TVOKids “The Space” IS ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR A NEW HOST from the South Asian or Asian communities
Are you entertaining, bright and creative?
Do you have unique talents that will have you turn a pile of ordinary props into an extraordinary story?
Can you talk to kids without talking down to them?
Are you funny? Willing to look goofy?
Have you performed on stage or always wanted to be on TV?
If you have answered ‘YES’ to these questions, then this may just be the job for you!
TVOKids hosts have to improvise on live TV and work within a ‘skit type’ scenario. Comedy and writing skits are key components of this hosting role.
The hosts appear on air, primarily, as themselves, but can also perform in character roles. TVOKids hosts work solo and in pairs, so working in a team dynamic is essential.
Skill set needed:
Ability to write a script, speak clearly and appropriately for the demographic, sing, and dance
Experience as a puppeteer an asset
Any type of experience with live stage performance would be great, as would some experience with children’s media
We prefer a graduate of or someone currently enrolled in a post-secondary program
This is the ideal job for an energetic person with a great imagination, passion for kids, and a love for just acting silly!
Applicants must be between 20 – 24 years old.
If you think you would be the perfect next TVOKids host, send us a current resume and a DVD showing us why we should pick you!
Send it to: TVOKids, Box 200, Station Q, Toronto, ON, M4T 2T1.
Deadline: January 29th
TVO is committed to achieve a skilled workforce reflective of the population of Ontario.
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone inquiries please.
Sunita Mohan, author, Holistic Nutritionist, Homeopathic Doctor and resident expert talks about flax and shares one of her recipes with SAPNA members.
What is Flax?
Flax seeds are rich in benefits and are an excellent way to maintain your health! They are smooth and flat and are found in golden and reddish brown colors. They are slightly larger than sesame seeds and have a hard shell that is smooth and shiny.
Why is Flax important to my health?
Flax seed is the best plant source of omega 3 fatty acids which help to sustain a healthy cardiovascular system.
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega 3 fatty acid found in flax seed is said to help in the treatment of various ailments like constipation, high blood pressure, inflammation, and water retention.
It is also rich in EFA – Essential fatty acids which are not produced by the body but they serve multiple functions, for example they help to protect cell membranes within the body.
By incorporating Flax Seed in your daily living you are giving your body the essentials it needs to both prevent certain illnesses and maintaining your health!
Flax varieties
There are 2 varieties of Flax: Ground Flax Seeds and Flax Seed Oil both give the same benefits.
Benefits of Ground Flax are Fibre and Essential fatty acids. Make sure to keep seeds in the refrigerator for optimal freshness!
Benefits of Flax Seed Oil are healthy skin, healthy hair, stronger nails, and proper bowel function.
Flax in the kitchen
Flax and Berry Smoothie:
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup blueberries
1 tbsp raw honey
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 cup water
1 cup orange juice
6 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients together.
NOTE: If using Flax Seed Oil, you can take one tablespoon a day or you can combine the oil in your salad!
Where to buy?
You can find Flax Seed at your local health store or grocery store.
The South Asian Professional Network for Health Awareness (SAPNA) is sharing the gift of good health with tips to avoid gaining weight over the holiday season. As an organization dedicated to increase awareness of diabetes, heart disease and other health issues facing the South Asian community, SAPNA member and nutritionist Anjali Dua offers the following advice to stay on track this festive month:
Consider healthier alternatives
Instead of eating a plateful of samosas, pakoras or other fried food, why not eat a bowl of fruit or baked goods? Mangos, cantaloupe, and dates are great fruits, and baked pitas or boiled brown rice are great choices for the holiday. Spice up your creations this holiday season by cooking low-fat, low-sugar treats!
Eat five times per day
Spread out your meals and eat more often to help boost your metabolism. This also keeps your stomach partly full and prevents you from overeating. As a general guideline, try to eat three meals, and two healthy snacks per day.
