A few years ago, I was traveling across Portugal with a close friend. We went, we saw, we conquered. Being on vacation, beach bum status was in full swing, and our tanning competition was on like donkey kong. Whoever could come back from the trip looking dark AF would win. (Raise your hand if you're guilty). Every morning we would scout for the perfect spot: maximum sun exposure + proximity to water. On the flight home we compared shades of brown and olive skin tones, and even asked the flight ...
Achieving Mental Clarity + Putting Mindfulness into Practice
In the past I shared a post about a time in my life where I didn’t feel healthy. I was primarily referring to my physical health, my diet, and my general daily routines. In the post I talked about cleansing my life of toxins and negative energy from relationships that left me feeling drained. Today though, I realize how little attention I was paying to my mental health, being present, and finding calm in a storm of constant adrenal stimulation. It was so easy, almost autonomous, for me to fall ...
Avocados from Mexico & the True Benefits of Plant-Based Fats
There are a number of people I know who equate the colder months of the year to "bulking season”. Whether or not the connection between the two is made intentionally, it is in fact, fact! I’ve read studies from Cornell and the Daily Mail UK that show men and women in North America and the UK tend to gain anywhere between 1.3 - 4.5 lbs during the winter season. Is it genetics? Or maybe our subconscious telling us to put on more weight to store for the winter? I can’t tell you that, but I do ...
10-Minute Chickpea Chilli Sin Carne Recipe (V, GF)
From previous blog posts and YouTube videos I’ve shared, I think it comes as no surprise to anyone that I. Love. Comfort food! And chilli is no exception! A traditional chilli uses ingredients like ground beef, kidney beans, beef broth, etc. But a key ingredient to any chilli recipe is good quality, finely chopped tomatoes. Recently Mutti Canada approached me to create a unique recipe featuring their Mutti Finely Chopped Tomatoes (Polpa). The catch, however, was to use five ingredients or ...
Are the Classes at Equinox Really Worth It? | *Honest Review*
For those of you who’ve been following my fitness journey closely from losing 100+ lbs, to running the Scotiabank Toronto full marathon, you’ll know that my health and fitness are my priorities numero uno. But after months of doing the same types of exercises at home, I decided my workout routine needed some spice. As you may know, earlier this year when my heartmate and I left our condo and moved into our home in Toronto, we lost the building amenities such as our gym, steam room, yoga ...
Three Holiday Entertaining Ideas for the Health Conscious Friends This Season
On the side of one of our kitchen cabinets is a sort of makeshift “chalkboard wall” if you will, that my heartmate and I built when we moved into our home earlier this year. We jot down some important information like “don’t forget to pay this bill by that date” or “organics disposals on Wednesday”. And, every so often with four tiny cuts of scotch tape, we hang up printable monthly calendars for the next upcoming months. This time, November & December. Oh boy. Holiday season is here, ...
Bridging the Gap Between Fine Dining + Sustainability | With Aeroplan
Last week I attended a dinner #WithAeroplan, whereby Aeroplan’s Diamond Status members were shown appreciation with an invite-only, exclusive access, four-course dinner in an unparalleled setting at Toronto’s Evergreen Brickworks. (Thank you again for having me, Aeroplan!) The evening featured passed hors-d’oeuvres, an open bar, long wedding-style harvest tables, and intimate vibes. String lights suspended above and an atmosphere conducive to great conversation. What more could ...
Vegan Pumpkin Soup Recipe | Pinterest-Worthy Fall Flavours
Ahhhh, the pumpkin. A symbol of autumn’s warm tones, halloween carvings, and festive fall flavours! Every year around this time, my body always goes through a soup craze! You may have noticed this in my recent Indian Spiced Lentil Soup Recipe! Give me lentils, give me vegetable broth, and in October, give me pumpkins! Earlier this week I headed to a local pumpkin patch here in Ontario, Canada, with a friend (and fellow blogger), Soheila of @soheilaonline. Together we helped ...
Professional Teeth Whitening At-Home | How To Do-It-Yourself
You may have seen in a recent post, I shared my full teeth-straightening experience with Invisalign. In there I talked about the full process, and whether or not I think Invisalign is worth it. Throughout the treatment, it’s really important to keep things super clean with a brushing and flossing session after every meal. Yes, EVERY meal. But in the end, after the one year process was all wrapped up, I was happy. And it was important for me to have my teeth properly whitened. [ See ...