Club Med's Live Your List sale offers travellers the chance to conquer their bucket lists
Toronto, ON – Make 2018 the year you fulfill your travel bucket list. Club Med is offering travellers the chance to make their vacation dreams a reality with the Live Your List sale. Starting at just $1,649 per adult for a seven-night air-inclusive escape, this promotion features world-class experiences at resorts in Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean. From a fun-filled family spring break trip, to an activity-packed couple’s adventure, travellers can experience the ultimate getaway by booking their vacation between now and February 27, 2018. Whatever experience you’re looking for, Club Med tops the list.
Join the Circus: Club Med Punta Cana
Located on the lavish beaches of the Dominican Republic, Club Med Punta Cana caters to both couples and families. For those looking for a unique and thrilling adventure like no other, Club Med offers a one-of-a-kind immersive experience in their CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil playground. Guests of all ages can enjoy a range of artistic and acrobatic activities from juggling and mask painting, to bungee jumping and double flying trapeze. Those looking for an adults-only experience can relax and unwind in Zen Oasis, offering a private pool, bar and comfortable and romantic accommodations.
Discover New Life Forms: Club Med Columbus Isle
Discover world-class scuba diving experiences on the exotic Bahamian island of Columbus Isle. Known for its white sandy beaches and stunning crystal blue waters, Columbus Isle is the ultimate Caribbean paradise studded with flora, fauna, wrecks and reefs. Club Med’s scuba diving program caters to everyone from beginners to experienced diving enthusiasts, providing top-tier diving equipment, professional instruction and PADI certification.
Time Travel: Club Med Cancun Yucatan
Situated at the tip of the iconic Mayan Riviera, Club Med Cancun Yucatan is the active family's dream getaway with a variety of activities and adventures for all ages. Guests can snorkel in the world's second largest coral reef, explore the ancient Mayan gems including one of the Seven Wonders of the World, or wakeboard through the stunning mangrove lagoon.
Own the Court: Club Med Sandpiper Bay
This Florida resort is a sports lover's haven, home to the world-famous Club Med Academies, including a roster of internationally recognized sports instructors and best-in-class equipment for tennis, volleyball, golf and more. The premier destination for a rejuvenating getaway with a healthy kick, Club Med Sandpiper Bay offers an 18-hole onsite golf course, adults-only infinity Zen pool, and sports oriented treatments and massages at the L'Occitane Spa.
Walk on Water: Club Med Ixtapa Pacific
Known as one of the best family resorts in the world, this all-inclusive resort in Ixtapa, Mexico has all the components necessary for the makings of a perfect family vacation. With an endless amount of land and water sports, state-of-the-art equipment and expert instructors, learning to sail, play tennis or fly the trapeze has never been easier. And with Children’s Clubs from 4 months to 17 years old, parents will relax while the little ones discover new activities under the watchful eye of expert G.O.s. Whether spending the day lounging on the golden sandy beaches or taking up a new hobby, family fun is just around the corner.
Club Med’s Live your List offer is valid for bookings made by February 27, 2018 for travel through August 25, 2018. Rates begin at $1,649 for a seven-night air-inclusive stay and travellers receive additional perks such as free room upgrades or a free single supplement. With a wide selection of land and water activities, relaxing spa treatments, enriching kids clubs, gourmet cuisine and live entertainment, Club Med resorts provide the perfect setting for those must-try experiences on everyone’s list.
About Club Med
Club Med, founded in 1950, is recognized as the pioneer of the all-inclusive market, offering nearly 70 premium resorts in stunning locations around the world including North and South America, Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean. Club Med operates more than 70 resorts. Established in 26 countries across five continents, the group employs more than 23,000 employees comprised of 110 varied nationalities. Club Med has had a corporate presence in Canada for over 40 years and employs a staff of more than 50 team members in their Montreal head office.
Website: ClubMed.ca
Facebook: ClubMedCanada
Sweat For Good and make world history in Toronto
YMCA of Greater Toronto attempts to break GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Largest exercise ball demonstration/class!
As temperatures drop outside, the gymnasium at the Central YMCA will be filled with over 500 members of the community sweating it out to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest exercise ball demonstration/class on Thursday, January 11, 2018.
Celebrity fitness trainer Eva Redpath will lead the class, with support from the YMCA’s Sherry Perez. This event catapults the YMCA GTA’s “Sweat For Good” campaign into the spotlight to help showcase that when you choose to work out at the YMCA, you are connecting yourself to a larger purpose. At the Y, members not only sweat for themselves, they sweat for others, for positive change, and for the community.
