Making Love in the Kitchen

Sit through the storms, for the sunshine and rainbows will follow.

Have you noticed this yet? Have you noticed that even when you think that thing that happened is the worst thing ever in the whole world to ever have happened, you might also be able to find the most unbelievable thing that came from it? That’s what this line of the creed is about. Things happen, and they are icky and sticky and crazy tough at the time, but no matter what, you will learn something, if you want to, and if you look hard enough, you will see the bright spot, you will find your grace and be grateful.You know the phrase “in a perfect world…” or “in an ideal world…”? We use it all the time. Here’s the thing, my little coconut, this is the only world we have. Yes that storm cloud is going to come by once in a while and dump that rain (usually in the form of disaster, crisis, upset, disappointment, illness, pain and struggle) all over us right after we’ve put on our best new party dress. Does this mean then that there is no point getting dressed up? Of course not!

Read Full Post »

Working for Meghan and not making changes to my diet would probably be impossible. It has been two months, and slowly I have seen hemp seeds, MSM and vegan protein powder creeping into my morning smoothies, which is now consumed through glass straw. My once afternoon coffee was replaced by a big steaming cup of Dandy Blend. My meat and dairy intake has plummeted, being consumed minimally here and there and always via ethical supply. Overall, these small changes have begun to make a difference in me – and my health – and it only encourages my desire to take proper care and attention to my diet. I embarked on the Fab Uplift Detox – if for no other reason than to kick my caffeine habit and clean up my eating. Certain things aren’t an issue for me to cut out – meat, dairy and sugar are things that are on my sometimes but I won’t miss you list. Pathetically, it is potentially the worst vices that I realize I can’t cut out – like my beloved, beloved gluten (pass the pasta, please) and of course, coffee. (Oh, coffee…you are so warm and velvety and dark and…I digress. You aren’t good for me and I know this. We are like Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. Lovers, but not meant to be… Or something).

Read Full Post »

Laugh at the ridiculousnessness of seriousness.

Have truer words to live by ever been written? At this very moment, I would have to say no. Pooperhnickle stuff happens in life. As it goes. And we can do very little to change it. What we can do, is change how we respond. There is no greater antidote to stress, worry and being serious about seriousness than laughing your head off, rolling on the floor, with tears streaming down your cheeks. We will always encounter people and things and places that take it all too darn seriously. It doesn’t serve anyone.

If you ask me, there is nothing more disarming about a person than someone who can have a good old chuckle at themselves- especially in the ickly prickley situations. When I was diagnosed with Crohn’s, I made a choice to make getting better the most fun in the whole world. See, there are those times where if we didn’t laugh, we would cry. I have often found that as someone who can laugh very easily, the tears can come just as easily. Have you noticed this too?

Read Full Post »

September 7th 2010, will be a day that I will always remember.

My life changed that day. At 1:30 pm about one year ago, I heard those four words…you have prostate cancer. I guess my life actually changed before the 7th. It was on August 25th that I had my biopsy at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

It was not a pleasant experience.

Read Full Post »

The four words “You have prostate cancer” are shocking.

I heard those words over a year ago and it has taken me this long to feel comfortable writing about this journey. When most men hear those four words they rush to eradicate cancer from their bodies. They want surgery or some other form of treatment. They pray they’ll be one of the lucky ones who does not experience erectile dysfunction or incontinence. I have chosen a path of active surveillance and hope I will never have to have anything more invasive.

Read Full Post »

Everyone who spreads a little of my All Purpose Edible Body Butter on their hands, lips, cuticles, or face is always so excited by it- declaring it good enough to eat. I, of course, remind them that they can. That it actually is good enough to eat, meaning everything contained within it is 100% edible. Then I suggest they get an extra jar to keep in the boudoir. Everyone has a bit of a nervous giggle and then they get a second jar.

At my recent Edible Beauty Care workshop (next one, sad for you, isn’t until April), I decided to impress my guests by whipping up, on the spot, without first testing it, a warm smoothie latte that would, in fact, taste just the same as my Edible Body Butter, and using nearly identical ingredients.

Read Full Post »

The creed series has just begun. Each week (or two) I will be breaking down my creed, line, by line. Phrase by phrase. This is my manifesto- that I learned to live by to heal from an incurable disease and that I turned into this here sweet health loving inspiration I offer you. I will tell you what the creed means to me, I hope you will share what it means to you!

