Common Ground July-August 2018 by Common Ground Magazine Canada

AFTEREFFECTS OF NEAR-DEATH A deeper understanding EXPERIENCES and sharing of the gifts 2018 IANDS CONFERENCE | EXPLORE THE EXTRAORDINARY August 30th - September 2nd, 2018 Bellevue, Washington

CMY

People who have had an extraordinary experience in their lives often change their perspective on human relationships and may develop special abilities to help others. The aftereffects of an Near-Death (NDE) or Spiritually Transformative Experience (STE) often prove to be the initiation of profound changes. We seek to provide a deeper understanding of these gifts, which allow all to live life with love, hope, joy, compassion, awareness, and connection to others. All are welcome!

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

EBEN ALEXANDER,MD Neurosurgeon & NDEr

BRUCE GREYSON, MD

Psychiatrist & NDE Researcher

MARY NEAL, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon & NDEr

PIM VAN LOMMEL, MD

Cardiologist & NDE Researcher

MARK ANTHONY

Psychic Lawyer®

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iane Regan, owner of Triangle Healing Products, researches alternative health and then she markets cutting-edge products to help people attain optimum health. The Swiss-made IQAir HealthPro Plus is one such product. IQAir has received more #1 product reviews than any other air purifier on the market. It is endorsed by the American Lung Association, trusted by hospitals (the only one powerful enough to be used in the SARS outbreak), clinically proven as effective for allergic asthma and is 100 percent ozone-free. The filters are not cleaned—they are replaced. Diane says, “So many air cleaners make a lot of noise and they just move the air. This one really cleans the air.” She gets emails from customers who tell her that someone in the family is breathing better for the first time. Diane reminds us that both air and water quality play vital roles in our every day well-being. For a simple and effective means of achieving balanced water, the Kenrico Forever Alkaline Water Stick Purifier is a “magic wand that lasts forever.” Place this stick into your water bottle, thermos or water pitcher in the fridge, and it will transform regular water into alkaline water. Triangle also offers Natural Action Water units, which will transform tap water into energized pH-balanced water. This maintenance-free water structuring system works without chemicals, filters, salts, electricity or magnets. You will find that you use less soap when washing; that coffee and juices taste better; flowers last longer; and pets and fish tanks are healthier. Part of maintaining optimum health is finding a way to detoxify and rejuvenate in order to deal with every day stresses in life. “People don’t do enough today to create a good sweat,” states Diane. Radiant Health Saunas are a new generation of infrared saunas, designed to help you detox; relieve chronic pain Clockwise from top: Kenrico Water Stick; conditions; lose weight; and relax, Radiant Health Sauna; IQ Air purifier without exposing you to excess electromagnetic radiation. If your only experience with a sauna is at the gym, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Diane lists the differences in a Radiant Health Sauna: “The air is cooler, you can stay in longer, and you can even read a book.” If you don’t have the space for a sauna, consider an Amethyst Bio-Mat to achieve the same therapeutic benefits. It produces high quality infrared rays by means of super fiber and natural amethyst. One woman bought a Bio-Mat with a gift certificate she had received from work colleagues. When she reported her first good night’s sleep in years, Diane says, “Guess who came in and bought some?” Diane says simply, “The Bio Mat sells itself.” Come in to Triangle for a complementary session in one of their treatment rooms. Watch for the Bellicon Rebounder and the Urban Cultivator to be featured in upcoming issues.

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CULTURE

Are we a nation of insomniacs? Janet Currie

The “Big O” – osteoporosis screening Alan Cassels

ENVIRONMENT

Dump First Past the Post Joseph Roberts

Editorial & Distribution Inquiries Tel. 604-733-2215 Toll Free 1-800-365-8897 Fax 604-733-4415 Sonya Weir editor@commonground.ca

Protest the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion Citizens for the Salish Sea

Advertising & Resource Directory Joseph Roberts | Tel. 604-733-2215 joseph@commonground.ca

Contributors: Marianela Ramos Capelo, Alan Cassels, Citizens for the Salish Sea, Janet Currie, Bruce Mason, Mac McLaughlin, Vesanto Melina, Dr. Mercola, Gwen Randall-Young, Joseph Roberts, David Suzuki, Eckhart Tolle

Sonya Weir | Tel. 778-227-2939 editor@commonground.ca Events listings: editor@commonground.ca Classifieds: editor@commonground.ca Publications Mail Agreement No. 40011171 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept., Head office ISSN No. 0824-0698 Head Office Common Ground Publishing Corp. 3152 West 8th Ave. Vancouver, BC V6K 2C3 Reach Common Ground’s great audience Over 250,000 readers per issue. Survey shows 3 - 4 readers/copy, plus online at www.commonground.ca and our Facebook link. 100% owned and operated by Canadians. Published 12 times a year in Canada.

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What lack of sleep does to your brain Dr. Mercola

This internet fight has people shying away INDEPENDENT MEDIA Marianela Ramos Capelo

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in every issue

Annual subscription is $75 (US$75) for one year (12 issues). Single issues are $6 (specify issue #). Payable by cheque, Visa, MasterCard, Interac or money order. Printed on recycled paper with vegetable inks.All contents copyrighted. Written permission from the publisher is required to reproduce, quote, reprint, or copy any material from Common Ground. Opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reﬂect those of the publishers or advertisers. Common Ground Publishing Corp. neither endorses nor assumes any liability for any and all products or services advertised or within editorial content. Furthermore, healthrelated content is not intended as medical advice and in no way excludes the necessity of an opinion from a health professional. Advertisers are solely responsible for their claims.

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HEALTH 9

Aftereffects of Near Death Experiences conference Unfinished business on Burnaby Mountain Bruce Mason

Publisher’s Note So we end at the beginning again. What kind of world do we really want? Is it one where corporations, like big oil and big pharma, rule the government, doing as they please to enrich the 1% who heedlessly destroy the planet. Or do you believe deeply that we can and must have a sustainable world where every vote counts (Vote for Proportional Representation in BC’s up-coming October mail-in referendum ballot), each person is important and worthy, and we can liberate people by sharing the sustainable wealth of the Earth. The choice is difficult but invigorating. This is our purpose to fulfil. Disconnect from corporatism. Decolonize from the booze, drugs, hate, ignorance, free, lust, loneliness, self-loathing, money-love, materialism and greed that dominates the corporate mindset. Connect with your true self. It is nothing less than becoming alive and fully awake to our current situation. Don’t be an in-activist. Be an activist for good, it is an exciting learning opportunity. And when we die you and I will have lived a life that contributed to the great good rather than the lesser ignorant evil. Yes, we can do this together. Thank you for opening your hearts and minds. And you will sleep better for it.

Squeezing the carbon bubble SCIENCE MATTERS David Suzuki

Plant protein – getting it right NUTRISPEAK Vesanto Melina PSYCHOLOGY

We need an Earth Treaty UNIVERSE WITHIN Gwen Randall-Young

STARWISE

RESOURCE DIRECTORY

EVENTS

CLASSIFIED

cover design by Kris Kozak

features

CMCA AUDITED

What lack of sleep does to your brain

Synaptic plasticity may hold one answer to the importance of sleep Specifically, the researchers were interested in synaptic plasticity, or how the connectivity between neu-

rons in your brain changes. Past research has demonstrated sleep has an influence on the strength of those neuronal connections. This study looked at the overall strength of the connections between neurons and the selective strengthening that occurs as your brain learns and encodes new information, called associate plasticity. The study engaged the participation of 20 individuals to evaluate synaptic plasticity with and without sleep deprivation.

ɶ A lack of sleep may also increase your risk for dementia. Researchers from University of California Berkeley’s Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab discovered that a lack of sleep leaves your brain more vulnerable to proteins believed to trigger dementia. The first stage of the research involved using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the motor cortex of the brain in order to stimulate hand movement. After just one night of sleep deprivation, the participants required less stimulation to elicit hand movement. This indicated a greater degree of neuron excitability in the brain.

This increased excitability also reduces the selective strengthening of the neurons important to learning. While the participants reacted more quickly to stimuli after deprivation, they learned more slowly. They tested the learned response by electrically stimulating a nerve in the arm immediately before administering TMS. The expected response would have been for the relevant synapses for this movement to strengthen as the electrical stimulation mimicked the movement elicited by the TMS. It’s an elementary mechanism of memory and learning that was inhibited with sleep deprivation. From this information, the researchers established that sleep essentially recalibrates homeostatic and associative plasticity in your brain. In other words, sleep is essential to learning adaptive behaviour at the level of your brain’s neurons. Regions of your brain act differently after sleep deprivation Interestingly, not all areas of the brain react in the same way to sleep deprivation. Some areas suffer from lack of sleep more than others. Another study using brain scans studied participants after consecutive nights of no sleep and found areas of the brain involved with concentration and problem solving were especially sluggish. The researchers were focused on better understanding how sleep impacts the rhythmic nature of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Study co-author Derk-Jan Dijk, Ph.D., of the University of Surrey, England, was quoted in Science News, saying, “We’ve shown what shift workers already know. Being awake at 6AM after a night of no sleep, it isn’t easy. But what wasn’t known was the remarkably different response of these brain areas.” continued p.16…

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cience may still be discovering the mechanisms behind why sleep is so important to your health, but you have probably experienced waking up after a poor night’s sleep, feeling cranky, over-tired and mentally foggy. This is only a small fraction of the mental and physical health issues you may suffer from sleep deprivation. Sleep is one of the important pillars of good health, equally important as healthy foods, pure water and exercise. An increasing number of studies demonstrate how sleep relates to your sleep-wake cycles and plays a central role in multiple processes that are key to your health. On the surface, you may have suffered through bad moods and poor energy levels from lack of sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation can also lead to depression, weight gain, increased risk of diabetes and cancer and increased risk of accidents. Sleep is necessary to feel alert, be productive and creative and for optimal body functioning. Quality sleep doesn’t often happen naturally. Bombarded with artificial light pollution, work stress and insufficient exposure to full-spectrum natural sunlight during daylight hours, you may need to make sleep a goal to enjoy the health benefits. A study from the University Medical Center Freiburg in Germany set out to understand more about the function of sleep and the interrelationship with health disorders and treatments. Although it may appear as if sleep is an inactive state, your brain and body are actually quite busy while you’re sleeping.

photo © Fizkes

by Dr. Mercola

To sleep or not to sleep Are we a nation of insomniacs?

