CONTENTS
1) Feature: Vancouver City Council Takes on Labeling of GM Foods
2) Issues Updates
-- Urge Canada to Strengthen Regulations of Toxic Chemicals!
-- Is Carbon Monoxide in Meat Good for Consumers?
-- Body Mass Index in Urban Canada
3) Media Watch
-- Heart Treatment on Trial in Ottawa
-- Blood Therapy Non-surgical Answer for Clogged Arteries?
-- Trans Fats Triple Chances of Heart Disease
-- Monopoly Medicine Prevents Real Healthcare
-- Suzuki Becomes Editor for a Day
-- Survey Examines Americans’ Trust in Science
-- EFSA Seeks Cloned Animal Studies
-- Monsanto’s Soybean Monopoly Challenged in Munich
-- Free Trade Versus Small Farmers
-- Honeybee Die-off Threatens Food Supply
-- No Organic Bee Losses
-- Real Pet Food Safety
-- Pet Food Recall Widens Again on New Threat
-- The Truth about Carbon Fluorescent Lamps
-- Ban the Bulb
-- BC’s Billion-Dollar Wind Power Giveaway
-- Lawn Mowers Buyers Guide
-- Ontario Aims to Cut Use of Plastic Bags by Half
-- Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid
-- Less Sun a Better Bet than Sunscreens
-- More Reasons to Avoid Processed Meats
-- Truth About Autism
-- CHFA Appoints New President and CEO
-- FDA’s Guidance on CAM Products - What is the Appropriate Response?
-- Most Herbal Users Don’t Follow Guidelines: Study
-- Dietary Supplement Usage Could Save $24 Billion in Health Care Costs
-- Wal-Mart Slapped for Misleading Organic Consumers Canadian Consumers
-- Push Up Popularity of Organic Foods, Survey
-- Canada Raising Limits on Pesticide Residues
4) Calendar of Events
-- Understanding Allergies, May 17, Vancouver
-- The Infertility Cure, May 19, Vancouver
-- Healing the Planet, Healing Ourselves: An Evening with David Suzuki, Candace Pert and Norm Shealy, May 25, Victoria
-- Body Heals Conference, May 25 – 27, Victoria
-- Whole Foods for Health, May 26, Vancouver
-- German New Medicine Seminar ONE, May 26 – 27, Vancouver
-- Nourishing Our Professional Souls - a Capers Conversation Cafe for Health Practitioners, May 29, Vancouver
-- Vegetarian Nutrition, May 31, Vancouver
-- Battle of the Bulge - Retain, Regain or Maintain Your Proper Body Shape, June 3, Surrey
-- The Business of Selling Wellness, June 7, Tsawwassen, BC
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1) Vancouver City Council Takes on Labeling of GM Foods
By Jeff Harrison
A late 2006 poll found that 79 percent of British Columbians supported the mandatory labelling of genetically modified (GM) ingredients in foods. Heather Deal, a Vision Vancouver City Councilor, will respond by presenting a motion to Vancouver City Council today, Tuesday May 15th. If passed, the Council will call on the province to invoke labeling as recommended by the BC Provincial Health Officer in 2006.
Up to 70 percent of all processed foods in Canada contain GM ingredients and this percentage is rising annually. These numbers have also fueled a growing public concern both nationally and abroad. As a result, 35 countries containing more than half the world’s population already have laws requiring labeling.
This new motion before Council runs parallel to a joint campaign by GE Free BC, a Vancouver-based organization, and Greenpeace. These organizations began a campaign in March 2007 to lobby the province for mandatory labeling. In 2001, the Canadian legislature defeated a bill for mandatory labeling and adopted a volunteer labeling system. But if GE foods were as safe and nutritious as biotechnology companies pretend, then why do companies and governments hide them with no labels?
The Vancouver motion goes to council today, but voting will take place on Thursday. There are three ways people can help lobby the council.
1) Speak to Council
Speaking will take place on Thursday, May 17, probably at the 2pm meeting but possibly in the morning. To request to speak, e-mail cc@vancouver.ca. Just say you want to speak about Heather Deal’s motion on GM labeling.
