The Power of the Low Carb Diet. Low Carb Diets are amazing for those suffering from PCOS. No, I am not referring to the Atkins Diet, I am talking eating whole foods and ditching the grains. Even if they are whole grains, they still have an impact on insulin levels. When blood sugar levels are successfully managed, you eliminate the vicious cycle of insulin dips and spikes that can further aggravate PCOS symptoms. Replace grains with veggies (zucchini pasta is delicious!), consume good quality protein, healthy fats and I guarantee you will feel better! 

Megan Scrimshaw is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist who offers customized detoxes and nutritional consultations for busy people who need to lose weight and feel more energized. Megan has built a successful private practice helping clients from around the world. By overcoming her own health struggles, she has experienced first-hand the profound effects of improved diet and lifestyle. Her mission is to educate and empower others to cultivate a holistic attitude to living in the modern world, while still enjoying the finer things in life.

Connect with Megan! 

Facebook and Youtube: Megan Scrimshaw Nutrition 

Here, I'm breaking the whole "eating clean" thing down to five simple steps. Where would you say you fall in the process? Still researching? Feeling lost? Making changes and feeling the difference in your life? Wherever you are, I hope you'll find something helpful here. Remember, it's not a race. It's a journey, and the idea here is to do a little better all the time. 

1 - Educate yourself.

I have a Bachelor's in Secondary Education, a Master's in Science, and 5+ years experience working as a Trauma/Emergency Department registered nurse, and I still had to go back to school to figure all this stuff out! 

Your story, surely, will be different from mine. And I'm certainly not saying you need to do everything I did! But in some form or another, you're going to need to begin to dig a little deeper and explore a little further than what you've always heard about health and wellness. (Hint: Counting calories, buying the non-fat options at the grocery store, and popping "magic weight-loss pills" will not be getting you to where you want to be, my friends. At least not in any lasting way!)

For me, it all started with the documentary Forks Over Knives. (You might like Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead or GMO OMG!) From there, I devoured book after book on the subject of food as medicine. A few favorites are The Omnivore's Dilemma, Keep It Simple, Keep It Whole, and UnDiet. If you haven't read these, I assure you, they will shed new light on old "truths".

Having experienced what felt like was my own "health miracle", I wanted expert guidance, to deepen my understanding of nutrition, and felt a very clear calling to help others to take back their health, too. 

I enrolled in T. Colin Campbell's Plant-Based Nutrition course, followed by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which truly expanded my vision of health (so much more than food!) and taught me the concept of "bio-individuality", that what works wonderfully for one person may not be what's best for another. It was throughout my time at IIN that my vision of health and wellness (and happiness!) began to take shape. 

If you're anything like me, you'll find that what makes you feel happiest and healthiest may (and likely should) change over time. Be gentle with yourself as you explore and, ultimately, discover what works best for you. Consider hiring a coach to help you every step of the way. There's something extremely powerful about having a loving, supportive, empowering person in your corner, especially when you're taking on big changes like these.

2 - Throw away the crap!

As soon as you start re-educating yourself, you'll begin to feel like there's a lot in your fridge and pantry (and perhaps hiding under the bed or in the piano bench?) that simply must go! 

Warning: This could be a little painful! You may want to enlist the help of a supportive friend (maybe after watching one of those documentaries together!), family member, or coach. But, I promise you, this is a critical and crucial part of the process of getting you feeling amazing again. You must must must get rid of the bad if you wish you bring on the good. (And I know you do!) If it hurts too much to throw it away, considering donating it. Remember, the longer you keep it around, the longer it will take for you to get healthy again! This is something you're going to want to go "all in" on. 

Crap: I mentioned earlier that I'm of the belief that what's best for me might not be best for you. That being said, my experience and education has taught me that there are a few key offenders that seem to cause a lot of trouble for people. If only for a while, I urge you to consider removing things like dairy, gluten, and processed sugar. Processed anything, really, should go! What you want left over is, quite simply, food. Real food. (Not the creations of the food "industry", not those long ingredient lists of unrecognizable items, and definitely not  

3 - Replace it with good stuff.

Here's where all the real food comes in! 

And the produce department of the grocery story becomes your favorite place! Think seasonal, local, and organic whenever possible! Wary about spending more on organics? This little video on The Organic Effect will inspire you to choose "cleaner" options.

I also love the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists, which will help you choose the cleanest foods while also being budget conscious. Grab your copy here! Shopping the perimeter of the grocery story is another good guideline. (Skip all the processed stuff in the middle spaces.)

A couple of my favorite rules of thumb from Michael Pollan (and your great-grandma) that I like to use are: Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much, and Rule No. 19 from his fabulous (and highly recommended) book, Food Rules: If it's a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don't. 

Beyond these, if you're eating animals, please be mindful of their source, what they were fed, and how they were raised. Always look for words like pastured, organic, and non-GMO. If you're interested in learning more about conscious "clean" farming, check out the work of Joel Salatin.

And if you're looking for another excellent guide to help you identify the crap (and get rid of it), check out Meghan Telpner's easy-to-understand and super inspiring take-back-your-life book UnDiet. You will love it!

4 - Eat the good stuff. 

(And make it delicious!)

After throwing together random "plants" for a year or so, I realized I should probably actually learn how to cook! 

As much as I'd always loved food, I'd never felt comfortable in the kitchen, until I found Meghan Telpner and the Academy of Culinary Nutrition! 

Mind = Blown!

I learned that delicious, nourishing, healing food can (and must) taste mouth-wateringly delicious! And I learned that even Icould make amazing food! (This shocked me, I tell ya!) I started by watching her free videos, reading her blogs, and experimenting with some of her recipes (which are, to this day, my favorites to recommend to clients, friends, and family!). 

If you're not used to cooking with lots of plants and doing it in a way that is nourishing and healing to the body, just do what I did and start trying out a bunch of different recipes, until you find the ones you looove. Over time, as you practice and play and experiment in the kitchen, you'll develop a natural intuition about food and ingredients, and you'll begin to find it easier and easier to throw together something both delicious and nutritious for you and your family!

I've got a bunch of recipes here! A couple other favorites are Rachel's Nourishing Kitchen, Green Kitchen Stories, and Sondi Bruner. Oh, and definitely take a few minutes to browse all the awesomeness in the Academy of Culinary Nutrition's Top 50 Clean Food Blogs!

5 - Repeat. (With friends!)

And there you have it! Educate yourself (lots of great books, documentaries, and classes out there to explore), get rid of the bad (seek support if you need it), bring in the good (lots of plants, think seasonal, local, organic), make it delicious, and eat it! 

That's how you transition to cleaner eating. In a nutshell!

But the learning doesn't stop there, and there are certainly going to be ups and downs as you find your way. So, I'd like to say a word about your support system. 

Finding a group of encouraging, supportive, like-minded folks will do wonders for your health, both mental and physical! If you can't find one you love, join mine!

Making changes to the way you eat isn't always easy. And you're going to want to have someone to turn to when you're looking for that amazing recipe for rainbow chard, or your husband isn't exactly thrilled about your newfound plantiful ways, or you're wondering if that new "all natural" sweetener is really all it says it is. 

Why? Because this is important stuff. This whole "figuring out what to eat" thing will keep you living and thriving and loving life for a very long time. It's completely changed my life, and I know it can do the same for you. 

About Katie:

 Katie Hussong is a Baltimore-based Registered Nurse turned Holistic Health Coach and Culinary Nutrition Expert. Certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, American Association of Drugless Practitioners, and Academy of Culinary Nutrition, Katie is a firm believer in the transformative power of all things natural, from vibrant, nourishing food to living a life of passion and purpose. Through her writing, coaching, and classes, she offers a healing hand and loving heart to help stressed out folks get healthy, naturally. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up here to keep in touch as she explores good food, mindful living, and the power of gratitude throughout the year. 