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photo © Valentin Armianu

by Janet Currie

ad trouble sleeping lately? You aren’t alone. In Canada and other comparable countries, insomnia is described as an epidemic and a serious public health problem. A recent study by the insurance company, Aviva, concluded Canada is the third most sleep-deprived country in the world, with nearly a third of Canadians saying they don’t sleep enough. Media reports tell us a lack of sleep leads to an inability to exercise, overeating and obesity, affecting our work performance and our national economy. A study by the World Association of Sleep Medicine and Rand Europe claims lack of sleep costs the Canadian economy $21.4 billion a year due to lower work productivity. Even kids aren’t immune to sleep problems. A recent Canadian ParticipAction report card reports a “sleepidemic” among children. The Canadian Sleep Society estimates about 30% of all children may have sleep problems. My quick scan of Amazon book titles found at least six popular books on methods parents can use to help their children sleep. A study done in the US found the number of adults visiting their doctors for sleep problems doubled from 2.5 million in 1993 to 5.7 million in 2007. Insomnia diagnoses increased seven-fold and prescriptions for sleeping pills increased 30 times. Although comparable Canadian research isn’t available, we do know that sleeping pills/benzodiazepines are among the most prescribed medicines in BC. The most common sleeping pill, Zopiclone, is the eighth most prescribed drug of any type in the province with 1,146,200 prescriptions in 2016. Other common sleeping pills such as lorazepam (Ativan) and clonazepam (Klonopin) are the 28th and 29th most prescribed drugs, both accounting

for an additional 1,295,666 prescriptions. Other drugs, like atypical antipsychotics, which are usually approved only to treat psychoses, are often prescribed (inappropriately) as sleeping pills to older Canadians. This high level of prescribing is despite the fact that sleeping pills and benzodiazepines are only intended for short-term use (for a few days only or for a few days intermittently). Common adverse reactions, which can occur at any level of use, include daytime sedation and confusion, leading to a higher risk of car accidents comparable to the effects of alcohol, memory problems, breathing difficulties and dizziness/loss of balance leading to falls and hip fractures.

ɶɶ Canada is the third most sleepdeprived country in the world, with nearly a third of Canadians saying they don’t sleep enough. Hip fractures can have serious consequences for older Canadians, sometimes leading to permanent disability or premature death. The annual cost of hip fractures to the Canadian health care economy is $650 million, estimated to rise to $2.4 billion by 2041. One of the most serious outcomes of the longer term use of sleeping pills/benzodiazepines is drug-induced dependence: addiction. Simply put, addiction is a nor-

mal process that occurs when the brain becomes tolerant of some drugs, which leads to withdrawal symptoms if the dosage isn’t increased. Signs of addiction to sleeping pills include worsening insomnia, problems with anxiety, muscle pain and difficulties stopping the drug. If used longer term, sleeping pills/benzodiazepines should never be stopped abruptly, but tapered off slowly. It may be surprising to learn that, despite their popularity, sleeping pills/benzodiazepines are not very effective for insomnia. Research has shown the brain quickly becomes tolerant of their effects so that, even after just a few weeks of use, they increase sleep time for an average of only 12 minutes a night. Considering all their risks, the benefits of sleeping pills are meagre. But the question remains: when sleep is a normal biological function why are so many of us suffering from insomnia to the point we are using dangerous medications to treat it? Are we really a nation of insomniacs? It is completely normal for people to have insomnia from time to time and there may be more contributors to sleeplessness today than ever before. Irregular bedtime and wake-up times, shift work, stress, overuse of alcohol, the demands of multiple social roles, lack of regular exercise and increased use of technology can all contribute to problems with sleep. Prescription drugs like Inderal (a beta-blocker), some thyroid medications (Synthroid), antibiotics (Floxin) and decongestants containing pseudoephedrine may also cause insomnia. Some researchers have questioned whether we are actually experiencing a true “insomnia epidemic” or whether disease-mongering is really our public health problem. Disease-mongering occurs when the normal ailments of everyday life are classified as medical prob-

lems requiring treatment, usually with prescription drugs. Disease mongering is promoted by over-screening, overdiagnosis, over-treatment, economic waste and increased public anxiety and fear, often driven by “disease awareness campaigns.” Disease awareness campaigns are often funded by pharmaceutical companies and other corporations with a vested interest in the sleep industry. They often partner with health providers, academics and pharma-funded patient groups and, explicitly or implicitly, promote the belief that conditions like insomnia are serious, widespread and require treatment. For example, the multiple international partners involved in organizing World Sleep Day (March 16) aim to increase the worldwide awareness of sleep problems by encouraging countries all over the world to organize activities that promote the importance of sleep. Funders of World Sleep Day include insurance firms, several pharmaceutical companies, a company representing sleep health specialists and a mattress company. The Canadian Sleep Society, which participates in World Sleep Day, is focused on increasing public awareness of sleep health in Canada. Current and past funding partners have included pharmaceutical companies such as Merck and Valeant, sleep clinics and a company selling sleep devices. Sleep problems ARE big business. In Canada, millions of dollars are spent every year on direct medical costs related to insomnia such as prescription drugs, over-thecounter sleep aids, doctors’ and hospital visits and testing at sleep diagnostic labs, many of which are private and funded through workplace insurance plans. In 2013, there were at least 130 sleep testing labs in Canada. In contrast to the hyper-awareness public education campaigns bring to sleep problems, there is a growing group of sleep experts who are telling us that a better approach to insomnia might be to become less concerned about sleep. Sleep researcher Dr. Kenneth Lichstein believes the more that people worry about meeting certain strict guidelines for sleep (e.g. 7-8 hours of un-interrupted

sleep a night) and catastrophize about the consequences of poor sleep, the more this contributes to insomnia. He believes these anxieties can lead to the development of an “insomnia identity,” which includes a poor appraisal of sleep time and quality and fears about health risks even when there are none. Treating insomnia identity focuses not on a person’s sleep habits, but on changing the maladaptive thoughts typical to insomniacs – thoughts such as “I won’t sleep tonight.” “I won’t be able to function tomorrow.” “I am an insomniac.” – and adopting a more relaxed and accepting attitude towards sleep.

ɶ Despite their popularity, sleeping pills/benzodiazepines are not very effective for insomnia. Lichstein found perceptions of poor sleep were more important than the amount of time someone actually slept. In other words, people who were technically “poor sleepers,” but did not consider themselves to have insomnia, did not experience distress, did not feel themselves to be impaired during the day and did not have anxiety about their sleep. Sasha Stephens, a self-described 15-year insomniac and author of the The Effortless Sleep Method, also believes insomnia is driven by a fear of not sleeping. Although she recommends a few basic sleep hygiene methods – a quiet bedroom, a comfortable bed, regular exercise – her view is that external sleep crutches such as pills, herbal remedies or even elaborate sleep rituals all work to erode our trust in our own innate ability to fall asleep and are major contributors to insomnia. We still may not know everything about how we sleep as we do. Historian Roger Ekirch, in his book At Day’s Close: Night in Times Past, used historical records to understand the sleep habits of our ancestors. These

records indicate people slept in two distinct phases: an early first sleep that started a few hours after dusk, followed by a waking period of one to two hours and then a second sleep. People were often quite active during the waking period, chatting, visiting, eating, praying, having sex or meditating upon their dreams. Segmented sleeps gradually disappeared in the 17th century, as street lighting in cities became more common, followed by electricity in the home. The industrial revolution, which demanded a more regulated labour force, ended the practice of the segregated sleep once and for all. An article in an 1829 medical journal urged parents to force their children out of the pattern of first and second sleeps. Cognitive-behavioural sleep specialist Dr. Gregg Jacobs challenges the quality of some of the research on the dangers of insomnia, including the myth of the uninterrupted eight-hour sleep, and some of the research associating poor sleep with problems such as overeating and obesity. He and many other sleep specialists believe individual sleep needs are variable. Like Ekirch, Jacobs believes waking up at night may be part of normal human physiology. It is unlikely we will ever return to the two-phase sleep pattern or even welcome a time in the middle of the night to meditate upon our dreams. However, an understanding, at least, of some of the reasons we may be wakeful when we don’t want to be may decrease our worries and ultimately be the key to sleeping better. j Resources Video: an overview of non-drug approaches to sleep http://sleepresearchproject.ua.edu/treating-insomnia-incollege-students.html Janet Currie is a writer, policy analyst and researcher. She works in the fields of justice and health and has a specific interest in medication (its use, safety and effectiveness). She is completing a PhD on off-label prescribing at UBC. While she cannot answer specific health concerns, if you have comments about the article, please contact her at note123@shaw.ca

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HEALTH

The “Big O” he ‘Osteoporosis Game’ works in five simple steps: 1) Be fearful. 2) Take a test. 3) Get a diagnosis. 4) Take drugs. 5) Potentially ruin your life by taking the drugs.

Be fearful In 2011, according to an executive of a large Manhattan PR firm, almost no one had ever heard of osteoporosis 20 years ago. In interviewing this woman for a radio documentary I put together on the making of a disease, she described her research from consumer focus groups that attempted to find out what people knew about the so-called ‘Silent Killer.’ Known as osteoporosis, this disease is caused by porous bones and it seemed like the unwashed masses didn’t know much about it. She advised her clients – a coalition of pharmaceutical makers, medical device companies and patient groups – that they needed to do some serious “awareness-raising.” After all, how were you going to sell a drug for a disease that people didn’t know or fear? Her firm, one of the largest PR firms in the world

Osteoporosis screening – the fast track to dubious drugs

and a world leader in bringing various diseases out of closets, reconfigured osteoporosis from a rare disease, which only struck old ladies who were close to death, to something anyone of any age could get. And behind it all was pharmaceutical giant Merck, a key player in the remake of osteoporosis. In 1995, Merck launched Fosamax, the first of a revolutionary new class of drugs called bisphosphonates, designed to treat this disease.

