Love, Life, Happiness: Being Fit & Healthy, Part 1...

First, let's make one thing clear. There is no "perfect" body shape, and beauty is not a defined concept. True Beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes. Individuality is so much more beautiful than unrealistic magazine pages. Second, everyone has their insecurities, that just seems to be the way humans are. 

What is important though is being healthy and feeling good. So whether your goal is to lose a couple pounds, tone up, or just plain be happy and healthy, this post might be for you.

This topic has come up a lot lately, so I thought now was a good time to share for all those that have asked, and for those that are wondering; what I do to stay Fit & Healthy... 

I may have been blessed with a good metabolism, but it takes more than just that to stay fit and healthy. I'm a health nut (for those that didn't already know) & this includes me working on my body. Diet & Exercise are the key to any rockin' bod! So I'll get right to it then shall I?

Quite simply; I'm Vegan, and my Diet is Gluten & Wheat Free, Sugar-free, Coffee-free, and packed full of Fruits and Veggies. And I don't really drink alcohol (meaning I might decide to drink if I really feel like it, so once every several months, if that).
Now I know this may seem terrifying to some of you and you're probably thinking to yourself "Dear Lord! What do you EAT?!" Well, the answer is LOTS! I love Food and I love to eat! So make no mistake about it, my belly is always happy ^_^. The North American diet is quite possibly the most unhealthy in the world, and our soaring Cancer and Illness rates are enough to prove it. Trendy diets are also bullshit. They hide behind fancy scientific jargon that SEEMS to make sense only because people Want to believe them. 

For those seeking in-depth information on why you shouldn't be eating certain foods, I highly recommend picking up the book "Skinny Bitch". It is a no-nonsense guide to stop eating crap and to eat right and to, well, be a Skinny B*tch. They explain everything straight and to the point in a savvy and humorous way to understand healthy eating habits. 

For myself, here's a breakdown....

Veganism:  If you don't want to do it for ethical reasons then maybe doing it for your body will convince you? If you think not eating meat is enough, here's a reality check: Breast milk can grow an 8-pound baby into a 24-pound toddler! And that's just humans, not Cows! Milk is intended to allow for the biggest growth spurt of a person's entire life. Mother nature did not mean for us to continue drinking milk thereafter. And FYI, we are the ONLY creatures that do so, AND that drink milk from another species 0_o. To the point: Dairy=Fat. Period. So be a Healthy Vegan. 

Carbohydrates: Carbs have had a terrible rap for no good reason. Low-Carb diets have got to be one of the dumbest trendy diets in existence. Sure, let's eat shit loads of meat and cut out fruits and veggies!?? The truth about Carbs is simple: Some are good, some are bad. But cutting out all Carbs is a recipe for disaster. Stay away from Simple Carbohydrates, they are evil and void of nutrition (and will go straight to your thighs ~_^). This includes white flour, white pasta, white rice, and white sugar. Pay attention! Most cereals, bread products, cookies, muffins, etc. fall under this category. 

Complex Carbohydrates are the kick-ass good ones with healthy starch and lots of fiber that your body needs for energy. These include; potatoes, barley, corn, brown rice, beans, lentils, quinoa, millet, whole wheat, and vegetables. And fruit! Fruit is awesome & your body will love it!

Sugar: is the devil in the form of food. Remember this well. Not only does your body store it as fat but it also messes with your moods--it turns me into a psychotic, depressing mess! If you're craving something sweet then there's lots of healthy options. To start, bake your own goodies and use Agave Nectar (or organic cane sugar or maple syrup) instead of the refined stuff. Craving chocolate? Grab some Vegan Chocolate sweetened with beet sugar, such as Endangered Species brand. Or hop online for lots of other choices. :) Or how about some Soy or Coconut or even Rice Ice Cream sweetened with Organic Cane Sugar or Agave Nectar? See, there are yummy alternatives to satisfy your sweet-tooth. ~_^

The Rest... 

I cook almost everything from scratch which gives me a lot more control over what I put into my body. Processed Foods usually contain most of the ingredients you should be avoiding, as well as corn starch and other fillers, and unhealthy oils and nasty preservatives and colorings. Steer clear. No matter what. As far as eating out goes, I don't often for the same reasons I don't eat processed foods. When I do eat out I'll choose healthier dining spots and go for high-veggie dishes instead of greasy foods. 

