Food as medicine is Janella Purcell’s recipe for good health

Food as medicine is Janella Purcell’s recipe for good health

Your pantry can be your medicine chest!

Janella Purcell will present a keynote speech and workshop on food as medicine at The Gawler Foundation’s Profound Healing – Sustainable Wellbeing Annual Conference, to be held on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November 2011 at Melbourne’s Hilton on the Park.

‘Imagine having a pantry full of vital life-giving foods that can heal and protect from all sorts of modern day health challenges,’ says Janella. ‘There are many common foods that we can prepare for ourselves and our families that give us much of what the body needs to be in optimal health. And there are some great foods we can source from global cuisines that are of terrific benefit once you understand what they are and how to prepare them.’

‘It is my life passion to bring these wonderful foods into everyday kitchens and help people feel good, eat well and thrive in life,’ Janella says. ‘Food as medicine is not new – our forbearers understood the link between food and its medicinal qualities long ago – but the modern diet has lost focus on food and its healing potency, and it  has never been more important to relearn and relive this wisdom. Many of the health problems experienced today can be transformed by this simple awareness.’

‘The understanding that lifestyle and nutrition can be major contributors to chronic illness is now broadly accepted amongst health professionals. For decades, The Gawler Foundation has advocated that lifestyle factors (such as nutrition and meditation) are also the best treatment option and beyond that, a sound preventative strategy as well,’ says Karin Knoester, The Gawler Foundation CEO. ‘Janella’s work is particularly relevant to people with chronic illness and is accessible and achievable in the here and now. Her presentation will be very popular.’

Also at the Conference, ABC Medical Reporter Sophie Scott will moderate an intriguing panel discussion exploring mainstream and integrative healthcare management approaches to illness versus wellness. Joining Sophie Scott on the panel is AIMA founder Dr Vicki Kotsirilos, Director of the National Institute of Integrative Medicine Professor Avni Sali, GP and Monash University senior lecturer Dr Craig Hassed, Professor of Medicine, Melbourne University and MS survivor Prof George Jelinek and Therapeutic Director of The Gawler Foundation Mr Siegfried Gutbrod.

Run annually over two days, The Profound Healing – Sustainable Wellbeing Conference brings together 16 recognised world leaders in the field of Mind-body Medicine to share their research and practice through a series of keynote addresses and interactive workshops.

This exciting and enlightening program is ideal for anyone interested in learning about prevention and wellbeing to enhance their own health and for people, their families and carers affected by cancer, multiple sclerosis or other chronic illness.

• For more information and to download the conference program and registration forms, visit www.gawler.org/speakers or contact Bronwyn Gillespie, Conference Manager, on 03 9819 1379.
• For Media information please contact Lindy Schneider, Media and Communications Manager, The Gawler Foundation Media Department on 03 5967 1730. Website www.gawler.org
• Interviews with Janella Purcell, Karin Knoester and panel members can be arranged on request.
• Images and recipes available on request.

Biography Keynote speaker:

Janella Purcell

Wholefoods Nutritionist, Naturopath, Herbalist and ambassador for the Cancer Council. Janella is passionately dedicated to a philosophy of food as medicine and works from her Sydney practice treating people with various health issues from cancer to autoimmune diseases and eating disorders. She makes regular TV appearances including co-hosting Good Chef, Bad Chef. Janella is the author of Elixir: How to use Food as Medicine and Eating for the Seasons: Cooking for Health and Happiness.

Biographies of Panel Discussion participants:

Sophie Scott

As ABC’s medical reporter Sophie’s stories appear on Lateline, Stateline, the ABC’s 7.00pm news and The 7.30 Report. She has received many awards including the Australian Museum’s Eureka Award for medical reporting, Research Australia’s Thank You day Award for raising awareness of medical research, and several reporting awards from the Cancer Council.  Sophie is the author of Live a Longer Life and Roadtesting Happiness.

Professor Avni Sali MBSS PhD FRACS FACS FACNEM

Director of the National Institute  of Integrative Medicine, former Head of Graduate School of Integrative Medicine Swinburne University and University of Melbourne; Department of Surgery Heidelberg Hospital; President International Council of Integrative Medicine; International Advisory Board or American Academy Anti-Ageing Medicine; Board Member The Gawler Foundation. His areas of expertise include the cause of disease, cancer and difficult clinical problems.

