oceanside girl

Mandatory Moisturizing

2010-11-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

With the temperature taking a serious dive and the air changing, ensuring your face is properly moisturized is a must this winter. I am still on my green beauty mission to choose products that are both environmentally friendly and don't use excessively harsh chemicals. I am beginning to find products that I know are both reliable and of high quality. I am a fan of Korres, a Greek company's make-up, but hadn't tried their skin-care line till now. My somewhat oily skin needed something with moisture, but not something over-the-top oily. I found the perfect balance with Korres Pomegranate Moisturizing Cream Gel sold a Sephora. I tried three different products over a three week period before I came to the conclusion on this one. The cream absorbs quickly and never makes me feel like I am not getting the moisture I need. Make-up sits nicely on top and a little goes a long way! That alone is making me happy this fall. Korres is available at Sephora stores across Canada.

Exploring Alternative Treatments - Healing Touch

2010-10-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am pretty open minded person when it comes to alternative forms of medicine. I have seen different naturopathic doctors and have experimented with diet changes and supplements over traditional western medicine. I figure I am open to trying pretty much anything (within reason) if it could have positive benefits. I think a holistic view of health is very beneficial overall and have experienced first-hand there isn't one heal-all solution. Generally I use these treatments proactively as opposed to reactively but that changed a few days ago when I was rear ended by a large pick-up truck. The experience was brief but after I felt very "off." Not only did I experience a stiff neck and back pain, but I was also very rattled by the whole experience. It was weird, it was a small accident and I am completely fine, but for some reason I couldn't shake this feeling of being unsettled.

A friend suggested that I try out Healing Touch to re balance myself after the accident. She knew someone in Nanaimo who was quite gifted at this. At first thought healing touch sounded a little out there for even me. Visions of patchouli scented candles, beaded curtains and healing crystals floated in my head, could this really be legit? After some research on healing touch I put my preconceptions aside and opened myself to trying it out.

After approaching the Healing Touch Practitioner she told me that often after a car accident the electro-magnetic energy emitted by our bodies are impacted and pushed to one side or another making the body's energy off balance.

It seemed to fit with what I was feeling and decided to see her. She suggested that I work with other practitioners and made it clear that healing touch is not a replacement for traditional medicine, rather a complement. That seemed inline with my personal beliefs and decided to have my first healing touch session.

During my healing touch session I have an introductory informal interview with the practitioner to determine why I was looking for healing touch, questions about myself and explanation of what will happen. The actual healing touch is done while lying down on a massage style table with blankets and pillows. First portion for me was done while lying on my back, the next part while lying on my front to focus on my neck area. The practitioner uses her own energy to balance my energy and open up my energy fields. The opening focuses on the energy fields and the energy centres (Chakras).

I personally found the experience highly beneficial, both mentally and physically. During the opening of my energy fields I could feel my body tingling, at first I thought it was a coincidence, but the feeling on intensified. I left the treatment with a buzzed feeling and with reduced pain in my neck. The pain reduction could be due to various factors, including time, a chiropractic treatment and the healing touch - but regardless I am pleased with the results. It is interesting to experience different ways of looking at the body and how to treat it holistically.

Foodie Fatigue

2010-10-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

Tonight I enjoyed a glorious meal of delicious pizza at Urbana Pizzeria with two my most food savvy gal pals. We started the evening with gloriously rich red wine and then noshed on a tantalizing selection of thin crust deliciousness. The meal was topped off with sweet and creamy tiramisu - pretty much a perfect evening.

I love food and I love talking about food, where I will eat next and how good it was. I am ever curious about the next good place to eat and love to keep a pulse on food trends.

However, what I am came to the realization when I came home is that being a true foodie can be really tiring. Being a foodie is more than just eating, it is eating with a keen eye, appreciating every detail and examining every bite. Sometimes I just want to eat and say nothing more than it tastes good. I don’t always want to analyze where the flavour origins come from or if it tastes authentic.

I would rather not be overwhelmed with guilt when I crave a McChicken over chicken piccata – it’s really not the end of the world. I love food, but when eating becomes a bit too serious I need to take a step back and enjoy every bite!

Take me to the River

2010-08-10T10:21:00.001-07:00

Anyone who is anybody and grew up in Nanaimo knows about the Nanaimo River - a tucked away piece of beauty not often seen by tourists. It is not a provincial park, nor well marked or labeled from the road, but it is a joy when you do find it.

Considering the fact that I live right next door to the ocean, I didn’t understand the appeal of the river until I visited there with a local friend a few weeks ago.

My friend had a secret spot to get to the river, as some areas can get pretty busy with locals soaking up with sun and going for refreshing dips.

We made our way along the Nanaimo River Rd and stopped at a small clearing. I could have easily zoomed by; it was so well hidden. With our bags in tow and sporting my flip flops we headed into the trees and then down a fairly steep slope to the river. The trek was only five minutes but it seemed like five hours as I maneuvered my way down. When we arrived I was overjoyed to find a beautiful pocket of trees, rocks and of course, the flowing crystal clear river.

At the river there are not a lot of beach areas, so you set your stuff up on the rocks and enjoy. The afternoon literally melted away. There was no cell phone service to feed my blackberry addiction, no chores calling my name, only eating, swimming and reading were in store for me and it was glorious.

Nanaimo is one of those places where the wonder of it is less obvious, but over time you begin to discover it is full of hidden gems that make living here so amazing.

My Garden Grows

2010-07-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

It has been about two months since I started my little edible patio garden experiment. As I am completely new to gardening, I am happy that my plants are actually growing. It is quite miraculous to watch these little plants sprout vegetables from their blossoms.

After a cool start to May, the weather has been consistently warm and sunny for the past three weeks. This has definitely helped the growing process, together with the fact that I am actually remembering to water and watch my plants flourish.

It turns out that I have become a bit obsessed with my veggie plants. After battling fungus problems with my zucchini resulting in shriveled produce, the plant seems to be back on track. My peppers are thriving, proudly displaying over 12 little peppers waiting to ripen.

My two tomato plants are doing well, with lots of little green tomatoes and a few that are ripening. Basil, rosemary and peppermint are thriving. My dill didn’t really do that well and the chives look a bit sad. You win some, you lose some!

Half the fun for me is just watching everything transform and hopefully eating mouthwatering produce later this summer.

Away from it all is not that far away

2010-07-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about living on Vancouver Island is that outdoor activities are so close-by. This past weekend I was able to hike up Mt. Benson and camp at Nanaimo Lakes, both less than a half hour drive from home.

As a city slicker this is still all a bit new to me, but I have been enjoying my close proximity to nature. No need to make the two-hour plus drive just to see some greenery.

My overnight camping trip to Nanaimo Lakes certainly wasn’t a “roughing it trip”, as we were right next door to our car. Roughing it or not, it was fun to be able to experience that “far away from it all” feeling when you really are just a stone’s throw away.

Setting up our tent alongside the crystal clear lake, fishing from the rocks, cooking on a camp stove and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire with good friends is the epitome of summer.

Summer has a way of speeding by and I am hoping to experience all the Island has to offer while the sun is still shining.

The Little Things

2010-07-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

My first official summer in Nanaimo found me reflecting on how to appreciate the little things in life. Our lives can be a fast ride filled with lofty aspirations of happiness, success and achievements. I often fall victim to wondering what is next and how will I get there? This manner of thinking keeps me motivated and helps me to accomplish the things I want to achieve. However, sometimes I find that focusing too hard on these goals can cause me to overlook what inspires me and why.

