Eyenvy: To Longer Lashes

A few weeks ago I observed, my friend, Laura's eyelashes. I noticed immediately how large and full they were. I thought she was wearing some kind of new mascara since her eyelashes looked humongous. She informed me that they were her real lashes and she just started using a product called EyEnvy. Without hesitation, I knew I had to have a bottle of my own. Within a week I was holding my very own bottle of which I took home, ripped open the package and immediately applied my first layer onto my eyelid.

EyEnvy promises it's formula will improve the length, the volume and the thickness of your eyelashes. The product has a combination of vitamins and strengthening peptides to stimulate growth naturally.

It has only been a few days since I've tried the product and I find the product very easy to use. I apply it to the base of my eyelids every morning and the nice thing about the product is shortly after the product dries, I can then apply my normal eye makeup. 

The process of applying EyEnvy is simple. Your eyelids must be clean. Shake the bottle first and then remove any excess product. Finally you apply EyEnvy to the skin of the eyelid from the exterior of the eye to the interior. The results to longer lashes takes roughly 3 months and then every other day for maintenance. 

For store locations near you, please check  www.eyenvy.ca

I will take a picture of my eyelashes after the first four weeks of application and then again in another four weeks to note the progress. Please check back to see my results. Thank you!

By: Sara Mody

South Hill Designs

I first discovered South Hill Designs in Port Credit at the Southside Shuffle. What I liked about the jewelry is you can express your style by selecting jewelry pieces based on your interests and preferences. I created my own necklace choosing a round pendant covered in Swarovski crystals. The pendant resembles a locket which can be opened. South Hill offers a wide selection of different charms that can be placed into the locket and are also interchangeable. I feel that for the quality of the jewelry, the price is reasonable.

As seen in my picture I chose a round circular "tree of life" and a tiny airplane charm that represented my passion for traveling.

On their website they offer jewelry from bracelets, necklaces, wraps, earrings and dog tags. The company also offers business opportunities or hosting jewelry parties. 

Get inspired and host a party of your own and enjoy and evening with your friends, food and shopping.

Visit www.southhilldesigns.com for more information.


By: Sara Mody

Bistro 77

Bistro 77 is located on 77 Victoria St. E. in Alliston Ontario. This casual dining and intimate restaurant features fresh local and organic radiance from around the area. I had the pleasure of meeting the master behind all of the dishes,Ryan and getting a small tour of his restaurant. I sampled maple glazed scallops and a delicious vegetarian lentil dish with corn and salsa. Bistro 77 offers both casual dining and live entertainment on their intimate patio. There is live music every Friday and Saturday night. Bistro 77 offers catering to weddings, dinner parties and corporate functions. Thank you Ryan for your hospitality and for the great conversation. The Travelling Jacket loved your bistro.

Ryan, you are inspiration!
By: Sara Mody 

Your Feel Good Company

Your Feel Good Soap Company is an all natural soap and lotion bar. It is located on 616 Queen St. W., Toronto, at the corner of Queen Street and Markham Street. This adorable little shop offers handmade soaps and lotions for everyone. This unique soap shop allows you to select from a variety of different textures of lotions while selecting your desired scent from essential oils.

Karina, the shop owner, was inspired to create this business by her grandmother who made homemade lotion and planted and grew her own herbs to create her own unique lotion called grandma's special.

There are three easy steps to creating and designing your very own lotion number. First you need to select a base. They have a variety of different unscented bases to choose from. Next you need to pick from all of their wonderful essential and aromatic oils. Lastly, let them know which container size you would like to purchase. They will be able to take care of the rest. 

Your Feel Good Soap Company also offers gift cards, custom labels for birthday or anniversary events, gift packages and reusable and recycle bottles. Their products are homemade, SLS and paraben free. 

Your Feel Good Soap Company offers body lotions, creams butters, shampoos/conditioners, body and hand wash and of course who could forget lip balms. 

