FALL 2017
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With every end is a New beginning I chatted with Dr. Wes Woychuk and his lovely wife Lauren on the tranquil shores of Okanagan Lake. The temperature was 35 degrees and there should have been bright sunshine, but instead a murky haze lay over the lake and eerie smoke-veiled the sky, reminders of fires still burning in other neighbourhoods in BC. An aura of quiet strength surrounded Lauren, which is rather astonishing when you know what her July was like. A little over a year ago, Wes and Lauren were married. Sharing a background in medicine and a common interest in the field of aesthetic and regenerative medicine they opened a medi-spa “W180 MD” earlier this year. The spa was accommodated in the sumptuous surroundings of their 7,250 square foot home on Nighthawk Road in Lake Country. Things were running smoothly; the client base was expanding and life was good, until that devastating Saturday afternoon of July 15, 2017. Lauren was home and Dr. Wes was with a client when he spotted a tendril of smoke coming through the trees. The minutes that followed are still surreal to them both. An RCMP Officer pounded on the door telling them to leave with their vehicles immediately. While the Officer stood waiting at the door, the client rushed off and Wes, with no time to change clothes, grabbed his certification plaques off the wall, Lauren picked up their passports, their two dogs, Lucy the Pomeranian and Winston the French Bulldog, and in flip flops they left. Wes closed the front door and drove them away. It was the last time they saw their home and business intact.
They will never forget standing from a safe vantage point watching the flashes and black smoke as homes on Nighthawk Road burned to the ground, including their own. After it was all over, the Fire Chief organized a bus drive so homeowners could tour the area. Seeing the ravaged and torched homes brought some closure for Lauren, who is still shocked that it took less than two hours for the fire to reach and virtually incinerate their property. Living through this nightmare, would have been enough for most of us to cope with, but for Lauren tragedy had struck earlier that same week. She shared the shocking news that her brother was murdered in a random killing in Vancouver. Lauren was still traumatized from that news when the fire struck. The remainder of July was spent dealing with logistics: insurance, replacing essentials, finding a longterm temporary home, replacing equipment and supplies so that clients could continue their treatment, and finding a new location for W180 MD. For insurance purposes, Lauren has to picture every corner of the home in her mind, the items in every cupboard and closet. It’s an emotional but necessary exercise. People should think about that she suggests, so they can be prepared for details. I was struck again by the positivity with which Lauren was able to talk about moving forward. She talked about coping skills, and finding something good that comes from tragedy. Lauren attributes much of the combined ability to stay positive to their emergency room experiences:
“There is a grieving process, but, like a duck you have to let the water roll off.” A lot of homes were damaged, not totally destroyed, and Lauren thinks they are perhaps better off than some people who have to restore and renovate before returning home. She acknowledges they are more fortunate than some people who shared the same awful experience. What really counts is that the two of them and their dogs are safe. Lauren and Wes will recreate and rebuild anew, and they will start as soon as the green light is given for reconstruction. W180 MD will hopefully be operational in a temporary new location by the first week in September. For a couple experiencing their first year of marriage, the challenges have been exceptional. However they believe their bond is even stronger and with their anniversary approaching Dr. Wes plans to take Lauren away somewhere special, where they will try to recoup and relax but also do some planning that will benefit their clients. I wish them both well. -Marion Stolze
“To every end there is a new beginning. W180MD will be rebuilt and the private lakeside oasis for regenerative medicine will return. Stay tuned.” - Lauren and Wes The new W180 MD address will be posted on their social media sites. You are also invited to phone 250 878 6043 for more information.
From the team at Okanagan Woman, our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastation in 2017! 4 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
♥
Thank You!
To all of our brave First Responders and Emergency Crews, who risk their own lives to keep us safe, thank you! We appreciate all you do, not only in times of crisis, protecting us from the threat of fires raging through our communities, but also year round, working so diligently educating the public on safety and prevention across British Columbia. God Bless and stay safe.
FALL | 2017 VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4
CONT E NTS PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CREATIVE DIRECTOR SUZY VAN BAKEL
GRAPHIC DESIGNER LINDA HACKING
PUBLISHERS ASSISTANT
The Cover story
10
Fabulous Fall Makeover
12
Celebrate your Curves
19
Retirement Survivors Guide
24
Your Local Ski School
26
Medicine in Movement
28
Support your Brain Health
30
Women’s Intuition
32
Dracula, Man or Myth
34
Subscription details
44
Heathers Horoscopes
48
JILL KERRY LOUISE
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR MARLISE RENSBY
ON THE COVER
PHOTOGRAPHER – JENNY KAMO WHITE WAVE STUDIOS MODEL – MICHELLE LIMA MAKE UP – JENNY MCKINNEY HAIR – MIRROR MIRROR DRESS – TEN FASHIONS BRIDAL BOUTIQUE
WRITERS IN THIS ISSUE DEANNA RAINEY GISELA SCHOLZE LAURA GOSSET MARION STOLZE SHANNON LINDEN
CONTRIBUTORS
COLLEEN MILNE HEATHER ZAIS MEGHAN MACDONALD TANIA GUSTAFSON
CONTACT US
PHONE: 1.236.420.4205 EMAIL: INFO@OKANAGANWOMAN.COM WEBSITE: OKANAGANWOMAN.COM
ABOUT US
OKANAGAN WOMAN IS AN INDEPENDENT QUARTERLY PUBLICATION, LOCALLY OWNED, PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY SIDE SADDLE MEDIA LTD.
DISCLAIMER
THE OPINIONS AND VIEWS CONTAINED IN SUBMITTED ARTICLES TO OKANAGAN WOMAN MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER. THE PUBLISHER RETAINS THE RIGHT TO EDIT ALL SUBMISSIONS, INCLUDING ARTICLES FOR BREVITY AND CLARITY. COPYRIGHT IS RETAINED ON ALL MATERIALS INCLUDING TEXT AND GRAPHICS IN THIS PUBLICATION. NO REPRODUCTION IS ALLOWED OF ANY MATERIAL IN ANY FORM, PRINT OR ELECTRONIC, FOR ANY PURPOSE, EXCEPT WITH THE EXPRESSED PERMISSION OF OKANAGAN WOMAN MAGAZINE®
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE | SUZY VB
Find your favourite
R EC I PE S on pages 36 - 45
Hallowine Sangria
“The team at Okanagan Woman Magazine send heartfelt condolences to every person, family and business affected by the floods and forest fires that ravaged the Okanagan this summer. The spirit of the Okanagan continues to thrive and proves yet again we can take anything Mother Nature throws at us. Thank you to everyone who supported in the relief efforts. We are stronger together!”
Mummy Pumpkin Cookies Autumn Stuffed Squash Butternut Squash Soup Roasted Cauliflower Portabella Mushroom Sliders Honey Glazed Chicken Lemon Pappardelle Pasta
elcome to the new fall issue. A time to say goodbye to summer and say hello to our golden autumn. Bringing with it the transformation of our wonderful ripe orchards and bountiful rich harvest. As you know by now, we are committed to encouraging women’s individual unique styles, especially through our makeover contests. We had a lot of fun with our fall makeover winner, as we assisted Wendy in fulfilling her wish to create a new image for her very special anniversary. In this issue, we also celebrate women’s curves and offer helpful tips on where to shop, what to wear, and how to confidently wear it. With the Okanagan’s focus on fitness, we discovered how one woman added an inspiring workout to her daily desk job. Activity, we know can lead to a healthier lifespan, and if you’re in need of further motivation, see what a variety of food choices can do to increase the fitness of our mind and body. Small changes that can make a big difference to your well-being. As the cooler autumn air wafts around us, enjoy our educational article on Scotch. Understanding more about this silky amber liquid will intrigue you and if the warmth of whiskey doesn’t leave your taste buds tingling we have you covered. With Halloween fast approaching we’ve included a Hallowine sangria for you and your ghoulfriends to enjoy. Wishing you all a healthy harvest, a wholesome Thanksgiving and a haunting Halloween, Suzy xx
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 7
The Heart Truth Kelowna TM
Presented by Harmony Acura Special performance by Opera Kelowna and MC Alexandra Babbel Manteo Resort Waterfront Hotel & Villas 3762 Lakeshore Road
October 21, 2017 Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $100 hearttruthkelowna.ca ™The heart and / Icon and the Heart&Stroke word mark are trademarks of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
10 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
Meet our
riters in this issue.....
Shannon Linden Shannon was a desk reporter in radio before she taught elementary school and journalism in the Middle East. An avid traveler and fitness aficionado, she loves outdoor recreation, indoor cake-baking, and anywhere shoe shopping.
Laura Gosset
Laura is an established Okanagan writer and recovering lawyer, who does everything but practice law! She is a passionate traveler, serial adventurer, sports enthusiast and lover of fine wine, strong coffee and a good laugh.
Marion Stolze
Marion’s background is in radio, print and communication management. Her absolute passion is for family and friends. A longtime Okanagan resident, she loves camping, musical theatre, evening walks and the new vibrancy of downtown Kelowna.
Make over team
Deanna Rainey Deanna’s greatest passion outside of writing, is taking ‘staycations’ in the Okanagan with her family and two dogs. One of her favorite pastimes is the pursuit of a good glass of Bubbly!
Gisela Scholze
Gisela is an avid educator passionate about interior design. Her life interests are often generously seasoned with a fabulous glass of Okanagan wine while discussing globetrotting adventure tales.
Jill Kerry Louise A Fashion Design graduate, Jill has a love for everything apparel. She’s drawn to the quirky and weird! With an extensive lipstick collection, she aims to bring a little colour to the world around her.
Cover team Jenny Mckinney
Tammy Peterson
Danny Tagle
Formerly worked for Disney in Hong Kong, Danny is now established in the Okanagan as a performer, music director, choreographer and a master Zumba instructor. His artistic creativity extends to photography and videography incorporating drone/ aerial techniques.
The Body Shop manager at Orchard Park, Tammy is also a freelance mobile make-up artist. Her passion is the love of artistry for face and body, a talent she has shared with us for over 20 years.
Jenny offers a boutique style onsite service and brings her creative passions to help you achieve your beauty goals. “There are some moments in life so worthy of celebrating let’s make this your red carpet moment!"
Charlotte Roberts
Born with a creative energy, Charlotte has become advanced in color correction, cutting and extension enhancements over the last decade. With a history of on stage artistry, she strives for light, love, and luscious locks!
Jenny Kamo
Modern portraiture and authentic lifestyle photographer. Her goal is to create beautiful and memorable images. Jenny lives in Kelowna with her husband and daughter. A lover of all things vintage, good entertainment and dinners out! OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 11
Meet our very own
Okanagan W Woman oman Covergirl Fall 2017!
Michelle Lima lives in West Kelowna, is a wife and mother of two, she’s fit, energetic, talented and smart. She joins some of our previously treasured Okanagan Covergirls
Here’s more of Michelle’s story… Born in Belem do Para, The Brazilian gateway to the Amazon Forest, I grew up appreciating the beautiful and exotic nature around me, and was so lucky to be exposed to dancing, sports and local arts at a very young age.
in Linguistics and Literature, then love happened! In 2001, I met my Canadian prince, Victor, we fell in love and after six months we married. We are now living happily in the stunning fairy land called The Okanagan Valley, Canada.
I am thankful to my parents who taught me that family is the most important treasure a person can have. Kindness, compassion, honesty, knowledge and faith in God, were values one should always carry in your heart. As a mother I understand now, how crucial unconditional love and the feeling of belonging are for a person to be happy and emotionally healthy in life. I admire my parents immensely. They were very studious and hardworking members of our community. My father is a retired doctor, my mom was a professor of education and sociology at the University of Para. They taught us that education and knowledge are fundamental for a harmonious world. I devoted my life to my studies, languages, reading, dance classes, volleyball and fitness. I graduated with honors and I was ready to move towards my Master’s Program
8 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
FITNESS, DANCE AND NUTRITION HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PASSION FOR ME. AS A CERTIFIED ZUMBA AND GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR, I TRY TO INSPIRE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. People ask me what my secret is to being so healthy and athletic at 41. The answer is exercise and nutritious food. I also weight train and find it keeps my body strong and tighter. I trained my body to eat three meals a day. I start my day with lemon water before eating, then I usually have hard boiled eggs and oatmeal with chia seeds or omelet with spinach or egg whites for breakfast. Lunch is veggies, a portion of a cup of brown rice or mixed beans or any other carbs and a fist full of a source of meat. For dinner I have soups or veggies and a bit of protein. I also try to drink 2 liters of water every day.