I eat several small meals a day as opposed to three large ones. This is a much healthier choice, providing you with a steady supply of calories and therefor energy as you need it. It also means you're not going hungry for hours between meals and then bloating with over-sized portions come supper-time. I also make sure I drink my two liters of water a day.

Lastly, if you need a little extra help in getting into new eating habits and not over-eating, then I recommend the website Nutrimirror. It is essentially a food log where you can keep track of calories, but I like it because you start to feel guilty if you have to log in the bad foods you've been eating, making it pretty convincing to eat better. I don't however recommend using it long-term simply because food should not control your life and counting calories is a bore. Use it to develop new eating habits. Once you're in the swing of those new habits, ditch it and keep doing what you've been doing ;).

It may seem a bit intimidating at first, but all it takes is adjusting to new eating habits. Trust me, once you change your diet you will stop craving unhealthy foods and will wonder why you ever ate junk in the first place. It will stop tasting good to you, I promise.

Check out the second part to this Segment for exercise. ;) 

Til then, 

Love & Peace

~Bianca xo

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

♥ Wednesday Favorites: Songs that get you Pumped! ♥

This week I've been busy and feeling full of energy. So, I felt it appropriate to share a music selection of those songs that get you pumped! I'm talking about songs that when you hear them you automatically feel like head-banging, jumping around, or whatever else you do when that energetic rhythm pumps through your veins. ~_^ Here's a collection of some of my favorites...

"Dread and the Fugitive Mind" ~Megadeth. I'm a huge Megadeth fan (for those who don't already know) and I remember the first time I heard this song I instantly fell in love with the energy level! :)

"Old" ~ Machine Head. This is another band I simply love love love. Something about the combination of melodic singing mixed with aggressive growls is just so electrifying to my ears, and this song in particular gets my veins pumping!

"Moon Baby" ~ Godsmack. It took me a while to pick up my first Godsmack CD, when I did this was the first song on the album. I was immediately hooked.

"Psychosocial" ~ Slipknot. Another band that for some reason I never tried listening to until recently. I love the high energy of their music and again, love the scream+melodic vocals.

"Walk" ~ Pantera. A list like this could not be complete without some Pantera!

"Sick" ~ Flyleaf. This song rocks as much as Lacey does ;). Another perfect song that gets me instantly jumping around my apartment ^_^.

Those are a couple of my favorites, so what about you? Any songs that pop on that make you have to literally stop the conversation just to rock out to?

Happy Wednesday!

Love & Bruises,

~Bianca

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

What's Going On: Eco-Postive Period!

There are so many reasons to love being a Woman, but admittedly, there is that one dreaded time of the month when being a woman is much less appealing. The bloating, the crampiness, the scary mood-swings that turn us into scary Godzilla like creatures that terrify those around us. Yes, certainly granted, most of us have anything but a "Happy Period". But on top of this, you could be exposing your privates to all sorts of dangers each month (and I'm not just talking about TSS). And most women probably don't consider the environmental impact.

☢ ☣ ☠ ✖ ☢ ☣ ☠ ✖ ☢ ☣ ☠ ✖ ☢ ☣ ☠ ✖ ☢ ☣ ☠ ✖

BODILY IMPACT:

Most tampons are made from pesticide-heavy cotton or cotton-rayon (a synthetic fiber made from wood pulp) blend and bleached so they're super white and "clean" looking. So what's so bad you may ask?

Dioxin: a by-product in the bleaching and manufacturing processes. Not only is it an environmental pollutant, but it is also a known carcinogen. It is toxic to the immune and reproductive systems, and has been linked to endometriosis and lower sperm count in men.

In the mid-1990s, tampon manufacturers did make a switch to a "elemental chlorine-free bleaching" process which is said to "significantly minimize the potential for dioxin formation". Anyone else catch the word "minimize" in there? The FDA admits that the process could still "theoretically generate dioxins at extremely low levels." This matters when they also say that even low levels of dioxin may lead to development and immune problems and birth defects.

