Okanagan Woman Winter 2017

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PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER: 41188516 PRINT ISSN: 2291-8353 ONLINE ISSN: 2291-8361

WINTER 2017

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C L A S S Y

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De-stress with Puppy love

Healthy fun . .

Above the Clouds

MAGICAL WINTER Holiday Edition O

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MERMAID 14K Gold Talisman

CREATIVITY 14K Gold Talisman

TIRELESS 14K Gold Talisman

KNOWLEDGE 14K Gold Talisman

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2477 Main Street West Kelowna, BC

t. 250.768.7353

jkschmidt.ca

Give your floors a

DREAM MAKEOVER Impression Floors has a dedicated, on-site interior designer available to help you create that extra WOW FACTOR you’ve always imagined.

Rapido is Beaulieu’s latest addition to their product line of vinyl floors. Rapido is 7” wide x 48” long and 5mm in total thickness. The 22 mil wear layer provides a long term durability factor as the average family will wear 1⁄2 - 1 mil per year. Rapido can also be installed in a loose lay style or glued down. Rapido comes in 12 brand new colours.

No worries about off gassing as this product is BLC certified.

This 100% waterproof vinyl plank makes it perfect for a busy household with children and pets.

Our local installation crews can install the timeless elegance

of engineered hardwood or the durable vinyl plank that holds up extremely well to the wear and tear of daily life with those accidental spills. We have several special varieties of 100% waterproof vinyl plank. Our best sellers by Beaulieu Canada either Adventure or Expedition with cork backing have excellent reviews by our customers.

Both hardwood and vinyl plank flooring will add value and beauty to your “live in it or list it” home. If you like the soft and cozy feel of carpet under foot there are great specials listed on our web site.

Garry and Patrice, co-owners of Impression Floors can guide you in asking the right questions for the best products for your home. We have 35 year’s experience in assisting you in making your flooring selection.

Whatever your needs are, we have the residential and commercial experience to help select the appropriate floor covering that you require for your rental property, renovation, replacement or getting your home ready to sell with brand new flooring.

If you’d like to view and feel the different flooring textures and colour options available at Impression Floors, come visit our showroom, we’re just behind Costco on Baron Road.

Unit 1 – 1725 Baron Rd, Kelowna Showroom: 250-979-7419 Cell: 250-869-2703 www.impressionfloors.com

WINTER | 2017 VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1

CO NT E NT S PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR SUZY VAN BAKEL

GRAPHIC DESIGNER LINDA HACKING

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT JILL KERRY LOUISE

EDITING ASSISTANT MARION STOLZE

ON THE COVER

PHOTOGRAPHER – JENNY KAMO WHITEWAVE STUDIOS MODEL – AMY LUNDMAN MAKE UP – MISSY MACKINTOSH HAIR – JESSICA LANGEDYK

WRITERS IN THIS ISSUE PATTI SHALES LEFKOS SHANNON LINDEN DEANNA RAINEY GISELA SCHOLZE BAYOT & EMILY HEER

6

The Cover Shoot

8

All that Glitters

10

Beat the Winter Greys

18

Investing in Your Health

20

Snowbird Migration

22

Good Dog

26 Winter Gift Guide 31

IceWine

32

OKW Makeover

PHONE: 1.236.420.4205 EMAIL: INFO@OKANAGANWOMAN.COM WEBSITE: OKANAGANWOMAN.COM

34

De-Stressing

ABOUT US

36 Women of the Mountain

CONTRIBUTORS

COLLEEN MILNE HEATHER ZAIS MEGHAN MACDONALD TANIA GUSTAFSON

CONTACT US

OKANAGAN WOMAN IS AN INDEPENDENT QUARTERLY PUBLICATION, LOCALLY OWNED, PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED

BY SIDE SADDLE MEDIA LTD.

DISCLAIMER

THE OPINIONS AND VIEWS CONTAINED IN SUBMITTED ARTICLES TO OKANAGAN WOMAN MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER. THE PUBLISHER RETAINS THE RIGHT TO EDIT ALL SUBMISSIONS, INCLUDING ARTICLES FOR BREVITY AND CLARITY. COPYRIGHT IS RETAINED ON ALL MATERIALS INCLUDING TEXT AND GRAPHICS IN THIS PUBLICATION. NO REPRODUCTION IS ALLOWED OF ANY MATERIAL IN ANY FORM, PRINT OR ELECTRONIC, FOR ANY PURPOSE, EXCEPT WITH THE EXPRESSED PERMISSION OF OKANAGAN WOMAN MAGAZINE ®

38

Opioid Poisoning

42

Ladies on Literature

50

Heathers Horoscopes

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE | SUZY VB

Yes, its back!

Ice, frost, glistening snowflakes and blue lips - no we’re not talking about our December weather - we’re talking about Okanagan Woman’s Winter front cover!

Our talented creative team did it again, bringing our annual Ice Queen vision to life. What fun we had amongst the crystals, hairspray and the obligatory clinking of glasses!

Meet the team on page 6, along with our very gorgeous, very accommodating model, Amy.

Find your Favourite

WINTER RECIPES on pages 40 to 46

Mushroom Barley Soup Cajun Turkey Meatballs Crunchy Taco Cups Turkey, Cranberry & Brie Egg Rolls Cranberry Gingersnap Pie Salted Caramel Eggnog Kahlua Hot Chocolate

Ok, now we can talk about the weather… Winter has arrived and with the cold, crisp air comes parties, presents and plenty of comfort food. Check out our recipes; specially selected foods to keep you healthy during the cold and flu season. And to keep you happy, we’ve included a couple of winter hotties for you to enjoy on those cozy evenings at home - page 46 For the Snowbirds getting out of town this winter, don’t leave before reading the finance advice tips on page 20.

If you’re planning to stay put and explore the wonderful outdoors, we have a lot to entertain you - above and below the clouds. Learn how to beat those winter greys on page 10.

Although 2018 is the Chinese Year of the Dog - we at Okanagan Woman needed no excuse to write about how much we love our dogs, but did you know our furry friends also come with benefits? Turn to page 22 to find out how much our pets really do benefit us!

There is no better season to shine than the Holiday season and no better place to find your special outfit, shoes, lingerie and jewellery - Okanagan Woman magazine has everything you need to sparkle this season. If you’re looking for something for your family and friends, take a look at our gift giving guide - page 26. If you’re still struggling for that perfect Christmas gift idea? How about a gift that gives back - subscribe to Okanagan Woman Magazine, it’s easy - see form on page 32.

Wishing you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

I hope you enjoy every minute of Cheers,

Suzy x

2018

What would you like to see in the magazine next year?

Tell us, we’d love to hear from you. info@okanaganwoman.com

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 5

From the best of the Okanagan Valley, we found the team of talented professionals to create our elaborate ICE QUEEN VISION for our Winter cover.

Cover shoot Winter 2017

The team met at 9AM at White Wave Studios with coffee in hand to get started on our creation.

Missy Mackintosh has become known for her elaborate makeup skills using a variety of methods to create depth and interest in her work - our shoot was no exception.

The magical transformation of our model was enhanced with the use of tons of glitter and unique lashes created by Missy’s own fair hand. She took our beautiful model, Amy Lundman, and made her into a chilling, fierce Ice Queen, Talking about Amy, there was no lack of commitment from this young beauty, before arriving on the shoot, she actually bleached her eyebrows!

We promise she is not as cold as she looks.

JILL KERRY LOUISE A Fashion Design and Marketing graduate, Jill brings her love for style, beauty and music to the world of publishing.

She’s drawn to the quirky and weird!

With an extensive lipstick collection, she aims to bring a lot of colour to the world around her.

Before Missy started gluing the ice crystals onto Amy’s face, our hairstylist, Jessica Langedyk, took her turn transforming Amy. The theme of the day was volume and texture and to meet our vision, Jessica crimped, backcombed, curled, sprayed and added lots and lots of dry powder - all for effect..… you name it, she did it!

Missy polished off our Ice queen with white airbrushing around the face blending through the hairline and adding ice crystals to give even more sparkle!

With that Amy was ready for her close-up.

…and for all you aspiring models out there, you should know that this career requires the ability to hold an awkward pose for a ridiculously long period of time and a lot of patience…

JUST ASK AMY HOW LONG IT TOOK TO BRUSH HER HAIR OUT AND DISSOLVE THE GLUE OFF HER FACE AT THE END OF THE PHOTO SHOOT!

Jennys inspiring passion never ceases to amaze us here at Okanagan Woman.

Using tulle, mesh and frosted glass, she created an abundance of beautiful veiled shots adding texture and interest to an already elaborate shoot.

JESSICA LANGEDYK was born and raised in Kelowna, BC. An award-winning, internationally published hair stylist and makeup artist.

From dramatic theatre work and special event looks, to behind the chair at NV Studio, Jessica loves connecting and creating with the Okanagan community.

6 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

Jill

Jessica

Missy

Jenny

MISSY MACKINTOSH, professionally trained artist, studied at Blanche McDonald, Vancouver and Make Up For Ever Academy, Paris.

Since 2006 Missy has specialized in bridal, fashion, editorial and creative art, published locally and internationally.

Passionate and dedicated to her craft for over a decade.

JENNY KAMO Modern portraiture and authentic lifestyle photographer.

Her goal is to create beautiful and memorable images. Jenny lives in Kelowna with her husband and daughter. A lover of all things vintage, good entertainment and dinners out!

Meet our Writers in this Issue DEANNA RAINEY

SHANNON LINDEN

After studying journalism, Deanna worked in the tourism industry for 30 years. She developed a passion for travel and to this day she and her husband, Dave, are always busy planning their next trip. Touched by the plight of the families affected by overdose deaths, Deanna writes frequently about the fentanyl crisis and related issues. She has written for several regional publications and newspapers, enjoying the creation of in-depth features with many of the amazing residents of the Okanagan.

Her greatest love is her family, including Dave, son Sheldon and Guinness, a lovely but spoiled labradoodle.

Live theatre and a good glass of Okanagan bubbly round out her list of personal favorites.

Shannon has been story telling since grade two, but she didn’t publish until she and her hubby sold everything and moved to the Middle East with little kids. She taught elementary school and journalism at Abu Dhabi Women’s College and wrote for the Gulf News and glossy magazines. Now she is a newspaper and magazine columnist and feature writer specializing in health and medicine. With a fistful of young adult novels in the works, she plans to be back in the classroom as a visiting author.

An avid traveler and fitness aficionado, she loves outdoor recreation, indoor cake-baking, and anywhere shoe shopping.

Visit her at shannonlinden.ca

PATTI SHALES LEFKOS Following a rewarding career in education Patti studied journalism at Langara College in Vancouver then set out to pursue adventure travel.

Whether canoeing northern rivers, backcountry skiing in BC, or trekking in Tibet and Nepal, she embraces the culture and environment of wilderness areas. When not travelling, she skis at Silver Star Mountain Resort where she combats writers’ block by gazing out her office window at the antics of Stellar’s Jays. In summer she swims, rows and paddles at her Ontario island cottage. Patti is currently at work on a travel memoir recounting her adventures as a solo senior volunteer and trekker in the Nepal Himalaya.

GISELA SCHOLZE Gisela's passion for interior design is only surpassed by her keen interest in creative based education and world knowledge. She writes to educate as well as research topics of special interest - including repurposing, recycling and rejuvenating unique vintage objects d'art. Having had the pleasure of travelling to many world wine regions including France, Italy, Spain as well as Oregon, Washington and California, Gisela just received her Canadian Wine Scholar certification while expanding on her viniculture interest of Okanagan wines.

When not studying, Gisela is supporting her diverse and varied interests, including volunteering with Okanagan Feast of Fields as well as experimentation in growing exotic succulents from around the globe.

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 7

b dazzled

EVIDENCE OF THE GEMSTONE TRADE DATES BACK SEVEN THOUSAND YEARS, BUT IT IS ONLY SINCE MEDIEVAL TIMES THAT TRADE IN GEMS BECAME ORGANIZED AND SECRETIVE.

