Snack while you shop with freshii! We are now carrying freshii premade, grab and go sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Find them in the cooler section at the locations listed below:
#02: Vancouver – Granville & Georgia
#74: Vancouver – Broadway & Vine
4 Tips to Help Take Your Workout Outside This Fall
Although the days are shorter, the cooler temperature of crisp Fall weather makes it much more comfortable to get your sweat on in the outdoors. Staying active is an important part of any lifestyle. While you can choose to exercise inside, here are some items and tips that can help you make the most out of your outdoor workout.
1. Be Seen
With the limited daylight, by the time you finish work and want to get out for an evening walk or run, it may already be getting dark out. Make sure you are seen by wearing bright or reflective clothing. If all your clothes are dark, you can even get yourself some reflective wrist straps to wear for visibility. You can also consider getting yourself a small flashlight or even a headlamp. Most headlamps have a comfortable, stretchy band that you can adjust to fit over your head, and different light settings to adjust the brightness of the light. A great option is the Dorcy Pro Series Headlamp, which can last up to 6 hours.
If you enjoy cycling, you’ll love the Nite Ize Radiant 125 Rechargeable Front Bike Light. The simple design and stretchy attachment bands support tool-free installation, while the USB-rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivers extended run times to keep your path illuminated. A 125-lumen LED offers bright illumination for dusk, dawn and nighttime bike rides. It also features spot, flood and day-safe flash modes to help you stay visible on roads, trails and bike paths.
If you’re a pet owner and stay active by walking your dog, or like bringing them along for company, the Nite Ize SpotLit Collar Light can help both you and your pet stay safe. The bright LED features glow and flash modes to help your precious pooch stay visible on streets, paths and sidewalks. It’s also water-resistant to withstands exposure to the elements.
2. Stay Hydrated
Ensuring you are well hydrated is key, especially when you are being active. Aside from drinking water, other ways you can stay hydrated is by eating hydrating foods. Cooler weather usually marks the start of soup-season. Soups are great as they also provide warmth to your body while increasing you liquid intake. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is also another way of adding more water to your diet.
If you like drinking water, make sure to consume enough before and after your workout. You can also carry a water bottle with you and take small sips during your walks. The Brita Premium Water Filter Bottle is a great one to have, since the replaceable filter helps reduce chlorine and leaves water tasting great. As well, the handy carrying loop and slim design make this bottle easy to carry, and an enclosed easy-strip straw provides access to water without having to remove the lid.
TIP: Fill your water bottle or even a thermos with warm or hot water when walking on chillier nights. You will stay hydrated, and it will also help warm you up! If drinking warm water doesn’t sound palatable to you, try adding some lemon slices, mint leaves, or even a caffeine-free tea to make it a bit tastier. You can browse all of our water bottle and thermos options here.
3. Challenge Yourself
Running is great, but even walking outside is an excellent way to stay active. If you regularly walk as part of your fitness routine, and don’t like running, you can still challenge yourself by mixing it up a bit. One way is to pick up the pace and walk faster, to ensure you get your heart rate up. If you are not used to walking fast, you can always do intervals, walking fast for 3 minutes, then walking at a slower pace for 2 minutes. Choose whatever interval times that work for you! Another great way to make your walking more of a workout is to add hills to your route. Walking on an incline burns more calories and uses your leg muscles differently. Plus it makes your walk a bit more interesting, so you won’t get bored as easily. No hills? No problem! Even finding a set of stairs to walk up on your route can also help make your walk a little tougher. Lastly, try using hand weights. This will not only be more of a challenge, but it can also help you to burn more calories and tone up your arms!
4. Staying Motivated
Sometimes, staying motivated to workout is hard, especially when it is colder and darker outside and all you want to do is curl up on the couch. Calling a few friends to join you on your walk or run can help you stay on track, as it makes your workout session more of a social session. As well, planning your walk or run with friends in advance holds you accountable to not cancel, especially if you had planned to go alone.
