1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. aids and hiv

HEALTHY LIVING
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS
APRIL 30, 2015
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Silver Platter story
D
aniella Silver is a young mom of
three. Her family is a long string
of artists, and she inherited that
inclination.
Ever since she was a little girl, she always
found that food was the best outlet for
her bursting creativity. “I know that you
eat with your eyes first and your mouth
second.” Her dishes have always used esthetics as an extra-special ingredient.
Four years ago, she found out that two
of her daughters had severe food allergies.
As a result, she had to rethink her entire
culinary repertoire. But that didn’t stop her
from making beautifully delicious dishes.
In fact, it gave her the creative push needed to develop a whole new roster of recipes using healthy ingredients and simple
techniques to produce spectacular results.
Soon she had a binder full of hand-written recipes and realized that she wanted to share what she learned with other
moms around the world. She wanted to
write a book that could be shared from
one generation to the next, grandmother
to mother to daughter, like the cookbooks
that her mother gave to her.
She turned to Norene Gilletz, the kosher
Daniella Silver and Norene Gilletz
culinary guru who had inspired her since
childhood. She was familiar with Gilletz’s recipes as her mom made them for
her when she was a child, and the idea of
working with her was an absolute dream.
With the kind of passion-fuelled confidence that’s born out of fear and nerves,
she picked up the phone and gave Norene
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Later, Norene told her that her enthusiasm
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she was a young cook. What really stuck with
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daniellasilvercooks.com
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 30, 2015
[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
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B3
SponsorED Content
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T
THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS
APRIL 30, 2015

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etting hearing aids can feel like the
end of a long journey for some.
The average person will first suspect a hearing loss and then wait seven
years before booking a hearing test. Seven
long years of struggling with background
noise, laughing at the wrong jokes, asking others to repeat themselves and pretending to hear.
Finally, you have made the decision to
have your hearing tested. At that appointment you learn that you do in fact have a
hearing loss and order a pair of state-ofthe-art hearing aids. Now what?
While getting hearing aids may feel like
the end of a journey, it actually marks the
start of a new one. Luckily, this new journey is quite simple and easy to follow. Once
a person is fitted with hearing aids, their
homework is simple. Wear them. Wear
them every day and all day long if you can.
Doing this allows your brain to become
accustomed to your new, better hearing
and you should actually forget you are
even wearing anything at all!
We would call this phase of your hearing aid journey, the “maintenance” phase.
During this time, we want to maintain
your hearing aids and the hearing level
you have.
Hearing Solutions offers drop-in cleaning services at all our clinic locations.
Regular in-clinic cleanings allow our staff
to use specialized equipment to clean
debris that can build up in the hearing
aids and check whether they are functioning well. No appointment is needed
for a cleaning service.
So, when is your next appointment?
Once you have gotten your hearing aids,
we will assume you are wearing them and
enjoying them! In other words, no news is
good news.
All patients are encouraged to call and
book a service appointment whenever
they have any difficulty with their hearing or their hearing aids. If you have purchased your hearing aids from us, your
appointments are always free.
Let’s say that you love your hearing aids
right off the bat. You will always be asked
to come for a check-up two to four weeks
after getting your new hearing aids. That is
a standard policy. It allows us to evaluate
your progress and ensure correct use of
the hearing aids. After that, like previously mentioned, it is up to you to let us know
if you are having difficulties. Otherwise,
we won’t call you until a year later for your
annual checkup.
Congratulations are always in order for a
patient who has embarked on the journey
towards better hearing health. For some,
it can seem like a daunting journey, but it
is incredibly worthwhile both for you and
those around you.
Most importantly, it is often much easier than anybody would expect. Partnering
with a clinic like Hearing Solutions ensures you will be taken care of long after
your purchase of hearing aids. While buying the hearing aids is an important step,
it is only the start of a long but exciting
journey. Trust us with your hearing and,
in turn, you will always get sound advice
you can trust. n
Tracy Saunders is an audiologist
registered with CASLPO, and Hearing
Solutions’ audiology manager.
THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 30, 2015
T
B5
[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
SponsorED Content
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B6
[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
T
Arab-Israeli women
more traumatized by
birth, study shows
Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod
Special to the CJN
G
iving birth is one of the most
powerful experiences of a
woman’s life. Yet until recently,
women’s feelings about the event weren’t
given much consideration – despite long
lasting and potentially serious consequences that could include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In Israel,
although Jewish and Arab women give
birth side by side, a recent study reveals
disturbing inequalities in their perceptions.
According to the study, 32 per cent of
Arab mothers reported that they had had
a traumatic birth, compared with only 14
per cent of Jewish mothers. Arab mothers said they were more afraid for them-
selves or their babies, and that they’d
received too much medical intervention.
The study relied on self-reporting in the
absence of any consistent scientific definition of “traumatic birth.”
Lead researcher Ofra Halperin, a senior lecturer in the nursing department of
Emek Izrael (Yezreel Valley) College, has
spent a lifetime studying women’s health
and began this study, with two other Israeli researchers, out of a deep personal
interest.
“We live in Israel,” says Halperin. “The
two main populations here are Jewish
and Arab. I wanted to know if there is a
difference, due to culture. Because when
you’re in the hospital, in the maternity
ward… it [seems] like everything is the
same, but it’s not really the same.”
Continued on next page
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS
APRIL 30, 2015
THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS
APRIL 30, 2015
[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
T
Although Halperin’s study unearthed
significant psychological differences, the
study found identical low rates of medical problems in mother or baby. “The
outcomes of birth here in Israel are good
for mother and child. There’s
no difference between
Arab and Jewish
women…
The outcomes of birth
here in Israel are good
for mother and child
In the hospitals, they all get the same
treatment, the same facilities, there’s no
exceptions here.”
So why does women’s perception matter at all? “If you suffer more, if you see
your birth as traumatic, it will have an effect for months afterwards.”
The worst-case scenario is PTSD.
Though this is a rare outcome, Halperin
says “there are certain things that are not
acceptable after birth.” Her study identified only a very small group with PTSD,
but most of those affected were Arab.
Trauma can also cause sleeping disor-
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ders, breastfeeding problems and difficulties in establishing a solid bond with
the baby. And having had one traumatic
birth experience, researchers found, was
also a strong predictor for future traumatic experiences.
Jewish and Arab mothers prepare very
differently for childbirth, says Halperin.
“Jewish women… are always questioning… they ask their friends, they go to
professionals to get more information…
Young people want a lot of information.
They ask a lot of questions, they want to
know more, they want to know all their
options. They want to have control, they
want to choose.”
Arab mothers, on the other hand, “take
things as they come. Especially women.
They are still not independent enough,
confident enough in themselves to take
control. That’s why they don’t go to preparation classes, and they still count on
their elders more than on professionals.”
The differences are obvious when they
come to the hospital. “Jewish women say,
‘Why this, why that, why did you decide to
do that?’ The Arab women… take whatever is offered… They don’t say, ‘What are
my other options?’ … They lean on the
professionals with not much questioning.
“We have to be aware of the differences
and take them into account when we take
care of those women to help them get the
B7
best experience that they can have.”
When she lectures internationally, Halperin says many people ask
her “if [these differences are] because
of the political situation here, that
they receive less treatment, or different treatment. [But] it’s not so.”
“Israeli Arabs get the same opportunities and the same treatment as Jewish
Israelis. Still, the culture and the background that you come from have an influence… If I asked Ethiopian Jews who gave
birth here, I’m sure their experience is different from Israeli-born Jews, because of
the culture that they come from.”
Recruiting more Arab midwives will
help erase cultural barriers and even
linguistic ones, since many rural Arab
women can’t speak Hebrew.
At Halperin’s college, in the Galilee,
nursing students are about half Jewish
and half Arab. “If some of [the Arab students] would like after they are finished
studying to go and learn midwifery, I
would be happy. I am encouraging a lot
of them to come.”
