Community News
Clean Eating: Locally Inspired Festive Stuffing

1 loaf Fig & Walnut Bread, cubed; 1 lb. Apple Pork Sausage; 1 c. Onion, chopped; 3/4 c. Celery, chopped; 3 tsp. fresh Sage, chopped; 2 tsp. fresh Rosemary, chopped; 1 tsp. fresh Thyme, chopped; 1 Apple, cored & diced; 1 c. dried Cranberries; 1/3 c. fresh Parsley, chopped; 1 c. Chicken or Turkey stock; 4 TBSP Butter, melted. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread bread cubes in a single layer on lage sheet and bake for 5 to 7 min., until evenly toasted. Set aside in large bowl. In a skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, until evenly browned. Add the celery and herbs; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Drain excess fat; pour mixture over toasted bread cubes. Add remaining ingredients to bowl and mix. Evenly fill a 9×13 greased casserole dish. Bake covered for 45 min; continue to bake uncovered for an additional 15min. Serves 10.

Cakebread Artisan Bakery, www.cakebread.ca

Ozone Accelerates Healing

Have you ever noticed that after a thunderstorm the air has a poignant, fresh smell? This smell is ozone, a gas that is produced during natural circumstances. Ozone has the feel of being cleansed… and that is precisely what it does. It cleanses the atmosphere when nature produces it, and similarly it cleanses our bodies when we are exposed to it. We don’t have to wait for nature to make ozone; modern technology can produce highly concentrated ozone for effective, accelerative healing of chronic, degenerative diseases because it operates at the foundation level of the body: the body’s cells. Ozone enhances circulation & provides an oxygen-rich environment for cellular & tissue regeneration. It can be applied to the body in a variety of ways to accelerate healing & eliminate the pain of many conditions including, arthritic joints & muscles, spinal, E/N/T, immune. Just like nature, ozone therapy enhances your vitality.

Dr. Sterling Desmond, Dr. TCM, R.Ac., EvolveWithDesera.com

Canadian Mental Health Association launches manifesto for better mental health in BC

It’s time to change the way we think about mental health and addictions care in BC.

The Canadian Mental Health Association in BC today unveiled a five-point manifesto that lays out a set of concrete and practical actions to improve the lives of people living with mental health and addictions problems.

The manifesto is a call to action for all British Columbians to get behind the idea that mental health and physical health should be valued equally. It outlines a series of recommendations on how we can create better mental health and addictions care in BC.

We would never knowingly wait until Stage 4 to intervene for cancer; we educate, screen, and take action in the early stages. CMHA BC firmly believes that we need to do the same for mental illnesses and addictions. b4stage4 is about preventing mental illness and addiction, and for those who are experiencing symptoms, intervening in the early years before people reach a crisis point.

When it comes to better mental health and addictions care, there is plenty of evidence for what works. The manifesto calls for BC to adopt community-based programs that have proven successful in treating the early symptoms of low mood, anxiety, and stress. They are cost-effective supports to our overburdened system in BC. But more needs to be done to ensure people get the help they need at any stage or age.

“There is a moral and economic imperative to act b4stage4. Our goal here is to engage individuals and organizations across BC in our manifesto for change,” says Bev Gutray, CEO of CMHA BC. “This is a real opportunity for us all to move toward prevention and early intervention in mental health and addictions, and away from the overuse of emergency services and the justice system.”

“We know that the demand for our health care system is outpacing supply. In fact, demand for mental health and addiction services is expected to more than triple by 2036. ” continues Gutray.   “Too many British Columbians diagnosed with mental illness, such as depression, are not able to access the help they need.“

CMHA is calling on the public to take part in this conversation and support the b4stage4 campaign.

British Columbians are encouraged to register their support at www.b4stage4.ca. There, they can sign the manifesto.

