creates opportunities – and provides permission – for death and dying to be openly discussed, normalized and supported.
The EPAC collaboration will run until November 2019. This program is part of ongoing efforts at CFHI to work with partners across Canada to improve care and ensure it responds to the needs of patients and families.
Quick facts
86 percent of Canadians believe palliative care should be provided at home as much as possible.
Of Canadians who have a preference, 75 percent would prefer to die in their home. For residents in long term care, this is their home.
Few Canadians (15 percent) have early access to palliative home care.
62 percent of Canadians who received palliative care did so in an acute care hospital and mostly in their last month of life.
Quotes "Being able to discuss goals of care and have those wishes respected is important to Canadians who face life-threatening illness," said Jennifer Zelmer, President and CEO of CFHI. "That's why we're excited to partner with long term care teams in five provinces and Yukon to spread a proven approach for ensuring that care plans reflect the unique needs of each resident."
"Earlier conversations about end-of-life are crucial to ensure people's wishes are known and respected. Typically these conversations are held during a healthcare crisis when emotions run high. These conversations often focus on goals of treatment rather than wishes, values, hopes and fears. Very often we wait for a healthcare condition to indicate that death is near," said Jane Webley, Vancouver Coastal Health Regional Program Leader for End of Life Care and the program's innovator. "However, by this stage, many people have lost the ability to communicate their wishes and family members are faced with a huge burden to decide what they should do. Earlier conversations about things that matter provide permission for collaborative planning and saying goodbye in a meaningful way, creating lasting memories. I call this the 'Gift of Time' that we, as healthcare providers, can offer residents and the people that are important to them."
"Palliative care is a crucial part of our health care system, providing much-needed support to individuals with life-threatening illnesses and to their families at one of the most difficult times of their lives," said the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health. "I am pleased to see the expansion of successful projects like this, as they align with priorities identified in the recently released Framework on Palliative Care in Canada. Together we can help more Canadians with life-limiting illnesses who wish to remain independent and receive the care they need at home or in their community."
About the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement works shoulder-to-shoulder with partners to identify proven innovations and accelerate their spread across Canada to improve patient care, the health of Canadians and value-for-money. CFHI is a not-for-profit organization funded by Health Canada. Visit cfhi-fcass.ca for more information.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
SOURCE Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
Valeo Pharma and Zambon announce the approval of Onstryv® (safinamide) for Canada
Valeo Pharma and Zambon previously announced a partnership which grants Valeo Pharma exclusive Canadian rights to commercialize safinamide (known as Onstryv® in Canada and Xadago® in the rest of the world.)
New treatment option for estimated 100,000 Canadians living with Parkinson's Disease
Safinamide has been launched in 13 European countries, Switzerland and the U.S.A, and has recently been approved in Australia.
MONTREAL, Jan. 15, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Zambon S.p.A., an international pharmaceutical company strongly committed to the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic area, and Valeo Pharma Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to commercializing innovative prescription products in Canada, today announce the approval of Onstryv® (safinamide) for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease in Canada.
Under the terms of the agreement with Zambon, Valeo Pharma is responsible for all regulatory, quality, sales and marketing, and distribution activities in Canada.
"There is a growing need for new treatments to manage Parkinson's Disease and Onstryv® provides an important option for patients that require better control of their symptoms. We look forward to launching the first new oral treatment for Parkinson's Disease in over a decade to Canadian patients in need of a new therapeutic choice" said Steve Saviuk, Chief Executive Officer of Valeo.
Valeo Pharma expects the Canadian launch of safinamide to occur during the first half of 2019.
Roberto Tascione, CEO of Zambon said "The approval of safinamide in Canada is a step forward for patients who need new treatment options for Parkinson's Disease. Our mission is to make this medication available to as many PD patients worldwide as possible."
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological disease involving the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. While tremors are the best known symptom, Parkinson's Disease also causes slowed movement, rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, and speech and writing difficulties. An estimated 100,000 Canadians are affected, and the number of patients is expected to grow significantly over the next thirty years as the population continues to age.
About safinamide Safinamide (known as Onstryv® in Canada and Xadago® in the rest of the world) is a new chemical entity with a mode of action including selective and reversible MAO-B-inhibition. Clinical trials have established its efficacy in controlling motor symptoms and motor complications in the short term, and data suggest this effect is maintained over 2 years. Results from 24 month double-blind controlled studies suggest that safinamide shows effects on motor fluctuations (ON/OFF time) without increasing the risk of developing troublesome dyskinesia. Safinamide is a once-daily dose and has no diet restrictions due to its high MAO-B/MAO-A selectivity. Zambon acquired rights from Newron Pharmaceuticals (www.newron.com) to develop and commercialize Xadago® globally, excluding Japan and other key Asian territories where Meiji Seika has the rights to develop and commercialize safinamide. The rights to develop and commercialize Xadago® in the USA have been granted to US WorldMeds, by Zambon.
