GOODBYE TO OUR PRECIOUS GEMINI....

Today marks a very difficult day in the Hamilton house, for we lost a member of our family. We feel incomplete and we are devestated. Dear Gemini, our 14 year old Pekingnese, took his last breath surrounded solely by his two other doggy brothers, Chance and Boz. We knew that he was failing the last few days and made a vet appointment for today at 3:30pm, but the little man couldn't seem to wait that long.

Mag was at work, prepared to leave an hour early to attend our appointment and Ava and I were at our first "Toddler Connections" class. When I came home at 1pm, not one, not two, nor 3 dogs greeted us happily at the door. Anyone with a dog or dogs knows how they typically greet you! Your the President to their world, tails wagging, kisses flying and barks hello - like you've been gone for a month! :)

But....

Mommies know. Where was my welcoming committee?

I dropped by bags and found little Gem loved and coddled by his two brothers and he was gone.

There is truth to the saying that when a dog's health fails, it fails FAST. Our experience has proven truth to that and we want you all to hug your pets today!!

There can't help but be some guilt to leaving him alone for "just one more day" when the only thing that you can think about is, I should have stayed with him. But we are comforted in a few things:

1) the vet reassured us that it was quick. Judging by our discussion with him yesterday, he is confident in knowing that his death was fast and most likely a heart attack and that he didn't endure any horrific pain

2) He wasn't alone. He had 2 special members of his family with him, that speak his language and who never left his side

3) He got lots of cuddle time, hugs and kissies from us the night before. He knew he was loved and cared for. We choose to believe that is what allowed him to let go today

4) Gemini was lucky to meet his dad 14 years ago. He had a wonderful life and he brought joy and laughter to everyone he met and he sure did fill our hearts. I'm proud to have been fortunate enough to be his mom for 9 years.

Summer 2000

Just a pup

We Love and Miss you Snuffy!

xoxoxo

Rest in Peace little one

MY ARBONNE PARTY MENU FOR THE MONTH OF MAY!

I'm anxiously waiting to flip the fridge calendar in a few days, so that a fresh month of Spring can arrive!

WELCOME MAY!!

Not only is May my daughter's birthday month (she's turning one this year! Now, that's a fun party to plan too) it's also Mother's Day and really the official month of Spring! The days are longer, brighter and warmer, the flowers bloom, people are eager to be outside and everyone's car and lawn are totally spit spot aren't they? The neighbourhood never looked so great!

As you may know, I love to throw a party. It's easiest for me to list this month's agenda in one post so that you have as much notice as possible to RSVP for the party of your choice. All you need to do is sign up (by getting in touch with me), arrive and get ready to enjoy a fun, FREE hour of spa time. Remember what Arbonne is all about. I only use chemical free, organic and safe products at my spas and YOU get to sample it for free. Who doesn't love free and fun in the same sentence?

More than anything, my mission in business is to help and encourage women to carve time out from their awesomeness for themselves. I sincerely believe that our instinct is meet our families needs first at all costs. I'm in your shoes. And when I mixed my mission with my passion to help others, I ended up planning great Arbonne parties!

See what's in store and mark your calendars! I am truly looking forward to meeting you!

SUNDAY MAY 4th

My "Mummies with Tummies" Prenatal Foot Spa & Muscle Rejuvenation

Time: 2-3pm

Bring a friend and win a prize!

TUESDAY MAY 13th

Be My Guest & Discover Arbonne

Time: 7-9pm

For anyone interested in Arbonne as a business!

Join myself & other amazing women for a fun, informative night!

SUNDAY MAY 18th

My "Mommy Makeover" Facial Party

Time: 2-3pm

Bring a friend and win a prize!

THURSDAY MAY 29th

"Decoding Detox"

This is a workshop! Come & learn the basics in effective detox, clean eating for weight loss & more....

Time: 7:30pm-9pm

Have the chance to sample the best Vegan protein choice with Arbonne's pea protein powder!

Smoothies and Healthy Treats will be served!

All events are held at my home except for the Discover Arbonne which is held at Williams Cafe on Bryne Drive.

Don't forget to reserve your seat today!

Have a wonderful day!

WHAT TO EXPECT AT MY ARBONNE PARTIES

Like many moms, I too, put the entire household above myself. We all know that feeling of running rampant from dawn to dusk, managing house and home barely out of pajamas! Right down to the family pet, we don't relax until everyone else's needs are met. Personally, I chose to leave my busy 12 year personal training business and stay at home to raise our adorable daughter. I am so grateful that I had the option, but that was before I realized how fast I dropped the ball on my own sense of self and personal fulfillment along with my business!

