The Effects of Chlorine and How To Protect Yourself While Swimming

Hello!

Over the past few months I've added swimming twice a week to my cardio routine as the apartment I moved to has an indoor pool! I had forgotten how much I absolutely love being in the water but unfortunately not the effect it has on my hair and skin! While I will always prefer swimming outdoors I live in Canada and for most months out of the year that just isn't possible!

Chlorine is often added to water to reduce the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. While this is great for keeping a pool clean it can start to eat away at the natural oils covering and protecting our skin and hair thus making them susceptible to dryness and damage. The chlorine can eventually break the bonds of our hair making it brittle and even react with the pigments in our hair, essentially bleaching it down to the "natural" colour of keratin itself. In addition it can cause irritation and redness to our eyes.

Now this is no reason to give up on swimming! In my opinion swimming is one of the best forms of cardio there is, giving you a full body workout without strain on the joints and burning mega calories!

Here are 5 simple ways I protect myself while swimming!

1. Rinse off  with a cool shower before entering the pool - We want to remove any sweat, deodorant, soap etc... that is on our skin as the chlorine can react with the proteins found in these organic compounds and create gases that can cause a rash, this will also help to keep the pool clean meaning less chemicals used in the first place. Another reason is that our skin and hair will act like a sponge and absorb this "clean" water and saturate it before it has the chance to absorb the chlorinated pool water. Remember that cold water closes hair cuticles and hot water opens them so keep your shower cool!

2. Put coconut oil on your hair and skin - This will act as a barrier to keep the natural oils protecting our skin and hair from being eaten away by the chlorine thus keeping our skin hydrated and hair strong.

3. Wear swimming goggles - If I'm swimming laps I have these bad boys on to protect my eyes, it saves me from having red, itchy eyes and from rubbing them non-stop in the pool!

4. Wear a swimming cap - Again, if I'm swimming laps not only does this improve my time ;) but it makes a huge difference in the damage done to my hair. While water does still seep into my cap it is not nearly as saturated and still protected by my shower and coconut oil. With these three things I have successfully kept my hair pink and healthy!

5. Have a shower after your swim - This is a no brainer! Rinse away all the chlorine before it has a chance to (further) soak into your skin and hair.

Is there anything else you do to keep your hair and skin looking and feeling nice while swimming regularly? If so, let me know in the comments below!

Peace and Happiness,

Jules

What I Eat In A Day! [Vegan] 2

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posts! We have officially sold our house and are moving into an apartment soon! We are super excited for this new, simpler chapter in our lives. Anyways, this is what I ate today!

I drank a full glass of water before each meal and throughout the day.

Rise and Shine

My day starts with a refreshing glass of water with half a lemon (I fill this glass with water twice).

- 6 Calories, 4g Carbs, 0.1g Protein

*If there is one thing I do daily, it's drink my lemon water in the morning!

3 Peaches

- 114 Calories, 0.6g Fat, 27.9 Carbs, 2.4g Protein

Breakfast

Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Coconut Sugar & Half an Apple

- 396 Calories, 6.1g Fat, 68g Carbs, 12.1g Protein

Morning Snack

Blueberries

- 166 Calories, 0.8g Fat, 42g Carbs, 2g Protein

Lunch

3 Oranges

- 186 Calories, 0.3g Fat, 45.9g Carbs, 3.6g Protein

Green Juice ** First Time trying this! Very quick and easy!

- 188 Calories, 0.8g Fat, 43.4g Carbs, 3.4g Protein

Afternoon Snack

Baked Fries (2 Potatoes) with a dash of salt and vinegar

- 331 Calories, 0.2g Fat, 74.4 Carbs, 8.6g Protein

Supper

Vegetable Chili (Homemade)

- 525 Calories, 2.5g Fat, 100g Carbs, 25g Protein

Evening Snack

Cucumber

- 32 Calories, 7.2g Carbs, 1.2g Protein

Days Total: 1944 Calories, 11.3 Fat (2%), 412.8 Carbs (86%), 58.4g Protein (12%)

* I used S Health to find the nutritional information.

As previously mentioned, I never track calories or macros on a regular basis! Although looking at my totals today I might try to up my fat and total caloric intake! I always I eat until I am full and do not restrict at all. I think it's most important to eat a wide range of healthy and colourful foods throughout the week than to focus on one particular day.

It's been really fun doing these "What I Eat In A Day" posts! It's very interesting to see how things change or stay the same!

What is your favourite food or meal? Please be sure to leave it in the comments below!

Peace & Happiness,

Jules

The Beginning of My "Minimalist" Journey!

This past year I feel like I can truly say that I've found myself.

My whole life I've been searching for happiness and trying to live the life I was "supposed" to live, but something was still missing...

