Are you already a farmer’s market regular? It may be time for the next step in your fresh food experience: growing your own. don’t be intimidated. It doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. With minimal effort and a few basic questions, It’s easy to get your own mini-garden growing. Whether your backyard is ready for raised garden beds or you just have a spare windowsill, it is possible to grow your own food.

The easiest way to grow your own food is sprouting. This is a quick, space efficient, and cost-effective method. Although you can purchase a tray sprouter, a cheaper way is to start with a wide-mouth mason jar, rubber band, and a mesh or cheesecloth strainer. Buy seeds. Almost any edible seed can be sprouted: alfalfa, chia, quinoa, sunflower, soy beans, mung beans, or broccoli to name a few. Put a handful of seeds in the bottom, cover in water for 12-24 hours, then drain and rinse. Leave it on your counter and continue rinsing the seeds twice a day and (depending on the seed) you should see sprouts in as early as three days. Voila! Your first home-grown greens. Sprouts are little powerhouses of micro-nutrients and taste great on salads, sandwiches, or anything else you fancy.

Once you’ve figured out how deliciously easy sprouts are, you’ll want to start growing more. This is the perfect time to go chat up your favourite farmer at the market or contact a local gardening group. I’ve never met a gardener or farmer who does not like talking about and sharing advice on growing your own food. It’s a passion, and people want to help. The first question you should ask is what grows well in your area. That’s not to say don’t venture out and try something fun or exotic but, for your first time, try something well known to the region (and that you enjoy eating). Common veggies that grow well in Canada include lettuce and lettuce mixtures, kale, spinach, peas, potatoes, radishes, garlic, and nearly any variety of herbs. Herbs are an easy-to-grow option for the first-timer. They take up minimal space and are inexpensive. Lettuces will also do well in containers for the small-space growers. Although tomatoes are a standard first-timer option, growing them from seed is demanding. They are delicate, and a seed set-up will have you buying heat lights and heating pads.

Purchasing seeds from a local farm or garden centre that specializes in locally grown and developed-for-your-region seeds will increase your chances of success. You can also find seedlings, such as the tomato, that can transplant well into a sunny situated pot on your deck. But seeds and seedlings you purchase at large chains (e.g. Walmart, Canadian Tire) have often travelled quite a distance under uncertain conditions, may not be acclimated to your local climate, and will often contain invasive species which will wreak havoc on your lawn and the larger ecosystem.

Growing your own food is an excellent option to supplement your groceries. You’ll get excellent value from your investment, providing you with fresh and healthy alternatives.

Tara Howse is in the BPA – Criminal Justice degree program with AU. With aspirations to continue her education, she is looking into AU’s Master of Arts – Integrated Studies degree.

I have found that the intense concentration required for studying results in extreme fatigue and joint pain. Joint pain, particularly in my fingers, is easy to explain and often even easier to see. My fingers along the joints will often be red and swollen. I’m happy that after a year of medication, the level of pain and swelling has significantly been reduced, but for some sufferers It’s a daily struggle. Luckily, most people can?and do?empathize with joint pain and minimal explanation is needed.

Fatigue, however, is more challenging to describe. Sitting down and focusing on a screen is draining. My fatigue sets in after only two or three hours instead of the six or eight hours a typical office worker may experience. In addition to the standard mental exhaustion, fatigue stays with me all evening and can have negative effects. Where some may get together with friends over beer and wine to decompress after a long day, the effort required to get changed and ready to go out and the idea of having to converse with people often results in me staying home, alone, and going to bed by 8pm. Fatigue is the constant feeling of being hung-over; It’s being incapable of managing and comprehending the simplest of ideas and tasks. While studying, It’s reading and re-reading, and then re-re-reading the same sentence or paragraph without ever understanding what is trying to be taught. Again, the difference between a healthy person’s fatigue and mine is a combination of the amount of time it takes to reach the point of exhaustion and the level of tiredness it brings.. Often, after a three-hour study period, I require a one to two hour nap to recuperate (which is a significantly better ratio than it was just 6 months ago).

Back to the primary question: how do you manage stress so It’s possible to study and still live a (relatively) normal life? I have had to experiment, and I’m still learning. I’ve had to re-learn what time management means for me. I used to give myself two days off of all responsibilities each week, but two days off means It’s necessary to work 8-10 hour days during the week, which I just can’t do. I’ve learned I need to prepare and prioritize my week and each day as it comes, sometimes re-arranging to meet new demands and changing responsibilities.

Primarily, I’ve had to re-evaluate and cut back on non-school commitments. I’ve taken a less active work role, I limit my volunteer time to one or two primary organizations, my socializing focuses around activities I absolutely love (which has made my circle of friends tighter), and I’ve stopped feeling guilty for taking time off to relax.

