Community News
Food Matters

You know good food is key to a healthy life. So imagine knowing that everyone in Manitoba has nutritious food to eat. That’s what Food Matters Manitoba is working towards. It starts in the garden, at the local grocery store, and in the kitchen. Food Matters Manitoba is a registered charity teaches good food skills for life to North End kids. We all know the troubling reality of childhood diabetes and obesity. Weekly cooking classes give kids a chance to learn how to read a recipe, food safety tips, and what goes into planning a healthy and well-balanced meal. And the best part? Kids are getting excited about healthy eating and sharing new recipes with their friends and family. Interested in helping turn our vision of good food for all Manitobans into a reality? You can help even more kids become young cooks by donating to Food Matters Manitoba today.

www.foodmattersmanitoba.ca

Communicating With Your Animal

Do you ever wonder what your animal is thinking or trying to tell you? Do you ever wish your animal could understand what you are saying? Do you wish your animals would get along better? Animal communication sessions can help! Animal Communicators are able to liaise between you and your animal(s) to resolve any issues that may have gotten in the way of household harmony. Communicators understand how cats and dogs think and feel and can respond in kind. We are gifted with the ability to intuit any ill health in cats and dogs; physically, emotionally and spiritually. Animal Communicators are often well versed in many holistic therapies including Reiki, herbal supplementation, acupressure, food therapy, crystal reflexology and crystal healing among several others. In a session, the communicator “speaks” with the animal to discern the best course of action for treatment.

Jill Saifer, Soulstice Spirit Healing
www.soulsticespirithealing.wordpress.com

Clean Eating: Cherry Rose Pudding

Ingredients:
1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Cream of Rice
1 cup organic coconut milk
1/2 cup rosewater
1/4 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup pitted cherries
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp cardamom powder
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

For Garnish:
1 handful of fresh or dried organic rose petals.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Oil baking dish and set aside. In a mixing bowl add the cream of rice, milk and rosewater. Chop the dates and cherries into bite size pieces and add to mixture. Stir in maple syrup and spice powders and pour into baking dish. Bake for 15mins until the pudding is barely set and the top is golden brown. Spoon out the pudding cake while still warm and garnish with rose petals. Serves 4.

Kalee Mund, www.kaleemund.com

Book Club: Self-Compassion

The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, by Kristin Neff, Ph.D., says that it’s time to “stop beating yourself up and leave insecurity behind.” Self-Compassion: She offers expert advice on how to limit self-criticism and offset its negative effects, enabling you to achieve your highest potential and a more contented, fulfilled life.Offers exercises and action plans for dealing with every emotionally debilitating struggle, be it parenting, weight loss, or any of the numerous trials of everyday living.

www.self-compassion.org

 

Painful or Pain-Free?

How do you want to spend the rest of your life? Isn’t it interesting that the foods that are not good for us are our favourites? Sometimes we don’t even know that fact. People who suffer with post-nasal drip, usually should avoid all dairy products; and those who have an arthritic condition are better off not eating red meat or drinking red wine.

Do you ever feel hyper-sensitive after eating foodstuffs containing sugar? Did you know that many foods contain sugar, even those you wouldn’t expect? A report released by Maclean’s magazine last year suggested that the average Canadian eats nearly 100 lbs of sugar per year! And most of it is hidden in foods you think are healthy. Cereal, pasta sauce, bread, ketchup, salad dressing, peanut butter, fruit juices and most “low fat” products. The taste has to come from somewhere, reckon the manufacturers. Childhood obesity is on the rise, as well as many side effects such as Diabetes, high blood pressure and possibly even Alzheimer’s, according to Suzanne de la Monte; a professor at Brown University. The World Health Organisation suggests sugar should be a mere 10% of our total energy intake per day. The way to control that is to read the labels every time we go shopping or eat something, and if necessary, keep a food journal until you are familiar with your own requirements. The healthiest way to obtain sugar in your diet is from fresh fruit and vegetables and, most strongly suggested; organically grown.

