health Tag Archives

You need it-Vichy Aqualia Thermal Boosting Essence Water

Written by meredith / News, Reviews / August 10, 2015

*I received this product for review*

To be perfectly honest, I have never known quite what to think about ‘essence’ products. Sure, I’ve seen them-in the many Asian beauty stores that I frequent….and they have always been suggested to me but I thought to myself, what does ‘ESSENCE’ do that my toner, serum, and moisturizer don’t already do?

Well. A lot.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Boosting Essence water is neither toner nor serum…..yes, you read that right.  IT IS NOT TONER, and IT IS NOT SERUM. so what is it exactly?  Well, to quote a fellow beauty blogger Sicilianna.…it’s more of a ‘pre-serum.’  This is something that you would use post cleanse, post toner, but pre-serum.  You know, like what I just said.  In my mind, serum is a product used to better prepare the skin to absorb moisturizer.  So a PRE-serum would be used to better prepare the skin to absorb serum in order to better prepare the skin to absorb moisturizer.  Confused yet?  Me too.  But it works.  Read on.  Please.

So what does it do?  Well let’s take a peek at this informative diagram from Vichy:

vichy aqualia thermal

(Click on photo to enlarge and see clearly please)

Texture

Thin but not exactly a ‘water’-definitely a liquid.   You do NOT need a lot and be CAREFUL when you dispense the product.  That’s a tip from me to you.  This product IS fragranced but not heavily.  I’d describe it as clean and fresh.

My results:

Dear readers & subscribers…I have oily skin (yes, as an ADULT).  Guess what? Oily skin still needs hydration….us oily skin types just don’t need it in the form of a heavy, thick cream.  This is a fantastic addition to my skincare routine!  I put it on post toner and BAM! Hydration.  I have found that my skin appears clearer and looks refreshed.  This product can be used with any skin-type.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Boosting Essence Water will set you back $29.95 CAD (Suggested retail). This product isn’t listed on the Vichy website (yet) but I have seen it in several Shoppers Drug Mart locations.  I’d recommend it for anyone looking for an instant boost of hydration.

Purina Pro Plan-Nutrition that Performs (and Max & Lola like it!)

Written by meredith / News / July 02, 2015

*I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to Purina Canada and the staff at PawsWay for the opportunity to improve and educate myself as a dog owner.  It meant a great deal to me and I appreciate all that you do*

IMG_1730*Photo credit-Ann Brokelman*-this is Max during one of his favorite activities…..running!

IMG_0981                    Lola, my little senior that could!

Gosh I don’t even know where to start here. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I have 2 dogs.  I’ve had Lola since 2006 and Max came along in 2012.  With Lola, I made a lot of common ‘mistakes’ in training and guiding her….and by that I mean I really didn’t discourage or encourage any behavior at all.  I figured as a rescue dog, she had been through enough.  When Max came into the picture, I was now a ‘we’ and WE both decided that we would try a different approach with Max and his training, nutrition and OUR education.

Enter Purina Canada and PawsWay in Toronto.  Max is a very active dog-and does very well during his training sessions….what I found going through them was that I was the one who needed training.  I learned so much over the 4 sessions (once a week) and we will be going back for more-Max is great at agility courses!

proplan

Because Max IS so active, he requires adequate nutrition.  Purina is proud to introduce some new dry formulas that really deliver.  Check out these stats:

  • 8 out of the last 8 Westminster Best in Show were fueled by Purina Pro Plan
  • The McCann Pro Plan Dog Stars have won 15 gold medals at agility world championships while being fueled by Purina Pro Plan
  • National Service Dogs (an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with special needs) have chosen Purina Pro Plan as the food to feed its Certified Dogs.

So what’s the difference with this nutrition-what’s the ‘performance’ angle?

  • Every ingredient is carefully chosen for a specific purpose
  • Purina is the first dry dog fod brand to use real meat as the #1 ingredient to help promote total body health.
  • Optimal protein to fat rations taileored to each dry formula help dogs maintain their ideal body condition.

