Preparing For Flu Season

Woman getting ready for an immunization

As summer turns to fall and fall to winter, it is important to protect ourselves from the flu.

Influenza (the flu) is an illness that affects the whole world and reaches Canada every fall, making many people sick. While most cases of the flu occur in January and February, flu season can begin as early as November and stretch into April. While it doesn’t usually last more than a couple of weeks in most people, it can cause serious complications for some.

PREVENTION

The best way to prevent the flu is through vaccination. The virus that causes the flu is called influenza, and it changes from year to year, so the vaccines must change as well. Scientists around the world study the new strains of the virus, and they work to develop new vaccines that are effective against these new strains. There are a number of different flu vaccines available in Canada, and some are designed especially for people in certain age groups. Your healthcare provider will determine which vaccine you should receive.

It is best to get your flu shot each year as soon as possible after the new influenza vaccine becomes available–usually in October. It takes about two weeks after being vaccinated for your body to produce the antibodies that will protect you from the flu. Unless there are medical reasons why a person should not receive the vaccine, the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that everyone six months of age and older should be vaccinated. Vaccination is particularly important in people who have a higher risk of developing serious complications. Among the groups that are considered to be at high risk are people with chronic health conditions, adults over age 65, anyone living in a long-term care facility, Indigenous peoples, and pregnant women.

Not only will being vaccinated help keep you healthy, it will also help others, because if you don’t catch the flu, you can’t pass the flu virus along to others. Some people cannot receive the vaccine due to health issues, and some of them have a high risk of developing serious complications from the flu. If everyone who could get a flu shot did get one, there would be fewer people in the community spreading the virus. By taking this step to prevent your own suffering from the flu, you could be saving someone else from a serious health problem.

In addition to getting vaccinated, other precautions you can take include:

  • Avoid close contact with anyone who appears to be sick.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based cleanser.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve, dispose of the tissue properly, and wash
  • your hands as soon as possible.
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Don’t share food, utensils, or personal items.
  • Disinfect commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches.
  • Practice healthy habits: eat nutritious foods, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids, get
  • enough sleep, and manage your stress.

NOT JUST THE FLU

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 several years ago, new strains of the COVID virus have appeared, and new vaccines have been developed in response. Another new COVID vaccine will become available this fall. Make sure your COVID shots are up to date.

Other vaccines commonly recommended for adults are:

  • Shingles vaccine: Shingles is a viral infection caused by re-activation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After exposure to chickenpox, the virus lays dormant in the body and can be reactivated later in life due to a stimulus such as stress or illness. Shingles often causes a painful blistering rash that appears in a line on one side of the body and is often accompanied by nerve pain. The pain can last for several months after the rash disappears. Some people can even experience a loss of hearing or vision or other complications. The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 years and older and for immunocompromised individuals 18 years and older. The vaccine series requires a total of two doses spread over two to six months, and it is important to get both doses.
  • Pneumococcal vaccines: Pneumococcal vaccines protect against bacteria that can cause pneumonia, a lung infection characterized by severe cough and chest pain. Vulnerable people including older adults can get so sick that it can lead to hospitalization or even death. Pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for all adults 65 years and older, for adults 50 to 64 years of age with chronic medical conditions or other risk factors, and for adults 18 to 49 years of age with risk factors. Long-lasting protection is usually achieved with a single dose of vaccine.
  • MMR vaccine: Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) are conditions caused by highly contagious viruses. Measles can result in symptoms of fever, red eyes, cough, and a rash. Mumps often causes painful swollen glands, and rubella can cause a fever and a rash as well. Individuals born before 1970 are assumed immune because of widespread disease before an effective vaccine was widely available in 1971. If you were exposed to someone who had measles or if you had measles yourself, you likely have natural immunity now. MMR vaccine is now part of routine childhood immunization programs, and it is less common for kids to get these illnesses. For adults, a single dose of the vaccine is recommended for people born after 1970, healthcare workers, travelers, and for other individuals at risk.
  • HPV vaccine: Human papillomavirus (HPV), is a virus that can cause genital and common warts. It is also the most common sexually transmitted infection in Canada, infecting over 70% of sexually active adults in their lifetime. HPV is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer as well as head and neck cancers and other genital cancers. Not all HPV infections lead to cancer, but the there is an effective vaccine that can help prevent HPV infections and reduce your risk of developing these cancers. School age children are offered this vaccine as part of routine vaccination programs. It is also recommended for unimmunized adults up to age 45 and sometimes for older adults who are at continued risk, such as having new or multiple sexual partners. Speak to a healthcare professional about whether HPV vaccine would be appropriate you. For adults, the vaccine series requires a total of three doses spread over a six-month timeframe.
  • Tetanus vaccine: Tetanus is a disease of the nervous system caused by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani and results in painful tightening of muscles over the body. People can be exposed to this bacterium through cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds. Tetanus vaccines are provided as part of routine childhood vaccine programs. A single booster dose of the vaccine is recommended for all adults over the age of 18 and for pregnant women between 27 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy to protect their babies. Additionally, everyone should get booster doses every ten years for ongoing protection and after certain injuries or animal bites. The vaccine is available in two formulations, tetanus-diphtheria (Td) or tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap).

