Author: Alec

As the weather warms up, I find my appetite cooling down!!
How so, do you ask?
Well, I’m no longer yearning for warm, hearty, heavy meals that our bodies often desire in those cold wintery months when our innate animal instincts compel us into hibernation mode. As the temperature has shifted, so have my cravings. I am currently looking forward to the various types of salads that a wide array of restaurants offer, with cranberries, candied pecans, kale, mandarin segments, strawberries, or more traditional salads such as Caesar, with crisp iceberg lettuce and croutons. These can be topped with grilled salmon or chicken breast for our protein intake, and dressed with flavours ranging from raspberry balsamic, to sesame soy. Just the thought of the range of possibilities available makes my mouth water. Healthy “bowl” options are now also popping up, which can have favourites such as avocado, sour cream, and choice of protein added. 
And the list, as well as the spectrum of options goes on, and on, and on…….
Much to our taste buds’ sense of adventure’s delight!!

Restaurants are definitely upping their ante when it comes to healthy choices, but what if our preference is to eat at home? Grocery stores have started catering to a number of ethnicity when it comes to produce, spices, sauces, as well as choice of carbohydrates. “Smart” pasta, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, quinoa, naan bread, roti wraps, not to mention an entire array of different types of breads, are often freshly baked on grocery store premises.
There are also many different kinds of specialty stores catering to diverse tastes, such as Whole Foods, TnT, Fortino’s, Grande Cheese, in addition to the diversity that Longo’s, Sobey’s, and even No Frills offer these days.

Whether eating in or out, I encourage you to widen your palate’s horizons, and experiment with the delicious diversification we are privileged to experiencing living in the GTA.

Yes, I understand that waking up can be one of the hardest things to do in a day. You feel drowsy, sleepy and wanting to shoot the sun down, especially if you partied too late the night before. You are desperate for a cup of espresso coffee or a cold shower. But we all know some people waking up at 5 every morning, and feeling energetic the whole day. How did they do it? Is there a better way for them to wake up, giving them energy and health? Well, some morning exercises can help! Let’s see what they do.

Outdoor jogging

This can be a great opportunity to connect with the nature. And nature isn’t on Facebook, your connection won’t be built unless you go outdoors and embrace it. Surely warm sunshine, fresh air, and early birds singing will offer you some morning refreshments. Giving you a touch of nature treatment, jogging also helps you to build stronger bones and heart, which improves your health. And of course, you can time yourself and control the distance according to your fitness program.

Yoga

Stretching exercises are great for muscle toning and also preventing arthritis. And yoga is one of the best workout to stretch your body part. Think about it, how many times in the morning does your brain feel awaken and your body doesn’t? A thirty minutes yoga workout helps you to stretch every part of your body and gently awake them. And it gives you enough time to think of a healthy breakfast recipe for yourself and your family. (Recommended morning yoga pose: Balancing Table Pose)

Squats & Pushups

If you are into some more intense morning exercises, you can try squats and pushups, which involve most of your body major muscles and don’t require any equipment. You can easily do them in your bedroom. Try 15*2 squats and 10*3 pushups, if you are a beginner, and gradually build it up.

Jumping Jacks

Stand with feet together, then jump while spreading your arms and legs. Return to the first position and keep going— this is a very easy and useful exercise, which definitely wakes you up in a few minutes. And it’s a great workout for cardiovascular health, also your leg muscles. You can start doing these for 1 minute per set, and 3 sets every morning. I’m sure you will feel the difference!

Studies have shown that morning exercises are beneficial for reducing blood pressure, boosting brain power, and even bringing you a good mood for the whole day. So why not give it a try? And if you have your own best ways to wake up, please share your morning routine with us!

Stay with Street Chic for more fashion and style ideas!

ust as John Paul Young sings “Love is in the air’, the feeling that “Spring is in the air” has been festering within us as Winter in the GTA continues to tease us with its on-again/off-again emergence!

I do believe, however, that we are seeing the final remnants of the brisk, frigid weather as the sun has been shining and the days have been longer.

The longer days and more sunshine make us feel good on multiple levels: mentally, physically, and emotionally. It’s amazing to know that what we attribute as “winter blues” is an actual ‘thing’ called ‘seasonal affective disorder’, or appropriately so: SAD.

The Mayo Clinic (topped ranked hospital in the US) describes, fall and winter SAD symptoms as follows:

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression, may include:

·Irritability

·Tiredness or low energy

·Problems getting along with other people

·Hypersensitivity to rejection

·Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs

·Oversleeping

·Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates

·Weight gain

How many of us have felt any or all of these?  Well good news is ahead for each of us!!!
Much to look forward to with Spring weather: elevated emotions; lighter clothing; spring salads; longer days, meaning more sunshine, and more time to spend with people we love, doing things we love!!
So go out and ENJOY!!

Okay…..be honest! Are you 100% satisfied with your health as it is RIGHT now?

This is the question I answered for myself a couple of weeks ago, and the harsh truth of the matter was that I am NOT 100% satisfied. Yes, of course I console myself through the self talk of: “I don’t look that bad”, “If I chose the ‘right’ clothing, my lumps and bumps will remain hidden”, “For goodness’ sake, you’ve had kids, give yourself a break!!” Yet in my heart of hearts I know what I truly want. It’s not even about size: it’s about me feeling good about myself; feeling strong; feeling toned; feeling energized; and not giving myself excuses and “outs”!

I used to attend yoga classes every week, what happened?  Oh yes- a conflicting job schedule. Well now I have decided that my commitment will be to me and my health.

