Big Bear and the Cottonwood Tree

Visitors and patients at Clinic in the Woods are greeted by Big Bear as they turn the curve near the stream about half way along the lane. There he is, Big Bear, confident and present and welcoming one and all. Big Bear owes his majesty to the massive Cottonwood tree from which he was created and to Craig Thompson who meticulously and lovingly carved his being. The tree was found in the Limehouse area on 5th Line.

Among the Sioux Indians of the Great Plains, the cottonwood tree is called the “sacred rustling tree” one of the earthly representations of Wakan-Taka, the Great Spirit. Big Bear has the power of the great Cottonwood to bring luck to people. Cottonwood trunks are always used as the centerpiece of sacred lodges.

Clinic in the Woods is our community’s healing place and a refuge. I have been on the path of health and healing for almost three decades. The finding of Big Bear comes at a time of transition. I have had to put behind me the grueling and difficult journey after a terrible car accident in 1999. Big Bear represents healing, strength, new energy and new beginnings and ever new ideas about bringing natural medicine to our community.

- Sussanna

Grand Opening of Erin Physio and Sports Therapy Clinic

Great News ! The people of Erin will now have available Physiotherapy, Massage and Naturopathic care under one roof. Erin Physio and Sport Therapy Clinic is centrally located at our community’s Centre 2000. Physiotherapy services, including a fully equipped gym, are offered by Basim Mokhtar D.Phil., B.Sc., P.T., Naturopathic Medicine by Sussanna Czeranko ND, and Massage Therapy by Amy Thorpe, RMT. New patients are now being accepted. For an appointment call the office at 833-0606.

Simply Fitness will join Erin Physio and Sport Therapy Clinic sometime in the spring. Simply Fitness will be offering circuit training, various specialty classes, Pilates and Yoga. The fitness centre will be equipped with state of art audio and visual systems. Monique Jorinen will be operating the new fitness centre. Child care will be available on the premises in a supervised Daycare.

This multi-discipline clinic represents the best approach to providing a blend of traditional and complementary medical services for our community. The practitioners bring collectively decades of experience to this remarkable new facility.

A New Girl has landed
“Little Rock Hopper” has joined the gang of critters at the doorsteps of Clinic in the Woods. She’s a beauty. If you have never seen the work of Craig Thompson, who is located on Trafalgar Rd., 1 mile north of Ballinafad, you are missing a treat to the eyes. Craig carves out of LARGE logs the most exquisite and intricate animals. It is fascinating to watch the artistic transformation from log to living sculpture.

Meanwhile, the girls in the barn are impatient as ever with our long winter season. They are intrigued by all the new arrivals. And, they are keen to roam their pastures and graze on fresh grass come spring.

Their hierarchy of who eats first constantly changes. I cannot keep up to who reigns over the pack. Some days Anastasia lords over the food and other days, Lucy, who is the youngest will dominate by spitting the competition out of her way.

Mushrooms: the Immune Enhancer!

A wide variety of mushrooms has been central to Oriental medicine and recently mushrooms are slowly gaining recognition in the West. Fungi have been considered devoid of any nutritional properties and it was believed that eating mushrooms would aggravate candida and other fungal infections in humans. Mushrooms in fact are extremely rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fibre and do not complicate yeast infections.

All medicinal mushrooms have a host of impressive properties. They have immune stimulating, anti-tumour, anti-metastatic, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. They also help to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar and quell inflammatory processes.

Shitake (Lentinus edodes) is approved in Japan as an anti-cancer medicine and is known for its ability to stop the initiation of cancer. Shitake enhances immune functions and is very beneficial for hypercholesterolemia and hypertension.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is the oldest historically known and most prized mushroom in China. Reishi, like Shitake, is an excellent immune stimulator that has shown anti-cancer effects and is anti-viral. Its other beneficial properties include lowering high blood glucose levels, blood pressure and elevated blood cholesterol.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) was so highly valued that it was reserved only for the Imperial family in China. Like the other mushrooms, it strengthens a weakened immune system and lowers high cholesterol. Cordyceps is used in China for weak lungs such as coughs and asthma.

The Inside Story

Winter’s cold temperatures mean spending more time inside our homes. Inside may be warm but not be safe. Homes built after 1970 are most likely designed with “air tight” energy efficiency in mind. During the 70s, the oil shortage experienced by western countries was counteracted with many changes in the building industry to use construction materials that would save energy. For example, standard plywood was replaced with cheaper chipboard and its higher concentrations of formaldehyde and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). Real wood beams were replaced with plywood laminate which also contains high levels of formaldehyde. Hardwood floors were replaced with plywood sub flooring and carpets and under pads, all containing high levels of VOC which outgas. Even our furnishings have gone from traditional materials to synthetic ones that are wrinkle-free because of the solvents and formaldehyde. Polyester fiberfill and polyurethane foams replace cotton battings. Plastic items “off gas” phthalates which is found throughout the home. Phthalates, now found ubiquitously, are associated with infertility in women and premature births, asthma in children, and effeminization of sexual traits in males.

