Myra Aso

Every year, I attend the Green Living show at the Direct Energy Centre with my girlfriends. It is a fantastic way to spend a Sunday bonding with your girlfriends and educating yourself on healthy and environmentally friendly products. I enjoy tasting, smelling, touching and learning about an endless number of products for my healthy, body and soul.

I had the pleasure of discovering a natural hair and skin company set up on a corner booth.


What? Skin care products that  are natural? I am already sold. I met a stunning entrepreneur named Myra who has launched her own hair and skin care company called Myra Aso. Her Canadian company offers products ranging from hair, skin creams, oils and serums made with a magical ingredient called marula oil. I had never heard of this oil before. Myra informed me that the oil is a natural soothing treatment that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by hydrating and rejuvenating the skin. WHAT!  You had me at wrinkles. This oil also contains a great deal of antioxidants and omega acids, not to mention I found the scent to be refreshing. The antioxidants found in marula oil can also be ingested.

I was inspired to find out that not only is she a mother and a wife but she has created this remarkable beauty product by herself. Her passion for educating people about health, natural beauty products and skin care really shines through when she speaks about her products.

Myra’s generosity shined through when she gave me a bottle of oil to use and accepted my blogging business card. I have been using her oil on the ends of my hair and believe it or not but also around my eyes. I really enjoy the smell and the texture of the oil. I find that it glides on easily and soaks into my skin within a few minutes. I feel great that I am using a natural product on my skin and supporting a Canadian company that promotes natural beauty.

Thank you Myra for inspiring and educating me on a product that make me feel good. You are inspiring!

Please check out her website at www.myraaso.com

By Sara Mody

Joyous Health

Joyous Health: Eat Well Without Dieting is one of the best cookbooks I have ever bought. The book is written by Joy McCarthy. She is a certified holistic nutritionist that has inspired me to take my eating to a whole new level. I was inspired by the wonderful photographs and all of the amazing health tips that are found within this cookbook. For me it's not just a cookbook with easy nutritional recipes but also a cookbook that offers tips and suggestions for overall healthy living. This cookbook is very colorful and inviting.
My goal this year is to strengthen and repair my liver and improve my digestive system. Joyous Health has simplified the process for me and helped me to understand the steps I need to take to improve my health with easy and fun recipes by making simple changes to my lifestyle. Every week I look forward to trying out a new receipe and making her receipes a part of my eating routine. I also signed up for Joy's fantastic newsletter online where I receive updated articles on many different health issues and upcoming events within the area. I will be attending the Toronto International Book Fair this weekend to see Joy speak. Please cross your fingers for me because I hoping to have the opportunity to have Joy sign my book and thank her in person when I attend the event.
After reading this cookbook, I now have a jar of coconut oil and tahini paste in my cupboard at all times. Delicious.
This cookbook would make a wonderful Christmas present for a friend who loves cooking and wants to improve their health. This cookbook is more than just a cookbook. It's inspiring, educational, fun and offers an interactive journey to changing how you look at food, health issues and your body.
I love her Detox Chickpea Salad and her Carrot Ginger Soup.
Thank you Joy. You are inspiring!


By Sara Mody

Sacred Gemstone

I met Kelly Brown at the annual Gem Expo in downtown Toronto. She owns her own gemstone company called Sacred Gemstone. She creates one of a kind pieces of jewelry using handmade crystal and semi-precious gemstones.  Her table also displayed a large  variety  of crystals from all over the world including India.  It was colourful and eye catching. Kelly offers mineral specimens, semi-precious stones, cabochons, and crystal healing kits.  She is extremely knowledgeable in the healing properties of each stone. She informed me that she is studying to be a Certified Nutritional Practitioner at The Institute of Holistic Nutrition in Toronto. 

According to Sacred Gemstone's website, Kelly offers personal crystal healing kits, Chakra balancing with crystals, anxiety and stress management incorporating crystals and nutritional healing protocols. If you are interested in any of these services, please send her an email if you are interested to sacredgemstone@gmail.com and she will get back to you. 

Kelly shared her personal story of how she started her own business and her passion for gemstones with me. Kelly has a warm and friendly personality. Her patience in helping people find the "right" stone is evident when you first meet her. Kelly is truly inspiring. She is a young, entrepreneur who followed her passion and is still continuing to learn and grow to help others using natural medicines and alternatives. Kelly, you are inspiring!

Please follow her at

instagram : @sacredgemstonegypsy

facebook.com/sacredgemstone

www.sacredgemstone.com

By Sara Mody

Crazy Corn

What can I say about popcorn? Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks to munch. I love eating popcorn during a meeting, before going to bed, or while watching a scary movie. I first discovered Crazy Corn at the Delicious Food Show last year. This Gourmet Handcrafted Caramel Popcorn is not only tender but the choice of flavors are simply amazing.  What also amazes me about this popcorn is it is Ontario grown, pesticide and GMO free popping corn. 'GMO Free'  is a standard that I have recently started looking for in my food and drink products. Their caramel corn is free of artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. It is the perfect gluten free snack.
I was exciting for me to meet the founder of the company, Andrea Pollard, at a taping of You Gotta Eat Here at Lisa Marie located on Queen West, Toronto. I was able to express how much I loved her popcorn in person and became inspired to promote her product.

Crazy Corn  has amazing flavors such as Red Hot Lover, Chocolate Craze, Mint Condition, Java Nice Day, Fireside S'mores, UFO, and my favorite, Marg N' Rita.

Where can you get this delicious popcorn? You can visit
http://crazycorn.webs.com or check out their Facebook Page.


They also offer custom Caramel Popcorn creations for parties and events.

By: Sara Mody

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