Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. In this lively and compelling account of that year, Rubin carves out her place alongside the authors of bestselling memoirs such as Julie and Julia and Eat, Pray, Love.

With humour and insight, she chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Written with charm and wit, The Happiness Project is illuminating yet entertaining, thought-provoking yet compulsively readable.

Gretchen Rubin’s passion for her subject jumps off the page, and reading just a few chapters of this book will inspire you to start your own happiness project.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp Olive oil

1 tsp garlic, minced

pinch of Hing (if you have it)

2 tsp fresh ginger, minced

½ cup celery, finely chopped

½ cup carrots, finely chopped

1 cup spinach or any leafy greens

2/3 cup red lentils

6 cups water or vegetable broth (if using water add 2tsp vegetable Bouillon powder)

2 cloves

3 whole peppercorns

1 cinnamon stick

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Squeeze of Lemon or lime

Directions:

In a large pot on medium-high, heat oil. Add garlic, and ginger and sauté for 1 minute. Add celery and carrots and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add lentils, water, and all other ingredients except salt, pepper and cilantro and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover with lid, and cook for 20-25 minutes, until lentils are soft. In the last 5 mins add the leafy greens. Removed cinnamon stick and peppercorns. Add salt and pepper to taste, garnish with cilantro and lemon if you wish, and serve.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Submitted By: Kalee Mund, Ayurvedic Practitioner

Ask a dozen people or more what “wellness” means to them and you will get as many different answers related to alternative therapies, natural medicines, fitness, nutrition, and even spirituality. For Rick Thiessen, ‘wellness’ means all of these in addition to no small amount of pride in being behind one of the most successful health and wellness expos in Canada for the last twenty years. This annual consumer show features approximately 100 companies with thousands of products and services that are designed to promote a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle as well as enhance or improve a person’s quality of life.

The Wellness Expo is all about choice: treatments, products and more. People should have a choice but they don’t even know what’s out there. Unfortunately when consumers are looking for answers, it’s usually under duress. As a visitor to this event, the Wellness Expo offers people to try products and services in a safe and less costly environment.

The 21 annual Winnipeg Wellness Expo comes to the RBC Convention Centre, February 20 – 22, 2015. Admission is $10 for an all-day pass that includes access to the trade show, displays and demonstrations as well as all of our seminars.

For full program details, see wellnessexpo.com

Actually, it is Tooth month here at the Animal Hospital of Manitoba and we are having a pet dental special. If your cat or dog has bad breath, it could be time for a professional dental cleaning. Bad breath can be a sign of anything from gum disease to organ damage.

The same bacteria that can destroy your pet’s teeth can also enter the blood stream and damage internal organs. Bleeding gums and broken or rotten teeth can affect your pet’s appetite and behaviour. Keep your furry friend happy and healthy have a dental check done today!