Kiss, Kiss: It’s mistletoe season and ultra-softening balm is a kiss-ready must. Crabtree & Evelyn Pomegranate & Grapeseed Lip Butter has shea butter and conditioning seed oils. $7, www.crabtree-evelyn.com. Tinted Fresh Sugar Passion Lip Treatment SPF 15 is packed with natural oils and extracts. $23, www.fresh.com, at Sephora. Maybelline New York Baby Lips SPF 20 is tinted, too, and contains great-for-skin centella asiatica. $5, www.maybelline.com

Mini-Me: Natural Bite Beauty Lustrous Crème Lipstick is teeny for the season, but large on antioxidant boosters, such as resveratrol and vitamin E. $28/set of five, www.bitebeauty.com

Cold Front: Swipe a Josie Maran Argan Stick over cheeks as protection before you hit the slopes. $29, www.josiemaran.com (at Sephora). Neostrata Skin Barrier Rescue, in single-dose capsules, seals in moisture and nourishes with raspberry oil and vitamin E. $37, www.neostrata.ca

The Kit digital beauty magazine is like having your own personal makeup artist, hairstylist, naturopath, aesthetician and fitness trainer—all in one. Subscribe for FREE at www.TheKit.ca.

As gals on-the-go, healthy snacks are a must to keep our Energizer Bunny paces going and to provide us with the daily nutrition we require. But it’s not always easy finding a quick, convenient snack we can take on the road or enjoy while winding down at home.
We’re all familiar with granola, but did you know that oats deliver soluble fiber, which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and keeps your heart and intestines healthy? Or that granola is low in fat, has no saturated fat and it’s fiber can help keep your blood sugar healthy? If you buy the kind that has dried fruits in it, you’re automatically adding minerals, vitamins and fiber to your diet!

The best part? There are so many ways to enjoy granola:

• Sprinkle it on your favourite yogurt with fresh fruit
• Add it to muffins, cookies and quick breads in place of rolled oats or some of the   flour
• Add it to your baked fruit crisps
• Enjoy it in the form of a granola bar

Here’s one of our personal favourite recipes using granola, courtesy of the Whole Foods Market website:

Granola Balls

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup 365 Organic Everyday Value™ Hullabaloo Mix or other favourite trail mix

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the oats and coconut on a baking sheet. Place in the oven and toast for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.   Meanwhile, combine the peanut butter, honey and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved, stirring continuously so as to prevent scorching.   Add the toasted oats and coconut to the peanut butter mixture along with the trail mix and stir to combine. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.   Working with dampened hands, shape into 12 one-inch balls and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Makes about 12.

We promise, this recipe won’t disappoint even the pickiest eaters so get your granola to go!

By: Fatima Reyes, LifestyleBOOST Editorial Intern

There are a few things that every Yummy Mummy needs. This month, we feature three of our favourite green Mommy Must Haves! These are perfect shower gift ideas or holiday gift ideas for new moms and mammas-to-be in your life…or maybe just an eco treat for yourself!

Ty Lucas Diaper Bag: Who says that diaper bags can’t be functional and fashionable? Designer Nicole Hirsch, a mom herself, knows that mommies on the go need to carry around all their baby essentials while still looking cute & fresh. With that in mind, she created a new line of diaper bags to suit every mom’s needs. Ty Lucas’ two practical styles, the Amore Tote and Bella-Mamma Messenger, are inspired by high-end and structured designer styles. Both are equipped with Agion® Brand Technology, designed to naturally combat bacteria, mold, fungus, and odor, throughout all of the linings, pockets, and oversized changing pads in each bag. Seen on the likes of celebs like Denise Richards, the bags are perfect for every fashion forward, eco-conscious mamma out there.

For more info, visit www.tylucasbaby.com.

aden + anais Burpy Bib: Last month we featured aden + anais’ muslin swaddles and loved the company so much we thought we’d feature another one of their great green products. New to stores this month, the Burpy Bib combines the soft, breathable fabric of the swaddles into a burping cloth and bib­–all in one! Instead of the hot and stiff burping cloths already on the market, the Burpy Bib is made of four super soft muslin layers and does not overheat. Its unique cinched oval shape fits perfectly over and around mom’s (or dad’s) shoulder and neck or on baby’s neck, chest, and shoulders as a bib, preventing messes everywhere. Once the mess is on the bib, it can be easily washed and quickly dried, or flipped to its other printed side for more use!