Transcending cultural differences
means better experiences for all mothers,
says Halperin. “Women who have control, especially in something as significant as birth, [find it] very empowering.
It doesn’t matter who you are and where
you’re from – you deserve it.”■
B8
[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS
APRIL 30, 2015
Living with brain cancer
Susan Minuk
Special to The CJN
H
eidi Wilk recalls her husband,
Matthew’s diagnosis with a brain
tumour in 2008 as the saddest moment of her life.
“[I thought] ‘my husband is going to
die young. We are not going to grow old
together. Why was this happening?’”
Matthew, 32, had a seizure picking up
their then one-year-old daughter, Brooke,
from Chabad Day Care on June 27, 2008.
“When he awoke from his seizure, he
said, “there was a rabbi looking over me. I
thought I was in heaven.”
Since then, said Heidi, “we have had a
strong connection to Chabad. Matthew
has put on tfillin every morning since
that day.”
After the seizure, a tumour the size of
a baseball was discovered, and Matthew
had surgery to have it removed.
“Two weeks later, we met with the team
at Princess Margaret Hospital, and they
There was a rabbi
looking over me.
I thought I was in
heaven.
told us it was glioblastoma multiforme.
Dr. Warren Mason came up with the
chemotherapy [treament] that has kept
Matthew alive for a very long time,” said
Heidi.
Both from Montreal, Heidi and Matthew moved in 2002 to Toronto, where
Matthew was doing his residency in
medicine. Heidi, a registered dietician at
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, became
the family’s breadwinner.
We are the people who care, and it shows!
Nurses & Caregivers
from general attendant to acute injury care
Serving Toronto & GTA since 1985
Call
416 754-0700 • 1 800 567-6877
www.nhihealthcare.com
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Heidi and Matthew Wilk and their children, from left: Zachary, Joshua, and Brooke.
Paula Feig Photo
& Staff
FOCUS
SINCE
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As we age, our bodies go through many changes. Many people, over the age of 55
notice that their muscles become not as strong as they used to be. In such cases very
often doctors diagnose Sarcopenia, which is in the most literal sense means the loss
of muscle mass, strength and function. It happens due to change in hormone levels,
alteration in protein requirements and sedentary lifestyle. Symptoms of muscle loss
include, but not limited to, musculoskeletal weakness and loss of stamina.
The research done by A.M. Jette and L.Brach, showed that 40% of women aged 5564, almost 45% of women aged 65-74, and 65% of women aged 75-84 are unable
to lift 10lb weight holding their arm straight. Typically by the age of 75 sarcopenia
accelerates rapidly and it may contribute to frailty and increases the likelihood of falls
and fractures in older adults.
Although scientists keep working on drugs to help treat the sarcopenia, the best
known treatment so far which has been medically proven is regular exercising!
Specifically resistance training or strength training, exercising that increases
muscle strength and endurance, has been shown to help prevent and treat
sarcopenia. Resistance training has been reportedly showing a positive influence
on the neuromuscular system, hormone concentrations and protein synthesis rate.
Research has shown that a consistently progressive program of resistance training
can increase protein synthesis in older adults in as little as two weeks. However,
exercising routine should be very carefully balanced according to the needs and
physical shape to be safe and avoid a risk of injury. For optimal results a fitness
specialist should create a plan and oversee the the proper number, intensity, and
frequency of resistance exercise.
For more information and consultation contact
Katrina Korzh , a fitness specialist with
over 20 years of experience, specializing
in working with seniors and women at
416-890-9411 or visit www.backtoactivelife.com
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 30, 2015
[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
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Chai Lifeline played
a big role in the Wilk
family life
“We were told he had 18 months –
maybe three years – to live, if we were
lucky,”she said.
Matthew responded well to the chemotherapy and radiation. The family made
life adjustments, and went on to have two
more children, Zachary, now age four,
and Joshua, age two.