All that

Glitters...

Secrets of the trade were passed on from generation to generation and are still evident today. It was essential for merchants to guard the source of their precious ďŹ nds as a matter of self preservation. Today, the gemstone trade is a closed fraternity based on high levels of trust between members.

TRUST is the cornerstone of the professional jewellery

and precious stone business. As a gem buyer, I depend on honest information from trusted dealers with a gemological background. But in a world of enticing colours and glitter, the paths are fraught with deception and misrepresentation.

Just as in any other field, human ingenuity has entered the realm of gemstone enhancement, by artificially improving the appearance of the natural crystal. Heating and or irradiating certain stones to saturate the colour may increase their values, while an untreated naturally beautiful sapphire or aquamarine will be traded at a premium. Industry standards mandate full disclosure of any enhancement a stone has been subjected to. This transparency is vital to the trade, from the gem dealer down to the client adoring an original piece created with precious gems.

Gemstones, in particular coloured gemstones, also boast the attribution of rarity and healing power.

b bold b confident b you

info@bheer.com 250.860.1090 or 1.877.792.0440 www.bheer.com

There is no mistaking b heer jewellery originals 8 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

Precious stones are graded for value by a set of criteria known as the 4C’s: CUT - COLOUR - CLARITY - CARAT. One could arguably add the characteristic of rarity to this formula.

While the business behind the gemstone trade is intriguing, our imagination is very much captured by the beauty and brilliance each coloured crystal holds.

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It is fascinating we value coloured rocks, formed in the earth’s crust over thousands or even millions of years of heat and pressure. Our lust for these sparkling beauties goes far beyond the physical properties we endear.

Bringing this magic to light is the work of a very experienced lapidary (gem cutter), trained in various crystal systems and physical properties.

Colour may be the other preferred criteria when choosing a stone, as colour has the power to evoke deep emotional reactions.

This work is still done by very skilled hands and eyes to preserve the integrity of the most valued gems. Creativity and the advent of computer applications have also helped bring very effective new facet designs to light.

Hue is technically the colour, saturation refers to the brightness of the hue, either vivid or dull.

While the cut of a stone describes the geometry and placement of facets, the shape refers to the actual outline.

The shape of gemstones plays a dominant role in any jewellery design. Classic shapes like round, oval and teardrop top the list, followed by emerald cut, square and cushion. The curved triangular form called trillion is considered one of the fancy cuts and is very versatile in jewellery design.

Tone describes the hues lightness or darkness. Balancing the three factors in a gemstone creates the beauty we desire and love.

Clarity is easily understood, as it indicates the level of blemishes or fractures contained within a crystal. Inclusions of any kind reduces the amount of light refracted and thus the stone will appear less brilliant.

On the flip side, inclusions can be used creatively as a feature in the stone design by a gem cutter.

A FEW LESSER KNOWN FACTS ABOUT GEMSTONES: •

Sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness and come in most hues of the colour spectrum.

•

A red sapphire containing a trace amount of chromium in its mineral composition is considered a ruby.

•

Emeralds and aquamarine are members of the beryl family. Also included in this group are red beryl, yellow (heliodor) and morganite.

•

Alexandrite is a chrysoberyl that has aluminium replaced by chromium. This composition enables the rare stone to change colour from emerald green in daylight to a strong purplish red in incandescent light.

•

Spinel gained prominence when in the 19th century it was discovered that the Black Prince’s ruby was actually a superb red spinel. The stone is now part of the British Imperial State Crown.

Working with these fine gifts from deep inside the earth is exhilarating and a privilege. I believe each precious stone should be honoured by creating a piece of jewellery of lasting value that can be treasured for generations.

Bayot & Emily Heer

Fashion Foundations.ca

#118 – 1950 HARVEY AVENUE (SPALL PLAZA) KELOWNA BC V1Y 8J8 | PHONE 250.763.1473

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 9

IF YOU TEND TO FEEL A LITTLE BIT BLUE WHEN DAYS SHORTEN AND SKIES TURN GREY, RAISING YOUR SPIRITS MIGHT BE AS EASY AS GETTING HIGH……

IN ALTITUDE.

Beat the

WINTER G E T

Head for the hills of the Okanagan for winter activities to suit every age, taste and pocketbook.

A B O V E

BY PATTI SHALES LEFKOS

SCHUSSING AND RIDING THE SLOPES

A day at one of the Okanagan’s magical mountain resorts, Big White, SilverStar or Apex, surrounded by the natural beauty of snow-covered trees under a bluebird sky will leave you with a sunnier outlook no matter what activity you choose. Each day downhill skiers and snowboarders spend on the slopes, experts and beginners alike will notice an improvement in lower body and core strength, better balance, and an increase in joint and bone strength.

Added bonus: all that fresh air promotes deep sleep.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful excursion or a cardio workout, cross country skiing, classic or skate, in the serenity of snowy forests is perfect for you. The Okanagan has countless kilometres of groomed trails. While the resorts mentioned above all offer cross-country skiing, various areas specialize in nordic skiing. Closest to Kelowna, Telemark Cross-country Ski Club and McCulloch cross-country ski area offer extensive groomed trails.

In the North Okanagan, Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre and SilverStar Ski Resort combine forces for a total of more than 175 km of trails, groomed daily. National teams from all over the globe converge there for early season high altitude training, so keep your eyes open for tips on technique as they speed by in a blur of powder.

FUN ON FAT TIRES

Knees sore from skiing? Here’s something to get you out on the snow, in comfort.

Originating in the 1980’s when regular bikes were modified to allow riders to compete in the Iditabike in Alaska, fat tire bikes now specially designed for riding and racing on snow are the latest craze to hit winter trails throughout the Okanagan. Designed with tires 3.75 inches or wider, on a modified frame, they allow the rider to tackle unstable surfaces like snow or sand. Rentals are usually available.

10 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

CLIMBING THE GREAT BIG ICICLE

For indoor climbing wall aficionados, and all others looking for a new climbing adventure, winter is a good time to take your skills outdoors and ramp them up. The top of the 18 metre high ice climbing tower in Happy Valley Adventure Park at Big White Ski Resort is a good place to start. Constructed out of four telephone poles and ice a metre thick, the tower has four sides, offering challenges from beginners to experts of all ages. Boots, crampons and ice axes are all provided.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE GET OUT THERE AND HAVE SOME FUN!

GREYS

T H E

EXPERIENCE

Fashion Forward Styling AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

C L O U D S

BACK COUNTRY DELIGHTS

Back country skiing is all about earning your turns by trekking up slopes with climbing skins on your skis, then turning around and skiing down through untracked powder. Comfort levels vary greatly from posh lodges with gourmet meals and cozy comforters, to rustic cabins or snow camping on multi-day trips. Excellent route finding skills, a thorough knowledge of avalanche rescue skills and a licensed backcountry ski guide are essential for a safe experience. Don’t even think about going it alone.

SHREDDING ON A SLED

If motorized vehicles are more your style, a day of snowmobiling is a great way to enjoy alpine vistas and sunny snowy meadows. Several Okanagan clubs gather to create family friendly outings. Graystokes Park, the largest groomed trail system in BC, has more than 150 km snowmobile trails leading to five cabins. Find a club with experienced sledders to help you get started, grab a picnic and get out there and enjoy the pristine environment.

But, before you go, get snowmobile specific avalanche training and check the Canadian Avalanche Centre bulletin for the day.

FROLIC IN THE SNOW

WWW.104GREYCLOTHINGANDACCESSORIES.CA

Dig your snowsuit out of the cupboard, zip it up, grab a toque and no matter what your age get out there and have some fun. It’s time to search the garage for that forgotten flying saucer, toboggan or childhood wooden sled you could never bear to part with. You don’t have to be a kid to play in the snow, but it is definitely more fun with children or grandchildren. Stress will melt away after a day of building snow forts, waging snowball fights, or building snow creatures. For extra thrills try tubing at one of the local ski resorts. End the day by collapsing in the snow and carving a snow angel. Lie there and let the snowflakes kiss your cheeks.

PH. 778-475-5705 2902B - 30TH AVENUE VERNON BC OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 11

SKATING ON AN OUTDOOR RINK

What could be more magical than skating on an outdoor rink surrounded by snow covered trees and mountain views? Bring the entire family and become part of your own Currier and Ives winter scene. SilverStar, Big White and Apex all boast outdoor ice surfaces where you can rent skates and enjoy hockey and pleasure skating. Clubs looking to host a bonspiel or skating practice should check out the resort websites for details. When you’re done, soak up the rays while sipping a hot chocolate and watching the Zamboni go round and round.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

WALK THE DOG OR MUSH WITH AN ENTIRE TEAM

Prefer to observe the winter wonderland from a slightly different perspective?

Sign up for an exhilarating excursion through the backcountry of Big White Resort, wrapped in layers of cozy blankets, on the back of a sled pulled by Canadian sled dogs. Candle Creek Kennels will begin your trip with an introduction to the dogs, the sled and the process of harnessing before heading out on the trails. This traditional, exciting and educational experience for all family members over the age of three, offers a special treat for participants age fourteen and above, helping to drive the sled, or take your own dog for a fresh air outing. Most resorts designate separate trails for walking alone or with your dog, but don’t forget the leash and plastic bag. You’ll both benefit from bright skies and crisp winter air.

Some studies suggest vitamin D might help to counteract the winter blues. The two main ways to get vitamin D are by exposing your bare skin to sunlight and by taking vitamin D tablets. If the former sounds a bit chilly, check with your doctor about supplements.

HIT THE DECKS

A latte or hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream or a steaming hot buttered rum somehow always tastes better on an outdoor deck on a bluebird day in the mountains.

Whatever your activity, take some time to relax and enjoy the view.

DESIGNER LADIES WEAR STUNNING ACCESSORIES & GIFTS GREAT SHOES & HANDBAGS!

Unique Selection in Each Store

12 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

You know who she is, that woman with the confident beauty that seems natural and effortless. Whether windblown at the beach, or glamoured up for a Christmas soirée, she glows….. she’s likely had a little help.

Where should YOU go for your

Christmas Glow?

You're a REAL Beauty

Here are a few keys to authentic-looking, carefree beauty that will have people wondering what makes you glow this Christmas!

Lips:

There’s more to it than just pumping up the volume; Plump lips are often associated with youthful beauty. Apart from adding general volume, a good injector will combine art and science to achieve a truly beautiful result, which may involve enhancing the cupid’s bow, lifting a curled upper lip, or correcting asymmetry.

If size is what you are after, we encourage you to build up gradually over two or three appointments, for a naturally glam look you’ll absolutely love.

Experience Matters; Every single patient we see requires a different amount of filler injected in a slightly different way. Experience and fine attention to detail is key, along with advanced injecting techniques using micro-cannulas, which allow the precise placement of product and minimize the risk of bruising and swelling.

If performed correctly, your lips shouldn’t feel any different, not even when you’re kissing under the mistletoe!

Size…Shape…Ratios.

An experienced injector has a strong knowledge of how facial proportions contribute to your features. We take into account the ideal upper to lower lip proportions (aka “the golden ratio”), your individual lip shape, your gender, and your ethnicity. We want you to look your best, not someone else’s best.

To look natural, the upper lip should usually be slightly more than half the size of the lower lip, 0.6:1 to be precise. The ratio differs slightly for different ethnicities, and for men.

The whole picture

Ideal ratios also pertain to the face as a whole, so lip plumping should be accompanied with volume enhancement in other parts of the face, for a properly balanced look.

SUBTLE TREATMENTS . ARTFUL TECHNIQUES NATURAL-LOOKING RESULTS Botox . Filler . Collagen Stimulation Carbossi . Mesotherapy . CO2 . IPL

Featuring European techniques not offered elsewhere in the Okanagan

Make the most of your investment

To get the look you’re after, you really need great skin. Laser skin tightening, chemical peels, physician-grade facials, and professional skin care products are recommended to optimize your volumizing treatment.

