Did you know? Turmeric, a key ingredient in curry, is known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers that might enhance the body’s natural immune system.
Although it has acquired something of a hipster reputation, the first curry recipe was actually published in a British cookbook in 1747. Here’s a modern, delicate vegan version you can make for your Valentine:

Ingredients:
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated, fresh ginger
1 teaspoon fresh turmeric, grated (or ½ teaspoon ground turmeric)
1– 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 extra large tomato, finely diced, with juices
13.5 ounces coconut milk
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt, more to taste
¼ teaspoon cayenne, more to taste
fresh cracked pepper

Prepare the yummy sauce:
Sauté the garlic and ginger in olive oil over medium heat, until just golden, stirring often to prevent scorching. Add the turmeric and sauté one more minute.
Add the diced tomato and sauté until most of the juices evaporate, about 5-8 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, lime, brown sugar, salt, cayenne and pepper. Add a pinch of salt to taste. Bring the curry to a simmer, then turn off heat until ready to serve over rice or vegetables.

Here’s a quick success tip from career coach Karen Burns via The Seattle Times:

“Pick a positive quality you want to be known for. Of course, you have more than one positive quality. But if you make a point of associating yourself with a single great trait, like always being on time or always appearing alert and cheerful, then people will think of that ‘great trait’ every time they see you. This is a good thing.”

Perhaps it has been a few years since you read any Shakespeare— I haven’t cracked open a copy of his works since high school. With red and pink hearts popping up in decorations everywhere and Cupid flitting through the air around us, it is tempting to focus on personal love, the sort found in Romeo and Juliet.

However, there is a line from All’s Well That Ends Well that seems to be a more accurate assessment of how love works, once we are past the melodrama of star-crossed teenagers and into adulthood: “Love all, trust a few, do wrong with none”. That line is so much bigger than a box of chocolates or a dozen roses. It illustrates how we must have a love for humanity, and in one line suggests how we are all connected in this world.

To love all is not entirely possible, but the general idea in there is a sound one. Showing kindness or generosity, or even just being polite to everyone, is a type of love. The very idea is based on simply being a decent human being while interacting with everyday strangers. I like that reminder.

To trust a few seems to suggest we build trust into the foundation of our tribes. Trusting a few implies we have it in us to create a circle of interdependence, to build a strong network of those few we can rely upon, and in turn will support. Personally, I find this to be the bigger challenge (and the most enticing idea) than loving all or doing right by everyone. In order to trust a few, we have to slow down just a little and really get to know people, and this is the year for it. Just as 2020 issued challenges for connecting with people, the challenge of 2021 is going to be preserving those connections we all worked so hard to build.

Finally, to do wrong to none is something of self-care, wouldn’t you say? Yes, the meaning comes through: avoid hurting anyone. However, in our quietest moments, knowing we would not wrong a stranger is a form of personal strength and something we have to care enough to nurture on a personal level. There is strength in knowing we can do right by all and have confidence in the decisive action of leaving others unscathed.

All good thoughts, wouldn’t you say? Here’s to Shakespeare, to society, and to you: have a lovely February!

Canadian employment lost 213k jobs in January (-1.2%, m/m), representing the second consecutive decline since April 2020. This left the employment level 4.5% below its February 2020 pre-pandemic level. The decline was once again led by part-time employment, while full-time positions continued to see improvements in January. Job losses were concentrated in Ontario (-154k) and Quebec (-98k), as extended restrictions continued to negatively impact retail, food services and accommodations, and culture and recreation. The national unemployment rate increased by 0.6 percentage points to 9.4%, which is still a fall from the record high of 13.7% in May 2020. Compared to the same month last year, Canadian employment was down by 4.4% (-834k).

In BC, employment grew by 2.8k (0.1%, m/m) in January, following a gain of 1.4k in the previous month. The unemployment rate ticked up by 0.8 percentage points to 8.0%, the second increase since the record high of 13.4% was set in May 2020. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, employment increased by 9.0k (0.6%,m/m), following a decline of 1.1k in the previous month. Compared to one year ago, employment in BC was down by 1.7% (-45K) jobs.

Although the pace of national job losses accelerated in January due to extended provincial health restrictions, the number of COVID-19 infections is slowing and some provinces are considering gradually lifting these restrictions. That being said, the emergence of more highly infectious strands of COVID-19, and a slower than expected rollout of the vaccine will likely delay the recovery.

For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

Link: https://mailchi.mp/bcrea/canadian-employment-jan-february-5-2021