Barbara Amiel on how Jack LaLanne exhorted us all to stop being slaves to our aging bodies

There is no shortage of polarizing conversation in modern society: Android or Apple? The style cred of Ugg Boots? Who would win in a fight between Spiderman and Superman? When it comes to running, there’s one topic of conversation that causes strong opinions to surface. A source of endless debate, experimentation, and discussion. That topic? Eating and running. What To Eat During Long Runs I will preface this post by saying I speak from experience, not expertise. I’m not a…

Let’s face it: nine months of the year in Vancouver are wet and gray. Once the sun comes out, everyone wants to visit Vancouver, particularly Kitsilano. Kitsilano Beach recently made Reuters list of Top 10 City Beaches Around The World for an urban summer holiday. It came on sixth after hotspots including Copacabana in Rio, Waikiki in Honolulu, Cape Town’s Camps Bay and Barceloneta in Barcelona. Here’s the listing: 6. Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Vancouver might not seem…

Attend the Kitsilano Community Center’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, April 18 at 7pm to learn what is going on at your local centre. It is a great opportunity to understand more about what the center offers and how you can get involved. The biggest issue facing Vancouver community centres right now is the proposed new operating agreement with the Vancouver park board to pool all community centre financial resources and take over programming of centres around the city. For…

I used to go to Poke Community Acupuncture on Main Street to get my “acupuncture fix”. I love their big open room and circle of lazy boys and blankets where you can plop done and be seen by a certified acupuncturist. Some people have asked me if it was weird being treated with other people in the room. My answer is no as long as you keep all your clothes on, get cozy in your chair, get treated by your…

Vanier Park in Spring – Photo credit: Lisa Voormeij Don’t let a spot of rain keep you inside. Here are 8 ideas for free outdoor fun with the kids around the Kitsilano neighbourhood. Our tips? Do dress in layers, bring umbrellas, and pack a large blanket for impromptu picnics, naps (you wish), or diaper changes! Don’t forget to bring a bit of cash just in case you get tempted by some of the refreshments along the way. 8 Free Outdoor…

Recently I wrote a review of Fit Fix for the Huffington Post.  Fit Fix is a personal training studio in the Yonge & Eglinton neighbourhood of Toronto owned by husband and wife team, Jonathan and Tania Skelcher.  Their clientele range in a…

Being the fat kid sucks.I was overweight from the age of 8 – 15 and it was brutal. All my friends had boyfriends, but I didn’t. Gym class was agonizing. I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin, betrayed by…

Happy New Year! Each year I make a list of intentions. Not resolutions.Intentions. That way I have an out if I don’t meet the goal. I fully intended to but…There’s the typical eat less, drink more, exercise blah blah blah.Taking a…

Britney Spears, being the pop icon she is, needs to make sure she’s always in tip-top shape, from her arms to her abs, and her legs to her butt? That’s right, Spears admitted recently that she works really hard to “keep her butt up.” The singer, who’s on the cover of Shape Magazine’s June issue, [...]

Funny how seashells wash ashore like this. Photo: Chelsea Siler There is no better place to get motivated to exercise than at Kitsilano Beach. When I am on the fence about going for a run, and sense procrastination setting in, I put my gear on and walk down to the beach (it’s all downhill as I’m SOFO which is explained in this article). Once I’m at the beach, I feel ready and motivated to run in any number of directions.…

A few weeks ago I got the results of my latest MRI: Small tears present in my tendon at the point where the left hamstring attaches to my pelvis. So unlike the MRIs last year that indicated swelling, there now are some small tears. Fortunately, nothi…

I got pretty darn lucky this week: I got asked to attend TELUS‘s First Wellness Learning Centre Session featuring Lyzabeth Lopez and the Samsung GALAXY S4!

Me and a group of other wellness bloggers got to visit the TELUS House in downtown Toronto for this fantastic event.

TELUS employees who work in this building are lucky to have fabulous, immaculate facilities, including a first rate gym and fitness studio.  I love any company that promotes employee fitness and wellness!!

The event kicked off with a butt-kicking workout led by Lyzabeth, and then we were fed a healthy lunch and, you won’t believe this…we each got to take home a Samsung GALAZY S4 phone!  We got a presentation about all of this amazing products’ features and honestly, I almost fell off my chair.  I called Adam immediately after the session to beg him to let me switch my plan to this phone, and I am thrilled to say, he agreed!‏
 

Here’s some info about the phone:

About the Samsung GALAXY S4 from TELUS

 

 

·         It captures life’s meaningful moments: sporting the world’s first-ever Full HD Super AMOLED display, the GALAXY S4’s five-inch screen showcases images in stunning resolution. And with its Dual Camera mode (including a 13-megapixel rear camera), you can capture life’s moments in as many ways as you can think of – and enjoy them seamlessly through TELUS’ 4G LTE wireless network experience while you’re at it!

·         Breaks language barriers with S-Translator: say or text what you need translated and the GALAXY S4 will read or text the translation back to you. This is a must-have feature for avid travelers!

