Have Candy Without the Bad Stuff or the Guilt with Goody Good Stuff Gummies

It is hard to indulge in a little candy these days. 

Whenever I reach for something sweet, I am also concerned with what I'm putting into my body. Flip over the packaging and no doubt, all that unpronounceable stuff can't be good for you.

So I was elated to come across Goody Good Stuff Gummies. Finally we'd have something healthy to put in our snack box besides nuts (how many nuts can one person eat?) and I'd feel free of guilt for once.

These treats cover all the bases: made with all natural ingredients and free from artificial flavours, fat, soy, nuts, meat, dairy, egg, gelatine, gluten, lactose, GMOs, wheat, cassein and tree nuts.  We tried Tropical Fruit (pictured above) and Summer Peaches and we gobbled them up in just two days they were so good - so moist and bursting with fresh juice flavours. In fact, my fella, in the words of my man Drake, said they were the best he ever had.

Which gummies would you rather have - the stale, toxic-filled ones from the corner store or these that include all-natural fruit juices and extracts?

Fill your own snack box with Goody Good Stuff.

Check Out the Divine New Makeup Line from Beauty Without Cruelty

Beauty Without Cruelty has been offering "ethical, cruelty-free products that are made with natural, organic and safe ingredients" for over 40 years.

Their new makeup line - BWC Colour - includes mineral eyeshadows, natural eye pencils and pressed powders that are fragrance free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

If you suffer from dry lips like I do, you'll be swooning over BWC's Natural Infusion Lipsticks. It glides over your lips giving you great colour (I tried Cappuccino) while simultaneously delivering a wallop of hydration, thanks to jojoba seed and castor see oils, and vitamin E. 

And to keep you looking polished, but never too made up, the Ultimate Natural Mascara (pictured above) is perfect.The Black is dark, but not too inky. The power of natural ingredients such as  Japanese fruit, rice, carnauba and acacia waxes, rice bran oil and bamboo stem powder, gives you beautifully long lashes without any gloopy bits or hard points. Your lashes stay soft and nourished, but they look picture perfect.

You'll never want to go back to chemically-laden drugstore cosmetics after using BWC.

Be sure to check out their entire makeup line as well as the rest of their products such as hair care, skin care and body care too. I have been using their Daily Benefits Aromatherapy Shampoo and it's got the most beautiful scent. It also managed to get rid of months of product build up and add a bunch of shine to my formerly matte head.

Renew Your Skin With Brittanie’s Thyme Incredibly Affordable Organic Skin Care

It's so cold out. Has your face gone and dried out like mine?

It's time for a renewal, but not anything chemical laden. You want to treat it like you would the rest of your body. And you don't want to spend your whole paycheck either. I mean, you're not making the big bucks, yet.

That's why you'll want to shop Brittanie’s Thyme products.

All of Brittanie’s Thyme products are USDA certified organic, with the exception of their French Green Clay Facial Mask with Organic White Tea. How they manage to use such exquisite ingredients and keep their prices so low remains a mystery, but at these prices, perhaps you won't mind being in the dark just this once!

To get my rejuvenation started, I slather on the Organic Almond Oatmeal Facial Scrub (pictured above).  The ingredients? Organic oatmeal and organic raw almonds.  That's it!  Isn't that awesome? To use, you simply place a small amount in the palm of your hand, add a few drops of water to make a paste and then rub gently onto your skin in small circles. Rinse with warm water and voila - shiny new skin!

Then I apply the Organic Everyday Facial Moisturizer, which despite it's usually pricey ingredients, is only $16 a bottle!  The pureness of each component renews your skin and protects it from the harsh winter elements, which unfortunately, we've still got a month or so left to battle against.

