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Lunar New Year Traditions to Boost Your Good Fortune

Happy New Year! Lunar New Year, also commonly known as Chinese New Year, begins on February 5 and is celebrated around the world, especially in China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, North Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Hundreds of millions of people will travel across China and around the world to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Pig with their families.

A symbol of prosperity in Asia, the Pig should bring good luck and wealth to almost everyone this year. But to increase your chances of good fortune coming your way, follow these Lunar New Year traditions.

Feast with Family

Spending time with family during this holiday is paramount. The most important meal is New Year’s Eve dinner, where traditional dishes like whole steamed fish, noodles, Buddha’s Feast (vegetables), and dumplings are always served.

A favourite dish that always disappears quickly is nian gao: giant, thick, chewy rice noodles cut into small pieces and fried up with savoury meats and vegetables.

Give (or Get) Red Envelopes

Bright red envelopes adorned with ornate gold characters or flowers on the front and filled with money are traditionally given by married people to anyone younger than they are, which means parents have a lifetime of supplying red envelopes to their children (and grandchildren).

If you’re from a large family, you can amass a small fortune in one evening. As you grow older and get married, you’re expected to return this generosity to the younger generation. The amount of money given reflects your relationship with the receiver; the closer the relationship, the more you give. It’s common for parents to give $100 to their children, whereas the child of your co-worker might get $5.

Clean House

It’s important to start the new year with good energy, and a common way to make room for good new year energy is to clean your house. Out with the old! This is the Chinese version of a good spring cleaning.

And as the new year ushers in a fresh start, it’s also believed that you don’t want to disturb that energy as it settles into your home, so be particularly mindful of things that should start with a clean slate on February 5: garbage bins, recycling bags, vacuum canisters, compost buckets, etc. The longer you can hold out from throwing something away in the new lunar year, the stronger your prospects for prosperity.

Buy New Clothes and Shoes

Another way to symbolize a fresh start to the new year is with new clothes, particularly new shoes. In the past, when people didn’t have easy access to retail stores or enough money to replenish their wardrobe throughout the year, this little bit of luxury was reserved for this holiday.

When you’re shopping for your lunar new year outfit, make it extra lucky by incorporating some red into it.

Enjoy the Fireworks

As the inventor of fireworks, it’s no surprise that massive amounts of colourful, loud firework displays blanket much of China and the rest of Southeast Asia on Lunar New Year’s Eve.

In ancient times, it was believed that these loud displays could ward off evil spirits. Today, they’re just a beautiful, joyous celebration of this holiday. Many of them are televised or shared online and through social media, so make sure to watch while eating dumplings as you welcome in the Year of the Pig.

Happy Lunar New Year from all of us at London Drugs!

Valentine’s Day Gifts That Show Genuine Care

Valentine’s Day can be a notoriously painful day for people without partners, but it’s time we celebrate it for what it is: an occasion to show genuine care to everyone in your life.

Yes, that includes your partner if you have one, but it’s also about care for friends, care for family, care for your community, and care for yourself. You’re special too, you know!

This Valentine’s Day, honour all of these relationships, not just the romantic ones. To help, we’ve prepared a guide with gift ideas for all the special people in your life.

Gifts for Friends

Fujifilm Instax Cameras are the perfect way to document your Galentine’s Day party (or Palentine’s Day, we don’t have to be gender-specific here!) and bring the Instagram aesthetic into the real world. With a selfie mirror and special selfie mode, you and your friends can make sure you’ll snap the perfect shot.

Make it easier to keep track of whose phone is whose next time you’re out by giving your friend a new phone case. Tablet and laptop cases are handy too!

The air gets so dry in the winter, so show your pals’ skin and lips some love with hand repair cream or classic beeswax lip balm from Burt’s Bees. Burt’s Bees is well known for being environmentally friendly, and since 2010 have been sending zero waste to landfills from their manufacturing facility and office, so you’ll be showing your love for the earth as well.

If you’re looking for something a that looks a little more Valentin-y, try the luxurious Weleda Replenishing Hand Cream or the Wild Rose Renewing Lotion.

Gifts for Family

Mornings are tough, so make your family’s mornings a little more fun with a shower speaker. Since these are portable and waterproof, they’re also great to take on day trips to the mountains in the winter and lakes in the summer.

Wearable wellness technology like a Fitbit tells the recipient that you care about their health. They’re great gifts for aging parents or other family members. If you have a Fitbit yourself, then you can also get into some friendly competition over who gets the most daily steps.