Dr Craig Hassed MBBS FRACGP:

A GP and Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Dept of General Practice, Craig’s teaching, research and clinical interests involve mindfulness-based stress management, mind-body medicine, meditation, holistic healthcare, Integrative Medicine and medical ethics. He is a regular media commentator on these issue and author of New Frontiers in Medicine, Know Thyself and The Essence of Health. Craig recently released a new book General Practice: The Integrative Approach co-authored with Prof Kerryn Phelps.

Siegfried Gutbrod   MCounsHS  BBA

Therapeutic Director of The Gawler Foundation, Siegfried holds a Masters degree in Counselling and Human Services and is also a Meditation Instructor. His particular interests are in empowering people to take charge of their own healing journey, the healing potential of laughter and providing emotional and spiritual support for end-of-life situations.

Dr Vicki Kotsirilos   MBBS  FACNEM

A General Practitioner who combines the best of orthodox and evidence-based complementary medicine, such as acupuncture, hypnosis and nutritional medicine. Vicki is the founder of Australasian Integrative Medicine Association and is recognised as an authority in Australia on alternative health care matters. She chairs the RACGP-AIMA joint working party and has served on a number of Federal Government Committees. Vicki is co-author of A Guide to Evidence-based Integrative and Complementary Medicine (Publisher Elsevier).

Professor George Jelinek   MBBS  MD  DipDHM  FACEM

Professorial Fellow, Dept of Medicine, University of Melbourne (St Vincents Hospital), Former President of Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine, Emeritus Editor of the journal Emergency Medicine Australasia, author of several textbooks in Emergency Medicine. An MS survivor and author of Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis, he offers a unique perspective based upon scientific research, clinical experience and insight.

Written comments from delegate feedback forms last year

What a wonderful event. I found the speakers inspirational and certainly came away greatly stimulated and determined

As usual the conference has been a bombshell of inspiration and information

Very informative, an eye opener on a new era of medical practices

 The professionalism and incredible quality of the speakers – amazing breadth of knowledge shared

I appreciate the great range of speakers who empower me with information to remain healthy, happy and having a meaningful life

Every presentation has been informative and relevant, with important take home messages

Informative, powerful, motivational and inspirational. ­­­ A pleasure and privilege to be there

WOW – Enlightening and empowering weekend!

Highly qualified and motivated professionals with very structured and informative presentations – all had take away messages useful in my clinical work

Absolutely loved every bit of it – look forward to next year

I felt I had my money’s worth by morning tea!

Our history:

The Gawler Foundation is a non-profit, non-denominational organisation, registered in Victoria since 1983. We actively support people, their carers and families who are challenged by cancer, multiple sclerosis and other serious illness and teach them to help themselves through our range of lifestyle programs.  Pioneers in mind-body medicine, we work in effective partnerships with healthcare professionals to assist people in their quest for health, healing and wellness. We offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to prevent illness and enhance the health and wellbeing of the whole community.

The Gawler Foundation is a symbol of hope, healing and inspiration for others. Read more www.gawler.org

Integrative medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. (Consortium of Academic Health Centres for Integrative Medicine, 2005)

Health professionals who attend the conference can also qualify for Royal Australian College of General Practitioners CPD points for professional development.

Integrative Health Care leaders ask ‘Is the illness versus wellness model right?’

Integrative Health Care leaders ask ‘Is the illness versus wellness model right?’

ABC Medical Reporter Sophie Scott will moderate an intriguing panel discussion exploring mainstream and integrative healthcare management approaches to illness versus wellness at this year’s Profound Healing – Sustainable Wellbeing Conference.

This significant panel discussion is just one event on this informative and inspirational program at The Gawler Foundation’s Annual Conference, to be held on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November 2011 at Melbourne’s Hilton on the Park.

Joining Sophie Scott on the panel is AIMA founder Dr Vicki Kotsirilos, Director of the National Institute of Integrative Medicine Professor Avni Sali, GP and Monash University senior lecturer Dr Craig Hassed, Professor of Medicine, Melbourne University and MS survivor Prof George Jelinek and Therapeutic Director of The Gawler Foundation Mr Siegfried Gutbrod.

