The Best of the Season to you ~ The Beacon for Dec 23, 2010

In gratitude for 2010…  Thank you to each and every one of you for making it such a special year at The Lifehouse.  You make all the difference in the world. Thank you for your willingness to engage, for investing in your health, and for your generosity, wisdom and insights.

May you enjoy the season full of Love, peace, joy, health and contentment. May these gifts fill your heart, as the New Year approaches, and guide your path through 2011!

Blessings,
Dr Norm, Heather & Melanie

Gifts of Health

Six years ago I began serving ChiropracTIC in Nanaimo.  A year and I half ago I also began serving at The New Hope Centre in the downtown Nanaimo Salvation Army (19 Nicol Street).  I have a dream that everyone in Nanaimo has access to regular chiropractic care.  And I need your help.

Through the next month we will be offering Gifts of Health.  These are complimentary gift passes for people to visit The Lifehouse for their first assessment and adjustment.   Stop by the office to pick up your certificates today.  Also know that there are openings down at Nichol Street for new clients as well.

As you sit back this winter thinking of the things to give to other, why not give the Gift of Health as well.  (To a friend, family member, neighbor, cashier, hair stylist… etc).  Know that we all benefit with health and well-being from regular adjustments.

Tomorrow from 12-3 pm we will also be gathering at the Salvation Army for an indoor painting party.  Please join us to offer to those who truly appreciate the support. (see below for further details)

May you and your loved ones have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Sensational Solstice, and a Happy, Prosperous New Year.   Celebrate with your loved ones.  Eat and be merry.  Love. 

Yours in service

Norm, Heather and The Lifehouse Gang.

Weekend events & Holiday hours

Lifehouse Christmas
Come and Go Celebration
with Potluck Appetizers

We would love to see you, give you a big Christmas hug,
and share some holiday potluck appetizers.  

At 1710 Jingle Pot Road

Saturday, December18th 4-7 pm

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Ho Ho Ho!  Merry Christmas!  The season of giving is upon us. 
May you remember that the gift is in the giving.  Perhaps you would like to offer your gifts to those who really need them in ways that really work and really supports people. 

3 Ways to offer your Contribution
* Painting party at The Salvation Army next Saturday Dec 18^th from 12 – 3 PM.  Please let us know you are coming and bring your painting gear; paint brush, roller, tray and smile down to 19 Nicol Street.  There 3^rd and 4^th floor of the dorms need a face lift.  
* Cash donations to “Giving Back” and if you feel inspired to support this vision of expanding community contributions (ie chiropractic adjustments, haircuts, etc)  to people across the nation through the Salvation Army we are open to receive your cash donations here at The Lifehouse.

* Non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army hampers.  Help us fill our basket of food to help others enjoy a healthy, nutritious meals! (ideal items—canned fish, meat, fruit, nutbutters, non-pasteurized honey)

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Lifehouse Holiday Hours

Mon. 20^th                            2:30 – 5:30
Tues. 21^st         9:30-12:30, 2:30 – 5:30

Wed. 22^nd        9:30-12:30, 2:30 – 5:30

Thurs. 23^rd       9:30-12:30, 2:30 – 5:30

Monday Dec. 27^th to Thursday 30^th – Closed

Bonus Adjusting Hours Friday December 31^st – 4-5:30

Regular Hours return Monday January 3rd

Mon. 3rd                           2:30 – 5:30
Tues. 4th         9:30-12:30, 2:30 – 5:30

Wed. 5th          9:30-12:30, 2:30 – 5:30

Thurs. 6th        9:30-12:30, 2:30 – 5:30

Giving Back ~ The Beacon for December 9, 2010

Ho Ho Ho!  Merry Christmas!  The season of giving is upon us.  And I wish upon you all the best in this holiday season.  May you remember that the gift is in the giving and as you reach out to give your brother one more neck tie that he may or may not wear this year perhaps you would like to offer your gifts to those who really need them in ways that really work and really supports people.  Please read on as I have a couple of great opportunities that you may feel drawn to assist.