Don’t deny yourself
It can be hard to give up your favourite foods, but completely depriving yourself of them will make you crave them more, and may result in you overeating! Continue to enjoy your favourite foods, but eat in moderation. (Yes, this means you can eat one samosa!) Try to eat smaller portions to satisfy your cravings.
Weigh yourself often
To motivate you to maintain a healthy weight that will help you look and feel your best, check and keep track of your weight. Weigh yourself at least once a week or every few days at the same time each day to determine if you are at your ideal weight, losing weight or gaining.
Make your holiday active
Exercise not only makes you look good, but it makes you feel good too. Engaging in light or moderate exercise such as dancing to your favourite Bollywood songs or going on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day for at least 3 days a week can really make a difference. As an added bonus, you can also enjoy more of your favourite foods if you workout regularly.
Remember to see your doctor, dietitian or nutritionist before making any major changes to your diet.
Anjali Dua
Prior to her arrival in Canada, Anjali Dua was a diet counsellor and senior nutritionist for a leading nutritional health company in India. She holds a Masters in Science (Food and Nutrition) and has been sharing her knowledge and experience with SAPNA members while working towards obtaining her Canadian accreditation.
I am a new member and this is the first time I am submitting an article on this site. Hope the other members enjoy the read on this topic which is heating up due to increased deficit financing and total debts of developed countries nearing their GDP.
Any feedback is more than welcome as I strive to help businesses and individuals attain financial success.
Recently the US President visited China and there was an amusing comment on CNBC : “US President travels East to meet his banker”. Almost 70% of China’s foreign exchange reserves - an estimated $1.6 trillion are stashed away in various US dollar investments. China is the largest foreign holder of US Treasuries and is currently holding $798 billion. Every time the dollar dips so does the value of China’s massive and growing foreign exchange reserves. The two countries are trapped in a strange relationship – It’s the LOVE HATE relationship. China is not happy living with US$ but it cannot live without it. A slightest hint that China is dumping US$ will send shock waves in the currency market – you can then well imagine the price of hard assets valued in US$. Gold, Silver, Copper, Platinum, Rhodium etc. what will be their price? Will those valuations be realistic? They will defeat the principles of price determination where demand and supply determines the price. Many economies have already started converting their US dollars into hard assets and an international transformation of currency valuations is on the horizon. Emerging markets are going to play an important role in this new world economic order. We will see that currency valuations of these countries will increase and valuations of economies with less hard assets in their reserves will fall. This will also set the stage for establishing a global currency for pricing the commodities. This will then bring realistic valuations of hard assets as the weighted mix in the currency basket will be based on the strength of the currencies in the basket. Unlike the current valuation which is based on falling US dollar.
This is not happening overnight and till then the informed investor is going to reap the benefits of this transformation. Name it recovery from recession or transformation of values, until US dollar stabilizes (for which the chances are grim since US debt is increasing and there are less hard assets to back) the markets are poised to go north. For those who are invested I would recommend to remain invested. However, it will be worth reviewing your portfolio to ensure you have a good mix of various industry segments with emphasis on metals, capital goods, infrastructure and resources. For those who are still in the sidelines and are gaining the confidence to re-invest after the carnage of 2008 this is the time to enter with a long term perspective.
With warm regards & best wishes,
Sanjay Khanna
Financial Advisor and Investment Consultant
The South Asian Professional Network for Health Awareness (SAPNA) and the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) Young Professionals proudly present Eat.Live.Succeed: A health awareness seminar for professionals - starting at 6pm on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at the RBC Building, Main Floor - 315 Front Street West, Toronto. Tickets are only $10 and include snacks/refreshments.
Make some healthy and lasting changes for 2010. Join us for an eye-opening evening of health awareness by professionals for professionals. Improve your lifestyle AND expand your network in just a few short hours.
Explore the health risks faced by busy South Asian professionals; whether you're eating too little, too much or all the wrong stuff.
The 'Desi Dilemma' - REVEALED! By Dr Colin Saldanha, recognised across Canada. Find out why the South Asian demographic is at a higher risk of cardio vascular disease and diabetes.
