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publisher’s message
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his winter issue of healthy living now magazine should grace distribution locations with little more than a month to go in 2017. It’s a great time to celebrate the year gone by, and to anticipate the year ahead! Over the years, this publication has rebranded and streamlined. With it, we captured an audience that engaged with us each issue, and our contributor roster overflowed with local and national experts in their field. For me, this past year felt like we were at a plateau. A smoothsailing, financially-sound print publication with loyal advertisers - the backbone of any publication - with readers telling us that we crafted a beautifully-designed publication evoking excitement with each issue. Now is the perfect time to invest in our strengths.
After much consideration, we will be launching a sophisticated digital platform in 2018 with an increased social media presence. This winter edition will be our last printed issue.
If passion, fuelled by knowledge, is the heart of a great magazine, we know that our loyal readers will follow us by reading online at healthylivingnow.ca. We are choosing to move in this direction so we can continually strive to deliver relevant, timely, more frequent local and national health and wellness content. For just over a decade, healthy living now has been independently owned. Our core mission was constant: connect local readers with local contributors who offer services in all aspects of living a healthy life, while featuring national and renowned contributors such as David Suzuki, Carson Arthur and Natasha Turner to complement. We reach the end of our last printed publication with mixed feelings, but also a great deal of pride. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the people who were involved with the magazine, in particular past Publisher Amy Turcotte-Doyle and team who founded the publication. Since taking on the magazine in 2013 as Publisher and Editor, I’ve loved every moment of the past five years, and twenty issues. It’s been a great run. I’d like to thank all of our contributors (who are all joining us on our digital platform) staff, and the teams who worked on the Healthy Living EXPO. Lastly, thank you to our readers who enabled us to produce thousands of articles touching on all aspects of healthy living within the local environment. We look forward to having the opportunity to grow our brand, offering you more frequent, relevant and timely content in the years ahead. We will see you at our online launch in February 2018! In the meantime, we encourage you to visit healthylivingnow.ca to sign up for our digital newsletter to be notified of the official launch date. Wishing you all the best this holiday season!
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Publisher l Editor Lifestyle Editor Fitness Editor Copy Editor Designer Digital/Social Media
Lori Mitchell Dyan Perr y Jacquie Blanchet te Sharon Harrison Nicole Lucas Social Graces Marketing
Contributing Photographer Bob
House
Contributors Natasha Turner, ND
Tamara Segal
Michelle Durkin, ND
Sharon Harrison
Carolyn Cof fin
Dianne Dowling
Kris Bonn Alexandria Barker Jacquie Blanchette
Dana Goodfellow Liz Grant Liane Wood
Dr. David Suzuki
Dr. Natasha Turner, ND Dr. Natasha Turner, ND is a regular contributor to various publications and television programs as a natural health expert. Shows like The Dr. Oz Show, The Marilyn Denis Show, Canada AM, CP24, CTV News, Breakfast Television, Rogers TV, Shaw TV, and more have used her expertise to educate audiences. Print publications include SELF, ELLE, Glow, Canadian Business, Health, Today’s Parent, Lush The Magazine, Alive, National Post, Metro, Tonic, Vista, Fit Life, Cocoa, Viva, Healthy Living Now, Get Outside, and several websites, including a regular column for Chatelaine.com, Blisstree.com, and Huffingtonpost.ca.
@drnatasha drnatashaturner.com
Dr. Michelle Durkin, ND, Bowen Practitioner
Advertising Susan DeWolfe Advertising Representative susan.dewolfe@gmail.com
Dr. Michelle Durkin attended the University of Guelph and with this medical background, she went on to study at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and graduated as a licensed doctor of naturopathic medicine in 2003. Dr. Durkin founded her clinic, the Quinte Naturopathic Centre. In addition, Dr. Durkin holds professional memberships with the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND), the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND), and the Association of Perinatal Naturopathic Doctors (APND).
healthy living now is published quarterly by
Dr. David Suzuki, David Suzuki Foundation
All rights reserved. No reproduction in any form is permitted without written permission of the Publisher. Material contained in this publication is intended to be of informational and educational interest. If you have a medical condition, seek the advice, supervision and assistance of a qualified health care professional. Views and information expressed in editorials, articles and advertising are solely those of the individuals and professionals providing them, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher or affiliates, and as such, the Publisher will not assume the responsibility for loss or damage arising, directly or indirectly, from the content provided.
Dr. David Suzuki, Co-Founder of the David Suzuki Foundation, is an awardwinning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster. He is renowned for his radio and television programs that explain the complexities of the natural sciences in a compelling and easily understood way. Dr. Suzuki is also recognized as a world leader in sustainable ecology. He is now Professor Emeritus at UBC.
@davidsuzuki davidsuzuki.org
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mindfulness
Togetherness and Mealtimes Sharing the connection of family and food Written by Sharon Harrison
Winter is a time for comfort food and home-cooked meals. The oven can be turned on once again, its warmth appreciated rather than riled. Delicious scents emanate from the kitchen as homes fill with familiar smells that simply make us feel good. The blustery and chilly days of winter often keep us indoors. It may be a memory from a grandmother, a favourite chocolate brownie recipe or a pot of aromatic tomato and basil soup that ensures we gravitate to the kitchen; it’s about 10
familiarity, feeling connected and the comforts of home. Big stock pots of soup made from the bounty of fall simmer on stove tops, stews slowly bubble, cakes and cookies turn golden as they bake. Crisps and crumbles made from the abundance of apples gathered in the fall can be baked, stored in the freezer and consumed all winter long, preserving the memory of a fun apple-picking day at the orchard.
Delicious baked spaghetti squash can be appreciated through winter; butternut squash adds substance to soups and stews. Winter eating can be healthy; vegetables collected in the fall are packed with nutrients and vitamins and many will store for weeks or months. The importance of eating together cannot be underestimated. There is something very special about sitting down together with family and friends to share a meal, no matter how small or insignificant the offerings.
mindfulness
The warmth of a kitchen in winter, the gathering of familiar faces sees people gravitate to simmering soups, warming casseroles or bubbling sweet fruit pies.
Food doesn’t have to glamorous or fancy: even the simplest meal choices eaten together can have enormous benefits enhancing our quality of life.
Some families seldom experience the joy of sitting at a table with others to eat a meal together. Kids eat alone in bedrooms, while they are using the computer or perched in front of a television screen. It’s a learned behaviour. Once upon a time, families would sit together at the table for all meals.
In her book “A Book of Mediterranean Food”, Elizabeth David wrote in 1950 about how we eat rather than what we eat.
The 21st century saw a move away from this most basic and important ritual as family members proceeded to eat different meals on different schedules. Life got busy, schedules became chaotic and technology came along invading our lives like never before as families simply drifted apart. Twenty-first century life has become disjointed and in our so-called connected world, families have become disconnected. Eating alone all the time isn’t good for us. Eating together is therapeutic, even if it’s only for one meal a day. Eating at a table with others gives us a chance to talk to one another, discuss the day or the latest world event, share anxieties or celebrate something special. It’s quality bonding time. People need conversation and faceto-face communication. It’s a small but extraordinarily effective thing: getting back to basics, carving out meaningful slots of time to spend with family during mealtimes. Family dinners build relationships and it is recognized that kids do better in school as a result. Studies show that children who do not eat meals with family members are more likely to encounter absenteeism issues at school. They are also more likely to be overweight. Those who did eat meals with family showed in studies to be better off academically, were less likely to use drugs or alcohol and generally chose more healthy food choices.