A few days ago a blazing crimson sunset, edged with the silhouette of the mountains and the ocean, left me feeling awestruck. I am very lucky right now to live in a place filled with such natural beauty at every turn. It would be easy to dismiss this landscape as part of the backdrop of life and take it all for granted. Lately I find that no matter where I go there is something that forces me to live in the moment, whether it is my surroundings, daily experiences or interactions with people.

No matter where you live in the world there are many forms of beauty. It may not be the glory of nature; it may be about energy, people or activities. The most powerful element of this is being able to appreciate your surroundings and embrace it in a way that touches your life. The freeing power of a bike ride can set the wheels in motion for exploring the next level of creativity and spark inspiration. A challenging hike can push your body physically and challenge your mind. The silent reprieve of fishing can calm the mind from its daily chatter.

This summer I am going to embrace the moment as much as possible and spend as much time as I can doing what I enjoy. The rest should fall into place naturally.

Vancouver Island Food Fiesta

2010-06-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

At the end of May I attended a fabulous event put on by Island Chefs Collective (ICC) called Defending our Backyard. The ICC is a group of local chefs and producers who are dedicated to supporting each other in the food production business of Southern Vancouver Island. The event was held at a National Historic site, Fort Rodd Hill, just outside of Victoria. In true island fashion it was drizzling rain, but that didn’t stop anyone from sampling or stuffing their faces with island cuisine.

I was intrigued to learn more about this event. Being new to the island, combined with my love for good food, I was anxious to taste locally produced and grown fare. Vancouver Island is a lush and diverse agricultural area with a thriving food scene. You can enjoy local vineyards, cider houses, breweries, organic farms, artisan bakers and so much more. There isn’t much you can’t get here.

Defending our Backyard was an opportunity to sample the goodies as well as talk to the chefs and producers about their products. I discovered a whole bunch of things that I loved and explored places worth checking out on the island. Here are some of my faves.

Fol Epi, organic bread and pastry from Victoria Fantastically hearty breads, full of flavour.

Zanatta Winery, stunning locally produced wines from the Cowichan Valley.

Sea Cider, tasty ciders with a lovely property with a restaurant and is also a popular event locale in lovely Saanichton.

Smoken Bones Cookshack located in Victoria makes pulled pork sandwiches to die for.

VI Salt Co hopes to have everyone on the island using their local sea salt.I was impressed with this locals company's product.

Summer on the Island is a time to explore all the local producers and I am excited to see what my next food adventure will bring.

Grow On!

2010-06-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

I have always had an on and off again interest in vegetable gardening and I wondered if my small condo patio, which gets a ton of full sunlight, could be transformed into a little garden too?

I learned fast that if you don’t have the luxury of living somewhere with a lawn, growing your own veggies isn’t impossible. Gardening seems to be all the rage right now and I was inspired by an article I read on how easy patio gardening can be and decided to get growing!

First of all, I wanted to grow things that I enjoy eating, like tomatoes, zucchini, peppers and fresh herbs. All of these veggies and herbs grow well in pots and in full sunlight. I scoured the likes of Canadian Tire, local nurseries and the Superstore for pots, soil and plants. After more trips back and forth to the store than I would like to admit to, my little garden was coming together.

As luck would have it, right about the time I decided to start on this little adventure, the weather became cold and rainy, not ideal for my veggies that thrive in the full sun. Thank goodness the weather took a turn for the better and my garden didn’t suffer too much. I now eagerly watch over my seven pots of various vegetables and herbs, observing how they grow and flourish each week.

Who’s the fairest of them all?

2010-05-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to Mexico I tested out a few eco-friendly sun care products just in time for summer. My fair, freckles easily skin hasn’t really seen much sun as of late, longer than I would like to admit, and what better place to test sunscreen and other assorted goodies than in a permanently warm climate.

I’d like to share my experience trying out three products to make time in the sun a bit safer. Over the next few months I will be testing out different products to find the best one that works for me.

UV Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen – This is a product from Australia and was my first venture into the highly inconsistent world of natural sunscreens. If you are used to the tropical scents and the easy to rub in memories of Hawaiian Tropic you will be disappointed with this product. It is much thicker and difficult to rub in. Once applied it is a bit oily and I constantly had sand stuck to my skin. The sun protection was excellent and it had pretty good staying power, but I am on the hunt for something a little more user friendly. Purple Prairie has had some good reviews so I will be doing more research and testing in the future.

Organic Apoteke Droseros Facial Mist – I am a sucker for these “misty” products that promise cooling. This product was developed for traveling and spending time in the sun, so when I found this online at Lilou-Organics I just had to have it. I kept this with me on the plane and on the beach and loved it. Did it do anything special? The verdict is still out on that one, but sometimes you have to indulge yourself for no reason at all.

Burt’s Bees After Sun Soother – An after sun lotion with aloe is a must for me after a long day in the sun. This bottle was completely done by the time I came home. I found it easy to apply, rubbed in quickly and soothed my skin. This was the only after sun product that was easily available that didn’t have a ton of chemicals and icky ingredients. Burt’s Bees is generally pretty consistent and I would definitely buy this again.

If you have tried any good green sunscreens or other eco friendly sun products let me know.

Up in the Trees

2010-04-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

Ever since I moved to Vancouver Island I have wanted to go to Wild Play, which is an outdoor obstacle park, zip lining and bungee jumping mecca, located in the south end of Nanaimo. It reminded me of a school trip I went on in grade eight only bigger – and I had to go!

It took a while but I finally booked spots for my boyfriend and I to check out Wild Play’s main attraction, the Monkido Tree Course, a few weeks ago. April is a touch and go month for weather on Vancouver Island and the morning we were heading there a dark cloud loomed above. The course runs rain or shine so I prepared myself to get wet.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the experience, but I was full of enthusiasm for the opportunity to be a kid again.

The course starts with putting on a harness that you will wear the entire time on the course and a detailed session with the leader on how to use the course, how to clip in and use the zip lines. After that, you are pretty much on your own in the trees; a thought that moderately terrified and excited me at the same time. I may have forgotten to mention but I am definitely scared of heights.

The full Monkido Tree Course has four sections, each one increasing in difficulty and height; one section was closed due to the huge windstorm BC had a few days prior.

The first section, which is not very high up, is a series of zip lines, log walking and monkey bars. Once you get into the rhythm of clipping in to each spot so you don’t fall, it seems pretty easy. I felt confident leaving the first section of the course – this is a piece of cake. Acrophobia - not this gal.

Well, my confidence quickly evaporated as we came to the next section of the course. The ladder climb alone looked daunting enough, never mind trying to get across the swinging logs suspended seemingly 40 feet above the ground (a slight exaggeration). Well this little adventure was my idea so I put on a brave face and did it. This part of the course was a lot longer and each task was more difficult than the next. The fun part about the course is that you get to go on some pretty long zip lines to each activity, zooming through the trees, suspended in the air.

The kicker for me was a giant Tarzan rope that I had to swing on and then jump onto a wide roped area, basically like a monkey. I can only imagine the panic on my face would have been hilarious to see. My heart was beating through my chest; although you are strapped in, it was surprisingly still terrifying.

Things got more difficult from there as we climbed higher into the trees and my balance, bravery and agility were tested.

There was no way I wasn’t finishing this course, not a chance. Even with the logs becoming slippery from the rain and each task seeming harder than the next, I pushed on.

As I approached the final tightrope leading to the ladder to go down, I was proud of myself for making it through two hours of pretty much sheer terror mixed with exhilaration and fun.

Verdict, if you are in Nanaimo, Victoria or Whistler checking out Wild Play is the chance to be a kid again.

In Search of More Green Beauty

2010-04-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

No one ever said finding good green beauty products was going to be easy, but with a little research, I have discovered new gems on a regular basis. In my quest for green beauty, my constant beef continues to be with products that claim they are “green” and “chemical free”, but they don’t walk the talk, and are hidden with ingredients that aren't that green. With Spring in the air, I wanted to share a few great products that I have recently tried and loved.

