Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine Summer 2014

wellness

Summer 2014

Okanagan Health & OHW Magazine

MAGAZINE

Colorectal Cancer: Preventable, Treatable, and Beatable P. 17

End Distracted Driving P. 8

The Plight of the Honeybee P. 22

Reconsidering the Sweet LIfe Complimentary

P. 33

Water Safety is Everybody’s Responsibility P. 19

Welcome OHW Magazines’ newest addition to the line-up

PETS

Information on: Animal Chiropractic Parasites Healing with Energy Superfoods for Dogs Calming Effects of a Fish Tank Heatstroke Grooming Your Cat Non-Profit Groups

OUR Y G N I P L E H E PET BE TH BE N A C T I T BES

and much more...

Available at Okanagan Pet Stores and online at www.ohwmagazine.com

contents Summer 2014 Volume 2 Issue 3

Probiotics 101

WELLNESS

Page 30

8 End Distracted Driving This societal problem goes beyond the use of cellphones.

12 An Attractive Smile Like it or not, your smile can affect how others perceive you.

14 Avoiding Brain Injury The best cure for brain injury is prevention – so protect your noggin!

15 Good News for Kelowna’s Gospel Mission Dental Clinic This free clinic is expanding from two chairs to five.

17 Colorectal Cancer: Preventable, Treatable, and Beatable Learn about the work of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada and the giant colon.

FITNESS 18 Anyone for Pickleball?

It’s official – pickleball has arrived in the Okanagan.

WATER SAFETY FEATURE 19 Water Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility Heading out on the water? Read these need-to-know regulations and recommendations from the RCMP.

NATURAL HEALTH 22 The Plight of the Honeybee How does this humble insect benefit us, and where would we be without it? www.ohwmagazine.com

24 Pain: Your Body’s Fire Alarm Pain and discomfort act as a warning system that something is wrong.

26 Feeding the Skin with Vitamin A Learn about the many forms of this vitamin, which is vital for healthy skin

33 Reconsidering the Sweet Life Artificially sweetened foods, and diet drinks in particular, may reduce overall diet quality and lead to weight gain.

34 Fit N Healthy Recipes

SENIORS HEALTH

PET HEALTH

27 Creative Activities in Aging As we age, how can we keep our lives exciting and fulfilling?

36 The Power of Positive Training At the end of your leash with your dog? Here’s help

NUTRITION

IN EVERY ISSUE:

30 Probiotics 101 Not all bacteria are harmful to our health – meet some of the good guys.

32 And the Winner Is… Protein packs a powerful punch.

7

Your Questions Answered

38 Upcoming 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

Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 3

From the OHW Team

OHW Magazine

Okanagan’s Own Health & Wellness Magazine

A

PUBLISHER LMR PUBLISHING Leanne Christie info@ohwmagazine.com EDITOR Dianne Fowlie editor@ohwmagazine.com

Leanne Christie Owner/Publisher

ADVERTISING SALES Melissa Spooner 250.550.0521 mel@ohwmagazine.com Megan Vadnais 250.309.1736 megan@ohwmagazine.com

Dianne Fowlie Editor

Leanne Christie 250.503.7472 info@ohwmagazine.com Glenn Bond 250.309.2611 glenn@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

Melissa Spooner Advertising Sales

Megan Vadnais Distribution Advertising Sales

Glenn Bond Advertising Sales

h, summer! We’re a little later than planned in getting this issue to you, but here in the Okanagan we’re fortunate that summers are long, so we still have lots of great weather and relaxing days ahead.

As always, we’re excited to cover a wide variety of topics generously provided by local experts. In addition to our regular Q&A, mouth-watering recipes, and upcoming community events, there’s something for everyone on the following pages. We’ve mentioned a few below, but look for the full lineup on the Contents page.

Like so many of us, you may have been watching your calorie intake in anticipation of swimsuit season. Perhaps you’ve taken to avoiding sugary food and drink in favour of artificially sweetened fare, so that you can keep that waistline in check. But as you’ll see in “Reconsidering the Sweet Life,” you could actually be hurting your weightcontrol efforts – and your health – when you turn to socalled diet products.

Other topics in this issue include a great explanation of the purpose of physical discomfort in “Pain – Your Body’s Fire Alarm,” maintaining a healthy gut in “Probiotics 101,” supporting cancer-screening in “Colorectal Cancer: Preventable, Treatable, and Beatable,” and the important role of a certain little insect in “The Plight of the Honeybee.”

We also address an area that is gaining more and more attention in “End Distracted Driving.” Many of us may think this applies to anyone but us, since we don’t use our cell phones while driving. Read this article and you’ll see there’s much more to it than cell phone use.

The Okanagan life includes time at the lake or on the river, so what could be more fitting for our feature article than “Water Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility,” written by the RCMP officer who oversees the operation of the police patrol vessel in the North Okanagan area? A great read, especially if you’re at the lake – but even better beforehand!

In case you missed our Pets issue, we’re letting you know about yet another great addition to our OHW Magazine team! Say hello to Megan Vadnais, who is in charge of distribution and will also be working in advertising sales. (Some of you may have already had the pleasure of meeting Megan as she has taken up her new role with enthusiasm.) As always, we ask that you please remember to support our advertisers as well as our contributors, all of whom help make this magazine possible.

Once again, we hope you enjoy this issue, and we always welcome feedback, so please contact us with any questions or comments. Have a wonderful, safe summer!

Stay Connected with OHW Magazine

Cover: An industrious honeybee going about its day.

4 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Contributors

Letters to the Editor

Dear OHW Magazine, I picked up a copy of your Pets issue a couple of days ago and have gone through it from cover to cover. Wow, great job with articles full of all kinds of useful and interesting information! I own two long-haired cats, so the piece on cat grooming caught my eye right away. I had no idea there were groomers out there brave enough to take on cats!

Although the cover showed a dog, I was also pleased to see that the magazine didn’t just focus on one type of pet, which so many pet publications do. The section on animal welfare groups is an excellent resource to keep on hand, as is the one offering tips for travelling with your pet. I was fascinated by the therapeutic role that horses can play in our lives too.

Are you planning to do more special issues like this? I hope you are! How can I get on your mailing list so that I don’t miss it?

Jen, Vernon, BC Editor’s Note: Thank you, Jen, for your kind feedback – we are glad you enjoyed the Pets issue, which was lots of fun to put together.

We have heard from a number of people asking whether we intend to run another issue on pets. Our initial plan was to see what kind of response we received to the inaugural publication.

The feedback has been so positive that we will make it an annual addition to the lineup of OHW Magazine.

One of our goals is to share information that our readers may have wondered about but not known where to find answers.

Most of our content is contributed by Okanagan-area experts in their particular field – in this case, those working with animals.

We are grateful to them for sharing their expertise, and are happy to showcase them on our contributors page. We are always happy to hear from health professionals who may have an idea for a story that would be of interest to our growing readership.

To get on our mailing list, please send a quick email with your mailing information to info@ohwmagazine.com. For those online viewers check out our website at www.ohwmagazine. com for all the back issues. n www.ohwmagazine.com

Lori Anderson is the owner of the award-winning North Okanagan Skin & Laser in Vernon. Her passion is educating others on achieving and maintaining healthy skin. Lori is a medical aesthetician and is trained in the Pastiche method of advanced skin analysis and skin needling. She is a certified laser technician and advanced permanent makeup artist. Lori and her team are devoted to providing innovative and non-invasive skin treatments to all of their clients. See www.okanaganskinandlaser.com..

Duncan Chambers, DDS, is a Board Certified Dental Specialist (Prosthodontist) with 23 years of clinical experience in restoring smiles, fixing broken and worn teeth, and replacing single as well as multiple missing teeth with dental implants. Dr. Chambers has helped thousands of patients restore their healthy, natural, beautiful smiles.

He takes great personal satisfaction in witnessing the transformation as patients become accustomed to their new look and improved function. For more information, visit www.kelownaprosthodontics.ca.

Robert Daly has been a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for 28 years, working in the Lower Mainland, Kitimat, and Vernon. Sgt. Daly is stationed with the Vernon/North Okanagan detachment as the Rural Operations NCO. Among his responsibilities is the operation of the police patrol vessel in the North Okanagan area. Sgt. Daly is well qualified to discuss water safety, having operated police patrol vessels on the ocean out of Kitimat and on the various lakes and rivers of the Okanagan for the past 16 years.

Dalia Gottlieb-Tanaka, PhD, lives in Vernon. After working in architecture for about 30 years and raising a family, Dalia returned to school to pursue a new direction in gerontology, specifically in the study of creative expression, dementia, and the therapeutic environment. She conceived and developed the Creative Expression Activities Program for seniors with dementia, which won an award from the American Society on Aging and the MetLife Foundation. She continues to deliver presentations and workshops demonstrating the program and her research work in the US, Canada, Israel, and Europe. Dalia founded the Society for the Arts in Dementia Care in British Columbia and is the moving force behind the annual international conferences and workshops on creative expression, communication and dementia (CECD).

Michale Hartte, BASc (Nutr), NNCP, CH, a Kelowna resident, spends her time raising her incredibly healthy boys, ages 12 and 9, while she runs a private nutritional practice and offers online, inperson and by-phone appointments. To find out more about Michale and how you can get Fit n Healthy, please visit www.fitnhealthynutrition.com.

Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 5

Contributors Shauna Jones has studied and worked in the health industry for the past 14 years and is co-owner of Abaco Health Food store in Kelowna’s Mission district. Abaco Health carries an extensive range of quality vitamins, supplements, sports nutrition and natural remedies, as well as natural beauty products. Abaco Health’s knowledgeable staff offer exceptional customer service guiding people into health through nutrition and detoxification, using foods and supplements as natural medicines. Visit www.abacohealth.com.

Magda Kapp is the director of communications for BrainTrust Canada in Kelowna. A progressive nonprofit association, BrainTrust Canada has provided community rehabilitation in the Okanagan since 1986, offering individualized community support and rehabilitation to maximize independence after brain injury. These services include residential, pre-employment, health maintenance, education, financial, compensatory strategy development, advocacy and family support. See more at www. braintrustcanada.com.

For Helen Kennedy, retiring from a career in finance and management, beekeeping was not even a remote thought, but the bees came and Helen went to work. With a passion for horticulture, she found the bees blended into the farm. After eight years, the bees have grown to 250 hives.

Helen and her husband, Rick Appel, farm 14.5 acres in SE Kelowna, managing the bees and growing fruit, berries, and vegetables. Arlo’s Honey Farm is open for agri-tourism, and Helen is involved with Kelowna Tourism, the Farm to Table program, the Kelowna Farmers & Crafters Market, Economic Development’s Infovest program, and is a member of BCHPA and the local bee club. To see more, visit www.arloshoneyfarm.com.

