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Eric Ward

As of late June, 2018, Canada has reached the official halfway mark towards becoming a cruelty-free cosmetics marketplace. Bill S-214, the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, has received an endorsement from Senate and is now on its way to the House of Commons. If the bill is passed, the act will ban the testing of domestic animals for cosmetic purposes and the sale of any new cosmetics that have undergone new animal testing after the bill becomes law.

While we are extremely pleased to see this (finally) come to play, it is important for the conscientious consumer to remember that should the bill pass and become law, we still have the buying power to boycott brands that choose to conduct animal testing in other markets

For example, any large brand that you love and support and buy in Canada could still be selling their product in China, where their product has to undergo animal testing due to government requirements. Case in point, in a controversial move last year NARS started animal testing so they could sell in China. Regardless of whether a brand conducts in-house animal testing or contracts the animal testing out to a third party in order to be sold in China, their cosmetics are being tested on animals in a cruel fashion for capital gain.

Therefore, by purchasing NARS in Canada, where their products must be cruelty-free by law, one is supporting their acts of cruelty on animals. Other brands that are still conducing animal testing in order to be sold in China include Revlon, Estee Lauder, L’Oreal, Johnson&Johnson, and more. By purchasing these products in Canada, we are essentially ok-ing practices in other markets.

We are 100% proud and supportive of B S-214 and all the immense efforts that have gone into getting it to the House of Commons. Canada is setting an example for other cosmetic markets and joining the likes of Norway, Europe, Israel and India that has banned animal testing completely. We do however want consumers to remain conscious about how powerful their wallets are. With many amazing independent brands having adapted cruelty-free ethos from the start and becoming only more accessible, there’s no better time than now to clean up your beauty routine and positively impact the planet and the lives of our little animal friends, even those in other countries.

averie woodard

When it comes to tapping into our spiritual side, it can often be viewed as an intimidating process, or at least a very serious one. And while finding alignment with our inner being is certainly a powerful and serious affair, it must be remembered that the entire point of finding that spiritual connection is finding our capacity for the greatest joy.

As the Law of Attraction tells us, it isn’t until we are truly happy that happiness will become abundant in our lives. For those who are looking to dabble in the world of wellness and woo-woo, we wholeheartedly suggest making your first foray into the space as fun and joyous as possible.

We’ve curated a bundle of our favourite ways to bring spirituality AND smiles into our journey for alignment.

That’s So Retrograde Podcast

Hosted by besties Stephanie Simbari and Elizabeth Kott, this is more than just a witty take on the woo-woo space. These girls get into it, interviewing shamans, astrologists, meditation experts, comedians, and experts in health and wellness, all with a highly relevant pop culture spin. If you’re looking to understand a bit more about the moon and the stars and the newest trends from wellness-mecca, LA, then this is the podcast for you. The ladies are hilarious and offer a refreshingly light-hearted take on the universe and all its beautiful complexities. Check out more here.

Do Arts and Crafts

Some of the most powerful activities in our spiritual journeys involve (biodegradable) glitter and glue. Vision boarding, for example, is one of the funnest ways to get your inner being’s most powerful desires and intentions out in front of you in an exciting and creative way. You can even invite your friends and make a party out of it. All you need is some old magazines (great way to up-cycle), bristol board and glue and get going. Allow the pictures to speak to you. Cut them out and collage.

Other fun activities include bullet journaling your spiritual intentions, sketching, and painting.

Image: Estee Janssens

The Kawaii Tarot Ap

Filed in things we’re kind of obsessed about, the Kawaii Tarot app is the cutest way to get a tarot reading in a pinch. Perfect for tarot newbies who are looking to understand the intricacies behind the practice.

Tossing Things Out

Ok, this may sound like a chore, but there is nothing funner than tossing out that which no longer serves you. It is one of the easiest ways to generate a sense of instant gratification and an appreciation for a visual change. Everything like old clothes, old beauty products and bits and bobs that are weighing you down; get rid of them! Let your inner being guide you to know what you truly do not need in your life anymore as you make room for all that is fresh and new, both physically and mentally.

