Do you have a Sue that influenced you?

© Peter St John Gibson 2009
ipgibson@comcast.net

Think back. Who influenced you as a child, teen, or even recently as an adult, to think or act the way you do today about your health? Someone you still remember?

I’m a healthy man. Only 54 years young. I may never have got on this path if not for Sue.
Sue lived in the same English village as me. Her husband cut my hair. I babysat her kids. Sue was a vegetarian. She was full of energy; smiled often and looked younger than she was. We both adored the outdoors and often rode horses, across the quiet countryside, to the Pub in the next village. You guessed it - we relied on the horses to get us back!

Sue didn’t want to have to fit in, but she did want to fit fitness in. She treated herself well and had a bottomless well of healthy relationships to draw on. Meals at Sue’s cottage fed you physically and emotionally. The lifestyle Sue led became the influence upon which my life has been fed.

Sue taught me that I needed a health philosophy. I had to make choices; question what was in my meals and seek alternative deals. Wonder how healthy where I worked was.
Be careful about how I was influenced by my community, yet still find a way to be an influence in it. That’s why I write.

My writing, and rhyming, is one of the ways I can influence peoples’ days. Prod them to adopt healthier ways; avoid hospital stays and the medical maze.

Johnny Appleseed influenced many Americans by planting apple seeds. He got down on his knees and gave us trees. The seed produces the tree that bears the fruit. It’s a cycle that we are naturally a part of too. Our mothers produce us and our community expects us to bear fruit and make a contribution to the world.

An apple tree provides healthy fruit if its environment is healthy. Are we any different? How we are influenced determines how healthy of an influence we will have on others.

Sue has made my life a healthier one. Her influence may have led me into the business I have run for over ten years: marketing health products. To write a book that invites others to manage their own health – to move their own magnet – and later create The WELLNESS WOMBATS™ to encourage kids to adopt ways that keep them out of the medical maze.

So, think. Why do you manage your health the way you do? Do you have a Sue, or a Drew, that influenced you? If you do, isn’t it your turn now to influence and inspire others to make healthy choices too? Is that something you are willing to do?

About the Author: Peter St. John Gibson
Peter has managed Hotels, restaurants and large-scale corporate events.
He has traveled to over 50 countries and – while pursuing a career in the travel business - successfully herded groups of sales executives to Europe. They all got home safely.
He is a husband, and a father.
His healthy upbringing, in rural England, influenced his pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and his decision to work for himself, as an international wellness consultant distributing health products in over a dozen countries.
He is a Public Speaker and a published author. His latest book Who Moved My Magnet? produced two fun characters and plush toys called The WELLNESS WOMBATS™
The WELLNESS WOMBATS™ are designed to influence kids – and communities - to practice healthy ways and stay out of the medical maze.
Peter St. John Gibson
ipgibson@comcast.net
www.wellnesswombats.com
770 317 1009

Rhyme:

We’re a fast food nation; our kid’s are getting fat.
Isn’t it time we did something about that?
That’s why I’ve created the WELLNESS WOMBATS™
They’re two fun characters whose healthy ways
Can influence kids to stay out of the medical maze.
By word of mouth they’ll create results,
That helps today’s kid’s become tomorrow’s healthy adults.
It’s ick to be sick and under medicines spell.
So, talk to me if you want your community to be well.

Our Organic Veggie Garden

By Daina Scarola

The spring my husband and I bought our house along the eastern shore of Nova Scotia we were anxious to get to work preparing and planting our first organic veggie garden. We chose an ambitious sized area next to the lawn where the grass mysteriously wasn’t growing. We thought, oh how perfect, we don’t need to dig up thick rooty turf! As we set to work trying to dig and turn the soil with shovels and garden forks, we grudgingly realized the land was more suitable as a gravel parking space.

Optimistic, we decided we just needed to invest some sweat equity, compost, manure, sand, peat moss, lime, and a huge load of organic topsoil. First we removed all the rocks and stones, both big and small. Then we shoveled in scoops of sand, peat moss, and manure as evenly as possible. The Naturally Nova Scotia’s caretaker and farmer, David, offered to drive the tractor a couple kilometers up the road to our place to save our backs and a lot of time. With the tractor bucket he scooped and turned and blended the new soil for us. By the end of that day, our 10’ x 30’garden space had grown from a flat compressed gravelly bed to about 6 inches of soil. Fueled by our excitement we planted so many varieties of plants. Although few of them did well that first year, they all contributed rich nutrients and inches of new soil for the following year.

