My name is Juliana VanderMey. From my last name you have probably already guessed I am of Dutch descent. I grew up in the city of Mississauga, Ontario and moved to London, Ontario to pursue a degree in Foods and Nutrition at Brescia University College, affiliate of Western University. I have recently graduated with a BScFN Honours Specialization in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Minor in Psychology. Throughout my degree I have taken advantage of many opportunities in the Foods and Nutrition field. One of my greatest achievements was working on a research project with Dr. Latifeh Ahmadi. Our research on Flixweed Oil was accepted for presentation at the 2015 American Oil Chemist's Society Annual Summit. I will be returning to Brescia to pursue a Professional Diploma in Dietetic Education and Practical Training in May of 2017 to pursue my dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian. Upon graduating from this degree, I hope to get into nutrition education to help increase awareness on various nutrition issues and the policies and guidelines associated with them.
My passions are not just limited to nutrition. In Mississauga I was very involved in music, playing Piano for 14 years and Baritone and Trombone for 4 years. This passion for music got me involved in Western's Marching Band as a Trombonist. Outside of school I am an avid budgie breeder, having raised around 20 chicks since starting off. Coincidentally, my nutrition degree came in handy with this as a breeding hen and her chicks require specific diets for optimal health and growth. Overall, I am a very proud alumni of Brescia, and am honoured to be accepted into the Ontario Home Economics Association. I hope to do great things with not only the RD designation, but also the PHEc designation. Thanks, Juliana VanderMey On March, 28th, at the Allstream Centre on the grounds of Exhibition Place in Toronto, OHEA was honoured to welcome The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, as the first speaker of the day. Her Honour, who spoke of her home economics roots, was a true inspiration and reminded all delegates that Home Economists 'can be masters of change'. We are proud to share Her Honour's inspiring, thought-provoking words here... Paths of Possibility The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Toronto, March 28, 2015 Thank you so much for this invitation to be with you today. It is definitely a return to my roots – to the family of home economists.
It affords me an opportunity to say a very warm thank you to those who were among the very first to reach out with congratulations on my appointment as Lieutenant Governor just a few months ago. That recognition was very special to me. It has been a remarkable journey so far. I am also grateful because your request provided the motivation to reflect on my own challenges and opportunities as a home economist. Looking back over an exceptionally eclectic career I realize how very fortunate I have been to follow paths of possibility on which I continue to learn and grow. It’s been all about serendipity, seizing moments of opportunity and of course, inevitable transitions. Social scientists now speak of “life course frameworks”. I’m afraid I would be a very poor role model for that concept if it meant having a clearly defined path for my life. My career continues to be a work in progress. Each chapter, from teaching to public service at the provincial, federal and international levels and ultimately to the private sector has expanded my horizons and taught me valuable lessons. We live in a world where ideas cross borders as if they did not exist, where cyberspace is beyond national control and where the speed and magnitude of capital flows is incredible. The horror of the sheer brutality of how human beings are treating one another in various parts of the world is affecting all of us and has surely illuminated the extent of our interconnectedness and the fragility of a world of inequity. Two-thirds of humankind fall far short of having a decent quality of life. A billion people living in dire poverty alongside a billion living in splendour, in a world made smaller by cell phones and the internet is surely a recipe for social confrontation. The jury is still out on how to avoid a collision between growing ecological pressures, economic expansion and challenges to social cohesion. We are on the verge of a powerful new wave of health-related life sciences. With its capacity to re-create nature and even change what it means to be human, science and technology are forcing us to confront moral dilemmas and profound choices that will require deeper global dialogue and greater systemic thinking than we have ever achieved. But the real point of my few remarks this morning is to encourage you. Home economists can make a difference in this brave new world. We have always been able to bridge the natural and social sciences. We practice integration. Our focus has always been on ensuring a quality of life for individuals and families through understanding and modifying the ‘near environment’. And we certainly have been agile and capable of responding to change. We’ve learned to live with ambiguity. (No one seems to have written a job description tailor-made for a home economist.) I am a home economist and I believe that we are uniquely qualified to influence the course of events. Most of my working life I’ve been asked questions like – “What’s a home economist doing in charge of Canada’s weather service?” My answer is really “Why not?” This world needs thinking, caring, ethical human beings who have a responsibility for those with whom they live and the environment in which they live. We must not be mere observers of the changes taking place around us. In the 1980s Canadian home economists were asking questions about