‘Society is  entering a new era in healthcare where “prevention is better than cure” is taking on a new significance,’ says Karin Knoester, The Gawler Foundation CEO, ‘but there is still a way to go and conferences such as this bring renewed vigour to the integrative healthcare discussion.’

‘The understanding that lifestyle can be a major contributor to chronic illness is now broadly accepted amongst health professionals. For decades, The Gawler Foundation has advocated that lifestyle is also the best treatment option and beyond that, a sound preventative strategy as well. Nutrition, meditation and empowerment are effective ways to achieve and maintain wellness,’ she says.

‘Is the current focus on treating disease and illness at the expense of providing real and effective strategies for wellness? The panel discussion will consider a broad range of responses to this critical question and provide insights into how integrative healthcare, the combination of  mainstream and complementary approaches, can provide people today with a “best possible” outcome, and improved quality of life.’

Run annually over two days, The Profound Healing – Sustainable Wellbeing Conference brings together 16 recognised world leaders in the field of Mind-body Medicine to share their research and practice through a series of keynote addresses and interactive workshops.

This exciting and enlightening program is ideal for anyone interested in learning about prevention and wellbeing to enhance their own health and for people, their families and carers affected by cancer, multiple sclerosis or other chronic illness.

• For more information and to download the conference program and registration forms, visit www.gawler.org/speakers or call 03 5967 1730. For Conference information contact Bronwyn Gillespie, Conference Manager, on 03 9819 1379. Interviews and images are available on request.
• For Media information please contact Lindy Schneider, Media and Communications Manager, The Gawler Foundation Media Department on 03 5967 1730. Website www.gawler.org

Biographies:

Sophie Scott

As ABC’s medical reporter Sophie’s stories appear on Lateline, Stateline, the ABC’s 7.00pm news and The 7.30 Report. She has received many awards including the Australian Museum’s Eureka Award for medical reporting, Research Australia’s Thank You day Award for raising awareness of medical research, and several reporting awards from the Cancer Council.  Sophie is the author of Live a Longer Life and Roadtesting Happiness.

Professor Avni Sali MBSS PhD FRACS FACS FACNEM

Director of the National Institute  of Integrative Medicine, former Head of Graduate School of Integrative Medicine Swinburne University and University of Melbourne; Department of Surgery Heidelberg Hospital; President International Council of Integrative Medicine; International Advisory Board or American Academy Anti-Ageing Medicine; Board Member The Gawler Foundation. His areas of expertise include the cause of disease, cancer and difficult clinical problems.

Dr Craig Hassed MBBS FRACGP:

A GP and Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Dept of General Practice, Craig’s teaching, research and clinical interests involve mindfulness-based stress management, mind-body medicine, meditation, holistic healthcare, Integrative Medicine and medical ethics. He is a regular media commentator on these issue and author of New Frontiers in Medicine, Know Thyself and The Essence of Health. Craig recently released a new book General Practice: The Integrative Approach co-authored with Prof Kerryn Phelps.

Siegfried Gutbrod   MCounsHS  BBA

Therapeutic Director of The Gawler Foundation, Siegfried holds a Masters degree in Counselling and Human Services and is also a Meditation Instructor. His particular interests are in empowering people to take charge of their own healing journey, the healing potential of laughter and providing emotional and spiritual support for end-of-life situations.

Dr Vicki Kotsirilos   MBBS  FACNEM

A General Practitioner who combines the best of orthodox and evidence-based complementary medicine, such as acupuncture, hypnosis and nutritional medicine. Vicki is the founder of Australasian Integrative Medicine Association and is recognised as an authority in Australia on alternative health care matters. She chairs the RACGP-AIMA joint working party and has served on a number of Federal Government Committees. Vicki is co-author of A Guide to Evidence-based Integrative and Complementary Medicine (Publisher Elsevier).

Professor George Jelinek   MBBS  MD  DipDHM  FACEM

Professorial Fellow, Dept of Medicine, University of Melbourne (St Vincents Hospital), Former President of Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine, Emeritus Editor of the journal Emergency Medicine Australasia, author of several textbooks in Emergency Medicine. An MS survivor and author of Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis, he offers a unique perspective based upon scientific research, clinical experience and insight.