Shelly Korobanik, certified Personal Trainer and Professional Dog Trainer, is the owner of Pooch Partners®, a business that combines her passion for fitness and love of dogs to promote outdoor activities for people with their pooch. In addition to fitness classes, learn-to-run programs, cani-cross, skijoring, weight pulling, agility, and obedience training, Pooch Partners® hosts an annual Doggie Duathlon, Trail Hiking series, and Raise the Woof comedy show to raise funds for local animal charities. For more details visit www. poochpartners.ca or email bark@poochpartners. ca.

Elliot Lysyk, DC, loves helping people overcome their health concerns, and his true passion is chiropractic care for families. He founded Arise Chiropractic Wellness Clinic in Vernon with a mission in mind: to help as many families as possible achieve optimal health, naturally. Dr. Elliot previously practised in Ireland, where he lived for four years before settling back in Canada. He loves to travel and has visited over 30 countries, enjoying many cultural experiences along the way. For more information on the clinic, visit www. arisechiropractic.com.

Sarah V. Rilkoff, BScN, CFNS, is owner of Restore Nutrition in Kelowna. Sarah is a registered nurse and Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist. For almost 15 years, connecting fitness and nutrition has been a personal passion for Sarah, and the beliefs and values at Restore Nutrition rest upon a holistic and sustainable approach to healthy eating and exercise. These components are imperative to supporting emotional and spiritual wellbeing and maximizing physical performance. For more information, visit www.restorenutrition.ca or phone 250-859-3321.

Chris Spooner, BSc, ND, owns Paradigm Naturopathic Medicine in Vernon. Dr. Spooner works with a wide range of patients who are dealing with complicated health issues and looking for a balanced approach that combines conventional medicine with naturopathic approaches. Dr. Spooner was an oarsman for the University of Victoria Varsity Crew and a member of the Canadian national rowing team. He is an avid cyclist, open water swimmer, and cross-country skier. To request an appointment, visit www. paradigmnaturopathic.com or phone 778475-3822.

Barry D. Stein, BCom, BCL, LLB, is a survivor of metastatic colorectal cancer diagnosed in 1995. He has been a member of the Bar of Quebec since 1981 and has established a prominent position in the fields of commercial and corporate law. As the president of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC), he actively represents the interests of cancer patients and speaks regularly to medical professionals, industry, government, and patient groups across Canada and internationally about colorectal cancer. To learn more about colorectal cancer, visit www. colorectal-cancer.ca..

Wayne M. Terai, B.Sc., D.C., C.L.T., is the owner and clinical director of Burtch Chiropractic and Kelowna Laser Therapy. In practice for 20 years, Dr. Terai has helped thousands of Okanagan families achieve their health and wellness goals through a holistic “mind-body communication” approach. This is based on the premise that being healthy is normal and a loss of health is a result of interference. He is advanced proficiency rated in activator methods chiropractic technique and also holds an advanced certification in laser therapy. Dr. Terai continues to improve his clinical knowledge with over 1000 hours of post-graduate training, ultimately providing patients with different options for care.

Michael Yawney, BA (Crim), LLB, LLM, is a Senior Litigation Partner and member of the management team at Nixon Wenger LLP, in Vernon BC. His practice focuses primarily on accident and injury claims with a particular emphasis on traumatic brain injury claims. He specializes in personal injury cases and has obtained several multi-million-dollar awards for his clients who sustained motor vehicle accident injuries. He is also on the Board of Governors for and a member of the British Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, which has been involved in promoting education to help end distracted driving. For more information about Mike and Nixon Wenger LLP, visit www.nixonwenger.com.

Do you have an idea for a story?

Are you a health professional interested in submitting an article for OHW Magazine?

If so contact us at info@ohwmagazine.com

6 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Your Questions Answered

Local experts answer our readers’ questions...

Q

What are the benefits of a good night’s sleep?

By Wayne Terai, B.Sc, D.C.,C.L.T.

S

leeping problems can adversely affect physical and mental health, impair the immune system and even reduce lifespan. Many people turn to medication in search of some Z’s, but over-the-counter and prescription drugs are designed only for short-term usage. Here are some natural sleeping tips proven to be effective: 1. Don’t try too hard. Worrying about the need to sleep is one of the biggest causes of sleeplessness. Instead, do something calming (like reading) until tiredness sets in.

2. Avoid naps. Unless you can nap for 90 minutes, they generally throw off your biological sleep schedule.

3. Watch what you eat. Caffeine is the most obvious culprit, so keep in mind that some over-the-counter medicines also contain caffeine. Eating late heavy meals or sugary foods can also hinder sleep.

4. Use sleeping pills only as directed. They are for occasional use only!

5. Expose yourself to bright lights when you wake up. Exposure to bright light early in the morning, typically for 30 to 40 minutes, has shown to prepare your brain for a better sleep that night.

6. Take technology out of the bedroom. No cell phones, computers, laptops or video games. The bedroom is for sleeping.

7. Establish a routine. Your body works on biorhythms – the natural cyclical production of hormones in response to light and dark stimulus. Work with your body instead of against it. Read for 15 minutes before bed. Write a list of things to do the next day so you aren’t constantly thinking about what needs to be done.

8. Note the 90 minute rule: Sleep occurs in 5 distinct stages, over roughly 90 minutes with several cycles per night. 6 or 7.5 hours will feel more refreshing than 8.

Reprogram your sleep patterns with an alarm clock to wake up at the end of a 90 minute cycle, not in the middle. (ie: at 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9 hours). This has worked for a countless number of my patients!

9. Use a good quality pillow (eg: ChiroFlow water pillow or buckwheat hull pillow). Your head should be in decent alignment with your shoulder, spine and hips.

10. Address physical pain problems that most likely affect sleep. The MOST common comment from my patients after their first treatment is that they had a good night’s sleep!

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Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 7

Wellness

End Distracted Driving

What is it exactly, and how many of us do it?

By Michael Yawney, BA (Crim), LLB, LLM

D

riving while distracted has become a major, if not the major, traffic safety issue in North America. In some jurisdictions distracted driving has eclipsed drunk driving as a leading cause of accident and injury. Today’s headlines are filled with descriptions of tragic accidents involving drivers who weren’t paying enough attention and caused an accident.

Many jurisdictions around the world have banned the use while driving of electronic devices like cell phones because of the cost of distracted driving. British Columbia, along with other North American jurisdictions, has regulated the use of cell phones, but not completely banned their use while driving. More needs to happen, as this problem runs across generations in our society. Simply ask yourself: have you ever glanced at your phone or sent a text while driving, and for parents in particular, have you done so while

your children are in the vehicle?

Cell phone use has had the most blame for this traffic safety issue.

However, while the use of cell phones is one of the major contributors to distracted driving, it is not the only one.

So what is distracted driving?

The most comprehensive definition of distracted driving comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a division of the US Transportation Department, which defines distracted driving as “Any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.”

All distractions while driving have the potential to endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety. Following are some examples of typical distractions: • Texting • Using a cell phone or smart phone • Eating and drinking

• • • • • •

Talking to passengers Grooming Reading, including maps Using a navigation system Watching a video Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player Traffic safety experts classify distractions into three main types: manual, visual and cognitive. Manual distractions are those in which you move your hands away from the task of controlling the vehicle. Reaching for a soda in a drink carrier is an example of a manual distraction. Visual distractions are those where you focus your eyes away from the road. Your drop your soda and, when it spills all over the floor of the car, you look down at your ruined shoes and stained slacks; that’s a visual distraction. A cognitive distraction is when your mind wanders away from the task of driving.

For example, you start to consider whether you can afford to replace the

8 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Wellness clothing you just ruined and what stores have bargains this week. This means you are no longer paying attention to the essential job of driving. Studies show that because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by the far the most alarming distraction.

While there is no data for British Columbia and other Canadian jurisdictions, studies show, as of December 2012, that at any given daylight moment across the US, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving. According to studies, sending or receiving a text message distracts a driver for about five seconds; at highway speeds, that represents a distance of about 300 feet in which the vehicle is essentially out of human control, driving itself!

A researcher from the University of Utah, David Strayer, found that talking on a cell phone quadruples your risk of an accident, about the same as if you were driving drunk. That risk doubles again to eight times the normal risk, if you are texting. Texting while driving creates more risk of accident than driving drunk!

Consistent with the research in the US, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has published some sobering odds in terms of distractions while driving that are more likely to cause a crash or near crash event compared to non-distracted drivers. For example: • Text messaging (or texting) on a cell phone – 23 times more likely • Talking on a cell phone – 4 to 5 times more likely

• •

Applying makeup – 3 times more likely Reading – 3 times more likely

The Costs of Distracted Driving In BC, the evidence of various research studies shows that driver distraction of all types is connected with approximately 25 percent of motor vehicle accidents in the province. These accidents result in significant cost to society in terms of the tragic loss of life, serious injuries, and resulting monetary costs. The issue of driver distraction has been steadily and consistently growing in tandem with the increasing use of technological devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, DVDs, GPS units, and other electronic devices.

A recent discussion paper commissioned by BC’s Minister

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Wellness Cont’d from pg 9 of Public Safety and the Solicitor General notes that driver distraction of all types is associated with approximately 117 deaths each year and about 1,400 hospitalizations. The cost in terms of loss of life, serious injuries that result in lifelong disabilities and the toll on families cannot be measured.

In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in 2012 the number of people killed in distraction-affected crashes was 3,328, while an estimated 4,210 were injured. Ten percent of all drivers under the age of 20 who were involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash; this age group has the largest proportion of drivers who are distracted. Drivers in their twenties make up 27 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes in the United States.

In Canada, the Canadian Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) published findings from a 2007 poll showing that 70 percent of Canadians considered distracted driving to be a serious problem. In a 2008 Angus Reid poll in British Columbia, 85 percent of British Columbians supported a ban on handheld cellular phones.

If the public has significant awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and supports a ban on cell phone use while driving, why is it still a problem? It is clear that distracted driving is a noted concern within our society. The problem is that drivers do not seem to be taking the concerns seriously enough. There is universal agreement that distracted driving is a significant road safety issue; however, the trend seems to be that it is a problem “because of the conduct of others” rather than ourselves; we find excuses for our own risky driving behaviour.

If you took the time to do an honesty poll in a room of 100 random people and asked them if they had ever texted on their cell phone, answered their cell phone, or looked at an email on their cell phone while driving, the vast majority would have their hand up. In a survey from the American Automobile Association regarding traffic safety, over 90 percent of drivers recognize the danger from cell phone distractions and found it “unacceptable” that drivers text or send email while driving. Nevertheless, 35 percent of those same people admitted to having read or sent a text message or mail while driving in a previous month. Similarly, around 66 percent of the survey respondents admitted to talking on a cell phone, even though 80 percent found it a threat to safety.

