23 Degrees of roasted goodness..

Nothing perks a gal up better than a good cup of Joe. Okay maybe a new pair of shoes or a smile from the hottie you’ve been crushing on is a little better...but let’s be real we all know that doesn’t happen every day. For you coffee drinking gals out there, it is our morning cup of coffee that sets the tone for our day. I know I can’t function without it!

Recently a friend had recommended that I try 23 Degrees Roastery, they are a Toronto company that makes organic fair trade coffee. This appeals to me because they are local, organic and fair trade all good things.

They have five different blends; there is the Mugshot (Espresso), Suckerpunch, Morning Star, Liquid Mettle, and Declawed (decaf).  I tried the Morning Star a light/medium roast which they described as a smooth, mid-bodied brew that brings the scent of fresh fruits to help start, or brighten, your day. Not only did it brighten up my day but that of my fellow co-workers since I thought I’d share this find with the office.  The tantalizing aroma had my co-workers running to the lunch room to see what was a brewing. They all walked and away happily sipping a fresh cup of liquid gold.  

A friend of mine has tried the Mugshot (espresso) because she and her husband have espresso every evening after dinner. They loved it! The only problem was that the bag was not big enough they finished it in 3days!

Next one that I plan to try is the Liquid Mettle described as a rich, full-bodied coffee with chocolate tones, deep wine–like berry and earthy flavours.  Chocolate tones! Deep wine-like berry and earthy flavours! It’s like they made this special for the Ladies! I am waiting until I have the gals over to try it because I think it will be a big success.

Not only is the packaging eye catching with the cool 23 Degrees logo but the coffee is delicious. I highly recommend that all you coffee drinkers give it a try. You can find 23 Degrees on shelves in health food stores throughout Toronto; check out their facebook fan page for more info. 

Happy Brewing!

    
Single Gals Approved!

Naked Juice

Recently I was working at the Yoga in Motion event in Toronto and one of the vendors at this event was Naked Juice. They did not have a representative at their table just numerous bottles of their Green Machine juice for participants to take.  I usually stay away from bottled juices and smoothies but I thought since it is there and free to take that I would check it out.  The label states that it is a 100% fruit & vegetable smoothie with NO sugar added (Awesome!).  The fruits in this smoothie drink are 2 ¾ apples, 1/3 kiwi, ½ banana, 1/3 mango and a hint of pineapple, the vegetable portion is a green machine powder mix that includes (Spirulina, chlorella, broccoli, spinach, barely grass, wheat grass, parsley, Ginger Root, Blue Green Algae, garlic extract) This is definitely a healthy nutritious juice, now you may be thinking how does it taste? ...Like pears! I know there are no pears in this juice but that is what the taste reminds me of bartlett pears. It’s delicious!!

I would not recommend that you drink the whole 450ml bottle in one shot. There is no added sugar but since there is so much fruit the sugar content is still high at 28g per 250ml. I think this smoothie would be great as a post workout drink, use half the bottle and put in a scoop of protein.  The fruit will help restore your depleted glucose and protein for muscle repair.

This is an American company and as far as I can find out they do not sell here in Canada. I am going to assume since they had their product at the Yoga in Motion event in Toronto that means they will be coming to Canada soon. If you see it, give it a try and maybe you can let us know where you found it.

    
Single Gals Approved!

Melmira Bra & Swimsuits

Last month I went to Costa Rica on vacation, and I needed a new bathing suit. I am sure I am like most women in that I hate bathing suit shopping! I rather go to the dentist that is how much I despise the whole progress. I’m 5’ 9” in average shape and I hate bathing suits. I can never figure out why, when standing around in my underwear and bra I look fine (well I can live with it! Ha I guess I have no choice) but put on a bathing suit and lumps and things just seem to appear.  Then you swear you are going to starve yourself until you leave for vacation, go into a depressive state, and possible break out in hives (yes bathing suit shopping is that stressful for me). 

Not wanting to go to Bikini Village again, I googled other swimsuit places in Toronto and stumbled across Melmira Bra & Swinsuits. This is not just another run of the mill Swimsuit shop here they actually fit you to your bathing suit.  I went there on a whim and usually you need to make an appointment but fortunately they were able to fit me in that day. I go upstairs which is their swimsuit area, they take me to a fitting room and then a stylist came to talk to me about what I am looking for. I wanted a one piece that was sporty but girlie, for surfing. She asked me to lift up my shirt, I assumed to get a better idea of how big the belly was, but she wanted to see my torso. She said you have a long Torso so we need to work with that, than she was off. She came back with 3 suits to start with, the first one looked great No lumps, No camel toe is this possible?! The second was not so good and my stylist said "take that off that's awful!" This was not said in mean way it was the truth and we both knew it. The third one was PERFECT, sporty, girlie and OH SO flattering I actually felt comfortable in a bathing suit.

This was my first swimsuit purchase that did not cause me stress, insecurities or hives. My stylist was wonderful; she knew exactly what would work for my body type. I highly recommend this to you girls out there; the gals at Melmira know what they are doing. My stylist knew that because I was tall I need to go a size bigger than I normally would get, and she was right everything she picked fit nicely. I think the biggest problem we make is picking up the wrong size, or the wrong suit design for our body types which makes us discouraged, frustrated and just want to hide. 

If you don’t live in the Toronto area I am sure there are other shops that provide the same service, try one next time you need a new swimsuit you’ll be VERY happy that you did, I know I was. I’m going to go back soon and get fitted for some new Bras. FUN!

 
Single Gals Approved!