Reading labels can be a feat in itself. There are many words that we simply don’t know what the real ingredients are, and it would take a dictionary to work out even one product’s label! Some people go by the rule – ‘if it has more than three ingredients, I won’t buy it.’ That doesn’t always work for those with a busy lifestyle, so it is a good idea to find out what some of the additives are and what they might do to our systems. In an article published by President’s Choice last year, we learn that there are more than 850 food additives approved for use in Canada alone. If we only knew what they are for and why! Some are nutritional boosters such as Niacin and Folic Acid. Carrageenan, Agar, Citric Acid and Xanthan Gum are added for texture and to thicken sauces, etc. The ones to really be aware of are Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Sodium Nitrate and Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Sulphite and Sodium Benzoate. These are added to enhance flavour, prolong shelf life and help maintain the colouring of a food. The problem is, they come under the guise of many different names – even ‘natural’ – and can have a negative reaction for many. Flushed face, headaches, rapid heartbeat, upset stomach or itchy skin to name a few symptoms.

So how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle AND shop diligently? There are many co-op buying services that one can subscribe to in and around Winnipeg, where sharing an order of organic vegetables and fruit makes it less costly. It is also helpful to think more about the 100-mile shopping radius. This allows your foodstuff to arrive fresh at your doorstep, rather than looking tired and depleted after travelling thousands of kilometres AND being picked long before ripening. If you’ve ever eaten a banana or mango in the land of it’s origin, you’ll know a world of difference in taste and texture. This might be restrictive for many, having now become used to consuming various fruits and vegetables throughout the year, instead of seasonally or not at all. Really, who wants to eat strawberries in December? Personally, I see them as a summer fruit and ‘save’ them for that time. That makes them more special and eagerly awaited, don’t you think? Supporting local growers is also to be favoured, and such fun to go out and actually experience picking the fruit yourself. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries and apples are some locally grown fruit varieties.

To get back to my comments at the beginning of this article about our favourite foods not always being the best for our digestion. Did you know that tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, potatoes, eggplant and peppermint belong to the Deadly Nightshade category? They throw a lot of acid into the digestive tract which shows up as indigestion, bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, nervous sweating, pains in joints – feet and hands – which can lead to arthritis and gout over time. Now you’re probably pulling a face and thinking, ‘what’s left for me to eat?’ I suggest you may want to closely observe your body’s reactions after eating any of these foods and make a healthy decision for yourself. If you can’t give them up entirely, then at least cut back on the quantity you consume. Beware of dried fruits, as many of them are preserved with Sulphur Dioxide. You might also want to look at mushrooms. Ever had a ‘gassy’ tummy after eating them? They are actually from the fungus family, and they ferment in your body, especially overnight. A far better colon and bladder function is achieved after deleting nightshades from your diet.

Living with joy and elation takes work, observation and love – self love. Eating lots of leafy greens, beetroots, raisins, figs, watermelons, almonds and some of the lighter proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish and eggs are some of the foods that will help you back to a pain-free lifestyle. Add walking in nature, laughing and listening to soothing music and you really are on the right pathway. Being grateful, showing kindness, acceptance and forgiveness are simple pleasures that bring great rewards. And you will certainly feel much less pain than before.

 

Cheron Long-Landes, Cheron Dearle Holistic
www.cherondearle.com

Managing Pain with Powerstrips

Many who suffer from arthritis, achy joints, or simple back and body aches find that they aren’t getting the desired results from conventional pain-management solutions. There is an alternative: PowerStrips are a Class 1 medical device uniquely designed to provide you with temporary relief from minor aches and pains. Using a combination of cutting-edge modern technology paired with ancient herbal remedies, PowerStrips provide an all-natural solution to regular pain-management. The strips work by redirecting our natural body heat and energy to injured areas of the body. Some of the natural elements infused in the strips include; germanium, marine phytoplankton and red ginseng. The adhesive layer on the strips is created from all-natural ingredients, which ensures PowerStrips are safe for everyday use. If you are looking for an all-natural and safe alternative to combat your everyday aches and pains, try PowerStrips – they could be just the solution that you need.