Viva Aromatherapy Milk Cleanser – I have NEVER been a milk cleanser kind of gal, but the helpful staff at Island Naturals convinced me that this amazing product will lure me from my foaming cleanser ways. So far they have been right; I enjoy the soft cleansing and the non-tight feeling on my sensitive skin. Major green brownie points too, this company is proudly Canadian!

Juice Beauty Green Apple Mineral Moisturizer – I had tested out the Juice Beauty face serum and really liked it so I decided to give their moisturizer a whirl. The moisturizer is a bit creamier, which I really enjoy and has literally left my skin glowing. The extensive product line is made in the USA and they are Certified Organic. The Sephora staff said this is the most natural line they carry.

Apoteke Organics Detox Facial Mask – I love facial masks, I really do. I honestly think doing your own facial at home is pretty easy and if you are super lazy, just cleanse and use a mask. This one seems to have super powers and really does a detox on your face. The first time I used the product my face felt really warm and it wasn’t until I read the box a bit more carefully that I realized it should make your face rosy and tingly. After the redness faded, my face was glowing and smooth.

Suki Face Eye Repair Balm – I blogged about wanting this product a little while ago and of course I had to have it. I ordered it online from Lilou Organics (cannot be ordered online from this website in Canada) and it arrived in the mail very quickly. I was intrigued by Suki’s products and wasn’t sure what to expect. The balm is really a balm. The consistency is a bit thicker than the usual eye cream, but goes on smooth with a nice subtle fruit scent. After a few days of using this product I was hooked. The sensitive eye area is tight and bright – and what else would you want your eye area to look like?

Green Beaver Shampoo and Conditioner - Although I LOVE Saijojo’s haircare products, the price point is a bit expensive for everyday usage. A friend of mine recently recommended using a Canadian product called the Green Beaver, a line of shampoos, conditioners and body washes that are affordable and eco-conscious, mostly found in health food stores. The cranberry shampoo and conditioner have an addictive fruity scent and once you adjust to a type of wash that produces less lather, you will be hooked too!

I am always looking for product suggestions, so let me know about something great you have tried.

Tofino Time

2010-03-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

When I moved to the west coast I knew I had to slow down my hurried Toronto pace to fit in, but after spending the weekend in Tofino, I learned that “island time” takes on a whole new meaning here.

I have been eager to visit Tofino ever since I moved to Vancouver Island and it is just a mere three-hour drive from Nanaimo. The curvy one-lane highway, that curves its’ way through the Alberni Valley, is full of majestic mountain views, stunning rock faces and thumping rivers. There is only one road leading into this surfer’s paradise where people from across the globe flock to catch a glimpse of the potent waves and chill-out Tofino style.

Before arriving in town we stopped at one of the many famous driftwood lined beaches, Long Beach, only to be swept away by the glorious west coast breeze. In mid-March, the endless sandy beach was only occupied by a small handful of people and my little group. The air had an amazing warm streak through it and lucky for us, the sun was actually shining, making the powerful winds a fun and challenging experience for exploring. The compelling waves were capped with white and all you could see was the vast ocean – with the next stop being Japan. It was quite the humbling experience to be there as I felt so small with the ocean around me; I was in awe of the wonder.

If you aren’t planning on braving the cold for a surfing lesson or scouting for whales, there is still a lot to do in Tofino, including one of my all time favourite pastimes - eating. Lunch was at Sobo, a very cool restaurant right in town. They have an amazing menu selection that includes famous items like their polenta fries and fried mussels. Their roasted vegetable soup is something I would love to recreate at home. We left happy and full, ready for another beach stroll.

This time we went to a lesser-known spot called Tonquin Park, where the secluded beaches were beyond picturesque. For most of the day we avoided the inevitable, rain, but it eventually caught up with us. If you ever plan on going to Tofino, bring rubber boots, a good waterproof jacket and a cozy sweater.

We bypassed staying at some of the fancier lodges outside of town to get an authentic in-town experience. We stayed at The Inn at Tough City, a quirky and homey hotel run by “Crazy Ron” who personally welcomed us when we arrived. The Inn has the best sushi restaurant in town and as far as I have experienced, the best on the island.

We finished off our weekend trip with coffee at the Common Loaf, where the water was boiled on a Coleman stove. In true Tofino fashion, the power was turned off for the evening and didn’t quite make it back on at 8 am as they had promised. As the barista said, welcome to “Tofino time”.

After breakfast we wandered through town where the rustic landscape is scattered with surf shops, restaurants, coffee shops, requisite hippie backpackers and people riding bicycles with surfboards. Tofino has managed to keep all the restaurant chains away, for the time being, so it was refreshing to see only locally owned and operated businesses in operation.

The magnificent geography of Vancouver Island has inspired many artists and during our visit to Tofino we checked out the Roy Henry Vickers Gallery, a must-see, with a formidable collection of stunning native art.

We finished off our trip with a rainy walk on Chesterman's Beach and then decided to head home. Tofino in March was an amazing experience, the question is, will I be brave enough to test the waters on a surfboard the next time I am there?

About Face

2010-03-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

After hiding under the grey of a west coast winter, spring has almost sprung and it is time to start thinking pretty again. The cherry blossoms are out, the sun shines more and I even went on an amazing sailboat ride last week – spring is in the air.

Although true beauty is skin deep, my philosophy is that a good beauty routine starts with the skin and taking care of it. If we wonder sometimes why we aren’t looking the way we want to look, we may need to revamp what we are doing to our skin before looking any further.

As you know I am greening my beauty supply and make conscious decisions to choose products that use ingredients that are environmentally friendly and chemical-free. It hasn’t always been easy being green, but it has been interesting learning about new products and being a human guinea pig.

Without a good cleanser and toner I would be lost – whether you wear make-up or not I truly believe that they are essential. I like the very cost conscious products made by Earth Science. I start my day with their clarifying cleanser and clarifying herbal toner, but they also make products for drier skin as well. At ten dollars a bottle, you can’t go wrong and they are sold in many health food stores.

I have gotten into a new habit of using a few drops of serum on my face prior to moisturizing. A serum can have many purposes; it often will add a boost of antioxidants and skin smoothing power prior to adding moisture to the skin. I find it makes my skin smoother and helps my make-up go on better. Juice Beauty, sold at Sephora,has one that I have tried that I really like.

I am still searching for my favourite moisturizer. I have used a few different brands, from Caudalie to Oliv’ to Burts Bees and I will not rest until I have found the best one for me. Of course our needs change with the season; in the winter you may need something a little heavier and in the spring and summer something lighter. Find a product that works for you and use it. I am currently on the look- out for a product that combines moisture with a decent chemical-free sunblock.

I am a firm believer that you should use an eye cream religiously, both morning and night. I have been doing this for years. Whether this process will turn back the hands of time or not is up for debate, but I know that extra moisture in this delicate area is a must for me.

After reading the April issue of Fashion Magazine, which has a great article on green beauty, I am eager to try products from Suki Pure. Their Eye Repair Balm looks killer. You can buy their products in Canada at Lilou Organics.

After the day is done, I take it all off again with my cleanser and toner, put on the serum and then seal it all with a good night cream. At night your skin repairs itself while you sleep and who couldn’t use a little added boost. Right now I am using Vinoperfect from Caudalie, found at Sephora.

The moral of my spring story is to take care of your skin and it will take care of you. We have our bodies for a lifetime so make the best of what you have and nurture it everyday!