If you’re not fortunate to already have rich soil, vegetable gardening can be costly in the beginning. But once your plot and soil are established, your annual costs are usually only the seeds. However, some vegetables can have higher annual costs than others. For example, if you wish to grow tomatoes, you’ll have to start them as early as two months under grow lights, and later invest in tomato cages for each plant. I prefer to buy the transplants and set them directly in the garden in late spring when the night temperatures are mild.

After ten years of organic gardening, we still have much to learn. But what I do know, is how incredibly satisfying it is to grow our own produce. Each growing season is different providing alternating good and bad crops. Since I enjoy experimenting with different varieties and placement in the rows, I’ve learned which plants do well for our microclimate, and which are better off buying at the local market.

Last weekend as my husband and I prepared the soil for seeding, I noticed a great sign that our soil has reached optimum health. This is the first spring our soil is void of white grubs, which feed on roots and can damage plants. It also smelled rich with organic matter. I decided to keep our planting design simple- 5 large rows. From the back I planted beans and onions, carrots, beets, radicchio, and lettuce. Between each row we added straw to help keep the weeds down and retain moisture. Instead of planting tomato transplants in the garden, I will plant them in pots on our deck. In another small garden I will plant cucumbers and zucchini. And in the front of the yard near the apple trees I will pile a mound of compost and toss in some pumpkin seeds. Voila!

One of my favourite reference books is Carrots Love Tomatoes – Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening, by Louise Riotte. If you plan to grow your veggies in a tight space, this is a great book to read first. It is loaded with great tips and tricks for the novice and experienced green thumbs. If you have a small area to work with, companion planting could help you organize your plants efficiently and promote healthy crops.

My husband’s grandparents in Italy have a small back yard by North American standards. In their 15’ x 30’ plot they use every bit of sunlight and soil to grow a large variety of plants- fruiting trees, vegetables, herbs, grape vines, and ornamental plants- with room to spare for egg-laying hens and two turtles! When they visited our home a few years back, all we had growing on our 0.7 acre lot was our vegetable garden, two apple trees, and a cherry tree. They were quite upset that we were not using our land to its full potential! While we found it funny at the time, I do plan to eventually add a few fruiting trees so our front yards can become a small orchard- plums, peaches, pears, expand our garden, and maybe even try growing sweet Nova Scotian grapes on an arbor to our veggie garden.

Before I get too ambitious, next up on my list is to build a fence around our garden. This morning I took pleasure in watching a pair of bunnies romp around the front yard. When they decided to play tag (aka the mating game) hopping in the veggie garden from mound to mound, I cringed at my newly planted seeds! Last year they enjoyed a buffet of beet and carrot tops. Aside from good soil and water, a fence could be a gardener’s best friend. Next weekend I will work on my fence. I’m optimistic this year will be our best one yet! I promise to post an update at the end of this year’s growing season with lots of photos…

Want to Get Fit? Don't go to the Gym!

By Beth Ann Knowles, BSc, P.T.S., N.W.S.

Maybe you don’t like the smell, perhaps the crowds irritate you, or maybe you’d rather watch paint dry than pedal a stationary bike for 5 minutes. Whatever the reason is, if you’re starting an exercise program and you don’t like going to the gym, DON’T GO. Now I know what you’re thinking; “great, the trainer is telling me to stay home. I think I’ll pick up a pop, chips, and the Star Wars Trilogy to keep me company on the couch this weekend.” Hold on! While you don’t have to go to the gym to be healthy, you do need to include healthy activities and exercise in your daily life. If you love your gym routine then use this article as a tool for spicing up your workout schedule. If you despise the gym, then read on and find out the many ways you can start adding gym-free health & fitness as well as years to your life.