We must make space for the things we want in life, whether it is physical or spiritual abundance we’re after. Remember, the things we own have their own energies and frequencies. If you’re holding on to something, even something as simple as clothes you no longer wear, it is possible your spiritual frequencies are connecting with the past and creating potential roadblocks for the future abundance you wish you draw into your life.

Once you do old items toss out (or donate or recycle), make sure to give your space a once over with palo santo to reset the energy in your home or office (very important).

Image: Averie Woodard

Traveling 

Next time you’re travelling, take time out to understand a bit more about the spiritual practices of the people who live in the country you are visiting. Often times, the wholeness of our spiritual selves is compiled with the elements we resonate with from other cultures, including the people and practices we have encountered. And there is nothing more eye-opening than being immersed in the culture of another country. Take everything in, listen, observe and appreciate the values of the people around you.

Aside from the people around you, it is vital for our spiritual selves to take advantage of being in a new place as a means of gaining insight on who we are and who we want to be when we are back at home. Travel often comes with the gift of being our most authentic selves so regardless of whether you are travelling with your partner or a group of friends, ensure you have some quiet reflection time to appreciate the present moment, acknowledge your feelings and recognize what about the traveller within you you would like to bring home.

Image: Joshua Earle

Go To an Event 

Gathering with likeminded people, even those who may be a bit more advanced in their journeys, is one of the most amazing ways to feel connected, aligned and as though you are on the right path. It can be anything as simple as a creative learning workshop, a full moon gathering, a wellness talk or even a yoga + beer class (they’re super awesome). Anytime you step out of your daily routine and move towards a new space, you are showing the universe you are open to growing, learning and transforming. Plus, it’s a great and productive way to shake up another night of Netflix.

Check out Eventbrite and our own event section, where we curate amazing, welcoming experiences.

Image: Geert Pieters

Remember, above all, if something doesn’t make you happy, your inner being is totally not into it. When we feel good, we are best positioned to make the powerful and transformational shifts we desire to grow full and completely into our spiritual selves.

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John Gibbons

For those who are very in tune with the planets and find themselves to be affected by natural and universal shifts, you may find yourself stepping into this Summer Solstice with an unexpected lump of emotion in your throat. Not only are we at a halfway point of the year, a time when we are meant to take stock of the past six months of our work, accomplishments, losses and spiritual growth, we are also at a critical period when we should be looking forward to the six months ahead, visualizing our next steps, setting our intentions, all while letting go of that which no longer serves us.

It’s a lot of pressure.

To top it off, this Summer Solstice happens on the exact same day when the sun moves into Cancer, which can characteristically be an emotional time. In addition to being the most emotional of all astrological signs, Cancer is also ruled by the moon, the ruler of all our feelings. So we have a trifecta of emotional turbulence running currents through our small human bodies.

So while we encourage acknowledging and honouring our tendency towards ups and downs, passionate outbursts, powerful tides of love and sincere vulnerability to heartbreak and disappointment, we do not view Cancer season as a time of weakness. To the contrary, the season of Cancer gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our hardshell strengths in the face of adversity, while embracing the opportunity to balance our masculine sun energy through the Summer Solstice with our feminine ties to the moon.

So How Do I Do That? 

Ritual. Ritual is everything when we are working with our universal connections. Rituals do not need to be anything extensive, that you’re not familiar with, they can be subdued, mindful moments of acknowledgment and self-love.

Here’s a couple ways to implement ritual this Summer Solstice:

Honour Your Work

Take 5 to 10 minutes and write down what you have accomplished over the past six months. Read your list as many times as you need to over the next few days to let acknowledgement of your accomplishments resonate within your soul. Further to that, write down what you want to let go, what hasn’t worked out and give yourself acknowledgement for trying. And then, tell yourself that everything that didn’t work out, or that no longer serves you is something you will not be taking into the next 6 months of the year with you. Let. It. Go. 

Smudge Your Space

Start the next six months off with a clean energy slate. Smudge your workspace, closets, and home with sage or palo santo. Clear old energy and make room for new positive frequencies.

