63 minute read
BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITY IN CHAOS
How to Live and Work While Riding the Waves of Change by Cathy Forner
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For over 30 years, in my professional life, I have been responding to disasters and emergencies, building solutions and managing through change. Through this, I have learned the value of planning, finding the best in difficult situations. This pandemic is a crisis that is a “disaster” and many of the disaster-management principles and best practices are relevant. Here are some things you can do to gain control of your business and innovate your way through this time:
1. Focus on the top priorities and key principle
of your business. Have honest conversations and take a deep look within your business. Get input from trusted advisors.
2. Do some scenario planning to help you gain clarity.
Your focus at this time cannot be on everything – that will be very overwhelming - so ask yourself: what are the priorities that will make the biggest difference for you, your staff and your business? 3. Start an idea bank. In a crisis, the key |
considerations must be the key priorities, but there maybe other ideas that pop up for future consideration. Write everything down and then sort out what needs attention now and what might be “parked” for later. Create a digital location where you can capture every idea and thought (if you do not capture them immediately, it’s likely you will not remember them). Revisit as time allows.
4. Face the emotions and problems head-on.
It’s okay to talk about the difficult situations and the emotions that go with them. During the planning process, root issues and core problems often come to light. These can be emotional. Allow time to discuss what is scaring or concerning people. The ability to express those concerns in a safe environment helps people feel supported, and often they can then let those things go, freeing themselves up to focus on the job at hand. Be clear that you might not be able to address issues right away, but that you have heard and take it seriously. 5. Communication is critical. Once your planning becomes decisions and directions, be sure to share this with your team, your stakeholders, and your audiences. Side note: you will need to make your decisions and set your direction
based on credible information, ensuring that what you decide, and what you say, is verifiable and reliable. During disasters, because of fear and uncertainty, there are plenty of rumoursand inaccurate information. Make evidence-based decisions and communicate that to those who count.
6. Human Resources are your biggest asset - and this includes you! Ensuring you have proper practises and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in place is critical, but so is the mental and emotional health and safety of everyone. Selfcare, the ability to share and release the fear and emotion we are all feeling is essential. As a leader, it is okay to struggle. Daring leadership is being prepared to step in and care for yourself and your people. 7. Go with your strengths. This is a time to apply our best skills. During crisis and disasters, we must be mindful that situations will intensify everyone’s strengths and weaknesses. What are the skills your team members have that you might not ordinarily use? Pull those hidden treasures out of yourself and your people and consider how you will shore up or support the weakness’.
Help is Available
The good news is you don’t have to do this alone! Coaches and project consultants can help you navigate all of this and come up with an exciting and workable plan. Note: through an initiative with Innoweave, if you are a non-profit or charitable organization, you can get free mentorship from me or leaders with 25+ years’ experience in non-profit disaster management.
Cathy Forner, owner of C4ner Project Consulting, specializes in tackling unique, complex organizational challenges with clear, actionable steps. With more than 25 years of experience in virtual and in-person projects, as well as her business management expertise, Cathy has effectively led changes across a diverse range of organizations and industries. Cathy lives in Sylvan Lake
DAWN COMES AFTER NIGHT
by Bonnie Hoffmann
- Rachel Carson, a marine biologist and conservationist, published posthumously in 1965.
How fitting a quote for this time of year. It is spring! We all want to be outdoors, to breathe deeply, to feel the caress of the breeze on bare shoulders. How about just lifting the chin to the sun, closed eyes and taking a few deep breaths? Spring is the season of new beginnings; the dead of winter giving way to a new season.
God, who made the heavens and the earth uses His creation to show us something of His glory and gives us something of His life. He speaks through the earth and the sea, the birds of the air, the plants of the land and the living creatures upon the earth; through the rising and the setting of the sun each day. Within the intricacies of nature, God reveals the depths of His creation complexities for my consideration. What a gift! The challenge for me these days is to quiet myself; to listen. The pandemic has contributed to an increase in anxiety and agitation. One sure cure is a deliberate time spent out in nature. It wasn’t until I committed to trusting Christ in my life, at about 30 years of age that nature began to figure more prominently in my spiritual awakening. Birds play such a big role in nature and often feature in faith. The honking of the geese and the chickadees sweet calls, remind that life anew begins, even as the pandemic continues. But with life comes death and about 25 years ago I felt God called me to become a funeral director and minister to the grieving. My road to this vocation was long and winding. Growing up in the 1970’s was pretty chaotic. Mom became a widow with three little girls; no family here in Canada and no money. I became angry with God as a teen and would almost go so far as to call myself reckless, during this time. It wasn’t until early in my mothering years, when I escaped one Saturday to attend a conference that my road began to straighten. We spent the day and I picked up the keynote speaker’s little book: Falling Sparrow, Broken Wing… a time to heal from abuse. By the time I finished the first chapter, I knew that I had been a little sparrow who had been wounded by the predator bird - the sparrow hawk. It was life changing for me to understand my experiences through the lens of God’s care. I became healed of my experiences as I shared this little book with other wounded women through the years.
After the death of my mother and a couple other people that were close to me, I began to feel that things could be done differently for those who were grieving a loss. That was when I made the decision to become a funeral director.
Here it is, fifteen years in “the business” and I am watching people struggle with their grief in a situation that is beyond their control. It has also give us more times of introspection about these major life events.
There are a couple of feeders and a little bird bath outside the kitchen window. During this past year, I’ve recognized how these little feathered creatures have helped to ground me as I’ve spent greater amounts of time on my own. Looking out the window, it’s easy to stop and take five or six deep breaths. It’s interesting how deliberate deep breathing can provide energy and soothing - all in the same breath.
This breathing can help to center us as we have all experienced some kind of pandemic related loss. Part of this grieving is for lost loved ones and it is compounded because families have not been able to host their traditional funeral rites. As painful as they are at times, these rites help to ground us. During this time of great change, it is more needed than ever.
Our rituals and our ceremonies are more than just a tradition or a nicety but rather they are part of how we process our grief; they help connect us to the earth. The act of having a ritual to say goodbye to our loved ones aids the grieving process of moving our loved one and our memories of them to a different place in our lives. Without this transferring, our grieving can become complex.
The Alberta cremation rate is greater than 80% of all deaths. In 2020, Covid-19 thrust over 1,000 Alberta families into the need for funeral services. From just my little corner of the funeral world, most families are taking their person’s cremated remains home, with some vague ideas on dealing with them later or someday. This continues to be particularly difficult as it interferes with the social needs of family/ community in grief.
So, what do I suggest families do? It is possible to help your healing journey through the creation of your own rite of passage. Some ideas might be:
• Create a home shrine. A place set apart in your home that has a small table, the urn, notes to your loved on, a guest book, trinkets etc. This is a tangible expression of your loss.
• Gather with one or two other people who were close to your loved one and place rocks at the base of a tree and do some readings or share your memories. • Talk a walk near a river and throw stones into it while sharing memories. • Have a time of prayer and meditation.
