The Jasper Local March 1, 2017

a lt e r n at i v e +

LOCAL + independent

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thejasperlocal.com

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wednesday, March 1, 2017 // ISSUE 92

CAPED CRUSADER // JASPER’S KARLEIGH VASSALLO WAS ON EDGE DURING THE CAPES AND CROWN CUP AT MARMOT BASIN FEBRUARY 19. THE JASPER JUNIOR OLYMPICS TAKE PLACE MARCH 4-5.

MANY OF JASPER’S YOUNG SKIERS WILL BE BASHING GATES ON THEIR WAY TO FAST FINISHES. // B COVEY

Outfitter can't get clarity on trail troubles A Jasper National Park outfitter is shutting down summer operations in the Tonquin Valley.

The inability to secure commitment from Parks Canada to clear or reroute the Astoria Valley trail around the Old Horn rockslide has forced Tonquin Valley Adventures’ Gilbert Wall to suspend horse-assisted operations at his Amethyst Lake camp this summer.

“They will not make a commitment to do anything,” Wall told The Jasper Local. “I can’t get any clarity with the trails.”

For the past several years, the 19 km trail leading from the Mount Edith Cavell day-use area to Wall’s backcountry lodge and cabins on the south shore of Amethyst Lake has been compromised by rock slides. Last summer, after constant rain

in July, Old Horn mountain shed debris onto the trail to the point where the slide became impassable with horses.

“I can’t get through there with horses even if I want to.”

Having purchased the business in 2001, Wall has been requesting some sort of trail solution at Old Horn from Parks Canada for more than a decade. His appeals to them over the summer were met with “shoulder shrugs,” he said.

Wall said after the rock slides last summer he had to issue multiple refunds to guests. More critically, attempting to operate would put his staff and his guests in danger.

“I just can’t run like this,” he said.

Parks Canada was unable to respond before deadline. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page A2 // the jasper local // issue 92 // Wednesday, march 1, 2017

editorial //

Local Vocal The Local Organizing Committee for the Tour of Alberta wants you!

Imagine an Uncle Sam poster but instead of the blue tail coat, red bow tie and star-spangled top hat, envision the recruiter wearing a logoadorned lycra jersey, package-hugging bib shorts and a short-brimmed cycling cap.

Get the picture? If that (unsettling) image doesn’t move you to consider joining the TOA’s LOC, conjure instead into your mind’s eye more than 47 million viewers in 160 countries tuning into their television sets or computer screens to watch their favourite athletes race alongside Jasper National Park’s stunning scenery in hi-definition. In a tourism-based community, we all win when people from around the world see we have something unique—in this case tremendous cycling infrastructure through pristine wilderness. You can help ensure that incredible marketing opportunity isn’t wasted.

Still not convinced to get onboard?

What if you were told that you could have a say on how the Tour of Alberta would operate on race day? That your opinions on which streets the race should utilize, which ones it should avoid and what traffic closures should and should not be put in place, would be heard and duly considered? That your ideas about how businesses could leverage, instead of be hampered by, the event, would be welcome?

Would you get involved then?

Back in 2015, when the buzzing, frenzied organism known as the Tour of Alberta swarmed into Jasper, a lot of things went right, and a bunch of things went wrong. The street closures seemed to miss the mark—combined with cold temperatures the downtown core turned into something of a dead zone. Additionally, as a result of the Tour being in town over the long weekend, businesses reported slow sales on what’s typically the last chance to make hay before Christmas.

But the first time any event gets organized‚ whether it’s a craft fair, a community dinner or a mission to the moon, there are bound to be hiccups. The fact that there were bumps in the road in 2015 shouldn’t give anyone pause about supporting the Tour of Alberta come September.

If you’ve got something to give—whether it’s technical skills, communications proficiency, hospitality experience or organizational aptitude—your know-how and enthusiasm will help make the Tour of Alberta a success.