Use Citrine

Said to embrace the energy of the sun, Citrine is one of the most powerful stones to use for stimulating passion, strength and the power of manifestation. Citrine is connected your Sacral and Solar Plexus chakras where our feelings of personal power, will and determination are found, as well as our capacity for abundance and joy.

Keep Citrine close to you over the next few days. Hold it in your hand while you meditate or visualize the next six months to come.

Self-Care with Meditation

This is a beautiful ritual that ideally we would make time for everyday. Take an hour to your self  and do something that is only and completely for you. Whether it’s yoga, a bike ride, a run, a salt scrub, drink a warm calming wellness tea afterwards. Then settle into a meditative state for about 10 minutes or more if you can. Clear your mind in preparation for what is right around the corner, while practicing tools to help deal with any Cancer-induced emotional tides.

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Clique Images

What does it actually mean to detox? How important is it to detox and is the only way to do it by starving ourselves with a 5 day juice cleanse once a month? Because, between you and us, we’re super over that practice. The term “detox” gets thrown around quite a bit and we wanted to get the full story, once and for all. Because we’re super down to eliminate toxins from our bodies, but would love to know what that actually means.

We spoke with one of our favourite “Healers of Humans”, Dr. Erica Grenci on the topic of detoxification and her tips for how we can incorporate the practice of detox throughout the summer and in our daily lives.

BACKGROUND

Quick background; education, training and what brought you to start your own clinic?

My background all began with a passion for health and learning how to become the most vibrant version of myself. After university, I entered the 4-year Naturopathic Medical program at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine which gave me a strong foundation in both clinical medicine and natural healing modalities. From there I branched outward into learning more about my favorite modalities and so I’ve pursued my masters in herbalism, certification in regenerative detoxification (by the incredible Dr. Morse!), advanced training in homeopathy, certification in facial rejuvenation acupuncture, bio-electric cranio-sacral therapy, reiki, and yoga. I believe that healing occurs on all levels – physically, emotionally, and energetically, and so I sought out tools to bring about this balance in all its forms.

With immense gratitude in my journey of gathering this knowledge and experience, I yearned to start giving back. So just this May 2018 I opened my clinic at Keele and Dundas St. West.

WHAT IS A DETOX?

There is a lot of “detox” advice floating around out there. Can you explain a bit about what it means to detox and what the benefits are?

Detoxing is integral to living – what comes in, must come out! Especially since we live in a world where it’s impossible to escape environmental pollutants, it’s essential to assist the body’s natural cleansing mechanism so it doesn’t become overburdened and stressed. Your body does a fantastic job on its own, however, combined with unhealthy living practices it may well need a boost. When the body is overburdened we begin to see lots of fatigue, mental fogginess, afternoon crashes, poor skin health, headaches, digestive issues, hormone imbalances, and more. Essentially these are all signals that the body is sending for our attention that something is amiss. If we suppress them (i.e. with pharmaceutical medication) it does not correct the root of the issue but instead places a temporary band aid. Why do this when we can dig a little deeper and nourish the body’s ailments from within? This is detoxing and it’s benefits include balancing the body so that it may heal itself – the most powerful form of medicine.

Essentially, detoxing supports the body in all its eliminative capacities. This is through the bowels, kidneys, lungs, and skin, as well as the supportive organs such as liver/gall bladder. Often as well, other organs need to be supported if there are any imbalances – for example, the pancreas may need some love if there are any digestive issues at hand, the parathyroid should be considered if there is a lack of calcium utilization (i.e. depression, varicose veins, easy bruising), the adrenal glands if there is a lack of energy or appropriate sugar metabolism, and even the pituitary gland if there are menstrual issues or hormonal imbalances, etc. The body is an intricately beautiful symphony of life!

In practice, detoxing includes dietary modifications (choosing the right foods to strengthen and cleanse your system), lifestyle practices (a targeted exercise regimen, self-care tools), herbal/botanical medicine (i.e. milk thistle for your liver, poke root for your lymphatic system, juniper for your kidneys), and supportive habits (i.e. meditation, deep breathing, positive thoughts).

DO WE NEED TO JUICE CLEANSE?

For those of us who are over the “juice cleanse” and fasting, are they easier, more nutritional ways to detox?  If so, how often should we be doing them?