More specific answers? Let me be clear, you need to take the time to do some soul searching. I can give advice and suggestions, but the most important thing you can do for your stress levels is to know yourself and what makes you happy. In the meantime, consider the following suggestions:

1) Meditate ? there’s a reason It’s constantly being suggested. It works. There’s legit science behind meditation but instead of thinking you need to sit on a pillow, cross-legged, for 2 hours and only eat lentils for the previous 24 hours, know that there are many different styles of meditation. Meditation worked for me at the start when I had ample time due to being pretty much incapacitated. As I started (and continue) to heal, I have found that mindfulness is a better form for me. Ask questions, try new styles, and learn what works for you.
2) Get. Out. ? specifically, do some exercise in a wilderness setting. It does not have to be intense nor complicated. It could be a walk in the park. Feeling the grass, smelling the rain, watching the birds and, yes, even experiencing the cold reduces stress, boosts your mood, lowers your blood pressure, and increases your creativity. There are myriads of health reasons to get outside. Those socializing activities I referred to? I’m an outdoor loving adventurer. I go skiing, biking, and hiking with friends instead of happy hour.
3) Learn a relaxing hobby ? journaling (and other writing) allows you to express yourself in a non-judgemental manner that helps process thoughts and feelings, adult colouring books are insanely popular because the detailed drawings force you to focus and calms your mind, and playing an instrument works your brain in a different manner. Having never played an instrument before, I’m learning the banjo. I’m terrible, but I don’t care because I’m having fun.
4) Limit screen time ? we are on the computer all the time. Not only does the screen mess up the quality of your sleep but instead of unwinding and relaxing, it often makes our brain work extra hard. SOUND! LIGHTS! STORY! It’s so much for our senses to follow and take in. Read paper instead. Anything. Seriously, anything: magazine, trash novel, it doesn’t matter, just be sure you enjoy it.

Tara Howse is in the BPA – Criminal Justice degree program with AU. With aspirations to continue her education, she is looking into AU’s Master of Arts – Integrated Studies degree.

There are at least 80 autoimmune diseases, some of which you’ve heard of (such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, psoriasis, and Chron’s disease). Very simply, an autoimmune disease is the result of your immune system going haywire and not reacting in the manner it is supposed to? protecting the body from foreign invaders. Instead, the immune system has turned on itself and is attacking and damaging tissues using antibodies that are usually reserved for fighting infections. Each autoimmune disorder is quite varied but there are also many commonalities across them. Most cause extreme fatigue and mimic the feeling of having a flu and fever (with or without the standard gastro unpleasantries). You know that feeling of being exhausted while You’re ill? Your entire body has been wiped of energy from fighting the infection. Those of us with autoimmune diseases regularly feel like that, except instead of recovering from an illness, simple daily activities can trigger it, such as a shower or making dinner. The body is constantly fighting itself, using its energy stores to fight the “invader”, which, of course, is you.

I can’t speak for every autoimmune disease but I can speak to my manifestation of lupus (it differs from person to person). Lupus has the potential to attack nearly any part of the body (hence, the “systemic” part of the name). It can attack joints, nerves, kidneys, lungs, brain, skin, mouth, and hair. For me, it first presented (and later diagnosed) as an extreme and rapid form of rheumatoid arthritis. Formerly a very active person, I was barely able to make it from my couch to the bathroom or up and down the 6 steps to my house, while the summer prior, I had been hiking the California section of the PCT (1700 miles = ~20+miles/day). My daily regular activities used to include mountain biking and hiking in the summer, and downhill and backcountry skiing in the winter?not anymore.

Lupus then attacked my skin (with rashes), hair (which started falling out in clumps), kidneys (that got nephritis), and lungs (that started to fill with fluid). I also developed a blood clot (pulmonary embolism), and fatigue. Called a “flare”, my antibodies decided to wreak havoc on nearly every part of me. I was put on mega doses of immunosuppressants and steroids (thankfully, I narrowly avoided the chemotherapy treatment) with the goal to calm my immune system down and force it into “remission”. Remission?a beautiful term for many of us “lupies”. Depending on where you look and how your body reacts, remission can be an expected outcome, with the possibility of never experiencing a flare again. On the other end of the spectrum, many people never get away from their symptoms. The reality is that most of us end up in the middle, learning what “triggers” will set them off and learning how to manage those flares as they start. Whatever point of remission a person ends up at, It’s necessary to remember that there is no cure. I will have lupus for the rest of my life.

Although there is no definitive answer as to what causes a person to develop lupus?the mystery surrounding autoimmune diseases is vast?one documented trigger for a flare is stress. There is a lot of chatter within the autoimmune world about the need to listen to and respect your body. don’t ignore the little irritants and warning signs or symptoms because it can result in a flare, devastating your life. Most importantly, pay attention to your stress levels.

How, then, does one limit stress while enrolled in multiple courses and study to stay on schedule, also while maintaining work, home, and volunteer responsibilities? It’s not easy, and I’m still learning. Life is dynamic, constantly changing, and so my learning will need to remain fluid and adapt as those changes occur.

Alas! I will end this week’s article here (I’ve been sitting for far too long ? one my learnings) and delve into my further stress management techniques next week.

Tara Howse is in the BPA – Criminal Justice degree program with AU. With aspirations to continue her education, she is looking into AU’s Master of Arts – Integrated Studies degree.

