This week on the Blog, we’re starting a new series “ What’s in Our Smoothies”. In this post we’re taking a look at sea moss, which is also known as Irish moss or Chondrus Crispus. Sea moss is a type of red algae that is native to the Atlantic Shorelines of the Caribbean Islands, North America and Europe. It’s harvested for its carrageenan, which is an ingredient that is widely used to thicken dairy products. For example, ice cream. In fact, sea moss is the only naturally occurring source of carrageenan.
Sea moss is thought to contain 92 of the 102 minerals needed by the body, such as zinc, iodine, iron and many more. It’s also rich in amino acids, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
Sea moss has been deemed a superfood due to its high nutrient content. It’s heart healthy and studies have shown that it may also help to lower bad cholesterol. It supports gut health as it’s high in fibre and good bacteria, helping to replenish good bacteria in the gut. Research posted to BMC Complementary Medicine + Therapies notes that sea moss is high in dietary fibre and oligosaccharids and supports gut health by feeding the healthy bacteria in the intestines. In addition, sea moss also has a prebiotic effect which can play a role in improving the health of the gut microbiome.
Antioxidant properties in algae may help to protect against neurodegenerative disease. Research posted to Marine Drugs found that an extract from sea moss protected against markers of Parkinson’s disease.
Sea moss a great source of iodine (which is one of the keys to a healthy thyroid). The Journal of Medicinal Food notes that it contains roughly 47mg of iodine per gram. It’s also rich in iron and antioxidants which can help to boost your immunity.
It is also thought to help build muscle and aid in workout recovery because it’s rich in taurine, which is an amino acid that helps with muscle building. A study in the Asian Journal of Medical Science found that people who were given certain types of sea moss had reduced fatigue, exhaustion and pain levels.
Because it is mucilaginous (sticky and thick), it helps soothe the mucus membranes in the body and helps your body get rid of any excess mucus. It is especially helpful in reducing congestion and clearing out phlegm buildup in the lungs, which is particularly helpful when you are dealing with a cold.
Sea Moss is available in dry raw form, in gels, powders, capsules, lotions and gummies and can be easily added to your diet. We love making a gel from dried sea moss and then adding it to our morning smoothies.
How To Make Sea Moss Gel:
Pro Tip: use an ice cube tray to freeze cubes of sea moss gel that can then be conveniently added to smoothies and other recipes.
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
*Please note that this blog does not provide medical advice and is intended for informational purposes only.
]]>A Few Notes:
PREP TIME: 10 min
BAKE TIME: 10 min
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Pro Tip:
Here are 5 lifestyle tips that will help save money while being kind to our planet:
Borrow or Rent
While consumer culture perpetuates the idea that “ she who owns the most stuff wins”, we can challenge this mentality by saying NO to accumulating massive amounts of material possessions. Before going shopping for a new item, ask yourself “how many times will I use this item and could I borrow or rent it instead?” See our post on Shopping Mindfully for some great suggestions.
Shop Second-Hand
Once you’ve determined that it does in fact make sense to purchase an item instead of renting or borrowing, see if you’re able to buy it second-hand from a thrift shop, antique market or even online. There are many benefits to shopping second-hand: you’ll save money, do something good for the planet, and there's also a good chance that you’ll end up with some pretty cool and unique pieces.
Single Use Items
Napkins, tissues, tampons, plastic razors, paper towels and bottled drinks are a few examples of single use items that, over time, can add up to a tremendous amount of waste. Thankfully there are a plethora of reusable options available, making the switch to a more eco-friendly lifestyle feel seamless. While the upfront cost may be higher, you will save money in the long run. Our friends at Logan & Finlay have a great selection of eco-friendly, low waste, and reusable goods.
Barter + Trade
Before money was commonly used for the exchange of goods and services, people used to barter and trade, meaning that goods and services were exchanged without the use of money.
Although it is now less common, today people continue to barter and trade their goods, labour and time with people in their communities. Keeping these transactions at a local level helps to ensure that the environmental footprint is as small as possible and also serves to strengthen bonds within communities.
Enjoy Free Green Spaces
Get outside and enjoy nature! There are loads of beautiful and accessible public green spaces that you can enjoy without spending a dollar. Beaches, parks, botanical gardens and forests are a few of our favourites. Grab your favourite blanket and head for a day at the beach, a picnic at the park (no single-use items please) or a beautiful hike in the woods.
These suggestions may sound insignificant, but we truly believe that small actions and choices repeated over time can lead to great change both for our lifestyle and for the planet.
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
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We're proud to announce our newest stockist, Elixir Beauty, located in Niagara Falls, Canada. Niagara's first beauty and cocktail bar merges two experiences: wellness and socialization. They offer a wide range of services including but not limited to hair, nails, facials, brows and lashes. We're so excited to have our Turkish towels and blankets added to their retail offerings!
Elixir Beauty was founded with the intention of creating both a beauty bar where residents of Niagara Region can be pampered, as well as an atmosphere where clients can socialize with fellow community members. This Niagara gem was created to provide an interruption to living the fast-paced life that so many of us are accustomed to, and to create an outlet and a safe space where community can come together.
]]>Writing My Wrongs
by Shaka Senghor
In 1991, at the age of nineteen, Shaka Senghor shot and killed a man. For years, as he served out his sentence, he blamed everybody but himself for the decision he made. It wasn't until Shaka started writing about his childhood pain and his life on the streets that he was able to get to the root of the anger that led him to prison.
Senghor transparently details his lived experience both in Detroit and in the criminal justice system. He touches on rape culture, the sexualization of Black boys, addiction, systemic issues, the consequences of being in solitary confinement for long periods of time, and the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma.
Writing My Wrongs, is an unforgettable memoir of a man's fight from the streets through the broken prison system, to the redemption of his soul. It’s an emotional exposé, riddled with confessions that enlighten the audience and give a human face to the incarcerated. Through the power of journaling, Shaka accepts responsibility for his violent behaviour and now uses his experience to help others avoid the same path.
Happy Reading,
Stray & Wander Team
]]>Many of us are juggling intense work loads, family life and a plethora of other responsibilities that are pulling us every which way. In an attempt to balance it all, we often find ourselves with very little time left for self-care. Here are a few quick and easy suggestions that you can incorporate into your day:
Practice Deep Breathing
Deep breathing slows down your heart rate, allows the body to take in more oxygen and ultimately signals the brain to wind down. It also balances your hormones and helps to lower cortisol levels. Taking a few minutes to breathe deeply will help you to relax both your mind and body.
You can try doing your breathing alone or using one of the many apps available. We love using Calm and Insight Timer. You can also check out this post for some helpful breathing and grounding exercises.
Write A Gratitude List
Taking a few minutes to focus on things that we are grateful for forces us to pay attention to the good things in life that we may otherwise take for granted. When we begin to routinely focus on these things, the tone of our lives can shift in profound ways. Try doing this first thing in the morning; practicing gratitude when we wake up can really help to set the tone for the day. When you take time to focus on the good, your life becomes more positive.
Light A Candle
The simple act of lighting a candle can help to set a tranquil tone and helps to bring our attention back to the present. When we need a little mood booster we reach for our favourite Fenwick Candles.
Make A Warm Drink
Whether you prefer herbal tea or hot cocoa, taking the time to enjoy a hot drink sipped slowly from your favourite mug can be an instant de-stressor. Lately we’ve been enjoying Lake & Oak teas during the colder months. Our current favourites are the Ashwaganda & Chill and the Cacao Mylk.
Scalp Massage
Give yourself a quick scalp massage to help you relax and reduce tension. We love this quick tutorial from our friends at Holistic Hair Studio. As an added bonus, scalp massage can also help to promote hair growth!
Just Dance
Throw on your favourite tunes, turn up the volume and give yourself a few minutes to just dance around and move your body freely. Dancing can improve your mood and helps to lower stress and anxiety.
Go For A Walk
Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our wellbeing. Even a short 10 minute walk can increase our energy levels and mood. Walking can also help to clear your mind and awaken your creativity.
Reach Out To A Loved One
We are all social beings, and sometimes, all it takes to lift our spirits is to connect with another human. It’s vey important for us to feel connection and that we aren’t alone. A quick phone call, or video chat can do wonders in terms of lifting our spirits!
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
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Growing your own food is a skill, developed over the course of many years, and through much trial and error. Any veteran gardener will tell you just as much about their failed crops as they will their successes. Many gardeners have a strong sense of community, and are willing to contribute their knowledge and expertise to those new to the hobby, or looking to learn more about it.
Deciding which plant you want to grow will depend on how much space you are able or are willing to dedicate. Items such as herbs, lettuces, microgreens, green onions or chives take up minimal space. They can be grown in small containers and are well suited for window sills or countertops. You can also place several types of herbs in a larger pot to create a miniature herb garden that can be easily moved throughout the home. Dedicating more space to your indoor garden means you can grow more substantial crops, such as tomatoes, kale, carrots, and peppers. It’s even possible to grow potatoes indoors! You can also regrow vegetables from scraps, such as celery.
