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.

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.

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.

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.

Here at Stimuli Magazine, we usually bring our fun shopping finds to you each weekday. Today we thought we'd share something a little different. Don't worry it's still great, it's still local and it takes place at a spa, but it doesn't go home with you in a shopping bag.

Partnering with Spa Utopia, Life Designs Coaching and Consulting has created a series of classes taught by certified nutritionists that offer real, approachable ways to eat right, for life. We know that the New Year's Resolutions to eat better and get more exercise are great goals, but sometimes it is putting things into practice that becomes the hurdle.

The available programs include Eat Right For Life, which teaches the key ingredients to healthy eating, identifying the foods that are good for you and provides easy meal planning secrets. We love that none of it includes DIETING, because after all, we love to eat. Andrea and her team have also created a program, Eat Right, From the Start, for parents to work through what to feed their 1 to 5 year olds; and new for 2011, how to Eat Right to Grow Right for 5 to 12 year olds.

"Andrea's class was ideal for any who wants a practical, down to earth approach to maintaining motivation on a day to day basis."  Lora

The workshops are offered in three parts and are taking place at the Spa Utopia locations in Langley, North Vancouver and at the PanPacific, downtown Vancouver location.

Our Life Through Kristine's Eyes columnist, Kristine Carrick is testing the waters and announced earlier this week that she will be writing about the good, bad and ugly parts of staying on the eat well, be active journey. She will be taking part in the upcoming Eat Right For Life series.

One lucky Stimuli reader will win a FREE class of her choice in the Eat Right For Life series at the Spa Utopia location in Langley. For a chance to win, simply post your comments on this editorial. Winner will be announced on Wednesday, February 2, 2011.