2) Write the Councilors
To lobby via email, email the council at: clrball@vancouver.ca, clrlouie@vancouver.ca, clrstevenson@vancouver.ca, clrladner@vancouver.ca, clranton@vancouver.ca, clrchow@vancouver.ca, clrcapri@vancouver.ca, clrcadman@vancouver.ca
3) Write a Letter to the Editor
To write the Vancouver Sun: at http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
To write the Province
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
To write the Westender:
editor@westender.com
To write the Vancouver Courier:
mmaloney@vancourier.com
Contact Information:
Jeff Harrison
GE Free BC
jeffcharrison@hotmail.com
605 785 9225
AND
Genetically Engineered Food: Consumers Kept in the Dark
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/May2007/02/c39...
AND
American Court Bans GM Alfalfa - How Will Ottawa React?
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/May2007/04/c54...
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2) ISSUE UPDATES
Urge Canada to Strengthen Regulations of Toxic Chemicals!
It’s time we did something about the thousands of chemicals that are dumped into the Canadian environment and our bodies. Sign a petition to urge Minister of the Environment John Baird to strengthen the regulation of toxic chemicals in Canada by strengthening existing legislation. Our children deserve a clean and healthy environment.
More at http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/join/...
AND
MPs Want Canadians Monitored for Chemicals
http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.htm...
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Is Carbon Monoxide in Meat Good for Consumers?
When shopping for meat, most consumers rely on color to determine how fresh it is. So why would the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allow an additive that makes the packaged meat look red and fresh even beyond the time it is safe to eat? Especially considering that the additive in question is carbon monoxide.
American Senator Levin has offered an amendment to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act that would require FDA to start rulemaking on whether using carbon monoxide in meat packaging is safe, whether meat treated with carbon monoxide is misleading to consumers, and whether meat treated with CO should be labeled.
More at http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsOR...
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Body Mass Index in Urban Canada
Consistent evidence suggests that the prevalence of obese and overweight people is increasing rapidly around the world in both developing and developed countries, including Canada.
The speed at which this change is occurring suggests our everyday environments and routine modern behaviours might underlie the rise in obesity, rather than a change in the genetic profile of the population.
Between 1981 and 1996, the prevalence of combined obese and overweight people in Canada rose from 48 to 57 percent among men and from 30 to 35 percent among women. Rates rose in all provinces.
More at http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070502/d070502a....
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You may be able to write off your health-care costs. Check out the HANS ADVANTAGE at www.hans.org
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3) MEDIA WATCH
Heart Treatment on Trial in Ottawa
http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/OttawaAndRegion/2007/05/...
Blood Therapy Non-surgical Answer for Clogged Arteries?
http://www.thestar.com/Health/article/210247
Trans Fats Triple Chances of Heart Disease
http://healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=9101
Monopoly Medicine Prevents Real Healthcare
http://commonground.ca/iss/0705190/cg190_drugbust.sh...
Suzuki Becomes Editor for a Day
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?i...
Survey Examines Americans’ Trust in Science
http://www.checkbiotech.org/green_News_Genetics.aspx...
EFSA Seeks Cloned Animal Studies
http://www.checkbiotech.org/green_News_Genetics.aspx...
Monsanto’s Soybean Monopoly Challenged in Munich
http://www.etcgroup.org/en/materials/publications.ht...
Free Trade Versus Small Farmers
http://www.checkbiotech.org/green_News_Genetics.aspx...
Honeybee Die-off Threatens Food Supply
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=12703
No Organic Bee Losses
http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=974
Real Pet Food Safety
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5054
Pet Food Recall Widens Again on New Threat
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?artic...
The Truth about Carbon Fluorescent Lamps
http://www.deliciouslivingmag.com/magazine/index.cfm...
Ban the Bulb
http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2007/Update66.ht...
BC’s Billion-Dollar Wind Power Giveaway
http://thetyee.ca/Views/2007/05/14/Windfall/?utm_sou...
Lawn Mowers Buyers Guide
http://www.greenerchoices.org/products.cfm?product=l...
Ontario Aims to Cut Use of Plastic Bags by Half
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/4...
Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid
http://www.deliciouslivingmag.com/magazine/index.cfm...
Less Sun a Better Bet than Sunscreens
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?artic...
More Reasons to Avoid Processed Meats
http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/More-Reasons-...
Truth About Autism
http://healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=9096
CHFA Appoints New President and CEO
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/May2007/03/c45...
FDA’s Guidance on CAM Products - What is the Appropriate Response?
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_498...
Most Herbal Users Don’t Follow Guidelines: Study
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/05/10/herbal-use...
Dietary Supplement Usage Could Save $24 Billion in Health Care Costs
http://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/75h413...
Wal-Mart Slapped for Misleading Organic Consumers
http://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/newsmaker_articl...
Push Up Popularity of Organic Foods, Survey
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/05/14/organic-...
Canada Raising Limits on Pesticide Residues
http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.htm...
For more current stories, check out “News” at www.hans.org.
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3) CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Understanding Allergies
Who: Caroline Markolin, PhD
When: May 17, 7:15 - 9:45pm
Where: Best Western Sands Hotel, Banquet Room, 1755 Davie St. (x Denman), West End, Vancouver
Cost: $20
Contact: 604-681-2474. Registration not necessary.
Web: www.germannewmedicine.ca
Within the framework of an introduction into German New Medicine (GNM), this presentation explains: Why do some people develop allergies and others don’t? What triggers the onset of an allergy at a certain time in our life? Why does a person become allergic to a very specific substance or allergen? Why does the exposure to certain allergens such as food substances, chemicals and animal hair, cause different reactions (indigestion, rashes, runny nose, or breathing difficulties) in different people? Why are allergies on the increase?
Dr Hamer, originator of GNM, shows that allergies are always linked to certain emotionally distressful events. He identified allergens as biological “alarm signals” that were stored in our subconscious in connection with a specific original conflict situation. Learning to recognize these “triggers” and to understand the real cause of allergies is the first step towards both their treatment and their prevention.
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The Infertility Cure
Who: Dr Randine Lewis
When: Saturday, May 19, 7:00 - 8:30pm
Where: Canadian Memorial Centre For Peace, Great Room, 1825 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver
Cost: $10 per person or $15 per couple
Contact: 604-678-8600 or admin@acubalance.ca
Web: www.acubalance.ca/event
Start your journey to renewed fertility with our groundbreaking series exploring a mind-body-approach to understanding and treating infertility. At this event, meet Dr Randine Lewis, acclaimed author of The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies
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Healing the Planet, Healing Ourselves: An Evening with David Suzuki, Candace Pert and Norm Shealy
Who: David Suzuki, Candace Pert and Norm Shealy
When: Friday, May 25, 2007, 7:00pm
Where: The Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St., Victoria, BC
Cost: Tickets: $29.50, Students: $19.50
Contact: 250-386-6121 or toll-free 1-888-717-6121
Web: www.bodyheals.ca
An exciting, ground-breaking evening with three luminaries highlighting the interrelationship between the health of the planet and human health, the challenges we face and what we can do.
Dr David Suzuki, scientist and environmentalist, will explore the environmental-framework-for-healing.
Dr Candace Pert is a consciousness researcher whose message is that we are what we feel, think, and decide, and are deeply influenced by our ecosystem.
Dr Norm Shealy is the pragmatic clinician who calls out for us to take personal and collective responsibility to act, as both healers and patients.
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Body Heals Conference
Who: Association of Complementary and Integrative Physicians of BC
When: May 25 – 27, 2007
Where: Victoria, BC
Contact: info@bodyheals.ca
Web: www.bodyheals.ca
Integration: The Best Model for Health Care - Returning to Holism. Speakers include: Dr David Suzuki, Dr Norm Shealy, Dr Candace Pert, Dr Steven Aung and Adam Audience: physicians and other health practitioners.
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Whole Foods for Health
Who: Sandra Tonn, RHN
When: Saturday, May 26, 3 - 5pm
Where: Unity Yoga, 1672 E 10th Ave, Vancouver
Cost: $20 for Unity members; $25 for non-members; everyone welcome
Contact: 604-708-8369 to pre-register
Whole foods contain all of the nutrients we require to be healthy. Eating whole foods is the most natural way to heal from illness, achieve an ideal weight, and to increase health and physical well being. This seminar will emphasize the importance and benefits eating of whole food and cover topics including grocery shopping, organic vs. non-organic foods, food storage, proper preparation of whole foods and safe cookware options.