Light plays a huge role in the health of plants. Ensuring enough light will encourage rapid growth and improve your chances of success. There are several varieties of lights that mimic the full UV spectrum of the sun, and can assist with the quality of your indoor garden. Rather than relying on the inconsistency and relatively short days of the winter sun, a UV light or grow light is a surefire way to make sure your plants are getting all the UV they need to thrive.
Soil health is also integral to the growth of your garden. Keeping the nutrients plentiful will give your plants everything they need to maintain their health while they grow. Combining potting soil with compost, fertilizer, and plant food are all ways to keep the soil healthy. It is also necessary to occasionally repot plants, or replace the soil entirely for rotating crops, such as herbs and lettuces.
Healthy soil = healthy plants.
Indoor gardening is a great way to enjoy fresh food and herbs all throughout the year. It is a way to live more sustainably, and save money as well. Even as the days are short and the snow begins to fall, we can continue to reap the rewards of a well-tended garden. It also encourages us to improve our green thumbs, learn more about the plants we eat, and gets us excited about getting back to the outdoor gardens in the spring.
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
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You may be new to the concept, or perhaps uncomfortable with the idea of venturing out on your own, and like a romantic relationship, you may choose to start out slow or dive right in. There is no right or wrong way to begin, so jump in where you are comfortable and get started.
While the weather is still beautiful, one of our favourite ways to spend time with ourselves is to have a picnic. Pack a lunch or snack for one, your favourite drink, a good book, and a cozy blanket. Once you’ve settled in, lay back and let the clouds roll by. Enjoy the scenery, breathe the fresh air. This is a time to intentionally slow down and allow yourself to simply exist in the moments. The beauty of this type of date is the non-committal and casual nature of it. It is lighthearted, simple, and relaxed. This can bring you in tune with your breathing, allowing you to reduce stress and create moments of mindfulness.
Taking in a local museum or gallery can be an amazing way to connect with your creative side. A quiet and peaceful space by design, it is a great opportunity to appreciate local artists and curators, while supporting your community's art scene. It has been suggested that viewing art can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels. There is even indication that beautiful art can trigger the same response as falling in love - a release of dopamine into the brain.
One of the greatest confidence boosters can be to simply go out looking great. Have a relaxing hot shower, do your hair & makeup (if that's something you enjoy), put on the outfit you feel the best in, and take yourself out on the town! Heading to a local wine bar for a glass of merlot or enjoying a fine dining meal for one while looking your best can’t help but make you feel incredible. Of course, if you have more than one favourite outfit (and seriously, who doesn’t?) create even more opportunities to flaunt them.
We are conditioned to believe that most activities are best enjoyed with others. This may be the reason why so many people find it intimidating to date themselves. By overcoming that initial sense of trepidation, we can open ourselves up to new and rewarding experiences. If anything, it can be a precursor to future happy relationships, whether the person you end up with is a partner, or yourself. But in the meantime, you may just find out that you’re the one.
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
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While most plants are beginning to go dormant, the cooler air and damp earth provide a perfect stage for fall mushrooms to surface. There are thousands of types of mushrooms in an unbelievable variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. Mushroom foraging is a popular tradition in large parts of Europe, Australia, Korea, Japan, the Middle East, South Asia, Canada, and the United States. It is gaining popularity once more in North America as we embrace slow living, mindfulness, and care for the planet. Foraging is an excellent way to connect with the earth, to learn more about where our food comes from, and to honour the seasons.
The simplest and safest way to begin foraging for mushrooms is to educate yourself as much as possible. Proper identification of edible species of mushrooms is critical to enjoying a safe experience. Going into mushroom foraging with little to no knowledge of the various local species is not advised, and can quickly become harmful if unknown or poisonous species are eaten. Many seasoned foragers will offer tours with foraging guides. They teach you what to look for, what to avoid, how to harvest from the plants without damaging the spores or mycological systems, and to ensure that nothing is disrupted within the environment.
Once you gain confidence in your ability to properly identify the species you are seeking to forage, another important step to successful foraging is patience and attention to detail. It can be difficult to find a flush of mushrooms at exactly the right time, as the exposed fruit of the mushroom has a short lifespan. The season for morels, for example, can come and go in as quickly as one day. Walking trails, adventuring into the woods and near streams (safely!) on a daily basis is your best bet in finding what you’re looking for. Think of it as a forest-wide Where’s Waldo (but be wary of a red & white striped mushroom).
Once you’ve identified your desired mushroom, take care to only harvest what you can reasonably use within 12 hours. Most mushrooms will not last beyond that window, with some having an even shorter time period in which to consume them. It’s also important to consider leaving behind lots of plant matter for others to forage, including the various animals that rely on mushrooms as a source of food leading into winter. Mushrooms are the supplier of the second most important element for deer, phosphorus, and are high in protein. Preserving the plant you are going to harvest from is critical in allowing the species to continue to thrive, meaning you can continue to return each year to the same general area in hopes of finding the same mushroom species. By only taking a small amount from each plant without damaging the structure underground, you can ensure that the plant remains in good health.
Some of the most common species of mushrooms in North America to forage are shaggy mane, chanterelle, Ontario oyster, black trumpet, morel, puffball, and turkey tail. Each of these are relatively easily identified, making them excellent beginner mushrooms to forage. In order to be successful in your foraging, you’ll need a few basic items: paper bag (or two); a clean, sharp knife; a soft-bristled brush, or a microfiber cloth; a journal or notepad to take notes on your findings; and a mushroom foraging guidebook .
The primary purpose of mushroom foraging in most cases is to prepare them for eating. Packed with antioxidants, B vitamins, copper, and potassium, they provide essential nutrients and wonderful, complex flavours. We love this Vegan Mushroom Risotto recipe. Mushrooms can also be dehydrated and blended down into flour, perfect for making vegan gravy or for adding incredible flavours to soups and stews. Beyond the kitchen, they have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties, known to help heal ailments, promote healthy cell regeneration, and increase cognitive function.
No matter what you end up doing with your foraged mushrooms, you’ll have the joy of knowing that you are able to partake in the abundance that the earth offers, and of knowing where your food comes from. Staying rooted to nature, being in tune with the changes in temperature, and highlighting seasonal foods are ways we can honour the earth.
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
]]>Pumpkins Particulars
Most of us don’t realize it, but pumpkin waste is astronomical after Halloween. Pumpkins are a significant food source in much of the world. However, of the 2 billion or so pounds of pumpkin grown each year in North America, most do not get composted. Rather an estimated 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkin end up in landfills, as opposed to being eaten or composted. This creates a burden not only on our waste management systems, but is also a stark reminder of how wasteful we can be in the name of festivity. Fortunately there are some incredibly simple ways to extend the usefulness of a pumpkin when it’s Jack-O-Lantern light burns out.
To Trick-or-Treat, or Not?
How many times has your dentist told you all that sugar will rot your teeth? It certainly doesn’t need repeating, but we must insist that all that sugar will rot your teeth! While that may not be enough incentive to forgo the trick-or-treating altogether, consider a different impact that all that candy may be having. That bag or bucket filled with individually wrapped treats is doing our planet no favours. It is an environmental nightmare when considering the candy industry rakes in over 4.6 billion dollars each year from these teeny tiny plastic wrapped goodies. These wrappers are so small most of them do not meet standards for municipal recycling facilities. So, what can we do?
Consider Costumes
Who hasn’t coveted the “Best Costume” award at a school dance or Halloween party? While there is an innate desire to be the scariest, the most jaw-dropping, the most clever, or the most shocking, it is crucial to be aware of the impact our one-night-outfits will have on the environment, and those who will see us in them. Keep in mind that social media can circulate any image at a frightening rate.
We hope that some of these tips and tricks resonate with you! We encourage you to tray a few. It is our hope that bringing consideration to the forefront is what will ultimately move us forward towards sustainable and mindful celebrations for the future.
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
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Tablecloth & Table Runner
Tablecloths serve multiple purposes. From a functional standpoint, they protect your table from minor spills, scrapes, and condensation. They also serve to dress up your table, adding texture and warmth to your dining space. Our favourite towel to feature as a tablecloth for your fall Sunday dinners is the Su Towel. The warm, earthy tones mimic the changing leaves, bringing that autumnal bliss indoors. For an extra-luxurious seasonal tablescape, layer a Rio Small Towel on top as a runner, and add a few decorative touches such as dried tall grasses in a vase (often available for free at the side of the road!), tiny pumpkins, and DIY waxed pine cones.
