wellness
Winter 2014
Okanagan Health & OHW Magazine
MAGAZINE
Genetically Modified Apples–in the Okanagan? P. 18
The Benefits of Vitamin D
Complimentary
P. 10
Josh Dueck Local athlete and Paralympian Josh Dueck shares his story and inspiration. P. 20
How to Invest Wisely! P. 26
Winter blues – banished.
Let us heLp you with that. Have you been feeling lethargic, depressed, sleeping poorly, and having trouble concentrating during the day? You could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Ask us about light therapy and supplements to help get you through the season.
Kamloops
Kelowna
Langley
Penticton
Vernon West Kelowna www.naturesfare.com
LocaL · organic · Bistro · Produce · grocery · Vitamins · suPPLements · Beauty · HouseHoLd
contents
Winter 2014
Volume 2 Issue 1
NATURAL HEALTH 8 Beyond the Winter Blues–Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder Help is available if you suffer from SAD, a very real winter concern. 10 The Benefits of Vitamin D Vitamin D has received lots of attention in recent months, and for good reason. 12 Have Healthy Vibrant Skin–Even in the Winter! Natural skin care products may be just what you need to have glowing skin this winter. 14 Anti-Aging Skin Care Products: Natural vs. National When it comes to creams and lotions, the less ingredients the better; and natural ingredients are better yet!
NUTRITION 15 The Good Health Equation Eating right in the winter can be as challenging as exercising, but both are certainly easier when you follow this good advice. 16 Eating Fats for the Seasons Diets vary between the far north and the extreme south; perhaps we should be taking a closer look at what these people eat and why. 18 Genetically Modified Apples – in the Okanagan? The Okanagan’s claim to fame–the beloved apple–has become the center of genetically modified controversy.
FITNESS 20. The Journey of Josh Dueck Local athlete and Paralympian Josh Dueck shares his story and inspiration. www.ohwmagazine.com
34
Moroccan Lamb in a Crock Pot
FINANCIAL HEALTH 24 Build Your Financial Foundation Three steps to reaching your financial goals and becoming debt free. 26 How to Invest Wisely Investing in your future also means investing in good health.
WELLNESS 27 Harmonize Your Health Tune up your health–with music! 28 Create Yourself Happy Adding some creativity into your life can result in a healthier, happier you. 30 Dental Implants–Something to Smile About The loss of teeth can affect more than your smile; it can affect your way of life. 31 Transitioning into Winter Let your body ease into winter with the help of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
32 The Gift that Keeps on Giving The Okanagan is home to six blood donor clinics–have you taken the time to make a donation?
PET HEALTH 36 Happy, Healthy Pets–All Winter Long Some tips to keep your pets healthy, active and safe this winter.
IN EVERY ISSUE: 7 Your Questions Answered 34 Healthy Bites 38 Community Events Do you have an idea for a story? Are you a health professional who’s interested in contributing to OHW Magazine? If so contact us at info@ohwmagazine.com
Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 3
From the OHW Team
OHW Magazine
Okanagans Own Health & Wellness Magazine
PUBLISHER LMR PUBLISHING Leanne Christie info@ohwmagazine.com EDITOR Maureen McEwan editor@ohwmagazine.com ADVERTISING SALES Melissa Spooner 250.550.0521 mel@ohwmagazine.com Lisa Dumas 250.540.7280 lisa@ohwmagazine.com Leanne Christie 250.503.7472 info@ohwmagazine.com OHW Magazine published four times a year. All rights reserved. No part of OHW Magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. The views expressed in OHW Magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher or staff. Although all reasonable attempts are made to ensure accuracy, the publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions anywhere in the publication or on the website. OHW Magazine reserves the rights to ads produced for advertisers. Publication Agreement #42490022 Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine is owned and operated by LMR Publishing. Return undeliverable to LMR Publishing, 5816 Tern Place, Vernon, BC V1H 1R2. Phone: 250.503.7472 Email: info@ohwmagazine.com Website: www.ohwmagazine.com Subscription: For your free copy send your mailing address to info@ ohwmagazine.com or visit the website at www.ohwmagazine.com Printed by: Print Advantage, Richmond, BC Cover Photo by: Marcus Hartman / Alpine Canada Cover: Josh Dueck competing in the World Championships in La Molina, Spain in February 2013
Leanne Christie Owner/Publisher
W
Maureen McEwan Editor
inter is here and it’s time to celebrate–it’s OHW Magazine’s first anniversary! It’s been a busy year and we’ve met so many wonderful, supportive people along the way. Thank you to our advertisers for making OHW Magazine possible, to our contributors for providing such interesting editorial and of course to our readers for faithfully reading each issue cover to cover, and providing valuable feedback. As with any new business, there are always plenty of learning curves to navigate but that’s all part of the fun. It’s the twists and turns that keep life interesting and they’ll make us better as we continue to grow. One new twist is that our editor, Maureen McEwan, will be leaving. Maureen, along with her husband and four-legged entourage, will be relocating to Edmonton. We’ll miss them but wish them the very best of luck as they start their new adventure. And since one new adventure leads to another, we’d also like to introduce Dianne Fowlie, our new editor. Dianne, who has several years of editing and proofreading experience, is excited to pick up where Maureen leaves off. You
Melissa Spooner Advertising Sales
can look forward to seeing more from Dianne in our Spring issue. Also new in the spring will be OHW’s pet magazine. This once-a-year issue will be geared towards pets and their owners, and keeping our favourite four-leggeds healthy. A new seniors publication is also on the radar for fall 2014–more on that in the spring. But for now we hope you’ll enjoy our Winter issue, and all the good things that winter brings. This issue is packed with tips and suggestions to keep you active and healthy these next few months. Dr. Sally Stewart offers some nutrition advice with her article, “The Good Health Equation.” Josh Dueck, who is our cover feature, will inspire you to live your life to the fullest. Plus there are stories on financial wellness, Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter skin care and how to beat the winter blues. And our pet owners will also enjoy some tips on how to keep their pets healthy too. We’re looking forward to 2014 and we hope you’ll join us as we move into our second year of publishing. Happy New Year everyone!
Stay Connected with OHW Magazine
4 Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
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Contributors
Letters to the Editor Good day Maureen; I recently picked up your Fall 2013 issue and read the article on page 34, “The Spay Neuter Conundrum.” I am a founding member of AlleyCATS Alliance, a registered non-profit dedicated to the feral and abandoned cats of the Okanagan. I realize that the article was aimed mostly at dogs, but cats are mentioned too. I must admit that as someone on the front lines, dealing with the overpopulation of pets and the heartache that comes with the reality that we turn away more than we have the resources to help, having a DVM promoting to not have your pets spayed or neutered is alarming to me. Thank you for your consideration. Theresa Nolet Dear Editor: Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Ms. Nolet’s letter about the spay and neuter article I wrote for the Fall 2013 issue. I appreciate that she wrote with her concerns, but wanted to allay her fears about my objectives of the article. First and foremost, my objective is that my clients, and anyone for that matter who owns a pet, make informed and educated decisions in regards to the long-term health of their pets, not only with regards to spaying and neutering, but also to vaccinations, food choices, etc. As the veterinarian on the front lines, I see daily the results of early spays and neuters of our pets and I would not be following the mandate of the veterinary profession if I allowed pet owners to make decisions on out-dated information. As the article indicates and the research supports, there is now good reason to believe that the traditional methods of spaying and neutering of dogs across the board is no longer considered the best choice. Remember that the dogs are still sterilized with the “new” procedure so no unwanted puppies can result. As for cats and kittens, indeed they are mentioned once in the article because it is common practice now for kittens (and puppies) to be altered before 9 weeks of age. I understand the rationale behind this, believe me, and I don’t think this practice will be changing any time soon, nor am I going to try. However, if a client has adopted an intact kitten into their home, my recommendation is to wait until she’s a little older, closer to 6 months, and to keep her inside until she’s altered. In closing, don’t be alarmed. You should know that I actually help out the Okanagan Humane Society by performing some of its early spays and neuters and I will continue to do so. And I make sure that my clients know the responsibilities of owning an intact dog and that they act accordingly. Sincerely, Dr. Moira Drosdovech
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Kathi Bridge is a money coach
who loves to empower people to take control of their finances and teach specific strategies for money success. She’s a self-driven entrepreneur, real estate investor and avid skier. Kathi loves supporting others in realizing their financial potential. Whether it’s speaking to a group, implementing a workshop, or one-on-one coaching, Kathi loves to get her message out about the importance and how-to of managing money. Visit Kathi online at www.kathibridge.com
Devon Brooks says, “I started to really love writing when I realized every person, and I mean every single one, has a great story (or several) in them. In 16 years of writing, from health to business, travel to tourism, the great outdoors to politics, connecting a person’s life to words still makes my spine tingle, my eyes go wide and my toes curl.”
Dr.
Duncan Chambers is a board certified dental specialist in prosthodontics, the area of dentistry focused on the restoration and replacement of missing teeth. Visit his website online at www. kelownaprosthodontics.ca
Jaye Coward, a chartered herbalist
and artisan, lives in Lumby, BC. She creates organic skin care and herbal remedies for her company Bare Nature Products, which can be found online at www.barenature.ca.
Amy Green, MA, CCC, is a writer and
Canadian certified counsellor whose articles have appeared in The Globe and Mail and Alive magazine. In both her writing and counselling work, Amy is passionate about promoting mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, particularly for teens. To maintain balance in her own life, Amy enjoys travelling, dark chocolate and a regular yoga practice.
Dr. Moira Drosdovech
After Dr. Moira Drosdovech graduated from veterinary college in 1987, she worked in Vancouver then moved to Kelowna in 1990 where she purchased a vet practice. In 1997, her practice philosophy took a holistic turn. She sold the Rutland Pet Hospital in 1998 and took a professional course in Veterinary Homeopathy. In 2000, Dr. Drosdovech started Pawsitive Veterinary Care, a practice focused on holistic care, which she is passionate about. For more information on her holistic approach, visit www.pawsitivevetcare.com
Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 5
Contributors Having grown up in the Okanagan, investment advisor Kirbey Lockhart appreciates the benefits of living in the Valley and specializes in helping local investors sort through today’s complex world of investing. Kirbey enjoys tennis and running “up and down the Valley” as he participates in the Interior Running Association races from February to October. In the winter, Kirbey replaces running and tennis with skate skiing and hockey. Kirbey is located at RBC Dominion Securities In Vernon, BC, or visit him online at www.kirbey.ca
Serge Mazerand, composer, recording artist and music
producer, is the owner of the record label Keys to Serenity. He specializes in meditative healing and relaxing music. Serge is also an inspirational speaker focusing on inner harmony and often mixes musings with music during his meditative concerts and events. For more info on custom music production and event bookings, please visit www.sergemazerand.com
Jenna Roze, R Ac, is a registered acupuncturist dedicated to
Marijke van de Water holds a B Sc
in Clinical Nutrition and a diploma in Homeopathic Medicine and Science. She has been in private practice for more than two decades as a gifted and widely respected medical intuitive and healer for people and animals. She is the author of two books– Healing People: The Marijke Method™ and Healing Horses: Their Way! It is Marijke’s most sincere and heartfelt desire to help people (and their pets) live happier and healthier lives. Join Marijke on her weekly on-line radio show “Healing with The Marijke Method” at toginet.com. Visit her online at www.themarijkemethod.com
sharing the experience of healing and change with her patients. Combining traditional techniques, modern knowledge and intuition she approaches health in a holistic way. With compassion, humor and wisdom she empowers patients about their health. She is the owner of Red Bird Acupuncture Clinic in Vernon and focuses on pain, mental emotional issues, sleep and stress. To learn more, visit www.redbirdacupuncture.ca
Lucy Sharratt works in Ottawa as the Coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, also known as CBAN. CBAN is a campaign coalition of 18 organizations including farmer associations, environmental groups and international development organizations, all of which have various concerns about genetic engineering. Lucy previously worked as a campaigner and researcher on this issue at the Sierra Club of Canada and the Polaris Institute. Lucy also coordinated the International Ban Terminator Campaign.
