MEGA Favourites Round Up: Blogtober

Today is the last day of Blogtober, and I must say I am feeling a little sad! It has been so much fun brainstorming content for this little bloggy of mine, so I am thinking I am going to keep it rolling and continue blogging as much as possible. That being said, I wanted to do a round up of some of my favourites from this month. It's a mixture of food, fashion, skincare, blog posts - a BIG range of goodies comin' your way!

Let's get started : )

Blog posts I loved writing this month:

My running journey

Still in love with these under eye masks to make your eyes feel refreshed and more awake!

Why being positive is a much better way to spend your energy.

Fall sunsets and sunrises

A little fall shopping haul ; )

Lots of snuggle time with the pup and a good book.

Healthy morning habits to start now. Easy to add into your current morning routine!

Running the Victoria Half Marathon

My food philosophy

Trail dates with Nala bear : )

Why I am LOVING high intensity interval training

Getting my hair refreshed for fall!

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I hope you guys enjoyed Blogtober. I want to thank everyone who read even one post this month. I truly do love bringing you guys fun content, so please let me know what YOU would like to see next on the blog : ) Chat with you all soon!

BYE BYE Mainstream Deodorant!

Hey, so I have some news for you guys.

I am ditching mainstream deodorant.

*GASP*

Yep, you heard that right.

Let me get into the (seriously) dirty details about mainstream deodorants and why I have decided to branch outside of the drugstore.

First things first, let's talk about ingredients. As you guys know, I like knowing how to pronounce my food ingredients, and now I am moving onto skincare, too. Your skin is the largest organ, and the thought of slathering a bunch of unknown substances on myself gives me the creeps.

And so does sticking chemicals under my arm pits. I was doing some research about these ingredients and this is what I found:

- ALUMINUM is disgusting and it's one of the main ingredients in deodorant. This helps block your pores and stop your sweat glands from doing their job - sweating! Sweating is so, so important at flushing out your body of toxins. Additionally, aluminum has been linked to breast cancer in women and linked to an increase in Alzheimer's.

- Parabens are part of a larger group of synthetic preservatives and are found in EVERYTHING. I have started buying shampoo with no parabens and sulfates for the sake of my hair and skin health. Parabens are said to disrupt hormone balances, organ toxicity and even birth defects. YIKES!!

- Propylene glycol is a petroleum based material that makes products soft. In deodorant and antiperspirant, this makes it spread easier under your pits. Too much propylene glycol is said to damage the central nervous system in large quantities.

- Phthalates, like parabens, are part of a bigger, ugly class of chemicals that help dissolve other ingredients, create a lather in cosmetics like shampoo and hair products, and have been connected with SO many health issues. These health issues include hormone disruption and cell mutation. Ew, ew, ew.

- Triclosan is used as the actual odor killing component in deodorants and antiperspirants. While it does have anti-bacterial properties (ahem, so does coconut oil), it is technically classified as a pesticide. Nothing better than putting some pesticides under the pits!

SO, here's the question you guys probably have for me now. What the heck are you using? Nothing? Going completely granola and not having any kind of underarm protection?

No, no. No.

I am currently on the hunt for the perfect natural deodorant, but this is what I have been using lately. It isn't as slick as, say, a swipe of Lady Speedstick, but it does the trick. It is free of aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Winning.

I haven't used it during extremely sweaty workouts. The thing is, this isn't going to stop me from sweating as it is still allowing my sweat glands to breathe rather than blocking them altogether. One thing I like about this deodorant though, I must say, is the smell. It is feminine but not sickly sweet, and has a little bit of a masculine touch to it.

I am in the midst of looking for another natural deodorant to try out as well. Any others that you would recommend? Looking forward to sharing my reviews of them on the blog!

Blogtober: Fall Shopping Mini-Haul

Good evening, friends!

This post is comin' at ya later in the day since I just got back from a day in Victoria with my sister. We had some pre-half marathon activities (I'm running a half marathon TOMORROW!) to attend to, such as the race expo and picking up my race package, and most importantly SHOPPING! When in Victoria, right? : )

Also, I need to boast for a minute here. We went into Lululemon, where normally I am sucked right in, but I tried on three things and didn't buy a single one. Am I sick?? Weird. You know when you try something on and you like it, but you don't love it? Yeah, that was me today. Oh well!

However, I did pick up some goodies that I wanted to share with you on the bloggy blog today. Here's what I picked up!

