by Mario De Negri, Fitness Coordinator For Rebel Athletics and Recreation Services

I came across this blog when I was feeling a fair bit of turbulence in my life. I personally was doing great. Everything was in line, I was working at my best, and being my best self which warrants recognition as that’s something I have failed to do in my past, and can image others feeling something similar in their lives. This was affecting my life from the outside and I had the choice to sit there and take it or stand up and step to the side. I had made some tough decisions to try to keep myself on a healthy path but I couldn’t help shake the pain in my heart. Sometimes clarity of the mind doesn’t mean you’ll find peace in the heart right away. Sometimes the aches in the heart are real but just growing pains we must endure for our own personal growth as a person. Every time I look back at times this has been true I can feel peace in my heart now, but wasn’t so in the moment at that time. This blog brings to lights some of those tough self-questions we need to be asking ourselves to see if we are on our true path. So many of the points highlight quite directly some of the fears about myself I had to face and to accept if I was to move forward on my path. Hopefully they can bring some insight onto you as they have re-affirmed in mine.

Check out the blog here;

http://www.lifebuzz.com/just-stop/

Do you have your tickets?

Despite rumours to the contrary, Rob Ford will not attend our first Rebel Riders’ event of the year on June 6th.

But, though his attending the much anticipated June 6th Bud, Spud, and Steak fundraiser for MS is now clearly unlikely, will Rob Ford ride with our Rebel Riders for the September MS Riding Mountain challenge?
Read More →

by Cole Skinner, Athletics and Recreation Cooridantor

With exams currently taking place, and the rush to get summer jobs, this is often a busy and stressful time for Red River College Students. Rebels Athletics and Recreation Services has a great way to relieve stress, get fit for summer, and be at your best for exams and job interviews! RRC Athletics and Recreation Services offers Group Fitness Programs suited to all interests and fitness levels. Our highly trained and enthusiastic instructors will lead you through a fun and challenging workout suited to you. Use these classes to get a leg up on your personal fitness goals, with summer right around the corner, why not get active and have fun in the process. We offer a wide variety of classes that can help relieve stress, and improve your personal wellness.

Registered Programs For 2014 Spring Term

Yoga with Amanda on Mondays from 4:15 to 5:15.

Rapid Revolution Spin with Lesley on Tuesdays from 11:05 to 11:50 and Thursdays from 11:05 to 11:50.

Dynamic Core with Leslie on Tuesdays from 12:05 to 12:50 and Thursdays from 12:05 to 12:50.

Cardio Complete with Ming on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 4:45

Boot Camps with Karly on Fridays from 11:05 to 11:50

Stott Pilates with Karly on Fridays from 12:05 to 12:50

Regular classes will start April 28th and run until June 27th.

Drop in cards for 4 or 8 classes per term can also be purchased. An unlimited Full Fitness Pass can also be purchased, allowing to attend as many classes as you want.

Register

To register for a class download the attached form, fill it out and take it to the Student Service Centre to make a payment. 2014 Spring Fitness Classes Registration Form

Although there is a vaccine for influenza, there is no vaccine for the nasty stomach flu or norovirus as it may be called. It causes serious illness, can incapatitate for a number of days and is contagious (you can shed the virus and spread it). Children and elderly are high risk for complictions but everyone is susceptible and anyone can spread it.

It is the one that causes nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea to the point where you want to be in bed, curled up in a ball and as close as possible to a toilet. It hits quickly and hard.

Did you know that just using alcohol santizer instead of washing your hands does not protect you  the same as with some flu and cold strains?  Why? This type of virus does not have the same cover or “envelope” around it which is what the alcohol santizers help destroy in some cold and flu strains, so it is not that affected by the alcohol. It is however, senstive to bleach.

Can I prevent it? Yes and with a basic and easy routine.

Wash your hands with soap and water! Often. When cleaning hard surfaces use a bleach based product following manufacturer directions. Many such wipes are on the market now.

A CDC study in health facilities found those who mostly used hand sanitizers instead of washing with soap and water were 6 times more likely to have stomach flu (gastro) outbreaks  in their long term care facility over facilities whose staff washed with soap and water.