Shawl, Wrap or Scarf
Moving into fall, the mornings are chilly while the afternoon still clings onto the last of the summer’s warmth. This is one of the easiest times to showcase your favourite Turkish towel as a truly versatile piece. Functioning as a shawl or a wrap, you can stay cozy and warm when the day gets started. The Repose Towel is hands down our number one choice as a perfectly neutral yet elegant piece to take you from chilly morning to warm afternoon. For evening time, it also works perfectly as a cozy wrap or single person throw around a campfire. S’mores anyone?
Moving into the winter, we love to wear our super soft and cozy Maya Towel as a winter scarf. The loose weave and beautifully hand-loomed organic cotton make this a great choice. Another pro tip for the colder months is to fold your Brook Roundie in half to create a beautiful lightweight poncho that looks great on it’s own, or layered over your favourite coat.
DIY Tote Bag
Who of us hasn’t been caught at the grocery store or market having forgotten our reusable bag? One of our favourite (and most unexpected) uses for the Oasis Towel is to make a handy market bag. Simply lay the towel down, fold in half lengthwise, tie the corners together a couple of times and voilà! This makes a perfectly stylish and practical bag for the market, or for a day out at the apple orchard.
Fall Picnic
There is nothing quite as peaceful as a wine and cheese platter on a sunny fall day, surrounded by spectacularly vibrant leaves. Picnics are a cinch with the Brook Blanket doubling as a picnic blanket. They roll up to be compact and easy to travel with, and as an added bonus, if you pack your blanket strategically in your picnic basket it can act as a buffer, keeping your wine glasses safe.
There you have it! Finding versatility helps to enhance the value of the pieces you already own and love. By choosing to invest in well-made, multipurpose pieces, you are helping to reduce mass production and over consumption. We hope these fun tips and tricks inspire you to do more with your favourite Stray & Wander textiles.
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
]]>As consumers, we find ourselves in a unique position. We are presented with an ever-expanding catalogue of available options, all of which have different sizes, colours, scents, textures, software, hardware, accessories, etc. In a somewhat misguided effort to seek happiness, we have inadvertently created a type of mental stress and emotional strain that has not been observed in previous generations. It is called decision fatigue, and it stems from having to make upwards of 5,000 individual choices every single day. From the mundane to the big-picture decisions, we are in a constant state of having to choose. As humans, we are not designed to be in a perpetual state of mental exertion. Simply put: it’s too much decision making.
So, what can we do about it? Fortunately there are many simple ways in which we can reduce the number of decisions we have to make while enriching our lives. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started on your journey. These suggestions all work together to bring more balance and happiness to our lives, while reducing some of our unnecessary decision making stress.
Reduce
We all have a drawer or pantry shelf stocked full of every kind of green, black, oolong, rooibos, and herbal tea known to man. Or, perhaps it’s a closet overflowing with dozens of t-shirts, jeans in every rise and wash, or dresses from seasons past. These are the types of decisions that bear little importance in our day to day lives.
It’s time to clear out the clutter! Sort items into keep, sell, donate, and trash piles. Once the clutter is cleared, we are able to more effectively make decisions as the options are significantly reduced, and more curated to our preferences. Then we can begin to incorporate elements into our homes that we’ll want to use without thinking about it - and that’s the whole point.
Choose Quality over Quantity
Choosing high quality items for our homes is a natural extension of reducing what we own and eliminating small decisions during the day. High quality items last longer, and by virtue of that greatly reduce the frequency with which they need to be replaced. This means fewer shopping trips (sorry!). The advantage to that, of course, is that we save money in the long run. Not only that, but not replacing items means reducing our environmental footprint by keeping quickly-worn-out items out of landfills. This helps us reduce fatigue by allowing us to confidently choose pieces that will last a long time, and by reducing the overall number of consumer choices required when sourcing new items. Good for us + good for the earth? Win-win!
Choose Multipurpose Items
Versatility is an unsung hero as far as we are concerned. By choosing items that can be used in a multitude of ways, we are increasing the value of the items we’ve chosen for our homes. Clothing that can be worn throughout many seasons by layering, towels that can be used in both the kitchen and bathroom, blankets that can transition from indoor to outdoor use, and a silicone lid for our favourite coffee mugs are all examples of how we can take everyday items and enhance their usefulness. Our Marin Small Towels are an excellent choice for the bathroom, as a hand or hair towel, in the kitchen as a tea towel, and they’re also fantastic as a gym or yoga towel.
What it all comes down to is that we want to improve our lives, gain more happiness, and reduce our stress. While the above suggestions are by no means the only solution, they are certainly helpful tools for those of us who wish to seek change in our lives. Curating a lifestyle which is rooted in mindfulness and balance is what many of us seek. By implementing positive changes, we can in turn see benefits to our mental health, an increase in our emotional capacity, and a reduction in overall stress.
A quote from William Morris comes to mind when considering the overall improvement of our lives through refining our spaces, and sums up the theory rather succinctly:
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
Until next time,
Stray & Wander
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-From Charaka Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic textbook
Ayurveda comes from the ancient Sanskrit words ayush (life) and veda (study), which translate to “the knowledge or science of life”. A healing system born more than 5,000 years ago, it is said to be one of the oldest in the world, in combination with it’s sister tradition, yoga. The primary purpose of Ayurveda is to help to prevent illness; this is achieved by following the principle of conscious connection of the mind, body, spirit, and being in harmony with the laws of nature.
There are a few simple Ayurveda-based lifestyle practices that can help us on our way to ultimate physical, mental, and spiritual freedom.
Eating According to Dosha
In Ayurveda, each individual’s health is based on the five basic elements; aakash (space), jala (water), prithvi (earth), teja (fire), and vayu (air). Specific combinations of these five elements result in three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha, or the energies that circulate within the body. Vata is a combination of the elements of ether and air, representing the principle of movement. Pitta is the elements of water and fire, representing the principle of energy. Kapha combines water and earth, representing the principle of structure. The doshas are believed to be responsible for a person’s physical, psychological, and spiritual health. The key is to balance all three doshas for optimal health, wellness, and spiritual growth, leading to the higher Self.
Avoid Incompatible Food Combinations
Combining foods with vastly different properties and energies can overwhelm the digestive fire, known as agni. An unbalanced combination can cause indigestion, gas, bloating, and the potential creation of toxins. According to Ayurveda, every food has its own taste (rasa), a heating or cooling property (virya) and a post digestive effect (vipaka), with some foods having unexplained effects (prabhava) on digestion. To maximize our digestive power, it is recommended we eat foods with similar properties. A complete list of incompatible food combinations can be found at this link. For example, when consuming milk, always have it separately from all other foods, since it takes more time to digest. It is also recommended not to combine grains of any kind with meats and fish. That said, adding helpful spices such as coriander, fennel and cumin while cooking is very beneficial for digestion. It is also believed that having cold drinks can slow agni and digestion, and can shock the body, and should be avoided whenever possible.
Eat Warm and Cooked Foods
We are what we eat! Our digestive capacity is known as agni. According to Ayurveda, raw foods are considered cold, dry, light, rough, and Rajasic—a Sanskrit term that can be translated to mean “activating” or “exhausting”. Consuming foods with these qualities can strain our digestive fire and decrease our digestive capacity, particularly if digestion is weak to begin with. This can all potentially lead to poor absorption of nutrients, lack of nourishment for our tissues, imbalances in our body, and, ultimately, illness or disease. In addition to eating warm and cooked foods, drinking warm water is encouraged.
Practice Good Oral Health
What we eat becomes the building blocks for the tissues of our body. The mouth is the gateway to healthy eating, and it is crucial to maintain optimal oral health. It is recommended to do a tongue cleaning/scraping first thing upon waking. While asleep, the entire body goes through a repairing and detoxification process and expels ama (the Sanskrit word for toxins). One way the toxins are eliminated is through the tongue - one might notice a coating on the tongue at waking - that’s ama. By scraping the tongue one could help the body’s natural detoxification process.
Guidelines for good balanced digestion include; eating fresh (not stale) leftover foods, following regular mealtimes, eating only when hungry, consuming the largest meal around noon and not snacking between meals as this can disturb digestion. Incorporating daily movement such as brisk walking that practising gratitude can influence digestion in a positive way.
Ayurveda recommends cleansing and detoxing in the springtime to enhance digestion. One should always consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner and family doctor before commencing a detox program.
Integrating these simple practices into our daily lives can lead to healthier, vibrant bodies which is the start of one’s spiritual journey to awaken the vital energy (gaya) which in turn leads to liberation.
By: Suganthi Kathiravelu-Lem
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Or that the United States and Canada produce over 15 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per capita compared to the global average of 4 tons?
We think it’s high time we stray away from these statistics and wander toward more sustainable living habits. But the answer to sustainability at home doesn’t necessarily lie with expensive solar energy systems and supporting carbon offset programs (though if you have a little extra in the budget, they certainly don’t hurt!).