When I visited Karina and Scott, I created a combination of chocolate and lemon grass. The amazing scent lasted for hours after application and I received many compliments on it. 

Please visit www.yourfeelgoodsoap.com for more information. They also accept  orders online.

Karina and Scott, you are inspiring!

By Sara Mody 

MyOlive

I bumped into this gorgeous little olive oil tasting bar one afternoon walking along the streets of Port Credit. The store was closed but I was able to peer into the window and see the endless selection of large tanks of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Rob and Sandy were kind enough to see my curious face peering into the window and they both came outside and unlocked the store for me. He welcomed me into his shop and gave me information on his new business. After a brief discussion, they invited me to gather 10 girls to an evening in the store where he would give us a brief seminar on his oils and allow us to walk through his store tasting different types of balsamic vinegar and olive oils. A couple of weeks later I had 10 girls visit the shop where we all sampled different types of balsamic vinegars and learned about pairing them with different sorts of meals and mixing them with salads, meats, and even desserts. This cute little store offers reusable glass bottles and a rewards program. Rob offers wonderful recipe suggestions, educational tips and the importance and health benefits of using olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette from all over the world. 

Thank you Rob and Sandy for a great evening.

Get inspired to try something different by visiting MyOlive and learn something new and inspire your cooking senses.

MyOlive delivers premium olive oil and amazing customer service in a friendly and comfortable environment.

Please check out www.MyOlive.ca for more information.

By Sara Mody

Cleansing out your closet

Today I was inspired to cleanse out my closet and remove belongings from my home that I did no longer need or use to my local Value Village. It felt good donating belongings back into my community and supporting the Canadian diabetes. At the same time, I went into Value Village and purchased a brand-new pair of Guess red shoes for $14 of which I had a 30% off discount card. Today get inspired and cleanse out your closet and give back to your community. Remember one man's junk is another man's treasure.

By Sara Mody

Czehoski

I visited Czehoski restaurant located at 678 Queen Street West, in Toronto. Walking into this restaurant, I could not help but look around and acknowledge that it used to be a butcher shop in the 1950’s with the original hardwood flooring and butcher block countertops. For the meat lovers and Toronto supporters, Czehoski’s offers all of its meat, bakery and ingredients from markets in the local area, such as Kensington and St. Lawrence markets and a bakery called Ace Bakery. Czehoski wants to provide its patrons with food straight from the farm or garden to the table feeling and maintaining the importance of freshness and quality.

To start my experience, I sampled two salads from the menu. First, a traditional ceasar salad with toasted fresh, light, citrusy and the croutons were homemade. I also loved the crunchy parmesan crisp placed on the top. I enjoyed the roasted beet salad which had two types of beets, orange slices, roasted walnut and a delicious crème fraiche all around, perfect for dipping. For my main, I could not help myself but try the comfort food of a good old ‘mac and cheese’ that sparked my tasted buds since it was made with a traditional rarebit. Rarebit is usually made and melted for toast and it is creamy and rich in butter, milk and farmhouse cheese. My mouth was watering. I had to have this dish. To this date, I don’t think I have tasted a better ‘mac and cheese.' My girlfriend ordered the perogies, which were made to perfection and filled with sweet potatoes and cheese and surrounded with tasty, braised red cabbage and crème fraiche, instead of sour cream.

The kitchen is open in the middle of the restaurant, the washrooms are clean, and the employers are very friendly. The photography displayed around the restaurant of women are to be inquired about and admired. This is a perfect restaurant to experience with your friends for good food, a taste of Toronto’s history and a place to engage in inspiring conversations. Get inspired and check it out! Housed in a former butcher shop that dates from the 1950s, Czehoski is a favourite in contemporary dining. Feast on our delicious, locally sourced menus and check out our unique interiors. From the original hardwood flooring with knife-drop details, butcher-block countertops and glass deli case we have preserved a piece of Toronto history.