Mmmmm, simply add more fruit to your diet! Fruits are very special and the highest food form of choice for detoxing because they are self-cleansing, alkaline, astringent, and carry the highest electrical vibration of all the foods (12,000 angstroms in raw fruit vs 9,000 angstroms in raw vegetables vs. 1000 angstroms in cooked vegetables vs. 0 in meat). Fruits are absorbed the quickest by the body (under 30 minutes) and don’t require the digestive energy it takes to process other foods. Therefore, your body can utilize this energy to repair itself instead of always being in digestive mode. As well, the astringent factor of fruits work to pull out toxins from the interstitial fluid of our cells – whereas no other food can do this for us? This is a practice you can easily incorporate into your daily routine. I always tell my patients to start their day with a tall glass of freshly squeezed lemon water and keep their first meal only fruit to take advantage of these benefits. My favorite detox fruits are: red grapes, blackberries, lemons, and watermelon.

SIMPLE SUMMER DETOX PRACTICES 

What are some simple daily practices we can incorporate this summer to ensure our bodies are detoxing on a more regular basis?

Dry Brushing

There are so many wonderful and easy practices to assist your body’s natural cleansing process. For one, I absolutely love dry brushing (aka lymphatic brushing) – this is a natural bristle brush that is massaged onto dry skin in circular movements along the lymphatic channels. By stimulating your skin in this way, lymphatic flow is also stirred and so is the movement of toxins. This simple method even improves circulation and leaves your skin exfoliated and glowing! I use the Province Apothecary Face Brush and the Saje Body Brush to cover my entire body.

Gua Sha

Another tool I absolutely love to use on my face & body is called a “Gua Sha”. It’s used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to reduce inflammation and promote healing and this is credited to the fact that it’s excellent for moving lymph and toxins, while enhancing circulation and blood flow. Even more, it’s often used as an anti-aging tool on the face since it’s stimulating action also increases collagen production. Simply glide the tool with firm pressure in the direction of the arrows over your face until you create redness (best to do this in the evening before bed! This can be a daily practice.)

Photo credit: Pinterest

Herbal Regimen/Teas

Another daily practice for detoxing is using a customized herbal regimen. Herbs are fantastic because they are targeted to specific organs and body systems to tonify, cleanse, and maximize their function. These are programs I create in office on an individual basis, however, there are also detox herbal teas I created which are an excellent and gentle way to get you started. I alternate the Detox Passport herbal teas daily or whenever I feel a bit sluggish and could use a boost. I also love drinking the liver tea after I’ve had a night out of celebratory fun 😉

Smudging

This ancient spiritual practice has a tremendous cleansing effect. There are multiple levels of cleansing and often it’s easy to forget about the energetic aspects of it all. Smudging with sage or palo santo for example, is an excellent way to clear the air of any negative energies and intentions, help to remove blockages, while also providing a renewed sense of energy.

Rebounding

Something else that really gets the lymph flowing is rebounding! Keep in mind that your heart pumps your blood to circulate your body, but your lymph requires the movement of your muscles to get around. In fact, something as fun and simple as jumping on a trampoline can increase your lymphatic flow and drainage up to 20 times its normal rate! Combined with a regular exercise routine, this will support your body to rid itself of the accumulated bacteria, toxic waste, trapped fat globules, and cell sewage.

What products do you recommend for this and how (and how often) should we use them?

Province Apothecary Face Brush – I use this x3-4/week

Saje Body Brush – I use this x3-4/week

Gua Sha – Daily in the evening

Detox Passport Tea (Colon, Lymph & Blood, Liver/Gallbladder, Kidneys) – I alternate these teas daily (I love the kidney and lymph ones the best!)

Sage Bundle – I do this daily for renewed energy or whenever I feel the energy is a bit stagnant in the air.

Mini Trampoline (aka Rebounder) – A few times/week.

Click on the images below to find out where to purchase Erica’s detox picks.

