Lifestyle: Freedom from Mobile

The Life-Changing Magic of Putting Your Phone Away

Feeling drained and exhausted more than you feel rested? That was me. Then I started doing one simple thing every day, which I swear has changed my life for the better.

I put my phone away.

It isn't difficult (well, maybe sometimes) and it costs nothing. I can't believe I didn't do this more before.

It's so simple but completely life-changing.

Over the course of the last few weeks, I've made a conscious effort to place my phone out of reach during meals and while "unwinding" in the evenings.

This was more than a social media cleanse for me. It was about using technology in a way that was beneficial and positive.

The impact this one decision has had on my daily life is really unbelievable, so I thought I would share what I've learned through this little social experiment.

Photo by Jag Gundu

I am able to focus better with less distractions.

It sounds pretty obvious, but once your phone is out of your hands, you realize how much scrolling you actually do. While I love social media for many reasons and do much of my work online, I find that it can easily become a habit to click and scroll on your phone, taking time away from yourself and your loved ones.

Like anything else, social media is wonderful when you use it in moderation and knowing when your use has gone from productive to mindless, is half of the battle.

Tip: when you find that you are are no longer engaging online, reading captions or slowing down to enjoy a photo, it's time to log off.

I have more energy

While we think of mindless scrolling as a relaxing pastime, I actually feel it depletes my energy a bit. As I said, I enjoy using social media and I do so actively, but once I feel I am not consuming productively, it can quickly turn into an energy suck.

Too much exposure to a screen can leave your eyes and your mind feeling tired and drained - especially if you are scrolling while watching TV. Doing two things at once, is actually not saving you time - it's making you feel more exhausted - but more on that later.

Give your eyes and your mind a break - you will feel the difference.

I actually relax during downtime

I used to think I was too busy to truly relax and that I had too many things to do. It turns out, the reason I was feeling so tired and overworked was because I wasn't turning it off, even after I had "finished for the day."

Putting my phone away in the evenings has been key to me feeling like I have a life other than wearing my multiple job hats. In addition to my traditional work, I'm thinking about video editing, blog writing, photography and pitching - needless to say, there is always something to do all day long and into the evenings. I find it can be a struggle to put it aside but I've learned that having a cut-off time for myself really helps.

There will always be something to do, but it's important to be protective of what you need to recharge and feel good.

It's not that we don't have enough time, it's that we don't have clear priorities. Making myself and my personal downtime a priority has made an incredible difference in how I feel.

Multitasking is overrated 

We come from a generation that once glamorized multi-tasking. In some cases, it's a great skill - like when you can prep lunch while you have dinner bubbling on the stove.

At other times, it does more harm than good. It's another distraction and keeps you from focusing on one task at a time, making you feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Even something as simple as checking your twitter feed while watching TV can leave you feeling like you didn't have any downtime at all.

Do one thing at at time. You will be surprised that you feel like you have more hours in the day. Slowing your mind down a little, allows you to truly rejuvenate in the down time you do have.

I feel more content with the time I have to myself. 

After putting my phone away, I notice I am more present during conversations, I have time for other things I enjoy like reading and I actually begin to recharge.

These days when 10:00 pm rolls around, I'm ok with calling it a night and I feel pretty satisfied with "what I did that evening".

Without the distraction of my phone in my hand, I feel like I've spent quality time with loved ones and that I'm more in the moment. I feel like I'm increasing my attention span and making time to connect with myself by disconnecting a little from the outside world.

When I watch a Netflix documentary or a movie, I enjoy it so much more (probably because I actually pay attention!) and my hubby and I feel as though we actually hung out.

Photo by Banga Studios

Hang up to Hang Out

It's crazy how something that is supposed to make our lives easier and more efficient can actually be detrimental if we don't use it properly.

Putting away our phones when we are with family, friends or even just doing something that matters to us, is a sign of respect - towards others and ourselves. It's also respecting w
hat you need in order to perform at your best level.