FGXpress, David Warfield
www.fgsamples.com/warf

Manage Your Emotions

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Emotions have an important influence on our physical health, and it’s critical to deal effectively with the feelings that accompany the everyday ups and downs of life. Here are nine steps to help manage your emotions:

1. Use your emotions and bodily responses to recognize when you are under stress.

2. Write down your thoughts and feelings about what is causing your stress.

3. Control whatever aspect of the stress that you can.

4. Don’t make mountains out of molehills. When difficult situations arise, it is important to assess how bad they really are before going into panic mode.

5. Redefine the Problem.

6. Develop behaviors that distract you from stress.

7. Reach out to a friend or family member.

8. Exercise Regularly. Regular exercise is good for your physical and emotional health.

9. Meditate and Relax.

With these 9 steps you will be well on your way to managing your emotions.

Transcendental Meditation
Lilian Lontra, llontra@tm.org

Animal Communicator

I am an Animal Communicator. This means that I was born with the gift of hearing the thoughts and feeling the feelings of animals and being able to respond to them in kind. I recognize animals as equals to people. I stand for animal rights and equality. Aside from terminal illness, the leading reason for euthanasia among dogs and cats is due to misunderstood behaviour. My role in saving an animal from being put down is to be invited into the animal’s home and decipher what the animal is attempting to communicate by acting a certain way. Often their strange and frightening behaviour is due to previous trauma, current unidentified physical illness or a whole host of other environmental triggers. It is my job to commune with the animal and hear the information she or he wishes to get across to her or his people.

As a true empath, I feel the feelings of animals both emotionally and physically. I feel their physical pain, physiological issues, their fear, and their unconditional love. As a Reiki Master I am also fluent in the ability to communicate with people in a healing and nurturing way. I have an innate ability to liaise between animals and their people for the good of all involved. It is because of this that I have chosen to dedicate my life to healing the relationships between animals and humankind both domesticated and wild. They deserve our empathy and we deserve their harmony.

Jill Saifer, Soulstice Spirit Healing
www.soulsticespirithealing.wordpress.com

Time for Tea        

Watch out coffee, tea is making a comeback! Did you know, Canadians drink almost 10 billion cups of tea each year? That’s 120 cups more than in 2006. Next to water, tea is world’s most consumed beverage! And it is projected that consumption will jump 40% by 2020! Each type of tea has its own characteristics including a different taste and differing health benefits. Green tea is the most popular type of tea with several health benefits including weight loss and anti-inflammatory properties. White teas are the most delicate of teas, with an unmatched lightness and eminence. Black tea is your “standard” tea, which is typically used when making Iced Tea. Rooibos tea, or Red Tea, is a flavorful, caffeine-free tea that has wonderful skin-loving properties. Herbal Tea and Fruit Tea, like Rooibos tea, are caffeine-free are great served cold! Perfect for entertaining on the patio! Happy Sipping!

Steeped Tea
www.Mysteepedtea.com/LISATUSTIN

Aromatherapy for Beginners

Essential oils are simply organic compounds extracted from plants with tremendous healing properties. Using essential oils for healing purposes is called aromatherapy, which seeks to improve physical, mental and emotional health. Essential oils can be used to help treat a wide range of conditions, including colds, infections, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure. These oils are extracted from flowers, seeds, leaves, roots, fruit and twigs. By concentrating the oils of these plants you are literally separating the most powerful healing compounds of a plant into a single, multi-purpose oil. Essential oils are a natural and safe way to improve your health, cure ailments, and soothe your body and mind. There are a wide number of essential oils available, each with its own healing property. Tea Tree, Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Rose, Oregano, Frankincense, Cypress, Ginger, Sandalwood – Just to name a few!

Stop Toxic Skin Care Products

There is a lot of information regarding toxic ingredients in skin care and cosmetic lines that we purchase. At times, I feel like no matter what brand I purchase, I am taking a risk. There are key words that we are aware of; additives like parabens, sulfates, toluene, and formaldehyde are only a few of the chemicals that manufacturers use to create everyday items. What people do not realize is that these toxic chemicals are endocrine disruptors; they can mimic estrogen and possibly contribute to breast cancers. Causemetics has brought together eleven of Canada’s natural and non-toxic companies to produce a line that is safe and high quality. An automatic donation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund is made when you purchase Causemetics.

The Unexpected Gift
www.theunexpectedgift.ca