May 2023

Information - Resources - Online Classes - Career Opportunities

Your Budget Friendly Recipe of the Month: No Bake Peanut Butter Balls


Contributor: Hailey Schurko, Dietetic Intern and Kristen Ticknor Registered Dietitian with Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority


Summer is right around the corner and with busy schedules, always being on-the-go can make it hard to find time to cook. Whether you're camping, hiking, or heading out for a road trip, easy-to-grab, convenient meals are a lifesaver. No bake peanut butter balls are the perfect solution to lazy mornings at the lake or for a quick bite before a big day. Make them in advance and store in your fridge or freezer for later use!


Click here for the Recipe of the Month.


Photo Credit: Freepik.com

World Hypertension Day is May 27. 



Source: heartandstroke.ca




Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the leading cause of stroke and a major contributor to heart disease. Talk to your health care provider to learn what you can to prevent or manage hypertension.  



Click here to learn more.


Veuillez cliquer ici pour la version française.

Click here to learn more.


Veuillez cliquer ici pour la version française.

Spring is here, kick your mental health into gear!


Contributor: Caroline McIntosh, Wellness Facilitator, Community Health/ Health Promotion Interlake Eastern RHA


Most Canadians spend a lot of time in front of screens, but spring can give us the motivation to unplug, get outside and be active. 


Unplug: Blue screens on electronic devices can warp our sense of time, affect our sleep and confuse our circadian rhythms. Closing your phones and tablets well before bedtime, and getting some bright sunshine in the morning, can help you reset. Going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time in the morning can also help your body rebalance. It’s harder to get into top gear if we haven’t slept well.


Get outside: According to University of Minnesota’s Taking Charge of your Health & Wellbeing, “Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings” and reduces production of stress hormones. How do you like to enjoy nature?


Be Active: If you’ve been hibernating over winter, spring is a time you can renew an active lifestyle. Moving our muscles in an activity like brisk walking raises our heart beats and helps us become more physically fit.  


Click here for more including additional links for resources.ez cliquer ici pour la version française.

May is Food Allergy Month



Source: foodallergycanada.ca


Approximately 7.5% of Canadians have an allergy. Allergies occur when the immune system identifies a normally safe item as something dangerous. The body reacts by having an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can range from mild to life threatening.


Click here to learn more.



Mai est le mois de sensibilisation des allergies alimentaires


Environ 7,5 % des Canadiens souffrent d'une allergie. Les allergies surviennent lorsque le système immunitaire identifie un produit normalement sûr comme étant dangereux. Le corps réagit en produisant une réaction allergique. Les réactions allergiques peuvent être légères ou mettre la vie en danger. 


Veuillez cliquer ici pour la version française.

Community Wellness Programs


Explore FREE Classes for Healthy Living


March Class Highlights:

Craving Change

Commit To Quit

Feeding Your Baby - Introduction to Solids


We also include program and class listings from our Community Partners on our calendar each month!


Call 1-877-979-9355 or email wellness@ierha.ca to register for Community Wellness programs.


For information on using Microsoft Teams click here.

Infant Formula

Source: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, Health Canada 


"The supply of regular infant formula has been strained since last Fall. Although the supply of liquid formulations has been relatively stable, powders are more popular and are more often out of stock. This situation is anticipated to continue for the weeks to come. We wish to reassure you that Health Canada continues to work closely with manufacturers to facilitate the increase of production of formulas that are already found on the Canadian market and to find additional options for importation under the interim policy.


Health Canada's engagement with manufacturers resulted in the importation of a powdered regular formula listed under the interim policy (U.S formulation of Similac Advance), which is found on shelves at retailers and pharmacies across the country since late February. This new powdered formula brings an additional option to consumers.  

 

Additional powdered formulas eligible for importation under the interim policy are expected to enter the market starting in late May to further strengthen the overall supply.They include U.S. formulations of products currently available in Canada (Enfamil Neuropro, Similac Total Comfort) as well as new players on the Canadian market (Modilac Precision, Modilac Rice, Kendamil Classic, Kendamil Goat and Kendamil Organic).   

 

These are well established brands in Europe and the United States, which are jurisdictions that have high manufacturing and regulatory standards that are similar to Canada. These

products will therefore provide nutritious and safe alternatives for families

looking for a stable supply."  


Click here: What is Health Canada doing?


Infant Formula Summary Sheet


Infant Formula Fact Sheet - April 2023


Veuillez cliquer ici pour la version française.


Image Credit: freepik.com

What are you doing June 2-4 ? We're looking for volunteers! Camp Stepping Stones is a weekend grief camp for children aged 7 to 17 who have experienced the recent death of someone significant in their lives relies on the commitment of 35 volunteers to provide a safe, supportive environment where grieving children and adolescents can feel free to share their thoughts and feelings with peers.


To find out more about volunteering with camp please click here.

Educational & Employment Opportunities


Looking for work?

Wanting to make a career change?


Attend an Interlake-Eastern RHA Health-Care Career Expo in a community near you to “Step into their shoes.” Through conversations with people who work in health-care you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, get a sense of what they do and why it may be the right fit for you! 


In partnership with a provincial working group, IERHA is hosting Healthcare Career Expos. Click here to find a Career Expo near you.


Educational Opportunities - Click here to find your perfect fit!

Have you tested positive for COVID-19?


If your rapid antigen test is positive for #COVID19, or you don't take a test but have symptoms, you should isolate for 5 days after your symptoms start and until you don't have a fever & your other symptoms have been improving for 24 hours. Click here to learn more.



Vaccine Resources


The COVID-19 bivalent vaccine gives you double protection - against the original strain of #Covid19MB and the omicron variant. A booster dose of the original #COVID19Vaccine is also available to everyone aged 12+, including adults who do not want to wait for the bivalent vaccine.


A COVID-19 bivalent booster is now available for kids 5-11. A pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children 6 months to 4 years of age. All children aged 5 to 11 can now receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A booster dose is particularly important for children with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. Click here for eligibility.


Additionally, the following high-risk individuals may choose to receive a spring 2023 booster dose:


  • Adults age 65 and older
  • Indigenous people age 45 and older, including First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples, regardless of place of residence
  • Residents of long term care (LTC), assisted living or supportive housing facilities
  • Adults age 18 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised


Six months is the minimum interval after the last dose of the primary series or between booster doses. Vaccine effectiveness increases with longer duration between doses. It is also recommended to wait at least six months between COVID-19 infection and receiving a booster dose. Be aware that a spring booster dose may result in a delay of your eligibility for a fall booster dose and a less robust immune response if a fall booster dose is administered at a shorter interval (i.e. less than six months from the previous dose).


Visit our website for COVID-19 Vaccine Pop Up Clinic Information: click here.

Our next issue will be in circulation in June 2023.


Community Wellness Team | Toll Free 1-877-979-9355

wellness@ierha.ca  | ierha.ca