Post diagnosis, Matthew continued to
complete his medical fellowship at St Michael’s hospital and then got hired as staff
obstetrician at Mount Sinai Hospital. But
then, life threw the family another curve.
After four years, the tumour came back
in the same spot. Joshua was then four
months old.
Matthew had surgery again and was
started on a new treatment called Avastin which had been recently approved in
Canada, but not funded for brain cancer.
“The problem with Avastin is that it
is extremely expensive and the government does not cover it. However, my
insurance does cover it so that’s why I
have to work full time. It’s not an option,” said Heidi.
Matthew needs treatment every two
weeks.
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After the recurrence of the disease in
November 2012 his clinical privileges
were largely restricted to that of a surgical assistant.
Keeping busy was Heidi’s therapy.
“I didn’t have time to sit and think
about everything that was going on. The
stress most working moms experience
on a daily basis increased 10-fold for
me. My work-life balance also included
surgeries, hospital visits, chemotherapy,
radiation treatments and juggling insurance claims to cover Matthew’s expensive medications.
Chai Lifeline played a big role in the
Wilk family life.
“Matthew would come home tired
from his treatments. I would come home
from work with three young kids running around. Everything was put on me.
Chai Lifeline helped me by picking up
the kids and taking them to programs.
Big Sisters would come take the kids out,
and they provided us with counselling
services,” says Heidi.
Every three months, Matthew has an
MRI. “Before he gets his MRI results he
meets with the rabbi because it gives
B9
him comfort and hope.
“Between visits, life is normal but
around the MRI time it all comes back,”
she said.“
For five years I didn’t say a word.
People didn’t know what was going on
and then I just said I am ready. After the
recurrence I was so full of emotion I had
to let it out. I had so much to say.
“Matthew is teaching the kids how to
ride bikes, and he plays with them every
moment he can. He gets around the city
by TTC, he bikes, and every Saturday
takes the kids to Chabad service.
“Matthew has unfaltering appreciation
and compassion for everything I accomplish in a day. We are best friends. We
love each other. We laugh. We don’t
need much to be happy together. We appreciate life’s little things and don’t lose
sight of what’s important.
“I hate cancer but I love how it’s
changed me. I now appreciate what I
have more than I long for what I don’t.
I hope to teach my kids these important
life lessons so they can grow up to cherish what they have and live every day to
the fullest,” says Heidi. n
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[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS
APRIL 30, 2015
The Medical Receptionist: Make sure she’s on your side
Lauren Kramer
Special to The CJN
S
he’s the person who stands between you and the doctor you need
to see: the physician’s receptionist
or personal assistant. Her job is thankless
and prestige-free.
The doctor gets all the credit for whatever happens inside the closed door of the
consulting room. The receptionist presides over the waiting room, juggling the
doctor’s overwhelming caseload, managing difficult patients and setting up tests
and referrals. She is lucky if she gets a
smile, let alone a word of thanks.
More likely, she’ll get complaints about
the wait time or angry words about mistakes in scheduling.
Many of us consider receptionists mere
paper-pushers, but the truth is they are in
command when it comes to seeing a doctor. The control they wield is absolute, and
delays at their discretion can be excruciating. It pays to have them on your side.
Lisa Hallgren is the medical receptionist at a Richmond, B.C. walk-in clinic, and
says her biggest gripe is the disrespect she
receives from some patients.
“People will take their frustrations out
on you, especially on the telephone. There
are patients who demand to be seen right
away and have no consideration for other
people who may be urgent cases,” she
says.
“On the whole we take a lot of attitude
from people. In extreme cases I’ll tell a patient they’re not welcome at the clinic. In
incidents where patients are exceptionally
rude the doctor always has our back and
will ask the patient to leave if necessary.”
At the end of the day, the receptionist
is the public face of the doctor’s office,
and her behaviour can profoundly
influence the patient’s experience.
Should you tell your doctor if
you have concerns about his
or her receptionist? Def-
initely, says Dr. Stanley Hurwitz, a Richmond, B.C, family physician. “If there is
a significant issue in the front room and
I don’t know about it, I can’t do anything
about it,” he says. “Sure, I’m going to be
protective of my staff. But I expect my
staff to be courteous with my patients and
vice-versa.”
