By Jerelyn Craden

Published July 5 2016

More than 20 years ago Haliburton County resident Val Balaski struggled to earn a living as one of the first wellness practitioners of reflexology reiki and massage in Haliburton County – therapies that were considered outside of mainstream medicine and suspect by many local residents.

Today Haliburton enjoys a robust network of health and wellness practitioners and service providers who with Balaski at the helm is partnering with the Municipality of Dysart et al to bring the first Haliburton Highlands Health and Wellness Expo to Head Lake Park on Saturday July 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“I don’t want other practitioners to struggle the way I did” Balaski said. “I want the community to know who they are what they offer and the tremendous benefits they can provide.”

Now the owner of Svikiro Skin Care all natural hand-crafted products Balaski will present her wares with more than 40 small local wellness practitioners and business providers.

There will be demonstrations nutritious food and body products to learn about sample and enjoy including: health and wellness healing techniques yoga raw foods bee-keeping essential oils supplements tarot card readings clothing and more.

Plus for the first time presenting in Haliburton keynote speakers John Gitalis (Canada’s first and only nutritionist to be certified as a “functional medicine practitioner”) and wife Meghan Telpner (creator of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition in Toronto and author of the UnDiet Cookbook) will explain the effects that dietary choices have on our bodies as well as share tips on how to heal the gut for optimal health.

“I’m really excited about the expo” said Andrea Mueller recreation program coordinator Dysart et al. “Public response has been great and we’re hoping it comes back year after year.”

Among the 40 plus booths multi-certified wellness practitioner Ellen King of Ellen King’s Source Healing in Minden will be demonstrating one of the unique healing modalities that her clients are deriving benefits from: The Body Code created by holistic chiropractor Dr. Bradley Nelson. “The expo provides a great opportunity to meet the community at large and demonstrate how this system enables me to help my clients get to the root cause of their physical and emotional pain and release it. Learning about these different types of modalities will give people more choices for an integrated road to health.”

Michelle Connell holistic nutritionist raw food chef teacher and consultant at Earthways Holistic Health will be showcasing dairy/gluten free live food desserts plus fruit and plant-based smoothies. She will also offer tips and tricks on “greening your kitchen” including composting how to stock your fridge and best containers to use that will save you money and are better for you and the environment. “This expo is a vehicle to reach individuals who are considering an active role when it comes to managing their whole health” Connell said.

According to Balaski the response for vendors has been incredible. Participants now include Abbey Gardens; Laura Trach of Orange Cat Studio; Melissa Tong RMT who will be offering a workshop; Deborah Rondeau will offer nature experience packages among others. Demonstrations will include Sean Chapman of Exhale Fitness and Abby Blythe of Light Hatch Yoga Studios. Carolyn Langdon of Wild Edibles will be offering visitors a plant walk through Head Lake Park.

Balaski added: “Thanks to the support and partnership of the Municipality of Dysart et al booth costs are affordable and forms can be picked up at the municipal office in Haliburton.”

For more information about Haliburton Highlands Health and Wellness Expo contact Balaski at 705-754-2651 hchandwe@gmail.com or on Facebook.