For more info, visit www.adenandanais.com.

exederm Baby Collection: We all need to protect our skin during the winter months, but moms know that baby skin is even more delicate. Free of fragrance, colour or dyes, parabens, lanolin, formaldehyde, or any other known skin irritants, exederm’s entire baby collection is safe for even sensitive or eczema-afflicted skin. The brand is so renowned for their products, that the National Eczema Association awarded it with their “Seal of Acceptance” and a 5/5 rating for their entire children’s line of products. With products this moisturizing and mild, moms might even want to try some for themselves!

For more info, visit www.exederm.com.

In our last article, we talked about all the fun parts about winter, such as cozy clothing, chic accessories, and soothing skin products, but now it’s time to talk about something not so fun: warding off the cold and flu bugs.

With colder weather moving in and the days getting shorter, we will be spending more time indoors, so it’s important to keep these viruses out of our homes in a way that isn’t harmful to our long-term health. Many of the traditional, brand name products you may have in your homes often have toxic ingredients that are harmful to our bodies and the environment. Instead of busting out harsh chemicals, try cleaning the natural way. You can often use items you already have in your kitchen to fend off nasty germs and grime, such as lemon juice and white vinegar, 5 Ways to Ditch the Dirt.

We also recommend one of our personal faves, Eco Mist, a Canadian environmentally-friendly line of everything you need to clean your home and work space the green way. Inspired by older generations who reuse containers and compost waste not because it’s trendy but because it’s smart, Eco Mist makes products void of animal testing and any toxic, carcinogenic, hazardous, flammable, corrosive, allergenic, dyed, or fragrant ingredients. Check out a video of their team cleaning up Toronto’s streets here and join the movement by cleaning green!

By: Fatima Reyes, LifestyleBOOST Editorial Intern

With the approach of winter comes the cold and snow, but there are also many things to be thankful for: the holidays and time with friends and family; hot chocolate and cider; and winter sports like ice skating and tobogganing. Now, after trying out a few new products, we’re happy to add green fashion and beauty goodies to that list!

What better way to make the colder weather more fun than to rock the latest in green clothing and accessories? Luckily, fashion companies Stacey Zhang and Nella Bella have got us covered. Inspired by working women who appreciate both practicality and style, Canadian designer Stacey Zhang’s fall collection is made using exquisite organic cotton and silk along with a fabric new to the line, tree-bark. “Ethically-handmade through collaboration between a small German company and a group of Ugandan farmers,” Zhang says, tree-bark is also a soft, textured, and experimental fabric the designer hopes to use more of in the future.

Fellow Canadian company, Nella Bella also aspires to infuse sustainability into their line, using only the highest quality vegan materials for their stylish and functional handbags. Look out for their Holiday Collection set to launch this month, inspired by “minimalist designs and dramatic colours.” In the mean time, check out their Fall/Winter pieces, including our pick, the fun and practical Aberdeen handbag.

Along with sporting weather-ready clothing and accessories, the colder season also requires extra skin care. And there’s no better way to do that than with Suti, the UK’s answer to holistic, organic skin products. Prepare your skin to brave the elements by smoothing on Suti’s soothing, certified-organic Purity Moisturising Balm. Easy to carry in your purse, the botanical balm is this year’s answer to dry, cracked skin and lips, rescuing exposed skin from cold and pollutants.

Walking into winter in style has never been easier when you’re prepared with our green picks!

By: Fatima Reyes, LifestyleBOOST Editorial Intern

INTERVIEW BY Ceri Marsh

Q: Can we avoid becoming diabetic by changing our diets?

A: “Eating a healthy diet, avoiding high fat, high sugar, processed foods and exercising have all been shown to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.”

Q: How does obesity affect our chances of becoming diabetic?

A: “Obesity can contribute to the risk of developing diabetes, because the body cannot make enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugars.”

Q: Can we cure diabetes through lifestyle changes?

A: “Once you have it, it is not going away. It is all about managing good blood sugar control through diet and exercise, which can have a dramatic effect and, in some cases, delay or remove the need for medications.”