Dr. Chris Spooner is the founding partner of Okanagan Natural
In her new role as Partnership Specialist, Gayle Voyer is responsible for building partnerships throughout the six BC Interior blood donor clinics including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Kamloops and Armstrong. She also educates the public in the importance of blood donations through media and community events throughout the region. Gayle can be reached at 250-4484022 or gayle.voyer@blood.ca
Medicine in Vernon. He sees a wide range of patients who are looking for a balanced approach that combines conventional and naturopathic medicine. He assists many patients with a variety of complicated health issues, including hormone imbalances, menopause and andropause, chronic pain and joint injuries, cancer, and chronic illnesses. Dr. Spooner is also certified to practice bio-identical hormone therapies, intravenous and injection therapies, chelation therapy, prolotherapy and platelet rich plasma for injured joints, and conventional prescription medications.
Dr. Sally Stewart, PhD (Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Health
Promotion), CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist, Academic Affiliate of Dietitians of Canada, is an instructor in Health and Exercise Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Kelowna Campus. She is also the director of the Nutrition Education Center on campus providing numerous resources and programs. Dr. Stewart has a passion for educating people about healthy lifestyles and is known for her dynamic presentation style at workshops. When she’s not out running, she can be found helping numerous athletes with their nutrition selections. She is keen to help people make smart choices based on sound scientific research to facilitate long-term health and vibrant lives!
Terryn Thachuck is a herbalist, with a diploma in iridology, and is the owner of Om Naturale Herbal Care Company, specializing in herbal personal care products in the Okanagan. She can be found with her family, enjoying snowshoeing, skiing or hiking most weekends, particularly in the winter! Visit Om Naturale online at www.omnaturale.ca
Dr. Jese Anne Wiens B Sc ND, is
a licensed naturopathic physician with additional certification in acupuncture and Bowen therapy for pain. In her practice she uses nutrition, supplements, herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, counselling, and Bowen therapy to treat patients of all ages. Dr. Wiens is passionate about helping others to achieve optimal health, for themselves and their families. She strives to find and treat the underlying cause of illness, taking health care beyond just getting rid of bothersome symptoms. She is a caring physician who is excited to help you with your health goals. Learn more about her Summerland and Penticton locations at www.doctorwiens.com.
Are you interested in submitting an article for OHW Magazine? Simply email: info@ohwmagazine.com
6 Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
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Your Questions Answered
Local experts answer our readers’ questions...
Q
Why do I get strong cravings for sugar?
Sugar cravings are a problem for many people, and one that goes beyond the occasional desire for a treat. Our adrenal glands make chemicals that provide us with energy. After long periods of stress, exhaustion and sleep deprivation, these glands can struggle, leaving us searching for another source of immediate energy. As a result, we often turn to sugar, which provides us with a quick energy. However, this behaviour can lead to adrenal fatigue, with symptoms that include fatigue, anxiety and insomnia. And, if left untreated, it may lead to further hormone imbalance. The best approach to underactive adrenals is good management of stress, moderate physical exercise, a wholesome diet and supplements, depending on the individual.
Q
I set goals all the time, but sometimes I don’t follow through, or it takes me longer than I’d like. How can I do a better job of accomplishing my goals?
Firstly, congratulations on having and setting goals! Just by doing this you are many steps ahead of most people. Do you write them down? Statistically people who write down their goals have a much higher chance of accomplishing them. To take this a few steps further do these four things: 1. Share your goal(s) with someone and ask that person to check in with you and ask about progress. By sharing your goal you become accountable to someone else, which is key to your success. 2. Decide to achieve the goal–don’t just “hope” or “try.” This decision taps into your “why,” which is the www.ohwmagazine.com
Sugar cravings can also be due to dysbiosis, an imbalance of microbes in the gut. Yeast fungi thrive on undigested sugars and carbohydrates, and they signal the body to crave these substances. If gas and bloating accompany the sugar cravings, a yeast overgrowth may be to blame. Dysbiosis is important to correct as it can be the root cause for other health problems beyond weight gain. Fighting those cravings and restricting the intake of refined and concentrated sugars of all kinds is the primary rule here. For a more persistent problem, natural remedies can be used to kill the fungus, and biotherapeutic drainage can help heal the lining of the gut. Good quality probiotics are then important for rebuilding beneficial intestinal flora. Judy Bradshaw is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist in Kelowna who helps clients reach optimal health.
bigger and deeper reason why you set your goal in the first place. 3. Create a plan outlining the known steps to accomplish the goal. You may not know everything that’s required to achieve your goal, but you’ll most likely know at least the first, and possibly the second, thing to do. 4. Get help–find a mentor or hire an expert. A life coach or a performance coach is a great asset and a great partner. As you encounter speed bumps along the way, they’ll help you stay on track until you reach your ultimate destination. Jeff Pain is a Life and Performance Coach as well as a threetime Olympian, an Olympic Silver medallist and a two-time world champion in the sport of Skeleton. Jeff represented Canada for 15 years internationally and now works with athletes and motivated people with an entrepreneurial mindset. His performance system is called “The Performance Playbook” and guides people through the process of setting goals, creating a plan and achieving their dreams.
Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 7
Natural Health
If you’re having a hard time with the grey days this season, you may be dealing with more than a simple case of the winter blues. You may be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Beyond the Winter Blues–Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder By Dr. Jese Anne Wiens, B Sc ND
M
any people have the winter blues, which can be from weather changes or lack of activity. But others have a more severe form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, better known as SAD, which affects their health beyond mood. Symptoms of SAD include depression, fatigue and anxiety as well as sleeping too much, overeating and craving carbohydrates. (In the summer the mood shifts to feeling elated, active and energetic.) Sleep cycles can be delayed, making it difficult to fall asleep and harder to wake up in the morning. People who suffer from SAD may feel less sadness and guilt than with other types of depression; in fact, some may just feel the “hibernation” symptoms of sugar cravings and tiredness. On average, about 2 percent of the population in Canada is affected by SAD. Twice as many women are affected compared to men. The theories behind SAD involve changes in light exposure and changes
in serotonin levels. The change in daylight affects our “daily clock” called the circadian rhythm. Melatonin is secreted from the pineal gland in the brain in response to nightfall. It is made
On average, about two percent of the population in Canada is affected by SAD from serotonin and requires nutrients such as vitamin B6, magnesium and the amino acid tryptophan. The noted hormone changes in SAD are decreased melatonin and increased cortisol from the adrenals. So those
affected have lower serotonin levels and lower melatonin levels. Sugar boosts serotonin and this may be why people notice carbohydrate cravings. There may also be a genetic link in serotonin metabolism or low thyroid function that contributes to SAD. Treating SAD effectively In 1999, medical doctors and top researchers developed the Canadian Consensus guidelines for the Treatment of SAD. After a research review they determined that light therapy is the most effective treatment, with benefits apparent in one to two weeks. Light therapy restores proper timing of melatonin synthesis and our circadian rhythm. Full spectrum light has antidepressive effects for SAD as well as clinical depression. The easiest way to achieve this is by using a fluorescent light box that is 10,000 lux as this stimulates daylight. It is best used first thing in the morning, ideally between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. for 30 minutes. Sit
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Natural Health within two to three feet of the light source but do not look at it directly, instead try reading or eating breakfast in the glow of the light. Ensure the light has a UV filter to prevent any damage to your eyes. Newer versions of light boxes actually include light visors and bedroom clocks that simulate dawn. Other natural treatments include support for the serotonin and melatonin neurotransmitter pathway in the brain. Melatonin supplementation increases brain melatonin and suppresses cortisol secretion. The most common dose is 3mg taken 45 minutes before bedtime. Side effects of melatonin can include vivid dreams or nightmares. The precursor of tryptophan is called 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxy tryptophan. It can be taken as a supplement to support the serotonin synthesis. It also helps curb sugar cravings. It should not be taken in conjunction with antidepressants or St. John’s wort. Vitamin B is naturally lower in the winter as there is less activation by the sun’s rays. Some research has
shown a link between depression and low vitamin D, but to date there has been no large research study to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on SAD. I encourage you to have your doctor check your vitamin D level in the blood to ensure you’re not deficient. Supplementation is easy, inexpensive and safe at 1,000 or 2,000 IU daily. The most recommended herb for SAD is St. John’s wort, also known by its Latin name Hypericum perforatum. This herb is usually found in capsules standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin and 4 percent hyperforin. At a dose of 300mg three times a day it improves SAD. It is most effective in combination with light therapy, and its effects are noticed after three or four weeks. Caution with this herb if you are on medications such as antidepressants, oral contraceptives, warfarin, digoxin or other medication metabolized by the liver cytochrome p450 enzymes. If so, seek the advice of your naturopathic or medical doctor. St. John’s wort can
make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so if you are using a light box ensure that it has a UV filter. If you think you are affected by SAD, be sure and talk to a naturopathic or medical doctor and seek help. With the proper treatment you can enjoy winter as much as every other season in the Okanagan. n For more information on SAD, visit: • Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms (SLTBR) http:// sltbr.org • Canadian Consensus Guidelines for the Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder http://www. ubcmood.ca/sad/CCG%20Intro.pdf • Center for Environmental Therapeutics www.cet.org Light boxes can make a difference if you are dealing with SAD. The following websites offer more information: www.northernlighttechnologies.com www.sunbox.com www.naturebright.com
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Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 9
Natural Health
The Benefits of Vitamin D Vitamin D is a good choice for good health. But how much is enough, and is it possible to get too much of a good thing? By Dr. Chris Spooner, ND
V
itamin D is most often associated with having strong bones. A severe deficiency of vitamin D causes a bone condition called rickets, or osteomalacia in adults. This happens when calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for developing the structure and strength of your bones, are not absorbed properly due to a lack of vitamin D. Even if you eat foods that contain large amounts of calcium and phosphorus, without enough vitamin D, you can’t absorb them into your body. The result is soft, brittle, thin bones. Researchers are now discovering that vitamin D may also have an impact on areas other than bone health. New research suggests that a lack of vitamin D has also been linked to other conditions such as cancer, asthma, type-II diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s and type-I diabetes.