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GNM Seminar ONE
Who: Caroline Markolin, PhD, approved German New Medicine teacher
When: May 26 - 27, 2007; 9 am - 4 pm
Where: VEC-Vancouver English Centre, 250 Smithe Street
Cost: $250
Contact: 604-681-2474
Web: www.germannewmedicine.ca
After a thorough introduction into German New Medicine, GNM Seminar ONE covers Dr Hamer’s medical findings about the psychological cause of lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, IBS, Candida infections, liver cancer, lymphoma, kidney cancer, water retention, adrenal cancer, arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, bone cancer, osteosarcoma, leukemia, spleen enlargement, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, angina pectoris, heart attacks (coronary infarction), lung embolism and so-called brain tumors. The seminar presents a broad selection of Dr Hamer’s case studies. NO PREREQUISITES. Everybody is welcome!
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Nourishing Our Professional Souls - a Capers Conversation Cafe for Health Practitioners
Who: Capers Integrated Health Network
When: Tuesday, May 29, 7 – 9pm
Where: Fireside Lounge, Memorial Centre for Peace, Burrard and 16th
Cost: Free but pre-registration required. Space is limited.
Contact: vpawlowski@capersmarkets.com
Capers Integrated Health Network, a collective of leading edge health practitioners invites you to join us for an evening of conversation about health that will nourish and inspire. Based on the ‘conversation café format, Capers Community Cafe is designed to tap into our collective wisdom for transformative change around health.
Connect with like-minded health practitioners. Experience a conversation café. Engage in spirited conversation. Leave with renewed sense of vitality for your practice
Why would you want to come? If you are like many health practitioners, you have a hunger for connection with like-minded people who are interested in pushing the edges of our vision of health and healing.
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Vegetarian Nutrition
Who: Sandra Tonn, RHN
When: Thursday, May 31, 7 - 9pm
Where: William Griffin Rec Centre, 851 W Queens Rd, North Vancouver
Contact: 604-987-7529
Register online at: www.northvanrec.com
Whether you are vegetarian, want to become vegetarian, or simply want to eat less meat, this seminar will help you understand why and how a vegetarian diet can be a healthy choice. Practical information about vegetarianism in terms of both healing and preventing chronic disease will be provided, as well as tips for creating balanced and satisfying vegetarian meals.
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Battle of the Bulge - Retain, Regain or Maintain Your Proper Body Shape
Who: Professional Duo of Janis Gordienko and The Herblady
When: Sunday, June 3, 1pm
Where: Coyote Creek, 7778 152nd Street, Surrey, BC
Cost: $20 includes your personal workbook
Contact: Barb Bakke at 604-272-5544
E-mail: abthealth@shaw.ca
Learn the story of how body shaping originated. Determine your specific metabolic body shape. Learn which foods best suit your body frame. Determine which supplements are best for you. Learn which exercise is most appropriate for you. Learn why most diets don’t work.
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The Business of Selling Wellness
Who: Anne Melnyk of Red Path Coaching Inc. and Anita Lawrence of Spiritdance Counseling Services
When: Thursday June 7, 7 to 9:30 pm
Where: Coast Tsawwassen Hotel, 1665 - 56th Street Tsawwassen, BC
Cost: $25
Contact: Anne Melnyk at 604-943-1342
E-mail: anne@redpathcoaching.ca
Web: www.redpathcoaching.ca/sellingwellness
This is a not-to-be-missed learning and networking opportunity for alternative and complementary health practitioners. It’s an opportunity to introduce your services and to build strategic relationships with practitioners from many different fields. Our keynote address, The Business of Selling Wellness, addresses common concerns that healing professionals face as they bridge the gap between healing and building a successful private practice. Register now as seating is limited!
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Founded in 1984, Health Action Network Society is a membership-based, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to gathering and disseminating health promotion information.