Natural Product Review: pureWash® Pro

pureWash® Pro is a breakthrough in home laundry purification. As it turns out, your laundry has been keeping a dirty little secret, (It’s really not that clean at all!). Detergent may leave clothes smelling clean, but it does not eliminate the mold and bacteria that builds up from sports activities, pets, and everyday living. pureWash® Pro cleans clothes with the disinfecting power of oxygen, not detergent. This same technology is used in Hospitals and Hotels. It’s clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and mold, plus it’s both safe for the environment and for family members of all ages! If you have sensitive skin, you will not get skin irritations as you do from detergent. Detergent build-up promotes mold growth and does not kill bacteria. Independent, scientific studies have proven pureWash® Pro kills 99.9% of both with cold water. The power of naturally oxygenated water eliminates dirt, bacteria, and mold better than detergent!

Kevin Shale, Low Environmental Impact Technologies, Leit.ca

3 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

It’s officially cold and flu season. Here are five simple things you can do to improve your body’s natural immunity: 1. Drink a TON of Water: Ensuring you are hydrated is an important part of keeping your immune system strong. Try to drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day to keep your body in tiptop shape and ready to fight cold and flu bugs. 2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep: The body regenerates and repairs itself while you sleep. Getting a proper night’s rest – between six and eight hours – is important for keeping your body’s natural defenses at optimum efficiency. 3. Take a Hot/Cold Shower: The next time you take a shower try alternating hot and cold water. Research shows the body’s immune system is stimulated when it tries to warm itself up in between the extreme temperature changes. White blood cell production is increased and endorphins are released that help you relax and relieve pain.

Brett Scott, www.disabilitytaxcredit.webs.com

Canadian Mental Health Association launches manifesto for better mental health in BC

Canadian Mental Health Association launches manifesto for better mental health in BC

It’s time to change the way we think about mental health and addictions care in BC

 

The Canadian Mental Health Association in BC today unveiled a five point manifesto that lays out a set of concrete and practical actions to improve the lives of people living with mental health and addictions problems.

The manifesto is a call to action for all British Columbians to get behind the idea that mental health and physical health should be valued equally. It outlines a series of recommendations on how we can create better mental health and addictions care in BC.

We would never knowingly wait until Stage 4 to intervene for cancer; we educate, screen, and take action in the early stages. CMHA BC firmly believes that we need to do the same for mental illnesses and addictions. b4stage4 is about preventing mental illness and addiction, and for those who are experiencing symptoms, intervening in the early years before people reach a crisis point.

When it comes to better mental health and addictions care, there is plenty of evidence for what works. The manifesto calls for BC to adopt community-based programs that have proven successful in treating the early symptoms of low mood, anxiety, and stress. They are cost-effective supports to our overburdened system in BC. But more needs to be done to ensure people get the help they need at any stage or age.

“There is a moral and economic imperative to act b4stage4. Our goal here is to engage individuals and organizations across BC in our manifesto for change,” says Bev Gutray, CEO of CMHA BC. “This is a real opportunity for us all to move toward prevention and early intervention in mental health and addictions, and away from the overuse of emergency services and the justice system.”

“We know that the demand for our health care system is outpacing supply. In fact, demand for mental health and addiction services is expected to more than triple by 2036.[1]” continues Gutray. “Too many British Columbians diagnosed with mental illness, such as depression, are not able to access the help they need.“

CMHA is calling on the public to take part in this conversation and support the b4stage4 campaign. British Columbians are encouraged to register their support at www.b4stage4.ca. There, they can sign the manifesto.

To launch b4stage4, CMHA BC will also be hosting a b4stage Conference in Victoria on November 28-30 to further explore ways in which the system can be improved. The b4stage4 Conference will bring together speakers that are both experts in their field and have lived experience of mental health issues. The Right Honourable Norman Lamb, Member of Parliament, United Kingdom, will be the keynote speaker. As a British Liberal Democrat politician, the Right Honourable Lamb played a leading role in driving mental health care to the top of the political agenda in the UK. He steered the 2014 Care Act through Parliament and introduced maximum wait time standards for mental health.

For more information on the conference and to sign up for updates go to www.b4stage4.ca.

