September brings with it a frenzy of activity. Don't get me wrong. I love this season; the majestic colours, the blue on blue skies, the fantastic food, cooling temperatures, and new beginnings. It represents a switching of the gears in every sense.

I’ve been spending my summer holidays with my young niece and nephews at a beach house our family owns. It’s been a reminder of what childhood means; the bumped knees, the laughter, the ice cream dropped, the occasional tears, and yes, the diapers. Most of all, these lazy days have brought back the glorious enthusiasm of the very young.

Canada's 150th birthday is this July 1. it seemed an apt time to wear my heart on my sleeve and embark on a very un-Canadian activity: showing off a little nationalistic pride. I do so love this country. Here are just a few reasons why.

On our honeymoon, my husband and I bought a framed poster entitled ‘Life’s Little Instructions’. We were in the fabulous city of New Orleans and the sweet, wise, timeless advice has been hanging on the bathroom wall of our cottage ever since. The author was never named, but it’s full of little zingers that make you go ‘hmmmm’.

When was the last time you pushed yourself to experiment and try something completely new? Something outside the box, something creative, something a tiny bit terrifying? We often forget the creative wonder of childhood and get caught up in adult lives that can be devoid of that magic spark. The doing of something, with your hands, just because.

While September can be invigorating and full of fresh starts, it can also be an exhausting avalanche of e-mails, new schedules, and a feeling that everything on that to-do list needs to get done yesterday. After crawling into bed several nights in a row in a worn out heap this week, I’ve been reflecting on the fact that a) I really should know better, b) I need to go back to the principles of finding balance.

The weather outside remains spectacular, and in these final days of summer, I find my mind wandering to less serious subjects… such as whether I should buy those great new boots for fall (yes!), that crazy last episode of Game of Thrones, and of course, a little light browsing material - or shall we say, eye candy. Before the full force of Real Life hits in September, it’s essential to revel in life’s lighter side.

Nowhere does deprivation set you up for failure like what we eat. This is the territory of crash diets, binge eating, and yo-yo weight loss and gain. We’re not wired for long-term denial, often of the very things we love best. And who wants to live like that anyway? Not me - and it’s doubtful you do either.

Here’s a secret: knowing yourself – your inherent likes and dislikes, personality, triggers, and limits – is the key to understanding your health. Like a fingerprint, your constitution is unique to you and it's one of the most important pieces of your wellness puzzle.

Mother’s Day is my favourite holiday of the year. Truly. Unlike other holidays, which can be fraught with spectacular spending or family drama, Mother’s Day is one big love-in. We all have mothers, or are mothers, or know mothers, and each and every one of us knows that mothers rock. Mothers are the unifying foundation of the human condition. They are at the heart of everything.

Aging is a process we are often resigned to as a slippery slope of encroaching aches and pains, wrinkles, and an inevitable ‘slowing down’. But what about those who completely buck this trend and defy all the odds? The outliers, the rebels, the genetically blessed. Those who just keep on trucking and ignore the cultural norms about what it is they are supposed to be doing.

Kindness may simple, but it isn’t always easy. We all have bad days, run afoul of grinchy people, and are sometimes a little grinchy ourselves. Nobody’s perfect. But we all know the people who embody kindness - they’re usually the same ones who move through their day with positivity and aplomb.

We each have a different version of the past two years, but it’s a fact we all jumped off a cliff into the unknown a very short while ago. We’re still trying to find our footing in this new landscape. No wonder we’re a bit wobbly.

The concept of a lending library is something most of us take for granted. Yet it’s extraordinarily rare for most Mexicans, especially those who live outside of large cities (and for many within cities as well). Enter the Tiny Library with a Big Heart.

While the present time in history may feel like an uphill slog, some of the cosmic goodies I’ve gleaned this past week may help to put it all into perspective.

Today is the Winter Solstice. The winter solstice predates modern religion as a celebration of the tipping point when the dark begins, by tiny increments, to give way to the light.

We’re all aware by now that our technology is both a blessing and a curse. The research shows that we’re on our screens more than ever – and our smart phones are SO smart they know they have us hooked. But what happens when we unplug, even for a little while?

Enter the era of brands that do so much more than offer an awesome product. These folks inspire, provide a unique twist, give back to local communities, and do good for the planet - all while crafting something you actually want to buy.

This year, New Zealand became the first country to phase out gross domestic product (GDP) as its main measure of success. The government, led by Prime Minister - and visionary - Jacinda Ardern, released a budget that aims to maximize well being instead.

When it comes to wellness, there’s plenty of buzz about doing what you love, finding your tribe, mindfulness, and living in the moment. We hear endless facts about diet and nutrition. We compare notes on the merits of crossfit, yoga, pilates, and spinning. What we rarely discuss is a simple walk in the woods.

September brings with it a frenzy of activity. Don't get me wrong. I love this season; the majestic colours, the blue on blue skies, the fantastic food, cooling temperatures, and new beginnings. It represents a switching of the gears in every sense.

I’ve been spending my summer holidays with my young niece and nephews at a beach house our family owns. It’s been a reminder of what childhood means; the bumped knees, the laughter, the ice cream dropped, the occasional tears, and yes, the diapers. Most of all, these lazy days have brought back the glorious enthusiasm of the very young.

Canada's 150th birthday is this July 1. it seemed an apt time to wear my heart on my sleeve and embark on a very un-Canadian activity: showing off a little nationalistic pride. I do so love this country. Here are just a few reasons why.

On our honeymoon, my husband and I bought a framed poster entitled ‘Life’s Little Instructions’. We were in the fabulous city of New Orleans and the sweet, wise, timeless advice has been hanging on the bathroom wall of our cottage ever since. The author was never named, but it’s full of little zingers that make you go ‘hmmmm’.

When was the last time you pushed yourself to experiment and try something completely new? Something outside the box, something creative, something a tiny bit terrifying? We often forget the creative wonder of childhood and get caught up in adult lives that can be devoid of that magic spark. The doing of something, with your hands, just because.

While September can be invigorating and full of fresh starts, it can also be an exhausting avalanche of e-mails, new schedules, and a feeling that everything on that to-do list needs to get done yesterday. After crawling into bed several nights in a row in a worn out heap this week, I’ve been reflecting on the fact that a) I really should know better, b) I need to go back to the principles of finding balance.

The weather outside remains spectacular, and in these final days of summer, I find my mind wandering to less serious subjects… such as whether I should buy those great new boots for fall (yes!), that crazy last episode of Game of Thrones, and of course, a little light browsing material - or shall we say, eye candy. Before the full force of Real Life hits in September, it’s essential to revel in life’s lighter side.