Achy Breaky Body

Pain. What a terrible 4-letter word.  However, living pain-free may be more within reach than you think.  Without trivializing it too much, pain is a perceived sensation with many potential causes.  It is a subjective feeling triggered in the nervous system by a physical stimulus such as a blunt or shearing force, a chemical, a poke, a pinch, etc.  So, we can feel “pain” when we get a trivial paper cut or, more seriously, suffer a car accident, shingles outbreak, pinched nerve, severed limb, etc.  In a way, it is an evil game of “telephone” between the trigger site and your brain.  Imagine if we can somehow interrupt this telephone game; the message would be lost and you will not have that sensation of pain anymore.  Sound too good to be true?  Read on!

First, we would need to find some kind of substance or medication that can interrupt this painful message and, literally, act as a “pain block”. There are many options that are available over-the-counter (OTC) at CLOVERDALE PHARMASAVE without a prescription, including (but not limited to)  Traumeel gel or ointment, MSM Cream, Zeel Ointment, Dynamint, Chapman’s Liniment, Arnica Tincture, DMSO Gel or Lotion, or even Rub A535.  If you have tried those products already, but with limited success, consider SPECIALTY OTC COMPOUNDS that use substances such as dextromethorphan and guaifenesin.  For those with more severe pain, PRESCRIPTION ingredients such as gabapentin, amitriptyline, baclofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, and ketamine may be prescribed by your physician.

It is important to recognize that choosing the right ingredient is only one part of the puzzle. The next step is to somehow direct this substance to a specific location where it is needed to interrupt the communication of the painful stimulus to the brain.  The best way to do this is by putting the pain medicine into a specialized, topical gel such as LIPODERM, which can drive the medication through the skin via pockets (or “micelles”) formed in the gel during its compounding process.  Only a true compounding pharmacy such as CLOVERDALE PHARMASAVE would have the expertise in PERSONNEL and EQUIPMENT to properly create a gel containing micelles through the use of a MILL.  Sounds like a lot of gibberish?  Bottom-line is that a properly compounded product can deliver the pain medication directly to the site where it is needed, with very minimal risk of systemic (“wide-spread”) side-effects, interactions, or addiction/abuse potential.

If you are living in pain, we can help you put a damper on it.  Come talk to our compounding pain experts.  You can also discuss your pain history with us in a consultation setting by appointment.  Let us work with you and your team of physicians to find a solution that is customized to you.  Our pain services include a survey of your pain history and correspondence with your physician(s) as necessary to promptly arrive at a feasible, effective solution.  We are passionate about finding solutions to your pain and wound problems.  Let us help you revive that achy, breaky body.

(Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique family-owned and operated Pharmasave in Cloverdale, BC.  Their pharmacy celebrated its 30-Year Birthday last year.  They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use.  Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore and OnLine.  They would love to hear from you! 604-576-2888; www.cloverdalepharmasave.com.  Of course, before you begin any activity program or try any OTC supplementation, check with your physician and pharmacist.)

With these Tips, Tricks and Products, you will save time and money.

Vinegar is a fantastic earth-friendly home cleaner on the cheap.  Undiluted it cleans toilets, sinks, washers, dishwashers, and deodorizes drains.

Pour vinegar into a plastic bag, and secure it to your shower-head.  I like to use a zip lock bag, making sure there’s enough vinegar in the bag so the shower-head is submerged, leave the bag on overnight; in the morning you’ll awake to a clean shower-head.

Use vinegar instead of fabric softener in the laundry, “It softens clothes and removes the static, at a fraction of the cost of fabric softeners.”  Just add a half cup of vinegar to the final rinse.  Clean the washer, by using two cups of vinegar instead of detergent.  The hot water-vinegar combo removes and prevents bacteria growth.  Remember to wipe in and around the rubber seal of a front load washer, using a vinegar soaked rag.

Vinegar mixed with baking soda is a great scrub for shower door hard water stains, the bottom of pots, pans, and baking sheets.  It also rescues stained plastic containers, just let the vinegar and baking soda soak in the container, then wash as normal.  Pouring a cup of vinegar with half a cup of baking soda into your garbage disposal; helps keep it crud and odorous free.

Skip the toxic chemicals where you store your food in the fridge; wipe up spills with a 50/50 vinegar-water mix. If the spill is sticky, first heat the mixture in the microwave.  Then go ahead and clean the fridge spill and microwave with the same heated solution.