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What I have noticed over my years of being immersed
in the fitness industry is that a common
denominator amongst women who want to make a physical change is their lack of self-love.At first glance, one might think I am suggesting that women intentionally do not love themselves; that, I am not suggesting.

What I am suggesting though is that as women we are incredible beings who continuously contribute to society without limitations. We are so empowering that we can make a house into a home, and a frown into a smile, groceries into a meal, and a problem into a solution.

Our power is so abundant and our heart is so grand that we often give so much to those around us because this brings us joy, but eventually we have nothing left for ourselves.

Women are a gift to this world; however, women can be so selfless that they forget to save some love for themselves. Without leaving ourselves a piece of the pie, we cannot properly regenerate more love, which will eventually result in running ourselves into the ground. It’s only when we recognize that we need to save some energy and time for ourselves that we can begin to work on ourselves.

Once we make this connection, we need to follow through with a plan that allows us to devote time to ourselves without feeling guilty or explaining our actions. If we can achieve this, then we can take better care of ourselves. Our body and mind know when they are being taking care of and in return this will result in positive physical and mental consequences for us.
Self-love is the fuel to our magic and the more we love ourselves, the more we can do in this world.

There’s that famous quote by Paulo Coelho that states, “When you say 'yes' to others, make sure you aren't saying 'no' to yourself.” Personally, I can attest to being guilty of giving to those around me even when I didn’t have anything left to give, not even for myself. This was a tough lesson to learn but once I realized that it was OKAY to say “No” to others and give myself time to focus on my training, nutrition, and mental health is when my journey progressed.

I reminded myself that feeling guilty because I could not devote time to someone else’s needs when I was devoting very little time to me was both unacceptable and unhealthy. Once I was able to detach myself from feelings of guilt is truly when I began to take care of my own needs.

I became more mindful about creating habits that promoted self-love and making sure I was stable before taking on everyone else’s dilemmas. At the end of the day, YOU need to be taken care of first because without taking care of your mind and body, you cannot take care of anyone else.

Self-love is the base of being able to share your love with those around you and if you want to be an incredible partner, mother, daughter, sister, or friend, then you need to practice self-love first and always.

 
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Facebook: Theresa Jenn Lopetrone Health & Fitness 
Instagram: @theresajennhealthandfitness
Twitter: @theresajenn 

The problem with waiting until we feel really bad to take care of ourselves is that we let ourselves get to the point where we feel really bad. When we wait until we hit rock bottom, it affects us - and everyone around us – way before we hit our bottom. Our ability to concentrate and focus suffers. Our stress and anxiety levels rise. We can get snappy and impatient. Or we might feel unmotivated and stuck (then beat ourselves up for being unmotivated and stuck and so begins a vicious cycle).
 
The key to self-care is taking care of ourselves consistently and making it a priority. When we put self-care at the top of our list, we maintain a steady space where we feel good and we don’t bottom out.
 
Now I know what you may be thinking. “Wouldn’t it be nice to get weekly massages?” “I’d love to sleep in every day!” “As much as I love girl’s nights out, we’re busy and don’t always have the time.” That’s why it’s important to keep self-care simple. That doesn’t mean that you have to skip the bigger things you do to feel good. You just need an arsenal of things that you can do simply and without too much effort in your day, everyday, to feel good.
 

Here are 8 ways to incorporate some me-time into your life:

1. Breathing is something we do automatically. But when we’re stressed, anxious or bent out of shape, we breathe differently. We take shallow and quick breaths. The next time you have a moment where you feel overwhelmed or frustrated, take the time to breathe mindfully. Taking even 5 breaths slowly in and out, concentrating on how your body feels can do wonders for getting you settled and grounded.

2. Move. We’ve all been there. You have a crazy deadline so you practically chain yourself to your desk and push through. You mow down some food without losing eye contact with your computer screen or skip lunch altogether. But the more you’re sitting, the less you’re moving and our bodies were made to move. If you really are crunched for time and can’t spare 5 or 10 minutes to walk outside, just stand up. Roll your neck and shoulders. Bend your knees. Stretch your arms. Stretch and move your body in any way you feel comfortable. 

3. Connect. When we’re busy we can often forget how important it is to connect with others. If you work in an office setting and need something from your co-worker, why not take a walk over to have a chat about what you need rather than sending an email? If you work from home, it can be very motivating to get some work done at a café. Sometimes just getting around other people is what we need to feel re-energized. 

4. Wear something you feel good in. You know that cute little number you’ve been saving for another day? Pull it out of the closet and show it off. And while you’re at it, sport your favourite lipstick or gloss. We can often forget to have fun with ourselves when we’re feeling off. If wearing something makes you feel better, you’ll feel more confident. Never underestimate how powerful it is to boost your confidence.

5. Start your day with ease. We can make or break our days based on how we approach the morning. When the alarm clock goes off, rather than grumble as you hit snooze ten times before getting up, wake up mindfully. As you open your eyes, stretch your body. Take a deep breath in and be thankful for the day ahead of you. Ease into your day as you get out of bed. Resist the urge to check your emails or reflect on your mounting to-do list. Take 10 to 15 minutes in the morning to ease into the day before you have to get going with all the things ahead of you. 

6. You are what you eat. Think about your body as an engine that needs the right fuel to get going and keep moving. When you start the day with a mug of steaming coffee, you’re essentially steam-rolling your system to get started. Before you do anything else, have a big glass of water (add some lemon or apple cider vinegar for flavour). Allow your body to re-hydrate. Try to be mindful of what you’re putting into your body during the day and how it’ll help or hinder your energy.

7. End your day right. Think of some rituals that work for you at the end of the day to unwind. What you want to do is let go of stress - anything that may have been difficult or overwhelming - and know that the next day doesn’t have to be the same. Take a bath. Read a book in bed. Meditate. Journal. Do some yoga. Pick something that you like to do every night before bed to focus on what you like as opposed to reliving the stress of the day. 

8. Restart the day whenever you need to. If you’re in the middle of a crazy day and the shit hits the fan, remind yourself that you can reset the day at any point. When we carry drama from one moment to the next, it has a cumulative effect. Rather than carry the baggage of the day with you, recognize that you’re having a rough day, give yourself a hug and start again. Go for a walk and decide to begin again when you get back to the task at hand. Call a friend just to say hello and when you hang up the phone, decide that it’s a fresh moment in your day. Feel lighter by letting go of any stress you may be feeling and remember that you can either let the stress bring you down or decide to move beyond it.

Corrine K Bio

Corinne K. works with stressed, busy and driven women. Through energy healing and soulful coaching, she helps them slow down and feel better physically and emotionally. She helps them get real about what they need to feel more free, inspired and empowered in life.

When she's not working she's probably sitting on a patio somewhere with a glass of wine or a London Fog, traveling or wandering the city. For more about her, check out corinnek.ca.

See here to read more about the challenge details!

Soul Healing Session with Corinne K

Combining energy healing with soulful coaching, a Soul Healing Session is designed to help you feel better physically and emotionally. In our work together, I’ll use a hybrid of tools to add some umph to your life and to help you get reconnected to who you are on a mind, body and soul level.

What you’ll get:

• One 60-Minute Soul Healing Session.
• Energy work to balance and realign the energy in your body.
• Soulful life coaching skills and exercises that will support your goals and you on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
• The chance to get really real, open up and be honest about where you need to change things.
• An outsider’s unbiased look at your situation and insights as to what’s really going on (it’s probably not what you think it is).
• A game plan about what you can do to start feeling better now so that you can make the moves you need to make.
• A follow up email outlining next steps to keep you moving forward.