Decide what works for you, what you're ok with and then set your own limits. I find taking a picture in the moment is fine, but scrolling/texting while I am supposed to be doing something else is too much.

While I haven't sworn off social media, apps, online reading and attending to my email inbox in the evenings, I have purposefully readjusted my priorities. It's a work in progress but one that I think can be so beneficial to so many of us.

Do you find you spend a lot of time scrolling on your phone while you're relaxing in the evenings?

Do you have any tricks to make sure you're not distracted while doing other things that are important to you?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Leave me a comment below or find me on Instagram @angeliesood

Lifestyle: How to Set Yourself up for Success in January

How to Approach a New Year

With the new year upon us, it's that time and the frequently used "R" word is being thrown around like confetti.

Many of us make resolutions in January but it's only a matter of weeks before they are forgotten and we fall back to our old habits. 

I really don't mind the word 'resolution' but I think that's because I have a pretty healthy relationship with goal setting. I believe goals are meant to be set and reset time and time again. In fact, I really think it's a great idea to set your goals in January and then revisit them again in a few months. 

Check up on yourself every quarter- just like you would at your job. See what worked and what doesn't...

If you plan to set and reset, you won't get down on yourself if you don't make permanent changes in one shot. It's a process- not a magic trick. Real change takes time and is hard work. 

So how do I approach January 1st? For the last few years I've been doing a few things that have really worked for me. I have a New Year routine and it really helps me set my mind for the upcoming calendar year.

So forget "resolutions," here are the 'R' words you should be embracing this December 31st.

Recharge

Rest and Relax. As you wrap December up, take some time to pat yourself on the back. 

Good or bad, you made it through a whole year of challenges, obstacles, ups and downs. You deserve a break! Schedule some "me time" leading up to December 31st and do the things you love to do. 

               

Read a book, meditate, journal, do some yoga, go for a mindfulness walk, take a long candlelit bath or book a massage. The idea is to congratulate yourself on the year you've just completed and to celebrate the accomplishments that have come along with it. 

Taking this time for yourself will help you approach January with a positive attitude and more energy to start again.

Refresh

Clean, de-clutter and reorganize. These are things I love to do before a new year begins. There is something so satisfying about cleaning out your closet or junk drawer and getting rid of anything that doesn't serve you in the new year. Cleansing brings renewed energy into your space and into your life too. 

Put away some of your holiday decor if you're no longer enjoying it, rearrange your desk or bedside table, replace broken items around the home and generally de-clutter. Whether it's old makeup, outdated magazines or socks with holes in them, you will feel the shift in energy when you get rid of these things that are just taking up space.

Tip: take on one small action item at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed by this huge task. 

And don't stop there- open some windows, light some candles or burn some sage to cleanse the energy in your home before ringing in the new year. 

Reflect

The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on the last 12 months. It can be hard to remember all the things that went down when you look at the year as a whole. 

I recommend starting with your photo gallery. Just scroll through the photos you snapped over the last year. It's amazing the small moments we forget even happened. 

Take some time to remember the family gatherings, amazing sunsets, vacations, people and places you enjoyed and experienced. 

It's easy to lose sight of all the great things that happened when we are charging ahead to a new year. But I always think it's important to raise a glass to all that went well in the last 365 days and to celebrate the small things, while taking note of big changes or challenges of the year gone by. 

Reset 

Now that you've had time to reflect on all the awesome and not so awesome moments of the year gone by, it's time to set some goals for the year ahead.

Make a list (yes, write it down) of all the things you'd like to experience or achieve in the upcoming year.  Instead of broad statements like "Get in Shape," write down a solid and specific goal Ie. "Work out 3 evenings a week using an online video."

  

Once your list is complete, look at your goals again and see if there are a few steps that you could take in January to get your goals started. 

For example, if you want a new job in a different industry, take an online course in January that will help give you the skills you may need or update your Linked In profile as a first step.

If you want to "Travel More," find one place you can explore in your hometown in the Spring. 