What Can We Do To End Distracted Driving?

The answer to this question is simple. Every person has to take responsibility for his or her own conduct in order to reduce and, hopefully, end accidents caused by distracted

driving. Distracted driving crashes are 100 percent preventable!

We all have likely driven while distracted at one point or another and so increasing the awareness of everyone is the best first step to end distracted driving. Given that teens and young people are at the most risk of death or injury because of distracted driving, they need to be educated on the hazards and focused to alter their behaviour.

Parents who have been distracted while with their children need to change the way they drive and demonstrate safe, nondistracted driving every time they get in the vehicle with their children. Teens whose parents drive distracted are more than twice as likely to also drive distracted. Employers should talk to their employees about safe, non-distracted driving and establish cell phone policies for employees banning their use while operating a motor vehicle at work.

With the higher risk for teens of death or injury from distracted driving, educating teens before they begin driving can only help reduce the risk. The significant success of the high school educational programs against drunk driving indicates that education of young drivers seems to be the best place to start.

Using tools such as a “family safe driving agreement” with your teen driver, which sets out obligations and restrictions regarding the operation of a vehicle and the use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving, can help reduce the risk. There is an excellent organization out of the US that is now coming into Canada called End Distracted Driving (website: endDD.org). End Distracted Driving is fostering awareness and educating teens about the hazards of distracted driving, using real life examples.

Visit their website and download a copy of the Family Safe Driving Agreement (FSDA).

Better awareness, education, and most importantly, each of us focusing on our responsibility to not drive distracted will all help us deal with the problem of distracted driving.

There are no excuses. Whether you believe “I’m a good driver,” “I’ve never been in a crash,” “it’s just for a second,” “nothing will happen,” or “I can multitask,” these are just excuses to drive while distracted.

This is not just a teen problem; it is every adult’s problem as well. We all need to take responsibility and take action to deal with it. That text message or email can wait, that cell phone call can be ignored, or you can take a few moments to pull over and look at your vehicle navigation system.

If you lead by example, others will follow, including, most importantly, your children. n

10 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Wellness

An Attractive Smile

It’s more important than you may think.

By Duncan Chambers, DDS

W

hether we like it or not, our smiles convey more to others than we may realize. A unique study developed by Kelton Research contrasted images of men and women with different types of smiles.

In the study, respondents were shown images of people with varying tooth issues and were asked to give their honest opinion about them. Results of the study indicated that people with a nice smile are perceived to have more desirable qualities than those with smile problems; these desirable qualities included being happy, surrounded by loved ones, and professionally successful.

According to the Kelton study, the smile is what people notice and recall when first meeting someone. Your smile can affect how others perceive you, including: Making a Lasting Impression Nearly one-third (29 percent) of Americans say the first aspect of someone’s face they typically notice is their teeth,

and 24 percent say that an attractive smile is what they remember the most after meeting someone.

Nice Smile = Success When looking at images, those with a nice smile are perceived to be 45 percent more likely than those with an unattractive smile to get a job. They are also seen as 58 percent more likely to be successful, as well as 58 percent more likely to be wealthy.

Love at First Sight When it comes to attracting a possible mate on a dating site, those with a nice smile are seen as 57 percent more likely to get a date based on their picture alone.

Unattractive Smile = Fewer Dates Nearly two in five (38 percent) people would consider not going on a second date with someone who has an unattractive smile.

12 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Wellness A Nice Smile Goes a Long Way Nearly three in four (73 percent) would be more likely to trust someone with a nice smile than someone with a good

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The “Biggest Turn-off” dating survey revealed attributes that people find most appealing and least appealing in a romantic partner. When asked what they noticed first about potential partners, 62 percent of respondents said a person’s smile.

A survey by the mega dating site Match.com collected data from over 5,480 singles and more than 1,000 married couples, asking them a range of questions about their preferences. The data revealed the following:

Life’s brighter under the sun Mutual funds offered by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2014.

Men judge women most on: • Teeth (58%) • Grammar (55%) • Hair (51%)

Women judge men most on: • Teeth (71%) • Grammar (69%) • Hair (53%)

Whether you are single, dating, or happily married, having a nice smile is very important to how others perceive you. A beautiful smile sets the stage for a great first impression with everyone you meet.

If you are unhappy with your smile, you can do something about it! A smile makeover is highly individualized for each patient, with numerous treatment possibilities. For some, a simple tooth whitening procedure may be all that is needed. For others, porcelain veneers are required to create a white, straight, even smile. Replacing metal fillings with natural-looking porcelain fillings is another great option.

Why not have a smile that will leave a great first and lasting impression? n www.ohwmagazine.com

Not happy with your smile?

Come see Dr. Chambers, Board Certified Dental Specialist, and get the smile that you have always wanted. He has over twenty years of experience and advanced training in Creating Beautiful Smiles, Tooth Whitening, Dental Call now and get a Implants, Porcelain Veneers FREE INITIAL and Cosmetic Dentures.

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Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 13

Wellness

Avoiding Brain Injury

Think safety first and take a few simple steps to protect your head.

By Magda Kapp

B

rain injury can occur in a second. It happens seemingly crush the foam liner, reducing its protective abilities. without warning, but we know most brain injury is Many brain injuries occur from falls while completing preventable. Fantastic summer weather means more everyday, mundane tasks. Falls are the leading cause people are active and outdoors, which is wonderful for of ER visits for acquired brain injury (ABI) in the Interior physical fitness; but it prompts us to remind people of some Health region – falling down stairs, off ladders, or on ice. All simple ways they can prevent are unexpected but preventable the tragedy of brain injury to with a moment of planning and themselves or a loved one. forethought for safety.

Youth between the age First and foremost – protect ABI (after birth) is the leading the noggin. When riding a cause of death and disability of 15 and 25 are at bicycle in BC, helmets are not under the age of 44. In Canada, only recommended, they are someone sustains brain injury highest risk for mandatory. However, simply every three minutes – that is 480 wearing a helmet may not be people a day! An injury to the brain injury. enough to protect you from brain can result in a large range injury – you must choose and of lifelong disabling conditions, use it appropriately. A properly including problems with speech fitting helmet reduces the risk of brain injury and saves lives, and vision, reduced memory function and impaired so take the time to ensure a correct fit. The helmet should judgment, and very frequently, depression. sit securely and evenly on the head, cover the forehead, Youth between the age of 15 and 25 are at highest risk and rest just above the eyebrows. And remember, a helmet for brain injury and are overrepresented in these statistics. that has been involved in a crash should be replaced. You Interestingly, the part of the brain that helps us regulate our may not be able to see the damage, but the impact may behaviour isn’t fully developed until the early 20s, so it’s not

14 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Wellness

Good News for Kelowna’s Gospel Mission Dental Clinic A properly fitting helmet reduces the risk of brain injury and saves lives

surprising that these are the young people being hurt and killed in needless, preventable tragedies. They tend to take the largest (most dangerous) risks such as speeding and distracted driving, or extreme sports without a helmet or other gear.

“Concussion” is a word used in the sports world, but it is another term for brain injury. The brain does have a wonderful ability to heal itself the majority of the time, but for the brain to return to normal function requires an average of 7 to 10 days of complete rest from brain activity. In some cases, the concussion does not resolve completely or quickly, leading to lasting impairment and debilitating symptoms such as depression, headaches and/or memory problems months or even years later. Following are the symptoms of brain injury: • • • • • • • •

Feeling dazed, stunned or confused Answering questions slowly or with slurred speech Suffering from headache and/or nausea Moving clumsily or having difficulty with balance Having double or fuzzy vision Being sensitive to light or noise Feeling sluggish or foggy Being unable to concentrate or remember date, time or location

If you or someone you know sustains injury and experiences any of these symptoms, consult your family physician or an ER physician. There are new protocols for managing concussion and returning to activity or sports. Each person should be monitored individually for resolution of symptoms or ongoing difficulties requiring treatment.

The best cure for brain injury is PREVENTION! BrainTrust Canada’s mandate is to reduce preventable brain injuries. The association also provides community rehabilitation support to persons with brain injury in the Okanagan. For more information call 1-888-762-3233 or visit www.braintrustcanada.com. n www.ohwmagazine.com

Major expansion provides services to greater numbers of those who can’t afford dental care.

By Dianne Fowlie

K

elowna's Gospel Mission is proud to announce that even more patients in need will now be able to access treatment at their dental clinic, as it expanded from two chairs to five this summer. The grand opening of this state-of-the-art facility was held on August 7.

The new clinic provides basic restorative care, pain and infection control, extractions, and basic hygiene. Two staff dentists work one full-time-equivalent position to provide a continuum of patient care, and more volunteer opportunies are now available for dentists within the community.

The free dental clinic is the result of a community process that in 2002 brought together diverse people with a common goal: to provide basic relief of pain services for those most in need of dental care who are least able to afford the cost of treatment. The ad-hoc committee, comprising dental professionals, health service agencies, social service agencies, and local government, met to define the need, research options, and seek ways to address the problem. After more than two years of talking, funding was finally secured cont’d on page 16

Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 15

Wellness

Kelowna's Gospel Mission expanded dental clinic now has five chairs to serve the community.

The free clinic provides services to those who are least able to afford dental care.

The August 7 grand opening showcased the state-of-the-art facility.

cont’d from page 15 through the federal government’s National Homelessness Initiative.

Since opening in 2004, the clinic has provided $2 million in care and treated close to 3000 patients, with over 150

Get Involved and Give Back!

Volunteer your time at

K e l o w n a ’s

Gospel Mission Help us serve over 30,000 meals this Summer

Leading people to wholeness Shelter l Meals l Dental Clinic Recovery/Addiction Services l Thrift Store to VOLUNTEER call:

250-763-3737

to DONATE online: www.kelownagospelmission.ca

community dentists, dental assistants and hygienists volunteering their time and talents. Clinic staff see four groups of people seeking treatment: • The growing number of working poor individuals and families • Families who find themselves having to rely on the welfare system • Seniors having difficulty getting by in today’s economy • The homeless who are in need of dental services Clean, modern, and fully digital, the clinic rivals many private practices in the community. It is a family-oriented practice that uses the latest technology to provide service to clients. The office is completely networked and runs as a paperless operation. It boasts a digital pan/ceph, intra-oral X-ray sensors, and USB-based intra-oral camera systems.