Tips

• Food preparation areas need constant cleaning and if handling food, washing hands often is a must.
• If you have a dishwasher use it even for small loads as it has higher temperatures then can be tolerated by hand washing.
• If you must hand wash, put on rubber lined gloves and use as high a heat as possible.
• Don’t share. If you have a person in the house who has the stomach flu, isolate that person and what they use.
• Wash affected laundry on high heat. You can also run the machine on its own with some bleach to keep cross contamination at a minimum.
• Clean clean clean any surfaces a person who is ill may or could touch. A bleach based product whether liquid or wipe is best.
• Do a routine wipe down of things like keyboards, phones, remote controls and any other items that people share.
• To prevent a bout of stomach flu going around the office, class, meeting rooms, lunch rooms or coffee areas; Institute a routine of wiping down hard surfaces. Wash hands with soap and water even if you wore gloves while cleaning.
• The virus sheds from an infected person 1-2 days  before that person even knows they are sick.
• The virus can live for days on hard surfaces happily waiting for someone to pick them up.
• Drinks lots of fluids- water, milk white or chocolate and real fruit juices. It keeps you hydrated which allows your body to function at its best.

• Eat foods that replenish your system needs, protein, vegetables, grains and reduce those that put stress on the body such as energy drinks and sugars.

From Health Services

63% of Canadians struggle with making healthier food choices in the grocery store at least half the time they shop; more than one third struggle at least 75% of the time according to an Ipsos Reid poll conducted for Dietitians of Canada in the Spring of 2012. [1]

National Nutrition Month is brought to you by the Dietitians of Canada every March. National Nutrition Month 2014 is designed to inspire Canadians to get back to cooking basics and to involve children and youth in food preparation. The campaign is ‘Simply Cook and Enjoy’ as there are concerns about the lack of home cooking and loss of cooking skills.

10 Steps to a Healthier You[2]

1. Variety adds enjoyment – eat the foods you enjoy balanced with healthy choices and size-wise portions
2. Fibre is filling – fuel up with high-fibre foods for your meals and snacks
3. Surround yourself with healthy snacks – bring healthy “to-go” snacks for smart snacking wherever you are
4. Add a dash of creativity – try a new recipe or experiment with spices
5. One small step at a time – make one small change to eating habits this week
6. Feed the need – if you feel your stomach grumbling, reach for a healthy snack
7. Listen to your body cues – you may need other nourishment such as sleep, fresh air, cool water or change of pace
8. The 20-minute message – it takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that your stomach is full
9. Health is a life-long experience – focus on long-term health, not a quick fix
10. Fast food doesn’t have to be “fat” food – look for healthy alternatives

For additional details on Nutrition Month including eating tips and recipes, visit the ‘Simply Cook and Enjoy’ website at www.nutritionmonth.ca.

Did you know that in Manitoba, we have a ‘Dial-a-Dietitian’ service?

If you are looking for free nutrition information for anyone, you can call to speak to a Registered Dietitian and get answers about food and nutrition.

World Water Day

Worldwide, 13 billion people cannot access electricity, 768 million people lack access to improved water sources and 2.5 billion people have no improved sanitation. Water and energy have crucial impacts on poverty alleviation.[3]

World Water Day on March 22, 2014 is to bring awareness to the inter-linkages between water and energy and promote sustainable practices. Key Messages[4] include:

1. Water requires energy and energy requires water.
2. Supplies are limited and demand is increasing.
3. Saving energy is saving water. Saving water is saving energy.
4. The ‘bottom billion’ urgently needs access to both water and sanitation services, and electricity.
5. Improving water and energy efficiency is imperative as are coordinated, coherent and concerted policies.

For more information on World Water Day, visit http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/home/en/.

When I went to university I had a difficult time making the transition.  During my first year, I reached the half-way point and I still hadn’t found that feeling of being “in stride” with it. I understood the routine of getting up for classes and making sure I caught my bus at the same time every day.  I also felt the stress of the workload piling up on me and I barely had any free moments to relax and not think – to be young and having fun.

I thought my January resolutions would’ve held out … but who was I kidding. I knew it would be the same pattern as before, and just thinking that way had already set me up for failure. I knew that if I was to succeed with what I wanted out of life I had to really take a good look at myself, really see who I was and face some of the unwanted answers to the question “Who am I?”. I would have to make some tough decisions, and change the way I live by recognizing my personal patterns (both good and bad).

Here are some tips that helped me back then and continue to help make my life one that I design for myself and not something that others have programmed for me.

