By Margaret Anne Enders — Just when the troubles of the world get me down and feelings of powerlessness loom large, along come people who, with radical acts, offer inspiration and hope. Two stories have been on my mind lately. There is no substitute for feeling valued, feeling worthwhile…. Such empathy is foundational for raising secure children and nurturing healthy relationships…. It is key for maintaining productive and fulfilling collegial ties… It creates a sense of belonging.” Dan Price, CEO of Gravity Payments, cut his own million dollar salary down to $70,000 and raised the minimum salary of…
Author: thegreengazette
By LeRae Haynes – Rainer Krumsiek at Big Bear Ranch in Horsefly believes that raising perfect animals for perfect food starts with perfect soil. His holistic ranching approach focuses on a balance between land, plants, animals, and people, and highlights the importance of humane and respectful treatment of animals. Cows, sheep, pigs, and turkeys flourish at Big Bear Ranch, and everything is born on the ranch except for the turkeys. Free-range, grass-fed, and nurtured with natural, quality nutrients from the land, the animals have a great quality of life and provide pure nutrition for Big Bear customers throughout the province.…
By Lisa Bland — Working with the World’s Indigenous People On August 9 each year, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is recognized to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. The United Nations first recognized the day in 1994, to be celebrated every year for a decade. In 2004, the UN proclaimed the decade of 2005–2015, with the theme, “A Decade for Action and Dignity.” People from different nations are encouraged to participate in observing the day with educational activities to gain an appreciation and better understanding of the world’s indigenous peoples. One…
By Lisa Bland — Dear Readers, Summer is finally here, and it’s busy times. There is something about this time of year that speaks loudly to our physical-ness in the world. Whether you are digging in the garden, preparing beautiful fruits and vegetables, swimming around in lakes, climbing in forests and up mountains, or running your bare toes through the grass, the sensuality of summer can’t be ignored. These precious months, when our world has come completely alive, it’s important not to miss out and watch it pass by watching it from a window, locked onto a computer screen, or…
By LeRae Haynes — Communities come together this summer to celebrate First Nations history and traditions at events that span National Aboriginal Day (NAD) weekend and continue with the 33rd annual Secwepemc Gathering in July. From babies to elders and teens to toddlers, there is inspiration and fun for everyone with the opportunity to celebrate some of the richest history in Canada. National Aboriginal Day is celebrated in Canada on Sunday, June 21, the result of a royal proclamation in 1996 by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc. National Aboriginal Day celebrates the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of…
By Jessica Kirby — Imagine it: a long, lazy wander through a forested park, patches of blue sky winking through the forest canopy, and a well-worn path at your feet. Smells of pine and moss whirl in the air, and the world is alive with rustling—birds, squirrels, and bunnies scamper about close enough to touch. The wind in the trees is a melodious whisper, a bird calls, deer dash off in the distance—the scene is idyllic and peaceful, until a stark, wailing interrupts your reverie … clearly, it’s time to take the kids home. Hiking with children is not…
By Ron Young — In a sinister plot to invade the planet, alien visitors demonstrated a remarkable form of blue energy they said was totally clean and so powerful that a single disc about the size of a dinner plate could power a large modern city. Once humans had converted all their energy sources to this new pure clean energy system the aliens shut it down. When they pulled the switch, or whatever they did to kill the power, it made a sound … kind of like a sniffle or like a baby’s cry … that’s it… a whimper!…
By the Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Society — Xeriscaping is the process of choosing plants which are compatible with the water conditions of a given area. Applying xeriscape principles to the landscape not only cuts down on water usage, but allows you to still enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance yard and garden. It doesn’t get much better than that. With a very dry summer forecast for the 2015 season, here are eight basic steps to get you started: 1. Planning and Design. The first step is to sketch out the yard area you want to xeriscape, and assess areas for sun,…
By Margaret-Anne Enders — As this goes to print, the country is in distress over six young people from Quebec who have set out for the Middle East to fight with ISIS. There is much talk of the proposed legislation to prevent travel for such purposes and jail time for those returning home. People across the country fear for the safety of these young fighters, but also have come to fear for their own safety. The government’s proposed legislation and the language it uses when talking about safety, security, freedoms, and war are leading us even further down the…