A 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water also makes an earth-friendly laminate and hardwood floor cleaner.

I’d like to read your favourite “Creative Living Tips and Tricks” email me at
creative_living@icloud.com

Roxanne Griese is an Artist and Columnist, visit www.artbyroxanne.ca

Creative Living Tips & Tricks

By Roxanne Griese

Keep a microwave bacon tray in the microwave always, it catches spills and crumbs.

Putting a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water in the tray on high for 3 minutes, eases cleaning of the microwave using the steam and non toxic cleaning solution.

Last month it was my pleasure to present a travel writing, marketing and photography workshop at Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival in Salmon Arm.
Writers are (generally) not shy, so being greeted by total strangers armed with questions, enthusiasm, an eclectic mix of story ideas, and a desire to network, was no surprise.
Like all writers’ conferences, unpublished and published authors, poets, dreamers, dramatists were on hand searching for critiques, publishers, agents. and advice
Diana Gabaldon, author of the popular Outlander Scottish historical fiction series, was in town from Arizona. Between presenting workshops and signing books, Gabaldon was quizzed about the Outlander TV series scheduled for US release on August 9, and the June 10 release of her latest blockbuster, Written In My Own Heart’s Blood.
An approachable entertaining headliner, attendees had opportunities to ask about the dynamics driving the author – and her sexy Highland characters.
Gary Geddes, a respected poet, writer and editor, lives on Thetis Island with his wife, novelists and biologist, Ann Erikkson. The breadth of their work enabled writers in those genres opportunities to compare notes, and harvest tips to further works in progress.
C.C. Humphreys, a Salt Spring Island resident, invariably entertains and informs. With a stage background, and an incorrigible sense of humour, this swashbuckling presenter intersperses sage advice with dramatic swordplay.
Salmon Arm novelist Gail Anderson-Dargatz, and Chilean-born Carmen Aguirre demonstrated the scope of writers’ abilities to offer readers local and international drama. Remember when the Pinochet regime dominated the news? “Memoirs of a Revolutionary Daughter” chronicles Aquirre’s memories of life with revolutionary parents in Chile during that era. Real life drama from a storyteller who survived the tale.
How to approach agents and navigate the publishing industry can be daunting and discouraging. Do you need an agent? When does a writer need an agent, and what’s the secret to choosing one? How do e-publishing and traditional publishing editorial expectations differ?
Carolyn Swayze, W.P. Kinsella’s White Rock literary agent, continues to go from strength-to-strength in a tough market via her own international literary agency. Dispensing candid, practical advice, Swayze gave her audience the low-down on how to realistically proceed, as did Shelagh Jamieson, Director of Publishing and Communications for the Factors Group and managing editor of Mind Publishing.
Howard White, owner of Harbour Publishing, recently bought Douglas & McIntyre. Why? Because, based on statistics, he remains confident that print books are viable and in demand. While not denying the success of e-books, statistics (he says) demonstrate a levelling on the market – a reshaping of new and traditional literary playing fields. Projections that print will be dead by 2020 were, in his estimation, seriously overrated.
A worthwhile discussion for readers and writers.
My own workshop tackled the choppy waters of travel writing, photography, plus how, when, and where, to sell such works. My publishing background shapes my view: offer readers something unique and informative, and expect to be paid for your efforts and expertise.Why should this genre differ from other literary markets?
So, are you a ‘closet writer’ prepared to unleash your magnum opus? An avid bookworm yearning to meeting authors? A writer hunting for an agent? You are in luck!
From community writing and photography groups, to MeetUps (sign up on-line), or conferences such as: The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts ( Aug. 14-17, 2014)’ , Word on the Lake (May 15 -17, 2015), Vancouver Writers’ Fest ( Oct. 21-26, 2014), Surrey International Writers’ Conference (Oct. 24-26, 2014), or Word on the Lake Writers’ Festival hosted by the Shuswap Association of Writers in Salmon Arm (May 15-17, 2015), British Columbia’s vibrant literary community is ready to embrace you.
Unplug the telly. Reconnect your brain. Plug in to your local writing community. You have a story to tell… and you know it.

Ursula Maxwell-Lewis is a retired editor dedicated to writing, travelling, photography, and reading.

Creativity comes in many forms, whether it is an artfully made latte from your favourite coffee shop, or a landscaped flower bed outside your home that reflects your personality in design.