As many of you know I have been donating Chiropractic care downtown to those of need weekly for the past year and a half.   This has grown to be a constant highlight of my week.  The people there are real gems, extremely grateful and are they ever healing.  Currently I am working with one man who at the age of 12 had polio, his right leg grew to be nearly a full foot shorter than his left, as a result his hip became fused losing all but 10 degrees of movement.  WOW!  Now after just 7 adjustments later his entire life is opening, his leg has regained some 60 degrees of further movement and most importantly he has hope.  A living healing “miracle”. 

For me the opportunity to work with this community of people has been a true gift.  I am filled with hope and inspiration each week I am down there.  The people have consistently demonstrated compassion, generosity and a true desire to heal and evolve.  Our work downtown has become an amazing pilot project.  And I am inviting you to support our vision of bringing chiropractic care to all those of need and challenge you to get involved yourself.  And there are three ways you can help

1)     

My vision is to bring this pilot project to a national level.   Already it has sprawled up to Parksville where another chiropractor has stepped forward and is also adjusting once a week there.  With a little effort this could snow ball to a much larger scale.  To do this we need to create a website and write an article to be published in The Canadian Chiropractic Magazine.  This will cost around $1,000.  Just think this past year I have gifted the community with over 500 adjustments, if we create a website and article this could easily become 20 more chiropractors, or maybe 200 more chiropractors doing similar work.  Even if it is just 20 chiropractors if we take those 500 adjustments and multiply that by 20 that is a whopping 10,000 adjustments.  That is a pretty amazing rate of return wouldn’t you agree.  This of course is not limited to chiropractors, as we already have a hair dresser gifting her services her in Nanaimo and have plans for a Naturopath and Dental Hygienist as well.  The program is called “Giving Back” and if you feel inspired to support this vision we are open to receive your donations here at The Lifehouse. 

2)      If you are more of the hands on type we are organizing a painting party at The Salvation Army next Saturday Dec 18^th from 12 – 3 PM.  Please let us know you are coming and bring your painting gear; paint brush, roller, tray and smile down to 19 Nicol Street.  There 3^rd and 4^th floor of the dorms need a face lift.  After that please join us at the new Lifehouse space at 1710 Jingle Pot road for a come and go Christmas gather (potluck appetizers) from 4 – 7. 

3)      We will be collecting food for the Salvation Army hampers at The Lifehouse.  Lets fill their tummy’s full of healthy foods, suggestions include canned salmon, tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, nut butters, healthy chocolate, non pasteurized honey, multi vitamins, etc.   A great place to pick up many of these goods is our local Green Store (located at 256 Wallace St at Fitzwilliam) where you can buy discounted organics and healthy foods.  Help us fill our basket of food!  

And a final Christmas invite for all of you to our new office for an informal holiday gathering.  We would love to see you, give you a big Christmas hug, and share some holiday potluck appetizers.  See you between 4 and 7.  Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!

