Boosting the Immune System

Kitchener based naturopath, Dr. Michael Reid, has a thriving practice in the KW region and sees many clients who are not satisfied with conventional medicine. He commented that one out of every four clients has a medical doctor who will only treat one complaint at a time.

Some interesting notes from last night's seminar at Grand River Library in Kitchener.

• One teaspoon of sugar can depress the immune system by 50% for 24 hours. Substitute natural sugars such as honey or stevia.
•  If you eat baked goods on a regular basis, you will will be more susceptible to germs and bacteria.
• Eastern medicine recommends that we eat vegetables according to the seasons.  In the summer, we should be eating leafy greens and raw vegetables. In the winter, we should switch to root vegetables.
• Treat adrenal fatigue with herbs, glandulars, and vitamins. Be aware that it may take anywhere for six months to two years to improve immune function.
• At the very minimum, take Vitamins C and D and zinc.
• To get rid of congestion, try the Warming Sock remedy. Dr. Reid swears by it. Soak a pair of cotton socks in cold water. Wring out all the water and put them on before you go to the bed. Cover them with a wool pair of socks. By the morning, the socks will be dry and your congestion will be gone.

Visiting Eden Mills

The weather cooperated and I felt inspired by the readings at the Eden Mills Writers' Festival. I especially enjoyed listening to  the following Canadian authors:

While it wasn't the first time I heard Nino Ricci read, I still find him awe-inspiring. He read from the 20th anniversary edition of Lives of the Saints.

Sylvia Tyson is the consummate performer. She delivered a well-choreographed reading from her book, Joyner's Dream, interspersed with a few of her songs. Definitely a class act!

Johanna Skibsrud used this opportunity to launch her latest book, This Will be Difficult to Explain and Other Stories. While I didn't particularly like The Sentimentalists, I enjoyed listening to a short story from this collection. I will make a point of picking up her book.

Hal NIedzviecki was a pleasant surprise. The Toronto writer read a short story based on a road trip he had taken with his parents.

Dinner with Writers Ink

Last evening, five of us gathered at Symposium Restaurant for our monthly dinner meeting. The conversation was stimulating and we covered a wide range of topics--everything from editing to metaphysics. I enjoyed listening to Matt, a young writer, who read from his novel.

I came away inspired and ready to resume my writing.

The Debt

Every secret comes with a price.

This was clearly evident in the new thriller/political drama directed by John Madden. It was an exciting movie, full of crises and dramatic turns. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat for most of the time.

Helen Mirren delivers a spectacular performance as Rachel Singer, a former Mossad agent and Israeli national hero. She is restrained and obviously burdened by her past. Jessica Chastain delivers an equally compelling performance as the younger Rachel.

The movie straddles two timelines: Israel in 1997 and East Berlin in 1965. Rachel teams up with fellow agents David (Sam Worthington) and Stefan (Marton Csokas) to track down Dieter Vogel (Jesper Christensen) a  Nazi war criminal known as the Surgeon of Birkenau. The agents trap Vogel and plan to smuggle him out of Berlin to stand trial in Israel. All that changes on a fateful New Year's Eve and the agents make a decision that changes their lives forever.

Definitely a must-see movie--you will rethink your definition of a hero.

Watch the trailer.

Dinner with Guelph Write Now

Last evening, I met with Cindy Carroll and seven other members of Guelph Write Now. The group is celebrating its second anniversary as a writing group.

The conversation was lively and we covered many topics as we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Symposium Restaurant.

Published

My book review of Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World by Lisa Bloom appears in today's edition of The Globe and Mail.

Read the review.

The Tree of Life

This film is unlike any other film I have seen. Even after discussing it afterward with a good friend, I am still not clear about some of its elements. It probably warrants a second viewing, but I think I will wait awhile.

The film meanders around the subconscious of one character, who grows up to be Sean Penn. On the anniversary of his brother's death, he flashes back to his childhood in Waco, Texas.

Watch the trailer.