healthy living now Holiday Issue 2013

health for the holidays FITNESS FIVE FAVORITES

CPT Chris DeGenova shows us five moves to keep fit over the holidays

STRESSED AT WORK? Add a daily dose of Green Wellness at the

CLARAMOUNT INN AND SPA

A colonial revival Inn, Spa & Dining retreat in Prince Edward County

QUEENS FITNESS COUNTDOWN

21 DAYS

COMPASSION

to form a habit

& CHILDREN

Teaching kids to be kind this holiday CURB YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE THIS HOLIDAY

Find yourself looking and feeling younger

TIPS FOR A POST HOLIDAY DETOX Save the date! The healthy living

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from the publisher

I love the holidays.

When we lived in Toronto, every Christmas was filled with the thrill of watching a city transform into a magical wonderland full of uplifting music, inspiring window displays and glittering lights. Strolling down King Street past restaurants bustling with people and delicious cuisine always made me smile, but there was also a little hint of melancholy for home and family.

When we had our children, we decided to pare back. The idea was to move away from hours of commuting, to a place where we could provide a safer environment for our children, and find a school that would set them on a positive, more enriching educational path. That place, was home in Belleville.

The Believe, Hope, Dream mirror backed Swarovski Crystal bracelet was designed by Erin Thomas Estevez in Sterling Silver $169.

While there have been a few bumps along the way, we feel we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.

And at no time in the year are the rewards greater than now, when magical memories of the holiday season begin.

As we approach a very emotional and spiritual holiday season, I’m thinking about how our readers must also be reflecting upon their own holiday memories and stories.

I wonder how you will set out to experience the efforts that light up our community. In our home, thoughts have already turned to frequenting the Billy Foster Memorial Display at Meyers Pier. Kudos to those who fought so hard for it!

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I think of all the opportunities this season offers for us to embrace our inner spirit and make another person’s Christmas a little brighter. I hope this issue reflects this.

In our “Kids’ Health” section, Sandi Sidsworth, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association HPEC, shows us how to teach our children to be kind. It is a wonderful article that guides us beyond the “gift getting” mentality to a deeper understanding of the importance of helping other people.

In our “Wellness” section, Alexandria Barker speaks to how the holi-

4

days often trigger tension and toxic behaviour, rather than the uplifting, loving feelings we hope they will bring about. She shows us how to offset behavior of others with inner strength and how to graciously handle toxic situations.

“Queen of Green” Leslie Coulter gives us tips on keeping it sustainable over the holiday season. Every year, our family ends up with mountains of bows, ripped paper, plastic tape, and plastic toy packages complete with a million little wires – and every year I wish I had been more proactive about preventing the waste. Check out our website to find a list of wrapping materials that are either repurposed or recycled (and are in turn recyclable).

Our fitness contributor this issue is Chris DeGenova. In his 25 years in the fitness industry, Chris has trained and coached athletes in competitive sport and bodybuilding. He is Certified A.C.E, CanFit Pro, and ASFA. Specializing in training for function with weights, body weight, kettle bell, TRX, and boot camps, Chris does whatever it takes to help people reach their goals. He has been a model for The Fitness Elite, and is a Healthy Living column writer for Northumberland Today. With his signature red baseball hat and passion for healthy living, Chris gives us five simple moves that get results.

We also have a heartwarming story about a dog named “Alfie” from the Quinte Humane Society. I am sure this story will first break, then warm your heart as it did mine. The holiday is a great time to consider helping an animal in need, whether by making a donation, fostering or adopting a pet.

As we put the finishing touches on this holiday issue, we look forward to 2014 and hope you do too.

From our home to yours, have a healthy, happy holiday. Savour the memories. Enjoy every moment.

Lori

page 14 Fitness with Chris DeGenova

Publisher / Editor Lori Mitchell Copy Editor Dave McLaughlin, Rocket Copy Design Nicole Lucas, Cricket Illustrations Photography Audra Kent Greg Black, Queens Communications Siobhan Grealis Sam Brady Susan Dall Contributing Writers Dr. David Suzuki Leslie Coulter, Queen of Green Dr. Natasha Turner, N.D. Drew Brown, E.D. BGHF Dr. Kristina Bennett Dr. Melissa Merkel Alexandria Barker Drake Hotel Properties Audra Kent Sandi Sidsworth Cheryl Lepine Chris DeGenova Dyan Perry Tiffany Bambrick Patricia Mitchell Tom James Amy Doyle Inquiries hlnpublisher@cogeco.ca 613.920.1232 Healthy Living EXPO Booth rentals available now for the April 5th,2014 EXPO at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre. hlnproducer@cogeco.ca 613.920.1232

page 10

Claramount Inn and Spa

Photo courtesy of the Claramount Inn

{contents} green living........................................ 6-8 wellness...........................................10-12 fitness..............................................14-16 lifestyle ............................................18-19 healthy eating ................................20-23 holiday reading ..............................24-25 hometown hearts ............................... 26

HLN is published via LoLa Communications Inc.

BGH Foundation...................................27

Visit us online at www.hlnow.ca

healthy kids ....................................28-31 family strategies..............................32-33

All rights reserved. No reproduction in any form or by any means is permitted without written permission of the Publisher. Publisher does not accept responsibility for advertising content.

healthy pets ...................................34-37 publishers picks....................................38

5

Give the gift of a healthy environment

green living

..........................................................................

How will you give a healthy environment this season?

make a larger charitable gift. It’s a rewarding way to foster community.

No more

No more

No more

stuff!

My gift to you is a healthy environment Cute gift tags ensure friends and family enjoy the benevolent side of their gift while indulging in the This season my shortbread side! Making your own GIFT TO YOU set of tags couldn’t be easier — beis a cause my gift to you is a printable HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT template! Print and attach tags with amore donationstuff: to the My gift to that read “No David Suzuki Foundation you is a healthy environment” to - and these less healthy your holiday treats!

The treats. circle is designed to fit onEnjoy! the top of a Mason jar lid. The rectangle looks great on any gift.

stuff!

stuff!

Written by the This season my Queen of Green, GIFT TO YOU Leslie Coulter is a www.davidsuzuki.org HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT with a more donation to the You I don’t need any stuff.

David Suzuki Foundation probably don’t either. So give the - and these less healthy treats. most thoughtful gift this holiday season by not giving Enjoy! anything (store-bought) at all! What could you possibly be hoping to receive that’s of greater value than a healthy environment? Shiny toys, fancy gems and giant gift baskets pale in comparison to the value of our ecosystems. Plus, it affects nature when we buy a whole lot of stuff — and wrapping — we don’t NO MORE STUFF! need.

No more stuff!

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Written by the Queen of Green, Leslie Coulter www.davidsuzuki.org

The presents have been opened.

The kids are playing happily and you start stuffing all that wrapping into a recycling bag. Which is better than a garbage bag, but you know you could do even better.

Just look at those lovely kids — taking the extra step is the greatest gift you can give them!

Fabric wrap Wrapping gifts with festive fabrics is my favorite sustainable option!

Keep it simple by purchasing beautifully made bags and accessories from artisan retailers or get crafty and make your own. Folding fabric as gift wrap is also simple and the end results can be spectacular.

Whether you’re giving wine, flowers, a box or some irregular shaped

green living Gift Wrapping the GREEN way

.......................................................................... delight, you’ll appreciate the stepby-step folding tutorials at www.furoshiki.com.

and printed with vegetable-based ink.

Get Creative

It’s not just the paper that causes problems! Those bows and ribbons are a mysterious assortment of plastic, making them difficult to recycle at the end of their life.

It also takes a lot of resources to produce and ship them. Obviously, reuse the ones you have on hand!

But once they’ve been used up, replace them with fabric ribbon and buttons. Or take your inspiration from nature and decorate with felt, pinecones, pressed flowers and other bits or beauty located in your backyard.

Who says that gifts need to wrapped in wrapping? A boxed item can be wrapped in a scarf.

Wine likes tea towels. And socks stuffed into a paper towel roller make for a fun surprise.

Maybe the kids in your house would enjoy making their own wrapping?

Large bolts of cloth can be decorated with fabric paint and reused year after year. Gifts in cardboard boxes are already wrapped — just unleash this kids’ creativity directly on the box!

100% post-consumer wrapping paper

If you are going to wrap a gift in paper, look for wrap that is printed on 100% recycled paper, with a high post-consumer percentage. Paper should be processed chlorine-free

Bows, buttons and other accessories

It can be fun to make your own gift tags and decorations, but if crafty isn’t your thing, turn to www.etsy. com or your local holiday market.

There are lots of artisans who’ll appreciate your green holiday buying power.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how green is your carbon footprint?

Written by the Queen of Green, Leslie Coulter www.davidsuzuki.org

The question about the greenest Christmas tree has been one of considerable debate among environmentally conscious merrymakers for the past decade. Both sides have made valid points: advocates of artificial trees take issue with the practice of cutting down trees in the name of festivity, whereas proponents of real trees argue that it’s pretty much impossible for a plastic alternative to be green.

The research team at Ellipsos has provided a definitive answer. In its study, the real tree emerges. victorious!

According to Ellipsos, the artificial tree has three times more impact

on climate change and resource depletion than the natural tree.

That’s assuming your artificial tree lasts six years. If your tree will last more than 20 years and if you’d have to drive a long way to buy a real tree, the opposite becomes true.

Regardless of whether you choose real or artificial, there are ways to make sure your evergreen is truly green: Real Christmas Trees 1. Buy locally.

2. Choose trees from farms that minimize (or do without) pesticides and herbicides.

3. Cut your own with a provincial permit, from lands that must be kept clear anyway. In many provinces, hydro right-of-ways have to be kept clear. This is a win-win way

to meet that mandate.

Artificial Christmas Trees 1. Avoid PVCs — the grinchiest of plastics — that most artificial trees are made of. Not only are these hard on the environment, they’re bad for your health.

2. Make it last 20 years!

Should neither of these options live up to your desire for a truly sustainable celebration, consider a living Christmas tree. Potted evergreens are just as festive as their cut counterparts! And the recent appearance of rental companies dealing in potted evergreens makes this a hassle-free option even for folks who forgot to dig their tree a hole before the ground froze!

7

green living

Stressed at work?

Add a daily dose of GREEN

.......................................................................... ural setting can reduce stress while boosting immunity, ingenuity and energy.