1)     Just Do It

One thing that stops most of us is our inability to just do something, anything. What should I do? How should I do it?  Just the momentum of movement will lead us to answers we seek as long as we remain detached to the outcomes and remain focused on ourselves. Energy creates energy. Fears will be there and barriers will come but by taking a simple step towards what you want you will bring yourself closer to that bliss we all chase.  This one step will also create emotions within ourselves which, when they are in line with our true path, will lift us up and carry us further down the path of our dreams. However if you deal with any type of anxiety this can seem like a huge deal. It’s easier said than done. Work on being gentle with yourself and working on non-judgment. If you can find yourself at a point where you can forgive yourself for doing nothing you are on the right track to getting into doing something. There is no race in life. You are on your own timeline which can give you that sense of freedom and relieve some of the pressures on ourselves.  Read More →

February is Heart Month!

Heart disease and stroke are two of the top three leading causes of death. Did you know?

• Every seven minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke.[1]
• Heart disease and stroke costs the Canadian economy more than $20.9 billion every year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity.[2]
• 9.7% of Canadians are in ideal cardiovascular health, 53.8% are in intermediate health, and 36.5% are in poor health. [3]

Even though these are some scary statistics, there are some risk factors that you cannot control such as age, gender, family history or ethnicity. However, there are a number of risk factors that you can do something about:

• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Being overweight
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Physical activity
• Smoking
• Stress

What can you do to control your risk to heart disease and stroke?

There are 8 steps to prevent heart disease according to the Mayo Clinic by using a heart-healthy diet.[4]

1. Control your portion size
2. Eat more vegetables and fruits
3. Select whole grains
4. Limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol
5. Choose low-fat protein sources
6. Reduce the sodium in your food
7. Plan ahead: create daily meals
8. Allow yourself an occasional treat

How do you know if you are currently at risk?

The Heart & Stroke Foundation has created a Risk Assessment that you can complete online. The Risk Assessment helps you find out what is putting you at risk for heart disease and stroke. You can create an account or complete the assessment anonymously. The questions regarding your health and lifestyle are simple and take less than 10 minutes to complete.

To complete the assessment, visit: Heart & Stroke Risk Assessment

Did You Know?

You may have a soft spot in your heart for a family pet. Through STRATA Select, you are eligible for discounts on Pet Health Insurance through Petplan Pet Insurance®? You have a choice of annual coverage limits and may be eligible for a discount on monthly premiums. Check it out!

Upcoming Submission Deadline!

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you to submit your 2013 claims to your Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) by March 31, 2014.

2013 claims must be received by Great-West Life prior to March 31^st, 2014 to be claimed against your 2013 HCSA dollars. Any unused 2013 benefit dollars remaining after this period will be forfeited.

The HCSA can be used to cover a range of benefits not normally covered under other types of group benefits plans or by provincial medical plans.

What are covered expenses?

You are covered for 100% of eligible expenses that you incur while you and your dependents are covered, up to the total amount of dollars in your HCSA.

The Income Tax Act governs the types of expenses that can be reimbursed under the HCSA. This includes medical or dental services provided by a:

• Licensed medical practitioner;
• Dentist; or
• Public or licensed private hospital.

Please visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca and search on medical expenses for a complete list.

On January 1^st, 2014, your HCSA refreshed based on the Flex Option you have chosen and part-time/full-time status where applicable. Please visit www.greatwestlife.com to review your claims history and obtain your HCSA statement including balance.

Under the HCSA, you can carry forward claims up to 12 months from the date of service. This means if you had more 2013 expenses than you had 2013 HCSA dollars, you can carry forward those claims for reimbursement against your 2014 HCSA balance.

For example, under Flex Option 5:

Updated Claim Submission Requirements

Great-West Life has updated their claims submission requirements for compression hose and orthopedic shoes. There has been no change to the coverage provided under the Red River College plan. The change in requirements is common among insurance carriers to ensure coverage is provided for valid expenses.

What are the claim requirements for compression hose?

Benefits will be adjudicated according to the compression factor of the hose. When submitting a claim, you are required to provide the following information:

•  Medical Diagnosis – a prescription from your doctor that includes the specific medical diagnosis. A description of symptoms is not sufficient documentation.
• Make/Model of Hose – ensure there is a make and model number of  the compression hose you have been supplied with on your receipt

 Please refer to your Benefits Booklet to determine your eligibility and benefit limits.

What are the claim requirements for orthopedic shoes?