References: Two-year, randomized, controlled study of safinamide as add-on to levodopa in mid to late Parkinson's Disease. Borgohain, Rupam; Szasz, Jozsef; Stanzione, Paolo; Meshram, Chandrashekhar; Bhatt, Mohit H et al. (2014) Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society vol. 29 (10) p. 1273-80. Anand R: Safinamide is associated with clinically important improvement in motor symptoms in fluctuating PD patients as add-on to levodopa (SETTLE). 17th International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Sydney, Australia, June 16-20, 2013.
About Valeo Pharma Valeo Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the commercialization of innovative prescription products in Canada. With a focus on neurodegenerative diseases, woman's health, and oncology and supportive care, Valeo Pharma has a growing portfolio of innovative products and a platform to properly manage these products through all stages of commercialization. Headquartered in Kirkland, Quebec, Valeo Pharma has all capabilities internally to register and market health care solutions for Canadian patients. For more information, please visit www.valeopharma.com
About Zambon Zambon is a multinational pharmaceutical and fine-chemical company that focuses on innovation and development with the aim to improve the quality of people's health and patients' lives. Based on a valuable heritage but strongly focused on the future, its goal is to improve people's health through the development of innovative and quality medicines. Zambon products are commercialized in 86 countries. The company has 20 subsidiaries in three different Continents – Europe, America and Asia – and owns manufacturing units in Italy, Switzerland, France, China and Brazil. The company today has a strong focus on the treatment of rare diseases and specialties, such as Parkinson's disease and Cystic Fibrosis, and it's well-established in 3 therapeutic areas: respiratory, pain and women's care. Zambon was established in 1906 in Italy and today counts around 2,700 employees all over the world. For details on Zambon please visit www.zambon.com
SOURCE Valeo Pharma inc.
Launch of Ocumel Canada Offers New Hope for Canadians Diagnosed With Rare Ocular Melanoma
TORONTO, Jan. 15, 2019 /CNW/ - Save Your Skin Foundation, a Canadian, patient-led, not-for-profit organization, is launching Ocumel Canada to increase awareness, advance treatment options, and improve patient outcomes for Canadians touched by Ocular Melanoma, a rare but aggressive form of melanoma.
Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) has joined forces with ocular melanoma (OM) survivor and advocate Nigel Deacon, to create Ocumel Canada and improve OM patient care across Canada.
"Ocular melanoma is a rare and frightening disease and patients find themselves on a very lonely path," says Nigel Deacon, Ocular Melanoma survivor and advocate. ""I believe that Ocumel Canada will support patients, improve care pathways and create hope."
Ocumel Canada has conducted a patient survey to understand and document the experiences of OM patients in Canada, identifying key gaps in areas of diagnosis, access to treatment, and patient care. Ocumel Canada has also connected with innovative OM treatment researchers, explored testing options for ocular melanoma in Canada, and partnered with OM patient support groups around the globe for knowledge exchange.
"Too many ocular melanoma patients are being left behind, because of inconsistent referrals and treatment, or lack thereof, and that has to stop," says Natalie Richardson, Stage III melanoma survivor and Managing Director of Save Your Skin Foundation, "Ocumel Canada will represent patients in their time of unmet need, and will support them in finding a quick referral to an expert team and access to appropriate treatment across the country."
In order to continue this work and raise awareness for this rare disease and the patients who need support to handle it, Ocumel Canada, is dedicating to the following:
Advocating for early detection of ocular melanoma
Enabling access to early treatment of primary ocular melanoma
Working towards a consistent approach to treatment of metastatic ocular melanoma
Supporting patients who have been diagnosed with primary or metastatic ocular melanoma
Building a network of support for patients and caregivers
About Ocumel melanoma
Ocular melanoma is rare, affecting approximately five in a million people. While it represents only 5% of melanomas, ocular melanoma is rapid and aggressive, accounting for 9% of melanoma deaths. Also referred to as uveal melanoma, ocular is a more inclusive term; 90% of primary ocular melanoma develops in the choroid.
There are no established risk factors for ocular melanoma, but it often occurs in blue-eyed, fair-skinned people over sixty years old. Treatment can be successful if the tumours in the eye are caught early. Around 50% of tumours will metastasize, usually in two to five years. Metastasis is to the liver in approximately 90% of these cases, but can also occur in the lungs, bones, brain or abdomen.
