17 minute read
Kids on the Trail
Start family hikes off on the right foot
BY STEPHEN HUI Author of Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, in Vancouver, B.C.
STEPHENHUI STEPHENHUI
Do you remember the first time you saw a waterfall? Heard frogs croaking? Spotted a beaver lodge? Stood inside a cave? When you take a hike with young kids, you get to experience the magic of discovering nature all over again. It’s a golden opportunity to create beautiful memories, expand their understanding of the world, and build self-confidence. Plus, it’s the perfect antidote to all that screen time.
Hitting the trail with kids can be both gratifying and exasperating, and comes with its own special charms and challenges. Get off on the right foot and you might have a hiking buddy for life. Here are some tips for a safe and successful hike with kids.
PACK A FULL CHANGE OF CLOTHES
Kids have a propensity to get wet, and a cold kid is an unhappy kid. Bring warm layers and rain gear too. Avoid cotton - just like adults, kids need quick-dry clothing and proper footwear. Don’t forget the wet wipes and, if applicable, extra diapers.
BRING FOOD THE KIDS WILL EAT (AND PLENTY OF IT)
Prevent the hangry child. Frequent snacking (and drinking) will help keep kids’ energy levels and spirits up. Pack a picnic for lunch. Be sure to carry extra water.
REDUCE YOUR SPEED
Curious kids will stop to investigate every ditch, snail, or spiderweb. Have a closer look yourself and delight in their discoveries.
TAKE LOTS OF BREAKS
Shorter legs require more steps to cover the same distance. If you never had any use for park benches and picnic tables, you’ll appreciate their value now.
SEEK OUT WATER
Whether it’s icicles, lakes, puddles, streams, or waves on a beach, water is a huge hit with kids. Any trail with plenty of opportunities to see, hear, and splash in water is solid gold. Keep kids close and be careful around slippery rocks, swift currents, and deep water.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM DROP-OFFS AND WILDLIFE
Hold on to young kids in steep terrain and around cliffs. Don’t throw stones from heights, roll rocks downhill, or chase wildlife. Stay together to reduce the likelihood of a bear attack or getting lost.
TALK ABOUT SAFETY
Pack the 10 essentials (light, signalling device, fire-making kit, extra clothes, pocket knife, shelter or emergency blanket, water and food, first-aid kit, navigation and communication (cellphone) devices, sun protection) and leave a trip plan with a responsible person — and include the kids as you do. Teach kids the four rules of AdventureSmart’s Hug a Tree and Survive program:
1. Tell an adult where you are going 2. If you are lost, “hug a tree” and stay put 3. Keep warm and dry 4. Help searchers find you by answering their calls
GREAT HIKES FOR KIDS
British Columbia
KILLARNEY LAKE
Location: Bowen Island Round trip: 8 km
Walk onto the ferry at Horseshoe Bay to savour this lollipop hike in Crippen Regional Park. Stop to observe a waterfall and fish ladder. Find the hollow trees. If you’re lucky, you’ll see horses on the trail.
Alberta
JOHNSON LAKE
Location: Banff National Park Round trip: 3 km
Circumnavigate a pretty lake not far from the town of Banff. Have a picnic or take a swim. There’s even a rope swing. Views of Mount Rundle and Cascade Mountain are guaranteed to impress the whole family.
Ontario
MIZZY LAKE TRAIL
Location: Algonquin Provincial Park Round trip: 11 km
Give up counting all the beaver lodges and dams as you thread your way through several lakes. Listen for the call of the loon. Odds are good that you’ll see a moose — or at least a turtle. Kids will enjoy the lengthy boardwalks.
TOP DOCTORS & MEDICAL CHAMPIONS — 2022 —
A look at top local doctors and medical industry professionals who are passionate and dedicated to improving the health and lives of others by giving extraordinary care. Your passport to better health begins here.
Dr. E. Anderson Penno, MD, MS, Dipl. ABO, FRCSC.
Western Laser Eye Associates
Our vision is an integral part of your life
The future for corrective vision surgery in Alberta is doubly bright in Calgary. Western Laser Eye Associates is one of just two refractive surgery clinics in the province to offer the most advanced surgical options to correct vision through a full array of products and services.
Dr. Ellen Anderson Penno, owner of Western Laser Eye, will be partnering with Dr. Daniel Senekal to be one of only two laser centres in Alberta to offer SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) the next-generation laser technology for the gentle correction of vision defects. SMILE is minimally invasive “no-flap” laser surgery that is easier on the patient with an excellent safety record with more than 3.5 million cases having been done worldwide since 2008. SMILE patients also recover quicker than those who have undergone traditional laser surgery.
