"This year will mark the third observance of the International Day of Happiness, which recognizes the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in people’s lives and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives." To celebrate this year's Day of Happiness, the UN launched a social media campaign with the […]
If you are spooked by Friday the 13th, you are not alone. Also known by the unpronounceable name of Paraskavedekatriaphobia, it is not a legit phobia, at least not according to the DSM, the bible of mental disorders. That's the good news. The bad news is that there are numerous phobias with less eccentric labels […]
Coinciding with International Women's Day is Endometriosis Awareness Week, an annual campaign which takes place during the first week in March. #EndometriosisAwareness is the Twitter handle for the yellow ribbon campaign bringing awareness to this affliction. Women suffering from this affliction suffer heavy menstrual cycles often accompanied by extreme pain. National Institute of Child Health […]
Did you know that colorectal cancer is the 2nd most diagnosed cancer and 2nd leading cause of cancer death for men in Ontario? Colorectal cancer ranks in third place for cancer diagnosis and death for women in Ontario. (Canadian Cancer Statistics 2014) Colorectal cancer doesn't get the high profile fundraising events or public awareness campaigns […]
Mary Roach, dubbed by the Washington Post as "America's funniest science writer" has done it again. In her latest book, 'Gulp: adventures on the alimentary canal, she takes the reader on a mysterious adventure exploring all the nooks and crannies of the alimentary tract… all 30 feet of it. Starting with the nose (sniff, sniff) […]
As I was reading up on Black History Month, I came across some highly interesting books on African Healing Traditions. To my dismay, I realized that I did not know anything about this subject – so by highlighting these books here, it is my hope that others may have their 'aha moment' too. Titles in […]
Image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org We think of our immune system as protecting our bodies from disease, but what about when our body is under attack from the immune system itself? For a primer on immunology and an overview of how the immune system overreacts in a disease such as arthritis, please join us for an […]
Now that I am a grandma and get to enjoy child rearing at 'arm's length', that is, getting all the cuddles without the midnight feedings, I have come across many wonderful ideas that would have made life so much more fun when my little ones were babies. Okay Doctor Spock where were you when I […]
As I am write this piece, I am taking moments to savour morsels of dark chocolate covered blueberry bites. When I purchased this package of chocolate a few days ago, I expected the combination of dark chocolate and fruit to be a healthier choice to other chocolate options at the convenience store, thus fitting my […]
How many years did you vow to make that long elusive change by the stroke of midnight just to wake up January 1st and revert right back to your old habits? Well, if you are like me, there are too many to count. It sounds depressing, doesn't it? But don't despair, perhaps the timing wasn't […]