If you want to "Eat healthy,"  borrow a vegetarian cookbook from the library or find a blog and commit to one new recipe a week.

Breaking your goals into smaller steps and chunks will help you get on your way to achieving them over the course of the new year.

Achieving your goals doesn't have to be a burden or cost a lot of money. Make it manageable and you can make it happen.

Let's Get It

I hope that these "R words" help set you up for a year of renewed energy and success ahead. Wishing you all an amazing celebration and a healthy, happy and productive year ahead.

Happy New Year and all my love! 

xo 

Angelie 

Lifestyle: Autumn Finds and Faves

Autumn Favorites

Autumn is such a great time of year. I love the colours, the fashion, the style, the chill in the air and the sunshine too.

Sometimes I just feel so lucky to live in a place where I can experience all four seasons! (Other times, I'm just way too cold - ha ha)

Today, I'm sharing my favorite things to use and have around during the fall.

Hope these finds help you create some warm, cozy vibes in your home too!

If you like the things I share, please subscribe to my Youtube channel for more video content in the coming months.

Lifestyle: Healthy lunches at home, work and school

How to Pack a Healthy Lunch for Kids (and the Kids at Heart)

Editor's Note:

I am so excited to have my friend, Jodi Dennie from SD Fitness as a guest writer on my blog. She has some amazing insight and tips on how to make school lunches healthy and fun for kids. But I'm thinking- these tips are definitely applicable for everyone, young or old. So read on if you're looking to get your health on -  whether you've got young mouths to feed or if you're just trying to feed yourself!

- Angelie

*By Jodi Dennie*

Once the kids are out the door, we pretty much have to rely on our awesome parenting and trust that they’ll make some good decisions when they are on their own. There is one thing however, that we do have more control over, and that’s what they fuel their day with at school.  

Ensuring our kiddos are equipped with healthy nutrients and vitamins will set them up with the energy they need to push them through their busy little days.  Breakfast is an important meal and can be tricky, but that’s a different topic for another day.  Today, lunch is the main event and I am sharing my top 5 tips for packing healthy, delicious lunches for our kids.

 
COVER ALL THE IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS

It is super important that kids get a balanced lunch including all the important nutrients. There are three categories that you want to make sure are in their lunch boxes daily- Protein, Carbs and Healthy Fats. 

Protein

Protein will keep your child feeling satisfied, full and alert in class and less likely to crave all those sugary treats.  

Great sources of protein for lunch can be found in:

Eggs 

Lunch ideas:

• Baked egg cups in muffin tins with veggies + cheese
• Hard boiled eggs
• Spinach and egg scramble

Fish

Lunch ideas:

• Mini whole grain pitas stuffed with tuna
• Tuna wraps
• Fish Sticks
• Salmon patties 

Meats

Lunch ideas:

• Turkey sandwiches or wraps 
• Chicken nuggets
• Turkey or beef chili
• any leftovers from dinner

Beans and Legumes

Lunch ideas:

• Edamame sprinkled with salt
• Roasted Chickpeas
• Falafel balls
• Lentil hummus with veggies + pitas to dip
• Black bean quesadilla                                                                                                            

Seeds

Lunch ideas:                                      

• Baked goods with hemp
• oatmeal protein balls with oats, seeds and chia
• trail mix with oats, pepita, sunflower and chia seeds

Dairy

Lunch ideas:   

• Greek yogurt parfait with berries and granola
• Cheese and crackers
• Cheese quesadilla with veggies/beans                                                                                          

             

Carbs

Whole grain complex carbs will fuel your child with energy.  Stick to whole grains that give added fibre like:

•  whole wheat bread
•  pita
• wraps
• brown rice
• gluten-free or whole wheat pasta 
• oats
• whole grain pancakes or waffles
• whole grain or gluten-free baked goods

Vegetables and fruits as well as beans and legumes are carbs as well, so load your plates with them/ My kids love sweet potatoes fries and fruit salad.

