Experiences reflect unique DNA of Ontario travel destinations

Stratford, Bayfield and Elora & Fergus think outside the box to engage visitors

STRATFORD, Ont. (June 23, 2017) – Picture rappelling down a sheer rock wall to get to your table for a delicious dinner served on a beach beside a gorgeous winding river.

How about taking in a one-of-a-kind concert from world-class musicians playing a bell about the size of a transport truck that replicates the sound of a carillon?

Or maybe you’re the artsy type and want to get inspired by a stunning landscape — how about painting a sunset from a breathtaking perch on a bluff overlooking Lake Huron?

These are just a few of the incredible experiences visitors can enjoy this summer while exploring the tourism hotspot of southwestern Ontario, whether it’s on a day-trip from the Greater Toronto Area or a longer family vacation.

The communities of Stratford, Bayfield and Elora & Fergus have joined with the region’s tourism organization — RTO4 — as well as their local tourism partners to develop more than two dozen new activities designed to engage travellers and highlight the special qualities and attractions that make each of the three destinations unique.

“Today’s visitors are seeking out unique experiences that they want to share – often in real-time – with friends and family,” says David Peacock, RTO4 Chief Executive Officer. “The new experiences supported by the animation fund highlight each community’s unique assets and invite the visitor to participate in telling the story.”

Stratford, picturesque home to the world-renowned Stratford Festival, is hosting 15 new events and activities that capture its growing reputation as a cultural resort town. A small sample of the experiences include:

• The Stratford Summer Music Carillon, organized by Stratford Summer Music. World-class carillon performers will play 14 free concerts from Aug. 5-13 on a massive musical bell.

• Ladies of the CNR, a full-length play presented by the Stratford Perth Museum and Martingale Vintage. The play will be performed at city hall from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, featuring an interactive photobooth and newly curated CN exhibit.

• Food for Thought Festival, hosted in collaboration by the Stratford Chefs’ School and the Stratford Writers Festival, Oct. 27-29.  The festival creates literary and culinary experiences where food is matched to an author’s readings. There will also be workshops, such as how to write a cookbook and the art of food photography.

About an hour’s drive from the GTA, tourism operators in Elora & Fergus have created several experiences to celebrate the town’s heritage and idyllic natural setting. Among them are:

• River is Calling, an experience hosted by the Elora Centre for the Arts that celebrates the natural beauty of the Grand River through two exhibits during June, July and August, a paddle painting workshop and will end with a collaboration with Riverfest which will see Brad Coppingcarry his mosaic canoe to the Grand River where he will paddle it, take it out of the water and suspend it above the Riverfest stage for an evening concert on Aug. 19.

• Twilight at Templin Gardens, a free musical event at the historical Templin Gardens on Wednesday evenings through July and August, featuring a live musical performance with local artists performing and storytelling about their lives in Elora and Fergus. The finale of the evening will be a Piper piping down the sun on the candle lit Templin Garden Stairs built in 1920.

• Festival Faire, a free family-friendly event to be held on July 8. The new event celebrates Canada's 150th anniversary, showcasing Elora and Fergus’ festivals and events, natural beauty, rich heritage, rural foundations, artists, artisans, entertainers, merchants, and local food and drink.

On the sandy shores of Lake Huron, about an hour’s drive of Stratford, visitors can discover the beautiful beach town of Bayfield. Several new activities developed this summer showcase the trendy town’s artistic side, as well as its incredible waterfront setting and marine heritage. Among them are:

• Paint the Sunset, a way to celebrate the creativity of Bayfield, as well as its world-class sunsets, this experience will offer five activations throughout the summer providing the supplies and instructions for people to paint their own sunset keepsake. Four of the events will be painting on panels or rocks, and the fifth will be edible cookie painting.

• Try #SUPRUNYOGA, a unique one-day event focusing on trying new activities, connecting to nature and growing a sense of a connected shoreline community.  This event will also include local food vendors, product market and an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest stand-up paddleboard yoga session.

Projects in all three communities were developed through RTO4’s Destination Animation Fund. The initiative offers business operators matching funds to create new or enhanced tourism offerings that showcase the destination’s agreed-upon core DNA. Visitors are encouraged to share their experiences through social networks.

