Experience Tri-Cities Winter 2019

T R I -C IT I E S C O MMU NIT Y LI FEST YL E M AG AZIN E WINTER 2019/20 F R EE

is recycling really the answer?

RECOGNIZING AND MINIMIZING OUR CONSUMPTION

Winter 2019/20 | Volume 1 | Number 4 PUBLISHER

Laurel Publications

EDITOR/ ART DIRECTOR

Laurel Ettinger

SALES MANAGER

Judith Lucas

GENERAL MANAGER

Alex Whittaker

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jeff Andrews Terry Guscott

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alex

Conscious gifts, thoughtful actions and new friendships

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t is with great excitement and anticipation that we announce a new member to the XTC family! Judith Lucas is firmly ensconced in the local business community and has been fortunate to call the TriCities home for many years. Her tenacity and determination makes her a driving force in all her endeavors. Her time at the local Chamber of Commerce makes Judith a perfect fit for XTC. We are looking forward to her grit and vision for our publication as she spreads her creative wings. It is easy to practice gratitude when you have someone like this gal to be grateful for. Welcome aboard, Judith!

Natalie Bruckner Daniela Hammond Sheila Hansen Dana Harvey Michelle Hopkins Laurie Jones Carly MacLean Jennifer McKinnon Hafez Panju

About this issue: Have you seen a more beautiful fall season? It was a wonderful site to behold, full of crisp sunny days, colourful trees and pumpkin-flavoured everything. We want to celebrate the transformation into winter with an issue that touches on the season of giving, of connecting with loved ones and warm-hearted celebration.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

As always, our advertisers make this publication possible. This holiday season, remember them as you purchase your thoughtful gifts. They are pleased to serve you with great gift ideas. n

ELECTRONIC IMAGING Laura Michaels TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS

Loomo Marketing Luke Taylor Jeremy Whittingstall

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– Alex Whittaker & Judith Lucas ALL INQUIRIES Alex Whittaker | 604.760.7553 alex.whittaker@experiencetricities.ca SALES Judith Lucas | 604.722.5188 judith.lucas@experiencetricities.ca Please visit our website: experiencetricities.ca

experiencetricities exptricities Published under license from Community Clicks Media Group Inc.

ALEX WHITTAKER

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The Nutcracker | Dec 17-19

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Installation view of Amalie Atkins where the hour floats, exhibition at the Art Gallery at Evergreen, 2019. Rachel Topham Photography.

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ON THE COVER

WINTER 2019/20

The Bath family shares conservation and consumption ideas. Photo: Terry Guscott

Contents

IN THE COMMUNITY

IS RECYCLING THE ANSWER?

10

Equality at work

14

Imaginative-driven play

17

A life of giving back

19

Responsible holiday shopping

FOOD & CULTURE

6

Tips on minimizing our footprint and consumption

22

“Un-fast” foods

26

Virtuous vegans

29

Olive oil and their respective hemispheres and harvest dates

HOME & FAMILY

34

Greater Heights Learning Academy

37

Preparation and perseverance

38

Life at home with the Gamar’s

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Hide and seek

32

Discovering the hidden arts in the Tri-Cities

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43

Winter skin help!

45

Is weight gain a sign of hormonal imbalance?

47 Winter workout motivations

EXPERIENCE TRI-CITIES | WINTER 2019/20

5

COMMUNITY

WHAT IF RECYCLING ISN’T THE ANSWER? SHIFTING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR TO RECOGNIZE AND MINIMIZE CONSUMPTION

by Jennifer McKinnon photography by Terry Guscott

* Did you know: Ac cording to 500 conservingnow.com an estimated s are billion to one trillion plastic bag hat T consumed worldwide, eac h year? minute. comes out to over one million per

A

recent study from Deloitte for Environment and Climate Change Canada shows only 9% of the 3.2 million tonnes of plastic waste generated each year in Canada is recycled.

As much as 2.8 million tonnes – the weight of 24 CN towers – ends up in Canada. Andrea Bath, wife, mother and social advocate, is doing her part to create awareness on the insignificance of our local recycling programs. “Earlier this year the city sent out these cards for recycling that told you how to sort your garbage,” Bath explains. “I was like holy crap I’ve been doing this wrong the whole time!”. Bath went on to describe the disheartening experience her first time bringing in her household soft plastics to the depot. “They were not even the slightest bit concerned where the plastics were distributed, he just told me to put my plastics wherever.” Bath, from that point on, was not convinced that the depots and city recycling programs were making the best decisions for the future of the world.

Bath admits she’s not a pro on the topic, “I’m learning as I go,” she acknowledges. “I am raising two kids and I teach them about water conservation when they’re having showers, we incorporate best recycling practices in our household but our main focus has shifted.”

Bath’s direction and attitude has totally changed since that fateful day at the depot. “What if we are focusing too much on recycling? What if we focus on consumption instead?”

Bath asked herself how she, and her family, could live more sustainably in their house. How they could do their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by animals, single -use plastics, etc. Bath, although not a vegetarian, does not buy and prepare meat as a rule.

We also talked about how great it would be to spread the word of “Meatless Mondays.” Much like the “Earth Hour” movement, originally organized by the World Wildlife Fund in 2007, the impact on the environment would be significant. A friend of Bath’s did some

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general research and found some staggering results. “If you and nine friends eat a vegetarian diet for one day it could reduce, on average, the following: 2800-4000 gallons of water; 45-50 pounds of grain, 80100lbs of CO2 equivalent; 225-250 square-feet of forest, 2-3 gallons of gasoline; 38k-40k pounds of animal waste and the lives of seven-and-a-half animals.” Ten people for one day. Imagine what that commitment every week could accomplish?

Bath also regularly takes her own containers to grab a muffin and her own coffee cup. You would think this seems like a simple and reasonable task, but the amount of coffee cups that pile up annually, demonstrates we still have a long way to go. According to earthday. org, 16 billion disposable coffee cups are used each year. The production of these is based on consumerism. It’s time that we all take responsibility. It’s great that you are recycling them. But are they even getting there? And if they are, do we need to consume them so they have to keep being made in mass quantities? How about if everyone reading this makes a pact, starting right now, to bring their own cup to their favourite local coffee establishment?

Turning our focus from recycling to consumption, we need to correct human behaviour. “If we look

EXPERIENCE TRI-CITIES | WINTER 2019/20

7

The contrast between then and now is that then, there was long periods of down-time between hunts. Families would take time to connect and tell stories with loved ones. This would fill that need for love and belonging. Nowadays we are inundated with access to stimulation 24/7. Because this (super stimuli) is available to us all the time we easily become addicted to it. “We are biological organisms we care more about the present than the future.”

back into our ancestry and the ways they were hunters, gatherers, providers – this would be their release, their pleasure and pride,” Bath explains, referencing “The Human Predicament Shot Course (4 part)” by Dr. Nate Hagens on Youtube. What used to look like hunter gatherer is still being replicated, only now, instead of hunting for food to take home to our families, we are working long hard hours to make money to buy food to bring home to ourselves and/or our families. Dopamine, the chemical messenger in the brain associated with wanting and our brain-reward centres, is released with the anticipation of a reward. Our ancestors would have experienced this though hunting, gathering and providing. Today we might see this as from a slice a pizza, or attentions from a high status or attractive person. We are also seeing this through “super stimuli” though video games, social media, pornography, drugs and alcohol. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between actually bagging a big animal and sitting on the couch and spearing an animal in a video game.

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So how does this effect our environment? The need to consume the biggest the best, the latest and the greatest, or even just something new – just to have something new has a HUGE ripple effect on the sustainability of our planet. People want instant gratification so industries produce items to satisfy this need. Everything we want gets clawed out of the earth. Oil, water, trees, minerals, etc. The production of (disposable) “stuff” burns huge amounts of fossil fuels. The issue we need to address is this “stuff” does not stay new for long and so our brains act on the addiction to want the next best thing. We dispose of the perfectly good “old” item in order to have the next new thing. Not only does this a) massively increases fossil fuels to produce more new things, but it, b) creates a huge amount of waste that is ending up in our oceans and landfills. So what’s the real solution? Conscious consumption. If we were to only consume new products when absolutely necessary (and when doing so, look at environmentally sustainable products), fix things that are broken, buy used or not buy unnecessary products at all, this would collectively and massively reduce our carbon footprint.

