Monthly Archives: May 2010

Eco-Friendly Nail Polishes

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Sandal season is finally here! Everyone’s bringing their flip flops, sandals and open toed shoes out to play. For most of us this means that now have more than just our regular 10 finger nails to take care of, we have an added 10 toes. This pretty much means doubling the amount of time we spend polishing up! Even though we want to dress our toes, it seems like the heat and humidity of the summer makes the task(and the smell!) even less enjoyable than it is in the cooler months.

But have no fear, water-based nail polish is here!  Nicole at vert blog tried Acquarella and she reports that her pedicure lasted over 4 weeks! Now you can avoid the smell of traditional polishes and get the added bonus of doing your nails less often.

Well.ca also carries other water-based polishes so check out the other options available!

Find your path in the trails

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As spring slowly creeps up from under the permafrost, life reappears from under the snow. This melting of snow, often considered transitory is really romantic.

This romance can be found in and on the many trails located in and around Guelph. Trails in Guelph provide many opportunities to just get away, enjoy nature, get some exercise and most importantly experience some solitude in an environment that is suited towards reflection. A very good source of info regarding hiking trails in Guelph is the Guelph Hiking Trail Club Handbook. The Guelph Running Club also provides various maps on its website as does the City of Guelph.

Now, before you head out to enjoy a hike always remember to gear up appropriately for the conditions. Bringing water is always a great first step, but respect for the trail and its surrounding environment is paramount to the continued enjoyment that so many people derive from it. Remember to always hike along marked routes, walk around farmer’s fields, not across, do not build fires or camp on the trails and most importantly, keep trails clean; carry out all of your litter.

Enjoy the weather, but don’t let it fool you and remember that a trail is just another path, a path into yourself. Even though we are all a part of nature it is totally up to us to participate in and interact with the more rustic and enjoyable parts of it. Isn’t that why we all spend so much money on cottages and beach trips? The answer may be just outside your door.

Don’t melt this summer!

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With great heat comes great responsibility.  Summer is just around the corner and with temperatures on the rise, it’s time to switch up and away from heavy winter products!  You don’t want to be the one caught with runny eyeliner when everyone is showing off their summer glow.  Check out some of these great products to change up your routine for summer!

Face

  • Derma E Fruit Smoothee Toning Mist.  This tangerine-scented mist will help balance and tone skin for a radiant complexion.  Give your face a spritz just before heading out the door for a healthy glow.
  • dermaglow Nuvectin Anti-Aging Tinted Moisturizer. If you don’t want to go fully bare, try a tinted moisturizer!  They add a hint of color to help even out skin tone while moisturizing your skin.
  • If you want the coverage but you still worry about lasting power, try picking up a foundation primer to help your foundation stay longer.  Apply Revlon Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer under your foundation for a smoother base and a longer lasting application.

Lips

Eyes

  • Try Eco Bella for a water resistant Mascara.  This all natural mascara will give you the length you want this summer without having to worry about raccoon eyes at high noon.
  • Maybelline Eye Studio’s Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner is smudge-proof and water-proof, perfect for those lazy summer days by the pool.

Nuts about Organics!

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I recently received a product request for Nuts To You Organic Peanut Butter.  I am always elated to find a product for a customer, but I was befuddled by the word ‘organic’ in the name.  What made this peanut butter more ‘organic’ than others?  I did some research on ‘organic’ food production, and here is what I discovered.

The term “organic” refers to how food is produced and distributed.  According to the Canadian Organic Growers, organic food comes from:

“…a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity & fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people.  The principal goal of organic production is to develop enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.”

In plain English, organic farming helps protect the environment and people.  But doesn’t this imply that conventional farming practices harm people and the environment?  Ay, there’s the rub!  Industrial agriculture requires huge amounts of energy (oil, gas, and water) and the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and food processing ingredients.  According to the United Nations Environment Programme, today’s food production methods are responsible for over 30% of the greenhouse gases that enter our atmosphere!

Organic farming is friendlier for the earth, our economy, and most importantly our health.  Certified Organic food is absent of synthetic chemical based additives and genetically modified ingredients, which means it is more like the food that humans have been eating since the beginning of time.

Remember, my friends:  the food you eat doesn’t only affect you, but the whole world too.

Zumba your way to a happier workout!

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Everyone knows that working out is good for the body but it wasn’t until I discovered Zumba that I realized how fun it could be!

To me, Zumba is a fitness revolution that’s great for any sex and age. What really blows me away about the classes is the unique fusion of Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves.  I also like that each class includes interval training and resistance training to both sculpt your body and burn fat.

Having struggled with my weight for many years, I recently decided that my youth and health were too important to lose. I started going to the gym regularly and tried group classes, like pilates, for the first time. Then I tried Zumba. The energetic instructor captivated me immediately. She was outgoing, motivating, and man could she dance!

The instructor dances with her back to the class and you follow her moves. It was a bit of a shock to me because I`d never experienced anything like that before. But, the steps were easy to figure out and really got my heart pumping. But even more shocking was that I had a smile on my face!  The girl, who hated any workout besides swimming, was smiling.

I was hooked.

After only 5 weeks, with Zumba and a lifestyle change, I lost 15lbs.  I’ve brought friends to and made friends at Zumba. I’ve fallen in love with Zumba and it has changed my life. I even want to get certified to teach classes!

I highly recommend Zumba to anyone who wants to enjoy getting or staying in shape.

If you want to learn more about Zumba, pop into your local gym and ask them about it or check out this handy venue and instructor search!