Home is where the heart is

2010-02-13T16:17:00.000-08:00

I just came back from a two-week visit to my home of thirty years – the iconic Big Smoke. I am one of those people who lived at home longer than she should have and never went away to school. Instead I did the daily commute to U of T and mooched off my parents. I guess I was what some people would call a homebody. Whatever way you shake it, when I made the jump to live across the country it was pretty difficult for me. I was desperately homesick and missed my family and friends.

Gradually I became accustomed to my new life, made friends and carved out a niche for myself. I am a social person, so meeting people was essential to my survival. I became used to driving instead of taking the public transit, seeing mountains instead of skyscrapers, the ocean instead of Lake Ontario.

This trip “home” got me thinking about what makes a place home. Is your home where you grew up, is your home where you live at this exact moment or can you have many homes?

When I was in Toronto spending time with my parents, my brother and my close friends I felt like no time had passed. Life didn’t skip a beat and I was able to fit right back in. Yet as my visit came to a close I realized I wouldn’t see these wonderful parts of my life for a while. It made sad that we would be far apart, but also appreciative of our time together. It reaffirmed that these are very special people in my life, whether near or far.

However, when I was away I missed aspects of my other “home,” my new friends, new surroundings and new adventures. I have started to love living in BC (even when it's raining) and I think it is an important part of the transition to embrace your new home otherwise it will never feel like home.

I have come to the conclusion that I have two very special homes, one on the east coast and one on the west coast. And if home is where the heart is, I guess that means my heart is broken in two and that is just the way I like it.

Coast-to-Coast Hot Yoga

2010-01-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

Sometimes all it takes to feel close to someone far away is a common interest that bonds both you in a special way. For my mom and I, it is Moksha Yoga.

I am one of those girls who speaks to her mom almost everyday on the phone, mostly we talk about anything and nothing, but if a day goes by and I don’t hear her cheerful voice it is an anomaly. Talking everyday makes me feel like we are just down the street instead of across the country.

After moving to Nanaimo I started practicing Moksha Yoga, a hot, hatha based yoga, which is invigorating, strengthening and spirit lifting, and made life in a new place better. I started telling my mom about how much I loved it and I thought she should at least try it out. She is an active person and was looking for that consistent exercise which would keep her motivated and that she could do even with her arthritis. There was a new studio extremely close to her home, so she thought she would give it a try. When I first encouraged her to try it, she thought she would hate it, and I wasn’t even sure she would go.

I have to say I was impressed that she went and even more impressed when I found out she loved it as much as I did. She actually said it had changed her life and she starting practicing regularly. I know now that every Saturday morning she will be at the studio sweating through the warrior series the same way I would be here.

For those of you who do practice, they will understand how powerful yoga can be. It has the ability to change your state of mind and inspire you to do better things or even be a better person. Once you have made it through a class pouring with sweat you feel like you can conquer anything.

For my mom and I yoga is a way to keep connected and share our experiences. I can’t wait to practice together for the first time; it will be a true mother-daughter bonding experience.

Eating my way around Victoria

2010-01-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

Without insider knowledge, finding amazing places to eat in a city can be tricky. Often the best places to eat may be "off the beaten path" or look like a bit of "a hole-in-the-wall". I was lucky enough to have Karma, an island girl and foodie extraordinaire, give me a tour of some great places to eat in Victoria.

Our walking tour started with a look around Ambrosio Markets & Deli in Cook Street Village. This is a neat area tucked away outside of the main stretch of downtown and is full of little shops and restaurants. Ambrosio is a Portuguese deli with a great selection of meats, cheese, olives, breads and baked goods. They have a few locations in and around Victoria.

Our next stop was Pizzeria Prima Strada, just around the corner from Ambrosio. I haven’t tasted genuine wood oven pizza since I left Toronto and I was absolutely delighted with the amazing white pizza topped with pancetta, green onions and buffalo mozzarella. The pizza was to die for, perfectly baked with the right combination of toppings. The photo is of our pizza heading into the genuine wood oven minutes before we ate it!

Next stop was Italian Food Imports on Blanshard Street where we devoured possibly the best meatball sandwich I have ever eaten. It was apparent that we had a bit of an Italian theme going, so we stuck with it and finished the mini lunch tour with homemade gelato at Paradiso Di Stelle, located in Bastion Square overlooking the water. It was a chilly day in January, but it didn’t make eating gelato outside any less enjoyable.

Our next stop was Sips Artisan Bistro on Simcoe Street where you can try a variety of local and imported wines selected by their sommelier Brian Storen. I enjoy these little places because you can test a variety of different wines and have them paired with appropriate small tastes of food. A wine store is also attached to the restaurant, so if you like what you tried you can purchase a bottle next door.

Our final stop was Stage – Small Plates Wine Bar. I loved the layout of this restaurant, exposed brick walls, high ceilings and a funky bar. The restaurant is in a newly gentrified neighbourhood of Victoria, which gave it that Queen West, in Toronto, feel. I enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and shared a meat and cheese platter featuring local fare. I still wanted to test out more of their food but at this point I was stuffed to the brim.

If eating is on your brain, Victoria is a fun city with something to satisfy everyones tastebuds. I will be heading there again in March for another food tour.

The Green Beauty Experiment - Body Creams

2010-01-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

It will come as no surprise to people who know me that I am the product queen. One thing that makes me extremely happy is a good body cream. I have been using my body as an experimenting ground to find a cream that satisfies all my needs, including not being chocked full of chemicals. Added bonuses include environmentally friendly packaging and being made in Canada.

Living in a smaller city, I find myself challenged to find places that sell good green body care products. The health food store carries some products; sadly they often have unappealing packages and scents. To clarify, going green doesn’t mean I am going to compromise on my standards.

Sad but true, not all body creams are created equal. Buyer beware, products from The Body Shop and Fruits & Passions aren’t exactly the green gals best friends. Kiss My Face and me have an on and off relationship. I haven’t found a cream from them that I love and sometimes their products have sneaky parabens in them.

Burt’s Bees is one of those products you can find at every drug store and they have a wide array of great products. I am addicted to their lemon cuticle cream. Unfortunately for me, the body creams and lotions I have tried thus far aren’t my favourite. They will do in a pinch, but they leave me wanting more. Either the lotions are runny and messy or the creams are much more like a salve. What I really want is something in-between.

A good thing about testing lots of products is that you will eventually find ones that you love. I have found joy in a product I ran into at Chapters called McBloom’s Skin Therapy.

I wasn’t entirely familiar with this brand, but it hit my check list: green, chemical-free and made in Canada. On their website I discovered this brand use to be targeted at gardeners but has earned a cult status for women who know about beauty. I love their Hand & Body Cream; it is thick enough to moisturize and light enough to go on smooth. The question is - how did I not know about it before!

Another new favourite of mine is The Healthy Body Butter by LAVANILA Laboratories. While living in Toronto, every single time I went in to Sephora I would use this fragrant cream. I was distraught at the slightly more expensive price, so never bought it for myself. Good thing about Christmas is you may get things you wouldn’t buy for yourself. I now have the pleasure of being enrobed in the scent of vanilla and lavender while being perfectly moisturized. This brand melds luxury and healthy ingredients – what more could a girl ask for?

I am always on the hunt for more good products and plan on testing out Pacifica Body Butter soon, but if you know of any others good ones, let me know.

Keep beautiful and don’t forget to read the labels!

Deserted island beauty must-have’s

2010-01-02T09:50:00.000-08:00

I live on an island right now, which I am not sure I'll ever get used to. The island is not deserted by any stretch, but sometimes I long for access to better green beauty products and it got me thinking about what are some key items I wouldn't want to live without?

