smart | life


Protecting your health and wealth abroad is your best investment


Reasons to tick “yes” for travel insurance I


’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve heard a client say: “I don’t need travel insurance. I’m not going to get sick, and even if I do, I’m going no matter what.” Unfortunately, we can’t actually predict the future. We


can’t control the weather, natural disasters, flight delays – or even if your taxi was to get in an accident on the way to the airport. Travel insurance is designed to cover losses arising from sudden and unforesee- able circumstances; it covers you for the unexpected. It’s the investment you make for your trip in the hopes you never have to use it. Your provincial health plan


The Merits of Travel


Heather Malazdrewicz


wi l l only cover a fract ion of medical costs abroad. You are responsible for some of the costs of emergency hospital or medical care when you travel outside of Canada. Tat’s why it’s always a good idea to buy travel health insurance before you leave. Health care services in other


countries, particularly in the United States, can be signifi- cantly more expensive than here in Manitoba. Credit card coverage is very limited, with many exclu-


sions, and only insures you for a limited number of days. It may even restrict medical treatment to participating medical facilities only. If you are planning on travelling outside of Canada


for more than three months, you must contact Manitoba Health. Te coverage you receive, and the steps you need to take before you leave, may vary depending on the cir- cumstances of your departure. One of the merits of purchasing travel insurance in-


cludes a 24-hour toll-free line which will get you in touch with multilingual coordinators who can refer you to the medical facility you need. Generally speaking, the insurance will cover your ex-


penses upfront whenever possible so you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket, and will help you stay in touch with family in a travel emergency. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage would


offer reimbursement when you must cancel or interrupt your trip due to a covered risk, such as illness or death in your immediate family. Medical insurance would provide coverage for any medical expense you may incur once you have departed Manitoba. Te medical care or surgery must be necessary as part of the emergency treatment arising from a medical condition. Baggage insurance


Baggage insurance covers loss, theft or damage to your


baggage or personal effects. Also included in this may be replacement of travel documents such as your passport, travel visa or driver’s licence.


You can go


your own way Tips for maintaining healthy habits while navigating a social summer


D


on’t we all tend to put off slimming down, kicking our cravings, or eating healthier because summer is just too tempting?


Even though we want to properly enjoy travelling or time


with friends, “vacation mode” often leaves us feeling slug- gish, bloated, heavy or regretful. When we return to "reality," it can feel overwhelming to start from scratch (again). While it should never be about


deprivation, it is helpful to have a strategy for wellness no matter where you are or where you go. My top tips are below. When travelling


Preparing for a trip requires


Alive & Aware Patti Sliwiany


Whatever your idea of fun is, just be aware of whether or not it's covered by your travel insurance. Photo by Steven Byles.


On occasion, you may get to your destination but your


luggage didn’t make the f light. Delay of baggage and personal effects insurance would offer reimbursement of necessary toiletries and clothing if your luggage is delayed more than 12 hours.


Going extreme? If you are participating in adventure activities or extreme


sports such as bungee jumping, mountain biking or kay- aking, check the details of your policy as some insurance companies do not cover this on the policy. If you are planning on scuba diving, coverage can vary


on policies as you may only be covered if you have obtained your scuba designation from a certified school prior to leaving Canada. Some insurance companies will not extend coverage if


you are travelling to a country that currently has a travel advisory. Travel warnings may advise that Canadians avoid “all travel” or “non-essential travel” to a country or region. Always check with Canadian Foreign Affairs. It is important to read your policy carefully so you know


exactly what you are and are not covered for. Te cost for coverage is minimal for the peace of mind it will offer. A travel consultant is your best resource for finding the


plan that is right for you and your trip. Travel insurance – don’t leave home without it! Heather Malazdrewicz is the manager of Merit Travel at


the University of Manitoba. She has worked in the travel industry for 24 years while gaining her own experience of countries all over the world. Merit Travel delivers authentic travel experiences to the world’s top destinations, with help from a team of passionate and dedicated travel consultants at over 25 offices across Canada. For help planning your vacation, contact Heather at HMalazdrewicz@MeritTravel. com, or call 204-269-9530 ext. 6108.


Life with big lashes… and no running mascara


lucky thrift store finds comprise the main space in my closet. (I’ve been on a money-diet.) As a longtime makeup fanatic, it’s safe to say my kit is stacked. Seriously, it’s stacked. Bronzer-obsesser and lipstick lover – it’s just who I am. But I don’t do mascara. Really. And it’s not because I don’t see


S


Twist Me Toned Tannis Miller


the aesthetic value in Bambi- esque lashes, it’s because I’d pre- fer to sleep for five extra minutes in the morning. And because in the summer, sometimes, I like being able to do a backflip into the pool when the mood strikes without ending up looking like the Joker in Te Dark Knight. I get lash extensions. And they’re fabulous.