Dr. Anderson Penno is building on an 18-year legacy at Western Laser Eye that has helped thousands of patients improve their vision through surgery or prescription eyewear.
She did her ophthalmology residency at the Mayo Clinic, and trained and worked with Dr. Howard Gimbel, the dean of Canadian eye surgeons, after a refractive surgery fellowship under his mentorship. Dr. Anderson Penno has been operating her own clinic in Northwest Calgary since 2004.
“We are here to provide quality care and efficient service, both for laser vision correction and for general ophthalmology clinical care,” says Dr. Anderson Penno. “We value patients first and quality care. When you come for laser vision correction, you can be sure we are assessing your complete eye health and are here to provide care for today and in the future.”
Dr. Anderson Penno celebrates the successes with every one of her patients and her colleagues at Western Laser Eye who are part of the care team. If you want to get to know another side of this fascinating woman, you can read her creative writing in Pank Magazine and Bodega Magazine. She is also writing a memoir due out in 2024 with NeWest Press in Edmonton.
Western Laser Eye Associates
6427 Bowness Road NW Calgary, AB T3B 0E6 Laser Vision Correction 403-547-9775 General Opthalmology & Optometry 403-247-1477
Western Laser Eye Associates westernlasereye.com
Dr. Traj Nibber, PHD.
Advanced Orthomolecular Research
Catalyzing change and challenging conventions through continuous innovation
Known across North America for producing quality products, AOR has one of the most sophisticated supplement lines that aid everything from brain power, to immune system support and bone and joint health. Has your doctor or naturopath prescribed supplements for your health? Odds are AOR has filled the bill.
AOR was founded in 1991 by Dr. Traj Nibber, a pharmacist who developed his own compounds to help patients suffering from AIDS. His mission expanded far beyond and he began researching and sourcing raw materials for AOR supplements from around the world. The company puts Dr. Nibber’s pharmaceutical principles into practice today to create the most effective products with the highest quality raw materials.
“Our processes allow us to ensure potency, purity and traceability from plant to product, giving our customers the certainty that they are always getting the same, effective formulation,” says Dr. Nibber. “We introduce and implement the latest testing strategies as part of our quality assurance process because we believe that it’s not about checking boxes, but how the boxes are checked that is important.”
Raw materials are sourced from around the world, including India, China and Europe. Products are developed at AOR’s Calgary laboratory where raw materials are researched and tested. Supplements are manufactured in AOR’s Calgary plant and inspected to ensure consistent, quality products that are free of contaminants.
All products go through rigorous clinical trials and meet strict regulatory standards. Health Canada must give its stamp of approval with a Natural Product Number (NPN). This verifies the potency and usage of the product’s ingredients and assures the consumers they can make an educated choice when purchasing the product.
For 30 years AOR has been an innovator in providing safe, science-based, quality health products. “When we started, we wanted to elevate the industry and as a dynamic company we will continue to follow the science and engage with our customer base. The safety of our consumers is a high priority,” says Dr. Nibber.
Advanced Orthomolecular Research
3900 – 12 Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 8H9 1-800-387-0177
AORHealth AORHealth AORHealth www.aor.ca
Dr. Lorelei Zacharias, D.C.; David Balfour, Director; Dr. William Shannon, D.C. Clayton Heights Sports & Therapy Centre
105-18640 Fraser Hwy, Surrey B.C. V3S 7Y4 604-579-0105
claytonphysio Claytonheightsphysio claytonheightsphysio.com
Clayton Heights Sports & Therapy Centre
The best physiotherapy treatments in Surrey
David Balfour’s medical charts might be the only thing someone needs to read to discover the raison d’etre for Clayton Heights Sports and Therapy Centre. A young athlete and entrepreneur, Mr. Balfour suffered catastrophic injuries in two separate car accidents just five years apart in 2003 and 2008. Rehabilitation was a long and arduous process—both times—learning to walk again, coping with concussion, proving the doctors wrong about his chances for recovery. His laundry list of injuries affected every part of his body, from serious head trauma to dozens of shattered bones.
“They did manage to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. All it took was 23 surgeries, three rods, a metal plate, a pin and 18 screws,” he says. Through the months and years of rehab, Mr. Balfour’s eyes opened to a significant finding about the practitioners he went to for help. Some were passionate, caring and patient focussed, while others seemed more concerned with the business operations.
When he founded Clayton Heights in Surrey, B.C. in 2011, Mr. Balfour separated those responsibilities, taking care of business himself, while carefully assembling a team of multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary therapists whose only concern was the welfare of their patients. What started with one part-time physio has evolved into a team of 22 therapists and five support staff. Treatment plans are customized for each person, not only based on their injury, but also their personality and culture.
