AUTUMN ISSUE 28 Get Pet Happy Muffin Recipe Free Planner and more! Your health and happiness community newsletter 1-888-700-7766 Sugar pie, honey bunch Keeping an eye on our sugar intake is important because refined sugars provide calories but few other nutrients. Your sweet tooth may be better served by a piece of fresh fruit, but that doesn’t help if you prefer your tea with one lump or two. Although their vitamin and mineral content isn’t significantly different from that of table sugar, many people favour the ‘natural’ sweeteners such as honey, nectars, molasses or maple syrup. The purified extract of the stevia leaf, also known as “steviol glycoside,” is approved as a table-top sweetener and for use in foods such as candy and gum. Due to its intense sweetness, a little stevia goes a long way. Even with so many alternatives to refined cane and beet sugar readily available, many of us turn to other types of ‘artificial’ sugar substitutes to help satisfy the craving. In Canada, aspartame is widely used in soft drinks, yogurt, candy and as a table-top sweetener. Although aspartame can be safely consumed by most healthy individuals, it contains phenylalanine, which is dangerous to those suffering from a certain genetic disorder. Sucralose is also widely used in processed foods and for home baking. In fact, Canada was the first country to approve its use, and it has been used safely for over 20 years. Sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, xylitol) cannot be purchased as table sweeteners, but are used by manufacturers. They do provide small amounts of calories which may affect blood glucose (sugar) levels. Large amounts (more than 10 grams/day) can cause digestive problems. Find out more about the wide range of alternatives out there. In moderation, both natural sugar and artificial sweeteners can be part of your healthy eating plan. Like one of the family Now that your “nest” may be emptying out, you might consider filling that extra space by adopting a dog or cat. By providing an animal with a loving home, committed pet owners may discover a host of benefits in day-to-day life and over the long term. Publication copyright © Arbor Memorial Inc. 2013 Physical health: Pet owners tend to have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and better overall heart health than those who don’t have a pet. In a study of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owner had 21 percent fewer doctors’ visits than the non-dog owners who took part in the research. Mental health: Pets provide unwavering companionship and a sense of family which helps relieve stress and prevent depression. Dealing with Home Contractors From a leaky faucet to a full kitchen renovation, home ownership often means calling a repair person. Here are some tips for choosing the right tradespeople: Who can you trust? Ask friends, family and neighbours about their first-hand experiences. Personal recommendations are often the best place to start, but be sure to check formal references before you hire. Is your budget realistic? Get three written estimates which include detailed, itemized descriptions of all services and materials required. Have you done your research? The best bid is not necessarily the lowest. A low bidder may neglect key steps or supply cheap materials that won’t hold up. Learning a little about what’s involved in your home project can help you make informed decisions. Social interaction: Pets are good conversation starters – it’s easy to talk to other pet “parents.” Obedience classes, dog parks and pet stores also provide a great opportunity to meet new people. Safety: Pets will often alert you to a dangerous situation. And just the presence of an animal in the house can make a pet owner feel safer and more secure. Pets can’t replace human relationships, but they can certainly augment them providing years of unconditional love and the good health you need to enjoy those years. Arbor Memorial Events Just the Facts Throughout the year, many Arbor Memorial locations host special events and seasonal services in their communities. Participating can help strengthen family ties and keep loved one’s memories close forever. Upcoming holiday season happenings include: Bananas Bananas contain vitamin C, potassium, fibre, and is the only fruit to contain the amino acid tryptophan plus vitamin B6 Candlelight Memorial Services During the holiday season, special services are held to celebrate and remember the lives of those we loved and cherished. These uplifting events often feature music and complimentary refreshments. Take some time during the often frantic holidays to honour the memory of your loved ones. India is the largest producer of this fruit, accounting for approx. 28% of the world’s commercial supply A bunch of bananas is actually called a “hand” and the bananas are “fingers” The inside of a banana peel has a number of properties that make them useful for polishing leather or silver, and shining the leaves of houseplants Tree of Memories Many of our branches invite you to hang an ornament on the Tree of Memories in remembrance of a loved one. Some also offer ornaments for sale, with the proceeds going to charity. thebananapolice.com No-Sugar Banana Muffins 3 very ripe large bananas, mashed 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/3 cup melted butter, cooled 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups sifted flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 3/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon tiny pinch of nutmeg 1 cup raisons chopped nuts (optional) In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, spice and raisons. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter, bananas and vanilla. Stir wet ingredients into the flour mixture until just combined. Don’t over mix. Loosely fill 12 greased muffin tins. Gently press finely chopped nuts onto tops if desired. Bake at 350°F for approx. 15-20 minutes or until tops spring back. For a sweeter muffin, add 2-3 tablespoons of honey to the mashed bananas. adapted from Sweet Poison Forum Tell a Friend! Do you know someone who would benefit from getting organized? Visit ArborMemorial.com and we’ll arrange for them to receive a helpful Information Kit, free and without obligation. Publication copyright © Arbor Memorial Inc. 2013 To find the Arbor Memorial location closest to you, visit arbormemorial.com/locations Discover the Power of Planning It’s a different kind of giving The holiday season is a time when we are reminded to think more deeply about the needs of others. We send baskets of food and gifts to local shelters and put coins in donation boxes at the local mall. For those families that give gifts, we think about what our loved ones might want and need - things we can offer wrapped in bows and brightly coloured paper. It’s a heart-felt gesture that expresses our love and support and makes us feel enriched to provide. This year, after the festivities are over and the last ornament is finally packed away, take some time to consider a different kind of gift you can create over the coming months. By taking care of your final planning expenses today, you will help alleviate emotional and financial strain from the shoulders of your spouse or children and fulfil a very real need down the line. Making the decision to create Get a FREE your own pre-planned funeral Planning Kit or cemetery arrangements is a loving gesture indeed. Ask us ! Find out more. Book a free, no-obligation consultation at your nearest Arbor location. To find the Arbor location nearest you, visit: ArborMemorial.com or call: 1-888-700-7766
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