You'll love how your skin feels during (it's not oily at all) and after applying this moisturizer (oh so soft!). Using wonderfully pure ingredients - organic aloe gel, 100% natural glycerin, organic rice bran, vitamin E, organic rosemary extract,organic geranium and organic sweet orange essential oils and organic (refined) coconut oil - you can feel good while looking good.  And you only need 2-3 drops every day, so the bottle will last f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

And at only $5 a bottle, you'll want to load up on French Green Clay & White Tea Facial Masks for you and your friends (what a great gift and stocking stuffer!). I love using this once every couple of weeks. The healing clay (montmorillonite) is from France and delivers magnesium, silica and selenium to your skin.  And according to Brittanie's Thyme, the organic white peony tea "provides 10 times more antioxidants than vitamin E,"  so you can imagine how beautiful your skin is afterward.

To make things ridiculously easy, get everything together in the Everyday Basics or Gluten-Free Everyday Basics Set.

Spring is still weeks away. Look damn beautiful in the meantime with Brittanie's Thyme.

Battle Winter Skin With Awakening Skin Care

Cold, snow and bitter wind is just your typical day at this time of year.

It is also the time of year where your skin puckers, dries, flakes and then falls off various parts of your body. Yep, pretty typical.

But one way to alleviate that is Awakening Skin Care. They have products specifically targeted to those areas that need it most, using a fusion of essential oils, botanical extracts and concentrated natural minerals.

Let's go through them one by one:

Hands - Even if I protect my hands with gloves, I'm still handling paper all day long (so drying), cooking, cleaning, washing dishes. They are always dry. But Awakening Skin Care for Hands combats that with their intense cream therapy. Using the ancient antiseptic myrrh and high concentrations of pure minerals such as magnesium and potassium, your hands and not just moisturized but healed. Cared for.

Feet - I am hard on my feet and so at this time of year, I can really feel it. They're cramped up in bulky boots all day and trudging through all this snow causes blisters to start. The Feet Balm works on my tired aching legs and feet and actually dilates capillaries to boost circulation. Concentrated magnesium, potassium, peppermint, menthol, vitamin A, avocado, jojoba, lemongrass and daphne work on your tough, callused skin and smooth and soften it right away. Ahh, that feels better.

Body & Massage - Available in scented or unscented, Body & Massage works on reviving your skin ALL DAY LONG. No need to reapply like with those other creams. And because it's designed for massage professionals, it won't stain your clothes or sheets. So give yourself smooth skin and the luxurious feel of being at a spa all at once.

Face & Neck - I hope you know the importance of treating your neck as well as your face. There is nothing you can do to make your neck stop from sagging except to prevent it now.  This cream will reduce all the usual things you want in a face cream - reduce puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles - but it also stimulates production of collagen and elastin. That means that your neck with stay tighter for longer and you won't have to wear scares or choker necklaces to hide it. And you'll love the tropical smell of this one, thanks to essences of peach, grapefruit, jasmine and vanilla.

Hands Sanitizer - Because it's cold and flu season, you want to have Sanitizer on hand.  The difference with this one? It purifies AND hydrates your skin, unlike those heavy alcohol-based ones you've been getting at the drugstore.  It uses natural ingredients such as vitamin E and B5 and minerals from the Dead Sea, so you're feeding your hands while protecting your skin.

Go and shop the entire Awakening Skin Care Collection. There are still a couple of months of winter left.

The Secret to Mouth-Watering Meals? Olivado Oils

This week, I took my 4 book clubs to a restaurant I'd chosen to go with the book we'd just read. The restaurant serves Southern Italian cuisine and the simplest foods were made extraordinary by their exquisite olive oil. Plain bread and sauteed kale were no longer plain.

And that's the difference great olive oil makes.

One of the best I've tried , and now my go-to brand, is Olivado.

The proof was dinner last week. I started a new project that I worked on all day and left me exhausted at night. As much as I wanted to make something memorable, I couldn't tend to anything too complicated. So I roasted chicken, made some rice and broiled some asparagus I'd tossed with Olivado Avocado Oil. Out of all the items, despite marinating the organic, free-run chicken and adding exotic spices to the rice, it was the asparagus that my fiance fell for. And it being January, the asparagus certainly wasn't in season or at its peak. The flavour came from the oil.

So when I made steak a few nights later and rubbed ------ on it, it was the oil that brought it to life.