Clinic staff practise the most current and stringent infection control guidelines. They strive to maintain an environment that is safe for both patients and staff, and adhere to all rules and regulations related to the operation of a dental practice, including workplace health and safety and environmental protection.

In May of this year, by unanimous decision of Kelowna City Council, the volunteer dentists received the 2014 Anita Tozer Memorial Award for exemplary community service.

This award was presented “in recognition of extraordinary and positive contribution to the quality of life in Kelowna; presented to an individual, community group or business which has extraordinary contribution to the long-term benefit to the citizens of Kelowna; which has a unique impact on the citizens of Kelowna and added to the enjoyment of life in Kelowna.”

For more information about Kelowna Gospel Mission’s dental clinic, contact Ami Catriona, Marketing and Communications Director, at 250-763-3737 or ami@ kelownagospelmission.ca. n

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Wellness

Colorectal Cancer: Preventable, Treatable, and Beatable.

Together we can make a difference!

By Barry D. Stein, BCom, BCL, LLB

M

arch is colorectal cancer awareness month; a month dedicated to promoting awareness of the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada.

But promoting colorectal cancer awareness is not limited to the month of March for the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC). This national, non-profit organization is dedicated to increasing awareness of colorectal cancer, supporting patients, and advocating for healthy lifestyles, population-based colon cancer screening programs, and equal and timely access to effective treatments all year long.

The CCAC carries out a wide variety of awareness and education events throughout the year by participating in and creating health forums and medical conferences, distributing educational material, holding patient information sessions, and producing public service announcements.

As a patient-based organization, the CCAC understands the needs of those touched by colorectal cancer as well as their caregivers and families, offering compassion and understanding alongside knowledge and information. The CCAC support groups connect patients, survivors, and caregivers and are heralded for their effective delivery of both knowledge transfer and support.

Each support group dedicates a portion of its time to a presentation of research updates catering to the needs of the group’s membership, while at the same time providing peer-to-peer support. The CCAC website, www.colorectalcancer.ca, is a rich resource for colorectal cancer patients and their caregivers. The content is reviewed and approved by the CCAC’s blue-ribbon Medical Advisory Board.

The CCAC’s Scotiabank Cancer Coach program enhances patient and caregiver support. Medical professionals instruct dedicated lay volunteers in areas of expertise that include surgical, medical, radiation, interventional radiology, and psychosocial oncology. These trained volunteers can then help address colorectal cancer-related queries and

provide one-on-one support to colorectal cancer patients and caregivers.

The CCAC sets its goals high and is always in search of new ideas to spread the important message of screening for colorectal cancer. The CCAC’s award-winning Giant Colon has caught the attention of the public, media, and provincial screening authorities across the country.

The Giant Colon is an astounding 40 feet long and 8 feet high and has been touring the country since March 2009 (it appeared at the Kelowna Health Show this past April).

This multimedia, pink inflatable walk-through reproduction of the human colon features various pathologies, including colorectal cancer. It offers organizations across Canada a unique opportunity to inform the public about the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer and other diseases of the colon and provides important health information to encourage both primary prevention and screening.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have already passed through the walls of the Giant Colon and thousands more have viewed it in the media, inspiring them to get screened and initiate healthier lifestyles. You have to see it to believe it!

This year in Canada approximately 24,400 Canadians (13,500 men and 10,800 women) will be diagnosed with colon cancer. Sadly, about 9,300 will die from it (5,100 men and 4200 women). In British Columbia alone, an estimated 2,550 (1,400 men and 1,150 women) will be diagnosed with the disease and about 1,210 (670 men and 540 women) will succumb to it.

The CCAC is looking for committed volunteers to assist in their many programs and events. Please contact the CCAC at info@colorectal-cancer.ca or call 1 877 50 COLON (26566) if you wish to participate with the CCAC in activities or programs across Canada or help start a support group.

To learn more about colorectal cancer, please visit www. colorectal-cancer.ca. If you would like to make a donation, click on the donate button or visit http://bit.ly/1nWqktA.

This year in Canada approximately 24,400 Canadians will be diagnosed with colon cancer.

Learn more at www.colorectal-cancer.ca

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Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 17

Fitness

Anyone for Pickleball?

Strange name… great game.

By Dianne Fowlie

N

ot long ago, a friend sent me a text message detailing her busy weekend, and among her activities she listed playing pickleball. My immediate thought was, what on earth is pickleball? Because the text came while I was working, I decided to check it out in a free moment, but then forgot about it.

Later that same week, I ran into another friend who was on her way to pick up equipment for a new sport that she and her husband had taken up. You guessed it: pickleball. Wondering if I was the only person out of the loop, I decided it was time to investigate this game that comes with such an undeniably interesting name.

What Is Pickleball?

According to the Pickleball Canada website (www.pickleballcanada.org), pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America. It wouldn’t be a stretch to describe it as a cross between table tennis and badminton, with a little bit extra thrown in from other racquet sports.

Teams of one or (usually) two players use solid paddles of wood or composite materials to hit a polymer perforated ball over a net.

History of Pickleball Pickleball has actually been around a long time. It is commonly accepted that it got its start in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, at the home of Joel Pritchard, a politician who was elected in 1970 to the US House of Representatives for the state of Washington. Pritchard and several friends, returning from golf to find their children bored and in need of amusement, went to set up badminton but were unable to find a shuttlecock.

Using a Wiffle ball instead, they lowered the badminton net and took plywood from a nearby shed to fashion paddles. While originally intended for children, pickleball quickly gained popularity as a game for players of all ages, and it is now played

in Canada, the US, India, and parts of Europe.

Opinions differ on how the pickleball got its name. According to some sources, it came from Pickles, the family dog, who would chase after balls and hide them in the bushes. Other sources claim that the name derives from the term “pickle boat,” which refers to the last boat to return with its catch.

How Is Pickleball Played?

Pickleball is played indoors or on an outside surface with the dimensions and layout of a badminton court. The net is 36 inches high at the sides and 34 inches high in the centre. Scoring usually goes up to 11, but as the winning team must do so by two points, play continues until one team wins by that margin. In tournament play, games can be played to 15 or 21. Only the serving team can win a point. The receiving team must get the “side down” to win back the serve before earning points.

Given the original intent as a children’s game, it’s not surprising that the rules are simple with an emphasis on fun, with a little bit of strategy thrown in. One of the most enjoyable elements is the mix of ages that can play together, making it an ideal family activity. It’s a fantastic, low-impact way to burn calories and work various muscle groups with minimal risk of injury.

Where Is Pickleball Happening in the Okanagan?

Several parks and community centres host regular pickleball games and tournaments. To find a location close to you, or for more information about the game, visit the following websites: Pickleball Kelowna: www.pickleballkelowna.com Salmon Arm Pickleball Club: www.clubshuswap.com/pickleball Vernon Pickleball Club: www.vernonpickleballclub.org n

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Feature Story

Water Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility Don’t let complacency or lack of preparation ruin your summer fun.

By Robert Daly, Sgt. Rural Operations NCO Vernon North Okanagan Detachment

W

e Canadians love our water, whether it be liquid, snow, or frozen hard. Because of this love, we need to be aware of the many dangers associated with being in, on, or around water. The statistics for the past few years show a rising trend in water-related incidents and fatal accidents. Every year, the lakes will take their toll of unprepared victims, and these events are always tragic for everyone involved.

In the Okanagan Valley, summertime provides a wealth of opportunities to experience our lakes large and small, and our rivers slow and fast. There are, in fact, so many ways to explore our area’s waterways that several reports would be needed to try and cover all the different safety precautions.

To this end, I will generalize the most important issues that I see as a prevention/enforcement officer. During the summer months, we check as many small boats and pleasure craft as we can to help educate about, and sometimes enforce, proper safety regulations.

1. Create a Sail Plan. Water safety does not start out in the middle of a lake. It begins at home where you plan for a day out on the water. An excellent start is the creation of a Sail Plan. A Sail Plan has vital information

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that you give to someone who calls the authorities if you do not return as scheduled. It contains the following important details: • The lake you are going to be exploring • The boat launch where you will be parking your vehicle (a quick search of the parking lot for your vehicle can save precious minutes of search time) • What time you expect to be on the water • What time you expect to be off the water • Where you plan to travel and explore • Cell phone numbers • The make, model, size, and colour

of your vessel, and the registration numbers (a photo works best) If you create the Sail Plan electronically and email it to your contact person, you only need to update it for each new day you’re out .

2. Carry Documentation. Every vessel operator is required to carry the following documentation on board at all times: • The vessel’s Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) documents. The PCL number must be displayed on both sides of the bow. The licence allows police and search and rescue to search a databank of information about your vessel,

Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 19

Feature Story including owner’s name. This • Emergency signal flares skiers prefer these vests for better helps police in the recovery of • A portable fire extinguisher flexibility and maneuverability. They stolen boats. can still wear the unapproved vest, but • A Pleasure Craft Operator’s card.

For a complete list for your size there must also be an approved jacket Every person who will be driving vessel, Transport Canada has on board for them. To ensure that your the vessel is required to carry published a Safe Boating Guide. This vest is Canadian approved, look inside this card, which shows that the guide is what police officers use out the vest for a Transport Canada logo, operator has taken some form a Canadian Coast Guard logo, of education on safe boating a Fisheries Canada logo or a practices. The program has combination of the three. The been in effect since 1999. fastest way to know that you There is no excuse for not are likely Canadian approved is having your operator’s card. the printing inside the vest will Anyone 12 years and older be in both French and English. can obtain the card. Children A sound signalling device can under 12 can operate a be the horn on the boat itself, powered vessel under 10 a compressed air horn, or a horsepower. From the ages of pealess whistle. Whistles are 12 to 16, a child can operate inexpensive and I recommend a vessel up to 40 horsepower. placing one on every PFD on After 16 there is no restriction the boat. This way, in the event on horsepower. Of special that everyone ends up in the note: no one under the age water in the dark, you can find of 16 can operate personal one another to group up.

Lifejackets and PFDs are the first defence in watercraft (better known as A 15-metre buoyant heaving surviving any incident on the water.

Seadoos). line is exactly that, a single line of Remember the operator must have one rope that floats. It is designed to on board for every person.

3. Have the Required Safety throw over the head of a person Equipment. The list of required in the water; this way, accuracy safety items depends on the size isn’t required by throwing over (length) of your vessel, but a number on the lake when conducting safety and past the person. Some part of the of common items are required for all compliance checks. The guide is also rope will land on them or near enough vessels, whether they are human downloadable to any Internet-capable that they can grab onto it and be pulled powered or powerboats: phone for ease of use. in. This rope is usually bright yellow • A Canadian-approved lifejacket or Lifejackets and PFDs are literally and can help aircraft spotters locate Personal Flotation Device (PFD) the first defence in surviving any persons in the water. for every person on board incident out on the water. The boat For power vessels, a reboarding • A sound signalling device operator must have one on board for device is required to assist persons • A 15m buoyant heaving line every person. PFDs must be in good back into the boat. These consist of • A reboarding device working order, and they have to be a swim platform ladder or a transom • A watertight flashlight size appropriate – a child does not fit ladder.