Rayon: this fiber contributes to the danger of tampons and adds to the dangers of Dioxin. Why? Because Rayon is highly absorbent--which is why they use it in tampons to begin with. Meaning, when fibers from the tampons are left behind in your vagina (which usually occurs), it creates a breeding ground for the bacteria and also holds the Dioxin inside your body. Rayon also stays in a lot longer than it would with just cotton tampons, which is also the reason why TSS (toxic shock syndrome) occurs.

Pesticides: Most tampons and pads are not organic (surprise!) so then comes the whole toxic bath of pesticides and chemicals used to produce the fiber. Tampax does, however, claim to test its cotton for detectable levels of pesticides. So you could be safe from this one, but chances are there are still trace amounts.

Now consider this; a woman typically uses more than 11, 500 tampons in her lifetime, and the vaginal area is one of the most absorptive parts of a woman's body. So you can bet that all those chemicals add up!

☢ ☣ ☠ ✖ ☢ ☣ ☠ ✖ ☢ ☣ ☠ ✖ ☢ ☣ ☠ ✖ ☢ ☣ ☠ ✖

EARTHLY IMPACT:

Waste:

Every year, about 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are used and end up in the trash in the US alone.

Tampon applicators often end up back onto shores and streams. They've even been found in the stomachs of birds and wildlife, along with other plastics.

Toxicity:

Remember that lovely Rayon I was telling you about? Well, it is made ultra-absorbant in a fairly toxic chemical process. And that Dioxin? Well it is now being found in our soil, air, and water.

Your privates may be free of the Pesticides produced from Cotton, but what about the planet? Cotton is grown with toxic herbicides, fungicides, and other fun pesticides, many of which are carcinogenic and extremely toxic, therefore cause damage to the planet and to wildlife.

Drugstore brands are also chocked full of plastics with synthetic latex wings, polyethylene dry-weave layers in pads, and that "silky" coating on tampons. Not to mention those applicators and nasty PVC wrappers that come with pads.

♥ ★ ☀ ☮ ☯ ♥ ★ ☀ ☮ ☯ ♥ ★ ☀ ☮ ☯ ♥ ★ ☀ ☮ ☯ ♥

SOLUTIONS:

The good news is that there are lots of options for the health of yourself and the planet, depending on your commitment level.

Tampons:

If you must use drugstore-brand products then cardboard applicators are better than plastic, while applicator-free are obviously best. But you should be buying 100% certified Organic non-chlorine-bleached cotton tampons. They're free of synthetic and chemical additives, and come with or without cardboard applicators. And for those skeptics, they work just as well as mainstream brands ;). They also lower chances of TSS.

Pads:

Again, Organic chlorine-free pads and panty-liners are available. Natracare even uses biodegradable plant-based bioplastic in place of petroleum plastic as a barrier layer to keep the pads from leaking.

You can now find a few different companies that carry Organic Tampons and Pads. My personal favorite is Natracare and you can find them at most health-food stores as well as lots of grocery stores here in Canada (and probably in other countries as well ~_^).

Greenest Options:

Organic or not, tampons and pads still end up in the landfill creating more waste. If you're super committed to the well-being of the planet then these next options are for you.

Cloth Pads: Reusable pads obviously create less waste. Wash them and reuse. Pretty simple. I'm personally going to have to make this transition for nighttime, unfortunately for the moment I can't get around washing them at the laundromat :p. Crafty girls can make them yourselves, otherwise there are lots of brands available, such as, Goddess Moon, Moonwit, Many Moons, and Luna Pads. And I'm sure you can find lots on Etsy as well. ^_^

Sea-Sponges: I know, this sounded strange to me too! They work just as well as tampons and are a green, reusable alternative. Their use is essentially the same, except you rinse them out once saturated and re-insert. Want to know more? Check out Gladrags: http://www.gladrags.com/p-35-jade-and-pearl-menstrual-sea-sponges.aspx

Reusable Cups: another green & reusable alternative to Tampons. Same idea; pop inside and empty 2-4 times a day. This is my next trial, as, I have to admit, I was a little weary about the whole idea. However, women who use them, swear by them! So what have I got to lose, except the well-being of our planet? ~_^ The silicone-based Diva-Cup is probably the most popular. Just be weary of some drugstore posers (like Instead), which looks like a reusable cup but you throw it out after one use....what's the point??

