10 Simple Ways To Help Save Water

Never in the history of Metro Vancouver have we been in a situation where our weather was so extreme. With the minimal snow fall and rainfall this past year, our water supply has reduced tremendously.

Stage 3 water restrictions have been in effect for a while now, and we can all do our part to help minimize the amount of water we use everyday.

Here are some helpful tips from the staff of Tao to help conserve water:

1. Our new favourite hair product is Dry Shampoo (blog post coming soon!). Let’s face it, showering and washing your hair takes a lot of water. Using organic natural dry shampoo not only minimizes your time in the washroom, but reduces water usage. From washing my hair every one to two days, I only have to wash it once a week.

2. You can collect water for your garden during a quick shower.

3. Hand wash your dishes instead of using the dish washer. Fill the sink or large mixing bowl to wash dishes and rinse all at once.

4. Wash your veggies over a bowl to collect the water and use it to water your plants.

5. Eminence has the new Rice Milk 3 in 1 Cleanser, where you don’t need extra water to cleanse your face.

6. Organic Hand Cleansers are a great way to clean your hands so you don’t have to wash them as often.  Eminence Tea Tree Hand Cleanser is organic and is antibacterial and anti-viral.

7. Don’t leave your water tap running while you are brushing your teeth. Fill a cup of water to brush and rinse.

8. Always wait until you have a full load of laundry before using the washing machine.

9. Take shorter showers.

10. Wash your car less often.

What kind of ideas do you have? The five best ideas posted to our Facebook page will receive a complimentary all natural dry shampoo made in house. (Shampoo must be picked up from the spa.) Winners will be notified on Facebook.

Surviving Tough Mudder

Last weekend I was faced with one of the toughest challenges I have ever faced. Tough Mudder Whistler. The hype of this crazy obstacle race became a reality and there was no turning back, no more regretting about how much I should have trained running and strengthening my body. As we waited to start the race, the motivational speaker did a great job encouraging us to preserver and not give up in the race.

Things that helped me survive the Tough Mudder
1. Gripped gloves
2. Swimming goggles (People laughed at me but I’m not a strong swimmer and I’m afraid of deep water)
3. Long pants prevented my knees from scrapes & bruises
4. Long sleeve dry fit shirt
5. Hearty breakfast with loads of soaked chia seeds 2hrs before the race
6. Eminence sun powder SPF 30 (waterproofed by spraying Stone Crop Toner) protected me from all the tear gas, sun and mud!
7. Team mates who supported me to get through crazy obstacles like jumping off a wooden plank 20 feet high into a pond of muddy water

Things I wish I brought with me:
1. Pocket size waterproof camera
(Lots of people lost their Go pros in the water)
2. Change of clothing! (I didn’t realize how freezing cold we would get, you can drop off your bag at the check in and there are changing rooms)
3. An extra toothbrush or scrub to get the nasty dirt out of your nails and feet
4. Ziplock bags didn’t protect my ID cards, I wish I purchased the waterproof bags at London Drugs
5. Proper footwear to run through the rocky trails

Would I do it again?… You bet! Not at the time though, but after the race and after a hot shower we realized what we did was crazy but it made us feel a sense of fulfilment and fun.

Besides, doesn’t living life to the fullest include doing crazy things you would never do? The Tough Mudder wasn’t about running a muddy obstacle course with a bunch of other seemingly crazy people. It was about pushing yourself, helping each other persevere and overcoming any obstacle that gets in your way.

Henna, Exotic Wedding Nails, and the Beauty of Malaysia

On a recent trip to Asia, I had the pleasure of experiencing the multicultural mosaic that is Malaysia. Specifically, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang. Each place had its own special charm. Kuala Lumpur – the urban business, finance and commercial heart of Malaysia. Langkawi – an island oasis with exotic wildlife, enchanting mangroves and beautiful beaches. And finally Penang – a city with a deep and culturally rich history, unforgettable food and a captivating urban art scene.

What made Malaysia even more beautiful was how all the different ethnic groups within the country were able to live in harmony with one another. The cultural diversity could be seen in the way people dressed, the religions they practiced and the fusion of foods from Chinese, Indian, Thai, and a variety of others.