There are 4 categories containing foods formulated for a dog’s taste preferences, age, dietary considerations and activity/lifestyle.

savor

Savor-Nutrition and Taste for everyday excellence

  • Real chicken, beef or lamb is the first ingredient in all dry formulas
  • High quality ingredients for great taste and nutrition
  • Available in a variety of wet and dry formulas.
  • Prebiotic fiber to help promote digestive health

focus

Focus-Specialized Nutrition for Unique Needs

  • Real chicken or lamb is the 1st ingredient in all dry formulas
  • Formulated with key nutrients to support specific needs based on life stage, life style or breed size.
  • Nutrient dense kibble in bite sized pieces

select

Select-Carefully formulated nutrition for skin & digestive health

  • Formulated without wheat, corn or soy
  • Easily digestible and easy on the digestive system.
  • ingredients such as rice, oat meal and whole grain barley which are easily digestible

sport

Sport-Fine-tuned nutrition to promote strength and endurance

  • Dogs are naturally great athletes and by improving their nutrition you can improve their athleticism
  • A dog’s main energy source comes from fat not carbs
  • A diet high in fat and protein will increase an active dog’s metabolism and his endurance
  • EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid and glucosamine help support joint health and mobility
  • Helps optimize oxygen metabolism for increased endurance.

So even though Max was going through the training, we have introduced Lola (our ‘senior’ dog) to the Purina Pro Plan dry kibble as well.  No complaints from either so far.  Both dogs have shiny coats, bright eyes and wet noses! Lola moves well after her 11 years on the earth and Max loves to run & play more than anything.  Just like humans, dogs need the best nutrition in order to be at their best and I can honestly say that Purina DOES deliver the best!

Check out Purina:

on the web

on twitter

on facebook

on instagram

What do you feed your dog?  Have you tried Purina Pro Plan?

 

 

Flash Giveaway….open to anyone who can get to Toronto!

Written by meredith / News / February 26, 2015

Hey all, if you are subscribed to yours truly this could be a huge opportunity for you!  I’m having a giveaway….and it’s beauty/skincare oriented!  Why am I doing this? Because I can!

Stay tuned to my twitter, facebook page, and instagram account…..like anyone of my ‘This giveaway starts NOW” and follow me on one account  or all 3 for your chance to win a gift card from one of my favorite Toronto spas-The Purebeauty Salon & Spa at Trump International Hotel and Tower.

PureBeauty-logo

The rules are simple:

1. This giveaway is going to run for 2 hours.  I’ll announce the winner on Saturday, February 28th and contact them.

2. Anyone over 18 can enter, but this spa is located in Toronto so if you can’t get here, I’d pass it by.

3. I’d appreciate a re-tweet or a favorite or a like if you could please.  After all, it IS a GIVEaway.

So what’s the prize then exactly?

Well, it is a gift card from aforementioned spa-and has a value of over $100 CAD!  Good times!

Here’s the spa menu in case you needed ANY more convincing:

spa menu

oh and before I end this post, check this photo out because the giveaway starts NOW! Head on over to my twitter, facebook, or instagram or ALL 3!

TTOR_Salon_Masthead

Being awesomer…..with Joy McCarthy

Written by meredith / News / February 13, 2014

In the spirit of trying to ‘be better’, I thought I’d share this book with you.  I actually know this woman and have been to several of her workshops/talks.  I’m sharing it with you because if you really want to make a change, this is a great place to start.  Should you not want to invest in the book, scroll down to the bottom of the post for website information, where Joy shares recipes and tips for better living.

joymccarthyFrom:amazon.ca

Joyous Health is a fresh new approach to eating that will change the way you think about food and what you eat, offering a simple and practical path to creating a healthy lifestyle. Holistic nutritionist Joy McCarthy, creator of the popular blog Joyous Health, explains how to eat and live joyously with amazing results, both inside and out:

• improved digestion
• increased energy and zest for life
• sleeping like a baby
• glowing skin and shiny hair
• balanced hormones
• weight loss and increased libido
• lowered blood pressure and cholesterol
• feeling fabulous every day
Joyous Health celebrates eating delicious, clean whole foods. Featuring beautiful color photography, the book contains 80 recipes with pure ingredients and tasty combinations, including Carrot Cake Smoothie, Coconut Flour Banana Pancakes, Thai Beet Soup, Curry Chicken Burgers and Double Chocolate Gluten-Free Cookies.
I personally love this book-and I’ve done a 10-day detox with Joy (online) that was fantastic.  While some of her suggestions are a bit extreme, I’ve found that starting slow and making small changes has made a big difference in how I feel physically AND mentally.
You can find Joy:
on her website

Review-Epic Blend Premium lip balm

Written by meredith / News, Reviews / December 05, 2013

*This post contains products sent for review.  I like to state that first out of respect for my readers. This doesn’t change my opinion of the products.*

Shameless plug:  I actually had a giveaway for an entire set of these lip balms that I first mentioned on my YouTube channel.  It’s closed now but just in case, you may want to check over there-I tend to give my subscribers a “heads-up” when the giveaways come around!