• Take a sample of your loved ones remains, place them in a small container and bury it near a memorial plant or tree (ashes are too acidic to sprinkle on a plant as they will kill vegetation).
Perhaps the container could have a tie to your loved one, such as their favourite activity or snack.
Whatever you decide to do, make it purposeful and intentional. Honour your loved one in your own way and in a manner you feel would be meaningful to you. Remember to also take time to breathe deeply and to ‘contemplate the beauty of the earth’.
Bonnie Hoffmann, operates Pine Box Funerals Inc. in Sherwood Park, AB. She’s earned a reputation as an alternative provider of funeral services. With interest in natural burial and community-lead deathcare, Bonnie is seeing deep changes in how families are taking control of how they want and need to say farewell.
LETTING GO
by Katherine Loranger
Pouring a glass of wine, I found myself drowning in a familiar sea of self-loathing, frustration and despair. Wondering why I kept finding myself with partners where I felt unseen, unsupported and unloved. Why I was feeling lonely and alone even while I was sitting right beside someone who was in a committed relationship with me. Feeling like my needs weren’t important, or that it was even wrong or selfish for me to have needs or expectations of a partner. Feeling like once I was in a relationship that I needed to just make the best of it. Feeling like once again I didn’t matter.
As I sat in front of the fireplace, watching the flames flicker, hearing the wind and rain of the storm that was lashing the world outside of me I started myself asking the same old questions, “What’s wrong with me? Why does this keep happening? Why won’t someone love me?” I had plenty of answers that came to mind and when I looked I sure could find evidence to support those underlying beliefs!
What Did I Want?
Sure, I’d had moments or even stretches of time where I could remember experiencing some of the elements that I thought I wanted. But when I got right down to it, and if I was honest with myself, I didn’t actually even really know what I wanted and what was important to me. I’d thought about it on a superficial level but hadn’t given myself the time to really create space for my heart and soul’s deepest yearnings to reveal themselves. I’d been looking outside myself for the answers, not really having a clear idea of what was important to me and instead being swept up in the thrill of something (or someone) new and different. Then I’d find myself in a committed long-term relationship just because it was what I thought was supposed to happen. Never even asking myself if it was truly what I wanted and truly who I wanted. As I felt myself slipping further into the familiar feelings of self-pity something happened. Something different. I noticed. I noticed the well-worn path that my brain kept taking and that I nursed, rehearsed and reinforced. In that noticing something shifted, something small and subtle, something soft and gentle and something powerful in its hopefulness
An Awakening
I could bring to mind times in my life where I felt guided by something that I couldn’t understand or even describe. Times when I’d been in a consistent meditation practice, times in nature, times where I felt connected to something bigger, wiser and infinitely loving. Times when I’d felt so open to all of life’s beauty and mysteries. And the times when I just surrendered to the flow of life, seemingly miraculous and unexplainable things happened. I noticed the familiar reaction and feelings at the same time that I was remembering these times in my life, I felt an opening in myself. That feeling of catharsis like the smell of fresh air after a violent storm and the sight of the sunlight glistening on the beads of water dripping off of the trees. A feeling
of renewal. A feeling of possibility. A feeling of hope.
I’d been looking And in that feeling I outside myself for caused myself to ask the answers, not a different question. What if it actually really having a clear idea of what was mattered what I wanted? What if I could have the kind important to me and instead being of relationship that I dreamed of and what if I gave myself permission swept up in the thrill of something (or to imagine, to dream and to hope? What would be important someone) new and to me? What would I really love?different. With those questions unfolding in me, their ripeness of possibility hanging in the air, I took up my pencil and a piece of paper and asked my heart and soul what I wanted and what was truly important to me. From those questions a list emerged, a list of qualities and character traits, a list of emotional attributes and a sense of adventure and fun. And when I’d completed my list, I thought to myself “and a big truck for gardening and home renovations”. And I let go…
Going to the Chapel
Barely a month later I met the man who became my husband. I’d gone to Kenora, Ontario to attend a friend’s wedding. When he and his fiancé heard that I was single they proceeded to toss names back and forth to each other with the intent of setting me up. I laughingly told them I wasn’t interested in being set up, thank you very much. They continued to suggest names to each other, with each name being dismissed by the other for various reasons. They were having a lot of fun with it when all of a sudden, they stopped, and looking at each other, simultaneously said “Robin”. In spite of myself I was intrigued, and they proceeded to tell me that he was the kindest, most thoughtful and integrous man that they had ever met. All qualities that I highly valued. They arranged for him to attend their pre-wedding BBQ so we could meet but he never showed up. I shrugged to myself and figured that it just wasn’t meant to be. Later, I found out that he’d driven by but was so nervous and shy because he didn’t know anyone other than the bride and groom that he just kept driving. On the day of their wedding the ceremony was being held at a different location than the reception so they had a bus for transportation. As I boarded the bus I immediately noticed a very handsome man with the most amazing smile, he glowed with life and a feeling of joy. He looked so alive and open to me. When the bus arrived at the ceremony location I found myself busy with helping out and the man that I’d seen left my mind. During the reception my friend came over to me to tell me that he wanted to introduce me to his friend Robin that he and his fiancé had told me about. In the festivities I’d forgotten all about it and when he introduced me I saw that it was the man I’d noticed on the bus!
It turns out that he’d noticed me as well and as I got to know him he shared that he almost didn’t attend the wedding at all because he’d gotten a call about a job as he was about to board the bus. For some reason that he couldn’t explain he felt that he needed to turn it down and board the bus and we are both so grateful that he did. We both listened to the still small voice inside ourselves and it brought us together. Oh, and he embodies all of the qualities on my list and had the big truck to boot!
Katherine Loranger, Founder, Katalyst Coaching As a certified Transformational Life Coach, Katherine helps people create full spectrum success and lives that they truly love living.
FIVE LESSONS NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOL
by Dr. Jennie Ward
Often when working with clients, I have the thought, why were we not taught these skills in school? In elementary school I learned how to name all the planets in our solar system, but I didn’t learn until adulthood how to feel my feelings, recognize my thoughts or listen to my intuition. It can make me shake my head sometimes. Here are a few things that we would all benefit from learning:
1. The power of self-awareness. When I’m working with clients, I’m regularly talking about the power of knowing yourself. It can be so helpful to learn about your strengths, the areas that you’re working on improving and your potential “trigger points.” You can’t change what you’re not aware of, right?
As you begin to recognize your patterns, you’ll know what areas seem to be causing problems in your life. You can adjust, modify and work to improve on handling those things that are throwing you off kilter. You’ll start to see what you’re good at and work to maximize these abilities. By increasing self-awareness, you can learn how to live your life in a way that is in alignment with who you are and what you truly want. Selfawareness alone can make a huge difference in the quality of your life.
2. The skill of choosing your thoughts.
Thoughts are running through our heads all day long and most of us don’t realize that we have the ability to decide how we think. We often focus more on changing the circumstances of our lives to try to feel better.