Chocolate is a classic Valentine’s Day gift. You can’t go wrong with chocolate! London Drugs has a ton of options including fair trade organic bars from Green & Black’s and Zazubean.

Gifts for Your Partner

While Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be about romantic love, it can be a special day for people in relationships. Get your partner in the right mood to celebrate love with some romantic music from artists like Barry White and Lionel Richie. The Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack and For You: A Timeless Collection of Love Songs are great collections for Valentine’s Day featuring more contemporary artists as well.

You can further set the mood with the iHome Aroma Speaker, which has a built-in fan to diffuse essential oils and fill the room with lovely scents.

Cozy up with your partner and watch a romantic movie together, like The Age of Adeline, About Time, or perennial classic The Notebook.

Fragrances are always a great gift for your valentine. Check out our luxury scents for him and for her.

Gifts for Yourself

Show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day! Indulge in some self care with a beautiful aromatherapy diffuser and essential oils.

Pamper your skin with luxury skincare products. Treat yourself to an at-home massage with a Shiatsu foot massager or neck and shoulder massager. They include both heat and pressure to completely relax you.

And ladies, glam yourself up while staying green with makeup brushes from Eco-Tools. Their products are made from sustainable bamboo handles, recycled packaging, and come in reusable storage trays.

However you choose to show genuine care this Valentine’s Day, we hope you feel the love.

What’s New with the Canada Food Guide

Photo credit: Government of Canada

Have you seen the new Canada Food Guide?

The new version includes some significant changes since its last update in 2007. Gone are the four traditional food groups. They’ve been replaced by fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. The accompanying image shows a white plate in which roughly half is filled with fruit and vegetables, while the other half includes whole grains and proteins. You’ll even spot some tofu on that plate.

So apart from the obvious, what are the biggest differences between the previous food guide and the 2019 version?

Reduced Emphasis on Meat and Dairy

Dairy products no longer feature as a separate food group, and meat also plays a less significant role in the new food guide. Proteins now include both dairy and meat as well as plant-based proteins, such as legumes, nuts and tofu. As the guide suggests, “Choose protein foods that come from plants more often. Plant-based protein foods can provide more fibre and less saturated fat than other types of protein foods. This can be beneficial for your heart health.”

Water is the Beverage of Choice

The previous food guide included a serving of 100% fruit juice as a suitable equivalent to a serving of fruit. That recommendation has been removed from the new food guide and drinking water is encouraged.

Reducing alcohol consumption is also encouraged. The guidelines recommend “no more than two drinks a day, 10 per week for women, and three drinks a day, 15 per week for men, with an extra drink allowed on special occasions.”

Other healthy beverage choices include:

White milk (unsweetened lower fat milk)
Unsweetened fortified plant-based beverages such as:
- Soy beverage
- Almond beverage
Unsweetened coffee and teas

No More Numbers

While the previous food guide included a daily number of recommended servings per food group, the new guide has a more holistic approach, recommending that our diets consist of roughly half fruits and vegetables and the rest whole grains and protein. The updated food guide suggests a more mindful approach to eating. It encourages listening to your body’s cues and choosing the right foods to stay satiated for longer periods.

Healthier Eating Habits

The updated food guide recommends that we develop healthy eating habits, cooking more, enjoying food (trying cultural foods), and eating with others. Sharing meals with others is particularly emphasized. According to the new food guide, eating alone or separately from others in the home can create a sense of isolation or loneliness. The benefits of eating together as a family helps our children:

Explore new healthy foods
Establish healthy eating routines
Improve their overall eating pattern

Another of the healthy habit recommendations is to choose foods that reflect different cultures and food traditions. According to the guide, this can help you:

Choose foods that you enjoy
Grow your skills and knowledge
Learn about cultures and food traditions
Create a sense of community and foster connections
Keep your cultural roots and food traditions alive by sharing them across generations and with others.

Overall, the updated food guide is a comprehensive nutritional guide including categories on food choices (including what to limit or avoid – most notably processed foods), eating habits, recipes, tips (including meal planning, budgeting, healthy snacking, food safety and other strategies for healthier eating), and resources.

If you have any questions about your daily nutritional needs, our pharmacists can assist you in making sense of the new Food Guide recommendations. Visit us at any of our locations and speak to our in-store nutritional experts.

How to Host a Great Party for the Big Game

The Big Game airs this Sunday afternoon, and while the marquee matchup between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams should offer an entertaining show, we all know what the true point of hosting a viewing party is all about–having a great time with friends and family. From delicious food, to fun party games, here’s our guide to hosting a world-class viewing party.

