Esmonde-White House

Healthy Hair Care: Snobgirls

Here at the Esmonde-White House we are most interested in content and substance. The Essentrics workout has all the right ingredients for a healthy fit body, just like our lunches are full of the right ingredients for a healthy meal. It should be no surprise that we try and use healthy beauty products with health conscious contents! Snobgirls is currently our favourite shampoo and conditioner duo which is an Eco-Friendly 100% Free Series that's easy on the Environment! It was recommended to us a few years ago by a top London & NY stylist, and this "Made in Quebec Canada"  find is one of our favourites. Check out their website for more information! 

www.snobgirls.com

Quinoa Salad

Happy Mother's Day!

 

My mother is Miranda Esmonde White. For you, she is the host and creator of Classical Stretch. She is on your TV in the mornings and she likely has helped you through her profoundly effective exercise program. To me, she is an inspiration. She has dedicated her life to helping people feel better in their bodies and her positive influence on her PBS viewers and students informs many of her decisions and much of her pride. I too am greatly affected by her work. As the Executive producer of Classical Stretch I have a part in creating the show, but it is my mother whose creativity, dedication and passion for healing, create its meaningful content. Her program has changed my life, but also her passion and work ethic have helped form who I am! This mothers day, my wish is that all you mothers know how much you mean to your children! My mom is a special person whom I love and am so proud to be her daughter. Happy Mothers Day Mom!

The Salad Saga

We have a small office in downtown Montreal. And like most people with office jobs, lunchtime is usually an anticipated part of the day! We are always trying to keep healthy at Essentrics, and lunch is no exception. Bring a pepper, some lettuce, cucumber, tomato, mango, avocado or anything of the like, and you are welcome to come eat our communal salad! So much better than leftovers! We have been on a salad kick for a few weeks now, everyday a new, fresh salad made by everyone in the office. 

Our Lily Cole - Ambassador for the Body Shop

One of Essentrics' biggest supporters is Lily Cole, a British actress, model, business woman and Cambridge grad! We met while she was filming in Montreal and ventured into our little studio one day with fellow actress Sarah Gadon. That day the three of us agreed to do a 6-week Essentrics bootcamp of daily classes and healthy eating. Everyone who does Essentrics knows how good you feel after a bootcamp! It was a transformative experience for all and both actresses have continued to do and support the program.But both these girls are not only concerned about their own health, but also the health of others.

Thats why today i'm so excited to see Lily as the first Ambassador for the Body Shop! The Body Shops new message is about Beauty with Heart. Inspiring us to feel good and do good while we look good. And its true, we make choices every day about what products we are purchasing and in turn about what companies we are supporting. Its becoming more and more important to be selective in what we buy, to know where its coming from and to know that every dollar we spend sends a message. That message should be clear: we do want products that are quality but not at the expense of others! Fairtrade, vegetarien and not tested on animals... in other words, the Body Shop!

Responsibility for each others health

I have always been grateful to my mom for creating the Esmonde Technique but it has not been until very recently that i realised how lucky i really am, or that both of us are. The Esmonde Technique is so much more than a fitness class, its a health transforming and anti-aging workout. Because of this, Miranda and i at both our respective ages have healthy active and vibrant bodies. Recently i've had encounter after encounter with people who are panicking because they are noticing their parents health begin to change: reduced mobility, tight hips that create a shuffling movement making walking uncomfortable, unhealthy weight gain, low energy, and lack of movement in their upper backs and shoulders. I am mentioning these because they are signs! Signs telling you that your parents quality of life and ability to function on their own is taking a turn downwards and it is time to begin to help them now! Not in 5 years when these signs have caused more serious problems. If we dont take the time to help the people around us in a preventative way when we can, then we will be dealing with much more serious issues later. Doctors visits, physical therapy, other therapy which are all stressful and take money and time. So my advice to my friends: unless you want to see your parents decline, and begin spending more time in medical settings and ultimately have your parents and inlaws moving in with you (which they dont want either) i suggest that you take any Esmonde Technique DVD to their homes and do the workouts with them twice a week. Make this a positive thing that you can do together. This investment in the ones you love will pay you back a million times with peace of mind and happiness knowing your family is growing older with vibvrant and healthy years ahead of them.

Banana Bread: It’s a love/hate kind of thing

We have a benefactor of sorts at our office… The lovely Teresa, one of our regular students, keeps us constantly in stock of her delicious, moist, and not that bad for you banana bread. I have had many banana breads in my day, but this is my favourite. Sometimes she bakes it right before class and it is still steaming when it gets into my excited hands. Once, she made one with chocolate chips. It was dangerous... I am getting too excited. I think I need to go get some from the fridge now!

We love this recipe so much, we just had to share it with you!

When I asked Teresa for it, she knew it by heart… my kind of lady!

Photos by of the happy office people by Jacki (except the one of Jacki, that was taken by Sahra) 

OBSESSION: Bengal Spice Herbal Tea

                                                                    image: www.celestialseasonings.com

So, it is 3:30 in our offices and everyone’s energy starts to fade. You can see it in each other’s eyes… we are all in the market for a little pick-me-up, a sugary snack, a bit of a caffeine fix; you know the look. To be honest, there are times when we indulge in the delicious banana bread baked by one of our clients or we are treated to Jacki’s cookies and cakes and baking delights, but, we have a new, fantastic alternative for the days when we are behaving but don’t necessarily feel like snacking on celery sticks.

BENGEL SPICE HERBAL TEA. Sweet, spicy, warm, comforting and longer lasting that a piece of cake… which is unreasonably important to me because snack time is my favourite time, and I wish it would last forever. The smell of the bengal spice tea fills the office with a cinnamony scent that can only be described as divine! The tea is caffeine free, so it doesn’t fix your late night and early morning routine but it does curb your cravings for cookies, cakes and baking delights…. At least for a little bit! 

 

A Post New Years Afternoon Tea at the Essentrics Office

Back in the office after a wonderful Christmas break! Just enjoying our David's Tea treat from Erika (one of our instructors) and some vegan cookies and of course, being back in each others company. (Cheesy, I know, but true!)

Looking forward to an exciting and successful 2012. Happy New Year! 

 

Neal's Yard Remedies: My London Discovery

The skin is our largest organ, and what gets applied onto our skin ends up in our body (think of any medical patch for hormones or nicotine). We are more and more aware of the number of chemicals we've been putting on our skin over the years and are making a concious effort to change. In addition, we like the idea that everything we need for our health and beauty can be found in nature, and used in its natural form.   Needless to say, we are thrilled to be finding more and more effective natutal products.

On the last Essentrics trip to London, I disovered the British brand Neals Yard Remedies which has been creating organic skincare and remedies since 1981. Most of the people working in the stores have been trained in natural medicine and are passionate about every product. Each time I go into the store I learn something new and I'm a big fan of their serums and oils. On this trip I picked up a Wild Rose elixir made of wild rosehip oil for radiance and turmeric for brightening and toning! I also picked up the Orange Flower facial oil which is distilled from Orange Blossoms. This oil balances dry skin and reduces wrinkles; something that I felt would be good for the winter months. So far I'm loving them both (as well as my Argan oil) and not missing my department store creams at all.