P R IN T
Wednesday,Feb.20,2013
# 3
We raise
awareness
by covering
tragedy
Brittany Bell
News Editât
Janie Carsley shops fo r produce at the Oregon City Haggen Food & Pharmacy. She is trying to fin d the best quality basil and asparagus. “It ’s ju st awful trying
to fin d some good basil today, “ she says.
Brittany Bell
News Editor
Could the food you eat really
affect your mood and have the
power to determine whether
you are happy or sad? Is there
a link between nutrition and
mental health or emotional well
being?
K evin A rizo is a CCC ath­
letic trainer here on campus
and while sports medicine is his
field of expertise, he thinks that
proper nutrition is important as
well.
“I think there’s a connec­
tion. There are a lot of studies
and it’s a chemical imbalance.
Nutrition can help that,” said
Arizo.
Although the research is not
conclusive as to whether a link
between mental or emotional
health and nutrition exists, this
topic does not seem to carry
much controversy. The general
consensus is saying that there
is a connection, and eating
healthy is a good idea for an
overall well being of the body.
“We try to look at people
holistically, not just from a
medical standpoint or diagno­
sis,” said Casey Sims, counsel­
ing department chair. “Poor diet
will affect you in many ways
and it’s not easy to eat health­
ier, it’s harder and often more
expensive, but I think there’s
a consequence [if you don’t].”
An informational pack­
et called “Nutrition for
Mental Health and Emotional
Wellness” is a great starting
resource if you would like to
learn more about how food can
change your mood or would
like to know what foods you
should be eating. You can attain
a copy of this by stopping by
In addition, there is information
on links between the deficien­
cies of certain nutrients and
problems such as depression,
anxiety, fatigue, irritability and
insomnia.
The rest of the packet con­
tains nutrition information
about specific fruits, vegeta­
bles, fungi, seeds and meats
as well as eight tasty reci­
pes. While this is one helpful
the C enterstone C risis C enter in
resource, there are m any ways
to educate y o u rself on nutrition
Happy Valley.
The packet states that
“Having a minimum of five
portions, daily, of fresh fruit
and vegetables provides the
nutrients needed to nourish
mind and body. By choosing
foods that provide good energy
and nutritional value, you can
help nourish your body and
mind.”
Susan Baker is a commu­
nity health nurse who works
for Centerstone and put the
“Nutrition for Mental Health
and Emotional Wellness” pack­
et together. She did this because
the crisis center wanted some­
thing of this nature available to
their clients.
“It’s along the lines of physi­
cal activity and alternative ways
to manage stress and emotional
well being,” Baker said.
This resource lists essential
vitamins, minerals and general
nutrition that your body needs.
and even its link to emotional
wellness such as speaking to
your doctor, doing research
online or at a library or consult­
ing a nutritionist.
You may also visit a store
that focuses on nutritious foods
and overall health, some even
provide trained employees to
help educate their customers
and community. New Seasons
Market stores provide wellness
persons like Alex Gunderson to
answer questions you may have
while shopping.
“I think being exposed
to nutritious foods and sup­
plements keeps your mind,
body and spirit well,” said
Gunderson.
She has received a good
amount of training to qualify
for her job at New Seasons, but
is still not an expert and most
people aren’t experts when it
comes to food and nutrition.
“You have t© be proactive
and seek out information on
your own,” she said.
New Seasons also offers free
health and wellness classes to
promote health and well being
in the community. Some of
the classes include alternative
treatments for depression and
anxiety; balanced hormones,
balanced life; freedom from
chronic pain, naturally; how
to get a good nights sleep and
nutrition 101.
You can view the full sched­
ule of free classes at news-
easonsmarket.com or stop by
one of their locations for more
information.
While it is not proven that
food can cure depression or
give you perfect emotional
health, it seems to be working
for people and at least worth a
try. Please remember that this
should not take the place of any
medications prescribed by your
doctor.
“Studies about the ‘food-
mood connection’ have been
limited and have shown mixed
results. Because so many ques­
tions remain, dietary changes
are not recommended as a sub­
stitute for professional treat­
ment of mental health
lems like depression^
Nutrition
affer tomorrow.
• • •
c u r P ro d u c e
Free
Spicer Brothers Produce
508 14th St., Oregon City
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday thru Saturday
Raoid
Green Grocer
891 Molalla Ave., Oregon City
11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday thru Friday
Testing
Oregon City Farmers Market (Winter)
March 2nd & 16th, April 6th and 20th
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
•
• • • «* ¿ ‘ «'V
« A *> •» 'Ji
c a s c a d e a id s .o rg /h iv -te s tin g -re s o u rc e s
Cascade AiDS Project
As a society, we have
stared at the television,
computer or radio, jaws
dropped in horrified disbe­
lief at the surreal tragedies
that seem to be affecting us
globally and locally without
much of a break. Many of
us have even spent time
anxiously waiting, fingers
crossed in hopes that our
loved ones were safe.
Problem s
including
gun violence, gun control,
mental health and sui­
cide prevention have been
talked about and reported
on by journalists at The
Clackamas Print. As you
may have noticed already,,
we are doing this through
a series called “Why The
Fight.”
As a journalist, I have
become more aware o f the J
events going on in my cdng^’*’
munity, whether good or
bad. The good flings make
me happy and grateful, for
those opportunities. But td?
be quite honest, the bad
things are a mix of scaryd
and infuriating.
< |
Why are these things
happening? What can I or
‘w e’ do to prevent' them
from happening again? How
do we ensure that the future 1
world we live in is one that
we feel safe in and proud
of?
I believe that these top-
ics are important to address
a n d ta lk a b o u t b e c a u s e that
is the f ir s t s te p towards
finding a solution. Our goal
is to not only inform the?
community about what is I
going on, but to also pres­
ent tools, resources or softiv
tions to people if possible.
But most importantly, our
mission is to inform 'and^
educate.
In today's society, some
of these topics are not easy
to discuss and uncomfort­
able to think about or deal
with. I have learned that this
is true, and when approach­
ing anyone from a profes­
sional to a local community
member about these topics
you must use caution and
sensitivity,
While sometimes We'
tfeel ignorance is best, prob­
lems in our society, be it
local or global, should be
idressed. We should take*
rides toward solutions, and
>CAP
c a s c a d e a id s . o rg
‘ * > • &&
a community we
be aware o f pur
landings and others
ler to be perceptive
potentially dangerous
■change or obscure behav-
io / in other individuals. We
should also work towards
-fostering a positive atmo­
sphere, showing compas- J
sion and caring towards oth-
ers and encouraging each
other.
Potential ideas for future
discussion may include
animal abuse or unemploy­
ment, homelessness * and
hunger. Digging deeper,
there are problems such as
sex trafficking in Portland
and unjust food production.
We are open to sugges-
tions for topics to cover in
the series as well. If you
have any questions or com­
ments feel free to email
newsed@clackamas.edu or
ch iefed @ clack am as.ed u .
You may also visit our web­
site at theclackamasprint.
com where you can see the
WTF series articles or par­
ticipate in forum conversa­
tions.