Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and as the stores fill with red heart shaped boxes, chocolates and candy, we start to wonder what we’re going to do for the people we care about on February 14th.

But Valentine’s Day isn’t just a romantic occasion; it’s a day to celebrate all the people in your life that you love and care about. So take a moment to surprise someone with a thoughtful gift that says how much you care. Nothing is better for the winter blues than a chance to celebrate with friends and family.

One of our favourite things for a great Valentine’s day present is something hand made with love. Michael’s Craft Store has a plethora of online ideas for everyone on your sweetheart list and their family friendly crafts are the perfect thing to do with your kids over the weekend!

Another great way to share the love on Valentine’s day is to bake. Nothing says ‘I care’ more than home baked goodness. It’s easy. It’s fun. And with all the great, colourful and delicious recipes out there, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect thing for co-workers, kids or even that special someone. One of our favourite Valentine’s recipes are these red velvet cupcakes with brownie hearts. Not only is it one of the most delicious cupcake recipes you’ll ever find, they look absolutely precious too!!

Recipes & Images from Sarah Yoon from milkandhoneycafe

Accessories are also a great gift to give to anyone on Valentine’s Day! Orange is this year’s key colour and a shoulder mini flap over bag is the perfect thing for any women who want to stay on trend this season.

Burnt Orange Over the Shoulder Bag

But Valentine’s Day is also a day to look YOUR best, and picking an outfit that really makes you feel that way is imperative, so here are three great Valentine’s Day outfits as chosen by your NYGÅRD editors:

For Valentine’s dinner out with your favourite girlfriends, this beautiful Magenta Kimono offers a classic silhouette, its silk touch fabric providing a comfortably chic look for whatever trendy places the night has to offer.

Who needs bouquets of roses when you can adorn yourself from head to toe in one of Spring’s trends: great floral prints. Give this beautiful blouse a try. Pair it with the matching skirt, or a pair of white pants. Perfect for day or night wear.

Kimono Impression // Garden Party // Ruffle Column Dress

For a soft, romantic look this Valentine’s day, try this beautiful Ruffle Column Dress. Its sophisticated blush print is perfect for the occasion, and the fit-to-form silhouette is sure to get the attention of whoever you find yourself dinning with.

If jewellery is the thing you’re looking for, why not pick up some great colour blocking pieces to wear on this special day. These pieces provide the perfect opportunity to incorporate Spring’s biggest trend: colour blocking into your wardrobe in an easy and effortless way.

Hoop Earrings // Geometric Necklace

Let us know what you’re doing this Valentine’s Day and what your Valentine’s Day style is!!!

In part one of Detoxing…the Right Way, I explained the importance of detoxing, and hopefully made it clear that if you plan on doing one, doing it properly will ensure that you don’t do more harm than good. A proper detox, I went on to say, is three-pronged, including diet, exercise and some supplementation, and then delved into what, from a dietary perspective, a proper detox looks like. In this part, I will look at the other two parts of the detox trifecta: exercise and supplementation.

EXERCISE/LIFESTYLE
As your skin and lungs are two of the organs involved in the detoxification process, exercise is one of the best ways to encourage detoxification. With an increased heart rate, comes sweating and deep breathing, both of which eliminates toxins. Let it be said, however, that you know your own fitness level, so exercise accordingly. If you haven’t worked out in years, consult a physician before hitting the treadmill like a marathoner, or start with 20-minute walks. If exercise is already in your daily repertoire, then carry on.

Ensuring that stress and negative emotions are minimized is also an important part of detoxification. Studies have shown that negative emotions are tied to an increased production of free radicals, which are damaging to the body. That said, although extremely tough, do everything in your power to be stress free during your detox. Yoga is a good way to exercise and minimize stress. You can also try breathing exercises and meditation, or just going to that white sand beach in your mind when things get a tad bit crazy.

SUPPLEMENTATION
If the diet and exercise components are in place, then herbal teas and supplementation can be used to not only encourage the detoxifying organs, but also support them. Look for supplements that contain herbs like milk thistle, which supports the liver, dandelion, which supports the kidneys, and fiber sources to encourage healthy bowel movements. Additional antioxidants, such as green tea extract, can also be used to help protect the body. Before adding any supplements to your detox, consult with your health care practitioner, as these herbs can interact with medications and may be contraindicated with some health conditions. 