 According to society you should be happy when you have a successful career, own a nice home, a  nice vehicle and a bunch of "stuff". Why wasn't I truly happy if I had everything I was supposed to have?

The moment I let go of society's expectations and definition of success I felt a huge wave of relief rush over me. I didn't have to impress anyone other than myself. It took a long time for me to get over this. Some days I'm not sure if I completely have, but I do know that I am on the right path.

Everyone will find happiness a different way, the important thing is that you find it at all. It saddens me to see so many unhappy people in this world, thinking that this is it.

THIS is life.

It's not! Go for your dream, take a risk. YOU are in charge of your destiny. Sometimes it doesn't go the way you plan but I promise you that in the long run you won't regret trying.

This past January my husband and I downsized a LOT but still keep hanging on to a bunch of stuff that doesn't bring us joy. We  finally both feel that we are now ready to be done with it and move on with our lives. We want to be free of all the STUFF holding us down!

I encourage everyone to let go of what society is telling you that you need to do or have. Do ONLY what feels right to YOU.

Although I am only beginning and don't necessarily plan on going as far as counting the items I own, I only want to surround myself with items that I love and that have a purpose in my life. To me, that is the definition of minimalism. Although, I must say I am extremely impressed by those that can pack up their life in 15 minutes flat!!

I hope you all can join me on my journey and share your experiences with me as well!

DIY Light and Nourishing Face Oil

Hey Everyone!

I have tried quite a few face oils over the past few years but have found them to be expensive! Since then I decided to make my own and have been loving it! This is my go to face moisturizer! One of the reasons I love this oil is that it has an Aloe Vera base, many of the less expensive face oils I have tried have a water base. You can read about all the benefits of Aloe Vera in my previous post!

This small jar lasts me about two weeks, I use it both morning and night on my face and neck.

You can add or subtract the Aloe Vera based on your skin type. My skin type is combination but if yours is oily you may want to add more Aloe Vera, or less if yours is dry.


What You Will Need:

- Small jar (Mine is an old lip scrub jar from Lush!)
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Jojoba Oil
- Your favourite Essential Oils, I am currently using Tea Tree Oil and Rosehip Oil.


How To:


1. Pour 4 parts Aloe Vera, 2 parts Apricot Kernal Oil and 1 part Jojoba Oil in your jar.

2. Drop in 5 drops each of your favourite Essential Oils.

3. Shake your jar to mix all the contents.

It's as easy as that! Now apply to clean and toned skin both morning and night! Because of the Aloe Vera it does not take long to sink into your skin and you can apply your makeup directly on top in a matter of minutes. Make sure you shake your jar between each use, as there is no emulsifier the oils and aloe will separate
.

Let me know if you try out this Face Oil and which Essential Oils you chose!


Peace & Happiness,

Jules

** I purchased all of my oils through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

All About Aloe Vera!

I have loved Aloe Vera for so many years but have only most recently discovered it has so many amazing benefits!

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Aloe Vera has long been known as a miracle worker, used to heals wounds, burns and skin irritations for thousands of years. This plant hails from Africa but can now be found all over the world in warm and dry climates or sunny windowsills.

Although I love to use Aloe Vera straight from the plant, I recently moved and had to give my dear plant to a friend. Until I  find another I've been purchasing bottled Aloe Vera Gel, not to be mistaken with Aloe Vera Juice (which also has amazing internal benefits!). The brand I've been using is Lily of the Desert, not only are their products organic, they also use minimal preservation ingredients.

Reasons why I love Aloe Vera:

- It is an anti-inflammatory, which means it helps to reduce swelling and any redness. 

- Contains an incredible amount of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals including, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene which all help to keep your skin moisturized and firm.
- It is alkalizing and helps to restore the natural ph balance of your skin.
- It has a 96% water content making it a great moisturizer.
- It includes saponins, which means that it is capable of cleansing and has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.

I am currently using it for: 

- After Sun Gel, also perfect for when you've been a little too sun happy (sunburn)!

- As a base in many of my DIY lotions, creams and potions. 

- As a face primer (before makeup!)

- To soothe any skin irritations (rashes/burns/wounds). 

- As an aftershave gel (My husband also loves this!)

- Stretch mark reducer

- An Astringent (After washing my face before moisturizer/oil).
- Muscle and Joint Pain Reliever
- Reduce the look of Keratosis Pilaris (Chicken Skin)
- Bug bite itch relief

I am thinking about trying this out as a hair cleanser. Has anyone done this? Let me know your favourite uses for Aloe Vera in the comments below!

** I purchase my Aloe Vera through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

What I Eat In A Day! [Vegan]

Hey everyone!