In the hullabaloo over what to do about osteoporosis, we seem to forget the thinning of our bones happens naturally with age. After people became aware of the disease, however, there was a problem. Doctors needed to test for it because without a test and a diagnosis, there would be no Fosamax market. That meant the PR people not only had to convince the population there was this silent

killer stalking middle-aged (and younger) women, but they also needed governments to pay for the test and doctors to perform it. It helped that the makers of the bisphosphonates bought and distributed thousands of bone density tests to clinics everywhere, thus creating an enormously successful disease by selling the test. Let me be clear that hip fractures are a public health problem. According to the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, “… at least two million Canadians are affected by osteoporosis” and “… one in four women and many men over the age of 50 have osteoporosis.” Sounds dire, but how do we really know if it is true? Take a test That’s easy. If you are able to define a disease broadly enough, you can capture as much of the population as you want. With many early researchers funded by drug makers and a key meeting of World Health Organization in 1995, drug company executives were at the table defining who had this disease. As it turned out, the definition of the disease was so broad it meant 50 percent of post-menopausal women or about 44 million American women had it. continued p.10 …

J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

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Nutrispeak Vesanto Melina

HEALTH

with Mio Lainchbury and Arooj Hayat

Plant protein: getting it right!

oving towards a plant-based diet can initially raise questions about whether you’re getting enough protein, especially if you’re not up on the science. If you’ve been on a plant-based journey for some time, you’re already aware of the many rich protein sources available, especially legumes: beans, peas, lentils, peanuts and soyfoods. These are also high in fibre, iron, zinc and B vitamins. If you struggle with the less welcome effect of beans, such as gas and bloating, below are some tips to help you enjoy these power-packed plant foods. What causes bloating? Some discomfort and bloating is caused by small pockets of gas produced by gut bacteria when they feast on indigestible fibre – known as *oligosaccharides – found in beans. (*Oligosaccharidea is a carbohydrate whose molecules are composed of a relatively small number of monosaccharide units.) Though gas production is both normal and healthy, getting too much may push against your intestinal walls, causing an annoying, achy feeling.

Seven simple steps to avoid the gas crisis 1. Start with the smaller varieties: lentils and mung beans. Also, oligosaccharides have been removed from tofu so it’s an excellent choice. Tofu can reduce the risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer so ignore those unfounded rumours that discredited soyfoods. 2. Increase your bean consumption gradually so your body can adapt by allowing more of the right gut bacteria to grow. 3. Try a variety of beans and lentils. Some may be more easily digested. 4. When you cook dried beans, add any salt after cooking. Salt can cause the outer lining to harden, making digestion difficult. Cook until beans are soft enough to mash on the roof of your mouth with your tongue. Then season. 5. Chew food thoroughly to break down cell walls before they enter the stomach. Chew soft foods 5-10 times and harder foods 30 times, before swallowing. Note that much intestinal gas is the result of gulped air. 6. Move around! Physical activity massages your insides; air bubbles break up then travel through your intestine and are released easily. 7. Remember that passing some gas is completely natural. In fact, medical journals discuss the healthful nature of passing some intestinal gas 12 to 25 times a day. What if you can’t eat beans? Allergies are a possibility, but note that a test may indicate “allergic to beans” when only two or three of the 20 types normally consumed have been tested and many others may be fine for you.

Vesanto Melina is a Vancouver dietitian. www.becomingvegan.ca, www.nutrispeak.com Mio Lainchbury and Arooj Hayat are third year dietetic students at UBC.

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Abundant plant protein All plant foods contain protein and some are particularly rich sources: seeds, nuts, mushrooms, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and leafy greens such as kale. Half the world’s protein comes from grains. To further boost your intake, you might add a vegan protein powder – based on hemp, pumpkin, rice, soy – to a smoothie. If you haven’t already, check out the vast array of new, frozen vegetarian alternatives for meat, chicken and various sea foods. Enjoying a variety of plant based foods, including some legumes, will ensure you get more than enough protein to live an active, healthy lifestyle. Quiz: How many types of legumes can you name? Write down the legumes you know, then go to page 21 for a list of 20 legumes. j

Earn a Diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition

…Drug Bust from pg. 8

The message that flows from popular medical press strongly suggests even the healthiest people should be worried about falling and breaking a hip due to the weakening of their bones. This worry then causes them to get their bone density ‘tested’ as the best way to thwart an early demise. After all, isn’t being proactive about your body the healthy thing to do? Now, wouldn’t it be nice if those of us who are found to have weakened bones could just take a drug, avoid becoming a hip fracture statistic – about 30,000 hip fractures happen in Canada every year – and live our lives better? The question is this: “Is submitting to a bone density test the right thing to do?”

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Get a diagnosis You have to remember screening healthy people is only justified on a population-wide level if the test is safe, accurate and inexpensive and if the results would actually make a difference in a person’s subsequent treatment. So how does bone mineral density (BMD) testing merit on these considerations? For starters, the thinning of bones happens to many people naturally as they age, much like grey hair or wrinkles. The difference, of course, is that grey hair or wrinkles can’t really hurt you, whereas osteoporosis might. If you consult independent experts around the world – those not selling mass bone screening programs or marketing osteoporosis drugs – they will tell you a pretty similar story: BMD testing is often inaccurate, can’t predict with any validity who will go on to break a bone and applies a label that leads to inappropriate drug therapy. Further, the test directs funds away from measures that could actually significantly reduce the rate of hip fractures, such as promoting weight bearing exercise, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and the intake of sleeping pills and increasing access to Vitamin D and calcium. The research shows about 60 percent of women who have hip fractures have normal bone density. Knowing this, the question changes from “How do I prevent

porous bones?” to “How do I prevent myself from falling and breaking a hip”? But since the focus is on your bone density, the solution looks a lot like a drug. Take drugs You may be offered a drug like alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva) or risedronate (Actonel), all of which are promoted and prescribed on the basis of their ability to reduce hip and other kinds of fractures. One thing all of these drugs have in common is the misleading statistics and exaggeration employed to convince your doctor to prescribe them. An example from the mid90’s, which turned on a light bulb for me, were the ads in medical journals promoting Fosamax, stating the drug could “reduce the rate of hip fractures by 50 percent.”

One thing all of these drugs have in common is the misleading statistics and exaggeration employed to convince your doctor to prescribe them. That sounds pretty good, but if women with defined osteoporosis and at high risk of a hip fracture are followed for four years, only two percent of them will actually have a hip fracture. If they took the drug instead of the placebo, it would be one percent. This difference is expressed as a whopping 50 percent relative reduction – one is 50 percent of two – but the absolute difference is one percent, meaning 100 women would have to take this drug for four years to prevent one hip fracture. Potentially ruin your life If the drugs are only marginally effective, how safe are they? Sadly, the safety of the bisphosphonates, despite the denials of the manufacturers, only grows

worse with time. In the first full year on the market, Fosamax, which comes with strict recommendations about how to take it due to its corrosiveness to the throat, was the top drug on the list of Suspect Drugs in 1996 as part of the US’s Postmarket Adverse Drug Experience (ADE) reporting system, where over 6,000 adverse drug reports were made. This class of drug can cause throat or chest pain, difficulty swallowing and heartburn. About 10 percent of patients have some kind of irritation of the esophagus. The more serious stuff includes abnormal heart rhythm, wrenching bone, joint and muscle pain, bone loss in the jaw (osteonecrosis) as well as an increased risk of thighbone fractures. In the hullabaloo over what to do about osteoporosis, we seem to forget the thinning of our bones happens naturally with age. The density of your bones is about as relevant to whether you fall and break a hip as the greyness of your hair or the number of wrinkles you have. In other words, it is a pretty irrelevant measurement. We know there are cheap and simple solutions to prevent falls – which cause over 95 percent of hip fractures – such as fixing our sidewalks and making sure we use them, for instance getting some weightbearing exercise through walking. At the end of the day, those promoting bone density testing or drugs for osteoporosis are the same people lobbying our government to pay even more for these drugs. Consumers don’t need more expensive and questionable health interventions marketed to them. As for the question “Should you or should you not take a bone density test?” it’s useful to ask yourself other questions such as “Am I scared?” “Will the bone density test reduce my fear?” “Will a drug make things better?” If you answer no to these questions, maybe it’s better to leave well enough alone. j Alan Cassels is the author of numerous books, including The ABCs of Disease Mongering, The Cochrane Collaboration, Selling Sickness and Seeking Sickness.

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Universe Within Gwen Randall-Young

PSYCHOLOGY

We need an Earth Treaty

n 1967, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the US all signed the United Nations Outer Space Treaty. The Outer Space Treaty provides the basic framework on international space law, including the following principles: • The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the beneﬁt and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind. • Outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States. • Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation or by any other means. • States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner. • The Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. • Astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind. • States shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities. • States shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects and • States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs Recently, when asked about Donald Trump’s Space Force, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson made reference to the Outer Space Treaty and questioned why, if we can create such a treaty for outer space, we can’t create the same for Earth?

Why such a reverence for the ‘shared space’ out there, but not here on Earth?