The initiative was first launched in 2016, providing $30,000 in matching funds for 10 projects in Stratford. Based on the success of its inaugural run, RTO4 and its tourism partners doubled the size of the fund to $60,000 in 2017 and expanded it to more communities to create experiences that reach an even wider audience. More information is available at www.animationfund.ca

About RTO4:

RTO4, one of 13 regional tourism offices established by the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport in the province of Ontario, provides leadership and support to a flourishing tourism economy in Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington. RTO4 has been called the “petri dish of tourism development in North America” by the Canadian Tourism Commission, specifically because of its innovative, analytical and non-traditional approach to growing tourism and economic development.

Encouraging you every step of the way: Health coaches help Canadians manage chronic disease

SOURCE Saint Elizabeth Health Care

Kurt Kazanowski MS, RN, CHE, author of A Son’s Journey: Taking Care of Mom and Dad, who is a senior care, homecare and hospice expert, offers these tips:

1. Stay hydrated

Dehydration is one of the main causes of most health problems, not just heat related. To keep everything running efficiently in the body, and keep it cool, water is a must. Encourage them to continually drink water throughout the day even if they aren’t thirsty. Your body needs water way before it tells you through the sensation of thirst. Keep an eye on the consumption of caffeine and alcohol as their intake dries out the body.

2. Notice the time of day

If you have an activity planned, especially one with heavy sun exposure, schedule it accordingly. The hottest times of the summer day are between 12pm and 4pm. Aim for morning or evening when thinking about having a family outing in the summer. Most importantly keep the time limited. There is only so long people of any age can benefit from being in direct sunlight.

3. Dress appropriately and seek shade

Older individual’s skin is particularly sensitive. Encourage them to use sunscreen and bug sprays when necessary. Utilize shade during your summer fun when possible. They can also wear light breathable layers and sun hats to avoid sun exposure if shade is not an option.

4. Watch the index

High heat coupled with high humidity impairs the bodies sweat glands. Therefore, it can’t cool itself properly. The heat index takes the moisture and heat measurements into account. It then reports the temperature ‘it feels like’ outside with multiple variables in mind. There are apps and various websites where you can check the heat index easily.

5. Take it easy

Plan your activities with all family members and their needs in mind. Strenuous activities outdoors are overwhelming to many in the summer. Sometimes turning your activity plans into two-parts is the most successful. If you are inviting your older family members, consider their limitations. Maybe have one part of the family do the hike and meet your parents for lunch after with everyone. That way it is still a social activity but without the stress for them.

6. Utilize AC

Air conditioning is a wonderful asset for people of every age, especially those in hot climates. If seniors do not have AC in their homes, they can take advantage of public places. Libraries, movie theatres, coffee shops and shopping centers all have AC. Taking a cool bath or shower is a good option as well. Other easy options involve cool cloths and ice packs. Make sure these are handy at their home for a quick grab when needed.

7. Know the signs of heat illnesses

Keep an eye out for any signs that seem off or out of the ordinary. Sudden redness in the face, dizziness or nausea are red flags. Sit them down in a cool place with a glass of ice water and take a breath. Any chest pain, erratic breathing, rapid heartbeat or sudden headaches should all be taken seriously. Seek medical attention if it gets worse.

Common water treatments could damage DNA

Scientists are warning that a water treatment widely used in developing countries could be damaging the DNA of those drinking it.

Despite poor evidence of their effectiveness as a water disinfectant, colloidal silver and silver nanoparticles are increasingly being promoted for treating potentially contaminated drinking water in low income countries.

A study led by the University of East Anglia has concluded that there is a risk these treatments could in fact cause genotoxicity, which is damage to DNA, and affect reproduction and future generations.

Prof Paul Hunter from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said the study brings together existing research to highlight the potential risks. “Colloidal silver as a water treatment is sold across Africa and in countries like Haiti, despite the fact it doesn’t treat water very effectively. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against its use as a primary water treatment. If it isn’t doing any good, we wanted to investigate if in fact it could be causing harm.”

