Life Insurance Tax Changes.
Hello all,time is running out before significant life insurance tax changes effective January 1, 2017. Clients who already have life insurance policies will want to ensure they keep their current status; changes that could impact grandfathering need to be done before January 1, 2017 or that protection could be lost. Here are a few items for both existing and new clients to consider: -If you are thinking of getting life insurance, the cost of insurance will be cheaper now than in January 2017 -if you plan to convert from term to permanent insurance in the future, consider doing it now so you...
Read MoreDoctors of BC policy paper gives significant boost to family caregivers in BC
With one million British Columbians providing 70-75% of the care for family and friends faced with disease, disability or frailty due to aging, family caregivers need and deserve to be formally recognized as part of BC’s health care system. Family Caregivers of British Columbia, who was consulted for the recently released policy paper from Doctors of BC, “Circle of Care: Supporting Family Caregivers in BC”, supports the inclusion of family caregivers in patient and family centred care. “This is a significant boost for family caregivers in BC,” says Barb MacLean, executive...
Read MoreGut It Out, Get Writing
It’s what we push ourselves to do when we really don’t want to do it that refines our sense of self-esteem and makes the real difference in our journey. Take going to the gym: I’ve always disliked it. My father always said, “Son, why don’t you go outside and mow the lawn or play a school sport instead of going to the gym?” I agreed with him. Only later in life did I discover the solid science behind resistance exercise. Combined with a good diet and regular sleep, it’s the fountain of youth! Most people know it, but many won’t do it. God knows I tried. I started and quit so...
Read MoreWhere’s Gabriola, You Say?
Here’s a clue! Starts with “G”. In the Gulf Islands, west coast of Canada. Surrounded by the Salish Sea. On the south side, you can see Nanaimo, Cedar, Ladysmith. On the north side, you can see Whistler and draw your eye along the horizon to Vancouver. From our highest peak, you can see Saltspring Island, also part of the Gulf Islands. In a matter of elimination, we aren’t Galiano or Ganges. We’re Gabriola. So let me show you how to find us, how to plan your visit to us, and how to get around on our beautiful island. This is going to be a comprehensive review, so put your feet up...
Read MoreOde to John Hellum.
John Hellum was larger than life in every possible way, physically, mentally and gastronomically. Unfortunately for us John has died and has left us poor mortals for that ultimate kitchen in the sky. The patrons there will soon learn to recognise and love the man in the hat just as we did. Fortunately as long as there is one person here that knew him, John will live on. His swagger, his story telling ability, his incredible knowledge base on all things, his kind and gentle heart and his rapier like wit will never leave us. Fortunately we can also still experience the essence of John...
Read MoreTransitional Dressing
Making the most of your summer items If you’re like me, you probably have a few of those favourite summer clothing pieces that you’re absolutely heartbroken to pack up at the end of the season. Especially with clearance sales, which let you snap up some last-minute summer bargains, it can be hard to let go of all those “out of season” clothes. Well, don’t lose hope yet! Just because the cold weather is rolling in doesn’t mean it’s quite time to give up on your favourite warm-weather clothes. Many of the things you were about to bundle up and put in the...
Read MoreThink you’re not prejudiced?
think again when it comes to seniors. October 1st is the United Nations-declared “International Day of the Older Person.” The theme this year is ageism, a prejudice that the UN describes as the most socially-normalized form of discrimination worldwide. The term was coined in 1969 to describe a form of discrimination based on age. Since this time, we have seen a number of barriers broken: gay people can legally marry, women lead governments and the Supreme Court of Canada, people in wheelchairs hold public office and win gold medals, and the United States has elected an...
Read MoreCode’s Corner Organic Farm
Farming with a purpose . Certified as an organic farm, Code’s Corner is run by the very energetic and charming Denise Code and her husband Bill. Denise, a former dietitian and Bill, a doctor, are very passionate about what they are doing. It is little wonder that health and well-being are what drive their farming philosophy; they have made it their vocation to provide healthy organic food to the residents of the Cowichan Valley. Code’s Corner Organic Farm’s journey started in 1993, when the couple decided to move to Vancouver Island. They named the 7 and ½ acres farm after...