You know the rules: you can’t gripe if you don’t get involved. Remember: the LOC wants you! bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

You call it free speech, I call it hate speech Dear Editor, I’m writing in response to your soppy sympathetic editorial supporting Monika Schaefer. I deeply resent the way in which you support Schaefer’s “right to her opinion.” It’s blatantly obvious that the two of you just don’t get it.

It may interest you to know that just a few days ago, the infamous Schaefer supporter Arthur Topham lost his appeal to BC’s Supreme Court on his conviction for willfully promoting hatred against Jews.

I have looked at Topham’s garbage site, and have read his strong comments praising Monika Schaeffer. It’s not for nothing that Topham was convicted of hate speech, and the BC Supreme Court has agreed.

People like you live in some kind of bubble, thinking that “poor Monika” should have the right to spew her objectionable nonsense, which is in direct support of Arthur Topham and her Holocaust-denying brother Alfred.

Yes, free speech is a part of our democracy, but criminal hate speech is not. Schaefer talks about the “thought police” on Jasper town council who stand up to her. Town council should be commended for doing their job.

I don’t need her disgusting Alternative Facts disguised as enlightenment for the masses. It’s nothing but hateful garbage.

- Paul Brooke North Vancouver, BC

The Jasper Local //

Jasper’s independent alternative newspaper 780.852.9474 • thejasperlocal.com • po box 2046, jasper ab, t0e 1e0

Published on the 1st and 15th of each month Editor / Publisher

Bob Covey.................................................................................... bob@thejasperlocal.com Art Director

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// Local announcements

Wednesday, march 1, 2017 // issue 92 // the jasper local// page A3

BACK IN THE SADDLE // JASPER WILL HOST THE 2017 TOUR OF ALBERTA’S FIRST STAGE. // BOB COVEY

Jasper to welcome back Tour of AB It’s official: The Tour of Alberta is coming back to Jasper National Park.

“That was a bonus,” Ireland said. “It was not something we bargained for, planned for nor bid for.”

Jasper will welcome back Canada’s highest ranked professional road race September 1, kicking off the four-day event as host of the race’s first stage.

What the Jasper Partnership Initiative (JPI) did bargain for was a start and a finish, the combined price tag of which is normally $250,000 but which JPI acquired for only $200,000. Half of that amount will need to be fronted, while the other half will come from fundraising (the Municipality of Jasper has budgeted $50,000 and Tourism Jasper will put up another $50,000). While the start of the race is yet to be determined, TOA organizers were keen on reproducing the 2015 route wherein riders did three laps of Athabasca Falls and finished at Marmot Basin.

“I think it’s a great thing for our mountain community,” Mayor Richard Ireland told The Jasper Local February 27. “The amount of exposure we can get for our town is just incredible.”

The last time the Tour of Alberta rolled through town was September 4-5, 2015.

While predominantly considered a huge success, there were some rumblings from local business owners who weren’t happy that the event overlapped with the long weekend. This time around the peloton and its accompanying contingent of media, support vehicles, race officials and racing fans will wrap up festivities in Jasper by Friday afternoon. That coordination was by design, Ireland said.

“Consensus around the local table was that recognizing that the race is going to be held over that long weekend, could we find a day that doesn’t interfere as much?”

As local partners submitted their application with these caveats, what Tour of Alberta officials came back with was surprising.

Not only would their preferred stage date be accommodated, but Jasper would be awarded the event’s opening stage—at no additional cost.

“As long as they get that route in they’ll start where we want them to start,” Ireland said.

Ireland acknowledged that closing the town’s downtown core to vehicle traffic for the start of the 2015 race didn’t work for everyone. The idea was that professional riders racing through familiar streetscapes would add to local flair and excitement, however, post-race feedback indicated the closures were an impediment to business.

Ireland encouraged Jasperites to get involved to have a say.

“The local organizing committee (LOC), can adjust the route as we think is best for the community,” Ireland said.