Curating a sustainable home is actually far simpler (and less expensive) than opting for all the trendy eco-hype and greenwashing that comes with it.
REDUCE WHAT YOU BRING INTO YOUR HOME
The single biggest thing you can do to make your home more sustainable is to redefine your purchasing and consumption habits.
Overconsumption is the single biggest sustainability issue facing the modern world, and directly feeds industries like that of fast fashion (which has the second biggest environmental impact next to coal).
Buying anything not only raises the issue of packaging waste and end-of-life disposal for you, but it also increases the demand to produce more of that product (and all the environmental impact that goes along with manufacturing).
The plastic bag around one little impulse buy may not seem like a lot, but the ripple effect can end up being massive.
Before you buy anything, ask yourself if you really need it. Then ask yourself these questions:
Will you use it often enough to justify it? Do you already own something that will work? Will it last you a long time? Is there a better (i.e. more sustainable and durable) alternative still within your budget? If not, can the purchase wait until it is?
ELEVATE YOUR ECO-GAME BY UPCYCLING
One way to avoid buying is by upcycling things you already have.
There are all sorts of interesting and useful items that can be made from old socks, old clothes, old underwear and bras, and even old mattresses.
Your home itself can even benefit from the likes of insulating door jams with socks or special throw pillows made from old college t-shirts that are hiding at the back of your closet.
OPT FOR ECO FRIENDLY FASHION, FURNISHINGS, AND HOME GOODS
Let’s talk about how we curate a sustainable home when we actually NEED to buy something.
We should first look to local second-hand stores, antique shops, and online thrift stores for pre-loved items.
When you can’t find the perfect new-to-you sustainable sofa, you can still outfit your home (or yourself) more responsibly by supporting good companies, whether they be sustainable clothing brands or makers of sustainable towels, organic comforters, or eco-friendly cookware, you name it!
If you need it, there’s a good chance that there’s a company making a sustainable version.
Ask yourself: What sustainable fabrics and materials do they use? How do they ensure their supply chain is ethical or fair trade? What else are they doing to lessen their environmental impact?
And remember: less is always more; quality over quantity.
INCORPORATE ZERO WASTE PRODUCTS INTO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE
Once you’ve filled your home with ethical home decor and sustainable furniture, keep it conscious by maintaining a conscious consumer mindset. That is, being mindful of future purchases you need to make.
One way to achieve that is to opt for everyday consumables that are ideally zero waste. In other words, products that are designed with a “cradle to cradle” philosophy, prioritizing reduced consumption and reusable goods over disposable ones.
Practicing a zero waste lifestyle isn’t as dramatic as it sounds. In fact, adopting a couple of simple zero waste tips over time will save an enormous amount of waste.
Next time you need to buy new laundry detergent, dish soap, or other household products remember there are zero waste cleaning products for every category, look for those with no packaging, or with compostable or reusable/recyclable packaging.
The same goes for personal care products such as zero waste shampoo, zero waste deodorant, and even zero waste makeup.
START COMPOSTING YOUR WASTE
The truth is, as mindfully as we might try to consume, we all produce waste. Food waste is a great example, and it’s also one of the most prevalent and preventable forms of waste in the solid waste stream.
Composting not only provides a planet-positive alternative to landfills but also has many other benefits. Start by educating yourself on what is compostable and what is not compostable, then learn about which method of composting best suits your lifestyle.
A backyard compost pile is certainly one of the easier setups, but there are also solutions for apartment composting at your disposal (pun intended).
Or, since you may already use some of your food scraps to brew kombucha at home, learn about how to brew worm tea, a concentrated liquid fertilizer yielded through composting with worms (AKA vermicomposting).
USE YOUR COMPOST TO GROW A GARDEN
Wondering what to do with all that wonderfully rich humus you’ve created in your compost bin?
Start a backyard or apartment garden of course!
Contrary to popular belief, gardening need not be reserved for those with big backyards and lots of outdoor space. You can create a fruitful green paradise in just about any living space with the right conditions.
Even simple container gardens offer a range of possibilities.
Not only can a garden provide a beautiful (and even bountiful) living space, but it can improve the air quality of your home and increase biodiversity in your backyard—not to mention all that carbon it consumes!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON CURATING A SUSTAINABLE HOME
Who knew that the radical act of reducing your carbon footprint at home could be as easy as feeding worms your table scraps and shopping for a new cozy fairly-traded blanket?
With all the eco-anxiety of the modern age, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer gravity of what it means to truly ‘live sustainably’. In reality, a sustainable home is really just a home that tries. Small changes over time make big impacts. And voting with your dollar by supporting companies who are fighting for change on an industrial scale cannot be understated.
Your home itself probably isn’t going to make or break the health of our planet, but it can certainly set off a chain reaction that can.
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Today we’re sharing a few suggestions on how to find small moments of mindfulness in the everyday.
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Here are a few things we have planned for summer, and how we’ll be incorporating our incredibly versatile Turkish towels and blankets:
Sundays are for picnics
On Sundays, we like to head out to a favourite park for a picnic with family and friends. Everyone makes a dish or two and we spend the day playing sports and eating yummy food. We always bring a few blankets to spread out and relax on. Our favourite picnic blankets are the Repose Blanket and the Châlet Blanket because they're extremely light-weight and roll up to a small compact size, making it easy to fit them in a shoulder bag.
Camping
We never go camping without our Turkish towels. Their super absorbency and quick drying properties make them ideal . During the day, we use them to dry off after swimming in the lake, and in the evenings, we wrap them around our shoulders to keep warm around the campfire. We also love our Brook Blanket for sleeping at night; it’s a tight weave and lightweight, providing the perfect amount of warmth while not taking up too much room in our bags.
Beach Days
We believe that summers are best spent near, or on, the water. We love bringing our roundies and blankets to the beach so that we can all spread out and sit together. We find that the tighter weaves work best for this, as they don’t allow any sand to get through. Our favourite pieces for sitting on the beach are the Brook Blanket and the Brook Roundie.
Of course, we also have a few full-size and small towels in our beach bag. We use the full size towels to dry off, but we also wear them as beach dresses and sarongs, and we use our small towels for drying our hair. We tend to choose our tightly woven towels to bring to the beach with us. Some of our favourites are the Cove Towel, the Oasis Towel, the Harbour Towel and the Rio Towel.
Summer Activities
Whether you enjoy a hot game of beach volleyball, soccer, or even a hike, our small size Turkish towels make the best sweat towels. We always keep a few in our gym bag and a few in the car. In particular, we love using the Marin Small Towel as it’s the tightest weave and the most absorbent.
Road Trips
One of our favourite ways to spend our weekends in the summer is on the road. We get an early start, pack up the car, and head out looking for adventure. We always pack snacks and drinks, running shoes, swimsuits and full size towels, as we never know where we’ll end up!
Star Gazing
On warm summer evenings you can find us in the countryside in vast open fields, blankets spread out, laying on our backs and looking up at the stars. Our favourite blanket for star gazing is the Rêve Blanket, light-weight, yet still so plush and cozy.
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Journaling is a simple practice with potentially profound effects. When we keep a journal or take to writing, we are having a relationship with our own mind, and it can become a place we begin to process our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Journaling has been linked to better mood, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhanced emotional regulation, and overall improved quality of life.
As a therapist, I have also found that journaling is a place to write and re-write our story. It is a powerful tool to shift outdated beliefs about oneself, including shame, insecurities, and stories we were given that are not our own. In writing to ourselves, we begin to become more aware of self, and other factors that went into how and why we are how we are, and how we came to see the world (and ourselves) in a certain way.
Below are a few tips and thoughts if you’d like to explore journaling for yourself. Remember, the biggest thing is to write like no one will ever see it. Free yourself from having to be “right” or “appropriate.”
Choose Your Medium or Use Many
The image of a journal might be a trusty notebook and pen, which is a wonderful grounding option. The use of putting pen to paper has been linked to deeper contextual understanding, and for many of us, it will be the only time we are not typing on a computer or phone.
A journal is but one option. I would encourage you to use whatever feels the best for you. Think any mixed medium if you’d like, from sketch pads with no lines, the use of colorful pens or colored pencils, torn clips from magazines or a newspaper or drawing in addition to writing sometimes.
You can use digital platforms as well. Our phones are equipped with notes functions, so we can have a quick place to chat with ourselves. Others might want to utilize a secure platform for journaling such as a website or app that can be locked. Privacy is paramount, and I would never want anyone to compromise their safety with journaling.
Or, use all these options in different ways.
Choose to be Consistent
A big part of therapeutic work is that we keep showing up. Journaling might become easier and may feel more natural when we add it into our routines every day, or almost every day. I am a night journaling person. I like to hang out with myself and write as a way to settle up the day and settle into falling asleep. You might find a morning journaling routine helps you to set up your day, create a focus or intention, or move your thoughts to gratitude before the realities of our day begin.
