Lightening The Plastic Burden

more than a hundred percent), of plastic that the rest of it, (eightysix percent in Canada), still ends up in landfills or incinerators. The problem is not limited to plastic,of course, but that particular material is unique in terms of its pervasiveness, its inability to be reused, and its permanence. So what are we to do? Much of the answer lies within making choices about what we purchase in the first place, rather than what we do with the remnants of packaging after the fact. The

Lightening The recycle”, and it is not in random order. If one

Plastic Burden wanted to expand on it, it would read: “Reduce Gina Malkin has worked in the what you buy, reuse what you already have, and recycle Natural Health field whatever is left over”. It for 10 years and is sounds so simple, but life is currently working busy, and manufacturers don’t at Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery. make it easy. It takes planning and commitment to make

The discovery of plastic, change happen. saying is “reduce, reuse, years ago now, changed the Products do exist to world. It was revolutionary. It help in the fight against made life easier, safer, more single use wastefulness. hygienic, more convenient... Environmentally conscious the benefits were immense. stores such as Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery, in Duncan, are a Fast forward a hundred good place to start. Glass or years-many of the benefits metal straws, (such as those remain, but our planet is made by Enviro), reusable drowning. We have taken the lunch bags, (lunchskins), disposable aspect of plastic beeswax cloth food wrap, to new heights, or depths. (Evercoast Handmade), Single use water bottles. Food sheep’s wool dryer balls, wrap, disposable everything, (Moss Creek Wool Works), packaging for days, it just and the list goes on . Food does not stop. And despite our can be purchased in bulk, best efforts, in the home, in and packaged in repurposed the community, nation-wide, containers brought from despite all of the programs home. Even drinks like and appeals to our sense Kombucha are available on of personal responsibility, tap from forward-thinking some very sobering statistics companies like Cultured remain. Kombucha,where a one-time The truth is, only a very be refilled an infinite number small percentage, (nine of times, with zero waste. purchase of a glass bottle can we recycle can actually be Luckily, there are many repurposed. The majority of dedicated and innovative

Come in and see all the great new products available to help you maintain a healthy and sustainable household.

250-748-4421 4-180 Central Rd, Duncan - Village Green Mall www.lynnsvitamingallery.ca

people coming up with solutions to the overpackaging and waste issues that threaten our planet. All the consumer needs to do is keep eyes and mind open, do some research, and, step by

step, attempt to create a better future for the planet we call home.

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Come see all the beautiful books, cards, toys, games, silks, candles and lovely wooden birthday rings we carry in our store to help make those birthdays into special celebrations. Something for everyone!

Children’s birthdays are a time of reflection to look back over the last year, and remember the day they arrived in the world. The Waldorf tradition is to tell the birthday story - the tale of a little soul who crossed the rainbow bridge, came to earth, found a loving family and became the birthday boy or girl. The birthday story has been told for generations and holds a unique place in the hearts and memories of thousands of families. Through the Rainbow is a faithful and inspiring retelling of the most well known version of the story by parenting coach and Wal-dorf parent Lou Harvey-Zahra, and is accompanied by soft, ethereal il-lustrations by Waldorf artist and teacher Sara Parrilli. This beautiful pic-ture book can become part of a family’s traditions, read every year to celebrate a child’s special day. Through the Rainbow can be personal-ised, making it unique for each birthday child.

Packed with recipes, stories, songs and games, and ideas for cards, decorations, and presents, The Birthday Book is spiced with quotations from famous birthday celebrants and amusing historical anecdotes.

The Grimm’s birthday rings are a wonderful birthday tradition where the parents can light a candle for each year for the birthday child, sharing a special memory of that year (starting with the birth story). Choose from a wide range of beautiful rings and ornaments.

Editorial by Ian Locke

As a most peculiar summer draws to a close, there is a question undoubtedly on the minds of all parents of school aged children. What will this school year actually look like? Though the province has released its official 5 stage plan, many would agree that it does not fully answer the question at hand as this is our first go at something of this widespread nature requiring changes this colossal, this quickly.

With those changes happening so quickly, the focus has largely been upon the resumption of an academic curriculum, and rightly so, as students have already missed a huge section of their studies in 2020. However, many parents and students have been left in limbo about the status of extra curricular activities like sports and various arts programs

which can be a vital part of the educational experience. Fortunately, for those in the Duncan area worried about either academic or extracurricular activities in the up 20/21 school year, there are options:

Exposure to, and engagement in the creative arts is a vital part of a well rounded education. This is something that the enthusiastic team at Warmland Dance are passionate about. Through their day programs, students can engage in a wide variety of BC accredited programs that will provide credits towards their high school diploma covering

various forms of dance and musical theatre in addition to visual arts like photography and filmmaking. Classes within the curriculum go beyond just the performance and into the history, science and philosophies of the art forms. Warmland Dance is much more than just a dance school for more information go to: warmlanddance.ca

With band classes returning in a heavily modified state if at all and school drama productions likely put on hold, why not look to some affordable private options like Forte School Of Music. Music has long been shown to

have numerous benefits for young learners and in some cases a side effect of pop-stardom.

Forte School Of Music on Station St. in downtown Duncan will be offering in person and online lessons to students in the disciplines of Voice, Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, Theory and Composing. Lessons are still being held in person, at a safe distance of course, but instructors have opened up a limited amount of online sessions for piano and singing.

It’s never too late to welcome the gift of music into your life. Inquire today by going to forteschoolofmusic.ca.

The word “literacy” is often exclusively associated with reading and writing skills,

however, it can cover a much broader range of topics. Literacy Now Cowichan is an organization offering multiple forms of literacy education since 2007.