Facial Dry Brush

Store Link

Dry Brush

Store Link

Gua Sha

Store Link

Detox Passport Tea

Store Link

Sage Bundle

Store Link

Mini Trampoline

Store Link

For more information on Dr. Erica Grenci, please visit her website. For online bookings, please visit: https://drericagrenci.janeapp.com/ To follow on social: Instagram| Facebook | YouTube

Puk Khantho

As much as we’d love to take full credit for these bits of dairy-free brilliance, we have to give credit where credit’s due. The first recipe is from Popsugar and the other two are our inspired creations when we realized that ice cream can serve a guilt-free dose of health benefits.  Whether you’re looking to simply chill out or surprise your friends with something sweet, delightful and healthy (in moderation) these three vegan ice cream recipes will do the trick.

These recipes are all made with coconut milk, which has surprising health benefits on its own, and is recognized as a healthy fat. That said, we will definitely reiterate the above comment on moderation. Mindful intake is best. We do encourage you to get wild and experiment with your own nut milk of choice, particularly cashew (and let us know the outcome please!)

1. Chill Out – Stress-Relief Lavender Ice Cream 

As mentioned above, we fell in love with the idea of a body beneficial ice cream when we came across this recipe from Popsugar. Not only were we blown away by the taste and creamy texture, we absolutely love the idea of a bowl of ice cream having actual soothing and calming effects due to its lavender content (lavender being recognized for its ability to reduce anxiety and emotional stress, aid in sleep and relieve nervous tension). To top it all off, this recipe is super easy to follow.

Image from Popsugar

Below from Popsugar

Ingredients

3 1/3 cups (2 cans) coconut milk
2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
3/4 cup frozen organic blueberries
2/3 cup agave syrup (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

• Heat coconut milk in a medium saucepan until almost boiling; remove from heat and add lavender. Stir to combine and allow to steep for 10 minutes.
• Pour coconut milk through a wire strainer into a blender. Add blueberries, agave, and vanilla. Blend on high until blueberries are completely incorporated. (A few flecks are OK.)
• Pour mixture into ice cube trays and freeze overnight.
• Place 1/3 of the cubes into the bowl of a food processor and pulse to a cookie-dough-like consistency. Transfer ice cream to a freezer container and process remaining cubes in batches.
• Serve immediately or place in freezer for a firmer consistency.

Nothing could be easier right? We love having a couple scopes of this ice cream after dinner or after an evening work out a couple hours before bed. It’s a perfect addition to a once in a while alignment ritual

2. Power Up  – Protein and Iron Infused Mint Chocolate Chip 

Image and Some Recipe Inspiration from Wallflower Kitchen

So Popsugar’s brilliant use of lavender got us thinking. What other herbs could be used to make delicious ice cream blends? Mint was our obvious next leap. We pulled from a bunch of different recipes from all over the web and came up with this simple recipe leveraging the above process ever so slightly and adding in our own unique twist for a powerful protein and iron-infused result.

Ingredients

3 1/3 cups (2 cans) coconut milk

1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves

1/2 cup of spinach (you won’t even taste it!)

2/3 cups of agave syrup (or to taste)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 scoop of your favourite protein powder

1 quarter of your favourite dark chocolate source, crumbled into small bits
Directions

• Blend all ingredients except for dark chocolate in a high speed blender until completely smooth
• Transfer mixture to ice cube tray and freeze over night
• Place 1/3 of the cubes into the bowl of a food processor and pulse to a cookie-dough-like consistency. Transfer ice cream to a freezer container and process remaining cubes in batches.
• Stir in dark chocolate bits

Perfect for a mid-afternoon summer treat, and ideal for after a long bike ride or hot yoga class.

3. Detox and Energize – Matcha Ice Cream 

By now you can probably see where we are going with this. Essentially, once you have a winning process down, it’s pretty simple to get your experimental energies flowing to come up with your own creations. We love the various benefits provided by a delicious cup of matcha tea, such as detoxification, high antioxidant content and ability to provide a natural energy and focus boost so it only made sense to marry our ice cream blend with matcha for a deliciously mindful summer treat.

Ingredients

3 1/3 cups (2 cans) coconut milk

1 table spoon of matcha powder

2/3 cups of agave syrup (or to taste)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• Blend all ingredients until completely smooth
• Transfer mixture to ice cube tray and freeze over night
• Place 1/3 of the cubes into the bowl of a food processor and pulse to a cookie-dough-like consistency. Transfer ice cream to a freezer container and process remaining cubes in batches.