I have been on the hunt for a new purse for a few months now. The purse I am currently carrying is on the smaller side and can basically only fit my wallet and my phone. Not only is it teeny tiny, but the hardware on it was wearing off and it was looking a little sad and worn. Introducing, this upgraded baby from Aldo. Is anyone loving these darker wine colours? Anything that reminds me of wine, right? ; ) It is nice and roomy, and now I can actually pack snacks comfortably in my purse. That's the true test right there!

We also stopped into LUSH, and although I was wandering around not really looking at anything, eventually the bath bomb section sucked me in. The orange bath bomb is called the Yoga Bomb, and the purple-pink one is called Twilight. Both are on the sweeter smelling side, though Yoga has notes of sandalwood and Twilight has notes of vanilla and lavender. I actually have a small collection of bath bombs growing in my bathroom cupboard, but it doesn't hurt to add some more. Eventually they'll all get used... : )

Last stop was Sephora. The last and most dangerous stop. Actually, I'd say (on a normal day) that it would be tied with Lululemon. I picked up some essentials like my favourite charcoal face wipes and make up setting spray (which I recently discovered and love), as well as an old concealer favourite from Make Up For Ever. The lip gloss was kind of an impulse buy. I told my sister on the way home, "I bought lipstick AND ate a sandwich today. Who am I? I'm a new woman!" Weird for me but we'll see how much use it gets!

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I hope you guys are having a great weekend so far! Let me know in the comments what YOU love from Sephora, or if there are any drugstore favourites I should check out. Until next time!

Five Things Friday: All Over the Map

Good morning, and happy Friday, friends! I am extra excited this morning because I don't have to work tomorrow. Oh, the joys of having a few days left of vacation time to use. I will be preparing for the Victoria Half Marathon on Sunday, so laying low and taking it easy is on the schedule.

I wanted to jump in with my usual favourites post this morning. It is a little all over the map, but that gives variety, right? Let me know in the comments what YOU are loving this week!

Fall sunsets have been amazing lately. I am usually up to watch the sun rise too, and there is something so peaceful about the rising and setting of the sun. Everything is quiet, the sky looks beautiful, and (for me anyway) it makes me feel thankful for LIFE. Life is great, hey? Is that too happy for the morning? Sorry guys, but it's true.

This last weekend was spent with the pupperoni. We have been enjoying quality couch time reading Harry Potter. Or rather, I was reading, she was sleeping. Nevertheless, I enjoy this time so much, and it is so relaxing, too.

THOSE EARS. Enough said. I die.

I came across these pea crisps at the grocery store last week, and I am obsessed with them. So much so that the next day I purchased their Caesar flavour. Ryan is a fan too, which is a huge win in my books! These little pea crisps are full of fibre and flavour, without going overboard on the sodium, which is important.

I have also loved brain storming for Blogtober! Yes, it is still Blogtober, but I have been putting a lot of work into this. There is something about sitting down with a mug of coffee, opening up my notebook and my laptop and just letting the writing flow. It has been a great way for me to get more creative in the kitchen as well, as I hope to share more recipes with you all, too!

I have been using this serum for the last couple months and have noticed a huge difference in the overall brightness of my skin. My skin is super sensitive and can easily become irritated, but this is gentle enough to use both morning and before bed. It has a light scent, and is made with natural and organic ingredients. Can't beat that!

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What have you guys been loving this week? Let me know if there's anything I MUST try!

My Obsession with Coconut Oil + Manuka Honey

I had alluded to my love for coconut oil and Manuka honey in a 5 Things Friday post, so today I wanted to elaborate and tell you why I love them and share some of the health benefits.

It's an awfully long list, so I am going to get started!

First off: Manuka honey

I actually used to work for Wedderspoon Organic, which is where I was first introduced to the world of raw honey and, specifically, Manuka honey. Honey is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and virtually no living organism can survive in honey because of it's strong anti-bacterial properties.

What do I use it for?

I mainly use Manuka honey as a skincare treatment. Honey is super moisturizing - slather it all over your face for a face mask and your skin will be plump and glowing after - or spot treat it on your skin if you need some extra TLC on dry spots. On a similar note, honey can help heal wounds, so say goodbye to any bumps, scrapes, and bruises and throw some honey on it. The biggest thing for me is honey reduces any inflammation in my skin. I chatted a while ago about how I get eczema on the back of my knees and inside of my elbows. Of course, this depends on what I have been eating, but using Manuka honey on these areas help calm the eczema down and adds moisture to the skin, too. Winning!