As neuroscientist Marc Berman explains, adding a daily dose of green to your routine may be the best prescription for dealing with workday stress. His research shows that even simple, brief interactions with nature can improve cognitive control and mood.

Written by David Suzuki with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Communications Specialist Jode Roberts. www.davidsuzuki.org

Is your office bad for your health and well-being? Unfortunately, a growing body of scientific evidence says yes.

The modern workday pose — fingers on keyboard, slight slouch, glassy eyes fixed on glowing screen, bathed in unnatural light — can drain vitality, happiness and creativity. Designed to maximize efficiency, this sterile setup actually reduces productivity and job satisfaction. In fact, modern workplaces are the main reason adults now spend about 9.3 hours a day sitting. Medical journal The Lancet estimates this unprecedented level of inactivity is causing 5.3 million deaths a year worldwide, similar to smoking — prompting the Harvard Business Review to suggest ‘Sitting is the smoking of our generation.’

The good news is that researchers have built an increasingly persuasive case for what most of us know intuitively: nature is good for us.

Being regularly immersed in a nat-

Why does green time reduce stress?

Various studies suggest exposure to natural settings stimulates “soft fascination” — something New York Times reporter Gretchen Reynolds describes as “a beguiling term for quiet contemplation, during which directed attention is barely called upon and the brain can reset those overstretched resources.”

Hard fascination, by contrast, is stimulated by bright, loud activities like watching TV or sports, which require little or no effort but don’t allow for mental rest.

Researchers at the University of Michigan estimated that memory performance and attention span can improve by 20 per cent after an hour in nature, while University of Rochester studies concluded that being outside for 20 minutes a day is enough to boost vitality. And a new study from Scotland demonstrated brain fatigue can be eased with just a 10-minute walk in the park.

But how can we fit more green time into our hectic schedules in the cold weather?

Finding your nature fix can be easy. Hold your next meeting out-

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doors — maybe make it a walking meeting. Invite colleagues to have a hot coffee in a nearby park. Take the scenic route home. Stop to smell the holiday aromas and take notice of critters and trees. Skip the gym, and head outside for a jog or cross country ski in a nearby park.

Even if you can’t make it outside for a daily dose of nature, simple changes inside can help make you happier and healthier. As Alan Logan and Eva Selhub document in their book Your Brain on Nature, workers in windowless settings are more anxious, hostile and depressed than colleagues on windowed floors. Increasing natural light within the workplace has been linked to improved productivity and contentment. Researchers in Texas even found employees in offices with plants or green-space views felt greater job satisfaction and reported a higher overall quality of life.

Increased exposure to nature also leads people to nurture closer relationships and build stronger community bonds. When Capilano University professor Joe Kelly spent at least an hour a day outside each day this March, he observed that “free of the distractions and background noise present in the city, the serenity of nature provides a perfect venue to connect with others.”

Even the world’s worst boss should know employees who are less stressed and healthier are more productive. Let’s all get into the nature habit. It can make our lives better.

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Claramount Inn and Spa

Beauty that’s More than Skin Deep It is said that true beauty comes from within. That for someone to be beautiful on the outside they must first be beautiful on the inside. If the same can be Written By said of buildings, Audra Kent then Claramount Inn and Spa, located on the Loyalist Parkway just east of Picton, would be the perfect, breathtaking example.

Claramount was built in 1904 and began her life as the private residence of Edward and Clara Young.

Designed by a Kingston architect, she was the perfect embodiment of the Colonial-Revival style.

“To me, she’s like birthday cake,” says Norah Rogers, who co-owns the glorious building with her husband Chris. “So exuberant. There’s all this colour and, visually, there’s so much going on.” “When you’re standing outside, you’ve got Palladium windows and all the lead glass above them. Then there’s the pillars and all the porticos. There’s so much visual diversity, so much to take in.”

Norah, a physician, and Chris, a veterinarian, came to Prince Edward County in 1980. Over the years, they have purchased, reno-

vated, developed, and created a number of successful businesses throughout Prince Edward County. Their list of enterprises includes – but is by no means limited to – the Waring House and Barley Days Brewery.

Of all of their various undertakings, restoring the Claramount has been their biggest challenge.

When they purchased the century-old mansion, it was being used as a multi-unit apartment building.

The original interior walls were intact, but additional walls and fire escapes had been added. The lead lining in the many stained glass windows had softened.

Wooden balconies were no longer safe (and not to code). The columns and their capitals were also deteriorating and the structure was in desperate need of repair.

Despite the incredible commitment it takes to maintain their ongoing

medical and veterinary practices, the Rogers eagerly and lovingly accepted the additional challenge of returning the Claramount to its original splendor. Working as general contractors, they brought in local tradespeople and artisans to assist as needed.

Set back from the road, the elegant lady in all her buttery yellow and white finery, makes a perfect first impression. But again, as the saying goes – it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Every suite (there are no rooms at the Claramount) is tastefully decorated with antique and reproduction French, English and Canadian furniture.

“Each room has a different fireplace in it. A lot of the decorating was conceived using the fireplace as a starting point,” explains Norah. “For example, the fireplace in suite number two is very French,

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wellness

so we went with beautiful French furniture.

Many of the suites are beautifully accented with wide white baseboards, crown moulding, and lead-lined sunburst windows. All are capped off with a touch of Canadiana, which is often original artwork, including pieces from beloved Manly MacDonald. Art is a large part of what constitutes the Claramount’s sense of inner beauty.

Two of Norah’s favourite works, which were created by J.H. MacNaughton, welcome visitors in the main entrance. Limited edition prints by Group of Seven artist A.J. Casson adorn the main staircase alongside a whimsical piece by Nova Scotia folk artist Maud Lewis.

Works by Prince Edward County artists can be found throughout the mansion.

“Welcoming” is the word that comes to mind as one explores the beautifully sunlit building. The word “relaxing” isn’t far behind.

While the front section of the Claramount is original, the back which contains the kitchen, dining room and spa, is not. This newer section of the inn was built while renovations were going on throughout the original structure. Although the two sections were built almost one hundred years apart, there is no sense of discontinuity.

Foot Angel 7

Clara’s Restaurant comfortably seats 35. In warmer weather, it includes a wrap-around verandah overlooking Picton Harbour. Hearty, healthy meals, sourced locally whenever possible, are prepared under the care of Chef Lyndon B. Johnston. Wines, beer and cider are brought in from local vendors as well, but an extensive list of international selections are also available.

The spa at Claramount is located in the area beneath the dining room.

Descending the stairs into the beginnings of soothing spa aromas, sights and sounds, makes it that much easier to leave your cares at the doorstep. The calming sky blue that envelops the staircase, and a decanter of water – replete with floating cucumbers and strawberries – completes the transition.

“We started off with the Kneipp philosophy and it worked brilliantly,” says Norah.

“As a physician, I am skeptical about some of the claims made by spas. We wanted to find an approach that would be really concrete and wellness oriented. The Kneipp philosophy uses herbs, exercises, water and peace: all good things that are relaxing and de-stressing for your body.”

According to Alicia Myderwyk, spa director and Prince Edward County native, the personal care products used in the spa are drawn from this Kneipp philosophy as well. Eminence, a Hungarian organic skin care line is a good example.

“Eminence is an all-natural line that contains really potent ingredients.

Lots of fruits, vegetables and herbs that get really nice results.”

The spa also uses La Bella Donna mineral make-up, which contains no artificial preservatives and is

very gentle.

For the final polish, SpaRitual products are used on fingers and toes.

Myderwyk emphasizes again the importance of using only natural products. “Obviously, it’s clear by now that we don’t like any parabens or artificial preservatives like formaldehyde. SpaRitual doesn’t contain the chemicals other nail lines usually have.”

Then there’s the heated indoor/outdoor salt-water pool, the infrared sauna, the hot tubs (overlooking Brick Kiln Point in Picton Harbour), and many quiet rest areas in and around the inn itself.

For such a beautiful and peaceful setting, all of these therapies and treatments are surprisingly well priced. Myderwyk says regular specials (usually monthly and often themed) are usually available.

Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder; and Oakville resident, Tony Di Bella, accomplished business traveler, is both beholder and believer. He has stayed at Claramount as many as twenty times over the last five years and he is absolutely smitten. “It’s luxurious, it’s elegant, the staff is excellent and the amenities are amazing. It feels like home for less than the price of a hotel,” says Di Bella.

“As inns with spas go this is a beautiful place to stay.”

Information about spa packages can be found at www.claramountinn.com Keep an eye out for last-minute specials on Claramount’s Facebook page.

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Holiday Zen

wellness

Meditation for a stress free holiday

.......................................................................... iar traps and create a new tradition of love, peace and family harmony.

Written by Alexandria Barker

What would you say to a long hot bubble bath? With some sea salt dissipate negative energy, Lavender essential oil to sooth you, your favorite music, maybe a nice glass of wine? Time just for you; to relax, breathe, unwind, daydream in happy anticipation of the coming holidays?

No time for that? Well, do you have time for stress-related headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, depression, or anxiety?

The majority of emotional disorders are caused by chronic untreated stress - nearly 50% of adults suffer from its adverse health effects. In fact, 75 – 90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related ailments. But the good news is, you can stop stress in its tracks by investing just minutes a day in yourself.

Wonderful as they are, the holidays often trigger tension and toxic behavior. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Why not make this the year you side-step those old famil-

The first step to a merrier Christmas is meditation. Meditating for just 15 minutes a day is enough to calm your mind, brighten your disposition, and begin reaping all its mental and physical benefits. Through meditation you gain mastery over your mind by developing the mental muscle to control what you think about - a must for anyone seeking more peace in their lives.

To meditate, simply sit someplace where you won’t be disturbed, close your eyes and breathe. Give your breath your full attention, noticing how it feels cooler as you inhale, warmer as you exhale. To help your concentration, count your breaths in cycles of 10, beginning again anytime you lose focus. This gives your busy mind something concentrate on. If any thoughts arise, just acknowledge them and bring your focus back to your breath. Start with five minutes a day, gradually working up to 15.

A positive attitude is essential to happy holidays. Despite all the holiday hype, your loved ones are not likely to behave any differently than they do the rest of the year. You’re the one who gets to decide how you feel, despite how anyone else is behaving.

