Popping it while it is hot

with the summer season comes summer treats, and this year i finally got my act together and used these adorable popsicle molds i bought at the end of season last summer on clearance. by far popsicles are an easy cooling off treat to make and something you can really basically do with anything. more often than not i just grab what i have in the fridge and squeeze or blend it into liquid form, add flavour (if needed), water, give it a good mix in the blender and then into the molds they go. this method is also very friendly to the  "i'm almost going to kick the can" looking fruit you might have before they get too rough. 

on a side note, since i'm trying to keep things healthy, i find i avoid adding sugar or honey. that is not to say you can't, but i personally tend to find by using fresh local fruit the sweetness i like is already there, so i'd rather just enjoy that.

here are two of my favourite homemade popsicles that i'm loving this season.

Vanilla Raspberry

- 1/2 cup raspberries, cooked on the stovetop for a few minutes just to soften up, then     

   popped into the blender to smooth

- 1/2 tsp lemon juice

- 1 tsp vanilla extract 

- 1 - 1/2 cup water 

this image via here

Lemon Lime

- 1/2 of a lemon juiced 

- 1 lime juiced

- 2 cups water

- 4 tablespoons of lemon and lime rind grabbed from the ones you just juiced and 

  dropped into the molds before they hit the freezer. 

How to Take a Sauna like A Finn

images via here and here

recently my local gym renovated the old locker room sauna and as a proud Finn i couldn't be happier. growing up, my Finnish family taught me and my siblings at a very early age the true art of how to take a good sauna. nothing is better at the end of a long day, or good workout than a hot sauna. no matter your level of stress, or worries, after spending time sweating it out you will undoubtably feel VERY relaxed and refreshed. you will also sleep super well. Finland is the birth place of the dry sauna ritual and i strongly believe it's key towards good health and a long life. so for any takers here are a few key notes on how to sauna like a true Finn.

1. Finn's use the sauna almost daily, and heat wise, it should be anywhere between 80-90 degrees Celsius. if you haven't taken a sauna before, make sure your start with minimal time and work your way up gradually so you don't over do it or get light headed. also, start by sitting on the bottom bench and slowly over time work your way up to the top to enjoy that full heat.

2. create some hot steam by periodically throwing a small cup sized amount of water on those hot sauna rocks to create short blasts of heat. if you find it hard to breath in the hot air, a trick is to place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and breath slowly.

image via here

3.  the hot, then the cold, then repeat method is the best ritual of the sauna by far. the trick here is to enjoy the heat for 8-10 mins allowing your body to sweat and detox. then quickly emerse yourself into cool water like a shower, lake or pool for a few seconds. this might sound unpleasant, but with your body warm from the sauna, the cool water actually feels refreshing and not as cold as you would think. then go back into the sauna and repeat another 3 or 4 times.

image via here

4. taking a sauna helps to promote good circulation in the body, but Finn's often take this to the next level by gathering up birch branches and making a "vihta". you dip it into water and gently brush or swat yourself with the bunch to relax your muscles, open the pores and increase circulation. 

5. finally complete your sauna ritual by following it up with a fresh shower to rinse, clean-up and close the pores.

sauna's are a ritual to be enjoyed by yourself, with friends or with family. if you have access to one i highly suggest you try practicing these techniques if you can to enhance your next sauna experience. i assure you, you won't be disappointed.

Juice It Up!

image via here

over the winter holidays, like many people, i allowed myself to indulge more than i typically might have. i love a good gingerbread cookie as much as the next girl, but i know my body should only have so many. now that it's january it's time to clean up my act, and refresh my minds and my body. looking back, i've had a few good gluttonous years of trying new things and drinking, but now it's hard time to take some ownership over my health and my health related goals.

over the break, i watched a couple food related documentaries on Netflix, something i love to do! here are a few that just might change your view of how you eat, Vegucated, Food Inc, More Than Honey and last but not least one of my favourites Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead – how can you not love Joe and his juicing. 

while i don't think living off juice only is the answer, i was amazed by the immediate health benefits he shared (under the supervision of a dr) and the difference in energy levels by all those that tried it. I think juicing is a great way to fuel you body with nutrients in a naturally beneficial form that is easy enough for anyone to do. so, it was off to the shop to pick up a juicer for me!

top reasons why juicing is awesome, now having tried it for a few weeks:

• because you can use all your leftover lonely fruits and veggies,
• because it's packed with macronutrients that help fuel your body in the best way possible,
• because it's cost effective,
• because it's quick and easy, and probably close to the fastest healthy meal you can make,
• because you actually can't screw it up, and
• because you will surprise yourself with just how much you love it.