Now own it!

While science can attribute visual attractiveness to mathematical proportions, qualities of the mind and soul are the substance of real long lasting beauty. Carefree confidence is the final touch that will truly make your beauty glow!

THE DE PIERI CLINIC HEALTH & AESTHETICS

106-1353 Ellis Street Kelowna . (250) 448-7408 www.thedepiericlinic.com OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 13

Casa Bella Boutique 1 - 3212 30th Avenue, Vernon, bc 778.475.4603 14 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

Day to Evening Sizes 2 to 22

Shandi Schwartz, always joked that if her teaching/counseling career didn’t work out, she’d open up a shoe store. Since she can remember,

Shandi will never forget her teaching roots of 22 years with SD#23. She has set up a bursary for a local graduate through the Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society.

she’s had an incredible love of fashion and a voracious appetite for shoes. It was during the BC teachers strike in 2014 that she decided it was time to chase that dream….. and that was truly the beginning of Strut Footwear!

From there, Shandi wrote her business plan, started researching footwear lines, attending buying shows in North America, and dove into learning all she could about the footwear and fashion industry.

Shandi’s vision for her store emerged; bringing footwear to women who love fashion and need comfort in a beautiful and welcoming environment.

Strut customers are busy female professionals who need to look good and feel great everyday. Shandi wants her customers to have a great experience at Strut, no matter if they only have 5 minutes to take a quick peek, or need an hour to be fitted properly into the right shoe.

We may sell shoes, but we are in the business of relationships at Strut. “We want our gals to know that they are important to us and that we care about what they put on their feet and how they feel”, says Shandi. “Strut would not exist if not for our customers and we appreciate the time they take to walk through our door and choose to spend their hard-earned money on shoes or accessories from Strut”.

size range. We also carry footwear that fit orthotics, namely, Vionic, a brand that was founded by a podiatrist, incorporating style and functionality into their shoes, boots, sandals and heels.

So the next time you are out looking for a great pair of shoes, come to Strut Footwear in the Mission Park Shopping Centre and meet Shandi and the team, who would be only too happy to help you find your new favorite pair!

We carry many high quality European lines across a broad

Strut out in Style Over 20 European brands available to suit your unique taste in footwear ATELIERS HISPANITAS PETER KAISER FRANCE MODE DORKING ZINDA

Fashion, Comfort and Style.

MISSION PARK SHOPPING CENTRE - 3155 Lakeshore Rd #29, Kelowna Phone 236-420-3999 www.strutfootwear.com OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 15

Honey Health Natural Skincare

RAW Honey

Honey Health Boutique

Open Year Round

Bella Vista Rd, Vernon OR shop online at www.PlanetBee.com

16 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE HIVE!

Probably the most well-loved product of the hive is honey, widely used as a natural, healthy, alternative sweetener.

Studies also show that consuming pure raw honey with pollen from your local area provides the most benefit for allergy defense. Honey can also be substituted for sugar as a healthy alternative in any baking recipe including preserves such as jams, jellies, and sauces.

Collected by honeybees and used as a food in the hive, Bee Pollen is one of the most nutritionally-complete natural foods on Earth! Available in air dried granules, capsules, and Okanagan fresh frozen Allergy Defense, bee pollen can contain up to 40% protein, the primary building block of our muscles. Add a healthy boost to your active lifestyle with natural bee pollen and you’ll be buzzing in no time.

Made from resins of the best available trees and plants, Propolis is used as a glue to hold the hive together, to fill cracks and holes and glaze the passageways creating a sterile environment within the hive. Propolis has a long history in traditional medicine and can contain over 300 chemical compounds. Some of the biological properties of propolis include: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoan, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic and antioxidant. Propolis is available in raw, liquid or capsule form.

Royal Jelly is produced from glands in the heads of young worker bees and is the exclusive food of the Queen Bee. The queen bee develops 5 days faster, lives up to 35 times longer than the average worker bee and can lay up to 2000 eggs a day, three times her own body weight. Available in fresh frozen, capsules, or in honey, Royal Jelly can significantly lower cholesterol, aid in cell regeneration and stimulate collagen production in our skin which can diminish the signs of ageing. Royal Jelly can also help alleviate the symptoms of stress, depression, PMS & menopause.

Planet Bee’s all-natural body care line, "Let it Bee," is prepared with the optimal combination of honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, tea tree oil, and beeswax. The all natural "Let it Bee" line of body care is great for people with allergies and sensitive skin, and it's all crafted locally here in the Okanagan.

FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED IN THE OKANAGAN FOR 20 YEARS, PLANET BEE AIMS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE CUSTOMERS WITH THE AMAZING WORLD OF THE HONEYBEE, SUPPORTING HONEYBEE HEALTH AND AWARENESS LOCALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

They are also proud to have achieved Green Tourism Silver accreditation in 2016. Step into their Honey Health Boutique, open year-round on Bella Vista Road in Vernon and discover for yourself the treasures of the hive.

Sized for real people

XS - 4X Elegant wardrobe solutions

www.blueskyclothingco.com

ECO FRIENDLY & FAIR TRADE

529 Bernard Ave, Kelowna

Ph: 778 484 2759

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 17

Here we are in the final quarter of 2017. Time to take stock, tally and assess which of our investments, advertisements, promotions, etc., yielded the best return on investment (ROI).

OF COURSE MANY PEOPLE READING THIS MIGHT ASSUME I'M REFERRING ONLY TO ALL THINGS BUSINESS. The reality however, is everything we start, plan or dedicate an amount of time to, is done with an expectation of receiving a benefit of some description down the road? Or is it...?

Health is our

Greatest Investment We invest money to have that nest egg for retirement, put aside funds for our kids' education to help them get ahead and plan holidays in advance to get the best deal and ensure we can take the time off. We comparison shop for those large purchases, making sure to get the one that meets all our needs, book our vehicles in for scheduled service to make sure we aren't left stranded at the side of the road, plan milestone birthdays and anniversaries months in advance to surprise the guest of honour; heck, we even set aside a specific day of the week to grocery shop in an effort to make sure everyone has their favourites for the week's lunch boxes. Whether dealing with large-scale retirement funds or the small everyday-scale lunch boxes,

18 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

we invest time, money, and even our feelings in just about every area of our lives…… except our health!

Having worked with countless clients, it has been my experience, generally speaking, that until people find themselves in dire straits, they tend to take better care of their cars than their bodies. People are more concerned with how they'll get to work rather than how they're going to get through life. Interesting thought process since our bodies really are “vehicles” that drive us through life.

Unlike the vehicle in your driveway however, our bodies don't come with a warranty, nor are trade-ins an option. We only get one.

Failure to invest in your health is a costly venture as over the long term it robs us of both time and money.

I've seen many people retire only to spend the rest of their days going from one doctor appointment to the next, spending crazy amounts of money trying to regain their health. And then there are those who aren't even close to retirement, yet unexpectedly find themselves unable to work due to some serious illness.

Just as your financial advisor asks questions to determine the best way to invest your money, ask yourself these questions to determine the value of investing in health:

What would happen if I could no longer work?

Would I lose my job?

Would my business survive if I'm not there everyday?

How would this affect my family?

Do I have enough money saved to cover expenses and treatments?

Not questions we like to think about, but definitely ones that need addressing.

There are six main components of health that, when invested in on a regular basis deliver maximum ROI on your health. Take a moment to self-assess, and note which areas need an immediate contribution.

1 2 3 4

STRESS: left unchecked wreaks havoc on the body, both visually – hello fine lines and wrinkles – and internally – high blood pressure, high cholesterol, expanded waistlines and heart disease to name a few.

Granted it's almost impossible to control what life throws at us, but we can absolutely do something about how we respond to it.

SLEEP: lack of, or poor quality sleep, not only adds to any existing internal stress, it prohibits our bodies from properly metabolizing food and promotes fat storage.

WATER: a good portion of our body and brain are not only comprised of water, but water is actually required to perform nearly all bodily functions. Just as running low on oil is hard on your cars engine, depriving your body of water is hard on the brain and all the body's systems, so drink up.

Investing regularly in your health versus deferring any adjustments to a future date, is tantamount to contributing regularly to your investment portfolio or simply counting on CPP and OAS upon retirement. In both cases, you won't have much to work with.

Although markets fluctuate, data shows that steady investments over time yield a much higher return than sporadic or no contributions at all, the same holds true with our health.

We all only get one life, why not create a life that you will enjoy as you get older, rather than suffer with?

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, YOU CAN INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH NOW, OR PAY TO REGAIN IT LATER. TANIA GUSTAFSON Nutritionist & Fitness Coach (IBNFC)

Tania, owner/founder of FIT Nutrition, is a global nutritionist and fitness coach, fitness instructor, workshop facilitator, educator, speaker, writer and success creator.

Tania is currently one of only five health professionals licensed and certified in Canada to coach a proven, three-phase program providing education on the importance of blood sugar stabilization, not dieting. For more information go to fuelignitethrive.com.

NUTRITION: food should be fuel, not just fill. No one would dream of putting gas in a diesel engine but many don't think twice when filling their bodies with ‘food-like’ substances. Unless the majority of what we eat is coming from whole, unadulterated foods, our bodies become deficient at a cellular level from a lack of essential nutrients. It's at this point that aging and disease is accelerated.

5 6

EXERCISE: we've all likely heard the phrase “If you don't move it you'll lose it” and it's the truth. Activities that get you up and moving for about 30 minutes per day help maintain joint flexibility, strengthen muscles including the heart, improve bone density, stabilize mood and allow for better focus and concentration.

SUPPLEMENTS: most people are deficient in

something. Finding out what that is and taking the right supplements to correct it, is as essential as having good winter tires on your car. You may not notice any difference in the way your car handles for a while, but come that first snowfall, you'll be glad you spent the money. Using quality supplements to fill nutritional gaps may not feel like you're doing much at the time, but you'll be smiling when cold and flu season passes you by.

Retirement living can be active, inspiring, and fulfilling.

We know because we help make it a reality every day.

To learn more about the Verve difference at The Heritage, visit verveseniorliving.com

250-768-9926 I 3630 Brown Rd, W, Kelowna, BC OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 19

Your Wealth.

Your Future.

Our Focus.

With the recent volatility of the equity markets and the rates on Government Bonds and Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) near historical lows, you may be uncertain about which investments will be most effective for you.

Introducing TD Structured Notes (TD Notes), an investment product designed to help you combine the potential for higher returns offered by the equity markets with downside protection if held to maturity.

Whether your focus is on generating more income, growing your initial investment or reducing the risk of what you currently have invested in the stock market, TD Notes offer a wide variety of options to help you reach your goals and diversify your portfolio.

In addition, we can recommend TD Notes that can meet your unique investment objectives, such as term, yield and downside protection.

Investors have used TD Notes as replacements to Preferred Shares, High Yield Bonds, Mutual Funds and ETFs. Practical Investment Solutions for Investors Seeking Safety, Growth and Income Meghan MacDonald, CIM® MacDonald Wealth Group TD Wealth Private Investment Advice 1633 Ellis Street Suite 410 Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A8 | T 250 470 3026 meghan.macdonald@td.com Macdonaldwealthgroup.com

Investors are encouraged to read the Information Statement or

Notes to obtain additional Prospectus for the Structured information and all material facts relating to the Notes TD Structured Notes are offered by TD Wealth. The offering documents and certain additional

information about the Notes can be found on tdstructurednotes.com. MacDonald Wealth Group

MacDonald, Investment Advisor, Meghan consists of Dan MacDonald Investment Advisor, Laura Wierzbicki Client Service Associate,

and Kathleen Brouse Client Service Associate.

MacDonald Wealth

Group is part of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice; a division of TD Waterhouse

Canada Inc. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Member of the Canadian Waterhouse Canada Inc. – Investor Protection Fund. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The TorontoDominion Bank.