·         Provides Effortless Innovation: features like Smart Pause, Air View, Air Gesture and Optical Reader detect your motions, face and voice to enable screen control with no need for finger touch activation (and you can use the screen with gloves too!)

·         Group Play: like to share what you love? Connect with those around you to play and co-create content, without the need for a Wi-Fi connection or cell signal.

·         Toss it in your bag, worry-free: constructed with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3, this phone is as beautiful as it is tough, and can withstand the daily bump and grind.

The Samsung GALAXY S4 is available from TELUS for $199 on a three-year term or $650 month-to-month. For available general plans and pricing, please click here.

I also love that TELUS has partnered with a great cause (all the attendees were lucky enough to also take home one of these limited edition cases, and TELUS made a $50 donation in each of our names to Rethink Breast Cancer:

TELUS and Rethink Breast Cancer

TELUS has a long-standing history supporting the fight to end breast cancer. Since 2008, TELUS has given $5.4 million towards research, early detection and treatment of breast cancer in Canada.This year, TELUS will be encouraging Canadians to “raise their paws to support the cause” and will donate $300,000 to Rethink Breast Cancer (and QBCF in Quebec).

 

How can I get a case?

Starting in May and while quantities last, TELUS will include this free, uniquely designed case with each purchase of a white Samsung GALAXY S4. To show its continued support to breast cancer prevention efforts, TELUS will also donate $25 to Rethink Breast Cancer (or QBCF in Quebec) for each purchase of a white Samsung GALAXY S4.

 

Join the conversation on Twitter by tweeting using the hashtag #raiseyourpaws.

 

About Rethink Breast Cancer

Launched in 2001, Rethink is the first-ever Canadian breast cancer charity to bring bold, relevant awareness to the under-40 crowd; it strives to foster a new generation of young and influential breast cancer supporters, infuse sass and style into the cause and, most importantly, responds to the unique needs of young women fighting breast cancer. No pink ribbons required.

 S

ource: www.rethinkbreastcancer.com 

 

One of the purposes of this event was to demonstrate how the technology can be used for wellness.  We receiving an exciting presentation about a new app coming out called UP by Jawbone.  Given all the evidence that tracking one’s activity and food intake can help people stick to their diet and exercise programs, and help them to reach their goals, I think this is very exciting:

 

UP by Jawbone: Available at TELUS

 

 

 

UP by Jawbone:  a wristband and app that aids in   tracking how you sleep, move and eat, ultimately helping you use this information to make healthy life changes.

 

 

 

 

The wristband, available in eight different colours, tracks things like your movement and hours of rest. This tracking system is advanced enough to track hours of deep sleep vs. light sleep, the amount of time it took you to fall asleep and even how many times you woke up!

 

The UP app displays data tracked from the band on your Android device’s dashboard and prompts you to track things like meals and mood. UP is flexible enough to track nutritional information from package barcodes and even photos you’ve taken of a meal!

The app helps you set alerts, reminders and daily goals, tracking your progress over time. It then provides insights to keep you motivated.

 

How can YOU get one?

Up by Jawbone will be available online and in select TELUS stores across Canada starting this summer.

F

or more information, head to Jawbone.com or contact Emma Miller at TELUS.

As if all that wasn’t enough, TELUS provided each of us with a new yoga mat, awesome glass waterbottle and a few samples of Biosteel sugar-free recovery drink to equip us for future workouts.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO TELUS FOR INCLUDING ME, I WAS HONOURED TO BE PART OF THIS EVENT!

 

 

What students are talking about today (February 12th)

I get a lot of offers from PR companies to promote products and events on this blog.  I turn down most.  They have to fit in with my values and beliefs, and offer something to either myself and/or my readers.  Recently I was offered 2 ti…

Adam gets back tonight (insert big sigh here!).  The girls are still in one piece and I’m still standing, although I’ve developed an eye twitch, possibly lost some weight and gained a few more wrinkles in my forehead.I’m still certain that if I wa…

A little over a year ago, we talked about the Vancouver-based “To Catch A Bike Thief” project, an effort to hook up some bikes as “bait bikes”, wait for them to get stolen, then track them down and confront the thief. And interesting idea, but it looks like it fizzled and didn’t get very far. Bike theft remains a big problem in Vancouver. Over 1800 bikes were reported stolen in Vancouver in 2012, a 20% increase over the previous year.…

Photo credit: Lisa Voormeij Hunkered down at home with the baby during these annual downpours? Here are ten fun, developmentally stimulating activities in Kitsilano to sign up for this spring. They are all especially suited for those wee ones not quite running mini-marathons throughout the house. Visit the corresponding websites for more details on dates, times, and registration. 10 Spring Activities for Babies and Teeny Tots in Kitsilano 1. Water Babies Aquaventures swimming lessons are perfect for first timers because…

I got pretty darn lucky this week: I got asked to attend TELUS‘s First Wellness Learning Centre Session featuring Lyzabeth Lopez and the Samsung GALAXY S4!

Me and a group of other wellness bloggers got to visit the TELUS House in downtown Toronto for this fantastic event.

