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Through the Years - With Katie Brunke RD, P.H.Ec.

2/16/2019

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Katie Brunke, P.H.Ec. RD, woman Katie Brunke, RD, P.H.Ec. Source: Katie Brunke
A brief background:
​I am a Toronto-based Registered Dietitian and Professional Home Economist. As a dietitian, I work full-time as a clinician and diabetes educator in an urban primary health care team. As a diabetes educator, I am passionate about community dietetics and working with clients to achieve their nutrition and wellness goals. As a P.H.Ec., I am committed to fostering food literacy skills among vulnerable and marginalized populations and facilitate an ongoing community-based ‘Healthy Eating on a Budget’ program. 

I also have a flourishing side business providing nutrient analysis and recipe development to Manitoba Canola Growers “Canola Eat Well” website, Canada Beef, and Watermelon.org. I have contributed nutrient analysis to cookbooks including  “Homegrown” (Mairlyn Smith and OHEA, Whitecap, 2016); and a second cookbook by Mairlyn Smith slated for release in 2019.

​During my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, friends and my new puppy, Ziggy.

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Through the Years - With Mari Parks, BAA, P.H.Ec.

2/14/2019

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Background:
I have been involved in Home Economics outside the field of Food and Nutrition. I graduated in Home Economics – Fashion Option when Ryerson was known as Ryerson Institute of Technology. After graduation I worked a short time in the clothing industry at a high end fashion house in Toronto to facilitate attending the College of Education, U. of T. I then taught Clothing and Textiles in Barrie ON for several years.  I continued taking courses at Ottawa U. and Cornell U. in Home Economics and Education. When Ryerson was granted the right to award degrees I completed my B.A.A. in Home Economics while teaching at the secondary school level in London ON.
 
Involvement in OHEA:
I have been a member since the early years of the association. In the late 1980’s I was President before and after obligations on the Board. I also chaired OHEA Board meetings for several years in the late 1990’s to 2002.
 
I represented the province as a Director on the CHEA Board. More recently was a provincial trustee to CHEF (Canadian Home Economics Foundation).
 
This involvement, in and for OHEA, provided me with the aptitude to chair the local community association for many years and work with London City Hall on redevelopment issues in  a historic district. In 2012 I was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for my contribution to the city.
 
Why  I Joined OHEA:
As a secondary school teacher I was a member of OFSHEEA but felt that OHEA provided a broader perspective in the field of Home Economics for the classroom. To support the association, I have continued my OHEA membership since retiring over 20 years ago.
 
Where Does OHEA Go in the Future:
The recent announcement about the Food Guide certainly will provide lots of opportunity for food oriented members to make their mark with the public. However I feel that some of the other branches of Home Economics: money management, housing, consumerism, relationships, the environment, etc. are being neglected. What the future holds is certainly unknown but there is lots of opportunity for new grads to apply their skills.



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Through the Years - With Mairlyn Smith, P.H.Ec.

2/12/2019

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Mairlyn Smith, P.H.Ec
Background:
Born and raised in Vancouver.
Went to UBC.
Graduated to change the world, no one wanted me to, so I went back to school and took a year of Education at UBC – became a Home Ec and Drama teacher  - taught for three years.
Moved to Toronto to pursue my acting career.
Landed a spot in the Second City Comedy Troupe.
Worked with the comedy troupe for 2 years.
Acted in commercials, TV and film.
Got a part as the TV cook on a TV series called Harrowsmith Country Living  for 4 years…I think it was 3 or four!
Nominated for a Gemini Award.
Started writing cookbooks after Harrowsmith was over
Started on BT.
And since then I have written seven cookbooks with number 8 coming out in May called Peace, Love and Fibre.
Won best cookbook at the Cuisine Canada awards now called Taste Canada for Ultimate Food for Ultimate Health with Liz Pearson = it was the first healthy cooking cookbook that have ever won Gold.
Won People Choice for The Vegetarian’s Complete Quinoa Cookbook with the OHEA at Taste Canada.
I am a Guest Expert on Cityline and Breakfast TV.
I am a keynote speaker.
​And that’s about it.



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Through The Years - With Jennifer Goodwin, P.H.Ec, OCT

2/10/2019

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Jennifer Goodwin Jennifer Goodwin, P.H.Ec., OCT. Source: Jennifer Goodwin
About Myself: 
I don't take myself too seriously anymore.


My Involvement in OHEA:  
I have lived across this country, in part, because of my father being in the Canadian Navy at a time when families were moved from coast to coast and in between as a regular part of duty.

I had my first introduction to Home Economics at Esquimalt Junior High School, in Esquimalt (part of Greater Victoria, B.C.).  I loved the subject area and most of the teachers I had both at that school and in Gr. 12 at Trenton High School.


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Through the Years Series Introduction

2/7/2019

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Sapling plant growing
The Association has seen a lot of growth over the past 40 years.
In 1989, the Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) was granted registration status by the Ontario Legislature. The Act granted voting members of the Association the right to use the designation “Professional Home Economist” or P.H.Ec. for short.