Fats

We want to make sure our kids are consuming fats - the good, healthy kind....and yes, there is such a thing.

Contrary to our popular belief about fats, our bodies require good healthy fats to supply nutrients that are essential for growth and energy. 

Fats are also super important to the brain (which is 70 percent fat). So, we want to make sure our kids are getting fats like:

• avocado
• seeds
• eggs
• coconut oil
• cheese
• salmon

Tip: Try guacamole with veggies and pita to dip, or sunflower butter (which tastes just like peanut butter but is even better for you) with celery.

ADD SOMETHING GREEN + SOMETHING BRIGHT

I always tell my daughters, ‘green means good and bright means right’, at least when it comes to your fruits and veggies. 

Green vegetables are loaded with nutrients and are super filling.  The brighter, more colourful the vegetable or fruit means the more antioxidants and nutrients they have. 

My go-to greens:

• cucumber coins
• edamame
• green peas
• celery with sun-butter and raisins
• broccoli with dip
• guacamole

My go-to brights:

• apple slices
• blueberries
• grapes
• watermelon
• sweet potato wedges

MAKE IT KID-FRIENDLY

Now that you've got the basics covered, it's time to make it fun! 

Kids love bite-sized food, fun shapes and anything that they can eat with their fingers.  It's not necessary to stay up all night carving flowers and dinosaurs out of cucumbers and avocados, unless that’s your thing. 

I am just talking about a few easy and simple tips to making lunch more appealing to kids. The goal is for them to come home with empty lunch boxes.

Here are some tips to make the meal more appealing to your little ones:

• Cut fruits and veggies into small pieces rather than sending the whole apple or pear
• Skewer foods like berries, grapes, cheese, cherry tomatoes, or pieces of bread onto sticks or toothpicks
• Use colourful silicon baking cups to hold foods in place and keep them organized in their lunch boxes
• Small picks and utensils in their favourite colours are a nice touch
• Kids enjoy dipping their food in sauces and dips like guacamole, hummus, sun-butter, tzatziki, salsa and yogurt.  Cut up some veggies for dipping or try apples, crackers, bread sticks, or pita.

PROCESSED VS HOMEMADE AND THE 80/20 RULE

When it comes to treats, I go by the 80/20 rule.  If 80% of their meal is healthy, clean and nutritious then I am okay with 20% being a more processed treat. 

I do prepare some baked goods like muffins and protein balls that are great for lunch additions.  

But, I also purchase pre-packaged snacks that the kids love. It's all about balance.  

Generally, I will pack 2 of these treats into their lunch.   

Some of our favourite store-bought snacks are:

• squeezy fruit sauce pouches
• granola bars
• nutri-grain bars
• goldfish crackers
• fruit-to-go bars
• freeze dried fruit
• coconut chips 
• chocolate chips
• rice krispy treats

  CHOOSE THE RIGHT LUNCH BAG

I’ve tried a few different lunch-bags, but fell in love with our bento-style box by Yumbox.  There are so many options out there, but here are the 3 main checks that are a must:

1.    Leakproof- if you’re packing dips, yogurts, or sauces, you want a container that wont leak all over their bags and work.  Bonus if there are no detachable lids involved that tend to go missing.

2.    Green- choose a lunch system that helps to eliminate waste and the need to use baggies, and plastic wrap. We use reusable snack baggies for dry goods like pretzels and crackers, making for a waste free lunch.  If you are using a plastic container be sure it is BPA-free.

3.    Lightweight- opt for a lunch box that fits nicely into their backpack so there are less items for them to carry, especially for the little ones.

With these 5 tips in your lunch-making arsenal, I am sure you will be rocking healthy and delicious lunches that your kids will love!

 If you are looking for more tips on how to clean up your nutrition, my husband and I are all about living a healthy, balanced life - check out our Online Fitness Program which includes a full Nutrition guide with recipes. 