The US Institutes of Medicine’s expert committee has concluded that a number of health issues could potentially be related to a lack of calcium and vitamin D, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and immunity, but have found that the evidence to date does not consistently demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship. As a result, these health
outcomes have not been factored in to determining nutrient requirements. How does vitamin D work? Vitamin D is most often generated when your skin is exposed to sunlight, which in turn sends vitamin D to your liver (which your gut also does if you take supplements or eat foods that
The chart below lists the vitamin D supplementation recommendations from various organizations. Remember, these are guidelines only, but will give you a good idea of where to start.
Vitamin D Council Infants Children Adults
1,000 IU/day 1,000 IU/day per 25lbs of body weight 5,000 IU/day
US Endocrine Society Clinicial Practice Guidelines 400 - 1,000 IU/day 600 - 1,000 IU/day
US Institutes of Medicine/Health Canada 400 IU/day 600 IU/day
1,500 - 2,000 IU/day
600 IU/day 800 IU/day for seniors
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Natural Health Is it possible to get too much vitamin D?
contain vitamin D). Your liver then changes it into the active form called 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D, or 25(OH)D. When your doctor talks about your vitamin D levels, he means the amount of 25(OH)D you have in your blood. This chemical is sent throughout your body where different tissues, including your kidneys, turn it into activated vitamin D. This activated vitamin D is now ready to perform its duties. You can think of activated vitamin D working in two ways: • Managing the calcium in your blood, bones and gut; • Helping cells throughout your body communicate properly. How do I know if I’m deficient in vitamin D? Doctors measure your vitamin D levels by testing your 25(OH)D level, which is often referred to simply as a vitamin D test. This blood test is the only accurate way to know if you’re deficient in vitamin D. Serum concentration 25(OH)D is the best indicator as it reflects total vitamin D input from food, supplements and sun exposure. The published recommendations suggest that if you are supplementing with vitamin D you should consider having blood testing done every three months. Does the time of year affect your vitamin D levels? A good rule of thumb is if your shadow is longer than you are tall, you’re not making enough vitamin D. In winter, your shadow is longer than you for most of the day, while in summer, your shadow is much shorter than you for most of the day. This depends on where you live and the time of year. For example, in the southern US, in places like Florida, your body can produce vitamin D most of the year. In more northern places, like New York City or Boston, your body won’t produce much vitamin D from November through March. If you live even further north, such as Edmonton, your body can’t produce vitamin D from October through April. These times can be even longer if your skin type is darker. www.ohwmagazine.com
Although most people take vitamin D supplements without any problems, it is possible to take too much. This is called vitamin D toxicity and usually happens if you take 40,000 IU per day for a few months or longer, or take a very large one-time dose. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means your body has a hard time getting rid of it if you take too much. When you take large amounts of vitamin D, your liver produces too much 25(OH)D, which can cause high levels of calcium to develop in your blood. High blood calcium results in a condition called hypercalcemia. The symptoms of hypercalcemia include: • Feeling sick or being sick • Poor appetite or loss of appetite • Thirst • Abdominal pain • Muscle weakness or pain • Feeling confused • Passing urine • Feeling tired For more information on vitamin D supplementation, blood testing and suggested daily recommendations, be sure to contact your medical doctor or naturopathic doctor. n
Suffering from Joint Pain? Accelerate Healing Reduce Pain Naturally • P R O LOT H E R A PY • P L AT E L E T R I C H PLASMA (PRP) Platelet Rich Plasma is a promising Non Surgical Injection therapy for accelerating healing of moderate to severe Tendon Injuries & Osteoarthritis
For Appointments Call
250.275.1672 www.oknaturalmedicine.com Dr. Chris Spooner ND has been using Prolotherapy and PRP for over a decade to help patients suffering from chronic joint pain.
Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 11
Natural Health
Have Healthy Vibrant Skin–Even in the Winter! This winter, try some natural skin care products to keep your skin both looking and feeling healthy.
By Terryn Thachuk
A
s the seasons change and winter settles in, it’s important protects against harm from the sun and contains Vitamin to keep your skin nourished and protected, particularly E to help heal existing skin conditions. Soaps containing in a dry, cooler climate. Fortunately, there are a few simple these oils will moisturize while cleansing instead of drying and effective ways to out the skin, protecting the keep skin moisturized body’s natural oils in the and hydrated this process. winter season. For your hair, use a soapA good place to based shampoo and natural start is with your daily conditioner containing bathing routine. Use a the same nourishing oils. chemical-free, natural This will protect your hair soap containing from damage and will also moisturizing oils moisturize it without drying. such as jojoba, People tend to wear toques olive and coconut. and other hats in cooler Jojoba oil is similar weather, which can lead to a to the oils the body lot of static and unruly hair. naturally produces Keeping hair moisturized is and is therefore easily the key to taming that mane. absorbed into the skin. It’s great for dry and Moisturize! aging skin as well as for acne. Using a quality moisturizer Olive oil contains for your skin type will help antioxidants that help combat the symptoms of dry repair and renew skin, namely winter itch and damaged skin cells. flaking. Use creams with as Coconut oil naturally few ingredients as possible, Try using a soap that contains coconut oil 12 Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
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Natural Health while seeking out those that are organic and natural (i.e., Fair Trade Shea Butter). Look for local ingredients as well; the Okanagan is home to many moisturizing and skinhealing plants such as calendula, comfrey, violet, etc. Calendula oil is known for treating a range of skin conditions due to its soothing, healing properties. Comfrey oil helps rejuvenate and repair damaged skin cells and moisturizes very dry skin. Violet oil is cooling, soothing and nourishing for dry, irritated and reddened skin conditions including acne. Shea butter is a great moisturizer as it offers natural sun protection as well as provides a barrier against daily damage. It also protects the skin’s natural oils and moisturizes deeply.
Creams with alcohol can even lead to larger issues, such as eczema, rashes and other skin conditions as they continually dry the skin, stripping it of its natural oils Using heavier creams at night allows the ingredients time to absorb into the skin and work while you’re sleeping. They can also be used during the day–preferably right after a shower or bath–creating an additional barrier against daily environmental harm. People with more delicate skin types, as well as those facing a time-management crunch, might prefer lighter creams as they absorb into the skin more readily. Ensuring these creams contain no alcohol is important as alcohol is very drying and can counteract a cream’s moisturizing qualities. Creams with alcohol can even lead to larger issues, such as eczema, rashes and other skin conditions as they continually dry the skin, stripping it of its natural oils. For day time, using a moisturizer containing some natural sun protection can help guard against wrinkles and unwanted sun damage. Consider moisturizers with coconut oil and shea butter. For added sun protection seek > out those lotions containing zinc. Zinc oxide is deemed one of the safest and most effective natural sunscreens available, protecting the skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Keeping the body moisturized on the outside using safe, natural ingredients is as important as nourishing your body with a well-balanced diet. It’s easy to incorporate healthy moisturizing into your daily routine, and your skin will look and feel great, all winter long. n www.ohwmagazine.com
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Natural Health
Anti-Aging Skin Care Products: Natural vs. National Are cosmetic companies tricking you into spending hundreds of dollars more on skin care? By Jaye Coward
W
e expose ourselves to hundreds of chemicals each morning before we even reach for a cup of coffee. We comb through food labels, exercise regularly and drink plenty of water to maintain our health and appearance. Then it is
Healthy additives and their benefits
• Anti-oxidants (i.e., betacarotene and co-enzyme Q10) can protect the deterioration of skin tissues that result in signs of aging. Rosemary extract and rosehip oil contain anti-oxidants. • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is vital in the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein which gives skin elasticity– when collagen breaks down, wrinkles form. Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant and can reduce the look of age spots and repair sun damage. Rosehip oil and sea buckthorn oil are high in vitamin C. • Provitamin A thickens and stimulates the skin causing increased blood flow and collagen production. Carrot extract, pumpkin seed oil and rosehip oil contain provitamin A. • Vitamin E protects cellular membranes and proteins. It has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties and is a powerful anti-oxidant. • Co-enzyme Q10 can regenerate the skin and its small molecule size allows it to be easily absorbed. It reduces the size of wrinkles and promotes a healthy immune system. Oranges and soy naturally contain small amounts of co-enzyme Q10.
off to the cosmetic counter, spending hundreds of dollars on a single jar of cream in hopes of reversing the years of damage done to our skin. But are these expensive, national anti-aging brands capable of doing more for your skin than a natural, plant-based skin care line? Take a look at how a cream is made and at some of the anti-aging ingredients commonly used in both national and natural brands; you may be surprised what you find. Start with the basics Cream is made from three base ingredients: Oil, liquid and an emulsifier. A preservative is added to ensure the shelf life. Essential oil or parfum is added for scent. Then additives are used to give the cream anti-aging properties. Some great additives include peptides, vitamin E, provitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, co-enzyme Q10 and essential fatty acids (omega-3, -6 and -9).Watch out for additives that have no anti-aging properties. They are included to create a desired consistency or a nice “feel” to the cream. Many of these additives are carcinogenic and are harmful to the environment .
Fossil fuel oils like mineral oil or petroleum oil are often used by national brands in the oil portion of the formula. They are less expensive and can “lock” moisture into the skin. Locking in the moisture can cause pores to clog and prevent the natural elimination of toxins through the pores. When fossil fuels are used, synthetic additives are required to add anti-aging properties to the cream. Natural brands tend to use plant-based oils like rosehip, sea buckthorn and hemp. These oils are more expensive than fossil fuel oils; however, they naturally contain many beneficial fats and acids. Rosehip oil is high in vitamin C (2,000mg/100g), essential fatty acids (omega-3, -6 and -9) and anti-oxidants (lycopene and provitamin A, or beta-carotene). The formulator can rely on the benefits found naturally in the plants, rather than adding synthetic additives. But do natural creams work? They do and they provide holistic care for our skin. However, the consumer is the ultimate judge. It’s your decision which cream is best for you, the environment and your wallet. n
Reading Cosmetic Labels
When reading cosmetic labels, remember that ingredients are labelled in descending order of volume using INCI, or International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients names. INCI requires the Latin name of each plant or chemical to be used. For example, LavandulaAngustifolia (Lavender) oil will be listed as Lavender Oil; Tocopherol will be listed as Vitamin E; and OleaEuropaea (Olive) Fruit Oil is listed as Olive Oil. Notice that the common name of the plant can be put in brackets. Cosmetic companies can try to trick the reader into overlooking a chemical. Cocamide DEA is a foaming agent that is a known carcinogen; it can be listed as Cocamide DEA (coconut). See David Suzuki’s “Dirty Dozen” cosmetic chemicals to avoid. Visit www.davidsuzuki.org for more information.
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Nutrition
The Good Health Equation Nourish your mind and body this winter when you follow this simple equation.
