Food For Thought - the Podcast

the 12 Days of Christmas - Health Promotion Style

It's Christmas time...(can you hear the tune in your head)? Not sure how it's halfway through December, but here we are. We dug this one up from the archives, polished it up, turned it from an actual song (yes - it's out there somewhere on Facebook/Instagram) and turned it into a podcast worthy episode. This time there is music but Nicole and I are not singing. You're welcome. Hope you enjoy this frolicking good time counting down the 12 days of Christmas - Health Promotion style.

Here are our favourite festive snacks:

Nicole's favourite: Christmas Crack Saltine Cracker Toffee

Vanessa's favourite: Skor Bars with Ritz Crackers

Charissa's favourite: Classic Shortbread Cookies

Tolulope - declined to participate since he doesn't do the baking so thought it would be cheating...in the spirit of Christmas, I'll let that excuse slide down the chimney:)

If you want to find out more about the workshops that we offer that cover the topics we counted down or would like to be on the show - you can reach us here at:

healthpromotionedmonton@cfmws.com or check out our website here at:

Health Promotion Edmonton

National Addictions Awareness Week with CWO Chris Thombs

You might not think of National Addictions Awareness Week, well, ever...but this year, it's worth thinking about because addictions are a growing concern. Prevention is key. Awareness is how that starts. What do you know about addictions? How do you feel about addictions? What impact does it have on you? Your work? Your family? Your future? It depends on where you fall on the spectrum of use - of pretty much anything. How much and how often do you drink? How much and how often if ever do you use cannabis or other drugs, prescription or otherwise? How often do you spend playing video games, or scrolling social media or gambling, or shopping or pick something that is taking away time that you used to spend doing something else? CWO Chris Thombs and I talk about addictions through the lens of anchoring it in hope - the theme of this year's NAAW campaign. We have a frank discussion about what we need to do as individuals and what supervisors can and should be doing to help those they are responsible for, be the best versions of themselves they can be. It's about building community, because that's where healing takes place. The opposite of addiction is connection, and it's up to all of us to create that. Enjoy the episode. 

National Addictions Awareness Week | Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

To talk to someone at mental health and get a referral to the team at Addiction Concurrent Services - go to mental health intake or call 528-5332

For additional support:
Canadian Forces Member Services - 1-800-268-7708

DND Employee Assistance Program - 1-800-663-1142

CFMWS Employee Assistance Program - 1-833-352-9799

Healthy Relationships - Starting New Ones - At Any Age

New relationships. The stuff of Hallmark Christmas movies, Netflix series and well. Real life. Whether you're a parent watching your kid start dating, an adult giving love another try, or a part of a military couple figuring out how to reintegrate into your roles after a deployment or exercise - all relationships need work. To stay good, to be better and to evolve as we go and grow throughout our lives. Join me and Kelsey MacDonald from the MFRC's Mental Health team, as we tackle the heady subject of relationships, in time for this year's Healthy Relationships campaign which runs Oct 21 - Nov 1. 

For more information about the Inter-Comm workshop check out: https://cfmws.ca/support-services/health-wellness/health-promotion/for-individuals/inter-comm 

 (please note that our workshop is only 1-day as we have condensed it due to the higher Operational Tempo in Edmonton)

For more information about the services that are available at the MFRC check out: https://cfmws.ca/edmonton/military-family-resource-centre-(mfrc)

For more information about the Healthy Relationships campaign check out: https://cfmws.ca/support-services/health-wellness/healthyrelationships

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

OSISS - Everything you Wanted to Know and More

Do you know what and OSI is? Or what OSISS is and what it stands for? If your answer is no or you're not sure, then this episode is for you! Terri-Ann Winfield is a Peer Support Coordinator and is my guest for this first episode of Season 9! (Yes - how are we already in Season 9?!?!) 

This is a great episode that talks not only about what OSISS does, but also why it's so important and how storytelling and the need for a shared space and community where healing can take place is so vital. It's something that CAF members and their family members can use and rely on, to help them when there is an OSI that is affecting them - because everyone is affected by an OSI, not just the person who has one. 

Here is the list of contacts that Terri-Ann mentioned in the episode. Please reach out to any of them - take that first step and start the journey back towards wellness.

OSISS contacts:

- Jeffery Docksey - OSISS Peer Support Coordinator (780 405-7917)

Jeffery.docksey@forces.gc.ca

- Brad Jones - OSISS Peer Support Coordinator (780 720-2873)

Brad.jones2@forces.gc.ca

- Terri-Ann Winfield - OSISS Family Peer Support Coordinator (587 545-5032)

Terri-ann.winfield@forces.gc.ca

- Robyn Rees - OSISS Family Peer Support Coordinator (780 246-3176)

Robyn.rees@forces.gc.ca

- Michelle Turner - OSISS Regional Coordinator (403 472-3318)

michelle.turner@forces.gc.ca

Main Number - 1 800 883 6904 or https://cfmws.ca/support-services/health-wellness/mental-health/operational-stress-injury-social-support-(osiss) 

CFMAP 1 800 268 7708

Family Information Line 1 800 866-4546

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

Wrapping It Up: How to Effectively Recharge (Beyond Summer Tips)

Here we are at the end of another season, albeit a slightly abbreviated one. A few fewer episodes, but those that we got in the can highlighted some amazing guests, offered helpful (we hope you think so too) insights, and showcased the incredible resources available to CAF members in Edmonton, and in most cases at many of the bases and wings across the country. 