Bath hosts a Facebook page, Crystal Clear, Sustainable Solutions. This page boasts many different articles and best practices for a sustainable future.

Anything from banning straws and single use plastics; wax wrappers instead of plastic wrap, reusable grocery bags and such.

“Some other household goals, are cooking vegetarian, shopping at stores such as the Bulk Barn and bringing our own containers for deli meats or pastries,” Bath offers. “We also bring our containers for shampoo, dish soap, toothpaste and many other items to the Port Moody Refillery. I also refuse to buy produce packed in plastic for no reason,” Bath says, shaking her head, “these are things that don’t make any sense to me, and grocers really need to take more responsibility for.”

So, how do we create sustainable solutions when our DNA to wants to do the opposite? This all comes down to understanding our human behaviour and why we do what we do. “Find ways to unplug from constant stimulation, become grounded in our body and our thoughts, meeting our needs in sustainable ways and lastly, finding appreciation with all of the amazingness that we already have all around us.” Please take the time to follow Bath’s Facebook page, Crystal Clear, and consciously make an effort to improve your household’s impact on the environment. n

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COMMUNITY

Equality at work: we all still have work to do “IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED HERE, YOU’RE HAVE TO LEARN TO PLAY LIKE THE BOYS”

by Dana Harvey

I

’ll never forget this advice given to me by my first career mentor on my first job out of university. She told me to wear pantsuits with large shoulder pads (I admit, it was the era of shoulder pads!) and to brush up on my sports terminology and cursing to throw around the office. “Business is a man’s world,” she told me, and in not so many words, she counselled me to try to look like them, talk like them, and do business the way they did in order to succeed. She was successful – she had worked her way up to a senior position – so I took her word for it. But, over time, I noticed she worked so hard on being one of the guys that she actually excluded other women in the office. And when there was an opportunity for a promotion within the ranks, she promoted my male colleague over me, her mentee, even though it was clear both my ambition and my qualifications were higher.

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I was confused. Here was a woman who had broken the glass ceiling; she was proud of being a member of the male dominated leadership team; yet, it almost seemed that she was trying to keep other GOING TO women down. I thought that if we, as women wanting to succeed in business, worked together to help each other progress, we would collectively break down more and more barriers in a traditionally male world. My mentor looked at it differently. In an industry that historically didn’t have many opportunities for women to succeed or hold power, she viewed her success from a place of scarcity and saw other women as her competition.

Competition or Collaboration?

A few years later, I returned to school to complete a masters in Asian Business, and my thesis analyzed at the state of women in business leadership in Canada and in Southeast Asia. Surprisingly to me, there were more females in top leadership positions in the traditionally patriarchal Asian countries than there were here. It was a different environment, to be sure, with a majority of these women coming into their positions of power through family lines, but they were respected and admired for their capabilities.

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As I myself progressed up the corporate ladder in the male dominated tech industry, working globally for big players like IBM and Motorola and eventually starting my own communications agency in Australia, I became passionate about helping bridge the gender divide in business and mentoring other women through the lens of collaboration instead of competition.

We need to work together for equality Gender inequality still, unfortunately, exists in business in Canada, so there is still work to be done here. Women still earn only 86 cents for every dollar earned by men; we are 60% less likely than men to move from middle management to executives; and despite now outnumbering men at university, only 15% of CEOs are women. As entrepreneurs, Canadian women are less likely to start their own businesses than men (only 17% are started by women) and those who do make 58% less than their male counterparts. This is not an ideal picture for women in business, but it is also not an ideal picture for Canada’s economy as a whole. It’s estimated that if we could eliminate the gender divide with equal opportunities and equal pay, Canada’s economy could benefit by as much as $420 billion by 2026.

So, how can we, here in the Tri-Cities, make haste towards a world of equal opportunity and equal pay? I rely on the an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” We all – men and women – need to work together to help create a business world of diversity and equality. n

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BUTTER STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY

I worked for Nortel in Asia for a number of years developing markets for next generation wireless communication infrastructure in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. I got to work side-by-side with women leaders there, and the lessons they taught me were much different than what I had been learning in Canada. These women were confident in their positions and in their abilities, and they didn’t feel a need to suppress their femininity in order to demonstrate their strength to their male counterparts.

They didn’t wear pantsuits – they wore whatever they felt good in, including high heels and skirts. They spoke with quiet authority – not loudly swearing or talking ball game analogies. They embraced a collaborative work style rather than being competitive. I am grateful that many of the lessons I learned about doing business as a woman were shaped by my experiences in Asia.

The 2018 Women Influencers Awards, hosted by the Women’s Collaborative Hub.

HERE ARE 7 WAYS TO SUPPORT GENDER EQUALITY 1. Believe the facts: Start by acknowledging that there is, in fact, work to be done.

2. Be a mentor: Young women need both male and female role models in business. When you mentor a young woman, you are empowering her to BE the change we need in the world.

3. Collaborate: Join forces with other people to work towards equality. Numerous business groups – both those exclusively for women and those that welcome all genders – exist with a mission of advancing women in the workplace.

4. Support flexible work schedules: Since women are still largely responsible for childcare and housekeeping, flexible work schedules can help keep and support women in the workforce.

5. Be seen: If you are a woman in leadership, shout it out to the world so girls can see you! People won’t be what they can’t see, and a new survey examining young Canadians’ views on leadership says only 10% picture a woman when they think of a CEO. 6. Start young: Teach our younger generations they can do and be anything they want regardless of their gender. Show them examples of leaders who have gone against gender stereotypes so they can see people excelling at what they love doing – no matter who they are!

7. Treat others the way you want to be treated: The bottom line is to be a good person and to be fair. Hire and promote on merit, create equal opportunities for all genders, and support people who want to make a positive change in the world. 

EXPERIENCE TRI-CITIES | WINTER 2019/20

11

Discover. Shop. Play.

It’s more than “shop local” – it’s “shop community.”

Every purchase at a local, independentlyowned business comes back to benefit your own community.

Explore more benefits of supporting local shops and services at NewPort Village today.

The Green Moustache Organic Café Mon – Sun 9am – 6pm, Sun 9am–4pm 778.355.9282 www.greenmoustache.com portmoody@greenmoustache.com Citrus Nails Mon – Sun 10am – 7pm 778.355.4141 www.citrusnaillounge.com citrusnail@gmail.com Kast Hair Salon Sat – Tue 9:30am – 5pm, Wed – Fri 9:30am – 8pm 604.461.5278 www.kasthairsutdio.com questions@kasthairstudio.com Maritime Travel Mon – Fri 9am – 5:30pm, Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun closed 604.933.2200 www.maritimetravel.ca 123@maritimetravel.ca Royal Bank of Canada Mon – Thur 8am – 7pm, Fri 8am – 6pm, Sat 9am to 4pm, Sun closed 604.927.5683 www.rbcroyalbank.com Green Life Accupuncture Mon – Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun closed 604.492.2717 www.greenlifeclinic.com greenlifeclinic@gmial.com Adele Tairova Notary Public Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat – Sun closed 604.492.4414 www.adelenotary.com adele@adelenotary.com

MD Cosmetic Mon – Thur 9:30am – 6pm, Fri 9:30am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 4pm, Sun & holidays closed 604.461.8888 www.mdcosmetic.ca newport@mdcosmetic.ca

Newport Childcare Center Mon – Fri 7am – 6pm, Sat – Sun closed 604.492.3337 www.newportchildcarecenter.ca info@newportchildcarecenter.ca

Gallaghers Coffee Car & Café Mon – Sat 7am – 7pm, Sun 7am – 6pm 604.461.4717 ordergallaghers@gmail.com