Olivado Avocado Oil is excellent for high heat cooking (it has one of the highest smoke points at 250) and enhances your dishes instead of overpowering them. It is rich in chlorophylls that reduce your risk of cancer and all the vitamin E helps reduce incidences of cardiovascular disease.

It contains no trans fats or cholesterol and is high in monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

In case that's not exciting enough, consider that Olivado Avocado Oil meets the Heart & Stroke Fountain Health Check Criteria, has 10 times more chlorophyll than olive oil and has twice as much beta-sitosterol than olive oil, which reduces cholesterol absorption in the body.

I am hooked for life on Olivado Avocado Oil. Their Avocado Zest Oil too If you are on a raw diet or want another oil with a high smoke point (410), try their Macadamia Nut Oil. Olivado Omega Plus Oil is a great all-purpose oil that is a blend of cold-pressed, extra virgin avocado, olive and flaxseed oils.

These rich oils are so flavourful and fresh that you'll be looking for any excuse to have them. I'm making homemade dressings, marinades and roasting vegetables left, right and centre just to envelop myself in Olivado's fine flavours.

If you want to take your food to the next level, get yourself Olivado Oils.

Get Clean Naturally with Pattern Body Washes

Are you trying to incorporate more natural products into your life in the new year?

You should start with Pattern Body Washes.

They leave out all the bad stuff:

- parabens

- artificial fragrances, colours and dyes

- SLS/SLES

- not tested on animals

And instead, Pattern packs each bottle with gentle cleansers. What's surprising is the thick lather that is generated - often when natural ingredients are used, there isn't much foam or lather, so you don't get that satisfying feel. And also how moisturized you'll feel. There's no dryness here, only soft, smooth, clean skin.

Another way Pattern is distinguishing itself is that you can use this body wash all over - body, face and hair. I bet you can't do that with that bottle from the drugstore...

But perhaps it will be the luscious scents that memorize you the most. Fragrances, essential oils and plant extracts mix and mingle to exhilarate and energize you during your morning shower.

I tried Sage,  which is fresh and slightly foresty, thanks to essential oils of sage, star anise, grapefruit and cotton flower and Vitamin E. I love the moisture-locking feel that comes with the accompanying Sage Body Lotion too. It lasts all day long, even in these wicked cold temperatures and there's no slick, greasy feeling either.

Nutmeg is fantastic and my favourite of the two scents. This one's actually made to combat dry skin using herbal extracts and essential oils of nutmeg, amber, cardamom and Vitamin E. I find it completely intoxicating, probably because it doesn't give off a baked cookie smell, instead lifts you with a spicy, vigourous blend that completely wakes  and shakes you up.

Try them all or shop specific scents.

Isn't it time you had the shower of your life every day?

Celebrate the Warm Weather With Pretty New Sandals from Oka b. Shoes

Here it is the last week of August/first week of September and I'm sweltering over here.

I think September and maybe even October are going to be hot.  

Which means, that you probably don't want to keep wearing the sandals you've been sweating in all summer.  

Ew.

Oka b. makes shoes that are fashionable, yet comfortable. A little massage while you walk?  Absolutely, thanks to massage beads! Ease of walking?  Sure thing! Reflexology and ergonomics have been utilized in the design on the shoe to give you real lift and support while you walk, as well as helping with your posture.  All that in one shoe? 

Yep.  It's true.

This spa-styled line is 100% recyclable, waterproof, made in the USA and priced at $40 or under.

And because of the unique material used - Microplast - they are about antimicrobial and washable, so that no matter how hot it gets, you always have clean, fresh-smelling sandals!  That means you can wear 'em to the gym, spa or out on the town and you'll be protected from mildew, fungus and bacteria.  Those plastic thingy-s from the mall won't do all of this for you.  Just wipe clean and you're good to go.

These amazing sandals are constructed out of one piece, so you know they'll live up to all you do - walking, standing, dancing, etc. Oka b. shoes are non-slip, non-marking (I've never seen this feature in a shoe before!) and get this - MACHINE WASHABLE!

OMG, right?

And there are so many pretty styles to choose from.