So, if I ever had the misfortune or fortune of being stranded on a deserted island I would at least want these three green and chemical-free beauty products with me:

Korres Multivitamin Compact Powder

Being a long devotee to MAC’s studio finish powder, I have to say this product from Korres gives MAC a run for its money. It can be applied with a large brush or a sponge, depending on the level of coverage you are looking for. It leaves the skin smooth and glowing. If I can help it, I don’t leave home without it.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
I am not blessed with naturally long, thick eyelashes, so mascara is one of those things that I almost feel naked without. This mascara pumps up my puny lashes and lasts all day. It has the ability to be great for daytime with a coat or two and go the distance at night.

Smith’s Rosebud Lip Salve
Back in the day when I used to spend many unhealthy hours attempting to bronze my fair Irish complexion in the sun, I was introduced to Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream to soothe my sunburns. This miracle cream was a must have of mine for years, but I was sad to discover that the magic lotion was full of yucky things. Bummer, what was this sticky lip balm addict to do? Thankfully I have been simultaneously using Smith’s Rosebud Lip Salve. I can’t find the complete ingredient list, but it seems to pass the green test thus far. You can put it anywhere from your lips to your dry cuticles and it seems to last forever.

As a beauty junkie on a green mission, I am testing new products all the time and will share more of my favourites soon.

Soak, stuff with food, and soak again

2009-12-27T14:01:00.000-08:00

Last week I went to a spa with my boyfriend. This clearly wasn’t my idea; otherwise I would have gone alone. Convincing him to go to the spa for no reason at all just wasn’t something I would generally suggest on a whim. When another couple said they were going to do the Dip & Dine at The Grotto Spa located at the Tigh Na Mara resort in Parksville, the prospect of a mineral bath tweaked his interest and we decided to join them.

The Dip & Dine experience was a lot of fun. The Grotto staff are very professional and it had the right dose of west coast charm. The whole resort is made out of log cabin looking buildings and the interior is full of rocks, wood and natural designs. The 2500 square foot mineral bath is no exception, with a giant waterfall you feel like you are in another world, while the imported Hungarian mineral salts gently detoxify and renew your body.

After a nice long soak, we went up to the Treetop Tapas & Grill restaurant in our robes for our feast. The food is inspired by the local environment and I was impressed with the selection and the quality. We made it through all 23 of the different menu items and I insisted we had to have the dessert plate too.

The group of us then waddled back down to the mineral baths for a final soak. When our fingers and toes were properly pruney, we decided to bid farewell to The Grotto. The experience took indulgence and relaxation to a whole new level and really, when is that a bad thing?

I won’t be home for Christmas…

2009-12-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

For many reasons, this year I won’t be spending “the most wonderful time of the year” with my family and friends back home. Until today it hadn’t hit me how different that is going make Christmas for me. This year, it will be a quiet, but special Christmas for two, with a million to one chance of snow.

Christmas cheer will not be lost on me this year, even if it will be a quiet one. Over the past few weeks I have received many cards and packages from loved ones back home. It reminds me how lucky I am to have so many people who love and care about me. Even though it doesn’t quite seem like Christmas on the island to me, I have filled my new home with the scents of Christmas baking and went to parties with some new friends. I will be spending the days before Christmas watching some of my favourite holiday flicks to help make the season a little brighter: Love Actually, Die Hard, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone and Elf.

The good thing about being away is that I can actually truly appreciate what wonderful people I have in my life. It would be easy around the holidays to take for granted that you have somewhere to go for Christmas dinner, complete with crazy relatives and a sickening amount of food. That is something I won’t be taking for granted ever again.

To my family and friends back home, I miss you and love you. I hope to see everyone in Toronto soon when I am back for a visit.

Playing in the Snow

2009-12-15T07:38:00.000-08:00

I am pretty sure that when you resume activities that were previously enjoyed earlier on in life, the know-how doesn’t just magically return the way you hoped it would. This past weekend I embarked on a personal experiment of attempting to snowboard again, after a three-year hiatus, at Mount Washington Ski Resort on Vancouver Island. If I had been boarding my whole life, strapping back in wouldn’t be such a big deal, but since I learned in my 20’s, I was definitely nervous.

To ease the potential pain I was about to endure, I signed up for a few lessons with my friend Ashley, who was testing out the sport for the first time.

The lessons were a lot of fun as our instructor Neil, a Brit with an accent and teeth like Austin Powers, went through the basics and eventually had us going down the hill at a slow and steady pace. After spending a bit of time getting reacquainted with being on the board, I started to feel more comfortable and by the end of the lesson I was snaking my way down the Green (super easy) hills.

Surrounded by snow I was flooded with memories of why I started snowboarding in the first place. I have always loved winter and the season is much more enjoyable when you are actually indulging in all the activities the elements have to offer. Being out on the hills was the perfect recipe to feed the encouragement needed to spend even more time in the great outdoors. The amazing thing is that you have the opportunity to arrive at a ski resort in about 90 minutes without leaving the island. Mount Washington may not have all the bells and whistles of Whistler Blackcomb, but it certainly won my heart.

I spent the entire weekend at Mount Washington, so after a recharge at the chalet, a group of us went out to experience the art of night tubing. I love night tubing, it requires very little effort and it is 100 percent fun, that is if you enjoying flying and spinning across the snow at amazing speeds. And really, who doesn’t?

Although my body took a beating from snowboarding the day before, I was determined to pack in as many activities as I could. At the Nordic skiing portion of Mount Washington you can rent snowshoes and trek around in the wilderness. I have never been snowshoeing before in my life and it is quite the experience and workout. The views of the mountains were spectacular and I enjoyed the quiet sound of crunching over the deep snow. You can go to places that may otherwise remain undiscovered.

My weekend of winter activities was an overall success, now I just have to find a way to go again soon so that another three years does not pass without spending time revelling in activities during my favourite season.

36 Hours in Vancouver

2009-12-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

Despite the fact that my boyfriend and I currently live on Vancouver Island, prior to last weekend, I had never actually been to the city of Vancouver. The wide expanse of the Georgia Straight literally separates you from the mainland, preventing easy access to the city of Vancouver. Every weekend a different excuse surfaced as to why the trip was delayed. That all changed when we finally hopped aboard the Queen of Cowichan ferry in Departure Bay, Nanaimo, along with hordes of other “islanders” to see if Vancouver lived up to all the hype.

I have been looking forward to exploring Vancouver since my arrival in B.C. Brimming with excitement, I was ready for the hour and forty minute ferry ride. On a clear day I imagine the view would have been spectacular, however, as luck would have it, the sky was drab and grey. In true Erin fashion though, I was determined that nothing was going to put a damper on my enthusiasm this weekend. My BF had lived in Vancouver before, so this trip was really all about me!

When I finally set foot on Horseshoe Bay, I was thrilled about being on the mainland again. I still haven’t quite adapted to the fact that I actually live on an island. Traveling on foot I made my way to the bus that would take me to the big city.

After the forty-minute bus ride, I eventually arrived in downtown Vancouver. I don’t want to say that my first encounter was uneventful, but with the mountains disguised by clouds, it felt like I could have been in any metropolitan city. The downtown core along Robson Street is jammed full of condos, premier shopping, restaurants and a Starbucks on every corner. I lusted after shoes, bags and jewelry. I indulged myself with a few items from the Sephora store near the Pacific Centre; a girl can’t be completely deprived!

The evening hours began at the Pour House, located in Gastown, one of the hottest new dining locales. After enjoying upscale prohibition style food and a delicious warm chocolate cake, the evening continued at The Irish Heather. This gastro pub had an inviting atmosphere and was filled to the brim with people. I watched the bartenders pour perfect Guinness’ every time; quite a feat in a busy bar.

