Trees teach us how to live our lives with resilience. When we turn to the trees as our teachers watching how they grow and transform, they can teach us how to live our lives with resilience. They remind us of the importance of being grounded and rooted, fully planted deep beneath our feet into the earth. Their roots connected with other like-minded roots and souls as a foundation to draw upon. Our trunk solid like the oak or flexible like the Willow allows us to adapt and shift to the demands of unforeseen changes around us. Resilient when storms or branches break, finding creative ways to re-emerge or work around. Their branches wide open with leaves creating a canopy of growth, shelter a pathway of expansion to receive. Then they shed, release and begin a new cycle once again.
End the Self-Sabotage
Did you know your unconscious mind could be keeping you from having what you truly want in your life, and could even be sabotaging your best efforts? Most of us don’t realize that we make commitments to ourselves other than the ones we’re consciously aware of. These unconscious commitments fuel your thoughts and behaviours, and create your reality. They are what creates the gap between what you say you want and what you are actually experiencing. For example, when you were young, you experienced a difficult situation and didn’t know how to process it. You made a decision (consciously or unconsciously) to make it mean something about you or the world around you. This formed a belief as a coping mechanism and your mind believed it was necessary for survival. Maybe it’s “I’ll stay quiet so I won’t seem stupid” or “Good girls do what they’re told”. Even though these beliefs and decisions are old, they have stuck with you, been reinforced over time and prevent you from having the things you truly desire. Ready to expose and erase those unconscious commitments and choose new ones? This is the powerful work we do in the Shine True programs.
Lesley Steppler RHN, BSW, RSW | Shine True Wellness
Look for Local: Lupin’s Best
Locally made here in Manitoba, Lupin’s Best makes a delicious low-carb, low-sugar pizza crust for healthy eaters and diabetics alike! This is possible thanks to the Lupin bean that originates in the Mediterranean and Western Australia. One quarter of our crust contains 1 gram of sugar and 2 net carbs compared to 30 net carbs of traditional crusts along with: 3 times more plant protein than quinoa, 3 times more fiber than oats, 3 times more antioxidants than berries, 3 times more potassium than bananas, and 3 times more iron than kale! Look for Lupin’s Best at Sobeys Extra Brandon South.
Over 65? Assess Your Risk
Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is crucial in assessing the risk of developing osteoporosis or fractures. Women and men over 65 and those with risk factors for fracture should get a BMD test. Combining BMD tests with clinical risk factors can determine fracture risk and inform treatment decisions. Protect your ability to live your best life with Echolight™, the new ultrasound bone density measurement scanner that takes 15 minutes to do. First time in Manitoba. You have the option of either having the scan in our office or in the comfort of your home since we have a portable one. Echolight™ is radiation-free, safe, accurate as well as Health Canada and FDA approved.
Boost Team Health and Performance
What do high-performing teams have in common? Psychological safety! Psychological safety is all about preventing psychological harm from things like toxic stress and workplace bullying, but also about promoting positive mental health while making it safe for people to take interpersonal risks. When people feel safe to be themselves, they contribute their whole selves, are more innovative, and perform better. How can this be achieved? Psychological safety guru Amy Edmondson, a professor at Harvard, suggests three simple things. Be curious, be vulnerable, and view problems as opportunities to learn.
Physical Activity for Depression & Anxiety
Physical activity should be considered as a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety, according to a scientific review that analysed more than 95 scientific reviews involving 128,000 participants. The study found that physical activity was more effective than counselling or medication in some cases, and provided positive impacts across all studies. Shorter exercise interventions of 12 weeks or less were found to be the most effective in reducing mental health symptoms. The research highlights the need for exercise to be prioritised as a mainstay approach for managing depression and anxiety, particularly as it can make a positive change to mental health quickly. Study found in The British Journal of Sports Medicine – https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2023/03/02/bjsports-2022-106195
Thank you, Donors!
Thanks to our generous donors, in the 2022 year The Brandon Regional Health Centre was able to purchase $1,000,754 in equipment. These purchases were made for various department/programs in the hospital. Some examples include ICU beds, Birthing Beds, NIBP’s, TV’s and Telemetry Boxes. A full list of equipment is listed on the BRHC Foundation website. Thank you – your donations truly make a difference!
Over 65? Assess Your Risk
Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is crucial in assessing the risk of developing osteoporosis or fractures. Women and men over 65 and those with risk factors for fracture should get a BMD test. Combining BMD tests with clinical risk factors can determine fracture risk and inform treatment decisions. Protect your ability to live your best life with Echolight™, the new ultrasound bone density measurement scanner that takes 15 minutes to do. First time in Manitoba. You have the option of either having the scan in our office or in the comfort of your home since we have a portable one. Echolight™ is radiation-free, safe, accurate as well as Health Canada and FDA approved.
Physical Activity for Depression & Anxiety
Physical activity should be considered as a first-line treatment for depression and anxiety, according to a scientific review that analysed more than 95 scientific reviews involving 128,000 participants. The study found that physical activity was more effective than counselling or medication in some cases, and provided positive impacts across all studies. Shorter exercise interventions of 12 weeks or less were found to be the most effective in reducing mental health symptoms. The research highlights the need for exercise to be prioritised as a mainstay approach for managing depression and anxiety, particularly as it can make a positive change to mental health quickly. Study found in The British Journal of Sports Medicine – https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2023/03/02/bjsports-2022-106195
Book Club: The Five Second Rule
In The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage, Mel Robbins talks about an important tool that can help readers learn to push themselves, instead of relying on teachers, friends, parents, coaches, and mentors for motivation. Find out what makes a “push moment” and how it will enrich your life and move you forward on the path to success. This powerful tool takes just five seconds and once it becomes a habit, is a simple but effective solution when it comes to our tendency to hold ourselves back and keep ourselves from happiness.
Vegan Blueberry Banana Ice Cream
2 ripe frozen bananas
2 cups frozen blueberries
¼ cup coconut milk, plus extra as needed
Maple syrup
Lemon juice
Add frozen bananas, frozen berries, and coconut milk into a food processor and pulse until starting to break up. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then blend on high until a smooth, creamy ice cream forms. You can add more coconut milk to help it process better. Add a teaspoon of maple syrup and a squeeze of lemon for flavor brightener. Scoop into bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy!