Spring for me is a time of freshness, rebirth, revitalization, and rejuvenation of our minds, bodies, and spirits. With the longer days and extra sunshine, my mind and spirit have experienced elation. That left my body. As someone who believes in mind, body, spirit alignment, I felt and KNEW (as much as I wished to deny it!!), that I had to do something for my body. So I started the 30-day ABS Challenge (picture below).

In addition,  I re- started to do 2-10 complete sun salutation routines every day. Of course I wanted to see the results, not just feel the soreness, the next day, but like anything, a toned body takes time. I am now on day 7 and believe me; I have had a day or two already where I have wanted to stop!! But you’ll be happy to hear that I haven’t, I have persevered and gotten to the point where it feels good to be doing the stretches, crunches, and even the leg lifts!!

 
I invite you to start something your future self with thank you for.

Spring is in the air, and asking our minds, bodies, and spirits to come into alignment with each other.  What are YOU going to take on and commit to today?

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Looking for a comfortable corner, bathed in lazy sunshine, and one or two friends together to enjoy the perfect afternoon time.

I always have a lot of expectations for the afternoon time. Imagine after lunch, I came out of the restaurant and crossed a path, then saw the Piazza Navona was covered with slate. Three fountains decorated with marble sculptures bathed in the sun. People leisurely enjoy the afternoon time in the cafe on both sides of the square. Like a scene in a movie.

I sat down and ordered a glass of Champagne under the umbrella of the open-air bistro opposite the street. Looking at the pedestrians coming and going, as if the moment slow down, and then until the rest. Although the crowd is noisy, gave me a good feeling of time.

Toronto’s street style never fails to use its magical power to impress and inspire me. I guess that’s the reason we are doing this: style is where imaginations and items transform into unique styles and fashion. The deeper we hunt, the more interesting and impressive we find the street styles are, especially in a city where diversity is the combined in its blood and bones.

Street Chic will start from Toronto, explore deeper and wider to bring you the best and most unique street styles. So stay tuned and explore with Street Chic!

How do the longer days make you feel? How do they influence what you want to wear? What colours are you drawn to? What about the fabrics; textures; prints? Do we consciously even think about these “details” as we transition from one season to another, or do the boots and coats gradually get hidden from view and replaced with sandals, light jackets, and sweaters?

Let me share with you how the longer days make me feel!

I feel physically freer. I feel like I can do more things as the sun continues to shine until 8pm, and I can stay out later. In the mornings, when I’m selecting what to wear, my eyes naturally go towards the lighter, flowy, bright coloured items in my closet.

I blame the retail stores for getting us mentally prepared a couple of months prior to the appropriate weather actually getting here. After Christmas they are quick to showcase newly designed items in pretty shades of pastels, turquoises, and terracotta. And we can’t help but succumb as we shop our way to happiness in the anticipation of bright, sunny, warm days when we will be able to wear our purchases!!

Humans have a tendency to live the saying “it’s about the journey and not the destination”, so why not enjoy the scenery of new designs, colours, and styles as we journey into the spring season. And…. I would even suggest that you take the striking panoramic route which will provide exposure to different designers as we have access to what the entire planet has to offer through the World Wide Web, as well as the convenience of living in a diverse, multicultural city such as Toronto right at our door steps.

WHERE the city’s ceaseless crowd moves on, the live-long day,

Withdrawn, I join a group of children watching—I pause aside with them.

By the curb, toward the edge of the flagging,

A knife-grinder works at his wheel, sharpening a great knife;

Bending over, he carefully holds it to the stone—by foot and knee,

With measur’d tread, he turns rapidly—As he presses with light but firm hand,

Forth issue, then, in copious golden jets,

Sparkles from the wheel.

The scene, and all its belongings—how they seize and affect me!

The sad, sharp-chinn’d old man, with worn clothes, and broad shoulder-band of leather;

Myself, effusing and fluid—a phantom curiously floating—now here absorb’d and arrested;

The group, (an unminded point, set in a vast surrounding;)

The attentive, quiet children—the loud, proud, restive base of the streets;

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,

Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,

Sparkles from the wheel.

Kendall Jenner is the quintessential cool girl. Known for being the most laid-back and down-to-earth of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, the 21-year-old supermodel is known for her perfect off-duty street style. True to her nature, Jenner keeps things clean and simple when it comes to her accessories, yet she somehow manages to put together impeccable looks that keep us guessing.

On Her Face

You can almost always catch Jenner with a chic pair of tinted sunglasses protecting her beautiful brown eyes as she struts down the street. Sunglasses are her signature accessory when it comes to adding a little something extra to her outfit and completing her look in the most effortless way. Her typical choices include the classic aviator, the flirty cat-eye, and her favourite Krewe sunglasses.

In Her Hand

Ever the modern it-girl, Jenner can often be seen on the streets with her phone in her hand, opting to go bag-less. When she does choose to carry a bag, you can usually see her with a simple clutch, a no-nonsense cross-body, or her favourite go-to black Givenchy with a quirky Fendi pom-pom charm. Her small handbag choices prove that Jenner likes to travel light and stick to the basics.

Around Her Neck

A self-proclaimed tomboy, Jenner isn’t one to adorn herself with the traditional diamonds and pearls like her sisters. Instead, she often opts for a chic neck scarf to flow seamlessly with the rest of her look or to provide a statement pop of colour. Always on-trend, Jenner also rocks the modern choker necklace with ease, whether it’s in leather, velvet, or silver. Achieve the same look with some simple, classic, minimalistic jewelry.

Photos from: Harper’s Bazaar