With the weekend whizzing by, Sunday began by enjoying a delicious latte at 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters on 4th Ave in Kits. The pastries were literally singing to me from behind the glass, eat me, eat me, eat me…The coffee was a pleasant change from my de rigueur of Starbucks. After devouring a healthy brunch prepared by a new friend, the energy surge was just enough for more wandering on foot.

On the walk from Kits, I gazed in the window of the Big City Cupcakes located on Howe Street displaying gorgeous cupcakes, , visited the Olympic Countdown clock (pictured above) and strolled through the downtown core for a little more sightseeing. The time had come to board the bus back to the ferry. My little magical mini break was about to come to an end. The verdict on Vancouver - a vibrant, fun city, with lots to do and see. This city doesn’t have the history nor the charm that Toronto boasts, which is what I love about the Big Smoke, but it won over this former city girl’s heart. The reality is that 36 hours is barely long enough to see everything Vancouver has to offer. Looks like I will have to come back soon to get my city fix.

See you next year November

2009-12-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

From a non-scientific perspective, it has rained almost every single day in November here on Vancouver Island. I am not talking about a little mist; I mean overwhelming torrential downpours. The state of emergency in some parts of the island made news headlines, and not to be selfish, but the November blahs that I felt was surprisingly absent from the news flashes.

Prior to my west coast move I felt quite confident in my ability to handle the unusual wet weather conditions that would follow. I believed that I was prepared for anything. A person would have to be a wimp to allow a little rain to “beat them down”. It isn’t so much that the actual precipiation is bothersome, but rather the constant dreariness that blankets the region. When you wake up to grey skies and go to bed facing a darker shade of grey it can eventually get to you. No matter how much vitamin D you take or how hard you try the “mind over matter visualization”, the weather can be bleak.

I realized that I am going to genuinely miss the snow this year. The crisp coolness of the Ontario air cannot compare to the dampness that blankets the island. A trip back to Toronto in January may be necessary to get a real dose of Canadian winter.

Ironically enough, on the first day of December, the sun shines brightly today. I think November and I just weren't a good match this year.

Quaint Qualicum Beach

2009-11-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

On a rare sunny day in November, I ventured out with two new gal pals for an afternoon of gastronomy in Qualicum Beach. Located just 30 minutes north of Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach boasts an interesting spatter of delicious eating establishments as well as places to buy local foods.

Our afternoon began with a visit to the most interesting lunch locale, a restaurant in the Qualicum Beach airport called The Final Approach. This intimate restaurant has a casual dining feel, not to mention an excellent view of the small Cessna planes taking off and landing.

The menu was packed full of mouthwatering dishes and shortly after our arrival we noticed the place was completely full! The atmosphere is friendly and all of the dishes have the chef’s personal touch. We started out with the fall-off-the-bone ribs for which the chef recently won a contest for the barbeque sauce that enrobed them. I then devoured grilled halibut and home fries, yet the piece de resistance was the homemade coconut cream pie. The girls and I split the heaping slice and shared a bite with a lady sitting at a table nearby. The verdict, delicious!

With our bellies full we ventured to La Boulange Organic Breads. The cottage like bakery houses a huge variety of homemade breads that all use sourdough as a rising agent instead of yeast. They also have alternate grains including kamut and spelt - which I love. I picked up a loaf of the jalapeno cheese bread and the spelt & kamut loaf which were still warm from the oven.

What is bread without cheese; next stop the Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, which is a cool little farm and shop. There was no mistake about it; I was on a working farm surrounded by the smell of manure and hay in the fresh country air. I cruised around the farm gazing at their sheep, pigs, cows, goats, ducks and horses, getting a good look at where the food I was buying was actually coming from. Inside the store you can sample all of their cheeses as well as a variety of fruit wines.

Our last stop, which happened to be on our way back to Nanaimo, was at the Secrets Bake Shop in Parksville. This relatively new bakery has an inviting selection of truly homemade sweets, from cakes, to bars, to cookies at very reasonable prices. I didn’t indulge today, but I know my sweet tooth will have me coming back for sugar shock.

Lucky for me Qualicum Beach is only a short drive away and I plan to indulge myself again in the very near future.

Where the Big Trees Are

2009-11-23T06:23:00.000-08:00

If you ever make your way to Vancouver Island it would be shame not to take the time to see some of the remaining big Douglas-Fir trees that are protected in the Cathedral Grove Forest. MacMillian Provincial Park is one of the most famous parks and it is truly an awe-inspiring sight to see.

If you are making your way to Tofino, a stop at the forest is a must. The drive alone is absolutely incredible, with trees and lakes lining the highway. When you arrive at the park, which is a protected zone, you can take a loop around and catch a glimpse of nature’s splendor. A powerful windstorm in 1997 caused serious damage to the forest and many trees toppled over changing the landscape of the park forever. The park is home to numerous species that nest and feed amongst the trees.

Some of the trees in the park are 800 years old, stand 76 metres high and 3 metres wide. When I was standing next to these trees I was reminded how long it would take to nurture this growth and how much of BC has been destroyed by clear cutting. The logging companies have obliterated the landscape, right up to the park’s edge, changing it forever.

Crazy Caves

2009-11-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

The last time I remember being in a cave I was in elementary school on one of those team building weeks where you learn about nature. Enough said, I hadn’t thought about caving since then, until one day we drove by a sign on the Vancouver Island Highway for the Horne Lake Caves and I was intrigued to check it out.

Vancouver Island has a collection of some of the best caves in the world. The caves are basically carved by water.

Caving, also known as spelunking, is an activity where you spend time in dark, damp and narrow caves. Claustrophobics would be advised to not try this; it would be their worst nightmare. The reason many people enjoy caving is that it is a challenge to explore the maze of tunnels speckled with mineral deposits, bones, native carvings and very cool scenery.

As with most of the activities I have ventured into lately, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. I sported a fancy Petzl headlamp and wore clothes I didn’t mind getting dirty – I was ready to spelunk!

There are only a few of the caves at Horne Lake that you can navigate on your own, the others require a guide. When we arrived at the entrance to the cave, which is basically a crack in the rock, I was a bit apprehensive about going in. I didn’t know what to expect or if I would feel panicked in this enclosed space. The interior of the cave felt cool and damp. My eyes had to adjust to the inky darkness.

We moved our way along the narrow cavern, climbing over and under the rocks. I was amazed at how cool the rocks looked inside, like nothing I had ever remembered envisioning. The main cave isn’t very long, but for my first adventure it was a good introduction. I am intrigued to go caving again and perhaps engage in a little rappelling and get a chance to see a few wild things.

Staying Connected

2009-11-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

It’s really not that hard to stay “connected” with people on a superficial level. With the fancy pants “intraweb” there are endless options. If people want to follow/connect with me, they can go to Twitter, read my blog, check my Facebook page, Skype me, email me, text me or call me. I have done my best to keep all those mediums open to my friends and I do my best to return the favour.

Since I moved away I have noticed that the number of people I keep in touch with regularly has dwindled. I know this is a natural progression that happens with most people when they move away from home or even just move social circles. There are only so many emails you can send, phone calls you can make or lives you can follow.

For the most part I have always been good at keeping in touch with my friends, even if it is only seeing each other twice a year, I still have a pulse on how their life is in general. I may not know what they had to eat for breakfast like I do with my best friend (mmm muffins), but I do know details that help us remain friends.

Lately I have been thinking I miss the old fashion kind of communication, the face-to-face kind. Since my three month anniversary of moving to BC just passed I started thinking about how we keep in touch with people and why our adult relationships are so important.

For those of you who live far away from the people you love, it can be tough to feel close when you are far away. You sometimes feel helpless when you know that a friend or family member needs you, even if is just for a trip to Starbucks to lend an ear.