Q: What are the changes someone who is pre-diabetic should make?

A: “Follow the same guidelines as someone who is diabetic:

1. Control your carbs: Include high fibre (low glycemic) foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains for energy. Maintain good protein intake with low-fat dairy and lean meats and alternates to stabilize blood sugars.

2. Stay consistent: Eat within one hour of waking up and then eat every three to four hours. This maintains even blood-sugar levels, good energy levels and helps you maintain a high metabolism.”

The Kit digital beauty magazine is like having your own personal makeup artist, hairstylist, naturopath, aesthetician and fitness trainer—all in one. Subscribe for FREE at www.TheKit.ca.

Want to learn the choreography to MICHAEL JACKSON’S Famous 1980′s video “THRILLER”?

Choreographer and dancer MJ Shaw will lead you through an hour-long class followed by food, wine and a silent auction.

Learn the most legendary pop-dance in history, the late Michael Jackson’s THRILLER – and just in time for Halloween!

An EASY and FUN dance, fit for anyone who wants to have a ghoul ol’ time! Women, men, kids are all welcome. There will be tricks and treats set up and lots of mood for the season!

Come get your zombie on and support a good cause!

Tuesday October 25th, 2011

7:00pm: Register and stretch it out

7:30-8:30pm: Learn THRILLER *wear clothes you can move in*

8:30-10:00pm: Food, beverages, music and silent auction

DANCEMAKERS in The Distillery District

55 Mill Street, Bldg 58, Studio 313

$25 per ticket. Space is limited. Kids come for $10 at the door.

Book in advance through PayPal ‘BUY’ link at:

HYPERLINK  www.seventhstageproductions.com/theatre/

Questions/RSVP: HYPERLINK info@seventhstageproductions.com

All proceeds go to Seventh Stage Theatre: Registered Charity #824923528RR0001.

By: Fatima Reyes, LifestyleBOOST Editorial Intern

Every month we show & tell the coolest eco-products that are sure to be a monster hit with the kids. Whether you’re a new mommy or a seasoned pro, your little ones will be rockin’ it eco-style with the hippest items on the block. Join the kiddie-fest!

Aden and Anais Bamboo Swaddles: All moms want to keep their children as safe and comfy as possible and have to be particular with what fabrics they lay against delicate infant skin. Luckily, Aden and Anais Bamboo Swaddles allow you to do as women have done all over the world for generations and wrap your baby in the luxurious comfort of one of our favourite green materials, bamboo. Products made of the renewable resource have become incredibly popular over the years, as bamboo can grow at an incredibly fast rate of up to two feet per day. Available in a variety of patterns, the silky material can make every mom feel safe swaddling her baby in safety, comfort and style!

To purchase your own swaddle, visit the Aden and Anais website.

Manny and Simon Duck Push Toy: Everyone knows how much children like to get on their hands and knees and play with their toys. But with all the options available out there, it’s hard to choose which play things to provide your child with. Made in the USA of post-recycled wood residuals and painted with non-toxic, zero voc paint, Manny and Simon’s Push Toys are an easy choice. Designed in the style of heirloom push toys, the figurines are fun for kids and aesthetically pleasing for moms and dads. The toys are available in a variety of fun shapes and bright colours, but our pick is the classic yellow duck.

To see more eco-friendly goodies from Manny and Simon, visit their website.

Ecojot Lace and Bold Flowered Journals: While your older kids may already have all their school supplies, you can never have too many notebooks and sketchbooks for writing ideas or drawing doodles. Ecojot, a company that has given away 81,000 notebooks to children in their “Buy one, Give one” movement, has released a new line of Lace and Bold Flowered journals. But the notebooks aren’t just for kids. Made from 100% post-consumer waste in Canada and covered in beautiful nature-inspired designs by Carolyn Gavin, moms can also use them for notes, letters and journaling.

For more info, visit the ecojot website.

Do your kids have an eco-product that the other Mommies need to know about? Please leave us a comment, we’d love to hear from you!

By: Fatima Reyes, LifestyleBOOST Editorial Intern

Every month we feature the very latest in what’s happening on the green scene. No need to fret when we’ve got our finger on the pulse of what’s hot in the eco world, minute to minute! Join the media mayhem!