,
By Sally Stewart, PhD
E
ating plus exercise equals enjoyment. It seems like a simple enough equation but there are many factors that influence the end result. The winter months can be challenging, affecting people’s moods and their motivation to do things. Some suffer from seasonal affective disorder which exacerbates this challenge. The longer hours of darkness, cloudy skies, grey horizons and cold temperatures can take their toll. So let’s look at this equation more closely to make winter wonderful! The first part of the equation is eating and how it impacts our happiness. Winter might have you turning to specialty warm drinks, comfort foods and more snacks. The more time spent inside during the winter months facilitates these food preferences, resulting in greater intake which is often accompanied by weight gain. But remember–all of the healthy eating tips from previous articles apply, so fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruit. Try steaming your veggies instead of eating cold, raw ones, or make (or buy) a simple veggie soup. Keep food choices in their most natural state as much as possible. Refer to Canada’s Food Guide to keep your portion sizes in check. Use smaller plates and
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glasses. Drink hot water with lemon, and try any type of tea to keep you warm and hydrated. All types of tea have health benefits! Having regular, smaller meals and snacks throughout the day can help keep blood sugar levels more stable, improving our mood, energy levels and concentration. This also helps curb excess snacking later in the day. Choose meals and snacks that contain a bit of all three macronutrients, carbohydrates, fats and protein. Having adequate carbohydrate intake is important as this is the fuel for the brain and muscles. For some, winter may mean too many of the “less healthy” carbohydrates such as warm cinnamon buns and cookies. Try to make the majority of your grain product
choices whole grain. This increases fibre intake which also helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Certain foods can also influence our moods. Tyrosine, an amino acid found in poultry and low fat dairy products triggers the production of neurotransmitters; the chemical messengers in the brain, enhancing alertness and feelings of wellbeing. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and flax seed oil for example, can make brain cell membranes more permeable to serotonin, another brain neurotransmitter. Vitamin C may also play a role in repairing brain cells and making neurotransmitters, and is found in many fruits and vegetables. And, recent research indicates that cont’d on page 16
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Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 15
Nutrition cont’d from page 15 probiotics found in yogurt may have an impact on mood as good gut bacteria sends positive signals to the brain. Keep in mind that low iron levels also affect the production of serotonin. Ask your doctor to have your iron levels checked if you feel they might be low. Iron-rich foods include red meats, fortified cereals, dried fruits and leafy greens. And remember that too much caffeine and alcohol negatively impact mood. Caffeine can disrupt serotonin and supply short term “false” energy. Enjoy coffee beverages in moderation (two cups per day). Alcohol is depressive so again, enjoy it in moderation (one drink per day). Enjoy eating healthy. Enjoy the social aspects and include some of your favorite treats every so often. Be smart but not too restrictive. When we eat better we generally feel better, and that helps motivate us to exercise. This leads us to the second part of the equation: exercise. Exercising in the fresh air can be invigorating and can improve both physical and mental health. Exercising releases natural endorphins creating a feeling of wellbeing and a better mood. A recent research review indicated that being physically active, even at low levels, can prevent and help with depression. Exercise is also an effective coping mechanism for stress. Exercise produces tired muscles which facilitate a better sleep and we all know how a good sleep makes us feel. The beautiful Okanagan is like an outdoor gym in the winter months– try outdoor skating, or simply take a walk in the park or on the beach. Visit the local ski hill and ski, tube or snowshoe. When you prepare for the weather and get the right gear, it’s so much easier to get outside and exercise. Dig out the gloves, boots, sweaters and winter coats and make it happen. Make the good health equation work for you. Eat well, exercise and be happy–and healthy–this winter. n
Eating Fats for the Seasons
Should the fats in our diet vary depending on where we live? Marijke van de Water looks at the geographical differences between diets. By Marijke van de Water, B Sc, DHMS
M
uch has been written about the different types of fats available in our food and how good fats can help prevent disease and maintain good health. But little thought is given to understanding how eating different kinds of fats impacts our health in accordance with our lifestyles, and the climates and seasons in which we live. Let’s first understand some facts about the different kinds of dietary fats. Saturated fats are fats found in eggs and animal protein–beef, pork, chicken, turkey, all poultry, lamb and wild game–as well as a few plant sources such as palm and coconut oils. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature and very stable with a high melting point. This means they do not change their chemistry in the presence of high heat or strong light and are therefore safe for cooking at any temperature. Polyunsaturated fats are plant- and fish-based oils from nuts, seeds, corn, some vegetables and fish. There are two categories of polyunsaturated fats: Omega-3’s found in seeds and fish oil and omega-6’s found in all vegetable oils, corn oil and especially soybean oil. These fats are liquid at room temperature, have a low melting point and are very unstable in the presence of heat and light as heat and light reactions cause a change in their chemical structure producing free radicals and rancidity. Omega3’s are beneficial for skin problems, inflammation, immunity and the cardiovascular system but since they easily denature in the presence of heat and light they should not be used for cooking or heating. As we know, the
resulting free radicals can contribute to a variety of health problems. Compared with our ancestral diets, Western diets are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and have excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids which are commonly added to processed foods. An excess of dietary omega-6 fatty acids promote the pathogenesis of many diseases including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, asthma, cancer, brain disorders, and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Monounsaturated fats are a combination of a saturated and a polyunsaturated fat, are liquid at room temperature, and have the health benefits of polyunsaturated fats combined with the stability of the saturated fats making them a good choice for cooking and heating. Monounsaturated fats come from sources such as avocados, grape seeds, sesame seeds and olive oil. They are generally very good for liver detoxification and heart health. The relationship between geography and fat Let’s take a look at geography. Why do you think the primary diet in the Arctic is fish-based (polyunsaturated) and that coconut (saturated) trees grow in the tropics? As we recall, polyunsaturated oils are highly reactive to light–in fact one of its functions is to store sunlight–while saturated fats are non-reactive to light and have no light-storing properties. The primary location for the storage of any kind of fat is underneath the skin
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Nutrition in the subcutaneous fat layer. Thus, polyunsaturated fats in the body are easily exposed to sunlight and heat producing free radicals, degeneration and DNA damage, leaving us susceptible to many degenerative diseases including skin cancer. In contrast, stored saturated fats like coconut fat, or even meat fat for that matter, protect the body from heat and sunlight damage since their bonds are extremely stable. The Inuit diet in the far north consists mainly of healthy polyunsaturated fats and essential fatty acids derived from fish. These fats store sunlight to provide the Northern people with “sunlight” energy during long seasons of darkness. Thus, the Inuit fish diet protects them from light-deprived health conditions such as winter depression, mental dysfunction, poor immunity, bone and teeth problems, deformities and muscle weakness. And, because the skin of the Inuit is not exposed to excessive heat or sunlight these polyunsaturated fats have no risk of converting to dangerous free radicals. Way down south, the indigenous tropical diet consists of more saturated fats, like coconut. Even wild plant foods in the tropics contain more saturated fats than in the North. And plants in the moderate climates of North America have more polyunsaturated fats than in the south. When the sunlight beats down on the people in the tropics, the saturated fats stored in the skin layer serves to protect them from exposure, DNA damage and skin cancer. If the Inuit ate coconuts instead of fish they would die; if the Guatemalans ate primarily polyunsaturated vegetable oils they would suffer from many diseases caused by cellular damage. Therefore, in the wintertime eat fewer saturates and rely on an increase of dietary fish, hemp seed, flax seeds, green leafy vegetables and spirulina. This will help to store light, build energy, alleviate depression (seasonal affective disorder) and strengthen the immune system. And spend as much time as you can outdoors to absorb as much light as possible. In the summertime, don’t eat an excess of polyunsaturated fats or their supplements especially if you enjoy the sun. Decrease your consumption of seeds, vegetable oils, fish and fish oils and keep those for the darker winter months. To protect yourself from the damaging effects of excessive sunlight and heat, eat moderate amounts of saturated fats as in flesh proteins or coconut. Isn’t that what we instinctively do with summer barbeques? Does the sun really cause skin cancer or is it the fatty French fries, the corn and potato chips fried in vegetable oils and the oily muffins? Blaming the sun may not be conducive to good health. Exposure to the sun is known to decrease blood pressure, prevent heart attacks and strokes, improve mental health, enhance sleep and can even prevent cancer. Despite the increase in the use of sunscreen by millions of people over the last few years, cases of skin cancer, especially melanoma, continue to increase. And by the way, sunscreen chemicals are synthetic toxins that are stored in fat cells and are powerful free radical generators which can cause cellular damage, chronic disease, hormone imbalances and yes, even cancer…go figure. Use coconut oil instead. n www.ohwmagazine.com
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Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 17
Nutrition
Genetically Modified Apples–in the Okanagan? If you listen to the news, you’ve undoubtedly heard the controversy on genetically modified (GM) foods. It’s a topic that affects us right here in the Okanagan, and with the fruit we’ve become known for–the apple. By Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
T
here’s a stalemate in the Okanagan over an apple. It’s not just any apple–it’s the world’s first genetically modified (GM, also called genetically engineered) apple, and it could be approved next year in Canada and the US. The Okanagan is the heart of BC’s apple production, but it’s also home to the small company called Okanagan Specialty Fruits that wants to sell a GM “non-browning” apple. The company calls it the “Arctic Apple” and says that when the fruit is sliced, it won’t brown for at least 15 days. Originally developed in Australia, this GM apple is a technological marvel, and yet BC growers, and most consumers, are adamantly opposed. The BC Fruit Growers’ Association opposes it, and Fred Danenhower, President of the Similkameen Okanagan Organic Treefruit Growers Association says, “The name of our beautiful valley is being sullied by association with this
GM apple.” That’s a strong reaction to a new fruit variety but with 69 percent of Canadians saying they don’t want it to be approved, growers can’t take the risk. It seems that consumers have little appetite for a transgenic apple, despite reassurances from the company that the science is “relatively simple” and that they have just “turned off” the genes that makes apples brown. In fact, the apple was genetically modified by inserting a genetic
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Nutrition sequence that has genetic material from an apple as well as from a virus and two bacteria. Consumer rejection of the genetically modified apple threatens the market for all BC apples, both in Canada and internationally. Growers already take on a great deal of risk to grow apples in the first place, and they don’t need to add the threat of declining consumer demand. Apples are the most popular fruit in the world after bananas and tomatoes, but growers fear that a GM apple would drive consumer preference for other fruits. While the company promises that fresh GM apples would be labeled, concerned consumers are unlikely to have full confidence that there was no mix-up. The company also says that processed foods with 5 percent or more of the GM apple will have the product logo on them. Even if consumers recognize and understand the logo, there’s no guarantee that manufacturers would pay extra to add a new symbol to their packaging, especially when it could decrease sales. The GM apple is largely understood as unnecessary. Browning in apples is easily delayed with lemon juice, and companies that package sliced apples use ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to do the same. The US Apple Association “does not support the approval of this product,” and, like BC growers, orchardists in Washington state are also opposed. One major concern is contamination, particularly for organic apple growers because organics prohibits GM. Contamination from GM apple pollen is a risk in the Okanagan because of the many wild bees that populate biodiverse organic orchards. Growers already made their concerns clear when they stopped outdoor test plots of the GM apple in 2001. If contamination happens, it’s the seed, not the apple flesh that would carry the new patented gene sequences. This could reassure some consumers, but while apple trees are usually grown from grafting rather than from seeds, contaminated seeds could still be a problem for growers. As Harry Burton, who grows more than 120 varieties of organic apples on Salt www.ohwmagazine.com
Spring Island, points out, the apple called Poppy’s Wonder was created when a Cox apple seed was thrown in a compost pile in Victoria. Ironically, the naturally slow-browning apple
Apples are the most popular fruit in the world after bananas and tomatoes, but growers fear that a GM apple would drive consumer preference for other fruits. Ambrosia, was also a chance seedling, found growing in Keremeos. These random events from discarded apple seeds illustrate the danger of releasing a GM apple into the environment. About 98 percent of BC apples are produced in the OkanaganSimilkameen valleys, and so there’s
a lot at stake for the local economy. With all this opposition from the heart of apple-growing country, why is the GM apple still being considered? The reality is that the Canadian government approves new GM foods and crops without considering the economic impacts, or consulting the public. The impacts of the GM apple on BC’s growers and consumers will only be taken into account if the public makes this happen. Although the GM apple continues to make its way through the Canadian and US approval processes, it’s far from a done deal. In fact, the Society for a GE Free BC is coordinating with the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network to spur debate on the GM apple across Canada. As Huguette Allen from the Okanagan group Bee SAFE said, “The company needs to stop their GM apple so we can all protect the Okanagan’s reputation for growing pure, healthy fresh fruit.” If you’re interested in learning more about GM apples, visit www.cban.ca/ apple n
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Cover Story
The Journey of Josh Dueck Skier and Paralympian Josh Dueck talks about his accident, his accomplishments and his inspiration to keep skiing.
