How do you know when it’s time to reline dentures?

If the dentures no longer fit as well as they once did, you may need to have a procedure done to refit the base of the denture, called a “reline”.

Check with your Denturist to see if your dentures can be relined. It is best not to reline your dentures with over-the-counter reline kits. This procedure, which can be done by Denturist, will enable your dentures to have a tighter, better fit. A new impression will be taken to ensure the proper landmark and a new base will be cured to the underside of your existing denture.

Quan Gifford R.D.
Denture Clinic Owner & Operator

Dentureworks

I just bought beautiful shades from Budget Blinds, how do I clean them?

If you have a cellular or honeycomb shade, Dust them with a feather duster, or lightly vacuum with an upholstery attachment. For dust inside the cells, a blow dryer on the lowest, cool air setting will blow the dust out. Clean with a sponge and a mild detergent/ warm water solution and blot dry. Dry cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning are not recommended. Extra care should be used when cleaning opaque/blackout fabrics, as the fabrics could become permanently creased.

If you have a Solar shade, to keep them clean you would Lightly vacuum both sides of the shade using a brush or upholstery attachment. Softly brush with a mild detergent and warm water solution. Rinse thoroughly and allow the shade to dry completely before raising it. Do not immerse them in water.

Clay & Lacey Tierney
Owners

Budget Blinds

Can I cook with olive oil?

A popular myth is that you can’t cook with olive oil. It is said to have a low “smoke point” – the temperature at which an oil breaks down and smokes, causing harmful by-products. Simply not true. The myth probably came about as a result of tests on olive oils that weren’t as pure as advertised – typically cut with lower-quality oils to improve profits. 

When using real, tested extra-virgin olive oil, you can cook at temperatures up to 210ºC/410ºF or more if the oil has a low percentage of free-fatty acid. In fact, while the allowable limit for extra virgin oil is 0.8%, many of Olive the Best’s varieties have 1/10th and tested in our kitchen up to 227ºC/440ºF! 

So, now that you know you can cook with olive oil, there is a world of exciting options to explore. The oil you choose can provide healthy and complementary flavours that will earn you a reputation as a master home chef!

I want to get more knowledgeable about my finances, where should I begin?

Start with our podcast, “It’s Personal Finance Canada” that’s available on all major hosting platforms. Already we’re in the top 5% of most followed podcasts globally on Spotify, not too bad for a couple of Canadians. If you want to get information and be entertained in the process, check it out!

If you’re looking for more hands-on advice or have something specific you’d like to explore, we can help with financial goal setting with action steps, financial planning, insurance, investments, health & dental as well as retirement or estate planning. It’s nice to have a professional tell you if you’re on track to meeting your goals or what you would need to do to achieve them. We’re here to help you every step of the way, through the different stages of life.

Finally, if you’re looking for a place to engage with others about personal finance and ask questions, feel free to join our new It’s Personal Finance Canada Facebook group and Facebook discussion group. We take suggestions from the members about what to talk about on the podcast, started a book club, and I recently shared about my seven days no spend challenge. It would be great to see you there!”

Christine Conway
CFP, CLU, CHS, CExP.
President

Braun Financial Services

I love the outdoors but my patio area is always wet, what are my options to make better use of my deck or backyard space?

First you have to decide if you need more living space or a covered seasonal area. A Four Seasons Sunroom can bring the outdoors in all year round, with a glass or solid roof, windows all around, add heat and lighting, now your house is part of your back yard. If it’s covered outdoor space you need, we have aluminum or wood patio covers. We can close in the walls with glass or screens to make it a 3 seasons room, there’s no limit to options.

Our designers work with you to find something to fit your needs and budget, big or small. every project is designed for you. We are a turn key company, we take care of all aspects of the build including all other trades if needed.

Gord Tiemstra

Four Seasons Sunrooms

Are you ready for new floors?

Sometimes we want to renovate our home without really understanding what is involved in the process. There are several “hidden” costs to consider that will determine the quality and result of your project: 

1. Trimming and transitions. Since most hard materials require an expansion gap throughout the perimeter, you can be left with a floor that looks unfinished. If you have baseboards in place, they need to be removed and reinstalled and you also might need some shoe base or quarter round to cover those gaps in places where you don’t have baseboards. 
2. Labor. A good product with a bad installation is just a bad product since it won’t perform the way, it was supposed to and won't last as long. Make sure you have room in your budget for a knowledgeable person/ team and not just a cheap installer. 
3. And finally, the flooring material. As in many things in life, what you pay for is what you get. Don’t expect your cheap floor to perform and last. Look for the best quality you can afford.

Remember, cheap in the end can result in doing the job twice.

Andrea Gertarez
Owner

Floor Coverings International

What is earwax and how do we clean our ears?

Earwax is produced by oil glands in our ear canals. When the oil reaches the surface of our canals, it hardens and can vary in appearance and texture (eg. goopy like honey; dry like dandruff). Small hairs in the outer one-third of our ear canals help to sweep the wax out to the entrance of our ear canals. Clean your ears regularly by washing your ear with your finger wrapped in a washcloth. That is all you need to do. However, if you use Q-tips or wear earbuds/plugs on a regular basis, the wax can sometimes become stuck in your canals, or worse, become impacted against the eardrum. When this happens, you may experience muffled hearing, pain, and/or tinnitus. 

