Kind Living with Sue
February 2013
KIND LIVING WITH SUE What’s new?
Inside this issue
I bring to you warm wishes for a wonderful 2013! I hope it finds you happy, healthy and fulfilled. As you may know, my vision for the studio is to co-create an inclusive environment that celebrates yoga and the inevitable, positive spin-off that the practice can create. I am happy to be offering 9 public yoga classes per week during February, and I am also happy that wonderful instructors Susan Clarke, Kim Kush, Rebecca Bolden and Dawn Balfour are using the space to teach their own classes. Everyone is essentially an independent contractor, but we are united in our vision of sharing yoga and supporting one another. I plan to offer fun and informative workshops this year and am in the process of putting together a “make your own body butter” workshop soon. The more I explore the grace of my practice, the harder it is for me to slather on commercial products loaded with known chemicals that are anything but healthy or environmentally friendly. It doesn't have to take a lot of time or cost a lot of money to make your own products. Details will be following soon, so stay tuned!
Sue’s February schedule
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Products I love
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The clay mask
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Recipe – Chocolate coconut balls
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Instructor contact information
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In light of this DIY spirit, I thought I would share with you my adventures with clay masks. Warning: you may wish to put down that snack or beverage...the photo to follow is a bit unsettling! …continued on page 3
Sue’s February Schedule
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
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12:10 – 1:00 pm
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10:00 – 11:00 am 5:30 – 6:30 pm 10:30 – 11:30 am (gentle stretch) 12:10 – 1:00 pm 10:00 – 11:00 am
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10:30 – 11:30 am (gentle stretch) 12:10 – 1:00 pm 5:30 – 6:30 pm (warm)
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Kind Living with Sue
February 2013
Products I love – it’s about the people Value is important to me. I strive to provide the very best combination of quality and price. However, it's also really important to me that care and consideration are taken with everyone involved in the process of creating a product.
Sheila Moon is a super fun clothing line with a terrific blend of function (handy pockets) and bright, cheerful fabrics.
As a result, I end up spending a lot of time looking for unique products. And I have to say I have been having a lot of fun doing the research, and I am intrigued with stories of the people behind these products.
I am also thrilled with the recent addition of beautiful custom silver jewelry by Toronto's Suetables. Sue Henderson can be credited with being one of the first to hand stamp jewelry. I have some stunning pieces that are stamped with words such as courage, compassion, kindness, and grace. Words do truly have power, and it's so nice to have these gentle reminders.
I am happy to support the fine people who are devoted to their businesses. Truly Organics is a wonderful Canadian company that provides a great variety of superfoods. Berries, teas, hemp, chia, spices....great products at a great price. Respecterre is another Canadian company truly dedicated to being environmentally responsible while making fashionable, functional and wellpriced clothing. Their bamboo short skirts have proven to be very popular, and I plan to bring in more of their styles and also their men's line. Dude Girl is a fun California company named in honour of the founder's grandmother. She travelled by horseback over the Western States, and her granddaughter fuels that adventurous spirit into her clothing line.
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The ever-popular Coobie bras have done it again! I have brought in their “comfort” bra, which has wider straps and comes in three sizes. I have also brought in their fantastic racer back camisoles and longer, thin-strap camisoles. These are great for layering and are at a very reasonable price.
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Kind Living with Sue
February 2013
Easy-to-make clay masks Clay has long been recognized for its incredible ability to draw toxins from our system. Spas regularly incorporate clay in various body wraps and masks...for good reason – it works! Not being one for regular facials (being a little impatient), I thought perhaps a little tending to was in order (especially after my sweets binge over the holidays). Knowing the potent blend of apple cider vinegar and Moroccan clay, I went to work.
that would make a handy parking spot for a “smart car” were considerably reduced. It really only cost pennies to do, which again reminded me of how expensive so many skin products are, not to mention chemically laden. If this interests you, please let me know as I was able to source a very good clay product at a fantastic price and am happy to share.
Simple instructions: 1. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of powdered clay (I like Moroccan) with enough raw apple cider vinegar (I like Filsinger's) to make a paste. 2.
Apply the paste to your freshly washed face. Be careful around your eyes and mouth.
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Wait for the fun to begin. Read a book, have a bath, answer those overdue emails...and before you know it, you will start to feel this very strange sensation. Kind of like that embarrassing hickey you had in grade 9...but instead of your neck...it's your entire face! As the clay dries, it literally pulls the toxins from down deep (like your toes deep). You won't be able to move your mouth easily (as you might be able to tell from the photo!).
4. When the clay is dry (around 15-20 minutes), start to gently remove with water. This will take a few minutes. When the clay is removed, your skin will likely be red due to the increased circulation. Your skin will be quite glowy. You may wish to add a nice moisturizer (I love Crawford Street's facial oil), which I did after these photos were taken and Robb stopped laughing. My skin felt great following, and those pores 3
Kind Living with Sue
February 2013
Recipe – Chocolate coconut balls Is there anything yummier than chocolate and coconut? I used a great coconut ball recipe from Radiant Life Company and then dipped them in dark chocolate...oh my! Ingredients • 1 – 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut • 1/4 cup maple syrup • 2 T coconut oil - warmed • 1/2 tsp vanilla • 1/8 tsp sea salt Mix all ingredients in food processor, then chill in fridge to firm up. Roll into balls. I then dipped in dark chocolate that I melted with a little coconut oil. Store in fridge or freezer…that is if you don't eat them all first! I encourage everyone to consider adding coconut oil to your diet. It's an easy upgrade, and I'm all about the easy upgrades! It's a seamless change that won't disrupt your routine or require a lot of fussing. Coconut oil is extremely stable and, unlike other oils, can be utilized as fuel for the body. Because of its stability, it is perfect for cooking as it doesn't break down and form free radicals the way other oils do. It is rich in a substance called lauric acid, which has powerful anti-microbial properties. There have been studies that show promise regarding weight loss when coconut oil replaces other fats in the diet. Coconut oil can also be used topically as it's wonderful for hair and skin. As with all oils, quality is extremely important. Avoid any oils that are “sketchy” regarding processing. I prefer First Quality Organics because no heat or solvents are used, and the taste is clean and delicious. It is the only truly “raw” coconut oil available on the market today. If you wish to try for yourself, I do have some samples at the boutique. 4
Instructor contact information For up-to-date information about the other instructors’ schedules, please contact them directly. Susan (
[email protected]) Kim (
[email protected]) Dawn (
[email protected]) Rebecca (
[email protected])
Please know that I fully stand behind any product I represent. So, if you are not absolutely thrilled with any product you purchase from me, I will not hesitate to give you a full refund. I am convinced that these products represent true value...ethically, environmentally, economically....and I hope you do, too!
For more information about classes, workshops or products, please visit my website or contact me at:
[email protected] www.kindliving.ca