The research looked at previous studies where the effects of silver, silver nitrate and silver nanoparticles have been measured ‘in vivo’ – on living animals.

They found that, although results varied, more studies than they expected showed some evidence of genotoxicity, reporting effects including chromosomal aberrations, DNA fragmentation and damage to sperm.

Prof Hunter said: “We already know that there is little evidence that silver in water has any benefit. But this study brings together a body of work which shows it is potentially damaging DNA, and harming reproductive success.”

Colloidal silver is also widely marketed as an alternative health substance which can treat everything from skin complaints to bacterial and viral infections, cancer and AIDS. Again, little research exists to show any beneficial effects, but there are known side effects. One of the more obvious signs of over-exposure to silver is argyria, where the skin and hair turns a blue-grey colour.

WHO guidelines for drinking water quality don’t currently include a value for silver in water, but indicate that a concentration of 0.1 milligrams per litre could be tolerated without risk to health. However, this was determined as a level unlikely to cause argyria, and didn’t take into account potential damage to DNA.

Prof Hunter said: “While none of the previous studies alone are definitive, and we can’t use them to determine a safe level of consumption from this review, we consider that the balance of evidence suggests there is the chance of damage to DNA.

“There is an urgent need for more research on this area to determine if people drinking water treated with silver have evidence of DNA damage.”

Dr. Spaner at Sunnybrook Research Institute receives prestigious UFCW Canada Award for Leukemia Research

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada

Experiences reflect unique DNA of Ontario travel destinations

Stratford, Bayfield and Elora & Fergus think outside the box to engage visitors

STRATFORD, Ont. (June 12, 2017) – Picture rappelling down a sheer rock wall to get to your table for a delicious dinner served on a beach beside a gorgeous winding river.

How about taking in a one-of-a-kind concert from world-class musicians playing a bell about the size of a transport truck that replicates the sound of a carillon?

Or maybe you’re the artsy type and want to get inspired by a stunning landscape — how about painting a sunset from a breathtaking perch on a bluff overlooking Lake Huron?

These are just a few of the incredible experiences visitors can enjoy this summer while exploring the tourism hotspot of southwestern Ontario, whether it’s on a day-trip from the Greater Toronto Area or a longer family vacation.

The communities of Stratford, Bayfield and Elora & Fergus have joined with the region’s tourism organization — RTO4 — as well as their local tourism partners to develop more than two dozen new activities designed to engage travellers and highlight the special qualities and attractions that make each of the three destinations unique.

“Today’s visitors are seeking out unique experiences that they want to share – often in real-time – with friends and family,” says David Peacock, RTO4 Chief Executive Officer. “The new experiences supported by the animation fund highlight each community’s unique assets and invite the visitor to participate in telling the story.”

Stratford, picturesque home to the world-renowned Stratford Festival, is hosting 15 new events and activities that capture its growing reputation as a cultural resort town. A small sample of the experiences include:

• The Stratford Summer Music Carillon, organized by Stratford Summer Music. World-class carillon performers will play 14 free concerts from Aug. 5-13 on a massive musical bell.

• Ladies of the CNR, a full-length play presented by the Stratford Perth Museum and Martingale Vintage. The play will be performed at city hall from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, featuring an interactive photobooth and newly curated CN exhibit.

• Food for Thought Festival, hosted in collaboration by the Stratford Chefs’ School and the Stratford Writers Festival, Oct. 27-29.  The festival creates literary and culinary experiences where food is matched to an author’s readings. There will also be workshops, such as how to write a cookbook and the art of food photography.

About an hour’s drive from the GTA, tourism operators in Elora & Fergus have created several experiences to celebrate the town’s heritage and idyllic natural setting. Among them are:

• River is Calling, an experience hosted by the Elora Centre for the Arts that celebrates the natural beauty of the Grand River through two exhibits during June, July and August, a paddle painting workshop and will end with a collaboration with Riverfest which will see Brad Coppingcarry his mosaic canoe to the Grand River where he will paddle it, take it out of the water and suspend it above the Riverfest stage for an evening concert on Aug. 19.