Get to know your food and eat your way to a healthier lifestyle with holistic nutritionist and author Sunita Mohan.
Ergonomics – Learn the importance of position and posture in the workplace.
Free Health Assessments
Professional Networking with fellow Young Professionals and more!
Make healthy choices for a healthy future...
If you've been to previous SAPNA events, you know that they are well attended. Register online now to ensure you've got a seat at this much anticipated collaboration between SAPNA and the ICCC Young Professionals.
Halloween is one of the most unhealthy holidays of the year with the amount of consumption of candy and other sugary treats, especially for diabetics. To help those with diabetes celebrate Halloween this year, SAPNA offers tips on how to satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing your health:
Count the carbs of each candy – Keep in mind that each individual has a different requirement of carbohydrate take per day. Consider the carbs you get from healthy foods such as bread, potatoes, corn and legumes, as well as the carbs found in each candy before you decide to eat it. Talk to your health care provider about your daily requirements or needs to help you determine how much of your favourite treats you can eat.
Pack a healthy snack while trick or treating – A lot of walking can cause the sugar levels for those with diabetes to become low. Having a healthy snack such as a piece of fruit can help bring your sugar level up without having to sneak a treat from your child’s goodie bag.
Sort n’ Share –With the amount of treats that you or your child have collected, make sure to sort the bag before you eat anything. Divide the treats among your children to ensure that they don’t eat too much all at once. Let them pick their favourite treats and set aside certain times for them to eat it, such as for dessert or after dinner. Remember, eating sweets is ok as long as it is done in moderation.
Eat treats lower in fat and carbs –Chocolates and high-fat treats can significantly affect your blood sugar level. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, choosing Halloween-size treats that are between eight to 15 grams of carbohydrates are better choices than a bag of chips, which contains high fat and calories.
Make your own Halloween treats– Halloween isn’t just about candy, but it’s also about being creative. Offer your child or guests some healthier and fun alternatives, such as carving a watermelon or orange like a mini pumpkin with sugar-free gummy worms on top as hair. Or even something simple as sugar-free chocolate pudding and low fat chocolate-covered strawberries.
Remember, there are always healthy ways to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juushika/
Toronto - September 30, 2009 – The Canadian MedicAlert Foundation is set to launch a special program for the South Asian community in October 2009 to mark the 20th World Diabetes Congress meeting.
According to Health Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association, people of South Asian descent are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. (Health Canada, 2004; Canadian Diabetes Association, 2006).
In Canada, 9.3% of adults currently have diabetes and this figure is expected to rise to 11.1% by 2025.This represents more than 2.4 million Canadians are living with diabetes.In addition, more than 6 million Canadians have pre-diabetes, placing them at significant risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. (International Diabetes Federation, 2009)
Uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to numerous other medical complications including: heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.MedicAlert's mission is to provide protection for all Canadians with pre-existing medical conditions or allergies in emergencies, when every minute counts.
Deborah Legrove, Director of Marketing, Education and Advancement, cited that awareness of MedicAlert services and mission is severely under indexed in the South Asian community."With a population of more than 1.2 million South Asians in Canada, our independent study identified less than ten thousand South Asians are protected with MedicAlert . When one in five Canadians have conditions that can cause instability, sudden symptoms, or have difficulty communicating, it is alarming that a significant number of our South Asian population does not currently benefit from the MedicAlert protection." commented Ms. Legrove.
In support of The World Diabetes Congress to be held in Montreal, Canada, on October 18-22, 2009, the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation is launching an awareness campaign for the South Asian community and to deliver on the promise to speak for all Canadians when they can't.MedicAlert is offering members of the South Asian community a two year membership for the price of one.An offer that provides the peace of mind to live and play without worry knowing that in an emergency, a patient's medical history is available in an instant - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Visit medicalert.ca/desi for more information on the promotion.
Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and spiritual enlightenment. It is a time where families get together, sharing laughter and joy, while also indulging in sweets and fatty foods. As South Asians continue to suffer from heart disease, obesity and diabetes, it is important to eat healthier and be more active to manage or prevent these diseases from occurring.
While it may appear to be a challenge, following some simple steps can help pave the way to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. So, why not celebrate the victory of healthy habits over harmful ones, this Diwali?
Here’s how:
Find the best type of exercise for your body type. You can benefit from several kinds of exercises such as yoga, swimming or aerobics. Pick the one that you would enjoy the most, and that would help you maintain or achieve your ideal weight.
Be active in some form everyday. Take the stairs if you can, or walk to places that are nearby. Keep moving to burn more calories and increase your metabolism.
Watch when and what you eat. Keep track of what you eat and when you eat to prevent eating too much or too late. Avoid snacking after 8 p.m. to allow your body to digest its food properly. Record your daily food intake in a journal to help you track your progress.
Eat in moderation. Sweets, samosas, and biryani are delicious, but eating too much of them can make you put on weight or feel sick. To satisfy your cravings, eat slowly and have smaller portions of your favourite foods.
Be aware of your alcohol intake. To avoid excess amounts of alcohol in your system, drink more water or eat salads and other healthy snacks such as roasted channas and puffed rice along with your alcoholic beverage.
Find healthier alternatives to your favourite foods. Consider ways to prepare your meals using less oil or with ingredients that are lower in fat and cholesterol. You can also substitute oily or foods high in sugar with roasted or baked snacks, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains that are high in fibre.
For more information on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, join SAPNA, follow us on Twitter, and connect with other SAPNA members on the Facebook Fan page and LinkedIn Group.
Have a prosperous and happy Diwali!
Anjali Dua
Prior to her arrival in Canada, Anjali Dua was a diet counsellor and senior nutritionist for a leading nutritional health company in India. She holds a Masters in Science (Food and Nutrition) and has been sharing her knowledge and experience with SAPNA members while working towards obtaining her Canadian accreditation.
SAPNA celebrates 12 months of increasing awareness of health issues facing South Asian Canadians.
On June 26th, SAPNA celebrates its 1st year of working to increase awareness of health issues facing South Asians in Canada. We’d like to thank you for being a part of SAPNA – through word of mouth, emails, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and attendance at events.
In 12 short months, with the support of members like yourself and many volunteers, SAPNA has achieved the following:
Formally marked the beginning of a not-for-profit organization which focuses on raising awareness of the health issues facing the South Asian community in Canada through a launch party at GSK.
Increased the number of Board of Directors to help provide better strategic direction and transparency.
Recruited about 40 volunteers (also known as the "Dream Team") to help refine SAPNA goals and objectives and keep things moving forward.
Creation of the Health Education and Networking Team, the Healthy Cooking and Cookbook Team and the Health Expo Team. These are initiatives developed by the Dream Team. Talk about community involvement!
Partnered with a number of organizations such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, other South Asian non-profit groups like SAHHG, government, and corporate partners such as GSK, and AstraZeneca. This added credibility to the organization and provided SAPNA with more tools and resources to increase awareness.
Demonstrated our support of various South Asian organizations via attendance at numerous Community Health Fairs, the SAHHG Annual Awards Night, Sikh Centennial Foundation Gala, RBC DesiFest, and the ICCC Gala.
Through partnership with Glenn Abbey Golf Club and Whole Foods Market, AND participation of Sunita Mohan and Sona Khanna, launched successful Cooking Demonstrations where participants learned how to cook tasty foods in a healthy way.
Hosted a tremendously successful Healthy Heart Networking Event at AstraZeneca with a full capacity attendance of over 200. Dr. Colin Saldanha and Dr. Milan Gupta presented statistics on the prevalence of heart disease and other health issues affecting South Asians and the associated risk factors. Sunjay Nath – an engaging professional speaker, talked about his 10-80-10 principal, a concept that helps organizations and teams perform at a dynamic level. Overall, it was an interactive event and the crowd particularly enjoyed the networking.