I have extremely dry lips. ALL. THE. TIME.  I’ll cut right to the chase when I tell you that this product is heaven-sent.

IMG_3502

Epic Blend uses natural ingredients without synthetics….which is a huge + for me. I hate hate HATE using petroleum based lip balm (and before you all slam me for using lipsticks, glosses with chemicals, hear me out).  I like to use the most moisturizing natural products the closest to my skin….this product is amazing to wear on its own when you’re out in the ‘weather’, or even as your base before you apply your other lip products.  It GLIDES on and the flavors are fun!

Epic has 3 different ‘categories’ of balms:

Hemp:  Organic Hemp Seed Oil is a great anti-oxidant, super nourishing and quickly absorbs deep into the skin cells.

More Moisture:  Seven moisturizers, including Organic Shea Butter come together to provide an extra kick of moisture plus a boost of staying power.

Vegan:  100% plant-based and beeswax-free.  Candelilla wax is used in these balms, giving them a smooth texture.

The formulas:

-Nutrient dense natural and organic ingredients that improve skin’s health

-Petroleum free, Gluten free and non GMO

-Not tested on animals

-Natural flavors

Sounds good to me, right?  I’ve been using these and loving them.  And so has my other half, who was a devout Carmex user…..and fyi, there is an unflavored version if you aren’t into all that.

Try these out-you won’t be disappointed in this *Epic* Canadian company (see what I did there?)

Find Epic Blend:

on the web

on facebook

on twitter

 

 

 

What a great way……to spend a Monday night! MissAvaCado at Tips Nail Bar and the benefits of avocados for beauty!

Written by meredith / News / October 28, 2013

Anyone who follows me on instagram knows that my nail game is TIGHT.  When Miss Sandy Avvari & Janine Falcon asked me if I’d like to learn more about avocado and beauty treatments, I was all over it!

I’m no stranger to Tips Nail Bar-but haven’t been since their recent (fairly) renovation.  Allow me to show you around briefly.

 

Tips Nail Bar

Tips Nail Bar

IMG_0587IMG_0586

Nice, eh (look I used a Canadian word!)?  Now, onto Miss Ava Cado:

Miss Ava Cado

Miss Ava Cado

I learned a lot about the benefits of using avocados in beauty treatments-specifically in a hand treatment. Here is the recipe for the treatment I received:

1/4 fully ripened avocado

1 egg white

2 tablespoons rolled oats (highly absorbtive)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

In shallow bowl, mash avocado until smooth. Add egg white, oats, and lemon juice.   Massage into hands, leave on for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water.

So, I must say that this not only leaves my hands super soft, but that it brightens them….must be the lemon juice!  I highly recommend it.

After the avocado hand treatment

After the avocado hand treatment

There’s also a recipe for a hair mask (which I didn’t get but I’m up for trying this weekend).  If the hair mask works even half as well as the hand treatment, I am SOLD.

1 full ripened avocado

1 egg yolk (tip: do the hand treatment and the hair mask on the same day!)

1/2 teaspoon olive oil (I’m probably going to try argan oil)

Directions:

In shallow bowl, mash avocado until smooth.  Add egg yolk and oil, stir until combined. Divide hair into sections, apply mixture to hair by massaging into each section, concentrating on ends.  Allow to penetrate 30 minutes, rinse with warm water.

And why stop there?  How about some Face masks with avocado?

Add avocado to yogurt, honey to make a moisturizing mask.  Add lemon juice and egg white to avocado for a mask to balance oily skin!

Of course, avocados are yummy to eat as well:

avacado snacks!

avacado snacks!

Although it may not be ‘new’ news, don’t overlook avocados when it comes to beauty!!