The first impression of your home starts with the front entrance and front garden. Take your inside visions of your home and personalize the exterior, giving neighbour’s passing by and welcomed friends a sneak preview of the inside of your home.

With Spring bursting into full bloom, take advantage of a handful of bright coloured flowers to awaken the sleepy winter flower beds, a layer of top dressing on the soil accents and tidies the flowers in full bloom.

Painting the front door a contrasting deep or bright colour from the colour pallet from the inside of the home; draws the eye in the home much like a well framed picture.  Then take it one step further and place two large Boston ferns or Box woods in matching decorative planters on either side of the front door.  This creates a visual layered welcome to your home.

It has been no secret, that some of my passions include repurposing, decorating, gardening and organizing.  My husband often comments there are daily changes in and around our home.

Keeping a weekly maintenance inside and outside of your home, allows you to live in and around your space beautifully, comfortably, and if are like me and it becomes a passion, learn to pursue your passions with careful time management and on budget.

My mantra is “Change is Good”.  Spring welcomes colour and change, continue to love your space.

Roxanne Griese is a writer and an artist; visit www.artbyroxanne.ca.

No, this is not the start of a column about religion. It is more about the incredible happenings in the world today, although some people may identify religious aspects to it.

Hopefully by the time you read this article, they will have found that missing plane from Malaysia. If the mystery is still continuing then you have to wonder what is really going on? This is not a reality show or a science fiction movie. It’s real life drama. Maybe the biggest aviation mystery in history.

First of all our deepest sympathy to the families and all those involved with the missing flight. They want answers as to what happened to their loved ones. Now it seems every passenger and member of the flight crew are both victims and suspects.

In this world of high technology and instant messaging, it is really a challenge to believe no one knows what is going on – and what authorities are not telling us. So much is a stake.

The entire airline industry and world tourism is cringing at this escalating problem. The fear of flying is real for many people and with no apparent weather conditions as the cause of the missing plane – what did happen?

In this age of 24-hour media the constant banter continues – and the so-called experts are running out of creative answers. And of course it is all speculation on their part.

It is amazing in this egocentric world that some people can continue to go on international television and the internet and claim to have the answer. You might as well believe the alien theory.

Now entrepreneurs and stock market manipulators are trying to cash in on the tragedy as they claim to have some high tech solutions to missing planes – and worse their stocks keep rising.

It is all both fascinating and troubling at the same time. How they find the plane will be an amazing feat as all current methods have failed thus far. If they do not find anything, then maybe the Bermuda Triangle does really exist even in southeast Asia.

Meanwhile while the missing plane mystery captures the imagination of the world, Russia is still poised to takeover parts of the Ukraine. Just days after celebrating the success of the Winter Olympics, the aggressive military action began. Now world leaders are hesitant to take strong action against Russia. What will this lead to? Remember the Russians were in Afghanistan before the Taliban took over. Who knows what will be the next action the Russians take, but it is all troubling.

On a lighter note, spring is finally here and hopefully more sunshine and brighter days. This means the start of baseball season and hopefully your favorite teams have great seasons.

Practice Your A, B, C, D’s for Great Health

As we get older, many factors can affect the adequate absorption and proper utilization of vitamins and minerals from our diet.  For example, diseases and normal physiological changes affect the way our bodies require, absorb and process food.  There are also lifestyle choices, such as smoking or being vegetarian that may limit the amount of vital vitamins and minerals we get from our diet.  Therefore, it is fitting to use quality supplements to ensure optimal functioning of our bodies.  This can be achieved if you take a few minutes to brush up on your “A, B, C, D’s”.  It’s easy!

CAROTENOIDS are the colourful plant pigments found in fruits and vegetables.  Some of them can be converted to VITAMIN A, which acts as a powerful antioxidant in our bodies.  Vit.A as an antioxidant help with protection of the eye from photodamage by filtering out certain colours of light, for example.  Other carotenoids (eg. LYCOPENE and LUTEIN), do not convert into Vitamin A, but they do have other beneficial properties such as cancer prevention and eye health.  The dosing varies widely from 10,000-25,000 units daily depending on the purpose.  THORNE makes a great Vitamin A on its own or in a combination called “A.C.E.+SELENIUM”.  “VISION SUPPORT II” by AOR is a collection of carotenoids including lutein.