Runners’ Den Mon – Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 9:30 – 5:30 pm, Sun – 10am – 5pm 604.461.8330 www.runnersden.ca info@runnersden.ca

Inlet Seafood Mon – Sat 10am –6:30pm, Sunday 11am–6pm 604.469.6646 www.inletseafoods.com inletseafoods@hotmail.com

The Little Butcher Mon – Sat 10am – 7pm, Sun 10am 6pm 604.469.9274 www.thelittlebutcher.ca taryn@thelittlebutcher.ca

Fresh Slice Pizza Mon – Thur, Sun 11am – 10pm, Fri – Sat 11am – 11pm 604.917.0245 https://freshslice.com 240newport@freshslice.com

Backyard Bird Centre Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 11 – 5 778.216.9645 www.backyardbird.ca randy@backyardbird.ca

Newport Liquor Mon – Sun 9am – 11pm 604.461.0400 ian.krampitz@gmail.com Browns Social House Mon 11am – 11pm, Tue – Thur 11am – 12pm, Fri 11am – 1am, Sat 10am – 1am, Sun 10am – 11pm 604.461.7676 www.brownssocialhouse.com newportvillage@brownsocialhouse. com Tea & Paper Nook Mon – Sat 10am – 6 pm, Sun 11am – 5pm 604.492.0101 www.teapapernook.com hello@teapapernook.com

Vigour Health & Wellness Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 12pm – 5pm 604.941.0082 www.vigourlifestyle.com alfred.lam@vigourlifestyle.com The UPS Store Mon – Fri 9am – 6:30, Sat 10am – 4pm, Sunday – closed Classic Cleaners 604.461.8853 Olive the Best Mon – Sat 10am–6pm 604.492.0898 www.olivethebest.ca info@olivethebest.ca

Port Moody Flowers Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 11am – 5pm 604.492.0880 www.portmoodyfowers@gmail.com portmoodyflowers@gmail.com Bone & Buiscuit Mon – Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat 9am – 6pm, Sun 9am–5pm 604.492–0221 www.theboneandbiscuit.com newport@theboneandbiscuit.com 9Round Mon – Thur 6am – 1pm / 3pm – 8pm, Fri– 6am – 1pm / 3pm – 7 pm, Sat 8am – 1pm, Sun closed 778.954.9929 www.9round.ca newportportmoodybc@9round.ca

See More Optical Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun closed 604.461.8989 seemoreoptical77@yahoo.ca

Monarch Dental & Orthodontic Centre Mon – Thur 9am – 5pm, Fri 7:45am – 3:45pm, Sat 7:45am – 1pm

The Village Toy Shop Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm 604.949.0444

Dr. Mudaffer Al-Mudaffer Inc. & Colleen Anne Nugent

Elena’s Fashions & Tailoring Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 3pm My Collection Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 12pm – 5pm 604.461.4651 www.mycollectionboutique.ca ellen.mycollection@gmail.com Dr. Ibrahim

Newport Village Barbers Mon – Fri 9am – 7pm, Sat – Sun 9am – 6pm 604.461.6678 www.newportvillagebarbershop.com newportbarbershop@gmail.com

Bellissima Mon – Sat 10am – 6:30pm, Sun 12pm – 5pm 604.461.4685 www.bellissimafashions.com pat@serenafashions.com

Cleopetra Brow Bar Mon – Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 11am – 5pm 604.461.5878 www.cleopetrabrowbar.com info@cleopetrabrowbar.com

Vive Clothing Company Mon 11am – 6pm, Tue – Sat 10:30am – 6pm, Sun 12pm – 5pm 604.461.6089 design@vive–clothing.net

Mainland Mobility Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, Sat – Sun 11am – 5pm 778.285.2270 james@intownmobility.com Una Vita Chiropractor and Health Mon – Thur 9:30am – 6pm, Fri – Sun closed 604.461.2725 www.newportchiropractic.ca info@nvchiro.com Newport Village Animal Hospital Mon – Sun 8am – midnight 604.492.3900 www.newportvets.ca vetsnewport@gmail.com Wish on a Star Mon – Sat 10am–6pm, Sun & holidays 11am – 5pm 604.469.2777 www.wishonastar.ca wishonastar@shaw.ca

Newport Village Pharmacy Mon – Fri 9:30am – 6:30pm, Sat 10am – 3pm, Sun closed Newport Family Practice , Dr. Anna Chodyra and Dr. Monica Rusu Mon, Tues 10am – 5:45pm, Wed – Fri 9am – 4:45pm 778–272–8550 Mak Physio Mon – Thur 9am – 7pm, Fri 7am–9pm, Sat 9am – 4pm, Sun 8am – 12pm 604.492.3888 www.playworksphysio.com hello@playworksphysio.com Fraser Health Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm The Child and Adolescent Psychology Group Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9am – 9pm , Wed 9am – 6pm, Sat & Stat Holidays 9am – 7pm, Sun closed 604.839.1012 or 604.838.5121

ADD Education Institution Mon – Fri 10am – 3pm, Sat 10am – 10pm MNP LLP Accounting, Consulting, Tax Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm 604 949 2088, www.mnp.ca Fraser Health – Tri Cities Diabetes Health Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm Casa Del Pane Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm, Sat–Sun 8 – 6pm 604.469.7263 Kin’s Farmers Market Mon – Sun 9am – 8pm 604.469.3040 www.kinsfarmmarket.com npv@kinsfarmmarket.com St. James Irish Well Pub Mon – Wed 11am – 12am, Thur – Fri 11am – 1pm, Sat 10am – 1am, Sun 10am 12am 604.461.0800 www.stjameswell.com stjameswell@shaw.ca Newport Dental Mon – Tue, Fri 9am – 7pm, Wed – 9am – 7pm, Thur – 9am – 5pm, Sat 9am – 4pm, Sun – closed 604.469.3500 www.newportdentail.ca newportdental@shawbiz.ca Casa Dolce Mon – Thur 8am – 9pm, Fri – Sat 8am–9:30pm, Sun 9am – 9pm 604.461.7888 Murasaki Japanese Restaurant Mon – Sat 11:30am – 10pm, Sun 12pm – 9:30pm 604.461.7266 www.murasakiportmoody.com portmoody.nagano@gmail.com Vera’s Burger Shack Mon – Sun 10am – 9pm 604.492.3392 www.verasburgershack.com

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COMMUNITY

The Village Toy Shop encourages imagination-driven play AT THIS INDEPENDENT TOY STORE, SPARKING THE IMAGINATION IS ALL JUST IN A DAY’S WORK

by Michelle Hopkins

Imagination is the best toy In an era when children are bombarded with screens and all types of technology, The Village Toy Shop has maintained its spot in the crowded toy market despite the fact that — and perhaps because — the store sells very few, in any, toys with electronic components to them.

The Village Toy Shop is your classic toy store — selling the kind of toys and games you remember from your childhood. Family-owned and operated for nearly two decades, Early Childhood Development educator

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and mom, Teresa Johansson, took it over in 2015.

“When I found out the former owner was selling, I knew it was a good fit for me,” says Johansson. “My background in child education gives me insight into what toys are best . . . the toys that really go

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The Importance of pretend play In an age of supermarket domination, the mounds of movie-linked toys, her independent store proves that the value of play is still alive and well.

“We try to stay away from electronic toys,” says Johansson. “We want toys that kids have to create the sounds, actions . . . ones that don’t involve just pushing buttons. We believe that kids are equipped to create their own fun.”

At Village Toy Shop, you won’t find row after row of Barbies or “Star Wars” play sets. Rather, you will find sets of blocks. This humble toy can be turned into a house, castle, farm or anything else a child can imagine. Johansson laughs, “And half the fun is knocking it all down at the end!”

In this quaint tiny shop in Port Moody, you will also find shelves bursting with all types of traditional and educational toys, like puzzles and board games, art kits, books, LEGO, all types of wooden train sets, Playmobil, Melissa & Doug and more.

“The toys we bring in are those that have stood the test of time and can be passed down from one generation to another,” she says. “We also aren’t shy to open up toys or products so that kids and parents can try them out before buying them.”

