Community News
Patient Means Being a Partner

Patient safety is everyone’s responsibility, including patients themselves! Getting involved improves your care. This is why MIPS offers free patient safety presentations to the public, providing information, resources, and tools that people can use to learn how to: 1) engage with their healthcare team 2) ask questions 3) be informed 4) take part in decision-making, and 5) advocate for themselves & others. If you are looking for valuable education for your community group or organization, and are interested in booking a virtual presentation, visit MIPS.ca/presentations.html for more details.

Product Review: Colflex® by Innotech™

ColFlex® Super Oregano Oil Spray is a great-tasting 4-in-1 oral spray containing essential oils of oregano, thyme, and spearmint oil in an extra virgin olive oil base, sweetened with stevia and fortified with vitamin D3. Spray orally to help relieve coughs, sore throat, travelling challenges, that “under the weather feeling” and for general oral hygiene and fresher breath. Lab tests show that ColFlex inhibited the growth of bacteria such as S. aureus and S. pneumonia after 27 minutes and inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. typhi after 9 minutes. Ask for Colflex® at your local Health Food Store.

Clean Eating Recipe

Nut free Energy Bites. Ingredients: 1 cup oats. 1/3 cup flax meal. 1/2 cup sunflower seed butter. 1/4 cup maple syrup. 1/8 cup sunflower seeds. 1/8 cup mini chocolate chips. Directions: 1. Place oats and flax meal in a medium sized bowl. Stir to combine. 2. Add seed butter and maple syrup and stir to combine. 3. Stir in sunflower seeds and chocolate chips. 4. Using a small cookie scoop or table spoon, roll mixture into balls. 5. Transfer to a small storage container and keep in the refrigerator.

Meet Your Practitioner

Meet Therese Anderson. Since 2005 she has been practicing foot reflexology therapy. She uses strategic finger, thumb, and hand techniques to work on reflex points on the sole, top and sides of each foot. Sessions are one hour long, and the majority of her clients feel immediate relaxation and stress relief. Anxiety is reduced and individuals who experience arthritic, sciatic, hip and/or knee pain have experienced a reduction and or release of pain. Individuals recognize and feel the benefits of reflexology and return for ongoing regular sessions for Foot Reflexology

You are Invited

Coffee-Compassion-Children – Saturday, May 22, 2021 10:00 – 11:00 AM Raffi & Adela Barcia
You are invited to a virtual round table conversation about how Raffi started out as a children’s troubadour and became an advocate for “a compassion revolution” with the well-being of children as the centre.
Raffi and Adela Barcia, a psychologist, have set aside this time to meet with Mary Dolan and Carmen Barclay to describe how the Child Honouring philosophy in action results in a more compassionate world for all.
The Raffi Foundation has created the Child Honouring Course Based on “A Covenant for Child Honouring” by Raffi, a holistic philosophy involving a children-first approach to healing communities and restoring ecosystems.
Some participants may have completed the Child Honouring Course, this is not an extension of the course, rather an expansion of the conversation for all who want to participate.
Hosts: Children & Family Council & Cowichan Valley CCRR
Registration is Free! Call now! 250-746-4135 Ext 235
ZOOM Access will be sent in your email confirmation.

Support Communication: Make a Journey Stick

Next time you go one a hike, try making a “Journey Stick”. This activity is a tradition of the Aboriginal people of Australia that offers many ways to support communication. Have your child find a stick and help them tie on nature items that they find along the way. This activity provides an opportunity for your family to practice mindfulness as you take notice of your surroundings. Tie the items, starting at the top of the stick and work your way down. When finished your adventure, invite your child to retell the story of their adventure using the items on the stick as their guide. Depending on their age and communication abilities, you may need to help them tell the story. Build on their vocabulary by commenting on what they have shared, instead of asking them to repeat after you.

A New Sunshine Coach

The Clements Centre is so excited to be the recipients of a new Sunshine Coach from Variety Children’s Charity to replace our older Van. This new 24 seat vehicle will be used primarily by the Clements Children Family Support Program to take children on fun adventures in their after school program and for transport during summer/spring break camps. Be sure to wave when you see them in our shiny new Bus!

Time to De-Clutter

As we move from the wet and cool spring months into our warmer and sunnier summer months, we are reminded of renewal and growth. A sure way of bringing in some clarity in life and to make room for growth is through spring cleaning. When we de-clutter our surroundings, we help to de-clutter our minds, and therefore better engage in the world around us. Take the time through the warmer month of May and do that spring cleaning of your surroundings and mind!

Gaming Disorder Support

Gaming disorder can be a significant barrier to living a fulfilling life. Yes, there are friends and a deep sense of community in the virtual world but nothing replaces a hug, or the feeling that your friend genuinely cares about your wellbeing. At VI Gaming Support, we care about people’s wellbeing, sense of belonging, efficacy, and desire to be part of a loving caring community. That’s why we are dedicated in supporting people to restore their sense of health and wellbeing. We believe that by providing rejuvenating services, we can support people to reset, regroup, and restore their lives.

Sounds to Help You Relax

Sound and soothing music can help you relax even during these trying times. Try this simple exercise: sit quietly for a few moments and then think of a very loving experience. As you think of this loving experience, begin to sound a very gentle “ah” sound. Make this sound as a long, extended sound: “Aaaaaahhhhh” and think about love, peace and calm. Feel your heart chakra resonate with this sound. Feel your heart center opening, balancing and aligning with this energy. The “ah” sound is excellent for working with the energy of the heart center and triggering relaxation.