Issue 2 December
Happy Holidays Health Studies!
2014
The Apple The Holiday Issue
The Apple - Holiday Issue HSSA's online Newsletter This is our second issue of The Apple, and it's just in time for the holidays! Included are upcoming events within the School of Health Studies, recap of past events from November, relevant news and events in the field of Health Sciences and a nutritious recipe for you to try out.
The purpose of this newsletter is to help keep the student body up to date and informed of what's happening within their faculty, any upcoming events and things to look out for. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, or perhaps a recipe you'd like to subimit or an article topic you'd like to suggest, feel free to email us at westernhssa@gmail.com!
WHAT'S ONE THING YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
A WORD FROM DR. KLOSECK:
TARA: Beating my 3 brothers in our annual snowball fight.
achievements this term. We have, once again, seen
KYLEEN: Baking desserts for family dinners.
and overwhelming and enthusiastic commitment by students
ALISIYAH: I really like stuffing, so I would be excited to eat a lot of stuffing...
exciting learning community for all. We are very proud of our
MIN: Seeing my family and friends reactions when they open their gifts!
gone by quickly, everyone has worked hard and, we are
JENNY: Spending time with my family and friends.
anything you need, I encourage you to get in touch with our
MELISSA: Rocking out to Christmas music while decorating the tree.
committed to
EMILY: Singing Christmas carols on sleigh rides at the tree farm with my family!
successful end of
As 2014 winds down I would like to offer hearty congratulations to everyone for the many remarkable exceptional student leadership, incredible volunteer efforts to work with our faculty and staff to make our School an students. On behalf of all faculty and staff in the School, I wish you every success with your final exams. The term has moving into a very stressful time of the year. If there is Administrative Office. We are here to help and ensuring a term. My very best wishes to all for a happy and safe
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holiday. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Dr. Marita Kloseck Director, School of Health Studies
NOVEMBER EVENT RECAP: Take A Seat, Make a Friend By: Joey Chan As exam season approached, it is safe to say the stress levels had sky rocketed and all that was needed was someone to talk to. HSSA launched their “Take a Seat, Make a Friend”, early November with great success in hopes to reach to the student body to step out of their comfort zone in a fun
manner. Sitting in the UCC was a ball pit that caught the attention of each person who walked by. Not only was this a throwback to childhood memories, it was a special ball pit where strangers and friends were invited to take a moment to sit down and have a friendly conversation. It was amazing to see students who stopped in the middle of their busy schedules to reach out
to have a friendly conversation with a stranger. There were people who sunk right into the pit, releasing their stress and others who made a stranger into a friend. Regardless, it is safe to say people enjoyed this experience, leaving with huge smiles on their faces.
Spread the Word, Not the Disease! By: Emily Johnston World AIDS Day falls on December 1 every year, the purpose being to raise awareness and education on the disease. This brings us to the question, what is AIDS? AIDS is a disease caused by a virus called HIV. A person can be infected with HIV for many years and not be aware of it – this is called an asymptomatic HIV infection. Symptoms arise once the virus has reached its later stages, and it is at this time when AIDS is more likely to develop.
HIV is found in the bodily fluids of an individual and is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood contact or sexual contact. It is extremely important to use multiple forms of protection when engaging in sexual activity. About one in every five Americans is HIV positive, and is unaware of it. Be sure to see your physician or go to a local clinic to be tested for HIV, as this disease is difficult to detect until it reaches harmful stages. It has been found that more people die from HIV/AIDS in a
48-hour period than have died in the entire Ebola epidemic, so far. This is a frightening statistic. Here at Western, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is fascinated by these statistics and spend a great deal of time researching the causes for the rapid spreading of this disease. Researchers are coming together on December 1 in the Medical Sciences Building at 1 p.m. to exchange knowledge and update on the latest breakthroughs surrounding HIV/ AIDS.
In Memory of The Massacre By: Emily Johnston The sixth of December marks the 25th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. On this day in 1989, Marc Lépine murdered fourteen innocent women attending Montreal’s L’École Polytechnique. He entered several classrooms where he separated the women from the men and preceded to shoot the women as he “fought feminism.” Today, we acknowledge these women. We live in a country that strives for equality, and actions such as these are unacceptable. Gender discrimination is still an issue that must continue to be reminded about. Similar to the Polytechnique, Western is an academic institution that encourages the learning and exploration of broad societal issues, including ones of women’s rights and violence against women.
The women of Montreal were abused for standing up for what they believe in. At Western, we strive to make this a safe place where everyone feels comfortable expressing their values and beliefs in an academic setting. The actions we take will help increase awareness, inspire change, and end violence against women and girls. Join the university community in a moment of silence and wear white clothing as a tribute to the women who lost their lives.
Great success at the: Health Science Career Direction Fair We hope that many of you had the chance to attend the Career Direction Fair that happened on November 12 at the Great Hall. The event showcased both Health Studies and Kinesiology related post-undergraduate school programs and employment opportunities. Keep an eye out for the release of the Career Video put together by HSSA! It'll be a recap of the Career Direciton Fair for those of you who missed out!