A fitness tracker can also help you stay consistent on your fitness journey, as you can see the progress you make. Seeing progress not only gives you a feeling of accomplishment, but can also help you set new fitness goals for yourself. These goals can include walking an extra km, or walking your 5km route a little bit faster than the last time! The Fitbit Inspire 2 is an excellent choice, as it tracks all-day steps, distance and calories burned, and even guided breathing sessions for those longer walks!
Finally, never underestimate a good pair of headphones to help you stay motivated! There are plenty of options, including wireless headphones and earbuds that you can connect to your phone to listen to your favourite tunes or podcasts, and make your workout more enjoyable. Always remember that if you are walking or running alone, keep only one earbud in, or set the volume lower so that you can be alert and hear the sounds around you.
Just because the weather becomes cooler and the days become darker, doesn’t mean you can’t continue to stay active outside! We hope you found these items and tips helpful for your outdoor workouts and walks. Enjoy the Fall, stay healthy and stay safe!
Trick or Treat, Eh! – 10 Proudly Canadian Halloween Goodies
Do you like to wave the maple leaf while you’re decorating the house with spider webs and jack-o-lanterns? We dug into our Halloween treats vault to bring you some of Canada’s favourite candies and snacks, made right here in the Great White North. (Plus a few tips on how to have a Covid-safe Halloween!)
While Cadbury is a multinational brand owned by Kraft, their Canadian chocolate treats are made in a factory in Toronto.
Natural ingredients and real aged cheddar cheese make a nice change from chocolate. W.T. Hawkins Ltd. was founded in small town Ontario and their products have been made there for over 50 years.
For over 125 years, Dare has been a Canadian family-owned business. And a bonus – these paw-shaped cookies contain less than 5g of sugar.
These fruit-based treats are also made in Canada by the Canadian family-owned Dare company.
Laura Secord is owned by Jean and Jacques Leclerc, two Canadians who moved manufacturing back to Canada after purchasing the brand in 2010.
All Ganong products are made in Canada at their state-of-the-art facility in St. Stephen, New Brunswick.
Sunkist® Fruit Snacks, are also made in Canada by Ganong at their New Brunswick facility.
These tasty treats are Canadian made, by a family-owned Canadian company in Ontario.
Rockets Candy Company was founded in 1963 by Edward “Eddie” Dee. It continues to be family-owned and family-run by three generations of the Dee family.
Made in BC’s only potato chip factory, these awesome snacks are a local favourite. They are so Canadian, their packaging even features photos of iconic Canadian scenes!
OK, toothpaste isn’t technically a treat. But after all that snacking, you’re going to need it. Green Beaver is a purely Canadian company making their products in Hawkesbury, ON, using organic ingredients that are locally grown whenever available.
Halloween Safety Tips 2020
Besides the usual precautions of making sure clothing is bright and visible, and costumes are fire-proof and have good visibility from the inside, we have a few extra precautions to take this year. Here are a few tips on having a safe and enjoyable Halloween 2020.
- Think about small groups outside (not having somebody come into your house) Maybe do something at the end of the driveway or front walk.
- Wear a mask if you are greeting any guests, and stay back as much as possible.
- Offer pre-packaged treats to kids, so that they’re not rummaging around in a bowl.
- Use tongs to hand out treats.
- Have kids stay 2 meters away from other trick-or-treating groups, and be patient if they have to wait to approach someone’s home.
And if you end up with a little TOO much candy after Halloween… here’s a wacky recipe for chopped candy cookies!
Best Halloween Costume Official Contest Rules
We want to see your Halloween costume! Snap a photo and submit it for a chance to win a $100 London Drugs gift card! Contest runs until Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST. See full T&Cs on entry page. Good luck!
Participating and entering in this promotion is considered a complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant. It is also an acknowledgement that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.
To enter:
Submit a photo of your Halloween costume
Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2020
No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per social network per contest. Limit one (1) prize may be won per household. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected.
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 Nov 1, 2019; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as at Oct 26, 2020 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.
The winners 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 have correctly answered the skill-testing mathematical question on the entry for on the online entry form and must sign London Drug’s 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 1 (one) prize(s) awarded to 1 (one) winner: each receiving a $100 London Drugs gift card valued at $100. Prize(s) must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. London Drugs reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value should any prize become unavailable for any reason. Prize will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to the winner.