BALANCE IS A BIG PART OF THE SECRET FOR A HEALTHY AND HAPPY LIFE. The feeling of serenity and peace are achieved when we are grateful and appreciative of the simple things in life, like our good health, food, love, our home, family and our community.
Our sixteen years of happy marriage has been blessed with two beautiful children. I am truly grateful for the simple treasures that we have, the family we created, the precious memories we are building, our health, our community, and our home.
Michelle’s day started with a facial from OSpa, followed with hair styling at Mirror Mirror salon. Next we met up with Jenny Mckinney to start a one and a half hour creative session on Michelle’s already beautiful face. We’ve worked with Jenny on many occasions, we love her, she’s an amazingly talented make up artist.
Our next stop was to make our way over to White Wave photography studio to meet up with photographer, Jenny Kamo. Before we start the photographic session, Michelle tries on a few fabulous outfits and finally we say “yes to the dress”! The dress we choose for the shoot is from Ten Fashions Bridal Boutique and can only be described as every girls dream wedding dress!
YOU MIGHT SAY WE HAD OUR VERY OWN ANGEL ON SET.. Now, all dressed up, with a diverse mix of accessories at hand, Jenny starts to click away… Jenny Kamo is a very popular and experienced portrait photographer. We are so lucky to have Jenny behind the lens, she’s such a perfectionist – and she knows exactly what we’re searching for! Jenny is a treat to watch as she puts her skills into action.
PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
Michelle and the production team were a delight to spend the day with for our Fall 2017 front cover shoot.
Thank you all for your hard work, patience and superb individual talents. Suzy VB
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FABULOUS FALL
MAKEOVER WINNER
A Glimpse into the Life of our Make-over Winner Winner - WENDY COUTU
“Before I met my husband I was a flight attendant for, the now defunct, Wardair Canada. It was one of my life’s privileges to work in this industry and for this company owned by Mr. Max Ward. I served many diplomatic charters visiting Canada’s northlands, including Her Royal Majesty and His Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. For that particular excursion it was necessary for me to undergo specific training by Palace officials. I was also able to serve Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and her royal family” Today Wendy lives in Kelowna and is employed by The Eldorado Hotel, where she is their Lead for all weddings, making sure that the details of the ceremony and reception are carried out as the bride and groom wish. “We work hard... but play harder... It goes without saying that the loves of my life are... my husband, my family, and ‘Joe’, our Golden Retriever”. Thirty-eight years ago, Wendy met the love of her life. Many things have occurred since then... to name a few… moving across country, raising three children, numerous career fields, establishing many friendships, international travel and now expecting her first grandchild in November.
“Life is Good”... says Wendy!
The Okanagan Woman Team set off with Wendy bright and early to get started with the events of the day. As we are snapping a few “before” pictures of her she tells us how her wonderful husband and daughter were telling her that morning how good she looked even before the makeover. How right they were, Wendy is a beautiful woman inside and out and we're here to fulfil her wishes of creating a new image for her during this special celebratory year. Why? Because she's worth it!
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“This current year is a BIG celebratory birthday year for me (60) and it is, and has been celebrated with travel and so much more…. … and now to find myself the winner of this amazing Makeover contest to be pampered all day with the Okanagan Woman
team….
Life really is good!! Thank you, thank you” X0X
Even with such wonderful words from her family Wendy’s excitement was visible, she was smiling ear to ear as we approached Untouchable in Hair in Orchard Park Mall. Untouchables is a local family business, currently owned and operated by Sandra Elliott and her son Oliver Elliott. It was established in the beautiful Okanagan Valley back in 1992 and has been located in Orchard Park Shopping Centre ever since. Untouchable in Hair carries three prestige brands, Aveda, Davines and Bumble & Bumble. The Okanagan Woman team love working with the Untouchables staff, they are a passionate group of creative and insanely talented individuals.
Charlotte eagerly began Wendy’s personal consultation As Charlotte eagerly began with Wendy’s personal consultation, discussing the upcoming transformation and the creative ideas she had, Wendy sat upright and proffered, I have one simple request to add “please lose the bangs” then she smiled, relaxed back into her chair and put her trust in Charlotte and the team. While undergoing the colouring, toning, cutting, drying and styling the team enjoy the delicious fruity blend of the ME to WE charity tea provided by Davids Tea.
You're a REAL Beauty
Wendy’s senses were about to be enveloped in total relaxation as she lay back to enjoy a luxurious scalp massage from master stylist Charlotte Roberts. “The inspiration for colour came from Wendy’s natural maturing hair colours. She had flecks of silver and dark ash brown and I wanted to enhance that in a striking way,” says Charlotte. “I used Aveda Lightener, dark ash brown colour, and an ashy gloss to enhance her natural hair colour. We cut off a lot of length to open up her beautiful face and create a shape that is more flattering for her.” Styling and finishing products were from the Davines product line. I used a blow dry primer and a volumizing spray to thicken up the hair for the blow dry".
SUBTLE TREATMENTS . ARTFUL TECHNIQUES NATURAL-LOOKING RESULTS Botox . Filler . Collagen Stimulation Carbossi . Mesotherapy . CO2 . IPL
Featuring European techniques not offered elsewhere in the Okanagan
THE DE PIERI CLINIC HEALTH & AESTHETICS
Charlotte works her magic on Wendy to take her from slightly grey with overpowering bangs - to sleek, sophisticated and sexy.
106-1353 Ellis Street Kelowna . (250) 448-7408 www.thedepiericlinic.com
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 13
With a fabulous new “do” Wendy is swept off on a shopping spree to Blue Sky Clothing at 101-1447 Ellis Street, Kelowna. The first thing we noticed on entering the store was a mass of colour, prints and shapes to suit all tastes, but within minutes, manager Karen McLennan has Wendy’s measure and is showing her to a fitting room armed with a couple of very flattering outfits hand picked for her. Wendy laughs and talks about how she never wears skirts… while walking around in a striking white fitted skirt and blue batik top. Karen overwhelmed us with options from the wonderful, stylish and comfortable selection Blue Sky offers. We ended up leaving with more than we originally planned because Wendy looked so amazing in everything she tried on! With several potential outfits in hand, we headed down to The Wardrobe Boutique,, owned and operated by Laura-Ann Kavanagh at 2987 Pandosy Street, Kelowna. The store was full of amazing dresses, shoes, hand bags and accessories, but it took Julie Deighton, senior stylist, no time at all to zero in on two pairs of stylish shoes to complement our lovely outfits. Our next stop was to meet up with make-up artist Tammy Peterson at the photography studio. To prep Wendy’s skin, Tammy started with her all time favorite product, Drops Of Youth concentrate, which enhances the surface skin cell renewal, leaving it smoother and softer. She then followed with Drops Of Youth cream which provides 48 hours of moisture while providing a smooth, velvety finish. To provide Wendy with a flawless base, Tammy used 100% vegan clay foundation with community trade Tea Tree Oil from Kenya, which offers full coverage and a light weight feel. Honey Bronze powder and Shimmer Waves highlighter, created her sun kissed look, finishing off with make-up setting spray made from 100% Organic Community Trade Aloe. All the above mentioned products, as well as Tammy, can be found at The Body Shop in Orchard Park Mall.
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Wendy, with her polished new hair & make up and adorned in her wonderful new outfit, embellished with shoes and accessories, finally meets Danny Tagle, the man behind the lens at the photography studio.
Danny, our local photographer, choreographer and artist, has lights, camera and music all ready and is poised to immortalize Wendy’s brand new, strikingly confident, image forever!
Wendy took direction well from Danny and posed like it was something she was born into. Clearly a woman of many talents, she held nothing back as Danny captured every side of our woman of the hour. Wendy was sexy, sassy, playful and fun, there was no shortage of frivolity or laughter on set.
As we wrapped up, Wendy’s day was not complete… she was surprised with a wonderful gift basket from The Body Shop to pamper herself even after the OKW day was over.
It was a real joy for the team at OKW to be part of this wonderful day, and to experience the transformation of such a
clever, classy, confident Okanagan Woman!
A big thank you to our wonderful and generous sponsors….
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A WOMAN’S GUIDE to the
Tantalizing Taste
of SCOTCH
JACKIE DREGER
BY DEANNA RAINEY
The thought of sipping on fine Scotch from a sparkling glass conjures up a certain rich ambience….muted music, the clinking of crystal and intriguing conversation. Historically thought of primarily as a man’s drink, Scotch now attracts women in increasing numbers, as they too enjoy the rich amber liquid as it caresses the taste buds with amazing flavours.
Scotch whisky is actually malt or grain whisky made in Scotland, in a manner specified by law. All Scotch whisky was originally made from malted barley until commercial distilleries introduced whisky made from wheat and rye in the late 18th century. On a brilliant summer day, I ventured into Monashees private liquor retail store in downtown Vernon to meet with Jackie Dreger, who oversees the Scotch products in the store. She led us into a beautifully appointed room that houses their premium Scotches and wine, in the centre of this newly-designed space. “Scotch has been just a little intimidating and mysterious for years, and I spent a lot of time in the company of men, with very few women Scotch drinkers on hand! I want to take the mystery and intimidation away for women, through education and events and creating exposure,” she explains.
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By law, Scotch must be aged in oak barrels for at least three years. It is divided into five categories: single malt Scotch whisky, single grain Scotch whisky, blended malt Scotch whisky, blended grain Scotch whisky and blended Scotch whisky. There are also five regions in Scotland where Scotch is made – The Highlands, The Lowlands, Campbeltown, Speyside and the Isle of Islay. We turned our attention to Bruichladdich Scotch from the Isle of Islay. A classic Scotch, it is floral and complex. It is Trickle distilled from 100 per cent Scottish Barley. This Scotch matures for all its life in the warehouses on the shores of Loch Indall and is bottled at the distillery, using Islay spring water. It is natural whiskey, non-chill filtered and colouring free. They are, as they say, unashamedly experimental. Challenging convention is in their very DNA. As Jackie pointed out, all Scotch is whiskey but not all whiskey is Scotch. The barrels in which the Scotch is aged have been previously used to age Sherry, Bourbon, Rum, Sauternes or Madeira. In Monashees beautiful new store, Jackie has two types of Bruichladdich Scotch for our private tasting. The Scotch is terroir-driven and all of the
work involved in creating it is done by hand. There is no automation or computers involved in the production of these sumptuous bottles. The first, The Classic Laddie, consists of 50 per cent alcohol by volume. Each bottle has a code on it, and when you enter that number online, you’ll receive incredibly thorough information regarding that specific bottle of Scotch. Details such as the type of barrel it was aged in and what the blend is comprised of are just some of the facts you’ll learn. The Classic Laddie is an unpeated single malt, which means it is made from a single type of grain. You’ll find smoky hints of caramel and butterscotch and a silky feel in the mouth. The second Bruichladdich Scotch is the Port Charlotte, named after a town near the distillery. A single malt, it has 40 ppm of peat and 50 per cent alcohol. It is a cuvee as well. The Port Charlotte is reminiscent of bonfire, butterscotch and white pepper. Peat is organic vegetation that forms in a bog, which is smoked on perforated metal sheets. The Distiller dries it out and smokes it for a number of hours or even days, depending on the degree of peaty flavour he wants in that particular Scotch.