For  more information on beauty with avocado & food recipes:  www.missavacado.ca

 

Thank you to Tips Nail Bar , Janine Falcon, and Sandy Avvari for inviting me!

 

Such a pretty fat….the update and response to ‘resolutioners’

Written by meredith / News / January 02, 2013

I’ve seen a lot of resolution YouTube videos and blog posts lately….and to be honest, I have to laugh and/or shake my head.   I’m not sure what it is about the beginning of the year that deceives people into believing things like:

-2 protein shakes a day is all you need to lose a ton of weight and be healthy even though you have been sitting on the couch and surfing the internet for most of your adult life.

-if you exercise and join a gym after not moving your body for 20+ years, you will look awesome and be in ‘bathing suit’ shape for summer.

Now, don’t get me wrong….being inspired to finally respect your body is admirable but what’s different about this year?   What about the ‘big’ (no pun intended) picture?  Are you sure you will hang tough and put in the effort?

So while everyone else is resolution-ing to do this or that, I thought I would update you all on my status since I wrote this blog post.

Briefly ( if you don’t care to read the prior post),  I have struggled with my weight almost my entire life.   I’ve never been one to blame a fat ‘gene’ but I do believe that my body fights me with a vengeance when I try to stay healthy and/or lose weight, get fit, etc.

check out the gut on the girl in plaid….yup, that was me.

 

Fat and a bad haircut? Yup, that was high school….

Finally, at the end of 2006 I decided enough was enough.  So I did this…it only took me about a year and it was the longest year of my life.

So how have I been doing since that post?  Well, I’ve certainly have had my ups and downs but lately I’ve been on the up and up.  Check out some photos from the past several months:

Downs:

 

At my brother in laws wedding-looking a bit ‘full’-that dress didn’t help either.

Hiding in the back at a Beauty Blogger event….behind the girl in blue

Ups:

At a L’Oreal event after some ‘shaping up’ on my part.

Getting ready for an event…..not too shabby!

 

A holiday party dress-maintaining so far….

 

My company’s holiday party December 2012

 

Now…while that IS more ups than downs, I still had some rather “pudgy” moments in 2012.  So what am I going to do this year to make sure I stay on the up and up?

–drinking as much water as I can throughout the day: I have found this to be super duper helpful-especially when I have an event where I’ve had a glass of wine or an appetizer or thirty.  Flush it out!  I also begin my day with lemon water-that really gets me going!

–moving my body EVERYDAY (besides the walking during the workday).  Making a conscious effort to move with a purpose outside of my daily routine is super helpful:  maintaining lean muscle, keeping myself flexible, staving off those ‘threw my back out’ type injuries.  I have a bike that goes up onto a trainer, adjustable dumbbells and plenty of workout DVD’s to keep me busy!

–keep myself accountable-I achieve this with my Nike Fuel Band (love this thing) and several apps on my iPhone.  I am also doing a detox program with joyous health this month AND following @SarahDussault.  I may even try DietBet.  Nothing like seeing it in print and putting some money behind my goals.  Why talk the talk and not walk the walk?

–being conscious of what goes into my mouth: this is critical for me.  I keep it interesting with a mix of protein, fat, and fibrous carbs (read: vegetables.  Vegetables are carbs people…and slow burning carbs at that.  The best kind, if you ask me).  Nutrition is 80% of my maintenance plan and I’ve found over the years that my body is incredibly sensitive to items high in sugar, preservatives, alcohol, or any foods that contain gluten.  So basically everything that tastes “good” is pretty much off limits to me. Does that mean that I will never have any sweets, breads, pastas? No, but it will have to be a pretty darn special occasion because I know that it sends me into a tailspin when I ingest that stuff.

Now, I don’t know what challenges/obstacles the year ahead brings me.  But I do know that I am going to work my hardest to be healthy and happy during 2013.

To you resolutioners….I urge you to take a good, hard look at what you’re doing-ESPECIALLY if you are making your resolution public via YouTube or a blog somewhere.  It takes a lot more than your resolutions-it requires effort, dedication, willpower, and determination.  But you owe it to yourself to treat your one and only God-given body the absolute best that you can.   After all if you can’t take care of yourself, how will you be an inspiration to others?

 

All the best in 2013.