Gwen Randall-Young is an author and psychotherapist in private practice. To read more articles or to order books, “Deep Powerful Change” hypnosis MP3s or MP3s for Creating Effective Relationships, visit www.gwen.ca or check out her Facebook inspirational page.

by Joseph Roberts

hy are lobbyist’s like Bill Tielman, Susan Anton, Bill Good and others pimping for First Past The Post’s old colonial voting system? Why do they, and billionaires want to kill the far more progressive democratic Proportional Representive Voting System? Could be because they are paid handsomely for assassinating Pro Rep. Maybe they aren’t bothered when 40 percent of the vote gets 100 percent of the power. FPTP makes for a very unlevel, disproportionate playing field for lobbyists. In the last 17 majority governments in BC only one had over 50 percent of the vote, the other 16 were fake majorities. In our last two BC elections 39 percent of the vote grabbed the majority of seats and the other 60 percent of voters got nothing. Unfair FPTP showed up recently in Doug Ford’s grabbing all the power in Ontario with only 40 percent of the vote. Trump got less votes than his opponent but still became president. So please do not be swayed to support the colonial FPTP system. Any of the three Proportion Rep choices offered on the up-coming Electoral Reform Referendum mail in ballot is far better than FPTP. And if you can’t decide on the second question, just vote on the first question “Do you want a proportional fair voting system?” And the answer is a resound yes. Interesting to note in countries that have switched to Proportional Representation voter turn out has soared. Money laundering & remember BC’s Panda Bonds You want to kill off The Commons? No problem. Will that be credit card or cash? This brings us to the hugely controversial Panda Bonds floated my Mike De Jong then Finance Minister under Christy Clark’s BC government. David Eby, then in opposition, exposed the Panda Bond which was the BC government investing our tax money into a newly minted Singapore Bank in order to purchase Chinese Panda Bonds. Eby demanded an explanation which was not forth coming. He eventually got a sneaky answer that they were investing in Panda Bonds to raise interest. Eby astutely demanded to know what the interest rate was. Note: interest at banks offers a lousy investment return. Again, Christy Clark’s government was mute. So now the tables are turning and the NDP has the power to explain what was going on with the Panda Bonds but not a peep from the NDP either yet. Except John Hogan flew over to China shortly after winning government. Why? We were told to increase Asian investment in BC specifically more money for BC LNG which includes the much hated Woodfibre and Steelhead LNG proposed plants and LNG pipeline to climate hell. So, will someone in government finally tell the voting public what the hell is going on with the Panda Bonds now that they have the levers of BC’s government? We the people put you into office, now work for the people of BC and stop the deception, we had enough of it over the last 16 years. j

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The humans who formulated this treaty obviously had access to the wisdom around the creation of peace on Earth. Why such a reverence for the ‘shared space’ out there, but not here on Earth? It is clear the Outer Space Treaty was created as a result of all parties taking ego out of the equation. And whichever way the Earth and its inhabitants evolved, it was on a planet no one owned. The Inuit and other aboriginal people tell us, “In the nomadic times of our grandfathers, the land belonged to everybody, yet belonged to nobody. Inuit wandered great distances freely without having to worry about who owned what stretch of land or sea. If an area sustained life, Inuit were there without a thought as to who would pretend to be owner of it.” (ammsa.com) Humans, it seems, are like children in the sandbox, marking out their territory and stashing as many of the toys as possible in their corner. Thus, politicians ﬁght over borders, resources and power. Many on Earth would prefer a world where we work together. When the children in the sandbox decide to share the space and work together, they can build something more amazing than any of them could create on their own. Where are the peacemakers? Where are the voices to speak beyond the polarities? Where are the adults who can bring reason, wisdom and creativity to those kids who spend more time ﬁghting in the sandbox than enjoying the space and the connection with each other? Tyson speculates that perhaps we’ve never been visited by aliens because they have looked upon Earth and decided there’s no sign of intelligent life. It is time for those with the intelligence to see beyond polarity and taking sides and to let their voices be heard. “Desperately seeking wisdom.” – Earth j

Dump First Past The Post and build a true and fair voting system

你和你的家人能否安全？你的居所和食物又如何？ by Citizens for the Salish Sea

你半夜醒來，四周籠罩了臭味濃烈的易燃氣體；毒氣令你頭痛，喉乾舌燥，咳嗽不止，孩子更感到噁心及嘔吐。你收聴緊急廣播，原來有運油船在溫哥華港口漏油起火，而這些油是劇毒致癌的稀釋瀝青！你馬上跟隨政府的疏散指示，開車帶同家人往內陸撤離，但毒氣比你走得更快，因為前往一號公路的交通完全堵塞死了，車子動彈不得，你和家人困在車上，不單吸到汽車廢氣，更吸入越來越多的有毒濃煙！正正是為了防止上述可怕的情況，也為了保障大家的居所、健康和環境，卑詩省政府、原住民及很多本省居民都強烈反對跨山油管擴建計劃。但聯邦政府罔顧我們的安全和抗議，要用可高達15億納稅人的金錢，強行擴建油管！

要保護自己和家人？先弄清楚真相！跨山油管擴建計劃將大量的毒油產品每天從阿省運至本省的城市，這不是一般的石油產品，而是名為「瀝青」的笨重原油；但為了讓它能夠在油管中流動，還要加入易燃的化學液體將它稀釋。瀝青本身已含有多種危害健康的有毒物質，但這種「稀釋瀝青」(diluted bitumen) 更加入了「苯」(benzene)，一種致癌化學物。稀釋瀝青經油管輸送到這裏後再送上龐大的油輪。每天將有至少一艘巨型油輪從我們狹窄水淺但極為繁忙的布勒德內灣 (Burrard Inlet) 出發，通過三條橋底及溫哥華港口，再經英吉利灣及列治文市運往美國及亞洲。

巨大及可怕的安全威脅！更甚的是，五百萬桶經油管輸送的稀釋瀝青將儲存於本拿比市待運，即在密集的民房、學校及西門菲莎大學校院鄰近將會儲存八百萬公升的易燃毒油！一旦失火，發出的毒霧可以籠罩整個大溫市及菲沙河谷！本拿比消防局曾警告說，最可怕的危險就是爆炸引起的連環山火，對居民生命財產的威脅及對環境的破壞實在不堪設想！

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在我們異常繁忙的水域，頻繁的巨無霸油輪可以與其他的船隻互相碰撞或意外撞到橋樑。還記得今年一月，伊朗油輪「桑吉號」在中國海與香港貨輪相撞發生爆炸嗎？結果有32人死亡，還破壞了海產的供應鏈。

毒油從油管及油輪漏出的意外，在本地及世界各地都已經發生過無數次。漏油事故破壞我們的家居、鄰舍和自然環境，若是在沿岸的水域漏出，不單殺害及染污大量我們最喜愛的本地海鮮如青口、蜆、蟹及三文魚等等，還徹底破壞本省的海產業，破壞我們非常重要的旅遊業！

要保護自己和家人？請立即採取行動！ 1. 告訴政府：你反對跨山油管擴建，在此聯署或寫信：http://bit.ly/chineselettertool（或用手機 QR碼閱讀器掃描QR圖碼） 2. 帶同家人一起參加反對跨山油管擴建的活動。 3. 寫信到報章表示反對跨山油管擴建。 4. 與你的家人和朋友分享跨山油管的真相，及將此單張廣傳。

Can you and your family stay safe? What about your home and food?

Want to Protect Yourself and Your Family? First, Know the Facts! The Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion plans to move massive amounts of toxic oil product from Alberta into our city every day. BUT this is not regular oil

product. It is very heavy oil called bitumen, diluted with flammable liquids so that it can flow through the oil pipes. Not only does the bitumen contain many toxins that are unsafe to our health, but a cancer causing chemical, Benzene, is also added to dilute it. After the diluted bitumen is transported here through the pipeline, it will be shipped on very large tankers. Every single day, at least one such super tanker will move from inside our narrow, shallow, and busy Burrard inlet, under three bridges, then past English Bay and Richmond on its way to US and Asia. Huge and Terrifying Safety Risks! The diluted bitumen is to be stored in Burnaby once it arrives from the pipeline. 5 million barrels – 800 million litres of this flammable toxic oil will be stored near densely populated homes, schools, and the SFU university campus. A fire would create a deathly smoke cloud that would fill the air of all Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley! The Burnaby Fire Department has warned that they cannot contain the potential danger and they fear the devastating scenario of a huge forest fire sparked by explosions in the tanker farm! The frequency of super tankers increases the chance of collision with other ships or bridges in our very busy waterway. Remember that Sanchi tanker? In January

2018, the Iranian Sanchi tanker ship collided with a Hong Kong cargo ship in the China Sea. This resulted in a massive explosion, killed 32 people, and destroyed ocean seafood supplies. The toxic diluted bitumen will leak from pipelines and ships. This has occurred many times here and around the world. Leaked oil destroys the safety of our home, our neighbourhood, and our natural environment. A spill in our coastal water will kill and pollute our beloved local seafood such as crabs, clams, mussels, and salmon. It will also devastate our very important fishing and tourist industries! To Protect Yourself and Your Family Please Act Now! 1. Sign a petition or write a letter to tell the government you oppose the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion: http://bit.ly/chineselettertool (or use the QR code reader on your smartphone) 2. Bring your family to rallies to oppose the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion 3. Write to your local newspaper to oppose the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion 4. Tell your family and friends the facts about the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion and share this flyer widely j

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ou wake up in the middle of the night, surrounded by stinking toxic explosive fumes, having a headache and coughing, and your children are feeling nauseated or vomitting. You listen to an emergency broadcast and find out that there was a tanker spill of the very toxic and cancer-causing diluted bitumen which is on fire in Vancouver Harbour. You immediately follow the evacuation order to leave your home and head inland. But the toxic air travels faster than you can as all the roads leading towards Highway 1 are totally congested. Your family ends up stuck in the car, breathing in car exhaust and more of the toxic air. To avoid such a nightmare, to protect our home, our health and our environment, BC Government, First Nations and many BC citizens are opposed to the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion. But the Federal Government ignores our safety and our opposition, and insists on spending up to 15 billion of taxpayers’ dollars to build these pipelines.

