Join Thegoodshopper.net / Reviews / beauty

Massage

orangetree — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:01:18 GMT

Did you ever get a gift certificate that gave you a peek at heaven?

I got a gift certificate for a massage about a year ago. Due to the fact that it was about to expire I had to get to the Studio and cash it in.

I had absolutely no idea what was about to happen to me. Soft music, dim lights, scented oil, and I was being pummeled. It was great!. An entire hour, my foot, my legs, my back, my arms, were being squeezed. Oh, I could have moved in. It was a fantastic feeling

Did you know Mrs.Chiang Kai-shek, the wife of the former Head of the Chinese Nationalist Government, used to have massages daily. In my dreams, I wish, just once a week.

Highly recommend April @ unihealth 206 --170 The Don Way West North York 416-391-5822 You will be thankful.

Quick Weight Loss tips

penny — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:13:09 GMT

Here is how to lower the energy density of your diet so you can eat more without increasing your calories.

Switch to soups :You will find that even creamy soups and rich stews have lower energy than many foods. Many hospitals recommend a huge vegetable soup ( including cabbage) for weight loss.

Add Bulk: By adding vegetables to pasta or casseroles or more vegies to a salad lowers the energy density. I personally have lost a pound a day by having soup and salad for lunch and supper. And shreddies with soy milk, and an orange with 2 scoops of cottage cheese for breakfast.

Beat your food: Smoothies and shakes will fill you up longer the longer they are whipped.

Substitute: Switch to low fat dressings, cheeses and cooking oil in recipes. I have not had regular dressing or butter in my house for years. And nobody has noticed. I also cut the oil in recipes by half. My sister inlaw taught me to crumble feta cheese , a small piece, (a tsp for a salad to feed 4. If your really serious you can just use lemon juice for your vegetables.

more tips, use small dishes, makes the food appear enormous

orig source.health journal wsj

Hair

tarannum — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:46:49 GMT

I have found a great place in Richmondhill. The salon is called Framar salon. It is located on Yonge st between Hwy 7 and 16th ave.

Michelle does my hair and she is brilliant.

the # for the salon is 905 881 1151.

Beauty tips

Administrator — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:50:47 GMT

The only beauty tips I can suggest is to put sliced cucumbers on your eyes to remove bags, and to use mashed avocado for a facial. I prefer to use them in salads.

When you drain yogurt to make yogurt cheese, the liquid whey that drains off can be added to your bath water. I prefer to bake with it!

You can see that I prefer to eat my food and let it do its beauty work from the inside!

Norene

Norene Gilletz, Cookbooks, Culinary Solutions Gourmania Inc., Toronto , Canada Tel: 416-226-2466 Fax: 416-226-2512 Toll-Free Order Line: 1-888-811-9866

http://www.gourmania.com ... just click to flip through my books!

Email goodfood@gourmania.com for your food label and nutrient analysis needs.

yoga-meditation

annabelle — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:51:21 GMT

How do you quiet your mind, raise your energy, & be at peace?

This week I began a ten week session in yoga-conscious meditation by Zahra Haji, yoga-goddess. These are based on Louise Hays teachings from "you can heal your life".

The group met at the new roots studio on Yonge St. In a contemporary, and appropriately tranquil setting we were told to sit on cushions. Picture about 20, 25-40 year old men and women sitting with their legs crossed, and spines ruler straight, in a dimly lit studio, chanting Indian "mantras". It's a surreal experience.

After two hours of mostly closed eyes, and focused exercises, you discover that you are less tense, and unexplainably relaxed. You are amazed at how clearly your thinking even though you have been up now 15 hours. You actually find your shoes,coat, the elevator, and your car without help. Surprisingly you are able to think clearly. My drive home was the most productive " think work" that I had done in over a month. Just my opinion.

For those meditation students who had come you will agree with me that we are "the good shopper".

PS.I teach ' problem solving skills". I think I have discovered new material for my classes.

iam@yoga-goddess.ca
Dates: Wednesday May 7th - June 25
Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: Roots Yoga Studio -
1073 Yonge Street (Rosedale subway)

vegetables

Julie — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:43:02 GMT

This morning I spent $37.96 at Highland Farms (416-736-6606)

I bought: grape tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, japanese egg plants, romaine lettuce, celery, zucchini, snap peas, green beans, squash, watercress, parsnips, bunch of parsley,onions, potatoes, honey dew, oranges, tangelos, a lemon, & pears. This is fruit and vegetables for a weeks worth of groceries. It will give us ; salad,a soup, a dessert, and a side dish for at least 7 dinners and some lunches for 2 people. so 38 divided by 2=19 divided by 7= less than $3.00 a meal.