Many countries around the world embrace the act of meal preparation as a family where eating together is a ritual, something not to be rushed, but savoured and enjoyed. Even the poorest people living in the poorest countries globally make and consume food together no matter what the food is or how much (or little) they have to work with. Mealtimes in some cultures are respected and sacred as food is prepared and consumed in a slow, mindful and meaningful manner. The experience of sitting down together at a table doesn’t have to include the formality of a linen tablecloth, fine china or fancy flatware. Enjoying food with others is about laughing together and the act of sharing time with others, immersing one’s self in conversation, exchanging the stories of the day. Eating together can make us feel relaxed and content and is often associated with positive feelings and pleasant memories. It’s a universal experience. It’s even known to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels and can help improve digestion. It has also been linked to reducing the likelihood of chronic disease, thereby increasing longevity.
learning experience for the child as new behaviors are observed. Go one step further and drag the kids along to the local farmers’ market. Get them to check out the produce with you and allow them to help with selection. Allow them to participate in the process and work in the kitchen preparing the meal. It is well documented that kids who are exposed to all elements of food preparation carry it with them through to adulthood. And while not necessarily a scientific fact, it’s often said that couples who eat together, stay together. Passing skills onto the next generation, instilling a passion for cooking and the benefits that come with sharing mealtimes is vital. Restoring family traditions and having little ones make new traditions is the true essence of family life. Memories of grandma’s chocolate chip cookies or dad’s slightly-burned macaroni and cheese should be preserved and carried through the generations. Eating together is about securing connections, developing social skills, establishing new traditions as old recipes are preserved and new ones are created. We all have to eat, so why not do it together and make mealtimes more meaningful.
“Eat simply and eat together“ - Elizabeth David (1913-1992)
“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art,” said 17thcentury writer François de La Rochefoucauld. You just have to be motivated and willing to change old habits. Sitting together at the kitchen table, a mother can bond with a child; a brother with a sister. It’s a 11
Soft paleo ginger molasses cookies
Just in time for the holidays. No gluten, grains, or dairy! Prep time: 5 mins
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Bake time: 8-10 mins Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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Total time: 15 mins
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Instructions
1/4 cup melted and cooled coconut oil Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 1/4 cup coconut sugar In a large bowl, mix together melted 2 tablespoons molasses and cooled coconut oil, coconut sugar, 1 egg, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract molasses, egg and vanilla extract (make sure your coconut oil is cool) 1 cup almond flour 1/4 cup coconut flour Next add in almond flour, coconut flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda baking soda, spices and salt; mix well to 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger combine and form a dough. Let the dough 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon rest for just a few minutes. 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon salt Use a cookie scoop to scoop dough, then Organic sugar for rolling, if desired use your hands to roll dough into a ball. Roll dough in organic cane sugar then place on an ungreased baking sheet. Gently flatten the dough with your hand or the back of a glass. Bake for 8-11 minutes. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finishing cooling. Makes 10 cookies.
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Makes: 10 cookies
mindfulness
Five Tips to Boost Your Energy and Happiness Written by Alexandria Barker
Short grey days and long cold nights are back, but this doesn’t have to darken your disposition. These five tips are guaranteed to boost your energy and happiness levels! 1. Get out in the sunshine – even if it’s barely visible through cloudy skies! A brisk 10 minute walk will reward you with a quick burst of energy lasting up to two hours. Warm up with some yoga backbends to stimulate your metabolism. Simply stand tall, resting hands on your low back, and lean back as far as feels good to you. Follow this with a forward fold, reaching toward toes. Ahhhh! Do this daily and within a few weeks you’ll notice your overall energy and happiness have increased. For more benefit, use this time to repeat some positive affirmations, like “I am now healthy and happy”. 2. After that walk carbs may be calling you, but while sugary treats give you a burst of energy, they also quickly lead to a sugar crash. Instead, choose a healthy snack with protein and a big glass of water to keep your
energy up. Not getting enough water can make you feel tired and hungry. Pee should be the colour of apple juice. Lighter means you’re drinking too much water, darker means you aren’t getting enough. 3. Colour your world! Surrounding yourself with uplifting vivacious yellow or vibrant orange colours will stimulate and energize you! Dress in these colours, add them to your décor with throw pillows or cozy blankets, fill a bowl with fresh lemons or oranges, even dab their essential oils on your wrist for an uplifting effect. 4. Eliminate stress wherever possible. Practice the fine art of saying no to prevent feeling overwhelmed. Boost your happiness by living in the moment, rather than mentally projecting yourself into the future, which produces anxiety. People who regularly engage in spiritual practices are twice as likely to report being happy, so why not try a simple mindfulness meditation – sitting in silence watching your thoughts without being attached to them. It’s like a mini mental vacation! 5. Nothing zaps energy and happiness like grudges. As the song
says, “Let it go, let it go.” Forgiveness is a gift for yourself, it has nothing to do with the other person. Even if they don’t ‘deserve’ it, you do! Try nurturing gratitude instead – it’s my favourite method for boosting happiness. A daily list is a great way to start this healthy habit – why not make it a family practice? 6. Smile! This actually tells your brain you’re happy whether you are or not. While you’re at it, practice being happy for no reason at all! Set a timer for five minutes and celebrate as if you’ve heard the best news ever – fist bump the air, let out a woohoo! Not only does this feel good in the moment, you’re setting all those fabulous feelings and thoughts out, and what comes back to you in real life will feel equally good! And remember, spring is coming! Alexandria Barker is a certified life coach and Soul Re-alignment practitioner, providing healing at the deepest healing for lasting transformation. Alexandria can be reached at alexandriabarker.com
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Seven Gym-Free Ways to Slim Down Quickly after Holiday Overindulgence Written by Natasha Turner, ND
Nothing gets you to dust off the running shoes and take the first step towards transformation after holiday festivities. If you’re looking to drop a few pounds, try these tips. 1. Prepare your meals The key to making change is preparing food in advance, so you’re less tempted to grab something from a vending machine or convenience store. Most healthy recipes allow you to swap the source of protein, whether it’s chicken, turkey, tofu, shrimp or lean organic steak. Once cooked, most proteins will remain fresh for three or four days, so cook them twice weekly in larger batches. How to: Another easy step is to make larger portions all in one day so you have three interchangeable meals for days to come.
