FUN – Page 62 – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

B well – Juicing the smart way

HEALTH IN A GLASS?

Whether it’s an early-morning fruit-juice fix or pulverized carrots and kale for lunch, may of us are taking our meals in liquid form. But do the health claims justify giving juice a whirl?

You can’t walk down the street these days without seeing someone sipping juice. From trendsetting celebs to health gurus like Dr. Oz and Oprah, it seems everyone is enjoying their salads through a straw. And making some pretty big claims about the benefits. Juicing, they say, can help you turn back the clock, shed unwanted pounds fast and even fight a whole host of diseases.

Doctors, dietitians and nutritionists are divided as to whether juice cleanses have all the detoxifying, diet-transforming and disease-fighting properties their advocates so reverently profess. From a medical standpoint, doctors say our bodies (specifically the kidneys and liver) are equipped to naturally remove toxins from our systems.

One thing most experts can agree on is that juicing in moderation (think a glass a day as opposed to a meal replacement) can supplement an already decent diet or help jump start a range of healthy behaviour, such as more mindful eating in general. The bottom line is It’s fine to occasionally drink your fruits and veggies as long as you eat them often too.

Whole or pulverized, fruit and vegetables are essential to a healthy diet, so if it takes a glass of juice to help you get more of them, then that’s not entirely a bad thing. Experiment with ingredients like ginger for energy, or antioxidant-rich beets, which are high in folate, to help protect your heart.

For a super smoothie try mixing up some high grade protein powder with wild greens, blueberries, yogurt, banana, flax seeds, wheat germ & green tea powder.

Also: **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host BradKing for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America. Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

excerpts taken from Health Trends – Chatelaine Magazine

FUN

Inspiration – Kids Books

Don’t ask what I was doing perusing the Kid’s bookstore recently but I think it was the princess paraphernalia in the store window that drew me inside. Since I don’t have kids of my own I’ve been out of touch with the recent crop of book titles. Wow…how times have changed! But then when you think about it “Green Eggs and Ham” didn’t really make much sense either. Which brings me to the realization that we might be missing something in the imagination department as we get older. Have a look at some of these intriguing titles:

This makes the most sense

I think I could write kids books – anything goes.

FUN

Intriguing Hair Products – Reviews

A Perfect Mask, a Flyaway Tamer & Making Waves.

L’Occitane LOVE: This shine mask not only smells heavenly with 5 essential oils known for repairing dry and damaged hair but it also leaves your hair nice’n shiny, soft and smooth.

Oils: (angelica, lavender, geranium, ylang ylang & sweet orange) formulated with a natural vegetable complex particularly recommended for color and chemically treated hair. You only need to leave it on for five minutes. Your hair will love you for it.

Who doesn’t need to touch up flyaways every now and always?

John Frieda has come up with a Full Repair touch-up flyaway tamer that comes in a mascara like casing and works pretty much the same way but on your hair – specifically on the little buggers that won’t stay put! You just brush the wand over dried hair to smooth flyaways. It really works. Especially great for when you wear your hair up or off your face.

Then when you’re ready for that beachy wavy vibe you can turn to “Not Your Mother’s” BEACH BABE Texturizing Sea Salt Spray infused with Dead Sea Salt & Sea Kelp. You just need to spray it onto clean, damp or dry hair, comb through & style. You’ll get sexy, tousled waves and fool everyone into thinking you just left the beach. Now everyday can be a day at the beach!

Have any other recommendations?

FUN

Style – making it your own

By personalizing coveted items.

Alexandra Richards in Paris. Photo from Ferregamo Website. — **Alexandra Richards** (daughter of Keith Richards & model Patty Hansen) in Paris. Photo taken from **Ferragamo Website**.

We’re all aware that we can monogram our initials on our plush Egyptian cotton bathrobes and even customize sneakers online but customizing luxury Italian leather goods? – not so common.

To commemorate the 35^th anniversary of its famed “Vara skimmers” Ferragamo is introducing L’Icona, a digital DIY experience.

For 35 years, Vara has been worn by style setters around the globe (the go-to classic for style icons like Princess Diana to Alexa Chung ~~to me~~),and has become an icon in the fashion realm. It is one of the most famously recognized shoes from the House of Ferragamo. I’ve always loved this type of shoe – so versatile and classic.

Vara Classic - from Ferragamo Website — Vara Classic – from Ferragamo Website

It’s a way for customers to reflect their personalities and so they will be able to e-cobble with choice of hue, ribbon, and plate. Choose from 22 shades of patent leather, 21 colors of grosgrain ribbon, 3 metal options for the bow’s ornament plate and 2 heel heights. You can even have 3 letters monogrammed on the bottom of the shoe. Your perfect pair will arrive in five weeks – flat. FerraGLAMo! (photo)

http://icona.ferragamo.com/

Trivia: Do you remember the TV series “Laverne & Shirley?” Laverne always had her initials sewn into her tops.