Done and done.

There you have it! If you have any delicious and healthy vegan ice cream recipes of your own, we’d love to hear! Enjoy

Image by Christine Gottardi

Whether you’re travelling this summer, living by the lake or just staying put, it’s great to have a few useful items ready to go no matter what adventures or chill-out sessions come your way. We’ve curated the best of the best for a summer of conscientiously chic self-care and practicality (and everything is Canadian too).

Bamboo Turkish Towel/Blanket 

If you don’t have a stash of Turkish towels and blankets already, now is a great time to start your collection. Traditional Turkish towels are recognized for their supreme absorbency. They dry quickly so they don’t absorb much moisture from a humid climate, rendering them extremely useful for beach days and travelling. They are also eco-friendly, with a luxurious feel and beautiful in quality. Their versatility makes them a must-have for summer, perfect to use as sarongs, picnic blankets, shawls, towels, table cloths and more.

Our Pick – Bamboo Turkish Blankets by House of Jude

Thick enough to act as a blanket or shawl for around the camp fire and thin enough to travel light and compact as a perfect beach towel.

From House of Jude Instagram 

Zero Waste Self-Care Products

As we transition our focus to more ethical beauty practices, we couldn’t be more excited to see so many brands step up to the plate by providing conscientious beauty lovers high quality products that actually work. And while many are taking care to ensure their ingredients are ethical while maintaining that luxurious effectiveness, there are few that are considering the actual packaging that their products come in. This summer, we are minimizing our plastic footprint and officially putting a hard stop on buying shampoo and conditioners that come in plastic bottles. Luxe, sustainable brand Unwrapped Life offers a stunning range of high quality, zero waste self care products. It has never been easier to be part of the solution AND enjoy high quality beauty. While we are smitten with their #zerowaste shave bars and vegan soaps, our product of choice is the shampoo and conditioner duos. Not only do they smell amazing (and look great on Instagram) they actually work as good if not better than salon-purchased products. Plus they are perfect for cottage life and lake-friendly hair washing.

Our Pick – Shampoo and Conditioner in Bora Bora 

Hydrating Electrolyte Powder

While we all know the importance of drinking plenty of water, we love the idea of getting added benefits for our efforts, like an extra energy boost and a glow that comes from the inside out. Electrolytes (sodium, calcium, potassium, and phosphate) and their powders enhance our hydration efforts with electric charges that stimulate our muscles and nerves and also regulate the fluids in our bodies. Our powder of choice is one that adds extra beautifying benefits with each dose. A glass of water infused with Age Quencher’s HYDRATE Beauty Electrolyte promotes radiant skin and gives a boost of energy as it works to hydrate all the body’s cells and combat fatigue and free radical damage. It also works to prevent signs of premature aging by hydrating our skin along with our insides. We also love Age Quencher’s powder because unlike other powders, it can work to reduce inflammation, brighten skin tone and aid in digestion.

Our Pick – HYDRATE Beauty Electrolyte from Age Quencher

Eco Friendly Produce Bags

Whether you are a Farmer’s Market fiend in the summer or picking up produce at your super market, we all know that plastic is out. While increasing our intake of fruits and vegetables is always encouraged, it is vital to remain mindful of our packaging habits. Single use plastic produce bags are detrimental for our planet. This summer, we’re investing in our bodies and the earth with a reusable produce bags made out of sustainable fabrics.

Our Pick – Mesh Produce Bags from credobags

Breathable, Eco-Friendly, Flowing Clothing 

We could not be more over compression black tights and tight tops that keep our beautiful energy sucked in and pulled tight. This summer, we’re saying goodbye to plastic clothing and embracing eco-friendly fabrics and flowing clothes that keep our minds free and our bodies at ease. We’re opting for clothing made of fabrics such as luxuriously twilled bamboo, soft linens and ethical practices (and special nods for being made in Canada).