The safest way to remove wax is to have an Audiologist “certified in Cerumen Management”, clean your ears. We can remove wax through curettage (special manual tools to scoop out wax), irrigation (water gently flushed into the ear), and micro-suction (small vacuum suctions out the wax). Over-the-counter eardrops or olive oil drops can help to loosen the wax before cerumen management (don’t use it if you have a history of ear infections). Never insert any instrument (Q-tip; corkscrew tool, etc) into your ear as there is a risk of infection and damage to your ear canal. If you have any concerns or questions about earwax, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Grace Shyng 
Registered Audiologist and Hearing Instrument Practitioner 

Network Hearing Health

What are the benefits of Gleam Guard?

All our technicians are personally trained by Tracy Booth the founder and inventor with 35 years of experience in the Gleam Guard dust-free odor-free process. Call and talk with Tracy to get a quote about your cabinets and wood throughout your house.

Tracy Booth
Owner & Founder

Gleam Guard

On an average size kitchen, it takes about 2 days to complete, you can still use your kitchen in the evenings and mornings while we work during the day in a dust and odor-free environment. The convenience of not having to remove your dishes from your cabinets while we refinish your cabinets gives you extra peace of mind and no additional stress. Unmatched 5-year guarantee and no mess to clean up after we leave.

How long and what’s involved in the Gleam Guard process?

What is Sponsored Content?

Sponsored Content is a brand-sponsored article that lives on a media publisher’s website. It looks and reads like the publication's own content but is, in fact, a paid advertisement. It positions the brand as an expert by delivering interesting content that is relevant to a publisher’s audience. 

As we move further down the digital road, it’s important to connect with your audience online. Not merely advertise products and services… spark interest, answer questions, and educate readers with valuable information. One example of this would be for a Realtor to sponsor an article on “How to turn your Basement Suite into a Rental Unit?” A Travel Agency could talk about “5 Best Trips to Cure the Winter Blues!” Maybe a Yoga Studio discusses “The Health Benefits of Maintaining a Good Work-Life Balance?” The general idea is to provide your audience with helpful, interesting, and even must-read articles… sponsored by your business of course! It’s a softer, but more memorable sell, presented in a journalistic style.

Sponsored Content builds brand trust & credibility, when used effectively can drive online traffic and engagement by leaps and bounds!!

Neeta Dhillon
Digital Media Strategist

Glacier Media Digital

When should my elderly father move out of his home? 

First thing to ask Dad is: where does he want to live for the rest of his life? Does he want to move in with family, or to an assisted living community (on a waitlist), or get a bit of help in his own home? 

Figuring out Dad’s goals for aging and then working backwards can be a good way to create a plan. Perhaps Dad wants to stay at home until he cannot use the stairs anymore; or perhaps no matter what, he wants to remain in the same home he has lived in for the past 40 years. 

Whatever the plan is, home care is a solution to help him for the short or long term. In-home caregivers can help with daily household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping - to more complex tasks like bathing, dressing, toileting, medication assistance, overnight supervision, and appointment accompaniment.

Qualicare offers customized solutions through our 360° Approach to care. Services can be increased or decreased depending on Dad’s current needs, and if Dad decides to change his plans, Qualicare pivots with him to provide the right in-home support for as long as it is required.

Michelle Bailey
Executive Director

Qualicare Home Care

How do dental services differ with age?

Kids
Regular dental care is essential for children, to help them set a solid foundation for lifelong oral health. We usually start their first visit around 6 months of age. Early detection of any problems is helpful.

Teens
As teens grow and become more independent their oral health needs change too. Preventive care every 6 months is recommended. Monitoring for any orthodontic problems or wisdom teeth removal is part of their care along with instruction on how to have and maintain a healthy, white smile.

Adults
Preventive care should continue to be top of mind for adults to prevent early-stage gum disease, receding gums, and other oral health issues. Prevention includes at-home care (don’t forget to floss!) and regular exams. Your dentist will address any problems and recommend the appropriate restorative services such as crowns, bridges, fillings, appliances, and implants as needed. Your dentist will also monitor changes in your mouth and teeth as you age, and watch for issues like TMJ, dry mouth, and sleep apnea. Our goal is a healthy smile for a lifetime!

Keep smiling, Dr. Sherry

Dr. Sherry Ghodousi
Dentist

Elgin Dental Group

Can I cook with olive oil?

A popular myth is that you can’t cook with olive oil. It is said to have a low “smoke point” – the temperature at which an oil breaks down and smokes, causing harmful by-products. Simply not true. The myth probably came about as a result of tests on olive oils that weren’t as pure as advertised – typically cut with lower-quality oils to improve profits. 

When using real, tested extra-virgin olive oil, you can cook at temperatures up to 210ºC/410ºF or more if the oil has a low percentage of free-fatty acid. In fact, while the allowable limit for extra virgin oil is 0.8%, many of Olive the Best’s varieties have 1/10th and tested in our kitchen up to 227ºC/440ºF! 

So, now that you know you can cook with olive oil, there is a world of exciting options to explore. The oil you choose can provide healthy and complementary flavours that will earn you a reputation as a master home chef!

Daniela Hammond
Owner

Olive the Best