Dressing up is play too! back to basics, like blocks, wooden trains and puzzles.”

And, while larger chain toy stores, like Toys R Us, are closing brick-and-mortar operations in the USA, small independent toy businesses like hers seem to be thriving.

“I think parents are seeing the value of toys that promote creativity, those that don’t require batteries, or make automated sounds, or produce flashing lights,” adds Johansson. “You see little ones putting their stuffies to bed, mimicking their own bedtime routines, reinforcing their own family routines without really knowing they are doing it.”

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You don’t have to wait for Halloween for your kids to dress up. Dressing up in costumes is an important type of play as well, explains Johansson.

Children who are supported to transform into pirates, firefighters, superheroes, princesses, or dragons and kids at a tea party, benefit cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally.

“The Village Toy Shop features a section filled with all kinds of dress up clothes,” says Johansson.

In the end, Johansson believes that most parents would agree that the best toys are those that a child picks up and transforms into something, or uses them in a variety of ways. The best toys can be used over and over again.

And the best toys allow children huge amounts of freedom to decide how to use them. n

TERESA’S TOP TOYS FOR ENDLESS PLAY - Blocks and building sets - Animal figurines - Pretend play props (dress up, play food, dolls, etc.)

- Trains and tracks - Child-size musical instruments

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M A R K E T I N G

G R O U P

Above: 2019 WCH Women’s Influencers Awards Finalists Meet and Greet, from left: Massi Bakhshian; Trish Mandewo; Nora El Najjar. Left: El Najjar painting Life of Promise in her home.

COMMUNITY

A life of giving back THE JOURNEY OF ONE WOMAN’S DREAM FOR A LIFE IN CANADA

by Jennifer McKinnon

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ora El Najjar’s life hasn’t always been easy.

However, her faith in the value of resilience, her belief that hope survives in the most unlikely places, and her lifelong dream of returning to Canada reinforced her determination to build the life she craved.

Growing up abroad has taught her the importance of positive thinking and giving back. She had always dreamed of a life in Canada where she briefly lived as a young girl in 1977. She came with her family to escape the war in Lebanon and in hopes of making a better life for themselves. Unfortunately, her father was unable to find work and ended up having to return home. Nora El Najjar made a promise to herself to return one day and to build a life in a place she always considered as home.

It was six years ago that her promise to herself was fulfilled after four decades of wishing and planning.

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She was finally able to return to Canada, to live the life of freedom and equality. Upon arrival, she resorted to giving back as a way to build her life within the community and as a genuine appreciation for Canada. As an immigrant, who does everything with her heart, she found ways to fit in volunteering her time to a community of like-minded people.

El Najjar sits on the board for the Women’s Collaborative Hub as their Director of Fundraising. “When you really believe in a cause and are passionate about an organization’s mission, it’s easy to ask for funding despite the challenges.” Her fundraising experience abroad and in Canada has shown how good deeds ripple in communities and change lives. Fundraising for a cause has humbled her and helped weld the true metal she is made of. It also offered her a broader network and a great sense of purpose.

Nora El Najjar is proud to be self-publishing her first book, Life of Promise. Along with insight into her upbringing, you will learn about her faith in the goodness of the human heart, and her harrowing, yet inspiring journey in life. The book also boasts her own artistic paintings which will be also displayed for the public on the book’s launch. Nora promised herself that she would come back to Canada, and here she is. And the community couldn’t be happier. Life of Promise, by Nora El Najjar is available in the new year. n

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Taryn

Port Moody’s quaint Little Butcher

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small, local business, where you always get personalized service with a smile! Our team is comprised of highly-motivated butcher gals and guys who have a passion for providing the very best quality meat available. We are always happy to answer questions on how to cook something or to explain the difference between cuts of meat. We can also slice and dice meat for you, so you don’t have to get your kitchen messy!

At The Little Butcher you will find an array of locally-sourced products.

In fact, 75% of our products are from BC and the lower mainland, with only 5% of the products being sourced outside of Canada – we love supporting and shopping local and have been a proud member of Shop Local Port Moody since 2013.

We believe in ethical and sustainable farming practices. This includes how the animals are raised, what they eat and how they are treated. It also includes the farming practices used by the companies we chose to partner with. This is why we love purchasing from independent local farmers.

They are usually open to farm visits and transparently display pictures and stories of their farms on their social media pages. We are proud to be part of the “nose to tail” movement, that is, using all of an animal, so nothing goes to waste!

support “It’s so important to rs in our me far ale -sc all local sm growing a ’s ere communities. Th r food ou ere wh ow kn to desire ople pe the d an is coming from ding fin d an als me r ou d behin Taryn who business owners like support to y wa ir the of t go ou en it’s wh en ev farms like ours, e, siv en xp ine or sy ea not as e the nu nti co to le helps us be ab re in he ng mi far of job lt difficu the Fraser Valley.”

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COMMUNITY

Conscious Gift Giving THE TREND TOWARD PURCHASING MINDFUL AND MEANINGFUL GIFTS

by Lynn Oldenburg

T

he holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones, and disconnect from our everyday stresses. It is a time of excitement and family bonding that can really bring people together. While it is the perfect time to reconnect, it can also be a daunting and hectic time of year. Changing our perspective of those holiday expectations allow us to re-evaluate how we want to experience the season.

December can feel like a month filled with obligations and excessive consumerism, however it is important to recognize that we have a choice. We can create an enjoyable gift buying experience or follow the old paradigm of blindly wandering a shopping mall for unidentified gifts. The new trend that is replacing over consumption is the ‘aware consumer,’ someone who cares about the environment, and the sustainability of the products they purchase.

When we choose to buy in a sustainable manner we choose to support the environment, fair trade, ethical practices, and decrease waste.

So how do we do this? Finding that special and meaningful gift takes time and the best way to discover something unusual but just right, starts with a little planning before you start your quest.

To create a memorable experience, a conscious gift will meet certain criteria: 1. It will be loved and wanted.

2. It will leave a lasting memory.

3. It can do some good in the world, for example, a donation to charity.

4. It is made locally, ethically, fairly and causes no harm to animals or humans.

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5. It can support local artists, crafters and businesses.

6. It will come in recyclable or compostable packaging.

Why Buy Consciously?

When you buy from a small shop you are making a choice not to support big business and big polluters.

Buying from a local family business supports the local economy and those dollars are also supporting a dream!

Experiential gifts, like buying concert tickets, helps to limit our carbon footprint and will create lasting memories and less packaging waste.

Handmade gifts, either from a shop or made at home, have a huge feel-good factor! The intimate and personal shopping experience attained from a handmade purchase is a feeling that a big box store is unable to match. Your ability to help an artist continue to make a living while doing what they love, can leave you with a sense of value and self-worth.

Fast fashion is one of the biggest polluters on the earth (next to oil and gas). If you choose to purchase an outfit, be an informed buyer. Ask where the product is made, if it is fairly traded and choose local as often as you can.

Every buying decision we make gives us the opportunity to make a difference however small, in the state of our environment and health of the planet. It is time to start questioning the old beliefs about the importance of commercialism and truly start to recognize that overconsumption is hurting all of us, not just the Earth. This new way of shopping can even be integrated into your everyday life. When you only buy what you need and not what you think you want, you save money, create less waste and feel really good about doing your part to help heal the planet. n

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FOOD & CULTURE

Fast SLOW food on the run!

NO MATTER HOW ORGANIZED WE ARE AND HOW MUCH WE MEAL PLAN, SOMETIMES EATING OUT IS UNAVOIDABLE

by Jennifer Howker, Registered Dietitian

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he Tri-Cities has some great options to help us out on the days we may be rushed but don’t want to rely on highly processed, unhealthy fast foods to fill us up. Slow foods are better for our environment and provide better fuel for our bodies. The following businesses all offer choices (including gluten-free, vegan and child-friendly options) that beat conventional fast food in flavour and nutritional value, hands down.

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Chopped Leaf Chopped Leaf offers a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner bowls, wraps and salads including some gluten-friendly and vegan options.