image via My Wife Makes

i have fallen for juicing, and i mean hard. it's been a few weeks and i don't see myself getting sick of it anytime soon. now i should specify that outside of maybe a 2 or 3 day cleanse every few months, we personally don't eat juices as meal replacements for the entire day. instead we've often start our day with a freshly made green juice to help get us going, followed then by healthy well-balanced meals made from whole foods. now, if you are watching your protein intake in a day, you can add some protein powder to your juice. we've tried it using an all natural raw organic protein (unflavoured) and the combo is actually quiet nice! 

a few helpful hints when consuming:

• drink your juice within 15-20 minutes of making it
• don't forget to chew even though you are drinking, this helps activate your digestive enzymes 
• watch your fruit intake per juice bearing in mind healthy fruit servings per meal
• vary up your greens, too much of one thing isn't good for your body so mix it up!

this month give juicing a try! it's some of the most vibrate colours and tasty flavours your kitchen will ever see.

one of our fav combo's right now is (this makes enough for 2 people):

• 2 celery stocks
• 2 handfuls of raw spinach
• 2 carrots
• 1 orange
• 1 apple
• 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp ginger

Setting 2015 Intentions!

image via pinterest

Happy 2015 Everyone!!!!!

it felt like the other day when i took a moment to catch my breath with where i see this blog going and all of a sudden over month had past! gal! sorry for all the radio silence everyone! but i'm back, baby i'm back, and looking forward to the year ahead. with a fresh new year comes some fresh new resolutions/intentions. as many of you know i'm a list maker. i function best with a list of tasks i can look at and cross off with a pen and paper, but this year i'm positing my list here, so here we go...

1. // set clear weekly intentions and write them down and post them up where you can see them. they might be fitness related, mind flexing related, family related, who knows, the point is make them, stick with them, learn from them. 

2. // stop apologizing all the time. it's truly like a bad habit and it's going to be an even harder one to personally break, but it has to be done. life is what it is, and sometimes i need to stick my ground and accept that i'm actually not sorry all the time. 

3. // be mindful more. my naturopath has helped me develop a good foundation for a mindful practice, and i would like to be better at making it a daily habit and appreciating its benefits.

4. // practice having a clearer voice. i've sometimes been called a follower (i know, i know), and not so much a leader and i think it's ok to be a leader. voicing when i don't agree with others when they ask, challenging the norms, and rounding out my own opinions without making myself feel bad for it.

5. // work on my food and my photography. two things i really cherish wish i could spend more time doing. so that just makes it's time to make that happen! watch out for better tumblr updates and more recipes coming at ya!

6. // become a yogi.

7. //focus on surrounding myself with positive, uplifting like-minded people and work at nourishing those cherished friendships.

8. // ... and finally, believe more in hope and miracles, and have the courage to go head forward down the flow of life no matter how scary it might seem.

The Crazy Craze That Is Kombucha

image via here and here

correctly pronounced KOM-BOO-CHA, this fizzy tea has been around for centuries, originating in Asia. widely know in ancient times for it's healing properties, it's an old remedy that is making it's way into modern living as the hot new craze with shops like Pekoe Kombucha Bar  or the Alchemy Pickle Company (who also sells some other amazing fermented goodies) popping up. kombucha can be found in many health food stores now (like Whole Foods) and in a variety of flavours! my favourite currently is from Alchemy Pickle Company called the Green Tea Grape! revered for the fermentation process which activates the healthy bacteria called "SCOBY", this tea packs one heck of a healthy probiotic punch that really does wonders for your body. because sometimes our lifestyle and food choices aren't perfect, many of us don't have enough healthy bacteria in our guts, so the addition of a probiotic through a yogurt or something like Kombucha, takes us one step closer to getting our bodies back on the healthy track. in saying this, i should mentioned that if you know you have a weakened immune system, are pregnant/breastfeeding, or have an illness, you should check with your doctor or naturopath before drinking any kombucha, to be safe.

there are a ton of reasons why kombucha is good for you, but here are a few highlights: 

• the bacteria/probiotics help strengthen your immune system 
• aids in healthy digestive function
• loaded with good vitamins and enzymes
• overall energy booster
• helps to detox the body and
• it also is suppose to help relive PMS (i can't wait to see if it does!).

so, when i do drink this and how much? for me, my morning routine consists of getting up, having a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice to help balance the Ph level in my body, followed by a 4 ounce glass of Kombucha before i hit the gym. this makes me feel like i've set-up my body for success for the entire day! 

