health and wellness

Feel More Energized with Blue Light, Naturally.

June 6, 2017 By Lena

I know you’ve been waiting for this.

Based on feedback from my previous post (and there’s A LOT of curiosity and excitement), you all want to know one thing:

“Does the Philips goLITE BLU energy light work? Do you feel more energized, Lena?”

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my answer – maybe too much time – because I want to answer completely and honestly as I always do. At first, I thought I’d write a list of pros and cons… but truthfully, there weren’t many cons. Then I thought I’d share snippets of my mood diary, which is by far the most convincing argument to go out and try the goLITE BLU. But in the end, I decided a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’ll just let you decide for yourself. Your question: Do you feel more energized, well rested and happier?

My answer:
It’s true, friends – I’m feeling on top of my game, on top of the world. And here’s why I think the Philips goLITE BLU had an important role to play. …

The Battle of the Holiday Bulge, and How to WIN.

November 4, 2015 By Lena

Now that we’ve established that Fall Body is a thing, it’s time to turn our attention to most magical time of year.

For every Christmas, turn, turn, turn.
There is a temptation, turn, turn, turn.
And a plate filled with cookies and holiday cheer.

Tell me: HOW can any self-loving woman resist all the splendours of the season? It’s almost impossible to turn down a glass of Irish cream on ice or a second helping of savoury stuffing. And please don’t judge the amount of baked goodies that I can consume without batting an eyelash. If there’s a time to create a Healthy Holidays plan, it’s now!

(Homemade salted caramels? Oh yeah, they’re also a thing chez Lena.)
Dessert-Moments1-662x1024 copy Today, I’m pleased to share some tried and true tips for managing your weight throughout the holidays. Some are common sense – like don’t overeat! – but for the times you do find yourself indulging a little too much and a little too often, there are ways to circumvent those added inches. …

Ste. Anne’s Spa: The Art of Chocolate

May 13, 2014 By Lena

By now, I hope you’ve read up on my Culinary Retreat at Ste. Anne’s Spa. Nestled in a private cottage just a stone’s throw away from the main inn, my husband and I enjoyed the many delights of the property, in addition to a private lesson with their celebrated Pastry Chef Khushroo Khambata.

Ste. Anne's Bakery Demo Interested in learning a few new culinary tips while you’re at Ste. Anne’s Spa? Join Pastry Chef Khushroo on Monday, Wednesday or Friday at the Bakery for a complimentary demonstration. The topics of these demonstrations vary from day-to-day, but could be on anything from moulding chocolates and bonbons, to creating marzipan fruits, to designing artistic sugar creations. On our visit, we made colourful handmade moulded chocolates. …

Gastropost: Ste. Anne’s Spa Dining Room Menu

April 19, 2014 By Lena

Indulge without the guilt; as a Canadian health spa, Ste. Anne’s believes in nourishing the body on all levels.

My recently Culinary Retreat at Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, ON was everything I could have imagined, and more. Nestled in a private cottage just a stone’s throw away from the main inn, my husband and I enjoyed the many delights of Ste. Anne’s Spa, in addition to a private lesson with their celebrated Pastry Chef Khushroo Khambata. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing my experience – everything from the accommodations to our chocolate-making triumph. Today’s entry is a gastropost dedicated to the sumptuous delights you’ll find at the main dining room.

Ste. Anne’s is an all-inclusive destination spa; whether you choose a day or overnight getaway, your stay will include at the minimum two culinary experiences in their dining room. For overnight guests, your stay includes a 4-course dinner, breakfast, 3-course lunch and afternoon tea.

“Relaxation would not be complete without taking care of the great appetite that develops during your stay at the spa. We have gone to great lengths to put together a dining experience that is both healthy and wholesome. You will notice that we don’t discuss calories or fat content on our menus. If your requirements are left wanting by our philosophy please feel free to ask the chef to prepare a special meal. The dress code in the dining room is very casual, be yourself, and be relaxed!

Our culinary team considers the healing powers of food for the body and soul when creating Ste. Anne’s breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Specifically designed to intrigue and delight, each dish generates a strong response from guests who appreciate the creativity while taking comfort in knowing that every ingredient is hand-selected after thorough consideration.”

Upon arriving at the spa, we were treated to the most delightful afternoon tea.

I highly recommend the Sampler Plate, which achieves the perfect balance between sweet and savoury. All baked goods are prepared fresh daily by Ste. Anne’s gluten free bakery, and although the menu has been created for simplicity, guests can feel free to choose their favourite items for a special, personalized plate.

Above: Smoked salmon pinwheel with a spinach flavoured wrap, fresh sprouts, herb and honey mustard; open-faced cucumber sandwich with sundried tomato cream cheese and fresh chopped herbs, served with havarti and old orange cheddar cheese, crackers and dried cranberries. …