Making SCENTS with Ralph Lauren’s CUSTOMIZED perfume bottles.

Buy one of Ralph Lauren Big Pony women’s or men’s fragrances online, and you can personalize it with a name, monogram, or message of up to 10 characters. Perfect for detailing a signature scent, giving as a gift, or oh-so-elegantly marking your territory.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12510323

as seen in InStyle Magazine

FUN

On the Storefront – stepping back in time with…

A beautifully curated space filled with one-of-a-kind vintage stock and unique items for your life.

FUN

Away with Words – the Secret of Happiness

Happy vs Unhappy

Excerpts from “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle Unhappiness – what is a negative emotion? An emotion that is toxic to the body and interferes with its balance and harmonious functioning. Fear, anxiety, anger, bearing a grudge, sadness, hatred or intense dislike, jealousy, envy – all disrupt the energy flow through the body, affect the heart, the immune system, digestion, production of hormones, and so on. Even mainstream medicine, although it knows very little about how the ego operates yet, is beginning to recognize the connection between negative emotional states and physical disease. An emotion that does harm to the body also infects the people you come into contact with and indirectly, through a process of chain reaction, countless others you never meet. There is a generic term for all negative emotions: unhappiness.

The Secret of Happiness – How to be at peace now? By making peace with the present moment. The present moment is the field on which the game of life happens. It cannot happen anywhere else. Once you have made peace with the present moment, see what happens, what you can do or choose to do, or rather what life does through you. There are three words that convey the secret of the art of living, the secret of all success and happiness: One With Life. Being one with life is being one with NOW. You then realize that you don’t live your life, but life lives you. Life is the dancer, and you are the dance.

FUN

B PURE – B RAW – B your ULTIMATE self!

ENERGIZE yourself with PROTEIN POWER. You deserve to know what goes into a “perfect” protein powder. One made with 100% pure plant protein.

THERE’S NO BETTER end to a good workout like drinking a perfectly healthy protein shake. It will bring your energy level right back and help to build muscle. But with all the varieties out there in the marketplace how do we know WHICH PROTEIN POWDER TO CHOOSE? Don’t be fooled! You want the ULTIMATE PROTEIN POWDER – one that will deliver. You want *Brad King’s Ultimate Vegan “TRUE RAW” Energy Protein *Organic Sprouted & fermented Brown Rice Protein – (that’s a real mouthful, literally). Here’s what you need to know:

*Brad King is a highly sought after authority on nutrition, obesity, longevity and one’s health and has been touted as one of the most influential health mentors of our time. Brad is also a Best Selling Author (having written several books including “Beer Belly Blues”), Keynote Speaker and Award Winning Nutritional Formulator.

The ULTIMATE VEGAN ENERGY PROEIN is comprised of organic sprouted brown rice protein – the Cadillac of plant-based proteins because it is a non-GMO sprouted whole grain complete protein that is made from the whole rice grain (including the bran, germ, and endosperm). It is processed using low-temperatures (never heated past 90oF) without any chemical additives like hexane. This creates a superior raw plant-based protein with pure amino acids in their most bioavailable forms, which greatly enhances the quality, digestion-rating and bioavailability of the protein as well as ensuring high levels of naturally-occuring vitamins (especially B vitamins), minerals, antioxidants – tocopherols and tocotrienols – and other essential nutrients.

What to expect:

Made from fermented raw sprouted organic brown rice protein
Non-GMO
Complete hypoallergenic plant protein
3 grams of 100% organic maca per serving
No Sweeteners
Natural flavors
Easily digested
Produced with low temperatures and natural enzymes
No chemicals and processed without acid hydrolysis

*Organic sprouted brown rice protein is the highest quality protein among all cereal grains, containing all essential and non-essential amino acids and a good ratio of the extremely important branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are necessary for cellular repair.

Watch your “Peas” & “Q’s”: the next paragraph will make you Question your current formula:

IMPORTANT Note: Many vegan protein supplements on the market cut their products with inexpensive proteins like pea (usually the first ingredient in the formulas, to save cost and increase profits), which causes digestive complaints and gas in numerous individuals.

Ultimate Vegan Energy Protein contains the added benefit of a full 3-gram serving (per dose) of the highest quality organic gelatinized maca available today (Ultimate Maca Energy^TM) to ensure maximum energy enhancement, hormonal support and stress adaptation. No other plant protein formula has this quantity and quality of maca in their product.

Suggested Use – Mix 2 scoops (50g) with 250 – 350mL of water or juice in a shaker cup or blender. You can use it just on its own or add fresh or frozen blueberries, organic yogurt and a banana for more of a smoothie.

More ULTIMATE products and information can be found at – http://www.ultimatevegan.com/

The Ultimate Man himself Brad King, MS, MFS, Nutritional Expert, Best Selling Author, Keynote Speaker. — The Ultimate Man himself
Brad King, MS, MFS, Nutritional Expert, Best Selling Author, Keynote Speaker.