By Sara Mody

A proud member of the farm to table movement, Czehoski uses as many local, organic and sustainable ingredients as possible.  From our fresh breads from Ace Bakery, our quality meats from St. Lawrence and Kensington Markets, and delectable desserts by Auntie May, we always strive to bring the freshest ingredients straight to your plate.

Once a family run butcher shop, Czehoski still holds the original attention to detail and warmth that made the name Czehoski synonymous with quality in the first place.  

So come, drink, eat and enjoy.

Housed in a former butcher shop that dates from the 1950s, Czehoski is a favourite in contemporary dining. Feast on our delicious, locally sourced menus and check out our unique interiors. From the original hardwood flooring with knife-drop details, butcher-block countertops and glass deli case we have preserved a piece of Toronto history.

A proud member of the farm to table movement, Czehoski uses as many local, organic and sustainable ingredients as possible.  From our fresh breads from Ace Bakery, our quality meats from St. Lawrence and Kensington Markets, and delectable desserts by Auntie May, we always strive to bring the freshest ingredients straight to your plate.

Once a family run butcher shop, Czehoski still holds the original attention to detail and warmth that made the name Czehoski synonymous with quality in the first place.  

So come, drink, eat and enjoy.

Housed in a former butcher shop that dates from the 1950s, Czehoski is a favourite in contemporary dining. Feast on our delicious, locally sourced menus and check out our unique interiors. From the original hardwood flooring with knife-drop details, butcher-block countertops and glass deli case we have preserved a piece of Toronto history.

A proud member of the farm to table movement, Czehoski uses as many local, organic and sustainable ingredients as possible.  From our fresh breads from Ace Bakery, our quality meats from St. Lawrence and Kensington Markets, and delectable desserts by Auntie May, we always strive to bring the freshest ingredients straight to your plate.

 

Raw : An Organic Experience

          I recently visited a unique restaurant located in the Port Credit area. Raw Aura is a tiny and casual restaurant that prides itself in offering customers with delicious, nutritious food options in an environmentally and friendly fashion. Raw only uses 100% raw ingredients in its menu items, from appetizers to desserts. Eating a raw diet means that the food is not being heated over 43C/105F. This way of eating translates to easy digestion and retaining the digestive enzymes, vitamins and mineral components in the food.  The kitchen is stocked with plant only ingredients, including, the finest fruits, vegetables, greens, sprouts, nuts and seeds.  Their menus states that their food is gluten, diary and sugar free.

          For my appetizer, I ordered the recommended “Ravioli” which was created with red beets, creamy cashew ricotta cheese, red pepper marinara sauce and kale chips. My main dish was the “Yellow Coconut Curry Noodles.” This handcrafted dish was made with cashews, coconut oil, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, pineapples, lentils, red peppers and red onions tossed with zucchini noodles. I loved the different flavours in this dish and the simplicity of the presentation. I could taste almost every ingredient and found this to be quite filling after having an appetizer. Finally, for dessert, I sampled the decadent chocolate banana cake which was flavourful and creamy. Remember all of their cakes and cheesecakes are made gluten and diary free. So if you have sensitivity to gluten or are lactose intolerant, please leave room for dessert. Raw offers an amazing selection of delicacies! I rinsed my whole meal down with a lemon meringue smoothie made from hemp milk, lemon juice, dates, bananas and fresh vanilla bean. I loved my little cozy spot by the window and their tree trunk tables. Raw is every tree huggers dream. Raw Aura is located on 94 Lakeshore Road East in Mississauga. They have friendly staff, clean washrooms, fresh juice/smoothies to go, and catering. Please check out www.raw-aura.com for more information on their menu and calendar of events. You got to eat here! Raw you have inspired me to eat more RAW food! Thank you!

By Sara Mody

 "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food."
Hippocrates

Quinoa and Kale Soup

Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love quinoa. Here is my one of my favourite recipes for a quinoa soup to keep you healthy and warm this season. 