Mullein & Sparrow

Images via, here, here & here

as you know I love beauty products, specially anything natural and easy on the environment. recently I came across this beautiful brand of all natural products called Mullein & Sparrow. founder and designer, Anit was a creative mind working in the business of fashion, when she decided to make the switch into beauty products after learing about plant based healing rememdies during her travels. this shop believes that the best rememdies come from nature, and I strongly agree. this beautiful apothecary line, makes everything in small batches as needed, so slight differences can appear from order to order, but it confirms the freshness and authenticity. they I don't know what I love more, these luxurious products or the vintage style containers they are housed in. everything about this is old world and old beauty for the modern buyer.

these products have not only prettied up my face, but also my bath counter.

what's in your gym bag?

in the summer i used to wake up with that early sunshine. now when i get up at 5am it's pitch black out, but i still hustle it out of bed (quickly so i don't wait my deep sleeping hubby) and boot it to the gym in the mornings. let's just say it's basically become my morning alarm clock. because of this preset time, i've learned that a well packed bag, and even my routine while there, needs to be well-planned and well-organized. i'm always open to tips and suggestions from one gym rat to another on useful combo's for maximizing not only your workout, but also your "speedy post sweat, now i have to speed shower, dry off faster and hop into respectable work clothes and out the door routine." it's a lot to pack in! right now if you dumped out my gym bag, here is what you would find currently helping me in that "getting it all done" department. 

• Ear phones // for good tunes and good daily mantas of course!
• Klean Kanteen // a definite must for staying hydrated (and BPA free), sometimes i even add a lemon wedge to help kick start my clean eating for the day
• Tom's Deodorant  // a good all natural brand that still does the trick for the stinky and sweaty
• Under Armor Socks // out of all the socks i've tried, these seem to keep my feet cool and not clammy
• Nike runners // need i say more
• Burt's Bee's Facial Cleaning Towelettes // i use these as i'm running into the shower to clean off those pores
• Honest Company Shampoo & Body Wash in Sweet Orange Vanilla  //  i'm all about the two and one as a way save time – this one is also green, clean and one of the best.
• NutraSea //  before i leave the gym i always make sure to pop my vitamins and especially my healthy fish oil
• Sephora Lush Flush Lip & Cheek Stain // once dressed and hair combed, i quickly apply this handy two in one make-up stain on my lips and apples of my cheeks to look fresh and ready for the work day 

Bottle the Last of Summer - DIY Scrub

not ready for summer to be over yet? make those last summer days linger a little longer with this simple scrub using farm fresh ingredients. shower scrubs are a simple thing you can easily make. they keep your skin soft and keep a little extra coin in your pocket when you make it yourself. this pear and orange mix is one i made this past week. it's smells like summer and the honey mix is heaven on the skin.

what you need:

• 1 quarter of an orange
• 1 half of a pear
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp honey

start out by blending your pear so that it creates a soft mixture. next add all your other ingredients listed and stir well together with a spoon. store in an air tight glass jar in your bathroom and try to use within 2-3 max max. I tend to use my homemade scrubs 3-4 times a week, just make sure to rinse well! 

helpful hint - if your mix is a little too liquid for your taste add more sugar to thicken it out.

#Authentic -- DIY

image via

no better way to start the day than feeling fresh out of the shower.

so for an energizing start to your day, try adding fresh eucalyptus. just take the bunch and tie them with twine and wrap and tie around your shower head. when the heat shower water and steam mix with the leaves, it activates their natural oils and creates a refreshing smell. 

this is also great for if you feel stuffed up from a cold and want to wake up those nasal passages! simple. easy and green.

#AuthenticLiving – Natural Summer Toner

image via

the summer season is the one time of year that can sometimes play havoc on my oily sensitive skin, so having a good toner on hand can be very helpful in my experience. because of my recent healthier natural living overhaul, i'm more particular now that much of what i put on my skin should be from natural sources. in fact, i believe that some of the best items can be made a home like this simple skin toner.

All natural Skin Toner & Cleanser

• 1/4 cup witch hazel
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 5 drops of essential oil (i like using a spearmint, lavender or lemon in the summer)

mix all the ingredients together and store in a glass container in a cool dark space. for best use i recommend using it a few minutes after face washing. you can also consider storing the mixture in a small spray bottle in the fridge to mist on face throughout the day to help cool you down during the summer. 

*Helpful Hint - Apple Cider Vinegar offers great health benefits. i even take a Tsp a day in the morning to help with good digestion and improve my skin from the inside out!