In tourist areas, henna was very popular and while on our way to visit the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur, I came across a young henna artist. I had to experience the art of henna first hand. It was such a treat to have a skillful henna artist create an elegant floral design on my hand and wrist.

As we journeyed through the country, I noticed some Malaysian women had henna stained on their fingernails. Being the curious foreigner, I asked a few of the locals why their nails were stained with henna. They told me that many Malaysian muslim women perform wudu, an Islamic procedure of washing parts of the body with water before prayer or other formal religious ceremonies such as weddings. All nail polish must be removed but henna, being a natural plant based dye, is permitted. Brides will often use henna to create exotic patterns and designs on the hands and feet for wedding ceremonies and engagements. Truly exotic and beautiful!

With all of its natural beauty, exotic food, and amazing people, Malaysia is definitely a country worth visiting. I can’t wait to go back! 

The Festival of Trees at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston Village

The Festival of Trees is back on at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery November 30 – December 31, 2014. This festive event features beautifully lit Christmas trees decorated by local Steveston merchants and organizations.

Explore a piece of Steveston’s rich history and come see the interactive exhibits, films, and guided tours. Dress warm and don’t forget to pay a visit to the gift shop.

This year we’ve decorated our tree with ornaments made from recycled Eminence, Footlogix and Couleur Caramel product packages and containers.

Remember to vote for your favorite tree! Donations and 20% of admissions for each vote will be donated to the Richmond Christmas Fund.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Open daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
(Closed Dec. 24, 25, 26 and Jan. 1)
12138 Fourth Avenue
Steveston Village – Richmond, British Columbia.

Health & Beauty Survival Tips For Your Next Tropical Vacation

This past September, my husband Dan and I spent just over two weeks in the beautiful islands of the Philippines, visiting some of my husbands family and enjoying a beautiful wedding of a friend who was getting married in Cebu. We spent our days sightseeing, visiting family, and exploring a few of the almost endless number of shopping malls in Cebu and Metro Manila.

We also ventured out to the bat filled caves of the underground river in Palawan and paid a visit to Moalboal in Southern Cebu. We enjoyed lazy days on the beach and snorkelling in crystal clear waters with an amazing variety of fish and coral. It was an unforgettable experience and we were lucky to have mostly beautiful sunny days during the rainy season in the Philippines. The sun was strong with temperatures as high as 35 degrees celsius and this extreme weather definitely played havoc on our skin.

In heavily populated cities like Manila, we had to deal with smog that followed us everywhere from the exhaust of the never ending traffic. Air conditioning was the only way to survive the heat, but hopping in and out of the hot and cold caused uncomfortable fluctuations of body temperature for me, especially combined with my irritating hot flashes.

My skincare regime at home in Vancouver (being an Esthetician and skin care enthusiast), I had a variety of skincare products to choose from, but while travelling, I was limited to whatever I could bring through customs.

Travelling to countries like the Philippines can be such an amazing cultural experience, but it can also be a challenge for the skin. For those of you looking to spend time in similarly hot climates, I’ve put together a few Health & Beauty Survival Tips that might help:

Health Tips:

Tea tree and Lavender oil

 In Moalboal, I don’t know why, but I was a beacon for mosquito attacks! Thank goodness I took my shots and I had the tea tree and lavender oils with me. Both are great to treat insect bites. The tea tree is great to disinfect mold, especially when there is air conditioning everywhere, there is a high risk of mold that comes out of the vents. Lavender is also an antiseptic, but if you suffer from insomnia or jet lag it’s a great way to help you relax or sleep better. Take a lavender bath or put a drop on your fingers and massage it into your temples.

Antiseptic Wipes

 For those that don’t already know, I’m a bit of a clean freak. I usually like to put a bunch of antiseptic wipes in a zip lock bag so I can wipe down the door knobs, toilets, and faucets in hotels and restaurants. (We like to bring extra zip lock bags and Dan came up with a great idea of putting the remote in a zip lock bag so we don’t have to contaminate ourselves with other peoples’ germs when watching TV or turning on the AC.) Keeping your hands clean helps to prevent the spread of disease and reduces your chances of getting sick.