Take our quick one-minute quiz to see which vaccines are recommended for you. The quiz is available at londondrugs.com/vaccine-screening. Then speak to your pharmacist for more information about each vaccine and to learn about public (free) vaccine programs or insurance coverage.

August Book of the Month

 

The River at Night by Erica Ferencik
Winifred Allen needs a vacation.
Stifled by a soul-crushing job and lonely after the end of a fifteen-year-marriage, Wini is feeling vulnerable. So when her three best friends insist on a high-octane getaway for their annual girls’ trip, she signs on despite her misgivings.
What starts out as an invigorating rafting excursion in the remote Allagash Wilderness soon becomes an all-too-real nightmare: a freak accident leaves the women stranded, separating them from everything they need to survive. When night descends, a fire on the mountainside lures them to a ramshackle camp that appears to be their lifeline. But as Wini and her friends grasp the true intent of their supposed saviours, secrets emerge and lifelong allegiances are put to the test. To survive, Wini must reach beyond the world she knows to harness an inner strength she never knew she possessed.

READ MORE

Happy World Photo Day 2017: The World’s Largest Photography Celebration

For photographers across the globe, August 19th is no average day: it’s World Photo Day! The world’s largest photography celebration highlights our communities’ passion for photography, amongst both amateur and professional photographers. World Photo Day reminds us of the significance of photography. It allows us to showcase the natural beauty of the world, including landscapes and subjects. Whether you’re using a cell phone, point and shoot, or DSLR, this special photography day is meant to encourage photographers of all skill levels to contribute to their craft.

For our LDExperts in the Photolab – many of whom are photographers themselves – World Photo Day is an opportunity to celebrate with customers and photography enthusiasts in the community, like you!

Many of our London Drugs Photolabs will also be celebrating World Photo Day in-store. You can sign up for all kinds of free workshops being held at select stores, devoted to tips, themes and new products. We hope they will inspire you to learn and hone your skills as a photographer. For details on celebrations happening at your local London Drugs Photolab, click here for locations and workshop details.

You can also get involved online by registering on the World Photo Day site and submitting photos to be eligible for prizes and even possible publication. World Photo Day’s global gallery is constantly growing and evolving: a striking mosaic of images captured by photographers from every background.

If you’re on Instagram, you can follow along and be inspired by the Canadian photographers we feature each day on our @LDPhotolab Instagram account, and we encourage you to use the hashtag #LDPhotolab to be featured! Of course, don’t forget to also check out the hashtag #worldphotoday to see how other photographers are celebrating around the world.

 

14 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram

If you’re anything like us, you find yourself sucked into the Instagram rabbit hole every once in a while. And who can blame you? Not only is Instagram a fantastic way to discover new events, products and companies, but the popular social media platform also provides  a way to unwind and appreciate truly spectacular photography.

The following list features some of Canada’s own local talent, allowing us to visually explore the country’s great mountains, grasslands, oceans, food, and people. Get inspired and check out these fourteen amazing Canadian photographers on Instagram. You can also discover these and other great images using #BeautifulCanada.

1. Martina Gutfreund @enchanted.forest

Based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Martina Gutfreund posts colourful, breathtaking scenes of the snow-capped Rockies and peaceful Provincial Parks in her area, all alongside her furry travel companions.

2. Brie & Reuben @vancitywild

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Brie and Rueben Vancity Wild

Image from @vancitywild

Hailing from Vancouver Island and the Edmonton area, Brie and Reuben are a Vancouver-based photography duo with an eye for adventure.

