Most of us take for granted the community that surrounds us. We have family, friends, co-workers, neighbours – people who help us celebrate life’s milestones, look out for us, and connect us to the broader life of our community. These circles of belonging are essential to our quality of life and studies show that they strongly affect our mental and physical wellbeing. But what if your circumstances exclude you from the life of your community?

Having a developmental disability can do just that and the folks at L’Arche Comox Valley are passionate about creating community that includes everyone – with and without developmental disabilities. The I Belong! Campaign is about creating a space where that can happen. Our goal is the construction of a Centre for belonging that also includes residences for those able to live independently.

Join us – support us!

www.ibelong.ca

Humans have heart, soul and spirit. So do plants. If we neglect or damage our environment, we damage ourselves. Plants have healing properties whether used in Chinese Medicine or standing alone in a garden setting or forest. Spirit is all encompassing, as rocks, trees, water, plants and humans are all the same energy and we share our conscious intelligence, contributing to our spiritual enlightenment.

Loss of connection with Nature can result in low spiritual energy, leading to disease, depression and a sense of loss of who we are. It is of vital importance to strike a relationship with Nature. Plants do communicate with us, they love to be touched and they want our attention. Observe their texture, smell, taste and listen for their sound. Spend time with them, talk to them, caress their leaves and bring them gifts. Individuals and communities can be healed by incorporating plants into their lives.

Gord Weber, Spirit Gardens
www.spiritgardens.ca

Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health by Robert O. Young, PhD, and Shelley Redford Young.

Never count calories, fat grams, or portion size again! Your body’s pH balance is the key to optimal health, weight, mental clarity, and overall vigor. Strike the right balance by nourishing your body with certain foods to create an alkaline environment, and say good-bye to low energy, poor digestion, extra pounds, aches and pains, and disease. This innovative program, proven effective over decades, works with your body’s chemistry to revitalize and maintain your health. Now completely revised, updated, and expanded, this classic guide includes the latest research and reveals the secrets of an alkaline-based diet (think plant-based, non-processed whole foods). Learn about how to remove toxins and balance your life with the incredible health benefits of this program.

This is one of my favourite desserts. It’s also very quick (10 minutes!) and easy to prepare. I always have some pecans and raisins in the fridge in case I want to make a pie.

Quantity: 9” x 9” plate = 9 slices (3″ x 3″)

Ingredients:

3 cups pecans or walnuts (not soaked)
1 1/2 cups raisins
zest from 1 lemon + 2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 medium bananas

Directions:

Process nuts in food processor until small bits. Add raisins to nuts in food processor and process until the mixture starts to clump together. Gently distribute mixture on a 9”x9” plate, then press firmly to form crust. Grate lemon zest on top of crust. Juice lemon into a bowl. Slice bananas 1/4″ – 1/2″ thick and put into lemon juice; stir gently to coat bananas with juice. Spread banana slices/lemon juice on crust.

Optional:

Decorate with poppy seeds, blueberries, raspberries, slices of colourful fruit, or sprigs of mint.

Submitted by RAWthentic Eatery
www.veganrawfoodrestaurant.com

Stability Rocker Sole Shoes are designed to incorporate the principle of creating instability. The increased muscle activity required to overcome that instability can lead to improved core muscle strength, posture and toned leg muscles. Caution must be used however, as this instability can lead to increased risk of injury. While walking on a smooth flat surface, the heel rocker is effective in reducing the force of impact on the heels and thus may be beneficial to individuals with heel and midfoot pain.

The toe rocker reduces the forces involved in the push-off phase of walking and may be of benefit to those experiencing forefoot pain or a fused big toe. However, if you have balance problems, weak or unstable ankles, excessively pronate or supinate, or you have knee, hip or back problems, these issues may be aggravated by wearing these shoes and you may want to consult a professional foot expert first.

B.D. Mitchell Prosthetic & Orthotic Services Ltd.
www.mitchellpando.com

Those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder experience certain smells as one of the triggers they subsequently deal with and hopefully avoid, or learn to reprogram their unwelcome reactions to. This can be a challenge without treatments like hypnotherapy, and depending on the circumstance this can feel like an unreasonable request. This is useful information however, because we can then also understand how specific aromas from Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils can alternately induce a soothing, pleasurable and healing emotional and physiological response.

The limbic lobe is known to be our primal brain and emotional control center. This is the part of our brain that takes control when subjected to any significant threat or trauma. Did you know the only one of our five primary senses that links to the limbic system (via the olfactory bulb) is the sense of smell?

Nelson Meggitt, Optimum Wellness Factor
www.optimumwellnessfactor.ca