Consistency is more important than time of day. Do what works best for you.
Utilize Prompts but Be Willing to Freestyle
Journaling prompts are a great way to get the mind going. There are many lists of prompts, along with different prompts for any given focus. I’ve included a short list below. However, a prompt does not have to be a rigid protocol.
Part of the beauty of journaling is you are allowed to go wherever your mind and spirit would like to go. I have found that many who struggle with journaling also struggle with perfection, a need to do things “the right way,” and a judgment of self combined with a fear of what others might think or say regarding what they are writing. The gift here would be in the practice. Granting oneself the space to write freely can be more empowering than anything that comes up contextually.
Focus on the meaning versus emotions or rumination
One caveat to journaling: for those who struggle with rumination, a fixation on the negative aspects of an event, or are easily triggered as they write about or tell certain stories, journaling can actually make things worse. Getting lost in a sea of painful memories with no way to catch ourselves is not a place I’d like anyone to be stuck. For those instances, and if someone is not connecting with journaling, I would advise to not journal. There are many other tools that can be more helpful to you and your healing journey.
As you journal about different experiences, reflect more about the meaning you made of what happened or how you felt. For example, ____ happened, and it meant I am ____ or it meant I was ____. Meaning gets at core beliefs. Awareness of beliefs starts the path to unlearning or changing them. Unlearning negative beliefs frees us.
Starter Prompts:
Starting something new can often feel a bit awkward and uncomfortable, especially if we allow judgment and negative self-talk to run our day. The irony is that journaling can actually help those very things – it can help us shift our inner dialogue, identify patterns of thinking and feeling, and allow us to reconnect with our most authentic selves. The practice of journaling is an act of self-care, and self-prioritizing.
--Claire
Claire Fountain (@cbquality) is the wellness culture of tomorrow. A writer, therapist, and celebrity yoga instructor whose globally recognized TrillYoga continues to influence the fitness industry. Claire inspires with her unorthodox and realistic approach to yoga and mental health, while promoting a conscious lifestyle through insight and education. Her work focuses on the intersection of women, well being, mind body integration, self worth and the stories we tell ourselves with experience ranging from over half a dozen e-books and articles to international classes and speaking engagements.
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This beautiful shop carries a variety of wellness products that are sustainably sourced and Canadian made. Their product offerings range from supplements and superfoods, to teas, tinctures and natural bath and body care. We’re excited to have a beautiful selection of our Turkish towels, blankets, and our newly launched, Canadian made sweatsuit collection carried at the Toronto Apothecary! They’re proud to carry only Canadian product lines, the majority representing woman- owned and BIPOC owned businesses.
What we love most about The Toronto Apothecary is that their guiding principle is ‘Medicine for All’. In a traditionally elitist healthcare system, where alternative medicine is primarily accessible to wealthier individuals, they are paving a new way. They’ve created a healthcare model where everyone can have access to Naturopathic care through their community wellness programs. They offer both free and sliding scale options for marginalized individuals, those with low/fixed income, BIPOC / LGBTQ2S and those on government assistance. Each of their Naturopathic Doctors lends their time, knowledge and hearts to the community program so that every person can feel valued and cared for in a traditionally exclusive alternative healthcare model.
This collection includes two different cuts. The Mixed Grey pieces are a slim fit, made from 20oz reverse-grain French terry. This style is available in a jogger, a crew neck and two different hoodie options. We recommend sticking to your regular size for a slim fit. If you prefer a looser fit, we recommend sizing up.
The Washed Olive pieces are an oversized fit, made from 16oz brushed back fleece. This style is available in a sweatpant, a crew and two different hoodie options. For an oversized fit, stick to your true size. If you’d prefer a slimmer fit, we recommend going down a size.
This collection is currently available on our website as well as at The Toronto Apothecary and The Creemore Apothecary.
]]>Makes: 10-12 Muffins
Prep Time: 15 to 20 minutes
Cook Time (for the sweet potato puree): 45 to 55 minutes
Cook Time (for the muffins): 20-25 minutes
Making the Muffins:
You need:
2 cups sweet potato puree (ideally fresh – see below for instructions, but canned works too!)
⅓ cup melted coconut oil
2 flax eggs (2 tablespoon ground flaxseeds mixed in 6 tablespoons of hot water for 10 minutes)
½ cup maple syrup or coconut sugar
¼ non-dairy milk such as almond milk or hemp milk or oat milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
1 teaspoon anti inflammatory spices*
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1¾ cup Oat flour or any other gluten free flour mix
½ cup chopped dates (optional but highly recommend it)
¼ desiccated coconut (optional)
Hemp seeds and extra cinnamon for topping
*to make the anti-inflammatory spice blend, combine ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon cardamom, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon ginger powder a pinch of clove and lots of love.
For the Sweet Potato Puree:
2 medium sweet potatoes
You can either steam the sweet potatoes or bake them in the oven.
Bake Method:
Heat oven to 400°F.
Scrub and clean the sweet potatoes, peel them and prick them with a fork few times.
Place sweet potato on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes- 1h, depending on the size of your potatoes.
Test if your sweet potatoes are cooked through by pricking with a fork. If they are tender, they are ready to mash. If they are firm, return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
Steam Method:
Peel sweet potatoes and cut in half.
Add 2 cups of water to a pot, then insert a steamer basket. Add the sweet potatoes to the steamer basket.
Cover, bring water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
When a fork inserts easily into the sweet potatoes, transfer sweet potatoes to a large bowl.
With a potato masher or a fork, mash until smooth
Note that you can make the puree a day ahead.
Baking the Muffins:
To store the remaining muffins, place them in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!
-- Suganthi
These stressors can be mild to more severe and can even be triggers related to previous trauma. Depending on your experiences in life (such as childhood and/or trauma) your sensitivity to stressors may be more acute, with reactions such as anxiety or depression or numbing. In trauma-informed therapy, we refer to this sensitivity to stressors as one’s “window of tolerance”. This window may be narrower if you've had adverse or traumatic experiences in your life.
So how do we know if self-soothing could potentially help us? Do you ever experience anxiety, rumination, a rush of thoughts, feeling irritable or aggressive, or a fast heart rate with quickened breathing? These could be forms of hyper-arousal. How about feeling numb, disconnected, low energy, flat or spaced out? These could be forms of hypo-arousal. We all deal with feeling less than ourselves when stress enters our lives. Practicing noticing how we react or respond to such stressors is the first step to understanding how self-soothing can help us.
Sometimes we think there is no reason to calm ourselves. We humans are great at finding ways to distract or distance ourselves, from ourselves. Being able to tune our skills to take care of ourselves when we are stressed, angry, hurt, frustrated, or feeling depressed is important and creates more aptitude for dealing with any emotions. I have also found that those who are able to self-soothe are less afraid of their feelings, knowing they can be with themselves versus feeling like they are at the mercy of these feelings (as if their feelings control them.)
There is no one size fits all in terms of self-soothing habits. Some work for me, some will work for me, and some will work for others. Part of this work is trying out different approaches and accepting that some seemingly great self-soothing options might not resonate. And that’s ok. You might find different times in life require different self-soothing skills. Experiment, and keep what works for you.
Whether you experience these stressors as an increase, or decrease in arousal, will help you to identity which self-soothing tips might bring you back into an optimal zone. Think of the optimal zone as calm, and the ability to be present. In the optimal zone, you can think easily and make decisions that feel aligned with yourself. You will also feel grounded in this space.
When we are hyper-aroused, we are looking for calming tools, and with hypo-arousal we are looking for ways to increase awareness and presence. I have found that grounding work can be helpful in all reactions. Stray & Wander has a great grounding post I shared that you can check out here for ideas.
Here’s a quick list of self-soothing skills to try. Remember hyper-arousal is looking for calming or a burning off of the energy, or a slowing down, while hypo-arousal is looking for ways to come back into a space and feel more filled with life and presence in the moment:
It is helpful to make a list of which self-soothing tools help you the most, so that you have a reference when you are feeling stressed, or out of sorts. For example, how might we use these options in everyday situations?
Let’s say you view a distressing news story and suddenly feel yourself drifting off. Moving to any of the above options that focus on senses could help, for example, reaching for a soft blanket, noticing items around you and naming them, or using essential oils. Breathing into the heart center and reminding ourselves we are safe can also help.
As another example, perhaps you have a stressful work meeting coming up on Zoom. Thoughts of everything that could go wrong are rushing into your mind and clouding your focus. Maybe you can try to give yourself three big breaths, or you try using finger tapping to feel each fingertip against the thumb to a mirror a count of four for your inhale and a count of four for your exhale. You can also try revisiting any soothing positive affirmations you might have, for example, “I am capable.” “I am prepared.” “I can do hard things.”
