My 10 year vision for myself has me waking up bright an early each morning, hitting a local farmers’ market with a mini-me in tow and getting inspired in the moment to cook up a delicious, seasonal and healthful meal for my family that day. Romantic, right? I love the idea of buying bread from the baker, meat from the butcher and produce from a farmer. For now, my shopping habits are less whimsical and more grocery store but every time I get to a market I feel a pang in my heart that connects me to my future self. Here are few tips for shopping ‘market fresh’.

1. the early bird gets the worm freshest produce
Get there early for the cream of the crop. You’ll beat the crowds and earn a little extra face-time with the farmers. It’s a passion and a science to cultivate beautiful produce so don’t underestimate their knowledge when it comes to how to pick and prepare whatever is in season.

2. bring small bills
Often times farmers’ markets will be cash only – do your local vendor a favour and bring the smallest bills you’ve got – you’ll save them from running out of small change and land yourself on their good side (which is a great place to be)!

3. do a once around first
Scope out the scene before you start filling up your basket with goodies – it’s the only way to discover who’s offering the best stuff for the best prices!

4. byo-bag
Everybody wins when you use a reusable shopper. From minimizing waste for the environment to saving the vendor a few cents a bag, it’s an easy way to earn some good karma (and a more reliable way to carry a melon home). Plus, we happen to know a little place that has some great reusable shoppers!

5. know what’s in season
If you know what’s in season you’re more likely to come home with the best tasting stuff. Simple. Check out the app ‘Seasons’ for an easy guide to what’s fresh when, in your region! Bonus: it even lets you know of markets happening close to you!

6. just because it’s a farmers market doesn’t mean it’s local
Take the time to read up on what kind of market you’re headed to. Read the ‘rules’ of the market for insight on what kind of produce you might be looking at. It’s not uncommon for markets to allow vendors to offer commercially-purchased and imported goods. Talk to the people behind the counters for the full story on where you’re food is really coming from – they’ll know it best.

7. organic or not organic?
Here’s another sneaky one – just because something isn’t labeled “organic” doesn’t mean it isn’t produced following organic principles. Certifications can be very expensive and can discourage small local farms from receiving the official documentation. Ask the farmers about their philosophies and make the call accordingly!

8. have a method to your madness
It’s not a bad idea to spend a little time strategically thinking about the order in which you buy stuff. Purchasing heavier items first is great because you’ll want them at the bottom of the bags but you’ll end up having to lug them around. Buying lighter items first is easier on the biceps but will require a rearrange half way through your shop. It’s a personal preference thing but worth considering!

9. take your time
Farmers’ markets are best shopped when you are not on a schedule. Try to avoid “fitting in” a trip on an already busy day - if you’re anything like me you’ll get flustered and stressed. Take the time to soak in the experience and do it right. You’ll leave relaxed and inspired to get creative in the kitchen.

natural deodorant sweat test review

soapwalla deodorant cream
overall sweat test rating: 8/10
price: $12.00
pros: scent, overall performance
cons: application, price

review:
I knew I had a winner when I stopped feeling the need to apologize in advance to everyone around me. After a workday and sweat session I had a few (brave) friends do a sniff test and I got the thumbs up all around. I loved the lavender-peppermint-tea tree scent (sensitive noses beware, it is quite strong). The price is a little steep and it did take me a while to get over the application of the product – you have to apply it like you would a moisturizer (they’re serious when they use the term ‘cream’).  Regardless, this would be my go to recommendation for anyone serious about going natural.

kiss my face – active life (lavender)
overall sweat test rating: 5/10
price: $5.99
pros: application, price
cons: scent

review:
What I loved most about this deodorant was that the application didn’t require any additional instruction (up against the other brands I tried this really did set it apart). For the most part it held up during the day to day although I do remember leaving one particularly warm meeting room in a bit of a sweat (pun intended). I also found the “lavender” scent to be a little strong and sort of smelt like a glue stick. If you’re willing to reapply for your workout and you’re looking for something easy and affordable then I’d recommend this deodorant as a decent option.

crystal body deodorant
overall sweat test rating: 3/10
price: $6.99
pros: hypoallergenic, price
cons: application, overall performance

review:
This one felt like I was wearing nothing at all and not in the good way. From application to performance this deodorant was my least favourite. In order to activate the “rock” you have to moisten it with water first (which dripped onto the clothes I was wearing - ugh). I wasn’t very confident that I’d transferred any product to my underarms and by the end of each day I was pretty certain I hadn’t. What it does have going for it is that it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free making it a good option for those with sensitive skin. If it does work for you, it also lasts up to a year so you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. Overall if you’re an active person like me than this probably won’t hold up to your liking.

Finding a good deodorant (and making a recommendation for that matter) can be tricky since everyone reacts to formulas differently. While this test did prove to me that there are some great options out there, it made me realize there was a much bigger question I had to ask. Was I ready and willing to switch from an antiperspirant to a deodorant? Smelling fresh and staying dry are important to me and these options (for the most part) undelivered when it came to the latter. Anyone know of a natural stick that combats both these issues?

Sneak peek of some of the freshest colours that will be hitting our men's line for Spring/Summer. You can shop by colour.

Hit the gym or the yoga studio with a splash of colour. Here is a sneak peek of what's to come during this season. You can shop by colour.

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