3. Flo Lum @flolum

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Flo Lum

Image from @flolum

Flo Lum takes stunning photographs of Vancouver, BC and the surrounding Lower Mainland. She has a way of using interesting angles and mixing up her feed with images of nature, food, and family.

4. Karlynn Johnston @thekitchenmagpie

Karlynn Johnston is a food and travel writer from Edmonton who takes titillating food photographs of her cookbook creations as well as delicacies from her travels across the country and abroad.

5. Brayden Hall @braybraywoowoo

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Brayden Hall

Image from @braybraywoowoo

An avid explorer of BC, Brayden Hall is an adventure photographer and professional drone pilot who captures stunning aerial photos of the province’s most beautiful landscapes.

6. Dan Lum @dudelum

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Dan Lum

Image from @dudelum

Husband to Flo Lum (what a team!), Dan Lum takes incredible photos of the British Columbia wilderness and landscape. His way of using perspective always tells an intricate story in each photograph, from sea to sky, forest to mountains.

7. Adam Hill @adamhillstudios

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Adam Hill

Image from @adamhillstudios

A resident of the Northwest Territories for almost a decade, Adam Hill’s images of the True North reveal mesmerizing waves of aurora and intricate portraits of wildlife. His work has been featured in Canadian Geographic and Outdoor Photographer Magazine, to name a few.

8. Andrew Knapp @andrewknapp

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Andrew Knapp

Image from @andrewknapp

If you haven’t been following the photo adventures of Andrew Knapp and his adorable border collie Momo, you’ve been missing out. By incorporating his canine companion into gorgeous wilderness backdrops, he’s created a new style of travel photography.

9. Emma Choo @vancouverfoodie

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Emma Choo

Image from @vancouverfoodie

Based in Vancouver, Emma Choo shares delectable photographs of her city’s amazing international and local cuisine. Her photos are vibrant, enticing, and guaranteed to make you drool.

10. JongSun Park @adl2enaline

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - JongSun Park

Image from @adl2enaline

JongSun Park is a Vancouver-based photographer keeping a daily photo diary of his life. From cafés, antique shops, and motorcycles, JongSun captures the city from a vintage-inspired lens that takes you back in time.

11. Chris Sheremata @chrissheremataphotography

From Canmore, Alberta, Chris Sheremata’s photographs range from serene lake views to incredible glacial ascents, and from hypnotizing starry mountain skies to collaborative bouldering adventures.

12. Brooke Willson @brookewillson

Image from @brookewillson

Not only do Brooke Willson’s photographs feature inspiring mountain ranges and sprawling waterfront views, but the inclusion of her dog Timber appeals to all the dog lovers who never leave home without their pup.

13. Paul Zizka @paulzizkaphoto

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Paul Zizka

Image from @paulzizkaphoto

Paul Zizka is an award-winning landscape and adventure photographer hailing from Banff, Alberta. He has has explored the peaks of his native Rockies and beyond, all while capturing the natural beauty of the surrounding ice, rock, sea, and sky.

14. Kari Medig @kari_medig

10 Amazing Canadian Photographers on Instagram - Kari Medig

Image from @kari_medig

Kari Medig is a photographer who grew up in northern BC, now living in Nelson. He shoots in film, which gives his images a dreamlike quality, and many feature snowcapped mountains. Kari has shot for several Canadian publications, including Destination BC, the Globe and Mail, and Air Canada’s enRoute.

Guide to Wedding Season Photos

Wedding season is upon us. If you’re looking at your calendar and realizing that your weekends are packed with bridal showers and weddings, you’re not the only one. Or, maybe it’s your own wedding that’s just around the corner. From unique gifts to customized cards, here are some creative ways to celebrate and preserve those wedding memories.

Wedding Cards

Especially if you’re gifting the couple something off their registry or giving cash, the wedding card is your chance to get personal. Rather than choosing a generic one from the card aisle, you can customize a blank or wedding templated card with photos and a heartfelt message to the soon-to-be bride and groom. Better yet, if you happen to have some photos of the couple from back when they first met, add those photos to the front of the card. They’re sure to appreciate the flashback!

