7 Tips, Tricks & Ideas We Loved In July

If the shoe fits

When it comes to athletic footwear, the proper fit can boost performance and prevent injury. Now here’s the rub—many brands design their shoes with men’s feet in mind, meaning key differences in women’s feet, like lower ankle bones and narrower heels, aren’t considered. Using research on female physiology, anatomy, hormones and biomechanics, Vancouver-born brand Hettas has created high-performance women’s running shoes that support our unique needs.

Alma Speed Running Shoe, Hettas, Altitude Sports, $240

Sun Day Fun Day

Protect your face from the summer sun with this nature lovin' cap. (A great host gift for cottage weekends!)

True Nature Baseball Cap, Roots, $25 (was $34)

 

Game night

Can a deck of cards help you feel closer to your family, friends, or partner? Toronto-based lifestyle brand Cool to Connect thinks so. Each of the company’s six decks (including Classic, Kids and Intimate versions) contain 52 conversation prompts to get you think- ing, talking and connecting with loved ones for the most meaningful game of cards you’ve ever played.

Cool to Connect, $37

Oat Check

Cutting back on dairy? Keep your go-to dishes and drinks creamy with Oat Cuisine from Belsoy. We’re loving the rich texture it adds to sauces and desserts with the added bonus of being a lower-fat plant-based alternative to dairy-based cream.

Natural Food Pantry, $4.70

Can you believe it?

Never before have we put the words “edgy” and “sardines” in a sentence...until now. Celeb chef Charlotte Langley is the mind behind Nice Cans, a company wrapping sustainable seafood in the cutest packaging around. Tasty and full of healthy fats and bold flavours, these canned sardines have claimed a permanent spot in our pantries.

Nice Cans, from $10

Sweet Dreams

it's no secret that Canadians need to catch more z’s. Because our fast-paced culture prioritizes productivity, four out of five of us are sacrificing sleep to keep up with demands like work, school and social obligations. According to a survey from Sleep Country, more than half of Canadians are made to feel guilty about skipping a soirée or shutting the laptop early to take a much-needed snooze, which can impact our well-being and overall health. As a specialty sleep retailer, Sleep Country wants to stop the sleep shaming so everyone can embrace the beauty of rest. To learn more and shop mattresses and bedding that make dozing off a breeze, visit StopSleepShaming.ca.

Grow getter

If you’re struggling to get your garden blooming, you might need a hand from an unlikely source. Millions of small but mighty worms are used to create this all-natural microbe-rich fertilizer made of their castings (AKA manure) that supports lush, vibrant growth. Add a handful to the base of your plant or mix it with the soil to literally reap the benefits of this powerful booster.

Jocelyn's Soil Booster, Amazon, $30