So, what does an entrepreneurial spirit do? Build a new business. One that marries my passion for all things good for our health and well being and my mission to help other women carve time for themselves by prioritizing their health and mainaining their confidence and inner beauty! I really feel adamant that there is way that I can fascilitate this in a fun, honest and sincere manner. All the while, enabling me to raise Ava too!

I chose Arbonne International because I have faith in a solid company that has been around producing top of the line pure, safe and beneficial products for 34 years, long before "vegan" "organic" "chemical free" and "paraben, additive and preservative free" became everyday household terminology.

DID YOU KNOW?

After I personally switched my personal care products to Arbonne and saw and felt the fantastic results, also learning better choices for my infant's skincare too, all I wanted to do was share it! So I became a Consultant and I haven't looked back. And how better to share than to throw a party? 

I have created a PARTY MENU that outlines the 4 typical ones that I run weekly. More detailed copies of these are always available upon request.

1) MOMMY MAKEOVER - THE ULTIMATE FACIAL (relaxation & natural beauty)

2) MUMMIES WITH TUMMIES FOOT SOAK & SPA (prenatal foot & leg therapy)

3) DECODING DETOX - ENERGY BOOSTING WORKSHOP & SMOOTHIE BAR 

4) WINE & CHEESE - AN INVIGORATING SPA (fun, friends, face and foot spa)

Each theme will be held weekly at my home. All you have to do is rsvp and show up! My parties are completely FREE and come without strings or obligation of any sort. My sole purpose is to provide a venue that has a SERVICE to women that I hold the utmost confidence in. You'll have an hour away from your daily grind to focus on YOU, meet other women who can relate and walk away feeling 100% better than when you arrived. 

I love that my work can provide such a vast list for women. We don't do enough for ourselves and I'm hoping to change that in my local area, one facial at a time. :)

"MOMMY MAKEOVER" is happening this THURSDAY APRIL 24th from 8-9pm

Grab a friend, come in comfy clothes and very minimal make up, sip some herbal tea, have some treats and unwind.

Take the chance to sample what I believe is the best in chemical free, purely botanical anti-aging skincare and grab your goodie bag on the way out.

Its that simple.

RSVP for this party no later than Wednesday April 23rd. Seating closes at midnight.

I can't wait to meet you and I hope that this has helped clarify some information for you and answer a few of your questions.

High five my fellow tired moms! You're doing a great job!! It's time for a MOMMY MAKEOVER!

The Haze

There's something comforting about a cuppa tea, dim light and my laptop on the dining room table by the window on a late snowy night. But this is what it takes sometimes for a moment to myself. Precious time I took for granted as an uber independent professional not so long ago.

My blessing and purpose of being..ahem..my daughter is cozy and asleep upstairs recharging her batteries for another day of the same.

In the last 9 months, I am learning that having prayed for motherhood and finding every road possible to have the chance to stay at home is not always parallel to how I feel. Ava's beautiful soul is a huge life change, welcomed with every vessel in my heart. But instead of poking fun at all the ways us gals swear we'll never become (like live in sweat pants, hair forever in a bun, shower like the house is on fire, let our homes get dirty and show frustration in public), I swore up and down to myself (and to others) with almighty excitement, that my new squishy bundle will simply tag along in my usual life and I will continue on swimmingly with my mission to help others by maintaining my professional self cuz there's just no stoppin this perfectionistic and determined mom.

WRONG! (that's ok, you can wipe the egg off of my face)

Admittedly, I do struggle with this. Not every day, but I hate that I feel it. Learning to love and nurture a dependent and precious human being while learning to love and nurture myself in my new role in life is definitely a feat. Ava is such a wonderful accomplishment. She's an addition or extension of myself and my heart. As I get to know her, I feel like I have to get to know myself again too. She and I are both butterflies, fresh out of the coccoon, but I'm the only bug with a road map! Yes, much is instinct, but plenty is a good ole fashioned guess. Like shooting a dart blind folded!

