Blog - Life Hacks

The financial cost of living with an ostomy is not insignificant. While the combined prices of supplies varies by case, you’re looking at upwards of $1000-1200 CAD per year. And that’s just for the basics, including stoma appliances and supporting systems. If you factor in natural health supplements which are important to being the best version of you that you can be, the annual cost…

Stats Canada states that 23 percent of Canadians aged 15 and older (nearly seven million people) exhibit significant stress on a daily basis, with additional reports indicating that 25 percent of working adults cite stress as the reason for leaving their job. It has gotten to the point that even experts are saying stress has reached epidemic proportions in Canada. Even more concerning, is that…

The team at Inner Good had the wonderful opportunity to speak with one of Vancouver’s top registered clinical counsellors, Roma Palmer, to get her take on the mental side of dealing with chronic health conditions (ulcerative colitis, crohns, cancer, IBD, diabetes, etc). When she said she would create a special article for us on the topic, we jumped at the opportunity. If you are dealing…

Summer is coming to Canada and at this time of the year, ostomates begin to pay even closer attention to the stoma care products they use. Why? You’re wearing less clothing and are thus more exposed, and you are likely participating in more activities thanks to warmer and longer days. Now you already know that when it comes to pouches and catheters that the Hollister…

Inner Good has served as an important  resource for medical supplies and lifestyle advice for ostomates residing in Ontario for quite some time now, but as of April 2018, we are proud to announce that we are now an officially approved vendor under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Below, we detail everything you need to know about taking advantage of this exciting development, along…

When it comes to the challenges of living life after receiving a stoma, skin care tops the list for many. Studies show that up to one-third of colostomy patients and over two-thirds of ileostomy and urostomy patients experience peristomal skin (the skin around the stoma) issues. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re one of them. The good news, is that you’ve come to…

Recent data from Statistics Canada shows that over 61% of Canadian adults are overweight or obese. The study measures obesity in terms of body mass index (BMI) and on its own the results are concerning. But even more startling, is that experts state that using BMI to measure obesity underestimates the national problem. A lack of obesity does not clear the remaining 39% of the…

A decade ago I became ill with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). It very quickly damaged my body to a point where I required my colon to be removed in an emergency surgery. I remember talking to my surgeon about what my health might look like long term. He looked at me and said: “you are lucky, you have been cured from your disease! (UC) and it is one of…

To our delight, one of our ostomy product customers contacted us a few weeks ago get to know our company better and to see how she could contribute to the Inner Good community (to which we replied ‘yes please!). Her name is Lindsay and she hails out of Calgary, Alberta. She’s a millennial and a crohn’s warrior. We think her perspective is special because it…

It’s the time of the year again when Canadians are looking to travel to warmer destinations. I was recently able to do just that and enjoy some sunshine and warmer temperatures in Morocco. Situated in Northern Africa, Morocco has plenty to offer from the Sahara desert in the south, mountains, trees and even seasonal snow skiing in the North and beach resorts to the west. With so much to…

From the age of 14, Julie spent over two decades living with the intense reality that comes with Crohn’s disease. Now living with a permanent ileostomy, she has found a new perspective on life that she is passing on to others through her volunteer work with organizations such as the United Ostomy Association of Vancouver, and through her personal coaching practice, Inside Wellness.   In…

Recently our cofounder, Kirk Robinson, caught up with Life Coach and Inner Good customer, Julie Singer. We wanted to hear more about her life story, including her battle with Crohn’s disease, her journey as a patient, adjusting to life with an ostomy (ileostomy), and how she is helping others with autoimmune diseases live life to the fullest [Be sure to read Part One].  In this…

Good News! We are having a Convatec Diamonds blow out sale – 100 sachets for $62.99! There are only 20 in stock available at this price, so it’s first come first serve for our labour day week sale. [Buy ConvaTec Diamonds now] Why Buy ConvaTec Diamonds If you are looking for a flatter, more discreet pouch or have concerns about leakage and gas – look…

Recently our cofounder, Kirk Robinson, caught up with Life Coach and Inner Good customer, Julie Singer. We wanted to hear more about her life story, including her battle with Crohn’s disease, her journey as a patient, adjusting to life with an ostomy (ileostomy), and how she is helping others with autoimmune diseases live life to the fullest. Julie is an unbelievably caring individual who has…

We’re going to begin this article with a disclaimer. There is no one-stop shop supplement solution to battling depression. If you as an ostomate are suffering from it, or are concerned that perhaps you are exhibiting signs of depression, then please consult with a mental health physician. We also recommend that you take a look at the following resource at HelpGuide.org for more information on…

There’s a darn good reason that Coloplast’s SenSura Mio Convex tops the list of top stoma appliances and accessories that you need to know about. But first, a bit more on the concept of a convex. For ostomates, the term convexity references an accessory that extends into the peristomal skin to provide an effective seal around the stoma. To be effective and prevent leaks (and…

Anyone living with an ostomy for over a year is quite familiar with the most popular ostomy supply brands for pouch systems and accessories. Where there isn’t a lot of clarity, is the realm of diet and nutrition, in particular with respect to supplements. Not being provided with proper education on this topic is concerning, given the importance of a strong supplement regime for living…

Were you very hygiene conscious before your stoma procedure? Then you likely are more so than ever before today. Even if you weren’t the type to carry a cleanser, body spray, or scented lotion in your purse, sling bag, or backpack before you received an ostomy, chances are that your perspective has changed quite a bit. And for all of the skin care recommendations and…