We decide to leave that marriage, change that job or sell that house, rather than look at what’s really driving us to do these things.
Absolutely taking action is an important part of life, but working on your thoughts first will get you so much further. Examine your thoughts, determine how each thought leads you to feel, then learn how to think about things in a healthier, more balanced way. Although this sounds easy, it takes a lot of practice, repetition and grit to see the benefits. It’s worth the time spent. 3. The ability to feel your feelings. We spend so much mental energy resisting and avoiding emotions. Human beings are wired to go toward pleasure and resist pain, so it’s natural that we don’t want to feel sad, angry, anxious or any other emotion that’s naturally difficult to feel. Unfortunately, when we don’t allow ourselves to feel our emotions, we experience many negative effects in our lives. We might start experiencing physical issues like chronic headaches or irritable bowel syndrome. Perhaps we start drinking
too much wine or spending frivolously instead of really facing what’s going on in our emotional life. Feel your feelings. Notice where you feel it in your body. Sit with it and don’t avoid. Trust me when I tell you your life will improve. 4. How to tap into your intuition. Generally in society we’re taught to go through life focusing on the logical side of things. What job makes the most sense? What partner seems to have all the checks in the boxes?
Then we might throw in, “but listen to your gut!” Have you ever wondered how to actually identify your intuition and begin to listen to it? A simple strategy for this is to understand what a “no” might feel like in their body. It often feels like a constriction, a tightness or a clenching. A “yes” might feel like openness, softening or a release. Often when something is a “yes,” you naturally let out a deep breathy sigh. Practice testing this out with things you already know you love and things you don’t like at all. When you think of them, what does your body do?
I urge you to learn your body’s signals and train yourself to listen to them. Your life will begin to flow like never before.
5. The knowledge of how to handle money.
No surprise that money comes up a lot in therapy. Is there any topic that causes more stress? Sex maybe! Is there anyone out there that hasn’t made a mistake with their money or wishes they could go back and change a financial decision? What an incredible skill to be able to feel confident in our ability to manage money. All of us would benefit from learning the skill of budgeting, living on less than we make and investing consistently.
It’s never too late to learn and there’s always time to make progress.
. Do any of these skills resonate with you? Is there one that you might work on improving in your own life? Choose just that one and work to make some small changes in that area over the course of the next 30 days. You’ll be impressed with the result, I’m sure.
Dr. Jennie Ward is a clinical psychologist and owner of Ward & Associates Psychological Services, a psychology clinic in Sherwood Park.
HEALTH MATTERS
by Sharon McMullan-Baron
The sunrise this morning was another miracle filled with hope. The geese have returned in their crisp V formations with their travelling song high overhead. My young pup marvels at their shape and sound. The honks mark their location to each other as they coordinate their position amid the V formation, preserving the integrity of the flock. The flock is a community that has survived a harsh winter as have we. The return of the geese lifts our hearts as we embrace a new season. Spring! As we shed our heavy winter coats and footwear, set down our screens and experience the welcome caress of April sunshine on our cheeks, we too can sing a joyous song of survival. That was a challenging winter! Bravo for getting through it. Last April the playgrounds were silent, wrapped in yellow tape to prevent children from using the equipment. That was one of the many public heath measures enacted to prevent further Covid-19 spread. Families tossed wistful glances as they paraded past the silent, empty playgrounds on their daily walks. So far, Spring 2021 is different. Children’s boisterous voices ring out as swings creak and teeter totters bounce. Children clamber over climbing towers and swoosh down slides. Parents lounge near by with eyes locked on their phones. Back to normal, it seems.
However, the health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are not yet over. Moods can swing up and down, changeable as the spring weather. Cognitive confusion may occur because we are overwhelmed by this pandemic experience. Practice patience and kindness. Mind your mind. Monitor your mood. Make the connections you need. Practice more patience and more kindness. Keep communicating what you need. Keep building the healthy resilience you’ve nurtured. It is this adaptive quality that has been a key to our survival. . We are adaptive and resilient people. Have you considered the many unexpected gifts provided by this Covid era? Painters, writers and poets have put the solitary time to good effect. One gallery owner told me they had a warehouse filled with works from all 49 of their artists. It had been the most productive periods she had ever experienced. Relieved of social obligations due to the lockdowns, artists could simply relax and focus on creating. What new activities have you explored or old interests been rekindled? Many of us have mastered
new technology as a means of connection. I attended a virtual birthday party that featured a biologist in a Montana wildlife centre showcasing animals to children in Canada, Ireland and England. The hanging out after the session and chatting was heartening. The adoption of technology by all ages has been remarkable.
I often think of my grandmother who grew up with no telephone, television or internet. She had ways of connection and adaptive skills to cope with the challenges of her times including the depression, world wars and their aftermath. Whether it was through the kitchen chores and talking, gardening and talking, assisting with the chickens and talking; the rhythm of manual work allowed stress to be released as everyone worked together for the common family goal. Routines that were rhythmic, nature based and collective were helpful. Over the course of her lifetime, she demonstrated her resiliency by developing new techniques. She’d learned to drive and wear pants. When I moved to another province, she and I visited over the telephone. Each generation finds its way through their challenges. Now, I’m the flexible grandmother. I’ve maintained family connection across the many miles, nurtured a love of reading, and given my daughter a breather by reading storybooks to my toddler grandchild each morning online. This is a new way to do age old things – spend time with precious ones, laugh and love. I’m following in my grandmother’s footsteps and I know she would have done the same things! She liked sunrises, birdsong and dogs too. And my grandmother would have loved how, through this pandemic, we learned new ways to be healthy and well by communicating and staying connected, accessing all the new techniques available to do the good old important stuff. Connection. Over the course of her lifetime, she demonstrated her resiliency by developing new techniques As we begin to plant our gardens, I invite you to choose to build a new normal. Make it one of better connections. Connect with yourself first. Choose wisely. Play more. Move more. Sing more. Talk more. Really talk. Be healthy. Be well. Sharon McMullan -Baron is an educator, yoga instructor, cancer survivor, literary and textile artist, leader and reader, wanderer and wonderer who loves to volunteer building community. She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, nana, and friend.
MAKING THE LEAP
by Rachelle Scrase
I recently made the leap from a 25-year career in dental hygiene to owner of my own brand photography business. Quite the shift, but one that has yielded great rewards. This transition did not happen overnight, nor did it occur without a lot of deep inner work. My initial career choice was made out of security. It provided me a great income, job availability, work life balance – all of the things one considers when making major life decisions. But I denied myself the most important of considerations – what lights my soul on fire? For me, there was a defining moment. Approaching mid-life and realizing I was not living my purpose, the internal turmoil erupted, and I cracked wide open. It was after a complete and utter internal meltdown I realized that I NEEDED to create and that it was missing from my life. I tuned into my soul’s desire and haven’t looked back.
