Craving Change® in 2024?

As we prepare to flip calendars and ring in a new year, people may find themselves making new year’s resolutions for the year ahead.  Often these resolutions centre around goals of improved personal fitness and nutrition and people find themselves making a promise to quit some of their usual habits, resolving to make improvements in these areas.  If finding ways to improve your eating tops your list, Prairie Mountain Health wants you to know about the Craving Change® program and let you know how you can get involved.

Craving Change is a 3-session course that has been developed by a registered dietitian and clinical psychologist to help people understand their triggers for problematic eating, discover ways to control cravings, and to maintain healthy changes! 

Sherrill-Lee Hyra, a Health Promotion Coordinator, with PMH is one of the facilitators who leads Craving Change®  in the region.   “We live in a society where outside factors greatly affect our eating. The Craving Change®  program takes a look at our eating environments as well as explores how emotions and learned behaviours influence the decisions we make around food,” Hyra said.   This is a necessary first step when working towards sustainable changes to our eating behaviour.

If you have ever struggled to maintain healthy eating habits and want to learn more about what your eating is all about , attending a Craving Change® class series might be for you. “The program is not about dieting. It is about understanding the many factors that influence our eating behaviours,” Hyra said. “Having other participants in the class to share and learn from is also helpful.”

Prairie Mountain Health is offering several courses throughout the new year.  Starting the 3rd week of January, courses will be offered virtually using the MS Teams Platform. While space is limited there is still room for people to sign up. If you would like to register for a class this new year please call Prairie Mountain Health’s Healthy Living Toll free line at 1-877-509-7852 to learn about the course times and dates.

MONDAY AFTERNOONS
January 15, 22 & 29
1:30-3:30pm
Offered virtually by MS Teams

THURSDAY EVENINGS
January 18, 25 & February 1
6:30-8:30pm
Offered virtually by MS Teams

Find a printable poster here.

Food, Family and Traditions

Food is part of celebrations across the globe. Regardless of culture or religion food is part of our cultural identity and has a way to strengthen bonds within our own families and our community , helping us to connect with one another.

To celebrate the diversity of our community, bring awareness to the importance of food celebrations and family traditions in our lives, we encourage you to take time this holiday season to enjoy a family meal together, involve family member’s in the preparation of a family meal and discuss why eating with others is important.

Here are some discussion questions you may want to explore over the winter holiday break with your child:

• What are our family favourite foods?
• What family mealtime or food traditions do we have to help celebrate special occasions? (Christmas? Birthdays? Weddings?)
• What is the role of food in families and their traditions?
• Is there a new meal time tradition that we could create in our family?  If so what would it be?

The best part of any holiday is enjoying the opportunity to connect with family and friends. If you feel some of the holiday traditions need a refresh, re-imagine the holiday with a new tradition and enjoy!!

Here is a tasty recipe to try this holiday season!

Texas Caviar

Brine:
1/2c sugar
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1/2c oil
3/4c vinegar

Vegetables:
1 yellow pepper, 1 red pepper, 1 orange pepper, 1c celery, 1/4 of a 4oz jar of jalapenos (chopped)
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 can chickpeas

Directions:

1)  Make brine- add sugar, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oil & vinegar in sauce pot; bring to a boil & cool
2)  Finely chop vegetables & add these to the brine along with the 1 can corn, 1 can black beans & 1 can chick peas.
3)  Stir all together & refrigerate overnight. 

Serve with taco chips, over rice or place filling into a lettuce leaf and enjoy!

PMH CEO extends warm wishes for the holiday season

November 2024

It’s hard to believe we are less than a month away from the holiday season and the start of 2024! The mild weather has certainly masked the countdown to the holidays. This ‘El Nino’ climate effect has undoubtedly flipped the script weather-wise. Here’s hoping the nice weather continues and we still get a white Christmas!

Since announcing my intention to retire in April 2024, it’s given me pause to realize this will be my last festive season message to you as CEO of Prairie Mountain Health. I think back to a few years ago, around this time, when we were still deeply mired in the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it seems like a blur now, it was a difficult time for everyone. Each of us had to navigate through that intense and strenuous time, though we continue to feel its impacts to this day! Thankfully, we are not in such difficult pandemic circumstances right now, though we continue to experience COVID and respiratory outbreaks at several of our sites.

We have many facilities that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I greatly appreciate the staff that provides care over the holidays. Many times, our staff are the ones who are there to lend an extra hand and extra ear to those who are in our hospitals, personal care homes and the community and are not able to be with their families during the holidays.

Our tremendous staff continue to give of themselves and do what they do best ‘all year long’ — provide quality care to the people we serve. We really can’t say thank you enough! We know residents within our health region remain incredibly grateful for the dedication, commitment, and compassion you bring to work with you every day!

When considering visitation at our sites, if an ‘in-person’ visit isn’t possible, PMH encourages families to consider providing a personal device, such as a cell phone or iPad, to their family member that allows for a direct connection. You can also let health centre patients and personal care home residents know you are thinking of them by visiting the PMH website and filling out the “well wishes” information. By making this well wishes request, it will be delivered directly to the person on your behalf. A direct link can be found here.

For those who have lost loved ones or for those facing other stressors and challenges, the holiday season is an extremely difficult time of year. Prairie Mountain Health provides mental health services and support for those in need. We all have mental health, and we have to continue to make our well-being a priority. Remember, ‘that if you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to take time for illness.’ To learn about the available resources and supports, please visit our website.