Is a situation from the past causing you negative emotion? Rather then re-hashing it for the hundredth time, re-frame it in your mind in a

way that feels good to you. Tell a new story. Ask yourself, if this family event could play out any way I like, what would I want that to look like?

You are a vibrational being living in a vibrational world – by thinking and feeling in a particular way, you match up with people, circumstances and things of a similar vibration. When you make the effort to shift your thoughts and lift your spirits, everything around you changes. You’ll be amazed at how quickly things can improve when you do this – I’ve seen it work miracles in relationships!

Feeling hopeful about a potentially stressful situation will not only reduce the stress you’re feeling in the moment, it’ll make space for something wonderful to manifest in its place.

Gratitude is the most important thing you can nurture within yourself. It’s a natural antidote to stress; feelings of anger, sorrow or worry simply cannot exist alongside gratitude, the vibrations are too different. Gratitude and appreciation are a high-flying vibration, like love.

You may also want to start a personal daily gratitude list, or take a gratitude walk focusing on all the things you’re grateful for. In fact I encourage you to do these things every day, even after all the decorations are put away.

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Ask about our powerful 1 day training to turn your loving hands into healing hands.

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12

fitness

Fabulous Fitness Five

..........................................................................

Here are

five

help keep you

simple moves that will

fit

over the holidays

Written by Chris DeGenova, CPT

1.

2.

Kettle bell swing with a lunge

Take a weight you are comfortable with and get into a sumo-style squat. Because we will be focused on working just one leg at a time, you will swing with just one arm. Now, swing low, as though you are sweeping the floor. If you started with your right hand then you would swing the kettle bell up over the right shoulder while you lunge with your right leg. I also like to reach to my right foot with my left hand to get more glute and hamstring action. From there, move back to original position and continue the movement until you reach 8-10 reps on that leg. Switch sides and repeat with your left leg.

Three-tier push-ups

I like to use a Smith machine for this but you can also use a bench or a stability ball. Start with good old fashion push-ups for 8-12 then go to the Smith machine. Take it up about 3-4 notches from the bottom, and proceed to get 8-12 push-ups from that angle. After that, take the bar up to chest level and continue your push-ups from that angle. Again, 8-12 reps. I like to vary grip-width on the bar. For example, close grip on one set, wider on the next. Just experiment, have some fun, and find what works best for you.

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fitness

3.

4.

5.

Dumbbell rows with a twist

Start with a dumbbell you can row for 8-10 reps. I don’t usually use a bench for this movement. I prefer to have my whole body in motion, not just my back. Start in a lunge position and take the dumbbell down to the extended leg. Be sure to reach just past the toe. Now row the dumbbell into your waist. As you reach your waist, twist your body with the flow of the dumbbell on that side. In doing this, you create a total core movement that incorporates the back. Legs, glutes and hams are also brought into play. Do 8-10 reps for 2-3 sets then switch sides.

Stability ball clean and press with side laterals

Shoulders are a smaller group of muscles that get worked when you work larger groups, so there is no need to get overly focused on them. But they still deserve attention. Sit on the stability ball with maybe 10-pound dumbbells (max). Now, bend forward and reach for your heels. This engages your core. Then, fire the dumbbells up and over your head like you’re throwing them through the ceiling and repeat this movement about 20 times. Speed is important here, so execute the push as fast as you can but go slow and controlled on the way down. When finished with this movement, catch your breath for about 10-15 seconds and prepare to change to working your side laterals. If you need to go lighter move down to 5-pound dumbbells. Now extend your arms out away from your body like you are flying. The idea is to work the side of the shoulder: your medial delts. Again, go for speed on the way up but control on the way down. Do 20 reps for 2-3 sets.

Bicep/tricep supersets

Let’s keep this simple. We are going to superset your biceps with your triceps. Use tubes for your biceps and the bench for triceps. First, we will attack the biceps with tube curls. Proceed to curl with speed for 20-30 reps. Keep your biceps tight both on the way up and on the way down. The goal is to flush blood and get those guns into shape!

When done with your curls, go directly to the bench for dips. Start from a seated position and walk your feet out while keeping your hands on the bench. Now, lower yourself (dip) and focus on your triceps just as you did with your biceps. Speed is not required for this movement. Keep it controlled and don’t pause. Just keep the flow. Go for 12-15 reps for 2-3 sets.

To reach Chris, email: thestudio.chris@gmail.com

•

phone: 647.982.3833

15

Queens Fitness

Get Habitual About Your Health

All it takes is 21 Days

.......................................................................... consume in the day, avoid any pre-packaged foods.

Day 4: Put it in writing. Write down 3 realistic goals 1 health, 1 personal and 1 career. Post it on your fridge or bathroom mirror - a place you look daily.

Written by Tiffany Bambrick, CPT

Most of us have daily lifestyle routines that we perform without even thinking: same breakfast, same route to work, same fitness class.

Wake up!! It’s time to rethink your habits, refresh your choices and consider options to enrich your lifestyle.

Be consciously habitual about your health - it takes 21 days to form a habit. To form a healthy habit, you need to make intentional choices daily. Each choice matters; together they constitute a health conscious lifestyle.

Shake up your daily rituals. Challenge yourself for 21 consecutive days by completing the tasks below. Share the journey with a friend.

Put your money where your mouth is - save a Toonie for each completed task. Upon completion reward yourself with something that reinforces your new healthy choices: a day at a spa, a book, a new workout outfit or a ticket to a movie. The choice is yours, you have earned it!

The 21 Day Challenge Day 1: Step it up! Take the stairs rather than the elevator today.

Make your movement positive!

Day 2: Clean out. Go through your cupboards, fridge, desk, and car to remove the items you know you shouldn’t be eating.

Day 3: Don’t Pack it, Go Real. Prepare every meal and snack you 16

Day 5: Brush n’ Balance. Brush your teeth balancing on one foot every night for a week. Work your core and brush your teeth!

Day 6: Alternate Transportation.

Walk or bike somewhere you normally would drive, such as the corner store.

Day 7: Say it with a Smile! Smile and say hello to a passing stranger. Make that person’s day better, as well as your own.

Day 8: Know your Limit! Limit yourself to only 1 alcoholic beverage per day for an entire week.

Day 9: Super Snacks. Wash, cut up and store an assortment of fresh vegetables in the fridge. Try to eat the entire container by the end of the week.

Day 10: Stay Hydrated. Fill your water bottle and put 5 rubber bands

on it in the morning. Every time you drink a full bottle take 1 rubber band off the bottle, aim for none by the end of the day.

Day 11: Try a new dish. Try a new healthy recipe and share it with a buddy. Instead of the same old chicken for dinner, go Mediterranean or Greek.

Day 12: Take it Outside. Explore an outdoor activity with a friend. Go for a hike or a walk or do a workout in the playground (monkey bar pull ups, tricep dips on benches).

Day 13: Give a little. Go through your closet, collect 5 “gently used” items and donate them to a local charitable organization.

Day 14: Time for You. Set aside 15 minutes a day just for you. This is your time to read, meditate, take a hot shower, or stretch. These 15 minutes should be in addition to your regular exercise.

Day 15: Walk the Talk. How many steps should you take every day?

Aim for 10,000 a day. Buy or borrow a pedometer. Don’t email a colleague, walk to their desk and ask your question.

Queens Fitness

Pine Ridge

Day 16: Get your Rest. Go to bed before 10 pm for 3 nights in a row.

The average person should get 7 hours of sleep a night.

Knit & Sew

Day 17: Time out your Cravings.

Fight a snack attack by having a glass of water. It’ll give you five minutes to decide if you truly need that treat.

Day 18: Exercise to enhance your love life. Those most active and who exercise regularly tend to be more active in the bedroom. Being active has so many rewards.

Day 19: Food Journal. Write down everything you eat in one day.

Reflect on your eating habits and decide to make one improvement the next day. Eat breakfast instead, don’t skip it!

Day 20: Basic Moves for Great Results. Do 3-5 push-ups every day for a week, they are one of the basic exercises for the human body, great for your chest, defining your abs, triceps, shoulders and torso.

Day 21: Thinking of You. Send an email letting someone know how important they are to you. Healthy relationships make a difference to how we treat ourselves and others.

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healthy living

Most people know they should be exercising and eating well, but they don’t know where to start. By making small, steady changes to your daily choices you are building a foundation for success. Each week of success gives you the momentum to go into the next week with motivation and commitment.

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Allow these small changes to become a way of life. Think of the fall spa hibernation riches not only for your mind, body issue and soul, but for yourWellness pocketbook at ste. anne’s inn and spa those Toonies add up!

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lifestyle the FROCK SHOP ltd

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Special Occasion Dresses & Bridal Casual & Cruise Wear

Holiday health hit list Taking care of yourself this winter

..........................................................................

There is so much to love about our Canadian winters, and many enjoy this time of year.

However, there are some of us who may retreat to the south to escape the Written by bitter cold and Dyan Perry enjoy a warmer climate. For those of us who stick it out in our native land, we need to be ready for Mother Nature this season.

Winter boots… Check!

Down-filled parka… Check!

Snow tires… Quadruple check!

Jewellery & Accessories

Here is a holiday hit list to maintain a healthy body and general wellbeing.

Your Body

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If you enjoyed Nintendo’s Wii Fit in the past and have both the Wii Fit Balance Board and the newer Wii U console, Nintendo is offering a one-month complimentary trial of the brand new Wii Fit U from November 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014 - downloadable from the Nintendo e-Shop.

If you’re new to the Nintendo Wii U, the full game with Balance Board and Fit Meter kit is available in stores mid-December just in time for the holidays! Enjoy yoga, dance, balance and strength activities from the comfort of your living room.

The most unique and innovative advancement is the new Fit Meter.

Simply clip it onto your hip each day and begin tracking your calories and physical activity at home or away! A surefire way to help you maintain an active lifestyle and monitor your exercise. It even makes suggestions towards activities that will compensate for the days you didn’t reach your physical fitness goals!

Why not take your physical fitness

18

even one step further by sporting the revolutionary Proskin Slim leggings. Be proactive this winter and get your legs into beach ready shape with these cellulite fighting leggings. The Proskin Slim leggings are both sporty and fashionable coming in a variety of colours and prints. They are designed with millions of micro-capsules that not only massage minerals into your legs during wear, but also releases caffeine, vitamin E, ceramides, retinol and aloe vera enhancing circulation and the look and feel of your legs. www.wiifitu.nintendo.com www.proskins.ca.