Laying the Groundwork
The journey to today has taken time, effort, and patience. Once the decision was made to pursue my passion for photography, Ispent years learning the skills that have brought me to this moment. I built my business during nights and on weekends, taking online education, learning new technologies, and familiarizing myself with business systems. Finding a mentor was invaluable. Their experience and leadership provided insights that saved me frustration, time, and overwhelm. Being intentional and laying down the necessary foundation before ever launching were key to my business success. Being in business is scary. Not only have I experienced the highest of highs, but also the lowest of lows. As an individual adverse to risk and fearful of the unknown, being an entrepreneur has tested me. I began asking myself questions. Am I capable? What if I fail?
My normally iron self-confidence was turned to dark self-doubt. The realization from this turmoil was that I could not do this alone. To this point I was barely treading water, and the fear was real. A life raft appeared in the form of a business coach. My mentor explained to me that I cannot achieve my goals when I live in fear. I realized in that moment that I had always lived in fear. This epiphany caused a seismic shift. I would no longer live in fear but in faith.
New Outlook means a Life with Purpose
This new outlook has generated abundance in so many ways, and I use this new outlook to live my life with purpose and leverage my passion for photography to magnify the dreams of others. My mission is to help women in business feel confident, tell their story, thrive, and to do the work they were born to do. This ripple effect spreads out
Rachelle is a Central Alberta based brand photographer. She loves working with passionate entrepreneurial women to create custom imagery for their social media and marketing content so they tell their story and stand out. When she’s not behind the camera, she enjoys personal development, travel and spending time with her husband and two adult children. See more at www.infinitybrandphotography.com
PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT
by Judy Schueler
For most of us, purchasing a home is the largest financial investment we will ever make in our lifetime. And just as with us humans, prevention is key to a long, strong life for a house. Homes require regular check-ups to prevent problems from occurring, and to catch issues when they are small, before they become large and expensive to fix. Because of this, many people overlook an important part of protecting their investment; having their home inspected regularly. Most people only think of hiring a home inspector when they are purchasing a home. But did you know that even if you are not planning a move, having a certified home inspector come and do a thorough inspection of your home and property approximately every five years is an important part of ensuring that your home is the healthiest that it can be?
There are a few key things that homeowners can do to keep their homes in shape such as cleaning your gutters and ensuring that your yard is sloping away from your home. Clogged gutters and moisture flowing toward the home are problems that if left unaddressed, can result in long term damage that is costly to resolve. A good home inspector will educate you about things like this so that you know how to take good care of your home.
Finding a Home Inspector
✔ Make sure that they are certified and insured. In
Alberta home inspectors must be registered with
Service Alberta and have a special license they carry with them at all times on the job. ✔ Look for the inspector’s years of service. A Certified
Master Inspector will have special credentials for length of service and the number of inspections completed. ✔ Ask if they will give you a list of things that you can be doing each season to help you maintain your home. ✔ Does the home inspector have a trusted network of referral partners to help you along your way should your home be in need of any repairs or renovations? For example, do they work closely with insurance providers, home renovation contractors, and plumbers, just to name a few.
While this is not necessary, it can be very helpful if you end up with work that needs to be done. ✔ Do not be shy about asking your own, specific questions. You want to use a home inspector who takes pride in ensuring that you have all your questions answered. Remember, a good home inspector will not only inspect your home but will take the time to teach you how to take good care of your home yourself. When you are buying a house, you deserve to know exactly what you are buying. And when you are living in that house and making it a home, you need to know how to properly care for it.
As we begin to transition from winter to spring, here are some things you can do on your own to help minimize any warm weather surprises: Check your sump pumps! Not all homes have sump pumps, but if yours does, it is there for a good reason to prevent flooding! Your sump pump cannot do its job if it is not working properly, so at the first thaw each year, make sure it is good to go by cleaning the filter and cleaning the valve. A home inspector can teach you how to do this if you are not sure how. Change your furnace filter not just now, but regularly. Keep your air quality high and your bills low! In addition, if you have a high efficiency furnace or hot water tank, look for condensation build up around the exit (the white PVC out the side of the home) to ensure any ice is cleared. These simple tasks will help you save money on your utility and service call bills.
Vacuum your dryer and bathroom vents so that they operate efficiently and do not become fire hazards.
Proactive
Of course, being proactive is always best, so if you are in the process of purchasing a home hiring a home inspector could save you from disaster. Knowing what you are buying (or not buying!) can make sure you are armed with the best information possible. Likewise, if you are selling your home, getting a home inspection completed on your house can help you address problems proactively, so there are no nasty surprises that show up if the potential purchaser orders an inspection of their own. Judy’s business roots run deep, as she grew up on working the family farm and in the family businesses in southern Alberta. She has been a Certified Home Inspector with A Buyers Choice Home Inspections for the past ten years. Her fulfillment in her work comes from helping people to understand what they are purchasing and how to take good care of it.
SAY CHEESE
IT’S GOUDA FOR YOU!
By Monique MacDonald
“Backstein spundekäs tilsit. Harzer bonifaz, cambozola edelpilzkäse! Handkäse bergader, obatzda.”
“Banon roquefort fourme d’ambert époisses. SainteMaure de Touraine. Cantal salers selles-sur-cher valençay, bleu d’auvergne crottin de chavignol!” You can be forgiven if you think that I’m writing gibberish or in another language. I kind of was. April Fool’s! The two sentences above are made up of cheese names. The first paragraph, all German cheeses. The second one, French. I thought it might be fun to write sentences using names of cheeses. I know, that was cheesy. I have a thing for cheese. I just love it. A mild Gouda or a stinky Estrom paired with the right wine is like biting into a slice of heaven. It’s quite interesting this fascination that some have with cheese. Really, it’s just milk that has moulded, right? Wrong. Cheese isn’t mould, it’s not even a bi-product. Some cheese do have mould added to it for flavour, such as Rocquefort, which is a type of blue cheese. Cheese is actually made up of milk proteins and fat to which salt and the enzyme Rennet are incorporated. Then it’s coagulated, compressed, and some are ripened. Canadians ate 539 metric tons of cheese in 2020 and are the 6th largest consumers of cheese in the world after the EU, US, Russia, Brazil and Mexico. In comparison, Americans indulged in 5 766 tons of the delightful Cheddar, Pepper Jack and other cheeses that same year. We consumed approximately 14.65 kilograms of cheese per capita in 2018 (Satista.com, Emma Bedford).
The nutritional value of cheese varies from one type to another. Very good sources of calcium and protein, most cheeses are high in saturated fat and salt. Indulge too much and you risk increasing both your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. These two are causes of cardiovascular disease. If you are like me and love cheese, moderation is key, just like with everything else that is delicious. Which is the most popular cheese in Canada? After poking around on the internet, I found that cheddar is at the top of most Canadian lists of “favourite cheeses”. It is followed by mozzarella and feta. Quebec and Ontario produce the majority of Canada’s Cheddar cheese, 36% and 40.8% respectively. You’ve probably seen some of the more common Cheddars in your supermarket dairy section. Marble, mild, medium and old are the prepackaged go-to types that most of us buy to cut up into cubes and put on charcuterie platters. If you limit yourself to these, you’re missing out. There are so many more types of Cheddar and Cheddarbased cheeses out there.
