Linds and Katie

Have you ever noticed how much plastic is used in our grocery stores? No really.. a plastic bag for every. single. piece of produce. Then plastic grocery bags to carry them out to the car. Not to mention plastic bags inside sealed cardboard boxes just for.. added protection? There are many ways to reduce plastic use while grocery shopping such as 1) Using reusable bags for carryout and produce 2) Choosing more eco-friendly packaging i.e. cardboard and glass instead of plastic 3) Buying in bulk to reduce packaging and store food in containers at home 4) Plan more plant-based meals and pick produce that's not wrapped in plastic you can wash them at home

Going along with our recent chats about SAD, lack of sunlight in the winter and mental health... we want to emphasize the importance of EXERCISE. A study by Vina et al. (2012) stated that exercise has such powerful psychological effects that they believe that it should be prescibed by a physician like a drug Not only is exercise beneficial for physical health, reducing likelihood of developing a variety of disorders, but also for mental health Exercise releases endorphins that are linked with mood state changes, exercise-induced euphoria, altered pain perception and responses to stress hormones. Whether it's walking outside or hitting the gym, we encourage you add more exercise to your list of resolutions for the new year

Is that... a pimple... by my lip? Is it... oh no, not a cold sore. Cold sores are the WOAT They last forever, they hurt, they're unsightly and best of all... everyone comments about you having HERPES Ugh. Anyone else just want to call in sick for the next two weeks? Fear not, we have a remedy that will stop the cold sore in its tracks: oregano oil! Yep, this anti-viral oil attacks the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1 aka cold sore virus), stopping the progression of the cold sore. Apply to the affected area with a cotton swab at least twice daily. It will sting upon application but we assure you this method is LINDS APPROVED If it's too painful, dilute the oregano oil with a carrier oil like jojoba, olive or coconut oil. And remember, don't touch it or kiss anyone until it's completely gone!

Happy New Year! While we take the time to reflect on how to become the "best version of ourselves" for 2019, we'd like to remind you to set *specific* goals to attain, as opposed to broader ones like "eat healthy". It'll make your goals much easier to stick to! Dieting is often a target for the new year, but instead of cutting foods out, we urge you to replace or add foods in. Remember, the idea is to fuel your body with the good stuff, not feel restricted and lef...t with cravings Here are some ideas: 1) Eat one plant-based meal per day 2) Replace one sugary food with a healthier alternative i.e. a cookie for a piece of dark chocolate 3) Attend the farmers market once a month and ask the vendors their favourite ways to prepare their local veggies 4) Eat fruit with each breakfast... Try to make your goals positive, "do this" statements as rules to follow as opposed to promoting restrictive behaviours. See more

Family gatherings, dinner parties.. who else is feeling a little stuffed this holiday season? With so much yummy food around, it's hard to pass up a second plate But oftentimes, these group meals lead to lots of food leftover. Food waste is a huge issue in North America, with about 873lbs of food getting thrown out in Canada per year per person (915 lbs in the US), accoring to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation So how can we avoid this? 1) Bring your own contain...ers to take home leftovers! 2) Compost uneaten food so it gets disposed of properly and doesn't contribute to GHG emissions. 3) Eat mindfully our eyes are often bigger than our stomachs You can always go back for more! 4) Donate edible leftover food (not scraps) to a local soup kitchen, but be sure to contact them beforehand to see if they can take what you're offering. See more