Seniors Care Falling Behind.
The BC Seniors Advocate holds an important role in supporting our province’s seniors and through close communication with seniors and key stakeholders in BC senior care/supports, compiling information, making recommendations, and initiating action on key items. Just this month the Seniors Advocate for BC, Isobel Mackenzie, released her annual report which detailed the current state of senior care and seniors housing in BC, amongst other important issues facing seniors in BC as well. Out of interest, some of the key highlights from the report are summarized below….see if you can spot...
Read MoreMindfulness:
Mindfulness generally refers to the ‘practice and capacity of being fully engaged in this moment without any judgment of what is present, either in consciousness or in form’. There are also many mindful practices which stem from Buddhism, including compassion, generosity and reverence for life. Being mindful, or present, is a starting point to becoming more self- aware. Most people tend to carry on with their daily activities without much awareness of what is going on in their thoughts and emotions. Thoughts are very powerful and unchecked, can lead to anxiety and depression. ...
Read MoreThe very concept of self policing by organisations of any sort will never be acceptable to the general public.
The authority to do so renders the outcome suspect, self-serving and meaningless. All oversight mechanisms must be conducted be a 3rd party. No-one should be exempt from this, not politicians, licensing authorities, law enforcement, the military, labour or professionals organisations. The Mount Polley disaster is a prime example of what can happen without oversight and legal liabilities. We must learn from examples like this, especially with projects like the Site C dam, and John Hart expansion project here on the island, currently under construction. Click the link below to see...
Read MoreIt’s Outdoor Music Time on The Island.
We are now in the full swing with outdoor music concerts on the island. What is your favourite?
Read MoreTrying on a decision
In my last post, we talked about intuition, where it comes from and why it’s a useful tool to develop. If you missed the last edition, click on “All posts by Erin Lee” below. One of the most valuable ways we can use our intuition is in decision making, and I’d like to share one of my favourite exercises, “Trying on a Decision”. Trying on a Decision is kind of like shopping for jeans. Most of us don’t take a pair of jeans off of the rack, look at them and say, “yup, these will look good!”. No! We take several pairs of jeans into the change room and try them on. Have...
Read MoreArtisans of Gabriola
In the clearest, broadest sense, Arts Gabriola “A creative, engaged, and inclusive community sustaining Gabriola’s vibrant island culture, oversees the importance of arts in community and individual development—both social and economic”. When I was scanning the scape looking for gifts for buyers and sellers of real estate properties here on Gabriola, I discovered right before my very eyes, Allana Thorne, creator of The Thorne Crate Co. Established in 2012 as a start-up she focuses on quality Gabriola-made juicy items stuffed into nifty baskets, all wrapped up spiffy so you can see...
Read MoreFind “Hidden” Money
Investing regularly is important. If you’re going to achieve your retirement and other financial goals, you should consistently contribute to your registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs), tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs) and non-registered investments. “Paying yourself first” through monthly contributions is an excellent strategy to build an investment portfolio. If you’re like most Canadians, however, you are not sure where to look to find the extra money needed to invest. There is a way – in fact, there are four good ways to perhaps uncover “hidden” money you already...
Read More“Dear Little Buttercup”
With a quote from Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore many a gardener could well agree: “I’m called Little Buttercup – dear little buttercup, though I never could tell why”. It’s that word ‘dear’, likely the very last adjective to come to mind as on hands and knees, we try to extract, eradicate, and remove forever the creeping scourge of Ranunculus repens. Although the buttercup has its tame and cultivated cousins, it’s the one that fills our spring fields and garden beds that earns the title of an aggressive major weed. A favourite walk down the back lane where I can...
Read MoreFresh from the Cowichan Valley!
The 8 ½ Acres Farm is located just North of the Highway 18, this family farm has it all. Mike Shelten and Talyn Martin grow various seasonal fruits and vegetables all year long. Among their usual products you may find garlic scapes, greens and beans, berries, herbs and many more! Although farming isn’t an easy job and working in this line of business means constantly facing new and unpredictable challenges, adapting to fluctuating weather conditions, and working long hours, these charming farmers enjoy the lifestyle farming offers. The fact that they are able to spend their days...
Read MoreWatch Out – Killing Pets with Painkillers
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) This one reliably kills cats. For some reason, I’ve had some clients give their cats this medication to help bring down fevers. The problem is that this drug causes liver damage and methemoglobinemia (damage to the red blood cells). A single tablet given to a cat can cause death within forty eight hours. For dogs, it can be used, but overdosing is an issue. A regular strength tablet (325 mg) can seriously harm a 14 pound dog. Intensive treatment and specialized medications are required to counteract the toxic effects of this drug. Ibuprofen (Advil) The number one...
Read MoreWEAR PURPLE on June 15th, for “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day”
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. In addition, WEAAD is in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action acknowledging the significance of elder abuse...
Read MoreObesity – Why it is so BAD
If your dog is 10 percent over his ideal body weight, he is overweight. If he’s more than 30 percent over his optimal weight, we call him obese. Unbelievably, obesity strikes more than 30 percent of dogs, and the incidence is rising. Obesity is partly due to ignorance – owners not making the right choices about diet and exercise for their canine friends. However, even owners that recognize their dogs are obese often do not think it is an issue. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Fat isn’t just a layer under the skin. It is in every crevice of the body. If you were to cut a fat...
Read MoreShare your good news.
Please let us know what beautiful things you are involved with that you would like to share with other island women.
Read MorePunishment Without trial
I was, and remain, outraged to learn of the additional, mental and physical hardships women prisoners are faced with on the Island because there are no holding facilities here for women. The women we are talking about here are awaiting trial, they have not been convicted of anything. They are being taken away from family, friends and any support they may have here to await trial. They are being unduly punished by the lack of facilities for women on the island caused as the result of economic cut backs by a heartless, mean spirited provincial government. This is wrong and should be rectified...
Read MoreMiso Marinated Ling Cod
I came across this fish dish working for Oceania Cruise Lines, We originally used Black Cod, it was the second course in a 5 course promotional luncheon put on for the Italian press in Venice that visited the ship while in port – Yes Cruise Lines promote their ships when ever possible. I really liked it because of its simplicity, the Miso marinade really complements the Fish’s natural flavour. In the original it was served wrapped in a banana leaf with Sticky sushi rice as a side Miso Marinated Ling Cod & Spiced Vegetable Couscous for 4 Ingredients 900gr Fresh Ling Cod filet...
Read MorePainting parties
I have been hearing more and more about painting parties – brushes, canvas… and wine! Has anyone tried this? Best hosts/locations?
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