*Face Palm*

Apologies!  It's been a crazy couple weeks. To recap:

Dog's birthday was a success! Cake was enjoyed by both canines, chocolate banana muffins with delicious icing for the human guests. Movies were watched, tears were cried (it might have been only me...Homeward Bound is heartwarming, don't judge me.)

Coachella plans are all but executed! All we have to do is show up at the airport and we're off to a weekend of awesomeness. April 19th can't come soon enough!

On a more serious note, I feel it is very important to bring this case to a wider audience. Please take a minute to read it (it's not the best written article but delivers the facts nonetheless)
If you feel inclined, sign the petition on change.org and help spread awareness of this injustice.
Help the family of Trayvon Martin find peace in their son's murder.

As a firm believer in equality to all, regardless of our societal labels, this case is an example of the lack of recognition of the equal rights deserving to all citizens. The Florida police would do well to take this case as a lesson to strive for colourblind service. That all citizens, regardless of their age, gender or ethnicity deserve equal attention and compassion. When it comes to crimes against unarmed youth, there is no room for personal biases. George Zimmerman should be tried to the fullest extent of the law for murdering unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

I hope this brings a little awareness to your day, and I will try to post some new recipes and photos soon!

Have a great Tuesday!

Weekend Successes

This weekend wasn't as baking-tastic as it could have been, but I did discover a great cornbread mix from Ed's Gluten Free Speciality Inc. I believe the brand was One Earth? I threw the packaging out before I had a chance to write it down (doh!). But it's a Creole mix, with kale and sunflower seeds. Sweet, but with a spicy kick. Highly Recommended!

Another lovely success was my first visit to Raw Canvas in Yaletown. If you've never been, and have always wanted to smock-up and paint with a glass of wine in your hand, I suggest you give it a try. I had the best time! I wish I had more time to sit around and paint, it's such a meditative experience for me. Raw Canvas supplies a variety of canvas sizes and provides all paint and tools to bring your inner masterpiece to life. I brought my own canvas (De Serres often has great deals on packages of canvases, and they have a student discount!)

Sunday called for an afternoon of puppy bonding and painting with Della, followed by pakoras and watching No Strings Attached with the lovely Abbie joining us. All around, a successful weekend. The last relaxing one for a little while, I'm hoping to get motivated enough to push through these last couple weeks of school and dominate my exams. High hopes? Probably. Last few weeks before freedom, and hopefully some sunshine! Winter is being a bit of unwelcome party guest...

The Facts: More than one blogger's opinion

I am always one to sing praises for all-natural skin-care and organic products, but I feel I must add a disclaimer: I am not a doctor, skin-care specialist or have any expertise in what I recommend other than my own personal testimony. They may not work for everyone, but the research I've done, as well as my education in aromatherapy, massage, basic skin-care, anatomy, as well as my personal experience, has led me to trust more in natural and homemade products than anything synthetic or store bought. I'm just one blogger putting my love of naturalism out there, and I hope it works for you too! At the very least, you're investing in your body. Your skin is your largest organ after all, anything you put on it will go directly into your bloodstream and affect the rest of you too. Something to keep in mind when you want to get a self tanner or shimmery lotion...

So, if my opinion does not satisfy you to try natural cleansers, oils and edible scrubs, then here is a website that began my self-imposed exile from commercial products. (be warned, you may rethink everything you've ever bought for your skin...)

Cosmetic Database

They list products by recognizable labels, so just search your current moisturizer, cleanser, sunscreen, nailpolish, makeup, and see what happens. They list all ingredients, as well as the Hazard Level. This was a game-changer. Try your favourite concealer ladies, it might make you think about what you're putting on your skin!

On that note, My wonderful girlfriend Della recommended me to this amazing site. It started with a jello recipe, annd one thing led to another, naturally I was looking at the skin-care Instructables. 

This one caught my eye; something I had neglected to suggest! Now, bear with me, this one sounds counterintuitive as well, but hear me out (and read the Instructable!).

Wash your face...with oil. Just do it, try it once, a week, a month if you can! I like to use olive oil. I got hooked on it as an all-body oil and cleanser when I first went to Italy and forgot to bring any skin products with me. My hippie brain kicked in, and I used olive oil it for everything! My skin took to it like Nemo to the open sea. When I returned, I unconsciously went back to my normal skin regime. On my next visit to my kinesiologist, she said I was lacking something in my diet. Turns out, my body had gotten used to "eating" olive oil through my skin that it required that essential nutritional and moisturizing boost.