Warning: Egg dishes and smoothies would be an exception since they need to be fresh. 2. Keep a food journal I recommend keeping a food journal as, according to a large 2008 study, they’ve been shown to double a person’s weight loss. Getting and staying balanced requires you to be committed, organized and motivated. A wellness tracker such as this one is a handy weight-loss tool. 3. Reduce your starchy carbs In advance of your event, I also recommend reducing your intake of starchy carbs. This will reduce insulin, which aids weight loss and water retention. How to: You may choose to have a low-glycemic carb with a meal once per day, or not at all (and just receive your carbs from non-starchy veggies and fruits). Since insulin also controls
sodium uptake in the kidneys and the levels of potassium and magnesium in the body, an excess will cause water retention and swelling. 4. Try a CLA and resveratrol combo A recent study published in Nutrition found conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supports weight reduction. Sixtythree subjects with a body mass index (BMI) of 24 to 35 received 1.7 grams of CLA or a placebo of salad oil in 200 ml of sterilized milk twice daily for 12 weeks. The researchers evaluated the subjects for body composition including total body weight, BMI, total fat mass, fat percentage, subcutaneous (below the skin) fat mass and waist-to-hip ratio at the beginning of the study and again after the supplementation period. They found that all markers decreased in the CLA group. How to: For a great fat burning combo, add 1-2 capsules of resveratrol in
Soul Re-Alignment Practitioner, Reiki Master, Akashic Records Reader, Infinite Possibilities Trainer Alexandria Barker 613-475-3867 info@alexandriabarker.com www.alexandriabarker.com 14
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the morning on an empty stomach, along with two capsules (1500 mg) of CLA twice daily with a meal. 5. Kick it up with cayenne Cayenne pepper is said to enhance metabolism, and therefore fat burning, by increasing thermogenesis: the production of heat in the body through calorie burning otherwise known as what makes you sweat when you eat spicy food. It also has appetite suppressing effects. One study showed that when added to the first course of a meal, participants consumed fewer calories later in the day. How to: Try my Metabolic Master Brew for fat loss ½ to 1 organic lemon, juiced 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced A pinch (or more) of cayenne pepper 8 cups reverse osmosis water Combine the following ingredients in a large pitcher and enjoy it either hot or cold. It will increase your metabolism, lower insulin, support digestion and improve liver function.
6. Sweat it out Infrared radiation heats the skin directly, similar to heat from the sun, but without warming the air. The radiant heat is safe, healthy and penetrates more than 1.5 inches into the body. Because the skin is the largest organ in the body, regularly sweating in an infrared sauna can help decrease toxic load and contribute to better health and vitality. A growing body of evidence suggests the accumulation of toxins in the body is responsible for fatigue, disease and weight gain. In a study performed by neurologist Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, he found that the sweat of people using a conventional sauna was 95-97 percent water while the sweat of those using an infrared thermal system was 80-85 percent water, the non-water portion consisting of toxins including heavy metals. As an added benefit, one infrared sauna session can burn up to 300 calories. How to: Hit the sauna twice a week for a month before your event for glowing skin, less body fat, reduced cellulite, decreased pain, and better hormonal balance.
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HEARING SERVICES Carrying on Tim's name with pride. Registered ADP, WSIB, DVA
7. Add in L-carnitine L-carnitine is naturally made from amino acids lysine and methionine and is required by the body to release energy from fat and to transfer fatty acids across cell membranes to the mitochondria where it can be used as energy. It’s a great energy booster to take before cardio or strength training. It has also been shown to improve glucose disposal in type 2 diabetic patients. A separate review article published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Science concluded that L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, are effective in promoting healthy blood sugar and insulin levels. In one study, researchers fed mice a high fat diet in order to increase their weight. One group of mice were given carnitine while a separate group was given a placebo. The mice on carnitine gained less visceral and subcutaneous fat than their chubbier counterparts. How to: I recommend consuming 500-1500 mg per day separated into 1-2 doses either with or without food. Natasha can be reached at natashaturner.com
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wellness
Balance Your Skin Barrier Written by Natasha Turner, ND
There’s more to “having a thick skin” than you may have thought. Figuratively, it helps you deal with a mean boss, but in a more literal sense, the thickness of your skin is related to your overall health. The skin is the human body’s largest organ. It weighs about eight pounds and, according to National Geographic, the average adult has 22 square feet of it. The skin plays a key role protecting our bodies, which is why our skin barrier is so important.
Our skin is the mirror of overall health, and here’s why: • It prevents bacteria and viruses from entering the body • It protects our internal organs, muscles, nerves and blood vessels • It produces melatonin to filter harmful UV • It metabolizes and activates vitamin D3
• It regulates core body temperature • It excretes excess salt and waste • It retains fluids and moisture • It impacts our psychological well-being Every day, we’re bombarded with messages promoting the latest cream designed to protect our skin. But anyone suffering from an inflammatory skin condition, such as eczema or acne, knows that not all creams can prevent the external stresses often responsible for flareups. When stress pumps through our system, excess hormones (like cortisol) surge. Not only can this lead to weight gain, but these hormones affect our immune system and speed the aging process. To truly understand skin health we need to start focusing on what’s upsetting the balance of our skin barrier. Whether it’s stress or food sensitivities, find out how to keep your skin barrier strong:
1. Reduce stress
Our skin releases chemicals called neuropeptides that protect us from infection. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes neuropeptides as, “the chemicals released by the skin’s nerve endings . . . the skin’s first line of defense from infection and trauma.” Dermatologist and clinical psychologist Richard G. Fried explains that stress can cause these neuropeptides to be released when they shouldn’t be and aren’t needed. This can lead to a vicious cycle where worrying about a skin issue can create more stress, thus worsening the condition. If you get a pimple the night of a first date, stressing about it can actually cause other reactions and inflammation in your skin because of the release of neuropeptides caused by the stress. Dr. Fried’s research explains that stress weakens the skin’s barrier. For this reason, it’s important to reduce stress and also reach for moisturizers that build up your skin’s barrier. Bottom line: The AAD says it best: “Stress can make a person’s rosacea more red or acne lesions more inflamed and more persistent. It can worsen hives, fever blisters, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis.” For this reason, visiting a dermatologist and understanding why your skin is irritated are paramount. A dermatologist can recommend the best topical option for you as well as figure out if there are any underlying stressors causing flare-ups. I recommend SkinFix to many of my clients as a front-line option for skin. Tip: Take a photo of your skin condition when it flares up, and bring it to your doctor’s appointment.
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wellness 2. Meditate to calm your mind and your skin
The U.S. National Library of Medicine found that a large number of skin diseases, including psoriasis, were largely affected by stress related to a specific event. Researchers focused on 27 students, and how their skin was affected in three different circumstances (two were low-stress vacations and one was the highly stressful exam time). When comparing the three time periods, it proved that under stressful circumstances the outer layer of their skin became very weak. The participants’ skin cells also reduced in size, allowing the skin to become vulnerable to harmful bacteria that could have lead to eczema or psoriasis. Bottom line: Try using meditation to calm your nerves. I also recommend supplements like vitamin C, or adaptogenic herbs like Relora and ashwagandha, which help your body adapt to stress.
3. Improve your digestion
Believe it or not, healthy skin starts in the gut. Improving your gut flora is essential for minimizing breakouts and skin flare-ups. One of my favourite remedies for acne is a highpotency probiotic mixed with Cenitol by Metagenics. The Cenitol is a stress relief formula that supports stable moods and is great for nervous system support which I find to be a stellar combination when combined with a good probiotic to assist with alleviating chronic acne.