Jackie said that the Distiller who created these products has since retired, and she laughs at the occupational hazard of being a distiller. “If a distiller is making a twenty or thirty year old whiskey, he’s got a long wait!” Gez McAlpine, Brand Ambassador for Bruichladdich, will be in Vernon in October to lead a master class. You’ll have the opportunity to taste and learn about their wonderful Scotch, whether you’re a new Scotch drinker or have been enjoying its distinctly delicious flavours for years! You’ll taste five or six different Scotches, including the newly-released Black Arts. Check the Monashees web site for times and details, at www.monashees.ca. Whether you’re cuddled up in front of a roaring fire in the winter, or sitting around the backyard fire pit in the summer, it’s a great time to enjoy Scotch. Like wine, you’ll enjoy it the first time you sip it but your pleasure increases as your knowledge about the product expands. There is a lot to learn about Scotch, but then again, a crystal glass and a bottle of Port Charlotte or The Classic Laddie is all you need to set yourself on this journey of the senses.
You’ll have the opportunity to taste and learn about their wonderful Scotch, whether you’re a new Scotch drinker or have been enjoying its distinctly delicious flavours for years!
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 17
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Celebrating your
Curves! With fine fabric, an excellent cut and great accessories, women of a certain size are free to celebrate their curves alongside their smaller companions. CONFIDENCE AND A LITTLE IMAGINATION ARE THE KEY INGREDIENTS IN YOUR DRESS-FOR-SUCCESS RECIPE.
IT’S ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL TO BEGIN YOUR LOOK WITH PROPER UNDERGARMENTS, WHICH WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE OVERALL PRESENTATION.
Experts agree that the most important rule for plus-size women is to dress for your body type. It is just as important to emphasize your assets as it is to cover up imperfections. It may come as a surprise, but showing a bit of skin is very becoming. Deep necklines and slightly shorter skirts can instantly slim down your full-figure. Shoulders, chest, waist, legs…if you’re blessed in those areas, choose clothing that highlights your best features. Keep the other areas modestly covered for a balanced look. And it’s absolutely crucial to begin your look with proper undergarments, which will have a huge impact on the overall presentation. Properly sized foundation plays a big part in creating your profile.
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 19
IMPORTANCE OF UNDERPINNING…
THE FOUNDATIONS UPON WHICH YOUR LOVELY CLOTHES WILL BE DRAPED, IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE CLOTHING ITSELF.
Susan Wort of Fashion Foundations in Kelowna’s Spall Plaza says the right bra will make you look taller and slimmer. On the practical side, she points out, a well-fitted bra will also help alleviate strain and pain in the neck and shoulder areas.
“Lots of ladies who visit the store want shapewear, those tight-fitting garments that help smooth out the bumps. Often, we can put them in a better fitting bra and it changes their silhouette so much that the shapeware isn’t even required,” she says.
It is crucial that you start with a bra fitting with your personal fitter at Fashion Foundations. They look at the fit of your current bra and from that, they can judge the styles you might like and what size to reach for. They can see if the back is too loose or the cup is too small. The personal fitting is a free consultation after which you will begin to choose your foundations wisely. “Each company’s bra fits differently. We fit the customer…if they find three bras they like, chances are they will be three different sizes.”
Fashion Foundations.ca
#118 – 1950 HARVEY AVENUE (SPALL PLAZA) KELOWNA BC V1Y 8J8 | PHONE 250.763.1473 20 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
Ideally, Susan says, you should have three bras…one to wash, one to wear and one as a spare! A good bra can last a very long time with some basic TLC. She suggests you hand wash your bras or at least clean them in a laundry bag on the gentle cycle, and hang to dry. At Fashion Foundations you’ll also find swimwear designed to maximize the potential of your body style.
&
TIPS
TRICKS
Diana Vona, proprietor of Casa Bella Boutique in Vernon recommends you look for quality fabrics and a good cut, this can work wonders, she says.
“Also, don’t be afraid to show some skin! In dresses, the current length is right around the knee, but if you’re shorter than average, try going slightly above the knee, this will give you more perceived height, creating a slimmer overall appearance.”
“There are a lot of dresses with overlays which work well too, providing strategic coverage for problem areas,” she advises. “Darker colors work best. Blues, vibrant dark colours and a standout print are great choices this year.” Diana thinks that this fall’s colors will work well for her curvy customers. Look for teals, black and white, a dark blush or a red print. Think about a midnight blue skirt and top, instead of the traditional black. Again, try something with an overlay. Hot pink and strategically placed sequins are popular, too. Diana, like many plus size merchandisers and designers, suggest that wearing heels will slim your legs and body, and if high heels aren’t for you, a more modest inch or two will work as well. The biggest mistake many plus-size women make is wearing clothing that is too big. “It just looks frumpy” says Diana. “Wear a classic, flowing fit that is not body-hugging, but is fitted to your shape. Diana urges curvaceous women not to be intimidated when shopping, there’s plenty of wonderful choices out there. Casa Bella carries a great selection of Frank Lyman – up to size 22, and a range of beautifully cut linen pieces in a full range of sizes to select from. “We are happy to order clothing in any size,” she says. “If you give us a bit of time, we can get the exact item you need for that special event.”
Sizes from 2 to 22
Casa Bella Boutique
1 - 3212 30th Avenue, Vernon, BC 778.475.4603 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 21
GETTING TECHNICAL…
Blue Sky Clothing boutique owner and designer, Marilyn Cobban, has been designing clothing for a wide variety of body shapes from XS to 4X for many years. Marilyn’s dream was to make attractive clothes for all women: the busty women with full thighs, the women who combine size 18 pants with size 12 tops. She understands the technical parameters when fitting extra small to extra large sized women. Marilyn also realized the need for more natural, breathable fabrics for the Okanagan, so developed a line of beautiful clothing in silk, bamboo, cotton and wool fabrications.
Sarah Porter has been dressing women of all sizes for years. She explains some of the challenges found in plus size clothing.
“Some brands will just keep going up into plus sizes without making the technical adjustments needed for the proper cut for the plus sized woman. As a buyer, I’m very aware of that and it’s good to know that brands are starting to create a true 1X or 2X and adjusting the cut of the garment to reflect a plus size body,” Sarah says.
She echoes the advice of other plus size clothing experts, reminding curvy clients to pay attention to fabric and cut, and don’t buy something that is too big or bulky. In the Okanagan heat, natural fabrics such as cotton and bamboo are a good choice. “Shoulders and arm holes may need altering for the perfect fit. Don’t be afraid to alter.” Follow a few simple rules when selecting plus size prints. The size of the print makes a big difference…petite plus size women should ensure that the print itself isn’t too large, as a big print can be overpowering. But prints are a good way to camouflage problem areas.
22 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
LADIES….. LET YOUR CONFIDENCE SHINE THROUGH!
A lot of women worry when faced with shopping for clothes, but when you shop in the right stores, you can find elegant, comfortable clothing, sized for real women that will fit well in all the right places. When it comes to accessorizing, have one ‘statement piece’, an amazing necklace, bracelet or ring. When you’re wearing that special piece, you don’t need any other jewelry. Don’t make the mistake of having a tiny necklace or small earrings, which will get lost in the outfit. A great multi-coloured scarf is also a great accessory and can be worn in many different ways depending on your outfit and your boldness of the day. Scarves can also be a great way to liven up a very basic outfit, they can add colour, texture and they can be a great cover-up. So fling, drape or wrap to your hearts desire! Style, cut, fabric, color, accessories and shoes…so many things play an important part in creating the correct balance for that perfect outfit. A good salesperson will work with you to ensure that the outfit you choose brings out the very best in you. Then when you’ve found your fabulous new look…… wear it with confidence, pride and a great big smile!
WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESSORIZING, HAVE ONE ‘STATEMENT PIECE’ AN AMAZING NECKLACE, BRACELET OR RING. WHEN YOU’RE WEARING THAT SPECIAL PIECE, YOU DON’T NEED ANY OTHER JEWELLERY JUST ADD A GREAT ATTITUDE!
SO GO AHEAD SHOP…… FOLLOW OUR TIPS AND YOU’LL FEEL LIKE A MORE FASHIONABLE AND CONFIDENT YOU!
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 23
Your Wealth. Your Future. Our Focus.
With the recent volatility of the equity markets and the rates on Government Bonds and Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) near historical lows, you may be uncertain about which investments will be most effective for you. Introducing TD Structured Notes (TD Notes), an investment product designed to help you combine the potential for higher returns offered by the equity markets with downside protection if held to maturity. Whether your focus is on generating more income, growing your initial investment or reducing the risk of what you currently have invested in the stock market, TD Notes offer a wide variety of options to help you reach your goals and diversify your portfolio.
Survivors Guide for
RETIREMENT SOME PLAN FOR THEIR RETIREMENT, OTHERS EASE INTO IT, AND SOME ARE FORCED INTO IT. Be a retirement survivor and keep your torch burning with this checklist. BY MEGHAN MACDONALD
Define it
Investors have used TD Notes as replacements to Preferred Shares, High Yield Bonds, Mutual Funds and ETFs.
You've probably fantasized about retirement all your working life. But very few of us have taken the time to clearly envision and write down what our retirement will look like: • Keep a notebook with goals and ideas. • Refine and prioritize them over time. • Be specific (visit Italy; take the grandchildren to Disney World before they turn ten). • Limit to five goals, but amend them as time goes on.
Practical Investment Solutions for Investors Seeking Safety, Growth and Income
Talk about it
In addition, we can recommend TD Notes that can meet your unique investment objectives, such as term, yield and downside protection.
Meghan MacDonald, CIM® MacDonald Wealth Group TD Wealth Private Investment Advice 1633 Ellis Street Suite 410 Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8 | T 250 470 3026 meghan.macdonald@td.com Macdonaldwealthgroup.com
Investors are encouraged to read the Information Statement or Notes to obtain additional Prospectus for the Structured information and all material facts relating to the Notes TD Structured Notes are offered by TD Wealth. The offering documents and certain additional information about the Notes can be found on tdstructurednotes.com. MacDonald Wealth Group MacDonald, Investment Advisor, Meghan consists of Dan MacDonald Investment Advisor, Laura Wierzbicki Client Service Associate, and Kathleen Brouse Client Service Associate. MacDonald Wealth Group is part of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice; a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Member of the Canadian Waterhouse Canada Inc. – Investor Protection Fund. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The TorontoDominion Bank. 24 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
If you are retiring as part of a couple, open the lines of communication about your plans for retirement. If you have children, let them in on your plans: • Talk with your family. Their idea of retirement may be quite different than yours. • Topics of discussion: what will your retirement look like? When will it happen? Will you stop working completely or phase work out? Will parents live with you during retirement? • Determine some boundaries around independence and couple time. • Discuss living arrangements and who will be a caregiver when it is needed. Is everyone on board with those arrangements?
Find a focus There's a misconception that retirement is all just golf and wine tours. While retirees certainly enjoy their leisure time, those who really feel energized tend to find a focus and a passion and pursue it: • Volunteer for an organization you believe in, start a business you've always dreamt about, or take a course to learn a new skill • Put a concrete plan in place to do it – determine how much you will need to save for tuition, learn how to set up a website, or set a timeline for launching a business.
CREATE A PLAN FOR BUILDING YOUR NEST EGG; YOU MAY WANT TO WORK WITH A FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL.
ONCE YOU RETIRE, YOU MAY LOSE THE NETWORK OF SUPPORT YOU ARE ACCUSTOMED TO, WHICH COULD LEAD TO DEPRESSION IN SOME CASES.
Estimate how much you will need Now that you are armed with a picture of your retirement, you can get to work on a realistic budget: • Decide when you would like to retire. • Create a plan for building your nest egg; you may want to work with a financial professional. • Your savings should bring in enough investment income to keep you afloat during retirement.