20 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

SNOWBIRD

Migration

HEALTH AND WEALTH CHECKLIST If you are a snowbird, planning for a medical emergency should be right up there with what to pack!

BY MEGHAN MACDONALD

10

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH AND WEALTH WHILE OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

1. Don’t count on Canadian Health Care When outside of the country, your Canadian government health insurance plan may cover less than you think; and when it comes to emergency medical treatment, provincial healthcare may pay only minimal amounts - and at the same rates as they would pay for services in your home province. Just to put that into perspective—treating a broken leg in the U.S. can cost about $3500 USD1, whereas a provincial plan may pay $502 for an outpatient hospital visit.

2. Get insured

The costs of medical care while outside of Canada can add up, even for small incidents. Depending on the policy, insurance can cover everything from prescription medication to hospital care.

Travel insurance for long trips can get pricey, so shop around. Ensure you bring all applicable policy documents with you when you cross the border, as well as proof of when you left Canada— like a boarding pass, or even a receipt from the border duty-free store.

3. Cover it all

About Meghan MacDonald, CIM®

A policy that covers you for $1,000,000 may seem high, but if it’s not cost prohibitive, consider buying as much coverage as you can. An annual policy, which would be effective for a year, may be less expensive than a policy that covers you for a single trip. Some annual plans limit the number of days you are covered while out of the country, so if you need to top up the number of days on your annual plan for an extended trip, be sure to contact your insurance company before you leave.

4. Disclose everything

Meghan is Investment Advisor with the MacDonald Wealth Group, who serves, retirees, business owners, professionals and their families throughout the Okanagan.

When it comes to travel medical insurance, honesty is the only policy.

Even though it might cost more to disclose previous or existing health issues, it will minimize the risk of your insurer denying your claims.

Disclose all conditions, injuries or symptoms that had given rise to any form of treatment or medication in the two years before taking out a policy. It is also advisable that you tell the insurer if you will be doing anything adventurous on your trip, like bungee jumping or mountain climbing, as some insurers will not cover what they consider hazardous.

Meghan specializes in building relationships with, and meeting the unique wealth management needs of women investors.

5. Not going to the US?

Information sourced from MoneyTalkGo.com For full article, go to: www. moneytalkgo.com/snowbird-migration-10-things-know-protecting-wealth/

Many snowbirds are heading to Mexico or other sunny spots outside North America. Even though the cost of getting medical treatments may be relatively inexpensive in some countries, a travel medical insurance policy may still be a good idea. A visit to the doctor might only cost $35 in some countries, but it could cost $50,000 or more if you need to be airlifted back home.

6. Know before you go

Wherever you go, do a little research ahead of time to identify services that you might need in an emergency. Locate a nearby clinic, hospital and know what to dial. 911 will access help in the U.S. But in Mexico or elsewhere the emergency number may be different.

7. B.Y.O.P. (Bring your own prescriptions)

If you have prescription medications, some provinces will allow you to obtain a 200-day supply of medication for travel purposes. Always bring a copy of your prescriptions with you. If you do need to fill a prescription at a U.S. pharmacy, you’ll need a local doctor to write the prescription, but you’ll know what you need. For ease of customs clearance, have your medication close at hand, and in clearly labelled containers.

8. The Power of Powers of Attorney

A power of attorney is essential to allow someone else to make decisions on the medical care you need. While out of country, it is important to have your powers of attorney up-to-date.

Additionally, you may consider executing the powers of attorney in the state where you will be staying to ensure that they will be recognized.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ASPE ISSUE BRIEF. Common Sports Injuries: Incidence and Average Charges. Arpit Misra.

1

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. http://www.health.gov. on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/travel.aspx

2

Source: MoneyTalkGo.com

This document was prepared by Meghan MacDonald, Investment Advisor for informational purposes only and is subject to change. The contents of this document are not endorsed by TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.

9. Good things shouldn’t come to an end—Especially Health Care

Different provinces have different rules for how long you can be out of the province before you lose your government health insurance benefits. If you are out of province for a prolonged period, you may have to reinstate your benefits by living in your province for a pre-determined period of time. Make sure you know the rules and are able to prove you have fulfilled your residency requirements.

10. Writing it off

Come tax time, health insurance, including out-ofprovince travel medical insurance premiums, may be eligible as part of the medical tax credit —a nice perk. You can include the premiums for extended health and dental programs up to a limit based on a ceiling or a percentage of income—whichever is less.

Ask your insurer for a receipt stating the cost of your medical coverage (excluding any trip cancellation or lost baggage coverage). Medical expenses you incurred outside of the country may also be eligible.

Bottom Line

Since even a small accident can mean a significant medical bill in the U.S., always make sure you are insured, even if just going cross-border shopping for a day. You can leave your insurance information with family members, keep copies with you, and carry family phone numbers with you wherever you go.

Better safe than sorry!

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 21

Of course our furry friends make us smile, BUT DID YOU KNOW HAVING A PET KEEPS YOU HEALTHY?

Good Dog!

BY SHANNON LINDEN

Our first baby was a boy.

My husband and I named him Jake.

So sweet was his little face, so sparkly his deep brown eyes, it was love at first sight when I found him at the SPCA, a fivepound ball of brindled fur in need of a home.

Yes, before the (human) children, there was the dog. And after Jake came another adoptee, Maxine, our Border CollieGerman Shepherd cross.

Turning twelve, she defies her senior dog years. Her coat is only sprinkled with grey, her hind end only mildly arthritic, her elation when the leash comes out only slightly subdued. She is the family dog – the one who grew up with the kids, from elementary school until she saw them off to university. She is not just a pet—she’s a member of the family and according to science, she’s a lifesaver too.

22 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

As if their devotion isn’t enough, here we offer five more healthy reasons to love our furry friends.

1) EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAILY OUTING When the weather outside is frightful, we'd rather curl up under a comforter with cup of something soothing, but sorry! Like a bootcamp boss, your dog (albeit with a wistful whimper instead of an annoying, “woo-hoo!”) is going to kick your booty outside and into action.

Not only do dog owners walk more, research shows they go further, faster. A study out of Michigan State University found they are 34 percent more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking a week, while a University of Missouri study found people with puppies walked 28 percent faster with their hounds than they did with their human friends.

Christy Lovig, a lawyer and partner with Doak Shirreff in Kelowna, doesn’t need her dogs to push her speed. A nationally ranked competitive runner, she recently broke 2:48 on the clock at the London Marathon, but she says her dogs are responsible for something even more important: slowing her down.

"It's cliché, but we're all so busy! We don't take the time to slow down, get outside and enjoy every breath of fresh air, every step… not just for exercise… for unplugging."

Lovig and her husband regularly hike with their beautiful Timberwolf-Husky crosses, Axel and Kona. “It's therapeutic to go out with them,” Lovig says. “Dogs are so happy and grateful for each stick and rock and little thing along the way.

It’s exciting for them! As humans, I think we're missing out on a lot."

Lovig leaves the phone at home and her worries behind when she hits the hills. “Our hikes are time to explore, time away from the world and people,” she explains. “Never once have I regretted getting outside with the dogs.”

CHRISTY LOVIG CREDIT: CAROLYN CARSON AT CARSON PHOTOGRAPHY

RESEARCH SUGGESTS OUR PETS’ BACTERIA CAN HELP PROTECT OUR BABIES FROM ALLERGIES AND EVEN OBESITY.

3) ROLL OVER ALLERGIES, ROVER'S GOT THE CURE Research completed right next-door, at the University of Alberta, suggests our pets’ bacteria can help protect our babies from allergies and even obesity.

Pediatric epidemiologist, Anita Kozyrskyj, who recently published her team’s findings in the journal, Microbiome, says families with furry friends (particularly dogs), show increased levels of gut microbes, oscillospira and ruminococcus, both of which are linked to a lower risk of allergies and obesity.

Next time your dirty dog runs through the door, remind yourself the muck and bacteria he brings with him help build immunity for everyone.

Kozyrskyj says babies most benefit while in utero and during the first three months of life because that's when gut immunity and microbes co-develop.

Teaching Excellence, Inspiring Futures, Shaping Character

2) LOWER YOUR STRESS AND HEAL YOUR HEART WITH A CAT (OR DOG) Did you know just being in the presence of your pet decreases your body's response to stress? That means lower heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones, like cortisol.

Similar to a mother bonding with her baby, when we gaze into our dog's eyes, we get a surge of oxytocin, the hormone that helps establish maternal connection and trust—and also helps to reduce blood pressure.

A study published in Hypertension and cited on helloheart.com, divided forty-eight stockbrokers with hypertension (can you say stress?) into two groups, both taking medication to lower blood pressure.

The first group adopted a cat or dog. Six months later that group's blood pressure was much lower when faced with stressful situations than the group without pets.

A lot of research has been conducted in recent years between pet ownership and cardiovascular risk. In particular dog owners seem to benefit, not only because they tend to get more exercise, they also have decreased cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and a lower incidence of obesity, according to the Canadian Heart Association.

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OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 23

4) PETS PAWS-ITIVELY INFLUENCE KIDS You know the saying, “Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are”? Caring for pets might make your kids that great.

Numerous studies over many years show correlation between attachment with pets and higher empathy scores.

Children learn to focus on pets’ needs, not just their own, and they learn to read nonverbal cues that require caring action.

Is the cat hungry? Does the dog need to go out? Is the bunny wrinkling his nose at his dirty cage?

Counselors report children who’ve endured trauma like war, natural disasters, family issues and tragedies, are better able to express anger and sadness by telling their stories over—and over—often to a pet. Who better to listen than the furry family member who won’t judge and never tires of the same story?

Petrina Koltun is a real estate agent with Royal LePage Kelowna and mother to a couple of busy boys and a whole pile of pets.

PETRINA KOLTUN CREDIT: ELIZABETH TREMBLAY AT AVIVA STUDIOS

With two black labs, two baby ferrets, three fish tanks, eight birdfeeders, and up until recently three guinea pigs, Koltun is a firm believer that teaching children how to treat animals creates more responsible, kinder kids who take that caring outside the home.

HAVING PETS CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT OF ENJOYMENT FOR OUR FAMILY AND GETS US OUTSIDE, INTO NATURE, WHICH IS SO GOOD FOR OUR HEALTH.

“Two years ago for Mother's Day my family made me a pond but when it came to fall we could not bear to leave the fish out there, so we brought them inside. Now we have twenty-three of them—some quite large!”

Koltun's younger son, Carson, twelve, is responsible for daily feeding and regular cleaning of their tanks; Kieran, fourteen, takes the dogs and ferrets for daily walks.

“My boys play video games and football, but having pets teaches them patience, responsibility, great compassion, and how to love unconditionally. Having pets creates an environment of enjoyment for our family and gets us outside, into nature, which is so good for our health."

5) RUFF DAY? DOGS CAN HELP It’s one of the most stressful times in a young person’s life: the first year of university. But an innovative program implemented

by UBC Okanagan Faculty of Education Assistant Professor, Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, has students going to the dogs.

B.A.R.K. (Building Academic Retention through K9’s) brings students and trained therapy dogs together in order to “reduce stress, combat homesickness, foster interpersonal connections, and promote the overall social-emotional well being of students.”

B.A.R.K. includes a number of different programs but Binfet says one of the most popular is the drop in, where students can hang out in the BARK room with some fifteen to twenty dogs and their owners.

With students from all over the country, plus a large international population, many are away from family for the first time. The dogs help students feel connected to the campus and each other. Conversations occur and there’s lots of laughter in the BARK room.

“Dogs are social lubricants,” Binfet explains. “When we look at happiness, your social capital, how connected you are to others around you is a key factor in well-being.”

Binfet and his team have conducted three studies showing a significant reduction in stress and homesickness after students visit the BARK room.

“There are physiological benefits—decrease in biomarker stress indicators like blood pressure, cortisol levels—and socially, students become more connected to those around them—they describe a calming of anxiety through the dogs,” Binfet says.