Garnered a fair amount of media attention in the past year including features in a number of newspapers, radio and television networks such as The Brampton Guardian, StarBuzz, The Weekly Voice, 680 News, CBC Radio, OMNI Television, ATN, and Rogers Daytime TV.
So what's in store for the future?
SAPNA will continue to hold events that raise awareness, educate and empower South Asian Canadians. We plan on initially focusing on heart disease and diabetes since those are the major health issues facing South Asians. We will continue to build strategic alliances with established and mentor organizations that share SAPNA’s goal of a healthier South Asian Canadian community. We will also have more grassroots initiatives to help individuals take control over their health and wellness. Since personal growth is part of our mission, we will continue to hold networking and other events that give members the opportunity to contribute their expertise, and also learn, grow and develop or augment their leadership and general business skills.
Want to be a part of that future?
In addition to coming to the events, we need your help with spreading the word, leading and organizing events and even initiating your own events that are consistent with SAPNA’s mission of improving the awareness of health-related issues within the South Asian community and personal growth of its members. Send us an email at
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and we’ll take it from there.
If you haven’t already done so, formally join SAPNA, follow us on Twitter, and connect with other SAPNA members on the Facebook fan page and LinkedIn Group. You can also help by forwarding this email to those that you think would benefit from knowing about the health issues facing South Asians and what SAPNA is doing about it.
The Marketing / Communications committee needs your help to assist with supporting SAPNA’s strategic objectives, the integrated marketing plan and SAPNA committees. Ideally, we will fill these positions with both Senior and Junior levels of experience to allow for growth and continuity.
Initially, there will be a significant investment of time but once we establish an efficient process, we don’t expect more than 5-6 hours/month will be required.
Below are the specific positions and a brief outline of the responsibilities:
Website - LEAD: Arvinder Ghutarora
Required: one additional volunteer - ideally with Joomla! and/or PHP experience
Maintenance activities (content, contacts, e-mail distribution list)
Prompt teams for material to put on website (events, other)
Monitor & optimize layout / organization of material
Identify ways to streamline processes using website
Secure website and monitor/manage updates and patches
Ongoing usability testing
Assist with development of the marketing plan
Communications – LEAD: ?
Require: Graphic Design volunteer, one other volunteer
Develop & implement communications plan to ensure ongoing reach to membership + sponsors (newsletters, blog posts, Twitter, LinkedIn, photos, upcoming events, pre- and post-even communication)
Issue timely communications (coordinating role with teams providing content on their events )
Develop content with a strong professional and aesthetic effect for the web site
Provide support to SAPNA teams as needed (for messaging on particular event)
Graphic design support for SAPNA materials (including website)
Assist with development of the marketing plan
PR/Media Relations LEAD: ?
Require: one other volunteer
Create and maintain relationships with key media outlets (South Asian, local, national and online) to ensure visibility and positive reputation of SAPNA
Stay current on trends/issues/opportunities related to South Asian health and networking
Utilize traditional and offline vehicles including social media to generate exposure, awareness of and participation in SAPNA initiatives (including assistance with pre- and post-event communication)
Assist with development of the marketing plan
Marketing – LEAD: Bhupesh Shah
Require: one additional volunteer
Develop and implement a marketing/communication strategy for SAPNA
Develop an integrated marketing plan to increase awareness of SAPNA and broaden its reach
These positions will report to the Chair, Marketing/Communications Committee. Please contact Bhupesh at 416.720.1205 or marketing[at]mysapna[dot]org for more details.
SAPNA held their second healthy cooking event on May 28, 2009. Healthy Asian Cooking, featuring Thai cuisine with an Indian flair. A very special thank-you to the Oakville Whole Foods Market for hosting the event.