What kind of relationship are you in with yourself?  Do you feel good in your skin?  Do you feed your soul?  Do you eat with love?  Do you take time to just be?

We’ve teamed up with the Corrine K, a Toronto based soul healer to inspire you to spend one week focusing on loving yourself.  

We want to see your Instagram posts showing off what you do for SELF LOVE.  Drinking your green juice.  Getting a workout in.  Enjoying your morning coffee.  Whatever it is, we want to see it. 

Jule’s Wellness has curated a box of self-love goodies to give away to a follower who shows us what self-love means to them and how they are incorporating it into their lives.  

BONUS:  The winner will also receive a 1-hour soul healing Skype session with Corrine.  

Instructions:

1. Share our 'Love Yourself First’ instagram post 
2. Tell us what you do to celebrate self-love
3. Hashtag #juleswellness #selflovechallenge
4. Post 3 photos on your Instagram during July 20th-25th showing how you celebrate your self-love
5. Tag @jules_wellnes & Hashtag #juleswellness #selflovechallenge

Winner will be announced on July 27th! 

There is a lot of talk these days about the benefits of drinking green tea. Did you know that there is another type of green tea called Matcha that has even greater health benefits?

What is Matcha Green Tea?

Matcha is a special green tea that is only grown in Japan using traditional methods. These methods have been used in Japan for over 800 years. The fresh leaves of the plants are used, and picked by hand. They are ground using stone mills, and are made into an ultra-fine powder. This makes a dark green powdered tea with numerous health benefits.

Photo from: nutritioninfo.ca 

We know that green tea has many health benefits, but what makes Match even more beneficial?

• Rich in Catechins which are antioxidants that help fight against cell damage Matcha contains 10x times more than green tea
• Rich source of chlorophyll, antioxidants, and phytonutrient
• All green tea contains EGCG, but Matcha has 137 times more that amount then standard green tea.
• Can help with weight loss, due to the high amounts of Catechins which speed up metabolism
• Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Reduces the risk of cancer
• Reduces inflammatory
• Increases immune function
• Increase feelings of well being
• Provides energy and balance
• Reduces stress, contains L-theanine, an amino acid known to relax the mind.
• Improves focus and attention, improves brain health
• With Matcha you are using the whole leaf, not the brewed water, therefore increasing its nutritional benefits

How to use Matcha Green Tea

• Place 1-2 teaspoons of Matcha Green Tea powder into a mug.
• Add ¼-1/3 cup of hot simmering water
• Whisk the tea and hot water using a bamboo whisk. Slowly dissolve the Matcha.
• Whisk till frothy and drink right away
• To make a latte add almond milk or regular milk

So grab a cup of Matcha Green Tea and enjoy the taste and benefits!

Vanilla Matcha Protein Smoothie  

1 scoop of Dream Vanilla Protein Powder (or your favourite) 

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 

1 tsp. of Matcha Ninja  

1 handful of crushed ice 

1 cup of unsweetened almond milk 

Optional: For extra creaminess add 1/2 an avocado or 1/2 cup of frozen fruit for sweetness 

Kathy is a Nutritionist with a background in the culinary arts.   She developed her training as a pastry and baking chef through George Brown College. And has her designation of Registered Holistic Nutritionist, from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Her speciality is helping those with food allergies and sensitivities which include: gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian. She loves helping her clients understand the importance of reading food labels, and how to change recipes to incorporate this new way of eating. She is dedicated in providing her clients with easy ways to create balanced lifestyle choices with natural food. And that eating nutritiously can be easy and delicious.

Please visit Kathy by email: [email protected]

Although my focus has been taken away from my current task to write this blog post, I was inspired to share my thoughts about the importance of a positive work environment and this current office view. 

Monday's can often be a drag. Of course, we would all rather have a long weekend and aren't always fully ready to jump into our work week yet, especially with deadlines being thrown at you and emails congesting your inbox...hence why people take to social media for #mondaymotivation. 

Although motivation may be needed more on Monday's, it should consistent throughout the work week especially when the majority of hour waking hours might be spent at the office! 

It's important for employers to realize the influence workplace motivation has on their employees and their performance. When employees are motivated they show up to work on time, they are generally happier, healthier, creative and focused.  

How to Create a Positive Working Environment: 

No, you don't have to be a coach or constant cheerleader standing over your employees shoulder to be motivating. Simple, small gestures may actually make all the difference leaving a lasting impression. 

The following are tips and ideas you can incorporate into your workplace:  

• Post motivational quotes around the office either up on a wall or whiteboard 
• Send out a Motivational Monday Memo with quotes or an inspiring story so employees receive it first thing Monday morning
• Begin the work week with a small "pow wow" meeting where everyone talks about their weekend, what they hope to achieve that week and how to tackle it 
• Have motivational books and small quote books in your staff room 
• Positive reinforcement 
• Regular meetings to connect/ team meetings to share ideas and co-work  
• Rewards on top performance 
• A comfortable, clean space 

Talk with your employees about supporting one another and contributing to a positive working environment. Ask for suggestions on how to improve based on their needs

Remove the problem foods. For the majority of us, these are gluten and cow’s dairy. Now, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard people say “I could never do that”, well, I’d be on a beach in Tahiti. ;)
 
But seriously, it’s not that hard, you just have to know how (that’s my job, not yours). All of the recipes in the HEAL 30 Day Wellness Challenge are completely gluten and dairy free. If I give you the breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner recipes, you’ll realize it’s not so hard.
 
Anyway, I recommend removing these two foods for a minimum of 14 days, ideally 30. But it doesn’t stop there…

Replace

Next you need to replace the digestive juices & equipment that are needed to properly digest food, and therefore prevent bloating, gas and indigestion. For most people, this is hydrochloric acid (HCl) and digestive enzymes. Ever get heartburn? It’s a great sign you need more stomach acid.
 
What I use with my clients are the St. Francis Digestive Bitters and Genestra Bio Enzymes - both are available here. Anything bitter helps to stimulate digestion and the HCl in your stomach, which is what starts the digestion of protein in your stomach. Without sufficient stomach acid, the entire digestive process is slowed, and food is not digested properly, leaving it to ferment and putrefy in your gut, causing gas, bloating and irregular bowel movements.
 
Another great option for stimulating digestion and HCI in the stomach is to start your day with a tbsp. or 2 of raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with warm water. 

Reinoculate

Next up is to reinoculate the good bacteria in the gut. You can do this with fermented foods and probiotics. I recommend Genestra HMF Intensive, without FOS. Fermentable fibers, like those in root vegetables, garlic and onion are good to include as well.

Repair

Mandy King is a Holistic Nutritionist and the founder of HEAL. She works with health conscious women who want to take control of their health to stop feeling tired, and fix their digestion once and for all. She helps them create a lasting, lifestyle change that not only helps them look good in their skinny jeans, but feel good and have the energy to do whatever they want so they can worry less and have more time and confidence for what matters. Click here to grab her FREE one week meal plan.

Socialize with Mandy!   

It's a one stop shop for toxin-free products you can trust to protect your beautiful skin at the beach, keep you hydrated in the heat and healthy snacks to keep you energized during long road trips.

What's inside the box

Juicy Bamboo Face wipes 

100% biodegradable cloths created from natural bamboo fibres and soaked in moisturizing honey. These convent little packs are perfect to have on hand for a quick refreshing cool off. 

Coola Suncare Mineral Facial SPF 30

A Super luxurious, anti-oxidant-infused mineral matte sunscreen and BB cream. It goes on like butter but light enough to wear to the beach. Best of all, it's made with free radical fighting vitamin C and essential oils for maximum protection. 

Living Libations Everybody Loves the Sunshine

There has been a lot of hate for the sun lately but did you know sunshine is actually good  for your health? Getting vitamin D from the sun for at least 20min/ day can enhance the immune system and promote a feeling of happiness. 