Cheddar cheese originated in a Sommerset, England village named, big surprise, Cheddar. Today, Canada produces some of the best Cheddar cheeses in the world. This is due to our cows. Their milk makes a very tasty cheese that stands out because of our climate and pastures. But even in this country, the flavour will vary from province to province depending on the breed of cow and the feed they nibble on. Some other types of Cheddar are Lancashire, Double Gloucester, Wensleydale and Colby. These cheddars, with the exception of Colby, have a stronger flavour and are harder, more crumbly cheeses. Colby is milder and not hard. Look for them in the deli section, not the dairy one with the pre-packaged cheeses. You will notice the difference at first bite.
In Alberta, we are lucky to have a few high quality cheeseries, as well as many delis and cheese mongers that offer unique varieties. There’s Sylvan Star near Red Deer, The Cheesery near Kitscoty, and Old School Cheesery in Vermillion. There are also small cheese shops and deli’s who dabble at making cheese and often sell their latest small batch creations. Meuwly’s in Edmonton is such a place. They also carry other Alberta and BC cheeses. Other than Meuwly’s, you can find delicious local and imported cheeses at some of these local shops and grocery stores: Cavern, the Italian Centre Shop, Paddy’s International Cheese Market, Sunterra Market, Elsafadi Mediterranean Supermarket, Freson Bros, and the Cheese Factory. Cheese is one of my favourite foods. I buy a lot of it. At times, I buy too much. So much so that in the back of my refrigerator I occasionally find potential science experiments. My husband won’t touch any moldy cheese so I need to slice off any mould before he catches sight of it. I just cut the moldy parts and eat away. I thought that this was an okay thing to do. Turns out I was wrong. You can’t just slice off the moldy parts of all cheeses and eat the remainder. There are some cheeses you should throw out immediately, do not remove moldy parts, do not pass go, do not collect… well, you get the idea. I learned a lot about moldy cheese from an article by Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. (Mayo Clinic 09/12/20). Here is an overview of some of her eye-opening information.
Which cheeses are safe to eat when mold appears? Molding hard and semisoft cheeses such as Cheddar, Asiago and Gouda are not risky. If you find any, just be sure to remove the mold and about an inch off all around the affected area.
in between these cheeses. These “hairs” often like the company of salmonella, E. coli and other not so friendly bacteria and can bring them along
Which cheeses should be tossed out?
Any soft cheese such as cream cheese and cottage cheese as well as shredded cheeses. Do you have a bag of shredded cheese in the fridge that’s gone blue in some spots? Garbagio! Why? The mold grows like hair. Some are too fine for us to see with the naked eye, they can get through, around and in between these cheeses. These “hairs” often like the company of salmonella, E. coli and other not so friendly bacteria and can bring them along to the “Let’s Get You Sick” party. What about cheeses that usually have mold like Brie, Saint Andre or Camembert? Their rind which itself is a mold, is safe to eat for adults. What I didn’t know and found out is that it isn’t safe for children, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. They should not eat these cheeses’ moldy rinds. It could be harmful to their health. Who knew? Well now I know and so do you. This just means that we will have to eat some cheese faster than others.
I have been experimenting with cheese and trying various recipes. Cheese is so versatile and can be incorporated in just about any recipe. The following recipe for Brazilian cheese bread (Pão de Queijo) by Elise Bauer is easy, tasty and gluten free. Don’t stop cooking with cheese and have a delicious April!
Ingredients
1 large egg, room temperature 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 2/3 cup milk 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) tapioca flour 1/2 cup (packed, about 66 grams) grated cheese, your preference, we get good results with feta cheese (no need to grate), or fresh farmer’s cheese (if using fresh farmer’s cheese, you may want to add another 1/2 teaspoon of salt) 1 teaspoon of salt (or more to taste) Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread a small amount of oil around the insides of each well of a mini-muffin tin.
Put all the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender so that everything gets blended well. (You can store the batter in the refrigerator for up to a week.)
Pour batter into prepared mini-muffin tin, not quite to the top; leave about 1/8 inch from the top. Bake at 400°F in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until all puffy and nicely browned. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack for a few minutes.
Monique MacDonald is a local culinary events organizer and food afficionado. She was one of the organizers of the Gluten Free Cravings Festival in Strathcona County, as well as Northern Bites Culinary Tours in Edmonton. She is presently the Culinary Events Coordinator for Silver Skate Festival and curator of its Celebrate Edmonton bags.
I’LL GIVE YOU A DAISY A DAY
by Carla Howatt
Women in Hanna Nicole’s family don’t just become florists, they are born into it. Her Oma owned a floral shop in St. Albert back in the 1970s,and her mother Mona, and her five aunts became florists. That means that Hanna is the third generation of women florists in her family. You might even say it was in their blood. Was there any question then, when at the young age of 23 years, Hanna Nicole decided to buy the Daisy a Day Florist that her Aunt Barb had owned since 1989? Actually, it might surprise you to learn that for Hanna Nicole, her career path was anything but a given. In reality, Hanna Nicole considered a few vocations such as becoming a lawyer, a teacher and even a social worker. Inspired by a social worker at her school who was a strong, independent woman Hanna was convinced social work was for her. It was only after taking a course in social work, that she discovered the tragedies involved were not something she would be able to leave at work or take too much to heart.
Hanna still has a heart for people and volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club and contributes to her community in various ways, but she knows now that working the social arena is not for her. But wherever she may have landed if she hadn’t been born into a family of strong women with a passion for flowers, she knows she would be doing something creative. “Flowers are not something you can teach very easily,” Hanna says. “It’s about how something looks.” While someone can learn the technical aspect of flowers, Hanna goes on to explain, you either have the creativity for it or you don’t. And it’s Hanna’s creativity that she feels confident would have found some kind of outlet, if it was not for flowers. “I don’t necessarily think I was born to do it, but I was raised to know how to do it.”
Hanna moved to Fort Saskatchewan when she was quite young as her parents wanted to raise her and her brother in a smaller town. At the time they moved, ‘The Fort’ had a lot less people and everyone knew everyone else. “It still is, I know people and their family and friends, everyone knows everyone” Hanna laughs. “It’s not like in a big city, even if it is larger now.” Another reason they moved here was that they had some family in the area, including her Aunt Barb. The stars aligned in 2019 when Hanna bought Daisy a Day from her Aunt Barb. Her aunt had owned the shop for 30 years and prior to her, it’s previous owner was also a woman. With this strong female presence in the business, Hanna knew she had a firm foundation on which to stand. She began at the end of 2019 by focusing on events such as weddings. Then COVID hit. Luckily, Hanna already had a website and a delivery option at Daisy a Day and she was able to swivel quickly, add nocontact delivery and continue serving her clients. Since then, she has continued to reach out to places like The Foundry Room, a wedding venue in Fort Saskatchewan owned by two women, and make connections for the future.