Email admin@jpcc.ca to get involved with the LOC. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

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page B1 // the jasper local // issue 92 // wednesday, march 1, 2017

Local mountain life //

Quantity of experiences, quality of connections In 2010, Viet Tieu, brand new to Jasper, found himself at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 37.

He was surrounded by ski patrollers, hippies, artists and athletes. The Pieps, a two-guitar local “ski-rock” band, were on stage.

Tieu was impressed by the diverse crowd and the small mountain town’s nightlife. He was excited at the possibilities of his new home.

“I kind of fell in love with Jasper straight away,” Tieu recalled.

Seven years later, Tieu was again surrounded by a diverse crowd at the Jasper Legion. Only this time, he wasn’t looking around wide-eyed at people he’d never met before.

This time he knew everyone in the room. This time, however, he was saying goodbye.

“Peace in the river, Jasper. It’s been a blast,” he told his adopted family by way of Facebook.

On February 23, Tieu, whose lilting laugh and broad smile could make light of the toughest trail work and soften the steepest switchbacks, packed his bag and boarded a plane. He was heading home—to his first home, New Zealand, the siren call of which he could no longer ignore. His Jasper family was sorry to see him leave, but happy to have called him a friend, and so much more. Tieu was an adventure buddy, an artist-in-arms, a co-worker, a co-pilot, a baby sitter and a brother.

He was, as someone at his goingaway party put it, only half-joking, “one of the most liked people in the Canadian Rockies.”

Like many 22-year-olds who come to Jasper looking for adventure, Viet Tieu was happy to get introduced

to mountain biking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing and scrambling.

But as much as he loved pushing his limits outdoors—such as when he soloed the Death Race or when he summited three mountains in one day—he also enjoyed the simple connections.

Viet loves a VIET TIEU TOOK PART IN PLENTY OF JASPER ADVENTURES SINCE COMING TO JASPER SEVEN YEARS AGO, BUT HE PREFERS TO CONNECT ONE-ON-ONE. “I CAME FOR THE MOUNTAINS AND STAYED FOR THE PEOPLE,” HE SAYS. // BOB COVEY good potluck.

He likes Indeed, the people Tieu surrounded home, what he’ll carry closest, he meeting up for coffee. himself with were of varying ages, says, are the intangible things he interests and backgrounds. He was learned about himself. The key to just as inspired, for example, to those lessons? Get involved in your “I kind of fell in talk about photo composition from community, he says. love with Jasper veteran Jasper Artist Guild member “You think you know who you are Greg Deagle as he was absorbing straight away.” when you first get to a new place, local biking lore from Jasper trails but by putting yourself out there ambassador Loni Klettl. you learn so much about yourself,” “I really appreciate being able to “I do feel lucky to have such a he said. “There are so many catch up properly,” he said. “I don’t diverse family here,” he said. opportunities. Just get involved.” necessarily need to do anything bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com Like all ex-pats, Tieu’s story of how crazy.” he came to Jasper That measured perspective is was at once unique another aspect of Tieu’s personality and familiar. He that his friends will miss most. He met a Jasperite was never a partier. He hardly even (Kate Ryan) while drinks beer. He’s just a guy that working in the likes to spend time with others.

United States, “I like quality one-on-one time,” he figured he’d visit said. “An adventure can be climbing her for a week a mountain with my friend Cam or and decided to making friendship bracelets with stay. Helping that my seven-year-old friend Sadie.” decision were the people he met at a potluck, the fact that he had a job offer after four days (“thanks, Totem Ski Shop”) and the visual splendour of fall in the Athabasca Valley.

“I came for the mountains and stayed for the people,” he is fond of saying.