--Claire
Claire Fountain (@cbquality) is the wellness culture of tomorrow. A writer, therapist, and celebrity yoga instructor whose globally recognized TrillYoga continues to influence the fitness industry. Claire inspires with her unorthodox and realistic approach to yoga and mental health, while promoting a conscious lifestyle through insight and education. Her work focuses on the intersection of women, well being, mind body integration, self worth and the stories we tell ourselves with experience ranging from over half a dozen e-books and articles to international classes and speaking engagements.
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Not sure how to start decorating with flora? We’ve put together a few suggestions to get you started.
1. Plant Stands and Hanging Plant Stands
Using stands, whether hanging or freestanding, creates visual depth and focal points throughout your space. If you’re working with a smaller space, consider choosing a stand with skinny legs. Hanging plant stands also work beautifully in small spaces and can be a fun DIY project requiring only a plank of wood, eye hooks and some strong twine.
2. Showcase Your Air Plants
These low-maintenance beauties are fascinating as they require no soil to grow! Air plants make a unique addition to your home or office space. You can create your own terrarium to house them (another fun DIY project), or alternately, hang them in macramé plant hangers. Another cute option is to display you air plants in brass wall sconces.
3. Trailing Plants
Vines are a wonderful addition to any space and are a simple way to transform your space into a magical indoor jungle. Popular trailing plants include devil’s ivy, string of pearls, string of hearts, pothos and English ivy. Trailing plants are fast growing and can be easily propagated from cuttings.
4. Natural Baskets
Natural baskets help to instantly elevate your plant game. Pop your planters into beautiful handmade baskets (if possible, try to source fairly traded baskets from women's cooperatives) made from wicker, rattan, or jute for a bohemian chic look with a natural aesthetic and neutral colour palette.
You can also try searching for second-hand baskets at local shops and markets or, you could consider repurposing what you already have around your house.
5. Repurposing Glass Jars and Bottles
Repurposing old glass jars and bottles is a fun way to style plants and to propagate cuttings. They can make beautiful centrepieces on your dinning room or kitchen table, and minimalist interest pieces on coffee tables, accent tables and bedside tables.
Use your old jars and bottles that you have at home, or if you’re looking for more unique vessels, check out your local antique shops and markets.
6. Decorate with Dried Bouquets
Dried bouquets are widely used by interior designers and social media influencers alike to create interesting focal points on mantels and indoor spaces. Pampas Grass, bunny tail grass, eucalyptus and natural palm spear fan are all popular.
You can source these from your local nursery or head out on an adventure to see what you can forage. We love that dried arrangements are long-lasting and cost efficient.
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If you’re like most people, you might never have really thought about it. For many consumers, candles are a valuable small indulgence, allowing us to collectively slow down and engage in some much-needed self-care. More than ever, we’re seeing people reaching for tangible comforts to remain grounded and balanced.
The candle industry is thriving, growing, and projected to boom over the next several years. However, as with any oversaturated market, there are good and bad options for our collective and individual wellness.
The current trend in the candle industry is increasingly focused on sustainability, ecology, and holistic health. As such, many companies are promoting their products as eco-friendly, sustainably sourced, and “green,” in order to court this new demographic of conscious buyers. However, not every company is truly walking the walk.
Fenwick Candles’ Place in the Aromatherapy Movement
The ethos of Fenwick Candles has always been simple: blending tradition with progress, and always looking to nature for inspiration.
The ancient practice of aromatherapy informed founder Trish Fenwick’s work as she began crafting her distinctive candles back in 2015, and today, she continues to operate her business in the Green Belt outside of Toronto.
Over the past six years, the FC brand has grown consistently due to its emphasis on eternal sacred truths: rhythms in nature, the beauty of the rural Canadian landscape, and ethical transparency.
The wax used in Fenwick Candles is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. They are known for having their own proprietary organic coconut wax, a wholly unique blend of raw materials sourced domestically and internationally.
Radical Transparency and Prevailing Authenticity
At first glance, you might recognize Fenwick Candles by their unique ivory tone. The pure white candles are an aesthetic wonder, pairing well with minimalist décor and bringing warmth and romance to any living space. But, they offer much more than surface-level beauty. FC’s candles are all non-GMO, synthetic-free, and handcrafted with intentionality, relying on three foundational ingredients:
Every man-made wax begins with an oil, but FC wanted to choose one with purpose. They looked for a resource that is certified organic and stamped with ECOCERT approval. These regulations support rather than disrupt the natural environment, and that eliminates the need for deforestation. Mother Nature provided something special with the coconut tree. When allowed to grow to full maturity, these trees can bear fruit for up to 60 years, encouraging longevity and eliminating the need for deforestation. Coconut oil’s fatty acid composition serves as a protective host for the essential oils.
The stearic acid in each candle is sourced from palm fruit oil. There are many misconceptions about palm, but after much research and work with ethical suppliers, FC discovered that it is an incredible renewable resource. When harvested ethically, palm can allow for an abundance in sustainable application. FC works with a RSPO-certified supplier whose mission is to support and protect small growers who follow the principles of permaculture. RSPO is designed to regulate and maintain the integrity of this incredibly versatile resource that in turn regulates our earth. Plus, stearic acid’s rigidity is the reason why Fenwick Candles have an impressive burn time of up to 80 hours.
Beeswax is truly a scientific anomaly, standing out from the crowd as nature’s only true wax that is used on its own for candlemaking. This ingredient plays an important role in harmonizing all of the fatty acids and in stabilizing the wax’s form. Fenwick Candles works with Canada’s leading apiaries who are proud stewards of a sustainable beekeeper’s initiative. These apiaries offer a unique process of charcoal filtering their wax. This maintains the integrity of the chemical makeup of the wax, while gradually fading out the amber hue to a warm tonal white.
Every ingredient in Fenwick Candles is carefully selected for its value in sustainability, and each candle is hand-poured with love. With ten tantalizing scents to choose from (our favourite is no. 7 fir balsam x cedar), there is a candle for every mood, every season, and every taste. Plus, you can listen to sounds inspired by your favourite scent on FC’s curated playlists.
]]>Some industries, such as the “wellness” industry, are innately blurrier that others, making it a challenging space to navigate. With a combination of science-based fields (doctors, MD’s, registered nurses, registered dietitians, licensed / clinical social workers, psychologists, etc.) and more nuanced mind-body-spirit modalities (reiki, yoga teachers, massage therapists / body workers, personal trainers, alternative diet specialists, and perhaps doulas, etc.) the industry has a wide range of people working with people to heal aliments, improve oneself, and ultimately feel better. (Or be better at feeling, if you’re in the clinical mental health space.)
In a New York Time’s review for The Death of Expertise (a book by Tom Nichols which discusses the rise of ignorance and mistrust of intellectualism, namely in America,) writer Michiko Kakutani notes “While the internet has allowed more people more access to more information than ever before, it has also given them the illusion of knowledge when in fact they are drowning in data and cherry-picking what they choose to read.”
This illusion of knowledge has created a sea of unqualified and unregulated individuals running wild on social media. With “wellness” and “mental health” being the current trendy topics, it is not surprising that anyone with access to social media and a desire to create content or create a career for themselves (influencers I’m looking at you), has started to ease into subject matters and offerings that fall far out of their range of specialty (assuming that they even had a specialty to begin with.)
Perhaps the most frightening part of seeing such false claims and untrained people working on social media is that many consumers and potential clients come to wellness to heal and are in a position of feeling un-well. Many are in a vulnerable state and looking for anything that could possibly help. Social media adds a layer of complexity in how difficult it is to discern what is and isn’t real. It is easy to create professional looking pages, websites, and bios, and anyone can easily repurpose other professionals’ work by way of reposting, copying language, or engaging in science literature or psychobabble; all giving the illusion of expertise or knowledge, when there truly is none.
The question then becomes, how can the lay consumer, who is looking to make the best choices with regard to their health and healing, know what is what? Eh, it’s complicated. Some industries have strict licensing boards, ethical guidelines and checks and balances in place to make sure clients and patients are kept as safe as possible. Others has certification and trainings (think personal training, nutrition or dietitians, reiki, yoga, etc.)
Understanding the need for certification, those who seek out these professions are aware of the time, energy, financial commitment and effort that are needed in order to be skilled in a given area. Sure, being certified, licensed or having certain advanced degrees does not guarantee someone will be a good ___ (fill in the blank with a title,) but it does offer a base from which to build. Think of it as a strong skeleton, and the muscle or quality of building past that is up to the professional. Workshops, additional trainings and certifications, specialties, increased supervision in clinical and medical professions, and more, will be undertaken by professionals to further increase their competence and the overall welfare of their clients.
Many know the medical ethics principle “do no harm,” yet what do we do when an industry does not have systems in place to protect people? Case in point, life coaches.