You can also use Manuka honey on your nail beds to add extra moisture to your nails (just be sure to let it sit for about 15 minutes before gently rinsing off in warm water), or mix with sugar or salt for a DIY body scrub. This is especially nice paired with my next little favourite below... : )

Next up: Coconut oil

Having a bad hair day? Coconut oil

Skin is feeling dry? Coconut oil

Boyfriend acting up? Coconut oil

Seriously, coconut fixes everything. I can't say that it works for when your boyfriend is driving you crazy, but give it a shot and let me know how it works out!

I use coconut oil as a body moisturizer and hair mask. It is seriously nourishing to the skin and hair, and like Manuka honey, is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. You can make your own toothpaste out of coconut oil, it's that good. When taken internally, coconut oil can help lower bad cholesterol, raise GOOD cholesterol, and therefor help reduce the risk of heart disease. Crazy, right? On a similar note, coconut oil can also reduce inflammation, protect against UTI's (because who wants one of those anyway, right?), and boost the immune system.

See what I mean? What can't coconut oil do?

From a beauty perspective, you can bathe in coconut oil and reap the benefits. No, seriously. Throw some coconut oil in your bath and let it soak into your skin, then throw some more on your skin once you have patted dry. I will often do this when I do the whole, exfoliate, shave your legs deal, because why not have extra silky skin? I then proceed to throw on my Christmas fuzzy socks and pajama pants - don't forget to tuck your pants into your socks so your dog doesn't try to lick all the coconut oil off your legs - and wrap yourself up in a big sweater to make sure that coconut oil ain't goin' no where.

Sexy, right? Muahaha.

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I hope you guys enjoyed this post! Let me know if you are a coconut or honey lover, too!

Five Things Friday: MORE Skincare + Fitness

Good morning!

Friday is here, it's a great morning, I've got my coffee, and I'm ready to conquer the day.

Before that, though, let's get into my 5 favourite things from the week! As always, let me know what you have been loving this week.

I mentioned in Monday's post that I have been trying out a Fit Bit the last few days. It is a great way to keep me mindful of how much I move during the day. It has been interesting to see during the work day how much I move, as that changes quite a bit more as opposed to the weekend. During my days off I am almost always doing a long run, which can accumulate steps quickly, or at least moving around the yard a lot more and running errands. It is so easy to just hunker down at my desk at work and not move, so checking the app helps me move more.

On Monday morning I also made some homemade chicken soup leftover from our roasted chicken dinner. I remember my mom making homemade turkey soup every Thanksgiving, and since we had some chicken left over, I wanted to try my hand at a homemade chicken soup. Yep, it passes the test! There is something so comforting about chicken soup during the fall, and it makes a perfect dinner on a chilly night. Can you tell I am obsessed with fall?

So this is technically two favourites but in one picture. I have picked up my usual protein powder again after being on a hiatus for quite a long time. It is just nice to have after a work out when I am feeling particularly hangry, and it is yummy mixed into oatmeal. That being said, I have found a new coffee sweetener that I am loving. Yes, it is probably not the healthiest, but it is so good. 

Oh yes, the sheet mask love continues. This time, I find some that go under the eyes. I tried a few from Sephora - which don't get me wrong, are great - but I'd rather pay $6 for a pack of five treatments rather than $6 for a single use. They are a great way to reduce dark circles (which for some reason have just popped on up on my face which is ANNOYING), wrinkles, and add some extra vitamins and minerals to your skin. So, yeah. Throw on your under eye masks, have some peppermint tea and hang out. Your eyes will thank you.

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What have YOU guys been loving this week!?

5 Things Friday - Skincare & Moving Forward

Good morning, and welcome to another edition of 5 Things Friday!

I will keep this short and sweet and get right to the point. As always, let me know in the comments what you are loving this week.

Since fall is OFFICIALLY here, I can put pumpkin spice on everything and watch Halloween movies early. This also means that come November I can start watching Christmas movies, which is really what I am excited for. Any other fall lovers out there!?

So, I have been struggling with work outs this week. The last time I went to the gym was Monday - and what a productive day that was! - but since then I have found it so incredibly hard to roll out of bed early in the morning to hit the gym. On the same note, Nala's puppy classes started on Wednesday, so our evenings were full after the work day was done. This quote is a favourite of mine this week because it gives me a reminder that it is up to ME to change this. I am the only one who can drag myself out of bed and get to the gym. I am the only one who can make myself go to the gym after the work day and get it done. I am the only one who will force me out of bed on a Sunday to do my long run. Life is all about choices, and from today on I choose to look ahead move forward positively.