Rebels Refinery - Gifts for Guys

images are from here, here, here. owners portraits from here, by Jamie Morren.  products shown are –  "Wealth of a Man" Black Soap Bar, Clear Skin Cleanswer & Moisturizer, Rehab Roller Under Eye Treatment, Skull Lip Balm. 

i initially wasn't going to post yet another gift guide for the upcoming father's day, since the whole world seems to be doing it already, but what i am going to do is promote a kick-a** company, selling some kick-a** products for men ... oh and did i mention they are Canadian? yup. because they are, eh.  Rebels Refinery is a company created by three best buds born out of an interest on how to take better care of themselves and their skin. men and women alike can appreciate the horror of waking up to a new laugh line. but what these boys couldn't find was a manly line of natural skin care products that actually appealed to ... men. something our guys could leave out on the counters and not feel ashamed of when their pals came over. something for men, by men. makes sense to us ladies! so hence came some serious research, creative design, exceptionally creative low-budget online marketing and voila - Rebels Refinery is born. as they state "most of our products are 97% natural/ 90% organic and pure gold." and for those who love the show, they also appeared in an episode of Dragon's Den!  

these guys have created decently priced products for any man, that smell great and look good. so much so that even the ladies will love it. simple genius. you can shop in store, or shop online, just visit  http://rebelsrefinery.com

oh. and did we mention that they give just over 2% of sales to Prostate Cancer Canada? these guys are just dang awesome.
so, let's hear it for the boys. 

                                  you can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram too.

The Preserving Book

this weekend i tackled my serious canning checklist. i think i'm now totally addicted to making this a fall ritual. maybe it's because it really is easy to do (keep in mind this was my first attempt this year) or maybe it is because of the sense of accomplishment you feel seeing a line of jars growing that all look so yummy. i should also mentioned that it can be an eco- and economically-friendly option as well. either way i encourage you to get on this bandwagon. i do apologize in advance that  some of you may get sick of all the canning recipes i do plan post, but I also promise to share any cookbook reviews (like this one below) i have found helpful, tips, tools and any other useful bits of information/links on what to do with what you can canned. now... let us drool over the images of this fig & apple jam

I tried this Fig & Apple recipe from The Preserving Book by Lynda Brown and already know it's going to one i make every year.  I've had the book for some time just didn't have the space until i moved into our new home to really get down and dirty with it. This book has some great overall recipes that are very easy for anyone starting out. I clearly offers a well laid out guide to what you will need to get started with great visual aids to show you what the tools look like. I also offers very useful tips and suggestion at the start of the book, and then further breaks down into easy to follow chapters such as jams, jelly, veggies in oil, sauces and yes even beer making. The recipes are simple to read and follow and most have very pretty pictures, which being new to anything cooking related I always find helpful as a guide towards what you are aiming to end up with. Lynda Brown also highlights other alternatives to effective preserving of vegetables for winter and herbs outside of canning. I highly recommend this book as great starting point for anyone looking to give preserving a try and/or is not 100% comfortable yet at trying out their own flavour combinations.  To view more about the book or to order it you can click here!

what to make - need an idea on what to make with fig apple jam, try this Fig & Cheese Crostini recipe from FoodieCrush

helpful hints - if i were to make this again i would peel the thick skin off the figs. i know many recipes will tell you to leave it but i would suggest removing it to avoid removing any skin clumps when eating it later on.  i might also try adding in a splash of bourbon for an extra flavour instead of cinnamon, or adding a clove into the mix but pulling it out before the final canning steps.

Infused Water

after the honeymoon my body needed a serious detox from the overload of italian pizza, pasta & wine. for the past two months i've been seriously focused on clean eating as well as eating locally. along with that i've decided to ensure that i'm drinking more water on a daily basis, in an effort to kept my body well hydrated and clean out the organs on a more regular basis. i've never been a huge water drinker. i can easily down about 3 glasses in a day, and then i'm typically done. after those 3 glasses the water starts to taste yucky and creates a strange taste in my mouth, don't ask me why.  so to try and get past this i've created combinations for infused water. in my daily routine in the morning i'll fill a small ziplock that I keep in my purse, with a few ingredients from my fridge or garden to create natural infused water. when i get to work i'll dump those ingredients into a glass, muddle/mash them around, fill with water and ice, shoot in a straw and carry that around with me all day. this routine has changed my life. I'm easily now downing 8-9 glasses of water a day and the infused water is filled with tons of natural flavours and nutrients. here are three combinations that are my absolute favourite by far