Mac McLaughlin

StarWise

ZODIAC

Summer Edition

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e have a busy month on board with all kinds of planetary antics. The solar eclipse on July 12 is right opposite Pluto. Eclipses in ancient times struck fear into the populace, and with Pluto representing all things hidden, along with death and destruction, we can see why our collective feathers could compress a bit. Just before you head for the bomb shelter, you might want to dig a little deeper into what these energies are portraying. Not only are the planets moving through the signs of the western zodiac, they are connecting or aligning with some of the fixed star groups called moon mansions, asterisms or nakshatras. The nakshatras are ruled by particular deities and it is truly phenomenal as to what unfolds in our lives when these nakshatra energies are activated. The July 12 solar eclipse lands in the nakshatra called Punarvasu. The word Punarvasu indicates some type of renewal. Interestingly, two of Pluto’s endeavours are transforma-

tion and regeneration. Could we make the case we are in the midst of a transformation and restructuring on all levels of society and throughout the world? I think we can. Out with the old and in with the new; we are changing at a very rapid rate. The lunar eclipse on July 27 is dynamic, dramatic and a tad dangerous. Remember that solar eclipse influences can last for at least a year or more, while lunar eclipse energies can carry on for several months. Plus we have collective and personal karma that comes into play. Mac McLaughlin has been a practising, professional astrologer for more than four decades. His popular Straight Stars column ran in Vancouver’s largest weekly newspaper for 11 years. Email mac@macsstars.com or call 604-731-1109.

A RIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Career and family are the big features this month. Actually, your earning potential is strong and your ability to impress others with your work ethic and honesty will be noted. Some sparks could fly in the first 10 days of July, and you will have to be quick on your feet to handle what comes your way. The end of the month is dramatic for all signs as Mars kicks up lots of dust and you may not mind. Action and drama fill the days.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 22 The lunar eclipse on July 27 will light up your sky in some way, especially if you were born in the first 10 days of Leo. Revelations come in waves and you may be on the move. It’s probably not the best time for dangerous activity; Mars is on board tempting you to take chances and you may be successful or not. Fight or flight energies come up; challenges, changes and high energy scenarios are indicated. The best bet is to go slow till you know.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Your solar ninth house of travel is strongly activated throughout July. You might also feel inclined to write a book or complete a thesis. Publishing, proselytizing, preaching and seeking spiritual awareness are other features this month as well. Lord Jupiter in your solar 12th house is another indicator of things being stirred up on a deep level. You may be tired or burned out with the status quo and regular rut, champing at the bit and longing for some excitement and challenge.

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 21 It’s practically a new playing field as Uranus stirs the pot and lots of changes and challenges come up. Taurus doesn’t really like a whole lot of changes. You will have to be reasonable and flexible if you want to get through it all unscathed. If you dig your hooves in too deep and lower your horns in defiance, you could find yourself looking for a new job or relationship. You may be on the move – across the country or out of it for that matter.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22 While the rest of the world is going a bit squirrelly, you may be having a good time wondering what all the fuss is about. The stars are situated in such a way that you can easily work through anything. Venus spends the last 20 days of July in Virgo bringing a sense of beautification. New wardrobe, new car, new job or home renovation? It might be time to renovate aspects of personal relationships too. Art, music and social activities fill up the calendar.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19 Your ruling planet Saturn is retrograding in the early degrees of Capricorn. It’s a strong indicator of having to redo and possibly renew many aspects of your life. With Pluto visiting Capricorn as well, some dramatic life changes are inevitable. You have some choices to make. Saturn is asking you to look at what is not working and to do something about it. If you don’t take action, Pluto will get it done for you. It’s about cleansing and clearing up all aspects of your life.

GEMINI May 22 - Jun 20 Float like a butterfly and try not to sting like a bee is the best mantra to inculcate throughout the month. Sharp words and crossed swords are the things to consider, especially in the first 10 days of the month and at the end of the month. Whatever the case, you may make out well, especially if you work things through in a kind and considerate manner. Be reasonable and make your presentations feasible. Lots of high drama and excitement fill the days.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Money, work and family are the dominant features for Libra this month. Lord Venus is travelling through your solar 12th house and indicates working on personal health issues and other behind- the-scenes topics. Time with family, kids and grandkids is indicated. The past, in general, may be on your mind and you might want to do some research regarding family history. Energy picks up towards the end of the month. It’s a time of reflection and renewal.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 19 The lunar eclipse on July 27 is a doozy. It takes place at 4 degrees of Aquarius, which relates to people born around January 24. If you were born near that date or have any planets at 4 Aquarius, important events will likely manifest in your life. Stay to the side of caution as forewarned is forearmed. Fires, accidents and incidents could manifest, including a firestorm of emotions, which Aquarius is never comfortable with. Stay safe and play safe is the best bet.

CANCER Jun 21 - Jul 22 The solar eclipse takes place on July 12 and if you are born within a couple of days of this date, some type of dynamic change is likely. Change does not have to mean negative. Much depends on what you’re doing and if you are happy with your lifestyle. Work and responsibilities are foremost on your mind and lucky Jupiter has your back. Work hard, play hard, pray hard and make it all work. This is not the time for passivity. Your destiny is in the stars and it’s coming your way.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Jupiter moves slowly through the middle of Scorpio all month bringing his abundant blessings. Good timing, mixed with good will, generates feelings of contentment. Travel could manifest easily now. You may have to watch for weight gain or just plain overdoing. You may be deeply curious as to how spirituality really works. Others find you attractive, magnetic and trustworthy. You can party and play or work hard and truly get somewhere. My advice is to find the middle ground.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20 The Sun harmonizes with your Sun until July 22, helping life run a bit smoother. Venus is in your opposite sign, Virgo, the last 20 days of July. It’s a good time to consider matters of the heart. Jupiter and Neptune cast good energy indicating your intuition and wisdom are intact. You may have a prophetic vision or dream that sets you on the right course. Your intuition is stronger than usual. Your health houses are activated so face any issues you have been avoiding. j

photo © Sarah2

Aftereffects of near death experiences Explore the extraordinary

er and write three specific books. The result: she became one of the original researchers in the field of near-death studies, wrote 15 books on the subject and toured the world. On PMH’s website, http://pmhatwater.com, readers will find an article about her three NDEs which included many of the common characteristics, such as having an out-of-body experience (OBE), and what she learned from 4,000 interviews with people who had died and came back to life. Dr. Eben Alexander III had a full time job as a neurosurgeon when a deadly virus changed his life forever. His bestselling book, Proof of Heaven, chronicles an amazing story of being a renowned neurosurgeon who almost lost his life to a mystifying brain infection and how he experienced the hyper-reality of a spiritual realm while in coma. He now asserts the brain does not create consciousness and that consciousness survives bodily death continued p.23…

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eople who’ve had an extraordinary experience in their lives often change their perspective on human relationships and may develop special abilities to help others. The aftereffects of a Near-Death Experience (NDE), or Spiritually Transformative Experience (STE), often prove to initiate profound changes in a person’s life. The conference, Aftereffects of Near Death Experiences, will explore these aftereffects and provide a deeper understanding of the gifts. Presenters will discuss living life with greater love, hope, joy, compassion, awareness and connection to others. The conference includes the following speakers: PMH Atwater: In 1977, she had three near-death experiences. In her third near-death experience, PMH Atwater was told by “The Voice Like None Other” to become a research-

Science Matters David Suzuki

J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

ENVIRONMENT

Squeezing the carbon bubble

he carbon bubble will burst with or without government action, according to a new study. That will hurt people who invest in fossil fuels. As energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies improve and prices drop, global demand for fossil fuels will decline, “stranding” new fossil fuel ventures, likely before 2035, according to the study in Nature Climate Change, “Macroeconomic impact of stranded fossil fuel assets.” Researchers from Cambridge University and elsewhere found technological advances will strand fossil fuel assets regardless of “whether or not new climate policies are adopted,” but that “the loss would be amplified if new climate policies to reach the 2°C target of the Paris Agreement are adopted… That could “amount to a discounted global wealth loss of US$1-4 trillion,” and Russia, the US and Canada could see their fossil fuel industries nearly shut down, the report says. The best way to limit these negative impacts is to divest from fossil fuels and speed up the transition to a diversified, energy-efficient, clean-energy economy. Investing tax dollars to expand fossil fuel development and infrastructure, including pipelines, is irresponsible and incompatible with Canada’s Paris Agreement commitments… Lead author Jean-François Mercure told

the Guardian, “With more policies from governments, this would happen faster. But without strong [climate] policies, it is already happening…” Co-author Jorge Viñuales said, “Individual nations cannot avoid the situation by ignoring the Paris agreement or burying their heads in coal and tar sands.”

…Lack of sleep from pg. 5

just atrophied and mice physically became weaker under just two months under these conditions.” Although stress, lifestyle choices and light pollution may affect the quality of your sleep, there is also an underdiagnosed sleep disorder that may affect the quality of sleep you experience. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder during which your air exchange may stop momentarily or decrease, despite your ongoing effort to breathe. Unfortunately, you may not recognize the symptoms of OSA as they include changes to your breathing patterns while you’re sleeping. While awake, you may experience chronic drowsiness and fatigue and your sleeping partner may complain of loud snoring at night. The economic impact on employers may be as high as $86.9 million in lost productivity each year and just under $150 billion is the economic burden of undiagnosed OSA, including lost productivity, motor vehicle accidents and workplace accidents.