“When you choose the YMCA, you are choosing to be part of an organization that seeks to build the foundation for a healthy, vibrant future for every individual in our community, and our society as a whole,” said Medhat Mahdy, President and CEO of the YMCA GTA. “People may think that all health and fitness centres across the GTA have similar ‘stuff,’ but we have five important factors that set us apart:
- Our broad offering: We offer diverse programs for every interest and stage of life.
- We create a sense of belonging: We bring people together, nurture their growth, and promote inclusivity.
- Our people-first culture: Our dedicated and expert team of staff and volunteers proactively supports members’ health goals; removes barriers to achieving those goals; and believes that everyone has the ability to continually improve.
- We are committed to doing local good: We address community-specific needs and invest in building permanent facilities in communities across the GTA.
- We are a charitable organization: Our Health & Fitness Centres are part of a much larger charitable organization that provides programs and services that make people strong in all sorts of ways — physically, of course, but also mentally and socially.”
The YMCA is the largest charitable program and service delivery organization in the GTA. For more than 160 years and through hundreds of programs, the YMCA offers individuals opportunities for personal growth, community involvement and leadership.
The current GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title boasts 453 participants completing an exercise ball class. The YMCA GTA aims to secure 500 participants to “Sweat For Good” and break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. To get all the details, please visit SweatForGood.ca.
Guests will also have the opportunity to meet with Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Tewksbury and hear firsthand about how he “Sweats For Good” in support of the YMCA GTA’s mission, and how his experiences have shaped his current role as a global leader in human rights.
YMCA GTA Sweat For Good
Participants
When: Thursday, January 11th, 2018 from 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Where: 20 Grosvenor St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2V5
Admission: FREE
Media
When: Thursday, January 11th, 2018 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (class: 7:40 – 8:10 a.m.)
Where: 20 Grosvenor St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2V5
Admission: FREE
Light refreshments will be provided
Visit SweatForGood.ca for all the event details
For more information contact:
Deane Code, Veritas Communications/YMCA of Greater Toronto
E: code@veritasinc.com | T: 416-640-4661 | M: 416-732-4835
Kassandra O’Brien, Veritas Communications/YMCA of Greater Toronto
E: obrien@veritasinc.com | T: 416-482-2617 | M: 289-264-6499
About the YMCA of Greater Toronto
For well over a century, we’ve provided leadership and worked with partners solving complex social problems to create real, measurable outcomes that have strengthened the social health and fabric of our communities. As a charity, the YMCA offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of the community, including education and training, employment and immigrant services, family and youth services, health and fitness programs, child care, and camps. The breadth of our programs, and the diversity of the communities we serve, is the basis of our new Sweat For Good campaign: when you break a sweat with us, you’re showing your support for all of these programs that give everyone their chance to shine. Serving the population of the GTA, Durham, Peel, York, Halton Region and Dufferin County, the YMCA connected with more than 557,000 people across 438 locations last year.
www.ymcagta.org
http://sweatforgood.ymcagta.org
About Guinness World Records
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ (GWR) is the global authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the iconic annual GWR books have sold over 138 million copies in over 20 languages and in more than 100 countries. Additionally, the Guinness World Records: Gamer’s Edition, first published in 2007, has sold more than 5 million copies to date.
GWR’s worldwide television programmes reach over 750 million viewers annually and more than one million people subscribe to the GWR YouTube channel, which enjoys more than 300 million views per year. The GWR website receives 21 million visitors annually, and they have over 12 million fans on Facebook.
The GWR commercial sales division provides bespoke consultancy services for some of the world’s top brands and agencies to help place record breaking at the heart of their marketing campaigns, employee-engagement programmes, and live and experiential events.
CRAFT Beer Market taps open first location in Toronto on Dec. 6
Canadian restaurant houses Ontario’s largest
selection of craft brews
Toronto, ON – Opening its doors on Dec. 6, CRAFT Beer Market officially taps open its first Toronto location in the city’s Financial District (1 Adelaide St. E.). The new two-storey restaurant houses over 400 seats inside, as well as a 250-person beer garden outdoors opening in summer 2018. The Toronto location features Ontario’s largest selection of craft beers, ranging from local Toronto breweries to well-established classics, in addition to sustainably sourced dishes.
“Toronto is such an amazing city with great food, beer and culture, and we’re so excited to be a part of this community and the growth of the craft beer scene,” said PJ L’Heureux, president and founder of CRAFT Beer Market. “We’re passionate about supporting the local communities we’re a part of, whether it’s through neighborhood breweries or local farms. Toronto has been so welcoming, from our existing long-term relationships, to the amazing new friends we have met. We cannot wait to open the doors to the great people of Toronto.”