About Save Your Skin Foundation Save Your Skin Foundation (SYSF) is a national patient-led not-for-profit group dedicated to the fight against non-melanoma skin cancers, melanoma and ocular melanoma through nationwide education, advocacy, and awareness initiatives. Save Your Skin Foundation is committed to playing an active role in reducing the incidence of skin cancer in Canada, and to providing compassionate support for all Canadians living with skin cancers.
SOURCE Save Your Skin Foundation
Riding a motorcycle can make you feel as free as a bird. Dealing with a horrid motorcycle accident that injures you, however, can make you feel the opposite way. Fortunately, that feeling doesn’t have to be long-lived. There are various exercise options out there that can help people who wish to heal well post-motorcycle accidents.
Do Some Basic Walking
Basic walking is a form of exercise that can often be helpful to people who are trying to heal after severe motorcycle accidents. Make sure to consult your doctor prior to making any exercise choices. It’s crucial to choose your walking footwear wisely as well. Go for durable shoes. Remember, your doctor can point you in the right shoe direction.
Prioritize Stretching
Stretching is in some cases a suitable exercise pathway for people who are attempting to heal after major motorcycle accidents. If you’re keen on stretching, get permission from your doctor to partake in the activity. Appropriate stretching methods can be helpful to individuals who wish to control degrees of pain. If you want your stretching to be a hit, you should begin it in a gradual and measured manner.
Look into Aqua Therapy
Aqua therapy can make a fantastic exercise option for people who are attempting to recover from massive motorcycle accidents. It’s crucial to go for aqua therapy that’s monitored by seasoned professional physical therapists. Working out inside of a swimming pool can be optimal for many reasons. water has the ability to minimize the weight of joints and muscles. If you talk to a motorcycle accident attorney, you may want to follow up your appointment with a tranquil aqua therapy session.
Learn about Yoga
Yoga is a widely known discipline that can in some situations be suitable for people who are looking to recover after unpleasant motorcycle accidents. If you want your yoga efforts to be particularly effective, it may help to test them in conjunction with other exercise avenues such as walking and biking. It’s essential to speak with a doctor prior to attempting any kind of exercise regimen, however.
An awful motorcycle accident can disrupt your life significantly. Recovery from a huge accident, though, doesn’t necessarily have to lead to abandoning your exercise regimen. If you speak with your doctor, you may be able to put together a balanced and pleasant exercise routine after your accident. This routine may be the thing that takes the healing process to the next tier.
Pasta Lovers Rejoice! Seapoint Farms Heating Up Alternative Pasta Category With Deliciously Authentic, Protein-Rich,
Seapoint Farms’ Hottest New Products Offer Game-Changing Blend Of Real Pasta Flavor, Texture & Versatility
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA., JANUARY 12, 2019 – Pasta lovers everywhere – pull up a chair and prepare to savor the tastiest and healthiest alternative pasta on the market today: Organic Edamame Spaghetti and Organic Edamame Fettuccine from Seapoint Farms (www.seapointfarms.com), the largest importer and manufacturer of edamame products in the United States.
Easy to prepare, truly delicious and packed with plant-based protein, Seapoint Farms’ highly-popular new pastas are sold for a MSRP of $3.99 at such leading markets as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Ralphs, Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, Smart & Final, Raley’s, Stater Bros. and Vons, among many other stores.
While most of us love pasta, pasta unfortunately doesn’t always love us. Simple carbs like those found in pasta, white flour and
rice can lead to weight gain and blood sugar spikes. How the body digests carbs can cause us to feel hungry sooner than we normally would. And of course those with Celiac Disease can’t eat gluten-laden traditional pasta at all.
No wonder, then, that so many satisfied consumers consider Seapoint Farms’ vegan pastas exactly what they’ve been looking for: delectable spaghetti and fettuccine alternatives without the usual side dish of guilt. Indeed, so flavorful and authentically-textured are both new vegan pastas that it’s easy to forget they’re also rich in protein, iron and calcium; low in calories; free of gluten, wheat, cholesterol and GMOs; and made entirely from organic soybeans. Both new pastas are also Certified Heart Healthy by the American Heart Association.
Certified Non-GMO and USDA Organic, Seapoint Farms’ Edamame Spaghetti and Fettuccine pastas contain 200 calories, 24 grams of protein, and 12 grams of fiber per 2-ounce serving (by comparison, the average gluten-free spaghetti and fettucine pastas contain only 4-5 grams of protein and 1-2 grams of fiber per 2-ounce serving). Ideal for home cooks yearning to prepare healthier alternatives to high-carb pasta dishes, both edamame pasta products can be enjoyed on their own or with a wide variety of sauces and veggies (for recipe ideas, visitwww.seapointfarms.com/recipes/organic-edamame-pasta.html).