Ingredients

• 1 sweet onion - medium diced
• 2 celery stalks - medium diced
• 3 carrots - medium diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil - or enough to cover the bottom of the pot
• 2 cloves garlic - finely chopped
• 2 cups fresh zucchini - medium diced (about 1 medium or 2 small
• 1 bell pepper - medium diced
• 4 cups of water
• 1 15-ounce can of chickpeas or any beans of your choice ( they are high in fibre)
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups kale - stems removed
• 1 teaspoon turmeric (or to taste)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. I place a large stockpot over medium heat and add the onions, carrots and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes or until softened.
2. Then I add my garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes and cook for about one minute or until garlic begins to color.
3. Add the zucchini and the green beans, season with salt and pepper, add the turmeric, stir and cook for about 3 minutes.
4. I usually lower the heat to medium/low and  the soup to gently boil (uncovered) for about 20 minutes.
5. Add the quinoa and cover for 15 minutes.
6. Remove the cover, add the kale and the canned beans (more water if needed) bring back to a gentle boil and cook for another 5 minutes or just until the kale is tender.

The Big Crow

The Big Crow is located at 176 Dupont Street, Toronto. You will see a sign out on the front of the street (beside the "Food" signage), but the restaurant itself is located in the back of Rose and Sons, down a little alleyway covered with birch trees and Holiday lights. This cozy little backyard feeling restaurant provides a warm ambiance and friendly service. The staff greets you with information about daily specials and a brief history of the restaurant. Inspired by Algonquin Park, canoe trips and camping, the menu gives a creative flare to Canadian cuisine. I loved the huge picnic tables and the dim lighting. I felt as though I was dining in a large tent in someone’s backyard. I recommend the steel head trout poke with peanuts, chili, and ginger. I recommend sampling the garlic bread, sour pickles, and particularly the kimchi created by David Chang. Even the potatoe salad had an interesting flare to it, as it was created with squash, brussels, maple, and cider. I was able to taste a variety of different dishes since the menu is designed for enjoying it with your guests. I was appreciative with the Big Crow's selection in the provision of local beer along with the traditional options. I would highly recommend checking out this restaurant for a relaxed atmosphere with your pals while engaging in open conversations in an outdoor inspired setting. 

By Sara Mody

http://roseandsonsbigcrow.com

Inspiration Necklace

One night I was inspired to create necklaces for Christmas gifts for my girlfriends. I wanted to put charms on the top of the glass bottles that represented my friends personalities, such as, a dolphin or a guitar. Since I love feathers I also wanted to include those in the glass jar with positive words that would provide my friends with a message. It is a message in a bottle. If you are interested in one of my necklaces, I can take special orders to create one that matches your personality. $15

Mexican flavor halibut

As you will discover I’m a HUGE fan of fish tacos and love to cook them at home. One night I was inviting friends for dinner with tacos and I did that fish to go in it. It was so good and so crispy, that I decided to try only the fish with a salad instead and it was a great success too! Also, I love this recipe because it is so easy and truly takes 5 minutes to do and 10/15 to cook!

Fish:

1 table spoon of Cumin

1 table spoon of paprika

½ table spoon of chilies

½ table spoon of garlic powder

½  table spoon of sugar

1 tea spoon of salt

1 tea spoon of coriander seeds.

4 filet of your favorite white fish (I do prefer halibut of pangasius)

Olive oil

Dip (optional):

½ a cup of sour cream

1 big table spoon a mayonnaise

2 small green onions

A bunch of fresh cilantro (usually put half of it, because I really like it)

 Jalapeños

Lime juice

Put all the spices in a pestle and grind until it makes a perfect powder (the coriander seeds will stay a little bit rougher than the rest). Then take a big zipploc bag, put your fish and the spice mix and shake. You can either do that the night before or couple hours so the fish really taste, but it is not necessary.  When you are ready, grill the fish either in a pan or in the oven with a little bit of olive oil. Bake: 10-15 minutes, grill 5-7 minutes.  The fish is delicious, just like this, as the sugar caramelize on top, but if you have time, do the dip to go with it, it’s very fresh! For the dip simply mix all the ingredient in a food processor and serve!  Psssst it goes perfect on a salad! J

