Summer Essentials

The Canada long weekend is upon us and I am heading to the cottage! I can’t wait, sunny or not, it will be refreshing to escape the city. Nothing beats some sun, swim, sand by day and sunsets, bon fires, star gazing by night. Hitting the beach means keeping things simple, packing light, and drowning yourself in a book or two. Here are some of my essentials. Nothing out of the ordinary, just your basic essentials. Shades, sunscreen, surf spray, bikini, books and good tunes. I am half way through each of these reads, so I am hoping to get through them all this weekend, will keep you posted with my review in my book club section.

The main purpose of today’s post is to share my favourite SPF products this year. Again, huge thanks to The Cure for educating and supplying me with some great product for the summer. Seriously guys, you have to check out this shop – be warned you will not leave empty handed. 🙂 Summer Essentials

 

John Masters Suncare Natural Mineral Sunscreen – A certified organic, vegan, mineral sunscreen that is light and non-greasy. Antioxidant-rich organic green tea extract gives skin an anti-aging boost, aloe calms skin, and jojoba and shea butter moisturize and help balance skin’s oil production. This sunscreen is free of paragons, phthalates, fragrances, and nano particles. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but in my opinion worth every cent to ensure healthy protection for your beautiful face.  Also, note that a little bit goes a LONG way with this one.

Sun Bum SPF 30 -This high quality product is 100% vegan, hypoallergenic, photostable,  and rich in Vitamin E, which helps neutralize free radicals, preventing premature skin aging. This sunscreen is broad spectrum UVA/UVB Protection / Parsol® 1789, paraben free, PABA free, and oil free. I love that this lotion is non-greasy which is key for every day wear. And a major point to note with Sun Bum, is that this sunscreen is tested and approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Most importantly, be sure to protect your skin and when looking for sunscreen, do your research, consult with someone you trust and find what works best for you.

Happy long weekend! xx

Sweet Potato Rounds

Anyone who knows me, knows that I would rather put out a spread with a ton of bite sized options, rather than host a coursed meal. For me hors d’oeuvres encourage my creativity and allow me to offer a variety of options to my guests. I love pulling together each element of detail and finishing the look when it comes to the garnish and plating. Plus, putting out a table full of goodies allows me to be a social butterfly the rest of the evening.

When I look at some of my favourite go-to recipes, many to most contain either gluten or dairy.  With more restricting diets out there, I started to look for alternative options to appease my friends with sensitive tummy’s. It is important to be cognizant of restrictions or allergens of your guests, when choosing the menu, after all we don’t want any one to starve or feel sick.

This sweet potato recipe is simple, pretty, and delicious. And who doesn’t love sweet potatoes! (see benefits here)

This dish has sweet potatoes tossed in olive oil and spices, roasted and topped with a dollop of mashed avocado and topped with tomato and cilantro. These rounds are bright, savoury, and quite filling. Not to mention they look fancy without the work – major plus!

Sweet Potato Rounds

Sweet Potato Rounds

Makes 20-24

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, sliced into ÂĽ inch thick pieces
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 large avocado, pitted
  • ÂĽ cup fresh lime juice
  • sea salt
  • 5 cherry tomatoes, sliced
  •  ¼ cup cilantro

Sweet Potato Rounds

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Toss sweet potatoes, cumin, paprika, olive oil, and sea salt in a bowl until evenly coated
  3. Spread the sweet potato slices out into a single layer on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until crispy
  4. Mash Avocado with lime juice and sea salt to taste
  5. Spread the sweet potato slices out on a serving platter or tray. Top each slice with a dollop of smashed avocado, one tomato slice, and a sprig of cilantro

Sweet Potato Rounds

xx!

Race Recap – Nike Women’s 15K

What a whirlwind of a weekend! Job well done, Nike!

Looks like this will be the last race recap for awhile, as I have no major races planned in the summer months (yet lol). I hope I haven’t bored you with these, but it was a full couple months with some super amazing races that I had to share, so I hope you have enjoyed the recaps as much as I have. And what better way to end this race streak, than with a first of its kind in Toronto, the Nike Women’s 15K. This was the perfect kick off to summer, despite the less than favourable weather conditions.

Wow Wow Wow, Nike you sure did put on one hell of a race weekend. It seems to be all any one is talking about. From the excitement building up months in advance to race day weekend, to the final finish line and post race recaps. This was probably the most fun I have had running this year, not to mention in company with my favourite running gals.

Nike had ladies hopeful to participate in the first and only Canadian location in the global Nike Women’s race series, with a lottery registration earlier this year. This race was so highly anticipated, it had many men runners join in on the fun too, with close to 15,000 runners taking part day of.Nike Village

Nike Village took over Toronto Harbourfront with loads of runspiration and all the essentials pre-race. It was a great way to spend a couple hours on Saturday to mentally prepare for Sunday’s race. Followed by some healthy fuel and relaxation, the body and mind were now set for Sunday’s early wake up call of 5 am.

