Author: reidd

Volume 1, Issue 3

Fall 2013

What Fall Can Teach Us...

What is it about autumn that makes some of us look forward to it so much?
Well, what is there not to look forward to? It’s time for cozy cardigans, wool socks and colourful scarfs. It’s a time of beauty and a time of change. Autumn is also about letting go. While leaves are falling from the trees, it is time for new beginnings. We let go of what happened in the last year and look forward to what’s yet to come.
Fall teaches us to appreciate what we seeded during the year and to be thankful for what we have. As each colourful leaf falls down to the ground, it is a little reminder for us to be fully present in the moment and observe nature’s most magnificent splash of colours.
So get out there, go for long walks, and observe the trees, the leaves, and the beautiful autumn colours. Breathe in deeply and while you exhale, let go of all your tensions from the past year, for you are making room for the new.

EEFHT QUARTERLY

Northern

Happy Autumn, may it be a magical one!

Inside this issue:

Flu Season is Coming	2
The Act of Kindness and Its Positive / Health Benefits	2
Fall Recipe	3
October is Breast Cancer Month	3
Upcoming Workshops	3
Upcoming Workshops continued..	4

Flu Season is Coming

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a serious, acute respiratory illness that can lead to pneumonia. It is caused by a virus.
Immunization helps strengthen your body's natural immune response against the flu. The flu shot stimulates your immune system to build antibodies against the virus, making it stronger and ready to fight off the flu. Don’t forget to get your flu shot this year!
www.ontario.ca/flu

The Act of Kindness and Its Positive Health Benefits

Did you know… that adding more acts of kindness to your life may have tremendous health benefits?
Well, that’s right! Kind acts will not only make you feel good about yourself, your acts of kindness may improve your health and happiness. So go ahead, complement your co-worker, hold the door for the person behind you, buy your friend a tea. Numerous scientific studies have shown that the act of kindness has a positive effect , not only on mental health, but on physical health as well.
Allan Luks, former executive director of the Institute for the Advancement of Health and executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New York City, conducted a study on kindness. Luks' study concluded that a clear cause-and-effect relationship existed between helping and good health. Below are some of Luk's significant findings.
Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health, and it can decrease the effect of diseases and disorders serious and minor, psychological and physical.
A rush of euphoria, followed by a longer period of calm, after performing a kind act, often referred to as a “helper’s high,” involving physical sensations and the release of endorphins. Once “helper’s high” subsides, it is then followed by an even longer period of an increased sense of well-being.
Performing kind acts may reverses feelings of depression, provides a sense of social connection. It also reduces feelings of hostility and isolation that can cause such conditions as stress, overeating, and ulcers. For some, the reduction in stress may decrease the constriction within the lungs that leads to asthma attacks.
A decrease in both the intensity and the awareness of physical pain can occur.
A decreased incidence of negative attitudes, such as chronic hostility.
An enhanced sense of self-worth, greater happiness, and optimism, as well as a reduction in feelings of helplessness and depression, can be achieved.
The sense of an “affiliative connection” that occurs when helping leads to positive emotions that can strengthen the immune system.
http://www.taskforceforhumanity.org/kindness-and-health.html
Join thousands of others in a transformative 21-Day Kindness Challenge starting September 11th. Grow and learn through your own experience by inviting kindness into your life. Watch as the ripples spread around you, to friends, family, and even strangers ultimately creating a better world one kind act at a time.

Why not start today? Visit: http://www.kindspring.org/

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EEFHT QUARTERLY

Thai sweet potato bisque with parmesan crostini
Prep time: 15 min | Cook time: 50 min | Makes: 10 servings

Ingredients
Thai sweet potato bisque:
1 tbsp (15 mL) canola oil
1 cup (250 mL) chopped yellow onion
2 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
1 to 1 1/2 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) fresh ginger root, finely chopped
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch (5-cm) pieces
1 small chile pepper or jalapeño, chopped
4 cups (1L) sodium reduced vegetable broth
1/2 cup (125 mL) light coconut milk
2 tbsp (25 mL) fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp (2 mL) curry powder
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground red pepper
14 oz (400 g) extra firm tofu, cubed
1/4 cup (50 mL) cilantro, chopped

Parmesan whole-wheat crostini:
1 1/2 tbsp (22 mL) canola oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
10 slices fresh, crusty whole-wheat bread or
baguette
2 tbsp (25 mL) Parmesan cheese

Directions
Thai sweet potato bisque:
In large stockpot, heat canola oil over high heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger and sauté 2-3 minutes. Add sweet potatoes, carrots, chile pepper and vegetable broth and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer until vegetables are tender (35-40 minutes), stirring occasionally.
Allow to cool slightly. Transfer to blender in batches, and purée until smooth. Return to stockpot and add coconut milk, lime juice, curry powder and red pepper; stir well to blend.
Add tofu and cook another 10 minutes over medium heat, gently stirring once or twice.
Garnish soup with cilantro and serve with Parmesan whole-wheat crostini.
Parmesan whole-wheat crostini:
In small bowl, combine canola oil and garlic. Brush bread slices equally with mixture.
Sprinkle equally with Parmesan cheese and broil 3 to 5 minutes until toasted.
Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation Heart-Healthy Recipes-Recipe and photo provided by CanolaInfo.org ©
http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=ikIQLcMWJtE&b=7468273&ct=1324487
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Volume 1, Issue 3

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October is Breast Cancer Month! Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.
When breast cancer is detected and treated early, the chances of successful treatment are better. Screening tests help find breast cancer before any symptoms may develop. While not all breast cancers are preventable, there are things you can do to reduce your risk:
Get screened
Eat a healthy diet
Be physically active
* Women between 50-59 should have a mammogram every 2 years or as recommended by your health care provider.

Limit alcohol
Avoid tobacco
Maintain a healthy weight

www.cancer.ca

Upcoming Workshops

COPD Education Series Course
COPD patients are provided with monitoring, education, and self-management tools. The education includes disease self management, nutrition awareness and monitoring, education with specific exercises to reduce the work of breathing and more.
Starts Wednesday October 16th, 2013 at 1:30pm
Each class is 2 hours every Wednesday (with a 10 minute break)
A 30 minute discussion period will be included in the last half hour of class
No referral is required.
Course enrollment & materials are included.
Consistent attendance is required to remain in the course.
Limited enrollment (Maximum of 12 participants).
Deadline to register s September 30, 2013
All participants should have a diagnosis of COPD or other related lung diagnosis
2-3 topics will be covered each week.
For more information or to register, please call Marie-Anne to register at 705-235-6939.

Upcoming Workshops