Most of the wraps and quesadillas are higher in sodium than ideal; between 700-1200mg sodium (similar to a fast food meal of burger with fries), but they provide less than half the saturated (artery clogging) fat of a typical fast food meal, making them a much better choice.

Chopped Leaf is the only one of our featured restaurants that offers omega 3 rich seafood on their menu.

Protein options at Chopped Leaf include chicken, tuna, wild salmon, prawns, quinoa and eggs. Order online: choppedleaf.ca.

The Green Moustache Organic Café The Green Moustache offers a wide variety of organic, plant based, gluten-free whole foods. If you or your family member are vegan, glutenfree or if you’re just trying to eat fewer animal products, this is a great place to check out.

The Green Moustache has paired up with SPUD.ca to offer organic home delivery options, a convenient alternative to eating conventional fast food on the fly. Locally brewed kombucha is also on tap. You can purchase a growler (refillable bottle) and keep it for future probiotic refills!

Nutritional yeast is a great way for vegans to get their vitamin B12 and The Green Moustache has brilliantly incorporated nutritional yeast into their house dressing called “Liquid Gold” as well as into some other menu items.

One drawback to the Green Moustache is that they don’t have their nutrition information readily available, so if you’re following a meal plan that counts macronutrients, this could be challenging.

Protein options include chickpeas, hummus, mung beans, lentils, cashews, quinoa. Get the Green Moustache app to order online.

Freshii Freshii has four locations in the Tri-Cities, making it easy to hit one on the way to an afterschool/work activity. They are the only one of our featured restaurants to offer iron-rich red meat on the menu. They also offer a variety of beverages including kombucha and some vegan and gluten-free options.

Protein options at Freshii include tofu, edamame (soybeans), falafel (chickpea) and hormone free chicken, steak and eggs. They also offer a protein-rich Greek yogurt parfait. Order online: freshii.com.

Reach Jennifer at Apple Tree Nutrition Consulting: appletreenutrition.ca

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Jen’s Chopped Leaf picks: Vegan: Spa salad with tofu and goddess dressing Keto: Bowl #4; romaine, grape tomatoes, bacon bits, avocado, egg, quinoa and ranch dressing Mediterranean: Pegasus Wrap with salmon and Greek vinaigrette dressing

Jen’s Green Moustache picks: Vegan: Superfood salad; mixed greens, carrots, beets, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, sprouts, seed mix, chickpea salad (chickpeas, onions, dates, raisins, almonds, garlic, mint, parsley, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice Keto: not much! Even quinoa has too many carbs for a real keto diet, although the quinoa salad with added avocado would be close.

Mediterranean: Cozy veggie stew; Butternut squash, yams, onions, chick peas, green peppers, miso paste, kale, coconut milk, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, apple cider vinegar, spices, coconut, mango salsa

Jen’s Freshii picks: Vegan: Buddha’s satay bowl with tofu; rice noodles, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, green onions, peanut sauce Keto: Metaboost salad (hold the mango, carrot and edamame) add steak Mediterranean: Oaxaca bowl with falafel; brown rice, kale, avocado, beet slaw, black beans, corn, salsa and spicy yogurt sauce o

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Visit us today! Stop in for a coffee and stay for a test drive.

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IN THE ‘HOOD WITH COQUITLAM CHRYSLER, PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1976

Coquitlam Chrysler sponsors the Four-Wheel Drive Association of BC and the Wheelers of Tomorrow initiative, as an on-going partnership to provide a fun and exciting new experience for under-privileged children of the lower mainland.

Their most recent event took place in the beautiful and scenic Sea-to-Sky Corridor. It was an incredible day filled with laughter, fun and genuine connections. After having spent most of the day 4x4ing, there was a BBQ lunch where everyone enjoyed some much-needed snacks. It’s these kinds of community connections that we cherish here at Coquitlam Chrysler. Way to go kids! We can’t wait to wheel with you again soon!

We have everything you need, whether you’re looking for a new or used vehicle, servicing the one you already own, or just want to stop by and say hi. Have fun, stay local and love the beautiful city we call home.

FOOD & CULTURE

FRED SOOFI

VERY VEGAN CHEF FRED SOOFI’S OFFERS HIS PLANT-BASED EGGPLANT CURRY WITH WHOLE WHEAT LINGUINE PARSLEY GARLIC RECIPE TO HIS NEIGHBOURS

by Carly MacLean

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eing vegan is not only a diet but a humane way of living. Ethically, one cannot claim to love animals while contributing to their suffering.

Cows for one are as intelligent – if not more so than dogs, yet some people mercilessly kill them and tear them away from their babies, or vice-versa, in the case of veal. Animals that are not as attractive to the human eye; get eaten for personal pleasures, while the attractive ones, (i.e. domestics,) get to live in homes with families with unconditional love.

People who have strong relational and emotional attachments to animals such as dogs and cats, having incredible psychological abilities to rationalize and compartmentalize.

Unlike other carnivore and omnivore species, human beings have a choice regarding the foods we choose to eat. We do not fend for our survival, like wild animals need to do. We are capable of ethical thought – identifying the more humane choices before us.

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Not only is partaking in meat consumption unethical to some, but is very damaging to this planet. Growing feed crops for livestock consumes 56% of US water consumption (Six Arguments for a Greener Diet). Many people growing up on a traditional meat eating diet may find it hard to give up and switch to a plant-based lifestyle.

Yes, it could be hard to give up your favourite steak dinner, but once you prioritize animal wellbeing, environmental degradation, and your personal health, it may

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 become a much easier choice.

Skipping just one meal of chicken per week is the equivalence of taking off 25,000 cars in the US in terms of greenhouse gases (HuffPost).

Well-known chef Fred Soofi, owner of Pasta Polo located in Port Coquitlam and Club ilia eatery and lounge at SFU Burnaby, incorporates vegan meals into his traditional Italian restaurant. Pasta Polo has its own hydroponic garden and 50 per cent of his menu is vegetarian and vegan.

Experience Tri-Cities magazine asked this busy chef a few Q and A’s about how he adapts and accommodates vegans in his restaurants and home.

How do you alter your vegetarian dishes to make them vegan?

A: We do not use any eggs or dairy products.

Is there a price difference between your regular pasta dishes and vegan pasta dishes?

Do you have a social media following? If so, do you post about vegan dishes?

Ingredients: One medium globe eggplant One medium white onion chopped Three cloves of garlic minced Five tablespoons olive oil One large tomato chopped One tablespoon tomato paste One tablespoon curry powder 1/2 cup water Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste

Peel eggplant then slice into three or four slices lengthwise (depending on size of eggplant).

Sprinkle salt on both sides of the eggplant, lay the slices of eggplant on paper towel or tea towel and cover.

Leave for one or two hours until the paper towel absorbs the bitter juice from the eggplant, rinse with cold water, then pat dry.

Lay the sliced eggplant on a baking tray, sprinkle with olive oil on both sides, and place in oven at 400F for 30 minutes or until nicely roasted.

Sauté onion, garlic, tomato in olive oil.

Add tomato paste, curry powder, and 1/2 cup of water, simmer until sauce is thick.

In boiling salted water, cook the non egg pasta. Drain the pasta and put in a bowl, add minced garlic, olive oil, chopped parsley and toss.

Place eggplant on one side of the serving dish, pour curry sauce on eggplant, add pasta to the side of the eggplant.

Serve.



A: There is no difference in prices, but not all pasta dishes can be created vegan.

EGGPLANT CURRY

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A: Yes, we have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. We do post about vegan dishes.

If you received a catering offer requesting vegan meals, how much of a selection do you have to offer?

A: We can offer up to 10 vegan dishes. n

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Weight Loss, Sustainable Energy,

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to find oils with crush dates (not expiry dates) so you know the oil is less than a year old.

FOOD & CULTURE

Is your olive oil really Extra Virgin?

THERE’S MUCH ABOUT OLIVE OIL THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

by Daniela Hammond

W

ith the growing trend towards healthy eating and natural foods, there are now over 900 olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting rooms in North America, including Olive the Best which opened in Newport Village earlier this year.