Most notably, Seapoint Farms’ Organic Edamame Spaghetti and Fettuccine manage to do what many pasta devotees for years considered impossible: offer health and diet-conscious consumers a gluten-free and lower calorie pasta that actually tastes great! As food reviewer Jenny Sugar noted a few months back: “I really wanted this pasta to be amazing because it’s so nutrition-packed, but to be honest, I had low expectations. I thought it would taste like cooked grass, at best, but with my first warm bite, I thought, ‘This edamame pasta is actually delicious.’ It really is. It has the same soft texture as regular pasta and a very mild edamame flavor, just as you'd expect.”
Nature’s Recipe For Healthier Eating
Increasingly popular for its flavor, versatility and nutrition profile, edamame (ed-ah-MAH-may) are small green soybeans that come in pods like peas. Packed with all of the essential amino acids, edamame is an excellent source of protein – especially for those who follow a plant-based diet. Better still, studies suggest that increasing consumption of plant-based foods such as edamame can help decrease the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
Using only non-GMO soybeans,Seapoint Farms ensures that all of its products retain their naturally-occurring levels of healthful Isoflavones and include the same soy protein proven to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol.
Commenting on the success of the new Organic Edamame Spaghetti and Fettuccine lines, Seapoint Farms’ President Laura Cross said, “Both new pastas have become among our most successful product launches ever and we’re very grateful for the overwhelmingly positive consumer response they’ve generated. Most of all, we’re heartened that so many people who’ve elected to cut back on their pasta intake or who’ve eliminated it from their diet altogether will once again be able to savor the flavor, texture and versatility of this timeless favorite however and whenever they want.”
About Seapoint Farms
Based in Southern California, Seapoint Farms is the largest importer and manufacturer of edamame products in America, offering a diverse array of premium-quality, great-tasting and convenient edamame vegetable products and snacks. Since debuting in 1996 as the first American company to introduce edamame into American supermarkets and health food stores, Seapoint Farms has been instrumental in educating an increasingly health-conscious public about the health benefits of edamame and the many ways it can be enjoyed as a main course, side dish, snack or dessert.
In addition to Organic Edamame Spaghetti and Fettuccine, Seapoint Farms’ growing range of products includes Dry Roasted Edamame in several appetizing flavors; nine varieties of Frozen Edamame; healthy and convenient Fruit & Nut Blends; and two irresistible flavors of Seaweed Snacks.
Why do we often prioritize ourselves last? There are so many excuses we make to justify why we’re prepared to run ourselves ragged looking after others but won’t take five minutes for ourselves. Work Psychologist and Author Ellen M Bard was precisely one of those people, working a 60-hour week as a management consultant before she stepped off the treadmill and decided to change her life for the better.
In This Is For You, she shares her science and evidence based formula of 100 key exercises to help us reframe our priorities and take better care of ourselves. With chapters exploring Body, Mind, Feelings, Relationships, Time, Work, Environment, Creativity and Change, there is something here for everyone so we can pick the themes most resonant for us, and every page contains a fun and original interactive challenge and a new way of viewing our world.
Learn how to make ‘a jar of awesome’ where you draw out happy memories every time you have a bad day, or create a morning ritual where you feel energised and grounded. Alternatively if it’s a hug you need, experience touch by wrapping your arms around yourself in a loving way, or simply learn to say ‘No’, and identify the drains and radiators in your personal relationships. This Is For You is filled with useful practical exercises that can support you every day. Written by a Chartered Psychologist with 17 years experience of successful people consulting, this is a no-nonsense journal that will help you take stock, re-evaluate and give you small self-care steps that will change your life for the better and, most importantly, have lasting results.
Biography
Ellen M Bard is a work psychologist, writer and digital nomad. She is on a mission to bring practical, useful and fun development suggestions and personal improvement ideas to those who are long on interest and short on time. Ellen is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychology Society, and registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) in the UK and as an independent assessment and development professional, puts her 18 years of management consultancy experience to good use with clients in countries in Europe, the Middle East, and South East Asia. She has published papers and spoken on topics including values in the workplace, engagement, the candidate experience in recruitment, psychometric tools, generation Y, and employer branding. She has been featured in the Huffington Post, The Guardian, BBC Radio 4 and the Financial Times – as a thought leader in productivity, and the challenges of work-life balance.