About Meghan MacDonald, CIM® Meghan is Investment Advisor with the MacDonald Wealth Group, who serves, retirees, business owners, professionals and their families throughout the Okanagan. Meghan specializes in building relationships with, and meeting the unique wealth management needs of women investors. ¹12th annual TD Waterhouse Women Investor Poll, 2012 ²Black Rock – Global Investor Pulse survey, 2014
Get Fit Being physically fit during retirement, so that you can enjoy your time and activities, is key: • Anything from walking, to the gym, to golfing, can help to keep you active and fit so that you can fully take advantage of everything that retirement has to offer.
Make a Will and a Power of Attorney It may feel uncomfortable but it is crucial to determine how you and your family want your estate settled: • Decide how you want to pass on your wealth after you're gone. • Use Wills and Power of Attorney to make your wishes known to your family.
The views expressed are those of Meghan MacDonald CIM®, Investment Advisor with the MacDonald Wealth Group as on April 18, 2017, and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The information contained herein is for information purposes only. The information has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. Where such statements are based in whole or in part on information provided by third parties, they are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. The information does not provide financial, legal, tax or investment advice. Particular investment, trading or tax strategies should be evaluated relative to each individual’s objectives and risk tolerance. TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates and related entities are not liable for any errors or omissions in the information or for any loss or damage suffered.
No one is an island – get professional help Just as you would consult a trainer to help you get fit, working with a financial professional could get you into financial shape. Together you can: • Set life and financial goals and priorities for now and for retirement. • Create a plan with concrete steps to get your money working for you over time. • Determine the amount of risk you can comfortably take. • Develop a strategy to minimize your taxes in retirement years as you begin to withdraw the funds from your accounts or sell your assets. • Formulate you estate planning.
Create a social network •
• •
Just because you are no longer working doesn’t mean you can’t put your skills and knowledge to good use. Consider mentoring others who can benefit from your experience. Volunteer, use social media to find clubs, or locate social events in your area, Create a routine and structure that includes time for family and friends.
Retirement living can be active, inspiring, and fulfilling. We know because we help make it a reality every day. To learn more about the Verve difference at The Heritage, visit verveseniorliving.com
250-768-9926 I 3630 Brown Rd, W, Kelowna, BC OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 25
AFTER SCHOOL SPECIALS... Big White knows that kids who begin skiing or boarding early will be introduced to a sport that they’ll love for a lifetime. Paula Buchanan of Big White’s famed ski school is co-ordinator of the Big White After School Program, which is offered to 54 schools in the Okanagan. The plan is available to students from grades 4 and up, and kids are picked up at their school at the end of a school day. Chaperones are always on hand. After a ride up to the mountain they’ll receive dinner, a lift ticket, a one hour lesson, chaperoned free ski time and a their return trip to their school by 9:00 pm.
26 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
Dependent upon which school they’re at, they’ll get three consecutive weeks on a specific mid-week night. Give your kids an opportunity of a lifetime by signing them up for the After School Program. The early bird price is $144 for the three evenings of skiing, meals, lessons and round-trip transfers. Parents are encouraged to book online for the greatest savings, and the package can be purchased from October through mid-December. At www.bigwhite.com, you’ll find a list of the schools available for pick up and individual dates will be posted.
This program has grown fast during the past few years, with lots of kids progressing beyond the beginner level. Children with season passes get a discount rate. One of the most brilliant offers available is the Children’s Season-Long Ski Rentals. Available online only to pass holders aged 12 and under, rent ski equipment (no snowboards) for $135 plus a $25 damage waiver. The magic in this plan is that you can take the gear home for the season knowing that your child’s equipment will fit perfectly as you can exchange it if your little one has a growth spurt. There are a limited number of sets available on a first come, first served basis so book early!
WINTER WONDERS
Big White's
BY DEANNA RAINEY
Fans of Big White Ski Resort
are in for some thrills this winter, as the resort has a full bag of tricks for the hundreds of thousands of people who flock there in search of some of the finest powder snow you’ll find anywhere. Big White has a sort of magic that captures you the minute you round the last corner and enter the village. Their reputation for superb snow conditions is renowned, and many locals visit the mountain during the long winter just to get out of the clouds and into the high-altitude sunshine. Their staff are well-trained and known for their friendly smiles. As I spoke with some of their key people preparing for this article, it became apparent how very carefully
they plan specific programs for each of their valued clients. Whether it is price, services, programs or the mountain itself, they offer something to whet everyone’s individual appetite, then deliver the goods with a spectacular experience. Many people – including season pass holders – are unaware of the exciting range of additional benefits for pass holders. The list begins with free skating on Canada’s Highest Outdoor Skating Rink. The Olympic-sized venue offers skate, stick and puck rentals. You can also get off the beaten track and enjoy Big White’s breathtaking back country with over 25 km of Nordic trails. Enjoy free night skiing under the bright lights of the largest night skiing area in Western Canada.
You can pick up your early bird season passes in person at the Big White office on Ambrosi, or at Orchard Park October 11- 15. You can also purchase them online at Big White’s web site, www.bigwhite.com, which is totally comprehensive, with up-to-the-minute on everything from snow conditions to events and accommodation deals.
The Bullet Express, Plaza Quad and TELUS Park Chairs offer night skiing Tuesday through Saturday when available. Jim Loyd, Big White’s Director of Sales, says they’re looking forward to the Thursday, November 23 opening. “Be sure to check out Big Reds, a December weekend event with some of the Okanagan’s best red wines and great food. There will also be pre-Christmas vacation accommodation specials. We’re finalizing those details now, so check on line to see the latest offers,” he says. www.bigwhite.com Whether you’re a single family, a group of friends or an individual who just loves champagne powder on a massive scale, Big White will keep you coming back for more.
Teaching Excellence, Inspiring Futures, Shaping Character
For a riotous good time after you’re done with your daily skiing or snowboarding, bring your friends and family for great fun at the Tube Park, with a 25 per cent discount. This is Canada’s largest resort tubing park and it’s a little like Disneyland as the laughter and grins are shared by people of all ages!
Join our World Class Institute, Aberdeen Hall PRESCHOOL - GRADE 12
950 Academy Way, Kelowna www.aberdeenhall.com
•
250.491.1270
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 27
HOW INCORPORATING ACTIVITY INTO OUR WORK AND DAILY LIVES MAKES US HEALTHIER
If our jobs aren’t stressful enough, those of us relegated to our rear ends for most of the workday now have to worry all that sitting is killing us. BY SHANNON LINDEN
There’s
MEDICINE in
Movement “Sitting is the new smoking!” coined Dr. James A Levine, a leading obesity expert and endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic at Arizona State University. The famous physician raised the red flag for everyone from desk workers to longhaul truck drivers and serial Netflix viewers. Humans are designed to move but it’s been a long time since we had to chase down our next meal or toil physically in order to survive. Simply put, because our modern lives are teeming with technological advancements, we’re drastically less active than our ancestors and we’re paying a price they could never have imagined. According to the World Health Organization, inactivity is now the fourth-leading risk factor for death worldwide. But what if our work involves stationary staring at a computer screen? And what about people in wheelchairs? Thankfully there’s some good news. Recent research suggests it’s not so much sitting but staying still—as in prolonged positioning and lack of activity in general—that is particularly dangerous. To be sure, too much time on your tush can lead to all kinds of medical maladies, but there are some pretty simple solutions to lighten the load, so to speak.
28 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
YOU’VE GOT TO MOVE IT
Dr. Levine likens too much sitting still to a sports car that idles all day long—the engine is going to get “gunked” up. Our bodies kind of seize up too. The metabolic engine goes to sleep and muscles stop moving, heart rate slows, and we burn significantly less calories than when we are walking. Insulin effectiveness drops, putting us at risk for Type 2 diabetes; meanwhile fat and cholesterol levels rise. Back in 2014, a biomedical engineer named Amit Gefan from Tel Aviv University studied patients with spinal cord injuries forced to remain in prolonged seated positions. Gefan found fat cells under constant pressure experienced accelerated growth of lipid droplets, or fat deposits, concluding static sitting caused fat cells to grow and muscle cells to disappear. Inactivity for prolonged periods of time carries other risks. Breast and colon cancer also appear to be particularly influenced by inactivity. Then there’s our mental health. We feel lethargic and get depressed if we don’t move enough.
For a while researchers told us we could counter these effects with daily workouts and while there’s truth to this, even a svelte marathoner remains at risk if she sits on her duff most of the day. “It appears that what is critical and maybe even more important than going to the gym, is breaking up sitting time,” Dr. Levine told NBC news. Such statements gave rise to a rush in stand-up desks, but in 2015 an article in the British Journal of Sports Medicine warned, “Any stationary posture where energy expenditure is low may be detrimental to health, be it sitting or standing.”
So what’s the answer?
Experts suggest changing up position frequently throughout our day, in combination with regular bouts of activity, could go a long way toward warding off health hazards. Add moderate to intense exercise (a healthy diet wouldn’t hurt) three times a week, and you’re on your way to winning the war sedentary work is waging on your life.
WHAT CAN A MORTAL WOMAN DO? Dr. Mary Jung is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Health and Exercise Psychology Lab (HEPL) at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. Her primary research focus is on the development and testing of novel self-regulatory behavior change strategies to promote health. “The most common barrier women report to becoming more active is time…there’s never enough…the next biggest thing is that women tend to get down on themselves, saying things like, ‘I know I should do this. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’
It’s really hard to change if you beat yourself up all the time,” Jung says. Prioritizing is key to fitting in activity. “Unless you’re an elite athlete—and even then, I’d argue family should come first—I don’t want you to list your workout as number one,” Jung explains. “But if you have say a top ten list of priorities, if you can fit it in the top five, that would be great.” Current Canadian guidelines for women suggest 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise a week, in at least ten-minute bouts, as well as two resistance training sessions designed to keep muscles and bones strong. For women just starting out, this sounds insurmountable. They compare themselves to others and can’t conceive how walking fifteen minutes is going to help them lose fifty pounds. “We need a societal shift,” Jung acknowledges. “We only see the polished product in the media. We don’t see the hard work it took and the truth is, everyone struggles to exercise.” It’s baby steps and the first one is the hardest, but it can begin with the idea of incorporating activity into your everyday—starting with work. “When I first got my walking treadmill desk, I got a lot of looks,” Jung says, “but now four of the six offices along this hallway are on standing desks…. a professor around the corner has 15 pound dumb bells at his desk… we need to get to the point where it’s unacceptable not to have movement in your workday.” Women may fear the repercussions of getting up too often because it looks better if they’re at their desks. Of course the irony is that we’re more productive if we take mini breaks. “Bosses need to encourage those breaks,” Jung says. And research backs up her belief. Just last year, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, in cooperation with other institutions, found five-minute walking breaks every hour were more effective at improving well-being than a single half hour session before work.
THE STUDY FOUND WORKERS WHO ROSE REGULARLY REPORTED GREATER HAPPINESS, LESS FATIGUE, AND FEWER FOOD CRAVINGS.
Published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, the study found workers who rose regularly reported greater happiness, less fatigue, and fewer food cravings. Their feelings of vigor tended to increase throughout the day—significant considering that midafternoon crash that sends some of us running for coffee. “We need reminders to move,” Jung says. She recommends setting an alarm on your phone or computer, using apps that ding; anything that signals it’s time to get going after 55 minutes in a sedentary position.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR MOVE AT WORK *“Stair breaks are becoming popular,” Jung says. “Every hour do a flight of stairs to break up sit time. “ *Use the washroom on another floor. Ditto the water cooler. *If emailing within your building, don’t do it. Try the old fashioned approach of walking over to your colleague’s desk. *“Try little tricks,” Jung advises. “Every time you visit the washroom, do some jumping jacks or pushups.” It’s amazing how many pushups you might complete by the end of the day and it becomes a healthy habit. *Wear a headset and walk around when you’re on the phone *Hold walking meetings *Use your lunch hour to workout and don’t feel guilty about it. “Women in particular feel they need to account for their time. They feel guilty if they don’t volunteer at work or when they take time away from family,” Jung admits. But here’s the bottom line: If we get sick, everything we care about could be compromised, including work, our families and friends, and our many other responsibilities.