((This will give me egg plant soup, butternut squash & pear soup, vegetable soup. Follow with large tossed salad at every meal. AND side dishes, of green beans, snap peas, parsley potatoe, and a zuchini pudding. Dessert will be fresh fruit at each meal.))

NOW thats a good shopper. Highland Farms 4750 Dufferin Street. The quality and freshness will amaze you. More stores Ellesmere, Lawrence/Bennet, Matheson, Rutherford/400

You are supposed to eat 8 servings of fruits/vegetables a day.

perhaps this will help http://www.recipesource.com should lead you to other recepe sources. Here is the recepe I use for the squash soup.

Title: APPLE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP...( I use pears)
Yield: 8 servings

3 tb Unsalted Butter( or margerine)
1 lg Onion, chopped
2 tb Curry Powder
2 1/2 c Chicken Broth
3 lb Butternut Squash, peeled,
Seeded and cubed (8 cups)
21 oz Granny Smith Apples,(or pears) peeled,
Cored, and chopped (3 cups)
Salt and Pepper
2 1/2 c Chicken Broth (could be water)
1 tb Fresh Parsley, chopped, or
1 tb Fresh Cilantro, chopped

In a large heavy pot, melt butter over medium heat.
Add onions and saute until translucent, about 5
minutes. Add curry powder . Mix well.
Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in 2 1/2
cups chicken broth, squash, apples, and salt and
pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover
and simmer 30-45 minutes until squash is very tender,
stirring occasionally.

Strain soup, reserving liquid. Puree vegetables in a
food processor in several batches. In same pot,
combine vegetable puree, reserved cooking liquid,
and 2 1/2 cups chicken broth. Bring just to
simmering. Ladle soup into warm bowls. Garnish with
parsley.

Source: Victoria Magazine, January 1994 adjusted- cream removed

moisturizer

Administrator — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:10:03 GMT

BURT'S BEES, a product review.Radiance Day Creme, Give your face the royal treatment every day.

Having led a typical mothers life for the last twenty years,I have neglected myself.As you all know for most mothers sucess is if one can brush one's teeth in the morning and at night. You can just guess what condition my face is in, not getting any nourishment externally.

Recently I tried Burt's Bees day cream. I'd like to tell you how wonderful it is. After 4 days of use,my skin appears soft, and uniform in colour. This is fantastic. If your searching for a moisturizer that is great,this definately gets my vote. It is very light, non greasy and absorbs quite rapidly. AND is reasonable.

How to Eat the Foods you Love & Still Lose Weight

penny — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:59:19 GMT

THIGHS OF REGRET

The holidays are a time to indulge, relax, and eat, but sometimes we eat too much, and hence we get 'thighs of regret.' Before you know it, a new year has come, and the desire to get fit and healthy can be overwhelming. However, there is no need to push yourself away from the table in fear of growing to the size of a watermelon. Instead, dedicate your new year to eating healthier. Set realistic goals, and don't let a lapse become a relapse!

It is also important to get moving, because exercise is an essential ingredient in successful weight management. It increases your metabolism, improves your mood, reduces stress, helps control food cravings, and improves blood-glucose levels.

To help build and maintain muscles, why not try kitchen aerobics? Lift that pot, tote that garbage pail, chop those veggies and you won't fail!

With NORENE'S HEALTHY KITCHEN, eating healthier could not be easier... or tastier. There are over 600 fast and fabulous recipes to help you stay on track. Here are a few sample recipes from my latest cookbook, so please enjoy them in good health!

RECIPES

APPLE-TASTIC APPLE MUFFINS
Source: Norene's Healthy Kitchen

Here is an 'app-solutely' healthy and delicious recipe for Apple Muffins. This recipe is guaranteed to keep you and your family eating healthy in the new year! Special thanks to Sue Devor, former owner of Sweet Sue’s Pastries in Toronto , for sharing her yummy recipe. In keeping with the tradition of trying to eat right in the new year, I modified her recipe by lowering the fat, adding whole wheat flour, and making a lighter topping. These muffins are moist and marvelous, and you can indulge without feeling guilty. Remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Topping:
1 Tbsp oil or melted tub margarine
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp flour (whole wheat or all-purpose)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Batter:
3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk
1 large or 2 small apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line the compartments of a muffin pan with paper liners (or spray with cooking spray).

2. In a medium bowl or a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the ingredients for the topping. Mix until crumbly; transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

3. In a large bowl or a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the brown sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla. Mix well or process for 1 minute, until well blended. Combine the flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; add to the egg mixture along with the yogurt. Just stir together—don’t beat. (Or process with quick on/off pulses, just until combined.) Stir in the apples with a rubber spatula.

4. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling each compartment about two thirds full. Sprinkle evenly with reserved topping. Bake at 325°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and the tops spring back when touched.