This nourishing body oil from Living Libations is super moisturizing as it naturally protects and cools the skin. 

Hurraw Lip Balm SPF 15 

Don't forget to protect your pucker! We always have this 100% natural lip protection on hand. Hurraw's formula is made with the mineral Zinc Oxide for UVA and UVB protection plus coconut oil and cocoa butter for long lasting moisture.   

Boa Hair Clip 

Let's face it... with hot and humid weather, having a hair clip on hand is a must! This Boa Hair Clip is specially designed to clip in side ways, allowing it to be warn comfortably from yoga class to the beach.  

Healthy Snacks

These refined sugar-free, satisfying snacks are packed with filling fibre, protein and healthy fats to keep your energy levels up during busy summer days or long road trips. Great for kids too! 

• Nud Fud Mini Cocoa Energy Crisps 
• Kewaza Energy Balls Dark Chocolate Coconut 
• Health Warrior Coconut Chia Bar 
• Made Good Chia & Berries Bar 

Pur Peppermint Gum 

Fresh breathe is not always easy when travelling, which is why we to pack Pur's aspartame-free Peppermint Gum in our beach bag. 

Jax Coco Coconut Water 

Nothing beats the heat like a an ice cold Jax Coco! Pure, natural coconut water, not from concentrate with super hydrating magnesium and potassium. 

The natural soap is called saponin which works to gently penetrate the fibres in your clothing, breaking up and lifting stains. 

Not only are they gentle on the clothes, but also on the skin making this product a great for those with sensitive skin, allergies or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. With no other artificial scents or ingredients added, this product is truly 100% natural. 

Unlike conventional, toxic laundry products that contain artificial foaming agents, Soap Berries don't produce a lot of bubbles, making them ideal for those septic and grey water systems in cottage country. 

We have these available on our online boutique in both regular packs (100 loads) and trial size (10 loads). 

Want to know more? Check out ABC's product review and testing on Eco Nuts Here.

I’m not talking about pasteurized honey you buy in grocery stores, I’m referring to raw, Active Manuka Honey. Manuka Honey is produced in New Zealand by bee’s that pollinate the Manuka Bush, which is why bee’s are so important; without them, we wouldn’t have access to this liquid gold! 

Potent Antibacterial   

Manuka honey has strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral effects thanks to a component called methylglyoxal (MG). This active ingredient stimulates the production of cells that repair tissue damaged from infection and inflammation. It’s so effective, many hospitals world-wide turn to Active Manuka Honey in cases of antibiotic resistance for stomach ulcers, E-coli, and Staph infections that cause sore throats. Why they don’t always try this method first? I don’t know… 

                                                               Photo Credit: WebMD

Antioxidant Protection

Active Manuka honey is a concentrated source of antioxidants that studies show prevent against the effects of harmful free radicals, prevent aging and may prevent the growth of many types of cancer when consumed daily. 

Endurance

Manuka honey is high in the following vitamins and minerals that are vital for energy production and proper muscle function.  

• Amino acids 
• B-vitamins (thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and B6)
• Magnesium 
• Potassium 
• Sodium 

Taking a spoonful before or after an endurance workout will replenish energy and natural sugars in your system.

TIP**  Try a spoonful of both Manuka honey and raw, coconut oil before a run for instant energy without weighing you down.  

Uses: 

• For skin irritations: Apply a small amount with a clean hand or cloth 
• Eczema 
• Psoriasis
• Mild burns
• Scrapes or non-severe cuts
• Sore throats/ throat infections  
• Mouth and stomach ulcers
• Use in your favourite recipes in place of sugar 
• Use as a spread 

Warm Honey Soother     

• 1 cup of warm water  
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon 
• 1 tbsp. of Manuka Honey  
• Consume 1-3x/day until symptoms begin to improve. 

We love Wedderspoon because it's 100% Raw, Active Manuka Honey free from: 
- Pesticides
- GMO's
- BPA
- Artificial flavours, colours and sweeteners 

We want everyone to reap the wonderful benefits of this honey, we're offering it on sale for the month of June! You can also enjoy Wedderspoon Manuka Honey Lozenge's for easy, on the go sore throat relief.  

Research shows HFC can have the following detrimental effects on health: 

How to Avoid: 

The best way to ensure you’re avoiding this nasty sweetener is to read ingredients! If you see glucose/fructose (Canadian label for HFCS) you want to steer clear!  

HFC Free Snacks & Sweets 

Made Good Chia & Berries Bar 

Apple Cinnamon Larabars 

Fuji Apple Chips

Purchase here

 

Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans

Give your children (or yourself) a sweet treat you can feel better about! These non- GMO candies are sweetened with natural cane sugar, with no added preservatives or colours. 

Purchase here

GaGa for Gluten Free

Many conventional boxed cookies not only contain refined sugar, but also HFCS! Gaga For Gluten-Free have created a perfectly sweet and soft gluten-free shortbread cookie in 3 irresistible flavours like double chocolate, simply shortbread and chocolate chip. They have no additives, preservatives and very little sugar per 3 cookie serving (only 6g in the simply shortbread!). Best of all, they are made in a nut free facility so your children can pack for school. 

Purchase here

 

Jaxcoco Coconut Water 

HFCS show up often in juices, pop and sports drinks. Liquids absorb much faster than food therefore any added corn syrup will cause a rapid spike in blood sugar leading to dangerously high and low fluctuations. These fluctuations over time have been linked to anxiety, behavioural disorders and weight gain.

Jaxcoco coconut water is a nutrient rich hydration alternative and comes in delicious flavours like chocolate and banana. Available in large, 1L tetra packs to smaller kids size. 

Purchase here

These quick snacks and healthier treats can all be found on our online boutique where the guesswork is done for you! We have carefully selected and tested the best quality ingredients for your family. When you shop with us, you can ensure you won't find any refined sugars, additives or preservatives in our products. 

Why? Because breast skin is very delicate and their is a considerable amount of fat tissue underneath. 

Fat tissue is where the majority of toxins are stored and may become stagnant if we don’t promote movement. Toxins impair healthy circulation in the breasts and with simple everyday massaging, you can stimulate the lymphatic system to release those toxins. 

Massaging the breasts is not only relaxing for the muscles and tendons underneath, but it also prevents sagging enhancing their shape (bonus!)

Regular massage is also important to feel for any cysts or lumps as these can indicate a more serious sign of breast cancer. By focusing on prevention and incorporating small tasks such as this in your daily life could make all the difference in the future of your health. 

                                                    Photo Credit: http://phauthuatnguc.com.vn

This breast massage oil from living libations is made with 100% natural botanical oils like broccoli, cumin seed oils, calendula, St. John’s Wort blossom mixed with olive oil and invigorating essential oils. This blend of powerful plant ingredients penetrate the skin to moisturize, soften and maximize detoxification! 

One of our most popular collections are our Lifestyle and Wellness baskets and boxes For Her. With a mixture of everything from gourmet chocolates, loose leaf teas, delicious treats, natural skincare, popular books and more, we promise you nothing will go to waste! 

We have deconstructed this popular Wellness basket to show you why you can trust that you're giving mom the best quality, natural products. 

All Natural Skin Care 

Merben Dry Skin Brush

Dry skin brushing is great for circulation by increasing blood flow throughout the lymphatic system. Encouraging movement in this system is important for removing toxins, dead skin and helps to tone.

Inspired Soap Works Soothing Dead Sea Salts

Dead sea salts contain high amounts of minerals like magnesium and potassium. Magnesium is amazing for it's tension and fluid reducing action on the body. Soaking in a hot bath with these salts encourages deep relaxation while improving joint, muscle and osteoarthritis pain.  