There’s my momma and I up there, celebrating my 32nd birthday on Tuesday. I spent my birthday playing all day, and got to thinking- what would the world be like if we treated everyday like our birthday- a day to have the most fun, do what brings us joy and do it all with a spirit of sweetness and gratitude. With that thought, I decided that since I am now officially older and wiser than I was last week when I was just 31, it is time to start breaking down the creed. Here we go.

Read Full Post »

What does your handbag reveal or conceal?

We carry around a lot in our purses: our personal belongings, our personalities, our fashion sense, our common sense and our actual cents. We lug our lives around in our handbags and you must admit, there is something fascinating about seeing what others have underneath their flaps and inside those zippered compartments.

Most women (and some men) live by the motto, “Be Prepared”, making their handbags an essential accessory for every outing, as it holds all essentials. Simple purse-o-nomics – the more we demand, the more they supply. We do need to face the often unattractive truths behind the stuff we buy because being connected to our purchases will help us make better choices and that matters.

Read Full Post »

Getting our bottoms in gear is no easy task. Having a trainer help push us along, intelligently is money and time well spent, if you choose the best one for you. As a trainer, my job is to motivate people to achieve and surpass their goals.

Why Get A Trainer?

Motivation – we all need it! Having someone be there to externally motivate you can do wonders for your success. Not to mention undergoing regular fitness evaluations and goal setting will help in ensuring your are tracking your progression.
Proper training/program planning – maximize your time and effort – you will be challenged to get outside of your comfort zone.
Accountability – there is power in having an appointment set, someone waiting for you and money already spent on that appointment.

Read Full Post »

It was a 5 Star event in the mud, a gathering of Ontario’s best chefs, food and volunteers in the name of saving 2300 acres of prime farmland. It is estimated that over 20,000 people gathered in Melancthon Township at the aptly named Foodstock event to protest the proposed limestone mega quarry.

In a nutshell, an American-financed company, Highland Companies, has big plans for our prime potato farmland 85 km north of Toronto. Below the beautiful soil there is approximately 1 billion tonnes of limestone and Highland wants it all.

Read Full Post »

In his own words, Ron Telpner, my dad, shares his story and experience with prostate cancer. His series, The Four Unwanted Words chronicles his experience from diagnosis to the best health of his life.
Read Part 1: Four Unwanted Words

You are what you eat.

When I was told “You have prostate cancer,” I thought my business career might be over. It was only after doing my homework that I realized that prostate cancer, when caught in its early stages, is not a death sentence. It is more of a condition. Just the same, I was scared.

Read Full Post »

Perhaps we’re too extreme? This article was rejected from The Huffington Post.

Is There Something Wrong With Government Regulated Food Guides?

Do you look down at your dinner and see 680 calories? Perhaps a healthy ratio of carbs to proteins to fats? Maybe you see some fibre, vitamin C, beta carotene and just the right amount of Omega 3’s.

This is weird right? Looking at a plate of food without actually seeing the food.

Read Full Post »

Magic seems to happen around here quite often. It’s a sweet thing. I truly believe, perhaps more than ever, that you if you give, give, give without expectation, you will get, get, get in more abundance than you can believe.

As the creed says, we must “Offer the planet what you want the planet to offer you in return”. The creed I developed for my life and my work is how I strive everyday to live. In the coming weeks, we will be breaking down that creed step-by-step, almost as a guide, so I might explain what it means to me and you might decide what the words mean to and for you.

Read Full Post »

October is breast cancer awareness month. Slightly redundant really, as I am pretty sure we are all aware it is out there, our options if we are diagnosed with it and so we can wear pink ribbons, use special pink lipstick, eat pink M&Ms, host pink themed bake sales and even drink a little pink Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

I think we’ve been aware for some time now, and it doesn’t seem to be doing all that much. Between being aware, donating money to who knows where, and stressing our poor nervous systems with all these crazy marathons for the “cure”, maybe we should take a different look at things. We’re all aware, now let’s work on prevention.

Read Full Post »

It is a rare treat when I can simultaneously show off the best shower ever and my adorable (or so I proclaim) cuddle rolls all at one go. This was at the Tofino Hot Springs cove last summer.

The photo may be sweet but did the title catch your attention? I hope it did.

Remember a few weeks back when I wrote all about water and how I love to bits drinking my fresh Spring Water? We often get so caught up in the water that we drink, that we forget about the water we are bathing in every single day.

Read Full Post »