Upon entrance, guests are greeted by a glass-enclosed keg room, which holds more than 250 kegs. Stainless steel draft beer lines connect the keg room to the restaurant’s centrepiece – an oval-shaped bar lined with 160 taps ready to pour great beer – traditional lagers to obscure ales, ciders and wine.
In addition to its wide selection of beers, CRAFT is committed to preparing fresh food using locally-sourced ingredients. The menu offers an elevated and sophisticated take on traditional comfort foods, such as Shrimp Tacos, a signature dish grilled with Ocean Wise shrimp and served with fresh cabbage, pico de gallo and CRAFT’s signature house made hot sauce.
House favourites include CRAFT’s Grilled West Coast Salmon, sustainably raised salmon served with quinoa, almonds and green beans sautéed with chili garlic vinaigrette. The Dark Beer Braised Beef Brisket, locally sourced Ontario beef from Sanagan’s braised for 10 hours and marinated in CRAFT’s house made sauce and served with smashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
CRAFT Beer Market’s Shrimp Tacos
Photo Credit: CRAFT Beer Market
CRAFT Beer Market’s Grilled West Coast Salmon
Photo Credit: CRAFT Beer Market
Served only on Saturdays and Sundays, CRAFT’s brunch menu offers casual yet delectable fare sure to wake up taste buds. Whether guests are craving an extravagant meal like Breakfast Tacos filled with scrambled eggs and beer can chicken or a more Classic Breakfast with two farm fresh eggs and sides, CRAFT has options suited for everyone.
“At CRAFT, we take great pride in our menu – it’s as important as our beer selection and it is carefully hand crafted daily in house and reflective of our great local suppliers here in Ontario,” said L’Heureux. “Whether you’re joining us for brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks, we want guests to feel relaxed and enjoy their food as they would in their own home.”
CRAFT Beer Market Toronto opens to the public on Dec. 6 and is open daily for lunch, dinner, late nights and weekend brunch. For hours of operation or more information, please visit craftbeermarket.ca/Toronto.
Website: CRAFTbeermarket.ca/toronto
Instagram: @CRAFTtoronto
Twitter: @CRAFTToronto
Facebook: /CRAFTToronto
Hashtag: #CRAFTBeerMarketTO
About CRAFT Beer Market
Calgary-based CRAFT Beer Market opened the doors to its first location in Calgary’s Beltline district in 2011. They followed up with locations in Vancouver and Edmonton in 2013 and Ottawa in May 2016. This year CRAFT opens up two more locations; a second Calgary location at Southcentre and downtown Toronto. Keep up to date on the opening of CRAFT Beer Market by visiting them online at www.craftbeermarket.ca where you can subscribe to the e-newsletter.
Twenty-nine Ontario hospitals compare themselves to international peers on surgical quality
TORONTO, Nov. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - A new report by Health Quality Ontario focuses on 29 Ontario hospitals who are participating in an international quality improvement program for surgery. Hospitals in Ontario performed just as well or better than their international peers on key metrics before, during and after surgery. Nearly 700 other hospitals around the world participate in this program.
The report, Quality Surgery: Improving Surgical Care in Ontario also shows areas for improvement.
This international program collects and compares surgical data on 14 indicators. More than data, it also provides hospitals with best practices and programs to reduce the risks of post-treatment complications, and to make every stage of surgery as safe as possible.
"Ontario hospitals are stepping up to deliver on patient safety, showing a clear commitment to reduce complications after surgery and improve care," says Dr. Timothy Jackson, Provincial Surgical Lead at Health Quality Ontario. "They are using high quality data to benchmark performance and identify areas for quality improvement."