By Devon Brooks
W
herever a person may stand today is no accident. It is the culmination of events and people, but also will power, each contributing to the person that he or she has become. For Josh Dueck the journey has been from a young wildblood with Olympic aspirations through disaster to family man and balanced risk taker.
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Cover Story Josh and wife Lacey
You may remember Dueck, now a Vernon resident, from the 2010 Winter Paralympics when he brought home a silver medal in the men’s slalom sit-ski event. Or it might be when he appeared on the Ellen Degeneres show. Before any of that though, his journey took a radical turn on March 8, 2004, when he was coaching kids up at Silver Star Mountain. Conditions weren’t ideal, but Dueck, who had a reputation for going a little bit farther and faster, tried the backflip he shouldn’t have. He landed in the worst possible way, breaking his back in front of the youth he was training. If Dueck has any bitterness about that day it’s impossible to find it. The only regret he speaks of is a fear he may have traumatized the kids who witnessed the accident that made him a paraplegic. Instead, the athlete emphasizes the positive changes of that ill-considered jump. “You could say that when my accident happened I was reborn.” For two years Dueck had been pursuing Lacey Munger after he’d met her at Apex Mountain in Penticton. Her initial
2009 World Championships - Korea Alpine Canada Photo www.ohwmagazine.com
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Cover Story
Photos provided by Devon Brooks Above: Trainer Kate Orchard takes Josh through his strength training program. Right: Dueck’s t-shirt: a not so subtle reminder of his goal for the immediate future. impression was less than favourable. Says Dueck, “When I first met Lacey [in 2002] I was as high energy and wild as I’d ever been in my life. She gave me a bit of a chance, but she saw how loose of a cannon I was and she said, ‘I want nothing to do with this guy.’” Lacey may have been keeping a safe distance, but some attraction was percolating beneath the surface. After the accident, he relates, “She immediately quit her jobs up at Apex; she was a ‘liftie’ there, a barista at the coffee shop and a yoga teacher. Gave it up, dropped what she was doing and emptied her bank account to buy a one-way bus ticket [to see him in hospital].” She wasn’t the only one. Dueck says friends and family rallied around him and he credits this immense show of support for tipping
the odds in his favour with Lacey. “A couple of weeks into it, she said, ‘Are you going to ask me out?’ And I said, ‘Will you say, ‘Yes?’ And she said, ‘You’ll never know until you try.’” They married in 2009. It’s hard to say, when talking with Dueck, whether the accident or Lacey had the greatest impact on helping him to achieve a new balance. After the accident, a doctor, whose son was one of those Dueck was coaching at Silver Star, predicted that Dueck would rock the skiing world again, this time from a sit-ski. Recalls Dueck, “He gives me hope right off the bat. He doesn’t say, ‘You’re going to be crippled. You’re never going to walk again.’ He’s giving me something to look forward to.” Following 2010, Dueck went back onto the competitive skiing circuit with
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his eyes on Sochi, but before that a unique opportunity came his way. Inspired by the doctor’s confidence, Dueck began speculating on how to do a backflip on a sit-ski. The daydreams had to be put aside quickly as he relearned how to use his body. “When I was in the hospital I could just barely sit up. You are just learning to function from the waist up.” Later, while racing in Colorado, he couldn’t resist trying a backflip at an indoor practice facility. The video of his attempts were seen by aerial coach Nick Bass, who contacted him to see if Dueck was willing to attempt the real thing on snow. It had never been done. Dueck couldn’t quite get the flip to work on the indoor trials, but the coach and he agreed it was because the angle on the jump wasn’t quite right. In the backcountry of Whistler, in deep snow they built the right ramp for a big jump. “It was a big jump, but ironically it was the safest way to do it. I didn’t have to whip it around, I didn’t have to force it or speed it up. I said it was really important that the jump be big enough that it doesn’t over-flex the ski and gives a really smooth transition to that up, up, up.” When the jump was completed, fog came in forcing Dueck to decline, a reasoned decision he’s proud of. “That was a big part of the whole process for me: to really gauge my ability to make good decisions in high pressure situations.”
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Cover Story
IPC Super-G March 2012 Alpine Canada Photo
Still, he admits, second guessing came along with it. He wondered, “Is this just fear? Am I scared?” He broke his back on a flip, and here he was attempting a flip never done before with the potential for serious harm. Dueck needn’t have worried. When the right weather arrived a few weeks later, he couldn’t wait. You can see the video of Dueck’s efforts at http:// joshdueck.com/media-item/sit-ski-backflip/, but that shows only one attempt. Dueck did it seven times before he got the perfect flip for the camera. The sit-ski backflip was a world first, which is why DeGeneres had him on her show. Impressive as the backflip, Dueck made another, equally impressive leap prior to the jump. “Before I made even the first attempt it was important for me to get the blessings of my wife and parents. “The reality is that if I get hurt, it’s going to be on both of us.” Dueck will be competing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in March. At age 32 he is eyeing the end of his professional skiing career, which he says will probably be at a World Cup event to be held at Panorama near his childhood home in the Kootenays in 2015. He is not certain that will be the exact time he pulls the plug, but Dueck says he’s learned a lot from this skiing thing that he loves so much. “Whether I’m successful in sport or not, in the big picture it’s super nice to be able to apply yourself to a craft and be good at it, but what I gain from this process in sport will carry me through life.” n
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Since 1974!
We Know Nordic!
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Financial Health
Build Your Financial Foundation
You can build your financial foundation with a little bit of planning, and some helpful advice. Money coach Kathi Bridge explains. By Kathi Bridge
A
lmost half of all Canadians spend more than they earn every month, and continue to sink further into debt with no plan of getting on top of their finances. The statistic comes from a recent Canadian Payroll Association survey–47 percent report they would be in financial difficulty if their pay cheques were delayed by even one week. I believe that number is even higher from the work I do as a money coach. What does this mean for everyone? Stress, lack of sleep and arguments with your significant other are some of the issues that arise. The bigger more intangible result is forfeiting a decent retirement in the future because of your money habits today. But you can take actions to change your habits,
get in control and get rid of debt. Start with these three steps to build your financial foundation. Step One–Create a vision for your life A great financial plan starts with determining your goals and writing them down. Most people skip this step, but it is so important! This will set the stage for accomplishing significant milestones in your life. Do you want to take a holiday every year, save for a down payment for a house or start an RESP for your kids? By writing these goals down, giving them a dollar amount and a timeframe, you are much more likely to attain them. This sets the stage for your financial
plan and makes it exciting as you see the money grow. By doing this, you make a declaration to yourself and those around you that these things are important and you want to make them happen. As you’ve probably heard before, goals that are written down are much more likely to be obtained. Step Two–Know reality
your
financial
It’s important to figure out where you are right now with your finances. This includes your net worth, debts, how much you earn and what you spend. By knowing where you stand today, you will be able to figure out the steps you need to take to get you where you want to be.