How not to annoy the receptionist:
“How much longer?” Don’t persistently question the receptionist on the estimated waiting time until you will be seen.
“I’m a friend (colleague) of the doctor’s.
Can you get me in today?” Never take advantage of a personal or professional relationship with a doctor to try and get an
appointment sooner than would otherwise be available.
“The doctor has to cancel.” Don’t be
upset. Understand that medical or family
emergencies are inevitable and often they
incur delays and rescheduling of appointments.
“I don’t have an appointment, but…”
Don’t arrive unannounced – unless, of
course, the situation is an emergency.
“I’m calling for my test results.” Don’t
keep phoning for results that can’t be delivered over the phone. n
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS APRIL 30, 2015
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[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
Strategies to improve kids nutrition
Susan Minuk
Special to The CJN
W
hen mealtimes are more about
tantrums, screaming and bribery than healthy eating, a mother may feel at the end of her tether.
Aviva Allen, a children’s nutritionist,
spoke to some 40 mothers last fall as part
of a parenting speaker series at Adath Israel Congregation.
Inspired by her two young boys and their
adventures in food, Allen understands the
challenges faced by parents, and she specializes in helping them with their nutritional needs. Prenatal nutrition, the introduction of solid foods, dealing with picky
eaters, food sensitivities, digestive issues,
healthy weight, and all areas of nutrition
relating to kids and families are dealt with
by Allen through her nutritional counselling practice located in mid-town Toronto.
After obtaining certification from the
Canadian School of Natural Nutrition,
Allen went on to graduate from the Natural
Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary
Arts in New York City, a health supportive
chef training program with an emphasis on cooking with whole, unprocessed
foods. Additionally, she has received specialty pediatric training in the SOS Approach to Feeding for children who are
picky and/or resistant eaters.
Allen conveyed to the group of mothers
proven strategies to help children and their
families embrace better eating habits.
“Picky eating is something that many
children will go through. The key is knowing when there is a problem, when it is appropriate to take action, and how.”
She offered the following tips:
• Eat with your kids: “Have at least one
meal a day together, as each meal is a
learning opportunity, an opportunity for
the child to learn from your skills. Kids are
Aviva Allen with sons Solomon and Lev
on the child.
“And don’t be a short-order cook. Focus
on serving one common meal but make
some variation on it” she said.
Some parents will offer bribery in terms
of sweets and desserts, but that does not
send the right message.
“If it is a non-food reward, it can be effective for some children. My children
might pick a sleepover at their grandparents or a trip to the science centre. This
is all about encouraging them to try new
foods,” said Allen.
Children will not starve themselves,
true or false? “Most healthy children will
not starve themselves. However, there is a
small percentage of the pediatric population – maybe three to five per cent – that
actually would starve themselves. There
may be some sensory issues involved.
learning what and how you are eating. If
you want your kids to eat vegetables you
also need to be eating vegetables. Eating
on the go, grazing, eating in the car or
standing up, skipping meals – these are
learned behaviours. You have to watch
what you are doing,” she said.
Dr. Shirley Young is pleased to welcome
Dr. Louise Foxman
• You want to make certain your child’s
meals are not too close together but also
not too far apart:
“Offer four to five opportunities to eat
throughout the day, including meals and
snacks. Snacks don’t have to be snacking
foods. They can be small meals. Leave two
to three hours between meals and snacks.
If they are too close together, they can
cause issues because the child is not hungry enough to eat.”
• Don’t force food: “For example, a
parent or grandparent chasing the child
around the room with a spoon. Pressure
can be seen in different forms.”
Allen said that if they are eating in a
family setting, there will be less pressure
• Have fun with your food: “Kids love to
play with their food and I encourage them
to do this. It is a way for them to explore
and learn, and helps them to become
more comfortable with new foods before
putting them into their mouths.”