Written comments from delegate feedback forms last year

What a wonderful event. I found the speakers inspirational and certainly came away greatly stimulated and determined

As usual the conference has been a bombshell of inspiration and information

Very informative, an eye opener on a new era of medical practices

 The professionalism and incredible quality of the speakers – amazing breadth of knowledge shared

I appreciate the great range of speakers who empower me with information to remain healthy, happy and having a meaningful life

Every presentation has been informative and relevant, with important take home messages

Informative, powerful, motivational and inspirational. ­­­ A pleasure and privilege to be there

WOW – Enlightening and empowering weekend!

Highly qualified and motivated professionals with very structured and informative presentations – all had take away messages useful in my clinical work

Absolutely loved every bit of it – look forward to next year

I felt I had my money’s worth by morning tea!

Our history:

The Gawler Foundation is a non-profit, non-denominational organisation, registered in Victoria since 1983. We actively support people, their carers and families who are challenged by cancer, multiple sclerosis and other serious illness and teach them to help themselves through our range of lifestyle programs.  Pioneers in mind-body medicine, we work in effective partnerships with healthcare professionals to assist people in their quest for health, healing and wellness. We offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to prevent illness and enhance the health and wellbeing of the whole community.

The Gawler Foundation is a symbol of hope, healing and inspiration for others. Read more www.gawler.org

Integrative medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of the relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing. (Consortium of Academic Health Centres for Integrative Medicine, 2005)

Health professionals who attend the conference can also qualify for Royal Australian College of General Practitioners CPD points for professional development.

 

Qi Gong helps Cessnock woman’s cancer battle

The Advertiser
KRYSTAL SELLARS
29 Jun, 2011 11:53 AM

Told she had an average of two to three years to live, Sam Aulton has turned her life around and hopes to help others in the same way.

Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in February, the cancer had spread to her spine and possibly her lungs, and doctors had little hope for her survival.

Determined not to give up, the Cessnock woman decided to make some changes in her lifestyle, and hopes to beat the odds.

“Averages don’t have to relate to everyone and the law of averages does not mean that everyone will be condemned to that outcome…but this gave me the impetus that I needed to change my habits and change my potential outcome,” Sam said.

With plenty to live for, including daughters Maggie (six) and Ruby (three), Sam has turned to alternative therapies, with promising results.

One of these therapies is Qi Gong (pronounced chi gung), the Chinese exercise form that uses breathing and meditation to improve and treat disease.

“I’m doing a few different things, but this one (Qi Gong) feels really good, and I want to share it with people,” Sam said.

Sam took up Qi Gong in March and a lung scan in May revealed no signs of cancer. The cancer also appears to have stopped spreading around her bones.

While doctors would not confirm whether the cancer had actually spread to her lungs, Sam caught pneumonia twice around Christmas time last year and cancer could have been the cause.

Sam said she feels “lucky” to have had the pneumonia, or the doctors may not have discovered the cancer.

It is Sam’s second battle with the disease – she was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, just two weeks after her 30th birthday.

But she was shocked all the same to have cancer again.

“After five years, they usually say ‘congratulations’,” she said.

Sam underwent chemotherapy, radiation and hormone treatment 11 years ago. She was offered hormone treatment this time around, but declined.

“Knowing that it had not cured me 11 years ago why would it cure me now?” she said.

“I had already had two years of hormone treatment Zoladex at age 31 which put me into menopause and caused osteopeonia.

“They also stated radiation could be of assistance but would only shrink the tumour not cure the root cause, so I thought again ‘no’ – I need a cure.”

Following her scan in May, which came after more than two months of daily Qi Gong sessions, doctors said Sam’s body seemed to be “moving in the right direction” without the use of these hormone treatments that cause damaging side effects.

“And I was stoked,” she said.

Sam discovered Qi Gong through cancer retreat centre The Gawler Foundation and has also been visiting Sydney-based Chinese medicine specialist, Dr. Qixin Chen, who she said has many “miracle stories”.

Sam is looking to conduct free classes in a local park for anyone with cancer, degenerative diseases, allergies or other ailments that may be helped by Qi Gong.