Public knowledge about Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is growing, but there are still common misconceptions.

“Extra Virgin” is possibly the most misunderstood term – it simply means “perfect.”

To qualify as an EVOO, the oil must be free of any taste defects (as determined by an expert panel) and be lab-tested to prove that its biological composition includes high levels of healthy antioxidants and low levels of undesirable components that would indicate the oil is not fresh or pure. To ensure this, the olives are harvested and crushed within 60 minutes and delivered to stores as soon as possible. This is why it is important

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Unfortunately, many grocery store oils have been found to be much older than this and some of those advertised as “Extra Virgin” have been found to contain other lower grade oils in an effort to increase profits. Thankfully the Canada Food Inspection Agency announced this year that they are going to crack down on these practices, but it’s a challenging task with limited enforcement resources.

Because mass produced oils have been found to contain poor quality oils, they tend to smoke at low temperatures which has led to another common misunderstanding: that you can’t cook with olive oil. In reality, good quality EVOO has very low free fatty acid, which means you can cook at temperatures up to 440F!

North Americans are now also discovering that good olive oil is not just from Italy. In fact, Italy only produces around 10% of the world’s oil, while Spain clocks in at over a third! As demand for olive oil has grown, we now see excellent oils coming from the southern hemisphere, from countries such as Chile and Australia. These countries are replicating with olives the success they had in transplanting European grape varieties for wine production. Because olives are harvested in the fall, we can now enjoy fresh EVOO every six months, alternating between north and south.

And more good news: moderate olive oil consumption will not make you fat. In fact, you can use one third less when substituting olive oil for butter in recipes and good quality oil has been shown to actually increase your fat-burning metabolism.

It seems the Greeks and Romans had it right all along!

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Tri-Cities Cleaning Services, provides professional, reliable and dependable services. Our prices are affordable based on a FREE, no-obligation, on-site estimate. We strive to make your job easier by providing reliable service and flexibility. Customized packages are available to meet your residential and commercial needs.

We are proud of our staff – they are bonded and insured.

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UAL ITALI AS

Family owned and operated Pasta Polo is a local legend!

Renowned for its freshly made pasta, brick oven pizza and signature Italian favourites.

Committed to using only the freshest, quality ingredients and dedicated to creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for each guest, Pasta Polo is a go-to destination for Tri-City locals.

Call today for special rates – we love to take care of you!

Join us for lunch, dinner or drinks and see what all the buzz is about!

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ELEVATE YOUR APPRECIATION

START YOUR CONNOISSEURSHIP THE RIGHT WAY

VinoZen Academy LOOKING AT THE WORLD ONE GLASS AT A TIME

vinozen.ca 778.229.9078

We are a K – 12 SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL recognized by the Ministry of Education. Full school facility: Classrooms, gym, playground/field, library etc. Offering both Dogwood (regular) graduation and Evergreen (modified) programming, with guidance for post-secondary education. ** Extensive Music Program and use of Smart Technology.

• Each student has an IEP • Small classes of 10-12 students • Therapeutic Facilities: Occupational Therapy room, mini OT, Physiotherapy room, Sensory Light Room, Resource room, Speech Therapy and counselling offices.

• We employ fully trained and certified teachers, including Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapist, Vision Resource Teacher, a Retired R. Psychologist Counsellor, Clinical Psychologist Counsellor and an Educational Psychologist.

Two school buses from Richmond through South Vancouver and the North Shore/North Burnaby.

Greater Heights Learning Academy 550 Thompson Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3J 3Z8 P: 604.937.3641 | F: 604.931.5155

FOOD & CULTURE

HIDE AND SEEK

DISCOVERING THE HIDDEN ARTS IN THE TRI-CITIES

by Rose Kapp, illustrator and cartoonist

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ike many other artists, I seek out the unnoticed and unusual around me and highlight it in my artworks. For a number of years I have been cruising the streets of the TriCities looking at gardens and buildings. I found delightful homes and yards which I “wonkified”, distorting and emphasizing architecture and doing a bit of artistic pruning. The resulting 21 watercolour paintings of unique structures in the suburbs

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was recently displayed at Place des Arts (PdA) in Coquitlam. Not grand historic buildings but modest homes hidden amongst the cookie-cutter architecture in our neighbourhoods. The Character Building artworks are titled with their addresses so if viewers are keen to do so, they can seek out the actual buildings.

When I mentioned the exhibit to friends, I had to explain where the

gallery was located. To many, local creative spaces are a mystery in the Tri-Cities. While the Evergreen Cultural Centre and the Port Moody Arts Centre are perhaps recognized, it’s the smaller, more personable venues which are tucked away down side streets or sharing space in multi-purpose buildings that are lesser known. The hunt for finding like-minded creative groups can also be a challenge as searching for them online can be hit or miss.

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From left: 886 Thermal Drive, Coquitlam; 626 Hillcrest Street, Coquitlam; 1672 Thomas Avenue, Coquitlam.

Such is the challenge in our district.

Live music, local art and literary works are around but require a dedicated search. Or a guide.

A connector at heart, I am willing to direct you to what I have discovered.

Port Coquitlam brings in the writers The TriCity literary arts have a new invigorating focus with the opening of Western Sky Books in Port Coquitlam. The only new and used book store in the area, Western Sky hosts multiple arts events weekly including author readings, book launches and art exhibits.

The shop continues the theme of hiding as it is tucked down a side lane in Shaughnessy Station Mall.

Its door opens into a Tardis-like space where an extensive number of local writers’ books are located conveniently near the front.

Finding new artistic homes in Port Moody The City of the Arts lost its best privately run arts hub when Gallery Bistro burned down this summer.

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Known for its unique lineup of local and touring performers, it was also home to various artistic groups.

Damaged neighbouring “Gallery Row” businesses have only recently reopened their doors to customers.

The good word is that new gathering rooms were found for the displaced groups. Monday night’s Jazz Jam and the Ukulele Club moved to the rebuilt Legion Club 119 while The Writers in our Midst reading series has now partnered with the Port Moody Public Library who will also be hosting a Writers Fair mid-November.

A natural pairing came about between Creative People Talking, a networking and discussion group, and the Port Moody Arts Centre (PMAC) who will now be working together to expand communication between different genres of art.

Live music can be found at the craft breweries on Brewery Row down

by Rocky Point Park. Check social media for who and when.

Local Artisan Wares Searching for quality handmade wares from local artisans? From

mid-November to December, Place des Arts expands their gift shop to a Christmas Boutique and PMAC presents Winter Treasures, an artisan market. The Blackberry Gift Shop, an artists’ co-op, expands to two rooms in the same building.

During the holiday season, pop-up artisan markets tend to spring up in surprise locations. Keeping track of them is a challenge. You’re on your own on this.

Meeting the Creators To finding out about local creative groups or to meet performing, literary and visual artists in the Tri-Cities, your best bet is to attend various advertised functions in the area. Art openings, open mic events and writer’s nights are excellent opportunities to chat with people already involved in the arts scene.

Most of us love to talk about our craft and will try to help you find what you need to know.

A bit of dedication is needed to hunt out the creative places in the TriCities. Perhaps cruise down some unexplored side streets, to discover the unusual and delightful! n

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Greater Heights Learning Academy FINDING THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR LIFE

JEFF ANDREWS PHOTOGRAPHY

by Laurie Jones

Occupational Therapy and Sensory Light Room: GHLA is the only school in the Tri-Cities to have one.

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HOME & FAMILY

I

t’s a well-known fact that everyone learns at a different rate – from kindergarten to university students. But for some children, life has given them extra challenges along the learning path and the standard school systems are not a good fit.

The team at the Greater Heights Learning Academy in Coquitlam, B.C. are specialists at reaching students on their own level of learning, giving each the tools required for fitting into society and contributing to the community.