“Life Coaching” is a seemingly new industry (executive coaching was popular in the 1980’s but more the more life coaching centric work popped up in the 1990’s) and nowadays, many have pivoted their careers to life coaching. Though some certifications exist, few take them, and those that do have no boards or set of qualifications that protect people. Many coaching programs advertise their marketing and social media components, as the goal is to attract clients and make money, not to truly help or protect people. As a mental health professional, we had classes and courses required by masters and doctorate programs, along with the state and national boards for ethics and legal considerations. Marketing and personal brand- building were not areas of study.
Another concerning aspect is the potential for further harm by way of re-traumatizing individuals who seek out the services of these unqualified and unregulated coaches. This is especially problematic when “coaches” claim to have specialties and training that they do not possess.
The Internet has a way of making everyone a specialist if they have themselves gone through a given experience. However, any professional can tell you that experiencing something does not make you an expert, and it certainly does not qualify a person to help others in that given area (past peer support and anecdotal story telling). The latter can be powerful and purposeful, yet should not be marketed as counselling, coaching, or therapy.
I also fear the ego that can get caught up in such work, when clients come to a coach for help with everything from sexual abuse to trauma to addiction, a person in the coaching field might feel “trusted” with such topics. This feeling is remiss. Coaching, charging people, or doling out advice (even when it does help someone) does not qualify you to do such work.
With all this being considered, I believe the path to keeping the greatest number of people safe is to educate on the nature of topics and help available, that is not tainted with the marketing of social media or detailed websites and lengthy bios that say a whole lot of nothing.
Consumers have to do their due diligence to vet those who they reach out to for professional help. Ask questions. Inquire about training, education, and qualifications. If someone makes you feel worse, is asking an amount of money for services that feel off, or if you sense something is not right; trust your inner knowing and seek out something else. Often times, when something seems too good to be true, it is. I would also suggest being weary of people who become “experts” overnight, or, who have a laundry list of specialties and self-proclaimed titles.
As much as I would love to say becoming a professional is quick and easy, it is not, and it is created that way for a reason. Professionalism and taking care of people might not be trendy, but it is the only way to move forward.
--Claire
Claire Fountain (@cbquality) is the wellness culture of tomorrow. A writer, therapist, and celebrity yoga instructor whose globally recognized TrillYoga continues to influence the fitness industry. Claire inspires with her unorthodox and realistic approach to yoga and mental health, while promoting a conscious lifestyle through insight and education. Her work focuses on the intersection of women, well being, mind body integration, self worth and the stories we tell ourselves with experience ranging from over half a dozen e-books and articles to international classes and speaking engagements.
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Kinsfolk Shop carries a range of practical, simple products, which include kitchen tools, natural toiletries, cleaning supplies, and Stray & Wander Turkish towels and blankets. They have a strong focus on Canadian made products, but also carry Fair-Trade and ethically sourced goods from around the globe.
Kinsfolk Shop also gives back to Tree Canada and Feed Ontario and all purchases from the shop ship plastic-free and carbon neutral.
]]>The common practice of calling women “girls” seems innocuous, yet this patronizing habit does not serve women, or the girls who will inevitably become women. The language is undermining at best, and dehumanizing at worst. The term “girl” refers to “a female child,” not an adult woman. Infantilizing women is not new, and no matter how accomplished women have become, many are still treated this way in the news, media, and professional environments. With sexism still a norm, pay still unequal, and women being seen as less competent and hireable,[1] (even with the same experience and skill-sets), calling women ‘girls’ has got to go.
Perhaps one of the most interesting places to discuss this, is in relation to the popular terms “girl boss” and “boss babe”, which most often refer to movements and sentiments related to the empowerment of women in business settings. These terms and the movement around them generally refer to “women who run things” in a world where patriarchy still runs rampant and women are still underrepresented in business. Though intentions are often in the right place, and the work done in these spaces and environments has been well-meaning and positive, using these titles still infantilizes women founders and bosses.
If that was not enough to have you re-think calling women girls, or even calling yourself a girl if you identity as a woman, let us not forget the sexual undertones “girl” connotes, as it continues to objectify women and even sexualize actual girls. We must also remember we do not call men boys. Calling Black men “boys” has deep roots in racism, othering, and dehumanizing behaviour. “Boy” is not benign, and frankly, neither is “girl.”
Ultimately, language matters. One goal of radical feminism and womanism is to deconstruction boxes, and boxes are framed by language. The idea is that if we take away the boxes, the sky is the limit. Being viewed equally and treated fairly as humans, and not objects, IS an option.
When we continue to refer to women as girls, we keep women from being viewed in the empowering way I think many of us would like for them to be viewed. Removing condescending language from our vocabulary is part of the process. This applies to those who are not women when referring to women, and even to women when referring to ourselves.
Claire Fountain (@cbquality) is the wellness culture of tomorrow. A writer, therapist, and celebrity yoga instructor whose globally recognized TrillYoga continues to influence the fitness industry. Claire inspires with her unorthodox and realistic approach to yoga and mental health, while promoting a conscious lifestyle through insight and education. Her work focuses on the intersection of women, well being, mind body integration, self worth and the stories we tell ourselves with experience ranging from over half a dozen e-books and articles to international classes and speaking engagements.
[1] https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/unofficial-prognosis/study-shows-gender-bias-in-science-is-real-heres-why-it-matters/
]]>I think more about the range of emotions that might come up with “New Year” this year, from sadness and grief, to the year we did not have, to the coming year we might not have, to the survivors remorse that lingers for those who have lost loved ones. The same remorse might come up for those who have not struggled (and perhaps, even thrived) as they look towards 2021 and beyond with optimism and ease, versus the collective grief that many others have felt.
I am not here to tell you there is any right way to feel. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that our feelings will be with us no matter where we go, and are often the loudest when we have nowhere to go, and none of our usual coping strategies. Accepting these feelings, no matter how complex or contradictory, is a step towards more calm. This also helps to keep us aligned with our inner self. According to Dan Siegel, “research is clear that once we add the three pillars of attention, awareness, and kind intention to whatever we are doing, we will be happier and healthier.” [1]
As we begin to close this year, perhaps we could all benefit from more kindness and compassion towards ourselves. Coupled with acceptance of the present realities, this approach is fitting no matter how you're feeling as December comes to a close. It might be tempting to see December 31st as closure, yet I encourage us to let go of timelines, and magical thinking that New Year’s Day suddenly changes anything. I rarely talk about “moving on” and more so think about moving through. December or January, this season or the next, we will all continue to move through what is.
If resolutions are still calling you, by all means, carry on with such plans. If you’re struggling to make sense of resolutions, especially this year, know that you’re not alone. And if the holidays or New Year’s seems particularly dire, hopeless, or painful for you, I encourage you to use this time to reach out to a loved one, trusted friend, or mental health professional. You do not have to wade through darker times on your own. Despite what you might believe, we humans need others for love, support, and survival. I’d like to leave you all with a reminder from January 2018, with a sentiment that has not changed, and will not change in 2021 or the years to come:
DO WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU
I was once asked what my greatest accomplishment was, and I said: “I survived.” Sometimes everything we have on our plate is already enough, or there are more pressing parts to our human experience than a massive to-do list of resolutions. Be kind to yourself. Maybe you’re not in a place to have a laundry list of resolutions. Maybe it’s one item you can easily accomplish, like a sleep resolution or saying kinder things to yourself (and others), or letting go of something that no longer serves you. Even something as simple as how we serve ourselves and the world day to day.
There is much that is small and worthy. Go into 2021 with grace, compassion, and a willingness to try and possibly fail. That’s the best we can really do as humans.
Simply put, 'be a better human' is a resolution I think we can all get behind.
Or, fuck ‘em. Don’t make any resolutions. Everyone might be doing it, but I’m reminded of the quote “When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”[2]
Do what’s best for you.
With love and so much light for 2021 that shows us how much good is left in the world,
--Claire
Claire Fountain (@cbquality) is the wellness culture of tomorrow. A writer, therapist, and celebrity yoga instructor whose globally recognized TrillYoga continues to influence the fitness industry. Claire inspires with her unorthodox and realistic approach to yoga and mental health, while promoting a conscious lifestyle through insight and education. Her work focuses on the intersection of women, well being, mind body integration, self worth and the stories we tell ourselves with experience ranging from over half a dozen e-books and articles to international classes and speaking engagements.
Works Cited
[1] Siegel, Dan. (May/June 2020) “The Healthy Mind Platter” From Virtual Symposium 2020. Psychotherapy Networker.
[2] Mark Twain.
]]>In the last of our four-part series, we discuss how our Turkish cotton textiles can help you create real, tangible change in reducing your environmental impact and living a more sustainable life.