The study enrolled 33 young adults who went without sleep for 42 hours. Over this period of time, they participated in tasks measuring reaction time, memory and learning, had their melatonin levels measured to assess and track their sleep-wake cycles and underwent 12 brain scans. The researchers found specific areas of the brain’s activity increased and decreased with the rise and fall of melatonin, such as in the hypothalamus. However, there were other areas of the brain that continued a downward spiral of activity and ability to perform, not in harmony with the circadian rhythm, but rather driven by growing sleep debt. As you might expect, the areas of the brain that experienced reduced function controlled learning, memory and the ability to perform simple tasks. The high cost of sleep deprivation After reviewing the study, Chris Colwell, Ph.D., neuroscientist, psychiatry professor and sleep specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles was quoted in the New York Times, saying, “The study is the first of its kind to show markers of negatively-affected muscle fibres, skeletal systems and motor performances due to the disruption of circadian clocks, remarkably in only a few months. They found that not only did motor performance go down on tests, but the muscles themselves

Investing tax dollars to expand fossil fuel development and infrastructure, including pipelines, is irresponsible. Researchers found that while the shift from fossil fuels to conservation and clean energy is moving quickly enough to strand fossil fuel assets, it’s not happening fast enough to keep global average temperature from rising more than 2 C above pre-industrial levels. That will require concerted action from governments worldwide to meet and exceed Paris Agreement commitments. Technological and social innovation at the consumer and industrial level, including “the spread of digital services in the global south and the rise of vehicle-sharing in the global north” would fuel most improvements.

Sleep deprivation linked to dementia A lack of sleep may also increase your risk for dementia. Researchers from University of California Berkeley’s Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab discovered that a lack of sleep leaves your brain more vulnerable to proteins believed to trigger dementia. Alzheimer’s disease has been diagnosed in almost

Measures like getting people to reduce or eliminate meat from their diets would also be necessary, as far more energy and land are required to raise and produce meat than fruits and vegetables. Although the report offers hope, our best bet for avoiding the worst effects of a warming planet is to do everything we can at all levels of society and government: conserve energy, shift to clean energy, protect and restore green spaces, reduce meat consumption, improve women’s rights and family planning to stabilize population growth, increase infrastructure for transportation alternatives to the private automobile, divest from fossil fuels and hold politicians to account for credible climate policies. The world is changing in response to serious energy challenges. We can take advantage of the growing economic opportunities and benefits to human health, ecosystems and the climate or we can keep extracting, selling and burning fossil fuels while the world warms. The choice is obvious. j David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster author and cofounder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation senior editor Ian Hanington. Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org

40 million US adults and is considered one of the more debilitating forms of dementia. This study discovered beta-amyloid, a protein associated with those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, aggregates in your brain when you are chronically sleep deprived. These deposits hinder your ability to sleep and thus set up a vicious cycle. Lead author Bryce Mander, Ph.D., neuroscientist from the University of California Berkeley, was quoted in California Association UC Berkeley magazine, saying, “What was unknown was whether or not that’s just a side relationship that has nothing to do with the clinical symptoms of dementia, or if sleep disruption is part of why these toxic chemicals in the brain are causing memory loss. This is not to say that amyloid and other pathologies can’t impact memory independent of sleep. But it does suggest that part of the way it impacts memory is through sleep-dependent memory.” Other research demonstrates that amyloid plaques, common in Alzheimer’s disease, build up more quickly in sleep deprived lab animals. A second study then discovered how sleep clears toxins from your brain while sleeping, reducing your potential risk for dementia. j © Dr. Mercola www.mercola.com

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• Art & Music • Business Services • Education & Certification • Health & Healing • Intuitive Arts • Media • Nutrition • Psychology, Therapy & Counselling • Restaurants ART & music

YES YOU CAN

SING!

Lynn McGown singing teacher / vocal coaching

Do you love to sing in the shower only to clam up if you think other people are listening? Discover your own voice and full potential of your talent with Lynn McGown. We all have our own unique voice. Through breathing and body awareness techniques, vocal warm-ups and lots of singing, you are guided

to discover a powerful and authentic sound to build your confidence, energy level, wellbeing and health. All lessons are individually tailored: from shy beginners to professional performance coaching. Register for vocal workshops (last Sunday of each month) and/ or one-on-one vocal singing coaching.

LYNN MCGOWN Call to set up lesson tel. 604-222-4113 www.lynnmcgown.com www.celtictraditions.ca

BUSINESS SERVICES

AUTO REPAIR / SURF SHOP www.axlealley.ca

mimi lauzon

Conscious Dating Coach & Matchmaker

cell 778.871.3175

Locally owned and operated since 1992 Government Licensed mechanics Centrally located near the VCC Skytrain Stn 20% of our oil changes go to charity Free brake inspection Free clutch adjustment Free baby seat anchor and install

• Keeping your old car a few more years could save you thousands of dollars

• Check out our website for 43 free downloadable fuel saving tips.

Hours: Monday - Saturday 8 AM - 5 PM 2055 Clark Drive Vancouver, BC

Book an appointment online. www.axlealley.ca 604-875-9988 604-255-TIRE axlealley@hotmail.com

Looking for lasting love? Finding your special someone can be frustrating and timeconsuming, but with the right understanding, outlook and support, the process can be fun, enlightening and quick! A full-spectrum approach. Backed by years of experience as a Professional Coach and Matchmaker. Call today for a free 30-minute consultation.

Gentle Choices for Eco-friendly Families: Cloth diapers, Baby Carriers, Baby Gifts, Cloth Diaper Trial Program, Gift Certificates, Workshops & much more. Shop Online. NEW LOCATION: Country Club Centre, 9-3200 North Island Highway, Nanaimo Cristi Lundman: 250-585-5552 www.huckleberrybabyshop.com

education & certification programs begin every September and March. Curriculum includes Anatomy & Kinesiology, Swedish, Lomilomi, Hydro & Spa Treatments, Deep Tissue & NMT, Assessment & Treatments, Shiatsu, Sports & Therapeutic Exercise, Reflexology, Body/Mind Integration and a fully supervised public clinic. The school is located on the island of Maui, where the warm

ocean, gentle climate and lush tropical beauty encourage deep relaxation and exploration of the healing process. Student visas available for 7 and 12 month programs. For more information and a free catalog, write Maui School of Therapeutic Massage, PO Box 1891, Makawao, Hawaii 96768. Phone: 808-572-1888 or visit our website at www.massagemaui.com

Reflexology Training Courses Reflexology is taught as an intuitive healing art for professional practice, or, for use with friends and family. Courses provide structure that allows you to develop your own intuitive sense in your reflexology practice. We have a holistic orientation. Holistic Reflexology: An Introduction -

Informational evening talks: $10. See Datebook. Basic Foot, Hand or Ear Reflexology Certificate Weekend Courses - Twenty hours expert instruction, plus 40 hours practicum and 10 hours home study prepare you to practice reflexology competently. $395. Advanced Reflexology Certificate Courses - Expand your knowledge and develop your

effectiveness to a professional level. $395. Courses offered year round. See Datebook. Courses accredited RABC, and RAC. Pacific Institute of Reflexology 3261 Heather Street, Vancouver 604-875-8818 / Toll free: 1-800-688-9748 chrisshirley@pacificreflexology.com www.pacificreflexology.com

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Most courses tax deductible

Learn massage therapy while enjoying the sun and sea of Hawaii. Our “State of the Heart” professional program provides you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to open your own bodywork practice. Our 650-hour certification program is one of the most affordable anywhere at only $5,500US. Part-time (12 month) and Full-time (7 month)

HEALTH & HEALING

Wellspring Vision Improvement Program

Most courses tax deductible Making a positive difference

Dr. Weidong Yu www.TCMRP.com

THE HAPPY COLON since 2000

Reflexology: The Core of Natural Healing Reflexology is practiced as a potent, safe way to free you from stress and tension, and relieve your pain and discomfort. Stimulation of your foot, hand or ear reflexes will deeply relax you to revitalize your whole body, and thereby facilitate natural healing. Let us tailormake your session to address your unique

health concerns and preferences. Our holistic approach can assist you to address the source of your disease or discomfort, and/or, simply indulge in blissful relaxation. Our sessions enable you to embrace your natural health and vitality. Reflexology safely complements all other therapies. One-hour private sessions: $75, or 5/$325.

Books, charts and self-help tools available. Enquire about franchise opportunities. Pacific Institute of Reflexology 3261 Heather Street, Vancouver 604-875-8818 chrisshirley@pacificreflexology.com www.pacificreflexology.com

Wellspring Vision Improvement Program (WVIP) was developed in 1999 by Dr. Weidong Yu, a world renowned Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. WVIP is a comprehensive Holistic health program based on Chinese herbal medicine, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Qigong, Food and Nutrition. WVIP may be

beneficial for patients with conditions such as:

For appointment, please call 604-737-7876 Dr. Weidong Yu, Dr.TCM Wellspring Clinic 916 West King Edward Ave. (south east corner of King Edward Mall at Oak & King Edward) Vancouver, BC

Colon Hydrotherapy dates back to the Egyptians who used it in its most basic form, the enema. Modern equipment today uses purified water at preset pressure and temperature to cleanse the large intestine (colon). By appointment only: 604-525-8400 # 360 - 522 7th St., New Westminster, B.C.