The future for Hanna Nicole includes expanding the company in a manageable way that leaves room for her to eventually have a family and some flexibility in her life. She also intends to continue being involved in the local business groups, with a particular interest in helping and supporting businesses in the downtown area.
FAMILY, FAITH & COMMUNITY
by Carla Howatt
A Different Life
From humble beginnings in Trinidad to a community leader in Canada, Lana Santana has come a long, long way. She grew up knowing that education was the key to rising up out of her economic situation she was born into and she was bound and determined that nothing was going to stop her. As a tiny, short little eight-year-old girl, she was taking classes in school that were three years ahead of others her age. She was often picked on but when they started mocking her by singing the lyrics to Randy Newman’s “Short People” she was quick to give a come-back by telling them that “small axes cut big trees.” By the time Lana was in high school, she was what she calls “a poor person in a rich person’s world” because her classmates had money. When she wasn’t working on her schoolwork, she was helping her family sell in the market as her father’s health was failing. When Lana was 18, she noticed a young man with one of her brother’s best friends. He was the best friend’s cousin. She watched him quietly, never letting on her interest. She continued to think about him and one day, before she had a chance to think about whether her question would be considered appropriate, she asked the cousin about him. Apparently, that was just the opening that he was waiting for, as the young man in question had been asking about her as well. This was in 1986 and by 1989 Lana married Carlos Santana. She assures anyone who asks that yes, he can sing. During their early years of marriage, with her best friend by her side, she worked as a journalist and when her firstborn was four, she decided to enter the political realm and ran for office. While she didn’t win her seat, she learned a lot and managed to move the needle for others. Over the next several years she was a recruiting office manager, a secretary, data entry clerk and safety officer. She often worked for her husband and he was known to tease that if you can’t work with your wife, then you have the wrong wife. In 2007, Carlos was transferred by the company he was working for, Bechtel International, and he and Lana and their family moved to Canada. Her children were five, seven and fifteen years old when they moved and adjusting to life in Canada was not always easy, but by the time their three years were up, it was their children who didn’t want to leave their school, teachers and friends.
When they arrived in Canada, ready to begin their new lives, the first thing they noticed was the weather. They had left home where temperatures were almost 70 degrees different from when their airplane landed. She laughs when she recalls her children getting used to dressing in four layers to go to school when they were used to a tank top and shorts. But it wasn’t just the weather that made the adjustment difficult. “Imagine coming to a strange country where you have no family, no friends… you know no one,” Lana explains. “Even the culture is different.” This sense of isolation was intense and made adjusting to all the changes, while raising a family and trying to be strong for her children was hard.
“Fear of failing and not being accepted is real,” Lana says. And this fear is as true for the children as it is for the parents. In fact, it was watching her children struggle that caused Lana the most concern. Watching her kids try to make friends and settle in wasn’t easy for her, as a mother. This situation was compounded by the fact that as the woman, she was left at home to deal with the children and create a home for them all.
Through it all, Lana held on to her faith and her belief that each person is a gift, no matter where they are, even in a strange land, amongst strange people. She knew that God had a plan for her and after five years in Canada, that plan became apparent.
A Dream Becomes Reality
Her son is an anti-bullying advocate while also What her and her family faced when they were new leading the associations youth group. immigrants gave Lana a passion to help others in her situation. “I started to hear a voice say start a multi-cultural organization.” Lana says with a smile. She talked it over with her husband and he encouraged her to do it. When Lana speaks of her children, the love and pride she feels for them shines forth and her face lights up. She has always put her children first and the older her children become, the more she is reaping the benefits of that investment. Her vision for the multi-cultural association was a forum for newcomers to come and find their voice again. The first group she began was a women’s group that provided childcare, so women were freed up to get to know each other. Before long they were helping each other out and forging strong friendships. Out of this group of I love to champion businesses. Negative Internal Voice When asked about the negative stories that women tend to tell themselves, and the negative internal voice we all carry around with us, Lana grows quiet and introspective. women sprang the youth group, a bunch of youth who had a passion for helping out others young newcomers. “I don’t pay attention to those voices,” she explains. “Nothing is bigger than God and I won’t let anything stop me.” She goes on to explain that her spirituality This new group wanted to not only support other newcomers, but they wanted to change the other youth viewed new cultures. Rooted in a belief that our differences are what makes us unique and that is a good thing, the group began to take a leadership role in their community. has helped her overcome adversity and that she always tries to look at the positive side of things. When she came to Canada, she decided she would make friends and that was all there was to it. She chuckles as she recalls her mother telling her she was persistent and annoying when she decided on something. The Multi-Cultural Association, under Lana’s guidance, now presents in local schools about various cultures and teaches appreciation for others who are different than us. But Lana’s influence doesn’t stop with the association. So, what does a woman who has traveled 6,000 km, settled in a foreign land, established a thriving association that helps people, raised children who are valuable additions to their community all while managing to keep her priorities straight and a positive outlook on life do next?Family Influence “I’m going to write a novel,” Lana states matter of The children Lana is raising have learned about factly. “Well, two actually.” acceptance and leadership by watching their mother. Two of her daughters have received the Boys & Girls Club’s Outstanding Girl of the Year Award, one received the International Women’s Day Award for Youth of the Year and her other daughter received a nomination. Her daughter also won the Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Future Entrepreneur Award.
BEYOND POLITICS
by Jackie Fenske
Our world is far too obsessed with politics. So any discussion about women and leadership – and especially women in positions of leadership – inevitably becomes about women in politics. It is a discussion about bringing women into politics and ensuring they take on leadership positions. And it is an important discussion to be had and as the current leader of a political party in Alberta, I have much to say on the topic. But before I do, I’d like to talk about being a leader beyond politics. Because if there’s one thing I believe in, it is that the elements of leadership are universal, and it is more important to be a leader in life than in the Legislature. You cannot become a political leader without becoming a leader in your community, whatever and wherever that community may be. Combined I have a total of 13 years in elected politics. But before (and in between) those stings, I have been a teacher, a business owner, a community member, a farmer and a mother. I have strived to be a leader in all these worlds, and beyond. Leading a political party, or a political movement, requires the same attributes I learned in those roles. They are the same as being a leader in life. Lessons for leadership, a definition of what leadership is, are the same no matter what. I’ve long been drawn to a quote from the American Founding Father and sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” I love that quote because it boils down the essence of leadership – the effect your actions have on others. Being a leader is never about yourself. It is not the title you aspire to or the power that comes with it. It is how you use that title and power for others. It is about making others better through your actions, your ideas, and your empathy. Inspiring others is the quote’s most important element, and it need not be a magical, unattainable quality. Refusing to assign any task you will not do yourself, going above and beyond your own job description, showing unwavering loyalty, and sharing in praise all inspire others. We should expect this from our workplace team leaders and our politicians. Accepting the burden of leadership with poise and confidence will inspire others. This goes hand-in-hand with the need for empathy and understanding. Leaders understand their teams and take responsibility for any failings or setbacks.