All 29 participating Ontario hospitals are performing at expected levels or better than expected on:
- C. difficile: a common hospital-acquired infection that affects the colon
- Extended ventilation: patients needing ventilation longer than 48 hours after surgery (which can increase the risk of pneumonia)
- Unplanned intubations: patients unexpectedly needing a breathing tube during or after surgery
Areas where the majority of the 29 hospitals highlighted in this report are performing as expected or better than expected are:
- Mortality: a measure of the overall rate of death during or in the 30 days following surgery (96% of the 29 hospitals were as expected or better than expected)
- Return to the operating room: patients needing another surgery to address a complication (96% of the 29 hospitals were as expected or better than expected)
- Pneumonia: breathing devices like ventilators can increase the risk of lung infections (96% of the 29 hospitals were as expected or better than expected)
- Blood clots (venous thromboembolism or VTE): patients generating blood clots because they aren't as active during recovery and their blood flows more slowly (96% of the 29 hospitals were as expected or better than expected)
- Heart complications: heart attacks or cardiac arrest because of stress on the heart due to surgery (92% of the 29 hospitals were as expected or better than expected)
- Hospital readmissions: patients readmitted to hospital due to complications like infections or blood clots (96% of the 29 hospitals were as expected or better than expected)
- Kidney failure: kidney injury during surgery which can affect the kidney's function or even lead to kidney failure (92% of the 29 hospitals were as expected or better than expected)
- Sepsis: a life-threatening illness caused by the body's response to infection (85% of the 29 hospitals were as expected or better than expected)
Areas where most of the 29 participating hospitals have the most room for improvement are:
- Surgical site infections: different levels of infection setting into the incision or body part involved in the surgery (50% of the 29 hospitals needed improvement)
- Morbidity: the overall rate at which patients experience common complications (38% of the 29 hospitals needed improvement)
- Urinary tract infections: infections in the bladder and urinary tract that have an increased risk due to catheters (35% of the 29 hospitals needed improvement)
"During their time in the operating room and in the days of recovery that follow, surgical patients are vulnerable and their safety is of prime importance," says Dr. Joshua Tepper, President and CEO of Health Quality Ontario. "Hospitals are to be commended for embracing a proven program of data gathering, program enhancements and culture change to improve the quality of care they provide to surgery patients."
The program is already helping to improve care at hospitals like Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital where they have reduced surgical site infections by 50% using the program's data and best practices. For example, a new change implemented by the hospital is that patients must use antiseptic body wash the day before and day of their surgery.
"If you want to make things better, you have to measure them," says general surgeon Dr. Duncan Rozario at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. "Sometimes you need a protocol and program to make real change."
For a closer look at how quality improvement efforts have been implemented at Ontario hospitals, see the full Quality Surgery: Improving Surgical Care in Ontario report for patient stories and surgeon insights at www.hqontario.ca/surgicalquality.
Additional Facts:
- Surgeons performed over 600,000 adult surgeries in Ontario in 2016-2017.
- 46.4% of Ontario's adult surgeries now take place in a hospital that is part of this surgical quality improvement program.
- 29 Ontario adult hospital facilities were included in the Health Quality Ontario comparison after voluntarily participating. 31 Ontario hospitals are now participating in the program
- This is the largest quality improvement network of its kind in Ontario.
- Worldwide, nearly 700 hospitals are taking part in the program.
- Hospitals in the following provinces are also taking part: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Newfoundland.
About Health Quality Ontario
Health Quality Ontario is the provincial advisor on the quality of health care. With the goal of excellent care for all Ontarians, Health Quality Ontario reports to the public on how the system is performing, develops standards for what quality care looks like, evaluates the effectiveness of new health care technologies and services, and promotes quality improvement aimed at sustainable positive change. Visit www.hqontario.ca for more information.
SOURCE Health Quality Ontario
After months & months of taste-tests, elxr Juice Lab is excited to share with you their long-awaited
hot drinks menu, now available at the Yorkville location!
All four flavours are loaded with superfoods, are plant-based, dairy-free and refined sugar-free, and will also be launching at elxr's second permanent Toronto location opening inside Campo Food Hall beginning November 27th.
RAW HOT CHOCOLATE house toasted coconut milk, cashew milk, raw cacao, reishi, maca, dates, vanilla, himalayan salt
- Your new favourite hot chocolate. Toasty and chocolate-y, not too sweet – but hits the spot
- Good to Know: Super energizing and stress relieving
THE FIX
cold-pressed pineapple, camu berry, ginger, echinacea, lime, lemon, allspice, cloves, liquid cayenne
- Sweet and a bit spicy, with pleasing aromatics
- Good to Know: Feeling sick? Sip slowly for sore throats to help decrease pain, and add turmeric for extra anti-inflammatory potential and an immune boost
MATCHA BOOST LATTE
house cashew milk, ceremonial grade matcha, medjool dates, cinnamon, cordyceps, vanilla, himalayan salt
- Sweet, creamy and spiced with cinnamon
- Good to Know: For when you need that boost of endurance or boost of focus
CUP OF YOUTH ($6.95)
house cashew milk, cold-pressed beet, maple syrup, goji, raw cocao, schisandra, vanilla, himalayan salt, TruMarine collagen
- Balanced sweetness with hints of berries, you can’t beet it
- Good to Know: Stress-busting, skin, nail and hair enhancing, the Cup of Youth is designed to help you feel and look your best. Plant-based? No problem! Order this latte without the collagen and still enjoy tons of health benefits
View the menu here:
elxr - Menu Items 2017 (2)
Top Ten Event returns with an inspiring lineup of thought-provoking speakers
Guest speakers include Jane Fonda, Mary Walsh, Steven Page, Mubin Shaikh and more
Toronto, ON – On Thursday, November 9, 10 renowned change-makers will take the stage at the Top Ten Event, leaving the audience both second-guessing the way they think and contemplating new ideas. Taking place at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St. E) in Toronto, each speaker will have 10 minutes to share their seasoned wisdom from their area of expertise or passion, as they inspire the audience to “boycott what you thought.”
