Going green for the health of it
For years, Sara Kinnon needed to take daily medications to help her cope with her asthma and allergies. As a naturopathic physician, she knew there had to be a better way. And so she started making changes not only in her own life but at the Bellevue Natural Health Clinic, which she owns and operates on Marine Drive.
Today, her reliance on medications has greatly diminished because of her healthy lifestyle, including eliminating many of the toxins that were affecting her health. Her dedication to creating a healthy workspace caught the attention of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, which recently presented her with the Green Business of the Year award.
“I realize the impact of everything in the environment on our health,” she says. Everything from the air we breath to the skin products we buy to the water bottles we use can load us up with toxins, she says. Our bodies are well designed to get rid of the toxins but we, as individuals and business owners, can do a lot to reduce the workload.
It takes a conscientious effort but the rewards are worth it. “A lot of time and energy goes into everything I do here,” says Dr. Kinnon. While there are many more green products on the market, there’s also a lot more greenwashing going on – companies that say their products are environmentally friendly but have no science to back up the claims. She makes sure that all of the products she uses and sells can live up to their green promise.
As a new business owner, it hasn’t always been easy being green. Nowadays there are a lot more products available, but they still tend to cost more. Dr. Kinnon did a complete renovation of her leasehold five years ago; it would have been less expensive to use conventional materials and products but she believed in making the investment in a workplace that treats staff and clients in a health-friendly manner.
“It can be a struggle operating a green business,” she says, “but at the end of the day we all feel better for it. I see people who have struggled with chronic illnesses get better.”
To find out more about Bellevue’s green practices, visit www.bellevuenaturalhealth.ca.
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