Impaired driving goes beyond drunk driving (DUI), it’s an umbrella that also covers people who are driving drugged.  Impaired driving is a problem that is on the rise.  According to www.StopDruggedDriving.com a conservative estimate is one-of-five traffic accidents are caused by drugged-related driving.
 
December is a great month to raise awareness for impaired driving because of all the parties and road trips.  It’s the perfect time to remind everyone you love to be on the lookout for impaired drivers and ensure they don’t ever get behind the wheel impaired.
 
Here’s how you can support National Impaired Driving month…
 

 

Are your holidays not quite yet over? We've compiled some tips in today's post for your remaining holiday travels.

If you are like millions of people that travel during the holiday season, then you know what it’s like - the overcrowded airports, long lines, cancelled flights, the winter storms that can derail the best laid vacation plans.  But, in spite of the holiday travel hardships, you go again and again, because it’s all worth it in the end to have some fun and build memories with the people you love.  Maybe these travel tips will help ease the woes that can come with holiday travel…
 
#1:  Travel light.  This will keep down the cost of checked bags, the hassles of lines, and the risk of lost luggage.  If you’re really efficient, you can pack your whole trip into a carry-on and your life will be so much easier at the airport. Just be sure all your toiletries and personal items comply with the latest TSA requirements.  It’s worth checking out www.tsa.gov before you travel to make sure all your travel details are compliant.
 
#2:  Be sure you have your proper ID.  This one gets a lot of people into trouble at those crazy busy airports or cruise ports.  By simply checking with the airline, the cruise line, or on the TSA website you can be sure you have all the proper ID’s for wherever you are going.
 
#3:  Get connected.  With all the awesome travel Apps available today, you can check on flight status, find hotels, book a trip, and review local restaurants and attractions all from the palm of your hand.  Some of the best Apps to check out are:  Google flights, Expedia, Kayak, Yelp!, Gogobot, and Tripadvisor.
 
#4:  Bring food.  After all, there is nothing worse than dealing with long lines and missed connections than dealing with it while you’re hungry!  So, pack your bags with plenty of healthy, delicious, blood sugar stabilizing munchies.  But again, make sure they are all TSA compliant.
 
#5:  Stay Zen.  Sometimes that’s really all you can do.  In reality, you have no control over a winter storm that cancels hundreds of flights, or if the person in front of you is totally disorganized and holding up the line.  If it’s stressful and everything is going wrong, just “choose it.”  Accept it for what it is, take a deep breath, and stay in the moment.  Always be kind to those around you and the airport employees! After all, you are making memories.
 

 
Have a safe and fun holiday travel season!

 
If you find yourself on a holiday binge then don’t beat yourself up, you’re in good company!  It has been purported that the average holiday weight gain is anywhere from 5-7 pounds. (Approx. 2.5 kilograms)
 
Here are some easy tips for recovering from holiday over-indulgence:

#1:  Let go of an “all or nothing” mentality.  Often, it’s this “all or nothing” attitude that leads to a further binges and more weight gain.  Remember one meal does not make or break your diet, nor does one day.  So accept you indulged, let it go, and start fresh at your next meal.
 
#2:  Try yoga for your digestion and bloat.  There are many people who claim that various yoga poses will benefit your digestion after a dietary transgression.  So put those stretchy pants to use with a nice after dinner series of stretching and yoga.
 
#3:  Take a walk.  Instead of wallowing in your bloat, get up and move.  Grab the family and head out for some fresh air and movement.  It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, not even brisk, just walk, move, and breathe.
 
#4.  Have a drink.  And not the alcoholic kind… there are many soothing herbal teas that can aide digestion and bloat.  Also, many people swear by sipping on a “tea” made from lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar, and honey.  And there nothing like drinking pure water for a nice feeling of a system flush.
 
Have fun and enjoy your indulgences!

We had a lot of fun with our little elf on the shelf over the last couple weeks in the pharmacy. 

Here are some of our favorite moments with Gingy the Gingerbread Man this month: 

Every year during the holidays, we set up "Santa's mailbox" in the gift shop and encourage children and adults alike to submit letters to the big man at the North Pole, where he promptly responds to these special requests of visitors to Gatti Pharmacy.

We've shared one previously but wanted to share a few of our favorites with you with Christmas being only four days away. It's been difficult to only choose a few, as many left us smiling and touched us deeply.

We hope you enjoy as much as we have!

Thank you to all the individuals and parents who allowed us to share their letters! We hope you've all enjoyed Santa's responses. How excited were the kiddos to receive a response? Feel free to share images, thoughts or videos below or on our Facebook page!

Happy Holidays!