Announcing our new Handbags & Jewellery Category and 12 Other Great Brands!

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Ron

Well.ca is constantly growing - we’re adding new brands and new products to our already huge selection every day! Check back here every Monday to see the latest additions. If you have a product or brand that you would like to see added to Well.ca, send your suggestion to info[at]well[dot]ca.

[NEW Category!] Handbags & Jewellery: We are very excited to announce the addition of a whole new category to Well.ca! Handbags & Jewellery will be bringing an extra dose of class to our site, and we are proud to have B. Lush and Passion launching with us!

Beauty: We have had a lot of requests from our customers for Physicians Formula the high quality and hypoallergenic cosmetics option - and now it’s here!!

Pets: It was a big week for our Pets Category! Three more great pet brands are now available: Both Merrick and Royal Canin bring fantistic gourmet pet food options to Well.ca! For the extra lucky pets, Zuke’s gourmet treats have been added too!

Baby: Last week we added Halo’s lovable SleepSack line, Green Toys’ environmentally sound baby toys, and Baby Home’s cots.

Food: Delicious new brands added recently week include Lundberg Organic, Mary’s Gone wheat and gluten-free crackers, and Mighty Leaf‘s premium teas:

House & Home: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, the environmentally minded and cruelty-free household cleaning line, has joined our already extensive green clean options!

Skincare: Every box is ticked by MyChelle Dermaceuticals: always free parabens, phthalates, ureas, petroleum-based chemicals and artificial colours, and are always cruelty-free, vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free, and packaged in eco-friendly containers.

Be sure to check back next Monday for even more great additions!

Well.ca is Growing! [New]

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Ron

Well.ca is constantly growing – we’re adding new brands and new products to our already huge selection every day! Check back here every Monday to see the latest additions. If you have a product or brand that you would like to see added to Well.ca, send your suggestion to info[at]well[dot]ca.

Baby: New baby brand launches are always exciting for Well.ca staff who love to coo over the new cuteness - Crocodile Creek, Squoosh and All Good Living do not disappoint!

Beauty: Red Carpet Manicure, the first at-home LED gel manicure kit, and Silky, a 5-free and socially conscious nail polish brand are great new options.

Personal Care: Canadian made, all natural, vegan and gluten free describe both new personal care brands – Green Cricket and Cocoon Apothecary. Also check out our growing sexual wellness product selection.

Food: This is one of our fastest growing categories, and we are happy to announce Tazo Tea (made popular by Starbucks), ECOS coconut water and great Kashi products.

Pets: We’ve only had pet food and products on Well.ca for a month, but it has quickly become a new favourite! This week we added Waggers dog and cat treats, Rollover pet food and, Halo pet food!

Diet & Fitness: This week’s additions are rounded out by Vega fitness supplements and Sisu vitamins, both great options to adding to your health routine!

Be sure to check back next Monday for even more great additions!

Antioxidants [Wellness Wednesday]

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Ron

Antioxidants play an important role in our health as they help protect our cells from free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that are produced as a result of exposure to tobacco smoke, radiation, sunlight and environmental contaminants. Free radicals can cause cell damage; however, antioxidants provide a line of defense by preventing inflammation and improving our immune response which in turn lowers the risk for disease.

Our bodies are made up of antioxidants, but there are also antioxidants that cannot be synthesized by our cells; therefore, they must be obtained from the diet. These antioxidants include certain vitamins, such as Vitamin A, C, and E, minerals, such as selenium, and phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are a group of plant derived compounds that exhibit antioxidant properties; some common phytochemicals include cartotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols.

Fruits and vegetables are a great source of antioxidants along with green tea, peanuts, walnuts, soy foods, coffee, Brazilian nuts and tart cherry juice. Well.ca’s Food category has a great selection of antioxidant rich products. I recommend Uncle Lee’s Green tea, Knudsen Just Black Cherry 100% Cherry Juice, Inari Sweet Dried Blueberries, and Taste of Nature Brazilian Nut Fiesta bars. Be sure to check out the variety at Well.ca and remember to consult with your doctor or a registered dietician to determine whether or not antioxidant supplementation is for you.

ANDI MCHUGH RECEIVED HER MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE (SPECIALIZATION IN EXERCISE SCIENCE) FROM AUBURN UNIVERSITY-MONTGOMERY. SHE HAS BEEN AN AUTHOR FOR MANUSCRIPTS SUBMITTED TO THE JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH AND THE JOURNAL OF EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY. SHE IS ALSO A CERTIFIED HEALTH AND FITNESS SPECIALIST AND KINESIOLOGIST WHO ENJOYS RUNNING, GROUP FITNESS, AND PLAYING SOCCER!

Well.ca Adds a Pets Category! [Wellness Wednesday]

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Ron

This Wellness Wednesday we are celebrating the addition of our Pets section by taking a look at some of the great product we offer to keep your loving companions in top shape!