Your Mind

Matcha green tea contains more than 5 times the L-Theanine (an amino acid) than a cup of regular black or green tea. One of the main benefits of L-Theanine includes the induction of alpha wave activity in our brains. Stress causes beta waves in the brain leading to an agitated mental state, but alpha waves relieve anxiety and stress, increase concentration and relaxation and even lower blood pressure. For centuries monks have been using Matcha green tea to promote relaxation during mediation while still remaining alert. This is because Matcha also contains caffeine but the L-Theanine stabilizes the anxious and shaky feeling you experience with other caffeinated beverages. When consuming Matcha green tea the L-Theanine also increases the production of dopamine and serotine in the brain can enhance your mood and improve your memory. Visit a Teavana nearest you to try Matcha green tea! www.teavana.com.

Your Skin

With cold temperatures and harsh wind, our skin takes quite the beating during the winter months. Keeping your skin hydrated is the best defense. Ensure that you bundle up, protecting your skin from exposure, invest in a humidifier for your

lifestyle SPRING 2012 AD PROOF SHEET Your Hair

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Fashion Feature:

Alda-N coat by Soia & Kyo The Alda-N down-filled long winter coat from Soia & Kyo is both practical and fashionable. This jacket has a quilted lining with separate zipper for the lining. Available in khaki, grey (featured here) or black; exactly what you need this winter to stay warm against the elements. www.soiakyo.com

Kitchen Aid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Make things easier for yourself this holiday season with a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer.

This mixer kneads, mixes and even whisks.

With 10 speeds, a stainless steel bowl, pourer shield, dough hook, flat beater and wire whip; this machine has you covered!

Available in an array of different colours to match any kitchen décor or its baker’s personality, a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer is well worth the investment. (Colour featured here is the Empire Red) www.kitchenaid.ca

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healthy eating

Spring Cleaning Tips for a post-holiday detox

...................................

• Bulk Gluten Free Flours

Written by Dr. Natasha Turner N.D.

• Gluten Free Foods

Over 80,000 industrial chemicals have been developed in the past 75 years. I find this number mindblowing. Surely the knowledge of this statistic makes gentle support of our kidneys, liver and digestive system – the three main organs that support the removal of these harmful compounds from the body.

• Dairy Free Alternatives • Sprouting Supplies • Clean Eating Seminars • Holistic Nutrition Consulting • Group Fitness Classes • Personal Training

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Our thyroid gland, the master controller of our metabolism, is particularly sensitive to these chemicals and others including chlorine, fluoride, mercury, and pesticides.

These types of chemicals have also been shown to disrupt communication between the hypothalamus, pituitary and thyroid – the pathway that closely controls our metabolic rate. In fact, researchers have looked at the effects of synthetic chemicals on the thyroid, and have noticed mild thyroid suppression.

PCBs and organochlorinated pesticides were also found to decrease thyroid function in a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in May 2003. While their long names may make them sound complex and foreign, these thyroid-threatening chemical agents are all around us in our food, water and even in everyday household items including toys, cosmetics and perhaps even your shower curtain.

Your fat cells are also a haven for toxins and they are constantly creating, sending and receiving hormonal signals that change the complex chemical soup present within you. Besides housing a host of hormonal and inflammatory

20

messages, your fat cells tend to be a major storage facility for toxins in the body. Most of the toxins I have just discussed here are fat soluble, meaning the inside of a fat cell offers the perfect environment for them to set up shop. Once we begin to metabolize fat cells through weight loss, fasting, exercise or stress, those stored toxins are released. So just when the liver is already busy handling all the dayto-day toxins that come our way, it gets hit with an extra-heavy toxic load to process. If we lack sufficient nutrients to aid optimal liver function, we are definitely setting the body up for extra stress. As a case in point, studies have found an increased risk of cancer in individuals who lost as little as 20 pounds.

Some health professionals, myself included, suspect this elevated risk could be related to the release of stored toxins and hormones from the fat cells.

As you would expect, this toxic buildup leads to a dramatic increase in long-term health risks.

And it certainly does not leave us feeling our best in the short term either. Complaints such as headaches, weight gain, acne, PMS, infertility and poor memory are common. Not surprising, given that the brain and the glands responsible for releasing the hormones are affected most by toxin exposure.

The Metabolic Detox Pathways in Your Liver Regardless of their source, all toxins must be processed through the body via the detoxification pathways in our liver. Liver detoxification consists of two phases designed to allow potentially toxic compounds to be converted into water-soluble forms that can be easily excreted into the bile for passage through the digestive tract as waste, or filtered through the kidneys.

At the risk of sounding like a science class lesson- phase I, otherwise known as the cytochrome P450 system, is the phase that turns toxic compounds into water-soluble products. Phase II fo-

healthy eating cuses on neutralizing the products from Phase I by adding another substance that makes elimination through the kidneys or bile easier.

Here’s the catch - these two phases are intimately related and should ideally take place at the same rate. But sometimes Phase I, however, is accelerated, which leads to increased re-absorption of the toxic by-products before they can be properly processed by phase II. Otherwise referred to as “pathological detoxification”, it is something we want to avoid because of the potential for additional health risks.

Tips to Balance Your Detoxification Pathways in the Liver: With a few simple dietary and supplement suggestions you can re-activate and re-balance your liver’s natural detoxification pathways. In clinical practice I typically prescribe one or more of these recommendations for a minimum of two to six weeks, though most of the suggestions are safe for long term use. The exception is indol-3-carbinol, which I recommend using for only three to four months at a time.

To slow down Phase I: •Avoid tobacco, alcohol and coffee, including decaffeinated coffee •Eat grapefruit and wheatgrass (NOTE: If you are taking medications, be sure to first check whether grapefruit leads to increased drug action.)

•Add the spice turmeric to your diet or take it in supplement form since it inhibits Phase I action while increasing Phase II activity •Consider supplementing with the nutrients required to protect the liver during Phase I, including copper, magnesium, zinc and vitamin C. A good quality, high potency multivitamin with an additional 1000mg to 2000mg buffered vitamin C daily could suffice.

To speed up Phase II: •Avoid processed foods, white sugars and simple carbohydrates.

•Increase sources of sulfur. Your supplement choices include N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) (typical dose is 500mg 1 to 3 times daily), taurine (500 to 1000mg daily), cysteine, or Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) (500 to 8000mg daily)

•Supplements of indole-3-carbinol help to support with this detox phase, particularly the breakdown of harmful excess steroid hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Normal dose is 200 to 400mg daily.

•Increase cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, all of which are high in sulfur. Eggs are also a good source of sulfur.

•Supplement antioxidants necessary for Phase II, including a blend of vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, coenzyme Q10, vitamin A, proanthocyanidins, bioflavonoids and/ or selenium.

If you currently experience lethargy, difficulty concentrating, joint pains or stiffness, headaches, bad breath, strong body odor, acne, psoriasis, water retention, abdominal bloating, excess body fat, difficulty losing weight, PMS, indigestion, or constipation, these simple detox tips could be just the needed boost to turn your health around.

But don’t be surprised if you feel headaches, fatigue, irritability and general malaise for the first day or two of your detox diet, as your body is doing a whole lot of house cleaning. And remember this general rule of detoxification: the worse you feel - the more you really need to do it.

Allow yourself time to rest if you feel sluggish. Drink lots of water and take extra vitamin C to reduce detox symptoms. By the third or fourth day, you should feel your energy increasing and mental focus improving. If you typically drink a lot of coffee, decrease the amounts you consume slowly throughout the first few days to minimize the effects of caffeine withdrawal. Also, drink at least two liters of water per day. Reverse osmosis water is best; spring water should be your second choice. Distilled water should be avoided because it may leach minerals out of our body.

Helping you to see and be seen

Fun or Function, inova opticians has styles For the whole Family this season

come in and see our new arrivals!

Update your everyday look today!

• Full UV Protection • Prescription and non-prescription sunglasses

150 Sidney Street, Belleville, Ontario 613-968-8846 inovaopticians.com

21

healthy eating

A Holiday Toast

Four reasons why you should curb your alcohol intake over the holidays.

..........................................................................

Written by Dr. Natasha Turner N.D.

Next to the holidays, I believe the summer is when most people unknowingly bump up their alcohol intake, alongside their social activities. There are a number of reasons to curb your alcohol intake and you may just find yourself looking and feeling younger.

Burn Fat Faster. Alcohol causes weight gain, but not for the reason you may think. Your liver is the primary organ responsible for detoxification, fat burning, fat excretion (via the digestive tract) and ridding your body of hormonal waste. It is a major player in achieving hormonal balance because it controls the production of certain hormones, such as T3 thyroid hormone, and the breakdown of others, like cortisol. A 2006 study reported that toxins including drugs and alcohol can cause abnormalities in our fat-burning pathways in our liver.

This causes less fat burning, and leads to increased storage of fat in the body and possibly our liver cells too. Over time, excess fat stored in our liver cells can be harmful to liver structure and impair its function.

So, does an unhealthy liver cause fat gain? Just as obesity is linked to fatty liver disease, liver toxicity is known to cause increased weight gain. So if you want to achieve hormonal balance, lose weight and stay healthy, you need to love your liver and detoxify it regularly – which means putting a halt to your liver’s nemesis, alcohol.

22

Avoid vitamin deficiencies. While alcohol will give you an excess of calories, it will also deplete certain vitamins, leaving you deficient in key nutrients. This is particularly true of the b-vitamin family –which is essential for enabling your body to handle stress effectively. B vitamins are necessary for the proper breakdown and elimination of alcohol in the body. To show how prevalent this is, in one study, vitamin B6 reduced the number of hangover symptoms by approximately 50%. In fact, women should always take a B complex high in folic acid after consuming alcohol because it helps to negate the increase in breast cancer risk that’s associated with alcohol consumption. Research even suggests that alcoholic cravings are due to a deficiency in B vitamins and zinc, and an overall improvement in nutritional status can reduce the desire to grab a glass of vino. Adding a serving (5) of L-glutamine powder to your smoothies or a glass of water, which can help boost the neurotransmitter GABA and reduce anxiety levels, can also help curb cravings as you reduce your alcohol intake Goodbye sleeping problems.