We need to get moving, for health’s sake. To learn more about HEPL, call 250-807-9670 or email mary.jung@ubc.ca
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 29
WEIGHT BRAIN HEALTH?
Can determine
September, the month that marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Vacations wrap up, house guests return home and most of us generally tend to fall back into those old routines that had been disrupted and changed by all things summer in the Okanagan. But what if some of those routines we had been following day in and day out, especially around food choices, weren't exactly serving us? What if some of the foods we've been eating on a daily basis were actually detrimental to our physical and mental health? Yes, people are creatures of habit. We have our favourites and look forward to the foods we are used to, it's comforting. I get that. But as science is uncovering more and more information directly linking what we eat, as being the cause of many chronic diseases, it's crystal clear that changes in the way most North Americans eat needs to happen soon.
30 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
According to a 2015 Statistics Canada report, just over 20 percent of all Canadians are obese, up another five percent from 2003. Being obese markedly increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, along with sleep apnea, joint pain and osteoarthritis. A knee joint for example feels the force of 1 1/2 times a person's body weight when walking on a flat surface. Add an incline and that force increases to twice the body weight. Clearly, carrying around extra weight is damaging to our physical health. But did you know those extra pounds, and
the foods that put them there, also affect the brain, putting a large chunk of the population unknowingly at risk for both mental illness and decline in cognitive function? From conditions like depression, ADHD, poor focus and concentration, clear on up to Parkinson's dementia and even Alzheimers, all have a direct correlation to girth - how we measure up around the middle. Now that we're all in agreement about what's at stake here, let's go back to those habitual food choices that make up our SAD (standard American diet) in North America and see which ones have us waist-ing away our health. We all like to think we're eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, but the numbers tell us otherwise. The study showed that, on average, almost 1000 calories from added sugars and unhealthy fats are consumed daily. Hello blended coffee drinks with whipped topping. Add to that, grain intake has increased by 45 percent. And with 30 percent less nutritional value than what our grandparents harvested, combined with todays GMOs and pesticides, it's not surprising we're seeing issues. Sugars, gluten, and unhealthy fats all play a role in the weight-gain/brain-drain game.
Sugar – including honey, maple syrup, agave, corn syrup, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, glucose and artificial sweeteners - enters the blood stream quickly, causing an immediate spike in blood sugar, and fat storage. Repeated spikes and ongoing elevated blood sugar levels puts stress on the pancreas to continuously produce insulin. Over time, the pancreas becomes unable to keep up, resulting in type 2 diabetes. Gluten, found in most grains (especially wheat) and almost all packaged/processed food, is now an issue for many people. Not only do the foods it's found in, spike blood sugar and promote fat storage, gluten itself causes bloating, digestive issues, headaches, brain fog and moodiness. More alarming however are the links to Parkinson's, dementia and Alzheimers, experts are now linking gluten to. And then there's fat. Unfortunately, the good fats our bodies need like avocado, olive and coconut oils, eggs, nuts, seeds and nut butters that contain healthy omegas and DHA, have taken a back seat. Due to the “low fat” era we're emerging from and the almighty dollar, vegetable oils, margarines and shortening are used in packaged, processed and fast-food, a huge part of the population's food intake. These fats lose their nutritional value during processing then oxidize and become rancid under the heat and moisture when cooking. Mmm toxic. As if these things individually weren't enough, put them together and you have the perfect storm for creating chronic, internal inflammation. In addition to being the root cause of all disease, it also creates an environment perfect for plaque to form in and around the arteries of the heart and brain. Clearly something we should be avoiding at all costs. The good news is that no matter where you are in your health, wellness and weight loss journey, positive changes will make a difference. And taking initiative to make those choices
sooner rather than having them made for you later is worth its weight in golden years. So, this year, instead of just falling back into your usual, I invite you to take a look at your everyday food choices, compare them to what the experts are saying and make a few adjustments. Because in all reality, if making just a few changes today puts you on track to losing some weight and allows you to live longer, stronger, healthier and keep your head in the game while you age, it really is a no-brainer.
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Tania, owner/founder of FIT Nutrition, is a global nutritionist and fitness coach, fitness instructor, workshop facilitator, educator, speaker, writer and success creator. Tania is currently one of only five health professionals licensed and certified in Canada to coach a proven, three-phase program providing education on the importance of blood sugar stabilization, not dieting. For more information go to fuelignitethrive.com.
www.akaroomservices.com OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 31
O
nce upon an ancient time ...... our sense of inner knowing or ‘women's intuition’
supported our survival. We relied on our primal instincts to guide us, however, time and technology have nudged and navigated us away from trusting in those intuitive instincts.
Women are very familiar with the term "female intuition" but we are rarely encouraged to learn about the art of accessing this secretive and veiled treasure. Those that have spent time evolving and sourcing their intuition describe it as a somewhat lonely and self conducted journey of connecting to a very special sixth sense of female "knowingness". Intuition can be defined as our brain’s ability to understand something instinctively, while rapidly making a decision without the need for conscious reasoning. It is that very brief nanosecond of our gut reaction, when we evaluate cues surrounding us, connect to the meaning and then unconsciously respond. When making decisions based on this mysterious feminine power; women often have difficulty explaining the process. Some describe it as hearing an inner voice that was telling them to do something and tapping into what feels like a Neanderthal-like instinct.
WOMEN'S INTUITION our silent forces!
This inner voice is a very subtle conversation within one self that rarely includes the use of real words, here’s a few examples; • • • •
•
Have you thought of someone and then they contacted you? Have you had a sense of something about to happen, before it happened? Have the hairs on the back of your neck bristled and the mood of the room suddenly changed? Have you made a spontaneous decision because it "felt" right - even against other's opinion and you’ve been right? Do you frequently experience a great deal of coincidences?
HOW IT WORKS: INTUITION AND OUR BRAIN WAVES
By learning about the deeper states of intuition and consciousness we have the ability to open our subconscious minds. To do this, the first step is understanding a little bit about our different brain frequencies. 32 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
Beta: this is our normal waking state
which is stress-related or goal-oriented thinking. Our brainwaves are rapid and jagged. This is when we are in a heightened state of alertness, logic and critical reasoning.
Alpha: this is when we slip into a
deep relaxation state as induced by daydreaming, meditation or rhythmic activities. This is the gateway to the inner voice of intuition development. Intuitive experiences can occur at this level as the Alpha state is the bridge between the unconscious and conscious mind.
Theta: as we slip into our sub-
consciousness mind, we experience deep mediation and light sleep. The boundary that lies between Alpha-Theta sleep is when we can tap into our creative minds. This is the brain wave state for optimal connection for visualizations, inspiration and creativity where we may experience intuitive insights.
Delta: is the slowest of all brain wave frequencies and is when we enter deep sleep and transcendental meditation.
BY GISELA SCHOLZE
As we detach from awareness and step into our unconscious mind we may source intuitive information that cannot be reached at the conscious Beta level.
Gamma: the Insight Wave - is
associated with bursts of insight and highlevel information processing. Gamma is the brainwave state of being “in the Zone,” producing a feeling that you are capable of achieving anything.
INTUITION VS. INTELLECT
The intellect of the human brain is phenomenal at observing the physical environment and swiftly analyzes and interprets the information attained through our five senses. Intuition however, is very different as this sixth sense scans our surroundings and interprets the surrounding "energy" and communicates the information back in the form of physical sensations by creating a hunch or gut reaction. “Never apologize for trusting your intuition – your brain can play tricks, your heart can blind, but your gut is always right” Author Rachel Wolchin
Connecting to that unwavering calling of your "gut reaction" can be done by tuning with meditation into both your solar plexus and third eye chakras.
INTUITION development
connecting to your primal instinct and inner voice The solar plexus chakra is located in your abdomen just above
your belly button. It is the energy center responsible for personal power, self-esteem and the base point for sourcing your female intuition (commonly described as the "gut" reaction).
The third eye chakra is centered between your eyebrows and connected with the porthole of energy known as the invisible eye, which provides perception beyond ordinary sight. This is where the subconscious awareness of your surroundings begins.
1. PRACTISE MEDITATION - quiet your
mind. Connect with your breath and relax into your body. Allow space for your intuition to develop by focussing on your third eye chakra and feeling the sensation in your naval area (solar plexus chakra). Begin by simply laying down and taking a moment to sink into yourself and feel really grounded. Place a healing crystal stone over your third eye and focus on the energy exchange needed to bring the crystal to your own body temperature. Silence the chatter of the monkey mind and open up to receiving messages from your intuitive self.
2. CALMING EXERCISE - find one. Discover
an energy practice or physical exercise that helps you stay in an open and ready mental state. Find a routine that allows you to decompress from stressful situations and one that uplifts your mind. Walking mediation, yoga, or even chanting - find something that makes you happy and make it a part of your daily routine - if for only a few minutes.
3. BUFFER YOURSELF FROM COMPETITION - let go. Developing intuition is
a non-competitive exploration within yourself. Double check if you sense competitive energy around you at work, play or within personal friendships. Guard your intuitive energy and release the activities or relationships that drain your inner well-being. Your intuition will speak clearly to you on this.
4. OBSERVE AND TRUST - allow sensations and hunches to percolate forward. Watch and listen for subtle messages that you might normally filter out. 5. INTUITION JOURNEY - record and
write it down. This acknowledges when you pick up a knowingness, sensation, or urge to do something. Allow the sensation to land and be recorded, however small the message or feeling may be. Trust the meaning of your interpretation, the more you trust the sensations the stronger your intuition will become.
6. SPEND TIME ALONE - take some downtime to re-align with your inner SELF and recharge. Intuitive people gather and collect the energy from others and generally find large noisy crowds, social gatherings and public events over-stimulating. Finding quiet time and practising solitude strengthens your ability to focus and listen to your intuition. Unplug from the business of life, slip into the sensation of your skin and connect to your own silent language and ancient wisdoms.
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 33
“I want you to believe... to believe in things that you cannot.” - Bram Stoker, Dracula -
Dracula Man or Myth? BY LAURA GOSSET
It’s October. A chill is creeping into the autumn air. Scarlet leaves the colour of blood blow from skeletal boughs in one final, desperate flight. Beautiful, but already dead! Ghoulish foreshadowing acknowledged, but after all, this is the fall issue of Okanagan Woman and Halloween is fast approaching. The streets will soon be filled with witches, goblins, zombies and (my personal favourite) vampires! I admit, I have morbid fascination for undead beings in human form! I devoured all four novels of Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight Series” like an immortal in a feeding frenzy. Perhaps that explains the allure for me of the tangled maze of ancient caves and passageways I stumbled across in a recent trip to Budapest.
THE LABYRINTH: CAVES WITH A DARK AND MYSTERIOUS PAST The Hungarian capital straddles the Danube, separating the hilly Buda-district from the flatlands of Pest. Overflowing with dazzling architecture, thermal baths, quirky cafes, stunning vistas and UNESCO World Heritage sites, Budapest is a treasure trove for curious travelers.
34 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
My husband and I were wandering the cobbled backstreets of the Castle Quarter, when we passed an unobtrusive doorway with steep, stone steps leading directly down into the underbelly of Buda-hill. Ever inquisitive, we descended the stairs not really knowing what we’d discover at the bottom. After several twists and turns, we found ourselves in a large cavern in front of a Hungarian cashier who wanted 2500 HUF (the equivalent of $12 CDN) before she would allow us to proceed. She spoke no English and after we’d paid, she gave a disinterested waive in the general direction of a gaping hole in the rock. On the way by her desk, I snagged a brochure in hopes of gaining insight into our immediate future if we passed through the iron gate. It said (in stilted English, obviously translated from Hungarian) we were in the Labyrinth, which was about 1,000 meters long, walkable in approximately thirty minutes and arrows would show the way. Over the centuries, the ancient cave system had been used for many things, including a storage place for wine, a torture chamber and - according to the handout - a prison in which Dracula was its most infamous “guest”. Dracula was a real person? That was news to me - I had always thought him to be the notorious anti-hero of the Gothic horror novel of the same name. Not so, at least according to the brochure. The fictional character created by the author, Bram Stoker, was loosely based on the real deal: a 15th century, Romanian war lord, Vlad Tepes (or Vlad III), who was by all accounts, an equally bloodthirsty fellow. He was affectionately known as Vlad, The Impaler, because his specialty was – you guessed it – impaling people and then displaying their bodies publicly to frighten his enemies.