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Financial Health Your net worth is your assets (what you own) minus your liabilities (what you owe). This is a great snapshot to understand your current financial picture, as well as tracking your year-over-year change (hopefully your net worth is increasing each year!) Determining your total debts, the interest on each debt and getting it all down on paper is an important step to taking control of what you owe and becoming debt free. The first step to getting on track with your money is to stop adding to your debt every month. That’s the success formula–the secret to getting rid of your debt is to stop adding more debt! Monthly cash flow (coming in and going out of your account) must be a balanced amount. Live within your means; don’t try to keep up with the Jones. Step Three–Create a plan and set up systems This is what I call a spending and savings plan, something I spend a lot of time on with my clients. There are three parts to the plan–fixed expenses, variable expenses and future expenses, plus what you bring into the household in income. By taking the time to figure out all three types of expenses, and ensuring that the net income you are bringing in covers these expenses, you will break the cycle of incurring debt and spending more than you make. The first two expenses are self-explanatory, fixed expenses (including debt paydown) and variable expenses. However, for the variable expenses, I recommend opening up a second unlimited chequing account and transferring a set amount weekly for these expenses. Use your debit card to spend all the variable expense money. Once the money is gone and the transfer doesn’t take place for a day or so, you don’t go to Costco or eat out; you use what’s in the cupboard at home and you wait until the account has money again before you spend it. This is a fantastic way of reining in spending and there’s no need to track every receipt! My own family does this and it works extremely well. The third section are those future expenses–those bills that only come up annually or a few times a year, like property taxes, car repairs or the kids’ hockey fees. You know, the ones that make you whip out your credit card to cover the cost and continue the cycle of debt. Determine how much you need each year for these less frequent payments, divide by 12 and set up an automatic transfer to an e-savings account for each category and start growing the money. This works great for your goals as well–whether it’s a vacation in a warm climate or saving for a down payment. Automatically transfer money to your savings account each month and watch it grow. Even transferring $50 per month to your Mexico account is very motivating. Unfortunately, if we don’t have anything good to save for, we tend to spend our money frivolously. But with just a little planning, living within your means, paying down your debts and saving for the future, you can start to prosper. You can achieve your goals and be debt free. n
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Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 25
Financial Health
Investing in Life Investing for your future is as much about living well as it is about the money. By Kirbey Lockhart, B Sc, CIM
D
ata is the rage for cell phone owners as it allows us to download information from the internet. We can now access Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, emails, MapMyRide even TSN when there is no internet connection available. Convenient? Yes. Manageable? Not really. Recently I flew from Vancouver to Comox and while I was waiting for my luggage, a businessman next to me turned his phone back on, only to discover during that brief flight he had received 42 emails! Which makes us wonder–is “busyness” a true indicator of a fulfilling life? While we feast on data, are we starving for wisdom? Perhaps it’s time to step back from the barrage of data and spend our time doing the things that will truly help us live our lives with greater purpose and wisdom. Consider the following: 1. Invest in your relationships A wise person invests in meaningful relationships. Decide who are the most important to you and then prioritize your time around them. Loneliness will yield emptiness so it’s unwise and unhealthy to live life disconnected from family and friends. When talking with people face to face, be emotionally present in the conversation by turning your phone to vibrate, or remove it from the table so it doesn’t distract you. If you have another appointment in 30 minutes, don’t keep looking at your watch; instead set the timer on your phone or watch to go off in 25 minutes. This will
allow you to focus on the conversation and the person in front of you. Further, decide what is most important to you and focus your free time on those things. You, and only you, are responsible for your happiness. 2. Invest in your health The biggest health challenge for most Canadians today is stress. Listen to how often people around you say they are “stressed out,” “maxed out,” or “at the end of my rope.” Eustress is the good stress that motivates you to continue working (i.e., completing a marathon after “hitting the wall” at kilometre 37). The stress we more commonly refer to is called distress. This latter type of stress is simply hurry sickness, causing us to live faster than we were designed to live. Most of us need to slow down and let success catch up to us. Stress manifests in our bodies and makes us pay; headaches, back pain, high blood pressure, sleeplessness and low sexual energy are a few health issues exacerbated by stress. Some popular and effective ways to bring your RPMs down include yoga, rigorous exercise, massage, travelling and reading. The smart thing to do is to find what works for you and do it–regularly. Like happiness, you are responsible for your own health. Be proactive. Improve your overall health by reducing low-value interactions, maintaining perspective, accepting
change, laughing often and learning how to calm yourself. 3. Invest in your future The wise investor pays him or herself first. It is imperative that you discipline yourself to start funding your future now. Like training for a sprint triathlon, think short-term pain, long-term gain. You will need 50 percent to 70 percent of your present income at retirement so consider long-term investments for your RRSPs, make effective use of the TFSA, the RESP for education and the new RDSP for people with disabilities. These types of registered accounts are set up by the federal government to reward Canadians for saving now for future needs. Contributing monthly works well for most people; after a few months you don’t even miss the money, plus you participate in dollar-cost-averaging, a proven and effective way to invest long term. A few more sagacious financial strategies include paying off all credit card debt as soon as possible, setting up a contingency fund, procuring the proper amount of life insurance and having an up-to-date will. Finally, remember that information or data on its own does not make one wise; wisdom comes from implementing information. So make the time to invest in life wisely; and go out and live the life you were meant to live. n
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Wellness
Harmonize Your Health
Soothe your soul and keep your body in tune–with music! By Serge Mazerand s a composer of relaxing and healing music, I have a particular tendency to define wellness as being in harmony and in tune, no pun intended. When I have to play a piano that is out of tune, which thankfully happens rarely, my ears cringe. This is exactly what our cells do when our bodies are out of tune–typically when we feel stressed and gripped by anxiety. Unfortunately this happens all too often. A number of well-known health issues follow suit. Insomnia, blood pressure, heart issues, depression, the list goes on. In turn, they lead to a significantly weakened immune system and very quickly, tip the balance from well-ness to ill-ness. Music and sound have been part of the healing scene since the dawn of time. Shamans, in the oldest civilizations, have been known to use music, drumming and chanting as an intrinsic part of their healing ceremonies. Without any doubt, music has a huge role to play on the wellness scene. With music you can sooth a baby to sleep and march men to war. Rhythms are different and the tones, pitches, harmonies and frequencies, in their magnificent diversity, all play a vital role in the type of emotions they bring forth. As the word’s roots suggest, emotions move you and so does music. It is a very powerful catalyst. It moves you to dance, it moves you to cry; it calms you down and soothes your soul. In this increasingly frenzied world of ours, the role of soothing music becomes paramount. The concept of music and wellness is simple to understand. Like all living organisms on earth, we, humans are vibrational entities. Although we may not be consciously aware of vibrations interacting within us, they do all the time, in very subtle ways. Don’t we commonly say, “This resonates with me”? Let’s take our brain waves for
A
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instance. In our normal, everyday state of consciousness–including when we drive in heavy traffic–they vibrate as beta waves at an average of 17 Hertz to 20 Hertz (Hz) (or cycles per second). When you are in a calm state, away from the daily hustle and bustle, your brain generates alpha waves which cycle in a range of 8 Hz to13 Hz. Sleep and meditation are characterized by theta waves which oscillate in a range
of 6 JHz to 10 Hz. Under 5 Hz you are either an experienced yogi in a state of suspended meditation or you’re in trouble! Music has the ability to entrain other frequencies. Therefore, if you play music that has a slow beat or no beat at all, like a slow, sweeping new age type of music, your brain waves will
automatically follow and adjust to that frequency. Hence the calming powers of appropriate music. The same genre of music will slow down your heartbeat, as well as lower blood pressure. The key is to listen to the same music over and over until it becomes a trusted companion, which provides you with a sense of safety and familiarity. It creates a safe haven where stress and anxiety have no power anymore. Visualization, slow, controlled breathing and meditation will help compound music’s healing and relaxing effects. Today music is increasingly used in hospital wards and operating rooms to help reduce anxiety and blood loss. Appropriate music is used in pre and postnatal care. It has been established scientifically that music creates new pathways in the brains of Alzheimer patients. Elderly patients, suffering from dementia, also benefit greatly from the soothing powers of music. Relaxing and healing music also has a place in our everyday lives–on our iPods, our phones, or in a CD player at bedtime. Listen to just five minutes of a beautiful cello line or ocean waves sweeping gently over a sandy beach with a flute singing in the distance. This can make all the difference between feeling drained or feeling in perfect harmony, and being in tune and empowered. n
Jacqui Hughes REALTOR® Executives Realty Ltd.
Helping you make your next move stress free!
What an Amazing 1st year! Congratulations OHW Magazine! Healthily Moving Forward Together Jacqui Hughes The Don Miller Group 2907 - 32nd St. Vernon, BC
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Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 27
Wellness
Create Yourself Happy Four easy ways to infuse more creativity into your life–and for a very good reason.
By Amy Green, MA, CCC
F
or children, happiness is a box of Crayolas, making up a silly song or turning a rug into a magic carpet ride. But somewhere between finger paints and adulthood, being creative just for fun is exchanged for deadlines, responsibilities and financial obligations. However, it may be time to dig out those art supplies. According to Carrie and Alton Barron, MDs and co-authors of The Creativity Cure: A Do-It Yourself Prescription for Happiness, creativity is integral to our long-term happiness and overall wellbeing. Furthermore, a bulk of scientific research suggests that engaging in creative pursuits is extremely beneficial for emotional, mental and physical health. Here are four ideas to help unleash your creativity: Write it out A growing body of research suggests that expressive writing is associated with everything from greater psychological wellbeing to a stronger immune system. Furthermore, engaging in a regular writing practice can help you confront emotions, gain perspective, resolve complex issues, explore curiosities and generate new ideas. Some pretty good reasons to put pen to paper!
If you’d prefer to keep it personal and simple, journal writing is a great place to start. Commit to writing three to four times per week; the more you write, the more you’ll be able to recognize stressors and recurring negative thought patterns. You will also start to identify your strengths and the things that make you truly happy. For the most honest and uncensored writing, try to ignore your inner critic and remember that you are your only audience. Splash out some artwork Art allows the voices and stories inside of us to speak when words may not be enough. Unfortunately, many people avoid engaging in visual art because they believe they aren’t “artists.” However, you don’t have to be Van Gogh to reap the benefits of visual art; in fact, the therapeutic paybacks of visual art come from engaging in the process of art, not from the outcome of what the art looks like. Visual art can take a multitude of forms, from watercolours to ceramics to knitting to woodwork! To help yourself get into the art process and let go of worrying about the final product, start an art journal for your eyes only. You can make your own or buy one that comes with inspirational prompts and ideas (try Art Doodle Love: A Journal of SelfDiscovery by Dawn DeVries Sokol).
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Wellness Play like you’re five years old again Play is just as crucial for adults as it is for children. In his book, Play, author and psychiatrist Stuart Brown explains that, “play is what lifts people out of the mundane.” He later compares play to oxygen, writing that, “It’s all around us, yet goes mostly unnoticed or unappreciated until it is missing.”
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Let Go & Live Luscious! To start appreciating and infusing more play into your life, start with the things that truly bring you joy–anything from daydreaming to bike riding counts. Play with animals and kids and follow their lead, chances are they don’t feel guilty for playing and don’t need any instructions. And give yourself permission to play every day, remember that you’re doing yourself a favour. Turn off the TV and turn on the music (and maybe even dance) Within just 30 seconds of turning on the boob tube, the part of our brain that’s responsible for making important judgments becomes subdued, which is why TV watching is often associated with terms like “brainwashing”. Furthermore, TV use has been linked with obesity, lower life satisfaction, decreased engagement in physical activity and even increased risk of dementia. With that in mind, try trading your TV time for some Bach, Beatles or Bon Iver. Unlike TV, music listening is associated with a positive impact on the listener’s emotional state, which may, in turn, positively impact things like problem solving, creativity and mental flexibility. Not sure which music to choose? To increase your concentration, choose instrumental music without lyrics (classical, bluegrass or acoustic); to encourage creativity and a flow-like state, choose music that makes you feel inspired and that contains lots of repetition (like trance or post rock). And if you just want to dance, choose your favourite upbeat playlist and dance like nobody’s watching. n
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Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 29
Wellness
Dental Implants–Something to Smile About “Like a missing tooth sometimes an absence is more noticeable than a presence...” Jodi Picoult, author By Dr. Duncan Chambers
E
ven with the advances in dental technology, people are still losing teeth. Almost half of adults are missing a single tooth and a recent survey by Health Canada revealed that approximately one in five seniors is missing all of their teeth. Unfortunately, and somewhat surprisingly, the number of people missing teeth is on the rise.