Pretty Organics Chamomille Bath Fizz 

A luxurious, heavenly scented bath treatment to replenish skins moisture with pure shea butter, organic flowers and pure essential oils. For the ultimate spa experience at home!  

Consonant Foaming Face Wash 

This 100% natural cleanser is gentle, yet effective, packed with nourishing botanicals like tea tree oil and grape seed oil to hydrate skim, even skin tone and flight blemishes. 

Dr. Bronner's Citrus Castille Soap 

Made with citrus essential oil, this organic, fair trade soap invigorates the senses and leaves skin smooth without any harmful residue. 

Crate 61 Grapefruit Body Body 

A delicate, super rich whipped formula made from 100% natural coconut oil, shea butter and grapefruit essential oil. This long lasting butter is perfect for improving dehydrated skin leaving it moisturized and even toned. 

Gourmet Loose Leaf Teas

The Honest Leaf: Serene

With a refreshing, smooth mint flavour this potent mix of naturally dried herbs will promote deep relaxation.

Tealish: Detox Blend

Another delicious blend of naturally dried herbs such as: sencha green tea, lemon verbena, ginger, lemon myrtle, apple bits and Calendula petals to help encourage the removal of toxins and excess water in the body leaving a healthy, light feeling.

Pure and Natural Chocolates 

Giddy YoYo Vanilla and Salt 

Pure, raw and vegan dark chocolate with a flavour explosion of pure vanilla bean and sea salt.  

Chocosol Hemp Seed  

Hand made, velvety melt in your mouth pure dark chocolate with the added benefit of omega rich hempseeds and a hint of sweet & natural maple sugar. Our favourite!  

Toxic Free Lifestyle Products

S'well Bottle 

BPA free, non toxic S'well bottles keep drinks cold for 24 hours, or hot for 12. They also support charity efforts to bring clean water to the poorest communities. 

Ecojot Notebook 

Designed and made in Canada, these notebooks and cardboard covers are made from 100% post consumer waste material. 

For Life Tea Diffuser with Ceramic Dish

The lead-free extra-fine tea infuser with porcelain dish set is complete with unique designed handles that allows for easy steeping of loose leaf tea in her favorite teacup or teapot.  

This gift basket is just one of many from our Wellness collection. You can trust that we have selected the purest, natural products that will be sure to impress her on her special day!

SHOP MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS

Want to customize one for Mom? Get in touch with us!  

We would be honoured to put together something more personalized.  

I have a passion for reading labels and finding great products.  I love to share my finds with as many people as possible.    I knew that I wanted to offer health and wellness but I wasn’t sure how.  I was driving home from an appointment with my holistic healer and a light bulb went off.  I wanted to curate health-conscious gift baskets with only the best products, all of which I would hand-select.  My brand was clear.  It was me, Jule's.  Standing behind these products, prompting health and wellness, while being mindful and conscientious.  I won’t get into the whole thought process I had, but I knew that I had a mission. 

What inspired this mission and passion?  I took a program by Meghan Telpner through the Academy of Culinary Nutrition.  What I learned in that program was immeasurable.  I value education, but I am not the scholar type.  I am hands-on, multi-passionate with a short attention span.  I can’t do 2-4 year educational programs. I like to experiment and try different things, all of which I am passionate about but that will also contribute to bettering myself and evolving.

I can wholeheartedly say that taking this program steered my life in a totally awesome direction.  Today I am well on my way with my business, which has now turned into businesses.  

It is quite incredible how one choice changed my whole path.  You can read more about my interview with the Academy of Culinary Nutrition here. 

Want to learn more about the program?  If you have any questions, feel free to email me.  True to my mission, I love to share good suff.  I want you to succeed, find your passion and to evolve.  You never know what’s possible.

Tomorrow April 11th, I will be taking over the Academy of Culinary Nutrition’s Instagram account.  

Follow along!

What is Chaga? 

Chaga is a mushroom that has been used to support overall health for thousands of years. It’s harvested from Birch trees that grow in colder climates. To survive in those harsh, cold climates, chaga concentrates natural compounds for protection. In fact, researchers have used chaga to revive dying trees. Imagine what it can do for you! 

Powerful Adaptogen 

An adaptogen is a substance that modifies the bodies response to stress helping you deal with any physical and mental repercussions associated with that stress. Stress could be anything from disease to minor anxiety brought on mentally.

Chaga is known as the most powerful adaptogen. Consuming it daily can have incredible effects on stabilizing your body, allowing you to thrive in everyday life. 

Full of phytochemicals including B vitamins, flavonoids, sterols, phenols and enzymes that help to nourish your digestive system, heart and adrenal glands.  

Promotes Longevity 

In countries such as Siberia, China, Russia and Eastern Europe where chaga is a regularly consumed drink, people tend to have longer, more healthful lives. This is due to the exceedingly high amounts of superoxide dismutase; an enzyme found in all living cells providing oxygen and protection against free radical damage. The more SOD we have available in our cells, the more protection we have against cancer, disease and infection.  

How to use Chaga 

As the benefits of Chaga are becoming more known, we are starting to see it available on shelves in North America. It can be found in drops, dried, or as a tea.

Four Sigma Foods makes getting the benefits of Chaga easily attainable everyday with their small purse and pocket friendly packets! They're made with pure, dried and ground Chaga mushroom slightly sweetened with all natural stevia. Add a packet to warm water and sip as a hot tea, add to smoothies, or try this cold lemon chaga tea for a refreshing drink.

Iced Lemon Raspberry Chaga Tea 

2 Packets of Four Sigma instant Chaga tea 

4 cups of hot filtered water 

1 lemon 

1/2 cup of frozen raspberries 

In a glass pitcher, pour in both Chaga packets. Pour hot water in and stir to dissolve. squeeze half the lemon and slice the other half into thin rounds. Place sliced lemon in the pitcher and let cool completely. Pour over ice in 2 glasses and garnish each with frozen raspberries.  

Enjoy! 

Meghan Telpner is a Toronto-based author, speaker, nutritionist, and founder of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. She's funny, engaging and offers a real approach to living an awesome, healthy life.  All of this has garnered her a world-wide following and extensive media attention. With an equal passion for both vibrant living and business, Meghan works with health focused independent practitioners and small businesses to find their unique voice in a crowded marketplace, stay ahead of the curve, cultivate community and convert passion into profitable ventures. 

Meghan founded The Academy of Culinary Nutrition to help develop your skills so you can best serve yourself, your family and your friends, as well as your clients, patients and students. This online course is perfect for everyone. Whether you are new to healthy living, interested in it or a vet!  

I took the life changing CNE program in 2013.  Through Meghan and her global community I have met so many like-minded friends and even some in her own city and neighbourhood.  I would not be where I am today if it weren't for The Academy of Culinary Nutrition.  

People are often afraid of the word detox, myself included! Which is why I never personally do a juice cleanse or any other extreme liquid cleanses. Juice cleanses may very beneficial and ideal for some, but not others.  

I prefer to detox using fresh, whole foods and eliminating my worst culprits. We all have culprits in our diet that we feel may be effecting us in a negative way. Whether it be gluten, dairy, sugar, too much caffeine or alcohol, fried foods etc. I have a real sweet tooth and often crave a coffee and sugar in the afternoon! When I find my energy draining and too many sugary treats on my plate, this way of eating stabilizes blood sugar levels and nixes those cravings. 

Whatever it might be for you, the focus of a detox or cleanse is the same and that is to rid your body of toxins while giving your digestive system a much needed rest! 

Here is what I eliminated from my diet during the last 4 days: 

Coffee 
Alcohol 
Dairy 
Gluten 
Refined Sugar
Processed foods 

The Plan 
I chose to replace 1 meal a day with a nutrient dense smoothie (usually either breakfast or my afternoon snack) including:

Fruit- I like berries because they are low in sugar, high in fibre but any fruit you like would do.  However, it's best to avoid tropical fruit.