4. Watch what you eat
Most people with food sensitivities don’t realize how bad they feel (or look) until the problematic foods have been removed from their diet. Suddenly getting out of bed is easier, and their energy, mood and concentration are improved. Joint pain, headaches, skin conditions and sinus congestion often disappear too. Eight common foods – milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, soy, wheat and shellfish – cause an estimated 90 percent of all food allergies.
A study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology confirmed a link between the skin barrier’s role and food allergies. Symptoms to food allergies are less intense, and typically appear within 12 to 48 hours after eating the offending food. In my practice, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are commonly connected to food intolerances and are greatly reduced when the key culprits are removed and proper topical products are used. Bottom line: It’s no surprise that diet can play a large role in building a strong skin barrier. To get to the bottom of your symptoms, I recommend that you do a 14-day elimination diet where you remove the most common food allergens from your diet to give your body a break, alleviate stress off your immune system and detox overall. Slowly re-introducing each food after a 14-day break can allow you to connect particular symptoms with your food choices. If you don’t want to do a 14-day elimination diet like my Supercharged Hormone Diet Program, you can consider IgG foodallergy testing.
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wellness
My Favourite Oatmeal Substitute Written by Carolyn Coffin
So many people love to eat oatmeal for breakfast. Heck, I used to be one of them! It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s delicious. And its fibre content and cholesterollowering properties have earned it a reputation for being one of the healthiest and most virtuous of breakfast choices amongst modern health-conscious eaters. Oatmeal sure seems to have a lot going for it. So why did I give it up? I’m not saying oatmeal is a bad choice – especially if you’re a high calorie burner or athlete, but from a nutrientdensity and insulin-stimulating (aka: fat storage) standpoint, there are
better options. (Like bacon and eggs with a side of sweet potatoes and avocado. Mmm!) Here’s what I’ve noticed, though. The oatmeal-loving breakfast crowd doesn’t abandon their morning bowl of mush at the drop of a hat just because some so-called expert hit them with a bunch of nutrition facts. Just hear me out for a minute. Imagine if you could recreate a morning bowl of mush that has the same look and feel as regular oatmeal, but with even more nutrients and virtually zero insulin-stimulating properties? Imagine this magical bowl of mush has the same great taste, but keeps the hunger pangs at bay all the way until lunchtime. Enter … primal porridge. It’s just like oatmeal but without the oats. It’s no-oat-meal.
Primal porridge is a delicious oatmeal substitute made out of nuts, seeds and banana. It can be prepped in the same amount of time as regular oatmeal – even less if you make a big batch of dry mix in advance. And the same standard toppings work well — such as berries, shredded coconut, chopped apple, nuts, and raisins. With all of this natural sweetness, even the brown sugar is optional. What do you have to lose by giving primal porridge a try (other than maybe a few pounds)? If you like it, please share it with your family and friends so we can spread the real-food-lover’s porridge recipe far and wide. Carolyn is a Health Coach and can be reached at eatrealfoodacademy.com
Primal Porridge
It has the same look and feel as regular oatmeal, but without the oats. Prep time: 10 mins
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Cook time: 5 mins
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Total time: 15 mins
Ingredients
DRY MIX: • 1 small handful walnuts • 1 small handful pecans • 2 tbsp ground flax seed • ½-1 tsp ground cinnamon • pinch ground nutmeg • pinch ground ginger WET MIX: • 1 egg • ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (coconut milk works well too) • 1 tbsp almond butter (sunflower seed butter works well too) • 1 banana
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Serves: 2 servings
Instructions
Place walnuts, pecans, flax seed, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in food processor. Pulse to coarse texture (stop before reaching fine powder) and set aside. Tip: Make extra dry mix to use another day. Store in a sealed container and refrigerate (or freeze). Using a blender or Magic Bullet, mix egg, almond milk, almond butter, and banana. Tip: Extra wet mix can be stored in the fridge, but only for about two days. Pour both wet mix and dry mix into a saucepan and stir until thoroughly combined. Cook over low-medium heat, stirring continuously for about 4-5 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. (Steps 4 and 5 can be completed in microwave if desired. If so, microwave for 1 minute and stir. Repeat if necessary.)
TOPPINGS (OPTIONAL): • pumpkin or sunflower seeds • shredded coconut, unsweetened • handful berries • apple, chopped Transfer to a bowl, Sprinkle with toppings and • raisins add a splash of almond milk if desired. 18
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Three Easy Steps to Managing Holiday Stress Written by Dana Goodfellow, RMT, D.Ac. Owner – Quinte Mind & Body
With winter comes some amazing times, such as first snowfall, Christmas spirit in the air, and family and friends gathering together. It really is the most wonderful time of year. Unfortunately, with these events come stressful moments and our anxiety levels often heighten. As much as we love the holidays and all that comes with them, we can sometimes forget to really fully enjoy them due to the stress we place on ourselves to make it the best holiday ever. So, this holiday season, don’t let the stress that creeps in supress your mental and physical health. Here are my easy-to-do activities that will help you get through the holidays stress-free! 1. Deep Breaths – Deep breaths are the easiest way to calm your mind and body. Tricks to doing this properly are making sure to fully expand your lungs and breathe from the very bottom of your lungs with each inhale and exhale. Often, we breathe shallow in our lungs throughout our days and this depletes oxygen to our cells. Also, make sure to slow your inhales and exhales down to a slow count of five each time. This is an easy de-stressing tool you can use no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
2. Make time for yourself – With lots of gatherings, hosting, shopping, and the many lists that don’t stop, make sure you are taking time for yourself. When we forget about ourselves this is when our stress levels climb. This time can be anywhere from just 15 minutes to one hour a day. Schedule this time in and make sure this becomes nonnegotiable time for you. During this time, you can do anything you wish that brings happiness to you. Make sure you do something you love such as being creative, walking, reading, taking a bath, yoga or meditation. Which brings me to my last tip… 3. Meditate – Even if you’ve never tried it before, the effects are always great for the body. Meditation calms the mind and the physical body. Just following a guided meditation for even two minutes will have a relaxing effect. Anywhere from two minutes to 20 minutes is a typical mediation time. This allows your mind to wash away the stress of the day, forget about ever y thing that has to get done, and focus on yourself and be in the moment. You will leave feeling calm, relaxed and energized. For easy guided visit mediations danagoodfellow.ca.