Ultimately, detoxes are great. Just make sure that the one you choose addresses diet, exercise and supplementation. If it doesn’t, avoid it. And always remember, if you feel more comfortable being guided, a naturopath can design an individualized program just for you.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to Dr. Cristina about an individualized detox program, she can be reached at drcristina@thehealthloft.ca.

With the holiday season now officially over for another year, detoxing from all the heavy meals and celebratory drinks is probably at the forefront of your mind. And with good reason: Detoxing is important, as it helps eliminate the unwanted build-up of toxins, from both internal (natural by-products of daily functioning) and external (pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides, etc.) sources in our bodies.

Although the human body has an incredible ability to withstand these toxins, in this day and age the extent of our exposure is typically more than our body can handle. As toxins accumulate in the body’s tissues, they can disrupt our health. Studies have shown that excess toxins can be linked to a plethora of health issues, including headaches, asthma, mood and mental status changes, weight gain, allergies, insomnia, joint pain and so on.

The organs responsible for the elimination of toxins include the liver, kidneys, digestive tract, lungs and skin through urination, healthy bowel movements, exhalation, and sweating. A proper detox should both support these organs and protect tissues from the by-products (mainly nasty free radicals) produced in detoxification. 

But how then does one decipher which of the numerous detox methods posted on the Internet, advertised in health food stores, or championed by friends, to use? Are the Master Cleanse, Wild Rose Herbal D-Tox Program, juice fasts and colonics all created equal? The answer is NO. Some can actually do more harm than good.

Realistically, detoxes don’t have to be as hard and strenuous as we often make them out to be.  In fact, the harder they are, the more damaging they tend to be. There’s no need for drastic changes or starvation. A detox should simply take any excess burden off of the eliminating organs, and encourage them to do what they do best: detoxify. 

To do this, a detox should include diet, exercise and some supplementation. But remember, supplementation without any dietary and lifestyle changes, will only amp up the body’s detoxification processes without lightening the burden, and therefore, will not give optimal results. 

DIET
Despite the ads preaching that starvation or supplementation is key, diet is the most important part of a detox. Foods play a large role in providing the body with the necessary building blocks to support the body’s detoxification function, and also nutrients like antioxidants that protect the body’s tissues from damaging free radicals and toxins. 

Today’s North American diet is high in red meat, dairy, gluten, soy, corn and refined sugar. Unfortunately, these foods are known to cause inflammation in many people and are often ridden with pesticides, growth hormones and additives, which leads to toxin build up. The diet is also high in processed foods, which have essentially been stripped of the nutrients the body needs for detoxifying.

So when thinking about doing a detox, first take the time to think about what you’re eating, and look at the ingredients of the foods you purchase. You’ll probably be surprised with what you find! 

Eat as much fresh, organic whole foods as possible. This will encourage a diet of optimal nutrients and contain less external toxins. Incorporate dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, bok choy, spinach and collard greens, carrots, celery, cucumbers, zucchini, asparagus, Asian mushrooms (shitake and oyster mushrooms), legumes, sprouts, quinoa, and brown rice. Protein sources can include salmon, chicken, turkey and lamb.  

Try to avoid inflammatory foods such as pork, beef, potatoes, gluten, soy, corn, refined sugar, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, dairy, coffee and alcohol, or foods that are void of nutrients and full of additives, such as pre-packaged or processed foods. 

And don’t forget to drink at least two litres of water a day, to encourage cleansing and hydration.

Check back on Friday for part two of Dr. Cristina’s blog on detoxing. If you have any questions or would like to speak to Dr. Cristina about an individualized detox program, she can be reached at drcristina@thehealthloft.ca.

Our beautiful model Angela, has the final touches put on her outfit before stepping behind the camera.

Bright & Bold Patterns are trending for Spring!!!

Behind the scenes, hairstylist Roger Medina get Angela ready for her close up!