Events in Dec: Exam De-stressor Snacks are coming your way, on behalf of HSSA! Drop by HSB 8 on December 4th and 5th from 10 am to 1pm and munch on some cookies, hot chocolate and coffee - for free! In the light of holiday spirit and finals, who doesn't want a yummy break?
Homemade Coconut Cashew Butter If you like peanut butter you’ll love this Coconut Cashew Butter. It’s rich and creamy and contains a lot of good fats, so you don’t have to feel too guilty about eating it straight from the jar. Ingredients: * 1 ½ cups roasted cashews * 1/8 teaspoon salt * 1 tablespoon sugar * 1/4 cup coconut oil * vanilla bean seeds, optional Directions: IIn a food processor, blend cashews, salt, and sugar together for three to five minutes until a smooth. Add coconut oil and vanilla bean seeds and process until combined. Store in the refrigerator.
Homelessness at Christmas time By: Jenny Van Dorp 30 000 Canadians are estimated to be homeless on any given night. Being homeless at Christmastime leads to a much different experience from the classic picture of family gatherings, laughter, and shopping frenzies. For University students, there is a mounting hype as exam period comes to an end and students prepare to go home to family, friends and Christmas fun. Alternatively, homeless people have no place to invite family and friends, no home to decorate, and often no place where they feel safe and happy. Homeless people often will not see their family at Christmastime, as they have no money or means of transportation to visit them.
The financial pressures of the Christmas season lead to increased numbers of homeless people. As a result of financial constraints, the homeless are often unable to buy gifts for those close to them and cannot reciprocate the generosity that others show towards them. Christmas becomes like any other day for the homeless as they are often left to sit in the cold and observe the festivities, unable to participate. We are privileged as students to have the opportunity to pursue an education that will hopefully lead to a prosperous career. Even so, life does not always go as planned and unlucky circumstances could lead to any one of us becoming homeless. In this regard, we need to look out for one
another and make the holidays a more special time for those without roofs over their heads. One small act of kindness can make a difference; for example donating food, money, or gifts such as homemade scarves and mittens to homeless shelters can improve a homeless person’s wellbeing. Donating your time is just as valuable as donating food or gifts. Give back to the London community over the holidays by volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen such as “Ark Aid Street Mission” or “Soup Sisters”. Christmas is a time of generosity and bringing people together. This Christmas season do what you can to bring joy, generosity and Christmas cheer to the homeless.
Dark Chocolate Holiday Bark Kyleen Wong Made with dark chocolate, which is loaded with nutrients that can enhance your health, this version of chocolate bark is a holiday treat that you can fully enjoy.
2. Spread the sliced almonds and the unsweetened coconut in an even layer on the baking sheet. Toast 5–8 minutes or until coconut just begins to brown. Remove baking sheet from the oven, and let cool. 3. In a large bowl, combine almonds, coconut, rice cereal, and dried cranberries. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the mixture, and set aside.
Ingredients:
* 1 cup sliced almonds * ¼ cup unsweetened coconut * 1 cup oven-toasted rice cereal * 1 cup dried cranberries * 1 ½ pounds good-quality dark chocolate (aim for 70% cocoa solids) * 1 teaspoons vegetable oil Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
4. Place chopped white chocolate and 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a large heatproof bowl, and set over a medium saucepan of simmering water. Stir with a spatula until the chocolate is completely melted. 5. Remove the chocolate from heat, and fold in the almond mixture. Spread mixture evenly on parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle on the reserved 1/4 cup topping. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate has completely set. Break the bark into small pieces, and serve.
Study Breaks - Stretches to Ease the Tension By: Melissa Bucking If you are like me, sitting for long hours hunched over a desk makes you sore and cranky. Unfortunately, when you have work to do there are few other options. Next time you are stuck at a desk, take a five minute break each hour to get that blood flowing and keep you from getting sore. Step 1: Stand up and walk somewhere – for me it’s the water fountain. Getting those legs moving keeps you from getting stiff Step 2: Hunch your shoulders, hold for 5 seconds and release. Repeat this a few times Step 3: Clasp your hands in front of you and hunch your back. Take your arms up and over your
head, leaning back slightly. Reverse the motion Step 4: Clasp your hands behind your back and arch. Move your arms up and down as far as your flexibility allows, letting yourself lean forward slightly Step 5: Roll your wrists, your ankles, and your head (be very gentle with your head) Step 6: Repeat step 1 only with different muscles – i.e. tense up your arms, hold for 5 seconds and release. Do this starting with muscles near your head and moving down to your toes. This is called progressive muscle relaxation Step 7: Give yourself a little massage. Take both hands and clasp your shoulders with your
fingers touching your back and your thumb in the front. Starting near the outside, knead your shoulders pulling up slightly and moving towards the inside. When you get to your neck, take just one hand and make tiny circles with your fingers moving from the nape of your neck to right under your head. From here, spread your fingers in your hair at the bottom of your scalp and move up – just like you were shampooing. Lastly, release the muscles in your face. Open and close your jaw; move it around. Raise and lower your eyebrows. Now you should hopefully be feeling a little less tense - Happy Studying!
