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A14 5 Women in Business 2016

CAPITAL NEWSC

Barry Gerding bgerding@kelownacapnews.com

Mainstream medicine does not emphasize the significance of poor nutrition as a major cause behind a wide range of health disorders. Although most people are aware of the benefits of sound nutrition, the range of conflicting information available to the consumer can often be confusing. That was the premise behind the founding of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in Ontario 21 years ago, with Kelowna being the location of the newest of the school’s 14 branches across the country, as of June 2013. Dr. Vicky Bentz, ND, had her own naturopathic medical practice in Vancouver for more than seven years, where she happened to share the same office building with the CSNN branch in that city. “We were on the same floor so I got to be friends with many of the people involved in the school and some of the students and instructors were my patients,” Bentz recalled. After her daughter was born four years ago, Bentz began thinking about what she could do to help empower more people to improve their own health

through prevention of illness, to be educated in such things as holistic nutrition rather than relying on symptom relief and prescription medication. “Naturopathic physicians in B.C. are the first ones in Canada to have pharmaceutical prescriptive authority and there are times when taking prescription medication is necessary,” she noted. “As a naturopathic doctor, I have seen firsthand how nutrition can affect your mind, body and soul. What we eat is the cornerstone to our performance, health and well-being. Bentz said she was passing on information to my patients about healthy alternative lifestyle options such as nutrition as part of her role as a naturopath. “But I felt it was not enough as they felt overwhelmed at home and needed more help with implementing these important changes in their lives. I wanted to do something more to help people adapt to a more nutritional healthy lifestyle.” Bentz got the idea to start up her own branch of CSNN, and looking for a move out of the Lower Mainland, saw an opportunity to establish a school in Kelowna, familiar

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School offers holistic approach to nutrition

Dr. Vicky Bentz is a naturopathic physician who started up the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition branch in Kelowna in 2013. with the area since her daughter’s grandparents live in Lake Country. So she moved to Kelowna, opened her own naturopathic medical practice, and opened the school in 2013 to a favourable response. “I wanted to do something with a bigger

Linda Szerepi I started creating Dare to Dream 19 years ago. The idea was to do something that I love while helping people improve their life by supplying products and services that are especially for them. We carry something for everyone, including jewellery, crystals, new age and self-help books, CDs and DVDs, Feng Shui and Colour Energy products, incense, oils, salt lamps, singing bowls and unique gifts. Services we offer are: Reiki and Shamanic Healing, Massage, Foot Reflexology and Counselling, Aura, Chakra and Psychic/ Spiritual Readings. One on one classes are available in Reiki and Shamanic Healing and Personal Development programs. I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know those of you who have come into the store over the years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my customers for supporting me and allowing me to help you or to introduce you to the world of Dare to Dream. I welcome others to come and experience all that we have to offer. Come in to relax, learn, grow spiritually and heal physically, emotionally and mentally.

O DREA RE T M A D Body, Mind & Spirit Centre

#33-2070 Harvey Avenue | 250-712-9295 www.daretodreamkelowna.com

purpose and I saw the nutrition school as an awesome opportunity to do that,” she said. “And the response was amazing. We had 24 students register, which is the highest any of the school branches had experienced right off the bat. People have been very

responsive to what we have to offer. We had 75 students enrolled at one point. “We have grown very fast so I had to cut back on my time with my naturopathy practice so I could devote more time to the students and the school.” She was also surprised that people were coming to Kelowna to take classes from outside the Okanagan, including from Calgary, Edmonton, Nanaimo, even Ottawa. “Those places have CSNN branches in their own communities but they wanted to take the classes here in Kelowna. It just showed me how strong a draw Kelowna is that we were able to draw people from a variety of other communities,” Bentz said. “Because of that, we are looking to start a summer program here, as our program registration is currently in the fall and spring.” CSNN was the first school in Canada to offer classroom studies in holistic nutrition, both in classroom and online settings, in a one-year program. The natural nutrition program consists of 17 courses, covering natural nutrition relevant to each stage of life, as well as sciences, research and

fundamentals of business. As a graduate holistic nutritionist, it provides the opportunity for people to educate others about the benefits and health impact of optimal whole foods nutrition. Guest instructors are brought in to teach courses in their areas of professional expertise. “The school is giving an option to people with a passion for nutrition and healthy living on how to use that knowledge to help other people and to help themselves make a business or career opportunity from that passion. It gives people hope in that sense and I want to be a part of helping make that happen.” The philosophy behind holistic nutrition is making a mind-body connection to lead a balanced, healthy nutritional lifestyle, understanding that what we eat is directly related to our personal state of health, both mentally and physically. “As Holistic nutritionists, we want to help people create their own environment of responsibility for self empowerment when it comes to nutrition choices, having the knowledge to be able to take better care of themselves. Knowledge is power,” Bentz said.

Christy Rebagliati Born To Birth was inspired by Christy Rebagliati (formerly Phillips), whose gift to the Okanagan was to bring a very special childbirth education program to Kelowna in 2010. For 6 years now Born To Birth has been providing hundreds of expectant parents something better: HypnoBirthing® - the Gold-star prenatal education class that works so well by eliminating Fear-Tension-Pain syndrome, teaching ultra-depth relaxation, and empowering parents to take control, for a safe, calm, and more comfortable experience! What’s unique about HypnoBirthing and Christy’s other services is the focus: Helping individuals achieve their goals by focusing on what they want, rather than what they don’t want, offering a unique philosophy and effective techniques that go beyond birthing to inspire confidence in achieving other goals and a more satisfying and joyful life. A “Twice-HypnoBirther” herself, Christy brings passion, incredible insight and enthusiasm (and humour!) to every class at the Lovin Livin Centre, an inspiring sanctuary above the Marmalade Cat Café on Pandosy St. “Thank you dear midwives, doctors, nurses, plus all the chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopathic doctors and all other “moms and dads” who fill my classes from Kelowna to Revelstoke. Your referrals and continued support are very much appreciated!” HypnoBirthing®, HypnoMothering™, Fertility Support, Breastfeeding Support and More!