Internationally recognized, B.A.R.K. has been named one of the top 900 programs in North America. More than 30 percent of students on campus use the program.

NEED A HEALTHY BOOST? GET A FURRY FRIEND.

Consider adoption! Contact the SPCA at: spca.bc.ca or call the Kelowna branch at 250 861-7722.

For more information on B.A.R.K., contact: bark.dogtherapy@ubc.ca or call: 250 807-9957.

24 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

Looking for CITY LIFE or COUNTRY CHARM? We have 2 locations for your dog daycare, sleepover, dog food & supplement needs.

DOGGY SPA Shortly after moving to Kelowna, Sheila Sutton found herself on her way towards making her dream a reality.

After working with a local veterinary clinic, acquiring in-depth knowledge and hands on experience with dogs, she now owns and operates DOGGYTOPIA and THE SPOTTED SPA RETREAT.

When Sheila decided to open a dog daycare and eventually expand to a kennel, she also wanted to incorporate her Dalmatian, Bacardi into the name of her business and so, The Spotted Spa Retreat brand name was born. The spot design within the logo is actually Bacardi’s spot pattern, so even though he left Sheila for the Rainbow Bridge in the Spring of 2007…he is always with her.

OUTDOOR

DAYCARE &

SNUGGLY

SLEEPOVER "DENS"

BUS SERVICE Between Both Locations

The Spotted Spa Retreat opened its doors in 2003. It was the

first outdoor daycare and free-run kennel in Kelowna. Spotted Spa boasts over five acres of fully fenced playground for dogs of all sizes to rip around, whether just for the day or overnight. In the summer, dogs can lounge in the pools in DogTown and in winter, they can bury themselves in the snow. The Spotted Spa also offers Wedding Packages! They will escort your freshly bathed and fluffed pup to your wedding venue and then take them back to The Spotted Spa for some play time while you relax and party the night away.

Doggytopia is your go-to downtown doggy destination

with fully acclimatized indoor play areas and two leashed neighbourhood walks per day. It is also the only dog shop downtown, that sells supplements and dog food sourced from Western Canada.

If this isn’t exciting enough......both facilities now offer the Ultimate Daycare Experience!

Drop your dog off between 6:30am – 8:00am at Doggytopia, our bus will take your pup out to The Spotted Spa Retreat for a day of outdoor play. The bus will return your pup to Doggytopia for you to collect anytime between 4:00pm and 6:30pm. Pick up and drop off for Spotted Spa sleepovers is also available at Doggytopia. Visit www.doggytopia.com for more information.

INDOOR

DAYCARE & LEASHED WALKS Ask About the

ULTIMATE DAYCARE EXPERIENCE Offered Monday to Friday 6:30am to 6:30pm

SPOTTED SPA

5571 Anderson Road www.spottedspa.ca 250 765 0405

DOGGYTOPIA

1054 Ellis Street www.doggytopia.com 250 712 0899

All the CEOs (Canine Executive Officers) at both locations have their PET FIRST AID through DOGSAFE CANINE FIRST AID. OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 25

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Men’s and Ladies exclusive designer lines: John Fluevog : Fly London Shoe the Bear : Prophecy Loints of Holland : Papucei Anuschka : Derek Alexander Peter Grimm The gift that keeps on giving. 100% of proceeds from subscription sales goes directly to local women’s charities!

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A PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER Kick off the holidays with The View Winery and Wards Cider. Visit us for unique seasonal gifts and your holiday favourites.

Enjoy a complimentary tasting for two and 15% off all wine and cider products with the mention of this ad.

2287 Ward Rd, Kelowna 250 860 0742 theviewwinery.com wardscider.com

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Featuring great gift ideas from some of our favourite local businesses!

GOURMET GIFT BASKETS Looking for a special gift for that foodie on your list?

The perfect choice is one of Urban Fare’s themed gift baskets filled with gourmet treats—there’s something for everyone.

Give the gift of good taste!

Located in: Mission Park Shopping Centre Kelowna

GREAT TRAVEL BEGINS WITH A GREAT BAG Visit our store to see the full line of stylish bags and accessories for travel and fashion.

FUN AND GAMES FOR ALL AGES Kelowna’s own Standout Puzzles featuring local and Canadian Artists.

Loadza Toyz has a great selection of board games, puzzles, Lego, and imaginative toys.

Orchard Park Shopping Centre 250 763 6566 Find us on Facebook!

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Canada is recognized world-wide for our beautiful flag, colourful currency and of course the national passion for maple syrup over pancakes.

WHAT MANY CANADIANS DON'T KNOW IS THAT WE HAVE BECOME A WORLD LEADER WITH OUR VERY OWN SIGNATURE WINE STYLE. BRITISH COLUMBIA IS NOW RENOWN FOR CREATING SOME OF THE BEST ICEWINE IN THE WORLD, BECOMING RIVALS WITH GERMANY AND AUSTRIA. Considered a rare and luscious delicacy, the one word name 'IceWine' is protected under the Canadian Vintners Association as a registered trademark.

Unfortunately for all wine producers, opportunists off-shore have made IceWine one of the most counterfeited wine products around the world.

Delicious and naturally sweet, the reputation of IceWine is rapidly expanding throughout the wine world with culinary pairing events. Well known as tapas in Spain or meze in the Mediterranean, exotically spiced finger food appetizers and desserts are being explored within the foodie realms. As we enter the festive season of winter solstice, try a few of these pairing inspirations with a sip of a locally produced and legendary Canadian IceWine.

WHITE ICEWINE VARIETALS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR TREE FRUIT FLAVOURS SUCH AS APRICOTS, PEACHES AND RIPE APPLES. GEWÃœRZTRAMINER: oozing with honey and baked apple pie flavours pair with savoury hot cayenne spiced mixed nuts, slices of Fuji apple and a sliced sprig of basil over soft cheese such as chevre.

CHARDONNAY: citrus and spicy notes connect beautifully with dried apricots, seasoned creamy cheeses and exotically spiced almonds.

RIESLING: pear, apple and pineapple flavours align with chocolate coated ginger or ice cream and grilled pineapple gently seasoned with cinnamon.

VIOGNER: slowly baked pear and apples, apricots and lemony flavours connect with homemade ginger snaps, fresh pears or lemon curd.

ICEWINE

Quality standards established within the Canadian wine industry require that IceWine be produced only with grapes left on the vine throughout the fall to naturally freeze. Handpicked often in the middle of the night under freezing temperatures of -8 C or colder, IceWine grapes are rushed immediately to the crush pad for pressing and fermentation.

This 'liquid gold' delicacy is sought after by the gastronomic industry and global travellers visiting the pristine and beautiful Okanagan Valley.

RED VARIETAL ICEWINES TEEM WITH THE SWEET AND JAMMY FRUITS OF STRAWBERRY, POMEGRANATE AND RASPBERRY FLAVOURS. PINOT NOIR: strawberry, orange, lemon and spiced notes connect beautifully with coffee flavored ice cream dusted lightly with ground star anise.

MERLOT: cherry, plum, caramelized fig notes pair with firm cheeses, fig compote and fresh honey crisp apple slices.

SYRAH: bumble berry, rhubarb and baked apple pair with blackberry jelly and cheese biscuits.

PINOTAGE: raspberry, cranberries and spiced candied apple connects with warmed brie baked with spiced cranberries CABERNET FRANC: notes of golden raisins and warm spices pair with dark chocolate Florentines, ginger snaps and raspberries.

BY GISELA SCHOLZE

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 31

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Let Okanagan Woman’s team of fashion experts treat you to a day of pampering!

WIN a makeover valued at over $1000 It’s easy to enter, simply send an email telling us why you or someone you know deserves this fabulous opportunity.

All we need from you is a recent photo of you or your nominee, your detailed information, including name, phone number, address and reason why you need and deserve a makeover.

Send to: info@okanaganwoman.com The winner will receive a complete head-to-toe makeover including, a stylish new hair-do, a facial treatment, professional makeup and a brand new outfit of your choice.

The whole experience will be captured in a full feature article in the spring issue of Okanagan Woman magazine.

CONTEST CLOSES MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 30TH, 2017 The lucky winner will be contacted by January 5th 2018

Complete details at okanganwoman.com 32 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

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www.akaroomservices.com OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 33

WITH THE PLETHORA OF RELAXATION TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE TO US ALL, ONE WOULD THINK THAT BY NOW WE WOULD HAVE OUR LIFE STRESSES CHECKED AND IN BALANCE. Unfortunately, it's not always practical to strike a yoga stance or place your hands into a prayer pose while coping with an anxiety driven moment within the day.

DE-STRESSING ...note to self

BY GISELA SCHOLZE

There are several inward journeys that we can privately travel to help mentally detoxify those chaotic and seemingly unmanageable moments in life.

Using your personal coping skills with a splash of imagination and solid dose of focused effort can purge away those stressful 'hot spot' events.

HERE ARE A FEW STRATEGIES to put into play, that can help return that sense of balance, restore harmony and bring peace back to your world when it feels like it is wobbling a bit too much out of its rotation.

REFOCUS – TAKE A 'MENTAL WALK' ON THE QUIET SIDE The labyrinth has long been known as a symbol of a spiritual journey to the centre. It's also the outward sign of an inner personal pilgrimage. The labyrinth symbol appears in many cultures from the Hopi Indians in North America to churches and spiritual centres throughout the world.

Experiencing a labyrinth is a soft and gentle form of meditation that is physically in motion. We are using the mental, physical and emotional experience as the basis for enhancing our sense of well-being and elevating personal awareness.

You can experience this solitary meditative practise by tracing a handheld labyrinth with your finger, or better still, by taking a meditative walk through an outdoor labyrinth.

An inner sense of well-being evolves as you focus your attention taking one step at a time. Remaining on the entwined path, you must trust that the journey will lead you to the centre even though you appear to be walking in opposing and opposite directions.

This introspective journey helps to shift your attention of the day as you twist and turn to reach the centre of the intricate path. Then, upon arrival at the centre, turn around and retrace your steps back to the beginning. With your refocused attention on the task at hand, a shift happens that helps to lift your spirit mentally while calming down any physical tensions that have accumulated throughout the day/week.

34 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

'SCENT'SATIONALIZE YOUR MEMORIES Fragrance is a sensory connection that often evokes a fond memory from your past. Smelling chocolate chip cookies baking in an oven triggers a flashback to your first recollection of the intensely satisfying aroma of baking chocolate.

The recollection of scent memories is deeply intertwined and has long been used to reduce tension and provide a sense of stress relief.

These nostalgic connections are not coincidental. Volumes of extensive scientific studies and research attempt to document the "how and why" these aromas trigger such clear sensory memories. With one simple sniff, our olfactory response is linked to the emotional centre of our brain creating a vast array of emotional reactions - from frisky or anxious to cozy and relaxed.

TOUCHING ME SOFTLY

TRY SMELLING SOMETHING YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO HELP STEP BACK FROM THE SHARP EDGES OF A REALLY HECTIC DAY. Create your own personal oasis of aroma therapy by seeking out those scents that evoke a sense of joy, balance or passionate love.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Lavender can help you sleep while providing a sense of calm.

Citrus scents like orange and lemon boost alertness and energy.

Vanilla creates a sense of joy and elevates your mood.

Baby powder creates a sense of security and safety.

Cinnamon sharpens your memory and clears your thoughts.

Peppermint boosts your concentration.

Eucalyptus and spearmint are uplifting to your spirit.

Chocolate and coconut elevate your mood and energy.

Pumpkin, cucumber and liquorice increase sexual arousal.

Apples create a sense of well being while reducing anxiety and tension.

Pine lowers depression and stress levels.

Fresh cut grass evokes a sense of joy and happiness.

Olive oil helps to satisfy an appetite and repress hunger.

The healing power of water has long been recognized for its therapeutic and rehabilitative abilities. Ancient Romans and Greeks used water to improve circulation and promote relaxation. Monks were known to treat sickness, chronic pain and physical disabilities with thermal water therapy.