My Personal Inspirational Story - Cook for the Cure with Vikram Vij

              

               

                On September 21, 2013, I attended the Stratford Savory Culinary Festival with my friend Amy to eat food, bond and for me to meet a Canadian Chef, named Vikram Vij, whom is one of my favourite chefs. He is an Indian Chef and owns two restaurants in Vancouver. He would be at the Stratford Festival presenting cooking demonstrations for spectators.
When we arrived in Stratford, we were too late and had missed Vikram’s presentation. Two days later, Amy called me and informed me that she had two tickets to a breast cancer event where 5 Canadian Chefs would be present, including Vikram.  She assured me that tonight I would meet him. The excitement inside me was overwhelming and I rushed home into the shower and was back in the car on my way downtown. I saw Vikram talking to people and began to find my courage to walk towards him and introduce myself. After many deep breaths, I found the courage and inspiration inside myself to seize the moment. I walked up to him and stuck out my hand and began talking to him about not seeing him in Stratford, my background, my love for food, and my personal story of being diagnosed with breast cancer. We instantly hit it off and he encouraged me to participate in the Cook for the Cure and raise $2500 for breast cancer. 


 Days later, he contacted me and we met up for dinner to discuss ways I could be a part of the COOK for the CURE event and be on his team. Participates have the opportunity to cook with one Canadian celebrity chef and compete against other chefs. I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude wash over me as I reflected on my situation. Here I am, meeting, conversing, sharing and learning from a Canadian idol of mine about having the opportunity to cook along side of him. How often are we given the chances to experience these moments? How often are able to push ourselves to follow our dreams, listen to our intuitions and push ourselves to discover what we can accomplish if we are determined to succeed. He came to my school and helped me to encourage my students to fundraise. I met my goal days before the event and on December 7, 2013, I was at Fairmount Royal Hotel with sheer gratefulness in my heart and anticipation running through my body. I had done it. I had reached my goal and raised $2500 with the help of my students, friends, family and coworkers. I was now fulfilling my dream to cook alongside of Vikram and having the chance to learn from Canadian chefs, Mark McEwen, Lyn Crawford and Chuck Hughes.


That night I met all kinds of amazing people, had my picture taken, raised money for breast cancer, ate delicious food and had the opportunity to be interviewed by Global and City TV. This was a dream come true for me. I will never forget the wonderful connections that I met and the experiences I walked away with that night. Not to mention, I have become super friends with Vikram and I cherish him very much and admire his humble attitude and warm heart. I am proud of myself for accomplishing a goal and finding the inspiration with myself. Be inspired!

               Here is what Vikram wrote about me on the Food Network’s Blog a month before the Cook for the Cure 2013.

               “I am participating in the Cook for Cure Culinary Showdown because I recently met a young lady, named Sara Mody, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age. What is interesting about her story is that she turned down chemotherapy treatment and made the decision to fight her cancer with the healing powers of food. She has used the art of "Auyurveda", which is eating healthy and using spices like turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin and cloves. These amazing spices are a huge part of my style of cooking and my heritage. Sara has been fighting her cancer with food, mediation, yoga, laughter and positive thinking. She will be   reaching her five year cancer-free mark in February 2014. At present, she is feeling alive, strong,    proud and grateful. Cancer has become a positive part of her life, because it has taught her about herself and how to live; the attributes that are necessary in life to keep strong and remain focused. The experience has become a vital part of what makes Sara, SARA! Sara is a huge fan of Indian cooking, being half Indian herself. It will be a dream come true for us to cook together and showcase our cuisine and culture on December 7th in Toronto for the Cook for the Cure event. It will be especially meaningful for Sara to be a part of this event as a survivor who has used food as her medicine and has joie de vivre attitude in life.”

