by Lara Gladych –
Who do you turn to when you have a question? Is it Google or Siri, maybe Alexa? At Seaside Magazine we are fortunate to know local experts in all the fields (or we’ll know someone who knows someone), so next time you have a question, Ask Seaside! Each month I’ll take your quandaries and queries and do the research for you. Send your questions to news@seasidemagazine.ca.
Q: Seaside Magazine’s article in the August issue (“A Small Step Toward Reconciliation”) made me think about how I’d like to learn more about our local First Nations, and our shared history. Where should I start? Can you recommend a reading list?
A: I got in touch with Virginia MacLeod at the Sidney Library. Saltwater People, as told by Dave Elliot Sr., is a great place to start for our local Indigenous history. You will find a record of traditional Saanich knowledge and the Saanich language, SENĆOŦEṈ, published in a time when Indigenous perspectives were hard to come by. The recently-published SENĆOŦEṈ: a Dictionary of the Saanich Language is a physical manifestation of years of collaboration and the amazing language work that is happening in our communities: Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum and Pauquachin. We have it at the library! For much more like this, visit www.virl.bc.ca, and follow the Indigenous Interest link under Learn > by Audience.
~ Virginia MacLeod, Adult Customer Services Librarian, Sidney/North Saanich Branch, Vancouver Island Regional Library
Q: I am in the process of downsizing, and I’m wondering if there are people or businesses who would come to do estimates on household items – some of which are too large to take to an auction company. I know I could put an ad in the paper, or online, but I don’t want strangers coming into my home.
A: There are apparently several companies out there that specialize in this exact type of work related to downsizing, estimates and the like. Lynne Parker of The Old Attic gave me a few examples she is familiar with. Max Sold is an online auction platform for downsizing and estate sales, and they offer either MaxSold Managed or Seller Managed sale of items. Lynne knows Jim Reid, at Step Toe Antiques in Victoria, who is an accredited appraiser and will purchase everything from single pieces to an entire home’s contents from downsizing and estate sales. At The Old Attic, they, too, regularly go into people’s homes to go through items and identify what could be sold on consignment at their store.
~ Lynne Parker, Co-Owner of The Old Attic
Q: I love making fresh pressed juices, and even though I try to limit the fruits I use because of their naturally occurring sugars, I wonder if ultimately the nutrient value of the juice offsets the sugar content?
A: “Juicing is excellent for getting nutrients into the body fast. When juicing, using green vegetables such as parsley, celery, kale, spinach and cucumber helps to keep the sugar content very low and the nutritional value high,” says Tracy Doyle of Bad to the Bone (Broth). She suggests trying ginger for added flavour, which also helps with digestion and bloating. “When using fruits, use lemons and limes or local berries to cut down on sugar content.” Tracy points out that because juicing eliminates all fibre, the sugar in fresh juices goes straight into your bloodstream, which can lead to mood swings and energy crashes. Another option is blending, which retains the natural fibre that in turn helps stabilize blood sugars. “In my opinion, no, the nutritional value of fresh pressed juices doesn’t outweigh the high sugar content. Getting some fibre in there is a better option if you want to use more of those yummy sweeter fruits.”
~ Tracy Doyle, Nutrition Coach, Owner of Bad to the Bone (Broth)
