Indulge with Lava Shells®

Our busy, stressful lives often result in tight muscles and tension headaches that leave us dreaming of having a massage. However, fitting an appointment into our schedule, not to mention the costs associated with regular treatments, sometimes deter us from actually getting one. Wouldn't it be great if you could just come home after a long day and enjoy the restorative properties that a hot stone massage brings?

Our newest discovery, Lava Shells, make it possible to do just that. There are a couple of things that make this kit so great: first, we like that the shells come from the South Pacific and are "re-claimed" after Islanders have harvested the Tiger Striped Clams for food. Secondly, the shells are filled using the Lava Gel®, a self-heating oil that does not require any electricity or equipment to heat. The gentle heat that is released lasts for up to an hour and is ideal for soothing general aches and pains, menstrual cramps and tired muscles.

Go ahead, indulge yourself just a little. It's therapeutic!

We found the Lava Shells at Mi Casa The Fort Salon and Spa for $58.

Posted under Makeup & Beauty • Health & Wellness • Daily Stimuli •

Berry-licious Soap

As we learn more and more about the harmful ingredients that are added to so many of the products that we use, whether it's home cleaning, makeup, food or health and beauty items, most of us are looking for natural alternatives. The soap that we use is one of those items.

Recently, on our day experiencing some of the stops on the Langley Circle Farm Tour, we visited Krause Berry Farms. This gorgeous, family-friendly farm is so much more than just picking the amazing berries they grow. Their berries are used in everything from drinks served in their cafe, to the pies baked on-site in their kitchen. They have a lovely country market store full of baked goods, candy, gift items and so much more.  

They've also created an all-natural Honey Soap. Made with beeswax, honey, oils of palm, coconut and canola, Krause berries are added to the mixture to create a beautifully fragrant soap that you almost want to eat!

The soaps retail for $5.95 each. Krause Berry Farms is located at 6179 - 248th Street, Langley.

Posted under Eco-Friendly • Health & Wellness • Daily Stimuli •

Sheer Protection

Malanoma is the mostly commonly diagnosed cancer in people ages 15-29 and it is the 7th most commonly diagnosed cancer overall.  As much as we love to soak up the Vitamin D, we can't stress to you enough how important it is to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. We know that one of the most common complaints about using sunscreen is how terrible our skin feels with a heavy cream on it. Even the newer spray-on sunscreens leave a nasty film on the skin's surface. Until now.

Normally we would tell you about something a little less mainstream than a big name brand, however, we were so surprised by Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch we just had to share. Never, in all our years of lathering up, have we come across a sunscreen that absorbs into the skin just like a good lotion does. The light-weight, waterproof formula leaves your skin feeling clean; no residue, no filmy layer and no urgent feeling of needing to shower. We love the light coconut scent too - very exotic. After a weekend spent under the harsh Okanagan sun, this Stimulista is a convert.

You can find Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch in the sunscreen section of most pharmacies and grocery stores for just under $10. It's a small price to pay for your health.

Interested in learning more about how to help prevent skin cancers or to sign the Tanning is Out petition? Go to cancer.ca for all the details.

Posted under Makeup & Beauty • Health & Wellness • Daily Stimuli •

Stop Sliding

Yoga mats are wonderful things. Lightweight, easy to carry and great for ensuring that your little space of the studio or gym floor is as clean as it can be. The problem with yoga mats is that, as you work out, they get moist and slippery. It's more than a little difficult to do a downward dog when your hands and feet are sliding everywhere.

We just discovered Skidless® by Yogitoes®, a super absorbent and hygienic towel-like mat that you layer over your yoga mat to prevent slippage. One side of the "mat" has little nubs that grip your yoga mat. Constructed from polyester and nylon, Skidless® mats are machine washable and dryer-safe which means you can easily clean it between each workout.

We found the Skidless® mats at Chapters for $65.

Posted under Health & Wellness • Daily Stimuli •

What Do Mascara & Toothbrushes Have in Common?

Here in the Stimuli offices we think more about when to replace our tube of mascara than we do about when to replace our toothbrush.  Did you know that the Canadian Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3 months? Funny…that's the same recommendation as replacing your tube of mascara.  While most of us don't like to think about bacteria sitting on the tools we use on our eyes and in our mouth, the fact is that it builds up over time and replacing them regularly is very important. BUT…even though toothbrushes and mascara tubes seem small, the fact is that they are contributing to mounting waste in our landfills. So, what can we do?

Here's a Clean Idea™… Ecobrushes and Ecoflossers. This brand new line of eco-friendly toothbrushes and flossers are made using sustainable crops like wheat, corn, potatoes and tapioca. This 100% compostable bio-resin will biodegrade in 180 days in a commercial compost facility. Even if they go into the regular trash bin and into the landfill, they will still turn into organic material over time. Finally…a product that is good for you and good for the environment.

Clean Idea™ products are available at London Drugs, Shopper's Drug Mart and online at Lavish & Lime.

CLICK HERE FOR A $2 OFF COUPON.

Posted under Makeup & Beauty • Eco-Friendly • Health & Wellness • Daily Stimuli •