Vegetables- Leafy greens such as organic kale, spinach, dandelion or swiss chard 

Healthy fats -1 tbsp. of chia seeds, hemp seeds, almond butter or coconut oil  

Protein - vegan protein powder, (I like Sunwarrior) or 2 tbsp. of Baby Brain Organics

Optional Superfoods- 1-2 tbsp. of Bee pollen, goji berries, tumeric, cinnamon, spirulina or wheat grass   

I also added in probiotics for their amazing gut healing benefits!  

I ate 5 small meals with lunch being the largest and dinner was lightest. I focused on filling my meals with plenty of vegetables and including a mixed green salad dressed with flax oil/ lemon juice with either lunch or dinner.

Start drinking! 

I drank lot’s and lots of fresh water with lemon, herbal Teas and sugar-free kombucha 

I also drank my go-to green juice I make with my blender and a strainer (no fancy equipment!) 

Naturally Detoxifying Foods, Herbs & Spices

In addition to re-setting the digestive system, a detox does wonders for the liver. With 500 jobs, the liver is under a lot of stress! It protects us by filtrating every toxin that enters the body. The following are naturally detoxifying vegetables and others that should be included in your diet:    

• Beets 
• Garlic & onions
• Cruciferous vegetables: kale, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts 
• Tumeric -active curcumin has strong anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties and helps the body to eliminate toxins
• Ginger - Has the amazing ability to help your body absorb more nutrients
• Coconut - Healing, anti-bacterial amongst many other things
• Chia seeds -high in fibre, absorbs toxins and promotes healthy bowel movement (removal of toxins)! 

Preparation is key 

Be sure to include those last items on your grocery list. Only write down what you need and stick to it so you are tempted by the junk. 

The key is too maximize your nutrition in one dish. Soups, smoothies, homemade snacks and fresh juices are all great ways to sneak in more of the good stuff.

When you get home from the grocery store, wash, chop and dry all your vegetables and fruits storing in glass containers or jars for easy reach. 

Choose a day to spend in the kitchen preparing your meals, prepping your smoothie packs, green juice and homemade snacks so you are ready when hunger strikes!  

Healing Soup

**Choosing organic vegetables ensures you are avoiding pesticides 

1 red bell pepper thinly sliced

1 small jalapeño pepper (seeds and ribs removed) finely diced  

2 carrots thinly sliced 

1 white onion thinly sliced 

2 cloves of minced garlic 

4 cups of torn kale 

1/2 cup of frozen peas 

1 tbsp. of minced ginger 

2 tsp. of turmeric

1 tbsp. of curry powder   

2 organic free-range chicken breasts, bone in 

sea salt and pepper 

Fresh chopped parsley and cilantro 

juice of 2 limes  

Brown chicken on both sides in 1 tbsp. of coconut oil. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add in jalapeño pepper, red pepper, carrot, garlic, ginger and turmeric to the pot. Stir to soften. Add the chicken pieces back in and cover with 6 cups of water (or homemade stock). 

Bring soup to a boil, reduce to a simmer and let simmer on low another 40-45 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are soft. Remove chicken from pot. Remove chicken from the bones adding the pieces back to the pot. 

Add in torn kale, frozen peas, lime juice, fresh chopped parsley and cilantro. 

My Results 

After somehow ending up on a cycle of craving sugar and caffeine, I admit the first 2 days were difficult! I experienced a mild headache but by the third day, I felt energized, clear minded and experienced no bloating. 

I quickly realized I wasn’t nearly as hydrated as I thought and will continue to incorporate more water, 1 smoothie or fresh juice daily. 

Helpers

I added these into my daily routine to help move toxins out. 

• Tea-lish detox tea
• Merben Dry brush 
• Sweating - through infrared sauna or exercise 
• Deep breathing and relaxation 

So there you have it! detoxing can be delicious and energizing. Feel free to use my experience as a guide and adapt it to your lifestyle. For more information on specific recipes or to receive a safe and customized detox plan thats right for you contact us.  

Vendors & Sponsors    

  

This is the perfect time to rid your space of clutter that no longer serves you. From heavy clothes, salt covered cars, to your pantry and fridge there is a lot of space to cover! But the best place to start is your cleaning cupboard. Have a look under your kitchen sink, what do you see there? If you have a whole bin of different bottles, lotions and potions for making the house sparkle, it may be time to consider tossing some.

There are a whole host of different cleaning substances on the market in fresh, intoxicating scents. Many of them all have something in common - WARNING LABELS!

Conventional cleaning and laundry products can smell great; however, they are full of chemicals that may be harmful to you and your families health.

Before you begin your spring clean, start with this area by throwing out bottles you rarely use, and consider swapping the ones you do for more natural sources.

The Dirt on Laundry 

Did you know..2% of a garment’s weight comes from laundry detergent residue.
Nothing is closer to our bodies than our clothing. We wear fabrics all day and sleep in them at night. Regular laundry detergents leave residues in your clothes and linens after every wash. It’s easy to verify this by smelling them.

Laundry detergents are not soap.
Many people are under the false misconception that detergents are soap. Laundry detergents are made of synthetic chemicals derived from petroleum.

These chemicals are serious hazards to human health. Petrochemical-based detergents are much cheaper to manufacture than true soaps, and marketing has ensured that the majority of the population remains absolutely convinced that detergents are safe to use.

So what is the alternative?

We have done some testing ourselves and found some wonderful green home cleaning essentials derived from all natural sources. With no warning labels, you can trust that these products won’t clutter your home, or body with unnecessary toxins.  Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives to conventional laundry detergents.  For those of you with babies or children, switching to natural laundry soap is a good idea!

We personally love Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Soap. What's an Eco Nut? Eco Nuts are dried berry shells from the sapindus mukorossi (soap berry) tree in Asia that have amazing cleaning abilities and have been used for centuries to clean clothes.

Using this natural detergent can reduce residual chemical build up and odours in washing machines. Eco Nuts are a highly effective natural cleaner and a green alternative to man-made detergents.   They also work great on cloth diapers!  

Pre-treat your clothes with this all natural stain remover from Smart Klean! It's a bio-degradable magic eraser made from beeswax, borox, and natural essential oils of eucalyptus. Works effectively even on tough stains like red wine and juice.  

These wool dryer balls from Moss Creek absorb moisture from your clothing helping to maintain humidity levels. They are a non-allergenic and safe way to prevent static cling and soften clothes. 

Swapping even a few conventional cleaning products you use on a daily basis could make a huge impact on your health in the long run. Try some of these products all of which are available now in our boutique Don't forget to join our VIP list and receive 10% off every time you shop 

Find all of these products on SALE!

This is the year to quit! Studies show that sitting at a desk for hours each day will eventually have detrimental effects on your health comparable to smoking cigarettes. How frightening is that? The good news is, simply taking breaks during your day to get off your tush and strut around the office will help. It is easy to get caught up in a busy day; hours could go by and before you know it, you’ve missed lunch!

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici

Some helpful tips to get you up and moving:

• Set a timer on your phone or computer, write yourself reminder notes to get up every half hour or hour 
• Use the washroom on the other side of the office so you have to walk farther  
• Find an excuse to walk over to a colleagues desk, or the water cooler to chat 
• Get outside at lunch for a walk, even for 20 minutes 
• Tell people what you’re doing! Send out an email about a lunch walking group or reminders to get up and stretch 

How to Get Your Workplace on Board 

We know how important regular exercise is which is why we dedicated a space in our workplace to encourage it. This space includes simple and functional equipment such as: 

Simple movement throughout the day can help alleviate anxiety, depression, headaches, and allow for better productivity. 

