• DivaGirl's Talk

What’s in Your Cosmetics?

Hey Divas! Did you know that the cosmetic industry is self-regulated? They do not have to advise consumers of the safety of their ingredients and penetration levels. Basically, there are no laws to govern this.

Why should you care? Because your skin is your largest organ, and it’s been proven that what we put onto our skin CAN get absorbed directly into our blood stream! Manufacturing companies often claim that the amount of toxins and chemicals found in their body care products are so little that it cannot affect our health. What they don’t take into account is the fact that most of us ladies use at least 8 - 12 other cosmetic products daily from companies that make the same claim. Just think about the compounding, long-term effect!

So what to do? You can either turn your head the other way OR become a more informed & empowered shopper! Start questioning those foreign ingredients in your products as though your life depended on it, because in the long run, they have the potential to impair your health. Plus, beauty literally comes from the inside out, and excess toxins in the body can speed up the aging process and make us look older than we really are.

Here are two of my favourite resources for cosmetics. Just like with our diet, there’s no need to turn into a purist. Just take it slow & upgrade to better quality products as you run out of each.

1. Skin Deep is a cosmetics safety database created by the researchers at the Environmental Working Group.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

2. Shoppers Guide to Safe Cosmetics:
http://www.ewg.org/files/EWG_cosmeticsguide.pdf

Hope you found this helpful! Interested in receiving more tips or getting some health & life coaching support? Come check me out at www.thrivinglifestyle.com, or if you’re ready for a health & lifestyle transformation, feel free to call me at 416-907-6568 for a quick chat!

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR THE DIVAGIRL COMMUNITY:

I am offering 50% off of my Initial Breakthrough Session & 10% off of my Transformation Program. Visit my site for more info. Simply mention the code “DIVA” when booking your session for your discount today!

Have a thriving day!

Virtual hugs,
Karla Nakpil Chin, CHHC
Founder of Thriving Lifestyle
Certified Holistic Health & Life Coach

Introducing Kama Aerobics… Coming August 29th

August 29, 2010
10:00 am	to	2:00 pm

DivaGirl-Preneur- Launching October 2010!

Why Yoga?

Why Yoga?

Liilaa: Through play, the child learns and expresses herself. The adult’s playground is life!

Zakti: A committed yoga practise will lead to increased energy and strength. It is a fun stress reliever, and you will improve your flexibility, balance, and alignment; and build muscle.

Tulaa: Yoga creates balance inside yourself and inside all aspects of your life-family, work and play. Through yoga, you will have a harmonious mind, and happy spirit. You will feel more focused and driven; enhanced concentration and awareness; and a sense of well-being.

Zama: Tranquility is a result of the relaxation, balance and contentment you will find in your life. You will feel a calm and inner peace.

Aaaahhh, through breath work, your body will be cleansed of toxins.

Yoga creates an internal happiness which shines through as an effervescent glow.

5 Divalicious Summer Tips

Hello Divas! I’m Karla Chin, and I’m excited to be a new DivaGirl blogger. I am the founder/director of Thriving Lifestyle LLC and a Board Certified Holistic Health & Life Coach. You can check me out at www.thrivinglifestyle.com.

Below are 5 of my favourite summer tips.  Enjoy!

1. Hydrate & Glow. Do your body a favour by staying hydrated this summer. Doing so can provide you with a natural beauty glow without having to invest hundreds of dollars in lotions and potions. Water allows your body to effectively wash away waste and toxins & if you’re looking to shed some pounds, staying hydrated is key. Find water boring? Get creative by adding lemon, orange or cucumber slices. You can even make ice cubes out of fresh unsweetened juices and adding it to your water. And, if you’re into drinking electrolyte sports drinks, I highly suggest upgrading to coconut water.

2. Stay cool by eating cooling foods. Divas, armpit sweat stains are so not sexy! This summer, and especially on super hot days, eat cooling foods. Some cooling food examples: in season vegetables/leafy greens, grains such as amaranth, barley and millet, legumes such as navy, kidney and mung, and lighter meats such as fish, chicken and turkey.

3. Papayas & avocados = great beach foods. When you combine these two foods together, you get a really balanced and non-bloating dish. Remember, bikinis and bloating are a no no. Simply chop these up & make into a salad – squeeze lemon as dressing. Papayas are loaded with the digestive enzyme, papain, which is a great digestive aid. It’s also rich in vitamins C and E. Avocados are a great source of good fat, fiber and minerals. Eating good fats can keep the appetite satisfied for up to 6 hours at a time. I also refer to these two foods as beautifying foods, so eat up!

4. Choose summer dresses over tight jeans. Did you know it takes about 2/3 pound of fertilizer and pesticides to grow enough conventional cotton to make a pair of jeans? Plus, tons of chemicals are used to make the blue dye, and the darker the jeans, the more dye must be used. I admit, this doesn’t always stop me from wearing my beloved booty-enhancing jeans, but I do leave them in the closet during hot, humid days. Heat opens up our pores, and wearing tight jeans in this scenario is basically an open invitation for some heavy duty toxins to invade your body. So, unless you own a pair of organic jeans, stick to summer dresses during steaming hot days.