Most of all have fun! Make sure you’re enjoying the holidays; after all, that’s why we celebrate them. Keep up with these three easy steps and you will be able to combat those stressful moments that are inevitable. For more tips and tools that will help you relax and de-stress, you can always visit danagoodfellow.ca. Happy Holidays, everyone! Dana Goodfellow RMT, D.Ac, Meditation Teacher Owner of Quinte Mind & Body danagoodfellow.ca
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wellness
Wellness from the Wild The majestic white pine Written by Tamara Segal, Registered Herbalist
Northeastern landscapes could be characterized by the silhouette images of the Eastern white pine tree. These trees, of Group of Seven fame, outline many a horizon with their high, fluffy-looking, outward reaching evergreen branches. Our native white pine (Pinus strobus) has been considered the monarch of the Canadian forest—and for good reason. This tree offers a cornucopia of healing and nutritional support. White pine is identified by its long, soft needles which form clusters in groups of five, while other types of pines form needle clusters of just two. White pine needles also have a white stripe running lengthwise from the base to the tip. The needles are richly nutritious with vitamins A, C and K. A tea made with a small handful of needles steeped in one to two cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes has a mild citrus-like flavour. A cup of this tasty brew can help to fight respiratory infections and boost immunity. The tea will be more potent if covered while it steeps. This helps to keep the aromatic volatile oils (which contain many healing constituents) from evaporating out. A little lemon juice and/or honey could enhance its effectiveness and make it even tastier. Pine needles and bark have strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, particularly in the
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respiratory tract. They can help to open the bronchial passages in cases of congestion and asthma. Their tea, being rich in flavonoids and antioxidants, can also serve as a healthful tonic that supports cardiovascular, as well as eye and skin health. The pine trees of this region thrive in cold, dark winters as well as the heat of summer, pulling up vitamins and minerals from deep in the earth, and assimilating energy through their evergreen leaves with the help of the northeastern sunlight. Their ability to adapt themselves to harsh conditions in a healthy way is indicative of the medicine they provide. White pine is considered by some herbalists to be an adaptogen- a class of herbs that safely and effectively support the body through periods of physical and mental stress, nourishing and balancing the endocrine, immune, nervous and cardiovascular systems. Adaptogens often support adrenal gland function. The adrenals secrete hormones that regulate the body and mind’s stress response. White pine helps to balance the stress response in an elegant and sophisticated manner such as that associated with adaptogens. It also tends to lift the
spirits, and brighten one’s outlook on dark and dreary days. White pine can be harvested at any time of year—even in the deep dormancy of winter. A hike beneath the white pines in the crisp forest air on a sunny, snowy day is sure to lift the heart, facilitate deep breathing and shake off the winter blues. On such a walk, you may encounter a freshly fallen branch, with bundles of healthy green needles on it. With gratitude for the tree’s gift, this can be brought home. The bark can be shaved off with a knife, and the needles removed by hand. These can be steeped fresh into a healing tea, and/or dried and stored in a jar in the cupboard, perhaps for another winter day. The monarch of the Canadian forest grants us with abundant gifts. It is ours to learn to appreciate them. Tamara Segal is a Registered Herbalist and wild foods enthusiast. She also runs an herbal clinic called Hawthorn Herbals at her farm in Prince Edward County. She also teaches classes and gives plant identification walks and workshops in the Quinte area. Tamara can be reached at HawthornHerbals. com.
wellness
Five Easy Food Swaps for a Healthier Diet Written by Dr. Michelle Durkin, ND
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be hard. It’s just a matter of having the right information, doing a bit of planning, and being open to trying new foods. Here are some easy swaps you can make to get you started.
Greek Yogurt instead of Regular Yogurt
It contains twice the amount of protein. Don’t be tricked into the no-fat versions. Fat is part of what makes our food taste good, and also helps to keep us full. If we take it out, then often more sugar is added to make it taste better, and we end up eating more food because we are still hungry. Look for a brand with no more than 10 grams of sugar in 125 ml. I suggest buying plain yogurt, and then drizzle it with honey or maple syrup to please adult and kids’ sweeter palates. If you need to be on a dairy-free diet for leaky gut or for anti-inflammatory reasons, try plain dairy-free versions like coconut yogurt or buffalo milk yogurt.
Minced Rice
Cauliflower
instead
of
Rice is great if you trying to eat gluten-free, but not if you are trying to lose weight. Once digested, one cup of rice contains approximately 50 grams of sugar. Compare that to cauliflower that only has 5 grams. Cauliflower is also going to have more fibre, vitamins and minerals overall. If you’re looking for a way to save time, you can pulse a few heads of cauliflower in your food processor all at one time (especially if they
are on sale) and then freeze it using freezer bags. Then you can pull out a bag whenever you need it during the week.
Coconut Oil instead of Cream
This was a great new discovery for people who love cream in their coffee. Many patients have reported drinking their coffee black just wasn’t the same. Blend your coffee with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and a splash of pure vanilla, and then sprinkle it with cinnamon. So tasty, plus coconut oil has lots of health benefits, and there are no artificial flavours or additives.
Carbonated Juice or Pop
Water
instead
of
This is for those of you who complain that water is boring, try a Soda Stream. It is super easy to use (just a few pumps of CO2 into the water), and a new CO2 cartridge only costs about $25 (one cartridge can last a year or more). If you like a bit of flavour, you can add some lemon or lime – either the real thing or an essential oil, or you can infuse a fruit of your choice.
out there. For the last several years, I have been drinking medical foods like UltraMeal360, UltraInflamX360, and Synerclear (chocolate is my favourite flavour). Medical Foods are protein powders that treat specific medical conditions (eg. leaky gut, inflammation, liver toxicity, or insulin resistance). They are hypoallergenic and also replace your multivitamin. For patients who prefer to eat, rather than drink their breakfast, I have them switch to having their protein shake in the afternoon. If I am at home, I blend it with leafy greens, some berries and/ or a nut milk (almond milk or coconut milk are my favourites). If I’m at work, I just mix it with water in my shaker cup. Easy peasy – tastes great, fills me up and is super convenient. So, there you have it, five easy swaps I have found to make healthy eating easier. I’m sure there are many more great ideas out there. I would love for you to share what you have found has worked for you. Michelle can be reached at quintenc.ca
Protein Smoothie instead of a carbohydrate-rich Breakfast or Afternoon Snack
It’s so easy for breakfast and afternoon snacks to be really carbohydrate rich – that means we digest them quickly, spike our blood sugar, and then we crash and want something else to eat. Over the years, I have used various types of protein powders, and there are lots of good ones and not so good ones
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products
new & now
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MaskerAide™ – “Let’s Face It” Purifying Cleansing Stick with Red Beet Short on time? On the go? Or need to wash your face post lunch-hour workout? This portable oil-to-lather cleansing stick cleanses, removes make-up, balances & nourishes the skin, in one easy step! 100% naturally derived ingredients including beet root, pink clay, rose petals and citrus oil. Paraben free. To learn more and shop, visit maskeraide.com
Saje Natural Wellness – 12 Days of Wellness Advent Calendar Give the give of wellness and aromatherapy with this boxed set of eleven limited edition diffuser blends, from ingredients from around the world, plus ceramic diffuser. 100% natural, plant-based and vegan. Available at saje.com
Moov Cosmetics – “True North” nail lacquer Toronto-based Moov Cosmetics’ nail lacquer formulas are cruelty-free, vegan and formulated without parabens, phthalates, toluene, xylene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, and animals. Using a 100% vegan brush. Wear the “True North” nail lacquer this holiday season inspired by the bright red in our Canadian flag. Available at moovcosmetics.com 22
Old Navy – Printed Ponte-Knit Stevie Pants for Women in Red Buffalo Plaid Get into the spirit with these fun and festive red plaid knit pants! Available at Old Navy retail locations and oldnavy.ca
products
new & now
OXO Good Grips® - Tabletop Spiralizer Hailed as the must-have of tabletop spiralizers, this product makes the perfect gift for health & wellness nuts and foodies alike! With its stable suction cup base and three interchangeable stainless-steel blades, making veggie pasta, fruit chips, garnishes and more has never been easier. BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Available at Hudson’s Bay and Bed Bath & Beyond Canada retail locations
Philips Hue – White and Color Ambiance Candle E12 single bulb Add the new Philips Hue white and color ambiance candle bulbs to your Philips Hue system to experience endless dimmable colour and ambient lighting possibilities, for your candle and candelabra style fixtures. To learn more about Philips Hue and find a retailer near you, visit philips.ca
Breville® Canada - the Risotto Plus™ Don’t let the name fool you… This advanced 4 Qt. multi-cooker is no one-trick pony. It specializes in stirfree risotto, fool-proof fluffy rice and quinoa, among other slow-cooked, sautéed or steamed meals and vegetables. Make all your favourite holiday sides and more with the touch of a button! Available at breville.ca
Dyan Perry Lifestyle Editor
Seracon - Maple Syrup Tin Candle with a Wooden Wick The quintessential candle and stocking-stuffer of the season! Enjoy the fragrance of sweet Canadian maple syrup, and the distinct crackle of the wood wick when lit. All natural, paraben free, phthalates free, with essential oils and an organic soy wax blend. Hand poured and made in Canada. Available at seracon.ca 23
wellness
Taking Care of Yourself this Winter Written by Liane Wood
The subconscious mind is fear-based and quite infantile in its judgement. It is the subconscious mind that chooses faulty coping strategies and self-sabotage in all kinds of creative varieties. This is the part of us that presents our symptoms.
