Category: Health & Beauty

1. Let the light in
2. Embrace nature
3. Seek help

4. Stay Cozy

-Avoid being cold; it contributes to increased winter blues
-Enjoy warm beverages
-Dress properly for winter conditions
-Optimal home temperature is between 18C to 21C

5. Let’s Get Physical

-An hour a day is ideal but ultimately MOVE your body a little bit each day; you don’t have to go to the gym! Walk, stretch, a quick workout from a free fitness app!

6. Socialize

-As much as you may not want to engage with people while in your funk; it is very important to make deliberate connections with others!
-Schedule “phone dates” or Google Meet or Facetime with friends who live far
-Accept invites to events (even if you only attend part of the event)

1. Let the Light In

-Keep curtains open as much as possible
-Trade harsh lighting for more natural lighting around the home
-Rearrange seating in your rooms so you are closer to windows

2. Embrace Nature

-Go out as much as possible; even if only for a quick 10 minutes on a break

3. Seek Help

-Never brush aside changes in your mood!
-Explore the mental health options available to you through your place of employment and community

Having bid 2022 a long overdue “adieu,” I spent some time thinking about what I want 2023 to be. Every year I tell myself that “this is my year, this is the year I’m going to get started.” Started on what?, I am not sure. 2022 was another tough year, the heartbreak often overshadowed the incredible moments. I lost momentum a lot in 2022; it seemed like the second I dusted myself off, something else hit me hard. Two steps forward, one step back. Most resolutions are abandoned by February, so I am not going to make any. Instead, each month I am going to set a series of THREE different challenges or goals. 

January 2023: Health

1. Move My Body
–Daily Sit-Ups

2. Cleanse
–Increase water intake

3. Smart Eating
–Decrease snack food

Wishing you all the best in 2023!

One way to stay cool is wear your hair up! I found an easy tutorial to share with you for medium hair.

Sun’s out guns out! Well, not just guns… legs, neck, face, back, etc! I have a nasty sunburn. The colour for the summer apparently is lobster red, UGH! I hope no one else is in the same boat, but in case you are; I am here to help! 

My go-to treatment routine…

1. Advil to the rescue for pain relief

2. Pat down the affected areas with a cool damp (non-scratchy) towel

3. Lotion up with Aloe Vera from Seven Minerals; I love this because it doesn’t have benzocaine in it

4. Stay hydrated! DRINK LOTS OF WATER!

5. As tempting as it may be to pop blisters! Hopefully your burn isn’t that bad, but if it is DO NOT POP THE BLISTERS!

6. As your burn heals, your skin peels (and you may feel like a snake shedding it’s skin); this doesn’t mean that your treatment plan is over. Continue to moisturize! I highly recommend Burt’s Bees Aloe & Coconut After Sun Soother

7. If you are like me and you struggle to NOT itch; take an anti-histamine like Benadryl; I have also found that Polysporin (hydrocortisone cream) is also helpful at this point

8. While you are healing make sure you cover up your skin when outside!

9. Learn your lesson! Apply sunscreen, I suggest Aveeno

*Obviously burns are SERIOUS business! When in doubt, always consult your doctor!

According to the Canadian Dermatology Association… “Acne affects 5.6 million Canadians, nearly 20 percent of the population. And, women make up 75 percent of adult cases.” Personally, my acne is mild however, it has become more and more problematic as I age. I have spent many years trying out acne treatments. So far these are by far the best treatments out there; in my opinion. Obviously, I am NOT a dermatologist, merely one of 5.6 million.