 So try it. When I ever suggest oils for the skin people cringe and say "doesn't it make your skin all oily???". Well duh, what would you rather your sebaceous glands secrete? Lotion? Your skin already produces natural oils to hydrate itself, when would you consciously put anything else on it? On the last page of the Instructable she recommends different oils based on heaviness and consistency. I like olive and coconut (in the winter as it's heavier). Jojoba is closest to your skin's natural pH level, so your skin will accept it the easiest. 

Try it out! Let me know what you think! If you have a favourite natural skin remedy you'd like me to give a shout out to, leave a comment! 

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Love,

Whit

P.S. Oil is also awesome for your hair...more tomorrow! 

images:weheartit.com

The Autumn of Our Lives

It's a rainy Sunday. Sometimes these are my favourite kinds of days; when nothing's going on, the house is quiet, and really the only acceptable thing to do is find a good chair and curl up with a book and a big mug of something warm to drink. 
September is a time of transition for a lot of people. The haze of summer fades away, and the crispness of fall is already upon us. Friends leave for school, those of us still in Vancouver begin to mill about, zombie-like from the shock of returning to the classroom. Books are seen as the bane of our existence..$500 is something that could be spent elsewhere...
But, in light of the drudgery of our educational duties, I believe fall is the best time to literally turn over a new leaf. It's the best time to re-evaluate your priorities and think about what is really important to you. What's benefiting you right now, and what's only adding carbs of excess to your full plate. Whether it's a favourite junk food that really, you don't need at 9am, or a conversation you've needed to get over with, nows the time to get it done. Take a deep breath. And let it go. 

In the spirit of mentally detoxing our lives, which is also a good step to making sure you're healthy for the bitterness of winter (no one likes to be sick at Christmas! Until which there is only 97 days by the way), I think it's a good time to start detoxing our bodies. A really good way is to simply do something different. It makes our minds get out of autopilot (which about (98% of people are on the majority of the time) and lets our bodies do what has been our saving grace throughout history: adapt. 
This fall, do something different for your body! Try a different yoga class, splurge on a high-quality supplement to help your skin, your tummy, your immune system, or try a apple cider vinegar detox to help cleanse your body from the inside out! I am a proud member of the church of ACV. This stuff can cure anything! Try in it a couple ways, good topically and internally.

The Many Uses of ACV:
- Detoxifying:

In summer months: Add 1/4 cup of ACV to a quart of water. Add ice cubes. Drink this on a hot summer day, especially before working out. Your body will feel very cleansed.

In winter months: 2 TBLS of ACV in a mug filled with hot water 3x day. Are you used to drinking tea or coffee during your long commute to work? Try this instead -- you will feel energized but not adrenalized. Add a few shakes of cayenne pepper if you REALLY want an energy lift!

To detox: 2 TBLSP of organic ACV in a 1 or 2 Liter filtered water bottle (ie Smart Water, Evian, etc). 2 TBLSP = 1/8th cup. You can add more vinegar than this amount, however, make sure you dilute it with plenty of water. Do not add a sweetener. Drink this solution throughout the day. The solution will be cleansing your system and kidneys all day long. That's the point.

(info from:www.earthclinic.com)

- Acne

1 part ACV

3 parts water

dab onto blemishes (start gradually: once at night and morning)

use as a toner after washing your face. Always make sure you rehydrate with a facial oil or moisturizer! Acne is caused by excess sebum, which is your skins natural oils that it produces to hydrate itself. If these oils are depleted or not replaced, your skin will dry out more, and produce MORE oil to try and rehydrate! Aka, more acne! Don't worry, as long as your using 100% vegetable oil, it will not clog your pores. Only use enough to see a shine to your hands, and lightly massage into your face. 

*do NOT put full strength ACV on your face! It is very acidic and could burn you.

- Hair Rinse

Use an old shampoo bottle and fill it with 1/2 tbsp ACV and a cup of cold water. Use as rinse after shampooing to relieve your hair of oil and buildup and to keep your scalp clean! 

(www.care2.com)

- Teeth Stains

Rub your teeth with ACV and rinse to help combat all those extra coffees we now need to get through class!

Hope you're all having a productive, healthy weekend! 

Love,

Whit

images: weheartit.com

Tuition Blunders: A Wanted Ad For Help

Fellow Bloggers,

I'm feeling that familiar tug of guilt for being so negligent with my blogging. What was once such a vital little oasis for me has become something of a week-old casserole at the back of the fridge; something I've come to avoid and be ashamed of still having. I am putting it out there to the blogging world that this little blog will no longer be a stale casserole! I am vowing to step forth, and breathe new life into this forsaken place of online blurbing. For better or for worse. I will write. Every day (high hopes, and I am prepared to suffer the consequences of my failure, should it happen).
For all the useless time I spend cruising the internet, trying to find something better to do with my time, I could at least be putting my thoughts out there, and hopefully, some of you will find it interesting. Or if not, let me know and I will strive to find something more interesting to write about.