Yep, still on that Harry Potter train.

I have been experimenting with adding a few extras into my skincare routine. Coconut oil and manuka honey are oldies but goodies, meaning they are old favourites that I love but have just started incorporating in my regime again. I will do a post on these separately in the future since there is so much to cover off when it comes to their benefits. Basically - there's a ton and you should use them!

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What are you loving this week? Any home remedy skincare tricks I should test out?

Happy Friday!

Five Things Friday

Hey, hey, hey!

I am back this morning with our regularly scheduled Five Things Friday, where I share five things from the last week (or so) that I have been loving.

Let's get into it!

The BC SPCA Paws for a Cause walk. Click the link to read my recap on the event. It was our first time ever going, but it was full of family and puppy love! Gotta like that : )

So technically this is from last week, but I really enjoyed this seriously easy Mexican black bean salad. I am already thinking of other one bowl salads to make and share with you guys, so stay tuned for more.

I have been LOVING this top from Lululemon. I purchased it when we were in Vancouver for the Seawheeze, and it has been a go-to for work outs from strength training to running. I wore it for the Wine Country half in Kelowna and was happy with the fit and cut while I was on the run. Sometimes shirts bunch up, or it feels as if they twist around your body. This tank skims the body without clinging, and the fabric is lightweight and breezy. Win!

Okay, so. I love me these face masks. I am wearing one as I type this, to be honest. Ryan gets a kick out of them when he comes in the room and I have this sheet of gooey tissue on my face, but it certainly works wonders for adding some extra nourishment to the skin.

I have always wanted to make my own almond milk - just to try, not to continuously do as it is expensive - and so earlier this week I bought a pack of almonds and used some to get a little crafty in the kitchen. I will have the recipe up in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that! ; ) Sorry, no spoilers here, but it has been a favourite of mine this week! Does anyone else like doing these fun little recipes? It's a nice way to try something new and switch it up. Plus, the left over almond meal (almost like the pulp left behind) is pretty tasty in oatmeal!

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What are YOU loving this week!? 

5 Things Friday - Summer Vacation Edition

Good morning, friends!

I am back with another edition of Five Things Friday. If you have been reading the blog the last two weeks (or so), you will know that I had a week off of work this month. It was probably the BEST week I have had yet, since I was able to complete a lot of stuff around the house and fit in tons of fun stuff in there, too. Additionally, Ryan had the same week off so we spent a lot of quality time together and got to hang with the family as well.

So, let's get started with my 5 Favourites!

Seawheeze weekend: This was an amazing weekend filled with sunshine, yoga, running, and the best sunset festival party. Nothing beats jumping around on your yoga mat after running 21.1km to live music.

Day-trippin' to Tofino: This was such a fun day to just relax on the beach. Watching Nala dig around in the sand and bravely test the waters just made my heart sing. Is that weird? I feel like it's something a crazy dog mom would say. That's probably how people feel about their human children. Nevertheless, watching her have so much fun made ME have fun. I look forward to going back to Tofino very, very soon!

Doing anything and everything with Nala: She comes everywhere with me; the only exception being the bathroom. Aaaand even that is debatable, heh! Nala enjoys car rides (for the most part), so it makes it easy to take her along on our adventures. Plus, she is a great snuggle buddy once she is tired after a full day of playing. This is probably one of the best parts! : )

Spa days with my sister: We spent most of Wednesday afternoon at La Spa Sereine in Victoria. If you are in the area, or even visiting, I highly recommend coming here for a little pampering. They have a beautiful ladies' lounge area (above) with local organic tea, snacks like trail mix and yogurt, and the most comfortable chairs ever. It is fun to put your feet up (literally) and relax before heading back to the real world. During our visit we got a full body massage - much needed after the Seawheeze run - and a pedicure. Hello, heaven!

I am starting to add to my essential oil collection, and this grapefruit essential oil is the newest to my rotation. It is so uplifting and bright. You can't stay in a bad mood after a whiff of this! Similarly, I picked up a new hand lotion that is a blend of jasmine and sandalwood. This combination is such a pretty smell. It is feminine without being sickly sweet, and floral without making you smell like your grandma's powder room. Winning!

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Although my vacation has come to an end, I am looking forward to another getaway September long weekend!

For those essential oil lovers: what is your go-to scent? Any combinations I should try?