I got Bailey in Copper from the New Winter 2010 Collection. Ooh, they are pretty. Inspired by the Lucy flip flop thong sandal, they go with everything in my closet, from a frilly, frothy dress for a fancy dinner party to capris and tank to walk the neighbourhood with a friend.

Warning - you are going to want a bunch of these because they are so comfortable and work with both your wardrobe and lifestyle.

p.s. And in case that's not enough, they come with a two-year guarantee.

Cook Up a Storm with Fast, Fresh & Green

Having reviewed cookbooks for many years, you get to know the formula pretty quickly.  There is often an introduction about the cook's philosophy and then the recipes which are often divided into parts of the meal (appetizers, soups, etc.) or seasons (summer drinks, fall entrees, etc.).

How refreshing it is to find that Susie Middleton of Fine Cooking has created a unique and incredibly useful cookbook for both beginner and old-hand cooks.

Her cookbook Fast, Fresh & Green: More Than 90 Delicious Recipes for Veggie Lovers has everything you could ever want in between the covers.

Susie tells you how to set up your pantry and what you'll need, how to store your veggies and then she breaks down each way of cooking them - quick-roasting, braising, sauteing (including something call walk-away sauteing!), two-stepping, no cooking, stir-frying and grilling.  She also includes a section on baking gratins (finally someone shows us the art of the bake!).  Brilliant!

With more than 100 recipes for appetizers, snacks, entrees, and side dishes (many of them vegan), you don't have to worry about serving the same ol' same ol' ever again.  There are familiar dishes for sure, but I'm branching out with:

- Silky Braised Fennel in Pink Sauce

- Sauteed Turnips with Ham and Molasses

- Provencal Kale with Chorizo, Pimenton, and Honey

I made Grilled Baby Potatoes with Creamy Lemon Dressing the other night and not only were they great that night, but I served them the next day for lunch to a friend who sang their praises.

This is one of those books that you will no doubt have out at your side constantly.  

And to me, that's what makes it a must-have, classic cookbook.

Simple Shoes' Women's Flippee are Pretty, Earth-Friendly and Damn Comfortable

I know that shops are starting to showcase fall clothing, but people, it's going to be hot for months still!

And just have a quick look down at your plastic flip flops - they're pretty gross, right? I mean, you can't really go out looking like that can you?

That's why you've got to get Simple Shoe's Women's Flippee. These Eco-Certified nubuck sandals (with synthetic nubuck straps) are not only fine looking, but they are sooooo comfortable. The egg carton sole gives your feet a little massage with each step you take , and the you can barely feel the strap between your toes- can you say that about those cheap plastic things you're wearing?

And here's the best part - they are vegan and earth-friendly! There are no animal products or even animal byproducts used. In fact, they are so damn environmentally-sound, that you may end up writing to Simple Shoes and request that they start making items for the rest of your closet and things for around the house!

The foam inserts of the shoe are made of post-consumer recycled paper (take that, tax receipts!), the glue that's used to hold things together is water, not petroleum based, the sole of the shoe is biodegradable (in 20 years, unlike plastic ones that can take 1000 years), as is the bag it comes on and the hanger they hang on.

Sigh.

Pretty, sensible, eco and comfortable. And you thought you couldn't get it all in one pair of shoes!

Shop now for the most awesome shoes from Simple Shoes.

Fuel Up the Healthy Way with Larabar

Like many of you, I strive to eat a balanced diet every day.

But truthfully, my schedule has been all over the place lately and so eating 3 solid home-cooked meals a day isn't working out so much.

Realistically, I am on the go a lot and so either I skip eating something until I get home (ooh, bad food writer!) or I stop and get something I don't want or isn't good for me (like a bowl of manufactured soup) or a sandwich (which I really only eat because you can consume it while walking - the worst kind of eating, no?!).

I want to eat better, but it's hard when you don't know when the next time you'll have a break in the day.

That's why my new go-to snack is LÄRABARS.

While they are not a meal replacement, these nutritious - and delicious - bars are a healthy snack that gets me through the day.

This blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices is made from 100% whole food, so you don't have to worry about added sweeteners, fillers, supplements or flavours. The ingredients are all things that you know and can pronounce, and the bars are no only good for you, but they are gluten, dairy and soy free, as well as non-GMO, vegan and kosher.