“I had a vision of a clinic where patient care was the focus and getting results mattered. It mattered a lot to me,” he says. “My heart felt that if I hired passionate practitioners and let them do what they did best—help their patients, and I did what I could do best—market, grow, brand and support the therapist, then we would succeed.”
Physio, chiropractic and massage therapy are at the core of Clayton Heights services, with the most modern of techniques and equipment providing virtually every kind of therapy for an injured client, or for those who want to stay injury free.
“Our mission is to help improve your life and lifestyle by helping you get better and be injury free. We get you back to normal— whatever your normal is. We do this by finding the root source of your injuries, treating them and customizing a plan to hit and exceed your goals and expectations.”
Dr. Laurie Simons Fisher, Founder & Owner, PhD, MKin, RMT.
Calgary Muscle and Soft Tissue Clinic
Developing Personalized Treatment in a Team Environment
Looking for treatment that relieves pain with a personalized approach? You might just find what you are looking for at the Calgary Muscle and Soft Tissue Clinic (CMSTC).
Laurie Simons Fisher, who opened her first clinic in 2018, recognizes that skilled specialists who work collaboratively are important to overall patient treatment success. She has been able to assemble a team of quality, highly trained therapists to be part of the team. Adding specialists to the CMSTC team is ongoing particularly if it is the right fit.
Simons Fisher is understatedly perfectly poised for this leadership role. She is highly qualified as an advanced orthopedic manual therapist first training in biomechanical kinesiology, before acquiring a PhD in myofascial and connective tissue dysfunction. She serves actively on the medical care roster for the Calgary Stampeders, is on the massage therapy faculty at Mount Royal University, regularly consults for the purpose of curriculum development and sits as Editor in Chief for the Journal of Manual Therapy Science.
With 25 specialists working from two locations—Lincoln Park and Bowness— the busy clinic offers a full complement of services including massage therapy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic. Athletic therapy, gait analysis, and nutritional services are also available.
“Our approach is therapeutically based and medically focused” say Simons Fisher. “We receive referrals from the orthopaedic and medical community but many hear of us by word-of-mouth. We see a range of clients from professional athletes, to weekend warriors and anyone who experiences pain. We invest in our patients and treat them like family”.
The Calgary Muscle and Soft Tissue Clinic
Lincoln Park Suite 21 10 Richard Way, SW Calgary, AB T2E 7M9 403-764-1400 Bowness Suite 104, 6404 Bowness Rd, NW Calgary, AB T3B 2B9 403 764-1400
teamcmstc cmstc.ca
Eileen Tang, Chloé Richardson, Peter Schwagly, Ken Leggatt, Jerry Kroll.
Bodycomp Imaging by Jevitty
Achieve optimal health in minutes with a body composition scan
Are you hitting a plateau in your training? Then consider undergoing a simple body composition scan. One Vancouver company, Bodycomp Imaging is becoming the gold standard in personal body imaging with scans that can give accurate results in just minutes.
The three markers of good health are lean muscle mass, strong bones, and minimal visceral fat. Through DXA technology, Bodycomp’s Jevitty scan takes just six minutes to do an overall visual of your body measuring your lean tissue, fat, and bone.
Bodycomp owner Jerry Kroll had his first scan in 2011 to optimize his marathon training. “Seeing my lean body mass percentages and bone structure image was transformational in directing my focus and habits on the areas that have the best effect on my health and performance,” he says. Kroll, who has a marathon PB of 3:04, was so impressed he bought the company!
The Jevitty scan is the most accurate method to assess body composition and can help individuals to make important dietary and fitness decisions. Regular scans—every three to six months—are recommended to achieve optimal health results.
“After my scan I realized I needed more weight training to improve my bone density,” says Vancouver coach Carey Nelson. “I also needed to increase flexibility to rebalance my spine. If you are monitoring your fitness, it’s a good idea to have a scan twice a year.”
“DXA scans provides the client with an incredible summary of their fat mass and the distribution of that fat throughout their body, as well as information regarding their lean mass and bone density and caloric needs,” says former Bodycomp owner Peter Schwagly.
Jevitty scans are affordable and accessible to anyone at any age. “The combination of quantification, encouragement and education helps clients make meaningful long-term changes to their health and fitness level,” adds Schwagly.
With four locations on the Lower Mainland, Bodycomp Imaging is broadening its reach and developing relationships within the medical profession and fitness industry to access individuals who want to take care of their health for years to come.
“If you have not yet had a Jevitty scan, you are missing out on one of the most important tools in your fitness toolbox. I guarantee it,” adds Kroll.