The evening aims to empower and educate guests while raising money and awareness for Future Possibilities for Kids. The Toronto-based organization seeks to inspire and empower children between the ages of nine and 12 from underserved Canadian communities, to become forward-thinking leaders. Last year’s event raised $25,000 for the organization and its programming.
The Top Ten Event is the brainchild of entrepreneur and inspirational speaker Stuart Knight, who started the event in 2011 with the goal of creating a dynamic social engagement with real meaning.
“The Top Ten Event is designed to add more value than a typical night out, leaving guests thinking and talking,” said Stuart Knight, founder of the Top Ten Event. “Our speakers offer a rare level of expertise, insight and life experiences, bringing passion and insight that will help the audience boycott their former thoughts and embrace innovative ways of thinking.”
The power-packed lineup of speakers includes an eclectic mix of deep, thought-provoking guests of various backgrounds including entertainment, humanitarianism and disruptive journalism. Each one will address a timely and important topic – many of which are currently dominating both conversations and headlines.
Academy Award-winning actress and best-selling author Jane Fonda will share her thoughts on the hot topic of climate change; JUNO Award-winning musician, founding member of The Barenaked Ladies and host of TV’s The Illegal Eater Steven Page will tackle the lessons he’s learned over the past twenty years as a musician, television host and father; Gemini Award-winner, legendary Canadian comic and actor Mary Walsh will address the ever-relevant issue of mental health; radicalized Jihadist turned CSIS Infiltrator Mubin Shaikh will ask the audience to boycott what they think about terrorism and Islam; and Dr. Bassem Youssef speaks about his decision to leave his job as a heart surgeon and become a late-night comedian.
Other speakers include:
- Tracy Schmitt (decorated athlete, humanitarian, four-way amputee)
- Charles Officer (Emmy Award-winning filmmaker)
- Annie Lalla (love coach for celebrity entrepreneurs)
- Jesse Brown (digital media expert, disruptive journalist, futurist)
- Jesse Wente (broadcaster, advocate, pop culture philosopher)
Through the words of these influential speakers, the hope is that the audience members free themselves from old paradigms and open their minds to ideas that are more evolved, progressive and aligned with a higher level of thinking. Attracting Toronto’s movers and shakers, the Top Ten Event also offers guests no shortage of personal and professional networking opportunities – always an added bonus.
Tickets retail for $49 (regular), $69 (preferred) and $149 (VIP, includes access to the after party with select speakers). All tickets are available now at the online box office.
Jane Fonda
Image Courtesy of Jane Fonda management
About Stuart Knight:
Stuart Knight is an entrepreneur, actor, entertainer, writer and producer. He graduated from the School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. Since establishing his company, Knight has written, produced and starred in shows that have been seen by more than one million people across North America. Each year, he travels the country giving inspirational speeches and workshops, and has helped companies such as Coca-Cola, Citi and Kraft. Knight has shared the stage with such notable names as Pamela Wallin, Robin Sharma and Jenny McCarthy. For more information, visit www.stuartknight.com.
Twitter: @Stuart_Knight
Facebook: @Stuart_Knight
Instagram: @stuartsknight
About Future Possibilities for Kids:
Future Possibilities for Kids (PFK) is a Toronto-based organization that aims to inspire and empower children between the ages of nine and 12 from underserved Canadian communities to practice possibility thinking and to become forward-thinking leaders. Since 2001, more than 3000 children and adults have participated in FPK’s one-of-a-kind community leadership and life skills development programs in Toronto and the GTA, Ontario. For more information, visit www.fpcanada.org
Twitter: @fpfkCanada
Facebook: @futurepossibilitiesforkids
Instagram: @fbk.canada
I'm thrilled to announce the official opening of elxr Juice Lab's newest location in Yorkville (55 Avenue Road), as well as their newly-developed menu created by in-house certified nutritionist, Katie Rosenberg.