 
1. organic honey & rosemary
2. strawberry & basil
3. lemon & ginger

**a few other ideas would be, watermelon & mint, blueberry & lime, cucumber & apple!
 

The Broom Company

photo credit all goes to the shop: www.broomcompany.com

Because I've traveled a fair amount for business and personal exploration, I tend to try and look for something/someplace unique to visit on each trip. I figure that with the opportunity to travel comes the chance to taste something new, experience something new, or locate some very unique artisan shop and share it. Two years ago, before I started this blog, my work took me to Vancouver. During that trip I managed to squeak a little free time to explore Stanley Park and Granville Island. For anyone who hasn't  visited Vancouver, BC I highly suggest it becomes a "must explore" on your travel list. It's by far one of the most beautiful natural cities in Canada, with a strong connection to native history and the arts. In roaming the island I stumbled across a place called Granville Island Broom Company. Let me just start by saying that I can't begin to express my love for this little artisan shop...

Sister founders and owners, Mary and Sarah Schwieger, have created one of the more rare shops I've ever come across, transporting visitors back to a simpler time through the art of handwoven brooms. Upon entering the shop, you can do nothing but immediately take in the very soft wood smell and the immediate awe of old spindles and stacks of straw – not to mention the general allure and vast array of  brooms that decorate the walls in all shapes and sizes.  Folklore tells us that brooms have always been  a symbol of good luck around the world, sweeping away bad fortune and protecting against evil. Even the phrase “living over the brush” dates back to Europe in the 19th century when a couple would jump the broom to signify marriage if they could not afford a wedding. Some couples still incorporate the jumping of the broom in weddings today (and the shop does have beautiful marriage brooms) which history teaches us means that good luck and fortune will abound in their union.  There are also lengthy writings on broom superstitions which have gone on for centuries.

From cobwebbers, turkey wisks and scrub brushes, to good luck gifts for all occasions, you really can purchase practical household items that should last you a lifetime. This weekend I was fortunate to find myself back in Vancouver on business. Who knows, maybe it's just my love affair with the fall  and the fact that I'm always in BC during this season, that I've come to find myself so enamored with this little shop ... but I don't think so. Maybe it's the sister owners with their spark for conversation and true passion for this handmade craft ... but again I don't think so either. In fact, I know that the real reason I just can't get enough of this place is that in a time of mass production and product overload,  it's the magic of a truly rare find (like these) and the idea of simpler times that just keeps drawing me back. (www.broomcompany.com)

A Watermelon Keg

Full photo credit and idea comes from: http://prudentbaby.com/2012/06/entertaining-food/how-to-make-a-watermelon-keg-and-agua-fresca-too/

Sometimes you come across an idea that makes you literally fall off your chair, and this one is one of them. The second I saw this concept I had to share it, and immediately started to pen down other large fruits, and even some vegetables, to try. The possibilities appear to be endless. With that being said, full credit for this entire post goes to the lovely ladies of the Prudent Baby blog. Even the photos used are entirely theirs (I just added my own captions on top). With the Canada Day long weekend approaching most why not plan a little backyard party just to test out and throw this delicious idea into the mix. Wow your guests and play around with different drink mixes that work with the watermelon flavour. It even makes an interesting party table decor should you need to bring the good times indoors for any reason. For a full step-by-step how-to of this project visit the Prudent Baby Watermelon Keg post. If anyone does try this, please post a comment or share a photo!

The Dirty Dozen

It's farmer's market time in the city and typically for me that means not buying produce from my regular grocer for the next few months. I love this time of year for all the shopping in the sun, chatting with local farmers and enjoying real fresh off the farm flavours. There are so many benefits to eating local and organic foods plucked straight from the farm. Fresh items that you know weren't sitting in boxes for days, shipped across the globe, man handled once again, and where you know that no real harsh pesticides and chemical fertilizers were used. It's getting back to basics. So, what is the best to buy at these pop up markets? 

Use this handy illustration guide, created by designer Heidi Kenny of My Paper Crane, to help you. The sad looking foods are referred to as "the dirty dozen", which means they are the fruits and vegetables most likely to hold residue from pesticides (if used), so try and always buy these at the organic market where they focus on no chemicals during the growing season. The happy looking ones are the low pesticide foods that you can worry less about buying from your local grocer. Ever also wonder what time of year you should be buying certain fruits? 

Well, worry no more. This very modern style calendar by Chasing Delicious, was designed to help with that. It also belongs as part of a print series including seasonable vegetables and herbs. Not only useful for food planning, but what a stunning print to purchase, frame and hang in a kitchen as art.