Our Turkish cotton is unique in that it doesn’t require the use of a clothes dryer, which reduces your environmental footprint by significantly lowering your potential electricity consumption. Clothes dryers are one of the biggest consumers of electricity of all household appliances, because they need lots of electricity to run a powerful motor, while simultaneously maintaining a heated environment to dry clothing. In fact, clothes dryers are so energy-intensive, that depending on the country and region you live in, pricing strategies may be in place to promote energy conservation, meaning that these appliances are only operated in off-peak hours. Unfortunately, out of all the textiles that you regularly dry in a dryer, traditional towels often require the most energy to dry properly.
Egyptian cotton towels are made from long-fibre cotton that is woven in such a way as to produce a soft, fluffy, and absorbent textile. The downside to this, of course, is that the water that is absorbed by the towel, needs to be dried off in the clothes dryer. So, while fluffy towels may feel soft and luxurious to use, that same plushness requires a lot of electricity to be brought back to its familiar, fluffy state.
By contrast, our Turkish towels are made from medium-length cotton fibres, instead of the long fibres that are found in traditional terrycloth towels. The result is a towel with a vastly different appearance, weight, and drying needs. Where traditional cotton towels are plush, thick, and heavy, our Turkish cotton towels are thin and lightweight. The shorter fibre lengths of Turkish cotton provides an excellent compromise between the towel’s absorbency and drying time. Unlike regular towels, Turkish towels can be air dried in just a few hours. On the other hand, we’ve probably all tried to air dry our terrycloth towels, only to find that the results are subpar: the towels wrinkle, they are stiff and not soft, and often smell musty. Turkish towels naturally air-dry back to their soft, lightweight state, without any compromise in tactile quality, and no disappointing mustiness.
Opting to replace your traditional towels with our Turkish towels means that you are investing in a less carbon-intensive lifestyle by eliminating the need to dry towels in a clothes dryer. This will greatly reduce your home’s energy consumption, while giving you peace of mind that you are supporting traditional methods of production, creating sustainable livelihoods for women living in rural communities, and are using long lasting, quality textiles that will remain effortlessly beautiful and functional for years to come.
We hope that these past few posts have made you think about ways that you can integrate sustainability into your lives. Buying less, buying mindfully, buying for versatility, supporting women-run businesses, and reducing your fossil fuel consumption are all ways that we can action our desires to reduce our environmental impact and support communities and the planet.
]]>Sustainability means consuming mindfully and consuming less
In the third of our four part series examining a holistic view of sustainability, we take a step inward and look at how our own consumption and mindfulness (or lack thereof) can exacerbate ecological impacts, and work at odds with our desire to live a more sustainable life.
We often feel trapped in a cycle of over-consumption that has been marketed to us as a way to cope with a range of mental health concerns that come with our modern and demanding lifestyles: stress, anxiety, fear, loneliness, disconnection, and boredom. It goes without saying that consuming for the sake of buying things, or because something is fashionable and on-trend, is a powerful driver that is harming our planet by favouring cheap, mass production which is not sustainable for the planet, or the communities that contribute resources and labour to the supply chain.
One exercise we can all do to help live a more sustainable life is to be more mindful of what we choose to purchase. When we consider buying anything, we can ask ourselves questions like, “Do I really need this? Why do I feel the need to make this purchase? How often will I use this purchase? Do I already have something similar that I can use?” The point isn’t to delve into a deep psychological analysis, but just to be more mindful and grateful for the possessions we have in our lives already, and evaluate the impact that each new purchase will make.
Quite often, we buy things on impulse and because we project our desires into a story starring our future selves...only to never use that new bread maker we bought, or wear that outfit, or play that game, or read that book. Clothing and textiles are one particularly tricky purchase area that traps us in these stories. We are lured by the excitement of a trendy new look, and are often carried away by how the outfit will “make us feel”, daydreaming about what good fortune and happiness the garment will bring us. But, how often do we open our closets -- full of clothes – and complain that we have “nothing to wear”?
Aside from being mindful of our purchases before we make them, another helpful exercise to make your life more sustainable is to buy items that are multi-functional. Instead of buying items that only have one use, consider buying an item -- even if it is more expensive -- that can be used in many different ways. Items that can be used in different ways will last longer, and will not need to be replaced as often, helping to break the overconsumption cycle and helping us consume less.
Our Turkish towels are a perfect example of multi-functionality. They can be used as towels, of course, but also as scarves, shawls, sarongs, table coverings, throws, and yoga mat covers. Our small towels are also extremely versatile and can be used as hand towels, tea towels, hair towels, and burp clothes. They can also be used for any number of activities, and are perfect for throwing in your bag because they take up very little space. Specifically, we like to add our small towels to our gym bags and yoga bags, as they are the perfect size sweat towel because our Turkish towels and blankets are highly absorbent, lightweight, and take up very little space, they can be taken with you without adding weight or bulk to your bag. You won’t have to compromise space or routine to take a functional, beautifully handmade towel with you, helping you to easily incorporate a sustainable purchasing decision into your life.
Sustainability means individual mindfulness and self-care
Although we discuss ways that we can make our lives more sustainable externally, such as with our purchasing decisions, it is also very important to consider the ways in which we can make our lives internally more sustainable.
It is helpful to consider that we have a finite amount of energy, time, and motivation in each day, and that we all have things that we need to do in addition to the things that we want to do. Many of us struggle with burnout and exhaustion these days, especially in the current climate of the pandemic, where we have not been able to make usual social visits to people we care about, or do the things that we love doing. Many of us often feel chained to our computers and feel like we are exhausted from leading less exciting lives compared to the not so distant past.
That is why it’s important to consider ways in which we can take a sustainable approach to our time and energy. We can practice mindfulness, gratitude, and self-care so that we can recharge and will be able to focus our energy and enjoyment in the future. While we often think of sustainability in terms of ensuring resources for future generations, an internally sustainable mindset is one that allows us to make decisions so that we can live grounded, fulfilling lives now, without compromising our future selves’ ability to do the same.
For example, are we eating well? Are we getting enough movement? Are we staying connected (even virtually) to those we care about? Are we getting enough regular sleep? While these steps seem small in the short-term, building these habits helps us live more fulfilled and sustainable lives by ensuring that we remain energized, grateful, and happy into the future. When we are tired, burned out, irritable, hungry, and overwhelmed, these are often signs that we have not taken steps to practice our own self-care.
In our fourth and final post on leading a more sustainable life, we examine the real way in which using our Turkish towels and blankets reduce your consumption of fossil fuels -- a small change that can have a real impact on the planet.
-- Stray & Wander Team
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Sustainability means inclusion and building community
Developing and harvesting resources in a more sustainable way often has the added benefit of simultaneously creating more inclusive, resilient communities. This is because the altruistic ethos of sustainability -- ensuring that enough resources exist for future generations -- is at odds with the worldview of large-scale, mass production operations that almost always rely on exploiting local populations for cheap, expendable labour.
For this reason, many sustainably developed resources and supply chains are run by smaller, local operations that have been created by communities from the ground up. These operations are created because communities want to retain control over the development of their local resources and have autonomy over their labour. They want to work in ways that are inclusive and contribute to the growth and prosperity of their communities. Purchasing goods that have been created in a sustainable manner often directly contributes to the prosperity of these communities by shifting buying power away from exploitative operations to those that have been created by local farmers or artisans themselves. Prosperity gained from sustainably-produced goods helps small, rural communities control their own destiny and invest in themselves, which helps future generations break the cycle of unsustainable resource use and exploitative labour.
For example, our textiles are produced exclusively by women-run co-operatives in rural communities in Turkey. The artisans that we partner with are paid fairly for their labour, and produce intricate, beautifully hand woven goods from local cotton crops that have been grown organically in a sustainable manner. By purchasing our goods, you’re providing valuable financial empowerment to these artisans by helping to create sustainable livelihoods and job security. In turn, the women that we work with are then able to invest in building their communities.
We know that women are the drivers of sustainable development and powerful agents of change. Evidence from around the world confirms that investing in girls and women creates a ripple effect that yields multiple benefits, not only for individual women, but for families, communities, and countries. Ultimately, the sustainable world that we envision, relies on supporting communities to grow and prosper together.
Sustainability means building equity into businesses
Equity for all people is an important principle and goal of sustainability. Practices and processes that further solidify already-unfair and severe gaps in income, opportunities, resource availability, and education, means that the benefits of a business or development project may only serve to enhance the wealth and privilege of the few-- at the expense of the many, and future generations.
One way to help mitigate these disparities and build a more sustainable world is to invest in, and purchase from women. The more that women’s opportunities are increased, the more that cycles of poverty and exploitation can be weakened. This empowers communities to make more sustainable choices with regards to how their labour and resources are developed, because they are not forced to use their resources in an unsustainable way due to poor labour opportunities and desperation.
In the third part of this series, we’ll look at sustainability on a local scale, by examining how consuming more mindfully contributes to our ability to live more sustainable lives.
-- Stray & Wander Team
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