Bodycomp Imaging by Jevitty
Vancouver 550 West Broadway, Suite 518 Neelu Bachra Centre Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1E9 604-689-1911 White Rock 15165 Russell Ave (Inside the Wellness Garage) White Rock, B.C. V4B 2P4 778-302-8445 Kitsilano 2080 W 10th Ave Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2B3 (Inside Innovative Fitness) 236-591-4015 South Surrey #100 – 15303 31st Ave Surrey, B.C. V3Z 6X2 (Inside Innovative Fitness) 236-591-4011
bodycompimaging Bodycomp Imaging bodycomp.ca
Dr. Sammy Oh, PhD, DNM, Board Certified Doctor of Natural Medicine, Biofeedback Specialist, Functional Nutritionist.
Health Optimizing Langley
How Health Optimizing is treating children who suffer from brainwave imbalances
Sammy Oh’s interest in the brain and how it functions stems from her childhood when her older brother suffered a head injury at just eight months old. Growing up with him, she developed an interest in how to treat symptoms of brain injuries the natural way rather than the traditional medical method.
A doctor of natural medicine, nutritionist and a biofeedback specialist, Oh has been helping patients for 18 years and with two clinics in Langley, B.C. has consulted over 9,000 clients.
She talks with passion about how her experience with her own son’s ADHD condition led her to helping children from ages six to 12 who have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Her treatment method builds on her biofeedback background, treating clients through brain assessments rather than medication and psychological counselling, which is often the medical approach, she says. “We focus on finding the real problem, which are imbalances in the hardware of the brain. We use advanced European brain technologies to find the root causes.”
Oh works specifically with children from six to 12 because: “that is the most rapidly changing age.” To improve the condition, she analyzes the brain’s chemistry responses— serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline—which influences brain performance and mood. She also analyzes a client’s food intake. “Some foods trigger an inflammation of the brain, so we need to keep dietary inflammation under control until the brain reaches its ideal state.” Recommending a change in nutrition can dramatically shift the brain function when a child suffers with ADHD.
Once a child client has been assessed, an individual plan is designed. Brain Wellness Program typically take two months. Parents have to commit to the program, Oh says, and she has seen good results with children having a sharper focus with reduced symptoms of anxiety.
Health Optimizing Langley
#206 20644 Eastleigh Crescent Langley B.C. V3A 4C4 604-716-4530
healthoptimizinglangley.com thrivethroughadhd.com
Nadine Frame, BAFA (Hons), CEO; Dr. Gidon Frame, MD, FCFP, ABAARM.
Anti-Aging Medical Laser Clinic
Finding non-invasive solutions to the aging process
Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic
2200 W. 4th Ave Vancouver, B.C. V6K 1N8 604-261-9121
antiagingvan antiagingvan antiagingvan antiagingvancouver.com
Dr. Frame’s vision of a preventative health-care clinic combines anti-aging medicine with non-surgical cosmetic treatments. At Anti-Aging, wellness is about functioning well and looking the best you can, for your age. Dr. Gidon Frame, is a specialist in family medicine, with a passion for cosmetic health. He opened the private clinic with his wife, Nadine, in 2003. It’s a perfect blend of his medical expertise and her artistic passion.
As cosmetic treatments are art, that brings together current science and technology, to “help our patients look the best they can for their age. We believe the natural look is age-appropriate.” Treatments expand from injectables that relax or contour your face into a more youthful you. By returning lost volume, lifting, and smoothing out finelines patients have come to know we can age gracefully with restoration. Skin treatments with radiofrequency (Thermage) are used for tightening. And new to the clinic is Ultherapy, for lifting. It is a great option that goes hand in hand with Silhouette threads.
Customized treatment plans are provided in detail for every patient. It is all about the relationship that is developed in the clinic. Dr. Frame offers guidance for patients, male and female. “Many of our male patients desire a stronger jawline, to disguise the jowls that are inevitable for all of us, who have anything to do with gravity.” Often distinguishing the jawline from the neck can require not only fillers, but also Coolsculpting (freezes fat) for under the chin, or Belkyra to dissolve fat. Dermal fillers are a remarkable tool in the cosmetic field for skin resuscitation, hydration, and facial modularization. Anti-Aging offers a broad range of treatments that can reduce pigment, tighten skin, and enhance collagen.
When you are carrying extra fat, there are options that include a weight management program, Coolsculpting, and Emsculpt. If your bedroom life needs some help speak to the clinic as there is Alma Duo (for ED) and diVa for vaginal health. So, no matter what your concern, you can expect a tailored treatment plan with care and honesty at the Anti-Aging Clinic.
Dr. Frame says, “Optimizing health and appearance leads to a better quality of life or improved self-esteem.” What makes them special? “We spend time with our patients and want them to feel and look amazing.” Dr. Frame graduated from Wits medical school, South Africa in 1986.
