Community News
Meet Your Practitioner

Dr. Gina Neonakis, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, practicing at Dawn Health and Wellness clinic in White Rock. She has a focus in women’s health and fertility and supports women of all ages with conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), endometriosis, hormonal imbalances and menopause. Dr. Neonakis’ goal is to empower her patients to take control of their health by educating and supporting them along their unique journey. She aims to treat the underlying cause of conditions, rather than suppressing them. To book an appointment with Dr. Neonakis, call 604-385-3286 or visit GinaNeonakis.com to book online.

Snake Plant for Health

This succulent is one of the most popular indoor plants for beginners and experts alike. Not only does this plant look great, but it is also low-maintenance, needing very little water to thrive. The most striking characteristic is the long and narrow leaves which sometimes present with white line(s) running lengthwise. It also has shown to have an affinity to filtering chemicals out of the air. A NASA study from 1989 showed just how effective the snake plant can be at reducing toxins and pollution from the atmosphere. Keep on in your bedroom or living room to help purify the air and improve your rest.

Music and Dementia

The effects of dementia are devastating to individuals and their families. Researchers are keen to find ways to ease its symptoms and restore abilities and memory. Studies on music and dementia have shown promising findings. Did you know that the area of the brain associated with musical memory tends to be least affected by dementia? Music therapy may help reduce cognitive decline while improving the memory of people with dementia. In one study, test subjects performed better on memory tests when they listened to music. It has also been found that the emotional content of music can bring back emotional memories.

Book Club:

The Lily Nurse: Rebooted/Re-birthed and Finding a New Path by Julia Evans. Have you ever wondered what a near-death experience is like? Julia Evans can tell you. See the experience through her eyes as it loops, turns and links back together. Read how she steps out of the shadows she was placed into and learn how truly empowering it is for one’s self to finally be heard. For finding your voice has its own power in healing. Julia has lifted herself back to the light, helping people to believe in miracles, using her voice so others can find theirs. Julia Evans RN, BScN, CBP.

Supporting Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a noticeable impact on the mental health of Canadians, and the federal government has taken some good initial steps towards addressing this with an economic recovery plan and the free Wellness Together Canada portal. However, about 1.6 million Canadians were living with unmet mental health needs before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Mental Health Association is working to expand and adapt its virtual services and supports countrywide, and is also calling on the federal government to take further action to support Canadians’ mental health needs. For more information, please visit:

Clean Eating: Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups milk or milk substitute, 1 1/2 cups water, 2 1/2 cups quick oats, 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 tsp salt. Direction: Bring the milk and water to a boil in a saucepan that’s large enough to prevent boil-overs. Reduce the heat to low. Add the oats and then stir in all other ingredients. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until oats are done and oatmeal is thickened to your liking. Enjoy!

How Does Bemer Therapy Work?

All functions of the body are controlled by electromagnetic signals, much of which is generated by exercise. Without motion the tissues suffer from insufficient levels of electromagnetic energy. Exercise also stimulates the circulation and thereby the oxygenation of our tissues. Insufficient oxygen in the cells is thought to be the root cause of most illnesses including cancer. BEMER not only increases the electro-magnetic energy of all the cells, it also improves the circulation and oxygenation of the tissues. This encourages each cell in the body to function optimally and to correct metabolic and energetic abnormalities, which result in freedom from disease. Thus, the physiological effects of BEMER treatment are similar to the benefits of exercise.

Knee Replacements Outside of Hospitals

Total knee replacement is the most definitive treatment for advanced osteoarthritis. This procedure is typically done in a hospital setting, with 3-5 days of hospital stay. In recent years, it has become clear that healthy individuals can be discharged from the hospital on the day of their surgery, to safely and conveniently recover at home. Having surgery done at a medical centre provides a welcome alternative to hospitals. This can help reduce complications associated with hospitalization, and for many patients, the convenience and comfort of being at home with family is much preferred over the rustle and bustle of a busy surgical ward.

Product Review: Colflex® by Innotech™

ColFlex® Super Oregano Oil Spray is a great-tasting 4-in-1 oral spray containing essential oils of oregano, thyme, and spearmint oil in an extra virgin olive oil base, sweetened with stevia and fortified with vitamin D3. Spray orally to help relieve coughs, sore throat, travelling challenges, that “under the weather feeling” and for general oral hygiene and fresher breath. Lab tests show that ColFlex inhibited the growth of bacteria such as S. aureus and S. pneumonia after 27 minutes and inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. typhi after 9 minutes.

Financial Fitness: Tax Loss Harvesting

Securities trading well below cost have unrealized capital losses valuable to the investor. Tax Loss Harvesting is the act of voluntarily taking losses for the purpose of creating a current tax deduction to offset realized gains. The purpose is to minimize tax liabilities and keep the asset in the portfolio, where it can benefit the most from compounding. Poorly-performing securities not expected to recover in the near term are candidates for harvesting. Should the investor wish to stay in that asset class after the loss trades, they can purchase a substitute security with a high correlation to the original.

Small Changes to Treat Depression

Are you depressed? By definition, it is not sad or low mood, but rather “depressed effect” or lack of effect. Not sad, not mad, not happy – just flat. In this state, it is difficult to care about anything. What is the antidote? The five pillars are: sleep, outside time daily, exercise weekly, social connection, and healthy diet. Make small moves like going for a walk every day, take vitamin D, go swimming, and reduce alcohol consumption. These can go a long way. If you can’t pull yourself out of your depression, counselling and medication can help too.