Teeth are most often lost due to the effect of two dental diseases: periodontal disease (gum disease) and dental caries (cavities). Both of these diseases are slow to progress and are cumulative in nature so that a disproportionate number of elderly are affected. Advances in dentistry have helped reduce the percentage of seniors requiring dentures from 50 percent in 1990 to only 20 percent in 2009. However, the number of people over the age of 65 has doubled since 1990 and represents one of the fastest growing groups in Canadian society. In a recent report “A Portrait of Seniors in Canada,” by Statistics Canada, Canadians aged 65 to 74 increased from 1.5 million to 2.2 million between 1981 and 2005; and that number is anticipated to be 4.8 million by 2031. As the number of seniors continue to increase so does the number of people missing teeth. The issues with missing teeth People who are edentulous are missing important parts of their bodies, 32 to be exact. They are physically impaired according to the World Health Organization and would be considered disabled by most dentists. Teeth are an important part of your overall health and losing teeth often has devastating consequences, both emotional and physical. People missing teeth avoid eating many healthy foods, particularly fruit, vegetables and other dietary fibres. They’re forced to eat more processed foods with less nutritional value. This is particularly harmful for those who are vulnerable to malnutrition and can have a negative impact on their overall health. Without teeth faces sag, lips cave in and chins become closer to noses; making people appear older. They hesitate to smile and are often perceived to be unfriendly, grumpy or mad. Many will not eat in public leading to social isolation, loneliness and depression. They are often ashamed and
30 Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
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Wellness embarrassed by their condition and this lowers their confidence, selfesteem and makes their lives less enjoyable. Fortunately, prosthodontists can help. Prosthodontics is simply prosthetic or artificial teeth; prosthodontists are certified dental specialists who can replace missing teeth, restore lost function and improve the quality of life for people missing teeth. Getting help Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth. These small titanium screws are placed in the jaw and new teeth are attached to them. They look and feel very much like natural teeth. Dental implants aren’t new; in fact they’ve been used to replace teeth for more than 40 years. Surprisingly many people have never even heard of dental implants and unfortunately many are needlessly struggling with missing teeth and problem partials and dentures. Traditionally, false teeth, like the kind your grandparents may have worn, were held in place by suction and supported only by the soft tissues inside the mouth. They don’t look like teeth and they certainly don’t chew like teeth. They move around inside the mouth and cause sore spots, often came loose when talking, smiling or laughing. With advancements in dental technology, teeth can now be attached to dental implants that are never removed; they look like teeth, feel like teeth and most importantly chew like teeth. Implant-supported teeth restore the natural biting and chewing capability. They restore complete confidence to eat, speak, sing, laugh and be active. There is no fear of dentures falling out, no need to avoid activities and no need to restrict what or how you eat. Dental implants allow people to feel a renewed sense of self confidence, enjoy an improved quality of life, and take pleasure in eating the foods they love. For those who’re suffering from missing teeth, talk to a prosthodontist about dental implants–the results can be life changing. n www.ohwmagazine.com
Transitioning into Winter; according to Traditional Chinese Medicine Registered acupuncturist Jenna Roze encourages us to explore the energy of the transient nature of the seasons and find harmony in the cycle of change. By Jenna Roze, R Ac
S
olstice is a special time of year, marking the transition of seasons, but also changing the momentum and the expression of all life. We watch Yin Qi (energy) rise into Yang Qi and Yang Qi fall into Yin, flowing thru the Five Elements, completing the circle of life. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), every change of season follows a cycle of energy and is related to certain organs, emotions and healthy behaviors. Yin and Yang are the basis for TCM, representing opposition, giving a point of reference and destroying ideas of “good and bad” (and that the sun is as necessary as the moon). Yin is the shady side of the mountain, offering shade and relief from the heat. Yin represents femininity, peacefulness, gentleness, darkness, mystery, water and fluidity. Yin is energy gathered, the potential before it is put into action. Yang is the sunny side of the mountain, offering life and motivation. Yang represents masculinity, outward movement, action, light, fire, dryness. Yang is energy put into action and manifestation. Yin and Yang circulate thru the five elements of Water (winter) rising into Wood (spring), rising into Fire (summer). Fire then falls into Earth (late summer) which falls into Metal (autumn) dying into Water, completing the circle of qi. As for winter, it is a vital time of year. The energy is at its lowest point; while summer the height of seasons with hot temperatures and lots of socializing. During late summer we take in the harvest and in autumn the energy turns inward. Thus, we let go of lingering emotions and experiences that no longer serve us, in preparation for winter. TCM is strongly based on one of the oldest philosophies in China–Daoism. The Dao, literally translated as “The Way,” abides by the principle of living harmoniously with nature to achieve health, happiness and longevity. Watching the patterns of nature during winter and integrating them into our lives promises wellbeing. Look around during the season of winter, it has Yin energy: the days are shorter resulting in more darkness, the temperature is cool. There is a profound stillness and quietness in the air and many plants and animals are in hibernation. Nature is telling us to go inward, to bring stillness into our minds and bodies so we can recharge our adrenals, the kidney qi, and the batteries of the body. The kidneys, as well as the bladder are the organs that relate to the winter season and are governed by the element Water. The correlating emotions are fear and willpower. When we are in a constant state of fear and stress, adrenaline and cortisol are constantly released by the kidneys and eventually become exhausted. The opposite of fear is will power and when the kidney qi is strong, we have the courage to conquer our fears and stressors, Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 31
Wellness allowing the kidneys to be at peace, to rejuvenate and recharge. Then we can be prepared for springtime, the season where energy begins to rise again, and a time of re-birth when we can plant our dreams for the rest of the year. The spirit of the kidneys is Zhi; it is our wisdom, our primal instinctual knowing, our subconscious mind. It is the autonomic nervous system, the body’s ability to take care of itself, to regulate hormones and the reproductive organs as well as sleep patterns. The kidneys also have a network of functions over the rest of the body, like the bones, the deepest knowing, such as when we “feel it in our bones.” Also our ears and hearing– long earlobes represent longevity, the low back and knees represent the willpower to stand tall and move forward. When the Water element and the kidneys are in balance, these aspects of our bodies will be healthy and productive. We will be fluid and strong like water. Acupuncture, being a main modality of TCM, has been used for thousands of years to balance and strengthen the Water element, the kidney qi and its related functions. Honor this time of year, follow the cycle of the sun and moon and go to bed a little earlier, take time for yourself and use gentle exercise to conserve and rebuild energy. Eat warm and nourishing foods with lots of healthy fats. Eat bone broths to nourish the bones and supplement with Vitamin D, preferably in the form of Cod Live Oils. Avoid raw vegetables and dairy which are cooling, at a time when we need to balance the cool season with warmth. Eat fermented foods, like sauerkraut and miso, which help to nourish the energy of the coming season of spring. Be gentle with yourself, allow yourself to accept the slowness, we do not need to be always looking forward with ambition and desire. As it says in the Dao de Jing, “There is a time for being ahead, a time for being behind; a time for being in motion [and] a time for being at rest...” So, look inward and focus on gratefulness, appreciate what’s around you and accept the season of repose and restoration. n
The Gift that Keeps on Giving Donating blood saves lives–it’s that simple. So make an appointment to donate. By Gayle Voyer
C
anadian Blood Services has managed the blood system in Canada since 1998 and this year celebrates 15 years of service. Every day we welcome many donors who take the time to come in to give the gift of life. We serve 86 hospitals across the BC and Yukon regions and donors help us deliver blood and blood products to patients in need. We serve a large area in the BC Interior and host six blood donor clinics. Our permanent clinic in Kelowna is open weekly and there are additional rotating mobile clinics in the communities of West Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Armstrong and Kamloops. It is truly wonderful to see donors return to donate every 56 days, as well as first-time donors who act in response to the need for blood. At the Kelowna Blood Donor Clinic we often hear seasoned donors sharing their stories of encouragement with others. The excitement and relief of new donors is palpable when they hear from someone celebrating a milestone donation. Donors make what we do possible; together, we realize we are saving lives. It just doesn’t get better than this. Most donors don’t get to meet the recipients who receive their generous donations, but we often hear their stories. They always reiterate the importance of the commitment donors make to supporting us on a regular basis. We share stories on our YouTube channel (youtube.com/18882DONATE) and hope others will hear them, take action and look into donating. You can always check our website, blood.ca, or call 1-888-2 DONATE (1-888-2366283) to ask about your eligibility and schedule an appointment. Blood has a short shelf life so the need for blood is constant. We are regularly in the community educating new groups and new donors about the importance of their support. From presentations, booths and information sharing sessions to our ongoing partnerships, we are always interested in working together with other organizations. We work with high school students aged 17 and over to engage them in our Young Blood for Life Program that runs each school year. Our Partners for Life Program is designed to reach our corporate and community partners who wish to commit as a team to reaching a target number of donations each year. This program alone accounts for 20 percent of our collections in the region. Our community outreach is extended through our amazing volunteers who help us in our clinics and mobile sites taking care of donors and spreading the word. We truly appreciate the work done by our dedicated teams and all of our volunteers; and a big thank you to all of our donors who make our life-saving work possible. n
32 Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
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Wellness
SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY Success With Back/Neck Pain
Do you have neck and back pain? Have you been told that you have arthritis in your neck or back? Do you get pain into your arms, hands, legs or feet? What about tingling into your arms, hands, legs or feet? Have you been diagnosed with degenerating discs in your spine?
Clinic Schedules
Armstrong at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3335 Patterson Street. Clinics take place every 8 weeks. Dec. 23 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 17 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Feb. 18 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Vernon at Trinity United Church, 3300 Alexis Park Way. Clinics take place every 4 weeks. Dec. 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Dec. 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mar. 12 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Mar. 13 and Mar. 14 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Kelowna at 103-1865 Dilworth Drive, across from Sears. Clinics take place weekly. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Every second Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Dec. 14, Dec. 28, Jan. 11, Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22) *Note: Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 clinic hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. West Kelowna at Emmanuel Assembly Church, 2600 Hebert Road. Clinics take place every 8 weeks. Jan. 20 and Mar. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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Penticton at Penticton Seniors Drop-In Centre, 2965 South Main Street. Clinics take place every 4 weeks. Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29, Jan. 30 and Jan. 31 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mar. 26 through Mar. 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Kamloops at Calvary Community Church, 1205 Rogers Way. Clinics take place every 4 weeks. Jan. 6 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m; Jan. 7 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 3 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Feb. 4 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Feb. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Mar. from 12 noon to 7 p.m.; Mar. 5 from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Call 1-888-236-6283 (1-888-2 DONATE) or www.blood.ca to book your appointment. For information on how to involve your office, team, school or community group, please contact Gayle Voyer at 250-448-4022 or gayle.voyer@blood.ca www.ohwmagazine.com
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Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 33
Healthy Bites
Moroccan Lamb in the Crock Pot
Nothing warms you up in the winter like a dinner made in a slow cooker. This recipe is Mel’s own crockpot creation– enjoy!