• Twilight at Templin Gardens, a free musical event at the historical Templin Gardens on Wednesday evenings through July and August, featuring a live musical performance with local artists performing and storytelling about their lives in Elora and Fergus. The finale of the evening will be a Piper piping down the sun on the candle lit Templin Garden Stairs built in 1920.

• Festival Faire, a free family-friendly event to be held on July 8. The new event celebrates Canada's 150th anniversary, showcasing Elora and Fergus’ festivals and events, natural beauty, rich heritage, rural foundations, artists, artisans, entertainers, merchants, and local food and drink.

On the sandy shores of Lake Huron, about an hour’s drive of Stratford, visitors can discover the beautiful beach town of Bayfield. Several new activities developed this summer showcase the trendy town’s artistic side, as well as its incredible waterfront setting and marine heritage. Among them are:

• Paint the Sunset, a way to celebrate the creativity of Bayfield, as well as its world-class sunsets, this experience will offer five activations throughout the summer providing the supplies and instructions for people to paint their own sunset keepsake. Four of the events will be painting on panels or rocks, and the fifth will be edible cookie painting.

• Try #SUPRUNYOGA, a unique one-day event focusing on trying new activities, connecting to nature and growing a sense of a connected shoreline community.  This event will also include local food vendors, product market and an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest stand-up paddleboard yoga session.

Projects in all three communities were developed through RTO4’s Destination Animation Fund. The initiative offers business operators matching funds to create new or enhanced tourism offerings that showcase the destination’s agreed-upon core DNA. Visitors are encouraged to share their experiences through social networks.

The initiative was first launched in 2016, providing $30,000 in matching funds for 10 projects in Stratford. Based on the success of its inaugural run, RTO4 and its tourism partners doubled the size of the fund to $60,000 in 2017 and expanded it to more communities to create experiences that reach an even wider audience. More information is available at www.animationfund.ca

About RTO4:

RTO4, one of 13 regional tourism offices established by the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport in the province of Ontario, provides leadership and support to a flourishing tourism economy in Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington. RTO4 has been called the “petri dish of tourism development in North America” by the Canadian Tourism Commission, specifically because of its innovative, analytical and non-traditional approach to growing tourism and economic development.

How to Achieve the Best Bikini Skin Zone

The quest for a perfect bikini zone is for many women, an epic process of trial and error. The goal of course is to achieve a perfect, bump-free, baby-smooth bikini area. With so many hair removal options available it can take forever to find a routine that works. For many women laser hair removal has become the be all end all option to permanently remove unwanted bikini area hair, however it’s important to get the facts and find someone reputable to do it. Below, Jenya Titova, Instructor to Asthetic Mentors and Physician’s Assistant to Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Leonard Hochstein of Hochstein MedSpa in Miami, Florida dishes out the dos and don’ts for perfect bikini zone skin, whether you shave, wax or laser. Choose what’s right for you and stay in the zone!

Shaving

• Do keep the razor sharp and new! Replace your razor every two to three weeks.
• Do go slow! Ingrowns and irritation comes with quick motion. You want to go slower around the bikini area given angles and harder to reach areas. Slide the razor slowly and irritation will lessen.
• “Pay attention to how you skin reacts when shaving. Do you get bumps and redness? If so you need an exfoliating and moisturizing routine,” suggests Jenya Titova.

Laser Hair Removal

• “You really want to shave the day before,” advises Jenya Titova whose skincare expertise spans over a decade. “The laser can locate the follicles easier when shaved. It’s very important to use a clean, new razor to avoid having any lingering bacteria that could cause contact dermatitis (a delayed allergic reaction) after your laser treatment,” she adds.
• Avoid coffee. Or anything with caffeine, really, it has been said to increase sensitivity.
• Be rested and hydrated. Your pain receptors will be higher if you're fatigued and dehydrated.
• Ask your technician to try different paces.Each technician has his or her own technique. Some perform in quick bursts, while others use a slow, continuous pace. One technique may feel better on your skin than the next.
• Avoid tanning.Both tanning beds and the sun can be harmful after exposing your skin to laser, avoid both and put on SPF! “In warm weather climates, this is always a concern because women are always outside at the beach or pool. If you’re getting laser hair removal avoid the sun entirely for at least 3 days before your laser treatment,” cautions Ms. Titova.

