Eco-Friendly Nail Polishes

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

Seeds… they’re not just for birds!

Studying nutrition is a relatively new practice. Information concerning how much fat, carbohydrates, sugar, and protein we should eat is constantly changing. We do know that plants are one of the richest sources of healthy fat. Plant seeds, in particular, contain polyunsaturated fats or the “good” fats, which nutritionists believe to be responsible for lowering cholesterol levels, as well as aiding in immune function and brain development.

I have recently added a few types of seeds to my diet and have been noticing the positive effects. Chia seeds provide energy for endurance– when left in water they turn into a thick gel that, when consumed with a meal, leaves me feeling fuller for longer! Hemp Hearts (shelled help seeds) are readily digestible and contain all of the essential fatty and amino acids. Add them to your diet and they can help to improve your cholesterol levels. Flaxseed is full of fibre that works as a mild laxative; it also can improve immune function and help control blood sugar levels.

I incorporate these seeds into my daily diet by adding them to anything: cereal, salad, shakes and smoothies. Even baking! I have had more energy and definitely have seen improvements in weight management. I encourage everyone to look at what adding some healthy seeds in your diet can do for you. Let me know how it goes!

Earth Day is Around the Corner

Tomorrow is Earth Day, so we thought it would be a great time to share the ways in which Well.ca employees live green:

Ryan considers himself a “notorious light switch turner offer,” as well as an “unused plug unplugger.” Something that is plugged in but not in use still sucks energy from the outlet, and is sometimes called an energy vampire.

Nicole visits second-hand, antique and consignment shops. She tells people not to forget, “you can reuse clothes, household items, books, movies, and so much more!”

Laura is a member of a local CSA, a community shared agriculture co-operative. From June to October, all of her veggies are grown within 15km of her home!

Rhonda and Mike have started worm composting that they call “worm city”. In about 4 months, the worms should have turned food scraps into soil for the garden. Yes, they have a bin in their home that is full of compost, dirt, and WORMS!

Jenn reuses disposable sandwich bags for about a week instead of throwing them out, as long as they were filled with dry food. She also uses reusable shopping bags when buying groceries.

Other things that some members of Well.ca staff does includes:

•    Using green and natural products for cleaning and bathing
•    Making shopping lists and notes on scrap paper instead of fresh paper
•    Walking, biking, or carpooling when possible
•    Eating organically, and even growing veggies and herbs at home
•    Drinking tap or filtered water instead of bottles
•    Turning off the tap while brushing teeth
•    Filling up a bowl with water to shave instead of letting the shower run
•    Using recycled newspaper as pellet litter
•    Turning down thermostat at night to a lower temperature

I hope you enjoyed reading about how Well.ca and staff live green! What do you do to live green?

Green Spring Cleaning

It’s definitely spring here in Southern Ontario,
and the weather change has me thinking it’s officially time to chase away the winter dust bunnies, throw open the windows and give the house a breath of fresh spring air!

Cleaning the house doesn’t mean dousing every surface in cleaning products with harsh chemicals. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be between 2 and 100 times more polluted than outdoor air from contaminants in home decorating and cleaning products.

Fortunately, there are lots of green cleaning options available at Well.ca in the Green & Natural section:

Nature Clean All Purpose Cleaning Lotion can be used for laundry, dishes, and even produce. It doesn’t contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or Cocamide DEA, two widely used ingredients that are suspected carcinogens.

The Twist Clean Euro Sponge Cloth is reusable, biodegradable and way better than paper towels.

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap has at least 18 purported uses. It can be used as a body wash, shampoo, car wash soap, laundry soap, fruit and vegetable wash, and much more!

Vinegar and Baking Soda can also be used to clean surfaces and remove odours.

Other quick steps to improving indoor air quality include opening a window or keeping indoor plants, which can remove formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air.

Now isn’t that a breath of fresh air? Leave a comment with some of your tips!

My Bread: The Laura Edition

I’ve always been a baker. As a child I experimented with desserts:  I made pie from scratch, tested cookie recipes until they were perfect, and thought of different ways to use my Mom’s trifle dish (she got it as a gift). Turns out, a trifle dish is really good for . . . making trifle.

I always wanted to try making bread, but I discovered that “real” bread was not worth it. I gave up after a few tries.

Last fall, I read an article in a magazine about a unique new bread recipe. It doesn’t require kneading, or much effort at all. You just mix everything together with a bit of yeast, and let it rise for 18 hours. Then you bake it in a Dutch oven, and you’re done! My kind of bread!

The cookbook is called, “My Bread: The Revolutionary No Work, No Knead Method,” by New York baker/author, Jim Lahey. He explains why this bread is more authentic than your so-called traditional kneaded bread, because it is closer to what ancient Europeans did when bread was young.

My favourite part is playing with the recipe. You can dry different types of flours, like amaranth and spelt, and additives, many of which are available at Well.ca! I’ve tried flax bread and olive bread so far—the latter is deliciously moist due to the extra oil. Overall, I’m thrilled with my new hobby. I would recommend it to anyone.

This is not your usual white bread, but with its crunchy crust and chewy, flavourful texture, it’s a unique, natural, and delicious experiment that I wish I had discovered sooner!

Here are some suggested additives for this bread. I haven’t tried them all, but I want to!

New Shipping Policy at Well.ca

Not only do we offer FREE expedited shipping with no minimum order amount to all locations in Canada, but as part of our green initiative, free shipping by stork is now available!

The carbon footprint of the stork is low because they eat garbage from your city once your package has been delivered. And the good news doesn’t stop there! Free shipping by owl and mule are coming soon, as is free delivery by our CEO, Ali Asaria.

While expedited shipping will continue to take approximately 2-14 days in Canada, you can expect your stork shipment in 2-3 months, depending on your location.

Not happy with your purchase? Our goal here at Well.ca is to ensure that you are totally satisfied with your shopping experience. Return shipping on stork orders is free, so long as you have an owl that will deliver the package back to us. Any questions? Please leave a comment below!

Oh and by the way, APRIL FOOLS! Hope you have a great day :)