QOL

It has been years... what a wonderful reconnection with Sam Jones. Here we are at his 2%Jazz Hillside location talking about what makes a great cup of coffee. In the hospitality industry for more than 3 decades Sam has created a welcoming 3rd place for you to meet at; what he offers as a brew really reflects his skills. What a pleasure to spend part of an afternoon exploring his journey and though...

Loss of sight (or diminishment) can be terrible; taste and smell can also decline. But the incremental decline in hearing often goes unnoticed, until something triggers action. Join me in conversation with 3 subject matter experts as we discuss how easy it is to improve your quality of life with hearing aids. This program takes place on Vancouver Island, but clinics exist across this country and a...

A total treat to connect with eco-thought leader Louis De Jaeger. I've been following him (maybe you have too) on various social media platforms. He speaks, writes, and motivates more than just his Belgian countrypersons to consider the value of food over pharma. He has influenced even their king to reevaluate lawns in the royal domain. Listen along a Louis shares his experiences encouraging a...

Can you imagine wearing an undergarment that does fit? Apparently, few people ever take the time or make the effort to ensure the bra you wear is for you. Though this is a visit with a specific provisioner in Victoria the situation is countrywide and global. And my guest on this episode, Charlotte, reminds us that our bodies change over time. We also discuss care and cleaning of undergarments to m...

19 turns, elevation gain (and descent too) plus instruction and this is a place to improve your driving skills. You can google Island Motorsports Circuit and learn more about what they offer. I kept hearing about the place and had the urge to know more. I had the pleasure of a morning visit to the track and even a ride round. This episode with Ross and Dan explores the suite of services, and beyon...

"Yes, Chef!" certainly rings out as acknowledgement in the kitchen and prep area at Esquimalt High School. Brandon Aris has been guiding the culinary program here for 15 years. Students learn food safety, knife skills, programing and planning, and how to turn ingredients into a meal. From basics and essentials they move into presentation and plating: we eat with our eyes first! I encount...

Andy Johnston has a beautiful spot on overlooking the Cowichan Valley. The terrace is a perfect spot to progress through the spectrum of natural wines he produces from his vineyards. At about 7000 cases this winery has never gone off-island for fruit. Pinot is the focus though there are other grapes grown. Come along for a conversation and then make plans to visit.

It had been more that 15 years since my last visit to Merridale. It was like the time just dropped away once Jan and I started our conversation about all things apple. For her it has been a nearly 3 decade project. The results are wonderful. This may be a destination for dining and retail... but don't forget to have a tasting experience, and Jan is always nearby!

Ian Lin and Anita Wu have a company that manufactures hotel slippers and covers for your train seat headrest. They are also making bags for shipping laptops and more at their Washcan operation. The cool thing is that these are not single use! The slippers are biodegradable and are like the other products can be composted. Yes, sold back to farmers the soil can then be used to grow crops. Did you k...

Joe Hunwicks and I connected for a different reason, but it opened up a new opportunity. He was willing to talk about his current cancer journey. A new round of radiation began this past week; like for so many firefighters the cancer originally was in his lungs. Joe shares how today's professionals are better prepared for the deadly cocktail of fumes that at one time were dismissed as part of...

Born out of the times of COVID here is a project that brings a smile to those who discover what it does. Words spelt so many ways can evoke that. Cheeky turns, a hint of wry humour and the result is eye and ear catching; Ryes and Shine is definitely that. Kelly Darwin offers more than a just a great collection of made-on-site (and with local Island and BC ingredients) spirits. There is a cocktail...

Acupuncture? Have you tried it? Would you? What if it improved your Quality of Life? Meet Alexandra (Alex) Henneberry. She is a graduate of Pacific Rim College and is a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) . We take time to talk about the philosophy, treatment, and impact. Alex kindly shares her vision of what it can do for you... and me.