As you will be able to tell from the menu I eat and recommend vegan foods. In a perfect world this would be 100% plant based and consist only of whole foods but I do occasionally treat myself to a pizza made with vegan cheese (I love SOYA!) or a yummy vegan desert. Most importantly, I always eat until I'm full and have included the nutritional information only for your information. Although I don't count calories or track macros I do think that is great way for those new to this lifestyle to see if your on track!  I'm not always perfect but here is what I ate today!

I drink a full glass of water before each meal and throughout the day.

Rise and Shine

My day starts with a refreshing glass of water with half a lemon (I fill this glass with water twice).

- 6 Calories, 4g Carbs, 0.1g Protein
- High in Vitamin C, good source of folate and high in many minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium

*If there is one thing I do daily, it's drink my lemon water in the morning!

Cherries

- 148 Calories, 0.4g Fat, 37.4g Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Powerful Antioxidants, Vitamin C & A

Breakfast

Oatmeal with Cinnamon & Coconut Sugar

- 382 Calories, 8g Fat, 84g Carbs, 16g Protein
- High in Fiber, Magnesium & Iron

Morning Snack

2 Apples & Cinnamon

- 117 Calories, 0.2g Fat, 20.8 Carbs, 0.3g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, C and a good source of Iron & Fiber

Lunch

Garden Salad (Lettuce, Mushrooms, Sweet Peppers, Carrots, Celery, Cucumber, Sweet Peas, Radishes) with Chia and Hemp Seeds

- 296 Calories, 7.6g Fat, 29.8g Carbs, 33g Protein
-High in Vitamin A, B6, C, Omega 3's, Phosphorus, Potassium and a multitude of other Vitamins and Minerals

3 Homemade Flatbread with Olive Oil

- 318 Calories, 0.5g Fat, 22.3g Carbs, 3.8g Protein
- High in Iron and Fiber

Afternoon Snack

Frozen Mixed Berries

- 240 Calories, 51g Carbs, 3g Protein
- High in Vitamin C, Fiber and a good source of Folate and Potassium

2 Oranges

- 124 Calories, 0.2g Fat, 30.6 Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin C and Calcium

Supper

Bowl of Carrots, Cucumbers & Snap Peas

- 148 Calories, 0.3g Fat, 16.9g Carbs, 2.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, C and a good source of Calcium and Iron

Sweet Potato Oven Roasted Fries (2 Sweet Potatoes)

- 258 Calories, 20.1 Carbs, 1.5g Protein
- High in Vitamin A, B5 and B6

Evening Snack

10 Stalks of Celery

- 60 Calories, 2.2 Carbs, 0.4g Protein
- High in Vitamin K, Folate and Potassium

Days Total: 2097 Calories, 17.2 Fat, 319.10 Carbs, 65.3g Protein

* I used S Health to find the the nutritional information.

What is your favourite food or meal? Please be sure to leave it in the comments below!

Peace & Happiness,

Jules

Parissa Chamomile Body Sugar Wax - Review and How To

I've used razors and wax for a long time now but I have recently been looking for ways to green up my hair removal routine! While I love the convenience of shaving, I hate having to do it so often! Wax is also a great method but I'm not a fan of the ingredients which is why sugaring really appealed to me. You can make it at home with simple, natural ingredients (water, sugar, lemon) but seeing as I'm a newbie I wanted to find one that I could purchase.

I came across the brand Parissa which is not only cruelty free but is Canadian as well! They have quite a few products to choose from but the one I purchased was conveniently available at my local Walmart.

What comes in the box:

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- 20 large reusable strips * You can cut these for smaller areas

- 2 large wooden spatulas

- 1 precision wooden spatula

- Azolene Oil *Made from Chamomile Flowers, great for preventing ingrown hairs

- Body Sugar * You can see I only used 1/5 of the jar for one use! ( Full legs, underarms, bikini area)

How to:

1. Ensure you have clean dry skin * I like to have a rinse in the shower (water only) and then apply powder (I use arrowroot powder, you can also use corn starch or natural baby powder) to the areas I am going to be removing the hair from.

2. Heat the sugar * Microwave on high for 20 seconds or place in water bath for a couple minutes. 

3. Apply sugar in the direction of hair growth and place the removal strip on top. *Gently rub the strip in the direction of hair growth to ensure it has adhered to hair. 

4. Pull skin taut and quickly remove the strip keeping it as close and parallel to your body as possible. 

5. If you have a couple spots that were missed you can immediately go back and remove the hair in the same manner. 

6. Dab on a small amount of Azolene oil in areas prone to ingrown hairs.

Newbie Body Sugaring Tips:

* If this is the first time you are using body sugar make sure your hair has grown out a little more than usual, at least 1/4 inch. It has a difficult time grabbing on to short, coarse hair that has been bluntly cut by a razor.