The winter blues, the January blahs, depression. We’ve heard about them, but how do they happen? On a conscious level, people don’t choose these things. No one wakes up one day saying, “I think I’d like to have the winter blues this year, or I’d like to be in a clinical depression for the next five years”. Our conscious minds never choose symptoms. Consciously, we all choose health, wholeness, joy and vitality. But there is something else at work in us that manifests symptoms and causes us various problems. And that something else is our subconscious mind. There are times when change cannot be effected through conscious effort. No matter how hard we’ve tried or how many times we’ve tried to beat our subconscious mind into submission we remain stuck in the same place.
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Symptoms that can indicate the presence of a depression include things like the following: • Diminished interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable • Weight loss or weight gain along with decreased or increased appetite • Insomnia or hypersomnia • Feelings of worthlessness, emptiness, hopelessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt • Diminished ability to think or concentrate When the symptoms are minor to moderate, activities like exercise, yoga, massage therapy, meditation and acupuncture can be effective in reducing or eliminating symptoms. However, if the symptoms are moderate to severe, a more rigorous approach is needed. Unfortunately, most of the traditional therapeutic tools do not access the subconscious mind and medications have little impact on the workings of the subconscious mind. Typical antidepressants known as SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors- are prescribed to correct an imbalance of serotonin levels, believed to contribute to depression, poor mood, anxiety, stress, and OCD.
SSRI antidepressants are believed to help increase serotonin levels by limiting the reabsorption rate of serotonin in the brain. A recent study completed at McMaster University ranks Canadians among the most prolific users of antidepressants. Lead study author and university professor, Paul Andrews said there are alternatives to taking antidepressants such as psychotherapies that don’t have negative physiological effects and work just as well. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that psychotherapies and psychosensory therapies, such as Havening Techniques, that combine specific intention with sensory input produce a number of beneficial physical results such as increased production of serotonin, opioids, and GABA, regulation of cortisol, pain reduction, slowed heart rate, decreased anxiety, and an increased sense of calm. It’s these beneficial physical results that effect lasting change in the subconscious mind. If you find yourself struggling a bit or a lot this winter, take steps to remedy the situation as soon as you can, because help is available. Whether its exercise or a massage, or psychotherapy and psychosensory therapy, there is hope and a way back to mental vitality. Liane can be reached at rethinkme.ca
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fitness
Muscle Mates: Training for two Written by Jacquie Blanchette, Fitness Editor and owner of The Fitness Guild Photography by Bob House
Working out with a friend or partner can be a lot more fun than sweating it out alone, plus it can inject a little bit of spice and competition into the workout that may push you both to work even harder! These partner exercises provide new and exciting ways to challenge your balance, coordination and strength. All you’ll need is a slam ball and each other’s body weight. Perform 8-12 reps of each exercise, alternating back and forth between partners for most exercises, or taking a break between sets for the ones you both do at the same time. Complete 2-3 sets before moving on to the next exercise.
Ball Slam Pass: Stand about two paces apart facing each other. One partner slams the ball into the ground with as much power as possible, making sure to hinge at the hips and bend at the knees. Partner two squats down to pick the ball up and alternately slam the ball into the ground. This is a full body exercise that is sure to get the heart rate up!
Assisted Pistol Squat: Stand about two arm’s length apart facing each other slightly off centre with right shoulders lined up. Clasp each other’s right wrists while extending the left leg straight in front and slowly lower down into a pistol squat together and then stand back up. You’ll be using your partner’s body weight and shared strength to help stabilize and keep your weight slightly forward.
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Wall Sit and Pushup: Partner one assumes a squat position against a wall, with knees and hips at 90 degree angles, while pushing through the heels to keep the pelvis firmly against the wall. Partner two places their feet on partner one’s thighs to perform pushups. Make sure wrists, elbows and shoulders are stacked at the top of the pushup.
fitness
Sit up pass: Lay down facing each other with knees bent and feet interlocked. Partner one lays back and reaches ball overhead, then sits up and passes to partner two. Partner two then does the same. A few ways to make it harder is to reach further overhead, to keep arms straight, and to keep the ball back and in line with the shoulders until passed to the partner. A few ways to make it easier is to sit back only part way and/or to keep the ball in front of the body.
Leg Throws: Partner one lays face up on the ground and grips on to partners two’s ankles. Partner one lifts their legs up towards partner two, who then throws the legs towards the ground. Partner one should resist the throw and regain control of the movement, and then slowly lower the legs to the floor. Ways to make this easier are to bend the knees a bit and/or only lower the legs as close to the ground as you can with control.
V-sit side to side pass: Sit in a v-sit beside your partner about arms length apart and facing the same direction. Chest should be lifted, back straight and then lean back until you feel your abs working hard! Each partner takes a turn rotating away from the other and then rotating back and passing the ball. Perform reps facing one direction, then turn around and repeat facing in the other direction.