Food

The pathway to health always starts with a good diet. Well.ca has great food choices for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters, as well as many types of fish (goldfish, koi, cichlid, tropical) and birds (canary, finch, cockatiel, parakeet, parrot, macaw). Many of our options are all natural, vegetarian and Canadian too!

Hygiene

Of course, a clean and healthy environment is important too. Frequently changing your furry friend’s bedding or litter is a great way to show them how much you love them, as well as keep them happy! And of course, waste bags keep the neighbours happy as well!

Health

Our pets, like us humans, sometimes need an extra boost to maintain peak health and fitness. Whether it be the best flea and tick prevention or treatments, or any of the vitamins and supplements available, ensuring the health of your pet will make you feel good too.

We are also holding a contest to feature our customer’s pets on our Pets page! E-mail photos of your fuzzy friends to pets@well.ca to enter!

Protein Recommendations [Wellness Wednesday]

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Ron

Protein is an important macronutrient that is essential to the diet. Protein is made up of amino acids, which help build, maintain and repair our tissues. Not all amino acids can be produced by the body, so it is important that we consume protein sources in our diet. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for protein for men and women 19 years and older is 0.8 grams per kilogram (g/kg) of body weight¹.

For pregnant women, the recommended amount is 1.1 g/kg of body weight and for lactating women it is 1.3 g/kg¹. For example, a 140 pound female would need approximately 51 grams of protein per day. To calculate this, first determine body weight in kilograms: 140/2.2= 63.6 kg, and then multiply this by 0.8 g/kg so that 63.6 kg x 0.8 g/kg equals 50.9 g.

Do those who exercise regularly need more protein? Yes! Exercise causes muscle damage which means that physically active individuals require more protein than the RDA. For endurance trained athletes, such as runners, cross-country skiers, cyclists, etc., the recommendation is 1.2-1.4 g/kg of body weight². As for strength trained athletes, such as weight lifters, gymnasts, etc., the recommendation is 1.2-1.7 g/kg of body weight². For more information, be sure to consult with a registered dietician.

After your next work out, try a protein shake to rebuild your tissues and aid the recovery process. Well.ca has a wide variety of protein powders and amino acid supplements; I suggest a protein powder containing the amino acid leucine, such as Designer Whey Protein or NOW Foods Branch Chain Amino Acids supplement. For those who do not consume animal products, I suggest soy protein powder.

ANDI MCHUGH RECEIVED HER MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE (SPECIALIZATION IN EXERCISE SCIENCE) FROM AUBURN UNIVERSITY-MONTGOMERY. SHE HAS BEEN AN AUTHOR FOR MANUSCRIPTS SUBMITTED TO THE JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH AND THE JOURNAL OF EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY. SHE IS ALSO A CERTIFIED HEALTH AND FITNESS SPECIALIST AND KINESIOLOGIST WHO ENJOYS RUNNING, GROUP FITNESS, AND PLAYING SOCCER!

¹Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes: the essential guide to nutrient requirements. Washington: National Academies Press, 2006.
²American College of Sports Medicine, American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada. Joint Position Statement: Nutrition and athletic performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2010.

Reaching Health and Fitness Goals… One Step at a Time! [Wellness Wednesday]

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Ron

Research suggests that taking 10 000 steps per day can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower body weight. Unfortunately, in today’s society most people do not meet this guideline. Do you know how many steps you are taking each day?

A pedometer is a small device that records the number of steps taken and is worn at the hip. Pedometers are easy to use, require little time to operate and are a cost-effective way to measure your health. Lucky for you, well.ca has a great selection of pedometers! I recommend the Omron HJ112 pedometer, which has been validated by exercise scientists. I challenge you to purchase a pedometer, log how many steps you take and gradually improve your step count.To increase the number of steps you take each day, try these simple things:

Use the bathroom furthest from your desk
Take the stairs
Park your car far away from the building entrance
Walk to the store whenever possible
Put your trash can on the other side of your office

Well.ca has some great options for those looking to track their steps. Now, get out and start walking!

Andi McHugh received her Master of Education degree (specialization in Exercise Science) from AUBURN UNIVERSITY-MONTGOMERY. She has been an author for manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and the Journal of Exercise Physiology. She is also a certified health and fitness specialist and kinesiologist who enjoys running, group fitness, and playing soccer!

Student Essentials [Subscription Week]

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Ron

We’re wrapping up Well.ca’s Subscription Week continues with tips for students! Well.ca now offers the ability to subscribe to your favourite products and have them shipped regularly straight to your door. On select products Subscribers also enjoy an additional 5% off their items. For more info on Subscribe click here.

Women | Men | Pantry | Oral Health | Students

It’s that time of year again, students are heading back to class! This year Well.ca hopes to support students by allowing them to spend less money on their essentials and spend more time focused on their studies. With our Subscription service students don’t even need to leave their dorm to keep their room stocked!

Keeping brain food on hand is key for long study sessions. Be it a simple snack or a quick meal, having your favourites delivered regularly ensures no emergency grocery trips interrupt the cramming!

