Are you a caregiver for an elderly relative? Then you need to watch this.

Many of us are caregivers for elderly relatives. As patient needs increase, demands on caregivers can rise to extreme levels. But what happens when caregivers burn out? Here's a story about how a clever Alberta doctor recognized caregiver burnout and helped avoid a horrible outcome.

I conducted this interview in my role as Editor in Chief of Alberta Doctors' Digest for the Alberta Medical Association. My guest was blogger and author of The Reluctant Caregiver, Bobbi Junior.

Mossom Creek fish hatchery rises from the ashes

A few weeks ago I mentioned that we were producing a video about the remarkable resurrection of the volunteer-run Mossom Creek fish hatchery after a devastating fire. Thanks to Lafarge, other supporters and numerous volunteers, the hatchery is now back and better than ever.

Bull's eye! Organic greens and biodegradable plastic packaging.

I don't know about you, but when I buy organic greens (which is all time time), I don't feel good about the plastic packaging. Organic food and traditional packaging is an unfortunate contradiction. So I was pleased to find this organic produce from Kildara Farms that's packaged in biodegradable plastic bags. Also, kudos to Thrifty Foods for carrying this produce and Richmond Plastics for manufacturing the bags.

Yes, recyclable plastic packaging is a good thing. But biodegradable is even better. It makes me want to burry the plastic in my garden and see what happens. I can't say I've ever wanted to try that with normal plastic.

More information: kildarafarms.com

How to build a podium (and a community)

Yesterday I documented the re-opening of the Mossom Creek Fish Hatchery in Port Moody, BC.

I get to attend a lot of events where people are speaking at a podium. The people are usually remarkable, but the podium itself is forgettable. (That's hatchery co-founder Ruth Foster in the photo; she qualifies as remarkable).

Also qualifying as remarkable is Rod MacVicar, another co-founder of the volunteer-run hatchery. Rod designed and built the podium using sustainable materials. Very fitting!

For the backstory on how the community came together and literally made this facility rise from the ashes, visit their website at www.mossomcreek.org

Also, check back here in a few weeks. I'll link to Lafarge's YouTube channel so you can view the video we're producing about Mossom Creek. Lafarge was a major sponsor in the rebuilding of the fish hatchery.

Have a problem with people urinating on your walls?

Okay, so let's say you have a problem with people urinating on the walls in your neighbourhood. No, really... it happens. I've witnessed it myself across the street while I was enjoying New Years Eve dinner at a nice restaurant in London. I could share the photos, but you probably don't need to see that.

These folks in Germany have a solution to the pollution.

Helping the visually impaired navigate public transit

These people are working on a technology that would help visually impaired people find their way around the London transit system using bluetooth beacons and their smart phones.

Alberta election video makes a good point

As you may know, my province (Alberta) is in the midst of an election campaign right now. I think this TV ad for Elections Alberta (produced by DDB Canada) cleverly makes the point as to why it's important to get out and vote. So vote, for goodness sake!

Hot Coffee documentary claims to tell the real truth behind the famous McDonald's case

Remember the legal kerfuffle involving the American woman who sued McDonald's and was awarded millions of dollars over a cup of hot coffee that she spilled in her lap? The incident has become an international urban legend and the subject of much ridicule. But what actually happened? This documentary claims to tell the real truth and asks the question: "If we don't want judges and juries to make these kinds of decisions, then who should?"

Click on the link above to watch the trailer. You can also watch the full documentary on YouTube and Netflix.

What do Jimmy Kimmel and his doctor-friends think about the anti-vaccine movement?

As some of you know, I do a lot of work in the health care field. Immunization is a hot topic right now, so I think this video is great tongue-in-cheek fun.

And for another perspective, you might want to listen to this podcast from Freakonomics Radio and WNYC.

Waste not. Drink lots.

Here's a story that crosses over between the topics of health and energy. This process takes human waste and converts it into pure drinking water, heat and electricity. Watch one of the richest people in the world, Bill Gates, drink water that was converted from sewerage.

Wheat Belly: are grain proteins making you sick?

While we're on the topic of food and health, you might want to watch this lecture from the best-selling author of Wheat Belly, Dr. William Davis. He says the proteins in grains should not be consumed by humans.

Dr. Lustig reveals the bitter truth behind sugar

If you watched the Fifth Estate documentary in my previous post, you were introduced to Dr. Lustig. Here's a full-length lecture on the subject of sugar. How many 1.5 hour lectures do you know of that have more than 5 million views on YouTube? This is definitely worth your time!

Is sugar killing you slowly?

More about how our western diet may be the cause of many chronic diseases. This Fifth Estate documentary points the finger at sugar.

1 percent is a big number

Change initiatives based on consumers voting with their dollars can be very powerful. Businesses that participate in 1% For The Planet do just what the name suggests: they donate 1% of their gross sales to non-profit organizations involved in environmental initiatives. Visit www.onepercentfortheplanet.org for more information.

CVS/pharmacy takes a stand on tobacco

I was in New York earlier this week and noticed that CVS/pharmacy has become the first national pharmacy in the USA to stop selling tobacco products. According to their news release:

"Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our company to help people on their path to better health," said Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO, CVS Caremark. "Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose."

Smoking is the leading cause of premature death in the United States with more than 480,000 deaths annually. So hats-off to CVS for taking a stand on what should be obvious to everyone: companies in the health care space should not be selling products that are proven to cause harm.

Composting at David's Tea

Many of us tea drinkers know that our tea leaves and bags are compostable. Problem is, most tea shops don't provide a way to compost them. Kudos to David's Tea on Bleeker Street in NYC for solving this problem.

Graffiti? Or not graffiti?

Written in erasable chalk and tastefully executed. Is it graffiti or art?

Abortion by mail

I suspect nobody missed this recent New York Times Magazine cover. It's brilliant and provocative!

Hydrostor might solve the Achilles' Heel of renewable energy

OK, back to the subject of storing renewable energy to be used when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine. Could Hydrostor have the solution?

Your Personal Paleo Code and The Calorie Myth are eyeopeners

If you found my previous two posts interesting, here are two other books that argue how our health epidemic may be a result of eating the wrong things: Your Personal Paleo Code and The Calorie Myth.