As January comes to a close, the challenge is to maintain our steam for 2017’s goals and carry a new year’s enthusiasm into the next months. Making choices that help us lead healthier, simpler, and happier lives goes a long way towards staying enthusiastic when all we want to do is flop on the couch under a blanket and hide from the world.
Jennifer Pitt – Like everyone else in the free world, I have decided to renew my love for the feeling I get AFTER going to the gym, and so of course I have been shopping for new workout gear. I am SO in love with the lines of plus-sized workout gear I have found, because it’s about damn time we larger ladies didn’t have to wear our husband’s sweat pants and our old grey concert t-shirt to the gym (who, me??). These loose-fitting yoga pants are right up my alley, because no one needs to see my arse in those spandex things, and they are loose enough to make me focus on what I am doing, not whether or not I am going to split my pants. And these tops are killing me; who knew I could look so cute and be all sweaty at the same time??
Candace Derickx – While the backpack has always been a super functional travel companion, it’s also always been a giant security nightmare. What’s more tempting to a thief than easy access to all your valuables, especially when you can’t see behind you? And then someone rethought the entire backpack design, turning it upside down and backwards to create the Anti-Theft Smart Backpack from Aceroix. It’s brilliant! You still carry a backpack and have your hands are free, but now the valuables are nearly impossible to get to since the opening is against your back. I need this for my next trip.
Nicole MacPherson – It’s hard not to feel helpless and overwhelmed when the world feels like it’s going to hell in a handbasket. My motto is to spread the joy where I can and to try to improve things in my own backyard. That’s why I love this mixing bowl and spoon from Mud Pie. Don’t you hate it when you’re making cupcakes and the batter drips all over the pan? I feel like having this set would help with that and we all know that cupcakes make the world a better place. Batter up! Who wants chocolate?
Maija Craig – I’ve been a working mom for the last 13 years and ever since dropping off my first-born at daycare I’ve felt guilty about having to go to work. But I remember a woman whom I respected telling me not to worry, that kids needed you more as they got older, and to work now so I could be home more as the kids grew up. Now that I’m past night-time feedings and potty training, and my kids are 7, 9 and 13 I know how true that advice really was. Between a full-time job, launching my new site, and running between dance, basketball, swimming, school events, homework, etc… I 100% do not have my sh*t together (although I’m pretty good at keeping up appearances). In 2017 I want to get focused, and on the advice of another incredible woman, Candace Derickx, I picked up this book. Now, to find the time to read it.
Katja Wulfers – Besides finding new ways to learn by listening to podcasts, I’ve made other recent changes in my life and now choose only what I love. This applies to where I spend my time, what I eat, and what I drink. Gin is my drink of choice and one of my favourites is made by Dillon’s. They’re a small batch distillery and they’re local to me, which means that even if my LCBO didn’t stock it, I’d have easy access. The benefit of gin, besides being delicious with sparkling water and lime juice, is it has no sugar and it’s made with botanicals that also have health properties. I can justify anything.
The Art of the Smoothie Bowl
