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The Makeup Database I Use To Check If Products Are Safe

I use the best makeup database I know of: EWG Skin Deep at https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ . Whenever I am considering a new beauty product, I run it through their website to see whether it rates as safer, moderate, or higher concern. Makeup is expensive, and I have avoided a lot of products that way. I usually buy mine at Walmart Canada to save money, or when items are on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart. I have also ordered through Avon Canada .  I am more of a skin care type of gal.  Less is more when it comes to makeup.  I only use eyemakeup and lipstick normally.  When I get fancy then I will use some mascara too.   Checking products before I buy has become a regular habit for me. Personal care items sit on our skin for hours, and some ingredients can raise questions about long-term exposure. Regulations in Canada require cosmetics to be safe and properly labelled, and Health Canada maintains a Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist of prohibited or restricted substances...
Recent posts

A Typical Vegetarian Lunch I Often Have

My eating style is flexible and practical. I am a flexitarian who mostly follows a Mediterranean approach and leans into clean keto most of the time. Breakfasts are usually vegan. Lunch is vegetarian. Dinner includes a small amount of meat with plenty of vegetables. This combination works well for me—it keeps meals satisfying, supports steady energy, and fits the way I like to cook and shop. I love eggs and usually have two a day. They are a reliable protein source and easy to prepare. Most often I pair them with avocado and/or cucumber.  The healthy fats from the avocado and the crisp freshness of the cucumber balance the eggs without adding complexity. Sometimes I switch the protein to tuna or cottage cheese for variety. Rio Mare tuna salads appear only every once in a while when I want something convenient and already seasoned. The rest of the time I prepare my own tuna. I mix it with extra-virgin olive oil, a pinch of cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black p...

Breathing Deeply Daily Helps Me To Alleviate Life's Occasional Heaviness

  .   Deep breathing is a simple practice I use every day. During my low-impact 30 minutes of cardio at least five times a week, I breathe deeply the whole time. I also do it whenever I need to release negativity. As a Libra, balance and harmony matter a lot to me, and this habit helps keep those things steady. I have even read Love Has Seven Colors by Jack Angelo, which includes different breathing exercises along with relaxation and visualization practices focused on the energy centers and the heart. The breathing work helps me focus and uplift myself. Stress can be hard on us both mentally and physically if it lingers, so I always try to transmute it through positive actions. Life can be challenging at times, but those challenges help me grow and better myself. I treat them like stepping stones by releasing the tension the right way instead of letting it build up. I keep the cardio low-impact on purpose. Walking, gentle cycling, or light movement on a machine ...

The Healthy Italian Goddess Brand of mine just launched July 30, 2026!

Welcome to The Healthy Italian Goddess. I decided to share the effective healthy lifestyle I actually live—one shaped by goddess energy, my Italian roots, and a real La Dolce Vita mindset. The core idea is simple: Why suffer in anything you do? Life is meant to feel good, not like a constant grind. I am a Libra, and that means harmony and balance matter to me. I look for ways of eating, moving, and living that support steadiness rather than extremes. I also love to research. I stay open-minded and I am always tweaking and improving what works. Nothing is set in stone. If something stops feeling right or new information appears, I adjust. It does not hurt that I am aging like fine wine. I do put in the work, but never in a suffering way. I choose actions that make me feel good and that lift my energy and spirit. That is the filter I use for almost every decision: Does this support how I want to feel today and over the long term? This blog is where I will go deeper into the details—food,...

Saw The Lovely Cherry Blossoms At High Park This Past Weekend

It was so lovely and I took a bunch of photos but this one was my favorite!  There was even live music and lots of food too.  We parked our car in a nearby parking garage and rode our e-scooters into the park.  It was a really great way to see all the gorgeousness!  We had to drive because we live on the other end of Toronto and it's a bit of a trek.  

I Became An AVON Rep To Help Those In Need - Link To Digital Brochure!

AVON Canada MEGA Makeup Sale!  Up to 65% off + free gift for a limited time only!  Some of my earnings will be going to those in need!  ❤️  avon.ca/brochure?rep=agarasto

Searching For The Monarch Buttterfly Migration In South Western Ontario That Are Currently Migrating To Mexico

I love Monarch Butterflies and all other kinds of butterflies too! I love being out in nature a lot and also love seeing them as well as taking captures of them too. Recently I remembered the time we stopped in Ajax, Ontario and there were so many Monarchs it was magical! We did go back this weekend and there were still some but not a large concentration of them like before. The most were in the Ajax Meadow area so next year we will be back in the summer and late summer to check on my amazng and vibrant winged little friends. The weenend before we were at Rosetta McClain Gardens and we were blessed to see one being caught by the ladies there that were tagging them to track them on their long journey to Mexico. I spotted an existing tag so they let him go. It was a he because he had two black dots at the ends of his wings. I posted all about it on Twiter X under my @AnnaGarasto ~ Anna Garasto-I***** account so I will include those on this blog post. We were at beautiful Roset...