Sunita Mohan, Holistic Nutritionist and Homeopathic Doctor featured on Rogers Daytime, along with SAPNA Cooking Team volunteers Dipika Nayyar (Cooking Team chair), Surinder Ghutarora and Monica Gangal demonstrated quick, healthy and delicious recipes. In addition to sampling the tasty eats, participants were able to ask questions, get tips for a healthy lifestyle and received a copy of the recipes to take home and try on their friends and families! The event was interactive and a lot of fun, as you can see through these pictures.
SAPNA would like to thank all of its guests for a tremendously successful Healthy Heart Event on March 31st, 2009 at AstraZeneca. The audience, of approximately 200 South Asian professionals, came to meet with like-minded individuals and learn about the health issues facing the South Asian community.
The event, MC'd by Ajay Bhatia and Sangeeta Shah, was kicked off by Mr. Mark Jones, CEO of AstraZeneca Canada. Mr. Jones addressed the need for new medicines to fight the diseases affecting millions of Canadians, and the work that AstraZeneca has done in this area. SAPNA President, Dr. Rav Kumar followed with an overview of SAPNA and how it is working to raise the awareness of the health issues facing South Asians.
The health education portion of the event was led by Dr. Milan Gupta and Dr. Colin Saldanha who presented statistics on the prevalence of heart disease in South Asians and provided a clearer picture as to the extent of these risks in the South Asian population. The audience even had an opportunity to ask questions which proved to be a very interactive and popular portion of the night.
The evening was concluded by professional speaker Sunjay Nath, who told the audience about his 10-80-10 principal, a concept that helps organizations and teams perform at a dynamic level.
As you can see through these pictures, there was an energy and buzz throughout the night, particularly during the networking portions before and after the presentations. We hope that many of you made some worthwhile connections during this time. SAPNA is unique in that it brings the health and networking aspects together, with a goal to improve the overall well-being of the South Asian Community. We look forward to seeing you all at our next event!
Sona Khanna heads Splendor & Spice and Sona Khanna & Co Event Designs which are involved in planning & implementation of corporate & social events. She also provides “Eat Well” culinary lessons specializing in Mediterranean, Indian and Thai cuisine. She provides consulting with broad range of services for Corporate, Community, and Social events.
Having discovered her passion for the culinary arts, Sona Khanna left her executive position at a Toronto Bank to delve deep into the food that is an honest reflection of the flavours she loves and appreciates. She is not only an amazing cook but also meticulous event planner with an extraordinary flair.
Sona is currently involved with the City of Oakville, and City of Mississauga, teaching home and business Entertaining courses through their recreational programs. She also conducts private individual and group cooking sessions through her Splendour and Spice series and highly acclaimed and successful cooking series class ”What is for Dinner?” for Loblaw’s Superstores cooking school.
Sona has all the tricks up her sleeve for cutting back on fat without cutting back on flavour. She brings rich flavours of a faraway land and combines them in exquisitely crafted recipes with the products that are available locally.
She is extensively involved in the South Asian community and has keen interest in the cultural and social well being of the community she lives in. Currently she serves as a councillor on the Diversity Councils for the TV Ontario and the Municipality of Halton Region.
Written by Source: The Indian Express By Renu Mehta
Monday, 21 July 2008
In order to work on the declining health of South Asian Canadians, the country’s fastest growing community, a new health organisation has been launched.
The South Asian Pharma Network Association (SAPNA) was launched in the city of Mississauga last week with a mandate to increase health awareness among South Asians in Canada.
The formation of SAPNA is a dream come true, said Dr Rav Kumar, president of the organization.
Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and spiritual enlightenment. It is a time where families get together, sharing laughter and joy, while also indulging in sweets and fatty foods. As South Asians continue to suffer from heart disease, obesity and diabetes, it is important to eat healthier and be more active to manage or prevent these diseases from occurring.
Sona Khanna heads Splendor & Spice and Sona Khanna & Co Event Designs which are involved in planning & implementation of corporate & social events. She also provides “Eat Well” culinary lessons specializing in Mediterranean, Indian and Thai cuisine. She provides consulting with broad range of services for Corporate, Community, and Social events.