Reboarding seems easy • A bailer an adult PFD. They must be approved enough, but for a person in cold water • A manual propeller (better known for use in Canada. There are many and suffering the signs of hypothermia, as a paddle) jackets that are not approved. Water- it is far more difficult than it appears.

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20 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Feature Story A watertight flashlight must be in working order. Always ensure the batteries are in the light and it is working before you stow it away for the day. In the event that your vessel breaks down and it becomes dark, the lights on your vessel might not be working and this flashlight is your only sustained form of light in the dark.

A bailer must have a 9 cm opening and be capable of pouring out 750 mL of water with each scoop. Anything can be used as a bailer as long as the opening is large enough.

A manual propeller, better known as a paddle, is a very slow and tiring way to make your way back to shore.

Paddles make excellent signalling devices if you wave them back and forth to get the attention of other vessels.

They can also be used to help push off rocks and water hazards or prevent the vessel from smacking into a cliff face.

Depending on your vessel, signal flares may be a requirement. The flares must not be expired. There are many different types and applications. The operator should be familiar with how to activate and shoot off a distress flare.

Portable fire extinguishers come in many varieties and sizes. Refer to the Boating Guide for your make and model of vessel. What is important is that the extinguisher is properly charged and has not expired. Because the vast majority of vessel fires occur in the engine compartment, I recommend that the extinguisher not be mounted too close to the engine but, instead, closer to the driver (the heat from an engine fire will prevent the driver from reaching the extinguisher if it is too close). Every adult on board should know where the extinguisher is stowed. If you spend time searching for an extinguisher only to find it is expired and of no use, you have lost precious time for survival.

Not on the list but good to have are a waterproof first aid kit stocked with fresh water and energy snacks and sunscreen, a couple of spare ball caps for the sun, and a waterproof bag containing extra warm bulky clothes and blankets, in case you are stranded into the night.

In case you’re thinking that nothing will ever happen to you, remember that all this equipment isn’t just for the care of the people on your vessel but to assist other vessels in distress. You may be the only difference between a small boating accident and a tragic incident.

Before you head out for the day, check the weather.

Okanagan weather can change on a moment’s notice.

Winds on the larger lakes can whip up fast and furious.

Once you take to the water, enjoy your day. The police may stop and conduct a safety compliance check and you will be ready. Keep an eye for other vessel traffic. Follow the rules of the road for passing and avoiding collisions.

Always ensure you have a spotter if you’re towing or water skiing. Know your skills and limits. Practise safe boating tactics and discuss those tactics with the children on board so they grow up using them. n

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Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 21

Natural Health

The Plight of the Honeybee

These hardworking insects provide incredible benefits to the planet, but they also face threats from natural predators - and humans

By Helen Kennedy

W

hat is all the buzz about? The humble honeybee, working away day in and day out, no one notices, no one hears. But what if there were no honeybees? What would our dinner plates look like?

What would the pharmaceutical industry do without honey, propolis, and pollen? Would our cosmetics be the same without beeswax? Could we survive without honeybees?

Scientists say no. We humans would last about three to four years and disappear too. In their quest for honey, which is their food for survival, these industrious little creatures create the pollination of the majority of our food crops.

The honeybee is the only insect that supplies us with food, and honey is the only food that never goes bad even without processing.

This precious little insect produces less than onetwelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime and visits over 200 flowers per day searching for nectar.

What is honey? It is the nectar from plant flowers, carried into the hive by the female worker bees and deposited into wax cells, where it is allowed to evaporate to approximately 17 percent or less moisture. This precious substance, now capped in wax, is honey. In its complexity, honey contains invert sugars, water, minerals, protein, amino acids, enzymes, and vitamins. The variety of minerals and trace elements include vitamins C and B and

can contain A, D, and K. Two tablespoons of honey contain 25 mg of potassium. The vitamin and mineral content of honey is dependent on the floral content, which also creates a variety in taste and colour.

Honey is a concentrated source of energy that is quickly absorbed and digested but contains no fat. Reportedly, an antioxidant cleanses the liver and removes toxins from your body as well as inhibiting oxidation of free radicals. Raw honey retains all of its nutritious elements because it does not have to be refined like white sugar. It is eaten in its pure and natural state. Honey is sweeter than sugar so less is used. Yummy straight out of the jar or versatile to use in recipes.

The health benefits of honey go beyond that of an antioxidant and natural sweetener. It is an exceptional healer for wounds and burns. The process called inhibine is honey’s ability to enzymatically liberate the antiseptic hydrogen peroxide and microbial activity against most pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Keratolytic properties, in which honey’s enzymes digest dead skin cells, reduce scar tissue buildup and stimulate tissue repair. Honey is a natural emollient and humectant. Its hydroscopic properties allow skin to absorb and retain moisture, keeping it soft and supple.

Honeybees produce bee pollen, which is the only known food to contain all 22 amino acids and all eight essential

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Natural Health enzymes. It is rich is vitamin B complex, carotenes, and is about 55 percent carbohydrates. Pollen contains more protein per volume than beef. It is a popular food supplement believed to improve the body’s metabolism, provide energy, longevity, clarity and focus, alertness, and athletic performance and endurance.

Propolis produced from plant resins is referred to as nature’s penicillin, a powerful anti-fungal, anti-bacterial medicine. The bees use it to seal their hives from drafts and create a sterile environment for the hive.

Beeswax from uncapping the honey makes the most environmentally friendly candles that actually clean the air by creating negative ions to attract dust, moulds, and other contaminants.

Other uses include cosmetics, p o l i s h e s , lubricants, sewing aid, bowstrings, braid balm, corporate seals, and instrument mouthpieces.

Everything from within the beehive is good for human use.

If this isn’t enough to buzz about, these incredible little creatures are

in danger. Threatened by natural predators such as wasps, hornets, bears, skunks, and mice, they are also the victim of the industry that needs them most: agriculture.

GMOs, neonicotinoids, other herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and monoculture are killing off the bees and other much-needed pollinators in large populations.

Weakened by mites and threatened by the viruses mites carry, combined with other diseases, these tiny creatures suffer the peril of the environment.

What can we do to help? Be knowledgeable of the plight of the honeybee, plant species, heritage or open pollinating flowers. Ensure the bees in your yard have a fresh supply of water.

Encourage mason bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your yard.

Please leave the beekeeping to the professionals.

Attend information sessions and watch film documentaries to understand how serious this problem really is. Support your local beekeepers by purchasing your honey from a local and reliable source. n

The Difference between Bees and Wasps

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Natural Health

Pain: Your Body’s Fire Alarm

Rather than trying to suppress pain, recognize it as a signal that something is wrong

By Elliot Lysyk, DC nly a small fraction of our nerves transmit pain. When we think of back pain, neck pain, or a pinched nerve, most of us think about how that feels, or how painful it is. But neurophysiology research suggests that 99 percent of all nerve transmission is below conscious perception. In other words, you can’t feel, sense, or experience much of what’s happening in your body. You don’t have to think about digesting your food, or how much insulin to secrete following a meal, or how to direct your spleen to gobble up senescent red blood cells. Your body just does it all subconsciously, directed through the wiring of your nerves.

O

Think about all the sensations you can notice on your skin that aren’t necessarily pain related. Our skin is laden with receptors that transduce various stimuli from the outside world into tiny electrical signals that the brain receives and interprets. Vibrations, tingles, and sensations of hot and cold are just a few examples of stimulation that the brain uses in response to the outside world.

Your body is bound together by connective tissue which is also highly innervated and largely responsible for allowing you to move and balance on two feet. If you bend your arm or finger, you don’t have to see that it’s bent to know its position. The positional sense

of your body is called kinesthesia. This means that your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and facia are all riddled in tiny nerves that communicate below your conscious radar, constantly letting your brain know where they are in space so your muscles can be told how to maintain your balance in gravity.

This is where chiropractic philosophy unfolds in a profound way. The body’s natural tendency to strive towards a harmonious balance, or to maintain homeostasis, and to encourage the survival of its 70 trillion cells, is called “innate intelligence.” This intelligence is executed largely through the nervous system, where tiny wires

24 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Natural Health send and receive little electrical messages – kind of like through your body’s wiring unobstructed. And since your Morse code. Your brain and organs are tapping out signals spinal column flexibly protects the main circuit board of your to each other by the trillions so that your body can always nerve system (the spinal cord), ensuring the spine’s proper remain in sync. As long as alignment is most necessary for the synchronization of these great health. messages is kept optimal, In our office, we commonly see “When you stop to consider the that patients seeking treatment there is a high likelihood that your body will remain for pain are pleasantly surprised rampant use of over-the-counter by other health benefits they functional and healthy.

But what happens when weren’t expecting under our painkiller drugs as a common the spine misaligns and a care, because suddenly the nerve gets pinched? Sure, brain and the body can talk treatment for pain, you may there’s pain, eventually. again. The fire alarm (pain) But before that? I usually on its own once realize that these drugs block the disappears demonstrate this in my health the elastic band is removed. presentations by placing an The tingling, redness, swelling, brain’s ability to register elastic band on the wrist of throbbing, and loss of strength an audience member. My return to normal. Function is the damage that the body is point is made quickly as restored. their hand begins to tingle, I have had the privilege of actually feeling." swell, turn red, throb, lose helping thousands of patients strength, and, eventually, in my 11 years of practice, and hurt. Interestingly, pain is nothing is more satisfying than often the last symptom to show up. seeing a patient’s health concern clear up by addressing When the beautiful cascading volley of electrical signals and correcting spinal imbalances and improving posture. within a nerve gets blocked, pinched, or interfered with, Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine so your brain and body are unable to talk properly. When that your body’s power can flow again, creating optimized your body can no longer do its job, when it can’t function function and wellbeing. n according to its normal plan, it is said to be dis-eased, or un-healthy. And when this happens, when the subconscious realm of your body’s functioning is compromised, your body creates pain and discomfort as a warning system. In other words, if ever your body’s innate intelligence (99 percent of which lies below conscious perception) is stifled, stymied, Spinal Decompression Therapy blocked, choked, pinched, or otherwise interfered with, the Do you have neck and back pain? remaining 1 percent kicks in (the pain) to alert you like a fire Have you been told that you have alarm. It’s a well-executed plan where pain is the result, not arthritis in your neck or back? the cause.