Friends, this is the beginning of my plight of desperation. A premature twinge to the feeling of absolute hopelessness that I am determined to avoid, has arrived. The more time I invest in researching my future, the more I begin to think about the value of that time. Such time looking at bank loans, tuition costs and quick ways to earn money have made me think that I need to be more proactive. Alas, I am not as independently resourceful as I would like to be. This is where you all come in.
So, I ask, no, I plead for some assistance. If you know me, and I know most of you don't, you will know that asking for help is not something that comes naturally to me. Nor is the idea that I can't find a solution on my own.
So this is my plea: ideas, concepts, however farfetched, I will read and value them all. Dog walking for $50, or contests for much more (yes I have entered some already), please lend me your imaginations. As well as ideas for this tiny blog, I am determined to revive it.
My dream is big: New York University. Your thoughts are my lighthouses, guide me home to New York!

In light of this, I pose this challenge to you: 30 Challenges for 30 Days. Give it a try!

Linky - very inspiring!

Hugs,

         Whit
p.s I'm aware this has usually been Alliteration Wednesday. My Apologies. <3

Today is Tuesday. Tomorrow is Wednesday.

A day of rest, finally. One exam down, only one more to go! I can almost taste freedom.
Some things I've noticed recently:

Improv cookies don't always turn out the way you want. They do sometimes make really good dipping cookies for coffee though.

Warmer weather really does have a psychological effect on me. I feel more inspired and eager to get outdoors and finally start running. Take that new years resolutions!        

I leave in exactly 16 days for Italy! Ahhh I can't shut up about it!

Studying really does work. I've never been a good studier but I left my french exam feeling a little better than I have in the past. Only my grade will tell if my optimism was felt in good faith.

Next weekend is Easter! I'm very excited because the boyfriend and I have an egg hunt and decorating planned. I'm very eggcited. Photos will be taken. Maybe even attempt to make cupcakes this cute?

Fingers crossed I get the scholarship I applied for! That money would definitely help my financial worries for my trip. Or I wish school in Canada was like France: where the government pays (!) Now if that's an option in the upcoming election, I might even vote! I don't like to get involved politically, unless there's something I really feel strongly about but to be honest (and a little embarrassed) I haven't paid attention to any of the federal business going on right now. I tend to read more global news than I do local anyway. But I suppose it's my right as a liberated, post-modern woman to vote...can you tell my mom is of that generation?

Summer is just around the corner!
Who's excited?! I have big plans. Big big...okay maybe not so big. The word this summer is Creativity. If only there was a hand gesture to go along with that...(picture the rainbow for imagination.)
I'm thinking BBQs, bike riding, crafting, baking, and lots more photo taking!
I've also started looking for some DIY projects to do. Thank you fellow bloggers!

Braided hex nut bracelet - Because I'm Addicted
Wine Bottle Light (I want to decorate my backyard with these!) - Wit and Whistle

Anyone have some great DIY projects to share? I'm looking to make jewelry, frames, maybe add some girly accents to my room :)

Images:

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The Glutinous Avenger

As I'm getting closer to my Italian departure, I started doing some research on eating gluten-free in Italy. When I went to Italy before, I had been cautioned by my doctors to eat wheat/gluten minimally, but not told that it was the cause of all my digestive woes. Alas, I was an unwary traveller, and not being familiar with the country, or that there were even gluten-free options, I paid the price for eating not-so-gluten-free. Half a panini into my lunch, I felt the familiar ache, cramp and nausea. Yup, wrong choice. Fortunately, my teachers were very accommodating when it came to group meals,  otherwise my diet consisted of a lot of produce (not always the cheapest option) and asian food from the supermarket. This time, being fully realized of my dietary dilemma (I love alliteration) I did some searching for tips from fellow gluten-avoiders. I found some amazing ideas! And something I would have never thought of on my own, the farmacia (pharmacy) carries gluten-free goods! Whoda thunk it?? That will definitely be my first stop once I arrive in Florence. Along my interweb travels, I discovered some helpful lasses who gave me gluten-free hope for my travels! Thanks so much ladies!

Celiac Chicks

A Gluten-Free Guide

Gluten-Free Girl

Aha spaghetti, we will meet again. This time you will not be so fortunate as to upset my tummy.