Here’s to a holiday season filled with love, happiness, fellowship and memories. 

Decorating the tree, exchanging gifts, singing or listening to songs, celebrating traditions, watching heartwarming movies, enjoying a festive meal, playing games, volunteering —whichever ways you choose to celebrate or recognize this time of year —our wish is that you make it as enjoyable as it can be!

On behalf of the PMH Board, our Executive Management Team and our staff, we wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy holiday season and all the best in 2024.

Brian Schoonbaert, CEO
Prairie Mountain Health

Brandon’s Dinsdale Personal Care Home transfers to Prairie Mountain Health

Following collaborative discussions with the provincial government and Prairie Mountain Health, The Salvation Army completed a formal transfer of Dinsdale Lodge Personal Care Home (PCH) to Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) effective November 10, 2023. The transfer, which was initiated by the Salvation Army, was fully endorsed by the PMH Board of Directors. The move further supports the Salvation Army’s shift in focus toward other programs and community needs in the Brandon area, which are in high demand.

“On behalf of our Board, management and staff, the PMH officially extends a very warm welcome to staff of the Dinsdale PCH,” stated Lon Cullen, Chair of the PMH Board of Directors. “For many years, The Salvation Army has been a valued partner in delivering long-term care services within the health region, and we sincerely thank them for that!” Cullen said.

Prairie Mountain Health CEO Brian Schoonbaert says the transfer doesn’t impact the day-to-day operations of Dinsdale PCH.

“We are pleased to support the transfer of Dinsdale PCH to Prairie Mountain Health and have reassured staff, residents and families that PMH remains committed to providing the same quality care that was previously provided under the direction and leadership of The Salvation Army,” Schoonbaert stated.

Located in Brandon, the 60-bed Dinsdale PCH previously had an affiliate (non-devolved) relationship with PMH, where the Salvation Army separately owned and operated the Home through a service purchase agreement.

The present Dinsdale PCH was constructed in 1984/1985. It’s named after two prominent Salvation supporters and activists: Walter Dinsdale, who was an MP for the Brandon area for 31 years, and George Dinsdale, who was Walter’s father. George Dinsdale was also a Mayor of Brandon and a local MLA.

Time for Turnips

Some people may confuse turnips and rutabagas. The confusing thing is, depending where you’re from, turnips might be called neeps, rutabagas, or swedes. The smaller, round, white and purple root vegetables are called “white turnips”, while the larger, round, yellow root vegetables are “turnips”, “rutabagas” or “swedes”. Rutabagas are a cross between a turnip and cabbage. White turnips and rutabagas have different flavours as well.

One of the great things about turnips is that both the greens on top and the root can be eaten. The greens have a similar flavor to mustard greens and are a rich source of vitamins K, A, C, and folate. The root has a high amount of water, with some carbohydrates and a moderate amount of vitamin C. Another great thing is that it is an incredibly versatile vegetable! Use turnips any way you use a potato, and then some! Try them baked, boiled, steamed, mashed, shredded, julienned, raw, roasted, and use the greens in any dish you would use cooked spinach or collard greens.

When buying white turnips, look for turnips that are small to medium in size, turnips that feel heavy for their size, and without soft spots or wrinkles. If the greens are still attached, look for fresh looking leaves. Unlike other root vegetables, turnips should be used up while they’re fresh, as they can turn bitter and woody with age. Peeling off the skin of white turnips is optional, but yellow rutabagas need to be peeled.

Try these delicious turnip recipes

Simple Roasted Turnips (Freezer-Friendly!) – Spend With Pennies

Pan-Roasted Turnips with Greens Recipe | Kardea Brown | Food Network

Honey-Glazed Turnips, Parsnips and Pearl Onions Recipe | Food Network Kitchen | Food Network

Sheet-Pan Curried Chicken and Root Vegetables Recipe | Food Network Kitchen | Food Network

Prairie Mountain Health CEO provides retirement notice

Board of Directors begins recruitment process

The Board of Directors of Prairie Mountain Health announced today that CEO Brian Schoonbaert will be retiring effective April 5, 2024. An extensive recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer is now underway. In acknowledging receipt of his retirement notice at its October meeting, Board of Directors Chairperson Lon Cullen stated:

“It is with mixed emotions that the PMH Board accepted Brian Schoonbaert’s notice of retirement.
Brian’s commitment to providing quality health care and supporting all PMH staff, physicians and volunteers has always been evident. All who have worked with him will miss Brian’s positive, welcoming and genuine approach”.

Schoonbaert’s career in health care has spanned over 35 years – initially as a Finance Director for BGTW (Baldur, Glenboro, Treherne and Wawanesa), then as Vice President – Finance and Information Services for Brandon General Hospital and Brandon RHA. In 2011, he became Chief Executive Officer for Brandon RHA.

With the amalgamations of health regions in 2012, Schoonbaert assumed the role of Vice President, Finance, Capital, Support Services and Chief Operating Officer of BRHC for Prairie Mountain Health. In 2018, he was seconded to the Manitoba Transformation Management Office (TMO), leading several initiatives for the TMO. And in 2021, Schoonbaert assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer for Prairie Mountain Health.

Cullen added: “Brian is looking forward to spending time with family – his wife Mary Anne, their six children and 18 grandchildren. We thank Brian for his commitment, passion, and dedication to Prairie Mountain Health. We wish him a happy and healthy retirement!”