Save The Dates

Save the Dates have become more elaborate in recent years, with couples staging fun and creative photoshoots to capture the excitement of their wedding announcement. If you have photos from an engagement or Save the Date photoshoot, you can turn those photos into personalized Save the Dates that can be printed on thick postcards using your choice of 6 specialty papers. Make sure to include important information on the card, including who’s invited, your wedding website URL (if you have one), and “Invitation to Follow” if you’ll be sending a wedding invitation at a later date.

For a clever twist on Save the Dates, put it on a magnet! They’re unique, versatile and most importantly they’re hard to lose once they’re on the fridge, so you can be sure your guests won’t forget the special date.

Unique Wedding Favours

Being able to celebrate your wedding with all of your friends and family members present is something truly special. All the more reason to share a token of this special day with them. A crystal or ornament can be customized with a photo and the wedding date for each guest to take home. They also make a great centrepiece on the tables during the wedding reception. Personalized playing cards are a handy wedding favour your guests will likely use again and again; take a wedding logo you’ve designed, or a photo of the two of you, to have printed on the cards.

Wedding Gifts

Rather than the traditional stand mixer or crystal ware, consider surprising the newlyweds with something unique and personalized. The best gifts say something about the happy life you wish the couple will lead.

A fine art print will set your wedding gift apart from all the others. Feature a photo of the happy couple or a photo of their favourite place to travel, on a Canvas Gallery Wrap. Not only is it sentimental, but will help to brighten up the walls of their home together.

Any couple is also sure to appreciate a gift they can use together. A set of customized Mr. and Mrs. aprons plus personalized placemats would be a sweet gesture if they share a love for cooking. Or help the couple start off their new lives together with some of your all-time favourite recipes, curated into a soft cover book.

Photo books are also a thoughtful way to show the couple you wish them the best. Collect photos of the two from their dating years through to their wedding day, and create a beautiful Coffeetable Photo Book for them to look back on years from now.

Thank You Cards

There is a lot to thank your guests for. It could be the incredible shiny new gift they gave you both, or the fact that they flew across the country to be there on your wedding day – whatever the reason, a good thank you card will help to convey your appreciation. Just like Save the Dates, Thank You cards can be printed on 6 different specialty papers. Double-sided or folded cards both make a good choice, and come with envelopes included.

Wedding Photo Book

Once the wedding is over, and the thank-you cards are sent, it’s finally time to sort through your wedding photos. Compile your favourites into your choice of photo book to display the memories of your special day. Especially if you invested in having a professional photographer at your wedding, it’s worth it to have those photos printed in a high quality format Photographic AlbumExpress books are also a great option; they’re quick and easy to make, and perfect for handing out to family and friends.

 

If you need some help getting started, our Photolab Experts can answer any questions you may have, and walk you through the ordering process. Just visit us at any London Drugs location, in the Photolab department.

Share Your Summer Travel Memories on Instagram…and IRL

Summer is the season of camping trips, beach vacations, hiking adventures and most importantly, making memories. With the extra-long days, there’s time to squeeze in even more outdoor activities. Whether you’re spending your summer being a tourist in your own town, or jet-setting to somewhere entirely new, you’re likely planning to snap a lot of photos along the way. After all, summer is fleeting, and the best way to preserve those memories is with photos.

Of course, part of preserving those memories is sharing them. We snap hundreds of photos while on vacation, but how many of them never end up seeing the light of day? Some of them get posted online to Facebook or Instagram, but there are plenty more that end up sitting on memory cards and hard drives unseen. Make the most out of your photos by printing them. There are endless ways to showcase your summer travels, from square Instagram Books and Book-Its, to photo DIYs if you’re feeling crafty.

 

Book-It Mini Books

Your photos tell a story of where you’ve been, what you’ve experienced, and what you’ve learned. It may feel bittersweet to arrive home after an incredible vacation, but it’s always fun to relive the best moments while journaling your trip in a photo book, like the 6×4 Book-It Mini Book. Pick a colourful, graphical theme and customize the layout and text to tell your story.

Instagram Books

Instagrammers rejoice, even your square photos can be turned into a photo book. Compile your Instagram-worthy shots into a 4×4 square Instagram photo book that’s wire-bound and printed on quality glossy or pearl photo paper. When family or friends ask how your summer vacation was, you can pull out your handy brag book to show them all the awesome places you explored this summer.