Sunday’s race was incredible. The route was spectacular, so well thought out, and by far the best route I have run so far. It was fast, exciting, and surprising.  From an aerial view it was even the shape of a Nike Swoosh (that Nike, so clever).Course Map

Terrain varied from sand, grass, boardwalk, and pavement which kept things interesting. With each new turn, my body and mind filled with excitement with the unexpectedness of what was up ahead. The real badass moment was running along Billy Bishop’s tarmac. With airplanes in sight and the cityscape behind us, what a view to take in. This was one of those “I need to stop and take a picture” moments. This picture below from Nike is far superior than the one I quickly captured in excitement.Runway Photo 20004325_race_0.9843545996596968.display

Not only was this route perfectly planned, but the course was lined with cheering fans, pumping music, jammin’ bands, and even a choir rocking gospel music in their Nike’s. It was the kind of course that makes your heart happy, a route that fills you with energy and leaves you with the urge to keep on running. It was magical and flew by far too quickly. Finishing at 1:30:45, I wanted to keep on going, it was seriously that much fun (I hope the picture above shows you just how much fun!).

Official Race Results

To top off an amazing event, Nike rewarded participants with a custom Tiffany & Co. necklace. A nice touch compared to your typical finisher’s medal. Talk about a  “silver lining.”

Race bib & blingAnother race to cross off my list and time to start planning the next set of races. I’ll take your reco’s! In a perfect world, I’d be heading to San Fran in October to run the Nike Half Marathon. However, I’m not sure if I am ready for that commitment at this particular moment, but could probably be easily persuaded (hint hint).

 

Better for it. xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illesteva

Illesteva pushes the norm in eyewear, with a indie chic feel that is classic and contemporary. Not to mention their new eco-friendly line is ultra hip! Founded in 2010, Illesteva is handmade in Italy and France amongst top designers in luxury eyewear. Even though they are the new kids in town, their styles are bang on with the top of the top and their new initiative with “getting in touch with nature” has given them a competitive edge.

Keeping things fashion-forward and the environment in mind, Illesteva just launched their first ever line of eco-friendly sunglasses. Repurposed from cellulose acetate flake and plasticizers derived from organic and sustainable resources, this line is 100% biodegradable, and still holds to a high quality standard. This collection incorporates a full line of top-selling styles with hot frame/lens combinations.

For my Toronto friends, go check out Zane for a new pair of shades.

Women's Leonard Half/Half, Blue Mirror

Women’s Leonard Half/Half, Blue Mirror

Women's Leonard ii, Spider Stripes

Women’s Leonard ii, Spider Stripes

Women's Frieda, Dark Green, Red Mirror

Women’s Frieda, Dark Green, Red Mirror Lens

Men's Capri Tortoise

Men’s Capri, Tortoise

Men's Le Steel, Bronze

Men’s Le Steel, Bronze

Grab your Shades. xx

Race Recap – Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon

Joy. Balance. Gratitude. Empowerment.

All smiles for miles. Both pre and post-race, my smiles come from a place of pure joy. I went into yesterday’s race with a different mindset, an unspoken intention. My intention for this race (as always) was to push limits and surpass previous set goals, but most and foremost to enjoy running for what it is and remember why I love this sport.

Running races isn’t always about fulfilling the need to beat my previous self (although that feeling is unreal), but remembering that there is a balance, a sweet spot, a moment to relish. I wanted to enjoy race day the way I enjoy my weekend long runs; taking in the fresh air, admiring the beauty that surrounds me, getting lost and running because I can. In yesterday’s race, I did just that; with thousands of strong beautiful women around me, minus the getting lost part – thanks to a well-marked course and all the voluncheers! 🙂

Pre-raceThe Niagara Falls Women’s Half Marathon is one of my favourite races to date. Canada’s largest half marathon catered to women with all the frills. From the organization, to an early morning dance session, pretty porta-potties, chocolate, wine, and empowerment, nothing was overlooked. Everything was perfect.

Amongst the presence of close to 4,000 participants, Kathrine Switzer, best known as the first woman (as a numbered entry, 261) to run the Boston Marathon in 1967, was there gracing us with her words of courage and empowerment. Her motivating speech had ladies cheering with excitement and in tears of joy, strangers hugging and encouraging each other on the journey we were all about to endure. As I have said before, this is my favourite part of the race, that meditative moment of self-realization, that puts the whole journey into perspective. Gratitude and joy flowing through the mind, body and heart for this gift; of health, of strength, of wellness, of soul.

Front Wine SelfieAs with any new race, I love the unexpectedness of a new route (partly why I sometimes get lost on my leisure runs), the unknown holds excitement. Each step covering new territory, taking in new scenes. The course for NFWHM was beauteous in its scenery, running along the falls and along the Niagara parkway overlooking the river. The sun was shining, my body felt strong, my mind was clear and my soul was happy. I pushed along with positive vibes and encouraged the women around me to keep on going. There was a tremendous amount of love at this race,  all of us running together as one family. The camaraderie of sisterhood.

Action Shot

For me, pushing through those final moments, I go into sensory overload. It’s hard to explain, but there is A LOT going on, physically and emotionally, it’s almost hard to focus on the finish line. And then, there is this moment, of stillness, when everything blurs together and you see the light beam on  the smiling faces of your biggest supporters in that final stretch, waving and cheering you on. This is the moment your energy skyrockets through to the finish line and it’s over. And you couldn’t be happier. Another goal achieved, the thrill of survival, embracing your cheerleaders and in this case wine country calling your name.

My time 2:08:16 wasn’t on par with what I thought I would finish in, but this race wasn’t about the time and with that, I am all smiles.

1535

I’ll be out again in the next day or so, to keep the legs in gear for Sunday’s Nike Women’s 15K which I am super pumped up about. This time, I’ll be surrounded by so many of my lovely running ladies who inspire me daily to push the limits. Can’t wait!

Be empowered. xx