50 Ways to Leave Inertia

50 Ways to Leave Inertia

Ok, maybe not 50, but here’s some strategies to get your good health habit train out of the station.  As you read through, remember all the other parts of your life that are in full swing and not suffering from inertia like your role at work, or your parenting or your studies.  If taking care

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Breast Cancer Awareness: I am reminded to remember

Breast Cancer Awareness: I am reminded to remember

It’s a time in my life that’s hard to forget, but every year when October rolls around I am reminded to remember breast cancer.  With each passing year, my memory of that time shifts and sloughs away like a changing shoreline.  What remains clearly defined are the foundations that just happened to be fully formed

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Finding Wellness in a Pandemic

Finding Wellness in a Pandemic

Just in case you think health and wellness professionals have it all together all the time with their selfcare, I’m here to tell you that we can get it wrong too.  I recently described to my zoomed group strength class the pitfalls I’ve experienced balancing my health and wellness over the course of the pandemic. 

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Finding My Inner Koeslig

I grew up learning to embrace the outdoors regardless of the weather.  I was reminded of this recently reading an article exploring the Scandinavian’s concept of cozy, or “koeslig”. Rather than dreading the cold short days, I understand Scandinavians look forward to the change of season as an opportunity to bundle up for winter play,

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Finding My Inner Koeslig

Finding My Inner Koeslig

I grew up learning to embrace the outdoors regardless of the weather.  I was reminded of this recently reading an article exploring the Scandinavian’s concept of cozy, or “koeslig”. Rather than dreading the cold short days, I understand Scandinavians look forward to the change of season as an opportunity to bundle up for winter play,

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The Ancient Art of the Dog Paddle

The Ancient Art of the Dog Paddle

My Grandpa sent me a letter the summer of 1967 congratulating me on swimming all the way across King Edward Bay.  I was 4 years old.  He enclosed a dollar bill as a reward for my efforts.  I still have the letter but was not so lucky (or smart) with the dollar and spent it

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Ode to Gardens

Ode to Gardens

It’s hard to know what makes a garden special.  As an enthusiastic amateur with a recreational love of gardening, I rely on how a garden makes me feel.  They say that when memory fades, you may not remember the exact details of a conversation or experience, but you will likely remember how it made you

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Mary’s Bean Burritos!

Mary’s Bean Burritos!

I’ve been making these burritos for so long I can’t remember how it started. But it’s stuck for as long as it has ’cause they are so darn good, so dang easy, high fibre (wow!), ridiculously economical, perfectly freezable, deliciously vegetarian and pack a real WOW! factor when served with a little flair. I always

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The Art of Practicing What I Preach

The Art of Practicing What I Preach

One might assume that fitness professionals always and effortlessly skip to their own workouts, fueled with spinach salad and whistling a happy tune. Speaking from experience, I can assure you this is not always the case and that even though we “do” fitness for a living, it doesn’t mean it’s always easy for us to

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A Child’s Christmas

A Child’s Christmas

I remember our entire school at Ridgeway Elementary in North Vancouver coming together in the school gym to sing Christmas carols.  We sat cross legged on the gritty, cold floor and I recall the vague discomfort against my bare legs (skirts or dresses were mandatory).  With lyrics gripped in our hands our collective child’s voice

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Dad’s Legacy

Dad’s Legacy

Every day I wash Dad’s wooden salad bowl and I remember him.  Sometimes I have a little chat and tell him about the wonderful things that are happening and ache that he is not here to experience it: how proud he would be of his grandson, my joy of singing in the choir, our flourishing

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A Different Kind of Graduation

A Different Kind of Graduation

What does one give their oncologist on their last appointment after perhaps the most important relationship spanning the most difficult time in one’s life?  Last October I graduated from the standard 5 year period (what is the magic of 5 years?) of regular check ups all the while wondering if that odd pain or ache

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