Volunteer opportunities: Making Waves Personal Experience with Making Waves Megan Yang, HSSA's USC Councillor, volunteers with Making Waves. Here's her experience:
Ratified as a USC club, our volunteers are all undergraduate students at Western.
Making Waves London is a non-for-profit, student-run organization and a registered chapter of Making Waves Canada. The program’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible swimming instruction to children with special needs in the London community. Making Waves has a focus on injury prevention and early water safety intervention for children with the highest risk of drowning in our society.
The goals of Making Waves are inspirational but to me it means so much more. Making Waves is the organization that grew my heart to ten times its size. The children that participate in the program are so diverse, resilient and admiring. The families these children come from are supportive, understanding and encouraging. The student instructors that
volunteer their time each week are committed, dedicated and open-minded. However, the most magical part of the program is seeing 115 children and 115 volunteers work together each week to collectively make a difference in each other’s lives. In my four years at Western and involvement with Making Waves, I have quite literally seen children and volunteers grow up and have seen firsthand the positive impact this program has. It is without a doubt that Sunday afternoons are the most meaningful part of my
Local Businesses to Relieve Stress By: Jenny Van Dorp With finals nearing and the semester coming to an end, students are in desperate need of a well-earned release. Good news for you: I have lots of ideas on how to de-stress and get a break from studying to optimize you productivity when you hit the books. One of my favourite study breaks is to grab some frozen yogurt with friends. A good place to check out is Chil, an organic frozen yogourt franchise with tasty flavours like banana split and birthday cake. Be mindful that frozen yogourt still contains large amounts of sugar and portions should be moderated. Try visiting one of London’s delicious local eateries as a study break. A personal favourite is VegOut, a vegan
restaurant that incorporates organic, fair trade and locally grown food. They recently released a new menu that makes traditional Western meals vegan. Zen Gardens is a Chinese vegetarian restaurant with healthy options. They use natural ingredients and neither chemicals nor preservatives. A good way to decrease stress and increase focus is through yoga or meditation. Try Moksha Yoga where they offer a pay-what-you-can “Power to the People” class. Also, Yoga Shack has $5 classes or free hot yoga on Friday nights. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush to wash away the monotony of your mountains of readings,
I recommend rock climbing at Junction Climbing. Crossfit London is a great place to go to relieve built-up stress and tension. It offers boot camps, personal training, and even free workout sessions by appointment each week. On campus you can find therapy puppies and art therapy to help de-stress and wash away any exam blues. Taking breaks gives your brain a rest and will help keep you more focused when you are actually doing work. It is easy to get worried and overwhelmed during exam season and it is important to take time to reward yourself for all of your hard work.
UPCOMING EVENTS in December Final Exam Season is upon us! Make sure that you know the dates your final exams are scheduled on! Tips for studying for finals: - Make a study schedule and stick with it! - Take breaks when necessary - Feed yourself nutritious meals (use some of our recipes!)
We heard your pleas for study spaces! We are proud to announce that HSB will be open for the period of Monday, December 01, 2014 through Wednesday, December 17, 2014 will be from 6:00 am to 10:30 pm 7 days-a-week. Happy studying!
PAST EVENTS in November By: Alisiyah Daya
FALL PREVIEW DAY
POST-ITS
Fall Preview Day took place on November 14th. The health science building had very high traffic of prospective students considering the health studies, kinesiology, and nursing programs. Students from all around Canada visited Western and were greeted by student volunteers, affiliated association members, and health sciences administration. It was a very nostalgic experience to speak to dozens of highschools students about their education paths and journeys. It was particularly interesting to see how much all the volunteers have grown in their understanding of health studies, how their passions may have changed or sparked, and how much Western has played a role in preparing them for the next steps in their lives.
Did you happen to stumble across some positive little messages on post-it notes in the UCC, HSB, Taylor Library and Weldon Library? We hope you did. We also hope we were able to cheer you up and put a smile on your face. During Health and Wellness Week in November, the HSSA team spent hours writing and crafting personal messages on hundreds of post-it notes. And it most definitely seems to have paid off! Based on the feedback, the postits were very well received by students all over campus.We're pleased because we also had a really fun time writing and distributing the cheerful messages
Eight hours and a sore throat later, the event was a complete success! Yay!
We hope you got a chance to see these post-its of encouraging words throughout campus!
Come by for free cookies, hot chocolate and coffee on December 4 & 5 at HSB 8 from 10am to 1pm! Who doesn't love a good snack (espeically when they're free?) Best of luck on finals,
If you have any recipes you would like to submit, please directly message us through our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/ WesternHSSA