July 2018
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   What's Happening this month:

July 4th -- Closed for the holiday
July 7th -- Double Points Day

July 8th -- Senior Game Day and mini Health Fair at Hopkins Activity Center starting at 1pm. We will be there taking Blood Pressures and giving away prizes!

July 7th to 15th -- Raspberry Festival Week--Stop in the store this week to check out our Special Raspberry Deals!

Check out our new app! If you use a smartphone or tablet and would like another way to refill your prescriptions, then please download it today.
Beat the Heat

Everyone is at risk to be affected by the heat, but those especially at risk are: infants, children, elderly, overweight individuals, and our four legged furry friends. Avoid outdoor activities during the peak heat hours of 1 and 5pm.

Warning signs of heat distress: Heavy sweating, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, throbbing headaches, fainting, high body temperatures and rapid, strong pulses.

Watch your medications: Diuretics (water pills), antihistamines, some blood pressure medications, and alcohol can lead to dehydration, or sun sensitivities putting you at an increased risk of heat illnesses.

Prevention is key: Stay cool and well hydrated! Drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated. Sports drinks (such as Gatorade) may be used as a supplement, but avoid drinks with high sugar contents as they may cause or worsen dehydration

When outside: Wear lightweight, light color and loose fitting clothing. Apply sunscreen. Check on those at high risk for heat illnesses.  Remember your four legged friends as well---animals do not sweat, and cannot tell you when they are hot. Our pets need breaks and water too!
Medication Tips for Traveler's


* Never leave medication in the car. Certain drugs can be destroyed as a result of extreme heat
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* Pack your medications in a carry-on bag. Checked suitcases may be exposed to temperature extremes, or could be lost!

* Consider bringing extra medication in case your return trip home gets delayed.

* Carry a list of all medications you are taking as well as contact information for your pharmacist and doctor.  It is a good idea to take a picture of each of your medication labels and store them in your smart phone. This will come in handy if you lose any of your medications, or if you end up in an Emergency Room while on vacation. 

* Always ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about your travel and your medications.  We are always happy to provide guidance!

* Remember our Sockwell compression socks for any road trips or air travel to help improve your lower leg circulation.   
Gardening for Health

Gardening is a soothing and healthy outdoor activity that offers a host of benefits:

* Sunlight provides vitamin D which lowers your risk for numerous diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and a variety of cancers.

* Gardening keeps you active. New health guidelines recommend that everyone makes time for at least 150 minutes of activity each week. Gardening counts toward that goal!

* Manual tasks cure your "attention fatigue". When you're feeling busy or overwhelmed, a gardening break can improve your focus and accuracy. Because the manual tasks of gardening (digging, planting and weeding) require effort but not active attention, they can nudge you into a "zone," which quiets your anxious thoughts and brings a sense of calm.

* Grow and eat nutritious food. Plant and grow healthy foods you enjoy! This will help you continue gardening and motivate you to cook quality meals with your own home-grown ingredients.

* Garden responsibly--wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, drink plenty of fluids and avoid gardening during the high heat hours of the day between 1 and 5pm. 
Store front facelift

We are still awaiting word on when the store exterior face-lift will occur. Stay tuned for more information on this project. We will keep you updated as we get more information on when we expect this project to start. 
Recipe Corner


Fresh Tomato Salsa (Pico de Gallo) Recipe
(courtesy of simplyrecipes.com)
Prep time:   6 minutes
Yield:   Makes 3 to 4 cups of salsa

INGREDIENTS
2-3 medium sized fresh tomatoes (from 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb), stems removed
1/2 red onion
2 serrano chiles or 1 jalapeño chile (stems, ribs, seeds removed), less or more to taste
Juice of one lime
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of dried oregano (crumble in your fingers before adding), more to taste
Pinch of ground cumin, more to taste

1. Prep the tomatoes, chiles, and onions:  Start by roughly chopping the tomatoes, chiles, and onions.
Be very careful while handling the chile peppers. If you can, avoid touching the cut peppers with your hands. ( use disposable gloves or hold the peppers with a plastic sandwich bag.) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after handling and avoid touching your eyes for several hours
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Set aside some of the seeds from the peppers. If the salsa isn't hot enough, you can add a few for more heat.

2. Dice or pulse a few times in food processor:  Place all of the ingredients in a food processor. Pulse only a few times, just enough to finely dice the ingredients, not enough to purée. If you don't have a food processor, you can finely dice by hand.

3. Adjust seasonings:  Place in a serving bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the chilies make the salsa too hot, add some more chopped tomato. If not hot enough, carefully add a few of the seeds from the chilies, or add a little more ground cumin.
Let sit for an hour for the flavors to combine. Serve with chips and enjoy!
Upcoming Double Point Days:
(Be sure to mark your calendars)

Saturday, July 7th
Wednesday, August 15th
Join us on social media

Are we friends on Facebook yet? Do you get our updates on twitter? If not, please follow, like and share soon. It's the best way to keep up to date on all the great things happening around the store like the main aisle makeover. Have you checked out our new space yet? If so, let us know what you think on social media. With all the new items hitting the shelves each week, it's the best way to know what's new without coming in to the store, of course.  

Thank you and we'll see you soon on facebook!
    Gift Gab 
Attention ladies! The weather is heating up so it is time to put all our heavy clothes and shoes away! Spruce up your summer style and treat yourself to something new! Stop in and check out our cute and comfy summer dresses, tops, and sandals. All in our newly expanded apparel and gift departments.