We don’t think we need any reason to share the things we love. Here’s what’s been making us think, act, create and laugh this month.

From their blog to this stunning book, we’re soaking up everything Design Sponge has to offer.

How many Downward Dogs ‘til we can yoga-breakdance like Alex Yde?

Whisker Works presents handmade hilarity leaving no set of lips undusted.

Wunderkit is keeping us ‘wundering’. We’re anxiously awaiting the release of their app!

Punchfork makes the world your Oyster Fitzpatrick.

Training Mobs get people sweating together. No flash mobs here.

Though I’m not really afraid of anything, intimidation can get the best of me from time to time. The Grouse Grind, a firm fixture on my Vancouver bucket list, was one of those things that required a little more encouragement than say, lavender lattes and mini waffles at Café Medina. Just before the hiking season ended (and with some motivation from friends to boot), I braced myself for one of Vancouver’s famous hikes, also known as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster.”

mapping my hike

I wanted to document my hike so that I could compare my first time with each time after that (side note: about halfway up I was sure that this would be my first and last time). Having this record would not only serve as proof that I did in fact climb the Grind but it would also allow me to track my progress and help me set goals to challenge myself in the future. After looking into a few options, I settled on iMapMyHike since I was already familiar and quite satisfied with other apps from MapMyFitness.

the grouse grind

To put things into perspective for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Grind, imagine 2,830 steps, gaining 2,800ft in elevation, which works out to cover a total distance of 2.9km. On average it takes about an hour and a half to complete, two hours for novice hikers and 23 minutes and 48 seconds if you’re Sebastian Salas, the official record holder.

take it to the top

At the base of the trail my friend Ashley and I each started the app to record our journey (I wanted to test the accuracy of the app to see if our results would differ). Setting it up was fairly easy and with a push of a button we were on our way. It didn’t take long to realize that “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster” is no exaggeration. The first quarter was fun and exciting - the halfway point couldn’t come soon enough. Seeing the three-quarter mark was a dream and really kicked my energy level into high gear. Standing at the top was unbelievable and somehow made me forget how much I disliked getting there.

how the app faired

I have mixed opinions about the app. It was successful in recording the hike as far as time, distance, calories and elevation go (although, I was so excited when I got to the top I forgot to stop the app, so I have to shave about 10 minutes off my ‘official’ time). I loved that I could immediately share my stats on my social channels (climbing the Grind entitles you to some bragging rights, after all) or through email (I chose to share my stats with my coworker, Michael). What I didn’t like was that the app seemed a little glitch-y when it came to saving the workout, in fact, Ashley’s hike got deleted. The app also drained my battery, which, could be dangerous if you’re climbing alone and also means less juice for pictures when you do make it to the top.

Would I climb the grind again? I can’t believe I’m going to say this but yes. As for the app, I didn’t love it enough to use it for my hike up the Chief the following day, although I would have liked having those stats recorded. Any suggestions for other hiking apps that are more dependable and won’t kill my battery?

create a vision board with

It’s no secret that lululemon is big on goals. We set goals, we achieve goals and, to put it mildly, we are downright obsessed with living lives we love through the practice of goal setting. Sometimes, nothing beats old-fashioned pen and paper when it comes to creating a vision and setting goals but leave it to our Digital Innovation team to find the coolest, raddest, digital tools, for screens big and small.

tools to get inspired

pinterest - desktop, iPhone carolyn - digital innovation manager

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Pinterest is my biggest source of vision inspiration online. From inspiring quotes to eye-catching photos, Pinterest helps me build vision boards for myself in all areas of my life. Currently I’m pinning to a “vision of my life in ten years”, a “my vision of health” board and even a “my career in five years” board.

Pinterest keeps my imagination alive and allows my vision to grow and change with time. I can keep my visions private or share them with friends. Pinterest also has a great iPhone app (actually, one of my all time favourites) so I can keep creating on the go!

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43 things - desktop, iPhone carolyn - digital innovation manager

A true match made in heaven - social and goal setting? Yes please! 43things is an online community and goal setting service (it’s the biggest one on the web) that helps you set goals while meeting likeminded people. The site builds on social relationships so that community members can help each other in achieving goals and get inspired to take on new goals themselves. With Facebook integration, I can see what sorts of goals my friends have set and we can connect through shared or similar goals.

evernote - desktop, iPhone, iPad, blackberry, peder - digital innovation intern

I achieve my goals by breaking the process into five categories: note taking, visioning, goal setting, to-do’s and daily tracking. While Evernote is not exactly positioned as the technology that will achieve my goals, it fits perfectly into the note taking part of my tried and true system. Evernote allows me to capture a picture, a stray insight, a voice memo, a webpage and pretty well anything else right from any of my devices. I love how “in the moment” Evernote is. I can record anything that piques my interest and then come back to it when I have enough time to make sense of how those bits of inspiration play into my bigger picture.