Read MoreEmotional Instability
Emotional Instability and other health problems are caused by a combination of environmental factors: for example the increasing exposure to Electro-Magnetic-Fields (EMF)- industrialized diets – toxins – the microbial world – Votile Organic Compounds (VOC) – bacteria that are around us. The result is an inability of the cells to communicate properly, causing an imbalance in brain and body. Dr. Mercola in a conversation with Dr. Suruchi Chandra said science has found out cells are signalling then to each other that they are in danger and when the cells do not feel safe they...
Read MoreOn The Garden Path
The Season for Winter Squash. We know fall has arrived when piles of colourful squash start gathering at the roadside stands. Last year I enjoyed spectacular display at McNabs Farm, where Farmer McNab told me he was growing 100 different varieties of squash, 50 of which were pumpkins, and that he had shopped the world for the seeds. I was quite amazed to discover them sold out by end of the growing season – Canadians sure love their squash! We grew a good selection of winter squash on the farm this year – butternuts and buttercups, spaghetti and acorn, red kuri, Turk’s turban,...
Read MoreBC Seniors Advocate releases results of landmark home support survey.
Isobel Mackenzie, Seniors Advocate for BC, released a report today highlighting results of BC’s first ever province-wide survey of home support clients and their family members. “We have heard the collective voice of almost 10,000 seniors and their family members on how they rate the quality and effectiveness of our provincial home support program,” said Mackenzie. “There was some good news in the results, as well as clear messages about where there are opportunities for improvements,” Mackenzie added. Survey results show that, overall, clients are satisfied with the quality of...
Read MoreSeniors 101’s Helpline
Our sister site Seniors 101 has stood the test of time. It began in 2004 as basically an add on to my private home care business. My husband Roy noticed that I spent a great deal of my time answering basic questions about what products and services were available for seniors on Vancouver Island and wondered what could be done to get that information in one place that could be available to everyone. At that time web sites were still a new and for us an unknown entity. After much heading scratching and research we decided to give it a try and that was the birth of Seniors 101. When we look back...
Read MoreWhat is Past Life Regression?
Past life regression is a therapeutic technique for accessing and re-experiencing your past lives directly. A branch of hypnotherapy, past life regression therapy has grown over the last 50 years to be an important addition to the alternative healing arts as well as to mainstream psychology and psychiatry. Some people try past life regression out of curiosity simply to see who they were in a past life. For most, it’s a path of personal growth and self-awareness. Past life regression can help you: See personal relationships in a new light Energize talents and abilities from other times...
Read MoreMeditation – Gateway to Healing
I have been meditating, in some form or another, for about 45 years and I could not imagine my life without it. I set aside at least 20 minutes in the morning and again in the evening for meditation without fail. This practice gives me distance from my thoughts – the origination of most emotions – relaxation, mental clarity, an ability to focus, and, along with regular exercise and attention to diet, my good health at age 66. What is Meditation? Meditation is a process of stilling and balancing the mind. According to one medical dictionary, it is “a practice of concentrated focus upon a...
Read MoreWhy Natural Gas?
Natural gas is better for your pocketbook. There are real benefits to using natural gas for your home heating and your appliances. With the recent drop in the price of natural gas announced by Fortic BC, natural gas continues to be the most cost effective choice now and into the future. A natural gas-fueled furnace is cheaper to run because natural gas is generally less expensive than electricity. That’s true even in British Columbia where we enjoy relatively cheap hydro-electricity. Gas units are more powerful and can heat the home more quickly than electric units. Natural gas furnaces...
Read MoreYes You Can Self-Publish.
I have people asking me all the time if they think anyone would read their memoirs. The answer is a resounding, yes! If you have led a full adventurous life, travelled a lot and friends or family are constantly telling you that you should write a book, then go for it! You might consider taking a writing course or hiring a professional copy-writer if you can’t write. A copy-writer will research content for your book, be creative and also ensure sentence structure and flow. Remember not to do your own proofreading. This is separate from copy-writing and done after the manuscript is...
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