By Skye Forcier — In the 21st century it is only a fortunate few who get to step outside their door on a warm summer day and be met with a field of gently grazing cattle and an eager cow dog licking their hand. Fading are the times when, after finishing their chores, children could mosey down to the creek to catch frogs and capture some mud to decorate their mother’s freshly cleaned floors. I am very lucky to be one of those fortunate few. Born on my family’s ranch and a 10-year 4-H member I have fully experienced…
By Adam McLeod, ND, BSc — This year I had the privilege of attending the 4th annual ONCANP (Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians) conference where Naturopathic Oncologists from around the world gather to discuss the latest research and advances in integrative oncology. It is exciting to see how rapidly the field is advancing and the information that was presented can certainly be applied in a clinical setting to anyone battling cancer. I was interested to learn at the conference that several cancer clinics in the United States have naturopathic doctors working at hospitals in collaboration with medical oncologists. The…
By Dr. Devra Lee Davis — A large number of young women carry their cellphones in the bra unaware that they are exposing themselves directly to microwave radiation. That is not a good idea. In fact, the phones come with specific warnings from manufacturers not to do so. Dr. John West and his colleagues at Breast Care in Southern California have been working with Dr. Lisa Bailey, former president of the American Cancer Society California and one of the nation’s top breast surgeons. Together with Dr. Bailey and Dr. West’s team, we have accumulated seven cases of young women with…
Part of the Cariboo Regional District’s Solid Waste Info Series: How much of your garbage is food? The average Canadian family wastes approximately 275 kg of food every year; for the Cariboo Regional District this equates to over 6,800 tonnes of food waste per year. It is estimated that $27 billion in Canadian food is annually disposed of in landfills and composters, creating methane and carbon dioxide as it decomposes. Over 50 percent of this food waste is generated by consumers in the home. Not only is the food itself being wasted, so is the energy, water, packaging, and…
By Erin Hitchcock, Organizer — An upcoming march in Williams Lake will be held to raise awareness about genetically modified foods and to call on the federal government to require them to be labelled. March Against Monsanto aims to inform the public, calling into question long-term health risks of genetically modified foods (commonly called GMOs) and demanding such products be labelled so consumers can make informed decisions. Everyone should be concerned about GMOs—organisms that have had their DNA artificially altered. By taking part in the march, participants will help protect our food supply and the environment,…
By Terri Smith — At first light I roll out of bed and into my work clothes and head outside to take the dogs for a walk. The exercise is good for all of us, and in spite of having never been a morning person I have come to look forward to my new routine. I step outside, let the dogs off the balcony, fill two water buckets, and bring water to the ducks and goats while the dogs wrestle in the yard. Amadeus, normally chased from the hay by his goat family, becomes courageous at my side.…
By Terri Smith — Recycling is all well and good, but we’ve all learned by now that reducing and reusing are even better. I avoid buying products that come swaddled in layers of plastic. I never leave home without my travel mug and water bottle. When grocery shopping, I usually stick to unprocessed foods anyway—they’re cheaper and healthier, and when faced with a choice between a product that comes in a tin or jar that I know I will reuse or one that I’m going to have to recycle I will pay more for the product in the reusable container.…
By Jasmin Schellenberg — HEALTHY SNACKS AND WHY Yogurt & Dill Crackers (makes 5 dozen 1-1/2 inch crackers) 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 1/2 tsp dried dill 6 Tbsp butter, 4 Tbsp soft and 2 Tbsp melted 1/2 cup yogurt Mix all dry ingredients then add the soft butter and beat in the yogurt until it forms a thick dough. Cover in a bowl for 8-12 hours in a warm place. Preheat the oven to 230 degrees C. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Divide dough into four portions. Roll each portion…
By Marg Evans, CCCS — May 22 is International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), proclaimed by the United Nations in 1993 to place a spotlight on biodiversity and its significance to our survival. The concerns are fragmentation, degradation, and changes in the composition of many ecosystems due to various pressures, including loss of habitat often due to the pressures from urbanization and industrial activity. This year’s IDB theme is Sustainable Development Goals. Biodiversity assures healthy ecosystems, which means we have adequate food supplies, nutrients, fresh water, and clean air. Simply put, it is the variety of systems within nature…
By Jessica Kirby — One of the first things Environment for the Americas (EFTA) will tell you about International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is, “Bird Day is not just a day. Celebrate our migratory birds 365 days a year!” A common sentiment among many awareness-day campaigners, the importance of celebrating a cause year round is not lost on migratory bird advocates who say habitats and subsequent species diversity is declining worldwide, mainly because of climate change and urbanization. According to National Geographic, a National Audubon Society report titled, “Common Birds in Decline,” indicates several widespread species generally thought to be…