It isn’t a pleasant subject, but people with digestive issues and chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and intestinal disorders will welcome a lecture on Nov. 7.
A concerned group of medical people are involved in the nutritional prevention of such diseases. Registered nurse Bonnie Wilde and Karam Barzekar, a studying naturopath, are the local health practitioners organizing the one-day event at the Juan de Fuca Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
“We have long time experience in the prevention of chronic degenerative disease, helping people reform their diet and lifestyle,” said Wilde.
Wilde said that a common problem with people who eat GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) wheat is brain fog, irritability and depression.
“We will be covering the effect of GMO wheat on the digestive tract. GMO wheat has more gluten and it is not compatible with people who have had long terms of antibiotics,” she said. One uncomfortable symptom is leaky gut syndrome.
Karam Barzekar, the owner of the local health food store in Sooke, will lecture on the effect of grains on digestion, Grains such as spelt, millet, quinoa, amaranth and kamut will be discussed and recipes will be tried by the participants.
Sugar-free German chocolate cake, children’s breakfast cookies, corn butter, cashew casserole, spelt bread and waffles, and millet oat patties will be sampled and the recipes shared. Of special interest as well may be gluten free pastry and gravy.
Another aspect of the event will be a discussion on collective kitchens. People can express their interest in sharing the cost of pre-cooked meals which can be frozen, if they haven’t time to cook it themselves.
Participants are asked to pre-register by calling 250-642-6053, and a nominal $5 donation is asked to help cover the costs of the informational evening.
The cooking school takes place at 7 p.m. at the Adventist Church, 6251 Sooke Road.