WAS “VLAD, THE IMPALER” THE LIVING DRACULA?
With some trepidation, we entered the Labyrinth and were immediately buried by blackness. It was total - so thick and encompassing, I only knew my eyes were open by feeling myself blink. If there were “arrows”, as the brochure so optimistically advertised, there was no way to see them. Groping the dank walls, we shuffled forward with tiny, tentative steps. Within moments, I managed to walk smack into a stone column, which entertained my hubby to no end. Then we remembered, we had our iPhones - thank you Apple, for the flashlight App! As we drifted deeper and deeper into the cave, my edginess rose commensurate with the dropping temperatures and the loss of our sense of direction. Around the stone corners of the passageways, curled something that looked like smoke, but felt like fog and music, an eerie haunting sound, floated about us in the thick, underground air. When we stumbled across a cavern pronounced to be, “Dracula’s Chamber”, it was totally by chance. Leering down at us from a portrait on the rock wall was the dark, disturbing image of Vlad III. He was wearing the same veneer of brooding, aristocratic charm as Count Dracula - Bram Stoker’s purely fictional creation.
With a bruised forehead and a resolve to find out more about “Vlad The Impaler”, I emerged with my husband several hours later from the bowels of the Labyrinth – both of us grateful not to have disappeared permanently. While a great deal of mystery surrounds the real man, his life and deeds are no less fascinating and fearsome than those of his literary namesake. It is believed the historical Dracula was born in 1431 in Transylvania (now Romania) - a prince, not a Count. The name originated from Vlad’s dad who belonged to a secret fraternity called the “Order of the Dragons”. Since in Romanian, “Drac” means dragon and the ending “ulea” means “son of”, Vlad III became known as the “Son of the Dragon” or Dracula. At the age of thirteen Vlad and his brother were taken as political hostages for four years by the Ottomans - maybe that contributed to his overall nastiness in later life. After his release, he gained and lost the throne to his kingdom three times in a continuous struggle to fend off one or the other of his powerful neighbours, Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Under the reign of King Matthias (Hungary’s most beloved monarch), he was captured and purportedly imprisoned in the Labyrinth. There are conflicting accounts of how long he languished there, but the brochure said for ten years. Surprisingly, after his release he met and married a member of the Hungarian Royal Family, which makes one wonder what went on down in the caves during his incarceration.
Vlad 111 Dracula Tepes Mystery also surrounds his death and final resting place. Some say he was killed in battle in a bid to once again retrieve his throne, others say he was assassinated. There is no question though that during his intermittent rule, he earned a reputation for heinous acts of torture, murder and inhuman cruelty. Several historians credit him with the deaths of between 40,000 to 100,000 people. While some attempt to justify his actions on the basis of political necessity, many more report that he had a taste for cruelty and derived perverted pleasure from it. There you have it! Vampirical evidence that Dracula is both man and myth: a fictional Count who turns into a bat, sleeps in coffins and drinks the blood of the living; and the notorious Vlad Dracula, The Impaler, a 15th-century prince who history, for the most part, remembers as a sadistic madman.
Happy Halloween everyone!
For the past year, Okanagan writer and adventure traveler, Laura Gosset, has been experiencing the joie de vivre in France and throughout Europe. To read more stories like this one, sign up for her blog, Away, eh! @ www.lauragosset.com OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 35
Here's a new variation on the classic Sangria for you to conjure up for your blood thirsty ghoul friends as the bounty of the Okanagan fall harvest begins and the haunting spirits of Halloween beckon.
Classic Sangria is a beautiful blend of seasonal fruits and wine that tempts your taste buds to embrace those amazing days of harvest. The blood-red color of the wine inspired the name Sangria, which is derived from the Spanish word for blood. Sangria is typically made with red wine mixed with sliced fresh fruit, fruit juices, soda water as well as a splash of orange liqueur and brandy.
Let the sorceress in you escape while brewing a batch of Hallowine Sangria in your French press as the cauldron. Devilishly refreshing, customizable, and divine for those bloodcurdling socials, this "spooktacular potion" uses rosé wine. Enjoy infusing various blends of fruit from the season while dappling in this enchanting concoction using the variations of Rosé wine made here in our beautiful Okanagan. Some Rosé wines have nuances of cranberry; others have bewitching tasting notes of strawberry, cherry and pomegranate. GISELA SCHOLZE
Hallow ne Sangria for blood thirsty
Ghoulfriends
HOCUS POCUS TIPS:
The amount and variety of fruit you choose is up to you Sangria is endlessly customizable. Orange Liquor: adds a nice, sweet little kick to the drink without watering down the alcohol content. Blood Orange Juice: Sweeten up the Hallowine Sangria by adding a little more citrus juice, which stretches out the potion a bit and reduces the alcohol. Prepare in advance: let Hallowine Sangria meld over overnight for more flavour; this also saves on hostess preparation time before guests arrive.
INGREDIENTS Simple Syrup 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water Hallowine Sangria 1/4 cup orange liqueur 1/3 cup brandy 1/2 cup sliced apples 1/2 cup sliced blood oranges (rind on) 1/2 cup cranberries 1 bottle of Okanagan Rosé wine 3/4 cup ginger ale (to taste)
DIRECTIONS 1. 2.
Refrigerate the rosé wine in advance. Add brandy and orange liqueur into the French press. 3. Combine the sugar and water (the simple syrup) in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves 4. Add sugar mixture to the French press. 5. Slice up blood oranges and apples, squeezing the ends of the oranges for fresh juice. 6. Add orange juice and fruit to the French press. 7. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled 8. Press your fruit through the French press 9. Add ginger ale just before serving 10. Add a few blood orange ice cubes to the wine goblet and fill with pressed Hallowine sangria 11. For extra ‘spookiness’ add a black cherry on a red or black cocktail stick.
BLOODY ICE CUBES
SLICE BLOOD ORANGES AND SQUEEZE OUT THE JUICE. POUR BLOOD ORANGE JUICE INTO ICE CUBE TRAYS OR DROP CHERRIES IN WATER IN THE ICE TRAYS. PLACE IN FREEZER UNTIL FROZEN, AT LEAST 6 HOURS.
36 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
INGREDIENTS
For the Crust : 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter cut into cubes-chilled 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar 1/4 cup ice water (or you can use 1 package Refrigerated Pie Crust (2 crusts))
FOR FILLING AND TOPPING;
3/4 cup reduced pumpkin puree (place 1 cup pumpkin puree on several layers of paper towel, wrap and press to soak excess moisture until you get 3/4 cup pumpkin puree) 2 oz cream cheese -slightly softened 2 tablespoon packed light-brown sugar 2 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon allspice 1 egg yolk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg white-lightly beaten 1/2 tablespoon water 2 tablespoon sugar for topping 1 teaspoon cinnamon for topping Candy eyes
RECIPE CREDIT: OMGCHOCOLATEDESSERTS.COM
Mummy pumpkin
COOKIES
2.
INSTRUCTIONS 1.
The crust - pulse together flour, salt and sugar, in a food processor, then add butter and pulse until it looks like a coarse meal (don't over-process, just pulse until butter is no longer in large pieces). Add chilled water 1-2 tablespoon at a time and pulse several times. If you don’t have a food processor you can make the dough using two forks or pastry blender. Divide dough into two portions, shape each into a 5-inch disk, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
3. 4.
The filling - in a bowl blend together cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Add reduced pumpkin puree to cream cheese mixture along with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice. Mix in egg yolk and vanilla extract. Cover bowl and chill until ready to assemble the cookies. Preheat oven to 375 F and line large baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. To assemble the mummies, roll out first disk of the dough onto a floured surface to about 13 x 11inch rectangle. If the edges start to crack a little when rolling, seal them and continue rolling. Trim edges straight, then cut into rectangles. Roll out second dough disc and cut into 1/2 inch strips.
5.
6. 7.
Arrange the rectangles, spaced apart on prepared baking sheet and spread a heaped 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of pumpkin pie filling onto each rectangle, leaving rim on all sides uncoated. Brush uncoated edges with the mixture of lightly beaten egg white and 1 Tbsp water. Top with strips to create a mummy look, then seal edges with your fingertips. Trim the excess of the strips. Brush the strips with egg white and sprinkle with mixture of 2 Tbsp sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Bake until golden brown about 20 minutes. To complete, stick candy eyes onto cooled mummies.
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 37
AUTUMN
Stuffed Squash
INGREDIENTS 4 acorn or carnival squash Salt and pepper 1 cup brown rice 2 cups water 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 4 turkey sausages, cut into ¼ inch rounds
1 cup chopped apple 1 cup chopped mushroom 1 tsp dried sage 1 bay leaf 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste ¼ tsp pepper, plus more to taste
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 ˚f 2. Cut squash in half and remove seeds and stringy flesh. 3. Brush squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 4. Place squash cut side down on baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes until tender. Set aside. 5. In medium pan, combine water and rice. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. 6. Reduce heat and simmer until water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Set rice aside. 7. In a very a large skillet, heat oil. Add chopped onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until soft 8. Add chopped mushrooms, apples, sausages, dried sage, the bay leaf, salt and pepper. 9. Cook, stirring occasionally until sausages are cooked through. 10. Add the cooked rice to the sausage mixture and mix well. Salt and pepper to taste. 11. Scoop the filling into the squash and bake at 375 ˚f for 10-15 mins. PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES
COOK TIME: APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR
SERVINGS: 6 – 8
PHOTO CREDITS: LEAH CAMPBELL
BUTTERNUT
SQUASH SOUP
INGREDIENTS 1 medium Butternut Squash 1 large onion 3 large carrots 1 TSPB butter 4 cups of Chicken Broth 1 TSP salt 2 TSP dried thyme milk or cream to thin Fresh Parmesan to garnish INSTRUCTIONS 1. Peel and chop the Squash into approximately 1 inch thick pieces and add to the crock pot. 2. Peel and chop the carrots and onion 3. Saute the Carrots and Onion in the butter until fragrant and beginning to brown 4. Add the sauted onions and carrots, chicken broth, salt and thyme to the crock pot 5. Cover and cook for 4-8 hours 6. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth. 7. Add milk or cream to thin to your desired consistency. 8. Serve with Parmesan cheese to garnish.
PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 4-8 HOURS IN A CROCK POT
38 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
SERVINGS: 20-25 CUPS OF SOUP
EATLocal
“Eat Local” you hear almost daily, but what’s the big deal? Choosing to eat local helps support your local farmers and the families they employ, it’s more nutritious because its fresher, it keeps dollars in our community and well, it’s the smart thing to do.
By preserving the harvest it allows you to eat local year round.
With a little planning you can enjoy the Okanagan bounty in the colder months and savor the flavors year round.