Bonus: Partner shoulder squats – only for the advanced! If partner one is squatting, partner two should stand on their right side. Partner one will squat down and grab onto partner two’s right thigh. The pelvis should rest on partner one’s shoulder and the upper body should balance mainly on the shoulders while partner two’s right arm links around partner one’s left arm. Make sure weight is distributed as evenly as possible before partner one performs a set of squats. Have fun!
fitnessguild.com 27
family strategies
When Living in Canada, Snow is a Way of Life! Written by Liz Grant
As hardy Canadians, we should embrace winter and take a d v a n t a g e of the great outdoors. While many people recognize that shovelling snow is hard work, physiotherapists caution that shovelling can place severe stress on your heart, and cause stress and strain on your body. Every year, people sustain injuries such as pulled and strained muscles from repetitive twisting and improper lifting. The Canadian Physiotherapy Association offers the following tips while shovelling: Choose a shovel that’s right for you: • a shovel with a curved handle and adjustable length will minimize painful bending • a shovel blade made of plastic will be lighter than metal, putting less strain on your spine • a smaller blade will not allow too much snow, and won’t be too heavy for your body to carry Use proper techniques: • whenever possible, push the snow rather than lift it • always face forward, bend at the hips, squat with your legs shoulderwidth apart, and keep your back straight • lift with your legs and scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel • keep the load close to your body to reduce the strain on your back
• step forward in the direction you are throwing the snow, in order to prevent twisting of the low back. This is the most common reason for back pain the next day
• do standing extension exercises by placing your hand in the small of your back, bending slightly backwards, hold the position for several seconds - repeating 5 to 10 times
Pace yourself: • if you have any concerns about your ability to shovel snow this winter, due to health concerns, injuries or inactivity, ask for help, hire a company to clear your snow or speak to a physiotherapist who can help prepare you for the winter ahead • clear snow in two stages- skimming snow from the top, then removing the bottom layer • take frequent breaks when shovelling-stand up straight, walk around periodically to bring your spine back to a neutral position
Prevent slips and falls • use a de-icing product on all stairs and walkways - it saves you shovelling and chipping ice unnecessarily • wearing good winter footwear can avoid slips on the ice - boots with good traction or external grips can be very beneficial. This winter, get outside and enjoy the fresh air and the fluffy white stuff. Canadians can still enjoy cardiovascular benefits from snow shovelling if they prepare themselves and listen to their bodies. Liz can be reached at quinteortho.com
PAIN? We CAN help! Physiotherapy • Orthopaedic Surgeons Massage Therapy Osteopathy • Acupuncture Custom Bracing and Orthotics CALL 28
613-962-2040 FOR AN APPOINTMENT
family strategies
Driverless Cars: Beneficial or harmful to Ontarians? Written by Kris Bonn, Personal Injury Lawyer
Ontario allows testing of driverless cars on provincial roads, but there still needs to be a human operator with a valid driver’s licence who can take over in case of problems. Driverless vehicles on the road will also need to carry $5 million in liability insurance. These vehicles will be allowed on all public roads in the province, including the 400-series highways. Whether this is good or bad is up for debate.
Some of the reported benefits include:
Reduced collisions: Almost every car crash is the result of driver error — speeding, driving while drunk, distracted driving, and so on. A driverless car eliminates driver error and will almost certainly lead to fewer collisions. Eases traffic congestions: Anyone driving around Toronto will appreciate the reduced congestion that will come with driverless cars. No more erratic driving, unexplained stopping or slowing. Further, with fewer or no collisions, no need for “rubber necking” by vehicles passing a crash scene.
Reduced need for parking: Once driverless cars are allowed to operate without a human operator, the cars could drop a person off at a destination and return to the starting place. Or, if the stop is short, continue driving around until the person needs to be picked up. Increased productivity: In Ontario, the average person spends about 60 minutes commuting to work each day. A driverless car would not only likely reduce the overall commuting time but would also allow the person to be productive during the commute.
There are some potential drawbacks and concerns with the driverless car:
Potential for technology to go wrong: Everyone has experienced IT woes, when your computer should work but for some unexplained reason all you see is the “blue screen of death”. The consequences of a technology failure of a driverless car could be catastrophic, resulting in serious injury or death. Difficult transition: If the driverless car catches on in Ontario, there will be a transition period with driverless cars sharing the road with human operators. Human drivers have established certain patterns that many of us rely on when driving. For example, very few vehicles drive at the 100 km/hr speed limit on the 400-series highways. The mix of driverless cars and human drivers could potentially lead to more problems.
Loss of privacy: Using a driverless car means a third party would have the opportunity to track all of your movements in the car. Because your driverless car would be receiving or communicating with data centres, your location would be potentially accessible to people or organizations who could hack into the network. Loss of individuality: A car is more than just a means of transportation. Many people choose vehicles to express their individuality. The Google Car is plain and boring. If driverless cars become mandatory, we would lose the thrill of driving. I for one still choose to drive a manual stick shift even though an automatic is more convenient. A driverless car is one more step in giving up more control. Overall, I welcome the initiative. I can see the massive benefits, particularly with reducing the number of injuries and deaths on our roads. But there is a lot of work that needs to be done before driverless cars will become mainstream. Kris can be reached at bonnlaw.ca
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eco
Environmentalism is a Way of Being, Not a Discipline Written by David Suzuki
I’m often introduced as an environmentalist. I prefer to be called a father, grandfather, scientist or author, as these terms provide insight into my motivation. Environmentalism isn’t a discipline or specialty like law, medicine, plumbing, music or art. It’s a way of seeing our place in the world and recognizing that our survival, health and happiness are inextricably dependent on nature. To confront today’s environmental crises, everyone — garage mechanics, construction workers, dentists, politicians and judges — has to see the world through an environmental lens. I recently attended an event with a panel of outstanding athletes and artists who had become activists on various environmental issues. The moderator asked what role awe had played in their commitment. Their answers revealed how inspiring it is to experience that sense of awe in the face of nature’s beauty. I couldn’t help thinking that two more words should have been added to the discussion: humility and gratitude. As the panel grappled with the issue of ecological degradation, the idea emerged that all we need is to be more aware so we can use science and technology to solve the crises. We’re clever animals — so smart that we think we’re in command. We forget that our inventions have created many crises. Atomic bombs represented an incredible scientific and technological achievement, releasing the power within atoms. But when the United States dropped them on Japan in 1945, scientists didn’t know about radioactive fallout, electromagnetic pulses or the potential for nuclear winter. Those were discovered after we used the weapons.
Swiss chemist Paul Mueller won a Nobel Prize in 1948 for his discovery that DDT was a potent insecticide. Many years after the compound was put into widespread use, biologists discovered a previously unknown phenomenon: biomagnification up the food chain. When people started using chlorofluorocarbons, no one knew they would persist in the environment and float into the upper atmosphere where the sun’s ultraviolet rays would cleave away chlorine-free radicals. As a geneticist, I only learned about the protective ozone layer when other scientists reported that chlorine from CFCs was breaking it down. Our knowledge of the biological, chemical and physical components of the biosphere and their interconnections and interactions is too limited to enable us to anticipate the consequences of our inventions and intrusions. Nevertheless, we look to our creativity to lead us to a better world with nanotechnology, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, geoengineering and space travel. What we need is humility. As clever as we are, nature is far more creative. Over 3.8 billion years, every species has had to evolve ways to find food, water and energy, and to dispose of wastes, find mates, reproduce, avoid predators and fend off parasites and infections. Nature offers myriad solutions that we have yet to discover. If we had the humility to learn from nature, using an approach called “biomimicry,” we would find far more and better solutions. The Canadian Cancer Society recently reported that half our population will develop cancer. This isn’t normal, but it shouldn’t surprise us. After all, we have synthesized hundreds of thousands of new molecules that have never existed on Earth. Most have never been tested for their biological effects and tens of thousands are now used in products and enter our waste stream.