Waxing

The key to successful waxing is skin prep a week before the waxing is scheduled. Exfoliation and moisturizing are essential. “You want the skin to be supple and not dry. It’s much less painful to wax skin that is moist as opposed to dry,” explains Ms. Titova.

Find the right wax. Hard wax is usually a honey color and is peeled by the technician using her hand, as opposed to the paper strips used to remove soft wax. It is commonly said that hard wax is less painful and better for skin. There is also sugar wax, and many other varieties that boast different benefits.

Make sure your hair is long enough. “This is often a downside to waxing. Hair should be at least ¼ of an inch long for wax to catch it. Many women never allow hair to grow this long making waxing a more difficult option especially if hair is coarse,” advises Ms. Titova.

Don’t shave in between sessions. Shaved hair grows back harder and coarser, as opposed to waxed hair, which grows back thinner each time. Shaving in between sessions ruins the benefits of waxing.

About the Expert:

Jenya Titova, MHS, PA-C/ Director of Medspa Operations

Jenya Titova comes to Hochstein Medspa with over 12 years of experience in several high volume, distinguished dermatology and aesthetic practices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. She graduated with Alpha Eta and Summa Cum Laude Honors, in the top three percent of her class from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Since that day, helping patients reach their health and beauty goals has been a passion of hers.

Jenya is highly experienced in the fields of laser medicine, cosmetic fillers, neurotoxins and dermatology. She has even mentored many roundtable discussions and presentations for Physicians and Physician Assistants at medical conferences on new and current medical and cosmetic dermatology therapies.

Prior to leading the launch of Hochstein Medspa, Jenya spent over 3 years working side by side with Dr. Hochstein, complementing his surgical practice with variety of aesthetic medicine services.

In the field beauty medicine, Jenya set her skills apart from her peers by becoming an instructor for Aesthetic Mentors, where she trained physicians, new to aesthetic world, on techniques of enhancing patients’ appearance with cosmetic fillers and Botox. She is skilled in the use of Restylane, Juvederm, Voluma, Volbella, Belotero, Botox, Kybella among others. Jenya’s laser experience includes skin resurfacing with Halo and BBL by Sciton, tattoo removal, DiVa vaginal rejuvenation, Thermi RF skin tightening and Coolsculpting, to name a very few. Sclerotherapy and other cosmetic dermatology services are also within her skill set to address nearly any of your skin appearance concerns.
Jenya Titova’s heritage enables her to offer patient care in Russian and Ukrainian languages, as well as her “European touch” and vision of beauty and health. As she states, “Only through good communication top quality results are realistic and easy to accomplish. With that, I know my patient is sure to leave our medspa happy and satisfied.”

Healing Tips: How to Defeat Body Pain & Get Active Again

When you experience chronic pain, it’s difficult to concentrate on anything else. If you’re experiencing pain, know that there are remedies to help you, many of them natural. Here’s a look at some of the causes of pain and the solutions:

Look for Healing Inflammation

Bodily inflammation can be caused by an injury, such as a bad fall or a car accident. However, it can also have its cause in the foods we eat. If you find that you are suddenly experiencing symptoms like joint pain, body aches, or even skin conditions, check your diet. You may be eating foods that cause inflammation.

Some common culprits are eggs, dairy, and meat, though those aren’t the only ones. If you experience a lot of unexplained pain, try eliminating certain foods. If you are sensitive to them and they cause you inflammation, your pain should go away once the inflammation is gone.

Know the Source of Pain

Many people only think of pain as local. For example, if you have ankle instability or plantar fasciitis, you know you have a foot problem. However, did you know that your back pain could be caused by a problem with your feet? Numerous pain issues actually have a different source than the actual site of pain (Your foot and back pain are only one example). If you have a pesky and persistent pain, visit a specialist like Advanced Foot & Ankle Centers of Illinois (or other type of specialist) to have your pain’s mystery source rooted out.

Try Vitamin C

Vitamin C is not only good for you, but it also has some healing properties beyond helping you to get well after a cold. Vitamin C helps reduce inflammation. It’s also a natural pain killer in higher doses. Vitamin C is just one component.