When submitting a claim, you are required to provide the following information:

• Prescription Requirement – the prescription must set out the medical diagnosis necessitating the orthopedic shoes. Prescriptions outlining symptoms rather than a medical diagnosis will not be sufficient.
• Casting Technique – details of technique utilized, description of the process and the materials used to fabricate the shoes when claim is for custom-made orthopedic shoes.
• Brand/Model – details of brand name, model of shoes, description of each modifcation made to shoes (if applicable) and a breakdown of the costs of the shoes and each modification when the claim is for custom-fitted or pre-fabricated (off-the-shelf) orthopedic shoes.

Please refer to your Benefits Booklet to determine your eligibility and benefit limits.

Did You Know?

Through STRATA Select, you are eligible for discounts on new security systems or monitoring of existing systems through ProTELEC Alarms? ProTELEC has three incentives depending on customer needs. Check it out!

Out-of-Country Emergency Travel Health Coverage

Red River College employees and their eligible dependents have 100% Emergency Travel Health coverage.

What is an out-of- country medical emergency?

The definition of an out-of-country medical emergency is “an unforeseen injury or illness that begins while the insured person is traveling outside his or her home province”.  You will not be covered if you are travelling against medical advice.

What to do during a medical emergency out-of-province/country?

When traveling abroad, it is important to carry your Great-West Life ID Card. Your card includes the toll-free numbers required to obtain assistance during a medical emergency.  In the event of an emergency call Global Medical Assistance (GMA) as soon as possible.  The call can be made during or immediately following a medical situation, such as:

• You are hospitalized or about to be hospitalized.
• You need assistance in locating proper medical care.
• Physician and/or Hospital requires insurance verification (confirmed through GMA directly).
• You are involved in an accident requiring medical treatment.
• You have a medical problem and require translation service.
• Emergency evacuation is deemed medically necessary (arrangements will be made through GMA).
• Any serious medical problem arises. 

Be prepared to give the name of the person covered, the group and contract number and a description of the problem.

For more information or to print your ID card, log in to the Great-West Life Member Portal with your Great-West Life user name and password.

Great-West Life Online Services

Access to the online site for your group Health and Dental benefits information has never been easier with Great‐West Life’s GroupNet™ for Plan Members.

Available 24/7, this user friendly site provides the following:

• Online claim submission
• Sign up for direct deposit claim payments
• View and print your claim status and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for the past 24 months. The EOB can be used to coordinate benefits with other insurance carriers.
• Create and print a summary of your claim history by patient and/or benefit.
• Complete and print personalized claim forms.
• Access to Great-West Life’s Health & Wellness Site

Sign up now at www.greatwestlife.com

GroupNet™ Mobile

Information when you’re on the go from your Benefits Solutions People. Great-West Life’s GroupNet™ Mobile app lets you take GroupNet™ for Plan Members with you. You can download GroupNet™ Mobile to Android™, BlackBerry®, and iPhone.

Great-West’s GroupNet™ Mobile lets you:

• Submit claims online through Member eClaims
• Access personalized coverage information about benefits, claims and more – quickly and easily, any time
• View card information including: member ID, Drug and Global Medical Assistance
• Locate the nearest approved provider who has access to Provider eClaims, through a built-in GPS mapping tool

Did You Know?

Through STRATA Select, you could purchase individual insurance? Depending on your needs – whether you are looking for coverage for your parents or additional Travel Health for your next hot vacation – individual insurance is available. Check it out!

Over the past few weeks the staff on NDC’s 5th floor have been sporting an Amaryllis growing competition.

This all started back in October when I sent a little email around to see who might be up for some friendly competition and raising a beautiful plant (a great distraction over the cold winter months). Not long after that 14 staff chipped in $10 dollars and 14 Amaryllis’s were bought and planted.

The objective of this competition was to see who’s plant would be the tallest and who would be voted best dressed by Dec 16th. There was intermittent measuring and smack talk was encouraged.

Within a week all of our departments (Staff Learning & Development, Sustainability, Nursing, Environmental Safety and Health, Developmental Learning, Research and Planning, the Recycling Team and Recognition of Prior Learning) were mingling, popping in to see the plants and of course sizing up the competition.

By Dec 16 plants that started at 4 cm were now 50-60 cm with beautiful red blooms. When it came time to pick our winners, our celebrity judges, Nancy Alexander and Lori Grandmont, had a very difficult time selecting only two.  They chose the “McHansen” from Nursing as the tallest plant and “Jorge” from Staff Learning and Development for best dressed.

At the end of the day we all walked away with a beautiful plant, a few more friends that we got know on our floor, and the experience of sharing in some great RRC team spirit.