Sometimes I think I would die to have girls pizza night, listen to my brother play guitar and sing, eat my mom’s home cooking or go to yoga with my best friend. These small moments are what make life what it is and right now I don’t have them whenever I need them. I hope to be remembered as a good friend, whether I am near or far away.

Next step, making new friends here in BC. Easier said than done!

Green Nail Care - Nothing to Tip Toe Around

2009-11-12T19:10:00.000-08:00

For as long as I can remember I have insisted on having my feet in perfect “pedicure” condition which includes beautifully painted toenails. I do not reserve this small luxury for the warm summer months alone. The colours of the rainbow grace my toenails on any given day of the year. It is rare to catch me bare!

November is one of the drearier months of the year and why not brighten things up by test-driving a variety of new non-toxic nail polishes. As you may already know, I am greening my beauty supply this year and I realized that my nail polish obsession isn’t exactly a non-toxic indulgence.

Nail products are generally pumped with a cocktail of chemical fun, with the triple threat of dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene gracing many popular products. These harsh ingredients used in many salon and drug store products have now been reformulated by several manufacturers by removing these substances, including salon favourite Opi.

I am still new to the green beauty schtick and I am always looking for ideas on how to keep my tootsies in tip top shape. The Granville, a Vancouver based magazine, had a great article this past April on hazard-free pedicures.

I have become addicted to peel off nail polish from Sula, a Canadian company. This product is non-toxic, has a huge range of colours, is easy to apply and even easier to remove. I have been testing out Sula shades for the last month and I am surprisingly happy with the product. It goes on easily and covers well with just two coats. The only issue I have is that when in contact with hot water or excessive friction it can peel prematurely. When that happens I just choose a new shade and apply knowing that my conscience is slightly greener!

Eclectic Victoria

2009-11-09T18:38:00.000-08:00

I have needed my “city” fix a couple of times since I arrived on Vancouver Island and the good thing about living in Nanaimo is that Victoria is only a short drive away. Phew, thank goodness for that!

We have made the hour and half drive along the very twisty Malahat Highway twice in the past few months. The drive alone is really something to see; it takes you along the ocean, rock face and trees. The scenery is spectacular and there are many places to stop your car along the way to check out the view.

There is a reason people come to visit Victoria, it is the capital for one, which houses a beautiful legislative building complete with a totem pole in the front. It is also home to the narrowest street in Canada, Fan Tam Alley, located in China Town. The harbour is gorgeous, well maintained and perfect for strolling along and dreaming of life aboard a sailboat. The downtown core is excellent for dropping into stores, coffee shops and restaurants. It has an active arts scene with endless shows to catch, local bands to watch and art exhibits to catch.

We wanted to do something different for the day so we hopped in the car and headed for Victoria. I collected a few restaurant suggestions from a new friend of mine who has wonderful taste. We ended up at a cute, very Queen Street or Ossington like restaurant called The Pink Bicycle, a gourmet burger joint.

The menu was jammed packed with a huge variety of burgers and delicious sides. I settled on the classic cheese burger with onion rings and my boyfriend decided on the spicy blue burger with soup of the day. The menu includes a variety of local brews, wines and beverages. If you are in Victoria and need a burger fix, I suggest this place!

If I had even an inch of space left in my stomach I would have checked out Zambri’s, Devour and Red Fish, Blue Fish.

I will be sure to come back to Victoria hungry!

BLOG BLOCK

2009-11-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

My Oceanside Girl blog is supposed to be about me doing new and exciting things while I live on Vancouver Island, but what happens when I am just doing regular things and nothing “exciting” has happened lately? The result – a serious case of “blog block”.

How can I make yoga, Starbucks and grocery shopping seem like a venture into the unknown, unchartered world? Do I just accept the fact that the mundane realities of everyday life are here to stay? I wonder how can we make each day seem extraordinary without getting too “new agey” or annoyingly optimistic. So to combat my block I have engaged in the following methods in order keep the dream alive and keep myself focused.

#1 Imagining or planning my next adventure, big or small, is a way to keep focused on some of my goals. Money, time, weather and circumstances inevitably get in the way of my desires to try new things, but nothing can stop my imagination. My current fascination is to go to Tofino; the stars just need to align first. I think I may have over-hyped Tofino in my mind, so hopefully the endless longing hasn’t ruined my first brush with this “surfing mecca”.

#2 Oddly enough cooking and baking keeps me sane. Nothing is more satisfying than finding a new recipe or an old favourite one and preparing it. Being in the kitchen has always had a calming effect on me. The measuring, chopping, simmering, sifting and stirring all have a specific purpose and when the end result is done it feels and hopefully tastes good!

#3 Spending time online allows me to remain motivated about my adventures, writing and social media pursuits. Other writers’ blogs remind me why I do this and the hope that my now small readership will hopefully expand, as will the stories about my adventures.

Here’s hoping my blog block is just a passing phase!

Dear Toronto, I miss you!

2009-10-28T17:53:00.001-07:00

With the garbage strike just a memory of the lazy, hazy and smelly days of summer I have started to miss Toronto just a little bit.

I have been living on the West Coast for just over two months and the dreaded rain has begun. When “Ontario people” think of BC we often have images of endless rainy days, mist and fog. Well it turns out that our assumptions are correct and now my system is in for a big wet shock.

Toronto isn’t exactly weather paradise, but the cloudy, rainy skies of my westcoast life seem to be endless. It has been raining or misting for many days in a row and it is downright yucky out. I am not accustomed to the consistent rainfall or the possibility that it won’t stop raining until summer arrives…..sigh! It’s a good thing I came equipped with a waterproof NorthFace jacket and my navy blue Hunter Wellies. They have already come in quite handy.

What I notice the most is that the rain doesn’t really bother anyone here. Just the other day someone described the drizzly, damp and dreary day as cozy. Are you kidding me? My definition of cozy is snuggling under my down comforter.

I realize that if I am going to enjoy, not just survive my first west coast winter, I had better buck up and embrace the coastal weather. My new philosophy is to savour the sunny days when they arrive and make the most of the inclement weather.

I miss the fall season in Toronto with brisk days, fall colours and quality time with family and friends. My tune will undoubtably change come mid- January when Toronto is suffering at 20 below and slush and snow are covering the city like a dirty blanket. I don’t think I will miss you so much then Toronto.

LATTE LIFELINE – My Love Affair with Starbucks

2009-10-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Nanaimo has a lot of coffee shops, including Serious Coffee, a great Vancouver Island chain, but no matter how much I try I cannot turn my back on my favourite corporate American symbol of java – Starbucks.

When I first came here I was a fish out of water, moving from bustling downtown Toronto, to quiet suburban oasis with an ocean view. There was no more TTC and I pretty much have to drive to get to anywhere. So as you can imagine when I first arrived I longed for the comforts of home and I found it in the ubiquitous green and white Starbucks logo and the perfectly conformed coffee shop model. When I’m in a Starbucks I could be anywhere in the world; the layout, flavours, beverages and food are the same. I realize that they do this on purpose otherwise their empire would crumble faster than a coffee bean grinds, but it appears to work, so kudos to them. I really should invest in some stock options I spend so much time there.

This blog is about me doing new things, but it can’t hurt to have the comforts of home even for a few minutes. Thank you Starbucks.

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN...a beauty junkie's green makeover

2009-10-21T20:18:00.000-07:00

The challenge, to green my beauty supply by January 2010. When I first gave myself this challenge I thought, no problem, how hard could it be to find excellent products without harmful chemicals? I quickly came to the realization that making over a beauty junkie’s make-up luggage would be a difficult task.

Step one: do the research to understand what ingredients in products are unnecessary and harmful.

