WO Magazine Spring 2016 | Page 22

PERSPECTIVE Lifestyle TIGHTEN YOUR CIRCLE Sure, friends are uh-maz-ing... but are all 776 people on your Facebook true bosom pals? Relationships are meaningful when they are ... duh... real. CHALLENGE: Cut some peeps from your Social Media Team. GET BACK TO BASICS WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SKIPPED ROCKS OR SKIPPED ROPE; PLAYED CARDS OR PLAYED HOOKIE; GAZED AT THE STARS OR DEEP INTO YOUR PARTNER'S EYES? TINY MOMENTS ARE THE STUFF THAT LIFE IS MADE OF! CHALLENGE: DO SOMETHING THAT BROUGHT YOU JOY IN A 'PAST LIFE' BEFORE YOU GOT SO DARN BUSY ALL THE TIME. MORE ON MINIMALISM BECOME A LOCAVORE LESS IS MORE... IN ACTION You don't have to go far to enjoy fantastic farm fresh produce, amazing artisanal food, beer and wine and gorgeous handmade goods. Check these out: LESS TECH = MORE CREATIVITY When we log less screen time, we tend to be more creative, less fatigued, and have less risk of vision damage. LESS SCHEDULING = MORE BREATHING ROOM When we schedule less appointments, we can give more focused attention to those we keep, as well as breathing easier in the margin. LESS STUFF = MORE SUCCESS When we put less in our schedule, budget, closet, life...we tend to have better results LESS CLUTTER = MORE QUALITY When we have less clutter in our homes and workplaces, we have more peace of mind and better quality work LESS SPENDING = MORE OPTIONS When we buy less, we have more to save, give and invest. THE SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. Sustainable foods and promotion of local small businesses pair neatly with this credo. CHALLENGE: Play Farm-to-table Chef once weekly and get the fam-jam fully engaged in food preparation. JENNIFER SCHMALTZ INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT’S OUT THERE IN THE UNIVERSE TO IMPROVE OVERALL HEALTH, AND JUST PLAIN FEELING GOOD, JEN IS ALWAYS SCOUTING ABOUT FOR TRENDS AND COOL NEW INTEL. LIVING BETTER WITH LESS HAS LONG BEEN A PERSONAL GOAL, IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT NOW ALL THE COOL KIDS ARE DOING IT TOO. 20 | whiteoaksclub.com | spring 2016 A FRESH CROP OF CRAFTERS Located in downtown St. Catharines, the Craft Arts Market supports artistic entrepreneurs by providing the opportunity for artisans to sell and promote their work, and expand their knowledge and skills. craftartsmarket.ca SOCIAL EVENT OF THE SEASON The Niagara-on-the-Lake Market has become a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, and the Wednesday evening Supper Market is a weekly event not to be missed. All produce sold is 100% Niagara grown. marketatthevillage.ca FARMERS FEED CITIES Once launched (official date pending) The Garden City Food Co-op will be a grocery store located in downtown St. Catharines filled with fresh, locally produced and fairly priced foods directly from local farms. Find out how you can help fuel its future success. gardencityfoodcoop.ca