Under $100: Best health and wellness buys for November

Veggie Delight

By now you’ve likely heard that the climate is going to get substantially worse in less than 20 years. It’s a shocking statistic and one that is motivating me to make some real changes in my life to hopefully contribute to the fight against climate change. It’s why, even though it’s not new, I’m picking up this vegan recipe book by Angela Liddon. Eating vegetarian is a great way to address your own role in climate change, and while I haven’t given up steak just yet, knowing that I can cook and eat delicious food—that also happens to be earth-friendly—is something that I’ll be putting into action ASAP. —Alexandra Donaldson, fashion and beauty editor

Oh She Glows Every Day: Quick and Simply Satisfying Plant-Based Recipes (Penguin Random House) by Angela Liddon, $29, amazon.ca. 

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Spill the Tea

There’s nothing better than a good cup of tea during the cold winter months especially when I’m feeling a bit under the weather. Lately, I’ve been really into this antioxidant-rich turmeric ginger herbal tea from Vahdam to help soothe my cold woes. All teas are ethical and fair-trade which is a huge win in my books. —Linda Cotrina, web producer

Vahdam Ginger Herbal Tea Tisane, $23.49, amazon.ca.

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Reconciliation

Okay, so I’m having a bit of a book month—sue me, it’s great to read when the weather sucks! I recently finished reading this unbelievably moving (and often heartbreaking) memoir from Cree author Darrel J. McLeod. It was an important read and one I think many people could benefit from. Reconciliation is often a word thrown around, but reading, listening to and promoting stories from Indigenous people is a way to become a little more informed about the experiences of some of the most marginalized Canadians. McLeod’s story is one of family crisis and poverty, but also of transformation, identity and growth. I can’t wait to read the sequel next year. —AD

Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age (Greystone Books) by Darrel J. McLeod, $27, amazon.ca. 

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Smooth it over

I am obsessed with these washcloths. What makes it so great you ask? Well for starters, unlike your usual washcloth, this one is made out of a sort of rough, nylon material that’s perfect for exfoliating your skin, sloughing away dead skin cells and preventing ingrown hairs. While loofahs have a knotted centre that almost never dries out completely, the mesh-like material of this Japanese cloth dries easily and thoroughly so that they stay bacteria-free. And finally, the best part? The towel-style shape of it allows you to scrub your entire back like never before. I swer my skin has never felt smoother. —Murissa Barrington, Digital assistant 

Salux nylon Japanese beauty skin wash cloth, $21/set of 3, amazon.ca. 

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Natural Beauty

This book by the owners of the infamous L’Officine Universelle Buly in Paris explains the health and beauty benefits of a range of natural ingredients and features recipes so you can reap such benefits from the inside out. I picked this up when I was in Paris in the spring, but it’s available in Canada on November 13. —Renée Reardin, senior digital editor

An Atlas of Natural Beauty: Botanical Ingredients for Retaining and Enhancing Beauty, $33, indigo.ca.

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Brighten Up

It’s that time of year again. The time when short days and lots of darkness creep up on me and I find myself feeling low-energy and low-happiness. It’s Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) season, guys. This year, I’m renewing my efforts to get vitamin D wherever I can (with more walks during daylight hours and a supplement), but I’m also kicking it up a notch by using the HappyLight. It’s a bright (really bright) light that mimics natural sunlight and its benefits. While I’m still bummed that I wake up in complete darkness, this is making sure that I get the recommend dose of full spectrum light to maintain a healthy circadian cycle, and hopefully with continued use I’ll see an improvement in my energy and mood. (Just a note—this light is very bright. I find it best to put it just out of my periphery when reading or watching television, and I never look directly at it.) —AD

HappyLight Touch, $80, verilux.com. 

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Snack kings

I’ve been a long time fan of MadeGood since I first tried one of their chocolate chip granola bars almost 2 years ago. Today, my new favourite from them is this chocolate banana-flavoured Crispy Light Granola and like the other snack products and cereals they’ve put out recently, they all remain true the brand’s trademark of being organic, free from most allergens, containing vegetable nutrients and most importantly, delicious. —MB

MadeGood Crispy Light Granola chocolate banana, $10, well.ca. 

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