Home gym equipment is a very easy item to find so if you’re motivated to workout in your home by yourself, look into purchasing some gear. You can find quality used equipment at yard sales, used sporting good stores, and on-line classifieds. Or if you’re looking for new, check out a sports store or Saturday afternoon infomercials. Once you have your equipment, I always recommend consulting a Certified Personal Trainer or Fitness Instructor for help setting up your program. Since you will be working out without supervision, you need to make sure your form is correct on all exercises. This will prevent injuries and promote results. As well, you and a trainer need to use the FITT principle to determine your program. FITT stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type. These four elements are crucial in the planning of a fitness program. Since everyone’s goals and starting points are different, each workout program must be individualized. How often, how hard, how long, and what exercises you need to do to achieve your goals are unique to your situation. Therefore, it is essential you work with a fitness professional to create a program that will maximize your results.

In my opinion, the best two pieces of gym equipment on the market right now are the big colourful stability balls and resistance bands (or stretch tubing). You can purchase one ball and 3 different strengths of tubing for under $70.00. Using both pieces of equipment you can have a very functional, effective, and challenging strength-training program. I find the tubing especially serviceable because it is easy to take places: vacation, to work, on a bike, or to the park. You can break up a 30-minute jog, walk, or bike ride with intervals of bicep curls, lat pull-downs, squats, and chest presses using the tubing. And the workout can be done around your neighbourhood, on a beach, in a park, or wherever you like best. Again, I recommend you to speak with a fitness professional to learn correct form, put together a program, and minimize injuries.

For cardiovascular training, you need to really contemplate what you enjoy doing. To strengthen your cardiovascular system you must do some type of aerobic activity; something that increases your heart rate to between 60 and 85% of your maximum (maximum heart rate in beats/minute=220-Age). Jogging is a very popular exercise but it is not enjoyed by all and it is not suited to all states of health. Cycling, swimming, roller-blading, martial arts, skipping, boxing training, outdoor cross-training classes, hiking, sports, walking, skating, and dancing are some of the many options for aerobic exercise. The more you like your workout, the more likely you’ll stick to it and see results. Sign up for an adult dance class; take your dog to the beach; if you don’t have a dog volunteer with the SPCA to be a dog walker; talk to staff at a local sporting goods store to find some beautiful trails within a half hour of your town; join a running or cycling club; take tennis lessons; start training at a boxing club…have I made my point yet? There are endless options available for you to have an enjoyable and effective aerobic program. Getting others involved in your regime can help as well. Training partners can provide motivation and keep you accountable, and it’s always nice to have someone to talk to when you’re working out.

Strength training isn’t limited to gym equipment either. Try climbing on an indoor rock wall to improve your strength. Learn to row or paddle, help a friend stack the three cords of wood in their driveway, tackle the ceiling paint job you’ve been putting off, or help an elderly neighbour with their gardening. There are many strengthening activities you can use to maintain an interesting routine.

If not having enough time has been your excuse try the following: write down how many hours a week you spend…
1. Sleeping
2. Working, getting ready for work, and commuting to and from work.

3. Eating and preparing meals.

4. Family time/volunteer work.

5. Leisure time.

6. Other commitments.

Now add up your total number of hours and subtract from 168 (number of hours in a week). This is how much time you have to commit to health and fitness. What are you doing with your time?

If you think creatively you can incorporate household fixtures into your workouts. Try triceps dips on the edge of your couch, start improving your push-ups by doing them with your hands 4 steps up on a staircase and as you get stronger place your hands on the lower steps, do lunges and squats during commercial breaks of your favourite television show, bicep curl apple juice cans. Now you have exercising options that require no gym equipment.

Again, I stress the need to work with a trainer in the initial stages of your program to determine what exercises and activities you will do based on your interests, finances, resources, and location. The most important thing to consider when planning an exercise program is to include more of the things you like and less of the things you are merely tolerating. If you are exercising day in and day out and just tolerating it, most likely you will get bored, hate it, not succeed, not see the results you wanted, and develop an aversion to all things health and fitness. Try some new things, find out what you like, and you’ll stick to it and be happier for it.

About the Author:
Beth Ann has a degree in Sciences from Dalhousie University and is a Personal Trainer and Nutrition and Wellness Specialist. Additionally, Beth Ann has a personal interest in holistic wellness and sustainable environmental practices and enjoys being the Canadian Sales Manager for Naturally Nova Scotia Health Products.

Winner of the Yoga Atlantic Conference 2009 Gift Basket!

Congratulations to Betty MacDonald of Wolfville!! She is the winner of our Yoga Atlantic Conference gift basket, valued at $175.