Elxr now serves of a variety of vegan, organic, gluten-free items including sprouted granola, parfaits, smoothies, hot drinks and a variety of add-ons, plus their coveted line of cold-pressed juices. Menu highlights below!
MENU HIGHLIGHTS:
PB&J Parfait: the familiar flavour of PB&J in a fiber-rich, healthy format.
Ingredients: blueberry chia jam (wild blueberries, cold-pressed apple juice, chia seeds, lemon juice, maple syrup), peanut butter mousse (peanut butter, coconut milk, maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, Himalayan sea salt), house-made probiotic coconut yogurt.
Toasted S'mores Parfait: delicious roasted notes and satisfying chocolate.Ingredients: chocolate ganache (raw cacao, pure vanilla extract, maple syrup, coconut milk, Himalayan sea salt), house-made probiotic coconut yogurt, chia seeds.
Sprouted Granola: Super crunchy, sprouted, house-made granola with great maple flavour, but not too sweetIngredients: sprouted buckwheat, sprouted tri-seed blend (sunflower, pumpkin, chia), unsweetened coconut, maple syrup, extra virgin coconut oil, pure vanilla extract, Himalayan sea salt.Dehydrated at a low temperature to maintain the nutritional integrity of the fats in the nuts and seeds.
Collagen Beet Latte: Warm, balanced sweetness with hints of berries and chocolate.Ingredients: house cashew milk, cold-pressed beet, maple syrup, goji, raw cacao, schisandra, vanilla, Himalayan sea salt, TruMarine collagen.TruMarine Collagen: clinically show to aid in fine line and deep wrinkle reduction while maintaining skin elasticity, reduces joint pain and helps t strengthen hair and nails.Add to any smoothie or latte for an extra nutritional kick.
A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Green’s Your Colour. They wanted to send me one of their bottles! I said yes because it sounded right up my ally! Which it was. Not only did they send me a really pretty coloured bottle but Green’s Your Colour is perfect for my lifestyle! And probably yours if you are reading my blog!
Firstly they are a Canadian company! I love support Canadian products, especially in the health and fitness industy. Not only are they Canadian but they are also very local to me. Green’s Your Colour was founded by Sandy Costa in 2011. She realized that she wanted to design and manufacture her own line of products, which began with GYC bottles! She wanted to offer products that were safe and wanted to continue to promote sustainability.
They sent me a 500mL bottle in limited edition. You can find it here.
A little bit more about the bottles:
- Triple Insulated Vacuum Technology.
- Stainless Steel 18/8 (304) food grade inside & out.
- Keeps temperatures hot for 8+ hours and cold for 36+ hours.
- BPA Free, no toxic inner liner.
- Sweat proof, leak proof, no leaching flavours of any sort.
- Temperature of outer wall remains cool to the touch despite temperature inside of bottle.
- Wide neck able to fit large ice cubes and easy to clean.
- Small drinking spout for easy, clean, and comfortable consumption.
- Carrying handle.
- Screw-on lid attached to the bottle, won’t be misplaced and/or lost.
- Comfortably fits into all standard sized cup holders.
- Tea and ice strainer included.
- Optional universal accessories (sports lid, deep tea strainer, fruit infuser basket and coloured lids - sold separately).
- Designed and tested in Canada.
- 1yr. manufacturer’s warranty.
My favourite feature of the bottle is that it came with a tea strainer! That way I can use it for water and tea!! How cool is that! I was also really impressed with the quality of the bottle along with its aesthetics!
Thank you Green's Your Colour!
Torontonians Get Physical at Rethink Breast Cancer’s 16th annual Boobyball soiree
Toronto, ON – On Friday, Oct. 13, REBEL (11 Polson St.) was full of Torontonians dressed in their best 80s and 90s apparel to celebrate the 16th edition of Rethink Breast Cancer’s Boobyball fundraiser. Themed Get Physical, the annual bash promoted regular physical activity as a means to reduce a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
Notable celebrities, television personalities and YouTube stars including Amanda Brugel, Cabbie Richards, Chloe Wilde, Karl Wolf and Tara Spencer-Nairn were in attendance to celebrate Boobyball: Get Physical, raising money and awareness for breast cancer support and education. Partygoers were seen shimmying in lycra, legwarmers and shoulder pads, while several aerobic dance-offs took place.