To know more about Brad King please visit http://transforminghealthinc.com/about-brad-king

Also **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

Oh; did I mention he’s also my brother? Having said that I must say that I am totally unbiased when it comes to what he knows and the integrity of his products. You can find out for yourself. What I know to be true (I sound like Oprah now) is that Brad takes these products himself. I figure if they’re good enough for him then I better take them too. I’ll strive to be my Ultimate self.

FUN

Simply Satisfying – Halibut with Cilantro-Sweet Chili-Lime Butter

This recipe is so simple yet so incredible. I ended up freezing the butter I did not end up using for next time – you can adjust the quantity. If you can’t find halibut then use another type of solid white fish similar to halibut which is light and mild with a slightly sweet flavour. Serves 4.

4 halibut fillets

1 tsp kosher salt

8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened

2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped

2 Tbsp. sweet chile sauce (I use Thai)

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

zest from 1 lime

Set the oven temperature to 375

In a small food processor combine butter, sweet chilli sauce, cilantro, lime juice and lime zest. Set aside.

Season the halibuts with salt.

Place on a baking sheet (like Pyrex) and bake until done – approx. 15 minutes or until fish is opaque and starts to flake. You can also grill this.

Remove the halibut from the oven (or grill) and serve with the clilanto-sweet chilli-lime butter generously dolloped over top. It will melt in to form a rich flavorful sauce. Serve with sides like rice and asparagus or green beans. In Photo: Quinoa cooked with black beans, shallots & red pepper and Asparagus drizzled with vinaigrette of olive, white truffle oil & champagne vinegar (from last week’s recipe).

A perfect wine pairing – crisp Chardonnay.

Halibut is in season normally from April to November. It’s a great source of protein and vitamin B3. It is also high in omega-3 fatty acids. It lends itself easily to different sauces.

How to know if fish is fresh:

1) Look them in the eye if you can. Clear, bright eyes are signs of the freshest fish; the eyes of a less fresh fish will be dull of greying.

2) If the fish still has its skin on it, check it for shine and brightness. A fresh fish should look metallic and clean. Dull or discolored scales could be a sign of a less fresh one.

3) It should not smell fishy. An overwhelmingly strong smell is a sign that the fish is past its prime.

4) If the fish is in fillets, press your finger gently against the flesh. The indentation should disappear quickly as the fish springs back into form. A lasting indentation could mean the fish is no longer good.

5) The flesh of the fish should be moist and not spongy. Fish that is yellowing or discolored is past its best before date.

Do you have a favorite halibut recipe?

FUN

Seen – Once in a “Blue Owl”

You’ll stumble upon a charming Home Boutique located in a heritage building that will take you back in time.

Blue Owl Home Boutique

Located in Vancouver at 2308 W Broadway.

FUN

Words with Woody – and how ageing backwards works

“My one regret in life is that I am not someone else” – Woody Allen.

New York Stories: I was always a big fan of Woody Allen. Once I had the pleasure of meeting Woody at Michael’s Pub – the place where he’s known to play clarinet in a dixieland jazz band most Monday nights (over many years, even missing an Academy Award Nomination to be there). My friend and I made dinner reservations with seating infront of the stage and we happened to walk in at the same time as Woody so we chatted for a while at the bar but we could tell that he was very serious about getting started. And, as suspected he’s also a very talented musician who tends not to look at the audience. So aside from the adopted daughter marriage I have nothing but great respect for the comedic brilliance his neurosis brings to film making. Here are a few quotes narrowed down from many – Enjoy:

I am not afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.

Sex without love is a meaningless experience, but as far as meaningless experiences go its pretty damn good.

I believe there is something out there watching us. Unfortunately, it’s the government.

If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank.

I’m astounded by people who want to ‘know’ the universe when it’s hard enough to find your way around Chinatown.

It seemed the world was divided into good and bad people. The good ones slept better while the bad ones seemed to enjoy the waking hours much more.

“The difference between sex and love is that sex relieves tension and love causes it.”

“In my next life I want to live my life backwards. You start out dead and get that out of the way. Then you wake up in an old people’s home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, and then when you start work, you get a gold watch and a party on your first day. You work for 40 years until you’re young enough to enjoy your retirement. You party, drink alcohol, and are generally promiscuous, then you are ready for high school. You then go to primary school, you become a kid, you play. You have no responsibilities, you become a baby until you are born. And then you spend your last 9 months floating in luxurious spa-like conditions with central heating and room service on tap, larger quarters every day and then Voila! You finish off as an orgasm!” ― Woody Allen

Do you have a favorite Woody Allen movie? My Five Favorite Woody Allen Movies – ones that made me die laughing, all genius with perfect casting in all: 1) Annie Hall 2) Manhattan 3) Bullets Over Broadway 4) Mighty Aphrodite 5) Vicky Christina Barcelona 6) Blue Jasmine (okay, make that six).