PHOTO CREDITS: LEAH CAMPBELL
Eating local is not a catch
phrase or new trend for the Davison Family. It is a way of life, a passion they have lived for years. As a young bride, Tamra Davison was taught how to can from her Motherin-law Dora Davison. She has in turn passed the knowhow onto her girls and now her son is enjoying eating his own home-made salsa! At Davison Orchards they freeze the fruit and veggies from their farm in peak season and then make
Preserving is a lot of fun and not as hard as you think. Preserving uses boiling water to create an environment free of yeast, mold, bacteria and air inside the container. This way you can store food without refrigeration for a long time. You can preserve peaches, tomatoes or other fruit in canning jars, very convenient to have on hand for those unexpected visitors or family get-togethers, not to mention economical and extremely nutritious! There are a few other simple things you can do, like popping fresh blueberries or peaches into a freezer bag to enjoy with yogurt or in a refreshing smoothie long after the season is over. For preserving methods and recipes, visit www.davisonorchards.ca a huge assortment of Jams, Salsas, Relishes and Pepper Jellies in the winter months. Although they don’t use the term “Local”, they say “Made right Here on our farm”. The preserves are made in their brick cannery a new building using 100 year old bricks that came from a cannery in Armstrong. BC. It’s one of the many buildings in their country village that will be hosting special events in 2018 to celebrate their 85 year history of farming in Vernon.
Fresh Picked Fun CELEBRATING THE FALL HARVEST
Apple Festival every September weekend Pumpkin Festival every October weekend Open Daily until October 31st
FREE A p p le g Ta s ti n 3111 Davison Road, VERNON www.davisonorchards.ca
The Davison Family Farm are open to the public daily from May 1- October 31. Experience free tasting every day of the many specialty foods offered and their very own “Made Right Here” products. Davison Orchards is an authentic Farm to Fork experience, a hidden treasure nestled in the Bella Vista hills area, just west of downtown Vernon. OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 39
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER for THANKSGIVING! AKA.....
Vegetarian Turkey!
INGREDIENTS
1 large cauliflower 1 large carrot, thick cut diagonally 2 cup small red potatoes, halved 1 red onion, cut into a large dice 3 sprigs of rosemary, snipped into 1 inch pieces. 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp ground pepper
GRAVY INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup butter 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 shallots, finely chopped 1 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp celery salt 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped 1 tsp fresh thyme 1 cup low sodium tamari 1/2 cup maple syrup 2/3 cup tahini (roasted works better over a raw type) 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup low sodium vegetable stock 1 tbsp cornstarch 1 tbsp water SERVES:4 TO 6 PEOPLE RECIPE CREDIT: WWW.HOTFORFOODBLOG.COM
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Prepare all your cut up vegetables and herbs. Toss the potatoes, carrots, onions, and rosemary with sea salt and ground pepper. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. To prepare the whole cauliflower, remove the excess green leaves. Trim the stock so the cauliflower is able to sit flat into a roasting pan or skillet and remove any tough exterior of the remaining stalk so just the florets are visible. Be careful not to cut too deep into the bottom so the florets don't come apart from the entire head of cauliflower! 3. To prepare the gravy, heat a pan and add butter. Once melted add the minced garlic and shallot. Stir and cook this until softened for about 2 minutes. Then add nutmeg, celery salt, rosemary and thyme, continue stirring for another minute. 4. Combine corn starch with water to make a slurry and add that to the tamari, maple syrup, tahini, and worcestershire, whisking to combine well. Bring the gravy to a low simmer. This should be a thick, but pourable consistency so it coats the cauliflower and sticks to it. 40 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
5. Start by placing the cauliflower upside down in the pan so the bottom is exposed. Pour a couple tablespoons of gravy into the bottom so it gets into the florets. Then flip it back up and pour half of the gravy that's in the sauce pan on top. Use a brush to coat the entire cauliflower with the sauce. 6. Surround the cauliflower with the seasoned carrots, potatoes, onion, and most of the rosemary sprigs (leaving a few pieces for a final garnish). 7. Roast this for 25- 30 minutes. At this point it should have a nice deep brown colour and there should be plenty of juices at the bottom of the pan that you can toss the surrounding vegetables in. 8. Continue to roast for another 25 to 30 minutes. 9. Serve the gravy alongside the whole roast.
10. GARNISH THE FINAL DISH WITH THE LAST FEW FRESH ROSEMARY SPRIGS, A COUPLE OF EXTRA CAULIFLOWER FLORETS FOR FUN AND SERVE IMMEDIATELY!
Portabella Mushroom Sliders CREDITS: COLLEEN MILNE THEFOODBLOG.NET
CANADIAN STYLE
INGREDIENTS: MAPLE CARAMELIZED ONIONS 2 tbsp olive oil 3 large onions, sliced into 1/8" 3 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
SLIDERS
8 mini portabella mushrooms 1/2 cup olive oil 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar salt & pepper 8 slices Oka cheese, or enough to cover mushrooms Eight slider buns Dijon mustard Mayonnaise 8 slices back bacon sliced into strips 8 bib lettuce leaves, trimmed for slider buns
INSTRUCTIONS: MAPLE CARAMELIZED ONIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat Add the onions and cook, stirring, until starting to soften. Stir in 1/2 cup water & bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until most of the liquid has disappeared. Stir in another 1/2 cup water, continue cooking 30-40 minutes, adding water as needed. Stir in maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Cook, stirring until onions are brown and most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and set aside
SLIDERS 1.
Wash mushrooms and remove stems. 2. Put mushrooms in a shallow dish and whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. 3. Pour olive oil mixture over mushrooms, turning to coat 4. Allow to sit for 30 minutes while onions are cooking. 5. Oil grill with cooking spray and heat to medium high. 6. Grill mushrooms covered, about 5 minutes each side 7. During the last minute of grilling, top each mushroom, stem side with cheese. Cover and heat until cheese is melted. Remove from grill. 8. Assemble the slider buns by spreading with Dijon mustard and mayonnaise on each half. 9. Top the bottom halves with lettuce, bacon, and caramelized onions. 10. Add the cheese topped mushrooms, and top with the other half of the slider bun.
11.
ENJOY!
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KETTLE VALLEY WOODWORKS #3-2720 Hwy 97 Kelowna, BC Phone: 250.860.7056 kvwoodworks@shaw.ca
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 41
Glazed Lemon HONEY
GARLIC CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
1 pound boneless chicken thighs, breasts will also work 2 Tablespoons butter ¼ cup olive oil ½ cup lemon juice 2 cloves minced garlic ¼ cup honey 1 Tablespoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1.
2.
3.
TENDER AND JUICY CHICKEN COOKED IN THE SKILLET TOPPED WITH LEMON HONEY GARLIC GLAZE! A LITTLE BIT OF TANG FROM THE LEMON, PLUS THE SWEET HONEY AND GARLIC ALL COME TOGETHER TO ADD BIG FLAVOR TO THIS SIMPLE 30 MINUTE MEAL.
42 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
4.
INSTRUCTIONS
In a medium sized skillet add the butter and allow to melt over medium high heat. Add the chicken thighs, or breasts, to the skillet add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink. In a small bowl whisk olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, honey, soy sauce and Italian seasoning. Pour the sauce over the top of the chicken pieces and cook for a few more minutes to allow the garlic to cook and for the sauce to reduce and thicken. Check that the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve hot with fresh lemon slices and sprinkled with fresh parsley. Add your favourite vegetables and your family will love this meal.
SERVES: 4 CREDIT: THERECIPECRITIC.COM
Vernon B.C
Family-owned and operated in the Okanagan for 20 years, Planet Bee Honey Farm offers visitors Educational Presentations, a Honey Health Boutique, and over 20 varieties of honey.
They also produce Mead - an alcoholic beverage made from honey. Honeymoon Meadery opened
within Planet Bee 5 years ago, and offers a selection of hand-crafted meads, or honey wines, for tasting and purchasing in store. All Honeymoon Mead begins with the fermentation of local B.C honey and water, with additions such as spice and fruit. They offer flavours such as Blushing Cherry, Raspberry Romance, and Okanagan Delight just to name a few and no, they aren’t all as sweet as you might think!
Mead is one of the oldest known alcoholic beverages to man. It’s newfound resurgence can be linked to the growing interest in craft beverages as well as the popularity of TV shows such as Game of Thrones and Vikings. One of the questions most asked is simply - how do you make Mead? To put it in basic terms, let’s compare mead to wine. All that is needed to make alcohol is a fermentable sugar - and honey provides a great balance of fermentable sugars.
What better way to see what the Buzz is about than sipping Mead at the Honeymoon Meadery in-store tasting bar!
Instead of grape juice, Mead making begins with a honey and water mixture. This provides the sugar which feeds the yeast and in turn creates alcohol. As long as the basic ingredients are honey and water, mead makers are able to create unique flavours by adding fruit, spices, or even vanilla and orange peel. Mead can be more like beer when hops or malt are added, or more like cider when honey and apples are fermented as one. In addition to having been a historical drink of choice for Medieval Kings and Vikings - it was thought that consuming Mead for one cycle of the moon following a marriage would increase the couples’ odds of conceiving a son - hence the term Honeymoon actually meant the period of time when a couple would consume copious amounts of Mead following their wedding. While Mead can be enjoyed lightly chilled, as colder weather settles in we recommend trying a spiced Mead warmed up and served with a cinnamon stick. OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 43
LOL | LADIES ON LITERATURE SUMMER 2017
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Ladies on Literature welcome Fabulous Fall and our Seventh Season. With warm sunshine caressing our shoulders, the world is aglow as we say good-bye to summer, settling into the season of harvest and hearth, while we welcome a new school year, new shoes (boots!) and a new start for the Ladies on Literature. Now entering our seventh season as a book club, we fifteen women meet monthly to chat literature and a lot of other stuff, delighting in culinary fetes completed by the bounty of our wine-producing valley.
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Because we break for summer, here’s a little teaser to get you started as you clutch this cool autumn issue in your hot hands. Look for full reviews in the upcoming, winter issue, of Okanagan Woman. I’m up for September, hosting our first meeting at my home, discussing Scotiabank Giller Prize finalist for 2016, The Best Kind of People by Zoe Whitall. When Teacher of the Year (every year), George Woodbury, is accused of sexual impropriety on a ski trip, his wife is in denial, his popular teenaged daughter becomes a social pariah, while his grown-up lawyer son gathers facts for his father’s defense—all of them wrestling with the question of how to stand by someone they love when he might be guilty of the unthinkable. Moving into October, we are over the moon that our beloved LOL member, and Okanagan Woman contributor, Laura Gosset, has returned from her year in France. We are delighted that she is co-hosting with Gail, our resident physician who famously claimed that “stepping it up in the reading department is a bit like cod liver oil—it’s good for us”. With that, we’re embarking upon a biggie—East of Eden by John Steinbeck. According to Penguin Books, “This sprawling and often brutal novel, set in the rich farmlands of California's Salinas Valley, follows the intertwined destinies of two families-the Trasks and the Hamilton’s--whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve...”
Until next time, embrace the season and indulge in a good book. 44 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
LEMON PAPPARDELLE
Pasta& Asparagus
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INGREDIENTS
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces. 250 g pappardelle pasta 1/2 cup non fat Greek yogurt juice and zest of one large lemon 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
NOTES: TO TRIM ASPARAGUS, BEND THE STALKS UNTIL THEY SNAP AND DISCARD THE WOODY ENDS.
CREDIT: COLLEEN MILNE
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 5 minutes 2. Add asparagus to the boiling pasta and cook for a further 2 minutes 3. Scoop out a cup of pasta water and reserve 4. Drain pasta and asparagus 5. In the pot, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice and zest, and dill 6. Add pasta and asparagus back into the pot and toss with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water to desired consistency. 7. Serve hot
THEFOODBLOG.NET
RONA HOME & GARDEN 1711 Springfield Rd Kelowna BC, V1Y 5V5 Phone: 250.762.7389
OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 45
Marilyn Cobban is on a life-mission. Twenty-five years ago, Marilyn was working at Overwaitea as a meat wrapper, living among echoes of the 60s in Nelson, BC. This left of center environment supported free thinking, hard work, and nonconformist living; having left home at 14, she had discovered a lot about all three. Tragically, a profound personal loss halted that life when she lost her young husband to an industrial accident. With loss came selfexamination: Marilyn walked away from the life she had made, retreating to a remote cabin. She had no money and no prospects, but through her grief gained new perspective. She realized life is short and she needed to do something meaningful with her life. During that struggle, she thought about what made her happy: her love of clothes and of travel. She remembered her mother struggling to find clothes, an average 50-something woman who was short, heavy and hard to fit. The result was Marilyn’s passion: Blue Sky Clothing, fashion for real people.