This episode starts back at the Viewfield Food Distribution Centre where Chris Hammer speaks about fruit rescue. The next conversation is about preparing food for the Queens Street site... and so of course we transfer there to see where individuals and families can find the nourishment they need. Executive Director of the Mustard Seed Treska Watson continues the tour with us throughout the entire...

Viewfield Road is a little off most people's maps, but beside the many warehouses and businesses there is a key player in the regional food system. Executive Director Treska Watson takes us for a walk from the loading bays through all the spaces that ensure so much food is directed and redirected. From farmers' abundance to over-stock, and naturally best-before dates, there is everything from prog...

She has been elected 5 times! Definitely doing something right. Mayor Bard Desjardins has been influential in shaping this township: its mix of housing, its recreational and retail spaces, plus the relationship with the Canadian Navy are part of what makes it work. Mayor Barb reflects on the intentions matched with the natural beauty of the shoreline, waterways, and spectacular views across the St...

I recall participating in retreats here. In this episode we are inside the hand sculpted cob building that is the Healing Sanctuary. Brand Gallagher and I talk more about the Ecovillage and how it came to be. She shares the history of almost 3 decades of learning how to be a community and also a showcase of what is possible.

This is Part Two of my visit to the O.U.R. Ecovillage. Brandy Gallagher shares more about the philosophy of the place, offers a tour of the buildings and systems that make it a showcase of the possible. Come along for a walk and talk.

This is part one of a four episode series. It didn't start that way; it sort of just happened. When opportunity presents itself, you should run with it. Brandy Gallagher gave me two of the greatest gifts: she shared her time and enthusiasm. It has been more than 17 years since my last visit to this intentional community. Located in the hills above Shawnigan Lake (north of Victoria) this place...

Tea & Toast ? The name of Amy Friesen's company caught my attention... maybe yours too? It is a launch pad for conversations about the future. Your future, your loved one's future. Aging does not necessarily mean a diminishment, but if we don't talk about stairs, vision, cognition, then decision-making might just fall from your hands to another. It can rapidly go from "what if...

Who doesn't love a market? A farmers' market is a real community event. In Esquimalt Mel was kind enough to share the history and current progress of the local market. We have a conversation about merchants, music, and shoppers. Sitting right in the same park where the Thursday evening weekly event brings hundreds of individuals, couples, kids, and families we also acknowledge the seasonal...

Come along and meet some wonderful young people. You can hear their hopefulness and enthusiasm. Staying at the EcoVillage they help with the farm and all the chores. Dan was working on installing a green roof, while others were on gardening and animal husbandry duties. Preparation for a free-food dinner in Duncan included a leek soup. The kitchen and communal dining clearly is central to this inte...

What a pleasure to talk to someone who has the ear of airlines; well, if he is brought in to consult and recommend. It is more than getting passengers from A to B to C says Vassilios Georgakopoulos. As an airline consultant he focuses on the inflight experience. Mostly he fixes that gap between what you expect and what is delivered. Not on an individual case by case basis, but the larger system-wi...

Many thanks to Stacy Hornemann for the conversation and opportunity to taste current offerings at Blue Grouse Winery. The views from their reception centre are stunningly perfect. You could spend the day just looking out over the vines to the mountains beyond. But - of course - you are here to sample Ortega, Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other varieties that have been captured and bottles f...

Want to live the dream? Well Julie Powell and Zac Brown are. They are now the team carrying Alderlea Vineyards forward. It is a pretty property with a gentle slope towards the modifying lake water. Make a reservation and you will find such value in understanding the vineyard's history and direction. There is a tasting room and many shaded picnic tables just steps away. This 4200 case production wi...

Where eco-friendly objectives, a philosophy that generates bottles of magic, and tastes/flavours that are unique... what do you have? Holocene Distilling Project is actually not far off the Trans-Canada Highway near Cobble Hill, but under towering evergreens it feels a world away. Go to their website and understand the journey and what they offer and you will be as entranced as I have been. It too...