And although Tieu will undoubtedly go back to New Zealand with an armoire of stories about his adopted

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Local recreation //

wednesday, march 1, 2017 // issue 92 // the jasper local// page B2

The safety and comfort of ice climbing? the Rockaboo office to find Daniel and The Parks Canada Jesse Shirton of Edmonton trying on avalanche bulletin had mountaineering boots and selecting been pretty clear: “put ice tools. Our guide for the day, Deryl your skis away and get Kelly, was running through the gear out your ice tools.” checklist and handing out waiver The season’s somewhat modest forms (maybe I was just nervous, snowpack, it seemed, had become but I don’t remember anyone ever unstable and prone to potentially large taking so much care to ensure I had and deadly avalanches. That spells read, understood and signed a waiver bad news for backcountry skiers. Ice form). Before I could find a convincing climbing, on the other hand, can be excuse to back out, we were on our done (but is certainly not always done) way. well away from dangerous avalanche areas. Those in the know were steering After a quick tutorial on walking with crampons, we found ourselves being me and my powder-hungry cohort lowered into the icy depths of Maligne towards safer pursuits.

Canyon, suspended by an admittedly “Get out your ice tools.” Seriously, ice sturdy-looking rope and the climbing as a safer mechanical advantage alternative?! of Deryl’s munter hitch.

They describe the most The brothers Shirton Ice climbers ascend common form of hand seemed positively structures that discomfort associated gung-ho and I tried my are guaranteed to with their sport as “the best to follow suit. collapse within a screaming barfies.” few months’ time.

Deryl’s instructions They leave the seemed pretty safety of the ground straightforward: don’t with nothing but a nylon rope to secure hang on bent arms, keep your heels their lives and do so with sharp metal down, pretend you’re defecating on the spikes attached to their hands and feet. world (don’t ask). For the first couple They describe the most common form of moves, I actually thought I might of hand discomfort associated with be a bit of a natural! Then came the their sport as “the screaming barfies.” first opportunity to swing the axe in My gut feeling was that ice climbing my left hand, which revealed a nearwas something people do because total lack of muscular coordination.

Russian Roulette and self-flagellation But I persevered, eventually scraping, attract too many judgemental stares. I slipping and swearing myself to the checked the avalanche bulletin again: top of the short practice pitch and earning the privilege of sitting back in my harness before being gently returned to earth.

The two young brothers in our party fared even better.

They swung their tools with precision, climbed with grace and cursed very little.

Soon we moved onto bigger things. The Angel and the Queen are well known to anyone who has walked through Maligne Canyon and are, in the eyes of the novice ice climber, proud and daunting objectives. At least, that’s what I told myself as I hacked and front-pointed, screaming “ice!” as DANIEL AND JESSE SHIRTON FIND THEIR ICE STANCES // D OLTHOF my wayward axe sent dinner plates hurtling down toward the poor “Considerable.” I considered. soul charged with holding my rope.

Alright, then. I’ll try ice climbing. The At the top of the pitch, I braced truth is, I’d already been invited to myself for the pain that would surely go climbing with some very friendly accompany the rush of warm blood Jasperites who, despite having back into my extremities. Alas, my professed their love of ice climbing, 15-minute foray up the Queen of showed no obvious signs of being Maligne was not the epic feat of totally off their coconut. Still, one mountaineering I imagined it to be should never jump to conclusions, and the “screaming barfies” that so I opted to call a professional. followed were more like “whining Lisa Darrah at Rockaboo Mountain belchies.” I had somehow managed Adventures told me they had two to climb a real ice route without being brothers signed up to climb with an maimed, killed or put through any ACMG guide the very next day. If I serious discomfort. The fact that wanted to, I could join them. it had actually been “fun” became At 9:03 the next morning I walked into apparent as I watched Daniel and

WHEN AVALANCHE CONDITIONS ARE CONSIDERABLE, JASPERITES CONSIDER ICE CLIMBING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOURING, THE AUTHOR LEARNED. // DOUG OLTHOF

Jesse climb and I eagerly awaited my next turn.

Dragging myself through my apartment door that evening, I could barely believe how three pitches of ice climbing had completely worn me out.