Amidst my occassional lack of self confidence in this new world of mine, at the same time, I find myself with a yearning so deep that truly envelopes me! I yearn to offer my daughter the filling to all of my holes. My areas in life when I felt cheated, afraid, alone and full of regret. I don't want to shelter her or overprotect, instead I want to guide her with all the lessons that I have learned on top of helping her with what she chooses for herself. To me, feeling fulfilled in life is as integral as our own heartbeat. May I build her wings to soar to heights that make her feel accomplished, loved, proud and confident. May she know that when her wings tire, she can always come and rest with mom so I can pump her full of love and life again. Motherhood isn't a job or a duty, it's a sense of self! A recognition that your beloved prodigy simply can't live without you. And for me, that can apply some pressure. Not a vice grip, but enough of a squeeze to sometimes deplete me. I still feel badly when I have a bad day.

Ain't THAT the truth huh?!

Back to the sense of self. Understanding that as moms, we are human too. With the same capability of having good days and bad. It's not about being the best, it's about nurturing the best within ourselves. This has taken me almost 9 months to realize....until now, I was hovering in the haze.

The haze...the place in time when I'm so busy physically (with diapers, baths, sickness, cries, feedings, laundry, child entertaining, managing a home, finances, 3 dogs etc) that as my body is "doing" my mind is like a pop up bubble looking down at the scene. For real, for a while there, I believed I must be baby sitting! This has to be temporary! Because I have to get back to my life as I know it! What a fog.

Once the birth of a child comes, there's literally no time to adjust to all of the thousands of changes that are occuring in your own post partum body, the little life you created and the changing roles you have in your own life...but thankfully it passes.

Embracing my new reality as a stay at homer, I've been reminded how fear is normal. Fear is your friend. It drives courage. Courage is doing something despite your fear. I've learned that I was afraid of losing my independence and tossing all of old Shawna out the window, but now I know that fighting it, feeds it. Feeling it, obliterates it and frees me too! I love who I am becoming now and I like this road map! My new sense of self puts motherhood at the helm. It took some time and some internal fight I admit, but who I was before didn't disappear those priorities just became passengers!

To any new moms reading this, feel my hug. It's astounding what we are embarking on and the responsibility is enormous. But its extremely important to remember to stay responsible to ourselves too. We're useless to our children tired, cranky, out of shape and low. The haze is real. You may even have your own term for it!

Like Spring will come as I look outside this Winter window of mine...it lifts. And your own clear vision of MOM takes shape and your heart will swell. Anxieties will go and you'll look in the mirror and say "it's about bloody time you showed up, nice to meet you!"

Stay well friends xo

My Top 4 Diet Hiccups And Hurdles

We've ALL been there. If you say you haven't, I just caught you in a lie! :)

Nothing seems more frustrating than falling upon diet hiccups and hurdles, especially when you feel that you have been an attentive and diligent A student with your plan.

But I'm here today to offer you a warm hug, a smile, a pat on the back and some answers to your weight loss qualms and queries. If at first you don't succeed, you know the rest.

Losing weight the RIGHT way takes not only knowledge and determination, it takes an enormous amount of patience. The trait that most of us struggle with in our one second society! If you can microwave your lunch in a minute, send a text in a  minute, whiten your teeth in a minute and withdrawal money in a minute, why can't we lose our goo in a minute?  Am I right?

Expecting quick results is a conditioning of our culture and that's why the multi-billion dollar diet industry has grabbed you and held you hostage!

Practicing a healthy lifestyle is the broken record here. You've heard it before. Always remember that losing weight effectively and safely is like a lock and key. EVERY component has to synergize and work together CONSISTENTLY for a minimum of 4-6 weeks and even up to 12 weeks for drastic change! These components are your food selection, your food timing, your portion distortion, your level of exercise, your quality of sleep and your positive attitude. If you're missing any of these, it's like having the key in the lock, but it won't turn over!

Take a look at these 4 helpful hints, think about them and then dust off and get back on your horse, because YOU CAN DO IT! I'll support you every step of the way - I'm only an email, tweet or message away!

DIET HICCUP #1

"I get very busy, so I tend to eat out alot"

Oh my, this one has everything to do with the amount of calories that you're packing in due to food prep (great chefs love butter and oil) and certainly due to portions that could feed two people in one. This is just a nightmare and a certain diet crasher. But I do understand how business functions and meetings are seemingly always centered around food. So try these fixes: Make a reservation. Alcohol revs up your appetite, so sitting and waiting at the bar with drinks until your table is ready is a sure fire way to add pounds. Keep to one drink and sip WITH your meal. Order grilled food over fried and ask to have your veggies steamed over sautéed. And if you have to have something decadent - take half home or simply leave it on your plate.