A study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency in the US in 1985 found that indoor air pollution was 10 times higher than outdoor air, even in heavily industrialized areas. The most commonly found chemicals belong to a group called VOC. A sample of what they found included paradichlorobenzene from mothballs, and deodorants, styrene from plastics, foam rubber and insulation, tetrachloroethylene in dry cleaning and styrene, xylene and benzene from gasoline and paints. Levels of some of these solvents of VOCs would suggest that smokers live in the home, yet often no smokers do. It is the house that is out gassing these chemicals and exposing its occupants, especially small children and women, to impairing levels of toxins.

Ensuring that your home’s air quality is not impacting your health is important. Air quality begins with self-education and making sure that your home is a safe sanctuary rather than a breeding ground for illness. For starters, when you pick up your dry cleaning, leave it outside (especially the bedroom) for 72 hours before hanging the clothes in the closet. Air cleaners do wonders and bundle up and enjoy our outdoors. Clinic in the Woods can recommend excellent information about the best products for detoxifying the air you breathe in your home.

Oils To The Rescue
Last fall I craved oils. I really craved oils. So much so, that I ate several spoonfuls everyday. I couldn’t believe how content I felt afterwards and wanted to learn more about oils in my diet. Those who know me know that I struggle on a daily basis with low energy, fatigue and a sleeping schedule that usually is twice what many people get or need. I was eager to find out why eating healthy oils was making such a difference.

The number one reason, our diets are most often deficient in healthy oils. Every cell consists of two layers of fatty acids which if not found in our diets lead to many health problems. Inside the 100 trillion cells of our bodies are energy sites that supply each one. Some fats or oils help in these sites; some don’t even belong in the body. This is because not all oils or fats are equal.

There are two stories to fats and oils. There are some fats that make us fat and there some fats that make us slim. There are some fats that cause cancer, heart disease and degenerative diseases and there are fats that protect us from these diseases.

I had been eating a mixture of well balanced vegetable oils everyday and it is amazing how perked and energized I feel after my couple of tablespoons of oils. May not sound too appealing however, I add garlic, raw and crushed or baked or olive tartinade or hummus and dunk rye bread for a delicious snack. Eating healthy oils can dramatically improve energy, and glandular functions, increase body temperature, resolve long standing skin conditions, and protect us from disease.

Not only has the quality of my energy improved but my husband insists that my skin has a youthful hue and glow.

Coming Events

Snorers Be Gone (Feb 25, 26 & March 5)
This year, I am offering a new series of lectures for those who have trouble sleeping quietly and for those who have trouble sleeping when there is a chainsaw sleeping beside them. The workshop is designed for both the snorer and the loved one who can’t sleep with the snorer. The classes are spread over 3 sessions and are specifically designed for couples. These simple exercises will definitely bring an end to snoring without surgery, appliances or medications.

Naturopathic First Aid (Feb 17 & 24)
We will review the most common accidents and illnesses that we face and explore healthy naturopathic solutions that prevent emergency visits. Included is a Naturopathic First Aid Kit and years of experience and insights to bring calm and health to your loved ones.

Spring Cleanses
Hundreds of people have participated in my spring cleanses and have felt fantastic at the end. This is an excellent opportunity to spring clean your body and learn how to keep it strong and healthy. Beginning in March. Call for dates.

Big Bear Unveiling, June 5th, 11:00-4:00 at Clinic in the Woods
Come and meet Big Bear at his GRAND UNVEILING celebration. Meet local business neighbours who will be here to provide you with healthy solutions. Discover local artists, and vendors. Check out local producers of organic foods, and natural products for the home and family. Lots of activities for kids! Feed the llamas and alpacas and meet “Little Rock Hopper”.. Unveiling of Big Bear will be by Mayor Finnie. There will be a herb walk, and herbs for sale. Talks and demonstrations. It will be a day packed of fun and excitement. Discover how great our community is.

The Word Old is a State of Mind and Only a Number by John

My mind reflects back 20 years and I realise that old is only a number.

Whilst on a journey on a Jumbo 747 from South Africa to England I was given the opportunity to visit the captain and the cockpit. After the experience I decided that I wanted to learn to fly. I was 49 and having left school at age 14 with limited education, learning to fly seemed an impossible dream considering the enormous amount of theory to learnt and more especially because most of my friends and relatives said I was too old to learn to fly. Nevertheless, I went ahead and got my private pilot license in seven months (proving to myself and my critics that old is only a number).

I emigrated to Canada six years ago at age 65. I spent a year renovating (on my own) the old house I now live in. When I turned 67, the renovations on my home done, I felt I needed a new challenge to keep me going and I decided to learn to ski downhill. Once again friends and relatives said, you guessed it, I was too old to learn to ski. Once again, I proved them wrong. I ski very well, a good intermediate.

My point is, old is only a number, you can do anything you want within reason to live to really old. You must have something to get up for every day, new challenges. It’s exciting, so get going and start living again. See you on the slopes!