Gillian B

Yoga in Mt. Tremblant

gillian — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:56:50 +0000

Back in October, Mark Laham, Tania Z, Jadine Phillips and I travelled out to the beautiful Mount Tremblant. Some rest and relaxation was in order!! While we were there we able to spend some time with nature and enjoyed the good company. Of course we got up to some yoga as well!!

Here is a short video that I shot with Tania as my beautiful model, on how to safely get up into Waterfall Pose or Legs Up the Wall. Enjoy!!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Turn Your New Year’s Resolutions into Reality

gillian — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:06:28 +0000

This article was recently featured in Truestar’s Healthy Lifestyle News… enjoy!

By: Gillian B

When the January blahs hit, it becomes difficult for many of us to stay motivated and focused on our health goals. With a combination of back to work, holiday credit card bills and bad weather across much of the country, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), can easily kick in, waylaying us on our pursuit to our new and better self. This is not abnormal, and statistics have shown that depression and even suicide peak at this time of year.

On a more positive note, there are many things you can do to avert depression in order for you to take some giant leaps forward in the pursuit of health and happiness.

To start off with, exercise is proven to be one of the best ways to create positive feelings as endorphins are released, even with as little as 20 minutes of sustained cardiovascular exercise. Truestar.com has many 20-minute workouts and yoga sequences that can get you feeling great in a time crunch.

Consider joining a neighborhood gym such where physical activity and camaraderie combine to improve your mental state and your health.

In the latest neuroscience research from the book, Power up Your Brain, it is proven in a research study that a group of persons who participated in as little as 20 minutes of exercise per day increased their neuro-pathways by 1800% over a similar group which was sedentary or did not exercise.

Boost your mood and your mind with l-Tyrosine, an amino acid related to increased brain power and mood. Try TrueIQ, a product which combines L-Tyrosine with other amino acids to stimulate your mind. Moreover, reducing calories from the standard American diet of 3,660 calories per day by 30% has proven to increase brain power. Remember, overeating, especially sugary and high carbohydrate meals, can cause a “crashing sensation”, along with unwanted weight gain and sluggishness that can affect one’s self esteem. Set up a personal profile using follow Truestar’s cutting-edge personalized Nutrition Program. It will get you on the right track nutritionally as all of the meals are calorically and hormonally balanced based upon your personal profile.

Take one of Truestar’s 30-Day Challenges and commit to feeling your very best physically. As leading motivational and research experts such as Tony Robbins have said, “Change your physical state and your mind will follow.”

Truestar’s 30-/90-Day Challenges can be taken in five categories including: Weight Loss, Healthy Aging, Muscle and Strength, Optimal Wellness and Energy Support. Not only will the Truestar Challenges set some goals for you, they are also supported by Truestar’s award-winning supplements and have many prizes available, including a Grand Prize of $50,000!

Setting goals and writing them down has worked wonders for many and Truestar’s Attitude Section contains a personal Goal Setting Program that allows you to write down daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and dream goals. Once the goals are set, they can be accessed on your smart phone as reminders to keep you motivated and focused.

If you are feeling a bit glum due to the grey weather, vitamin D has been proven to support seasonal affective disorder. Truestar’s award-winning TrueBASICS A/O, contains vitamins D along with a multitude of vitamins and minerals that can support your health. Many experts recommend a higher dose of Vitamin D (up to 3000 IU per day).TrueD is available for those looking for a higher dose of high quality vitamin D.

Getting the proper amount of sleep is also a key factor in maintaining a great attitude and feeling good physically. Complete a Sleep profile on Truestar.com and learn about small changes you can make to improve your sleep regimen.

Reading or listening to positive or motivational material for only 10 minutes per day can also have a profound effect on your attitude. Take your mood and weather into your own hands and carry your positive weather with you wherever you go!

Visit Gillian B’s Health Portal Today!

Detoxification

gillian — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:09:26 +0000

Just about everyone I speak to these days mentions either wanting to start a detox program or about their experience with one. There are a plethora of extreme cleanses out there on the market, everything from drinking salt water to drinking green juice for a week…how does one know which one to choose?!

On top of changing your diet, eating more colourful fruits and veggies, avoiding alcohol and reducing your exposure to harmful toxins once and a while the body can use a little help! Detoxifying is definitely a good idea once or twice a year but especially when you are beginning a weight loss program as lots of toxins are stored in fat cells. When we start to shed some of those fat cells, the toxins are released to wreak havoc on the body’s other tissues. Using a safe and effective detox program, will gently guide the toxins out of our systems before then can cause more trouble.

Let my friend Dr. Andy, a Naturopathic Practitioner, teach you a little bit more about detoxifying your body!!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dr. Andy recommends TrueDetox and Cleanse as a safe, all natural choice for those of you looking to start the New Year off the right way! Click here to receive 10 % off this awesome product today!