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Feed Your Family Without Breaking the Bank

1/28/2019

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By: Mary Carver, P.H.Ec.
Food and child's money bank
Source: Mary Carver, P.H.Ec.
It's important to understand how you can plan your meals to help make the most of your budget. Here are some helpful tips from a Professional Home Economist (P.H.Ec.) to help feed your family without breaking the bank: 
  • Take 10 minutes to plan meals for the entire week. Include variety – one of the best ways to ensure healthful eating.
  • Make a shopping list. Stick to it to resist impulse purchases. Buy specials whenever possible. Remember - it is not a bargain if you don’t need the item. 

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Canada’s Food Guide

1/22/2019

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The revamped, modernized Canada’s Food Guide was finally released this morning! Below is a snapshot of the new guide. It has many features including many online resources which go into detail about the different components of the Food Guide. Focusing on eating well and living well, with general recommendations, this Food Guide is very different than the old “rainbow Food Guide” that many of us were used to.

To check out the resources, click here! Please comment with your opinions and views on the new Food Guide, we are interested to hear what you have to say!
Picture
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The 10% Savings Solution

1/15/2019

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By: Patricia White, P.H.Ec.

Adapted from a previous OHEA media release for the Ask a Professional Home Economists (P.H.Ec.) series.

The 10% solution takes the math out of saving and it makes good financial sense. To figure out how much you need to save, simply take your net pay (the amount after deductions) each pay period and ‘drop’ the last digit. For example, if your pay is $600, save $60. What could be easier?
piles of coins and jar of coins with small trees growing and green background


While it may sound easy, the personal savings rate for Canadians in the first quarter of 2007 was just 2.6%. This is down 0.7% from the previous year and down significantly from 20% in 1982. Canadians no longer have the ‘rainy day’ cushion to protect themselves from the ups and downs of the economy or personal difficulties.

Canadians are doing better than their American neighbours when it comes to paying off credit card balances each month. In 2005, 43% of Americans carried balances compared to 27% of Canadians. However, this indebtedness comes at a cost with interest charges.

What can saving do for you?
  • Saving relieves personal stress and improves relationships. Many studies suggest that disagreement over finances is the major reason for marital strife and divorce. Financial stress is not necessarily due to a lack of income, but instead is due to unsustainable spending patterns.
  • Saving reduces reliance on credit, and you can save money by avoiding interest charges.
  • Saving helps fund a comfortable retirement, yet most Canadians are not putting enough away for their retirement years. As employers decrease or eliminate pension benefits, private savings are the only remedy.
  • Saving increases confidence and the likelihood of having sufficient money for your needs.
  • Saving is habit forming. If 10% is too daunting, start with 5% or 3%. Small amounts of savings add up quickly.

Once you’ve started the habit of saving, the question is where to put this money. Consider placing one-half of the monthly savings amount into a pension plan that may be matched by your employer or your own retirement savings plan. Save one third in an emergency fund and the remaining portion in another account earmarked for savings. These last two portions can be held short-term in savings and/or money market accounts. The rule of thumb for emergency savings is to have three to six months of household expenditures set aside for unplanned expenses.

Start saving now!

You will feel better and can watch your money grow.


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OHEA 2019 Brand Survey

1/10/2019

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OHEA logo
CALLING ALL MEMBERS

Click HERE to complete the survey.

We’ve noticed our branding is vague. As we enter into our 40 years as an association, we want to portray a strong brand to the public that you are continually confident in and can explain who you are as a current or aspiring Professional Home Economist (P.H.Ec.). To do this, we need your help.

To better define our mission, vision and values, we need to understand what is important to you, our members of ALL categories, when talking about OHEA and the profession of Home Economics. We encourage you to share your voice, opinions and help shape the next 40 years by completing our survey.

There are 12 questions and the survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The answers are anonymous and will be kept confidential. We strongly encourage honest, constructive feedback. This information will be used to help advance the association. Click HERE to complete the survey.

The survey will be available until January 31, 2019. If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact Rachelle Provost, VP Communications, at rachelleleighprovost.4@gmail.com.
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OHEA Tribute to Joanne Mackie

1/8/2019

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Picture of late Joanne Mackie
We mourn the passing of long-time OHEA member, Joanne Mackie.
https://woodlandcemetery.ca/tribute/details/276/Joanne-Mackie/obituary.html#content-start

Joanne was a dedicated member of our professional association, as well as many others, including the Hamilton Home Economics Association (now closed), the Ontario Family Studies Home Economics Educators’ Association, the Canadian Home Economics Association, and the International Federation for Home Economics. She served two terms as president of OFSHEEA and dedicated time and advocacy for Home Economics education in the elementary schools.


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    The Ontario Home Economics Association, a self-regulating body of professional Home Economists, promotes high professional standards among its members so that they may assist families and individuals to achieve and maintain a desirable quality of life.

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  • Home
  • Cookbooks
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    • The Vegetarian's Complete Quinoa Cookbook
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