 

 

http://www.foodnetwork.ca/blogs/HostsandInterviews/2013/11/14/Why-Vikram-Vij-is-Cooking-for-the-Cure/?id=69529

 

 

Quinoa and Arugula salad with Feta

This salad is my ultimate favorite. Before, I had a hard time cooking quinoa and enjoying it as a salad. This recipe changed everything, it’s fresh, healthy, flavorful and it fills me up!

One cup of quinoa

1 cube of chicken broth

One bucket of arugula

One bunch of fresh coriander

One bunch of fresh Mint

300 grams of feta cheese, cut in half inch dice

Half Red onion finely chopped

Lemon juice

Olive oil

Pepper

Half of a pomegranate

 

Cook the quinoa in 2 cup of water and the chicken broth. When it’s totally cooked (no more water and not too sticky) let it cool down. During this time, cut the mint and the coriander and mix it with the arugula, the onion and the feta. Then add the cooled quinoa, oil, lemon juice and pepper and mix well.  Add the pomegranate on top of it when serving.

Ginger carrot soup

This soup is so easy and so satisfying; I do it all the time from fall to spring! It’s ideal for lunch with a slice of bread or before dinner.

6 big carrots

1 big sweet potato

1 ginger root (medium size)

1 onion

2 chicken broth cubes

1 table spoon of olive oil

A little bit of almond milk, milk or cream (optional)

Cut the onion in cubes and brown it in olive oil.  Then peel and cut the carrots, the sweet potato and the ginger and put them in the saucepan with the onions and add enough water to cover the carrots. Then add the 2 broth cubes and boil for approximately a half hour. When all the vegetables are tender, do a purée with a stick mixer and add milk until preferred consistency.

Gluten-free Double chocolate almond cookie

What’s the dream of almost every woman?  … Eating chocolate without feeling guilty! Well, that’s a really tasty recipe I discover… it’s not totally guilty free, but we’re getting close J

½ cup of solid coconut oil

1 cup of coconut sugar

1 tablespoon of almond extract

1 egg

3 tablespoon of milk (or almond milk)

1 ½ cup of gluten free flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt

2/3 cup of cocoa powder

1 bar Lind dark chocolate 70% cut in chunk

12-15 almonds

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F ( 190 degrees C). Prepare a greased baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, cream coconut oil and sugar. Add the egg, milk and almond extract while mixing. Sift together gluten- free flour mix, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir into the mixture until blended. Finally, stir in the chocolate chunk.
Do 1-1½ inches balls and lightly flatten them on a prepared baking sheet, then put an almond on it. Bake in preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until light brown. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.

My Year Off Men - Kelly Alexander

January 1^st is a well-known date in the Western Hemisphere. It marks an annual tradition where people make promises and commitments to self improve something significant in their lives. Resolutions are made but not often kept. Many of them are forgotten and revisited the following year. Resolutions require passion and dedication. I first came across the name Kelly Alexander as a young, inspiring woman who made a resolution and kept it for an entire year. She has recently released her first novel entitled My Year Off Men, which describes her spiritual journey of self-discovery and a year without searching for men. Her book is targeted to single women of any age who are interested or curious in discovering who they are using humor, positive energy, and sexual spirituality.  I was extremely excited to meet Kelly Alexander, a passion and pleasure coach for women, who has a zest for life and has inspired me to continue my dream of publishing a book of my own.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kelly at the Transformational Arts College in Toronto on February 8^th for a book signing and meet and greet. She kindly agreed to meet me so I could ask her questions about her journey and her book. The minute I saw her smile, I was greeted with a warm hug and her contagious positive energy. As we sat down on cozy couches and made ourselves comfortable, Kelly noticed my hyper energy and excitement. She reminded me to take a deep breath and offered me a glass of water.

My first question that I posed to her was what inspired her to create this book. She smiled and mentioned that the book itself was not her main goal, but her journey to take a year of men was the main goal. She mentioned how many of her friends, including herself, were tired of experiencing so many failed dating relationships. She felt that she needed to build a relationship with herself. Kelly mentioned that a year was the time frame that she committed and stuck to while on her spiritual journey.