Make a Classic Big Game Spread

We all know why people are really gathering together. For the FOOD! Here are four recipes that take classic sports food fare to the next level. Or, get creative and bring your own flavour to the party. Make the following recipes your own!

Slow-cooker Family-favourite Chili

Chili is a true American classic, and you can follow this recipe from Betty Crocker, or make it your own by substituting veggie ground round, ground turkey, or extra beans in place of the ground beef. Chili is a great make-ahead meal that lets you put that slow cooker you got for Christmas to good use.

Slow-Cooker Family-Favorite Chili from Betty Crocker

Perfect Nachos

Chips, melty cheese, assorted toppings, mmmmmm. Nachos are another game-day classic. The Guide to Perfect Nachos from Bon Appétit is less a recipe, and more a do’s and don’ts list for making absolutely mouthwatering nachos.

Perfect Nachos from Bon Appétit

Guacamole

Have you heard? Avocado sales rise around the time of the Big Game. Really! And we get it: guacamole is delicious, and any excuse to indulge is good by us. Here is a great method from Simply Recipes that looks divine. Don’t forget the tortilla chips!

Guacamole from Simply Recipes

Plan Party Games

Not everyone loves to watch sports. And that’s OK! To ensure that these folks still have fun at your party, plan some fun activities that will help them get invested in the game. A no-money, no-skill-required football pool is a great way to get everyone involved. Provide your guests with fun-themed prizes that anyone can enjoy. Sports movies, amazing TV shows about football, or an actual football make great prizes.

Another option for a fun viewing party game is Football Bingo. You can find several good ones online, but we liked the version below and this one from Sunny Day Family. Print out the cards in advance and see who wins!

There you have it! Everything you need to host a great viewing party. We’d love to see how you are celebrating the day. Share your party pics and tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Happy Footballing!

What You Need in Your Emergency Kit

You never know when an emergency might occur — whether it’s a fire, earthquake, flood, snowstorm, or windstorm, you can potentially be left without power or forced out of your home. The best way to prepare for such scenarios is to have an emergency kit ready with all the items you’ll need to care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

You can grab pre-assembled emergency kits at London Drugs in a variety of sizes. But you might also want to supplement the basics with additional items. Here’s a look at what you should have in your emergency kit.

What to Put in Your Emergency Kit

What you put in your emergency kit will depend on the specific risks in your area, the size of your household, and the individual needs of household members. But ultimately, you’ll want to prepare to be self sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours.

The Basics:

2L of water per person per day
Canned food, energy bars, dried food and other items that won’t spoil are ideal. Be sure to include a can opener with your canned food
Flashlight with batteries and/or lightsticks
Radio with batteries
First Aid kit
Medications (and a copy of your prescriptions)
Infant care items such as diapers, wipes, formula
Pet care items
Cash in smaller bills
Copies of important documents such as insurance papers, birth certificates, etc.

The Extras:

Water for cooking and cleaning
Water purification tablets
Candles and matches/lighter
Extra clothing and shoes
An extra phone charger
Sleeping bag or warm blankets
Toiletries: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
Toilet paper/tissue
Utensils
A pocket knife
A whistle

You may want to split your emergency kits into several easy-to-carry bags and store them in places you’ll be able to access easily: the front closet, your garage, and even in your car.

Also, keep in mind that food and water as well as batteries should be replaced every year, so set yourself a reminder to swap them out annually.

Planning for an Emergency

While having an emergency kit ready to grab and go is a critical part of an emergency plan, it’s not the only part. There are a couple of other things you’ll want to prepare:

An emergency plan: Write out a plan and ensure all family members know what to do in an emergency. Note your home’s emergency exits. Know how to turn off the gas, electricity, and water, if necessary. Know where the fire extinguisher is, and how to use it. Plan a safe meet-up point with family members in case you’re not all together when the emergency occurs. Map out your neighbourhood’s evacuation routes. Include plans for getting your children and pets if they’re not with you.

A health chart: Write out all pertinent health care information you might need, including a list of medical conditions, allergies, medications, vaccinations, medical history, and health care contacts.

Preparing for a day that may never come (fingers crossed) is a lot of work. But it will set your mind at ease knowing that you’ll be okay should the unthinkable ever happen.

Check out our full selection of emergency kits at londondrugs.com.

Johnson’s Baby Facebook Contest

Johnson’s Baby Facebook Contest

Together with Johnson’s, we’re giving away five Johnson’s Baby gift baskets valued at over $50! See below for full Terms & Conditions and how to enter.

