It’s absolutely normal and part of our human nature to snack. Most of the time, we’re not even hungry, just bored or have an in-between-meal craving. Snacking has typically gotten a bad rap, since it’s when we usually reach for the least healthy foods such as chips, cookies, or crackers. However, if you learn how to snack right, choosing healthier options to munch on can actually help us in our weight management and healthy lifestyle goals.

In reality, eating smaller, more frequent meals or snacks can be especially beneficial. Small meals or snacks eaten every 2 or 3 hours can lead to more stable blood sugar throughout the day. Snacking on healthy foods can help you avoid extreme hunger, which usually leads to devouring the first and most convenient thing in sight.

Also, grazing keeps your metabolism running. Your body uses calories and energy when you eat and digest food. By eating smaller amounts of food more often, you can end up burning calories very efficiently.

So how do you snack throughout the day and still maintain a healthy weight?

• Choose snacks that are high in fiber and nutrients. Whole grains and fruits and vegetables contain good amounts of fiber plus healthy nutrients that can help us feel fuller for longer. Low-fat dairy and lean meats contain important nutrients and protein, so what you‘re snacking on isn’t just “empty” calories, or calories with no nutritional value.
• Choose carbohydrates with lower glycemic indexes (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts). This will ensure that you won’t experience a rapid spike in your blood sugar, triggering another craving as soon as it wears off.
• Make sure your snacks are balanced with protein, carbs and heart-healthy fats (monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids). These balanced snacks will help you feel more satisfied for longer.
• The following nutrition counts should be taking into consideration:
  - 200 calories or less
  - 0 grams of trans fat
  - Under  400 milligrams of sodium
  - Controlled portions

Some of the healthiest snack ideas you can choose are:

• A piece of fruit with a healthy fat such as 1 tbsp of all natural peanut butter or 10 almonds
• Yogurt with low fat granola
• Raw vegetables with hummus
• Low-fat piece of cheese with some fruit
• Smoothies made with skim milk and fresh fruit
• Hard-boiled egg and one piece of 100% whole grain toast
• Scrambled egg whites with salsa
• Small handful of raw almonds, walnuts, pecans, or raw peanuts. Raw nuts cut out the extra grease and salt.

Enjoy!

Photo by Shubert Cirencia/Flickr.

Dear Marc,

I am building a new house and will be designing it myself. I have heard horror stories of designs gone bad from friends who didn’t do their research prior to designing their home. Do you have a few quick tips of things I should avoid doing on my first design project?

Tara

Dear Tara,

The top 5 Rookie mistakes when designing your first project are the following;

1. Hanging art work too high is a common mistake for many homeowners. You shouldn’t have to look up to see the “focal point” of your art piece. The focal point of the piece is where the artist intended to draw the eye. In most paintings, the focal point is the centre of the painting. In order to determine your focal point, simply measure the piece and divide its height in half. Then take that measurement to determine the centre (focal point) of the painting. Once you have determined the “focal point” of the piece, you will want to hang the painting so that the focal point is at eye level. Eye level for the average person is 5′ 7” therefore with the use of a pencil make a mark at the 5′ 7” height. Then take your measuring tape and measure from that height the “height of the piece divided in half”.
2. High energy vibrant colours in a bedroom. When selecting colour schemes for a bedroom, be sure to keep in mind that one has to sleep in a bedroom. Have you ever noticed that hotel rooms always have calm and peaceful colour schemes? Bedrooms in your home should reflect the same mantra and be a place where one can relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of the day. Calm colour schemes include pastels and neutrals. If you choose to bring in a vibrant colour in your bedroom design, do so with the use of vibrant coloured accessories. This is a great way to have colour without overwhelming the eye.
3. The scale of furniture. Scale is of utmost importance in a home. One can spend all the money in the world on their design but if it is not in scale with the room it’s residing in, then the design is sure to fail.  It is quite easy to keep furniture and accessories in scale once you understand that every piece in the room connects to each other somehow. For instance, if you have a small living room it would not be wise to bring in large overstuffed furniture as the piece will overpower the entire setting. The space will look and feel crowded. Rather you should implement furniture which is in proportion with the overall size of the room, hence big furniture goes in big rooms and small furniture goes in small rooms.
4. Avoid clutter! Clutter is the easiest way to fail at design. It is human nature to collect things over the years. With great pride, we showcase them throughout our homes but as the years go by, we have collected too many things to showcase in our design.  Some will try to place 20 different trinkets on one surface. We all know one person that has so many things on their side table in their living room that even after all these years; you are not even sure what is there. In your mind, you just see a cluster of pieces. Now, we also have friends who have a few select accessories on their side tables. I’ll bet you can remember what is on your friend’s uncluttered side table better than the cluttered one. The reason why is quite simple. We tend to remember things that strike us such as the beautiful hand carved statue your friend picked out in Europe that sits nicely by the lamp on the table rather than 20 little accessories cluttering up the side table.
5. The need for proper lighting. When I refer to the need for proper lighting, I am not referring to designer fixtures vs. everyday fixture but rather the actual function of the light source in a given space. Many homeowners look for a great looking fixture and don’t consider how much light the fixture will exude onto the space. The key is to have a balance between the esthetics and the functionality of the chosen fixture. Look at the technical information regarding the fixture and be sure to have a few different options prior to purchasing a fixture.

Designing your first project should be a fun and enjoyable experience. To guarantee your project’s success, be sure to be cautious and do your research prior to starting the project.

To submit a question for Marc Atiyolil, visit canadianhometrends.ca.

Introducing Orgadry! The fitness lover’s best friend.

Orgadry provides the highest quality active function undergarments to ensure that customers reach their peak performance. The line is based on the premise that in order for people to fully reach their potential and enjoy their work out experience, undergarment sizing needs to fit the individual rather than the individual fit the standard sizing. It’s through providing
a greater size range, environmentally sane fabrics, and a personal fit program that Orgadry has differentiated itself.

So whether it’s a bra, briefs, or soy underwear (yes that’s right), Orgadry has something for you.

We at Notable caught up with the founder of Orgadry, Leah Wilson, to find out what made her start her own brand.

“The inspiration behind the line was simply that the products on the market were not meeting my needs in regards to sizing, support, and, comfort, and of course being socially and environmentally sane,” said Leah Wilson. “I knew that there were other customers that were feeling the same way about the selection of undergarments available. As consumers become more educated, they are making a statement with each dollar that they spend demanding quality products that are eco-socially sound, this once niche market is continuing to expand.”

Leah Wilson also describes the challenges she’s faced along the way. “The most difficult obstacle that I think all entrepreneurs face is maintaining the vision and the ability to persevere. There will be many things that go wrong, more often than not they will be things that you had never even contemplated or could have been prepared for. Be patient and resourceful – there is always a solution. You will hear many “no’s” but by being persistent to the point of annoying the no’s will become “yes’s.” And the best piece of advise that I can give is surround yourself with people that have as much drive as you and those that will support you through the trying times and remind you of what the vision is when you loose your way.”

The line proudly uses environmentally safe practices, and manufactures all of its products right here in Canada.

Orgadry has undergarments for both men and women. Check out the collection here. And here’s a full list of the stores that sell these notable items.

Toronto’s best and brightest young professionals came out for a night of great prizes, delicious food, and entertainment. And it was emceed by Notable’s own Julian Brass.

The Huruma Orphanage for Boys and Girls is a refuge for 19 children in Tanzania, Africa. The event exceeded its expectations and raised $12,000. That means that 19 students can go to school at the Orphanage for two entire years.

There were some great prizes given away by a list of very generous sponsors at Cheval. Congratulations to all the lucky winners, and many thanks to the donors.

Norco Blackbomber Chopper Bicycle – Harvey Bronstein
Kitchen Aid 80th Anniversary Mix Master Mixer – Kalvin Kobe
Sony Digital Camera – Byron Fabricius
Henkel Knife Set – Max Smith
The Yorkville Club (three-month gym memberships) – Byron Fabricius, Howie Migdal, Howard Shogilev, Noah Rechtsman
Poor Little Rich Girl $50 Gift Certificate – Christina Zardo
TKEES (3 pairs) – Marsha Gallinger, Howard Shogilev, Lisa Pincus
Soya Boutique Skin Care Gift Basket – Jana Goodbaum
Erin Kleinberg Cardigan – Lauren Diamond
Town Shoes Gift Certificate $150 – Steven Pincus
Toronto Blue Jays “In the action seats” – Travor Tran
Sportinglife Gift Certificate – Justin Mcclosky and Russel Samuels
Azera Jewelry – Tina Diamond
Arbonne International Skin Care Gift Basket – Bonnie Levy and Howard Brown
GotStyle Menswear Made-to-Measure shirt – Ryan Stasynee
Starbucks Gift Basket – Phil Porat and Jack Barkin
Mother Hubbard Gift Certificate $200 – Dan Laforest
IceRok Jewelry – Kyle Maister and Jeff Kimel
V:Space Studios Custom Stationary Set – Andrea Pearce

The benefit at Cheval was organized by a young professional right here in Toronto, Lauren Albert. Lauren Albert completed an internship for social services in Tanzania in 2009 and absolutely fell in love with the Huruma Orphanage for Boys and Girls. Lauren has dedicated a lot of time, effort, and energy to helping the place and people that made such a strong impact.

To view all the fun, check out the event’s photo gallery!

Most of us take up an exercise routine to improve our physical appearance and the way we feel. But coming to a yoga class has benefits that go beyond simply strengthening the body, building lean muscle, and increasing flexibility.

A regular yoga practice can not only help you achieve aesthetic goals, but can help to:

• Reduce stress
• Help maintain your internal heath
• Prevent injury
• Increase your productivity and creativity

Think about what your body goes through during a normal day. You wake up, walk around as your prepare for the day, sit during your commute, sit in your office, go to the gym or play sports exercising your muscles with rapid movement, drive home, and relax before bed.

Chances are that over the day, your good posture has deteriorated and stress has manifested itself as muscular tension. Maybe you are clenching your jaw, shoulders, or other muscles. The effects of this tension over time can cause the body to become more stiff, and can deteriorate your health and well-being.

Now, imagine yourself in yoga class. You’ve twisted yourself into a a new and uncomfortable posture, but despite your discomfort, you breathe and tell yourself you’re safe and moving toward your goal. Without knowing it, you’ve taught yourself to regulate discomfort and have taken a positive step toward effective stress management. As you hold your pose longer, your body begins to relax and release accumulated tension from all the late nights at the office, traffic jams, long board meetings, and stressful proposals.

During class, your muscles gain strength from holding postures while your ligaments become more flexible. Your organs, nerves, and glands are stimulated, while circulation is manipulated to flush your tissues. This is the way that yoga, unlike a run, a trip to the gym, or a basketball game focuses on improving your health internally.

As class ends, you pack up to leave and notice how light you feel. The postures that you have done have demanded your full attention, forcing you to forget the stresses of your day. Driving home with your freshly cleared mind, you are hit by a wave of inspiration: suddenly you’ve thought of a great way to approach that work problem that’s been in the back of your mind.

Not only is your mind lighter but your body feels more open, your posture has been improved and you feel flexible. Since flexible tissue is less brittle than tense tissue, you have taken a step toward preventing injury from other activity. Your next workout will be aided by the flexibility and alignment you have just gained.

Ultimately, a healthy body is both strong and flexible. Fitness goals are important but should not overshadow consideration of your health and vitality. Adding a yoga class to your fitness routine can not only help improve your fitness and performance in other physical activities, but can also help to positively effect your mental state. Both in internal and external health — that’s something every young professional could use.

Photo by leo.prie.to/Flickr.

Dear Marc,

My husband and I have been saving up for about a year in order to be able to spruce up our living room. I have the colour picked out and will be using some of the existing accessories in the room. I have to purchase a new sofa and 2 matching chairs and the last time I purchased furniture is when we bought the house 10 years ago! We had bought an overstuffed sectional sofa that I now regret ever bringing into my house! How do I go about looking for a good durable designer sofa?

Sherry

Dear Sherry,

Today, homeowners seem to think that the overstuffed look is the way to go for furniture. Many people will shop for the comfort of a furniture piece and forgo any desire to have esthetically pleasing furniture in their space. I’ve had the opportunity to sit on many designer sofas and I have to say some are even more comfortable than the overstuffed ones.

Now let’s take the concept on an overstuffed sofa. You sit on the piece and your body will sink into the furniture due to the surplus of foam. This is where we see situations like the following; “Honey, can you come and pull me out of the sofa, I sat down and now I can’t get up.”

Overstuffed was a good concept 10 years ago where the size of one’s home wasn’t as important. Today, homeowners are trying to maximize the square footage they have in their homes and utilize every inch of space. It’s no longer about who has the largest sofa, but rather who has the most comfortable compact sofa.

Designers are also finding the need for multifunctional furniture where homeowners have the opportunity to store extra throw pillows, books and toys in their ottomans and even at times in part of the sofa. Homeowners have less space to work with so every square inch of a room has to be both beautiful and functional. The key to finding the perfect sofa is to determine the functional needs of the room prior purchasing the piece.

In order to determine the functional needs of a room, look at the primary usage of the space. Will this room be used in a formal or informal setting? If the space will be used for both the formal entertaining of guests and for informal family nights, I suggest looking for furniture that will give you storage for toys. As a working parent, what’s the first thing that runs through your mind when guests are coming over for a formal evening? Toys! Where am I going to put all of Jimmy’s toys so that my guests don’t trip all over them? This is where multifunctional furniture really comes in handy.

Furniture should be seen as an investment as opposed to a big-ticket purchase. When shopping for furniture, look at the quality and craftsmanship of the piece. Ask the retailer some of the following questions: What is the quality of the fabric and leather? Fabric comes in a variety of different grades with the grade reflecting the lifespan of the fabric. If the fabric is of a higher grade, the fabric will usually endure more wear and tear than its lower grade counterparts. Also, when shopping for leather, be sure you are actually buying a genuine leather sofa and not a bonded leather sofa. There is a big difference between the two types of leathers. Genuine leather consists of carefully chosen quality leather hides and has been traditionally used on sofas and chairs to prolong their lifespan. It has a very durable finish for furniture. Bonded leather is a man-made product that is composed of leather fibres, essentially leather scraps bonded together with the use of latex binders. This man-made material was traditionally used on smaller accessory pieces that didn’t have to withstand much wear and tear. Although, today consumers are now able to buy entire sofas made of bonded leather. The reason one needs to know the difference is that it all comes down to the old saying “You get what you pay for. If you are looking for a temporary furniture piece, then bonded might be right for you but if you are looking for a long-lasting durable piece, then genuine leather is the way to go.

Furniture shopping should be an enjoyable experience. It should be an exploration of different styles and finishes and how these components will be integrated into your design.

To submit a question for Marc Atiyolil, visit canadianhometrends.ca.

Photo by Jonathan Vo/Flickr.

Never before have eyelashes gotten as much attention as they have received recently. Those tiny hairs around our eyes are curled and painted with mascara daily and carry the great responsibility of framing the eyes. And we always want them to be thicker, longer, or darker.

For those who are blessed in the eyelash department, a little mascara is enough to create fluttery, flirty, perfect eyelashes (oh how I envy you). But for the rest of us, there are plenty of options, including fantastic false lashes.

False eyelashes come in a variety of styles and colours to suit all of your glamorous needs. For a natural look that’s easy to do at home, I love the Quo’s Strip Lashes that I mentioned in my last article on Drug Store Beauty Buys. If you are looking for a more dramatic, Lady Gaga-esque look, Make Up Forever (one of my all-time favourite lines) has a wealth of choices. You can check out their collection at their online Lashbar at Sephora.com. Also keep an eye out for their Fall 2010 Collection available in August. The limited edition Moulin Rouge Line will feature a pair of falsies with red glitter eyeliner, ooh la la! You can read more about the Moulin Rouge collection on the Make Up Forever Blog.
If you want to be your own at-home lash stylist, start by curling your own lashes with an eyelash curler. This will help your lashes blend in with the falsies. Make sure you have a good glue for false eyelashes like Duo Eyelash Adhesive (also available at MAC stores). Take one of the strips and dot a thin strip of glue along the base of the lashes (I like to use the “stick” end of a broken Q-Tip). Wait about 30 seconds for the glue to get tacky, this is will help them stick on right away when you put them on. If you place a hand mirror on a counter or table and look down into it, it will make application easier. Making sure that you have the right strip for the right eye, press the lashes as close as possible onto your lash line, starting from the inside out. Once you’ve got your falsies in place sit around for a few minutes and relax while the glue dries. Once the glue is completely dry, apply a coat of mascara to blend lashes in with your own, and voila!

Tip: For an easier look, cut the strip in half and only apply the outer corner to the outer corner of your eye. This application is much easier and a good place to start if you are having trouble with the full strips.

If you have an important event that requires perfect, stress-free lashes head over to the Shu Uemura counter at Holt Renfrew in Toronto. I tried it out last weekend for a wedding and was very impressed. The makeup artists help you choose your lashes and then expertly apply them for you. You come away with a little box for your lashes to keep them safe until their next outing, and perfect, fluttery false lashes that last all night.

Photo by The Style PA/Flickr.

The Shaw Festival produces and presents the work of George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) and playwrights writing anywhere in the world during Shaw’s lifetime including Oscar Wilde and Anton Chekhov. The festival was started in 1962 by Niagara-area lawyer and playwright Brian Doherty.

This season has met rave reviews. The main attraction is Shaw’s The Doctor’s Dilema, directed by Morris Panych. The Doctor’s Dilema is a moral/medical comedic-drama that will keep you engrossed from beginning to end. Robert Crew of the Toronto Star said, “Director Morris Panych puts it all together in breezy, fast-paced style so that 2 ½ hours melts away in no time at all.”

But if Shaw isn’t your favourite playwright, catch Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband directed my Jack Maxwell. This witty classic by one of the world’s most beloved literary figures will leave you thinking twice about relationships, politics, and the corporate ladder.

To view the full list of the 2010 Shaw Festival season, click here.

And of course, don’t forget that Niagara on the Lake is home to Canada’s best wineries. Elegant winery restaurants and fine dining destinations throughout the region feature the ultimate in wine region cuisine. Enjoy the theatre and some vino with the Shaw Festival’s Play and Dine option. You can catch a great play and sample the local fare.

Niagara on the Lake is also home to some of the region’s best Bed & Breakfasts, as well as traditional hotels. You’ll be refreshed by the time you come back to the city. View a list here.

Just one piece of advice: if you’re driving, leave early! The QEW can be a nightmare.

The Shaw Festival runs until October.

Photo by imageMD/Flickr.

The Huruma Orphanage for Boys and Girls is a safe place for 19 children in Tanzania. Every dollar raised through the event will go straight to the orphanage. The hope is to raise $10,000, double what they raised last year. Sending a child to Huruma for a year costs $260, and another $100 for books and uniforms.

The evening will be complete with lots of prizes, music, and a fashion show!

The benefit is organized by a very notable young professional here in Toronto, Lauren Albert. We caught up with Lauren for a quick Q&A to find out what inspired her to create such a great charity event.

Notable: How did you get involved with this specific charity?

Lauren Albert: While completing an internship in social services in 2009, I was introduced to Huruma Orphanage and I instantly fell in love. They grew to become my second family and we do anything and everything for our families. This is what drove me to start the Mpenzi, Afya, Elimu (Love. Health. Education in Swahili) second annual charity event.

Notable: What was your most memorable experience?

LA: My most memorable experience took place during my second trip to Tanzania. This January I traveled back to Tanzania to oversee that the money raised from last year’s event was well utilized. After sponsoring three bright, beautiful children to attend private school, I was able to watch them progress and flourish during my stay. They were becoming well versed in English and would leave for school at sunrise with smiling faces, excited to learn. Too often we see these children not reach their potential due to a lack of opportunity rather than a lack of effort and ability. Watching these kids thrive when placed in a position to do so was extremely rewarding.

Notable: Why do you think it’s important for young professionals to give back?

LA: It is largely through a sound education that young professionals have succeeded to become the thriving individuals that they are today. We often take this education as something for granted, but in Tanzania and many other parts of the world a good education is not the norm.

Giving back to a culture where so little can go such a long way is not only personally gratifying but has the power to change the life of a child forever. It provides them with the opportunity to act on their enormous potential – an opportunity, which is sadly not afforded to most of the kids in Tanzania and throughout Africa.

Every dollar raised from the charity event will go directly to an education fund, in order to provide the 19 children living under the roof of Huruma Orphanage with the education they deserve.

Money, however, is not the only way you can help out. If you are interested in getting more involved please contact me and I would love to sit down and chat.

You can contact Lauren here.

To RSVP click here.

The event is supported by a number of great sponsors including:

Photo by oneVillage Initiative/Flickr.

Dear Marc,

I have successfully designed my entire home with the use of advice from your column. Now I would like to work on what you like to call “Taking your indoor design outdoors.” I have seen you talk about this on TV but I am not sure where to start. I would like to give my existing curb appeal a face lift. The front of the house looks horrible. The previous homeowner was an avid gardener and the flower beds are full of dead annual plants which I don’t have time to replant every year. Any suggestions?

Tina

Dear Tina,

They say one needs to dress for the job they want, not the job they have. I think the same can be said for design. If the curb appeal of one’s home doesn’t reflect the prestigious designer space that you are thriving to achieve, then the balance of the overall design is not in harmony. One wants to have everything work together so that whether a guest is standing at the end of the driveway or sitting in the front room having a glass of wine, the design is consistent.

In order to truly master this consistency, look at the existing indoor design of your home. What designer style does it reflect? Is your design low maintenance? If so, then the outdoor design should be the same. If you don’t have time to dust a million accessories inside, you won’t have time to replant every year a million annual plants outside. There are a number of different ways to create low maintenance landscape design. For starters, visit your local greenhouse and inform yourself regarding perennial plants. Perennials as opposed to annual plants grow and produce flowers every year from the same roots therefore the annual chore of replanting your landscape features is not necessary.

While purchasing plants for your new landscape design, be sure to follow the same basic rules as interior design. Therefore, choose a colour scheme and draw up a landscape “floor plan”. Yes that is correct, landscape design has colour schemes as well. Although the colour scheme of an outdoor landscape is a little more technical than one of an interior as the landscape’s colour scheme will change from season to season as the plants grow and mature. You want to be sure that your design doesn’t look great in the summer and horrible in the Fall. The design should gradient from one colour scheme to the next in a harmonious way from season to season. It is also very important that the look of the end product is decided upon prior to purchasing new plants. Be sure to know the look of a plant for each season when selecting them for your landscape. If the design is not planned, you will end up with an “all over the place” look and possibly a few dead plants.

The look of your landscape will also change depending on the amount of natural light it receives during different parts of the day. Certain plants you’d love to integrate in your flower beds might not work depending on how much natural light they need to survive. To educate yourself on the plant’s needs, look at the labels found on each plant. Each label will state the ideal exposure to natural light needed and the plant’s mature height and width. The plant’s height and width information will be used during the planning stages to ensure one plant won’t overpower another plant.

The key to a successful colour scheme is to have a primary colour which is traditionally your greenery and accent it with a few different vibrant colours. While choosing the colour scheme of your landscape design, be sure to keep in consideration the colour scheme of the exterior finish of your home. If the exterior finish of the house is blue, then blue flowers as accents in a flower bed found in front of the house will be lost in the overall colour scheme.

Landscape design takes a lot of careful planning but when done successfully can increase your home’s overall value. Take your indoor design outdoors and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

To submit a question for Marc Atiyolil, visit canadianhometrends.ca.

Photo by click/morguefile.com.