Start Moving

Sometimes, the best anecdote for pain is movement, but when you’re in pain, the last thing you want to do is move. When you are faced with this sort of dilemma, opt for gentle exercises like water sports or even yoga. Prevention recommends poses like the cobra or the butterfly to help deal with pain. These are just some examples of specific movements you can do to alleviate pain.

Fighting off pain sometimes means taking something to alleviate pain in the moment, like a pain killer. At other times, it’s best to take a look at the habits in your life that may be causing you pain. Try one of these pain relievers today for a more pain-free life.

5 Ways Your Sleep Health Is Affecting Your Fitness Goals

It’s very easy to prioritize your morning workout routine over adequate sleep. I had a friend who despite going to bed late would always wake up very early every day just to get to the gym on time. Unfortunately, sleep is one of the things that are underestimated by most people. What we don’t realize is that sleep has a great impact on our fitness goals. If you are having difficulties achieving your fitness goals, you might want to take a look at your sleep health. Below are the reasons why.

How Proper Sleep Health Enhances Your Fitness Goals

1. Increased Energy Levels

The level of energy you have during your workout exercise is greatly affected by the quality of sleep you get. Maintaining a constant workout routine helps your body to get used to some routine. You’ll realize that if you work out every day at the right time, you’ll find it easier to fall asleep in the evening. A good night of sleep will help with your muscles to recover and restore all your energy making it readily available for your next day workout.

Inadequate sleep, on the other hand, will make you feel tired all the time and sluggish. As a result, you’ll tend to grab energy foods and beverages to replace the energy you didn't restore during sleep. This results in consumption of extra calories which will again take more time to burn out.

2. Increased Metabolism

Your body is able to recuperate from your daily exercise while asleep hence leading to restoration of metabolism. In addition, according to research, your body releases hormones that help in metabolism while you sleep. These include cortisol and growth hormone (GH).

3. Appetite Control

Ghrelin (a hormone that affects appetite) is always high in people who have poor sleeping habits. This hormone increases your craving for food and you will always feel hungry. A healthy sleep reduces the production of Ghrelin and increases the production of Leptin which consequently results in a better weight loss experience. This is according to a research by PLoS Med.

4. A Boost in Your Health

There is a close relationship between sleep and the immune system. When you sleep, disease-fighting substances, such as melatonin, are released into our bodies. According to Dr. Mercola, our bodies are able to fight diseases such as cancer due to these proteins, hormones, and chemicals that are released during sleep.

If you are sleep deprived, these substances will not be available to fight infections, viruses, and bacteria. As a result, you will get more prone to diseases or take a longer time to heal. This does not mean you dedicate extra hours of sleep, but rather ensuring you get at least seven hours of sleep each day.

5. Lack of Focus

According to the National Sleep Research Project, if you stay awake for 17 hours, you will start behaving like someone who has taken alcohol. Therefore the lack of sleep can hinder your focus, vigilance, and attention making it more difficult to practice your fitness regimen.

In Conclusion

If you want to be successful in your fitness goals, learn to prioritize your sleep health. How can you do that? By creating a sleeping routine, ‘turning off’ your brain at least two hours before you get to bed, and most importantly make your bedroom your small sanctuary.

Remember that sometimes it might take as long as 30 days for the routine to work. Don’t lose hope. If you can’t use all the tactics, start by employing some and before you realize it you will be enjoying your sleep. For you to meet your fitness goals, you need to combine eating healthy, doing your exercises regularly, and getting quality sleep for your body’s rejuvenation.

Bio: Sarah is the editor of sleepydeep.com. Feeling the repercussions of being an irregular sleeper for far too long, she decided to do something about it. She learned why sleep is so important and how to maximize it, and is now helping others who are struggling to find their right sleep routine.

Hey guys!

Competing in body building competitions is expensive. Im raising money for my trip. Although I have gracious sponsors that cover my suit, tanning, hair, makeup, workout clothing and supplements. Im still left to pay for flight, hotel, registration etc.

I have started a go fund me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your love an support!

https://www.gofundme.com/help-alicia-get-to-nationals