Do you get pain into your arms, When you stop to consider the rampant use of over-thehands, legs or feet? counter painkiller drugs as a common treatment for pain, What about tingling into your arms, you may realize that these drugs block the brain’s ability to hands, legs or feet? register the damage that the body is actually feeling. Think Have you been diagnosed with about that. Painkillers block your body’s inner knowing degenerating discs in your spine? that something is wrong, that there is, in fact, a fire in your Now available in Vernon - Non-Invasive, body causing damage. Painkillers destroy your feelings, muffle the fire alarm, but the fire rages on. Somehow we all Non-Surgical treatment for: inherently understand this, yet many patients I meet don’t Herniated/Bulging Discs Sciatica think twice about slamming down a few painkillers a day and Spinal Arthritis Low Back and Neck Pain what that means for their body. When you link the downside Numbness in Arms or Legs Degenerated Discs of adverse drug reactions with sustained use of painkillers, like gastrointestinal bleeds, kidney failure, heart problems, kidney cancer, and many others, maybe we would be wise to consider a different path unless absolutely necessary.

Pain represents the alarm signal and accounts for only a very small fraction of your health. It helps you understand Dr. Deane Studer, DC Dr. James Mayne, DC Dr. Elliot Lysyk, DC that something much larger is at stake—that your nerve function is being choked off. Doctors of Chiropractic work Alpine Centre #7 100 Kalamalka Lake Rd. Vernon, BC to find out what could be blocking or pinching off the body’s www.arisechiropractic.com nerve flow, ensuring that its innate intelligence can flow

Success With Back and Neck Pain:

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Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 25

Natural Health

Feeding the Skin with Vitamin A Daily topical applications can help replenish depleted stores for softer, more radiant skin.

By Lori Anderson

I

f you were asked what is the best thing you can do to ensure healthy, bright, more youthful looking skin, you might suggest eating a wellbalanced diet, drinking plenty of water and applying sunscreen. While all these things are very beneficial, did you know one of the best ways to care for your skin is through daily topical application of vitamins? We must “feed” topical supplements such as vitamins A, C and E directly to the skin, as doing so can make a significant difference in preventing premature aging and protecting it from damage caused by UV rays.

Vitamin A is vital for healthy skin and has many benefits. It reduces

sun damage and skin aging, treats acne, reduces wrinkles, improves hydration, fades dark discolorations and promotes faster wound healing.

Vitamin A also encourages cells to grow and therefore it thickens the skin, contrary to the belief that it thins the skin. The skin will also become softer as the top layer of old, dead cells become exfoliated, flatter and more compact. Wrinkles will be lessened by slowing the breakdown of collagen and stimulating the production of new collagen.

Vitamin A is highly sensitive to UV light and is depleted from our skin with daily exposure to sunlight. Skin that is deficient in vitamin A tends to

age faster and shows more signs of sun damage. Simply applying vitamin A daily will replenish what is lost every time we go out into sunlight. This theory should be put into practice at a very young age. We must not wait until the signs of sun damage or aging are visible to start applying vitamins to our skin. The skin functions are the same in our younger years as in our adult life and while we cannot prevent the depletion of vitamin A from our skin, we can easily replenish it each day with topical creams. It takes several days before diet alone can restore the normal levels, whereas vitamin A cream applied topically can restore levels within hours. The quick

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Seniors Health degrading from light and air also makes it necessary to look for creams that are packaged in an airless pump rather than jars which can allow light and air in.

Vitamin A comes in many forms and not all are easy for the skin to accept.

When the skin is depleted of vitamin A you must slowly adapt your skin to using it, so the form we choose to apply becomes an important factor.

Prescription strength vitamin A is retinoic acid, also known as Tretinoin.

It is very active and acidic, so much that many people have a hard time complying with the recommended dosage because it can make the skin quite irritated with redness and peeling. The skin will eventually adapt but it may take several weeks and unfortunately many people stop using it before it subsides.

Retinol is the alcohol form of vitamin A and can cause skin irritation as well, but less than retinoic acid. It is the “buzz� word these days in the cosmetic industry and is found in the latest night creams of many big, brand name companies. The problem with these creams is the amount of Retinol that is actually in them, which may not be enough to produce the results most people are expecting.

Retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are other forms of vitamin A. They are much less irritating to the skin and safe to use. They will be converted into retinoic acid in the cells and will give the same results without the irritation.

Vitamin A should be used every day and we should start at a young age. The higher the dose the better the results, but you must slowly work up to the higher amounts to avoid adverse reactions. Start at a mild level and gradually increase as your skin becomes acclimatized to it.

Seek guidance from your skin care professional who can analyze your skin and advise you what form is best for your skin type. Start incorporating daily topical applications of vitamin A and antioxidants and watch your skin become healthier, softer and more radiant. n

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Creative Activities in Aging Fend off boredom, have a sense of purpose, and improve your wellbeing.

Manfred and Flo engaged in stage decoration for a play

By Dalia Gottlieb-Tanaka, PhD

Not too long ago, older people were thought of as powerless, noncontributors to society, feeble and too fond of repeating stories, living in the past and, in some cases, not worthy of medical intervention to save their life or improve their quality of life.

What society forgot, and what may change again, is that in the distant past, before modernization and the industrial revolution, older people were considered the gatekeepers of knowledge; they were advisors, leaders of their communities, judges, and lawgivers.

Today, a quiet revolution is happening. The baby boomers -- those born between 1946 and 1964 - are pressing to change society and bring back the strength older people enjoyed in the past.

According to the video Future of Aging (http://vimeo.com/90718741), based on an insightful discussion at the 2014 conference sponsored by Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 27

Seniors Health the American Society on Aging, the older population is lived long enough to express yourself, then you are growing in numbers due to higher standards of living. creative. We all sang at some point in our lives, took The conference raised some serious questions: Are we a pencil and drew something. Most of us tried to dress doing enough to catch up with the emerging new (old) uniquely or conforming to society rules, perhaps cheated status of older people in society? What is the purpose in a little while writing an exam, solved small and serious life of older people? And, last, a question very relevant problems in order to survive, offered help to neighbours to the topic of this article: What shall we do with our and loved ones, kept a garden or at least told the remaining years? gardener what we would like to see grow there. What To answer these questions we could rely on our about hosting, preparing a great planned meal (at least individual experiences, where each older person could tell once), sewing and knitting? Not to mention creating us what they would like to see happen in their older years. costumes for Halloween and volunteering to decorate in However, to bring significant changes in a relatively short schools. If you did not do any of it, I can guarantee your time that would influence governments and policymakers creative abilities are waiting to be released. to take the baby To be engaged boomers more in the creative seriously, we need arts, all you to turn to science need to do is for statistical look around facts. This article your community. focuses on how In many to make our lives communities more exciting and older people get fulfilling, and why. together to play In addition bingo, cards, and to anecdotal do some sewing reports, science and knitting. To has proved that make it more being engaged beneficial and in activities that achieve the use our creative results science abilities increases promises, add our health; we are a few more less depressed, activities. As an we visit doctors example, this less, we enjoy is what we are new friendships, doing at the At Margaret and Jeanne at the art exhibition of the At This Age group our confidence This Age group grows and we feel at the Schubert more in control.

Centre in Vernon.

It proved that being engaged in the creative arts The group is participant-led with some guidance from me. postponed the development of dementia by two years. These folks took the initiative and they are now getting In a recent article, Activity and Well-Being of Older together and working on various projects whether I am Adults, Does Cognitive Impairment Play a Role (January present or not. Starting last year during July, a core group 2013), authors Justin D. Johnson, Carol J. Whitlatch and of about 12 seniors gathered. They enjoy being exposed Heather L. Menne concluded that “the greater number to music, art, painting, telling stories, planning a play on of activity occurrences older adults participated in during aging, trying ethnic foods, sharing life experiences and the week, the higher they rated their quality of life. This making new friends. major finding strongly reinforces the idea that supporting Creating such a group is easy. All it takes is a few older adults to engage in activities, regardless of their friends who would like to change their lives for the better. cognitive status, is very important for their well-being.� Art supplies can be obtained from recycled materials.

For the full text of the article, see http://roa.sagepub. Each person contributes about $5.00 a session to buy com/content/36/2/147 new materials. If the group meets at a regular centre, To be engaged in creative expression activities, none grants opportunities can be explored. The main idea is to of us needs to be an exceptionally talented artist. My stay active, fend off boredom and contribute to self wellfavourite saying is this: If you are a human being and being as long as possible. n 28 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Nutrition

Probiotics 101

Pro “for” + biotics “life” = FOR LIFE

By Shauna Jones

D

iet, age, stress, microbial infections, and environmental toxins can deplete the body of beneficial bacteria needed for optimal health. The bowel is home to over 500 different types of bacteria. They help keep the intestines healthy and assist in digesting food. Nerves, endocrine, and immune cells are chemical detectors that rely on our microbial population to promote healthy tissues and organs.

Probiotics outnumber our human cells by ten to one and most adults have three to four pounds of beneficial bacteria and yeast living in their intestine at any time. These beneficial bacteria support metabolic (cellular

communication) and inflammatory conditions and help modulate a healthy immune system.

Probiotics have been extensively researched and used for many health conditions. These include: •

lung and sinus infections

•

yeast infections

•

skin disorders

•

Celiac Disease

•

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

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Crohn’s disease

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ulcerative colitis

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leaky gut syndrome

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metabolic disorders

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acne

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diarrhea

•

food allergies

•

high cholesterol

•

high blood pressure

Probiotics can be used along with a bowel cleanse to keep yeast overgrowth in balance and help support the breakdown of highly toxic manmade chemicals that play havoc in our body. BPA (Bisphenol A), heavy metals, and pesticides are just some of these environmental toxins that probiotics help to eliminate.

Antibiotics are used to reduce

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Nutrition harmful bacteria in the body conditions.

Studies in the case of an infection; have shown that many however, antibiotics kill both different strains of good and bad bacteria. This probiotics treat different can cause yeast or other health conditions, and the pathogenic bacteria in the need to have a variety of intestine to outnumber the beneficial strains is vital beneficial bacteria, leading in the healing process. to dysbiosis, an imbalance They have also noted of good vs. bad bacteria. that the amount of good The latest research indicates bacteria required to bring that increased antibiotic use the intestine back into in infants is associated with balance is dependent increased risk of developing on the length of time allergies and asthma.