While there may be a few times (ahem, university) when you found yourself passed out after a night of drinking, you may be surprised to learn that you didn’t have the deep, restful sleep you thought you did. Although alcohol makes you drowsy, the effect is short-lived. The body metabolizes alcohol as you sleep, resulting in symptoms which can cause sleep interruption. Alcohol also may cause sleep disorders because it seems to affect the brain chemicals that affect sleep.

In fact, it can influence the time it takes to fall asleep, total sleep time and even your ability to get into a deep stage of sleep according to extensive studies. While alcohol increases slow-wave sleep (SWS) during the first part of the night it reduces REM sleep in the latter half which is the state in which dreams

and healing occurs. One glass of wine with dinner will most likely not affect your sleep since it takes about 90 minutes to metabolize one ounce of alcohol. However, one ounce within two hours of bedtime or amounts greater than one ounce may disrupt your sleep. Putting a halt to your drinking or slowing it down significantly can rejuvenate your beauty sleep and have you feeling better almost instantly.

Age in reverse: From dehydration to vitamin deficiencies, you can imagine that alcohol isn’t the best remedy for healthy, supple-looking skin. A survey of rosacea patients revealed that 2 out of 3 experienced flare-ups from alcohol, particularly red wine. Over time, too much alcohol also causes the blood vessels in your face (particularly around your nose) to dilate. The end result? Red and spider-like veins that aren’t too pleasing to the eye. The more you drink, the larger these veins can get. Alcohol can also cause an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone levels in your body, can have an adverse effect on your skin by stimulating excess oil secretion and causing unwelcome pimples to surface. The dehydrating effect of too many glasses of wine will also make you more prone to wrinkles.

All in all, choosing water as your drink of choice will have you looking younger in no time.

a cheeky nod to rustic Canadiana.

The expansive deck, outdoor bar, restaurant and private dining area will host our seasonal menus. Featuring PEC farm and lake-to-table dining, the kitchen will be serving up classic dishes with a renowned Drake twist. Not to mention the deep Bar Book imported from the flagship Drake Hotel, full of acclaimed cocktails, PEC wines and more.

The Drake 150 Restaurant Photo coutesy of Drake Hotel Properties.

COMING SOON The Drake Devonshire Contributor, Drake Hotel Properties

The Drake Devonshire Inn is currently being restored and transformed into a thoughtfully curated boutique hotel. Housed within a beautiful historic building that literally hovers over the shores of Lake Ontario in Wellington, you can expect to find each of the eleven hotel rooms stylishly updated in a roughluxe design palette, complete with

Whether you’re enjoying a winter warmer cocktail by the fireplace or your morning cup of Drake brew on our beach side patio, you’ll feel right at home. In true Drake style, expect to find each day filled with our unparalleled cultural programming- featuring local musicians, artists and performers that’ll surely inspire you. They’ll also act as your County concierge, offering art, wine and adventure tours and excursions.

Just as The Drake Hotel proudly

healthy eating redefined Toronto’s boutique hotel experience, this trailblazing Inn will create the cozy feel of a yearround camp for grown-ups, alongside a genuine local hangout and next-generation getaway for the metropolitan cottage crowd, with the best of amenities, dining and entertainment.

Drake Hotel Properties is an evolving lifestyle brand focused on a growing stable of hotels, restaurants and retail stores. The first outpost that is proudly being developed in Prince Edward County extends Drake’s cultural mandate by doing what they do best: inviting you to experience their blend of bespoke hotel and cultural community centre while enjoying great seasonal menus, a deep cocktail list and sincere hospitality excellence. Proudly creating their own version of a rural county retreat where travelers, culture seekers and neighbors all happily intersect to enjoy the thoughtful contradictions of high and low, new and old. http://www.thedrakehotel.ca

Ingredients:

hearty holiday recipe...

ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

Drake One Fifty opened its doors in Toronto to fabulous reviews in the fall.

We asked Chef Ted Corrado to provide healthy living now magazine with a simple, healthy one-pot meal for those cold winter nights. Ted chose the One Fifty’s Rotisserie Chicken, and while customers claim it’s the “juiciest chicken” they’ve ever had, we thought we would let you be the judge.

•Leeks •Pearl onions •New potatoes •Brussel sprouts •Carrots •Roasted chicken jus

Brine

4 litres water 1 cup salt 1/2 cup sugar

Rub

2 tsp. lemon zest 2 tsp. cracked black pepper 1 tsp. kosher salt

Directions:

Brine a 1 lb. chicken for 24 hours.

After it’s been brined, rub the dry ingredients on the chicken, top and bottom.

Place seasoned chicken on a bed of baby carrots, new potatoes, brussel sprouts, pearl onions and leeks.

Place in a covered roasting pan and roast chicken until internal temperature hits 172 degrees C and juices run clear. Let rest for 10 minutes and enjoy.

23

holiday reading

“The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.” ~ Joseph Joubert

O Canada, The Wonders of Winter.

This collection will warm your heart, brighten your day, and lift your spirits with its 101 stories about embracing and making the most of those long winter months.

Winters in Canada are tough, but so are the people! Any resident – from city to rural, readers will love the 101 stories in this new collection about embracing those long winter days and making the most of them. Filled with amusing and encouraging stories about weathering the cold, creating warm memories with family and friends, and playing great winter sports.

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Fresh and Light is full of new recipes that combine the freshest ingredients, pantry staples and personal tricks for a lighter touch. Who else but Donna could make a light mayonnaise from silken tofu, so healthy and delicious at the same time, taste exactly like the original? As with all of Donna’s books, the focus is on easy-tocook but gorgeous recipes—and she has mastered the light touch unlike any other chef. Divided by meal, Fresh and Light is a solution-packed book of recipes loaded with power foods to give you the balance you need throughout your week. There are light breakfasts, tasty lunch-box tips and fast dinner solutions to give you ideas for every time of the day.

“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” ~ Oscar Wilde 24

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Fresh and Light.

The First Phone Call from Heaven “What if the end is not the end?”

One morning in the small town of Coldwater, Michigan, the phones start ringing. The voices say they are calling from heaven. Is it the greatest miracle ever? Or some cruel hoax? As news of these strange calls spreads, outsiders flock to Coldwater to be a part of it. At the same time, a disgraced pilot named Sully Harding returns to Coldwater from prison to discover his hometown gripped by “miracle fever.” Even his young son carries a toy phone, hoping to hear from his mother in heaven.

As the calls increase, and proof of an afterlife begins to surface, the town-and the world-transforms.

Only Sully, convinced there is nothing beyond this sad life, digs into the phenomenon, determined to disprove it for his child and his own broken heart.

Moving seamlessly between the invention of the telephone in 1876 and a world obsessed with the next level of communication, Mitch Albom takes readers on a breathtaking ride of frenzied hope.

holiday reading

Todd Smith, MPP Prince Edward - Hastings

Hastings and Prince edward BrancH

Constituency Office

Providing ServiceS for our communitieS

Unit #3 81 Millenium Parkway P.O. Box 575 Belleville, Ontario K8N 5B2

Wheat Belly

Housing for Homeless & risk of Homelessness for individuals and families anger management for men and Women Wellness support group

T: 613.962.1144 F: 613.969.6381

depression support return to Work Counselling and support

The companion to the New York Times bestseller serves up 200 easy, great-tasting, wheat-free recipes Living wheat-free doesn’t take extra time or work. The Wheat Belly (30 Minutes or Less!) Cookbook features healthy, delicious, visually appealing meals and snacks-all conforming to the basic rules of remaining wheat-free and including no “junk” carbohydrates or grains. With the latest research, success stories and tips and tricks, the Wheat Belly (30 Minutes or Less!) Cookbook features 200 delicious new recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, side dishes, snacks, desserts and even special occasions. Now, it’s easier than ever to say good-bye to wheat with this new collection of yummy recipes that are quick enough for busy weekdays- and good enough for company.

“No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at your most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers.”

~ Laurie Colwin

Hoarding support support groups for family members

Picton - Belleville - Bancroft

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Celebrating those

hometown hearts

who make a difference in our local and global communities

.......................................................................... strated outstanding commitment to cancer advocacy and finishing the fight against cancer in their communities and worldwide.

Brooke’s Donkey’s is made up of a group of committed young women who relay to honour their friend Brooke Ramsay, who passed away from a rare form of cancer – a sarcoma in the brain – at the age of 23.

Written by Amy Doyle

The American Cancer Society has awarded Prince Edward County’s Relay for Life top team, Brooke’s Donkey’s; with the Society’s global ‘Spirit of Relay’ award this past November at a ceremony in Toronto.

This first-ever, Global award recognizes the exemplary dedication of Brooke’s Donkey’s to the Global Relay for Life movement, the Society’s signature global fundraising event.

The new ‘Spirit of Relay’ awards recognize and honour an outstanding Relay for Life event, staff member, volunteer or team who has demon-

Belleville’s Remarkable Woman of the Year, Pat Culhane

...................................

Serving as a Belleville City Councillor since 2006, Pat Culhane was recently named The Intelligencer’s “Remarkable Woman of The Year for 2013”.

Pat was nominated by her sister, Anne Bunnett, and supported by her brother Peter, his partner Fran and her other sister Colleen Parks. Bunnett describes her sister as a strong and well-known advocate for the sick, the homeless, and the abused in the Quinte district. “Honestly, she deserves it.” said Bunnett, “Her life has been lived for others, completely. So I think that she has now been recognized here and I’m very, very, very happy.”

Culhane still works as a nursing supervisor at Belleville General Hospital, and she has been employed by Quinte Health Care for 45 years.

As a cancer survivor, Culhane is an active door to door canvasser and

26

After Brooke was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, she formed a Relay for Life team with family and friends to raise money for cancer research.

When she passed away, a year after diagnosis, she had personally raised over $36,000 and her team went on to raise a total of over $80,000 for the Relay for Life of Prince Edward County event in 2011.

Since then, Brooke’s friends together with her mother Rhonda and their family have gone on to raise over $185,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society in Brooke’s honour each year at Relay for Life. Brooke’s Donkey’s derived their name from the first animal that Ramsey was able to recognize after her surgery to remove a large tumour in her brain.

a strong supporter of the Canadian Cancer Society, which is just one of the many local charities to which she has dedicated her personal time as a volunteer throughout the years.