“We’ve been a learning centre for almost 30 years and a school for 17 years,” says Kathleen Jeffrey, principal, educational psychology. “It was started by a small group of speech pathologists, counsellors and teachers who ran the Variety Learning Centre, which we still have. They did after school programs, summer camps, tutoring and training in the cognitive methods that were used with kids. As we got a little bigger, Vancouver School Board gave us some space, but we couldn’t do anything during the day because it interfered with schooling.”

When they moved to Grandview School, the Learning Academy was given their own portables. “I taught at

the Saturday program that ran from 9:00am to 5:00pm with no breaks,” says Jeffrey. “Currently the student age range is from kindergarten to grade 12. We are a Group One independent school, which means we are monitored by the government and we have to meet their standards.”

Jeffrey says that for them, the model is different than what would be found anywhere else. “We look at the entire child: physical, emotional, sensory, learning needs etc. which may impact the student. For example, an SLP [Speech Language Pathologist] may work with augmentative communication devices and PECS [Picture Exchange Communication System], such as pictures that are Velcroed on the schedule.”

Special programs make a difference She explains in regular school systems, teachers don’t have time to do therapy but at the Greater Heights Learning Academy, therapy is an integral part of the student’s learning at some level. “That therapeutic component blends with the academic part of what we do.”

There are three levels of classes at the school. “Our modified High School divisions – C1, C2, C3 – work on life skills and academics at their levels,” says Jeffrey.

“The C3 students are capable of a push of academics in reading, writing and math as well as life skills. Beyond that they can go to programs at postsecondary locations such as Capilano University, Douglas College and Kwantlen College to do career prep programs so they have a life after they leave here.”

The school also enrols gifted children. “The dropout rate for gifted kids is the same as the rate for those with learning disabilities because they get bored and act out,” she explains.

JEFF ANDREWS PHOTOGRAPHY

The Greater Heights Learning Academy has 85 students with 63 staff members. “The therapists are staff, not contracted, so they are invested in the school and the kids, which makes a huge difference,” says Jeffrey. “We also have several teachers’ assistants, and minimal administration. We’re all here to work as a team and support each other.” n

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HOME & FAMILY

Preparation and Presentation

by Hafez Panju We live in our homes very differently then when we try to sell them. Ensuring your home appeals to the broadest of audiences, is critical in getting the maximum dollar value possible. We have all walked into a show home and fallen in love. Ever wonder why? One reason is that developers spend a great deal of time and effort to ensure the home shows well. That is the same sense we want to convey to a buyer when they walk into your home, “Wow this place shows so well!”

So how do we do that? Decluttering and depersonalizing goes a long way to achieve this goal. Decluttering helps make the rooms feel bigger and look “clean.”

For example, removing all the little appliances and the dish rack from the kitchen counters helps to show how much counter space there is. If the counters looked cluttered, it will be difficult for the potential buyer to get a sense of how much counter space there is. They may think, “It seems like these sellers are running out of space, will we have enough space for our stuff?” This is one of the last things you want a buyer to think.

Staging is not only about renting or buying furniture, rather, re-arranging what

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you already have to “show-off” the room. This is where a professional stager can really add some value. You might not like where they suggest the couch goes and it might not even be functional, but it makes the room look bigger and that is the objective.

Highlighting your home in the best possible way. ■

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NOOR HEWAIDI

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HOME & FAMILY

TALKING FAMILY WITH ADEL GAMAR THE COQUITLAM BUSINESSMAN AND MARRIED FATHER OF FIVE OPENS UP ABOUT LIFE AT HOME

by Sheila Hansen

H

e’s co-founder and CEO of a boutique leadership firm called GLG Ltd. He serves on the boards of Douglas College and Boston-based Knovva Academy. He delivers executive programs at the UBC Sauder School of Business. And he and his wife, Naomi, are co-founders of the non-profit Gamar Foundation that aims to empower young people for the public good.

But Adel Gamar is also raising five daughters – ranging in age from seven to 19 – in his hometown of Coquitlam.

Experience Tri-Cities magazine recently caught up with the busy Harvard graduate and family man for a Q&A on the Gamar home front. Following are excerpts from that interview.

Q: How did you meet your wife?

A: We met at the University of Calgary. I was studying the classics like Cicero, Socrates, the Old Testament.

Naomi was majoring in business . . . she graduated top of her class with distinction. I was immediately drawn to her wit and grace, she’s just super smart.

We ended up going out for coffee. . . we enjoyed each other’s company and started discussing family and

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settling down and having kids. We both wanted to have a big family.

Q: You’re the only male in a family of seven. What are the biggest challenges?

A: Getting a word in at the dinner table. And lots and lots of hair! I am jealous of it. I am bald. So having all that hair around the house is a challenge just because of the fact I lack it [laughs]. But in terms of getting a word in, we debate a lot at the dinner table. It’s our major check-in on a daily basis. We talk about current events, global issues, the law . . . It’s exciting . . . So that would be the biggest challenge, facilitating this debate, this discussion, but never really feeling that I have a space to even put a word in because these girls are strong, they’re smart and they’re competing for air time.

Q: Describe what weekday mornings are like in your house. And how many bathrooms do you have?

A: We typically start mornings with prayers [as practising Muslims] to start the day in a calm, reflective

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The Gamar family enjoying a walk around Como Lake.

state. As soon as that’s done, it’s a mad dash for who can be in the bathroom first and close that door, followed by repetitive knocking and ‘hurry up, you’re taking too long.’ We have two bathrooms, so that dash is very meaningful after the state of calm . . . that’s part of the democracy in my household.

Q: How would you describe your parenting style? What do you try to instil in your children?

A: We’re making it up as we go . . . parenting for us is a work in progress . . . I’m usually the fun guy. I wrestle, I play loud music, we dance. Naomi is the serious one, she does everything else. She basically puts us in order and tells us ‘OK, you’re running too much’ or ‘girls, do your homework.’ The one thing that is constant in our parenting is we expect our girls to work hard.

Our values are around three main pillars: hard work, honesty and empathy . . . There’s also a great sense of responsibility on me because, being the only male in the house, I see that there’s an opportunity for me to set high standards for how a man ought to be or behave towards his family.

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Q: What is your greatest joy as a father to five daughters?

A: The girls are smart, they’re filled with wit, they’re strong, they compete – four of our girls play competitive hockey, three are currently playing rep hockey. If you tell them they can’t do something based on gender, they light up, they’re like ‘I’m going to prove it to you.’ Seeing that capability, strength and resilience is awesome for me, as the only man in the house. I think it all stems from that my wife is a wonderful strong woman.

Q: How do you and your family like to spend time together?

A: We love watching the girls play hockey. When possible, Naomi likes to plan stuff to enjoy outdoors.

We love kayaking, hiking, but we also work out together, indoor and outdoor. We’ve got space in our basement where we have weights and do some cardio but we also go out for walks in Mundy Park. Having grown up beside Mundy Park, it’s really important

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Q: Do any of your children have career goals in mind?

A: There are three things guiding our kids’ career decisions. One, to be of service to others. Two, to lift people up. And three, to leave the world better than they found it. Our eldest is studying journalism at Northwestern [University], a school Meghan Markle went to . . . My second oldest is studying general studies at Douglas College . . . she’s interested in law, humanitarian work, human rights. The others are still exploring and, honestly, it’s something we leave wide open for them, understanding that they’re going to pivot, that they don’t need to be cornered into one career because we know more than ever that jobs are ever-changing.

Q: How do you balance work and life?

A: Short answer: my wife. Without Naomi, none of my achievements would be possible. But also having parents who inspired myself and my siblings to constantly be hard working . . . And I have sacred time for myself and so does Naomi. That sacred time for me is working out, my sanctuary would be the gym. I listen to music and read a lot.

Q: What is the most important thing you’ve learned from your children?

A: Hope. What I’ve learned from my kids is that there always remains hope . . . Anytime I feel the urge to read negative comments on Facebook posts, and I feel myself getting pulled into negativity and cynicism, I look to my kids. I have never seen a more hopeful generation. A generation that looks at global warming and says, OK, but we need to do something about it. n

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NOOR HEWAIDI

for me to raise my kids around that area in my old neighbourhood. And we love going out to eat, so we typically have two choices: Persian food, which we love dearly, or sushi.