If a health condition has antibiotics are necessary been present. In most Yogurt can be a good source of probiotics but sometimes due to the type of infection, cases, the maximum for serious health conditions supplements are best. know that you can still take amount of good bacteria a probiotic supplement in found in foods is just not between antibiotic use. Many enough. naturopathic doctors recommend taking probiotics for a Supplementing with a probiotic can bring faster results month after a course of antibiotics. when adding a prebiotic, such as inulin fibre from chicory Probiotics are found in a wide variety of dairy products root (often called FOS or Fructooligosaccharide). I use like kefir, yogurt, and cheese and in other fermented probiotics daily for preventative health because I know vegetables like sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and tempeh. Most that my fast-paced lifestyle and the environment I live of these products contain only one or two strains of bacteria in is a major factor in the depletion of these beneficial and usually in too low a dose to treat any serious health microorganisms. n

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Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 31

Nutrition

And the Winner is...

Singing the Praises of Protein.

By Sarah V. Rilkoff, BScN, CFNS

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iterally, its meaning comes from the Greek, “takes first place.” Protein is vital to living tissue, so unless you’re part of the Zombie movement, I suggest paying attention to this nutrient for good health and vitality.

There are so many good uses for protein, and I won’t even attempt to cover them all. But I want to share the fact that, believe it or not, we are all different! That means that we all need different amounts. Based on our activity, health status, age process, and fitness goals (just to name a few), the grams of protein needed will range from 2.0 to 2.9 per kilogram of lean body mass. Now, some will argue this is too much; however, if your kidney function is not compromised in any way, you’re fine.

Building a house without a few two-by-fours and nails is next to impossible, and neither can you build and develop a muscular body without proteins. They are the building materials our bodies need to grow and repair, and in some cases, provide us with energy. Good sources include chicken, turkey, fish, lean red meat, wild game, fat-

free Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and supplements like whey isolate. (Organic, grass fed, free range, non GMO, and so on, are excellent choices for all sources.) Beans, legumes, and nuts also provide protein, but are considered either a carbohydrate or fat (nuts) based on the ratio of macronutrient in the food source.

Each protein is made up of amino acids, some essential (obtained from external sources) and others non-essential (not because they’re not needed but rather because they are inter-convertible depending on supply and demand). It’s important to know when to feed your muscles, especially around a workout, and amino acids are the building blocks.

I tell my clients, “Feed your muscles 15 minutes after you work out, then feed yourself 45 to 60 minutes after that.” This easy rule will discourage muscle breakdown (catabolism) and support muscle building (anabolism). Of course, making sure you’re properly fuelled pre-workout is also part of the equation. So, if you want to synthesize lean mass, it’s imperative to include approximately 20 to 25 grams of a

32 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Nutrition fast-digesting protein source like whey isolate into your post-workout shake or meal 15 to 20 minutes after you work out.

Are you vegetarian or vegan? If so, here’s some vital information to digest. The protein obtained from plant sources has a lower bioavailability compared to animal sources. Humans lack the enzymes necessary to break them down into small enough peptide chains, so some will pass the absorption stage in the small intestine and go straight to the large intestine.

Bacteria will try to break them down and can cause gas and bloating (once thought to be due to the high fibre content of legumes). Vegetarians should also be aware that plant sources are not complete proteins. So if your diet is plant based, be smart.

Know the amino acid profiles of your foods so your body is not lacking in anything, especially the essential ones. It takes a lot more plant protein to do the same job of animal proteins.

To bring this home, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to control blood glucose levels.

Enter our first-place winner, protein.

The slow digesting action of protein and slower gastric emptying time stabilizes the release of glucose into the bloodstream and tempers insulin release. For this reason, it is important to eat a protein every time you eat a carbohydrate. You will notice feeling satiated longer, with more focus and energy, when you eat these two in combination.

I will leave you with a few favourite protein tips: • When you cook chicken, cook it like you mean it! Big batches, portion, then freeze.

• Always have on hand egg whites, fat-free Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese.

• For “on the go, quick, I need a shake!” stock up on whey protein isolate.

• When choosing a protein bar for a quick snack, look for one that is high in fibre, with no added junk.

Now - go move your body and feed your muscles! n

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Reconsidering the Sweet Life Artificial Sweetners, rather than helping with weight control, may actually be contributing to those extra pounds

By Chris Spooner, BSc, ND

O

besity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes have been the subject of much discussion and concern as the levels of these diseases are reaching epidemic proportions in North America.

Numerous public health programs have been created in an attempt to educate the public at large about calories, sugar consumption, and exercise in an attempt to try and change eating habits and reduce the rates of these diseases.

Doctors often tell their patients to simply cut back on calories and sweets and exercise more. The challenge, however, is that body weight and diet are regulated by complex biological and behavioural pathways that can lead to real frustration for an individual trying to lose weight. One of the most

influential is the taste of sweetness.

Sweetness is actually a very powerful driving force in increasing consumption. Our taste buds can detect sugar at a concentration as low as about 1 part in 200, so we are quite sensitive to it. Our brains like the stimulation of sweet. If you think about it in evolutionary terms, we should probably enjoy foods that we need to consume for our calories.

It’s important to recognize that this preference for sweetness does not necessarily lead to obesity or other diet-related diseases. Problems occur when sugars – chiefly sucrose and the chemically similar product, high-fructose corn syrup – are

Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 33

Nutrition refined, concentrated, and consumed in large amounts.

Combine this with the universal availability of refined carbohydrates in our foods 24/7/365 and we have the makings of a big problem Sugar-containing foods in their natural form tend to be highly nutritious. For instance, an 8-ounce apple contains beneficial vitamins, minerals, and plant nutrients but has fewer calories than a 2-ounce portion of bread. Apples would be considered nutrient dense with low caloric density.

The combination of low calories with bulk from fibre means that most fruits produce a high level of satisfaction (satiety) relative to calories.

The fibre and nutrients in natural foods provide a certain amount of protection as they slow the rise of blood sugar and the amount of insulin produced to move sugar out of the bloodstream. Refined sugars have the opposite effect and increase blood glucose and insulin levels rapidly after consumption, increasing concentrations of triglycerides, inflammatory mediators, and reactive oxygen radicals.1 In contrast to whole fruit, intake of refined carbohydrate increases risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic illness.

The response of food manufacturers has been to use artificial sweeteners as substitutes for sucrose, thus keeping the sweet taste without the calories. These include saccharin, acesulfame, aspartame, neotame, and sucralose. These synthetic substances are hundreds to

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thousands of times more potent than sucrose and provide an intense sensation of sweetness in trace concentrations.

The idea is that using these sweeteners will promote weight loss when substituted for calorie-containing products.

It’s a nice thought, but unfortunately overstimulation of sugar receptors, through frequent consumption of hyperintense sweeteners, may cause taste preferences to be skewed in favour of sweet, with limited tolerance for more complex tastes. Individuals who habitually consume artificial sweeteners may find more satisfying but less intensely sweet foods (e.g., fruit) less appealing and unsweet foods (e.g., vegetables, legumes) less palatable. This has the effect of reducing overall diet quality in ways that might contribute to excessive weight gain.

Diet drinks, in particular, are the worst offenders. They have essentially no calories, unlike most artificially sweetened solid foods that typically contain other nutrients.

In many cases, diet drinks are often consumed in the absence of other foods, providing the stimulating effects of sweet but lacking any calories or nutrients that lead to appetite satisfaction (satiety).

The concern is that there can be a disturbance of the mechanisms that regulate hunger and satiety. A study that looked at this effect found that rodents fed saccharin compared with those fed glucose had increased calorie intake, along with increased body weight. Another study found that when rodents were given the choice of intravenous cocaine or an oral saccharin solution, most animals, including those with prior cocaine exposure, selected the lever that dispensed saccharin over the lever that dispensed cocaine. The conclusion was that sweetness is incredibly addictive and may actually increase the desire for more sweet flavours.

So, we now have a situation where increasing concern about the health effects of refined sugar has driven a significant increase in the consumption of artificial sweeteners, especially in liquid form. Consider that regular consumers of diet drinks consume, on average, more than three 8-ounce servings per day.

Artificial sweeteners may indeed have a role to play in weight loss and blood sugar control. But for now, diet drinks may best be considered an aid in transitioning from high-calorie beverages to traditional, minimally sweetened beverages like water, mineral waters, teas, and coffee with no more than 1 gram of sugar per ounce (i.e., 2 teaspoons per 8-ounce cup). It’s important to recognize that sweet flavours, in the absence of fibre and other nutrients, can lead to increased craving for more sweet stimulation, resulting in increased calorie consumption.

You may want to give yourself a bit of a self-test and see how sweet other whole foods such as fruit taste to you. How about diluting juices, half water, half juice? Do you find these choices boring and flavourless? If you do, consider taking a week to cut out sweet flavours and see how you feel. Do you feel a bit irritable and cranky? After a week, try some of the fruits again and see if they taste different. You just might find that there’s more flavour than you remembered. n

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Here’s to Healthy Eating

Nutrition

By Michale Hartte, BASc (Nutr), NNCP, CH

Kale Soup with Veggies

Rainbow Salad with Herbed Vinaigrette

Makes: 6 – 8 servings Ingredients: 1 tbsp coconut oil 1 large onion, minced 2 carrots, finely chopped 2 celery sticks, chopped 1 cup zucchini, grated 1yam, washed and finely chopped 1 tomato, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, crushed ½ tsp mixture of: thyme, marjoram and/or basil Pinch of freshly ground pepper (black) 1 ½ tsp Celtic or Himalayan salt 6 cups water 1 bunch of kale or Swiss chard, finely chopped and stemmed ¼ cup lemon or lime juice Directions: In a stockpot, heat coconut oil over medium heat.

Add onion, carrots, celery, zucchini and yams; sauté, stirring often until tender (about 5 minutes).

Add tomato, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper and water.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes. Add kale or Swiss chard to soup and cook until leaves are wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Puree half of the soup and add it back in. Mix in lemon or lime juice.

Makes: 8 servings Ingredients: Vinaigrette: ½ cup total: use any one of these: lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, coconut vinegar 3 green onions or ¼ cup red onion, minced (or use a bunch of chives 1 clove of garlic, minced or crushed ¼ cup nutritional yeast ¼ cup of dulse, stripped into pieces ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes and/or dried sweet peppers 1 tsp minced lime zest (optional) 1 tsp real maple syrup ¼ tsp Celtic or Himalayan salt ¼ tsp cracked pepper ¼ cup total: use any one of these: extra virgin olive oil, avocado, walnut, pumpkin seed or flax seed oil Salad: 8 cups assorted salad greens (look for the ‘wild’ varieties), torn apart into bite size pieces cut up/grated veggies (color your plate): beets, radishes, red/yellow/green/orange peppers, and cucumbers Directions: Whisk together all of the vinaigrette ingredients, except oil, in a bowl. Continue whisking while slowly drizzling in the oil. Season to taste. Just before serving, toss greens with just enough vinaigrette to lightly coat.