TELUS employees who work in this building are lucky to have fabulous, immaculate facilities, including a first rate gym and fitness studio.  I love any company that promotes employee fitness and wellness!!

The event kicked off with a butt-kicking workout led by Lyzabeth, and then we were fed a healthy lunch and, you won’t believe this…we each got to take home a Samsung GALAZY S4 phone!  We got a presentation about all of this amazing products’ features and honestly, I almost fell off my chair.  I called Adam immediately after the session to beg him to let me switch my plan to this phone, and I am thrilled to say, he agreed!‏
 

Here’s some info about the phone:

About the Samsung GALAXY S4 from TELUS

 

 

·         It captures life’s meaningful moments: sporting the world’s first-ever Full HD Super AMOLED display, the GALAXY S4’s five-inch screen showcases images in stunning resolution. And with its Dual Camera mode (including a 13-megapixel rear camera), you can capture life’s moments in as many ways as you can think of – and enjoy them seamlessly through TELUS’ 4G LTE wireless network experience while you’re at it!

·         Breaks language barriers with S-Translator: say or text what you need translated and the GALAXY S4 will read or text the translation back to you. This is a must-have feature for avid travelers!

·         Provides Effortless Innovation: features like Smart Pause, Air View, Air Gesture and Optical Reader detect your motions, face and voice to enable screen control with no need for finger touch activation (and you can use the screen with gloves too!)

·         Group Play: like to share what you love? Connect with those around you to play and co-create content, without the need for a Wi-Fi connection or cell signal.

·         Toss it in your bag, worry-free: constructed with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3, this phone is as beautiful as it is tough, and can withstand the daily bump and grind.

The Samsung GALAXY S4 is available from TELUS for $199 on a three-year term or $650 month-to-month. For available general plans and pricing, please click here.

I also love that TELUS has partnered with a great cause (all the attendees were lucky enough to also take home one of these limited edition cases, and TELUS made a $50 donation in each of our names to Rethink Breast Cancer:

TELUS and Rethink Breast Cancer

TELUS has a long-standing history supporting the fight to end breast cancer. Since 2008, TELUS has given $5.4 million towards research, early detection and treatment of breast cancer in Canada.This year, TELUS will be encouraging Canadians to “raise their paws to support the cause” and will donate $300,000 to Rethink Breast Cancer (and QBCF in Quebec).

 

How can I get a case?

Starting in May and while quantities last, TELUS will include this free, uniquely designed case with each purchase of a white Samsung GALAXY S4. To show its continued support to breast cancer prevention efforts, TELUS will also donate $25 to Rethink Breast Cancer (or QBCF in Quebec) for each purchase of a white Samsung GALAXY S4.

 

Join the conversation on Twitter by tweeting using the hashtag #raiseyourpaws.

 

About Rethink Breast Cancer

Launched in 2001, Rethink is the first-ever Canadian breast cancer charity to bring bold, relevant awareness to the under-40 crowd; it strives to foster a new generation of young and influential breast cancer supporters, infuse sass and style into the cause and, most importantly, responds to the unique needs of young women fighting breast cancer. No pink ribbons required.

 S

ource: www.rethinkbreastcancer.com 

 

One of the purposes of this event was to demonstrate how the technology can be used for wellness.  We receiving an exciting presentation about a new app coming out called UP by Jawbone.  Given all the evidence that tracking one’s activity and food intake can help people stick to their diet and exercise programs, and help them to reach their goals, I think this is very exciting:

 

UP by Jawbone: Available at TELUS

 

 

 

UP by Jawbone:  a wristband and app that aids in   tracking how you sleep, move and eat, ultimately helping you use this information to make healthy life changes.

 

 

 

 

The wristband, available in eight different colours, tracks things like your movement and hours of rest. This tracking system is advanced enough to track hours of deep sleep vs. light sleep, the amount of time it took you to fall asleep and even how many times you woke up!

 

The UP app displays data tracked from the band on your Android device’s dashboard and prompts you to track things like meals and mood. UP is flexible enough to track nutritional information from package barcodes and even photos you’ve taken of a meal!

The app helps you set alerts, reminders and daily goals, tracking your progress over time. It then provides insights to keep you motivated.

 

How can YOU get one?

Up by Jawbone will be available online and in select TELUS stores across Canada starting this summer.

F

or more information, head to Jawbone.com or contact Emma Miller at TELUS.

As if all that wasn’t enough, TELUS provided each of us with a new yoga mat, awesome glass waterbottle and a few samples of Biosteel sugar-free recovery drink to equip us for future workouts.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO TELUS FOR INCLUDING ME, I WAS HONOURED TO BE PART OF THIS EVENT!

 

 

As a runner, having access to pathways, views, and coffee shops is key. Now that I am a new Kitsilano resident, I feel a sense of excitement and euphoria when I run past Kitsilano Beach. “Do I actually live here?” is a thought that often crosses my mind when I look out over the beach, into the ocean. It’s an slightly euphoric moment interrupted by me forgetting to pick my feet up, coming relatively close to tripping, and reminding myself…