VITAMIN B exists in many forms.  You may have heard of Vit.B1 through B12, and while they all benefit your body’s energy levels in some way, they do have unique properties.  VIT.B1 (or “THIAMINE”) is involved with carbohydrate metabolism and nerve communication in muscles.  VIT.B2 (or “RIBOFLAVIN”) is an essential B vitamin that is typically lacking in ill patients, especially those suffering from HIV, liver disease, or alcoholism.  VIT.B3 (aka.“NIACIN”) is well-known for its cholesterol-lowering actions and may also be useful in reducing the risk of certain types of cataracts.  VIT.B5 (or “Pantothenic Acid”) is important in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism as well as skin function.  It is also used with some success in controlling anxiety.  VIT.B6 (aka.”Pyridoxine”) is involved with amino-acid metabolism.  It is associated with eye health and may decrease the risk of lung cancer in smokers.  The benefits of Vit.B3 and B6 in Alzheimer’s are actually unclear at this point.  VIT.B12 can be synthesized by microbes in our large intestines and also found in animal sources of our diet such as meats, fish, and liver.  It is important in general cell production, red blood cell production, and normal nerve sheath formation.  Low stomach acidity (in cases where the person takes antacids, for example) alters the body’s ability to absorb oral Vit.B12, and thus there specialized forms of oral B12 and also intramuscular injections available.  In general, our body needs a good balance of all the Vitamin B’s, so an overall Vit.B complex is a good start.  THORNE’s line of Vit.B is unique in that you have a choice of getting the different Vit.B’s separately or in combination.  Also check out the “B COMPLEX” by INNATE RESPONSE FORMULAS, which includes their proprietary immune blend as well as some enzymes and proteins to maximize health benefits.

Catching on to our alphabetic pattern yet?  VITAMIN C (aka. “ascorbic acid”) is famous for its effects on boosting our immunity and increasing the healing rates of the cold/flu, burns, fractures, ulcers, etc.  But did you know that it is great for other purposes, such as increasing the absorption of iron (if taken together), as well as benefiting heart and lung health?  At this time, the word is still out on whether Vit.C actually helps with depression, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, but people do take it for those purposes.  ESTER-C SUPREME is a wonderful formula by SISU for boosting respiratory health.  It contains arabinogalactans and quercetin, which are useful for asthmatic or sensitive, allergic lungs.  The Vit.C in the Sisu formulas are all in an “ester-C” form, which is buffered with calcium for a more neutral pH.  If you want an added boost for immunity, consider “C COMPLETE POWDER” BY INNATE RESPONSE FORMULAS to take advantage of the added hesperidin, quercetin, and rutin.

VITAMIN D is very good when taken with Calcium to minimize the rate of bone loss and diminish the risk of osteoporosis.  There is also much excitement about its potential in battling cancer.  Although Vit.D shows promise in boosting our immunity in general at higher doses, its role in cancer therapy is unclear and it appears that it takes many years of use for any benefit.   There is a wide dosing range for Vit.D use, but a long-term daily dose of 4000IU should not be exceeded.  Nowadays, the majority of Vit.D is available as cholecalciferol (“Vit.D3”), the more potent form.

Many vitamins and minerals are required by our bodies to run smoothly, but Vit.A, B, C, D are 4 of the most important ones, especially as we age.  We may not get adequate supplies from our regular diet due to health/disease-related and lifestyle reasons, so it is important to supplement with quality vitamins and minerals.  Keep an eye out for future articles for more on other important vitamins and minerals.  For now, practice those A, B, C, D’s towards a healthier, stronger you.

(Christine and Fred Cheng are a sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique family-owned and operated Pharmasave in Cloverdale, BC.  We specialize in integrative natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use.  Everything mentioned in our articles, and much more, can be found at our Cloverdale Pharmasave.  We would love to meet you and hear from you! 604-576-2888; www.cloverdalepharmasave.com; or, on FaceBook. Of course, before you begin any activity program or try any OTC supplementation, check with your physician and pharmacist.)

Every spring there is a line up at Building Supply stores or specialty stores that sell products or materials to construct outdoor storage.

This is to accommodate the miscellaneous materials that have accumulated either from moving, downsizing or extra purchases. Often this accumulation ends up in the garage and you are forced to inconveniently park your car in the driveway or on the street.