Carrot/Zucchini Nut Muffins

This recipe was created to find a way to use the left over carrots and apples we seem to accumulate. This is the great thing about this recipe.

It seemed to pull together everyday items all into one satisfying snack.

This muffin recipe is very versatile.

If you do not have any carrots, but have an excess of zucchini’s then just use extra zucchini’s. Same with the apples. If you have a family that eats more pears or even peaches, then feel free to make the exchange!

Makes about 12 medium sized muffins www.ohwmagazine.com

Ingredients: ½ a ripe banana 1 apple, cored and cut into chunks 1 ½ cups almond flour 2 tbsp coconut flour or Brad Kings VEGA Fibrelean 1 carrot and 1 zucchini, grated ¼ cup chia, hemp or flax seeds, (previously ground) ¼ cup maple syrup, honey or 8 dates (pits removed) 4 eggs ¼ cup coconut butter 1 serving of Brad Kings Whey protein powder 1/3 of a cup filtered water 1 tsp molasses (optional) ½ tsp baking powder

1 heaping tablespoon carob (optional) ½ tsp Celtic or Himalayan salt Directions: Preheat oven to 350 °F. In a food processor, place all ingredients in and mix.

Place parchment paper muffin cups into the muffin tin.

Fill muffin cups about ¾ full. Bake for 30 minutes. To test for readiness, insert a toothpick into the middle of a muffin. If it comes out clean, it is ready.

Serve warm topped with organic butter. To reheat, cut in half and toast.

Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 35

Pet Health

The Power of Positive Training Make learning a fun experience, and both you and your dog will reap the rewards.

By Shelly Korobanik

W

e love our pets, particularly when they are behaving the way we want. But, just as with people, our pets are likely to show some behaviours that you absolutely love, and a few you really don’t appreciate. All too often, people focus on the negative behaviours being displayed by their dog (or other pet), instead of focusing on the positive behaviours they want from their dog. They look to resolve the unwanted behaviour using traditional training techniques that impose physical punishment such as leash corrections or electric shock when bad behaviours are displayed. While this may stop the behaviour at that moment, it does not communicate to their dog the behaviour that is acceptable.

The first step of positive training begins with a change in a person’s point of view from a negative one: “I don’t want my dog to jump up on people when they come over” to a positive one: “I want my dog to welcome people politely.”

Once you have identified the desired behaviour, the training can commence. Through the use of a tiny device known as a clicker, bad behaviours are extinguished, desired behaviours are learned, your relationship with your pet

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is strengthened, and the fun of positive, lifelong learning begins!

So how does positive training work? Remember Pavlov’s dogs? Pavlov noticed that when he fed dogs they would salivate when food was presented. He then started to ring a bell before the food was presented and quickly noticed that the dogs would salivate upon hearing the bell in anticipation of the food that was to follow. The dogs learned to associate the sound of the bell with the presentation of food.

Clicker training works in a similar fashion, whereby animals learn to associate the sound of the click with receiving a reward. The clicker is used to make the precise moment your pet performs a desired behaviour with an identical sound each and every time. When this is followed with a reward, your pet will quickly learn to associate the click to receiving a reward and will be more eager to provide the desired behaviour necessary to acquire that click. Through repeated positive reinforcement of good behaviours, your pet will be motivated to continue to offer these behaviours.

How are undesired behaviours handled? With positive training, bad behaviours are diminished using negative punishment. Negative punishment means the removal of something desirable in order to reduce the bad behaviour.

So to deal with the earlier example of the dog jumping up

36 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

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Pet Health on people, when a dog jumps up, one would use negative punishment by removing one’s attention from the dog by turning away and ignoring him or her. In conjunction with this, one would click and reward when the dog’s feet were all on the floor or teach the dog an alternate, desired behaviour such as a sit, which is impossible to do while jumping. The dog will quickly learn that jumping up does not generate any reward, but the alternate behaviour (standing or sitting, in this example) resulted in a reward!

When it comes to learning, animals and people are quite similar. When learning is a fun and positive experience

Pick up your copy of OHW Magazines’ PET Health Issue in local Okanagan Pet Stores Online version available at www.ohwmagazine.com

LOOKING FOR LOVE? instead of a punitive one, both animals and people are more engaged and willing to offer the desired behaviour, and a relationship of trust and mutual respect grows between the teacher and the student. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects of clicker training is watching pets learn, seeing their “aha” moment when it all comes together for them, and knowing that they are responding to a request out of desire rather than fear of punishment.

Yes, positive training takes patience, but it is well worth it! There is nothing better than knowing that your dog will do what you ask because he or she has learned that good things happen – and will receive praise, a treat, a toy, or whatever it is that provides that positive reinforcement.

Positive training leaves you and your dog feeling good!

Sure, there can be some frustration as some dogs and/ or handlers learn faster than others, but mainly there are smiles and wagging tails that solidify your relationship, based on mutual respect. The stage is set for a lifetime of fun, and that is the real power of positive training! n www.ohwmagazine.com

A pet will love you unconditionally Help support our local not-for-profit animal welfare groups - provide a good home, volunteer or donate today!

Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine / LMR Publishing

Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine 37

Upcoming Community Events August 5 – 28: OKRDA’s OK Derby Dolls Fresh Meat recruitment camp. Practice times are listed on the Derby Doll’s Facebook page, Facebook event, and on osrda.org. Team meets twice weekly for 1-hour practices.

August 27 - 31: Interior Provincial Exhibition (IPE), Armstrong. Meet the producers, marketers, suppliers, and distributors who put our food on the table. www.armstrongipe.com.

August 30 – 31: Kalamalka Classic Stand Up Paddleboard Festival. For more info or to register, visit www.kalamalkaclassic. com.

August 31: Summerland Sprint Triathlon and Kids of Steel Triathlon in Summerland.

Visit www.oraswimclub.net for more information.

September 6: The Kelowna Wine Country Half Marathon, complete with a postrace wine and music festival. Visit http:// destinationraces.com/runbc for more information.

September 6: The Parkinson SuperWalk takes place at Polson Park in Vernon. For more information contact Rhona at 250308-8616.

September 6 & 7: The 14th Annual Penticton Dragon Boat Festival, Skaha

Lake Park, Penticton. For information, go to www.pentictondragonboat.com.

September 7: The Parkinson SuperWalk takes place at Waterfront Park in Kelowna.

Contact Betty at 1-800-668-3330.

September is…

Breakfast for Learning Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Men’s Cancer Health Awareness Month National Arthritis Month Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Prostate Cancer Awarness Month

September 13: Salmon Arm Bike for Your Life Century Ride – a fun event that promotes a healthy lifestyle, family solidarity, and community involvement.

Visit www.bikeforyourlife.com.

September 13 & 14: Last weekend of bonus riding at Silver Star Bike Park.

Check out summer.skisilverstar.com for all the details.

September 21: The Kidney Walk/Run in Penticton starts at Riverside Village. Visit www.kidney.ca/bcwalk to register.

September 21: Calling all mountain bikers to the Test of Humanity Race in Summerland. Choose from several categories and enter solo or as part of a team. Visit www.testofhumanity.com.

September 12: Prospera Credit Union’s Cinema Under the Stars takes place at Okanagan Lake Park in Penticton. For details visit www.prospera.ca/Community/ ProsperaEvents/CinemaUnderTheStars/.

September 21: The Peak to Beak Run takes you from Knox Mountain to Quail’s Gate Winery in West Kelowna. For information go to www.freshair.bc.ca/freshevents/run/peak-to-beak-18k.

September 13: Prospera Credit Union’s Cinema Under the Stars takes place at Polson Park in Vernon. For details visit www.prospera.ca/Community/ ProsperaEvents/CinemaUnderTheStars/.

September 28: The Campbell Mountain 8.2K run takes place in Penticton as the first in the fall 2014 Starting Block X-Country Race Series. Visit www. interiorrunningassociation.com.

September 13: The Parkinson SuperWalk takes place at McGuire Lake Park in Salmon Arm. Contact Doreen at 250-8362509.

If you’d like to submit an event, please email us at info@ohwmagazine.com.

For a complete event listing, visit us at www.ohwmagazine.com.

Take Time to Visit the Local Farmers Markets Armstrong Farmers’ Market April – November Saturdays: 8 am – noon Armstrong IPE Fairgrounds Cherryville Farmers’ Market April to October Saturdays: 9 am – 1 pm Cherryville Artisans’ Shop, Hwy 6 Coldstream Farmers’ Market All year - Fridays: 2:30 pm – 6 pm 9909 Kalamalka Road Downtown Vernon Avenue Market May through September Fridays: 4 pm – 7 pm 30th Avenue, downtown Vernon

Kelowna Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market April to October Wednesdays & Saturdays: 8 am – 1 pm Dilworth Dr & Springfield Rd

Lions Park – Hwy 97N Osoyoos Market on Main – Osoyoos June through August Saturdays: 8 am – 1 pm Town Square, Main St

Lake Country Farmers’ Market June 6 to September 26 Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm 10090 Bottom Wood Lake Road

Peachland Farmers’ & Crafters’ Market May to September Sundays: 10 am – 2 pm Heritage Park, between Okanagan Lake and Beach Avenue

Lumby Public Market End of April to end of October Saturdays: 9 am – 1 pm Community Park Oliver Country Market A’Fair June to October Saturdays: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Penticton Farmers’ Market May through October Saturdays: 8:30 am – noon 100 Block Main Street Summerland Farmers’ Market April through October (Tues)

38 Summer ‘14 - Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine

July 4 to August 29 (Fri) Tuesdays: 9 am – 1 pm Fridays: 5 pm – 9 pm Memorial Park, Wharton Street Vernon Farmers’ Market April through October Mondays & Thursdays: 8 am – 1 pm Kal Tire Place, 43rd Avenue Westbank Farmers’ Market July to mid-September Saturdays: 9 am Westridge Shopping Centre, Main Street/Elliott Road West Kelowna Outdoor Market Saturdays: 8 am – 1 pm 2466 Main Street

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OHW Magazine

Helping you be the best you can be...

Okanagan Health & Wellness Magazine is a lifestyle magazine devoted to providing readers with local information on health and wellness.

Our goal is to inspire readers to improve their wellbeing, achieve their goals and become their vision of the best they can be.

Our editorial

is fresh and inspiring, providing readers with information on natural and alternative health and wellness, food and nutrition information, exercise and fitness tips, mind, body and spiritual health, pet health and much more - all with a local flair!

www.ohwmagazine.com

Don’t miss our Fall Issue coming October 2014