Vitamin C – Ester Coated

 The sun in tropical areas can be intense. Taking vitamin C prior to venturing out, can help make the effects of the sun less severe. It makes sure your body is internally strong enough to fight the free radicals you come across.

Probiotics

 Food in the Philipines is definitely great for your taste buds, the fusion of Asian and Spanish inspired dishes are everywhere, but digesting it may be a bit of a problem. Taking probiotics will help your digestive tract break down the food easier, and also prevent breakouts.

Now the following are a few Beauty Products I couldn’t live without while I was there:

Beauty and Skincare Tips:

Cleansing the Skin

 A two in one cleanser that both exfoliates the skin and cleanses, provides more convenience and eliminates all the dirt and grime from the pollution I came across in and out of the cities. The Eminence Red Currant Cleanser binds to the dirt and provides deep pore cleansing.

Protecting the Skin’s PH

 Restoring your skin’s ph in a hot climate with a toner prevents dehydration. I love using the Eminence Stone Crop Toner, it helps hydrate, make my mineral powder water proof and refreshes the skin during my hot and sweaty days.

 So glad I bought this one with me…Eminence Strawberry Hyaluronic Serum! Hyaluronic is essential for the skin’s moisture, keeps the skin nice and plump, especially if you sweat a lot! Also contains vitamin C to help fight free radicals as well.

 Applying facial oil helps retain the water in your skin, but I chose the Eminence Yarrow Oil, incase I get any allergic skin reactions, especially to insect bites or food allergies that appear on the skin (which I did).

 Applying a dewy moisturizer lingers on the skin longer, creates a better barrier (I personally love the Eminence Rich Black Perlette Moisturizer), but I like to top it off by brushing my skin with the Eminence mineral SPF 30 powder. The mineral powder is a great way to create an additional buffer from the sun’s UVA and UVB, and other environmental factors, as well as provide a bit of coverage. Especially with all the dust and pollution, having a good buffer prevents clogged pores.

Frizzy Hair?

 I can’t stand it when my hair gets frizzy. The days I can’t blow dry my hair, I simply wear a baseball cap or tie my hair up, but I have to say Aveda’s Smooth Infusion Straightening Conditioner is fabulous. Throughout my trip it kept my hair frizz-free 

I admit, I’m a bit of a travelling diva, and a city slicker. But by being cautious and keeping my skin and body healthy during my holiday, it made my trip more pleasant and enjoyable. I wasn’t afraid to venture into the jungle or water of the Philippines! Such a memorable trip!

-Winnie Cheung-Pozo

Podology in Saint Kitts (Video)

Madonna’s Secret to Youthful Skin – Intraceuticals Oxygen Facials (Video)

Making a Difference, One Foot at a Time.

Podologists from all across Canada and the United States came together last month to not only complete a bachelor’s program with the North Americian School of Podology, but to also utilize their skills and experiences to help those in need. The Caribbean island of St.Kitts has a population of about 40,000 people and an ever increasing diabetes problem. It was the perfect location for setting up a program to help the local residents treat their various foot ailments.

Katherine Von Gavel, founder of North American School of Podology and Footlogix created a program for graduates of the NASP program to go beyond their comfort zone and help those in need of foot care. The NASP program was carefully designed to assist and mentor the students with a team that consisted of a doctor from Germany, a passionate Pedorothist, experienced team leaders, as well as Katherine the NASP founder.

Our first day in St.Kitts, was full of excitement and anticipation to get started. We were debriefed with what was expected and protocols we had to follow during the servicing of each patient. This is NASP’s fifth year in St.Kitts, and their efforts have gained much respect from the local government and medical practitioners on the island. The local television network and radio stations were present at the event and helped spread the word to the community. The school rented a hall in the city, and eager patients lined up out the door each day for four straight days.

Many of the locals in St. Kitts love walking barefoot or with minimal foot wear wherever they go. With this lifestyle and problems with diabetes, many people suffer from various problems that may be detrimental to their health. Part of our mission on the island was to bring awareness to people and educate them with preventative measures that could save them from amputation (which was becoming very common there), blindness, and possibly death.