Eat The Real Deal

If you can’t pronounce it, don’t consume it. A great reminder when doing your shopping for the week. Thankfully, with the big push on companies to properly label their products, this is becoming easier than ever. Unfortunately trying to avoid those long, unpronounceable ingredient names – generally chemical additives created to preserve food – can highly impact our usual shopping habits. Regular go-to pantry items are suddenly off the list. So what are some ways to be more contentious but still get to enjoy our favourite dishes? Cook at home more often, using whole recipes. Experiment. Make your own sauces and fresh dips. Buy organic, preservative free ingredients. Shop more frequently, purchasing smaller amounts and fresh. Source local producers – farmers, butchers, bakers, grocers – who can answer your questions about their products and ingredients. Expose yourself to the local food culture of your region, you may be surprised at the diversity you find.

Cakebread Artisan Bakery, www.cakebread.ca

What is Soma Yoga?

Soma Yoga is a combination of somatic movements & yoga relaxation techniques. These movements and techniques are designed to bring mind body awareness resulting in decreased stress response and pain, increased movement, and enjoyment of life. These gentle, mindful movements are tools you can learn to practice daily to enhance the quality of your life. How you feel physically, determines how you feel mentally and vice versa. It’s a never-ending circle of influence! Throughout our lives, our body/mind responds to stressors and traumatic experiences by producing reflex muscle contractions. When these muscular reflexes are triggered repeatedly, habitual and involuntary muscle contractions develop. Eventually, Sensory Motor Amnesia develops, a memory loss of how certain muscle groups feel and how to control or relax them. The result is stiffness and pain, decreased movement, and postural changes. The gentle movements of Soma Yoga bring back voluntary control of muscles resulting in overall improved health.

Katie White RMT, courtenaymassagetherapy.com

Common Thread in Relationships

When challenges override the fun in relationships, the question arises, “Is this really worth the struggle?” When you add in doubts, insecurities, and past hurts, one may question the relationship even more. In addition to regular day-to-day stressors, we wonder whether we have what it takes to live with another person or to love another being. Finding our way through the intricacies of an intimate relationship is hard work. When I sit with couples, I ask what drew them together in the first place. Answers include: “He made me laugh,” “She brought out the best in me,” or “I felt safe and at home.” The common thread in people’s answers is a feeling of connection. The simple truth is we love to love because love makes us feel our own warmth and innocence.   Love highlights our kindness, gratitude, trust, and openness. Love connects us with the things we value most; our rich, full presence with ourselves.

Caroline Bradfield, Registered Clinical Counsellor, www.comoxvalleycounselling.ca

Dreaded Headaches

With the fast pace of modern lifestyle, an increasing number of people suffer from headaches. There are several types of headaches: migraine, tension, cluster, and menstrual headaches. Some headaches are felt on top of the head, on the temples, or over the sinus cavities. Others radiate from the neck to the eyes, on the forehead, and the whole head. There are numerous causes for headaches to develop. The cause of a headache isn’t necessarily in the head. Problems in other parts of the body also contribute to headaches. They may be caused by an ear, sinus, or throat infection. In addition, headaches occur from whiplash, stress, tension, and hormones. Improper posture, weak digestion, and TMJ dysfunction also induce headaches. It’s necessary to identify what’s causing the headache in order to help relieve the pain. Since the causes and symptoms of headaches are so different, headaches need to be assessed and treated according to the individual’s condition.

Dr. Brigitte Tetrault Dr.TCM, RAc. Certified Advanced Practitioner NST, www.courtenayhealing.ca

Alternative Healing – A Proactive Mindset

Along my own journey of multidimensional healing and transformation, the greatest asset I have cultivated is a proactive mindset. Let’s face it; we live in a time where “instant fixes” are all around us. It’s easy to be conditioned into coasting along with mediocre or faltering health, finances, relationships, etc. It even seems normal and acceptable to run into problems and then complain about what “they” were unable to do for us! If this sounds a bit like you, refrain from useless blame and apathy.   If you hear a pessimistic voice inside saying, “It’s a little late in the game for me to (fill in the blank),” my suggestion to you is to look for the hidden blessings and untapped treasures in any situation. It’s easier to get to work once we realize that a long row to hoe simply means a bigger harvest!

Nelson Meggitt, www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca