My Top 12 of 2012

What an amazing year we've had in our little family. From moving to the near-North Pole {aka: Fort McMurray, AB}, to buying a new home, and thriving in our new lives here in the West, it's been an awesome 2012. 

I thought I'd kick off the end of year wrap-ups with my favourites of 2012.  These are the things that made my life happier, healthier, easier and/or more stylish in 2012.

Without further ado, and in no particular order:

1. Michael Kors Purse

{Hamilton with Rose Gold Accents}

I tried to find a pic with the rose gold hardware, but I couldn't find one. Trust me, they are not an urban myth -- they exist and they are truly fabulous! I haven't had a black purse in several years, but this purse is special.

 

2. Nike Fuel Band

I've had my eye on this little bit of fitness technology ever since my sister got one at SXSW last year. I scooped mine up in Vegas, then I found out that they were coming to Canada 10 days later! I love it. I wear it everyday and it tracks my steps, calories burned and Nike "Fuel". It's so fun to challenge myself with this little band of cool, and it's easy to use. Just slap it on your wrist, then sync it to your computer or iPhone at the end of day :)

3. Manitobah Mukluks

 These are AMAZING. Cozy, comfy and so pretty. These mukluks are made by an Aboriginal-owned company {yay!}, Manitobah Mukluks. I have a few pairs of winter boots, but these are very special. 

Though not necessarily built for slushy conditions, they are created to protect from the harsh winter chill which we have plenty of here in Fort McMurray. I decided on the tall Metis Mukluks because I am Metis {!} and I love the pretty flower beading.

*I am told Santa may be bringing me a 2nd pair of mukluks for Christmas*

Big A thinks I'm crazy having so many winter boots, but it's winter here for about 8 months, so it's not like one pair will do!

4. Life-changing Movies

There are four movies that changed my life this year. I still haven't fully changed my lifestyle, but they have shifted my paradigm -- my understanding of health and wellness.  Especially during this Holiday Season of excess and indulgence, I hope you find the time to catch one {or all!} of these health-documentaries.

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

 The title of this movie is catchy, but the content is seriously awe-inspiring. The movie follows two average guys who go on green juice fasts to reboot their systems -- they end up releasing tons of weight and healing themselves of serious diseases too.

Food Matters

 This film shows you that you truly are what you eat -- if you want rich, vibrant and lasting health, what you eat truly matters. It delves a bit into Gerson therapy, healing from cancer and other diseases, and the importance of vitamins and raw vegetables. LOVE this movie! I still watch it all the time and always find some new info that I didn't catch before!

Hungry for Change

 This documentary is a essentially an indictment of our modern-day diet industry. It's not about what you eat, it's about what's eating you.  It's info-packed, but in a really accessible way. Definitely check out the 20 minute trailer on their website. You'll be inspired too!

May I Be Frank

This is another movie about an average guy's transformation. Suffering years of drug & alcohol addiction, violence and self-hatred, Frank allows the servers at a raw vegan cafe he frequents to help him change his lifestyle and hopefully his life. It's an inspiring movie.

5. Breville Juicer and Vitamix

Ever since watching all the amazing movies above, I was inspired to try to adopt some of lessons of healthy living I learned :) 

The Breville Juicer is AWESOME. It's got this amazingly powerful motor that that juice a full apple in seconds. It's relatively easy to clean, and nothing makes my cells happier and more vibrant than sipping fresh green juice in the morning.

I've been waiting for the Vitamix for a long time, pretty much ever since I became a veganista in the summer of 2011. Though I've let my strict vegan lifestyle lapse a bit, I've found the Vitamix to be extremely handy for making the *BEST* smoothies and soups. Seriously, this is the most amazing appliance you will ever own.

6. Lululemon Yoga Mat

Lululemon calls this "The Mat" and with reason. It's cush-y and thick and amazing to practice my asanas on :) I got it in white so it takes a little to keep it sparkling clean, but I would highly recommend it if you're in the market for a new yoga mat.

7. Coach Rose Gold Necklace

This necklace is truly a stunner. It's well-priced for a LOT of bling. And y'all know I like my bling. I wear it with everything, and the best part is that it's long enough to wrap around twice if you want a shorter necklace.

Here's a close-up of the rhinestone disk. The other side has the classic Coach "C's". Totally chic.

  

8. Mini Keurig

 This is one of my splurges this year, especially because I don't even drink coffee! It makes the most delicious hot drinks, and it's so easy to use. 

You have to buy little K-cups and add water, and two minutes later you have a warm mug of perfection. I like the mint hot chocolate, spiced apple cider and herbal chamomile tea. I loved my Mini Keurig so much that I got one for my office too :)

9. Neti Pot

Totally life-changing. Get one immediately. I use a 1/4 tbsp mix of sea salt and baking soda, then add warm water. It's part of my yoga practice called Jal Neti. I wish someone would've told me to start using this earlier!

10. Tiny Devotions Mala Beads

 I've blogged about my love affair with Tiny Devotions all year.  I absolutely adore these mala beads, to be used for meditation or Japa Mala. They are well made and positively lovely, and simply make me feel happy when I wear them {which is every day!}.

11. Guess Watch

I blogged about this watch already, but I totally love this watch, so it bears repeating. I get compliments on it every time I wear it, and people often mistake it for a higher end watch. It's sparkly, bling-y and in that rose gold tone which is all the rage now.

12. My Gurus: Kris Carr & Gabrielle Bernstein

 Ok, these ladies have figured it out -- life that is. 

Kris Carr is a wellness warrior and is my health guru. She's a cancer survivor {you may have heard about her amazing documentary called Crazy Sexy Cancer}. Her books on insightful and accessible, with a fresh writing style that wins you over. She just released a new cookbook called "Crazy Sexy Kitchen", and it's on my Santa list!

Gabrielle Bernstein is my spiritual guru. Oprah named her one of modern gurus for our generation on her OWN Network show, Super Soul Sunday. She is a teacher of a Course in Miracles, and like Kris Carr, has a unique, "hey girlfriend" style of writing that makes deep and heavy content easy to understand and relate to. 

      

Read more...