10 Tricks, Tips & Ideas We Loved This Month: August 2024

Super Skin

Harness the powers of prickly pear, goji berry and a host of other antioxidant-rich skin-care superheroes with the newest addition to Graydon Skincare’s offerings: the Jade Moon Superfood Serum. Expect a boosted lipid barrier, more even skin tone and a soothed visage—no stressed skin here. Use day or night (or both!) to reap the benefits of this verdant-hued superfood cocktail made with dry, sensitive skin in mind.

GRAYDON SKINCARE Jade Moon Superfood Serum, Well.ca, $89

Beat The Heat

We all love cooling down with a sweet, icy treat on a hot summer day. But one that’s all natural and made of ingredients you actually recognize? Even better. Toronto- based ice pop company Happy Pops offers a flavour lineup that draws on the founder’s South Asian heritage and has options to suit every taste bud, from Lychee Lemonade and Pineapple Coconut to Matcha and, our absolute favou- rite, Lemon Mint—so refreshing! Sweetened with organic cane sugar, these vegan and gluten-free snacks are sure to become a staple in your freezer.

Happy Pops ICE POPS, $3 each

Get Outside

Some of the most beautiful areas in Canada can be found in our national, provincial, territorial and municipal parks. With no shortage of ways to connect with nature (think swimming, hiking, camping, stargazing, birdwatching, picnicking and so much more), these green sites have something for every Canadian to enjoy. 

Check out these 7 Ontario beaches for a weekend escape.

No Stain, No Gain

Whether you use your deck to host lively celebrations, enjoy cozy chats with friends or indulge in some much-needed rest and relaxation, you want it to be in tip-top shape. Enter Benjamin Moore’s brand-new Woodluxe line of oil- and water-based all-weather exterior stains. Protect your wood porches, fences and furniture from all Canadian weather conditions—UV exposure to frost—with this range that’s available in four opacities and more than 3,500 colours, meaning there’s an option for every type of wood and any look you desire.

Woodluxe EXTERIOR STAINS, from $73

Comfort, Period.

For those looking for alternatives to traditional menstrual products, period underwear can be a great option, cutting down on waste while providing next-level protection. Periods, spot- ting, bladder leakage and more are under control with Hanes’s newest Canadian launch: the Comfort, Period line of underwear. Available in both a medium absorbency bikini and a super absorbency boxer style, these undies wick away moisture and keep odour at bay for all-day comfort and confidence.

Comfort, Period. Bikini PERIOD UNDERWEAR, Amazon, $17

Bug Off!

It’s that time of year again—when spending an evening outside means the risk of coming home covered in mosquito bites. Defend against the pesky insects with a mosquito- repelling device from Thermacell. This battery-powered device disperses scent-free repellent that forms a six-metre zone of protection to keep skeeters at bay so you can spend less time swatting them away and more time actually enjoying the outdoors.

Thermacell E55 Rechargeable MOSQUITO REPELLER, $Amazon, 67

Books for Cooks

There’s no question that Canadian Living readers love to cook—and eat! So we’re always chuffed when new cookbooks hit the market. Here are a few of our favourites for the season:

The Side Gardener (Appetite by Random House) by Rosie Daykin, $45. The revered cookbook author and entrepreneur details the work of turning a dry patch of land into a verdant kitchen garden; recipes are included.

Islas (Chronicle Books) by Von Diaz, $53. This narrative cookbook contains 125 recipes derived from island cooking all over the globe, curated by an Emmy Award-winning documentarian and culinary historian.

Italian Snacking (Union Square & Co.) by Anna Francese Gass, $46. Just what you need with an afternoon beer or an evening glass of wine, these recipes com- piled from every region of Italy will hit your tasty spot.

Freezer Door Cocktails (Voracious) by J.M. Hirsch, $35. Is this the most brilliant summer- time idea? Cocktails ready when you are, made in batches and stored in the liquor bottle in your freezer door. Easy-peasy!

Bright Cooking (Chronicle Books) by Camille Becerra, $56.50. The celebrated chef releases her new cookbook that features 125 recipes full of colourful, bold-flavoured ingredients to boost your mood.

Kitten & the Bear Cookbook (Penguin Canada) by Sophie Kaftal and Bobby Zielinski, $35. Preserves and baked goods from the beloved shop are on the menu in this book, perfect for using up all that fresh summertime produce.

Sun Seeker

Pack these essentials in your beach bag for a day of fun in the sun.

See them all here.

How Touching

We often hear of the benefits of skin-to-skin contact for newborn babies, but did you know adults can get just as much from the power of touch? According to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in Nature Human Behaviour, a hug from your BFF or massage from your partner can have a significant positive impact on your levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue and pain. Not only that, but researchers also saw a moderate benefit to diastolic and systolic blood pressure, mobility and cortisol production. So, the next time you’re jittery before a big presentation or feeling worn out after a long day, a loving squeeze might be just the thing you need.

Good Hair Day

Letting us skip the occasional hair wash in favour of hitting the snooze button just one more time, dry sham- poos have had us hooked since their inception. Dry shampoo company Batiste just gave us another reason to love these handy products with the creation of its 24H Active spray, AKA our new workout sidekick.
Its sweat-activated formula means that invisible scent capsules are released right when you need them most, leaving your locks with a freshness that lasts up to 24 hours. Give your hair a spray before your next aerobics class or bike ride to see (and smell!) the difference.

BATISTE 24H ActiveDry Shampoo, Amazon, $12