If you can, incorporate some equipment into your office. 

Post a bulletin of simple stretching routines, or exercises and collaborate with colleagues to keep each other motivated! 

Show us your contributions by sharing photos or videos via social media and use the hastag #activeworkspace. Be sure to mention us @jules_wellness too! 

Do you need an active space to work? Maybe at Jule's Wellness? Click here for more information 

We were able to launch just in time for International Women’s Day, which is Sunday, March 8th. 

This has me reflecting upon the last few months and where I have gone with my health-conscious gift basket business and with launching it's sister business, Jule's Wellness.   It’s been very challenging yet wildly rewarding. It has inspired me to think about International Women’s Day and what it means to me. 

Over the next few weeks, I will be celebrating this by featuring inspiring woman entrepreneurs and their talents. 

I am honoured that my first featuring is an interview is with an inspiring woman who was my teacher and a mentor. 

Q & A with Meghan Telpner 

Meghan is a Toronto-based author, speaker, nutritionist, and founder of the 
Academy of Culinary Nutrition.

Q. 1. You’ve recently founded The Academy of Culinary Nutrition.  What was your inspiration for this?

The foundation of our health is the food we use to feed ourselves, and most people today are completely lost on that front. I started teaching cooking classes in my little loft kitchen as a way to build community around good food and enjoying it together. When the demand for my classes grew beyond the three walls of my loft (it's strangely a triangular shape), I took it online. Two years after I began offering video-based classes, we launched the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. The goal for the school was to fill a huge gap- to be able to offer applied nutrition training, using food as the teaching vehicle and educating in such a way that the program be open and inviting to everyone- no matter their previous experience with nutrition or cooking, or their personal preferred diet of choice. Just as with my in-person classes, the inspiration has always been for everyone to feel welcome to learn and explore and find their path to health, help others do the same in a really fun, engaging and practical way. 

Q. 2. All businesses and entrepreneurs experience ebb and flows. What keeps you motivated during the ebb times?

Ebb times? What ebb times? I think what keeps me going through slower sales periods is that I keep myself so busy, I don't notice. My business is rather seasonal at this point- mostly by choice, as I don't like working in the summer, and travel a lot in the winter. There are times that we have more revenue coming in, and there are times when we're planning, creating and building and so it's simply a cycle. If things get too quiet, I make something happen. No ebbs. I just work on staying in the flow of it all.

Q. 3. Would you share any of your mistakes that you’ve made and lessons you’ve learned?

This is a tough one. I'm pretty over-the-moon excited by where things are at today, so I can't help but believe that anything that could have been seen as a mistake was part of the learning experience that landed me where I am. I've let myself be convinced of things that were against my instinct, I've teamed up with people because I believed what they said, not what their experience proved they could do, and I've taken advice from people who's values didn't line up with my own and had to back step on a few things because of it. But as I said- every challenging experience in business (and in life!) is an opportunity to learn, and grow. It's in these times of stress that we really get to see how far we've come. 

Q. 4. What advice would you give to those who want to follow their dreams and build their own business?

Do it. If you have the desire to do it, and know that it will be the hardest you've ever worked in your life, it will be the best thing ever. I think there's this misconception that running your own business gives you so much freedom- you can hit a yoga class in the middle of the day, do lunch with your girlfriends, and all of that. And it's true, you can. But to make it work, you do need to hustle. Yes, you get the freedom to take days off when you want, travel when you want and if you design it in such a way that you can work from anywhere- well, you can work from anywhere. But you will be working. To rock your biz- it takes equal parts commitment, passion, hustle, and a sense of humour. No one will ever care about your business succeeding as much as you do, and that means you will always be caring about it.

Q. 5. You’re a marketing and advertising pro!  What are you top marketing tools?

I get asked this a lot and I don't have a simple answer. Most of what I do is instinct. I do read a lot of books- but not business books. I read a lot on spirituality, psychology, and then some business- but usually more on business and community. I am fascinated by people and what motivates them to act. I read as many articles about business, and social media as I do about meditation, education and health. Though I don't know of great tools, my best advice is to try everything you think of that costs under $100 and see what works. Things like google ads, Facebook ads, social media, etc. Look at your analytics and be honest about what's working. Also- you might want to ignore, for the most part, what other people are doing. That's a total useless energy suck. Social media's a funny thing because you can see how many followers other people have in your field and what they're posting and what coverage they're getting. I decided a long while ago to bypass the social media popularity contest and instead focus on creating really amazing products that sell. Set your goal of what success means to you- what you want to achieve (in sales, in revenue, in lifestyle) and market your products in a way that makes that happen. Collecting likes on Facebook may or may not be relevant to your idea of success. In short- dare to do things differently. You never know what may happen! For me, that's part of the adventure. 

Q. 6. Do you have anything else you could share about your journey that could inspire others?

There's so much! I think what's important to know, is that though it often can seem like people have this overnight crazy success, and living in a time of instant gratification as we do, we often expect this always. And it's just not the way for most of the people you look at in business. Most people work for a long time- not just building their business, but building themselves. One of the things my students say to me so often is, how do you know everything you know, or how can I know what you know. The short answer is time and lots, and lots, and lots of work. We have to remember that to be super awesome at what we're doing, takes time, and effort and work. There's no quick fix way around it. I have always been of the mind that slow and steady is the way to go and as such, I have built a slow and steadily growing business that rests on a very solid foundation- and was built from the ground up without any outside investment or debt.  So perhaps the best lesson I have learned is patience. And what I have experienced is that the times when I push ahead too quickly, I learn my lessons. And as a result, it seems that things come to evolve and shift to the next level when I'm ready for them.

BIO

Meghan Telpner is a Toronto-based author, speaker, nutritionist, and founder of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. Her humorous, engaging and real approach to living an awesome, healthy life has garnered her a world-wide following and extensive media attention. Meghan’s Academy of Culinary Nutrition, is growing a global tribe of vibrant living advocates and her bestselling and award-winning book UnDiet: Eat Your Way to Vibrant Health is creating a revolution in how people think about their health. With an equal passion for both vibrant living and business, Meghan works with health focused independent practitioners and small businesses to find their unique voice in a crowded marketplace, stay ahead of the curve, cultivate community and convert passion into profitable ventures. For more visit MeghanTelpner.com.

Need gift ideas for International Women's Day?  Check out the health-conscious and hand-selected gifts by Jule's Baskets.

What started off as a online gift basket business has blossomed into a sister company called Jule’s Wellness.  Jule's Wellness is home to an online boutique that features health-conscious products which have been hand-selected by Julie and her team of wellness professionals.

We are also home to a physical workspace in central Toronto that has opened it’s doors to wellness professionals and entrepreneurs. What does all this mean?  Let me tell you the backstory and what has inspired Jule’s Wellness.

Our Story

The Online Boutique

We discover most of our business practices by listening to our customers. Over the past few months, many Jule’s Baskets fans have shown interest in purchasing our hand-selected wellness products for their own use. 

Although we started off as a gift basket business, we had so many great products in stock that we wanted to share.   We envisioned an opportunity to sell our inventory in an online boutique setting.  We have all of the goodies, so why not?  True to our nature our website is simple, clean and functional.

The Workspace

When I was searching for a space to fulfill my large corporate orders I came across a unit in central Toronto that met my criteria.  A large and open space, less than 15 minutes from my house, washroom, garage door for loading, space to grow, parking and decent rent!

I had the option to lease the space on a temporary basis to fulfill my large orders.  That would mean retreating back to my home office to produce orders from my basement after the holiday season.  I was thinking big and I’m an all or nothing kind of gal.  I wanted to continue to build my brand and business and move forward.  