Our experiences with the locals were filled with so much empathy and warmth. Many of us cried, laughed and most of all we were filled with a sense of reward and satisfaction for being able to help so many people. At the end of the fourth day, our group of 35 Podologists was able to help 874 Kittitians with their feet.

The locals were very kind and grateful for the work we did. We received recognition from the St. Kitts Rotary Club and local doctors as our group had helped achieve part of their goals in minimizing amputations from diabetes.

Coming back to Vancouver, I felt like I left my heart there, and I needed to do more with the knowledge and experiences I have gained. We are so fortunate to live in a country, with great opportunities and easy access to medical care.

Thank you to everyone involved in the NASP program and especially to the people of St Kitts for allowing us to share in the beauty of such an amazing place.

Winnie.

Eggs Aren’t Just For Eating

Back when I was a young and an out of control child, my grandmother had all sorts of concoctions and traditional chinese remedies for the  injuries I inflicted on myself.  Up to this day I am still amazed at how effective they were!

So here’s my embarrassing story. I was in grade 2 at the time, and always looked forward to our little breaks in between classes. We used to play all sorts of games from Chinese skipping, go and stop, and tag.  I think I got a little too carried away and excited when we used to play tag, thinking I could always out run the rest of the kids. I sure was fast. Until I ran smack right into a metal pole. I hit it so hard with my face, I literally knocked myself out!

When I woke up, I was in the nurse’s office and half of my face was purple, black and blue.  I went home that day, my face aching.

When I arrived home, my grandmother saw what I did to myself.  She boiled an egg, removed the yolk and kept the egg whites, placed a pure silver coin in-between the egg whites and wrapped it all in a cotton handkerchief.  Ever so carefully she rolled her concotion all over my bruised face for a good twenty minutes. I was skeptical, impatient and more concerned of smelling like stinky old eggs.

I wasn’t allowed to wash my face until the next morning.  I went to school the next day and my teacher was completely blown away.  “What happened to your face, Winnie?”  “Your bruise is gone?”

I could’t explain it. Whatever my grandmother did, she made the bruise completely disappear as if nothing had ever happened.

Thank goodness. Thanks again grandma! 

Get Your Peel On!

Why do Peels?

As our skin ages it often becomes thicker, drier, and sometimes quite textured.

A peel suited for a specific skin condition can create more eveness to the complexion and remove dead thick skin on a deeper level than regular exfoliation at home. Resulting in a more youthful and softer appearance to the skin.

Who is Suitable for a Peel?

At the spa, we always do a skin analysis prior to any treatments. Glycolic and enzyme peels are available in different percentages and different concentration levels. Someone who is fair may be concerned if they would be more prone to scarring. This may not be the case, as everyone has different sensitivity levels, texture and thickness to the skin. A proper skin analysis may determine if you would be a suitable candidate for a peel.

After any peel, it is essential to have post treatments at home. Protecting the skin with a sunscreen that does not clog the pores, and application of the appropriate moisturizer or gel for the suited skin condition aids the newly exposed skin after the peel.

Be Careful and Don’t be Excessive!

We have seen some clients with an increase of sensitivity levels on their skin, which have resulted from a previous technician failing to do a proper assessment of the skin, not providing the appropriate post treatments, or excessive peels. It is very important to have a technician who understands the depth of the skin and neutralizes the product in time.

In this case we have helped them by shifting our focus to help strengthen their skin with concentrates and sometimes the LED light therapy.

How Often Should One do a Peel?

If you experience cakey or uneven makeup, or for people who have built up texture from acne, peels are amazing . Reducing the texture creates a smoother canvas for a flawless makeup application.

Depending on the skin type and condition, most of our clients do a peel once a month if they are over the age of 35 or so. Other clients we recommend seasonally. It’s especially great after the summer and winter seasons.

How are Peels different from a Granular Scrub?

Mechanical scrubs are great to slough off excess dead skin and deep pore cleansing, and depending on your skin condition should be part of your skin care regime at home, especially if you have a oily skin type.  Peels depending on the percentage and ingredients, is capable of removing a layer(s) of skin to expose the newer healthier skin.