The Midway Seniors Centre was a hive of healthy activity last Saturday as Melanie Zane and Kam Hollihn teamed up to present “Eating for Energy”, a hands-on workshop sponsored by the Kettle River Seniors #102.
Zane spent the first hour explaining the why, sharing her belief that, “Our bodies are a gift and we need to look after our gift.”
“It is easy to get into the habit of loving ourselves,” she added. “Getting into the habit of taking a little extra time to create that smoothie or cut up those pears. It is not hard to change your diet. It is just a matter of being mindful. We all have foods we eat that are good choices—it is just a matter of eating them more often. Replace some food that is not doing well for you with a fruit or vegetable.”
Zane, a health and wellness coach who was born and raised in the Boundary, contributes a column in the Kettle River Echo on a regular basis. Tips that she had to offer were to relax, prepare foods earlier in the day and make it a ritual.
The discussion throughout the day was a free-flowing sharing of knowledge and experience from all who attended. Networking is what Zane called it: “People coming together of like mind, learning from each other.”
There was discussion about the possibility of growing and preserving produce from your own garden—natural foods, naturally preserved.
There was talk of items not commonly found in a North American shopping cart. Things like seaweed, sunflower seeds, dolce, kale, Swiss chard and more.
“We can help ourselves to live healthier and live longer,” said Zane. “Eat simpler, garden—take charge!”
Hollihn took over the workshop as discussion moved to the kitchen. Her advice was simple on the surface: “Eat as many fruit and vegetables through the day as you can.”
Beyond that she shared her extensive knowledge of cooking and nutrition to help everyone understand the importance that the food be cooked properly so valuable nutrients are not lost or rendered indigestible.
Handouts were available: The Top Ten Ways To Increase Your Energy, a couple on beans, another listing natural replacements for white sugar, and several covering different cooking methods—steaming, blanching, stir-frying and baking.
This was the first workshop given by Zane and Hollihn and it shouldn’t be their last. The day was informative and energizing.
The final workshop to be presented by Kettle River Seniors #102 under their New Horizons for Seniors grant is entitled “Exploring Creativity” and has been scheduled over three days later this month. The workshop begins on Saturday, March 22 and continues on the following Monday-Tuesday (24-25) at the Midway Seniors Centre.
Coordinator Vivien Browne said that she has some ideas for this workshop but nothing is cast in stone and how the workshop unfolds will depend on who is there and what they want to accomplish. It is about creativity after all. There is no cost, but Browne is asking people to pre-register at 250-528-7433 because space is limited. “And just because it is sponsored by the seniors doesn’t mean young adults can’t come out too,” said Browne.