I knew if I was going to keep the space after the busy holiday season, I wanted to make some improvements.  I envisioned a bright, white warehouse type space where I would produce my orders, host workshops and events and work alongside other wellness entrepreneurs. 

When I created this space I wanted to include a kitchen for personal use as well as workshops and rentals.  A lockable room to assemble baskets and house the inventory.  An office area, as well as a living and dining area that is perfect for multi-purpose space rentals which can be used for all kinds of events and workshops!

Having been an entrepreneur since my early 20s, I know it can be a lonely and isolating existence.  I missed working in the corporate world for the energy but not for inflexibility.  I love being an entrepreneur, and the flexibility it offers, but it definitely has it's pros and cons.

Working from home sounds great when you’re in an office all day, but the reality is that it can be very lonely and uninspiring.  Did I mention I have two daughters?  I love my girls, but the mommy mommy mommy over and over and over makes it very challenging.

My vision was to diversify my business, maximize this space and be surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs.  I thought why not use this great space to bring business-minds together to inspire, co-work, share ideas and support each other.  I know that communal workspaces are quite popular and for good reason.  We are social creatures and feed off energy.  This workspace isn’t like most others though.  It is a relaxed, holistic-feeling, bright and cozy space for wellness entrepreneurs.

I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce my partner in crime, Emily Sawyer.  Emily is our Director of Operations & Customer Care for Jule’s Baskets & Jule’s Wellness.  She is also a holistic nutritionist with focus on child and family nutrition. You can read more about her here! 

Did you know that we’re social?  Why don’t you join us!  

You can find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest!  

On our blog we will feature our favourite products, inspiring entrepreneurs as well as everything from delicious recipes to business, lifestyle and wellness tips. 

We are excited for this adventure!  Stay connected with us by signing up for our newsletter.  Receive VIP perks like 10% off all orders and be the first to hear of new arrivals, fun giveaways and more!

In health, 

Julie Tadeson
President & Founder

No matter what cold climate you live in, a warm and sunny getaway this time of year can be so beneficial to the mind and can ignite your imagination and passion for life! You must know that the sunshine is necessary for life. This burning star is not only great for our minds but also for our bodies and overall health.

A healthy dose of vitamin D does wonders to reduce stress and leave you feeling totally rejuvenated. But, what does it do for your health? Vitamin D is different from other vitamins because our bodies can manufacture it with sunlight exposure. This vitamin is essential for regulating calcium in our bones, proper immune function and the prevention of disease.

Julie likes to get away a few times through the winter months as she starts to go a little stir crazy and loves her sunshine and adventure. She travels quite often with her husband and two young daughters. She has some great tips to alleviate travel pains, keep the body and stress in check and most importantly keep immune system strong. Being sick on vacation is not fun.. and your vacation is supposed to be rejuvenating, relaxing, enjoyable and stress-free.

Photo taken at sunset at The Four Seasons, Hualalai on Hawaii's Big Island

Nothing makes a vacation more enjoyable than being prepared.

If you are lucky enough to be jet-setting this winter, Jule’s Wellness and Jule’s Baskets has you covered with some of our favourite travel essentials!  

Join us on our Jule's Wellness Instagram where we will be hosting a giveaway for this box filled with natural, organic and health-conscious essentials! (valued at $200!!)

Contents Include:

S’well Water Bottle - S’well bottles are beautifully crafted, composed of non-leaching and non toxic stainless steel that keeps your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12. We also love that S’well gives back to the community as a proud partner of charitable organizations.

Living Libations Everyone Loves The Sunshine - Nourishment for sun-soaked skin: this organic formula uses the rich oils of the desert jojoba plant, virgin coco-creme, red raspberry seed oil, seabuckthorn berry oil, tamanu berry and essential oils of schizandra berry, immortelle, carrot seed, rose otto, cape-chamomile, frankincense, sandalwood, ginger, lavender, turmeric, calendula and palmarosa as a cooling canopy. So nourishing, this Beautiful formula harmonizes your time in the sun.  This is must and a personal favourite of Julie's.

Hurraw SPF 15 Lip Balm- Moisturizing lip protection in a juicy, tangerine and calming chamomile scent. Airplane travel can dry out your lips, but most importantly, so can the sun. If your body can burn, you can bet your beauty pout will too. Lathering sunscreen on your lips isn’t very cute.

Love Fresh Deodorant- This super soft formula offers long lasting odour and sweat protection in fresh scents like lemon verbena, rose and lavender - great for men or women! Throw it in your bag and apply anywhere. Because it doesn’t look like deodorant, you can sneakily apply it anywhere (ahem... airplane).

Pur Gum- We aren’t big gum chewers, as it’s not the best habit for optimal health.. (can cause gas and digestive issues).. But if we do need to freshen our breath in a pinch and keep airplane ear at bay we will use this gum. It is aspartame free, sugar free, vegan, NON-GMO and safe for pregnant women! Peppermint flavoured to keep your breath minty fresh and to give your ears some love through airplane travel and with elevation.

Simply Protein Bar - Having healthy and high protein snacks on hand are a must for keeping blood sugar levels stable especially for those long airport waits and plane rides. We like to avoid the airplane food when possible!

Nud Fud - This crispy, irresistible snack is full of antioxidants, fibre, magnesium, and healthy fats to help keep you healthy during your travels. They’re also free of common allergens such as gluten, dairy, soy, corn, wheat, nuts, eggs and anything artificial!

Jaxcoco Coconut Water- Factors like lack of humidity in air plane cabins, hot days and maybe too many cocktails can cause dehydration very fast! Essential minerals in coconut water hydrate quickly and reduce water retention (hello bikini!) But pack carefully in your luggage bag!

Four Sigma Instant Teas: Chaga, Reishi and Cordycepts

These three teas come in a conveinient, fast dissolving packet composed of 100% wild picked mushrooms free from preservatives or chemicals. With a lengthy list of benefits, you could say mushrooms are the new super foods! 

Chaga is a good source of antioxidants important to support immune function and kill foreign pathogens.

Reishi is a whole body tonic, especially good for anxiety and promoting restful sleep.

Cordycepts is a wonderful invigorating energy boost- perfect for the jet legged days!

Inspired Soap Works Bath Salts- Have you ever showed up at your hotel to see a lovely soaker tub, but nothing to put in it? Or, if you’re like Julie and her family and rent houses or condos, you’re pretty much on your own for supplies. She always brings a travel bag of her favourite locally crafted dead sea salts. These salts help promote deep relaxation and detoxification. Perfect for a chill late night tub soak!

Wedderspoon Manuka Honey Lozenges: These sweet lozenges are made with pure manuka honey to soothe and coat a dry throat that often accompanies airplane rides. They are free from refined sugars, and contain beneficial B vitamins to keep you healthy and energized.

Essential Oils For Traveler's

Frankincense First Aid from Living Libations: This first aid friend is an essential oil medicine-cabinet in a bottle. It’s a fabulous anti-fungal formula that just takes a drop to quickly heal burns, bites and rashes bringing your skin back into balance.

Epiphany Elixir by Living Libations: Maybe you are headed somewhere exotic to do some soul searching? This blend of essential oils can heighten your experience by bringing awareness and inspiration to your mind and senses. Add a couple drops to your skin while doing morning yoga, relaxing with a good book, or a drop in some water when needed to centre the mind. It is amazing

Immune Illume by Living Libations: Another amazing blend of pure essential oils with anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties that will kill anything in it’s tracks! The last thing you want to do is spend your vacation sick in bed. Make sure you are prepared with immune support.

The Bad News: 

The Good News: 

Now back to the basics with...

Hurraw Lip Balm 

All of the beauty & spa products we carry in our baskets are health-conscious, organic and natural.  We carry so many great products and lines.... we couldn't mention them all , so skip over to our online boutique to see the variety!