Fake Blueberries: You would think that companies who advertise their products as filled with blueberry goodness would remember to add real blueberries to their recipes. But Health Ranger and journalist Mike Adams found that this isn’t always a safe assumption. Just by reading the lists of ingredients on many products made by Target, General Mills, Kellogg’s and Betty Crocker, Adams found that these companies often replace the natural fruit ingredient with sugar, artificial food colouring, and hydrogenated oils to save money. Looking for the real thing? Adams suggests reading the ingredients list before purchasing a product and names Nature’s Path Organic Optimum Blueberry-Cinnamon Breakfast Cereal and Health Valley Low-Fat Blueberry Tarts as two products that do the unthinkable – they actually contain real blueberries!

For more info, check out NaturalNews.tv’s exposé here.

Beware of the Dust Bunny! Keeping your home free from dust bunnies is more easily said than done. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), dust bunnies contain toxic chemicals originating from many chemicals found in and around your home. As per usual, our trusted friends at the EWG have come up with some helpful tips to reduce your toxic exposure and to keep those pesky dust bunnies at bay.

To learn how to get rid of toxic dust in your home, click here.

Vegetarian Butcher Shop Chain Grows as Meat Demand Drops: The Vegetarian Butcher is a chain of shops in the Netherlands. The catch? These “butcher” shops don’t actually sell any slaughtered meat. Rather, they offer a variety of meatless meats, such as faux chicken and bacon, and other vegetarian and vegan products to the 75% of people in the Netherlands who don’t eat meat everyday. As read on Eco Razzi, founder Niko Koffeman argues that vegetarian meat offers a cruelty-free and sustainable alternative to the inefficiencies of meat production. In business for only a year, the business already boasts 30 locations and hopes to appeal to everyone, from strict vegans to those looking to just cut down on their meat intake. Let’s hope this meatless trend catches on worldwide!

To read the original article from Eco Razzi, click here.

By: Fatima Reyes, LifestyleBOOST Editorial Intern

Once a month we heat things up with 3 of our top must-have eco-products. The hottest in fashion, beauty & accessories…Ladies, you want it, we got it! Join the style sensation!

Antipodes Organic Ananda Antioxidant-Rich Gentle Toner: We have high standards for the kinds of products we slather and spritz on our skin. But whether your skin is sensitive, mature, or in need of refreshment, the certified organic and natural line, Antipodes, knows just how to treat it. Made with New Zealand-grown Mamaku black fern and omega-rich raspberry extract, Antipodes’ Organic Ananda Antioxidant-Rich Gentle Toner is not tested on animals and free of irritants like SLS. Throw out your harsh, chemical-filled toners that leave your skin feeling tight and tender, and opt for this mist-able concoction that simultaneously strengthens and soothes all skin types.

For more info, visit the Antipodes website.

Coola SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizing Sunscreen: The summer may be over, but applying sun protection should still be part of your daily beauty regime. Luckily, sun experts at Coola know how to make organic skincare that guards against UVA and UVB rays AND moisturizes at the same time! Their SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizing Sunscreen leaves your skin feeling cool and refreshed, with Rose Hips working to trigger tissue growth, Comfrey calms any inflammation, and Clove and Bergamot extracts to calm and disinfect. No matter what your skincare needs may be, your Coola sunscreen is there to protect.

For more info, visit the Coola Suncare website.

Sweet Leaf Bath Co. Lip Balm: Ever have that sick feeling when you’re done your lip balm and you have to throw away the container? No worries – the mother-daughter team behind Sweet Leaf Bath Co. has you covered. The Fair Trade-certified beauty line recently released Canada’s first lip balm housed in a 100% compostable eco tube. Unlike the other 25 million plastic tubes that are thrown away in Canada each year, Sweet Leaf Bath Co.’s tubes are fully biodegradable and won’t clutter or contaminate our already crowded landfills. With three natural flavours available to suit every taste (Chocolate, Peppermint, and Pomegranate), you can moisturize your lips completely guilt-free.

For more info, visit Sweet Leaf Bath Co.’s website.

Got a hot eco-product that you just gotta let the girls in on? Please leave us a comment; we’d love to hear from you!