Contests dates: Oct 26, 2020 – Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST
Draw Date: 12:00 PM Pacific Time Nov 3, 2020
Selected entrants will be contacted by email, or social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winner does not respond then she/he will be notified for the second time, 3 (three) days after the first notification. If the winner still does 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, 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 and their agents. The entrants also agree 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 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.
Statement of Declaration and Release
All selected entrants will be required to sign the Statement of Declaration and Release attached before they can be declared a winner and receive a contest prize.
Focus on Fitness
Whether you’ve just started to think about beginning a fitness program or you are already committed to a regular exercise routine, you’re on your way to a healthier you! You may choose to get out and join a gym, sign up for fitness classes, walk your dog more, train for a fun run, join a sports team or club (pickle ball anyone?), the possibilities are endless. Check with your local community center for ideas. Many people also choose the convenience of exercising at home and there are many health apps and websites dedicated to designing fitness routines. Fortunately, it is not essential to invest in large, expensive fitness equipment to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of an effective workout.
A few simple guidelines and some inexpensive, portable items can help you meet your goals. Be sure to check with your health care provider to ensure your fitness plan is safe for you, especially if you have medical conditions, or a history of injuries.
Your Fitness Program
- A well-rounded fitness program should incorporate aerobic activity, strength training, core exercises, balance training, and stretching and flexibility.
- Aerobic activities cause you to breathe faster and deeper, which increases both the amount of oxygen in your blood and the blood flow to your muscles.
- Strength training improves muscular fitness and bone strength, and it may help you manage your weight.
- Core exercises strengthen the muscles in your back, abdomen, and pelvis – your core muscles- so they are better able to protect your back and coordinate your upper and lower body movements.
- Balance training can benefit everyone, because it helps stabilize core muscles, but it is particularly important for older adults to help prevent falls, which can lead to fractures.
- Stretching and flexibility improve range of motion, making it easier to perform everyday tasks.
Fitness Aids
- Yoga mats can help stabilize your position and cushion your body, not just when doing yoga and pilates, but also when you are doing other floor exercises as well. When choosing a yoga mat, consider its thickness – too thin and it won’t provide enough protection; too thick and it may not make you feel stable. Texture is also important; that mat must provide a stable grip, or you may slide and risk possible injury.
- Resistance bands are stretchable elastic bands that are used both in fitness routines and in physical therapy programs. A resistance band is used to contract muscles, which builds strength. When looking for resistance bands, choose ones that are long enough to accommodate the movements in your routine. A band that is too long can usually be shortened, but one that is too short may not be able to be adapted.
- Walking weights can help you get more benefits from your walk. Carrying weights can increase heart rate and burn more calories, but heavier isn’t always better. It is important to carry weights that aren’t so heavy that they can change your gait.
• Foam rollers are versatile pieces of equipment that can help in many ways. Slowly rolling them over various areas of your body can massage deep tissue, break up scar tissue and adhesions (abnormal sticking together of tissues), and speed recovery after a workout. Placing your hands on a foam roller while doing total body exercises such as push-ups creates an uneven surface and engages more core muscles. Foam rollers can also be used to enhance a variety of balance exercises.
As the old saying goes: “This is the first day of the rest of your life.” Don’t put it off – start now to focus on fitness.
5 Fall-Inspired Desserts to Make in Your Crock-Pot
Crock-Pots are known for their ability to make delicious, home-cooked meals with minimal effort and clean up, but did you know you can also use them to create an array of different desserts? We’ve curated a list of Fall inspired after-dinner delights from Crock-Pot’s website, all featuring ingredients like cinnamon, apple, pumpkin and cranberry. These warm and comforting dishes are so satisfying, they’ll have you cooking in your Crock-Pot long after the month of Crocktober!
Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Casserole
Ingredients (French Toast)
• 6 Cups of cubed Cinnamon Swirl Bread
• 7 Large eggs
• 2 ½ Cups whole milk
• 1 Cup heavy cream
• ¼ Cup granulated sugar
• ¼ Cup maple syrup
• 2 Teaspoons real vanilla extract
• 1 ½ Teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ Teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¾ Cup chopped dates
• 3 Teaspoons butter, cut into bits
• ¾ Cup candied pecans, coarsely chopped
Ingredients (Candied Pecans)
• 2 Teaspoons melted butter
• 2 Teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 Cup chopped pecans
Instructions
1. Coat the inside of your Crock-Pot® slow cooker with cooking spray
2. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and crisp in a 275 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until slightly dry and hard. Spread bread over the base of your Crock-Pot® slow cooker.
3. While the bread is baking whisk the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
4. Pour mixture over bread and press lightly to make sure all the bread is submerged. Sprinkle on the dates and pecans (recipe below), and finally the cut up pieces of butter and cook on high for 3 to 4 Hours.
5. Garnish with powdered sugar and syrup – enjoy!
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients (Crust)
• 1 Cup graham cracker crumbs
• 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
Ingredients (Cheesecake Mixture)
• 12 Ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¾ Cup sugar
• 12 Ounces sour cream
• 3 Large eggs
• 1 Egg yolk
• 1½ Teaspoons vanilla extract
Ingredients (Pumpkin Mixture)
• 6 Ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 Ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
• ¾ Cup of sugar
• 1/8 Teaspoon salt
• 2 Large eggs
• 11 Ounces pumpkin puree
• 1¼ Teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• ½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Butter a Crock-Pot® Casserole Crock Slow Cooker or other large slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, combine the crust ingredients (graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar)
3. Press crust mixture in bottom of the buttered Crock-Pot® slow cooker.
4. Next, prepare just the cheesecake ingredients in a mixing bowl.
5. Beat the 12 Ounces of cream cheese over medium speed until soft.
6. Gradually add the sugar.
7. Mix in the sour cream, one cup at a time.
8. Add the eggs and the yolk one at a time, mixing well after each one.
9. Mix in the vanilla and set cheesecake mixture aside.
10. In a separate bowl, prepare pumpkin Mixture:
11. Using a mixer, cream the cream cheese, mascarpone, and vanilla on medium speed until well combined and smooth.
12. Slowly add sugar and salt.
13. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after you add each one.
14. Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice and vanilla; mix until completely combined.
To Assemble
Pour ONLY the cheesecake batter over the graham cracker crust in the Crock-Pot® slow cooker.
Next, dollop the pumpkin mixture evenly over the cheesecake mixture.
Using a table knife, carefully swirl the pumpkin mixture into the cheesecake mixture.
Cover; cook on High for 3 to 4 hours or on Low for 4 to 5 hours, or until cheesecake looks firm but center is still just a bit jiggly.
Refrigerate cheesecake overnight to firm before cutting/serving.
Note: You will assemble the cheesecake mixture and the pumpkin mixture in separate bowls then combine in the Crock-Pot® slow cooker. For best results, start with room temperature ingredients.
Apple Pecan Bread Pudding
Ingredients
• 8 Cups day old bread, cubed
• 3 Cups Granny Smith apples, peeled cored and cubed
• 1 Cup chopped pecans
• 8 Whole eggs
• 1 Can evaporated milk
• 1/2 Cup apple cider or apple juice
• 1 Cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 Teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 Teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 Teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Place bread cubes, apples, and pecans in buttered Crock-Pot®.
2. Mix remaining ingredients.
3. Pour over bread and stir thoroughly.
4. Put lid on Crock-Pot® and start cooking on Low for 3 to 4 hours.
5. Top with caramel sauce, ice cream, or whipped topping.
Apple Butter
Ingredients
• 3 Pounds cooking apples (Rome recommended)
• 2 Cups granulate sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 Teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 Teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
1. Peel and slice approximately apples.
2. Place in Crock-Pot® with sugar and spices.
3. Cook on low for approximately 21 hours.
4. Use a potato masher to break up apples.
5. Place 2 wooden spoons over the top of the Crock-Pot® and place lid on wooden spoons to allow liquid to evaporate and cook approximately 3 hours more.