Many parents try sneaking vegetables
into foods. “Parents who do this feel better.
They feel they are doing their job, and getting nutrients into their child. Nevertheless,
you still need to teach children those skills,
teach them to actually enjoy eating whole
fruits and vegetables,” said Allen.
“I think your goal as a parent is to try and
teach your child healthy eating habits that
will last him until adulthood. It is not just
about how much he is eating at this particular meal, or this week, or this month
– it’s about building healthy eating habits,
and that will take time.” n
to her optometry practice, located in the
Promenade Mall on the second floor.
Dr. Foxman has 24 years of experience,
including 16 serving the Thornhill and
Richmond Hill communities.
Dr. Foxman speaks French and Hebrew
and is available Wednesdays and Sundays.
Our office is open 7 days a week. Walk-ins are welcome.
Please call 905-731-0961 to book an appointment.
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B12
[ H E A LT H Y L I V I NG ]
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS
APRIL 30, 2015
SPONSORED CONTENT
Four Elms top choice for seniors
F
our Elms Retirement Residence,
which opened four years ago in
Thornhill, offers care for both independent seniors and those who require
assistance.
“People come in and they can be completely independent and as they continue
to age and their needs change, they don’t
have to move out,” says Reesa Soto, Four
Elms marketing manager. “We can provide
assisted-living services within the building
and in the privacy within their own suite.”
Four Elms may also be a top choice for
seniors who have cognitive impairments.
The residence has an entire floor devoted
to people with memory issues. The floor is
secure, so residents can walk around and
feel comfortable.
“The people there are really receiving excellent care,” Soto says.
Those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia cannot exit the floors on their own
for safety reasons, but family and friends
are always welcome to visit and escort
them off the floor. Staff also take residents
off the floor at least once a day, for all big
events and to enjoy the weather.
“It’s kind of like a home within a home.
It has its own activity room, dining room,
lounge, nurses station, yet the feeling is not
that of an institutional environment,” Soto
says. “It’s comfortable and it’s warm.”
The floor also offers the innovative Brain
Gym program, exclusive to Four Elms,
which focuses on the plasticity of the brain
with the aim to slow down or reduce neuro-degenerative diseases.
Residents of all floors receive amenities
which include three meals a day, health
monitoring, a wireless emergency pendant
with built-in GPS, weekly housekeeping,
and laundry of linens and towels. Those in
assisted living may also get their personal
laundry done and assistance with bathing,
dressing and administration of medications.
The residence is predominately Jewish,
so there is a pre-Shabbat service every Friday afternoon and a rabbi comes in to lead
a service. The menu always has a fish alternative or the option to order a la carte.
They also accommodate dietary restrictions.
“We are very big on our food and making
our residents happy.
They have a huge
input in everything
that goes on here,”
Soto says. “We take
the information they
give us and we use it to
better ourselves.”
Residents are unlikely to
be bored with the programs
that go on seven days a week.
Four Elms has a full-time activity manager who schedules daily exercise classes,
lectures, live entertainment
and outings.
“We keep the residents
stimulated and engaged all
the time. There is always
something to do here,” Soto
says. “A lot of the residents say this is a
cruise ship that doesn’t float.”
Soto says children of residents have noticed a huge change in their parents once
they’ve moved into Four Elms. Whereas
before they may have felt lonely in their
house, they are now interacting with their
peers all day long, and it’s enhancing their
lifestyle.
“It opens a new chapter in their life. Now
they have a new purpose to get up and go
down and interact, and suddenly their children see them happier and like a different
person,” Soto says. “They flourish.” ■
At Four Elms we honour and celebrate the Traditions that are important to you!
Remarkable Food! Remarkable People!
Uncompromising Excellence in Care!
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complimentary meal & personal tour
The Shalom Singers
THURSDAY, APRIL 30TH, 2:30 - 4:00 PM
Come prepared to sing along as The Shalom Singers perform some of your
all-time favorite classic melodies in Hebrew,Yiddish and English.