Elena Lopez

I-ACT certified colon hydrotherapist

* Retinitis Pigmentosa * Red eyes, Dry eyes * Macular degeneration * Eye fatigue * Glaucoma * Far sightedness * Eye Bleeding * Blurry Vision

Natural Health

& Colon Hydrotherapy

Business

INTUITIVE ARTS

MEDIA

Information to change the world

Great opportunity to acquire a well-established Nutritional Therapy and Colon Hydrotherapy business in Burnaby. Centrally located, this money making business serves a loyal client base. Lots of opportunity to capitalize on the growing revenue from online sales. Asking $149,000. Contact 604-551-9573 / www.604business.com

For Sale

Free online library with 20,000+ articles, books and films about justice, freedom, and democracy. Focus on creating alternatives and working together for a better world. Plus social justice calendar, directory of groups and websites. www.connexions.org

DR. ANNE MCMURTRY Channelled Readings, Reiki & Crystal Healing ANNE’S ABILITY opens a line of communication between you and your spiritual guides allowing them to speak directly to you. Reiki and crystal healings and workshops are also available. 604-734-8219 VANCOUVER

The trouble with normal is it always gets worse. – Bruce Cockburn

NUTRITION Lead author of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ current vegetarian position paper; and of award-winning books on plant-based nutrition Becoming Vegan: Comprehensive Edition and Becoming Vegan: Express Edition both with Brenda Davis. Online & at bookstores. www.becomingvegan.ca

Consultation with dietitian/author Vesanto Melina. ($295 for 2-1/2 hours) includes personalized nutritional analysis; recipes; menu planning. For busy people; pregnancy; children, seniors. vesanto.melina@gmail.com 778-379-5377 www.nutrispeak.com

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PSYCHOLOGY, THERAPY & COUNSELLING

Therapy of the Whole Person John Arnold Ph.D. Therapist / Counselor since 1975

604.261.2788

ARE YOU READY FOR A CHANGE? Lorraine Milardo Bennington M.Ed. (Counselling) Reg. Psychologist #815

Only by Working With the Whole Person Can You Achieve Truly Permanent and Effective Change. If problems and issues keep popping up in your life and you are STILL STUCK, it is

You can overcome your limiting beliefs and open up to your joy! Success Coaching Hypnotherapy - Weight Loss/Stop Smoking, Athletic performance, Blocks to Success/Fear of failure, Age regression, Anxiety, Phobias Couples Counselling

because you have not gotten to the root causes. Completion of any problem comes only when you have resolved your issues physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and the underlying reasons for repetitive patterns of behavior are uncovered and resolved.

Lorraine Milardo Bennington, success coach, psychologist and hypnotherapist, has been practising hypnosis for over 30 years and skillfully integrates intuition and hypnotherapy into her coaching and counselling practice. Lorraine gently guides people in the process of transformation, assisting

If you are fed up and want to do something radical about your predicament, give me a call 604-261-2788 or visit my web page at www.johnarnoldphd-reichianandyogic therapist.com/

them to connect with their higher selves and to reclaim joy and personal power in their lives. Lorraine has returned to Vancouver after 10 years living, studying and working on Kauai and Maui. 778-331-8860 transformance@mac.com www.creativetransformations.ca

PSYCHOLOGY, THERAPY & COUNSELLING

Life Between Lives™ Past Lives & Spiritual Regressions Rifa Hodgson, CCHT

The first certified & practicing LBL therapist in Canada

1-888-606-TIME (8463)

“For those of us who have had the opportunity to actually see our immortality, a new depth of self understanding and empowerment emerges.” - from “Journey of Souls” by Dr. Michael Newton, LBL Founder. Offices: West Vancouver and Gibsons rifa@lifebetweenlives.ca www.lifebetweenlives.ca

Louise Evans B.A., M.ED., C.HT., R.C.C.

Hypnotherapy & Counselling

Two sessions for the price of one: past life regression and/or life between lives. Clinical hypnosis – treatment that’s affordable, fast and effective. Extended health coverage. For issues addressed, see Sparkhypnotherapy.com Phone 604.773.5595 or 604.522.0257

RESTAURANTS VEGETARIAN The Naam Vegetarian Restaurant For years voted “Best Vegetarian” in the Georgia Straight and in Vancouver Magazine’s “Readers’ Choice”. Open seven days a week, 24 hours, licensed, wood fireplace, heated patio, live music at dinner. 2724 West 4th Ave. 604-738-7151.

T h e

We may go to the moon, but that’s not very far. The greatest distance we have to cover still lies within us. – Charles de Gaulle

EAST IS EAST EXPERIENCE THE EAST WITH YOUR TASTE BUDS

604-734-5881 Now at our new location to 3035 West Broadway (Formerly Calhoun’s)

Restaurant

RESTAURANTS “East Is East is a place where you are encouraged to talk to your neighbours. This is definitely not the Ritz, but it certainly is Kits. From plumbers to publishers, hippies to generation whatever, this place has special appeal.” - Owen Williams, Common Ground Visit our other location 4433 Main Street @ 28th 604-879-2020

Indian Cuisine Eat in / Take out

Independent Media Marianela Ramos Capelo

Savour an Indian culinary experience while enveloped in the mysterious ragas of classical Indian music. Winner of West Ender’s Silver Medal for Best Indian Restaurant 2004-2005. Delicious selection of vegetarian and vegan specialties. Open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner. 2313 Main St., Vancouver 604.872.8779 www.nirvanarestaurant.ca

MEDIA

This Internet fight has people ‘shying’ away potentially criminalize legal activities, such as sex education materials, legal sex work online (e.g. consensual pornography, consensual and legal escorting services) and even personal ads. For instance, SESTA’s language criminalizes any platform that engages in “assisting, supporting or facilitating” trafficking, without any clear

The reality these days is that laws from one place have impact beyond their geographical jurisdiction. delineation of what these terms mean in practice. These bills break with what vox.com called “one of the most important pieces of Internet legislation ever created.” That being Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This piece of legislation was key to the formation of the Internet as we know it because it deemed platforms like Twitter, Facebook or craigslist could not be held liable for what users posted on them. Arguably, without Section 230, none of the services we currently use could have been possible, as they would have been sued into oblivion. These new bills create an exception to Section 230, watering down its

protections and, with the aforementioned broad language, pushing platforms to proactively shut down anything sex related “just in case.” As an example, craigslist has already shut down its personal ads globally, to the detriment of many marginalized communities. So with SESTA/FOSTA having such a big global impact on free speech online, how come so little noise was made about these bills? As Open Privacy’s Executive Director Sarah Jamie Lewis pointed out, this issue did not receive the attention from Internet freedom groups or tech companies on the scale of what we’ve seen for #NetNeutrality or copyright (e.g. #SOPA and #PIPA). I can only venture to say that the mention of sex workers’ rights and sex education preemptively scared many within civil society from tackling this. But this is how draconian legislation starts: by first impacting those that very few are willing to defend. It is up to all of us to not shy away from these key fights to keep the Internet open and censorship-free.j Marianela Ramos Capelo is a graphic designer and part of the communications team at OpenMedia, a communitybased organization that works to keep the Internet open, affordable, and surveillance-free. openmedia.org

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our inbox has probably been getting a few emails from companies, organizations and even services you didn’t know you were subscribed to alerting you about how their privacy policies, the way they handle your data and thus their relationship to you has changed as the result of a new European regulation, the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR. And, yes, this happened even for folks not living in Europe. The reality these days is that laws from one place have impact beyond their geographical jurisdiction. And that’s because the platforms and services we use online aren’t tied down by geographic boundaries. While this could be a good thing, as the GDPR is pushing companies to be more transparent everywhere, not just in Europe, there’s always another side of the coin: enter SESTA and FOSTA. The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) and the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) are two bills that recently passed in the US. These bills claim to tackle sex trafficking online. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the problem is they don’t do what they purport to do. SESTA and FOSTA are so broad in language they

The unfinished business on

Burnaby Mountain

by Bruce Mason

ɶɶ We are sleep-walking in a world gone mad with corporatism, awakening to the re-birth of fascism. And the ultimate nightmare is the fact that Canadian taxpayers

J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

now own part of it.

“P

eople won’t die unless someone else kills them,” say critics of the Trudeau Trans Mountain pipeline. “Shift Shell,” the first protest on Burnaby Mountain, took place five decades ago. As it turns out, more than 1,000 students and faculty, who objected to the construction of a gas station on the campus of the just-built Simon Fraser University (opened in 1965), were oh so right. Prophetically so. Back in 1966, the protestors, now rightly referred to as protectors, said it obstructed the view, something big oil, including Shell, continues to do today. As well, Shell was deeply involved in abhorrent apartheid in South Africa, which had been modelled on the racism of the Canadian government’s treatment of its indigenous people. Apartheid is gone, but Reconciliation in Canada is little more than empty words and promises. And isn’t it ironic this protest took place in the late-60s when major oil corporations were becoming painfully

aware, as a result of their own research, that continuing to burn fossil fuels would kill the planet? It is extremely important we keep in mind the pertinent distinctions between ‘to die,’ ‘to kill’ and ‘to live.’ According to David Dodge, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, now a high-profile advisor to Alberta’s Rachel Notley government, “There are some people that are going to die in protesting construction of this pipeline. We have to understand that… Nevertheless, we have to be willing to enforce the law.” “It’s going to take some fortitude to stand up to fanatics,” he told a recent forum in Edmonton. “We have seen it other places, that equivalent of religious zeal leading to flouting of the law in a way that could lead to death. “Inevitably, when you get that fanaticism, you’re going to have trouble,” he carried on, before asking Canadians, “Are we collectively as a society willing to allow the fanatics to obstruct the general will of the population?” “That then turns out to be a real test of whether we

actually do believe in the rule of law,” concluded the art-less Dodge, grimly echoing federal Liberal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr’s assurance that he would use military defence and police forces to push this pipeline through. Both beg a burning question, first posed by Kevin Taft: “Is Rachel Notley [or Justin Trudeau] prepared to have people killed to get this pipeline built?” That’s important for anyone who is paying attention, anyone well aware the world is slipping into fascism and wary of any early warning signs close to home. Kevin Taft is one sane voice in the ongoing cross-Canada kerfuffle over fatal enforcement of the rule of law. Taft called Dodge’s shocking comments a “favour” because they have ignited a debate about the accountability of oil barons, profiteering banksters and political puppets. Taft, former Leader of the Opposition in Alberta and author of the bestselling book Oil’s Deep State (excerpted in the May 2018 issue of Common Ground), asks his fellow Canadians to think about what Dodge’s quote – “There are some people that are going to die…” – really implies. Namely, there are some people that are going to be killed in protesting construction of this pipeline. Taft admits, “Ten years ago, I thought this pipeline made sense; I don’t any longer.” He also notes, “It certainly protects the interests of oil companies that want to export raw bitumen. But once the thick layers of propaganda are scraped off the over-hyped claims of economic benefits, job creation and environmental protection, it’s not clear this project should proceed.” The debate brings to mind another question that most of us have been asked at some point in our lives – “Is this the hill you want to die on?” – first used by the military, when discussing holding a position at all