In this wrap up episode, Nicole and I talk about how to get the most out of your summer leave - however long you have and the reasons it's so important to take real advantage of the downtime when you have it. It's been busy - no one needs to tell you that, and it's unlikely to change, so making sure that you are able to recharge so you can fire on all cylinders is super important. So is making sure that when you are doing the things to help you enjoy summer, you're also taking care of some of those foundational pieces - like water and sun safety, hydration and of course we wouldn't be Health Promotion if we didn't (ever so briefly) mention nutrition!

We hope that you all have the best block leave and look forward to bringing you another season in the fall!

Here are the links to the things we mentioned in the episode:

https://cdn.bookey.app/files/pdf/book/en/authentic-happiness.pdf

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/sun-safety.html

https://www.boatingbc.ca/cpages/safe-boating

https://canadaboatsafety.com/

https://driveaboatcanada.ca/boat-safety-equipment/

Facts on fluids: How to stay hydrated - Canada.ca 

https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/admission/forces-veteran

https://youtu.be/uy2CrktYn9g

If you have ideas for a topic or would like to be a guest on Food for Thought – contact us at: mailto: Healthpromotionedmonton@cfmws.com

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

Force Fitness: How Fitness & Sports Can Get You There

In this episode I talk with Kevin Malahy, one of the Fitness and Sports Instructors at CFB Edmonton. He talks about the Force Evaluation, Unit PT, Selections, Injury Mitigation and so much more. If you thought you knew everything there was to know about what they do over at Fitness and Sports - prepare to be surprised! If you are interested in learning more about what the team over at F&S can do for your and/or your unit - have a listen, and then connect with your Unit Rep based on the information below:

Unit Fitness OPIs:

Primary POC | Email | Local | Unit
Scott Paradis | Scott.Paradis@forces.gc.ca | 528-4384 | 3 CDSB |RCA Band
Kristin Atkinson | Kristin.Atkinson@forces.gc.ca | 528-4393 | 1 PPCLI  | 1 Cdn Fd Hosp | 1 Dent
Myles Hansen | Myles.Hansen@forces.gc.ca | 528-4343 | 1 MP Regt | CFNIS
Auty Brooks | Auty.Brooks@forces.gc.ca | 528-4323 | LdSH(RC)  | 11 Int Coy
Rich Stauffer | Richard.Stauffer@forces.gc.ca | 528-4206 | 3 PPCLI | 7 CFSD
Shelley Averay-Jones | Shelley.Averay-Jones@forces.gc.ca | 528-4314 | 1 Svc Bn | 3 Cdn Div
Fernanda Fitzgibbon | fernanda.fitzgibbon@forces.gc.ca | 528-4324 | 1 CER |      408 THS
Danee Daviault | Danielle.Daviault@forces.gc.ca | 528-4937 | 1 HSG | 1 Fd Amb
TBD | TBD | 1 CMBG HQ & Sigs | Corp Svc

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

UHPRs - The Boots on the Ground

If you have never heard of the Unit Health Promotion Representative or UHPR program...you can be forgiven. It's been tough sledding getting this out to the units in a meaningful way...until now. Join me and my team mate Nicole Emerson and 2 outstanding UHPRs, Cpls Jensen and Parry from 1 CER as we talk about the history, the journey, the vision and the way they and all our UHPRs are making a huge difference getting out the Health Promotion message in a way that only those who are the "boots on the ground" truly and most effectively could. 

Here's the link to the UHPR section on the website: https://cfmws.ca/edmonton/health-promotion-unit-reps

And here's the links for our Special Guests:

christopher.jensen@forces.gc.ca or brayden.parry@forces.gc.ca

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

Kicking the (Nicotine) Habit - with Capt Ian Pressé

April is all about the Dental Hygiene and celebrating and promoting Dental Hygienists. In 'studio' for this episode we have Capt Ian Pressé who shares with us the things we need to consider when it comes to our oral health, how we need to care for our gums and teeth and the surprising history of cigarettes and the military. We talk about the difficulties of quitting, and how some members find themselves being "smokers" in the first place and the different supports that are in place to try to help those looking to kick that habit find success - whether it's a first or a seventh attempt. If you or someone you know is considering giving up smoking, whether that's cigarettes, vaping, chewing, or nicotine pouches (maybe even cannabis) this episode might indeed give you some Food for Thought:)

If you are interested in quitting on your own come see us in Health Promotion, get your Butt Out Workbook and then follow along with these tutorials: https://cfmws.ca/edmonton/butt-out-tutorial-series

For information on other ways to quit: https://albertaquits.healthiertogether.ca/

And for a list of the top Apps to help you quit: https://www.verywellmind.com/best-quit-smoking-apps-5092426

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.