And it doesn’t hurt – and no, I’m not high-maintenance.


For 45 minutes every month, at less than $50, I have


individual, synthetic hairs bonded on each of my lashes. Tedious? Maybe, but it’s about the same price as good mas- cara – and I’d rather be doing something more productive


July 2015


Eyelash extensions free up some of your time in the morning. Photo by Nithi Anand.


than applying mascara in the morning, like making coffee. When I had Lasik eye surgery done a few months ago, I


had to go sans lashes. I fretted a bit about the possibility of having to sport baby lashes after being addicted to such boldness for two years, but all was good. Tey were slightly sparse at first, but within two weeks they were back to their normal level of lushness. And when it comes to lashes, bigger is obviously better. Tannis Miller is a personal trainer and an experienced


self-taught makeup artist and beauty guru. Tannis' work has been published in and on the covers of It's Love Winnipeg, Status Fitness Magazine, and Inside Fitness magazines.


www.smartbizwpg.com


o, I’ve got some vices. And yeah, wine, but no. I don’t get my nails done, I haven’t gotten my hair done since like, 2013, and


pre-planning. Start with your mode of transportation, and make sure you’re prepared with healthy snacks whether you go by plane, boat or car. Below is a list of my favorite travelling companions. If I’m driving, I pack extra in a cooler to have


in my hotel room; if I’m flying, I try to buy more at my destination. •Almonds or a mix of almonds, walnuts and pumpkin


seeds •Roasted chickpeas (The Good Bean brand) •Bottled water •Cut-up fruit and veggies •Individual-sized hummus, almond butter and/or gua-


camole •Sliced apples (goes great with the almond butter!) •Rice crackers (I like Mary’s Gone Crackers; they go great


with guac or hummus) •Hard-boiled egg (If you can’t take it with you, you can


pick up a Starbucks protein box) •Oatmeal


When dining out With the possible exception of fast-food restaurants,


every restaurant has options or will provide substitutions that will meet your needs. At a Mexican fiesta? Skip the chips and melted cheese and order the chicken fajitas, for example. Ask your server to bring just the grilled chicken, grilled veggies, and extra guacamole – hold the sour cream and cheese (maybe even the flour tortillas, depending on where you are on your dietary journey). Salsa works as a great side, as do black beans. No matter


where you go, you should be able to order grilled chicken or fish, steamed or grilled vegetables, and salad. You might even consider asking the server not to bring the bread bas- ket. And what if you drank less alcohol and relaxed with some sparkling club soda with lime or berries? You may be surprised how GOOD you feel after the meal (without the bloating, sluggishness or headache). Picnics, BBQs and family reunions


You can’t control what your hosts will serve, but you can


stack the odds in your favour by BYOF (bringing your own food). Make enough to share, of course! If you arrive with one or two healthy, delicious options,


you’ll be sure to have something you enjoy without having food-related symptoms or regret. Check out my website for healthy recipes from appetizers to desserts. No time to cook? A veggie or fruit tray is always welcome! Te Wedding Crasher


You can’t bring your own meal to the wedding, but you


can prepare in other ways. Eating something healthy be- fore you go will prevent you from being ravenous by the time the reception doors open. And of course, while a sip of champagne to toast the newlyweds won’t significantly compromise your healthy eating, drinking throughout the evening might add up, interrupt your sleep cycle, and it could leave you feeling sorry in the morning. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water (sparkling or flat) and if available, add fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries! What to know before you go


If you find that you cave in to temptations during these


summertime soirees only to experience regret, you could be an “emotional or situational eater,” or there could be situations that “trigger” your eating habits. You may want to consider meeting with me before your next big event or vacation, so we can talk about your concerns and chal- lenges, and set you up for success. As your coach, I can help you change your relationship with food so that you are in control of it, instead of it being in control of you. Together, we can learn why you might be “stuck,” what’s getting in your way, and how you can make small changes that will make a big difference. Patricia Sliwiany is a board-certified holistic nutritionist,


and founder of Alive & Aware Holistic Health. Alive & Aware offers workshops, lunch-and-learn series, and three- to 12-month individual or group coaching initiatives for those who want to take charge of their health and prevent disease. To find out which program meets the needs of you or your organization, please visit www.aliveandaware.ca, or contact Patti at patti@aliveandaware.ca or 204-997-2031.


Smart Biz 15


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