This year, TOPSHOP once again returned to Boobyball as the lead sponsor and wowed the crowd with their Get Physical Lounge. Once inside guests had the opportunity to sweat for a good cause - for every 50m cycled on their 80s retro bike, TOPSHOP would donate an additional $1 to Rethink. Additionally, Toronto kicked off Booyball with a Facebook Live segment from the TOPSHOP Canada Stage showcasing this year's retro-themed bash and hosting interviews with MJ DeCoteau, Founder of Rethink Breast Cancer and Canadian actresses, Natasha Negovanlis, Sarah Fisher and more! Watch the full video here.
Amanda Brugel, The Handmaid's Tale
Photo Credit: Ryan Emberley
Craig McKinnon, The Bachelorette and Cabbie Richards, Sportscentre
Photo Credit: Ryan Emberley
Chloe Wilde, reporter and host, eTALK and E! Canada
Photo Credit: Ryan Emberley
Karl Wolf, Canadian Singer & Songwriter
Photo Credit: Ryan Emberley
Torri Webster, Life with Boys
Photo Credit: Ryan Emberley
Since 2002, Boobyball has raised over $4.2 million dollars for Rethink Breast Cancer’s work for young women concerned about and affected by breast cancer, with this year’s Toronto event raising more than $185,000.
Images from the event are available for download here.
Photo credit: Ryan Emberley
Toronto’s fetch activations included:
- TOPSHOP Get Physical Lounge invited guests to sweat for a good cause. For every 50m cycled on their 80s retro bike, TOPSHOP would donate an additional $1 to Rethink
- Yummy cocktails by teapigs and Tito’s Handmade vodka
- Oxygen Bar, courtesy of Medreleaf
- Tasty treats from Sweet Jesus
- Retro-hair touch-ups and mini manis by Her Majesty’s Pleasure
- VIP eats by STK and Hickory Farms
- Shwinging Suds by Beau’s
- A sweet ride home courtesy of Beck Taxi
- Retro photos by The Kit
- Old school beats by DJ Brains4brkfst
- Like, totally major gift bags
In addition to the Calgary event on October 14, three additional Boobyball events will be hosted nationwide including Vancouver (Oct. 21), Ottawa (Oct. 27) and Halifax (Oct. 28).
Boobyball was launched in 2002 by a group of dedicated young women in support of their friend Sarah O’Regan who, at just 23 years old, was diagnosed with aggressive, advanced breast cancer. Fast forward 16 years, and Boobyball is now one of the most coveted and high profile fundraising events for young philanthropists in Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa and Winnipeg, and Sarah is a thriving mother of three. Since 2002, Boobyball has raised over $4.2 million dollars for Rethink Breast Cancer’s work for young women concerned about and affected by breast cancer. For more about Boobyball, visit
www.boobyball.com.
About Rethink Breast CancerTM
Rethink Breast Cancer’s mission is to empower young people worldwide who are concerned about and affected by breast cancer. Rethink is the first ever Canadian charity to bring bold, relevant awareness to the 40s and under crowd; foster a new generation of young and influential breast cancer supporters; infuse sass and style into the cause; and, most importantly, respond to the unique needs of young women going through it. By taking a breakthrough approach to all aspects of breast cancer – education, resources, advocacy, community building, and fundraising – Rethink is thinking differently about breast cancer. To find out more about Rethink Breast Cancer, visit
rethinkbreastcancer.com.
Pioneering Digital Mental Health Solution Bridges the Care Gap for Sufferers
Inspired by a serial entrepreneur's personal experience and proven through clinical testing, digital solution BEACON gives Canadians affordable access to CBT-based treatment for mental illness
TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - A leading cause of suffering and disability in Canada, mental illness is truly non-discriminatory. It affects people of all ages, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds and comes at tremendous cost to individuals, employers and the economy. In fact, according to the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), it is the number one cause of disability claims in Canada.1
The statistics are staggering.
In the last year alone, 7.5 million Canadians struggled with a mental health or addiction problem.2 In any given week, 500,000 Canadians miss work due to a mental health problem or illness,3 while the estimated combined cost of absenteeism and presenteeism on the Canadian economy is more than 50 billion dollars annually.4
Witnessing these challenges first-hand, BDC Chairperson Sam Duboc (Air Miles, EdgeStone Capital, Pathways to Education Canada) and his wife Claire Duboc (Trustee, SickKids Hospital) decided it was time to make a change. Having experienced the impact of mental illness in their home and on their friends, they sought out and partnered with Dr. Peter Farvolden and Dr. Eilenna Denisoff – who ran a leading Cognitive Behavioural Therapy clinic in Toronto, called CBT Associates.