PERSONAL WATER THERAPY CAN TAKE JUST A FEW BRIEF MINUTES. SHIFT YOUR STRESS BY TAKING A MOMENT TO ENJOY THE THERAPEUTIC AND TACTILE NATURE OF WATER, WHETHER IN THE TUB OR SHOWER, OR JUST WASHING YOUR HANDS WHEN AT HOME OR WORK.

Seek out the reflective and meditative ritual of cleansing as you feel stress accumulating in your day and exchange it by connecting with the tactile pleasure of water caressing your skin. Focus on the movement and feeling of the water as it moves over your body. While absorbing the life affirming warmth of water take in several long deep breaths, exhale each breath slowly and enjoy the sense of calm bathing over you. This simple meditation practise helps to restore personal balance and rejuvenate depleted energy by touching you ever so softly.

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BIG WHITE SKI RESORT IS A FAVORITE OF SKIERS AND BOARDERS FROM OKANAGAN RESIDENTS TO VISITORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE. TAKE A MINUTE TO GET TO KNOW EIGHT OF BIG WHITE’S LEADING LADIES.

The Women who helped

KATE TURNER Kate is Big White Ski Resort’s CFO and a Director of the company. She was discovered by the Schumann family who lived near her on the Gold Coast of Australia in 1989. The Chartered Accountant (CA) was lured by the international travel and so she accepted their offer to develop an in-house head office for the two resorts they owned, including Mt. Hotham in Australia.

In 2001, Kate moved permanently to the Okanagan.

Her role has expanded over the years and she now spends her time on ‘big picture’ issues like capital works, budgeting and tax planning.

Kate is a family-orientated woman and her own children and grandchildren were quickly introduced to the sport.

“There’s nothing better than taking your five year old to a lesson or tobogganing or see the Loose Moose when their eyes light up. That experience is priceless!” she says.

Her on-mountain favorite run is Millie’s Mile. “It’s relatively easy…good ego skiing,” she laughs.

Kate chalks up Big White’s widespread attraction to a number of things. The ski-inand-ski-out layout, accessibility to the local skier, and the fact that all runs funnel back to the village.

Jude is the proud owner of two restaurants at Big White; Globe and the Blarney Stone Irish Tavern. When she’s not running her very successful operations, she loves volunteering. She is the VP and founding Director of the Big White Community Association and a Director of the Big White Tourism Society.

In 2008 Jude purchased a 28 seat restaurant on the mountain with a partner, which was to become known as “little Globe.”

After moving to Whitefoot Lodge and increasing it to 158 seats, the restaurant earned its moniker, Big Globe.

“It’s a quasi-community centre, teen hang out and meeting space as well,” she says.

Five years ago she added the Blarney Stone Irish Tavern, and hasn’t looked back. Jude says she played a small part in Big White’s decision to develop summer product, and she’s very excited about the new mountain biking program.

Originally from London, England, Jude and her family have lived at Big White for coming on ten years.

“Canada is home. I am a Canadian Citizen. I love going back to England to visit but I would never leave here.”

JUDE BRUNT

CINDY HELGESON

Cindy lives that life that most people dream about…she’s a ski instructor at Big White and she loves her job and the children she teaches. In 1988, she had decided to be a ski bum that winter. But after seeing an ad and taking her ski instructor’s course, she ended up working within the Kid’s Program, a priority of Big White’s.

“I’d worked with children before and as soon as I started teaching skiing I knew this was it! This is exactly what I wanted to do,” says Cindy.

Through word of mouth, Cindy built up a huge clientele over the years. She now teaches kids privately as well as in groups.

“I’m well-known for my finger puppets….I have seventy! I use them to play games with the children and sing songs.”

Cindy is renouned for teaching kids but when she’s on her own on the slopes, her favorite ski run is Blue Sapphire.

“I treat each hour I teach as a positive learning experience for both me and the child.

Once I began by teaching one child in a family, then ended up with 14 cousins!”

Nikki runs the Freestyle Team and the Free Ride Club at Big White, involving skills development with a healthy dose of competition. Nikki is originally from Southampton in the UK, and her first season at Big White Ski Resort was back in 2001/02.

She chose to work at Big White in part because Canadian ski school qualifications are recognized world-wide.

A very keen runner, Nikki ran in the Boston Marathon this year! She has recently become active in mountain biking. Her family also loves boarding, skiing and snowshoeing.

“Powder Keg is one of my favorite runs, along with the trees beside it,” she notes.

Nikki says there have been numerous kids who took the Free Ride program.

“I still see the families on the hill, and the kids have gone on to university. Running a community program is great, as you get to see kids rise through the ranks.”

Being involved with the ski school is an exceptional experience, says Nikki, because it’s a very social job.

36 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

NIKKI HEPWORTH

“In the ski school you get to enhance people’s vacation by taking care of the kids or improving on their own skills.

It all helps them have a better time.”

Shape the Mountain MARILYN BYDLOWSKI

Marilyn, Senior Accountant, has spent 26 seasons at Big White. A north Okanagan native, she applied to an ad all those years ago and her husband, Tony, and kids joined in the adventure.

“The family vibe is great at Big White. There’s always something to do for everyone no matter what their interests are.

The owners (the Schumann family) are part of the family and it all starts there,” she says.

Marilyn is not a regular skier, preferring to snowshoe with Tony. Spending time on Okanagan Lake is a favorite pastime and they have a lakeside cabin for the summers.

Marilyn handles various aspects of financial duties in her position at Big White. She enjoys working there because everyone can count on each other.

“People love the service, the attitude, the staff and the snow! It’s a big resort that doesn’t feel like a big resort.

We have people visiting from all over the world but it still feels a little like a neighbourhood."

TRACY LAYNG

Tracy was working summers in Penticton and spending the winter in Mexico until 21 year ago, when she decided to spend one winter at Big White. She started out at the front desk of the Coast Hotel at Big White, and today she is the General Manager of Big White Central Reservations and a Vice-President.

“It’s a very busy job and I never have the same day twice in a row. It’s constantly go-go-go and I love it!” she says.

Tracy loves to ski and board and snowshoe with their dog Maddy. Her favorite runs are Paradise and Millie’s Mile.

Her area of responsibility is vast, including a call centre, guest check-in and a transportation company. During the winter she oversees 250 staff and she’s quick to mention her outstanding team of managers.

“A lot of people have been at Big White for years because they love it. That comes across to the staff and onto the clients. Our amazing outdoor operations team takes the phenomenal snow and makes it just that much better.”

SUZY BENNETT

BY DEANNA RAINEY

ROSE LEVEILLE Rose’s three children come first and with one special needs child, she needed to stay home in the summer when school was out. Twenty nine years ago she saw an ad for a seasonal housekeeper at Big White, and launched a career which now carries the title of Executive Housekeeper for Condominiums.

It’s a big job. She manages about 16 buildings in the Village, totalling 210 units.

Her department does the housekeeping for all of those as well as doing their own laundry.

She oversees about 70 to 75 staff, and her job has been year-round for over 10 years now.

“I came around the time the Schumann family took over (1985). As I began to get promotions I knew my job had its challenges, but I enjoyed taking on those challenges. The people I know and work with at Big White are great. It’s a very comfortable place to be. All my family learned to ski at Big White,” said Rose.

Rose attributes much of Big White’s success to the staff.

“There are many Australians and they’re very friendly and helpful. Working in housekeeping is difficult, and the staff is so great to the customers! They support me and I very much appreciate the work they do.”

Suzy discovered BC’s mountains when, as a young bride, she went to spend time with her husband at Whistler. Now decades later, she is Vice President Retail Sales and Rentals at Big White, a position she’s worked up to since she began working for the Schumann family in the early 1990’s in Australia. By 1998 she’d moved to Big White to spend a few years here…and stayed.

“It’s the sort of place that just grabs you. Big White touches people in many ways. The people we work for are good to us. They look after their people, and their people look after business!” she said.

Suzy began skiing at age 8, and her favorite past time is catching a few runs with her daughters and son. She, too, calls Millie’s Mile her favorite run. She and her husband Lindsay live on-mountain in the winter and in Kelowna during summer.

Big White and its amazing snow makes for a great place to live.

“It’s our winter wonderland home.

It doesn’t sound like Suzy is going anywhere soon.

It is a family mountain where you are building memories. I can’t tell you how many people share their BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE WOMEN OF BIG WHITE, THE RESORT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE memories of Big White with me, TO WORK, LIVE AND PLAY. AS THESE WOMEN HAVE SAID, THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR CAREERS and they feel their kids are safe here.”

AND THEIR TENURE REFLECTS LOVE OF THEIR UNIQUE LIVES HIGH ATOP BIG WHITE SKI RESORT.

IMAGINE HAVING NO WARM PLACE TO LAY YOUR HEAD, NOWHERE TO BE WARM AND DRY, NOWHERE SAFE TO REST FROM YOUR WEARINESS AND NO OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A DECENT MEAL.

The headlines early this fall were shocking.

Kelowna had been identified as CANADA’S OD CAPITAL,

and the battle against fentanyl, deadly overdoses and opioid addiction that has raged for the past two years continues.

In the autumn of 2006, Inn from the Cold-Kelowna was created as a society under the Societies Act of B.C. Since that time Inn from the Cold – Kelowna has grown into the organization we know today, with programs to help those in great need in our community.

Presently, Inn from the Cold-Kelowna is a society that continues to respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Under the leadership of Jan Schulz, Executive Director, the organization runs programs, which are led by staff with the help of many volunteers. The Inn from the Cold Shelter operates from a low barrier perspective. This means that guests are not obligated to be sober, compliant with mental health or addiction treatment plans, or do not need to participate in additional programs. “We welcome our guests to a community of people experiencing similar life challenges, always meeting them ‘where they are.’ “says Schulz.

Inn from the Cold continues to be dedicated to a community that honors the inherent dignity of all, where individuals, especially the most vulnerable, are safe, respected and included.

It’s fall in Kelowna and already the nights are colder and wetter.

Imagine having no warm place to lay your head, nowhere to be warm and dry, nowhere safe to rest from your weariness and no opportunity to have a decent meal. Unfortunately, this is the plight that guests of Inn from the Cold’s Shelter experience every day.

We ask you to consider the gift of shelter or the gift of a meal to someone in need – your sponsorship means more to them than you can imagine, Our winter Shelter serves 35 guests per night and your contribution towards a night, a week, perhaps a month, or the full five month winter shelter season is an incredible gift.

At Inn from the Cold – Kelowna, our goal is to inform and inspire local residents to pull together and help put an end to homelessness in our city. Let’s show the world that Kelowna cares about helping people who are experiencing homelessness, and acknowledges that homelessness is a community problem, requiring a community solution.

109-1262 St. Paul Street Kelowna BC, V1Y 2C9 778.363.6403

PLEASE HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WWW.INNFROMTHECOLDKELOWNA.ORG 38 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

The face of drug abuse in British Columbia is ever-changing. Overdoses are occurring far more frequently in private residences where users are alone - than on the streets.

OPIOID According to Dr. Trevor Corneil, Chief Medical Health Officer for Interior Health, the highest incident rate is amongst males aged 30 to 49.

Kelowna’s death rate of 44.3 deaths per 100,000 people is slightly higher than Vancouver’s downtown east side. There have been 46 overdose deaths between January 1 and June 30, and it is projected that by the end of 2017 overdose deaths will double. Fentanyl has been detected in 90 per cent of fatal overdose cases.

Yet amongst all the despair and frightening realities, there are unsung heroes who are helping – behind the scenes or on the front lines – and making a difference in individual lives.

They are often under-funded or overworked, but commitment and passion almost uniformly drive their efforts.

From her office on Asher Road, Sheila Kerr of Living Positive Resource Centre works with clients who face a range of issues from people suffering from HIV or Hepatitis C, to drug users and the homeless. They offer a broad spectrum of services, including detox referrals and the distribution of harm reduction supplies, to name but a few.