1. The Eradikate Line by Kate Somerville
Of that line, I have used with great success the following products…
-Daily Foaming Cleanser
-Anti Bac Lotion
-Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
-Oil Free Moisturizer
-D-Scar Diminishing Serum
-Acne Treatment with 10% Sulfur

2. The Acne-Prone Skin Line by Consonant Skin + Care
Of that line, I have used with great success the following products…
-Natural Foaming Face Wash
-Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum
-Balancing Face Cream
-DHE Mask

3. The Clean, Calm and Clear Acne Treatment Line by Philosophy
Of that line, I have used with great success the following products…
-Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Cleanser
-Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Moisturizer
-Clear Days Ahead Overnight Repair Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Pads
-Clear Days Ahead Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment

Not everyone has a tub or time for a rejuvenating soak; which is what makes shower bombs or shower steamers or shower melts super appealing. They are perfect for a pick-me-up in the morning before work or a long relaxing shower after a stressful and weary week. The essential oils released transform your mood! They are part of my morning and evening routines!

By far the best ones are…

1. Munday-Friday Shower Melts
   These come in a pack of five blends…
   a) Be Calm (lavender, citrus and floral ylang-ylang)
   b) Get Grounded (sandalwood and patchouli)
   c) Energize (peppermint, lemongrass, blood orange)
   d) Deep Breath (eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, lavender)
   e) Wake Up (coffee and sandalwood)
   
2. Musee Shower Steamers
   Available in: Eucalyptus & Mint or Champagne & Rose or Lavender & Lime or Sea Salt & Grapefruit
   
3. Inbria Shower Bombs
   This variety pack features single scents rather than blends; including: Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Lavender, Green Apple, Cool Mint, Vanilla, Grapefruit, Rose, Tea Tree Oil, Lemon and Chamomile.
   
4. Lush doesn’t have the variety of shower bond scents, however, their “fluffy lavender lathers,” “lemon alarm clock,” and “a berry good time” are great products.

I remember the first time that I had a facial and consultation with a “beauty expert” when I was a teenager. My use of quotes is merely because that was the title used by the spa; it is not meant to be patronizing. Anyways, he wrote up a “beauty regimen” for me and one of the “musts” or steps in the beauty regimen included the use of an exfoliator –I kid you not it was like using liquidifed sandpaper. For years I used it. But now of course we are being told to STOP! Because there is a new product on the scene: the ENZYME SCRUB. These are much gentler on the skin. These scrubs, made predominantly from plant or fruit enzymes, which then “unglue” rather than “scrape” the dead skin. Since March I have been testing out a few.

Here’s some of my favourites…

1. Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser
   

2. Wishful Yo Glo AHA & BHA Facial Enzyme Scrub 

3. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser

4. Josie Maran Pineapple Enzyme Pore Clearing Cleanser

5. Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder

For the majority of this year my fitness routine was centered around rehabilitation for my broken ankle. I am nearing the one year mark of my accident and feeling much stronger. I used to use the NTC app all the time; and I’m happy to say I am back on it.

My favourite workout lately is the Lower Body Build and Burn; and it goes a little something like this….

Knee Hugs (Alt)
Dynamic Hamstring Stretch (Alt)
Lateral Hip Openers (Alt)
Body Weight Squats
Reverse Lunges (Alt)
Frog Kicks (L)
Lateral Leg Raises (L)
Forward Hip Circles (L)
Backward Hip Circles (L)
Frog Kicks (R)
Lateral Leg Raises (R)
Forward Hip Circles (R)
Backward Hip Circles (R)
Hip Lifts
Dumbbell Split Squats (L)
Dumbbell Split Squats (R)
“Quick Feet/In & Out”
Goblet Squats
“Quick Feet/Forward & Back”
Dumbbell Deadlift
Airplanes (L) –this is a replacement exercise
Dumbbell Split Squats (L)
Dumbbell Split Squats (R)
“Quick Feet/In & Out”
Goblet Squats
“Quick Feet/Forward & Back”
Dumbbell Deadlifts
Airplanes (R)–this is a replacement exercise
Squat Pulse
Reverse Lunge (Alt)
Squat Pulse
Reverse Lunge (Alt)
Quad Stretch (Alt)
Figure 4 Stretch (L)
Figure 4 Stretch (R)
Lying Hamstring Stretch (L)
Lying Hamstring Stretch (R)