Johnson’s Baby Facebook Contest Terms & Conditions

To enter: Comment on our facebook post with the answer to “what your favorite Johnson’s baby product and why?”

Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since February 6th, 2018; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as of February 1^st, 2019; (iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.

No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per person per social network per contest. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Time February 6^th, 2019. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected. All entries become the property of London Drugs Limited and will not be returned.

One (1) winner will be randomly chosen on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. To win, selected entrants must correctly answer a skill-testing mathematical question and must sign London Drugs’ declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.

There will be five prizes of ONE Johnson’s Baby gift basket, valued at approx. $50

See details and contest date below. Prizes must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. Prizes will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to contest winners.

Contest date – Friday, February 1^st, 2019 – Wednesday, February 6^th, 2019 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Draw date – Thursday February 7^th, 2019

Only one prize may be won by any one person and household. In the event that any selected entrant incorrectly answers the skill-testing question or is otherwise unwilling or unable to comply in full with these rules, a new entry will be drawn.

Selected winners will be contacted by email or on the social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winners do not respond then they will be notified for the second time, 3 (three) days after the first notification. If the winners still do not respond within 3 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.

The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.

London Drugs and their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).

This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs, an independent judging organization, and their agents. The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use, and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice, and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation. All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties. All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at www.londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.

The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

Most Romantic Locations to Take Photos in Canada

@overmystyledbody

Canada has no shortage of incredible winter views, and those views are made even better when you can share them with someone special. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, our LDExperts in the Photolab are sharing some of the most romantic locations across Canada for taking photos together. If you do snap the perfect shot, they’ve also got lots of creative ideas to help you turn that photo into a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other. So make sure to check those out at the end of the post!

Capilano Suspension Bridge, BC

@emily_nicole_photos

The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver, BC is not just any romantic spot – it’s also a popular spot for popping the question! Suspended on a bridge of twinkling lights, against a beautiful backdrop of lush green trees, we can understand why couples flock to this beautiful tourist destination for photos together. Photographer Emily Nicole captured these two sweethearts mid-proposal: a moment they are sure to treasure forever.

Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON

@argenel

Take a stroll down through the quaint streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake with your significant other, and you’ll find plenty of romantic spots to snap a photo together. This sweet town adjacent to Niagara Falls looks even more beautiful in the winter, with its snow-capped buildings and dusted walkways. As photographer Argen Elezi says, it’s “the kind of weather that makes you want to get cozy, curl up by the fire, and enjoy some hot chocolate.” The perfect way to end your day together!

Rafferty, SK

@stephedgar4

Bundle up, and enjoy a romantic evening under the stars in the Canadian Prairies. Rafferty, Saskatchewan offers up a clear view of the night’s sky that is sure to take your breath away. Simply set up your tripod, put on the self-timer or use a remote, and snap a shot of the two of you enjoying each other’s company, and the expansive universe above.

Ottawa, Ontario

@littlemissottawa

Ah, romance on the Rideau Canal. Photographer @littlemissottawa captured the love locks lining Somerset Bridge in Ottawa, overlooking the iconic canal. You can snap a photo of you and your loved one adding your own lock, and then head down to the iced-over canal for a skate together.

Lake Bernard, Ontario

@khi_photography

Photographer Kate Hood knows just the spot for romantic photos in Ontario. She took couple Kyla and Phil out to Lake Bernard for a winter shoot: “we snuck in a sunset paddle, a snowy walk down the road and then a cozy bonfire.” Just don’t forget to take a big cozy blanket along!

Peggy’s Cove, NS

@reds_lens

A sunset walk to Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia makes for a romantic date night, and a great photo opp for you and your better half. Photography enthusiast Sherrie Redden was just looking to snap a shot of a Maritime winter sunset, when she happened to capture this couple who were crossing her frame.

Once you have a sweet photo of the two of you together, why not turn it into a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift for your partner? Our London Drugs Photolab can print that snapshot on a fleece blanket, key chain, puzzle or crystal – all in the shape of heart! Or add that romantic photo to a personalized mug, with a Valentine’s Day-themed design on the inside. It doesn’t get more thoughtful than that.

If you need a little help creating your unique Valentine’s Day gifts, you can talk to one of our LDExperts in-store and order through our kiosks. Or, simply order online, or using our London Drugs Photolab App which is available for iOS and Android. Plus, you can use our promocode love2019 to save 10% on select Valentine’s Day themed products, when you order online or in-store (valid January 31st until February 14th, 2019)!

Happy Valentine’s Day!