Uplifting Solutions for Breast Sagging
By Jill Cortez
As women age, they will notice changes to their body- especially their breasts. While it is normal for breasts to sag a bit over time, it is certainly something women don’t want. The good news is that there are several things ladies can do to prevent breast ptosis (the fancy medical term for breast sagging). Dr. Manish Shah, MD a board-certified Denver, Colorado plastic surgeon, and Vince Sant, a Certified Fitness Trainer and Co-Founder of V Shred.com, an incredibly popular online fitness portal share tips and insights with some uplifting solutions for breast sagging.
Understanding sagging.
“Forget about the old beliefs of poor-quality bras, going bra-less, or breastfeeding being the cause to sagging breasts,” says Dr. Manish Shah. “There are ligaments in the breasts that stretch out over time. Gravity is certainly a culprit but there are others such as multiple pregnancies, menopause, breast motion from exercise, high body mass index, deficiencies in collagen, estrogen, rapid weight fluctuations, and of course smoking,” he explains.
Beware of the expensive hype.
When women are unhappy with breast sagging and want to lift their breasts; they want to do it quickly, painlessly and affordably. Dr. Shah says that while advancements are being made with procedures involving things such as stem cell therapies, radiofrequency, and fat transfer; right now, the science just isn’t there when it comes to delivering ideal lift, shape and significant restoration to warrant the investment.
“The last thing you want to do is get sold on a $4000, procedure done over the course of several visits spread out over several months that does very little. People want visible improvement. It’s important to ask questions about anything seeming too good to be true,” cautions Dr. Shah.
Clearly, there are a lot of factors that can explain away breast sagging in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and beyond. What options do we have in this very tough battle with gravity?
Quit smoking.
“We know that smoking accelerates aging in the face due to oxygen deprivation to your skin. When it comes to the breasts, smoking destroys elastin which is what maintains suppleness,” says Dr. Shah.
Manage menopause.
When perimenopause begins usually in the mid-’40s, you really want to revamp your diet and have a look at organ function and get a hormone test. “Drops in estrogen, a natural occurrence during menopause reduces collagen in skin tissue. Some supplements or phytoestrogens that boost estrogen levels naturally can have a positive effect on breast shape. However, this is certainly something to discuss with a specialist,” explains Dr. Shah.
Pump Up with weights or resistance training.
“A lot of women focus on their lower body when exercising. While this is great to blast cellulite and keep the thighs, legs, and butt shapely and strong, the upper body can’t be neglected. Doing various exercises using 5 -10-pound weights that strengthen and tone pectoral muscles (the muscles under the breasts) shoulders and back are key for preventing breast sagging,” says Vince Sant.
Many women fear losing their breast size or looking bulky or masculine. When you use less weight and do more repetitions, you get a nice lean, strong upper body. This raises everything up. According to Sant, who created a workout specifically targeting women’s trouble zones, it takes a lot of weight and many hours of training to get that thicker bulky look. “Doing combinations of exercises such as, plank rotations, shoulder presses, dumbbell pullovers, chest fly’s and standing raises are easy and can be done right in your living room,” the expert trainer with over 700,000 Instagram followers suggests.
Update your sports bra.
“While exercise is great, exercising with an old stretched out sports bra can lead to sagging especially for you Cardio Queens,” out there says Vince.
Quicker solutions…
What if you’re working out, not smoking and despite being tight and toned your actual breasts still sag? “Then you may want to consider a breast lift that factors in your frame, current breast size and desired shape, says Dr. Shah. “Nothing delivers a result as significant and long-lasting as the breast lift. The procedure does require 6 to 8-weeks of full recovery time and, depending on region and doctor, can be anywhere from $6000 to $25,000,” says Dr. Shah.
About the Experts:
Dr. Manish Shah M.D., F.A.C.S. is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Shah’s specialties include revision facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty (“nose reshaping”), and aesthetic surgery of the breast (breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction). He is, however, well-trained in all areas of aesthetic surgery. Dr. Shah’s aim is to obtain a natural appearing transformation that complements the real you.
Vince Sant
Fitness Expert & Co-Founder V Shred
Vince Sant, 25, is the Co-Founder of V Shred, the fastest growing online fitness and nutrition portal in the world. As an ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, Former Model Turned Fitness Expert, Instagram Fitness Guru & YouTube Sensation, Vince’s mission is to offer the masses a sustainable and transformative lifestyle-based training program designed to put the fun back into fitness and nutrition.
In 2015, Vince co-founded V Shred along with Nick Daniel, Roger Crandall, Kevin Pearn, who sought out to create a healthy fitness movement specifically designed to deliver profound changes in your body with the minimal amount of workout time.
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