No need to let razor sharp focus impact hygeine! Soap, deoderant and air fresheners keep both the student and study zone fresh and prepped for hard work.

Looking for an extra boost? Or maybe just a way to chill out after a three hour lecture? We’ve got students covered!

Oral Health [Subscription Week]

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Ron

Well.ca’s Subscription Week continues with suggestions for Oral Health! Well.ca now offers the ability to subscribe to your favourite products and have them shipped regularly straight to your door. On select products Subscribers also enjoy an additional 5% off their items. For more info on Subscribe click here.

Women | Men | Pantry | Oral Health | Students

Well.ca’s Subscription service takes the guesswork out of keeping your mouth in tip-top shape. Subscribing to your oral health means never worrying about running low, running out, or forgetting to replace old toothbrushes again!

Did you know that dentists recommend getting a fresh toothbrush every three months? Personally, I’ve known for years, but when the deadline rolls around I always forget! Now that I am subscribed a new toothbrush shows up in my regular Well.ca delivery every three months! Best reminder ever!

We can even help you with flossing! The oft ignored but still essential technique takes some commitment to master. To support your flossing goals, subscribe to your favourite kind to encourage yourself to use up your floss by the next delivery – your gums and teeth will thank you!

Never run out of toothpaste and mouthwash by subscribing! Whether you use up a bottle every three months, or your family blows through a tube in weeks, you can customize your deliveries to match your needs!

Men’s Essentials [Subscription Week]

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Ron

Welcome to Subscription Week! Well.ca now offers the ability to subscribe to your favourite products and have them shipped regularly straight to your door. Each day this week we’re taking a look at how the Subscribe option can make life simpler! On select products Subscribers also enjoy an additional 5% off their items. For more info on Subscribe click here. Today we’re discussing men’s essentials!

Women | Men | Pantry | Oral Health | Students

Tired of making a trip to the store for just one thing? Always running low on supplies? Just plain hate shopping? Well.ca’s subscriptions take the pain out of purchasing – allowing you to set it and forget it! Subscribe to your favourite stuff and we’ll send it to before you even need to think about it.

No more last minute trips for emergency deodorant! Depending on you and your climate, the average stick or spray typically lasts 1-3 months. Planning ahead of Subscriptions is simple: just select the proper number of weeks and we’ll ship to you just before you run out!

Same goes for pretty much every other toiletry – shaving cream, hair gel, body wash – you can get it all to your door without even a second thought.

Come to think of it – you can even skip the grocery store and have your meals (or for the less lazy, ingredients!) shipped to your door too! Awesome!

Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s post about Women’s Essentials!

Women’s Essentials [Subscription Week]

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Nicole

Welcome to Subscription Week! Well.ca now offers the ability to subscribe to your favourite products and have them shipped regularly straight to your door. Each day this week we’ll take a look at how the Subscribe option can make life simpler! On select products Subscribers also enjoy an additional 5% off their items. For more info on Subscribe click here. First up we’ll take a look at subscribing to women’s essentials!

Women | Men | Pantry | Oral Health | Students

If there is one thing a woman needs on a monthly basis it is feminine care products. With Well.ca’s subscription program you can say goodbye to those panic attacks of not having adequate supply of feminine products during your period. We offer products of different brands and types in the feminine care category. There is no doubt that every woman will find just what they are looking for to give them that extra feeling of security and confidence.

It is a well known fact that women should discard their mascara no later than every three months. Even though most of us women are aware of this, a lot of us don’t play by the rules! Subscribing to your favourite mascara on Well.ca will help remind you to keep your mascara fresh leaving your eyelashes long and beautiful.

My personal favourite is L’Oreal Paris Extra Volume Collagen Mascara. This mascara seems to hit every lash and stays on all day long! Vanessa, Well.ca’s Health and Beauty Category Manager, recommends Covergirl Lashblast Volume Blasting mascara. Vanessa loves this mascara because it does not clump, the brush coats all of her lashes to really open her eyes and help make her lashes look thick and full. For those of you looking for a hypoallergenic be sure to check out Almay.

Remember not to pump your mascara. Pumping adds in too much oxygen and will cause your mascara to clump and dry out faster than it should. You want it to stay fresh until your next subscription arrives in the mail!

No matter what age, height, or weight a woman is, vitamins should always be a very important part of your daily regimen. With Well.ca’s subscription program you can ensure that you always have a plentiful stock of vitamins to keep your body healthy and strong.

My personal vitamin regime involves a daily dose of Jamieson’s Multivitamins, Webber Natural’s Omega-3 Softgels, and Jamieson’s Vitamin B12.

The Well.ca Blog

We like to talk about health, beauty, makeup, and sales.

Category Archives: Health & Wellness

Announcing our new Handbags & Jewellery Category and 12 Other Great Brands!

Well.ca is Growing! [New]

Antioxidants [Wellness Wednesday]

Well.ca Adds a Pets Category! [Wellness Wednesday]

Protein Recommendations [Wellness Wednesday]

Reaching Health and Fitness Goals… One Step at a Time! [Wellness Wednesday]