Photoshoot with Derek Heisler

gillian — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:11:48 +0000

At the beginning of December, Irina Andreea and I, had the opportunity of shooting with the talented Derek Heisler. I will tell you a little about how this came to be…

Back in the fall during TIFF, Derek and his partner Joey Camacho, who together make up Studio Coalition, put together this event called INHALE. This was my first introduction to their work, both as individuals and as a team, which was nothing short of amazing! Irina already had the pleasure of working with both of them while in the Dominican for the Paul Buceta Pool Party and she had been raving about them for months! The event showcased their work, both photography and videography , along an array of beautiful models…it was a sight to see! At the event, Irina and I entered Yogabooty into a draw to have a ‘Studio Coalition Branding Makeover’. I can remember sending some special intentions with that ballot as it slipped into the box… I guess it worked!

Next thing you know, Yogabooty is on a plane heading to Calgary! This was really exciting for me because:

a) I have never been to Calgary

b) It was Yogabooty’s first official business trip

c) I just had this feeling that we were on the right path (do you know which one Im talking about?—amazing feeling!)

It was an incredibly long day of shooting but we got it done!! We all took turns shooting, it was quite fun! Derek is such an amazing artist, it was really an honour to work with him. From the previews that we saw, we were blown away by the results of this shoot and could hardly wait to get some of the pictures back!! But, as we all know, patience is a virtue.

Just the other day Derek sent out a message to us explaining his new project. Which I think is just plain genius…Using the new Facebook Timeline Cover Page for his new FOR Campaign. He took some of his most recent shots and made personalized banners for each model, to use as their Cover Photo.

Here is what mine looks like!!

Me FOR Derek Heisler Campaign.

Derek is not only a very talented artist.. he is one of those very rare REAL people that I have stumbled upon. I hope that if you like my work with him and/ or relate to my story then you will contact Derek for his professional and unique photography work.

Give my dear friend Derek a LIKE on Facebook and book with him today at derekheisler.com

Thank you!!

A Little About Truestar Health

gillian — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:18:38 +0000

Check out this short video from the Whole Life Expo in November. Such a great event!

In this interview mark and I speak about how we both got involved with the company and how Truestar came to be what it is today- North America’s Fastest Growing Network Marketing Company!!

Take a peak!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jukari-FIT TO FLY!

gillian — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:10:59 +0000

This was such a fun afternoon with my girlfriends Elle, Tran, Irina and Erica !!

This blog was written by my amazing friend Erica (on the right) from www.everything-beautiful.com

So this past week, my gorgeous friend Irina in the middle (pic above) instructed us through an exciting new workout called Jukari. It’s choreography was developed by Reebok and Cirque du Soleil™ and wow it is fun! Basically, it is an intense fitness routine that involves flying, swinging, and literally getting the best workout ever. It is designed to strengthen arms, legs, and core muscles combined with the excitement of being airborne. I honestly don’t have much motivation to get myself to the gym but this workout will get me there…everyone should try it!

Watch the link below to see some live Jukari:

Click here to view the embedded video.

It is currently being offered exclusively at King West Fitness in Toronto, Ontario. And what a nice gym I must say, definitely will be coming back soon! But only if Irina is teaching it!!!

Oh and don’t be surprised if you’re very sore for the next few days after this workout–this routine will hit muscles you never knew you had!

Weeeeeee!!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

gillian — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:34:00 +0000

Its that time of year again!! Big orange pumpkins everywhere. So I thought it would be perfect to bring out my Pumpkin Spice Muffin recipe. 2 years have passed since I first prepared the recipe and they are long over due. Pumpkins, cinnamon and changing colours..how I love fall!

My long time neighbour and good friend, Gabe McCrae came over this week and we decided to give them a go. We made some changes to the original recipe with lots of healthy additions. These muffins are seriously good and good for you!

Festive Pumpkin Spice Muffins:

1 cup organic quick oats

½ cup wheat bran

1/2 cup ground flax seed

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 grated carrot (large)

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

3 large egg whites + one yolk

1 tbsp safflower oil

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

1.5 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

½ cup quinoa flour (if you don’t have just use whole-wheat flour)

¼ cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup Raw organic agave

¼ cup Greek yogurt

Preparation:

1-Preheat oven to 375 C. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray or cupcake liners.

2-Mix pumpkin, oatmeal, applesauce, milk, eggs and oil until blended.

3-Mix dry ingredients separately then fold into when ingredients.

4-Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a knife or toothpick comes out clean.

14 People

gillian — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:45:22 +0000

This video was made last year but it somehow slipped through the cracks and didn’t get posted. Better late then never. This video really brings you back to the simple things in life. It was made one afternoon with my friend Marco Tallarico of NonnaFilm.com and here is how it unfolded….Enjoy!!

Thanks for the awesome picture Jags!