12-step New Year’s resolutions
By Jodi A. Shaw It’s common knowledge that many of us take off full blast with our New Year’s resolutions on January 1st — smokers throw out their lighters and ashtrays, wannabe fitness buffs get locked in for three years at their local gym — only to come crashing back to earth by mid-January. Others, [...]
Alberta delivers on midwives’ potential
By Jodi A. Shaw I prefer not to know the finer details of child birth. Instead, I’d rather wait my turn to experience it, and find out the good, the bad, and the ugly of pregnancy and delivery. A pregnant co-worker, however, has been spoiling some of the secrets for me . . . and [...]
Don’t put that in your mouth
By Jodi A. Shaw Recently, a friend asked me for my “secret” to a healthy diet. I was confused, so she explained how she admired my food preparation practices and efforts to eat organically. I was still confused, so she added, “You never seem to have to worry when there’s food crisis.” She was referring, [...]
Lotsa nudes is good nudes
Bev Schellenberg Regardless of what you may think of nude bicyclists, nude maids, or nudists in general (“naturists” for the politically correct out there), consider this the next time you step out of the shower or the tub: there’s a nude in your bathroom. You. Granted, you probably have hair sprouting here and there, but [...]
Death be not proud — nor cheap
Bev Schellenberg Death is inevitable. Even worse, death can be expensive. Granted, we won’t live with the expense once we’re gone, but our offspring or friends may. Fortunately, the options for disposal are many. Among them is procrastination. Alan Derek of Bristol, England lived with his dead room-mate’s remains on his sofa for at least [...]
Tell it to the boys
From The Calgary Herald, December 28, 2007: “One in five women (aged 16 to 24) never use condoms.” Call me a cynic, but I’m pretty sure most if-not-all women are missing the anatomy required for wearing condoms. Why is it that women are always handed the responsibility to police sex? The article in question is [...]
No more bake sales?
BC’s schools are on a health jag. All over the province, they’re implementing a variety of initiatives to increase physical activity and better eating in students. Can’t disagree with that. Hats off to those that are removing or limiting pop and vending machines and providing healthier alternatives. Huge applauds to schools that are increasing nutritional [...]
Loonacy
Bev Schellenberg A few weeks ago, I helped an elderly woman at a public lavatory. Her distinguished male companion helped her through the main door but then stood awkwardly, carefully remaining on the outside of the women’s bathroom. I asked him quietly if I might be of assistance, and he agreed. His female partner, her [...]
Babies and non-smokers first
Marnie Ko One week ago, I sat in a packed walk-in medical centre with my child, waiting restlessly to see a doctor on a Sunday. I had hoped the clinic would be faster than the nearest hospital, and while our visit was urgent and could not wait until a weekday, it was not a life [...]
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