Community News
Ask The Expert

Q: My parents and grandparents all had macular degeneration. Now I need glasses to drive. Am I doomed to have their eyes? I don’t want to lose my driver’s license. A: Needing glasses because your eyes are out of focus doesn’t have much to do with developing a retinal disease like macular degeneration. Genetics may put you at risk for developing macular degeneration, but that risk can be lessened by not smoking, protecting your eyes from the sun, and optimum nutrition, amongst other things. Make sure to ask about this during your regular eye exams! At Mosaic, we will gladly help with concerns such as this.

Community Event:

May 13: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM. Midlife Makeover: Menopause, Cancer Screening, and Pelvic Health. Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community. Come join Drs. Aaron Kennedy, Elizabeth Thompson, Alexandra Bascom, and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist Shannon Lawrence, for a fun and informative event diving into menopause, sexual function, and cancer screening. Tickets and more information on Eventbrite.com.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I asked a supermarket employee where they kept the canned peaches. He said, “I’ll see,” & walked away. I asked another & he also said, “I’ll see,” & walked away. In the end, I gave up & found them myself in Aisle C.

Words To Live By

“If life was always predictable there would be no room for new adventures and surprises. Be open to all possibilities today, knowing that no matter what road life presents to you, it has always got your back.” – Keith Macpherson

Words To Live By

“Those that are fully present in the moment will receive all the guidance needed to navigate through their life.” – Keith Macpherson

Wellness Book Club

The Complete IBS Health and Diet Guide: Includes Nutrition Information, Meal Plans and Over 100 Recipes for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Dr. Maitreyi Raman MD MSc FRCPC, Angela Sirounis BSc RD, Jennifer Shrubsole BSc RD. This comprehensive book provides all the current information on the disorder’s possible underlying causes as well as its symptoms, clinical features and effective treatments and therapies, including both complementary and non-drug therapies.

Clean Eating Recipe

Healthy Detox Salad. Roast 3 cups cubed butternut squash with 1 tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp turmeric, ¼ tsp cumin, salt, and pepper at 425°F (220°C) for 25 minutes, stirring halfway. Whisk ¼ cup grapeseed oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp maple syrup, and 1 minced shallot for dressing. Toss 1 bunch kale, 1 pint Brussels sprouts, roasted squash, and 1 oz. toasted pumpkin seeds. Drizzle with dressing, mix, then fold in 1 diced avocado.

Living Without Regret

Holding onto regret is like dragging around the weight of the past wherever you go. It drains our energy and makes us less available for living life tin the present because we are constantly looking behind us to the past. When we continue to feed this endless pattern, it weighs us down. When we can choose to move into applying what we have learned instead of becoming stuck, we transfer our energy into something constructive and creative that gives us back our life force and sets us free. Regret when released becomes a learning that allows us to grow.

Wellness Expo April 26 FREE to Attend

Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® is thrilled to present the 1st Annual Wellness Expo on April 26 at Filberg Centre in Courtenay. The Expo is FREE to attend. It will be a day to explore various approaches to health, nutrition, fitness, and overall well-being. Explore, transform, escape, and shop! In support of the Senior Support North Vancouver Island. Check the Wellness Expo website for a list of exhibitors, presentations, and door prizes.

Advancing IBS Diagnosis

IBS is diagnosed using the Rome Criteria, based on symptom patterns rather than inflammation. Unlike Crohn’s or colitis, IBS lacks inflammatory markers, making it a diagnosis of exclusion. New tests, like anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin antibodies, link IBS to past infections. Breath tests and stool analysis detect microbial imbalances and enzyme deficiencies. These advancements shift IBS care from symptom management to root-cause treatment, enabling personalized, targeted therapies for lasting relief.