Feed it Forward - How are WE dealing with food insecurities?

The amazing #FEEDITFORWARD team!

Last week I was approached by our dear friends at Gastropost Toronto to write and share what food insecurity means to me.  

I figure we should begin with the true meaning of Food Insecurity - according to Stats Canada:

 

• Food insecurity rates have remained relatively stable over time. Every year from 2007 to 2012, approximately 5% of Canadian children and 8% of Canadian adults lived in food insecure households. This means that they did not have access to a sufficient variety or quantity of food due to lack of money.

• The most recent statistics indicate that in 2011–2012, 8.3% of Canadian households experienced food insecurity.

• Nunavut had the highest rate of food insecurity (36.7%), over four times the Canadian average (8.3%) in 2011–2012. ce94c57ca63fb7a3967e28c7dab12b25bd0ff946cf0f417e69

• In 2011–2012, the rate of food insecurity was more than three times higher in households where government benefits were the main source of income (21.4%) compared with households with an alternate main source of income (6.1%).

1 in 6 Canadian children are affected by hunger.. Astonishing fact.  We must work harder to eliminate this stat.

As we can see, this is cause for concern.  How do we as a city, province and nation address this?  How are we relieving or refocusing on lowering these issues.  Good news is that there is a movement happening - Thanks to Maple Leaf Foods and Gastropost Toronto people are stepping up to get involved through community gardens, education, lunch programs, volunteering OR even nominating someone in their (your) community that is going above and beyond to assist in food insecurities.

All smiles - the mini humans are so inspiring and great to be around!

How is RBN helping - Well food and wellness has always been in our top considerations BUT as of last year I've been working with Real Food for Real Kids (RFRK) - which is a non for profit dedicated to bringing kids (some less fortunate) whole foods that are ethically sourced,  quality made, grown by local farmers, using only environmentally responsible vehicles and supply litter-less reusable lunch containers.   Oh and you get to spend afternoons learning and educating young minds about food and such.  Its such a joy and has become the favourite part of my week. 

What are some other great ways YOU can get involved?

1. Community gardens: Pitch in some volunteer hours to help seed, plants and teach the younger generations about how and why local food growth and sustainability is a prime issue.
2. Form a group in your neighbourhood or school, maybe you take turns doing a new activity bi-weekly to bring awareness and support.
3. Nominate someone YOU know that is already taking part in this great initiative - click HERE for details to #feeditforward pledge!
4. Look to schools and daycares to teach and get them involved, in my experience as a nutritionist - the more kids know, the more apt they are to learn, eat and explore food and our food culture!
5. Let RBN know your idea too - we're always looking for new ways to motivate and give back!

***

 “​This blog post was promoted by Gastropost + Maple Leaf Foods but the opinions are completely my own based on my experience.”

Please share this with anyone you think should be involved!

xoxo
rbn

RBNfeature: #WCW: Lesley Rubinoff, CNP (Montreal counterpart)

 Happy #WCW - Woman Crush Wednesdays people!

To recognize this fine day and all of the great women - We are going to add in some female highlights, features, guest blogs and more bi-monthly on Wednesdays! 

Our first female up is Lesley Rubinoff, CNP, NNCP.  We met last year over social media and are now in talks about how we can be each others Toronto & Montreal counterparts.  Leslie will also be guest writing to keep us in the loop all things French, health and food!

Today Lesley is sharing her top 3 essential oils, a bit about herself and as always a delightful smoothie (we love making new ones)!... take it away woman..

 #WCW number one: Lesley Rubinoff CNP. NNCP

As a certified Holistic Nutritionist and in practice for the past 5 years, my soul purpose in life is to change the lives of others, to educate, to inspire, to motivate and to be a leader in the dynamic field of wellness.  I believe everything I have gone through has put me where I am today, I am the reason others change their lives, because I am an example. I have the knowledge and the tools to enable others to take control of their lives. My journey into all of this started with me!

2015 was a really rough year for me, I went from high and thriving to the bottom of the barrel. It was at that lowest moment that a friend had reached out to me and introduced me to the power of essential oils. Even as a holistic practitioner, I wasn't sold on the idea of essential oils, I was skeptical. However, I started to use the oils and things for me started to change.  My mood enhanced, I was able to quiet my mind and shut it down so I could sleep, my hormones balanced, my blood sugars balanced, I was able to concentrate and focus and my body started to detoxify. I noticed the glow in my skin returned, I was sleeping better then I ever had, waking up rested and ready to conquer the world, my food cravings subsided and my metabolism seemed to ramp up. My body truly came into balance. Recently, I had a completely random severe allergic reaction; I used a combination of 3 oils, which acted as a powerful all-natural antihistamine. Automatically cooling down my body, reducing the inflammation and calming me down. I believe there is an essential oil that can benefit everyone. It is important to only use certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils CPTG.

My top 3 favorite essential oils

*All 3 of these oils server multipurpose, here are a few ideas.

Lavender

Calming – Reduces anxiety and stress, calms the mind, a few drops on the temples, bottom of the feet, neck and wrist or even directly on your pillow.

Insect bites - Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching reduce swelling.

Nauseas or motion sickness -Alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on end of tongue, behind the ears or around the navel.

Cuts – Put a drop of lavender oil on cut to stop bleeding, clean wound, and kill bacteria.

Lemon

Detoxifying- To every 4 oz of water add 1 drop of lemon oil for a natural body cleansing of your liver, kidneys, and digestive system.  Also helps boost metabolism.

Heart burn- Add three drops of lemon to water to help reduce heartburn and acid indigestion.

WE LOVE LEMON!

Disinfectant - Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water to clean tables, countertops, and other surfaces. Kills germs and bacteria.

Congestion - Can help clear congestion in the respiratory tract as it contains cooling, anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Add 2 -3 drops to your drinking water.

Peppermint

Headaches - Use one drop or peppermint oil and massage into each temple for instant headache relief

Mental alertness and Concentration- Put 2 drops in the palms of you hands and inhale, peppermint oil powerfully affects and improves mental clarity and raises energy levels.

 

Post work out- Use 1-2 drops of peppermint on the back of your neck to instantly cool down the body post work out. Runners can add a drop to each shoe to help keep your feet cool.

Digestion – 1 -2 drops under the tongue or applied topically to stomach can help ease digestion

Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie

(gf, vegan) 

Ingredients

• ½-1 frozen banana
• 1 cup non-dairy milk (almond or hemp)
• 1-2 handfuls of spinach
• 2 Tbsp. dried coconut flakes
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 Tbsp. cacao powder

* optional 1 scope favourite protein powder

Feel free to contact me regarding essential oils!   

**Special for RBN READERS, Lesley will offer free 10 minute consultations and enter anyone who contacts me in a draw for a free bottle of one of my 3 favourite oils!!!

As I always say, be happy , be healthy , be inspired. 

EMAIL:

lesleymr@gmail.com

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Thanks Lesley and stay tuned darlings, have a great new recipe on the blog this week!  

xoxo

rbn