I felt that warm glow that follows the combination of physical exertion and getting just a little bit scared. After

two light meals in succession, I took out my phone and checked the Parks Canada Avalanche Bulletin.

Still “Considerable.” I went immediately to the Jasper Buy Sell & Trade Facebook group and typed “ice tools” into the search bar.

Doug olthof // info@thejasperlocal.com

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page b3+B4 // the jasper local // issue 92 // wednesday, march 1, 2017

TONQUIN // STORY BY BOB COVEY PHOTOS BY TRISTAN NISSEN

Every February, when Parks Canada lifts the delayed winter backcountry access in Jasper National Park (part of caribou conservation measures), operators at Amethyst Lake make their first push into the Tonquin Valley.

Using snowmobiles to pack a trail, the mission can take as little as four hours. This season it took two days.

A paltry winter snowpack wreaked havoc with Jasper National Park outfitters’ attempts to establish camp at their backcountry lodges February 16.

Meagre precipitation and a rotted-out foundation of what little snow has fallen this winter—combined with unseasonably warm temperatures—made for tough sledding for Gilbert Wall and his team of volunteers as they tried to access the Tonquin Valley via the frozen Astoria River.

“It’s a really bizarre set of circumstances where the river had been dammed up all over the place, froze, then drained and then left all this shell ice,” the owner of Tonquin Valley Adventures said. “It must have been quite an event. It’s actually really cool.”

What was decidedly not cool was a wreck (trail terminology for accident)

“It’s a really bizarr circumstances where had been dammed u the place, froze, then and then left all this ICE JAM // DICK IRELAND AND GILBERT WALL TRYING TO PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER WHILE SAM WALL LOOKS ON. // TRISTAN NISSEN

WRECK BEACH // HOLLOW ICE COLLAPSED ON THE ASTORIA RIVER TRAIL AS OUTFITTER GILBERT WALL AND A CREW OF VOLUNTEERS BROKE TRAIL TOWARDS AMETHYST LAKE. // TN

not long into the group’s journey.

Since Wall acquired Tonquin Valley Adventures in 2001, his first winter trip into the Tonquin has typically been up the frozen Astoria River.

However, for the past four years, warm winters have forced outfitters to take their snowmobiles up the summer trail. This year’s sub-zero spells gave Wall the idea that the Astoria’s ice bridges would be adequately set up for travel, however, after accessing the frozen river approximately half way

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Tough sledding WARM WEATHER & CRUDDY SNOW WREAK HAVOC ON BACKCOUNTRY OPERATORS’ OPENING DAY B 7

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up the Mt. Edith Cavell Road, the ice proved to be less reliable than initially thought.

“It proved not to be a great decision because the ice was really suspect,” Wall said.

With Wall in the lead on the largest sled, Dick Ireland following behind on another machine and skiers Brian Nesbitt, Tristan Nissen and Sam Wall (Gilbert’s son) bringing up the rear, Wall drove over a hollow-sounding spot in the ice. Since he didn’t fall through, the group figured it was safe. However, as Ireland attempted the same crossing, the ice gave way.

Ireland plunged through the thick shell that encased the riverbed, narrowly avoiding severe injury as he SUGAR SHOTS // A SHALLOW, ROTTEN SNOWPACK WOULDN’T SUPPORT SNOWMACHINES WHEN VOLUNTEERS FOR TONQUIN VALLEY ADVENTURES and his machine were enveloped.

ATTEMPTED TO ACCESS THE ASTORIA RIVER TRAIL FOR THE FIRST TIME. // TN “That could have been significant,” Wall said. “We were eight hours to progress two kilometres. lucky.”

“It was the most frustrating, the worst work,” Not too lucky. As he doubled Wall said. “We didn’t get the last load up the back to check on the situation, waterfall until 10:30 at night.” re set of Wall’s machine also broke On the positive side, Wall’s scheduled clients through the ice. e the river skied in the following day as planned.