The qualified staff and tutors at Literacy Now Cowichan offer lessons in English, numeracy (day to day math skills or upgrading), financial literacy and most interestingly digital literacy. In today’s world, interfacing with computers, tablets and smartphones is nearly unavoidable in our daily lives, so why not get up to 6 free lessons on the basics.

There is no shame in wanting to improve your skills and understanding in any of these areas, and with the recent switch to online tutoring. it’s never been easier. Contact Literacy

DowntownDuncan shopcardinoshoes.com

Now and start the process of removing those unwanted frustrations in your life, they even offer valuable job skills training to prepare you for interviews or entering a trades program. Find out more at literacynowcowichan.ca

Chantel from Resthouse enjoys researching and sharing sleep tips

For as long as I can remember I have battled with chronic back pain as a result of scoliosis (a sideways curvature in the spine). Until recently, it was a fight I felt I was losing. The pain was disrupting my day to day activities, as well as preventing me from getting a good night’s sleep. I struggled to fall asleep, and when I finally dozed off, I found myself constantly waking up from the pain. I was a familiar face to chiropractors, doctors, and specialists of all kinds. None of their recommendations gave me any long term relief and so I was back to square one again, searching for a new fix.

Earlier this year, I was introduced to a wool body pillow. Sleeping with one has been a game changer. Not only has it improved my sleep quality, but it has also effectively relieved my ongoing back pain. Who would have thought that between all of the healing therapies, my body

pillow would have the most positive, consistent effect on my pain levels.

So what is a body pillow all about?

A body pillow fits between the knees, runs the length of the torso and is cradled between the arms, supporting the entire body to keep us correctly aligned. Most people sleep on their side, either predominantly or at some point during the night. Without a body pillow, when we fall asleep or turn onto our side during the night, our hips fall forward, causing our spine to twist and our shoulders to collapse.

The result is a very uncomfortable position that completely throws off our alignment.

Whether you’re seeking relief from pain such as I was or just finding yourself tossing and turning all night, a body pillow can provide you with the extra support you need to get a good night of rest. Let’s go over a few other advantages of sleeping with a body pillow…

• Prevents the upper body from collapsing and twisting as gravity pulls it down. Distributes weight evenly to improve blood circulation. Relieves muscular tension which helps you get to sleep faster.

• Improves positioning and reduces pressure on the lower back, spine, shoulders and hips.

• Allows the spine to fully relax, minimizing the need to shift positions to find comfort. Can help to ease snoring by keeping you from turning onto your back. Since the spine supports our body all day, giving it relief at night is very important. Whether you suffer from chronic pain, are recovering from an injury or surgery, or just want to improve the quality of your sleep, a body pillow is a reliable and affordable sleep aid. Since I did not qualify for surgery (the degree of my curvature was not considered serious enough to operate), I am grateful to have been able to find a simple yet powerful tool to help me manage my pain. It would have been wonderful to know about it sooner...but I am sure glad I know now.

Resthouse Sleep Solutions 126 Station St, Duncan Street, Downtown Duncan 250-597-7378

Submitted by Kathie Tenold

What is Forest Bathing? Here is what the Canadian Wildlife Federation has to say:

“Think you’re just breathing in a little fresh air on your weekend hike? Think again. You’re forest bathing. Shinrinyoku, its formal title, is a concept that Japan adopted in 1982. Shinrin-yoku has shown to significantly improve people’s health. Forest bathing, in its essence, means taking in the forest atmosphere, to bathe one’s mind and soul with the forest.

It turns out that heading out to the woods can really make an impact on your health. According to a variety of scientific studies, forest bathing can lower your blood pressure and pulse rate, reduce your cortisol levels (those nasty stress hormones), keep depression at bay, boost your energy levels, and kick your anger to the curb. But don’t replace a proper hike in the woods with a little jaunt around the office. The two won’t produce the same effects. One study compared the cortisol levels in people after walking in a forest compared with those in an urban scene and found that those who walked among the trees had lower levels of stress hormones.

So how long do you have to walk amid nature to reap the benefits? It turns out as little as 40 minutes of walking in a forest will result in improved mood and feelings of vigor. If you want to experience the full-blown benefits, consider spending some time walking in a forest setting every day.”

Here on Vancouver Island we are living in a Forest Bathing paradise! The Cowichan Lake Trail that runs right though Duncan to Cowichan Lake is a great accessible trail for enjoying our beautiful forests.

For more information on Forest bathing, check out these new or used books brought into our store:

• Forest Bathing, A start here guide for beginners) by Cyndi Gilbert

• Forest Bathing: how trees can help you find health and happiness, by Dr. Qing Li

Imagine That! Artisans’ Designs 251 Craig St., Downtown Duncan imaginethatartisans.com I 250-748-6776

TEN OLD BOOKS Always something for everyone Great Selection of Used & New Books • Bestsellers & Award

Winners • Classic Novels & Timeless Favourites • BC & Canadian Authors

Plus Local Cards • Crafts • Children’s Books • Jewelry • Unique Gift Ideas and More! 102-330 Duncan St 250 -715-1383

Find us inside the historic Duncan Garage

• Forest Bathing Retreat, find wholeness in the company of trees, by Hannah Fries

• The Japanese Art of Shinrin Yoku, forest bathing, by Yoshifumi Miyazaki

• Wild Calm, finding mindfulness in forest bathing, by Joan Vorderbruggen

And…don’t forget to take a good hiking trail guide!

We always have stock maps and copies of the best hiking trail guides for our area:

• Hiking trails 2 , South Central Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

• Popular Day Hikes Vancouver Island

• Vancouver Island BC Backroad Mapbook

Ten Old Books 330 Duncan Street, Downtown Duncan 250 715-1383