What is Colour Blocking?
“Colour Blocking”, in essence, involves combining two or more “blocks” of colours in one look. No patterns. No stripes. No polka dots. Just solid blocks of colour. This bold use of color is a great way to kick start your Spring wardrobe, moving you away from the darker, colder tones of Fall and Winter. You can colour block with clothes, handbags, makeup and accessories, giving every woman a myriad of options. This trend does require a little bit of thought before you dive in. For example, it can be easy to go wrong and end up with something that just doesn’t work when mixing bright, intense colours. The easiest way to get around this is to colour block using brights and blacks, or brights and whites. Using black or white as a base allows the other colours to pop all the more, and will give you a perfectly styled look.

Get the look at www.nygard.com!!!

What Colours go Together?
To avoid clashing, use this quick and handy colour wheel to find the perfect blend of tones and hues for your look. Use the rule of thirds and create an equilateral triangle on the wheel. Where the triangle’s points touch, choose two of the three colours to block with (see below). If you’re feeling adventurous and what to add another colour, be sure to pick something outside your triangle to avoid the classic “blue, red and yellow” primary clown combination.

How to Colour Block
Wondering why colour blocking is so popular? The answer is that it’s one of the best ways to emphasize your best features! Simply dress the parts of your body you want to accentuate in those bright, colourful hues while using darker colours to give the rest of your body a sleek and chic look as darker colours have a wonderful slimming effect.

Shop more great Colour Blocking looks from Bianca Nygård at www.nygard.com!!!

Remember: when colour blocking, don’t combine more than three colours. It can get messy and, as always, the more colours you add, the more chance there is that you’ll clash.

But don’t forget to be adventurous. Colour blocking is about being bold and trying something new. Don’t worry if you get it wrong the first time. Fashion is about experimenting and playing. And after really getting into this style for Spring, you might even find that these bold colours help you feel a bit more confident and bold yourself!

Take an exclusive behind the scenes look into the design & development of the Spring 2012 Bianca Nygård Collection. Hear what designers Alia Nygård-Daneault and Lynn Horrill have to say about Spring trends and get a peak at how the collections was inspired, how the samples are produced, and (of course) an up close and personal tour of the Spring 2012 Photoshoot.

Shop the Spring Collections at www.nygard.com

From set to screen…

Our beautiful model Amanda getting her hair done on set.

In this video, see how samples are made!!

Enjoy the beautiful fashions from Bianca Nygard’s Spring 2012 Collection!!!

Snickerdoodles
 

 
Snickerdoodles are one of those classic Holiday recipes that never goes out of style. With its buttery cinnamon flavour, this cookie is a treat and always fills the house with a deliciously wintery aroma.

Candy Cane Cookies
 

 
A sure fire hit with the kids, both to eat and to make, is the Chocolate Chip Cookie with Candy Cane topping. The colourful candy cane sprinkles make this treat even more of a decadently delicious dessert than it is without.

Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
 

 
Finally, what list of Holiday Cookies would be complete without a traditional Gingerbread recipe? But this year, try a variation. These mini Gingerbread sandwich cookies are the holiday’s answer to the classic Oreo cookie! Great for snacking while wrapping!

7. Fats
Forget about low-fat diets. Just learn the difference between good fats and bad fats. Bad fats include saturated fats and trans fats – found in fatty cuts of red meat, whole-fat dairy products, cheese, packaged snack foods like microwave popcorn and chips and commercially-baked pastries such as doughnuts and cakes – and are responsible for weight gain, increased cholesterol, clogged arteries, and are therefore to be avoided.

Good fats, such as monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3s, on the other hand, have the opposite effect and are to be sought out. They can help with weight loss, prevent heart disease and increase mood. Find these healthy fats in olive oil, fish (such as salmon, sardines, and trout), nuts, and tofu.

8. Local Foods
Eating local grown foods means eating food that is seasonal, fresh and environmentally friendly. Local foods do not have to be trucked or flown in from thousands of miles away and so are allowed to ripen, optimize their nutrients, and are free of preservatives. Eating seasonal allows you to have a variation in your diet and eat foods optimal for your body given your climate and location.

9. Liquids
One of the most important parts of eating healthy is drinking enough water. As water makes up 60 per cent of your body weight, you can imagine the vital role that it plays in bodily functions, such as acting as a lubricant, optimizing the function of ears, nose, and throat tissues, regulating body temperature, and allowing nutrients to reach your cells. Having at least 1.5L of water a day allows your body to flush out toxins, detoxifying the body.