I asked Kelly if she had any advice to women to inspire them to fulfill their goals and dreams. She reminded me that the first thing to do is to “take a deep breath”. After breathing, she simply said, “Just do it.” I got a strong sense from Kelly that she believes in listening to your inner passions and going for it.  As I hung onto every word that was coming out of her mouth, Kelly instantly inspired me to think about my own goals and dreams. I opened up to her about my own personal journeys and aspirations. She listened intensively and compassionately. I felt an instant connection with her.

After she signed my book, I hugged her, thanked her for her time and walked out of the room with her book pressed close to my chest. A couple of hours later, I found myself curled up in a Starbucks chair with a cup of tea in one hand and her book in another. I could not wait any longer to explore her adventures and her journey that were hiding among the pages. Kelly has written a wonderful book about her inner sentiments about her experiences and reasons why taking a year off of men was her spiritual calling. She shares her personal obstacles and her accomplishments on her journey of self-discovery. I found her book to be inspiring! Meeting Kelly was truly a treasure and I feel inspired to follow my own dreams and trust in the universe to support me along the way. Thank you, Kelly for taking the time to meet with me and to share your amazing stories with the world. You are inspiring!

Please check out Kelly's webpage at:

www.kellyalexander.org

and.....

http://www.myyearoffmen.com

By: Sara Mody

Passport for Change

On January 12, I attended an interesting event called Passport for Change that took place at the Artscape Wynchwood Barns and was presented by Tonic Magazine Inc. Tonic magazine has been in circulation in Toronto and surrounding areas since spring of 2007.

Passport for Change adopted the style of a speed dating feel with experts in the fields of Life Coaching, Health and Diet, Nutrition and Wellness. Participants had the opportunity to sit for 6 minutes with experts of their choice and obtain knowledge, resources and strategies to specific questions. The entire event had speakers presenting on a main stage sharing their expertise to interested members in the audience. I had the pleasure of sitting in a talk from food expert Emily Elizabeth who shared her passion for healthy snacking. She explained and presented snacks from a two Canadian brothers born in Aurora who have launched their products on healthy snacking. The brothers are known as Peter and Chris Neal who started their journey making croutons. Now, they have produced corn chips, popcorn, crackers, pretzels, and my personal favourite, their organic salsa. Emily continued to talk about the importance of healthy snacking and why she recommended snacking on Neal Brother’s products. She also informed the spectators about the nutritional value found in each of them. Neal Brothers also provided free samples of chips and salsa and other products they were selling at the event.

I found this event to be extremely inspiring and positive. I think the concept of organizing an event to encourage the public to be proactive in taking baby steps to accomplishing their goals is a super idea. This event engages you to ask questions in a comfortable setting while talking one on one with an expert of your choice. Passport for Change is a fun, interactive and informative event that promotes positive change in your life. The price was reasonable and the event went on all day.

http://www.nealbrothersfoods.com/

http://www.passportforchange.com/

By Sara Mody

Introducing BIA!

Many of you might be wondering what is BIA?

BIA is a positive, interactive and informative blog that will inspire you to find the beauty, strength and independence within yourself. There are many women in the world that inspire us to be all that we can be on a daily basis. BIA stands for “being inspired always” and Jacinthe and I hope to provide our readers with a variety of different exercises, strategies and information to keep you inspired every day. From recipes, to quotes, books, interviews, fashion, jewellery, art, music, and many more, BIA will encourage you to find inspiration in your life and make your dreams a reality.

I met Jacinthe Laliberté, a few months ago at a dinner party and instantly we bonded and shared similar views and passions about life. Together we have partnered up to expand and explore all that women have to offer, in hopes, to make a positive difference for women. Together we are dedicated to putting together a fun, positive and interactive blog that motivates you to explore your own fears, challenges or passions while gaining knowledge along your journey.

Love, 

  and

Sara

Jacinthe