They do this because in the end, leaders also make the final decision. Only someone with empathy will take responsibility because only they will know that mistakes are made and throwing a team member under the bus only helps themselves, not the cause or institution.
Leaders cannot lead without a team, and so while certainty and adherence to a decision are important, so too is the need to work collaboratively and cooperatively. No leader berates and belittles to get a project done. They encourage and delegate, trust and convince everyone to stick to the plan. These are universal laws of leadership: empathy, understanding, loyalty, hard work, cooperation, collaboration, encouragement and delegation - inspiring others to be their best! I have used these guideposts at all points in life. I continue to jump on the line at my restaurants when needed, and I’ve accepted the angry call from a customer. I’ve made the hard decisions on business strategy and stuck to them. I’ve built coalitions to build community infrastructure such as playgroundsand upgrade halls as well as create events to bring community members together. Leaders use dialogue, compromise, and affability to build coalitions and pull communities forward in common cause. The difference in politics is that your team of five in an office or fifty in a community or business becomes much larger. But the guiding lights remain the same, although the stakes are higher and the spotlight brighter. It is in politics, too, that we see the best examples of those who are not leaders, despite being in positions of leadership. The allure of power sometimes is too strong to attract those most suited to wielding it. Taking responsibility, expressing empathy, doing the work, making and sticking to the hard decisions require something hard to resist in a politically powerful position. The responsible exercise of power is the most important element of leadership, and doubly so in a democratically elected position. The conflation of those two very different things – leadership and wielding power – is why woman have traditionally found themselves barred from the halls of power. Far too many, be they journalists, political pundits, consultants or the public, see the exercising of power as leadership. Lady Thatcher may have succeeded by strong argument and coalition building to overturn decades of orthodoxy, but it is by her nickname the Iron Lady, and all that name
connotes, that we remember her. History is more sympathetic and excited about the image of ruthless warrior than amicable bridge-builder. The hardest part of leadership, the most important, is done outside of the spotlight. This is the type of leadership that transcends politics, and the type that women excel at. I started by saying that political leadership is the least important kind. That’s because it ends. Often abruptly, but inevitably it ends. No politician can be re-elected indefinitely. Winston Churchill won a world war but lost the next election. Community leadership, personal leadership, though, are eternal. Leaders in their communities leave the world a better place. That is because they listened, they imagined, they built, and they worked. Politically, we as a society need to get back into the habit of elevating those who build, not those who fight. Leaders, of course, know when to take a stand, but fighting is not the way to lead; it is a product of leading. And by getting back to a place where community leaders become political leaders, we will also create a world where women as political leaders are not exceptions but the norm. Because in my experience those most effective at creating and leading communities are women exhibiting those qualities of leadership I have described.
So, in the end, getting more women into political leadership is less about changing a system as it is about simply getting everyone to acknowledge women for the leaders they already are. We have the essential elements. Let’s recognize that. This is more important now than it has been for decades. As we leave the pandemic and fully enter the 21st century, it is the time to build, unite, and collaborate. We need strong, empowered female leaders if we are to realize our full potential.
Jacquie served as a Strathcona County Councillor and as MLA for Fort SaskatchewanVegreville. She is active within the families’ Fifendekel Pie Shops in Edmonton. She has also partnered with groups of women to establish two new companies; Experience Alberta and Three Sixty Alberta. Currently she is traveling around the province as the acting leader of the Alberta Party.
A Safe Place
Your Place to Call, Connect, Learn, and Be When Home is Not Safe
“My ground zero happened two years ago. There wasn’t any milk, fresh fruit or bread again. No gas in the car. My husband had a great job, so I asked for money we should have had. Deep down, I knew it would be better to keep quiet. But, maybe it was just time to diffuse the situation. He lost it.
I can’t tell you where he hit me, but I can tell you what he said. “Leave with these kids and you’ll never see the light of day again.” I said nothing as he sped off, drunk again. Through my shame, I saw the fear in my children’s eyes. “Never again. It ends today,” I whispered to myself. I calmly packed some bags and took my children to A Safe Place.
I still can’t remember much about my first few days there, but I remember feeling safe, and supported. And, in a short time I felt more in control of my life than I had ever been. Two long years later, my life has changed for the better. I have a great apartment, a good job and my two children.” Domestic Abuse, domestic violence, or intimate partner violence can manifest in many ways, but the relationships all share one commonality. They involve a pattern of behaviour used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another, or others. Often physical, and sometimes deadly, domestic violence is far
more common than one believes. According to Statistics Canada, approximately every five days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. Most recently, Edmonton Police Services have noted the number of domestic violence calls climbed from 8,406 in 2019 to 9,545 in 2020, an increase of 13 per cent. |
The emotional, social, and economic pressures of COVID-19 continue to play a role in the increase as abusers leverage social isolation, and victims grow increasingly fearful of connecting to community supports. No stranger to supporting victims of domestic abuse, A Safe Place has served more than 25,000 women and children since opening its doors in 1984. Like other organizations, we have had to adapt to COVID-19 and are preparing for continued increases in demand for our services. While public health constraints have diminished our shelter’s physical capacity, reducing admissions by 30 per cent, we continue to provide support through our crisis line and family violence outreach program. Despite these challenges, which include a reduction of income from donations, we were still able to shelter and support 200 families last year, including 300 children. Because we know only a small percentage of women report domestic violence, we are doubling down on communication and public education efforts to increase community capacity for domestic abuse support and encourage more women to connect. Most recently, we launched a new identity that draws attention to the power of change.
“We chose a butterfly because it’s a metaphor for change. It better represents the work we do. We provide a wide range of services that extend well beyond shelter walls, such as our crisis line that operates 24/7, community outreach program, and public education program,’ said Karen Kadatz, Executive Director at A Safe Place
The new message is simple. More than bed, we want you to think of A Safe Place as a safe place to call, to connect, to learn, grow, and to be when home is no longer safe. And, as we continue to dig into this concept, we are gathering, and sharing more stories. “Working within a community so willing to support this critical work for nearly 40 years, we have learned so much. We know vulnerability is a gateway to change and the act of storytelling can connect, heal, and support this growth,” explained Teena Hughson, Communications Coordinator at A Safe Place. To join the conversation, learn more, or support the growth of women and children in your community, visit www.asafeplace. ca. More importantly, if you or someone you care about is not safe, connect with our Crisis & Shelter Intake Line at
780-464-7233 (1-877-252-7233). Wherever you are, we are ready to be your safe place.