DIET HICCUP #2

"My willpower sinks on the weekends"

This is a biggie. Many of us are All-Stars during the week. We're extra careful, we've planned and packed our healthy meals, we've fit in exercise and we've really been GOOD. Then the weekend comes and the structured schedule all goes to the pits. Then you're bad one day and decide to write off the whole weekend. There goes the 2 lbs your weekly efforts might have lost, to only find their way back on your body. The fix: I highly suggest scheduling some form of fitness on a weekend day each week. Sign up for that spin class, go for a family bike ride, take a long hike..something. And create a meal plan that doesn't have you feeling so deprived all week. Factor about 150 calories a day on smarter slurgeworthy options (like a glass of wine, a 3/4 cup of ice cream or 2 oz of cheese) so you consciously or subconsciously don't feel tempted to scarf them all down on Friday!

DIET HICCUP 3#

"I'm ALWAYS starving!"

What are the first three letters in the word "diet?" - yup, it can feel that way in the beginning! But whatever you do, please DO NOT lessen your daily caloric intake too drastically. Here's a little rule of thumb, it's not gospel, but it'll get you thinking. If you add a zero to your present weight, that's around the amount of calories it takes to keep you alive. Meaning, to keep your organs working in a healthy manner, your brain functioning, your heart strong. When you want to lose weight, shave off 500-800 from that number and work with that caloric intake daily. Your body just can't stay fueled and full on any less and you'll surely quit. And if you don't, it's going to ALL come back on with a vengeance! You'll be worse off and stuck in the yo-yo phase for life! The Fix: Keep your calorie intake reasonable and sensible, eat them within 3 meals and two snacks daily - never miss a meal. This will ensure that your blood sugar levels remain even throughout the day which will only guarantee a healthy, efficient metabolism. Portion your food accordingly and don't skimp on lean protein. Protein sends much stronger "I'm full" signals to the brain than carbs or fat!

DIET HICCUP #4

"The number on my scale is stuck"

Plateaus are very very common, especially after a more immediate weight loss. When you're lighter, your body needs fewer calories, so what used to make you shrink is now what is needed for maintenance. The Fix: Cut out about 200 calories more per day. That's not drastic, but once added up over a week or two, it amounts to something. If you don't notice a difference in approximately 2 weeks your portions are most likely off and your water intake is also most likely insufficient. And last but not least, switch up your workout. Do the same, stay the same. It's that simple. Switching routines will build more fat-burning muscle. Be sure to move your body at a moderate pace as many days of the week as possible. Stop and go dog walking is gravy. Keep your heart rate up for a minimum of 20-30 minutes a day. And drink half of your body weight IN OUNCES a day in water!

I hope that I have helped!

Exercise patience, faith & belief in yourself.

I'm already proud of you. :)

A Friend, a Foe, and a Decent Sized Dust Collector!

The Almighty Bathroom Scale

5 Things That Can Skew The Truth

You wouldn’t be a woman if you’ve never had a scale meltdown! You know these times, we hug it when it reads favorably and we cry and curse it when it doesn’t. Let's be honest with one another. Haven't we ALL stood on a scale in our birthday suits and  STILL taken earrings out with hopes that they'll help the needle move just a teensy weensy more to the left? LOL! Oh yes you have!!

 But I’m here to tell you that the number staring back at you may not be quite right and not to fret! Depending on a variety of factors that have absolutely nothing to do with body fat or even the scales accuracy, your body weight can vary by several pounds from one day to the next!

 In fact, experts agree that your body fat percentage and your physical measurements rather than your weight, provide a more accurate picture of your health. So before you panic over what the scale is telling you, keep it mind that it’s just a number ladies and it WILL yo-yo daily and here are 5 reasons why!

 1)      You have clothes on ( ADDS up to 5-6lbs)

This may seem like a no-brainer but most people weigh in with either all of their whole outfit on, or with their sneakers on at the gym, or their bathrobes at home. So take it off! As stripping down to your bare essentials can subtract up to 5-6lbs and really tip the scale in the “right” direction for you! But if you must, I recommend that you weigh yourself at the same time ONCE a week, in the morning, bare and after you use the washroom!

 2)      You just finished an extra sweaty cardio class (SUBTRACTS up to 4-5lbs)

When your body works out at a high intensity, most of the calories burned are from glycogen (a form of carbohydrate that is stored in our muscle). The depletion of this high energy fuel can prove a dramatic shift in weight. But please don’t mistake this drop in pounds as a drop in body fat! The magical weight loss you are experiencing is just water. But hey, if that new scale number keeps you motivated to do it again, you have my vote!