Yield: 12 muffins. Freezes well for up to 3 months (if you’re quick enough)!

164 calories per muffin, 24.7 g carbohydrate, 1.6 g fiber, 3 g protein, 6.5 g fat (0.6 g saturated), 18 mg cholesterol, 133 mg sodium, 101 mg potassium, 1 mg iron, 44 mg calcium.

SOUP’S ON! SPLIT PEA & PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SOUP
Source: Norene's Healthy Kitchen

Here is a terrific soup that’s easy to prepare and is sure to warm you up on a cold day. Deena Grossman of Richmond Hill , ON called me to say she loved this recipe. It’s “lick the spoon” good!

This decadent, velvety soup is full of fiber and flavor. My walking partner, Frieda Wishinsky, uses shallots rather than garlic in her cooking because they add another dimension of flavor. Frieda, a children’s book author, refers to herself as “The Lady of Shallots.” I’m sure Lord Tennyson would have poetic praise for her heavenly soup.

1 cup dried green split peas, rinsed and drained
5 cups water
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 Tbsp canola or olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 medium shallots (about 1/2 cup chopped)
2 cups sliced Portobello mushrooms (about 5 mushrooms)
1 medium carrot, chopped
1/4 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
1 tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Combine the split peas, water, and broth in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 35 minutes.

2. While the peas are cooking, heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the onion, shallots, and mushrooms, and sauté until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat and cook slowly until the onion has caramelized, about 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Add the onion mixture to the peas. Add the carrot and simmer 15 minutes longer or until tender. Stir in the paprika and remove from heat to let cool slightly.

4. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup while still in the pot or purée in batches in a blender or food processor. If too thick, add a little water or broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Yield: 4 to 5 servings (about 7 cups). Keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator; reheats well. Freezes well for up to 4 months. If too thick, add a little water when reheating.

123 calories per cup, 19.6 g carbohydrate, 6.7 g fiber, 7 g protein, 2.4 g fat (0.2 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 411 mg sodium, 376 mg potassium, 1 mg iron, 26 mg calcium

Variations

• Use a combination of split peas and lentils. You can use either green or yellow split peas.

• Cook 1/4 cup pearl barley, rinsed and drained, along with peas and/or lentils. Or substitute barley for half the peas. This makes a thicker soup, so thin as needed with additional broth.

• No shallots? Use 2 or 3 cloves garlic. Shallots look like small elongated onions, with a garlic flavor. When peeled, they divide into cloves like garlic.

• Instead of portobellos, try shiitake, oyster, or button mushrooms, or a combination of these.

Nutrition Notes

• Split peas are a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with protein, fiber, and vitamin C, they also contain iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Both green and yellow split peas have a low glycemic index (32). Soaking before cooking isn’t necessary. A thorough rinsing in a colander is sufficient. When cooked, split peas break down to make a thick, satisfying soup.

SAUCY MEXICAN CHICKEN

Source: Healthy Helpings (formerly titled MealLeaniYumm!)

Fast and fabulous! My long-time friend, Phyllis Levy, makes this using fresh pineapple. To boost the fiber, try the version below made with kidney or black beans!

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut in 1-inch chunks
2 1/2 cups chunky salsa (mild, medium or hot)
14 oz (398 ml) can pineapple tidbits, drained (see Note below)
2 tsp mustard
5 to 6 drops Tabasco sauce, if desired
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Sweetener to equal 1 tbsp sugar or honey (see Note below)
12 oz can (341 ml) corn niblets, drained

Combine all ingredients except corn in a bowl; mix well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Transfer to a large skillet and heat on medium, until bubbling. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce has reduced and is thickened. Add corn and cook 5 minutes longer, until piping hot. Serve over rice.

Yield: 6 servings. Reheats and/or freezes well.

241 calories per serving, 3.5 g fat (0.9 g saturated), 73 mg cholesterol, 30 g protein, 22 g carbohydrate, 553 mg sodium, 477 mg potassium, 2 mg iron, 4 g fiber, 78 mg calcium.

Variations

• You can use 1 cup of apricot jam instead of pineapple tidbits, but omit sweetener.

• Pasta Fasta Fiesta: Omit pineapple. Simmer a 19 oz (540 ml) can of red kidney or black beans, drained and rinsed, with chicken/salsa mixture. Perfect with penne or fettuccine.

TOP OF PAGE

SPECIAL REPORT: The Portion Plan

How to Eat the Foods you Love & Still Lose Weight
By Linda Gassenheimer

Experts agree: if you want to lose weight and keep it off, forget fad diets - just choose the right portions of the right foods. The Portion Plan by Linda Gassenheimer offers a simple and practical overview of portion control. Gassenheimer is a best-selling cookbook author, TV and radio personality. Her syndicated column, Dinner in Minutes, is read by more than 4 million readers each week and she has written for several national publications including Prevention Magazine and Cooking Light.