She is a long-time supporter and former board member of the local Canadian Mental Health Association. Pat leads by example, as she participates each January in their annual, often gruelling “Sleep Out so that others may Sleep In” fundraising event.

The teams theme then became “Kicking Cancer’s Ass”.

Brooke’s Donkey’s were selected for this award from over 150 team entries from around the globe. The American Cancer Society’s award recognizes a team that has fully engaged all of it’s team members through fundraising, survivor and caregiver engagement, and has shown unwavering dedication to finishing the fight against cancer.

Their team raises funds all year long through yard sales, bake sales and an annual fundraising Birthday Bash on Brooke’s birthday which brings in over $30,000 alone in Brooke’s honour.

Congratulations to Brooke’s friends and family for their commitment to Brooke’s memory and her desire to raise money for brain cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society.

The team will once again be participating in Prince Edward County’s Relay for Life Event on June 6th, 2014.

To donate to Brooke’s Donkey’s, visit their blog at www.brookesdonkeys. wordpress.com

crowds in awe of her personal courage.

Pat Culhane is an outspoken, never-let-them-see-you-sweat type role model for women everywhere. Her determination, courage and personal commitment to speak out for the underdog makes her a remarkable woman for this year, and many more to come.

Bravo Pat!

Pat has served as a representative on the boards of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit, Hastings Quinte Social Services, Hastings Quinte Emergency Services and Hastings Long Term Care. The list continues as Culhane has also supported The Quinte Humane Society, The Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Three Oaks Foundation.

Culhane is herself a survivor of domestic violence and she has shared her personal story at fundraising and awareness raising events to hushed

Photo courtesy of The Intelligencer

Belleville General Hospital Foundation

Because we can be the best in Canada Belleville General Hospital Launches

$12 Million Campaign

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Written by Drew Brown, Executive Director, Belleville General Hospital Foundation

Belleville General Hospital: the best equipped community hospital in Canada.

That’s the simple goal of the “Together, We’re Better” campaign recently launched by the Belleville General Hospital Foundation.

It’s a four year, $12 million campaign to provide the best tools and facilities to make care better at Belleville General Hospital, and it breaks down like this: $1.6 million for X-ray equipment (a new fluoroscope and general x-ray) $7 million for Cancer Care (for equipment throughout BGH used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer) $1+ million for a new state-of-theart Fracture Clinic (to replace the frankly awful facilities we have now) $500,000 for Non-medical equipment (beds, wheelchairs, etc.) $400,000 for Maternal/Child (upgrades to services to the littlest angels being treated at BGH) $2 million for Insanely Excellent Equipment (we can’t know today what priorities will be two years from now, so we’re creating a reserve) The campaign is critical, as hospi-

tals in Ontario are not funded for capital purchases. It’s the community they serve that has to buy medical equipment. And, it’s only with the support of donors that hospitals can maintain and improve the quality of care they provide the community.

Last year was our most successful ever with $2.2 million raised. We received gifts from 4,157 donors, including an extraordinary 1,400 new donors - a clear indication that more and more people are coming to understand the vital link they play in improving the quality of care at BGH. It was a record year, but it’s just a start.

We know the equipment donors provide is transforming the quality of care at BGH. In many cases, it makes the difference between life and death. We also know that so much more is possible.

We are energized and excited by the prospect of meeting these needs – and doing even more in the future. We want to move beyond meeting minimum annual needs, to provide the resources necessary to enable a leap forward with care at BGH. We named the campaign, “Together, We’re Better”, because it’s a statement of fact: working together, the people of Quinte, our Foundation and the people within BGH make care better for everyone who comes here seeking it.

To learn more about the campaign or make a gift to make care better at BGH visit: www. bghf.ca.

27

healthy kids

Compassion and Children

Teaching our children to be kind.

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Written by Sandi Sidsworth, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association for HPEC.

The Bayfield Clinic offers psychological, psychiatric, social work and mental health services to adults, adolescents, children, couples and families.

Our experienced, registered, health care professionals have expertise in assessing and treating clients of different ages and cultures. The Clinic also provides assessment services for individuals, public and private organizations, physicians, lawyers, child welfare and mental health agencies.

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info@bayfieldclinic.net 28

“It’s not our job to play judge and jury, to determine who is worthy of our kindness and who is not. We just need to be kind, unconditionally and without ulterior motive, even - or rather, especially - when we’d prefer not to be.” Josh Radnor During the Holiday season, our children and grandchildren will be inundated with commercials geared to “getting” and “having”; and parents try to fulfill wish lists that can grow exponentially daily. Parents are beginning to look beyond the “stuff” and instead, use the season to build compassion and empathy opportunities for their children. Focus shifts from the “getting” to the “giving”, and creating the understanding that not everyone has the same opportunities in life.

Creating the understanding of what giving is begins with talking to children about the differences that families can experience with income and loss, and not everyone has the same things in their home.

This is a gentle way of introducing age appropriate opportunities to begin to identify values that you as a family believe in. Picking up some non-perishable food items and having your child pick them out and then deliver it to the local food bank or church group providing hampers is a tangible way to have the conversation around need and those in need.

For an older child, assist them in researching agencies in your community, identify one that they would like to help, and make a donation to that agency in the child’s name, and deliver it. Decide if the donation means one less gift under the tree for the child, or it is a collective gift from the family.

The next step beyond the gift of money, is the gift of time and connecting the child to opportunities

of volunteering. Identify that volunteering to pack Christmas hampers or sorting toys at a toy drive has value. If the volunteer experience can be done as a family, it becomes a sharing experience that has learning opportunity of building on the value of giving back. Let the child also see that you expect no praise or great outpouring of thanks, but that you are genuine in the giving without an expectation of something back.

As a parent, it is important to create an atmosphere of dignity and respect for those who are struggling, and not to be a “social sightseer” with those that have less. Additionally, there should be a level of comfort in connecting to the organization, so the acts of compassion appear natural and true. This also becomes the time to start to talk about daily acts of kindness – holding doors open for others; helping someone pick up spilled items on a sidewalk, or shoveling a neighbour’s driveway.

Finally, as a parent, you are the best model of compassion and empathy that your child will have – take the time to “practice what you preach”, and let your child see you express kindness and compassion daily.

healthy kids Calming your

anxious mind

for teens ...................................

The teen years are a time of intense change, and with these changes often come intense emotions, anxiety, and stress. If you have a teen dealing with challenges in school, problems with friends, and the scary world of dating, you may need to provide guidance and resources for managing their stress in healthy ways. Written by a nationally recognized pediatrician and expert in mindfulness for adolescents, Calming Your Anxious Mind for Teens provides practical mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

exercises to help teens overcome fears and worries. Originally developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, MBSR is a proven-effective therapy for treating anxiety, depression, stress, and a number of mental health issues. This book is unique in that it specifically adapts MBSR skills for a teen audience. This book offers safe, natural, alternative strategies to effectively manage anxiety and improve day-to-day functioning. It will provide teens with information to help understand anxiety, mindfulness practices for increasing awareness, and practical tips for managing stress. In addition, your child will learn how to navigate friendships, school, family, sports, and other common factors for teen stress with confidence. If you are looking to create a personalized anxiety management plan, this is your guide.

Coming: February, 2014

Family night favourite:

YMCA Membership Join today and enjoy all the benefits of the YMCA ALL NEW Cross-Trainers, Treadmills with Personal Entertainment Systems NEW Free Weights, NEW Selectorized Weight Machines, Fitness Classes and Aquafit Classes and more changes coming in 2013 including: • 8 windows on the track level • new gym flooring and basketball backboards • rebuilt saunas • Membership Desk completely redesigned • improvements made to the areas leading to childcare • exterior painting and signage upgrades Exciting times ahead in 2013 Join as a family; Adults receive all of the above and children receive access to the YMCA plus swim lessons and 2 dry land programs per 12 week session For more information contact one of our Membership Branches or visit our website www.ymcaofceo.ca

Wizard Of Oz Collector’s Edition Monopoly YMCA of Central East Ontario

Belleville and Quinte Region YMCA of Central East Ontario Belleville Branch 433and Victoria Avenue Region Belleville Quinte Belleville, Ontario K8N 2G1 Tel. 613 966-9622 • Fax 6131 962-9247 City of Quinte West Branch 50 Monogram Place Trenton, Ontario K8V 5P8 Tel. 613 394-9622 • Fax 613 394-8223

Belleville Branch 433 Victoria Avenue Belleville, Ontario K8N 2G1 Tel. 613 966-9622 Fax 6131 962-9247

Join Dorothy, The Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow and Toto as you travel to the Land of Oz in MONOPOLY®: The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Edition. Now you can not only travel the Monopoly game board buying, selling and trading Munchkinland, Emerald City and more, but you can traverse INTO the Land of Oz. self. The Land of Oz is viewable from 360 degrees and features classic film locations with a beautifully designed and full playable pop-up game board center. Includes 6 custom tokens: RUBY SLIPPERS™, SCARECROW™ diploma, COWARDLY LION™ Medal, TIN MAN™ Heart, TOTO™ and WICKED WITCH™ Hat. AGES 8+. 2-6 players.

City of Quinte West Branch 50 Monogram Place Trenton, Ontario K8V 5P8 Tel. 613 394-9622 Fax 613 394-8223 Rednersville Road & Hwy 62 www.thedressingroombelleville.ca

29

healthy kids How to make

after school snacking

routinely healthy

.....................................................................

Baby & Maternity

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When kids get home from school, they are often ravenously hungry and head for the cupboard for something quick. Typically they go for salty or sweet “treats” that are anything but healthy and often over portioned before dinner.

A little prep on Sundays will go miles to correct this issue and give parents piece of mind.

Pre-wrap!

Make-ahead wraps are a sure fire way to encourage healthy after-school eating. And, there are a dozen different ingredients that can be combined to keep them interested. Wrap each roll with plastic wrap to seal and store in refrigerator until the night before. Take out and cut into 6 diagonal slices and arrange on a plate, cover with plastic and leave on the top shelf of the refrigerator with carrot slices.

Just one wrap recipe idea…

Ingredients Cream cheese, softened Pesto spread Parmesan cheese Tomato and basil tortilla wraps 3 slices of turkey breast Directions In bowl, blend cream cheese, pesto and Parmesan cheese together until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on each tortilla. Arrange turkey slices over cheese spread. Roll tortilla up jelly-roll style and press edges to seal.