There is a lot more to a storage shed or building than simply building a box with a roof over top. Plan ahead as to what you are going to be storing in the shed, hand tools, garden tools, garden chemicals “ugg” or car parts and so on. You may find that in many cases a lot of items should have been weeded through, thrown out or donated to charity. As you start your planning do not forget to check your local city or municipal bylaws as well as your strata if you live in a complex. Regulations may govern what size you can build, what are the height restrictions, foot print size and even sometimes the materials to be used as well as what it will be used for. The bigger the structure the more potential use of adjustable racking or shelving.

I do not recommend a combo structure with a storage area and a children’s play area attached. The reason for this of course is that you don’t know what type of items you may be storing i.e. dangerous or combustible materials and/or garden chemicals, sprays or weed killers. Separate storage areas are needed for these types of materials.

Now the big question? Will the structure be wood, plastic or steel? Whether it will be a home built or a packaged type will depend on what type of cosmetic look you want in your back yard area. As a safety precaution you should consider not placing the structure away from a fence unless you are able to get behind or beside it and if so use a gate that allows for access but not a security breech. I’m sure by now you can see that there is a little more to outdoor storage than just assembling a building and sticking it somewhere on your property.

Here are some items to consider;

Wood is your best choice, you can build shelves inside, paint or stain to match your home and control entry and security.

Plastic: a lot to choose from but still plastic with no or limited ways to add shelving for best use of area to yield storage.

Metal: Similar to the previous plastic choice with the exception that it is metal and in most coastal regions salt air will cause havoc with the exterior and any movable rollers etc.

The end result of any additional storage being provided is to develop a plan, create it, build it and commit to keeping it tidy.

Alexandra Neighbourhood House has a history of being a community anchor, a treasured Crescent Beach resource. Now, by instituting a Reading Room in the landmark fort-like structure, it has endeared itself to local writers.

On March 19, Lit Cafe 2 attracted writers and readers to Histories: Our Community. Ourselves featuring authors Julie Ferguson, Robert Mackay, Andrea Lister, Ruth Derksen Siemens and a lighted-hearted nod to the senior single life by freelance columnist April Lewis. What a deal for $5 – including coffee and cookies.

Not only was each writer’s background intriguing, it had inspired his, or her, choice of research.

James Douglas, Father of British Columbia, by Port Moody writer Julie Ferguson was drafted with a YA (young adult) audience in mind. But, like Douglas himself, the book attracted a wider audience.

Proving that Canadian history is a fascinating adventure, Julie’s well-researched crafting of the fur trading, swashbuckling ‘JD’, his part-Cree wife, and his determination to map and anchor what is now Victoria, Vancouver, and much of the Pacific Northwest, makes entertaining reading.

Julie also authored Through a Canadian Periscope, a history of the Canadian Submarine Service.

As a young naval reserve officer, she visited HMCS/M Okanagan in 1979. So began her love for the CSS – and the sub’s commanding officer, but, that’s another story.

Soldier of the Horse, a novel by Surrey author and retired lawyer, rancher, submariner Robert W. Mackay, is based on his father’s participation in the last cavalry charge. Beginning with a Winnipeg family drama, a wannabe lawyer with a fear of horses finds himself in the cavalry, and enroute to WW1 Europe. Culminating in the bloody Battle of Moreuil Wood in France, it’s an intriguing tale of pain and pathos.

Commitment to Caring: Chilliwack Hospital Auxiliary’s 100 Years, 1911-2011, by author, speaker, editor and book designer Andrea Lister, begins with a delightful glance back to an era when a cup of tea, a few nickels – and a load of determined arm-twisting (laced with charm) got you…well… a hospital.

Andrea’s great-grandmother was a founding member of the auxiliary – an added dimension to this heartwarming historical tribute (with archival pictures).

Daughters in the City, Mennonite Maids in Vancouver 1931-61, by Ruth Derksen Siemens, tells the stories of how a group of young immigrant women pooled their resources in 1937 to buy a two-story South Vancouver house

It became one of two ‘Bethels’, or Girls’ Homes.

Labouring as maids to Vancouver’s upper echelon, the thrifty women survived, thrived, and supported one another, as well as many who followed in their footsteps.

Ruth’s mother and 14 aunts were among these women.

Without this book, a unique, courageous, critical chapter in Russian-Canadian Mennonite women’s history might have vanished.

For more Lit Cafe schedule information contact Neil Fernyhough, Coordinator of Community Programs, at 604-618-2357 (ext. 236), or online at communityprograms@alexhouse.net

Ursula Maxwell-Lewis is a British Columbia writer and photographer with a passion for travel.