Cheers

Dr. Norm

 

~~~~~~~~~Where does your donation money really go??~~~~~~~~~

I will leave this with you, FYI, as you donate this holiday season I invite you to give to those charities who pass it to those in need.  I found the following pieces of information enlightening to say the least.

* Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross... salary for year ending 06/30/03 was $651,957 plus expenses.

* Brian Gallagher, President of the United Way receives a $375,000 base salary, plus numerous expense benefits.

* UNICEF CEO receives $1,200,000 per year plus all expenses and a ROLLS ROYCE where ever he goes and only cents of your dollar goes to the cause.
             
* The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar a year organization.

Urban Farmers Under Attack For Growing Your Food! ~ The Beacon for December 1, 2010

by Dr. Norm Detillieux

 

Winter is here, a chance for us to cook up fall’s harvest and prepare to hunker down for the time ahead.  One of my favourite winter hearty and healthy dishes is butternut squash soup.  I have included for you an attachment of some of my favourite soup recipes.  Also I just came across a great one page handout outline the most important fruits and vegetables to be eating organically.  (of course top of the list is meat and dairy).  I have included this as an attachment as an easy to read printable handout that you can place on your fridge. 

 

Speaking about butternut squash, one of our favourite local farmers Dirk Becker is under attack for growing food for you.  Please read further as outlined by Chad Henderson, owner of The Green Store, who shares his vision for us to support the local farmers.  (Check out his store at 256 Wallace St and the grand opening this week as they too are doing their part to support the local farmers). 

Thanks everyone for doing your part.  Together we are the difference.

Join us in taking action to protect urban farmers!
by Chad Henderson

As most of you have probably read, Compassion Farm, producers of the squash we sell, has been told to cease and desist farming activities by the District of Lantzville. Farmers Dirk Becker and Nicole Shaw have been told they are in contravention of bylaws that do not allow growing and selling produce from land not zoned agricultural. Yet this is how most market farmers exist. They have a home, and grow food on 2-5 acres. And many are simply residential properties.

The most recent update is that Lantzville, due to public reaction, has offered an extension to the order so that Council and the public can look at the bylaw to see if it needs amending.

Other cities and regions have similar bylaws. Should they receive a complaint, they could also issue a similar order.

We need more locally grown food, not less. We need the right to farm to exist on ANY property. The more the better. Farmers need all the support they can get to do the hard work they are willing to do for the rest of us.

We are calling on people to write to the District of Lantzville, City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo, and write to the newspapers, calling for the right to farm!

For a detailed letter from Compassion Farm about the issues  CLICK HERE

Follow the campaign on Facebook.

Please cc: letters to compassion@telus.net

Visit the Green Store for more information on how you can help. Buy their Squash. Spread the Word! Tell your friends. URBAN & LOCAL FARM SUPPORTERS UNITE!

Norm’s Butternut Squash Soup

Norm’s Butternut Squash Soup  (Base)

Start with the base.  Peel and cut into chunks butternut squash and carrots, place in large pot.   Add vegetable or chicken broth to about ½ height of squash (as they will boil down) and bring to boil.  Boil till squash starts to soften.  Then blend base either with hand electric mixer or blender (I used my Vita mix) to your preferred texture.  I left it a little chunky, if you like a smother soup then keep blending.  Place back in pot and turn off heat, add cream if desired.  In a frying pan add onion (diced) and sauté in butter, add garlic half way through.  Once cooked el dente add along with chopped parsley to base.  Salt and pepper to taste.  This now is your soup base in which you can do so much with:

 

Heather’s favourite additions: 

Zesty Mexican Butternut Squash Soup......add sautéed tomatoes, green peppers (or other peppers), add chilli powder, cumin, or other hot sauce to taste.  Garnish with crumbled nacho chips.

 

For a little Italian flare add oregano, etc to your base.

 

And my favourite:

Dr. Norm’s Butternut Holiday Spice..... add nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.  Garnish with caramelized walnuts or pecans! (Caramelizing nuts is easy: A little bit of butter, coconut or olive oil; a dash or two of balsamic vinegar, a tablespoon of maple syrup and a cup of nuts, sprinkled with cinnamon and sautéed in a frying pan. Leave to cool on a plate.)

 

 

Curried chicken and vegetable soup with quinoa

(Recipe found on the internet was using couscous, but quinoa is a whole grain, where-as couscous is not actually a grain)

2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 cup coarsely chopped tomatoes
2 carrots, chopped
1 small butternut squash, cut into chunks
1 parsnip, chopped
2 zucchini, chopped
1 cinnamon stick OR 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
10 cups chicken stock or water
2 pounds chicken breast, cut into strips (or leftovers of turkey or chicken...tofu for vegetarians!)
Cooked quinoa


1. Saute onions, garlic, and bell pepper until soft, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the curry powder, cumin, and turmeric and cook for another minute.

3. Add the tomatoes and cook until bubbly. Add the carrots, squash, parsnip, zucchini, and cinnamon stick. Cook for about 2 minutes.

4. Add chicken stock and simmer for about 15 minutes.

5. Add chicken breast and cook until the chicken is done, about 8 minutes.

6. Spoon cooked quinoa into bowl and top with soup. The flavours are just great!