Life
March is National Nutrition Month
It’s never too early or too late to prioritize eating a well-balanced diet or form healthy dietary patterns. A dietary pattern is what humans habitually eat or drink that contributes to overall health. In honour of National Nutrition Month, take some time to learn how you can easily incorporate healthy food choices into your life, no matter your current stage.
Key Components of a Healthy Dietary Pattern
A well-balanced diet includes a variety of foods. It generally involves having an array of colours, such as dark and leafy greens, oranges and tomatoes. A healthy dietary plan usually includes:
- Vegetables of all types—dark green; red and orange; beans, peas, and lentils; starchy; and other vegetables
- Fruits, especially whole fruit
- Grains, at least half of which are whole grain
- Dairy, including fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese, or lactose-free versions and fortified soy beverages and yogurt as alternatives
- Foods with protein, including lean meats, poultry and eggs; seafood; beans, peas and lentils; and nuts, seeds and soy products
- Oils, including vegetable oils and oils in food, such as seafood and nuts
While you should include a wide variety of healthy options in your diet, there are options you should limit. Foods you should limit in your dietary plan include:
- Added sugars
- Saturated fat
- Sodium
- Alcoholic beverages
For more information on how to follow a healthy dietary pattern in your life, contact us today.
Home
Understanding Factors That May Affect Your Insurance Premium
Home insurance policies differ from person to person. There are determining factors that will influence your home insurance premiums. These factors can include things such as:
- Claims history—Your insurance company will assess claims you’ve made in the past to determine your premium.
- Marital status—Married individuals typically file fewer claims than single individuals. If you’re married, you usually have lower premiums.
- Home—Your home’s value, age, and renovations can contribute to your premium rates.
- Location—If you live in a high-risk area, your premium rates are likely higher.
Another key component to your premium cost is your policy. The following policy factors have the most significant impact on your premium costs:
- Type of coverage—There are three types of coverage: actual cash value, replacement cost and extended replacement cost. Each option could affect the cost of your premium due to what it covers.
- Limit—This is the amount of money your insurance company will pay in the event of a loss. Generally, the higher the limit you choose, the higher your premium.
- Deductible—This is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company begins to pay the remaining loss. Typically, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium.
- Additional coverage—This is for certain items or circumstances not covered by a standard home insurance policy.
For more information and tips on how to reduce your premium costs, contact us today.
Auto
Maintaining Tires
Checking your tires on a regular basis is critical and can help you stay safe on the road. Additionally, proper maintenance of your tires can improve your fuel efficiency, help prevent unwanted accidents and maintain proper steering. Consider the following tips to help maintain your tires:
- Rotate your tires every 10,000 to 13,000 kilometres. This practice will ensure that your tires wear evenly.
- Check your tire pressure once a month. Underinflated tires can lead to tire stress, irregular wear and car accidents. The right amount of air pressure needed for your tires can be found in your owner’s manual.
- Check your tire tread depth regularly. Tread is what gives your vehicle the traction it needs to stop and hold the road on curves. One way to check your tread depth is by using the nickel or quarter test. Hold the coin with the head facing down. If any tread is covering the figurehead, you have a safe amount of tread remaining on the tire. If the full figurehead is exposed, it’s time for new tires.
By taking the time to properly maintain your tires, you can help ensure both your own and other drivers’ safety on the road.