“My machine penciled in at the “The sauna’s running,” Wall laughed. up all over back,” he said with the kind Wall’s camp, Tonquin Valley Adventures, is of chuckle that only hindsight n drained on the south shore of Amethyst Lake, 19 km can bring. shell ice.” beyond the trailhead at Mount Edith Cavell.

After the operators dusted Operators at Tonquin Valley Backcountry themselves off, the group Lodge, on the north end, elected to make began the heavy lifting. When their first trip into camp following a dip in the machines were finally temperatures. extricated, they got back to the task at hand: bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com getting as far as they could up the 19 km trail.

“Conditions were brutal,” Wall said. “Our machines were dropping to the ground every few metres.”

Finally, after repeatedly getting stuck, digging themselves out, driving a few minutes and getting stuck again, the group called it a day. They’d been at it 10 hours.

“It was miserable,” Wall said.

The next day, with clients eager to ski the trail and stay at his cabins, Wall once again set out on the trail, this time with another friend, Kelly Derksen. The pair made it to the previous group’s end point with relatively little hiccups, but that’s where their troubles began. The sugary snowpack couldn’t support the weight of their skis, let SLOW PROGRESS // ANOTHER ANGLE OF THE ALL-ENVELOPING ICE HOLE ON THE ASTORIA RIVER. // TRISTAN NISSEN alone their snowmobile. It took them nearly

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page B5 // the jasper local // issue 92 // wednesday, march 1, 2017

Local music //

Searing hot licks, huge riffs and subtle leads: Joey Landreth sliding back to Jasper It’s not often you get to interview music legends in the making, but Joey Landreth, having been on the road since he was 16 and toured with the likes of Steve Bell, Doc Walker and Emerson Drive, is legit.

His father is Wally Landreth, a very well-known name in the Winnipeg music scene, and the music environment in which the Landreth family was brought up is rich indeed.

“Winnipeg is very encouraging, a great place for young musicians to come up,” Landreth divulges. “It’s a tight knit scene, where everybody knows each other and plays together, and the local musicians are welcoming to the young up and comers.”

drummer Ryan Voth (who also drummed for The Bros. Landreth) and bassist Meg Dolovich, his solo effort is very much a continuation of where The Bros. Landreth left off.

“It’s more of a guitar showcase,” he says.

“But I would hope the song writing is something people appreciate.”

Yes and yes. The feel is similar to Let it Lie, though Whiskey is more personal.

“Winnipeg is very encouraging, a great place for young musicians to come up”

Heartbreak, loss, and overcoming odds are familiar themes on his 7 track EP. Could you imagine? Being 16 years old But don’t be fooled, there are rocking and touring with musical legends? Joey numbers, and once again brilliant slidehas made multiple tours across Canada guitar work that would make Duane with these masters, learning important Allman proud. The rhythm section is a lessons and developing some serious force to be reckoned with, too. As Voth skill, not just as a guitar player, but as a JOEY LANDRETH PLAYS THE JASPER LEGION MARCH 6. and Dolovich have played with Landreth MAD GUITAR SKILLS WILL BE ON DISPLAY. // SUPPLIED songwriter as well. in multiple bands since they were all “You know what?” he modestly teens, the result is a tight collaboration at work: searing hot slide licks, eloquent reminisces. “Those Doc Walker and a professional outfit. and subtle leads, huge riffs and brilliantly and Emerson Drive days, it was really Currently on tour supporting his debut restrained guitar solos. The song writing educational, Steve Bell as well. To work with album Whiskey, Joey Landreth and company is top notch and it’s no surprise that their musicians of that calibre, you would have are due to play the Jasper Legion on debut album won a Juno award for Roots and to try really hard to not walk away and have Monday, March 6 at 8 p.m. Don’t miss seeing Traditional Album of the Year in 2015. learned something.” a potential Canadian music legend in action.