Sheila’s philosophy is simple. She believes that every individual life is valuable. Her goal is to ensure that everyone is treated with compassion and kindness, and to help elevate their lives to the best they can possibly be.

“I try to protect people’s health by reducing illness, injuries and death by unsafe substance use. We’re in the business of keeping people alive,”

she explains.

Sheila’s first position at Living Positive was in 1999 when she began to volunteer there. Living Positive started as an HIV organization, to assist individuals who could be at risk for HIV or Hepatitis C including those people living outdoors or low income earners.

Echoing recent statistics, Sheila points out that 58 per cent of overdose deaths take place in private residences. As of the end of August 2016, BC experienced 547 deaths. This year the number stands at 1,013 – a 79 per cent increase. And it isn’t just heroin users who are losing their lives. After fentanyl, the number two drug is actually cocaine, says Sheila.

That is frightening because it opens up a whole new market of users – those who use drugs on a recreational basis from time to time.

POISONINGS

BY DEANNA RAINEY

Escalate Deaths In terms of “party drugs,” cocaine makes up 47.6 per cent of usage and heroin 32.8 per cent.

Because of the contamination of those drugs with fentanyl, people are dying alone.

Living Positive is a busy place, and some days they see upwards of thirty to sixty people.

“There is a deep stigma in regard to drug use, a hierarchy of what is acceptable. At the top of that list is wine or beer, then prescription drugs, cocaine and pot. The real stigma comes with those who use heroin, crack cocaine or crystal meth,” says Sheila. “It is not just typical stereotypes we see.

People come in after work or in uniform. A lot of them are concerned about anonymity. “

A big part of their effort is to bring awareness to the fact that not all users are visible. The stigma creates such deep shame that people are afraid to ask for help, Sheila said.

“There is a dire need for more detox and recovery beds in Kelowna. The system is overwhelmed. There is no real transition facility for people who are between detox and recovery. Wait too long for recovery and relapses can happen,” she said.

Why take on all of this? Sheila says it goes back to the basic desire to value every individual life and treat human beings with dignity.

“I love working here. This place has raised me. I love the people I work with and those who access services. Many of them are now volunteers here.”

Okanagan Woman readers have followed the path that unfolded after Helen Jennens lost her two sons to drug overdoses. Helen says overdoses are now being described as ‘opioid poisonings’ and for good reason. Due to the fentanyl contamination of drugs like heroin or cocaine, these overdoses are now recognised as opioid poisonings.

A leading spokesperson on Kelowna’s drug scene, Helen was instrumental in organizing Kelowna’s first International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. Hundreds of friends, families and people from all walks of life honoured the lives of those who were taken from them. The key message was compassion, not judgement and the mood reflected just that.

“When drug misuse disorder is recognized as a disease and treated with the same care as other diseases, we may turn the tide toward more permanent solutions,” Helen says.

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 39

Victims of intimate partner violence and abuse make up hidden homeless Victims of intimate partner violence and abuse make up hidden homeless She doesn’t have her belongings loaded into a shopping cart, and she’s not asking for spare change on Bernard Avenue.

In fact, when she walks by pushing a baby stroller while chatting animatedly on her cell phone, you barely take notice.

But whether you realize it or not, that mom, and her little one, are part of Kelowna’s growing homeless population, forced to flee their home to escape violence and abuse at the hands of the man who is supposed to love and care for them.

For the past two weeks, they’ve found refuge, along with food, clothing and support, at Kelowna Women’s Shelter.

They’re part of a group that’s often forgotten in discussions about homelessness. But make no mistake, victims of intimate partner violence who end up in shelters because they have nowhere else to go, ARE homeless.

And with vacancy rates at all-time lows, and rents soaring, increasing numbers of them are having to extend their shelter stay from the official 30-day maximum to months at a time because they can’t find a suitable home.

Imagine the stress on an already-traumatized family as mom deals with the emotional impact of having been in, and left, an abusive relationship while also working to parent and support her children, get legal advice, secure an income, and find a safe, affordable place to live.

In the 37 years since the Shelter opened, thousands of women and children in need from Lake Country to Peachland have walked through its doors.

Last year alone, 201 people spent at least one night in the Shelter. Countless others who didn’t need a bed to stay in, benefitted from individual and group counselling, support with safety planning and advocacy, and educational programs, all at no cost.

It’s only thanks to the ongoing generosity of government funders, foundations, service clubs, business organizations and individuals the Shelter is able to provide the support it does and help so many women and kids get a fresh start.

Karen Mason Executive director, Kelowna Women’s Shelter E: Karen.mason@kelownawomensshelter.ca

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE SHELTER CHANGES LIVES, AND HOW YOU CAN HELP, VISIT

kelownawomensshelter.ca

MUSHROOM Barley Soup

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES

COLLEEN MILNE THEFOODBLOG.NET

INGREDIENTS 1 25 gr package dried shitake mushrooms 2 cups hot water 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced 1 cup oyster mushrooms, stems removed, and sliced.

5 cups vegetable stock 1 bay leaf 2 tsp thyme leaf 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce ½ cup hulled barley, rinsed 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar ½ cup baby kale, or spinach, sliced into ribbons Salt and pepper, to taste

40 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

COOK TIME: 1 HOUR

YIELD: 4

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Soak dried shitake mushrooms in two cups of hot water for 20-30 minutes 2. Over medium heat oil in a dutch oven or stockpot 3. Add onion, celery and garlic and cook until softened, about 2 minutes 4. Add cremini and oyster mushrooms and cook until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes 5. Stir in vegetable stock, bay leaf, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce 6. Poring through a strainer, add the soaking water from the dried shitake mushrooms to the pot 7. Rinse the reconstituted shitakes and add to the pot.

8. Add barley and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes.

9. Stir in kale and apple cider vinegar 10. Season with salt and pepper 11. Serve hot

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 30 MINUTES

CAJUN

TURKEY MEATBALLS

YIELD: 16 MEATBALLS

INGREDIENTS 1 pound lean ground turkey 1 egg 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs 1 small onion, diced, about 1/2 cup 2 tsp Cajun seasoning mix 1/4 cup Louisiana style hot sauce 3 tbsp Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped INSTRUCTIONS 1. Pre heat oven to 400° Line a baking sheet with parchment 2. In a medium bowl, mix ground turkey, egg, bread crumbs, onion, and seasoning 3. Form tukey mixture into balls, about 16 balls 4. Spread meatballs on baking sheet without crowding 5. Bake 30 minutes, turning halfway through 6. Remove from oven and in a bowl, toss meatballs with hot sauce until coated 7. Arrange on a serving dish and garnish with parsley 8. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping

A MELON BALLER WORKS WELL FOR SHAPING YOUR MEATBALLS AND KEEPING A UNIFORM SIZE.

You Will Love It Here!

COLLEEN MILNE THEFOODBLOG.NET

Providing Independent Living, Assisted Living and residential care: Village Sun Pointe Village at Mill Creek Village at Smith Creek

1450 Sutherland Ave.

MAKE AHEAD - COOK MEATBALLS AND KEEP REFRIGERATED UNTIL READY TO SERVE, THEN REHEAT IN A LOW OVEN UNTIL WARMED THROUGH. TOSS WITH SAUCE AND SERVE. FREEZE COOKED MEATBALLS IN AN AIRTIGHT, FREEZER SAFE CONTAINER OR BAG FOR UP TO 2 MONTHS.

700 Rutland Rd.

2425 Orlin Rd. (Westside)

Call Kate fOr a tOur

250.215.1500 www.baptisthousing.org B ap t is t H o u s in g | En h an c ed S en io r s L iv in g | S inc e 1 9 6 4

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 41

YIELD: 12 CUPS

CRUNCHY

LOL | LADIES ON LITERATURE

TACO CUPS

A KELOWNA BOOK CLUB WITH A DIFFERENCE

BY SHANNON LINDEN

Join us in Okanagan Woman and online at shannonlinden.ca for more reviews and recipes from our delectable meetings.

Hear those sleigh bells ringing; see that snow drifting, delicately decorating our world in winter white.

What better time to curl up with a creamy cup of coffee or (better!) a fat glass of rich, red wine, a cozy throw, and a delicious book.

Here’s a look at the latest reads the LOL, a Kelowna book club, has enjoyed.

KEVINANDAMANDA.COM

INGREDIENTS 1 lb lean ground beef, browned & drained 3 tablespoons taco seasoning 1 (10-oz) can diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or Mexican blend) 24 wonton wrappers DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 2. Generously coat a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Combine cooked beef, taco seasoning & tomatoes in a bowl & stir to combine.

4. Line each muffin tin cup with a wonton wrapper.

5. Add 1.5 tbsps. taco mixture.

6. Top with 1 tbsps of cheese.

7. Press down and add another layer of wonton wrapper, taco mixture and a final layer of cheese.

BAKE AT 375 FOR 11-13 MINUTES UNTIL CUPS ARE HEATED THROUGH AND EDGES ARE GOLDEN. 42 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

THE BEST KIND OF PEOPLE

BY ZOE WHITTALL

An award-winning novel by a Canadian author, this book was short-listed for the 2016 Giller prize and was a National Post and Globe and Mail Best Books of the Year.

I was impressed by the accolades; drawn to the premise.

George Woodbury wins teacher of the year, every year, at the affluent prep school where he works. He makes science interesting but moreover, he is the town hero who once saved students—and his own daughter—from a gunman intent on a killing rampage. That’s why everyone is in shock when George is arrested for sexual impropriety involving a number of young women.

“

At the heart of the book is that very question: how well do we know the people we love?” -Shannon

While George is locked up, awaiting trial, the book tells the story of the fallout for his stunned family. His wife, an ER nurse, skids between denial and furry as townspeople turn their backs on her. His daughter, Sadie, goes from popular overachiever to social pariah, while his son, Andrew, a lawyer working on his father’s defense, wrestles with his own painful past as a gay teenager coming out in a conservative town.

As Chatelaine magazine said, Nuanced to the end, Whittall’s novel achieves something that’s rare in real-life cases of sexual violence. She gives a voice to the ones we never hear from: those who are collateral damage.

The book starts out with a bang— quite literally—when it flashes back to George confronting the deranged gunman. Brilliantly written, the scene is so intense, I must admit I was convinced I was in for a fast-paced page-turner, but don’t be fooled. Things slow right down, probably in order to honestly unravel the complexity of emotion involved as family members go from shock and denial to the slow realization George may not be the man they thought.

At the heart of the book is that very question: how well do we know the people we love? It brought about some pretty interesting discussion, leading to questions of sociopathic personalities, those charmers who fool us but conduct themselves without empathy.

Personally, I found the characters to be very well constructed and believable, the dialogue superb, the subtext haunting and the slow, spiraling of lives devastating. That said, I didn’t find the main characters particularly appealing and I wished I had felt more empathy for them myself.

Sadie’s descent into drugs and a new group of outcast friends might be believable but her obsession with her boyfriend’s stepfather is conflicting. A washed-up author, he befriends her so he can sell the story. Joan is a hard worker but the only time I felt for her was when she joined a support group of the partners of incarcerated men and was forced to admit, despite her education

and privileged lifestyle, she wasn’t any different. I did sympathize with Andrew, yet his ambiguity to the beloved partner who stands by him through the agony, made it harder to feel for Andrew.

Ultimately there is no satisfying resolution. The tough ending proves love and loyalty are complex.

3.5/5 Cheers!

“

Reading a classic is good for us, kind of like cod liver oil.

-Gail

EAST OF EDEN

BY JOHN STEINBECK In keeping with her contention that reading a classic is good for us, kind of like cod liver oil, Gail picked this hefty book. Published in 1952, East of Eden spans a period of nearly sixty years, from 1860 to 1918. It tells the story of three generations of the Trask and Hamilton families, focusing on the theme of good versus evil, with references to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel.