hazards, no matter the cost. The answer requires making critical choices about core values. We can’t die on all of the hills available, especially in our contemporary world, but, occasionally, we can take a first step toward being liberated, to do what we must do. Indeed, location is everything, as they say. On the same mountain, back in December, 1968, 114 Simon Fraser University students were incarcerated for occupying and barricading the university’s administration offices. There have been many other protests there, such as labour strife and questions of academic freedom, including Robin Mathews’ fight to hire Canadian academics and decolonize our national education system. Many more diverse protectors are now being arrested daily for protesting on Burnaby Mountain, smack dab on the expanded pipeline route and the site of the tanker farm and marine terminal. They include SFU biochemist Lynne Quarmby, one of the “Kinder Morgan Five,” who were subjected to a strategic but unsuccessful lawsuit, often referred to as a SLAPP suit (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), brought by the Texas-based oil pipeline company. “I’m going to turn around and walk up this hill and I’m going to be the best citizen I can be,” she reported on why she continues the fight to stop the deeply unpopular and deadly pipeline. Among other things, Canada’s west coast is the birthplace of Greenpeace. Keith Stewart, a senior energy strategist with the now international organization, added to the die/kill debate fiasco, saying, “Remember that we’re not fighting each other as individuals, but we’re arguing about what kind of future we want to leave for our kids.”

ɶ According to David Dodge, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, now a high-proﬁle advisor to Alberta’s Rachel Notley government, “There are some people that are going to die in protesting construction of this pipeline. We have to understand that… Nevertheless, we have to be willing to enforce the law.”

Bruce Mason is a Vancouver and Gabriola-Island based five-string banjo player, gardener, freelance writer and author of Our Clinic.

Answers to Nutrispeak Quiz on page 9. 1. Garbanzobeans/Chickpeas 2. Pinto beans 3. Black beans 4. Kidney beans 5. Lima beans 6. Cannellini beans 7. Navy beans 8. White beans 9. Red beans 10. Adzuki beans 11. Mung beans 12. Fava beans/Broad beans 13. Green beans 14. Wax/yellow beans 15. Peas 16. Snow peas 17. Black eyed pea 18. Lentils 19. Lentils, red 20. Soybeans

J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

The existential quicksand, or tarsands, include our failure to act on climate implosion, continuation of our violation of First Nations rights, the deaths from a tank farm fire the Burnaby fire chief has warned is unstoppable, the certain extinction of Orca whales and the unacceptable risk and threat to our homes and ways of life. Makes you wonder who Dodge’s “extremists and

fanatics obstructing the general will of the population” really are. Former BC premier Christy Clark, who left SFU in disgrace after a scandal involving cheating in student elections, once observed that people in BC were “good at drilling for LNG.” Actually, we’re even better at protest, something else Clark, who dubbed protectors “The Forces of No,” has yet to learn. Ask yourself some key questions: “Is Burnaby Mountain the hill I want to die on?” Figuratively? Literally? If not there, where? If not now, when? David Dodge and his lemming-like ilk of fearmongering profiteers are merchants of death. They are already slowly killing us in their insatiable, greedy lust for money and power. Canadians, who now own this Trans Mountain Black Snake, must advise the filthy rich and fossil fools to stop rolling their stone up the hill. As Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed, “I’ve been to the mountaintop… I’ve seen the promised land.” Do yourself and future generations a favour. Help stop this pipeline. We are sleep-walking in a world gone mad with corporatism, awakening to the re-birth of fascism. And the ultimate nightmare is the fact that Canadian taxpayers now own part of it. Go to Burnaby Mountain to protest, protect, witness or get arrested. You are going to die anyway or get “killed.” But, in the meantime, you’ll sleep better for being on the right side of history. J

Events

For rates & placements email editor@commonground.ca

JUL 13-15 “Shape Your Destiny” – Chinmaya Mission Vancouver presents lectures by Swami Swaroopananda, Global Head, Chinmaya Mission,7:30-9PM, Unity of Vancouver, 5840 Oak Street, Vancouver. Free Admission. Visit chinmayavancouver.org for details 604-325-9390. AUG 3 Ruth King, author of Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out, gives a free talk at Banyen Books. 3608 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver. banyen.com, 604-737-8858. AUG 4-7 & OCT 6-9 Live Blood Analysis full training certification including Quantum Hematology. In South-Surrey by Dr. Diane Blackburn, DNM, PhD. www.livebloodcourse.com 604-531-3480. AUG 7 The Way of Aloha: talk, music, & book-signing with Wayne Kealohi Powell & Patricia Lynn Miller. 6:30-8PM, Banyen Books. 3608 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver. banyen.com, 604-737-8858. AUG 10-12 Advanced Reflexology Clinical Skills Certificate Weekend Course: 50-hour certificate course. Prerequisite: Basic Foot Reflexology Course. $395 + GST. Pacific Institute of Reflexology, (604)

875-8818, chrisshirley@pacificreflexology.com, www.pacificreflexology.com AUG 24-26 Basic Holistic Foot Reflexology Certificate Weekend Course. $395+ GST. Pacific Institute of Reflexology, (604) 875-8818, (604) 875-8818, chrisshirley@pacificreflexology.com, www.pacificreflexology.com AUG 25-26 Become a Certified Life Coach or Executive Coach: Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, Vancouver. This 2-day intensive will teach you everything you need to know to succeed. Only Certified Coaches Federation graduates earn the esteemed Certified Life Coach Practitioner designations. Register at 866-455-2155 or 403-389-1190 or www.certifiedcoachesfederation.com AUG 27 & SEPT 24 Experience a free Shamanic Power Initiation at an Open House in Vancouver. Dunbar/17th Ave., 7:30PM. Hosted by Institute of Shamanic Medicine. RSVP by email to info@shamanicmedicine.ca, www.shamanicmedicine.ca SEPT 3-7 Tibetan Yoga & Breathwork Retreat: Experience traditional Buddhist methods to release locks, open the subtle body and focus the mind.

Includes the practice of Lu Jong and Tsa Lung and an exploration of the Tantric Buddhist path. Taught by Farrah Garan in the lineage of Tulku Lobsang. At Loon Lake Retreat Centre, Maple Ridge, BC. tibetanhealingmovement.com ONGOING Karma and Business Karma: Find out how it all works. Actions and intentions. For workshop dates, contact Teya France, teyafrance@shaw.ca, 604-765-7571. Past Lives & Spiritual Regressions with Rifa Hodgson, CCHT. The first certified & practising Life Between Lives therapist in Canada. Offices: West Vancouver and Gibsons. 1-888-606-8463, www.lifebetweenlives.ca Two Past Life Regressions for the price of one. Treatment that’s affordable, fast and effective. Clinical hypnosis. Extended health coverage. With Louise Evans, sparkhypnotherapy.com 604-773-5595 or 604-522-0257. THURSDAYS Women’s Sufi Circle: A Contemporary Study of Ancient Wisdom. A time to connect with your heart, revive your spiritual being, discover hope and understand the purpose of your life. Thursdays 7-8:30PM. False Creek, Vancouver. RSVP nadia@pureintentions.net

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6-Weekend Shamanic Power Initiations Program J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 1 8

Vancouver, Calgary & Edmonton Programs begin fall 2018

Free Open House & Shamanic Power Initiations start at 7:30 pm:

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Aug 27, Sept 24, Oct 24 Calgary

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Classified

…Near death from pg. 15

For rates & placements email editor@commonground.ca

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RUTH KING MINDFUL OF RACE FRI, AUG 3 I 6:30-8:00PM FREE TALK AT BANYEN

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POWELL & MILLER THE WAY OF ALOHA TUE, AUG 7 I 6:30-8:00PM FREE TALK AT BANYEN

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SHAMANIC HEALING AND COACHING: Relationships, work, emotional balance, finding meaning and purpose, rediscovering joy. Oneon-one/groups – Drum journeys, Book of Life readings, chakra balancing, karma releasing. See testimonials on website. , 778-227-2939. www.eaglefireshamaniccoaching.com

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WELLSPRING BOWEN THERAPY

ɶ People who’ve had an extraordinary experience in their lives often change their perspective on human relationships. Dr. Mary Neal is a spinal surgeon and has shared her story of dying during a kayaking outing on many occasions. She will expand that account to include the later transformational changes which she learned not only that changed her own life, but how these lessons have the ability to change the daily life of others in with joy-filled moments. Dr. Neal has two New York Times best-selling books. drmarynealbooks.com Jeffery Olsen and Dr. Jeff O’Driscoll: A doctor and his patient will share the extraordinary experiences they shared in an emergency room. The patient, Jeffery Olsen, had a horrific automobile accident in 1997, which claimed the lives of half of his family. Jeffery passed the threshold himself yet was blessed to return and share the profound aspects of his near-death experience. Jeff is now a best-selling author and gives details of the accident and his experience in his books, Beyond Mile Marker 80 and Knowing. Jeff’s presentation includes Dr. Jeff O’Driscoll, MD, who was Jeffery’s emergency trauma physician. Dr. O’Driscoll also had an amazing Shared-Death Experience while overseeing Olsen’s care. j

SLIDING SCALE $20-$40. You pay what you can afford. 2948 W. Broadway, Vancouver. www.kitscommunityacupuncture.ca 604-428-1260,

MULTIMEDIA DESIGN

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(www.ebenalexander.com). Dr. Pim van Lommel, a cardiologist from the Netherlands, will review his research in which patients who had cardiac arrests report the occurrence of enhanced consciousness experienced in a dimension without our conventional concept of time and space. The complete study is in his book Consciousness Beyond Life, www. consciousnessbeyondlife.com

IT’S ALL

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