Lifestyle: Tips for Hosting an Autumn Brunch

Falling for Fall

I just love Autumn - the colours, the decor- the everything! It's such a magical time of year with all the golden hues and burnt orange colours in nature. I definitely love fall, so I was pretty excited when my mother-in-law asked me to help host a brunch party for my hubby's sister.

She was turning 31 so the idea was to have a pretty little spread at home, celebrating her big day. She's a lover of Autumn and an October baby so I knew just what to do.

Here, I'm sharing some details and tips for hosting a little Autumn brunch of your own.

The Colour Palette

If you're hosting an event in the fall, it's always nice to play up the natural colours of the season. Here I went with a sunflower motif and faux leaves in the colours of the season: rust, amber and burgundy.

I also used natural wooden accents with rustic platters and baskets. It really added a special touch to the fall theme.

The Menu

If you have a guest of honour, make sure you take their likes and dislikes into account. My "SIL" had requested waffles, so I had a great jumping off point. I decided to go with a "DIY Waffle Bar" which everyone seemed to like. Some of the garnishes I set out were: blueberry compote, maple syrup, whipped cream, berries and chocolate chips.

There's something about lots of toppings that is very party friendly. We added some more brunch favourites like parfaits, mimosas and store bought pastries/quiches to make a really nice spread.

A good tip when planning your menu is to keep in mind is that brunch should always have a combination of sweet and savoury treats. That way, there's something for everyone - regardless of what they feel like eating.

I also love the idea of DIY food stations. It ensures guests have something to do while they mingle and is an instant conversation starter. Plus - it's so much fun!

Prepare Ahead

When you're having any kind of event, it's always a good idea to prepare ahead of time. You want to make everything as seamless as possible when your guests arrive. Set out cutlery, serving spoons and platters ahead of time.

Also - anything that can be prepped early, should be - keep it ready and in the place where you will need it.

Tip: Prepare anything that needs to be served hot, at the very end so you don't have to reheat it.

For this boozy brunch, I prepared glasses with orange juice and a strawberry garnish ahead of time. That way, guests could add some bubbles right before they were going to have a drink.

When planning a party, I think the easier you can make it on your guests, the more fun they will have and the more relaxed you will feel while hosting!

All the extra effort and little touches always pay off when your friends and family have a good time. In this case, the birthday girl was all smiles so I'd say - mission accomplished.

How To: Prolong the Life of Your Fresh Herbs

My favourite ingredient, no matter what I’m making, is fresh herbs!

Herbs are the quickest, easiest and healthiest way to add flavor and to enhance any dish. I always have some on hand in my kitchen to take salads, pasta, curries and pretty much everything else- to the next level. But sometimes, herbs can go bad before you get around to using them. They turn dark and soggy and your dreams of sprinkling them on top of something are dashed until you can run to the store again.
Today I’m sharing my tips on how to prolong the life of your favourite herbs so that you can continue to use them in your cooking for at least two weeks (in my experience).

Hope this helps in your kitchen to save your favourite herbs so that they last longer and you can get more use out of them in your own recipes.

 

Thanks for watching and please subscribe, like and comment for more videos!

Get in the Spirit with Holiday Scents

One of the things I love about the holidays is all the delicious smells: pine trees, baked apples, cinnamon, oranges and clementines....ahh smells like Christmas!

I absolutely love this time of year and love celebrating all month long. If you are like me and don't have the time to make fresh gingerbread cookies daily to make your house smell all cinnamon and gingery...this is the perfect trick for you!

Your friends and family will walk in to a home full of warmth that smells like the holidays and there is absolutely nothing to it!

Here's what you need to make your home smell perfectly like this magical time of year:

1 orange, sliced

1/2 a lemon, sliced

a handful of fresh cranberries

2-3 sticks of cinnamon

4 bay leaves

Place all the ingredients in a pot and fill it two thirds of the way with water. Simply leave the pot on the stove on medium heat and wait for the aroma to do it's thing. Add more water as it evaporates and enjoy the nostalgia as Christmas smells fill your home!