Namaste Spa & Wellness
A peaceful oasis tucked away in the heart of Sherwood Park. When you enter, your senses are soothed by the aromatherapy oils, and sage bundles as well as the delicate sound of babbling water. Welcome to Namaste Spa & Wellness, where you can immerse yourself in another world, feed your soul and take care of your body. The treatments and services pioneered by Namaste Spa staff are augmented with an extensive menu of Eastern exotics and Western contemporary traditions.
Tranquility and serenity are pervasive throughout this 4,500 sq. ft. safe haven due to its ingenious design. Here, our highly skilled spa professionals perform treatments that engender a dream-like treat for all the senses – with results that you can feel, that your friends can see – and a healing experience that you deserve. Our estheticians, therapists, and holistic practitioners skillfully provide their discerning clientele a variety of a-la-carte services and creative spa packages with the knowledge, training, and passion behind them to exceed your expectations. In addition, a specialized menu of Ayurvedic services under the direction of our Ayurvedic spa specialist, Prenaka, are available for healing the body mind and soul. Health Canada advises that stress can compromise your immune system leaving you vulnerable to disease and illness, so the most important call you could make is to Namaste Wellness and Day Spa where the spa receptionists can advise the most appropriate therapies customized just for you.
Leave the Stress. Leave the Chaos.
Step into Namaste. Renew your mind, body, and spirit with one of a vast array of our indulgent treatments.
Massage Therapy
Namaste offers Massage services by registered massage therapists. If you require receipts to claim on health insurance plans, you may request them at the time of booking. We offer every type of massage from Swedish, sports, deep tissue, prenatal, postnatal, trigger point, lymphatic drainage, Karma head, myofascial cupping or Thai Herbal massage. No matter which type of massage you choose, you will be pampered and relaxed by one of Namaste’s qualified therapists.
Esthetics
Our certified estheticians are skilled at enhancing Mother Nature’s attributes. They purify, clarify, and rejuvenate the skin with nourishing and restorative techniques, using only the highest quality products from around the world. Namaste’s estheticians are specially trained in a wide variety of traditional North American services, along with the most beneficial beauty and anti-aging skin care treatments from European and Eastern cultures – all customized for each skin and health condition.
We offer organic skin care, and you can choose from a wide variety of options such as the Reiki Infused Facial, the Arctic Berry Peel, Mangosteen Peel, a deep pore cleansing facial, or a gemstone facial.
Bring a radiant glow to your hands and feet with one of our restorative hand and feet rituals or indulge in some time with our sacred sensation packages. We also provide dermaplaning, microdermabrasion and micro needling.
QI Beauty Facial
1000 gold plated micro magnets are applied to your skin to stimulate subdermal layers and move natural antiaging compounds upwards. The result of treating your skin using this quantum technology? A noticeable change in the appearance and tone of your skin. A reduction in the appearance of small lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. Over time, your Qi Beauty Facial treatments will sustain the health and vitality of your skin for long term age-control, and beauty at every age. Your facial is provided by one of only three Qi Beauty Trainers in North America, Prenaka Ram. Prenaka also provides certification to practitioners in Canada through Namaste. Take the Tranquillity of Asia Home with You Namaste’s lovely boutique is stocked with unique, authentic, and handmade items from around the world, and from many local artisans. Whether you are looking for incense, dream catchers, healing gemstones and crystals, or exotic decorative pieces for your home and office, Namaste has it all. We can’t take away the stress, the traffic, the noise, the deadlines, and the demands but we can help you forget them while you’re at Namaste and help you leave recharged, renewed, and refreshed… ready to face it all looking gorgeous and feeling exhilarated!
Let Namaste Wellness & Day Spa transport you to tranquility.
Owner Prenaka Ram, aka ‘Bosslady,’ is the founder of Namaste Wellness & Day Spa Inc. Prenaka is an allaround powerhouse of unique ideas. Her years of experience in the spa and wellness industry has allowed her to grow her company. Learning, teaching and inspiring others. Her holistic approach to healing is how she makes the changes she thrives to see in the world.
www.namastespa.ca
Carla Howatt
carla@sharpwomen.ca
ATHLETIC APPAREL
Keylime Athletic Wear Kristi Wozniak (780) 416-4662 www.keylimeathleticwear.com
BLINDS & DRAPERY
Custom Blinds by Design Lisette Brule (780) 998 - 4646 www.customblindsbydesign.ca
BUSINESS COACH
CHANGE LEADERSHIP
Melnyk Consultancy LTD. Pauline Melnyk (780) 417 - 2915 https://melnykconsultancy.com
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Sun Life Financial Glenda Smith (780) 884-5203 www.sunlife.ca/glenda.smith
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
Pine Box Funerals Inc. Bonnie Hoffman (780) 910-6432 www.pineboxfunerals.ca
HOME INSPECTOR – RESIDENTIAL
A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections Judy Schueler (780) 220-3798 Website
HOME ORGANIZING PRODUCTS
Lynsay’s Totes and Bags Lynsay Atchison (780) 719-0554 Website
COMPUTER & MOBILE REPAIR
Apex Computer & Mobile Repairs Grace Wong (780) 885 - 2333 https://apexrepairs.ca
EVENT DESIGN AND RENTALS
The Maby Studio Ruby Cole-Ellis (403) 708 - 9880 www.themabystudio.com
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
MNP Angela Sparshu 780-667-2644 www.mnp.ca
LIFE, HEALTH & DISABILITY
ABC Life and Living Benefits Consulting Devi McDonald (780) 803-3384 Email Me
MAKEUP ARTIST
Seint Beauty Laura Pryatel (780) 910 - 4535 Website
MASSAGE THERAPY
PERSONAL COACH
PHARMACIST
Aspen Pharmacy Janet Truong 780-400-9802 www.aspenpharmacy.org
REFLEXOLOGY SCHOOL
RESIDENTIAL REALTOR
Now Real Estate Group Jodie Allen (780) 906 - 0993 www.jodieallen.com
SENIOR’S HOUSING
Chartwell Emerald Hills Therese Sheen (587) 599-4623 Jennifer Hillmer (780) 819-3833 www.chartwell.com
SKIN CARE
Tracey’s Beautycounter Tracey Hansen (780) 266 - 5336 https://linktr.ee/TraceyHansen
POTTERY
Engaged in the Arts Deborrah Hughes Gahr (780) 410 - 9522 Find us on Facebook
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER
Glenda Sheard Glenda Sheard (780) 907 - 9424 www.glendasheard.com
PSYCHOLOGIST
Evolution Psychology Brandi Gruninger (780) 570-5709 www.evolutionpsychology.ca
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Remote ‘n Ready - Virtual Assistant Solutions Melany Branco 780-267-8612 www.remotenready.com
VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS
Mannatech Tanya Mullakady 403-350-6276 https://transformwithtanya.com
WELLNESS SPA
Namaste Wellness & Day Spa Inc. (780) 467 - 9809 www.namastespa.ca
PUBLISHING
By The Book Publishing Carla Howatt (780) 729 - 3935 www.bythebookpublishing.com