By Melissa Spooner
T
his recipe comes from an assortment of recipes that I have used over the years. I must say I love, love, love the combination of lamb, cumin and coriander. I like to add a bit of Italian spice as well with some red pepper flakes. Voila! A meal is made! I am a true believer in sharing great meals with friends or family. And I always try to have leftovers, so I always make more than enough for at least one or two extra meals. This recipe can easily be halved if you feel it’s too much. Depending on your appetite, one lamb shank is good for two people unless you’re really hungry, like after a long ski. Ingredients: 6 lamb shanks 2 tbsp olive oil 2 medium sweet onions, diced 6 stalks celery 2 red peppers, diced 1 yellow pepper, diced 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes 1 cup chicken broth 2 cups red wine (you can use broth as a substitute but I think the wine gives it so much depth!) 1 can tomato paste
1 14-ounce can garbanzo beans 6 cinnamon sticks 1 tbsp ground cumin 1 tbsp ground coriander 1 tbsp Italian spices 1 tsp red pepper flakes ½ cup dried apricots 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste Serve over Moroccan seasoned basmati rice (see recipe below). Directions: If your lamb shanks have a tough, silver skin on the outer parts, simply remove it using a paring knife to cut it off. You can just stick everything in the crockpot as this is the true joy of crock pot cooking. But, if you have an extra 20 minutes then I would suggest the following: Drizzle lamb with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add lamb shanks and brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side; this step will add lots of flavour and keep the meat moist. Remove lamb and place in crock pot. Add onions, celery and peppers to
the hot pan. Cook for a few minutes, stirring regularly. Try to scrape up any bits stuck to the pan; again this just adds extra tastiness. Place this in the crockpot. Add tomatoes, garlic and spices to the crockpot. Cook on high heat for at least 4 hours or low heat for 6 hours. Add garbanzo beans and apricots together and continue to cook for another hour or two until lamb is very tender. Basically you want the meat to fall away from the shank. Keep lamb warm in slow cooker until you need to serve it. Serve lamb shanks over rice (see recipe below) and garnish with cilantro. Moroccan Seasoned Rice: You can simply use rice prepared as directed on the package, but for this dish I like to add a bit of seasoning to my rice. In a large pot place 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 2 coriander pods and 1 tbsp olive oil, heat and stir. Then add 2 cups of basmati rice and stir to coat rice with oil and seasonings. Next add 4 cups of chicken broth, bring to a boil, stir and then put on simmer and let cook for approximately 30 minutes or until all water is absorbed and rice is cooked. n
34 Winter ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine
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Pet Health
Happy, Healthy Pets–All Winter Long Just like us, pets are healthier and happier when they eat well and exercise. The following tips will help keep your pets in good form all winter long. By Dr. Moira Drosdovech
W
inter. We love it and we hate it as pet owners. It’s fun to see our pets frolicking in the snow (and that goes for cats as well as dogs), but it isn’t so much fun to wash their dirty salty feet after a walk or to deal with those pesky little ice balls in between their pads. Because the products that may be used on our local roads can irritate their gastrointestinal tract, it’s best to wash their feet when you get home or have them wear booties. Icy surfaces can also be a hazard, as we all know. Dogs are no less prone to slipping, especially our older buddies, so please be careful and don’t throw balls for them to chase when it’s icy. Also, consider ToeGrips for the senior pooches that aren’t terribly active as it will help improve their grip and they’re unlikely to fall off with light activity. Check these out at www.toegrips.com. If your dog does slip and takes a tumble, consider having a chiropractic assessment done as small misalignments can lead to chronic back pain, just like they do for us. Tearing knee ligaments is another risk of slipping on ice. And what about those pesky ice balls that form on the paws between the toe pads? I discovered “Musher’s Secret” a few winters ago and have found that by applying it before the walk, and sometimes during our snowshoe runs, reduces the speed at which these balls form. It also makes the ice balls easier to remove and they are smaller in size. It won’t stop your pooch from becoming the Abominable Snow Dog as snow balls will still accumulate on the long fur on their legs and bellies, but at least those ones aren’t painful to walk on. Other things to think about during the winter months include the hazards of antifreeze, considered tasty by some pets, but a deadly killer nonetheless; also mouse and rat killers and thinly frozen water on lakes and ponds. And please watch what you feed them. Many pets are less
active in the winter and put on weight, which is difficult to take off in the spring. Extra weight is also hard on all of their body systems and promotes potential injuries to their backs and joints. So monitor their body condition. If your neighbour tells you your dog is too thin, say “thank you” because he’s likely in perfect condition! Holiday hazards for pets Holiday hazards abound at Christmas time for pets. The more obvious hazards include chocolate, tinsel and electrical cords, but there are others too. Below is a summary of what to watch for and what to do if you suspect a problem. Tinsel and other string-like items: These should, quite simply, not be used, particularly when you have a young cat. Cats are naturally attracted to glittery stringy things and will swallow them. Cats have very rough tongues that, once something starts going down, often prohibit the object from being spat back out. Symptoms of an errant piece of tinsel or ribbon inadvertently swallowed include vomiting, not eating and general lethargy. A vet can often find string objects anchored around the base of the tongue. Surgery is most often required, so best to avoid the expense and the kitty’s discomfort by simply not using these items. Leaving
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Pet Health yarn and thread out with young cats or dogs around can be a recipe for disaster. Christmas lights: While uncommon, electrical burns, even shock, are a concern with any cord that is plugged in, including Christmas lights. Electric shock may occur from defective cords as well as from pets chewing on cords. Check all cords for any signs of bite marks, loose or frayed wires, proximity to the tree’s water supply and evidence of short circuits. If unsafe, don’t use. You may need to limit your pets’ accessibility to the tree unless you are providing constant supervision. If you notice your pet has burns around the mouth, difficulty breathing, abnormal heart rhythm or loss of consciousness, you may have an electric cord injury on your hands. Call the vet immediately! Christmas foods and goodies: There is nothing harder than trying to avoid the soulful eyes of a dog begging for food. Resist the temptation and only give them small tastes of turkey or some veggies. It is especially dangerous to give them any cooked turkey bones. If you want to give them some turkey scraps, use your common sense. Is your dog a short chunky aging Cock-a-poo that needs to lose five or six pounds? Then only give him a small cube of white breast meat. Is your dog a young active lean raw-fed 70-pound Lab? Then it’s probably okay to give him a cup or more of the meat and veggie scraps with his dinner, but with minimal fat and none of the cooked bones. Too much of a good thing, especially fat (and particularly for a dog not used to it) can cause an inflamed pancreas, known as pancreatitis, a very painful and serious condition. Chocolate: Resist this temptation too. Dogs have no need for chocolate like humans do (honestly, there must be a human gene that creates a need for chocolate). In fact, chocolate can actually be quite harmful for dogs. The toxicity of chocolate is related to how much is ingested, the type of chocolate and the size of the animal. Just a few months ago, I made two dozen chocolate zucchini muffins that included at least a half cup of cocoa. Unfortunately, the counter-surfing Irish Water Spaniel, Kira, happily surfed about 16 of them. Sadly for us they were no longer edible by the time she vomited them back up…. Christmas plants: Poinsettias and mistletoe are common Christmas plants and have been known to create problems for pets. Poinsettias have received bad publicity in the past whereas, in fact, poinsettias are not very toxic to pets. They do contain a milky sap that can irritate the mouth but if signs develop they are usually mild. Mistletoe can be very toxic to animals and you should seek veterinary consultation immediately if your pet has potentially ingested any part of the plant, especially the berries. Mistletoe can cause vomiting, severe diarrhea, difficult breathing, shock and death within hours of ingestion. The best plan of action is to simply keep all plants out of the reach of pets. Other plants to watch out for include lilies, amaryllis, aloe and daffodils. www.ohwmagazine.com
Lastly, don’t forget your pet over Christmas. A family get together takes you away from your normal routine, but your pets won’t understand your obligations. Do as much as you can to keep them on a regular schedule for feeding, exercise and attention. n
Disclaimer: The opinions in this article are those of the author. It is always prudent to get the advice of your veterinary professional before making any decisions about the health of your pets.
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Upcoming community events Dec 21: The Penticton Farmers Market takes place Saturday, Dec 21 from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. at the Shatford Centre, located at 760 Main Street in Penticton. Or visit the market online at www. pentictonfarmersmarket.org Dec 27: Sovereign Lake invites you to the potluck dinner and lantern ski from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.sovereignlake.com, or call 250-558-3036. Dec 31–Jan 2: Christmas Kids Camp at Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre! Runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Moms get to go for a ski while the kids are at camp! Jan 1: The annual Polar Bear Run takes place in Peachland. Choose a 2-km or a 5-km run; start time is 10:30 a.m. Call 250-767-2133 to register. Jan 5 (and Jan 12, 19 and 26): Join the ski crew from Silver Star Mountain Resort on a day trip to Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Bus departs at 7 a.m. and returns at approximately 9:30 p.m. Contact Guest Services for bookings at 250-558-6019 or email infodesk@ skisilverstar.com Jan 8–Feb 26: Women’s Day at Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre (every Wednesday), includes a classic lesson or skate lesson. Only $30; or $80 for three lessons. For more information, visit www.sovereignlake.com, or call 250-558-3036. Jan 18: The 30th annual Reino KeskiSalmi Loppet takes place at the Larch Hills ski area in Salmon Arm. Various distances and routes for a wide range of skiers. For more information, call Pauline at 250-833-0325 or visit www. skilarchhills.ca Part of the Kal-West Loppet Series. Jan 26: Walk for Memories Day in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton. Vernon’s walk starts at Kal Tire Place at 9:30 a.m.; Kelowna’s walk starts at 11 a.m. at Kelowna Secondary School; and Penticton’s walk starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre. Call 1-800-667-3742 for more details or visit www.walkformemories.com
Jan 26: Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre hosts the Yoga and Ski event, lunch included, all for only $60. Register early! Visit www.sovereignlake.com, or call 250-558-3036.
Feb 2: The Dirty Feet Snowshoe Fun Run takes place at Stake Lakes in Kamloops. Choose from 5km or 10km. For more info and to register, visit www. dirtyfeet.ca.
Januray is... Alzheimer Awareness Month
Feb 2–7: Master’s Ski Week at Big White. Several events take place this week at Big White including wine tasting, information seminars, and of course, skiing. Visit www.BigWhite.com for more details.
February is... Heart Month Psychology Month March is... Endometriosis Awareness Month Multiple System Atrohy Awareness Month Help Fight Liver Disease Month National Colorectal Cancer Month National Kidney Month National Social Work Month Pharmacist Awareness Month Red Cross Month
Jan 26: The Kelowna Apple Loppet– visit www.telemarkx-c.com/events.htm for updates. Part of the Kal-West Loppet Series. Jan 29: Sicamous Snow Days begin! Lots of great events to take part in including the Snow-lympics, snow sculptures, snowman and snow village building, snow golf, a community dinner, horse-drawn sleigh rides, cross country skiing and snowshoeing events, and much more. For more information contact: pbeech@telus.net or watch for updates at www.sicamous.ca Feb TBD: The February Freeze Up is a 5-km walk or run that takes place in Peachland, date still TBD. A social event fun for the entire family (watch for more details in December). Call the recreation office at 250-767-2133 for more info. Feb 1: The Nickel Plate Loppet takes place at the Nickel Plate Nordic Centre in Penticton. For more information on the loppet or on the Nickel Plate Nordic Centre, visit www.nickelplatenordic.org. Part of the Kal-West Loppet Series.
Feb 7–16: Vernon Winter Carnival hosts Carnival of Superheroes! Visit the Vernon Winter Carnival at www. vernonwintercarnival.com for a complete listing of events. Something for everyone and the perfect way to celebrate winter! Feb 9: The Dirty Feet “White Out” Snowshoe Fun Run takes place at Big White in Kelowna. Choose from 5 km or 10 km. Visit www.dirtyfeet.ca for all the details. Feb 16: Starting Block 10K. Takes place at the Lavington Elementary School, off Highway 6 east from Vernon. Check in with the Starting Block in Vernon for more details or visit www. interiorrunningassociation.com Feb 16: Overlander Loppet. Visit www. overlanderskiclub.com for all the details! Part of the Kal-West Loppet Series. Feb 22: The Dirty Feet “Night Shoe” Fun Run at Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon. Choose from a 5-km or 10km run. Visit www.dirtyfeet.ca for more info and to register. Mar 2: The Dirty Feet “Intergalactic Championships” Snowshoe Fun Run takes place at Sun Peaks Resort. Choose from 5km or 10km. Check out the details at www.dirtyfeet.ca. Mar 9: The Sovereign Lake Loppet is on! Visit www.sovereignlake.com for more details. If you’d like to submit an event for our listing, please email us at: info@ohwmagazine.com For a complete event listing, visit us at www.ohwmagazine.com
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