 3)      You drank a huge bottle of water just before you got on the scale (ADDS up to 2lbs)

As you know, water has no calories, so it certainly can’t cause fat gain, but a liter or more of water weighs more than 2lbs. Most small shifts in body weight are due to fluctuating water levels in the body. So the full two pounds will show on the scale during the first few minutes after you drink it, then eventually deplete via perspiration, breathing and other bodily functions and your weight will at that point, inch back down accordingly. So it never hurts to hit the loo before hopping onto the scale!

 4)      You had a few drinks last night (SUBTRACTS 3-5lbs)

Alcohol depletes your body of water. Alcohol also irritates the digestive system and can cause diarrhea. This diuretic/laxative combination makes some women look and feel leaner the day after. But while the scale drops, be rest assured that it won’t for long. Your weight will bounce back to normal once you replenish your fluids!

 5)      You had a “light” lunch (ADDS up to 2-3lbs)

Often the healthiest meals are the heaviest in terms of weight. Filling, diet friendly foods such as broth based soups and/or salads loaded with veggies are full of fiber and water. Now, these both have zero calories, but add bulk to your plate and therefore, for a brief time, your stomach. So eating these can cause a short term rise in the scale number even though they actually help you lose weight over time. Interesting isn’t it? That’s why the scale is but a number, nothing to plan your life around. Eating healthfully comes first and matters most. So please don’t discourage yourselves from eating these fine foods. Just remember that once you do, depending on your digestion rate, the added weight of a large but diet-friendly lunch won’t stick with you longer than 12-24 hours! So never fear!

Keep up the great work with your fitness routine, eat smartly and choose a winning attitude! Be sure to grab that trusty measuring tape and keep track of those inches lost. Those results are worth far more to you than the number on the scale!

Never give up! You already look wonderful!

DIY Homemade Protein Bars!

Like every mom, you know what it's like to be on the go more often than not! And because of the mayhem that your list of things to do can create, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and obvious how we can skip a meal and/or snack along the way.

When I was personal training, ie: working full time, I lived in my car if I wasn't with a client. As a mobile business, I drove alot every day! I had my meals packed in my cooler and ready to serve when hunger would strike. Super organized, super healthy and now super unrealistic with an infant in the house! LOL!

Recently, I've been working hard to rebuild my bod after building my baby and I know how important it is to eat right! But I also know how important it is to maximize my free time, so I've dug out a recipe of mine for homemade protein bars!

I wanted a healthy and quick snack to be able to pack or grab on the go that wasn't full of any extra preservatives, additives, colorings and lets face it CALORIES! This recipe is nothing but wholesome goodness. They are fairly filling and very tasty. 

They take no time to prepare and no time to bake, so have fun with this easy recipe! Add or delete where you wish to best suit your preferences. This recipe is very flexible for vegans, vegetarians, celiacs, those with sensitivities etc so have fun and experiment!

Here is what I make at home!

HOMEMADE PROTEIN BARS:

You'll need:

1 cup of whey or soy protein powder ( I used vanilla whey)

1/2 cup of quinoa flour (or flour of your choice) 

2 cups of rolled oats (not instant)

1/2 cup of oat bran

1/2 cup of coarsely chopped flax seed

1/2 cup of wheat germ

1 tsp of sea salt

1/4 tsp of nutmeg ( I shaved my own from the nut itself)

1/2 cup of Sucanat, agave nectar or organic honey (I used agave nectar - unflavored)

1 cup of dark chocolate ( I used carob chips)

1 3/4 cups of light cream cheese ( or yogurt cheese or soy cheese for less fat and calories)

1/4 cup of avocado oil 

2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp of high quality vanilla

Mix all dry ingredients first, including the chocolate..then mix the cheese of choice, the oils and the vanilla separately. Only after this, do you mix them altogether! (Don't taste the dough..it's addictive)

Spread the entire mixture on a lightly coated baking sheet and bake at 350F for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool a little bit before you cut your squares. 

Once you have created as many squares as you can, place back in the oven for another 15 minutes at the same temperature.

When they're done, place on a cooling rack and in about 20 minutes you'll have these amazing bars chalk full of nutrition and ready to go!

They are to be stored in the fridge once they have cooled entirely.

Enjoy everyone!

If you try these and made any changes, let me know, I'll give your ideas a shot the next time I bake!

Off to pack my gym bag for tomorrow's workout! Even with a baby, there are no excuses!

Chat soon!
S xo