Fashion that allows everyone to feel beautiful by catering to a wide variety of body shapes and sizes, from XS to 4X.
With no training in fashion, design, business, or merchandising, Marilyn started to dig. It was the early 90s, so information came the old way – by phone and mail. Phone interviews and hands-on research lead to what Marilyn discovered was her first obstacle: fabric availability. Eighteen months later, she was in Indonesia transporting bolts of fabric on the back of a scooter. Fabric can be a challenge because it is generally either mass-produced or a boutique specialty. Indonesia offered the middle ground that Marilyn needed: small-scale production. She built business relationships in her travels, and was soon accessing fabric in the volume that she needed. Shortly after, Marilyn began selling her product from her Volkswagen van at the Balfour Ferry Landing. The relationships that she fostered in Bali all those years ago have been long-standing. Today, Blue Sky provides stable employment and a secure lifestyle for 20 people in Bali,
enabling them to purchase homes, cars and access to better education for their children. This cottage industry has allowed Marilyn to ensure that fair labour practices are employed and that only natural-sourced fabrics are used. As Marilyn’s business grew, she realized she needed warmer fabrics for our Canadian winters. Her niece had married a young Chinese man who agreed to take Marilyn to his hometown in Sichuan. There, she was introduced to Sunny and together Marilyn and Sunny developed a line using allnatural fabrics: silk, bamboo, cotton and wool. While she was learning the intricacies of fabric supply chains, Marilyn was also deeply into deconstructing garment design. She wanted to make attractive clothes for all women: the busty women with full thighs, the women who combine size 18 trousers with size 12 tops… all the women who couldn’t find clothes that fit just right.
Blue Sky Clothing stores are dotted throughout BC. The Kelowna store is currently located at #101 - 1447 Ellis St, Kelowna, moving soon to 529 Bernard Avenue.
Join them on October 7th for their Grand Opening. www.blueskyclothingco.com 46 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
So she began making patterns. “It’s good that I had no background in fashion,” Marilyn laughs. “I had nothing to unlearn.” She worked furiously, making and remaking and fitting, learning how her fabrics moved on the body and how her patterns reacted to the wearer. To this day, each Blue Sky garment is designed to fit women from XS to 4X – a massive achievement of ongoing design and vision. Marilyn remembers the first day selling Blue Sky clothes. “A woman came out of the van in a long blue dress and said, ‘My husband has told me that I am fat every day for ten years… but now I think I look beautiful.’ Then she started to cry. We both did.” That long blue dress was one of the first pieces manufactured. Now, twentyfive years later, Marilyn has nine locations in BC, plus wholesale customers and a busy online store. The clothes she sells are natural and breathable, labour practices are fair, and do-no-harm to the Earth or to others are core values. All of Blue Sky’s garments are manufactured in Bali and China through local cottage industries. Marilyn now lives in North Vancouver and is happily married to her childhood sweetheart.
Love it or list it... we’re here to help! Garry and Patrice, co-owners of Impression Floors have 35 year’s experience in assisting customers in making the right flooring selections and they are here to help you select products that work best for your home.
What are your flooring needs? Not sure what questions to ask? Are you an active family with children and pets? Are you ready for a renovation in your house or condo? Or are you getting ready to sell? Are you knowledgeable about condo strata acoustical requirements? Are you ready for an in-home free consultation to discuss the best flooring for your needs? Whatever your needs are, we have the residential and commercial experience to help select the appropriate floor covering that you require for your life-long home renovation, rental property, replacement or getting your home ready to sell with brand new flooring.
Our local installation crews can install the timeless elegance of engineered hardwood or the durable vinyl plank that holds up to the wear and tear of daily life of with children, pets and life’s accidental spills. Our best sellers by Beaulieu Canada, either Adventure or Expedition, offer a variety of 100% waterproof vinyl plank. Both hardwood and vinyl plank flooring will add value and beauty to your ‘love it forever’ home or “list it now” home. Both have excellent reviews by our customers.
NEW - Impression Floors also offers the benefits of an experienced interior designer available to work with you for that extra creative WOW factor! To view our many flooring options, textures and colours available for your home, come visit us at our showroom. You'll find us just behind Costco.
Unit 1 – 1725 Baron Road Kelowna, BC Showroom: 250-979-7419 Cell: 250-869-2703 www.impressionfloors.com OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 47
HOROSCOPE by Heather Zais
Aries
MAR 21 - APRIL 19 Sep - Focus on health and work to decide what you want to do, compared to what you can do. Relax. Oct - Loosen the reins on relationships that need some breathing room. Tight controls upset others. Nov - You tend to shoot from the lip. It will be to your advantage to add some humour to your words.
Cancer
JUNE 21 - JULY 22 Sep - Lay out your plans in a practical way so others will be able to accept them in a win win deal. Oct - You have luck with home or property matters. Arrange them in ways to avoid added stress. Nov - Your interest in love, romance or creativity encases or opens up. Connect with like minds.
SEPT 23 - OCT 22 Sep - Get together in private settings or out of sight. Intentions need to be put on the table nicely now. Oct - Attend special meetings or gatherings where you rub elbows with important individuals now. Nov - Important individuals connect with you as you are able to provide what they need or want.
DEC 22 - JAN 19 Sep - You have more influence than you realize. You are included in the inner circle. Speak up. Oct - Relax in your position as you know you are doing the right thing. Others will fall in line. Nov - Watch what others are saying or doing before you make your play. It’s up to you now. 48 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
APRIL 20 - MAY 20
Taurus
MAY 21 - JUNE 20
Sep - You feel lucky in your ability to juggle. This can be transferred to financial matters. Conserve. Oct - Take the next step up the ladder in areas where you know you have solid achievement etc. Nov - Mate or partnership matters settle or draw closer. You can agree to a special arrangement.
Sep - Take a long, hard look at home or base of operations for you or those you care about. Choose. Oct - Step out of your comfort zone and go on the hunt. This can be happening on various levels. Nov - Let others know what’s on your mind and the position you think you deserve or confirm one.
JULY 23 - AUG 22
AUG 23 - SEPT 22
Sep - Do the paperwork or check the fine print associated to finances or assets. This works well for you. Oct - You can be the star in your locale. Present things in a way that others are more likely to accept. Nov - Spend cozy time with those who are special to you. Seek environments or settings to help this.
Virgo
Sep - Speak your mind in a calm, measured way so others realize you are serious about the agenda. Oct - Pull strings behind the scenes that will help with your security issues. Nail down the funding. Nov - Communicate through private channels to move your agenda along more easily. Secure it.
OCT 23 - NOV 21
NOV 22 - DEC 21
Sep - You get favourable support and this should make you feel more secure about your position. Oct - You can smile like the cat who got the canary. Show others what you are really made of. Nov - Get everyone together to compare notes or who has the best line of approach to use.
Sep - Your influence extends over distance as more become aware of your talents or abilities. Oct - You are applauded or toasted. Status or reputation is on the rise. Hitch your wagon. Nov - Take a more prominent role or step into the limelight. Others become aware of you.
JAN 20 - FEB 18
FEB 19 - MAR 20
Sep - Work with others in whatever capacity that is required. The end results benefit all involved. Oct - Make plans involving distance. You can go or have others visit. Its enjoyable all round. Nov - Hang loose so you can take advantage of opportunities becoming available. Choose.
Sep - Unions tighten in personal or work areas. You make important connections or end other ones. Oct - You make advances by joining forces with influential or key players. Arrange the order now. Nov - Look at alternate ways and means that will provide more security. Bargain to make gains.
my dad sells the best mattresses ;)
Are you tired of body impressions in your
MATTRESS? A
hhh... the dreaded body impression!
Only Sleepy's have the cure!
So, you just invested in a new sleep set and already in six months to a year you are noticing a large hump up the middle of the mattress with two deep sinkholes on either side of the top where your bodies lay. You call the salesperson that sold it to you and you are told that body impressions are normal, that the mattress is conforming to your body. You are told to rotate your mattress more often or if you have a king size, to make quarter turns and this should minimize the issue. Then you find out that these sags have to be visibly more than 1.5" to 2" deep before you can have anything done about it. You explain that you have to roll uphill to meet your partner and are told again that this is normal? "Well, I assure you that this issue is very common, but it is not normal!" says Geoff McLeary, Owner of Sleepy's – Bedroom Furniture & Sleep Shop in Kelowna. Going back 12 years ago and beyond, mattresses did not get body impressions. Most good mattresses performed very well for years and stood the test of time. The mattress of today will last (if you're lucky) an average of 5 to 6 years and most get these dreaded body impressions
in a very short period of time. Mattress sets of the past lasted more than 10 to 12 years or longer. Back when the mattress makers decided to brainwash the North American public into believing that half a mattress was better than a whole one, it wasn't so bad. Most of the factories upgraded the quality of the components in the top of the mattress to give the bed more integrity. Sadly, after a few short years, the larger mattress stores put pressure on the manufacturers to reduce their wholesale costs so they could amp up their profit margins even more. The only way this could be achieved is by using inferior components and/or sourcing lower priced fillers from China.. . even spring systems come from there now. Some of the largest mattress makers are using 1.2 lb. density foam in their high-end sleep sets. That's only one step above "camping foam" folks! Sleepy's owner, Geoff McLeary does not like this! He says, “At Sleepy's, we do not like our clients to have issues with their sleep. We want happy and well rested customers! Sleep is important and your new mattress should enhance your health, not take away from it." He has teamed up with the Restonic and Spring Air Mattress factories in Vancouver to resurrect the two sided flippable mattress. These two mattress makers build
their beds with integrity, they use all North American components, and they are not in any of the bigger mattress stores. Restonic has won the Women's Choice Award for the most recommended mattress brand for four years in a row. As well as the Consumer's Digest Best Buy Award for the eighth year in a row. So, for about 15% to 25% increase in the cost. . . you will receive over 100% additional lifespan on your new double sided flippable mattress. The mattress will perform better, will feel better over a much longer period of time, and will retain it's shape for the long term. "We offer a range of two sided mattresses starting at $388 queen size. "Sleepy's also specialize in a lesser known superior material used in their mattresses, toppers, and pillows ... pure latex. Latex is the longest lasting material used in the mattress industry and is derived from the rubber tree. You never have to flip or rotate a quality latex mattress, because these comfortable sleep systems will perform for the long term. Our most popular latex bed offers a 20 year full non prorated warranty and an unheard of 3/4" body impression tolerance over that 20 year period of time. McLeary says "We have had clients come into our store that were dealing with a big mattress store in town and have gone through as many as five mattresses
in two years due to premature body impressions/warranty issues and are looking for solutions. They found Sleepy's offered them a solution, a better built and refreshing alternative to the defective designs being offered from other stores. "Sleepy's are also striving to be your destination "green" sleep shop in the Okanagan. "We offer a nice range of green, natural, and organic mattresses and bedding for your better sleep and better health. "Sleepy's promise to offer you only the best materials in their mattresses. Nothing made in China! No smoke and mirrors. No toxic memory foam. No gimmicks! Just the straight goods from the owner himself. You will find Sleepy's - The Mattress Store - just behind Costco on Baron Road in Kelowna - or visit our virtual showroom at www.sleepys.ca to get a feel of who we are.
Sleepy’s – The Mattress Store - #3-1725 Baron Rd. - Kelowna. T. 250-868-2337 E. sleepys@shaw.ca W. www.sleepys.ca OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017 49
50 OKANAGAN WOMAN FALL | 2017
2448 DOBBIN ROAD - WEST KELOWNA - BC V4T 1X7 - 250.768.5355 - www.senseilaser.org
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