5. Make summer last by savouring each moment. We often look forward to summer, yet, when summer finally arrives, we often find ourselves juggling busy social calendars or complaining about the heat. Make your summer last longer by finding ways to enjoy each and every day, opposed to just the weekends. Commit to engaging in self-care activities daily. Some ideas: a relaxing bath, journaling, trying on your favourite outfits and taking a DivaGirl Fitness class. The key is choosing activities that you enjoy.

Hope you found this helpful. If you’re ready to transform your health & life, come check me out at www.thrivinglifestyle.com, or feel free to call me at 416-907-6568 for a quick chat. Let’s also stay connected on facebook!  www.facebook.com/thrivinglifestyle

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR THE DIVAGIRL COMMUNITY:

I am offering 50% off of my Initial Breakthrough Session & 10% off of my Transformation Program. Visit my site for more info. Simply mention the code “DIVA” when booking your session for your discount today!

Summer Featured DivaGirl- Melyssa Moniz!

Congrats to Melysssa Moniz- DivaGirl’s Summer 2010 Featured DivaGirl!

- What are three words that best describe Melyssa?
Passionate, determined, bubbly 

- Tell us a bit about yourself: the true Diva.
I am an entrepreneur, dancer, teacher, performer, and motivational speaker.  I have a very loving family, a loving partner and a network of friends who have supported me to become who I am today.  I have had many tribulations along the way, but overcoming them built personal strength.  As an entrepreneur, I love being able to demonstrate my different skill sets and talents to targeted audiences; I truly enjoy teaching and inspiring others to be the best they can be.  I value education and progressive development and make it my mission to embody these values.  I enjoy laughing, spending time with my loved ones and eating freshly popped popcorn.  I am quite goofy and naturally try to make people laugh.  When I am not running my business, you can find me studying languages, visiting coffee shops or reading at Indigo.

 

- How did you get into teaching dance/fitness?  Tell us about your experiences in the industry.
Approximately 8 years ago, I discovered that self expression was both important and necessary for my personal development.  I started training with a Latin Dance company as an apprentice and after a short amount of time learning several different styles of Latin dance, I became a member of their performing team.  As my dance training progressed I became increasingly obsessed with dancing salsa, merengue, bachata, and more!  After studying at the Ted Rogers School of Business for 2 years, my desire to dance became so strong that I dedicated an entire year to dance training and dance experiences.  I also became interested in health and wellness as a compliment to my dance training.  I returned back to business school to finish my bachelor’s degree, while continuing to train simultaneously.  I began to teach dance on a part-time basis and started choreographing routines with my now current business partner.  I realized that the same artistic passion that I once had in my early youth was the same passion that I channel for my dance endeavors.  Now, I co-own P.O.S.E. dance troupe, I run monthly workshops and private lessons, and am an independent contractor for several other Toronto-based companies where I perform samba, Afro-Brazilian, hip hop and other forms of dance.    Life has been lively and busy for me, and I do not intend on slowing down anytime soon!

- Why did you decide join DivaGirl?
I met Laura Furtado at a FAME convention in Toronto, a couple of years after I started training.  As she taught her sexy-fit workshop, I was drawn to her energy and felt that she had the same entrepreneurial spirit as me.  Several years later, after I had seen her grow her business, I reconnected with her to find out more about DivaGirl Inc.  She impressed me with where she was in the industry, and I respected her immensely.  I wanted to grow and share my knowledge and love for what I do, and joining DivaGirl directly achieved those goals.  I am extremely happy I decided to join! 

 

- Tell us a bit about the classes/workshops that you offer to the DivaGirl Community.
My areas of expertise are in the Latin realm so I offer dance and dance-fitness classes that utilize the infectious rhythms of salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and the ever popular Zuumba.  In all my classes I provide two important elements: 1) specialized dance technique and 2) a platform for my students to experiment with their creativity based on the technique taught. 

 

- Why should women attend your DivaGirl classes/workshops?
All of my classes are warm, inviting and progressive and are meant to ignite the student’s individual passion as a dancer.  My classes are energetic and motivating.  I am personally devoted to the students’ well-being, so I utilize a variety of communication and feedback strategies in my classes.  I have been blessed to have a supportive network of students who tell me they love my classes! 

- What constitutes you as a Diva?
I am Diva because I am driven, passionate, and dedicated to becoming the best woman that I can be!  Life is a series of choices – I choose to be the Diva I was meant to be.

 

- What are your top three tips to help women get fit, have fun and feel sexy?

1)      Treat your body well! Eat right and sleep right.  If you are unsure how to do those things, there are professionals out there who thrive off of educating those who don’t know.

2)     Pursue hobbies and passions that you make you feel alive!  Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself and do the things you love to do.

3)     Spend time on yourself.  This means feeling sexy in your own skin.  Don’t be afraid to pamper yourself and get dolled up.  You are a woman and you should roar!  Insert smiley face here.

