Chinese new year travel medication tips and healthy food recipes!

As we approach Chinese New Year, many of us in the Chinese community may have plans to travel abroad to see our friends and family. For those of us that are not travelling, we may be planning dinners and gatherings for our friends and family here in Canada.

In this month's blog, we will provide some useful tips on travel medications, as well as some healthy and tasty food recipes for the new year! Don't forget to visit our new website: www.mycustomcarepharmacy.ca for more info!

Travel medications:

For seniors covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) that are planning to travel for more than 3 months, it is best to talk to your pharmacist as early in your vacation planning as possible. This is because there are some government restrictions on dispensing vacation drugs supply under the ODB, depending on when you got the medications last and how much medication supply you have on hand.

For example, if you have just picked up 3-months supply of medications, you may NOT be able to get a 6-months supply for vacation. So make sure you talk to our pharmacists and we can help you plan out your re-fill schedule to ensure that you can receive the maximum travel supply of your medications. We will also help you fill out the required documentation confirming your travel plan.  At Custom Care Pharmacy, this service is of no charge to you.

Travel vaccines:

Talk to your doctor about getting the appropriate vaccines to prevent illness during your travel.  Some vaccines need to be administered 1-2 months prior to your travel. You may also consider getting an oral vaccine, Dukoral, to prevent travellers' diarrhea. These common vaccines are in stock at Custom Care Pharmacy.

Healthy and Tasty recipes:

Custom Care Pharmacy now carries zero-calories, zero sugar, zero carb dressings that can be used for preparing your meals. Below are 2 delicious recipes using the thick and spicy BBQ sauce.

Don't forget to RSVP for our FREE cooking demonstration event on JAN 31 2016 with famous weight loss Chef Dan Verati!2-4pm at Custom Care PharmacyCall 905-305-0111 to reserve your seat!  

Beef with Chinese Cabbage 

1 1/3 pounds ground beef extra lean
6 cups Chinese cabbage finely sliced
2 cups green peppers cut into pieces
1 teaspoon walden farms BBQ thick and spicy sauce
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 bunch coriander chopped fine
6 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
sea salt to taste
cayenne pepper to taste

Heat the wok before adding oil and bring up to high heat. Add ground beef and cook until tender. Season with soy sauce. Salt and cayenne pepper.
Add BBQ sauce, simmer for 1 minute. Top with coriander.

Per serving: 356 calories, 21g Fat, 32 g protein, 10g carbohydrate

Szechuan-Style Turkey and Broccoli

1 1/2 pounds turkey breast cut into 1" cubes
6 cups broccoli flowerets blanched
2 cups green pepper
2 tablespoons garlic minced
2 tablespoons ginger shredded
1/3 cup Walden Farms BBQ Thick and Spicy sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce

Combine BBQ sauce and soy sauce in small bowl. set aside. Heat oil in wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add turkey and stir-fry 3 to 4 mins or until cooked through. Remove with slotted spoon.

Add oil, green onions, garlic and ginger to skillet. Stir-fry 30 seconds. Add broccoli and peppers. Stir-fry 3 minutes or until vegetables are crispy and tender. Add turkey and sauce mixture. Stir-fry approximately 1 minute or until sauce thickens.

Per serving: 373 calories, 18g Fat, 38g Protein, 15g Carbohydrate

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous chinese new year!