 

Photo Print DIYs

Start off with some good old 4×6 photo prints, and let your creativity do the rest! Collect ticket stubs and other small souvenirs throughout the summer, and use your photo prints to create a fun collage. Or make a Summer 2017 timeline to hang on the wall: pick a photo of each summer excursion, and use wooden pegs to hang them chronologically along a string.

If a traditional photo album is more your style, add your printed photos to a Pioneer Canada 150 Photo Album to showcase your favourite moments from #Canada150.

 

Don’t forget: great prints start with a great camera. If you have a vacation planned for later this summer, plan ahead and upgrade your camera so you can capture your summer memories in the best quality possible. It might be a matter of upgrading your smartphone, point-and-shoot or DSLR, or even switching up your camera’s lens to something new. You’ll appreciate the boost in quality when you go to print your photos!

9 Canadian Recipes to Celebrate Canada 150

When we think of Canadian cuisine, there are staple dishes–both sweet and savoury–that immediately come to mind.

While Canada is known for creating the poutine and Hawaiian pizza (among other delicacies), not everyone has grown up with these familiar local flavours. So whether the following dishes bring back fond childhood memories or this is your first ever time trying them out, these recipes are bound to have you brimming with Canadian pride this July 1st. Bring them to a Canada Day barbecue, share them with your coworkers and classmates, or simply whip up a batch to enjoy yourself.

1. The Famous Canadian Butter Tarts

Canadian Recipes - Butter Tart

The butter tart may be taken for granted as a regular dessert choice in Canadian households, but for some it is a sweet and flaky treat that may be overlooked. Everyone should experience this luxurious–and simple to make–national dessert that is popular year-round, and enjoyed by all.

[Find the recipe at Cooking the Globe]

2. Bannock

Canadian Recipes - Bannock

Bannock–a traditional Aboriginal bread–is made up of flour, baking powder, salt and sugar, and can be made savoury or sweet depending on your tastebuds.

[Find the recipe at Family Feedbag]

3. Classic Canadian Maple Syrup Pie

Canadian Recipes - Maple Pie

Maple is the spotlight of our nation’s flag, and is used as a natural sweetener in many dishes and as a popular condiment across the country. This sugar pie recipe truly makes maple syrup the star, and will be loved by anyone with a sweet tooth.

[Find the recipe at Seasons & Suppers]

4. Authentic Canadian Poutine

Canadian Recipes - Poutine

Of course, you can’t talk about Canadian cuisine without bringing up poutine. Originating in Quebec, the extremely satisfying combination of fries, cheese curds, and gravy can now be enjoyed across the globe.

[Find the recipe at Half Baked Harvest]

5. No-Bake Nanaimo Bars

Canadian Recipes - Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo bars are the intensely sweet and creamy dessert named after the city of Nanaimo in British Columbia. Although they may appear complex, these no-bake bars can be whipped up quickly (and devoured just as fast).

[Find the recipe at Liv for Cake]

6. Tourtiere (Quebecois Meat Pie)

Canadian Recipes - Tourtiere

While tourtiere is a traditional Quebecois savoury pie filled with pork, veal, and beef, this recipe can also be tweaked to cater to curious vegetarians. Whether you keep the meat or not, this classic French pie is sure to appease your appetite.

[Find the recipe at Saveur]

7. Chocolate & Toasted Coconut Donut Holes (DIY Timbits)

Canadian Recipes - DIY Timbits

Timbits (bite-sized donut holes made by Tim Hortons) are a staple in many a Canadian diet, and if not–or at least a guilty pleasure. Thankfully, you no longer have to hide the Timmy’s box from coworkers and friends–you can now make them in the privacy of your home!

[Find the recipe at Port and Fin]

8. Canadian Bacon Pineapple Pizza

Canadian Recipes - Hawaiian Pizza

Despite its name, Hawaiian pizza (ham and pineapple) was actually created by a Canadian back in the ‘60s, making this exotic-sounding pizza a true Canadian classic. Really amp up the Canadian spirit by substituting the ham for Canadian bacon.

[Find the recipe at Eat In Eat Out]

9. Grilled Nova Scotia Lobster Rolls

Canadian Recipes - Nova Scotia Lobster Rolls

If you’re lucky enough to have lived or visited the East Coast, you’ll understand the hype around lobster rolls. This recipe is simple, traditional, and can even be made with frozen or canned lobster if you can’t get your hands on a fresh Nova Scotian crustacean.

[Find the recipe at Food Gypsy]

 

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