Check out:

Luna Pads: http://lunapads.com/

Natracare: http://www.natracare.com/

And remember, Ladies, have a Happy Period ~_^ ....ok, well at least have a green, healthy period.

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

I witnessed Something today...People Approving Abuse.

I witnessed something today. Something amazingly simple yet so profound. I witnessed child abuse.

Abuse is a topic that hits close to home for lots of people, myself included, which is why it really rattles my nerves. I personally have zero tolerance for it. End of story. But an experience I had opened my eyes to something I had not really noticed before. Perhaps I feel compelled to share this story because you don't actually often see abuse happening right before your eyes. Or perhaps it was the mere alarm and disappointment I had by people's reactions.

It's strange to think that you could experience something so unsettling when doing something as simple as going out to a movie. My husband and I experienced just this.

A father has his son cornered against the wall. Tears are in the 14-year old's eyes, though you can tell he's trying to hold them back. He looks frightened. Fury, anger; a power-trip rages in the Father. He says he's going to smack the child across the face.

People are standing around; watching, knowing that it's wrong, but are doing nothing.

Apparently this display has been going on for twenty minutes by the time we enter. Twenty minutes of people watching a Man verbally abuse and threaten his son, and, essentially, approving it.

(Cory--my husband):

What is everyone scared of? I know I'm not. I took a stand today. I hope I made the right call. Perhaps it wasn't my call to make. I did what I hope someone would do for me in the same situation. I know if I were to close my eyes and pretend like it didn't happen I might as well be the criminal.

Part of a note he wrote regarding the situation, and how he was the only one to actually confront the Man. He called the man on his actions, told him that what he was doing was not OK. He tried to do something about it, took a stand against what everyone else was just standing and silently but blatantly watching.

Watching abuse happen and doing nothing is telling the abuser that you are supporting their actions. Not only are you telling the abuser that it is OK to be verbally abusive and threatening, but you are telling the abused that as well.

We are the voices of our society. And we can not keep supporting this behaviour. Putting a stop to Abuse is like anything else, you have to have a voice. And you have to say No.

Child abusers need to know that it can not and will not be tolerated. I did something today that I hope will inspire change. Maybe not for everyone but maybe for one.

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

♥ Wednesday Favorites: FUN FINDS: Panda Love

Earth Day is tomorrow, and hopefully you are getting involved in the many events going on globally and in your own city. If there isn't anything close to home, that doesn't mean you can't still be active and get your Eco-March on ~_^

So, in the continuing spirit of Earth Day, I can't help think of WWF once again. For over four decades the Panda logo has been a recognizable symbol of WWF and its efforts in wildlife and habitat conservation. I love WWF and I love Pandas. So this Wednesday Favorites goes out to the Eco-Friendly Panda Love!

But first, a little About the Giant Panda...

They are one of the world’s most threatened species – as few as 1,600 remain in the wild and face continual threats to their survival. These reserved creatures are found only in remote areas of the Upper Yangtze forests, where they feed on bamboo shoots. A newborn cub is about the size of a stick of butter, weighs only three to five ounces, and is totally dependent upon its mother for the first few months of life.

PANDA Favorites:

"Giant Panda Wildlife Adoption" by WWF. Quite possibly the greatest gift of all! Through the WWF website they have animal adoptions that make a difference to wildlife and habitats at risk and help support WWF-Canada’s conservation effort. You can choose which animal you'd like to adopt and in your adoption kit receive a cuddly toy, reusable gift bag, personalized adoption certificate, a letter that identifies you as the gift-giver, and a report detailing the work that your symbolic adoption will support. ♥♥

"WWF Save the Planet Panda"T-Shirt by Chaser and available on That's My Shirt. This gorgeous WorldWildLife Fund tee is a blast of triple awesomeness!! Not only is it WWF with the always symbolic Panda, but it also has an important Earth Message, And is made from Organic Cotton & Recycle Polyester!! I ordered mine and absolutely Love it!! ♥

"Panda: Hungry, sleepy, and protected" by Barley and Birch. This adorable 100% certified organic cotton kid's tee is made sweatshop-free in the U.S.A. and is printed with water-based, toxin-free inks! A truly inspiring company! Their cute designs are available at a number of sites. :)

"Panda Ecozoo Organic Backpack" Available at BabyEarth.com. I'm sorry, but how freakin adorable is this?!!! Not only that, but it is made from Organically-grown cotton canvas & rope materials, non-toxic dyes, and other sustainable materials!!! It's meant for preschoolers...but hey, I'm sure us adults can get some fun use out of these as well ~_^.

"Panda" Organic Long Sleeve Shirt by Rainbow Swirlz on Etsy!! This gorgeous print is available in several different sizes and Colors and is print on 100% Organic Cotton shirts!! :D

"6"Organic Cotton Panda" by Nature's Accent. This cutie is made from 100% Organic Cotton and has stitched eyes and mouth so it's safe for babies ♥

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

♥ Alter-Eco in this Week's ETSY VOTER!!! ♥

So this is a bit of a random new post, but yesterday was such an awesome day and I simply Must share! ^_^

Well, to start with, it was absolutely beautiful outside! Clear blue sky, warm sun...I even burned a little :p!! It was a day to simply play in the sun all day and be free and blissful.

Myself, Cory, and my brother, Max, hung out at the park for lunch, got to be kids and play on the playground (lol), and played frisbee. It was a lot of fun!

Afterwards me and Cory were off to the Morinville Skatepark for a photoshoot I had arranged, and so the hubby got to do some skating--win-win ~_^. It was an absolute blast! Nathan was an awesome photographer, fun & easy going and we got lots of fun shots out of it. He even got some of Cory skating in the background. And when it got dark out they set up some lights and got some pretty friggin wicked shots of Cory skateboarding!

All in all it was an awesome day! :D

So, this is especially why I am posting...

I got home last night and found out that, thanks to the awesome Jennifer of Poppy's Garden, my Organic Custom Bustier made it to this week's Etsy Voter!!!! ♥♥♥

I am so excstatic you have no idea! Haha, yes I am making a big deal over it because it is exciting for me ^_^. So now I'm asking to please vote for my creation if you love my Etsy store and me and whatnot ~_^ I'll love you forever and ever! ♥

Thank you to all of you who have already voted! You guys are seriously amazing!!

Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful weather as much as I am! ^_^

Much Love,

xo

~Bianca

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

♥ Wednesday Favorites: FUN FINDS ♥

With Earth Day fast approaching, I felt like this would be a good time to get in on the Earth Love. I also thought this would be a good first time for the new "Fun Finds" theme for the Wednesday Favorites ^_^

I recently went on a mad hunt for Sustainable Graphic T-Shirts with Earth-Friendly messages...it was quite the search, but here are a few favorites that I found ♥....

"Planet More Trees" by Tippitappi. They have lots of reaaaally cool shirts that are 100% Organic and speak out for the

animals and our planet ^_^

"Just Say No to Plastic Bags" Shirt I found on Zazzle, along with many other awesome Designs! You can choose to have it printed on black or white Organic Cotton tee!! And, I mean, how cute is this?? Perfect for the Kawaii fan in all of us ^_^

"Autonomie Project Fight Global Warming" on Nimli, This beauty is made from 100% Organic Cotton, is super comfy and of course sustainably made. Plus it supports a great message!

Arbor Foxen T-Shirt makes life better with sustainable & comfy Fashion. I thought the design of this was really pretty! I looooove trees, so what better way to celebrate Earth Day in this beauty? It's also available in black & blue! ♥

"Recycle Love" From Feral Empire on my favorite shopping site, Etsy! ^_^ Printed on 100% Organic Cotton Tunic Top.

"Earth Day Recycle" Another one I found on Zazzle! Choose white or black to have this cute shirt in Organic Cotton and be a good Earthling ~_^

Hope you all have an awesome Earth Day and Earth Month!!! Got any cool favorite Earth-themed Graphic Shirts? Share them!! ^_^

Love & Bruises,

xo

~Bianca

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.