Wrap each roll with plastic wrap to seal; store in refrigerator.

Leave it out and in sight!

Fruit smoothies are much better for your teen than milk shakes, and they’re fun to make too. Frozen fruit makes a good base for smoothies. Leave the blender out on the counter in plain sight along with a different frozen fruit each day and vanilla extract. Your kids can simply toss a chunk of frozen fruit into the blender with a cup of low-fat milk and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Viola!

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Talk with your kids about this new after-school idea that will make things easy and gives them a tasty snack and drink in minutes. Involve your kids by asking them to choose the ingredients that they like and follow their lead.

Batawa Ski Hill Since 1959, it’s the hill that winter dreams are made of

................................................................................................................

If you live in the Bay of Quinte Region, you’ve heard of or enjoyed Batawa ski hill. Batawa is the winter darling of the area. Exciting changes are taking place in the Written by coming months Patricia Mitchell that will bring “fun” back into the sport of skiing and snowboarding!

“By opening day, renovations will be complete on ticket and guest services, rental shop and snow school for an easier flow pattern.

The new layout will make for reduced time in line and more time on the hill.” says Andrew Rusynyk, Batawa General Manager.

The ski patrol provides safety for 30,000 people over the course of the winter season, making it an award winning and proven hot spot for families of all ages. The chairlift can move 2,400 people per hour and is complete with various multi-level terrains - perfect for beginners or advanced enthusiasts.

With a targeted opening day of December 14, the state of art grooming and snow making machines will provide fun in the sun during day hours or a relaxing night ski after dusk. If you prefer to just watch the action or let the kids go off for fun, take advantage of the rustic chalet with Wi-Fi and a fireplace where you can relax and sip hot chocolate.

The recent website renovation makes it easy to research all available offerings and activities, including a Christmas Camp and multi-day programs that will begin in January. The new website even uses a web-cam that’s updated every 30 minutes on the site. In real-time, you can see what’s happening on the hill from anywhere, giving you a unique visual of the hill and facilities. The new web site is a must see!

www.batawaskihill.com Whether you’re out for exercise or the thrill of snow rushing under your skis, this winter gem is the place to make memories with family and friends this season.

So bundle up, snap on and most importantly, have fun!

Photos courtesy of Sam Brady and Batawa Ski Hill

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Family Strategies

Insurance and Denial:

A Few Simple Questions

The best legal minds ...on your side

...................................

Scott E.B. Harwardt B.A., J.D. Area of Practice: Family Law sharwardt@tmlegal.ca

The Leading Full Service Law Firm For Central and South Eastern Ontario

A name you can trust...

Advice you can depend on!

Written by Tom James, SunLife Financial

It is an important consideration in any overall financial strategy, yet it’s a question almost nobody – except for maybe a good financial advisor – ever asks: “Do I have enough insurance?”

Aside from the obvious fact that there are so many more appealing topics of conversation, there are two main reasons for this.

The first is that insurance requires people to think about dying: not really a comfortable topic for anyone. The second is that it involves paying for yet another item on a regular basis when we all feel like we have enough bills already, thank you very much.

But insurance is important. Especially when you consider that we all want to do what is best for our family. Not having adequate insurance is to risk serious – possible horrific – consequences for your family in the aftermath of some form of loss.

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It is necessary to ask yourself “what would my family do if I were suddenly and unexpectedly gone?”

And your answer needs to be better than “they’ll figure something out.” It helps to remember that insurance isn’t just about security in your family’s future – it is also about a sense of security in your family’s present. It’s about peace of mind.

Having adequate insurance becomes important to you when you understand that it has a lot to do with empathy. If you have ever

grieved the loss of a loved one, you know how difficult that situation is.

It is likely disconcerting for you to imagine the people you care about grieving in the event you are the one who has died. Now try to imagine them in that situation dealing with extreme financial hardship at the same time. At this point insurance is probably starting to look a lot less like something to ignore.

We’ve all heard those calls for help on the radio stations. The ones where there is an invitation to help set up a trust fund for a local family that has experienced an incredible loss. In cases like this, the interest, and the public effort, lasts for about a week (a month at the outside). And typically, the result is in the vicinity of $25,000 – an amount that is drastically inadequate for most people’s circumstances.

Some people will say, “my family will be okay because I’m insured through work.” In most cases this is a good start. But it’s exactly that: a START. When you consider that the average work insurance covers about two years of salary, you have to ask yourself if two years is enough time for your family to recover from your death. Is it realistic to think that in just two years, your spouse or partner (who is also in a less than ideal emotional state) is going to increase their income

Family Strategies to a level that compensates for the shortfall from your missing regular income? It’s not likely.

And there’s one last hypothetical question that really puts the insurance issue into perspective.

Imagine you have a machine in your basement that slowly and consistently creates $50,000 a year. Now imagine I come to your door saying I have insurance for your car, for your house – and even for that money-making machine in your basement. Here’s the question. Which of these three things would you insure first?

The answer should be obvious.

And it should seem strange that we prioritize insuring our house and our car while we think of insuring ourselves (the money-making machines) as a relative afterthought or an extra.

Critical illness insurance can protect your finances from the impact of a serious illness. Together we can find the right solutions for your future. Let’s talk about Money for Life TM .

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Critical illnessCaroline insurance Day can protect your finances 613-477-3138 from the impact of a serious illness. Together we caroline.day@sunlife.com can find the right solutions for your future. Let’s TMprotect your finances Critical illness insurance can www.sunlife.ca/caroline.day . talk about Money for Life from the impact of a serious 160 Roslin Road illness. Together we Caroline Day can find the right solutions for Roslin, ON TM your future. Let’s 613-477-3138 talk about Money for Life .

Life’s brightercaroline.day@sunlife.com under the Day sun Caroline © Sun Life Assurancewww.sunlife.ca/caroline.day Company of Canada, 2013.

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Life’s brighter under the sun © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2013.

Like most good things in life, when it comes to insurance, moderation is key. It is important to have enough. But it’s also important not to have more than you need.

You owe it to yourself, and to those you care most about, not to succumb to one of the weaknesses of human nature: the tendency to avoid thinking about something simply because it is unpleasant.

We call this denial, and it is something that, in more cases than not, ends in a situation much more unpleasant than the one we were trying to avoid in the short term.

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healthy pets

Pet Resolutions

Improving health and happiness

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Photos courtesy of Susan Dall www.susandallphotography.com

Written by Dr. Kristina Bennett

New Year’s Resolutions are easy to make but we all have experienced the failed attempts. Often we set goals that are much too difficult to follow through with, despite our best intentions. However, the idea of refocusing on a “fresh start” should be a feeling we all enjoy.

Exercise – Keeping our pets at a healthy weight reduces the risk of heart and joint problems, diabetes and enhances their emotional well-being. What we may not think about is that it is a perfect time to bond with our pets. A simple walk enables a dog to learn proper manners, provides one on one quality time, proper socialization, and exposure to different environments. For the cat, playing with a laser pointer or a crinkle ball will also do wonders for their overall physical and emotional health.

Health Check Up – The best way for our pets to stay ahead of potential health concerns is through a thorough health check done with your veterinarian. Annual examinations of the entire body system including

teeth, lungs/heart, eyes and body condition will be less costly than waiting for an issue to develop.

Waiting for visible symptoms may lead to your pet suffering needlessly from preventable complications.

Annual examinations for your pet also provide a “baseline” and thorough medical history for your veterinarian to be able to refer to or to compare against should you pet fall ill in the future.

Good Nutrition - Pets that eat poor quality food will not have the health reserves compared to those pets on a well-balanced quality diet.

The signs of poor nutrition can be seen in poor skin, hair coat, muscle tone, and obesity problems. It is difficult to choose a proper pet food with all the different opinions out there, which is why nutrition if often a focal point in most annual examinations. Most veterinary staff are able to give educated recommendations on food suitable for your pet at no cost. Also, pets are not humans and a diet rich in table scraps is not a suitable choice as it can lead to problems such as obesity and pancreatitis, both of which lead to a myriad of other health risks and complications.

Good Grooming – Thorough and regular grooming which includes, nail trims, ear cleans, brushing teeth/hair coat, and even parasite control, not only make your pet more pleasing to be around but it is also the best way to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. Taking time to do basic hygiene also strengthens the bond

you have with your pet. Trust is developed and you will gain a better understanding of your pet‘s overall health. This will also alert you to any changes in your pet as problems with nails and hair coat are often due to an underlying medical condition.

Safety – It only takes a moment to assess the toxic or harmful items in your home and backyard or any other environment that your pet will be in. Are these items necessary?

Where else can these items be stored? Can your pet access them and be hurt? If toxins for rodents are used, can your pets still get the rodents? Is your garbage and recycling accessible? Think about enclosures – is the fence secure? Can your pet get caught or hooked up on anything? Or be stuck out in cold weather if you are away?

Information – If possible, consider keeping a medical log of your pet’s visits, medications, special needs etc. Most veterinarians have pet “passports” where all this information can be recorded at every visit. Doing this will allow you to keep track of what is normal or what is not normal for your pet.

Even though the vet clinic medical record for your pet will contain all this information it is wise to have it available at home with you in case of an emergency or if you travel with your pet. The Internet and personal advice are a wealth of information, but caution is strongly advised when seeking out a diagnosis or medical assistance. There is good information and bad infor-

www.thetrail.ca t. 613.478.1444

34

mation and what may have been necessary for one pet is not always what is needed for another. The only way to get a reliable diagnosis is though a complete physical exam, review of medical history and possible laboratory work performed by a technician. Speaking with your veterinarian when there is cause for concern will help strengthen the bond and trust you have with your veterinarian, as your pet‘s health and happiness is what you both care greatly about.

Love and Attention – Take time to bond with your pet. Even if they are indoors and considered a member of your family they still may be ignored. Increasing the time you share together will not only help your pet feel included, it will nourish and create a stronger humananimal bond, it will help your dog establish their place in your family and help your cat overcome any anxiety they may have of people and handling. Also, taking time to sit or play with your pet will do wonders after a stressful day at work! Nothing makes you forget the stresses of a bad day like a purring cat, or slobbery dog kisses!