I read the book some thirteen years ago, and while it’s an investment, your time will be well spent. Simply magnificent, it’s far too intricate to detail here, but my friend-in-pen and LOL member, Laura Gosset, had some interesting thoughts.

I made the mistake of reading the reviews of East of Eden when preparing for our LOL meeting. Even though the book skyrocketed to the top of fiction’s bestseller list within two months of its release, the literary establishment was not kind.

It’s ironic the aspects of the novel that aroused the harshest judgment of critics became the very things the public found most engaging. For example, the character of evil Cathy was trashed for being wildly unbelievable. Perhaps, but she was unforgettable.

The Chinese-American houseboy, Lee, was also the target of academic scorn, but readers (including this one) loved his Confucius-like meanderings and the Pidgin English he used and abandoned at will.

Frankly, I refuse to allow not-sogracious literary commentary to sabotage my enjoyment of this great big, sprawling saga…and it seems I’m not alone. East of Eden continues to sell about 50,000 copies each year and, in 2003 after being named Oprah’s Book Club pick, it once again hit the bestsellers list.

Gail also loved the character of Lee, whom she credits for educating the reader on the importance of knowing the true meaning of a word. All of which brought her to the novel’s central theme of TIMSHEL—Hebrew for “thou mayest.”

Steinbeck uses TIMSHEL to illustrate humans have free will and can choose to triumph over sin or evil.

In the end, Gail said, the simple Hebrew interpretation, actually set Cal free to live his good life.

4.5/5 Cheers!

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 43

Turkey, Cranberry RECIPERUNNER.COM

& Brie

EGG ROLLS

INGREDIENTS 8-10 egg roll wrappers 1 cup shredded turkey Salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup cranberry sauce 8-10 slices of brie cheese (1/4-1/2 inch thick and 1 1/2 inch long) CRANBERRY MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE

1/2 cup cranberry sauce 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1 tablespoon honey Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

CRANBERRY MUSTARD SAUCE

Add all ingredients for the dipping sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.

SERVE WITH THE EGG ROLLS.

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a small bowl sprinkle salt, pepper over the shredded turkey and stir together until evenly coated.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Fill each egg roll wrapper with 1 tablespoon of shredded turkey, 1-2 teaspoons of cranberry sauce and a slice of brie.

4. Brush water around edges of egg roll wrapper, tuck in the sides, and roll up tightly like a burrito.

5. Seal end of egg roll with a little water, place seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

6. Repeat the process for all egg rolls 7. Spray or brush tops of egg rolls with oil then place on middle rack of the oven, bake for 10-12 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown.

8. Cool the egg rolls on a baking sheet for a few minutes before serving with cranberry mustard sauce.

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KETTLE VALLEY WOODWORKS #3-2720 Hwy 97 Kelowna, BC Phone: 250.860.7056 kvwoodworks@shaw.ca

Cranberry Gingersnap

PIE

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Set oven to 350F 2. Put the gingersnaps in a food processor and process until they are fine crumbs. (this should be a heaping cup) Add the walnuts, and sugar and process again until everything is finely ground. Add the butter and process briefly to combine.

3. Pat the crust into a 9 inch pie plate, and up the sides.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Set aside to cool.

4. Put the cranberries, 1 cup of the sugar, and 1/4 cup water to a simmer in a saucepan. Lower the heat and simmer the cranberries, uncovered, for about 15 minutes until they've popped and the mixture is quite thick. Let cool slightly and then puree until completely smooth.

5. Whisk the puree, the eggs, yolks, salt, lemon juice and 1/2 cup sugar together in a saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, this will take about 10 minutes or so. Stay by the pan the whole time and stir!

6. Push the curd through a mesh strainer, using the back of a spoon to get it all through.

7. Let the curd cool for a few minutes and then drop the room temperature butter in, bit by bit, while you stir to melt it.

8. Pour the curd into the pie crust and smooth out evenly.

Chill the pie until it is firm, about 2 hours or so.

DECORATE WITH SUGARED CRANBERRIES IF YOU LIKE.

TO MAKE SUGARED CRANBERRIES, ROLL DAMP CRANBERRIES IN GRANULATED SUGAR AND LET DRY. INGREDIENTS CRUST

5 ounces gingersnaps 1 cup walnuts 3 Tbsp brown sugar 4 Tbsp butter, melted GARNISH

sugared cranberries fresh thyme sprigs or mint leaves

FILLING

12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries 1 1/2 cups sugar, DIVIDED 3 large eggs 2 egg yolks pinch of salt 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1/2 stick (4 Tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temp and cut in pieces

THEVIEWFROMGREATISLAND.COM

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DEMILLESFARMMARKET.COM Hwy. 1, West Salmon Arm OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 45

Kahlua HOT CHOCOLATE INGREDIENTS 2 cups milk 2 tablespoons sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg 1 ounce KahlĂşa coffee liqueur Mini marshmallows, for serving Salted caramel, for serving Chocolate syrup, for serving

DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium saucepan, combine milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon and nutmeg over medium heat until heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in KahlĂşa.

2. Serve immediately, garnished with mini marshmallows, salted caramel and chocolate syrup.

Salted Caramel

EGGNOG

DAMNDELICIOUS.NET

INGREDIENTS 3 cups whole milk 1 cup heavy whipping cream 4 cinnamon sticks 3/4 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg 5 eggs 2/3 cup white sugar 1/2 cup caramel syrup, plus more for garnish 1 tablespoon sea salt, plus more for garnish 3/4 cup good quality dark rum (optional) 2 egg whites for garnish (optional) INSTRUCTIONS 1. In a large saucepan, combine milk, cream, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Bring to the boil over a medium heat. When bubbling remove from heat.

Allow to sit for at least 5-10 minutes to steep.

2. In a large stand mixer, beat eggs and sugar on medium/high until fully combined.

3. Pour egg mixture into the milk and whisk quickly until fully combined.

4. Add caramel, sea salt and rum (if using).

Continue whisking to fully combine.

5. When you're ready to serve, beat the egg whites on high until foamy peaks form.

6. Pour the eggnog into the glass leaving room at the top for the fluffy egg whites.

8. Garnish with nutmeg and caramel sauce.

THECOOKIEROOKIE.COM

46 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

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48 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

Wrap up 2017 with a Brand New Appliance from RONA

There’s some exciting news at Kelowna’s RONA Store on Springfield.

You can now shop from a wide selection of in-store appliances!

Their competitive pricing and knowledgeable staff will insure that everyone will walk away with the ideal appliances for their home or new kitchen.

The Rona store is currently home to 109 displays, including products from Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Bosch, Electrolux, Frigidaire and Amana, amongst others.

Rona stands behind what they sell.

Their one-stop shopping enables clients to design their kitchen, select appliances, and handle financing, delivery and installation.

Installation options are a relief for many customers who prefer to have the products they buy at Rona installed in their homes by one of Rona’s qualified team members.

Rona, a division of Lowes, has been in business in Kelowna since 1995. Their 140,000 square foot store is a haven for DIY customers.

Rona also focuses on community involvement and are reputed to be great corporate citizens in Kelowna. Sales Manager Jeannie Sullivan-Wilson said that last year, through their in-store popcorn sales, they donated over $14,000 to local charities including Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson’s Disease, MS, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Rona has been recognized for their outstanding work in fulfilling their client’s needs.

They have been awarded the number one Big Box store in Canada and have been named Retailer of the Year by Hardline Magazine. The Kelowna store has been given recognition as Store of the Quarter and Store of the Year.

What sets Rona apart from competitive stores?

Assistant Manager, Shelley Schreyer says it is the team they employ. Rona has over 180 employees in their Kelowna store and off-site yard.

23 766-21 Did you know 1-855We offer a wide variety of services; • Contractor Sales • Cut Shop • Commercial Sales • Assembly • Installs • Financing • Kitchen Designs • Airmiles • Deliveries • On-line shopping @Rona.ca

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE OUR TOP PRIORITY Our ultimate goal is to provide our customers with the best possible service in our industry, ensuring a great customer experience every time!

“Everyone is engaged and everyone works together. We have many long-term employees, quite a few of which have been with us since the store opened in 1995, because this is a great place to work. We enjoy team building activities such as barbecues, lunches and even gift cards in recognition of a job well-done.”

The sales team in Rona, including the appliance sales staff, are vigorously trained and have become specialists in their field.

Competitive pricing, a vast selection, on-site and in-home assistance and a commitment to excellence…these are the tools which ultimately result in very satisfied customers.

If you haven’t been in to Rona for a while, drop by and see their new products.

RONA HOME & GARDEN 1711 Springfield Rd Kelowna BC, V1Y 5V5 Phone: 250.762.7389

OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017 49

HOROSCOPE

by Heather Zais

Aries

MAR 21 - APRIL 19 Dec - Decide where you want to be, either to holiday or move. Choices could impact your future goals etc.

Jan - Forge ahead if your actions will improve your position or status. You may need extra patience.

Feb - Contact those in positions of influence or authority who can help you achieve desired goals.

Cancer

JUNE 21 - JULY 22 Dec - Focus on health and work as you need to feel settled or more secure in a position that you like.

Jan - Explain your needs or position to those with the power or influence to be of assistance now.

Feb - Hammer out agreements where joint funds or assets are up for review.

Consult authority.

SEPT 23 - OCT 22 Dec - You are attracting special attention or interest from those who like your plans, ideas or unique ways.

Jan - You can settle on a place for yourself or loved ones. Arrange to handle matters independently.

Feb - Step out of your comfort zone and your creativity or talents will be applauded. Look for love.

DEC 22 - JAN 19 Dec - You can be the power behind the scenes. Be measured in your approach or handling others.

Jan - You make a smooth transition to a more prominent role or position.

Dress as expected.

Feb - Make sure others recognize your level of contribution. Compensation will be increased.

50 OKANAGAN WOMAN WINTER | 2017

Taurus

APRIL 20 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Dec - You get more vocal about what you think and what you expect from others. Arrange priorities now.

Jan - Take the long view with your plans. Visit locations in person before settling on the right place.

Feb - You can relax and show your softer side. A show of generosity brings others closer to you.

Dec - A lot of conversation revolves around finances or assets as you seek ways to gain or increase it.

Jan - Mate or partnership matters need to be handled in ways that all involved feel results are fair.

Feb - Matters over distance can be more agreeable once you all get on the same page. Relax.

JULY 23 - AUG 22

AUG 23 - SEPT 22

Dec - Your emotional world becomes more intense. This can relate to love life or other passionate interests.

Jan - You can demonstrate your expertise in ways that others would be able to accept or applaud it.

Feb - Take relationships to the next level if you feel ready. Discuss expectations of duties involved.

Dec - Home or real estate issues are in focus. Decisions need to be made for yourself or others with care.

Jan - Put more focus on your creativity or love life and you will see both of these areas blossoming.

Feb - You will see improvements in health or work. You are shown affection or other appreciation.

Virgo

OCT 23 - NOV 21

NOV 22 - DEC 21

Dec - Make arrangements or sign things that increase or solidify financial matters long-term. Be secure.

Jan - Deal with secret or confidential matters in ways that create easy transitions for you or them.

Feb - You can improve your environment or get a new one. Have company or open house now.

Dec - Others become aware of your leadership abilities as you step up in position. Speak your mind.

Jan - An increase in income allows you to shift your focus to other matters. Forge ahead now.

Feb - The way you word things can build bridges with individuals or situations needing this.

JAN 20 - FEB 18

FEB 19 - MAR 20

Dec - You can tap influential connections as they show their willingness to take your side or help out.

Jan - Your patience and intense focus is helpful to your climb up the ladder of success. It’s good.

Feb - You can show your unique personality to those in surprising or entertaining ways. Smile.

Dec - Others look up to you or have great expectations of what you are able to do or provide for them.

Jan - You are in position to get others on board with your agenda. Compare notes and content.

Feb - Spend cozy time with loved ones and it works wonders for future plans.

Enjoy the outcome.

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| 2017 51

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