Community News
Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution in homes can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues. It can occur from many sources such as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), mold, cleaning products, and pet dander. To mitigate indoor air pollution, prioritize ventilation with open windows and air purifiers, control humidity, use low-VOC products, clean and vacuum regularly, install carbon monoxide detectors, maintain and clean your furnace and replace the filter regularly. According to the EPA, the concentration levels of many volatile organic compounds are up to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors so it is very important to maintain ventilation flow in your home.

Homemade BBQ Burgers

2 lbs ground beef Extra Lean
2 eggs
¾ -1 cup of oatmeal
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 Tsp salt
1 Tbsp pepper
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
2 Tbsp Steak or BBQ Sacuce
1 finely diced onion (or onion powder)

Make into patties and serve on your favorite bun, or can be frozen, place partchment paper or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking together.

Preventing Lyme Disease

Tick season is here in Manitoba. There are several kinds of ticks crawling around, including the Deer Tick which is responsible for transmitting Lyme Disease. Avoiding tick bites is the best way to prevent this. Here’s how you can keep yourself bite-free when spending time outdoors: 1) Wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and pants. 2) Walk on pathways, staying clear of heavily wooded areas. 3) Use bug spray with DEET or picaridin. 4) After being outside, check yourself, children, gear, and pets for ticks, bathe, and put all clothes worn outdoors into a dryer for 10-20 minutes. If you find an embedded tick, gently remove it using tweezers by pulling close to the skin, avoiding squeezing the tick.

The Power of Collaboration:

Honouring Frontline Work and Reimagining Well-Being

When we talk about meaningful change—in our communities, our organizations, and the systems that hold us up—collaboration isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Real collaboration begins when we step outside of our silos and come together with a shared belief: that things can be better, and that we’re stronger when we move forward together.
Frontline professionals—those who sit with trauma, crisis, and complexity every day—are the backbone of our social safety net. Teachers, social workers, nurses, counselors, paramedics, child protection workers, and outreach staff. These are deeply skilled, passionate people, often doing incredibly difficult work often without the recognition, resources, or support they deserve.
And while they are good—exceptional even—at what they do, they shouldn’t have to carry it all alone.
That’s where collaboration becomes transformative. It allows us to build systems that don’t rely on individual heroics, but on shared knowledge and collective strength. It reminds us that we’re not meant to know everything. That it’s not weakness to say, “I don’t know, but I know who to ask”. Collaboration doesn’t just support our workers; it helps us find the right services and options for the people we serve. It opens the door to creativity and impact, allowing us to challenge the “this is the way it’s always been done” mindset and instead create solutions that make real, life-affirming changes.
Collaboration isn’t 1 + 1 = 2, it’s 1 + 1 = exponential possibilities. It’s what happens when perspectives, lived experience, and expertise come together to form something more complete than any one of us could offer alone. It builds flexibility, reduces stress, and gives us the space to breathe, reflect, and grow.
In sectors where burnout runs high and well-being is often overlooked, this shift is critical. Many frontline roles operate in a culture of relentless output—but the truth is, no one can pour from an empty cup. Rest, reflection, and reconnection are not luxuries—they are the foundation of sustainability and effectiveness.
When we collaborate with trust and intention, we create systems that hold us—not just the people we serve, but those who serve them. We foster interdependence and build cultures where it’s safe to be curious, not perfect — brave, not always sure.
On May 15, 2025 the Power of Collaboration Conference will bring together changemakers, service providers, and community leaders to explore what becomes possible when we stop working in isolation and start moving forward—together. Clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Jody Carrington’s message underscores what we already know: if we want strong communities, we must take care of the people who care for others. Let’s collaborate with curiosity, not competition. And let’s remember—we’re better when we work together.

Set Yourself Free from Labels

We live in a world that thrives on labels—defining everything to make sense of our experiences and challenges. While this can help us understand, it can also limit us. Labels like ADD, ADHD, or OCD are often seen as disabilities, but what if they’re not? What if these so-called “disabilities” are actually different ways of being, not limitations? Access Bars®, a gentle, hands-on modality, can help release mental clutter and bring more clarity, ease, and joy. You don’t have to be defined—or confined—by a label. Consider exploring this powerful tool and experience a new level of freedom.

Harm Reduction Advocation

Some call Hard Knox Talks an addiction recovery podcast. Others call us harm reduction advocates. Hard Knox Talks is a live streaming video podcast centered around all things substance use. From inspiring stories of recovery to useful information about drug policy, and current events, find new Hard Knox Talks episodes every week on YouTube or on your favorite audio podcast platform. We won’t dissapoint!

Outgrown Beliefs and Well-being

Beliefs formed in childhood often carry negative energy that affects us into adulthood. These outgrown beliefs can impose unnecessary stress, leading to physical pain and health issues. One common outdated belief is expecting others to think and act as we do, causing personal conflicts. Remember, everyone has unique experiences shaping their beliefs. If your actions clash with your old beliefs, it can lead to guilt and self-contempt. Bio-Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.) can help update these outdated beliefs, aligning them with your current reality to prevent future triggers. By addressing and synchronizing your beliefs, B.E.S.T. promotes better health and well-being.

Breakfast: Vital Morning Fuel

A healthy breakfast offers numerous benefits, including improved energy levels, weight management support, enhanced concentration, and better mood. Consuming a balanced morning meal jumpstarts metabolism, aiding in efficient calorie burning. It also provides an opportunity to intake essential vitamins and minerals crucial for overall health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Regular breakfast consumption is associated with stabilized blood sugar levels and the promotion of feel-good neurotransmitters, positively impacting cognitive function. Additionally, it establishes healthy habits, setting a positive tone for the day and encouraging the maintenance of an overall healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically.

Is Your Thyroid Healthy?

The thyroid plays a key role maintaining healthy weight, energy, and mood. If you are experiencing weight gain (or loss), hair loss, abnormal menstrual cycles or changes in energy and mood, consider having your thyroid evaluated. Thyroid imbalances are more common in women but affect both women and men. Naturopathic doctors can evaluate your thyroid hormone levels, review your personal medical history and make suggestions to your diet and lifestyle that can optimize your thyroid health. Remember- “normal” on a lab test may not always mean optimal. Making small changes can make a big difference!

Caring Minds, Caring Hearts

May 5 – 11th is Mental Health Week; this week reminds people to look beyond the surface and see the whole person, embracing honesty, vulnerability and to work for a deeper connection. The health benefits of fostering deeper connections include an improved mental and physical well-being, a reduced risk of depression and anxiety, and even increased longevity. Deeper connections benefit both persons in the relationship, start one today!

Eye Healthy Recipe

Easy Green Smoothie. This refreshing smoothie is hydrating and filled with vitamins for your eyes, such as – vitamin K, lutein, zeaxanthin, carotenoids. A handful of spinach. 1½ cups frozen pineapple chunks. 1½ cups frozen peach chunks. 1 banana. 1 can light coconut milk (400 ml). 1 tsp. of ground flax and hemp seeds. Add ingredients to blender. Add fresh spinach, fruit, and coconut milk into a blender. Blend & Enjoy!