The result? BEACON. A brand new digitally delivered solution aimed at helping Canadians improve their mental and emotional well-being through timely and affordable support. Using the proven principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and a therapist relationship, BEACON delivers high-quality, consistent, evidence-based treatment via highly trained clinicians. Utilizing a diagnostic assessment, core components of in-clinic best practices and the flexibility associated with innovative digital delivery, BEACON reduces the cost of treatment by up to 75 per cent, eliminates barriers of geography and time, significantly reduces the barrier of stigma and ensures the delivery of evidence-based personalized care.
"There's an urgent need to make mental healthcare solutions accessible and affordable in this country," says Sam Duboc, BEACON Executive Chair. "With provincial health agencies covering only a small portion of these costs, Canadians are left with hefty bills, incredibly long wait lists and the task of navigating a system of barriers to care."
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CBT is a psychotherapy treatment that helps change negative and anxious thoughts, as well as behaviours, so a person can feel and function better to improve his or her quality of life. Numerous clinical trials over many years prove CBT's effectiveness for treating the most common mental health problems, including mood and anxiety disorders. Of significance to the development of BEACON, research has demonstrated that digitally delivered therapist-assisted CBT (or TAiCBT) for common conditions, such as depression and anxiety, is equally beneficial as traditional in-person CBT.1 In fact, studies show that TAiCBT results in significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and improvements in quality of life.2 TAiCBT with therapist guidance – which is what BEACON delivers – consistently results in better treatment outcomes compared to self-guided iCBT.3 For example, iCBT for depression has been found to be twice as effective when supported by a therapist compared to when it is self-guided.4
"Through outcome data and patient experience, we've seen first-hand the difference BEACON can make in the lives of those in need of mental health treatment," says Dr. Peter Farvolden, BEACON Lead at CBT Associates. "Technology has changed the way we live our daily lives, so why shouldn't this also include the way we access mental health treatment? Offering CBT methodology through digital means is an effective way to provide sufferers with not only an immediate channel to their e-therapist, but also accessibility to their individual treatment plan and subsequent tools. Many of our clients, who have tried both, strongly prefer BEACON TAiCBT to traditional face-to-face therapy."
Proven through rigorous testing in a clinical environment, BEACON is available both as a digital support to traditional CBT as well as a standalone, fully digital CBT solution, with therapist support delivered via the platform and accessible by mobile or desktop. An individual's journey begins with either a rigorous self-assessment or full diagnosis (with the addition of a call with a registered Clinical Psychologist). Users are then guided by a credentialed e-therapist to ensure patients achieve comparable outcomes to traditional treatment – something that is out of reach for so many Canadians. BEACON ensures continuous care delivery by allowing patients to complete the readings, worksheets and outcome measures that are part of a typical CBT treatment plan, on both mobile and desktop. BEACON is also available as a digital adjunct, complementing traditional in-person psychologist sessions at CBT Associate offices.
Some of the forward-thinking organizations partnering with BEACON to develop innovative mental health programs for Canadians include Carrot Insights, Cossette, Deloitte, League, Manulife Financial, Medisys Health Group, Porter Airlines, Public Services Health and Safety Association, Sun Life Financial, and Wilfrid Laurier University.
Physicians interested in referring a patient, can do so via the website at www.mindbeacon.com. Patients interested in signing up for BEACON can do so by visiting the website to complete the rigorous online self-assessment or diagnostic assessment.
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| 1 |
Hedman, E., Ljotsson, B., & Lindefors, N. (2012). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Via The Internet: A Systematic Review of Applications, Clinical Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, 12 (6), 745-64. http://dx.doi.org./10.1586/erp.12.67 |
| 2 |
Hadjistavropoulos, H.D., Pugh, N.E., Nugent, M., Hesser, H., Andersson, G., Marchildon, G.P., et al. (2014). Therapist-Assisted Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depression and Anxiety: Evidence to Practice. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 28, 884-893. |
| 3 |
Richards, D. and Richardson, T. (2012). Computer-Based Psychological Treatments for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 32 (4), 329-42. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2012.02.004, 329-342. |
| 4 |
Andersson, G. and Cuijpers, P. (2009) Internet-Based and Other Computerized Psychological Treatments for Adult Depression: A meta Analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 38(4), 196-205. |
BEACON
Developed by CBT Associates, BEACON is a digitally delivered solution using the proven principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and therapist relationship to treat mental illness. Utilizing validated core components of in-clinic best practices, BEACON eliminates the barriers of cost, geography and time, reduces the barrier of stigma and ensures the delivery of evidence-based personalized care to those suffering with mental health issues across Canada. www.mindbeacon.com
SOURCE Beacon
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