10. Planning and Balance
Ultimately, the key to setting yourself up for success is twofold. First, you need to plan things ahead of time – set manageable steps rather than drastic changes, prepare foods on the weekend or get groceries together for the week, not daily. And second, you need find balance. All of this can be overwhelming if you saddle yourself with unrealistic goals and dreams of perfection. Don’t stress. Make the changes at your own pace and you might actually enjoy the process! This will allow you to make these changes for life, not just a short-lived New Years Resolution.

To kick-start healthy eating, here are a few ideas:

Breakfast
Banana Bread Oatmeal (Steel Cut Oatmeal cooked with a banana and cinnamon. Serve with a hard boiled egg on the side.)

We all know it’s the most important meal of the day, but seem to have forgotten that what we have for breakfast is just as important. Danishes, although tasty, don’t quite cut it.
Banana Bread Oatmeal, however, is the perfect winter breakfast. It’s warm and comforting, and also very balanced. The steel cut oats are complex carbohydrates and a good source of fiber, the banana is a serving of fruit full of antioxidants, the cinnamon adds flavour and balances blood sugar levels and the egg provides protein. (For those who don’t like hard-boiled eggs…buy egg whites in a carton, and at the last couple minutes of cooking the oats, mix in one egg’s worth to get your proteins).

In the summer, a protein shake with almond milk and berries also works great.

Lunch
I suggest a salad made of mixed leafy greens, your favorite sprouts, chicken, turkey breast, or salmon, or nuts and seeds depending on your diet. Add a dash of olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing.

In the winter, when it’s nice to have a warm lunch, consider having a nice hearty vegetable based soup, or an ancient grain wrap with sautéed garlic spinach and chicken breast, with some Dijon mustard for flavor.

Dinner
Quinoa salad with basil, olive oil, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and a side of baked salmon. Vegetarian: try a vegetable stir-fry with tempeh.

For dinner, the quick and easiest is having brown rice with a baked protein, whether it be salmon, tofu or chicken breast, and a mixture of steamed vegetables, such as kale, carrots, spinach and broccoli drizzled in a light olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing after cooking.

 

 
Eyes
During the winter, when the days are darker and we spend more time inside with the bright florescent lights blaring down on us, our eyes tend to look tired, red and puffy. Using a soothing and cooling gel can help sooth sore eyes while helping your skin appear younger and fresher. Products with green tea or cucumber extract are especially great for the skin around the eyes, but make sure, when applying, to leave a gap between the eye and where you put the gel, since getting too close to the lid will likely cause irritation. When applied correctly, the product will move around, filling in the skin around the eyes perfectly as you blink. Remember, there are only three layers of skin around our eyes compared to the eight on the rest of the face, so it’s so important to treat our eyes with care.

Product we tried during our session was Mary Kay’s Indulge Soothing Eye Gel!
 

 
Lips
Although our lips need to be treated like the rest of our face, we tend to neglect then until winter’s pesky dry air wreaks havoc on them. One of the best things you can do for your lips in the winter is use a lip mask. A lip mask, similar to a facial mask, will lift the dead skin cells before you apply your moisturizer, which is essential for removing the dead skin cells that pile up, giving your lips that dry, chapped look. Apply the mask for 30 seconds, letting it sink into the skin, and then wipe it off. After removing the dead skin cells with the mask, apply your lip balm. Finding a lip balm with vitamin E and C is very important, as it penetrates at the cellular level, replenishing, repairing and hydrating molecules, giving you soft, supple lips year round.

We tried and loved Mary Kay’s Satin Lips Set (Mask and Balm!)
 

 
Hands
Keeping your ever busy hands moisturized during the winter months is imperatve. Using products with an emollient cream is essential as they draw moisture from the air and put moisture molecules back into your skin. Fragrance free emollient creams made from natural botanicals (with fruit and vegetable extracts) such as Mary Kay’s fragrance free hand softener, can hydrate your skin, loosening up all the dead skin cells that cause dry, flaky skin. Next, use a cleanser to remove the loose skin cells to give your skin a clean, fresh and smooth texture. After cleansing, use a moisturizer to seal in that newly polished skin feeling.

Mary Kay’s Satin Hands set in fragrance free or peach – both make a wonderful gift this holiday season!