When we dump this vast assortment of new molecules into air, water and soil, we can’t anticipate how they might interact within living organisms or what their long-term consequences might be. Throwing more money into cancer treatment and research will not alone stem the disease. To arrest the cancer crisis (and it is a crisis), we must stop using the biosphere as a garbage can or sewer for these new molecules. Along with humility, we should be grateful for nature’s generosity, something I’ve learned from Indigenous peoples. They acknowledge the source of their well-being, clean air, clean water, clean food and clean energy — all things that are created, cleansed or replenished by the web of life around us. In the urbanized industrial world we inhabit, we tend to think the economy is the source of all that matters to us, and so we have little regard for what we’re doing to the natural systems that sustain us. It’s time to see with new eyes.
David can be reached at davidsuzuki.org
2018
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eco
U.S. Climate Report Leaves Little Room for Doubt Written by David Suzuki with contributions from Senior Editor Ian Hanington
It seems odd that a major U.S. government climate report released November 3, 2107 didn’t receive more media attention. But then, the main thing newsworthy about the Climate Science Special Report is that it was released at all, apparently without political interference. Although the U.S. government is required by law (enacted by President George H.W. Bush in 1989) to report to the public about “climate change and its physical impacts” every four years, the current administration is openly hostile to climate science and scientists. According to White House sources quoted in the New York Times, President Donald Trump was “barely aware of the report’s existence.” The report, released by 13 federal agencies under the direction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, examines the available science. It was written by dozens of government and nongovernment scientists, reviewed by the independent National Academy of Sciences and approved by the National Economic Council. It concludes we are living in the warmest period in the history of modern civilization, with the last three years being the warmest on record, that we are seeing more “record-breaking, climate-related weather extremes” and that all the evidence points to human activities, “especially emissions of greenhouse gases,” as the main cause. Climate change should be in the headlines every day until everyone takes it
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seriously, but the report’s conclusions are not new.
climate’s sensitivity to greenhouse gas emissions.
“Thousands of studies conducted by researchers around the world have documented changes in surface, atmospheric, and oceanic temperatures; melting glaciers; diminishing snow cover; shrinking sea ice; rising sea levels; ocean acidification; and increasing atmospheric water vapour,” the reports says.
But the report also shows that, despite its apparent descent into a post-truth, anti-science dystopia, the United States still maintains sanity in some of its major institutions. Organizations like NASA, NOAA, the EPA and the Department of Defense, along with numerous non-governmental scientific institutions, are continuing to examine the real trends and risks of a planet warming rapidly because of human activity.
It’s hard to imagine anyone could read this report, or read about it, and not be convinced we have an urgent problem and that failing to put everything we can into resolving it puts our survival at risk! And yet, the government overseeing this report is filled with people who reject climate science. The president himself has called it a hoax. He’s appointed climate science deniers to key positions, repealed and weakened environmental laws, had climate change references removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s website and barred EPA scientists from presenting climate change reports. Many delegates at the UN Climate Conference underway in Bonn, Germany, have condemned Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. The official White House statement on the report was a rehash of tired climate science–denial talking points. White House spokesperson Raj Shah said, “The climate has changed and is always changing.” He then went on to cast doubt regarding the
It also shows we must do all we can to work toward solutions — economic, technological, philosophical and more — and to only support politicians who demonstrate the foresight, imagination and courage to take on this crisis with the force and intensity it merits. One frustration of studying and communicating about climate issues is knowing that so many solutions exist and are being developed, but that widespread denial of the problem prevents us from moving beyond outdated technologies and economic systems. That people who profit from those outdated technologies would do everything they can to sow doubt and confusion is not surprising. That a government elected to serve the people would reject the findings of its own scientists and researchers from around the world to the detriment of human health, the economy and the environment is an intergenerational crime.
eco
Time for Reconcili-Action Written by Dianne Dowling, President, Local 316, National Farmers’ Union (Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox-Addington Counties)
Strong Communities, Sound Policies, Sustainable Farms
What can be done about the past and present injustices dealt to Indigenous people in Canada? Among its 94 Calls to Action, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called on federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation. It also called upon the Government of Canada to develop a national action plan, strategies and other concrete measures to achieve the goals of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. What is this Declaration and what weight does it carry? It is an international human rights document adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2007, after more than 20 years of negotiations. Its 46 articles affirm the collective and individual human rights of Indigenous peoples around the world on issues such as culture, identity, religion, language, health, education and community – issues that are central to the circumstances of Indigenous people in Canada.
(For instance, Article 7, part 2: “Indigenous peoples ... shall not be subjected to any act of genocide or any other act of violence, including forcibly removing children of the group to another group.” Think of the tragedies of residential schools and the “Sixties Scoop”.) A UN General Assembly declaration is a document expressing political commitment on matters of global significance. It is not legally binding and is not signed or ratified by individual countries. Initially, Canada was one of four nations (along with Australia, New Zealand and the United States) that voted against the Declaration. However, in November 2010, Canada issued a statement of support endorsing the principles of the UN Declaration. In November 2015, the Prime Minister of Canada asked the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and other ministers, in their mandate letters, to implement the Declaration. And in May 2016, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs announced Canada is now a full supporter of the Declaration. Despite these federal government statements of support and endorsement, Canada has not yet passed legislation implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
In April 2016, Member of Parliament Romeo Saganash, (NDP critic for Intergovernmental Indigenous Affairs) tabled legislation (Bill C-262) to ensure that the laws of Canada respect the Declaration. Mr. Saganash, who spent 23 years at the UN negotiating the Declaration, says on his website that Bill C-262 provides a clear path to adopt and implement the Declaration in a “principled, systematic, cooperative, transparent and accountable” way. This is the second time that Mr. Saganash has tabled a bill calling for Canada to give the Declaration a legal basis in this country. When the Conservatives were in power, his earlier bill was supported by the NDP, Liberals and Greens. He has called on the Liberal government to support his bill, which is endorsed by Indigenous peoples and Canadians from coast to coast. If you agree with this effort to put legal teeth into the promises to Indigenous people in Canada, ask your MP to support Bill C-262 as it proceeds through Parliament. For contact information for Members of Parliament: ourcommons.ca/ Parliamentarians/en/members (If you don’t know who your MP is, there is a search bar on this page; type in your postal code to have him or her identified.)
Go to nfu.ca for more information.
Dreaming of a Green Christmas? Get tips and ideas at greenquinte.com
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May 5th, 2018 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Centennial Secondary School, Palmer Road, Belleville.
Only a $2 admission with every $1 going to the Three Oaks Foundation.
Booking is underway now for vendor booth space! Download vendor application forms at healthylivingnow.ca and contact hlnpublisher@cogeco.ca
Save the date for THE biggest health and wellness show locally! Challenge your friends, family, coworkers and teammates to support an important cause AND share in an interactive, energetic, informative day! What can you expect? • Fitness and meditation classes • Health and wellness expertise • Trending products • Complimentary swag bag to fill with vendor information, discounts and samples
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THE ALL NEW 2018 Toyota RAV4
TRAIL EDITION
LEASE OR FINANCE
FROM
2.49
48 Millennium Parkway, Belleville www.bellevilletoyota.ca 844-839-8159
% APR