DID YOU KNOW? A few offbeat facts about Adel Gamar: • A British newspaper article on Expo 86 ultimately convinced Adel’s parents to move their young family to Coquitlam in 1987 (they’d previously lived in Libya and London). “It was the best decision they ever made,” says Adel, who was 12 at the time.

• A del once worked at Chuck E. Cheese as a birthday host alongside a yet-to-bloom crooner. Staff would sing happy birthday, with one member dressed up as the restaurant chain’s mouse mascot. Ironically, says Adel, “I was the singer and Michael Bublé was the quiet mouse!”

• T he Gamar family likes to travel, having already visited Quebec City and Montreal, Egypt, Pakistan and Dubai. Next stop, West Africa, where Adel’s humanitarian work has given rise to schools for orphaned children, a transitional home for single mothers and village wells.

• A del ran for mayor in Coquitlam’s 2018 municipal election. Would he run again?

“What drives me is making a positive impact in people’s lives, whether I’m mayor or not. At this point, I’m focused on Gamar Foundation.” 

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2. Moisturize twice a day You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get successful results. Some ingredients to look for are ceramides, which help skin retain water and soothe dry skin.

Also, dimethicone and glycerin draw water to the skin and help keep it there. Hyaluronic acid (HA), lanolin, mineral and petroleum jelly are other ingredients that help the skin to retain moisture.

3. Drink water HEALTH & WELLNESS

Take care of your skin this winter You wouldn’t wear the same clothes to go outside in the winter as you do in the summer, so why would you use the same skincare products?

by Jennifer McKinnon

W

ith winter just around the corner, Heidi Harsini, owner of Coquitlam Medical Skin Care, has some routine suggestions to help protect and climatize your skin through the colder months. “Winter weather can take a beating on the skin,” Heidi confesses. “Making a few simple changes in your daily skin care regimen and lifestyle can help you to overcome many of the issues.”

1. Exfoliate twice a week Exfoliating your skin regularly is an effective way to get rid of the dead skin cells, promote cellular renewal and allows serums and other products to penetrate the skin better.

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Make sure your skin is hydrated, as this starts from the inside out. According to Canada’s Food Guide, you should consume about 30 to 45 ml (2 to 3 tbsp.) of unsaturated fats and oils each day and you should aim for about eight glasses of water.

4. Keep baths and showers short.

Limit yourself to a 10-minute warm shower or bath as hot water can strip the natural oils from your skin.

Typically, your skin is more accepting of lotions within three to five minutes after washing, so for best results, pat dry and apply moisturizer directly after you get out.

5. Apply sunscreen Don’t forget your sunscreen! You should apply a broadspectrum sunscreen on all exposed parts of your body, even in winter. Although UVB rays are weaker in the winter, UVA are strong all year long and those are the ones that cause wrinkles, premature aging and damage.

6. Bonus tips A couple of other tips are drinking green tea, eating foods that are rich in omega-3’s, using a humidifier and lastly, investing in a regular good nourishing winter facial.

Did you know that your skin is your largest organ? It is important to take care of your skin, all year round. If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding your skin, or your skin care routine, it is always a great idea to consult with a skin care specialist. n

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a eet after a meal? You could have sw ing eth som ve cra you Do : tip * Hot n hormone ulin resistance. Have your insuli ins as wn kno m ble pro ar sug od blo checked by a professional.

The problem is, the messaging.

“For the past 30 years we’ve been told to eat less and move more, but the body doesn’t work that way, it doesn’t know how to calculate calories! The body doesn’t know you are feeding it kale, for example, it only knows it is getting fibre, antioxidants, calcium, and vitamin K, which is great if that’s what you actually need,” explains Yoo. While this may sound confusing, Yoo explains that ultimately, the solution is simple: ensure your hormones are balanced.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Food for thought FORGET WHAT YOU’VE BEEN TOLD, WEIGHT GAIN COULD BE A SIGN OF A HORMONAL IMBALANCE

by Natalie Bruckner

W

ould you use vegetable oil to fuel your car?

While tempting due to cost, the answer is most likely no, because over time you’ll ruin your engine. Why then do we feed our body junk food, especially during the winter, and expect it run smoothly?

“Food is the most powerful form of medicine we have at our disposal today,” explains Veronica Yoo, holistic nutritionist, published author, WBFF professional athlete and owner of Makeover Nutrition in Coquitlam. “But just like cars, we are each unique and require different fuel to keep us running at our best.”

This is why fad diets, superfoods and supplements are often redundant, and sometimes damaging, and could be one reason for today’s obesity epidemic.

Recent health studies have shown that globally more than two billion people suffer from health problems related to being overweight, and it’s getting worse.

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Mention the term hormonal imbalance and you automatically think of teenagers or menopausal women, but Yoo explains that most people, men and women, experience natural periods of hormonal imbalance throughout their life.

The human body secretes and circulates some 50 different hormones that act as messengers, telling your body how to breathe, grow, drink, and eat. They help regulate your body’s processes, like hunger, blood pressure, and sexual desire. One small hormonal imbalance and bang, here come the manboobs!

“Weight gain for men, and Type 2 diabetes, can often be attributed to a hormone imbalance. Men need to be very careful as the food we eat has a lot of pesticides or have been injected with hormones, and that can increase the oestrogen in the body,” says Yoo. And the same goes for women. Yoo explains that by understanding how to balance your hormones you can prevent the “typical” symptoms associated with say menopause, for example.

So how do you balance your hormones? Yoo recommends detoxing as a great way to begin, to cleanse the body and then slowly reintroduce different foods and listen to your body, and above all, avoid yo-yo and fad dieting! n

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

FITNESS CRUNCH TIME THE SECRETS TO STAYING MOTIVATED TO WORK-OUT DURING WINTER

by Natalie Bruckner

I

t’s cold and dark, the skies are grey, it’s raining, and all you want to do is hide under the duvet. We get it. Staying motivated to workout during the winter months can be so hard!

However, winter is the most important time to exercise as it not only boosts serotonin levels, which can ward off the winter blues, but also strengthens your immune system to help fight off those nasty bacterial infections. Plus, it’s great for the body.

“It’s easy to make excuses, especially if it feels like you are making a sacrifice, but my motto is, why wait for tomorrow, when you can do it today,” says Andy Cross, assistant general manager at the recently opened Crunch Suter Brook fitness centre in Port Moody.

Cross understands, because, well, he has been there.

Just a few years ago Cross was 275 lbs. His wake-up call came during a medical when a doctor expressed concern over his weight. “I was in

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WANT TO STAY MOTIVATED DURING WINTER? HERE’S WHAT NOT TO DO, ACCORDING TO CROSS • • • •

Don’t do something that isn’t sustainable.

Don’t go home after work! This will avoid the temptation of the sofa.

Don’t rely on others for motivation. Make it about yourself.

Don’t find an excuse. We can try and blame genetics or not having time, but we know that’s not true.

• Don’t wait until tomorrow!

denial,” he says. “I had been out of shape for two years and suddenly I felt like I had wasted that time. I needed to do something about it, not tomorrow, but now.” Today Cross is 70 lbs lighter and competes in fitness competitions across the province.

So what’s his secret to getting and staying motivated during winter? Cross says the biggest mistake people make is to start something that isn’t sustainable. “If it feels like a sacrifice, it won’t work in the long run. You have to find something you truly enjoy doing and that will fit into your lifestyle. Also, you need to be patient. Change doesn’t happen overnight.

Everyone looks for a quick fix, but there are no quick fixes to fitness. It took me working out every day for more than six months before I started seeing results.”

Visiting a gym and joining group workouts are also great ways to ward off winter isolation and make friends. “Find something you love,” says Cross.

“I could never be a Zumba guy as I have as much rhythm as a newborn Bambi!

For me, I found my passion in CrossFit. Then make what you love part of your routine. You will always find the time to do something you enjoy.” n

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