Our Pick – Unisex Crossover Bamboo Capri from Zen Nomad

We are so excited to announce our first curated wellness experience hosted at Good Space where we will enjoy a guided meditation, followed by an Adaptogen Iced Tea Workshop led by Lee Capatina, founder of Lee’s Tea to get us cool and stress-free for summer.

Tickets are available for purchase here and limited! We are looking forward to connecting with you.

Image Credit

Ishan @seefromthesky
It’s no secret that the world’s coral reefs are in serious trouble, a threat that should concern us all (if you’re not up to speed on why we need to be concerned about coral reefs, check out this great article here). While we’ve been digging eco-friendly SPF and sunscreen products for a while, the news that Hawaii has taken measure to ban the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate by 2021 gives us a timely excuse to do a sunscreen round up of the best brands that are great at keeping harmful rays at bay, while being kind to both your body and the planet.

First, it’s good to know what to look for when choosing a sunscreen that is reef safe. The majority of problematic ingredients are found in chemical based sunscreens.

What to Avoid

• Sunscreens with high Titanium Dioxide content. Titanium Dioxide is a non-biodegradable mineral that reacts in warmer seawater, forming hydrogen peroxide that is harmful to sea life.
• Sunscreens that contain mineral oil or petrolatum, both of which take years to biodegrade and are recognized as being fatal to aquatic life and water fowl.
• Oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are both chemical ingredients recognized to cause coral bleaching.

Safe Sunscreens and Where to Buy Them In Canada 

Think Sport  

available at gothinksport.com and well.ca

Suntegrity 

available at Clementine Fields

Derma E 

available at healthyplanetcanada.com

Green Beaver 

available at well.ca

Raw Elements 

available at Clementine Fields

As we traverse along our wellness journeys, some of us may have started sipping more teas following a basic understanding that they are typically better for us than alternative hot beverages and mocha frappa what-nots. And while our intentions are good, it’s important to be mindful of the difference between a wellness tea and a regular tea. Inspite of catchy names and cute branding, some teas are filled with unexpected items like artificial colouring, flavours and sweetners, rendering our attempts at a healthy alternative null and void.

So imagine our delight in discovering Lee’s Tea, a Canadian-born line of wellness teas that ticks all the boxes; delicious, full of good-for-you ingredients, cute branding and charitable (10% of all profits go towards saving the endangered Asian elephant).

We chatted with Lee Capatina, founder of Lee’s Tea to learn more about what makes a tea a “Wellness Tea”, how adaptogens work, stevia and more. You are also invited to join us for a Guided Meditation and Adaptogen Iced Tea Workshop led by Lee and hosted at Good Space on June 23rd. Check out full details here. 

1. The term “wellness tea” has been leveraged quite a bit recently in conversations around personal well-being and health.  What’s the difference between a “wellness tea” and a regular tea?

The main difference between regular teas and wellness teas is the ingredients in them and their intended uses. Regular teas are made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, which are processed to create white, green and black teas. There’s no doubt that regular teas are good for you, as they are known to contain high levels of beneficial compounds such as catechins (primarily in green tea), amino acids and polyphenols (antioxidants). However, wellness teas take the benefits of tea to the next level. Wellness teas are formulated with adaptogens and other herbs intended to provide more benefits than your average cup of tea. These benefits range from improving digestion and focus, to boosting energy and libido, and everything in between.

2. Similarly, the concept of adaptogens is one that is new to a lot of people. Can you shed a little light on the term for us?

Adaptogens are such a fascinating group of herbs, which have recently become quite popular in the health and wellness community (for good reason). Some herbs in this family include ginseng, ashwagandha, tulsi, maca, cordyceps, reishi and many more. These ingredients have been used for thousands of years to help bring your body back to a homeostasis or state of balance. For example, if you are low on energy and need a pick me up, they provide a natural boost of energy. If you are stressed and anxious, they can help you calm down and relax. One way to understand them is to think of them like a best friend who always has your back and looks out for what’s best for you.

3. The adaptogen of choice for Lee’s Tea is Tulsi. What are the benefits of Tulsi and what inspired you to create a line of Tulsi-infused teas.