Obviously intended as a joke, news outlets quickly grabbed the catchy headline and the Internet went wild in protests both for and against the topping. A staple of many students’ diets, pizza is the cheap and quick meal we have while we study for exams or work on that paper last minute, and I thought it worth looking into the debate.

I was surprised to learn that the Hawaiian pizza, despite its name, originated in Canada in 1962. Sam Panopoulos of London, ON conceived and created the idea according to a 2015 Atlas Obscura article. More surprising to me is the heated and decisive debate that surrounds the Hawaiian toppings. Full disclosure, I love Hawaiian pizza. More specifically, I love pineapple on pizza, and have been known to add pineapple to homemade pizza even without the excuse of ham. I have one friend (that I know of) who sits on the “hates” side of the pineapple debate. I don’t know if this is reflective of our Canadian tastes (and values) or perhaps I have subconsciously un-friended those who dislike pineapple on their pizza, either way, I am quite surprised at the vehemence people have expressed over this seemingly benign discussion.

Ham and pineapple are complementary (as evidenced by the annual Easter ham), but adding it to a crust elicits heated opinions. What are the concerns with the topping? A quick Internet search brings up articles on Buzzfeed, Quora, Tumblr, and Huffington Post (to name a few). It has to do both with the moisture resulting in a soggy crust and the taste pairings between the sweet fruit and the mild mozzarella. I will cede that sogginess can be an issue, but any quality pizza maker will tell you It’s necessary to squeeze and drain the liquid off the fruit (whether It’s freshly cut or canned). As to the flavour pairings, I am flabbergasted, since, as noted, I’m a fan of the taste and always enjoy a sweet-and-salty combo. Writing this article has me now wondering whether the naysayers hate all fruit on pizza and, if That’s the case, how does tomato and tomato sauce stand up to this line of thinking? Additionally, if people dislike the cheese and fruit combo, why are cheese boards (including heated cheeses such as Brie) so common?

Steve Green, publisher of pizza industry magazine PMQ, released a statement arguing in favour of the topping: “Being against pineapple pizza is like being against Santa Clause. There’s really nothing that won’t work on a pizza.” Not to be overshadowed, the haters have their (very loud) opinion shared by none other than Gordon Ramsey with his explicit belief that “You don’t put fucking pineapple on pizza.”

Luckily, the pineapple appears to have enough support that it won’t be disappearing off the menu anytime soon. I believe It’s time to place a pick-up order now. What toppings will you be having this evening?

Tara Howse is in the BPA – Criminal Justice degree program with AU. With aspirations to continue her education, she is looking into AU’s Master of Arts – Integrated Studies degree.

Distance education is not easy. It requires dedication and commitment at a greater level than the standard on-campus post-secondary experience. I assume most students are quite like myself: juggling multiple responsibilities such as work and family.

I don’t remember how many times I’ve wanted to quit. One of my greatest difficulties with keeping motivated to complete my undergraduate degree is my perception of a lack of forward motion. Despite being able to transfer a significant portion of my diploma, by only managing one or two courses per year my graduation date was always some far-off date that was being approached at a snail’s pace. It can be demoralizing at times. After spending the time and energy completing a course, to look at your graduation requirements and still see a large number of courses staring back? The feelings of defeat engulf you.

I often found myself questioning why I should continue studying. Trying to find the drive to sit down at the computer after a full day?’s work to read or write a paper can be daunting. With no one to talk to, no study buddy, no group to engage in any type of discussion, the distance education experience can be isolating and time consuming. It’s easy to wonder what the point is of carrying on with the stress and financial burden toward a seemingly insurmountable goal.

During one of these slumps, having calculated (accompanied by the inevitable whining) that I was still 7 years away from completing my degree, I was feeling utterly dejected. What motivation I had experienced in my first few courses had evaporated. I had lost all desire to continue. Then I was reminded to step back and see the “forest through the trees.” I received an excellent piece of advice: “In 7 years, you can either have your degree or not. It’s your choice.”

This little thought has kept my spirits up and enrolling in “just one more course.” Whether we want it to or not, time will pass. We?as distance education students?have a choice in whether to engage and continue our studies or stop. Sure, it can be painstakingly slow. It can be hard to convince ourselves that It’s worth it. Frustrating that the degree (or diploma) appears forever out of reach. It’s not. It’s there, you just need to keep at it. What I found amazing was the snowball momentum that occurred as I kept completing courses. I began to speed up my pace and soon was completing 3 courses per year. The more I continued, the more I wanted to achieve, and the better, more efficient student I became.

Successful distance education students have a unique set of aptitudes and abilities that translate well in both the workforce and at home. We have strength, determination, independence, self-motivation, and passion. Whether it takes 2 years or 15 years, keep enrolling in one more course. Keep heading toward your goal and know that the closer you get, the greater the momentum will be. Years will pass and, at the end of it, you can either be further ahead or stuck in the same place. The choice is yours.

Tara Howse is in the BPA – Criminal Justice degree program with AU. With aspirations to continue her education, she is looking into AU’s Master of Arts – Integrated Studies degree.