*Always do a test patch 24 hrs before committing to it! You don't want to have an adverse reaction the day before a trip or day to the beach!

* Complete your hair removal the day before you will be showing it off so that any irritation or bumps have time to dissipate.

* Remove hair in small areas to start, it will become less painful as time goes on and you'll be able to do full strips.

* You may need to reheat the sugar to complete your hair removal if you do not keep it on a warmer or under a lamp. Pop it back in the microwave for no more than 10 seconds or back in a water bath for a minute. Ensure the sugar is smooth syrup like consistency.

* If you run out of strips you can wash them and use them damp!

* Exfoliate every day to prevent ingrown hairs, I love to use my body brush!

After using this product I would definitely purchase it again! One day I hope to overcome my fear and make it at home but until then, this is an easy and convenient substitute.

Let me know about your favourite hair removal method or product in the comments below!

Peace and Happiness,

Jules

* I purchased Parissa with my own money and as always all opinions are my own! 

Five Easy Ways to be Green at Home!

Hey Everyone!

I am constantly looking for new and better ways to green up my house. It is important to me to try and reduce my carbon footprint and to do my part to try and "save the earth"! The best thing about being "green" is that it usually saves you money! That's a win, win for me! :)

Here are my five favourite, tried and true ways.

1. Compost! I have a little compost container that I keep under the kitchen sink, it has a carbon filter so it doesn't smell at all but you could use anything from a paper bag, cardboard box or bowl. I empty mine into my compost pile outside after supper every day.

2. Switch to LED light bulbs! These things are absolutely amazing! With regular use they will last 25 years and will you save you money each month on electricity. They now have multiple shapes, sizes and colours to choose from.

3. Recycle! In my laundry room I have 3 separate recycle bins: Bottles & Cans, Paper & Cardboard, Plastic. I live in a small town and don't have curbside pickup (yet!) but I take it to my local recycling center about once a month. Between this and composting you will see a HUGE reduction in your garbage!

4. Use water saving water faucets! When renovating be sure to purchase low flow faucets and shower heads, I promise you won't notice the difference! Fortunately most companies offer a water saving fixture nowadays! There is also the option of purchasing aerators to use with your current faucets and shower heads!

5. Caulk and Weatherstrip any drafty doors or windows! Not only does this save you money but it is good for the environment when using less oil, gas or energy to cool and heat your home. If you aren't sure where the leaks are in your home take a piece of incense and around to each door and window. If you notice the smoke blows sideways then you have an air leak!

How have you greened up your house? Be sure and share below!

All About Jojoba Oil!

As I've previously mentioned, I am on the path to an all natural life. I've been immersing myself in books, blogs and You Tube trying to learn all I can about living clean. It is a slow but steady process and I am thoroughly loving every minute of it.

The most important things to look for when purchasing any type of oil is to find one that is pure, organic, cold pressed and unrefined. You want to ensure that all the nutritional benefits have remained intact. Companies that I have tried and trust are Desert Essence, NOW, Nutiva and Aura Cacia.

In my studies, one oil that kept coming up was Jojoba [Hoh-Hoh-Bah] and after using it for almost 6 months I can definitely see why it's popular!

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Jojoba oil is produced from the seed of the Jojoba plant, this shrub is native to the deserts of Arizona and Mexico although it is now produced globally.  Jojoba oil is most similar to our natural sebum thus making it a great moisturizer as it can easily be absorbed by our skin.

Reasons why I love Jojoba Oil:

- It is rich in vitamin E which is an antioxidant thus making it excellent for anti aging
- Is antimicrobial which is great for acne and fighting other bacteria on our skin
- It is a very light oil both in viscosity and scent
- Is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not block your pores
- It is an anti-inflammatory which is perfect for reducing redness and swelling of blemishes.

I am currently using it for:

- Face massage
- Cuticles
- Décolletage moisturizer
- Carrier Oil (with essentials oils such as Tea Tree Oil and Lavender)
- Light hair serum (On the ends of 2nd and 3rd day hair)

There are countless uses for Jojoba Oil, if you have any other suggestions be sure to leave them in the comments below!

** I purchase my Jojoba Oil through Well.ca! Use coupon code ' HappilyEverGreen ' for $10 off your purchase of $40 or more! Enjoy! :)

Welcome! Bonjour!

It doesn't matter where you're from, where you've been or what you're doing right now.

All that I ask is that you be open and willing to evolve into the YOU that you were meant to be. 

We all have the power to write our own story and to change the path we are on.

Life is about progress, not perfection.

Be Healthy! Be Happy! Be Energized!

Let me show you how to live a beautiful, conscious and healthy life; To eat foods rich in antioxidants for longevity.

Welcome to Happily Ever Green...