Wednesday 15 May 2013

Learning to Dance


Until recently, I'd thought that being able to dance was an opportunity I'd missed out on.

Moving to music at a bar/club/wedding reception is simple enough, but learning and performing choreographed steps is pretty foreign to me. Apparently, I took dance when I was five and hated it. That was almost twenty years ago! People who dance are usually graceful, dramatic, and expressive, and I admire their confidence. An active life-style is healthy in so many ways; physically AND mentally.

With the exception of some swing-dance in high school, and a bit of belly dancing while living abroad, I haven't taken a dance class. I know my coordination is lacking, and I have no rhythm, but practice will improve that, right? When I was learning basic belly dance moves, I hula-hooped to get better. [Unfortunately, I failed at my 2008 New Years resolution to hula-hoop every day for the rest of my life].

A friend and I wanted to take a belly dance class this summer, but instead decided on a jazz class! If Britta on Community can take dance as an adult, why can't I? Maybe I'll be an awkward teapot as well one day.

[Side note: I purchased a leotard at American Apparel and found a neat way to reuse the sturdy brown bag that it came in; it makes an excellent storage container for my headbands, hair clips, scrunchies etc.]


At the first dance class, the enthusiastic instructor taught us foot positions/hand positions, stretching, and even a few dance moves [they had French names that I can't remember]. It was great to learn alongside other adults who had also recently discovered dance. The instructor even agreed to use songs from The Great Gatsby soundtrack in future classes, as myself and another student are big Gatsby fans. Though I often nervously forget where my feet are supposed to move, I will improve, and I'll have one less regret in life!

Saturday 11 May 2013

Pacifica Perfume




Are you looking for a safer perfume with fewer ingredients than the well-known brands?

Last week, I discovered Pacifica roll-on perfume at a natural health store.  Pacifica is a brand that sells a variety of unique scents (i.e.: Tuscan Blood Orange, Brazilian Mango Grapefruit) and classic scents (i.e.: Sandalwood). They are delightfully accurate, but not over-powering.

There are 14 scents available online. Each 10ml bottle sells for $12 + tax + shipping (for Canadians). Pacifica is an American company, based in Portland, Oregon.

I purchased the California Star Jasmine scent from a local retailer, and while jasmine is the most noticeable aroma, it also has a hint of orange and "faint driftwood." I've been using it daily, and I'm quit impressed. While the scent is not as long-lasting as other perfumes, there are fewer ingredients, which is definitely a positive.



Ingredients: Alcohol denatured (natural grain), parfum (Pacifica's own fragrance blend with natural and essential oils), aqua.

The perfume is 100% vegan and is not tested on animals. It is also "free of parabens, phthalates, and propylene glycol." Pacifica donates to "clean water" projects, and manufactures its perfumes in the U.S.A.

At first, as a celiac, I was concerned about the "natural grain" content (could this mean barley, or even wheat?). I called Pacifica. The lady who answered was very friendly, and confirmed that the grain is corn, and that all of Pacifica's perfumes are gluten free. However, I'm still curious about the "blend of natural and essential oils," as the ingredients could be listed more specifically. While I recommend this perfume, remember that even natural products can cause allergies in some individuals. If you have any questions about the ingredients, call: 1-800-866-337-7100, or email Pacifica at customerservice@pacificaperfume.com.

Have you tried Pacifica before? Share your thoughts.

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Kanchanjangha Organic Green Tea


Last Christmas, I received a lot of tea. This one really stood out; it is not only an eco-fair-trade product sold in a Nepalese purse - it gave me a new love for green tea (must be the lemongrass?). I decided to further research the story behind the product to share with you.

Kanchanjangha Tea (KTE) is grown in the hills below Mount Kanchanjangha in Nepal, and is the result of farmers forming a cooperative in the mid-1980s. The Chairman, farmer Deepak Prakash Bashkota, was key in organizing this initiative, and the products are now available in 13 countries. The fair-trade certified organic tea plantation provides jobs for locals, and the farmers are technically "owners," as KTE is a cooperative.

Here KTE provides a basic timeline that begins with planting and ends with brewing so that the consumer better understands the process. Wouldn't it be lovely if all companies did this?

The website also includes photos of their products (a variety of tea, spices, organic juices). There is an order form online, though the products are also distributed through a Canadian whole-saler.

I asked my mother where she purchased the tea: someone was selling it as a fundraiser. On the tea purse, there was a sticker that read "Eco Fair Trading Ltd." I did some further investigating (read: googling), and learned that this is the name of a wholesale company that imports eco-friendly products from abroad. On their site, they have downloadable pdf information catalogues for; retailers who want to sell Eco Fair Trading Ltd. products, consumers who want to find a store, and groups who wish to fundraise.

Even if you aren't a retailer, check out the wholesale catalogue to see other eco fair-trade products imported by the company. I definitely recommend the tea!

Here is the information sheet that came with the Green Tea w/Lemongrass. Quote: "Organic tea provides freshness to the body and mind."

According to the website, the plantation is open to visitors (if you happen to be in the Himalayas).