Some of the ingredients on my hit list are:

Parabens, found in almost everything. Parabens are a chemical preservative used in numerous products including shampoos, shaving creams, body lotion, cleansers and toothpaste and they are hard to avoid. The reason parabens are so prevalent is that they are inexpensive in preserving the shelf life of products. There are four common parabens: methlyparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben and propylparaben. The problem with parabens is that they can mimic estrogen production, which has been found to be one of the causes of breast cancer.

Propylene glycol is an organic compound used in many beauty and pharmaceutical products. When absorbed through the skin this additive has been shown in studies to be a skin irritant at 2 per cent concentration. Many products use it in concentrations up to 50 per cent. Environment Canada lists propylene as a potential carcinogen (cancer causing agent).

Research has been done on both sides but the evidence is inconclusive as to what effect of these chemicals have on humans. I have decided to err on the side of caution and do my best to clean house on my beauty and personal care items that have these ingredients. There are alot of products out there and the hard part is to navigating which ones are good and which ones aren’t.

Step two: find products that I want to try and where to buy them.

Not all “green” products are made alike. Many companies have jumped on the green bandwagon and labels like organic, natural, and green can be misleading. After careful investigation I have found that many of my hit list ingredients still remain in these impostor green products.

I have been looking for products that have good ingredients and have been proven effective. Many products can be purchased online, which is great for me who lives in a smaller city. Sephora has a good green section and a new Canadian website called Green Beauty has an excellent range of products for sale. I recently purchased a Canadian made Saijojo shampoo, conditioner and styling foam and Oliv’ face moisturizer from Italy all from Green Beauty. The products have been amazing and I very happy with them.

Other products, including live clean, Consonant , Burts Bees and Kiss My Face are sold in Walmart, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, The Bay and Sears.

Stay tuned for more products I have tried, tested and loved.

MARVELLOUS MOKSHA

2009-10-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

Yoga and I have been friends for a longtime. I have practiced a variety of different types of yoga over the past eight years. Now that I am on the island I have decided to shake things up a bit by trying out Moksha yoga, which I have been faithfully practicing since I arrived at Moksha Yoga Nanaimo.

I have dabbled with hot yoga in the past and have always enjoyed it. It was an easy transition to move to the Moksha series. For those who don’t know about Moksha yoga, it is a series of poses (asanas) performed in a room heated to 37 degrees Celsius.

The studio here is amazing and is lead by the studio director Kristy and her awesome instructors. I have made a new home there and have met people who share similar interests.

Moksha has already transformed my body and challenged my mind making me feel invigorated. I honestly believe that practicing yoga on a regular basis has a positive impact on your life and this belief has been reinforced with my Moksha practice.

AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH...

2009-10-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

I officially climbed my first mountain on foot. This climb would not win any accolades for height, speed or technique. For the most part it was a sweaty, tiring and sloppy climb, but for me, all that mattered was that I did it.

You can’t really miss the mountains in British Columbia, they are everywhere, but what many people don’t realize is that there are mountains on Vancouver Island too. Vancouver Island has amazing rock climbing, mountain biking and caving all within a short distance of the major cities.

Mount Benson in Nanaimo has an elevation of 3300 ft, but compared to the world’s bigger mountains it is pretty small. To put it in perspective, the highest peak in Canada, Mount Logan is 16,400 ft and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is 19,331 ft.

The climb up Mount Benson is a day trip, approximately a four hour round trip, depending on how long you stay at the top. When you enter from Witchcraft Lake the hike starts straight up the entire trip, or it at least seemed that way. The first time I did the climb it seemed like we were climbing forever. There was a point where we reached a clearing about an hour and half up and I thought we had made it. I was tired, thirsty and sweaty, but I was wrong, we still had a distance to go.

When you are about to make it up to the top of mountain you have a one track mind; forget the trees, the dirt, the animals – all you want to do is make it to the top. What is the point of climbing a mountain and only making it half way up? Of course it is good exercise, but what you really want to see is the view. And what a view! The top of Mount Benson is really interesting because it gives you a 360 degree view of the island. The day I was there you could see all the way to Mount Baker in Washington State (4300 feet). There is something about being on top of a mountain that is really freeing; it feels good to be on top of it all. The next mountain climb will be Mount Arrowsmith in Parksville, which is the highest peak on the island. Wish me luck!

THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND ME - getting reacquainted

2009-10-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed the idea of outdoor activities, but I haven’t spent a lot of time doing them in quite a long while. The last camping trip I went on was in Algonquin Park over five years ago.

I have come to the realization that how you spend your leisure time is all about the company you keep and where you live. When a city like Toronto is your home, outdoor pursuits take a bit more effort. So when I look back I realize more time was spent going to restaurants, shopping and practicing yoga than hiking, camping or kayaking. That was all about to change.

In BC, especially on Vancouver Island, the great outdoors is literally at your doorstep. Nanaimo is a city with a mountain (Mt.Benson) right in the middle of it; there are endless trails, lakes and rivers to explore that are a short drive away, from Victoria to the Cowichan Valley to Courtenay to Campbell River to Tofino to Ucluelet.

My first foray with the great outdoors was a back country camping adventure to the Forbidden Plateau section of Strathcona Park. This trip was a fairly gruelling hike to the picturesque glacial Circlet Lake. Climbing up the mountain was no walk in the park. The trails are covered with roots and rocks and the steep climbs challenged my fitness level. This is a place where bears roamed at night, drinking water was pumped from the lake and food was cooked on a portable stove. The only personal care item that I brought was a toothbrush, toothpaste and some lip balm which my boyfriend, a seasoned outdoor adventurer even scoffed at.

Was the hike worth it? I can't even begin to describe how beautiful it was, the peacefulness of the air and sheer beauty of the mountains. I was truly in awe of how spectacular nature can be. The outdoors was agreeing with me, I had a certain glow about me.Besides the fact that I may have been a bit stingy in the food department, since we easily burned thousands of calories hiking, the trip was a success. We both fell asleep too early in the tent to even appreciate the stars, we were that tired. We both realized we needed to up our endurance levels if we were going to enjoy this lifestyle.

The success of our first camping trip rested on the skill and experience of my boyfriend, I literally just hiked along and tried to listen to his instructions. He had most of the equipment, he knew what to bring and what to leave, otherwise I think I would have been in big trouble. Later he described me to his colleague that "what I lacked in outdoor skills, I made up for in enthusiasm" and there is no doubt that I have plenty of that!

OCEANSIDE GIRL IS BORN

2009-10-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

My friends all teased me when I moved to Nanaimo, saying I wouldn’t have access to all the luxuries I was used to and that I would turn into some sort of...gasp...hippie. Yes, the island has those, but more than that, it is a place where people embrace a more relaxed lifestyle…something we don’t really do when we are caught up in the rat race of Toronto or other big cities. Since I moved here I seem to have a lot more time on my hands and as the saying goes…if I can’t beat ‘em, might as well join ‘em.

I am out of my element here…but I truly want to immerse myself here and take advantage of all the wonderful things the island has to offer. I feel spoiled living here; when I look in one direction I see the ocean and the other I see majestic mountains. The air is fresh and smog free. There is something amazing about living by the ocean.

But I must attest, I have not turned into a hippie over night. I am planning my cross border shopping trip to Seattle as I write. What I am doing here is taking life a bit slower and doing things I never had the chance to do in Ontario. Backcountry camping, caving, hiking, kakaying, rock climbing, surfing and even fishing.

This blog is an ode to my new life in Nanaimo, embracing the outdoors, local foods and natural cosmetics and body care. I plan on writing about where I go, what I do, what I want to buy and what I actually do buy!

Erin AKA oceanside girl

My amazing moniker was designed by my talented brother Rob, get in touch with me if you want your own designed logo or anything else creative.