our professional identity, undertaking a navel-gazing process of defining precisely what is it that we do, worrying about the seeming indifference to the profession among recent graduates and being concerned that our work did not seem to merit prestige. But I believe in the potential of home economists. That we can be masters of change – the right people in the right place at the right time. There is no simple set of instructions on how to proceed in turbulent times. Transcending limits is now a core competency and I dare to suggest that most of you have felt outside your comfort zone – and that’s not about to change. The walls we have to scale are most often the walls within our minds. To achieve a world that works for everyone will require uncommon dedication, creativity and energy. I have no doubt that home economists, with a commitment to social justice, generosity of spirit and tolerance can make a difference. I wish you well in your individual and collective journeys and I thank you in advance for the contributions that I know you will make. By: Michelle J. Kwan, BFA, BASc Candidate
While the increased use of technology in the workplace may have significantly boosted office efficiency, it has inadvertently decreased national physical activity levels. According to the 2007-2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) completed by Statistics Canada, only 15% of Canadians meet the physical activity guidelines. Based on results of the fitness tests, ‘Canadian adults face health risks due to suboptimal fitness levels’, the study concluded. Sadly, it appears that the majority of Canadians spend most of their waking hours in sedentary pursuits. Research suggests that the combination of zero physical activity and high screen time results in the greatest negative impact on health and quality of life. A sedentary lifestyle, which includes sitting, using a computer, and/or watching television for much of the day with little or no vigorous exercise is associated with increased risk of premature death, hypertension, coronary heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. By Mary Carver, P.H.Ec. Michelle J. Kwan - a 4th year Nutrition and Food Ryerson student has won 1st place in the Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) media release competition for the second year in a row. The award was presented at the OHEA conference on March 23rd. Kwan’s 2013 article Physical Activity in a Tech Savvy Workplace will be distributed nationally, in early May. Using data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007-2009 completed by Stats Canada (in partnership with Heath Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada), Michelle emphasizes why it is imperative for Canadians to become more physically active. Kwan offers tips for those whose jobs keep them desk-bound. Michelle will graduate from Ryerson’s Nutrition and Food program this year. Already holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University, Michelle has been an outstanding student on the Ryerson campus. She served as Communications Director for the Nutrition Course Union, as Communications & Social Media Coordinator for Critical Dietetics and as a former Leader for Nutrition Health Promotion outreach teams. The former Miss Universe Canada delegate and fitness enthusiast is passionate about nutrition and good health and continues to share credible health information on Twitter @NutritionArtist. Watch for the name Michelle J. Kwan in ‘by lines’ for years to come. Access Michelle’s 2012 wining release, The Power of 8, Sleep for Health and Wellness here. OHEA congratulates Michelle and all students that entered the competition and encourages them to continue to share their knowledge. Ontario Home Economics Association © 2013 This year's Ontario Home Economics Association Conference was a huge success! The speakers, the venue, the food, the exhibitors, the conference committee, the emcee, the raffle prizes, the silent auction, and the delegate bags were all phenomenal. We are grateful to our sponsors who made this memorable day possible and would like to take the opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude. OHEA is very thankful for the overwhelming support of our sponsors, who were not only instrumental in the success of the conference, but who were paramount in helping us spread awareness and understanding of the incredible and diverse profession of Home Economics. You can view our full list of sponsors here... According to CTV News, approximately 300 students from Smiths Falls District Collegiate skipped school on December 10th, gathered in the school cafeteria to protest a lack of extra curricular activities because of a labour dispute between their teachers and the Ontario government. The students plan to skip classes again on December 11th and possibly for the rest of the week.
In their argument with the government, teachers around the province have withdrawn their volunteer time to supervise soccer, football, clubs and similar out of class activities. One student is reported to say that ‘students are stuck in the middle of the labour dispute’. That same student started a teacher-supervised Friendship Club, last year, for those who feel bullied and alone at school. Of course, that club has also been cancelled. How ironic is that? Sadly, the students are bullied by a powerful teacher’s union and a government buried in deficit. Students play the wait-it-out game, sometimes silently, sometimes vocally with the hope that school will soon be a happy place again with a return to normal activities. Bravo to the students in Smiths Falls for making their voices heard. No one should be a silent victim of bullying. Mary Carver, P.H.Ec. - Ottawa Ontario Home Economics Association © 2012 |
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