6. Apple butter is ready when no free liquid remains. Apple butter can be canned, refrigerated or frozen.
Apple, Cranberry And Almond Muffins
Ingredients
• 1 cup chopped almonds plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
• 1 cup blueberries plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
• 1 cup red apple, peeled and diced plus 2 tablespoons diced with skin for garnish
• 1 cup brown sugar plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 cup canola oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cup wheat flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. In a bowl mix flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
2. In the mixing bowl of your Oster® Planetary Stand Mixer, mix cranberries, apples, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Preheat oven to 400˚F/205˚C.
3. In the shaft for accessories, install the paddle beater, place the bowl and the splatter protector. Turn on your mixer set at Speed 4.
4. Once you observe all ingredients are mixed, add slowly the dry ingredients mixture; flour, baking powder, etc. Wait for all the ingredients to blend.
5. Remove mixture from mixing bowl and pour into greased muffin cups. Insert muffin tray in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of one of muffins comes out clean.
6. In the meantime, in a skillet mix almonds, cranberries, apples with skin and reserved sugar for garnish with 3 tablespoons of water. Wait approximately 3 minutes for the sugar to dissolve and the fruit to caramelize.
7. Once the muffins are ready, place on a rack to rest. Remove muffins from the cups and pour mixture on top to garnish. Serve with freshly brewed coffee.
Enjoy baking up a storm with Crock-Pot, all Crocktober long! All recipes featured here and many more can be found on Crock-Pot’s website. Find our full selection of Crock-Pots in store or online here.
How to Build an Emergency Kit for All Types of Disasters
If an emergency situation developed quickly, would you know what to do? In the event of flooding, a natural disaster, or an earthquake, it’s important to be prepared. Experts agree that you need to be prepared to survive for 72 hours with the possibility of having no water or power.
We’re proud to be early adopters of the Partners in Preparedness campaign with PreparedBC. Our hope is to make it easier for you to get ready for an emergency by reminding you of what goes in an emergency kit and giving you an opportunity to purchase what you need.
Key things to have in your emergency kit are:
- Water – estimate four litres per person per day for drinking and sanitation.
- Food – gather food that won’t spoil such as canned goods, protein energy bars, dried fruits, and meal replacement beverages. Don’t forget to pack the can opener. Include hard candies, chocolate, and gum in your kit as a lift for your senses.
- Essentials – flashlights, extra batteries, candles, matches, garbage bags, a blanket, hand sanitizer, whistle, and a small mirror are all must-haves.
- First Aid – ensure your first aid kit is up to date and medications have not expired, include gauze, pads and tape along with an assortment of bandages. Include several pairs of disposable latex gloves, face masks, antibacterial hand wash, and a small pair of scissors.
- Communication – battery-powered or a wind-up AM/FM radio to keep updated on current conditions.
- Seasonal clothing and footwear along with a dust mask in case of poor air quality.
- Entertainment – cards or any other board games. Crossword puzzle or pocket book to keep you occupied while waiting for the power to return.
- Additional non-essential but important items include duct tape, Swiss army knife, Kleenex, toilet paper, city map, and recent photographs of loved ones in case of separation.
Prepared emergency kits are available from London Drugs, SOS Emergency Response Technologies, and St. John Ambulance, but you can pack your bag to suit your family’s needs. All of these items should be ideally stored in a conveniently located and durable backpack.
During an emergency, if a London Drugs store is able to remain open, we will offer:
- Pharmacy – Contact us at Customer Service for the latest information on your local store and for any urgent pharmacy inquiries 1-888-991-2299
- Charging Stations – we will have charging stations available for your electronic devices
- Supplies and emergency kits – our staff will be happy to help you find an emergency kit or help you to create your own that fits your needs
- Batteries and Lighting, Candles – we’re here to help with emergency lighting needs from flashlights, batteries to candles
- Water – it is always important to have an emergency supply of water at the ready
Emergency preparedness is always a good idea. Educate yourself, your family, and your friends on the potential risks, create a plan, and stay prepared for any situation that might arise.
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