Happy Holidays :)

The Slow Food Movement

This summer, I had a wonderful time exploring various markets and restaurants in different regions of Italy. Throughout my travels, the one thing that was painstakingly clear was that Italians savour the moment. They savour the moment, the process, the experience - the everything.

It offers a stark contrast to the fast paced life in North America...in a good way. Part of the charm of European anything is the fact that people take their time, they enjoy life, they live to the fullest and as a result...there's less stress and people are happier- you can see it on their faces.

I think part of this is definitely the values of the people and it stems from the culture. Spend time with your family and those you love. When you are with them, be truly with them. When you have coffee or gelato, enjoy each bite. Savour it. Take your time. Go slow. Tired? Close down your restaurant and go take a nap for a few hours. Sounds pretty amazing.

The Italians are used to this slow-paced way of life. It is, in fact, the ONLY way of life and what a beautiful way it is to live.

In North America, we are struggling to fit more into our days, to squeeze in more time, to do one more task, to get one more thing accomplished. "Get off your phone", we say, "and enjoy the moment."

I'm fairly certain that phrase would never need to be said in Italy, where people hardly look at their phones because they are too busy enjoying wine and a fresh lobster at lunch before taking a 2 hour long beach break.

This...is life and of course it also translates into the way they eat.

Italy's slow food movement is unlike any others I have ever seen. In that, it's not really a movement at all. It's the way it has always been. It's what they know and let me tell you- it's amazing.

What's a slow food movement? It's the idea that food grows in the ground, takes it's time, needs love and care and ripens slowly. And when food is allowed to do all these things, it tastes divine. It means that the food you eat is grown locally and ethically without the over use of pesticides and growth hormones. It means that the food on your table was grown less than a few kilometers from where you live and it means the final garnish on your plate was probably picked from the plant moments before you ate the first bite. It also means the eggs in your omlette were probably collected that morning from the chickens that your family is raising in a henhouse in your yard. 

All over Italy you see tiny backyard gardens and little farms overflowing with amazing organic, seasonal vegetables and fruit. The streets are lined with orange trees the way Toronto's are lined with maples. Even the grassy lots beside the train tracks and stations are cultivated gardens, growing beautiful peppers, lettuce and red cherry tomatoes.

I absolutely loved exploring the vegetable patches, trying to figure out what type of squash or tomato was growing in the little patches. The markets that lined the street in Sorrento and Positano were truly remarkable and I will probably never forget the bright colours of the freshest vegetables, the sweetest fruit and the giant lemons that decorated rustic tables at every store front.

By now I'm sure you're wondering how we can incorporate some of that slow-living at home. For me, being immersed in the Italian culture really made me realize how important it is to be mindful of your surroundings and how much time you spend a day thinking of something else while you are really doing something totally different. A huge challenge, but probably something we can all benefit from thinking more about.

In terms of food?  Check out your local markets. You'd be surprised how much of that family feeling is still lingering in metropolitan cities. You just have to go to the right place. Find out if there are farmer's markets, small butcher shops, fish markets or mom and pop grocery stores around you. Sometimes the experience of shopping at one of these places alone is all the zen and calm you need in a day. I simply love taking my time and walking slowly around a beautiful grocery store. It's amazing what you can learn and find just by observing. Besides, just imagine: actual speaking to the person who cultivated the fruit and picked it just the day before it arrived at the market. Or talking to the person who knows exactly where the fish he sells were caught and when they came in.

 It is a truly great thing to know where your food is coming from and how it got to you. Aside from that, there is some delicious locally grown produce available around us. The key is to know what is in season and when. This will cut your grocery bills as well as ensure you are eating the best tasting foods available.

Use fresh herbs whenever possible and even grow your own herbs and vegetables. There is nothing more satisfying or delicious than garnishing your plate with basil leaves that were torn just seconds before or chopping tomatoes you just picked from your own garden... especially since it reminds us that more than being busy, more than getting things done, more than any of that, life is really about the little, beautiful things that make us smile, appreciate, reflect and slow down.