Yes, we absolutely love tulsi here at Lee’s Provisions! Also known as holy basil, tulsi is an incredible adaptogen that’s been used for over 5000 years in Ayurvedic medicine.

I first learned about tulsi from a friend who is a yoga teacher and an avid follower of Ayurveda. She taught me that this herb is very beneficial for my dosha, or Ayurvedic constitution and gave me a tulsi plant as a gift to plant in my garden. Since then, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for this herb and have incorporated it into my daily routine, mainly by steeping it as an herbal infusion. Since I began drinking tulsi tea every day, I’ve noticed my stress levels go down and my mind becoming more calm, clear and focused. Witnessing the benefits of tulsi firsthand inspired me to share this amazing herb with others, in my line of organic tulsi wellness teas. I even had a tulsi plant at my wedding, as it’s believed to bring good luck!

In addition to being an adaptogen, tulsi is also known to help relieve headaches, balance hormones, regulate blood pressure, reduce stress and increase energy levels.

4. Stevia is found in 3 of your teas. Are there any benefits to stevia aside from being a natural sweetener?

Stevia leaf grows in India where we source most of our organic herbs and spices, so it’s a natural fit for our teas. We use whole stevia leaf in some of our teas to round out some of the more bitter flavours of the herbs, which makes up about 1% of the total tea volume. Stevia leaf differs from stevia extract in that it’s not nearly as sweet as stevia extract and there is no after-taste. I chose to use whole stevia leaf as it’s completely natural and unrefined and doesn’t spike insulin levels. In addition, whole stevia leaf is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and contains high levels of antioxidants.

5. All four of Lee’s Teas are incredible. Do you have a favourite?

Thank you so much!

I’d have to say that Pink Chai is my favourite, as I love a good spicy chai. Not to mention the pink colour wins my heart, every time. That being said, each tea is very different and I have them on rotation so I can choose one based on how I’m feeling any given day.

What many people don’t know is that each blend is designed to provide specific benefits. For example, the Mint chill is more cooling and is great for Summer or when you’re a bit agitated or fiery. The Pink Chai is really warming and grounding, which is great in the Winter or when you’re feeling a bit spaced out. The Gold Rush is the most stimulating and is great when your digestion is a bit sluggish in the Fall and Spring, when you need a bit of a detox or some extra energy to get you going. The Original tulsi blend is great to drink anytime, as it has the most adaptogenic properties. The important thing is just listen to your body and pick a tea that speaks to how you’re feeling.

Sources:

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-holy-basil-tulsi.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22455995

http://imsear.hellis.org/handle/123456789/156246

http://www.ajol.info/index.php/tjpr/article/view/14700

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02942413

Sustainable beauty brand, Biossance is bringing The Clean Beauty Bus to Toronto, starting today through May 27th. Lovers of clean and effective beauty are invited to check out the bus and join the Biossance team for demos and “Insta-ready” fun.

Why We Love Biossance: 

Biossance specializes in highly effective skin care that works to replenish and nourish the skin’s natural squalene oil. The human capacity to create and retain squalane peaks in our teens and starts to decline as we head into our 20s, leaving the skin vulnerable, rough and dry.

Squalane comes from Squalene (confused yet?) Squalene comes from our skin’s natural moisture and is found in a variety of plants and shark liver. As squalene becomes hydrogenated it is converted to skin-friendly squalane.

Biossance works with plant-derived squalane (no shark liver!) and offers a complete range of highly effective, beautiful skincare products.

As per the Biossance website:

“Scientists spent years trying to find a way to produce squalane as safely and effectively as the body does. Enter, Biossance. Our squalane comes from 100% plant-based, renewable sugarcane, then bio-fermented to create a beautiful end result—highly stable, totally sustainable squalane. Every drop of squalane in our products is derived in this eco-friendly way.” 

Images from the Biossance Instagram Page

Below is where and when you can find The Clean Beauty Bus in Toronto over the next few days

Thursday 5/24
King Street W – 464 King St W
10am-7pm

Friday 5/25
King Street W – 464 King St W
10am-7pm

Saturday 5/26
The Distillery – 10 Trinity St
10am-7pm

Sunday 5/27
The Distillery – 10 Trinity St
11am-6pm