And here's the best part - loading your body with vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, good carbs and healthy fats is actually really tasty, thanks to LÄRABAR's awesome ingredient combinations and flavours!

You don't have to consume energy bars that taste like sawdust or wet kleenex anymore, and you don't have to feel guilty about having Key Lime Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Lemon Bar or one of their new flavours such as Chocolate Chip Brownie.

Each bar contains less than 8 ingredients, so you can power up healthily whether you're running for your flight or trying to power through your to-do list.

LÄRABARs were made for you and I.

No guilt, just goodness.

Ahh, that's better.

Order a whack of 'em now and get on with your day.

Start the Week Off Right with Wembé Cleansing Bars!

I love the feeling of being invigorated in the shower in the morning. I find that the feeling of rejuvenation and exhilaration stays with me throughout much of the day.

Of course, all products are not equal.

Claiming to moisten, soften, lather, etc., some products can leave you feeling like you haven't showered at all.

With Wembé though, you'll feel clean from head to toe!

These big block cleansers are made with 100% natural and organic ingredients from the Amazonian forest. All soaps are made from organic, locally grown plants in Paraguay.

It's nice to know that what you're putting on your skin is good for you, isn't it? There is no silicone, petroleum products, parabens, sulfates, phenoxythanol, polyethylene glycol, synthetic fragrances or dye in their products, 94% of which are vegan.

You can use these bars on your face and/or body. Either way, you're going to love the clean, fresh feeling you get after lathering a thick foam and inhaling the deep scents.

The White Rose Cleansing Blend is made from actual rose petals and essential oils. What a luxury to be dousing yourself in roses every morning!

And mmmm mango. Tropical and exotic mango fruit not only makes everything smell incredible, but goes a long way in nourishing and moisturizing your skin with the Mango Cleansing Bar.

I am fascinated by the Green River Exfoliating Blend. It contains along with soap and butters, white sands from the Parana River so you feel like you've gone for a walk along the shore! This exfoliator is the perfect solution to a long day on your feet.

If you want something a little more vigourous, the Loofah Exfoliating Blend gets rid of your dry skin and poor circulation and invigorates your whole body. These ones come 3 to a pack, so you can share them with friends or keep your skin looking rosy and youthful and leave 'em wondering how you got that red-cheeked look!

My favourite has to be the Snow Cleansing Blend. It's the perfect thing for warm spring weather - chilled pure spring water mingles with mint and eucalyptus oils to give you a refreshing start to your day.

Of course, there are many, many more to choose from. And don't worry if you can't decide - just get the Variety Pack and try 'em all.

That's probably the best option. Because once you start using Wembé Cleansing Bars, you won't want to stop.

Put a Little Spring in Your Step with Natural, Hand-Crafted Perfumes from Tallulah Jane!

I love trying on new scents each season. It is a lovely way to accessorize, don't you think?

My latest discovery is the Tallulah Jane line of Natural Perfumes.

If you like to keep things as natural as possible, you're going to love these.

Blended with botanical essences, resins and balsams, you get a completely organic experience. And because they are made and hand-poured in small batches, your bottle is unique. Which, let's face it, these days, is exactly what you're looking for.

And you don't have to worry about parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals or synthetics making their way into your concoction - these scents contain only 100% natural ingredients.

There are 3 scents to choose from:

Tallulah - The namesake fragrance is a modern scent with a decidedly hippie finish. Jasmine evokes incense filled notes with tuberose transports you to a balcony right in the middle of downtown in a summer evening.

Gotham - This is the preppy sister to Tallulah. Bright and sophisticated, it's almost minty in its freshness. Only you'll know the secret blend - Bloomsbury, Bay of Bangal and patchouli.

333 - Don't let the green colour throw you off - this fragrance is fresh and clean and screams spring morning. It could be the chamomile or the lavender, but some might say the citrus tree, neroli, petitgrain and bitter orange are what makes it so vibrant.

Natural, beautiful and completely original.

I was talking about Tallulah Jane Perfumes, but the same goes for you too now!