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mindbloom - desktop peder - digital innovation intern

Mindbloom fuses inspiration and goal setting to one by taking you into a place of possibility through an interactive story line. Mindbloom helps create your vision and connects you with the inspiration and tools you need to achieve your goals. I love that the app asks you to identify the areas of your life that are most important to you. Once you identify those areas, Mindbloom shares inspirational quotes and pictures so you can start visualizing an "anything is possible" life. From here, you can set goals that actually speak to who you are. Social integration and goal suggestions are two other amazing features that help jump-start your most fulfilling life.

tools for staying on track

getting dreams done - iPhone carolyn - digital innovation manager

Getting Dreams Done is an iPhone application for goal setting, dream creation and vision boarding. Part of what I love most is that it’s simple to use. It integrates with my iCal and I find that it really operationalizes goal setting in a way that works for me. I use 43things and Pinterest to find vision and goals, inspiration and then use GettingDreamsDone on a weekly basis to check in, track and revise my goals. The calendar helps remind me of my status on certain goals and holds me accountable to achieving them.

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action method - desktop, iPhone, iPad, android, pen and paper kristina - social innovation manager

I use Action Method to keep track of my to-dos or goals for each day. Since I’m in a role where work often feels like play, it’s pretty easy to get carried away. Action Method is a tool that is available in almost every form: website, app and even that good old fashion pen and paper we were talking about. With so much always on the go, Action Method helps me prioritize my goals and keeps me on track for achieving them.

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Technology helps to hold us accountable to our goals because it is easy to share and it integrates goal setting into our day-to-day lives. The more accessible and visible our goals are, the more likely we are to achieve them. Let our DI team in on some of your favourite goal-setting tools.

want more?

• learn how to set powerful goals
• more goal setting 101
• check out some of our other favourite apps

September was full of fun yoga initiatives that brought us all to our mats as one. From Salutation Nation to the Global Mala, we celebrated yoga month with clear minds and open hearts. Here are some of our favourite yoga apps to help keep the ‘om’ going all winter long.

mindbody yoga – free

An office favourite, the MINDBODY yoga app puts every yoga class in the surrounding area at your fingertips. This is by far the easiest way to find a class on the go, wherever you are.

• uses your GPS location to find classes near you
• outlines class, studio and instructor descriptions
• Check out MINDBODY for pilates and fitness too!

relax & rest – $0.99

Enjoy guided mediation with the Relax & Rest app. The no-fuss interface of this simple to use app allows you to customize your mediation with ease. I melted into the five-minute meditation at my desk and found it to be a great way to recharge at work.

• choose from background music or nature sounds
• choose from three different lengths of guided meditation
• also available for iPad

pocket yoga – $2.99

With its sleek and simple design, this app has everything you could want without getting too complicated. The practices are all derived from the world-renowned school of Gaia Flow Yoga.

• choose between 27 sessions varying in durations and levels
• guided sessions with voiceover and animation for visual cues
• choose between two different sun salutation sequences
• view an extensive pictorial glossary of poses with descriptions and benefits
• keep a log of practice to track progress over time
• also available: Pocket Yoga Free and Pocket Yoga HD for iPad

hatha yoga – $9.99

Probably the most extensive and highly rated app in its class, the Hatha yoga app is a great alternative when getting to a studio just isn’t an option.

• choose from a number of classes ranging from 30-to-90 minute sequences
• stop motion visuals show how to get in and out of each posture
• voice over guided instruction
• create and save custom sequences with an easy to use interface
• play music from your own iTunes library

With October before us (and dare I say, the holiday season ahead) I think it’s safe to say that people are coming out of ‘summer mode’ and things are getting busy in both our work and personal lives. Creating balance is such an important part of being healthy and these apps help us to find the time to stay well rounded. What are some of your other favourite yoga apps?

want more?

• more great yoga apps reviewed by appolicious
• check out the Blissology Project
• enjoy our gift of online yoga!

We’re keeping our feet firmly in the sand and hanging on to the summer sun for as long as possible. Catch us in downward dog at complimentary outdoor events like Parliament Hill Yoga or join us in your local community for Salutation Nation coming up this September!

want more?

• follow us on instagram
• keep your cool during summer running

there's an app for that!

instagram turn your photos into mini pieces of art!

image: flickr-absurd hero If you need a peanut sauce to go with the rolls, try here.