- Are there any upcoming workshops/events/projects that you are working on, that you would like to share to the DivaGirl community?

I have an awesome Reggaeton workshop coming up on July 11^th – Ladies, get it poppin’!  I also have a 6 week session running from July 7^th-August 11^th on Wednesdays for Latin Movement and Merengue and Bachata – Dances of the Dominican.   Check it out under my DivaGirl profile.My dance troupe P.O.S.E. will be performing August 1 at the Chim Pao Callao Congress – the first Niagara Falls salsa congress.  I will be expanding my business to include health and nutritional services – keep a look out in the near future.

 

- Final comments?
This life can be as meaningful and fulfilling as we want it to be.  I strongly believe that every day is a learning experience; it is our responsibility to love and to give so that we grow personally, emotionally and intellectually.  Our actions have consequences, so I encourage us all to be conscious of our daily choices.Lastly, I hope to inspire others to do what they love to do.  I am proud to be the featured Diva Girl!

Getting “Fashionable” with DivaGirl…

Why DivaGirl is getting “fashionable” this summer…

A stylish addition to your DivaGirl party.
We know divas were born to shop so why not indulge in a little retail therapy with Shop Socials as a part of your upcoming DivaGirl party? We scour the runways from our backyard and beyond to bring you a carefully selected collection of designer fashion and accessories for you and your gal pals to play dress-up in the ultimate private shopping experience. Give us your sizes, personal styles and preferred price points and we bring you a custom boutique just for your party.

Enjoy hostess perks.

Party planning is tough but Shop Socials rewards you for being such a fashion-forward hostess. As a hostess, you shop with special discounts ranging from 10% - 50% and may even qualify for free shopping credits. Keep in mind that you can also be a darling and pass those perks on to a guest of honour.

Sounds good…but how much?

For Diva’s like you this experience is absolutely FREE. You heard us, doll! DivaGirl parties booked from June – August 2010 can enjoy a private shopping experience with Shop Socials absolutely free. No strings or obligations to buy.

For more information, please contact info@divagirlfitness.com.

*Offer valid in Greater Toronto area from June 1 – August 31, 2010. Travel fees apply for areas outside the GTA. Bookings are subject to availability. Hostess discounts are based on event sales and are offered to only ONE designated guest. Shop Socials reserves the right to end this promotion at any time.

GoodLife Fitness Workshops for July & August!

Coming to GoodLife Fitness… DivaGirl!

Join DivaGirl Fitness and learn how to dance like a PussyCat Doll! In this sizzlin’ session, you will be inspired to learn various sizzling dance-pop moves and choreographed routines that have been characterized by the all-American pop girl group, PCD. Get ready to shake, pop, bounce and shimmy your way into fitness! So bring your leg warmers and get ready to strut your stuff!

There will be two workshops offered at GoodLife for the months of July and August:

Thursday, July 29th &
Thursday, August 26th
8:30-9:30PM

McCAUL & QUEEN ST:
21 McCaul St

RATES:
GoodLife Members: $72 session; $13 drop-in
Non-Members: $84 session; $15 drop-in

Contact info@divagirlfitness.com to register or go into the GoodLife Fitness facility to sign up.

DivaGirl Fitness’ Rate Card

Get Fit with DivaGirl this Summer!!  Various classes across the GTA!

8-class card: $98
7-class card: $88
6-class card: $78
5-class card: $68
Drop-ins: $15

Contact info@divagirlfitness.com for more information.

For Women Who CRAVE The Best…

For women who CRAVE the very best, shopping in Toronto just got better!

DivaGirl is proud to be featured in CRAVE!  Click here to purchase your own edition today!

CRAVE Toronto is a celebration of local women entrepreneurs that showcases some of the most creative, interesting, and gutsy proprietors throughout the greater Toronto area.

CRAVE Toronto is a savvy, quality-of-lifestyle book devoted entirely to the best local businesses, owned by women. Featuring over 125 women you need to know, CRAVE Toronto directs you to top boutiques, spas, cafes, stylists, fitness studios, and more, and will introduce you to the inspired, dedicated women behind these exceptional enterprises. At these locales, creativity, quality, innovation, and customer service are paramount. Not only is CRAVE Toronto an intelligent guidebook for those wanting to know what’s happening throughout town, it’s a directory for those who recognize, and value the contributions that spirited businesswomen make to our city.

• Profiles of more than 125 businesswomen you need to know in Toronto

• Features independent businesses unique to Toronto

• Encourages readers to shop local and support women entrepreneurs

Reading CRAVE is like opening a door to your very own party and fashion show.

CRAVE is an intelligent guidebook for those wanting to know what’s happening throughout town and it celebrates the contributions that spirited business women make to our community, introducing you to the 125+ insightful, dedicated women behind these exceptional enterprises.

For the DivaGirl community, purchase your CRAVE book for only $18! Until August 30th, purchase your CRAVE book and receive a FREE DivaGirl Class Card!

Click here to purchase your own edition today!