“There are masters of Qi Gong, who teach people how to teach…I’m just a student who wants to share what I’ve accumulated,” she said.

Sam has practices Qi Gong for half an hour every morning, but it’s just part of her healing plan. She also meditates two or three times a day, has visited a “mind coach” who has helped her create a positive outlook, and has rid her diet of sugar, which cancer cells can feed upon.

“I used to be really negative towards eating fanatically, but when it’s your life, it’s worth it,” she said.

Anyone interested in learning about Qi Gong is asked to contact Sam on 0414 741 429 for more information.

Penning a new chapter of life

The Australian Jewish News
June 20, 2011

WHEN David Bardas was forced into early retirement 15 years ago, the former Sportsgirl/Sportscraft chief executive confronted the age-old dilemma of what to do next.

So he took up the pursuit of writing poetry in his backyard shed. It was something his late father-in-law, Victor Smorgon, one of the country’s greatest industrialists, didn’t quite understand.

“It’s one of the family jokes,” recalls Bardas. “[Victor] said, ‘What are you doing?’ and I said, ‘I’m writing’. And he said, ‘Yes, but what are you doing?’ … [To him], writing wasn’t doing something.”

That didn’t deter Bardas. He carried on with his newfound passion and now at age 73, his first play, Home for Lunch, written with Rebecca Lister, premiered at Chapel Off Chapel in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran last week.

With a cast led by Dennis Coard and Margot Knight, the play is a blend of comedy and drama as it explores one man’s struggle with adapting to his new retired lifestyle where identity is lost, relationships are strained and people struggle with the questions around getting older and the unknown.

Asked if the play is autobiographical, Bardas is coy. “I can’t say it’s exactly autobiographical, but writers have to be influenced by what they have experienced.”

Story continues below video

What he will say is that the play is “funny and serious” and about “personal space”.

“When I tell contemporary women, in particular, what it’s about, they just nod their head and say ‘yes’”, elaborates Bardas, who was married to Sandra Smorgan for 46 years until her death in 2007.

“You come into your wife’s space and you have to be careful not to crowd the person. First, you have to realise that your life has changed. You’ve changed; she’s changed; and all of a sudden, you are thrown back together again. So that takes a bit of working out. I figured out a routine of keeping out of the house.

“On the positive side, you come home for lunch, and you’ve got freedom. You don’t have to front up for work or have that responsibility. But it’s what you do with that time and space. You don’t want to go into a vacuum.”

Bardas is quick to stress, however, that it’s not meant to be a parable. “I’m not trying to tell people what to do.”

For Bardas, it has been an interesting journey to get to this point. At the age of 22, he joined the family business after the sudden death of his father, Morris, in 1956 and quickly proved to have a deft touch in retail fashion.

He built Sportsgirl into an iconic chain with 144 retail outlets and 3000 staff and brands including Aywon, Crestknit, David Lawrence and Elle B.

Then in the 1990s, the economic climate turned sour. He was forced to step down and the company was sold off. Not one to be idle, Bardas kept himself busy writing and dedicating himself to various worthy causes.

He served as president of the Gawler Foundation, a non-denominational charity that provides support for people suffering from illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, and had a stint as a City of Melbourne councillor in 1996-97.

As part of the United Israel Appeal of Victoria, he personally funded $100,000 towards Net@Project in Lod and Ramle, which helps Israeli youth from high-risk backgrounds.

Most recently, he funded the operating costs of an inner-city home in Melbourne that hosts vulnerable young people as part of the Lighthouse Foundation.

Reflecting on his retirement thus far, Bardas says he feels he has taken advantage of his time, “counts his blessings” and continues to write every day.

Did he ever convince his father-in-law about his writing pursuits?

“I ended up writing a book about him. It was called Insight Victor,” he muses. “I gave it to him as a birthday present. It was a lot of his sayings over the years.

“The only feedback I got from him was, ‘That’s only your opinion.’ He was bullet proof.”

Home for Lunch is at Chapel Off Chapell, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran until Sunday, July 3. Bookings: (03) 8290 7000 and www.chapeloffchapel.com.au.

REPORT: Chantal Abitbol

PHOTO: Playwright David Bardas