Of course, Joey is only half of The Bros. The It shows. Listening to The Bros. Landreth’s Jeroen van Rooyen // first album, Let it Lie, one hears his education 30-year-old is currently on tour supporting info@thejasperlocal.com his solo debut album, Whiskey. Backed by

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wednesday, march 1, 2017 // issue 92 // the jasper local// page B6

Local nutrition //

I should take supplements…right?

The supplement isle: Daunting white plastic bottles lined up in perfect rows. Are they all the same? Which ones should I take? Are they safe? Which brand is the best? Do I actually need to take any?

Supplements are not typically my go-to health solution. Being a nutritionist, I like to achieve most results with food. Sometimes, however, based on client goals, conditions or compliance, supplements can be very helpful.

Supplements can be helpful to address a deficiency Deficiencies are more common than you would like to think. Our soils are becoming deficient in important nutrients, therefore, our food is also becoming deficient. Furthermore, nutrients are hard to absorb!

Here are the most common nutrient deficiencies and who is at risk.

ZINC: Zinc plays a huge role in immune function and wound healing. It is susceptible to becoming deficient as it is hard to absorb. Zinc’s absorption is blocked by phytic acid (a chemical found in grains and legumes) as well as coffee and tannins found in red wines, teas and chocolate. *Make sure to take zinc on a full stomach or it will cause nausea At risk: vegans, vegetarians, people with weak digestion/ digestive issues.

MAGNESIUM: Muscle cramps, eye twitches, painful menstruation or chocolate cravings? These are all signs of magnesium deficiency. A diet without leafy green veg, nuts, seeds and whole grains can lead to a diet low in magnesium. Also, high sugar intake can increase excretion of magnesium through the

kidneys and phosphates found in carbonated drinks can render magnesium unusable in the body.

At risk: pop drinkers, athletes, women, those with diets low in whole foods, fruits and vegetables

Supplements can address inflammation: Inflammation is the root to most chronic conditions.

Even though controlling inflammation through diet change will ultimately eliminate most inflammation, supplements are helpful to keep inflammation in check while we work on diet. I like to use the following supplements for joint inflammation, eczema, inflammation in the GI tract, weight lifting and autoimmune conditions.

FISH OIL: Fish oil contains EPA and DHA, two type of omega 3 fatty acids. These omega 3 fats complete an anti inflammatory pathway in the body.

Inflammation is the root of many conditions and having less of it in the body always does us good. **If you are on any medications talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplement.

Fish oil acts as an anticoagulant and can increase the effects of drugs such as warfarin and other blood thinning/ anti coagulant medications.

CURCUMIN: The active constituent of our beloved Turmeric! This spice has been getting a lot of press lately. Turmeric is a great anti oxidant but to get its full anti-inflammatory effect, it is best to take a concentrated form of curcumin found in supplemental form. It would take many jars of turmeric to get the full anti inflammatory effects! Fighting inflammation? Get the supplement. To increase absorption of this lovely herb take your curcumin with a fat (coconut oil) and some black pepper! *Do not take this if you have a gall bladder condition or suspected gall stones.

As for choosing a brand or type of supplement I always follow these guidelines: GO FOR HIGHER QUALITY: This will usually ensure the supplement’s purity, research and potency.

I especially recommend this for fish oil supplements.

FORM: Liquid is always the most bioavailable form in which to take your supplement (we absorb it much better). Capsules are second best, tablets usually have binding agents and are less potent.

My favorite supplements for maintenance: • Good quality fish oil • Vitamin D3 (in liquid form) • Greens powder (I like Vitamineral greens) • Multi vitamin daily *This is not intended as medical advice, its intent is to inform and educate. Please consult a healthcare professional should the need for one be indicated, and before taking any supplements.

Jenna completed a 3-year program of Holistic Nutrition at Pacific Rim College. There she developed a strong understanding of Diet Therapy, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and some Western Herbal Medicine. She works with clients to find a permanent and sustainable fix to their health concerns using natural approaches that take into consideration each person’s bio-individuality. Find her at alpenglownutrition.ca