Maintenance - This includes litter box scooping, yard clean up, cage cleaning, food/water bowl and bed cleaning. A clean environment is a healthy one, but be sure to investigate the cleaning products you use – some animals can have sensitivities or allergies to certain laundry soaps and cleaners and some may even me toxic.

Read product information stickers and contact your veterinarian if you need help choosing a cleaner. Poor sanitation can lead to behaviour issues (litter box avoidance) and some health problems such as the spread of communicable diseases.

Be a Voice - Animals need us to be their voice. Spreading awareness of local fundraisers for local shelters and rescue groups will not only build community support but will help these organizations receive the financial support they need for animals to find forever homes and get the medical treatment they require. Spreading the word about local agility groups, training and animal friendly places help others find places they can bring their pets to play and learn, thus creating and/or nurturing their existing bond.

Volunteer – For every pet happy and safe at home there are more without. This sad truth can be overwhelming to us animal lovers which is why every little bit helps. Financial and supply donations for local shelters, animal charities and rescue groups are greatly needed and appreciated. Even your time is a generous donation – there are always cats that need attention and love, as well as dogs that could use a nice walk.

Dr Kristina Bennett, Dr Lara Sylvester 213 Dundas St E Belleville 613-969-2273 www.fosterparkpethospital.com

Compassionate care for the pet you care so much about.

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healthy pets Keeping our friends safe

Pet Perils over the Holidays

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To help keep your pet out of harm’s way over the Christmas holidays, follow these tips: Photos courtesy of Siobhan Grealis and Dyan Perry

1. Use a large, firm stand, to prevent your Christmas tree from falling over.

Written by Dr. Melissa Merkel

2. To keep cats away from the tree base, encircle it in aluminum foil, cats hate to step on shiny surfaces.

The holidays can be festive for people, but they can be disastrous for your pets!

3. Do not put dangling, breakable ornaments close to the bottom of the tree.

Dangling decorations, especially tinsel can cause intestinal blockage, Christmas trees can fall, electrical wires may electrocute, and some Christmas plants can poison them.

4. Keep tinsel out of reach, better yet, find a substitute for the highly attractive decoration that cats love to swallow.

Cats in particular, love Christmas trees. They’re fresh smelling scratching posts, climbing challenges, and hideaways filled with all kinds of shiny objects to play with.

For dogs, the Christmas tree represents hidden chewable treats to be found amongst the brightly wrapped gifts.

For both dogs and cats, tables laden with delicious holiday snacks or meals are extremely tempting – but many of these foods can make them very sick. Eating fatty leftovers from Christmas dinner can cause pancreatitis, drinking alcohol laced eggnog can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and chocolate can be lethal to dogs. Less than 4 oz. of milk chocolate per pound of body weight can cause clinical signs of toxicity.

Mistletoe and holly berries are poisonous to both dogs and cats. One to two holly berries can be fatal.

Poinsettias are a stomach irritant and may cause vomiting.

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5. Unplug lights when you are not home, and watch carefully so that your pet does not chew on electrical wires.

6. Do not decorate your tree with edible items.

7. Do not put wrapped food such as candies or chocolate under the tree.

8. Avoid feeding your pets leftovers from Christmas dinner.

9. If your pet is outside, make sure that it does not have access to antifreeze, which pets find very attractive due to its sweetness, a very small amount can be fatal.

10. Remember on cold winter days or nights, cats like to climb into warm car engines. Tap or bang on the hood to scare them away before starting the car.

11. Be sure that your pet has an ID tag with your address and phone number on its collar just in case they escape the house or yard during the comings and goings of visitors.

12. Think carefully before giving a pet as a gift to someone.

Giving pets as gifts: The decision to adopt a pet should not be based on an impulse purchase. Pets are a lifelong commitment and many people cannot cope with their care and training.

It is also unrealistic for adults to expect children to take on the responsibility of caring for a dog or cat before the child is old enough to understand the obligations a pet places on his or her life. Humane societies throughout North America are continually flooded with unwanted animals, especially so at Christmas time and they are barely able to financially cope with the care of those animals. The result is the euthanasia of millions of dogs and cats every year.

Take good care of your pets, follow the above guidelines and ….

HAPPY HOLIDAY TO ALL!

SEASON

healthy pets Experience Giving that Truly Gives Back: Alfies Story

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Alfie Written By Cheryl Lepine, Community and Fund Development Coordinator – Quinte Humane Society

Our Quinte Humane Society in Belleville offers approximately 3000 animals a second chance for a better life, but there is sometimes an animal that needs that one on one attention for various reasons. The shelter staff does not have the time to spend with just one poor dog or cat when there are hundreds to care for. This is where a foster home comes in. Every shelter has the need for these volunteers, perhaps for a pregnant female, or an animal recovering from surgery.

In my heart-wrenching eight years as a cruelty agent, I have seen many things. I try to block many of them from my memory but they still creep back to mind and haunt me almost daily. Even though I now work in a different capacity at our shelter, each time I go to work, I am compelled to visit all the animals to find out who is new and why they are there.

For me, there is a particular case that illustrates the incredible benefits and rewards of foster care. It’s the tale of a dog that lost the will to live: a very special fellow named “Alfie.”

With the body of a basset hound, short turned-in legs, and the coat of a Bearded Collie, Alfie is an unusual looking guy. It’s part of what makes him so irresistible.

When he arrived at our shelter, he was only about a year old. He had been beaten terribly and shivered in a constant state of fear. He would

also dart away from any human contact. When he was left on his own, Alfie would just sit and look into the wall – sometimes for hours at a time.

His eyes were dead and he never wagged his tail. Much of the time, despite how badly you wanted to hold and comfort him, he wouldn’t let you get close. It seemed like he had given up on life and he displayed all the symptoms of a deep, consuming depression – something I had never seen in an animal before.

Of course, I had to do something!

After about two hours of what I am sure was quite the spectacle to everyone else at the shelter that day, I finally managed to lasso Alfie with a leash. He thrashed, flailed about, and bit at the leash. At some point, he must have bitten his tongue because there was blood dripping on the floor.

With a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I knew I was committed at this point and that there was no going back. I choked back panic and walked for the door dragging poor kicking, yelping, bleeding Alfie. My heart was broken – but I had to follow this through. Finally, he resigned himself to the fact that walking was a better way to go, and he hesitantly walked at my side.

After about a mile, we turned and headed back. And though he was shaking less, he would not look at me. It was a good start – and I dared to hope it might be a new beginning for Alfie.

Without too much effort, he went into a carrier and came home from the shelter with me.

Fortunately, I had left the leash on.

It helped me to coax him back out of the carrier because he certainly didn’t want to come out on his own.

When he finally got out, he lunged for the security of a dark spot behind a sofa and was gone. I did not see him or hear from him again until the next day.

When, finally, Alfie slowly peeked around the edge of the sofa, I seized his leash and brought him to me. I

spoke softly, as if to a newborn baby.

I am sure I must have sounded like a total idiot. When I gently touched his back, he jumped, but I held the leash and told him everything would be OK. As we sat together on the floor – for hours I’m sure – he slowly came to realize I wasn’t a threat. Though he continued to quiver, he did so to a lesser degree. The healing had begun. When he looked up at me, just for a brief moment, his eyes were still cold, but some of the fear was gone and I was sure I saw a distant spark in his big brown eyes: a spark that begged me not to give up.

Alfie has been with me now for quite some time. He still hides when someone comes over, but when it’s just us, he is a very spunky fellow. He jumps on the sofa at night when we watch TV. He runs around the yard with my other crazy dogs. He eats and drinks like he should. And he walks on a leash better than some dogs with years of obedience training. Amazingly, considering he spent his early life in a filthy rusting cage exposed to the elements and has never been in a house before, he has never made a mess in our home.

Alfie’s past life – a tale of cold cruelty that is difficult to understand – is one he cannot tell now. His sad eyes have changed. The once distant spark now pulses with light, life, and yes… love.

I share this story with hopes that others can understand the depth of feeling that accompanies providing a foster home to an animal in need.

People need to be reminded that they can – and do – make a difference.

In this season of giving, which is always rich with compassion, we need to remember the creatures we share our world with. They need and deserve our love too. It truly is something that needs to be experienced to be understood. Especially at this time of year, what they give back to us really is one of the greatest miracles of life.

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Publishers top 6 picks

for gift giving

There’s nothing like finding that perfect gift and then wrapping it beautifully for the people you care about. Here are 6 gift giving ideas that sure to bring smiles Christmas morning.

Picks for friends, teachers and coaches

MIRROR FRAME Handcrafted using antiqued Venetian-inspired mirrors, mini photo-frame ornaments lend vintage character and sparkle to the tree. Delicate bevels on each piece of distressed glass catch light from every angle, enhancing their shimmering effect.

Frames are a great gift and once hung, a continual reminder of your thoughtfulness. Incredibly affordable and available online. www.restorationhardware.com

2)

Picks for the men

TORONTO SPORTSMAN SHOW February 6, 2014 McCoy Bus Service and Tours Canada’s largest fishing and outdoor super show. The excitement is all under one roof! www.gomccoy.com

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3)

Picks for the ladies

VAREKAI. CIRQUE DU SOLIEL. January 16 – 19, 2014 The word Varekai means “wherever” in the Romany language of the gypsies. This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to those who quest with infinite passion along the path that leads to Varekai. www.rogersk-rockcentre.com

ELF ON A SHELF Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf® – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages. This isn’t a new product, but one worth adding to your holiday tradition. www.scalliwagtoys.ca

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5)

Picks for your pets

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4)

Picks for the kids

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ECO FUTON This versatile low profile bed combines the softness and comfort of Eco Tech fleece (made from recycled plastic bottles) with the rugged durability of waterproof nylon. Overstuffed with Super Soft recycled fiber. Circle tufting creates a stylish mattress look while preventing fiber from clumping or shifting when washing. www.bowsers.com

6)

Picks for your boss, colleague or client

DONNINIS CHOCOLATE GIFT BASKET Choose from an assortment of heart healthy nuts and dark Gourmet chocolate to gift boxed truffles and candy. Pre-order gift baskets and simply pull in and pick up! Delicious, local gift giving has never been easier.

Personal favorite- dark chocolate desert cups. Fill with fresh berries, add a dollop of vanilla yogurt and drizzle with hot dark chocolate.

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