By: Erin MacGregor, RD., P.H.Ec. of Howtoeat 
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Here at How to Eat, 2018 has been a fruitful year of hands-on learning about where our food comes from.  Over the past several months, Dara and I have had opportunities to meet farmers, plant scientists and agriculture experts in a number of different settings, and we’ve learned a lot about what is and isn’t true when it comes to our food system. 
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Last month, the folks at Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan invited us out to Saskatoon where we hobnobbed with real-life Canadian farmers and producers who hosted us in touring their farms and production facilities and fielded some of the most common questions we hear from our friends, family and followers. 

I completed my Bachelor's of Applied Science in Applied Human Nutrition at the University of Guelph in 2015. After that, I worked a handful of different jobs before ending up working in the Product Development department at McCormick Canada as a Culinary Technologist. I also started working as a nutrition coach at Degree CrossFit Seaforth during that time. I then completed my dietetic internship through London Health Sciences Centre in August 2018. 
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Recent studies show that the disease burden of mental illness in Ontario is an alarming 1.5 times higher than all cancers put together and more than 7 times that of all infectious diseases. Spanning from children to middle-aged adults, many are suffering from mental and emotional distress. Rates of anxiety and depression are occurring on a larger scale making it important to build emotional and mental strength.

​Experts at Mental Health America (MHA) found that good feelings can boost one’s ability to deal with stress, solve problems, think flexibly, and even fight disease. Hence why creating a positive mindset by taking care of your body’s emotional and mental needs is an important part of self-care for both children and adults.

OHEA is pleased to welcome another four PHEcs to OHEA this summer! Read about each new PHEc below. 

Hi I’m Emily McDonald. I recently graduated from Brescia University College, where I obtained my Bachelor of Arts (Human Ecology) with honour specialization in Nutrition and Families. I have always been passionate about wellness and living a smart, nutritious lifestyle. I absolutely loved incorporating this into my university studies and I am very excited to pursue a career in this area, especially now as a PHEc. ​

The International Federation of Home Economics (IFHE) has released a Disaster Assistance Partnership (DAP) Call to Action following discussions with colleagues from Puerto Rico at the AAFCS Convention in June. Hurricanes IRMA and MARIA last September devastated many parts of the Caribbean and much of Puerto Rico. These areas have few resources to devote to the recovery of Home Economics programs. The DAP and International Home Economics Services (IHES) Board agreed they needed to take action similar to what was done for the Caribbean Islands. Local, state, national and international colleagues and supporters will work together with Puerto Rican colleagues to coordinate the response.

The organization is in need of donations of teacher resources including textbooks and curriculum materials, as well as equipment and materials for culinary, foods and nutrition, clothing, child development, family resource manage, hospitality, and crafts courses, etc. Materials in both English and Spanish are useful. Additional money for shipping and purchase of some items needed but not donated will also be required.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Individually: Contribute items in good condition that would be useful and/or donate money for shipping and expenses.
As an RCS Affiliate, FCCLA or other organization: organize and plan for gathering materials, such as designating a coordinator for DAP, set time, method and location for gathering donations and boxing items for shipment.
Assist on Site in South Carolina: Need help with sorting, packing, labeling and shipping the donated items.

To see more information about this initiative, contact information for the DAP Coordinator and suggested items needed, please visit the IFHE website here.