Her latest book, The Portion Plan, does more than tell readers about the life-extending benefits of portion control. It actually shows dozens of actual-sized photographs of good and bad portions for the most common foods. This helpful book will show you how to lose weight simply by controlling your portion size. Here are some helpful tips from her book:

• Be Plate Wise: Food used to be served on a 10 inch plate, but plates have grown 2 inches or more. Learn to corral your calories in a 6-inch bowl or 10-inch plate and you'll control your waistline at the same time.

• Get Drink Savvy: Save large 12-oz. glasses for water ONLY.

• Avoid Calorie Confusion: Learn to make wise food choices and balance your plate with lean protein, whole grains, and vegetables. Learn to differentiate between the good, the bad, and the ugly!

• Eyeball your portions: Learn how to eyeball correct-sized portions of meat and poultry, fish, dairy, vegetables, and fruit and you can start to make clever food substitutions to suit your own tastes.

The Portion Plan is available at Chapters.Indigo | Amazon

from ...Norene Gilletz, Cookbooks, Culinary Solutions
Gourmania Inc., Toronto , Canada
Tel: 416-226-2466 Fax: 416-226-2512

Dance Workshop with Tzabia Siegel

annabelle — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:51:42 GMT

I attended Tzabia 's class about a year ago. It was absolutely fantastic. This was highly recommended to me. AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it to you.

*****************************************************************************

Moving Space Dance Workshop with Tzabia Siegel

March 15th, 7:30 – 9pm. Cost is $15 advance, $20 at the door.

(no dance experience needed)

Maximum 24 people

Moksha Yoga Danforth Studio

372A Danforth Avenue (at Chester subway)

Love to dance but don't think you are good at it?

Want to move and express yourself more freely?

Need to get 'out of your head' and get more into your body?

Looking for a powerful tool for letting go of negative emotions?

Yearning to completely let go and dance wild in a safe and supportive community?

Breath, movement and sound have an inherent power to change the way you feel and think. When you get stuck in routine patterns of movement, you are likely to be stuck in routine patterns of thought. So if you are looking for a way to move your body that breaks the norm, never follows a routine, encourages you to release what holds you back and frees up space in your mind, then join Tzabia for this high energy workshop.

Moving Space draws on the principles of RIDE - Rhythm, Impulse, Design and Edge and uses music from around the world. You will be lead to recognize the impulses of your own body, to follow your own steps and to dance as wildly as you wish.
The possibility is that you will come away from this workshop with greater presence in the moment, an energized body and a freer mind.

To Register - call the studio at 416-778-7744

. There is a limit of 24 people so sign up as early as you can. Feel free to call (416-826-6530) or email me for more info.

Tzabia Siegel, BAPhEd, CHN is a Life Coach, Nutritionist, Weight Loss Specialist, movement educator and artist. She has been using creative movement as a catalyst for transformation in her clients, workshop participants, and herself for 20 years. After an intimidating stint of trying to learn to dance ballet and jazz at the Y 22 years ago, she gave up on following other people's steps and started dancing alone in her room and then for 15 years studied authentic movement, mime, contact improv, Gabrielle Roth's 5 sacred rhythms, yoga and tai chi.

Tzabia Siegel, BAPhEd, CHN

Freedom from Dieting

www.freefromdieting.com

The Food Coach

www.foodcoach.ca

(416)826-6530

Great makeup, good for you and good for the earth

bluejay — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:30:49 GMT

As someone who never wears makeup, I didn't have the first place to start when thinking about where to buy some lipstick.

First of all, I didn't want any lipstick, I want a gloss with a little bit of tint.

After visiting the body shop many times for soap, I thought I would go in and browse on a work break. I found that they have a large selection of makeup and the sales girl was very helpful in showing me the many different levels of gloss that they have. By levels I mean they have level 1-6, 1 being hardly and colour and 6 being a fuller rich colour.

I ended up picking out level 2. The best part about shopping at the body shop, is that none of their products are tested on animals, their ingredients come from communities and are fair trade, and they care about global issues, like climate change and violence against women!

You are doing yourself good shopping at the body shop. And it smells GREAT in there. I couldn't imagine a better shopping experience!

hairdresser

Administrator — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:52:27 GMT

Caterine has been doing my hair for more than 22 years. But then if your satisfied why change.

She knows my hair and 99.9% of the time I am delighted with the results. She uses her own initiative, to cut and colour.Fortunately we are both risk takers. Her emphasis is individual attention,and creatively contemporary.

She is the best IMHO-by appointment only-service offer will vary,as will the fees. Most appoinments need an advance in booking.

telephone 416-763-4764