Making Peace in Our Families, Our Communities, and Our World
Reflections on a Peace Conference
by Chris Gilboy

It is a Friday evening in mid-October 2002 and I am on the road heading north from Regina, on my way to the "Making Peace" Conference in Saskatoon. In all my 58 years of existence I have never attended an event like this and I am aware of some apprehension flowing through me as I wonder who my fellow-participants will be and what we'll be doing and learning in the workshops. Some apprehension but also considerable excitement flows through me as the wide variety of themes offered by the eighteen workshops has deeply interested me. I recollect that, when I phoned a few days ago to register, I had not finalized my short-list of six workshops, three of which I could actually attend. Lynn Hainsworth, the owner of the warm, welcoming voice at the other end of the line, had patiently listened to me as I sorted out my preferences. She told me I could be in each of my top three choices which means I'll be able to attend a workshop at each of the three conference theme levels: global, community, and family. Yes, my anticipation grows more eager the closer I draw to Saskatoon.

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Yum! Whole Grains
by Paulette Millis

Grains! One of nature's luxuries. We are blessed with a large variety of common grains, plus some interesting ancient grains. Cooking with whole grains, as nature intended, supplies our bodies with nutrient-dense food, satisfying our needs like no processed food can. Whether you are wanting to lose weight, regain your health, give your children a healthy start on life, or just wanting to have variety in your menu, whole grain dishes are an excellent choice. Whole grains available to us are whole wheat, rye, oats, barley, corn, brown rice, spelt, kamut (QK-77), teff, amaranth, triticale, spelt, quinoa, millet, and buckwheat. Due to limited space we will take a general look at these grains. Millet, quinoa, and wild rice articles, with more in-depth information, were in past issues of WHOLifE.

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Anti-Aging: Naturally Counteracting the Negative Effects of Stress, Blood Sugar, and Cholesterol
by Kent Bailey

Health Canada has reported that the incidence of obesity and adult-onset diabetes is on the rise. Concurrently, stress levels and the sedentary hours spent at our desks are increasing. When we are under stress, our body produces higher levels of our stress hormone cortisol. In turn, cortisol reduces the amount of active thyroid hormone controlling our metabolic rate, thus slowing down our metabolism. In combination with lack of exercise and North American diets high in refined carbohydrates, this metabolic slowdown leads to increased weight gain. This gain in body fat is associated with increased insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that enables glucose to enter a cell to be used as fuel. In insulin resistance, the body produces enough insulin for its needs but individual cells do not respond to the insulin and do not take up glucose properly. This can lead to type II (adult-onset) diabetes mellitus. A diet high in refined carbohydrates worsens the body's ability to control blood sugar levels by placing extra stress on the pancreas to produce insulin. The influx of insulin, in response to a sudden increase in blood glucose, contributes to a number of symptoms including inability to concentrate and mid-afternoon fatigue.

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The Spirit of Shamanism
by Trent Deerhorn

When people think of shamanism they often conclude that it is strictly based on the philosophies of North American aboriginal culture. Shamanism has, however, existed in every culture throughout the world and is based in the deep spiritual history of all Earth's children. My shamanic roots extend from Ireland, Tibet, Hungary, and Romania. Throughout my life I have also had the benefit of shamanic teachings from numerous other cultures. Shamanism is our birthright, no matter what colour, creed, nationality, gender, or spiritual point of view.

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Editorial
by Melva Armstrong

On January 16th, 2003, I listened to the CBC Radio Phone-In Show and the guest was Mel Hurtig, who has published a new book called, A Vanishing Country: Is it too late to save Canada? I thought Mr. Hurtig did an excellent job of answering the callers' questions and I was impressed by his incredibly detailed knowledge of the workings of our country. That night he gave a public lecture in Regina, then on Thursday night, one in Saskatoon which I decided to attend.

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