Wild About It: Saje

photo 2(6)My love of Saje started back in the summer of 2013 when I was first introduced to the company through their street team at the SeaWheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver. They had a crew out giving away free products as well as free treatments with their natural wellness products. It was pretty much love at first try, and every trip back to Vancouver now demanded a trip to their store on Robson St.  it was this past summer that I heard the rumour that Saje would be opening in Toronto and a few months later construction began on their Queen St store, which held it’s grand opening just in time for Christmas.

What is Saje?

photo 1(7)Saje is a a retail store which sells hundreds of different natural wellness products, accessories, and healthy gift ideas all grounded in the wellness benefits of essential oils and the healing power of plants.  They combine pure essential oils with all-natural base ingredients to create 100% all-natural products that are free of parabens, SLS, SLES, PEGS, glycols, petrochemicals, synthetic colours and synthetic fragrances. What I also love about them, is that they are Canadian-owned and operated, with most of their products manufactured locally in Surrey BC, which allows them to ensure their products are made with the freshest ingredients, highest quality, and the utmost attention to detail.

What I’m Wild About:

It’s very hard to narrow down which products I like best, as the ones I like, I love and use almost daily. So here are three of my personal favourites.

photo 3(5)1. Sleep Well.

The Sleep Well oil is a powerful and natural relaxant that promotes a deeper and more restful sleep. It smells awful, but works really well. When I first purchased it I just grabbed one from the shelf and was warned by the cashier that I might want to smell it first – I didn’t. Instead I took his advice to put it on my feet and wear socks to bed, and keep it as far away from my nose as possible. That’s worked for me.

When I first bought it my intention for using it was when traveling for work. As a restless sleeper hotel beds and strange sounds are not my friends. I was looking for this to help me get through the night and it did, many times. The biggest test was when I used it the night before my first IronMan 70.3. My mind never turns off and I knew this would be the ultimate test. I went to bed at 8 and I slept over 10 hours. It was amazing… or at least was until I had to listen to the stories of my sister and teammates who couldn’t get a wink of sleep,m I stayed quite. My sister now uses Sleep Well also.

photo 1(5)2. CoCo Lips Lip Balm.

I first bought this product out of convenience. It was post SeaWheeze, I was dehydrated, I needed a lip balm, and there it was at the cash of the Robson street store while I was paying for my other products. They have a couple different types, it was summer and I was intrigued by the coconut.

I now have one everywhere I might need lip balm, my home, purse, car, and at work.  I love that it’s all-natural, perfect to moisturize and soothe irritated lips, and the coconut scent is yummy and makes me think of summer.

photo 2(4)3. Pain Release.

This was one of the first Saje products I experienced at SeaWheeze. As you crossed the finish line the Saje team was there to spray your legs down with their pain release spray and provide you a sample in a cute bag that hangs on your medal.

I have since purchased both the spray and roll on versions of this product. As a runner, it’s great for after a long run or next day as it provides quick relief from muscular aches, tension, and any post run stiffness. The spray bottle makes it easy to give my hamstrings and calves a once over and the roll on works perfect to get into specific spots.

Everything I’ve tried from Saje has been awesome, and I am so glad they now have a store in Toronto. Walking along Queen St their natural scent just fills the street and it’s hard to avoid going in to check out what’s new. The have a great website and ship for free over $100. If you’re looking for something natural to promote wellness, definitely check them out.

7 Holiday Gift Ideas For Your FitFriend

Everyone has a friend that runs marathons or obstacle races, or a family member who wants to get fit on their holiday shopping list. To help shoppers buy for fitness-enthusiasts here are my top seven get fit gift ideas – and the best news, they can all be bought online!

1. The Asylum

Okay, this first gift doesn’t sound very happy holidays and it’s not, this is a butt kicking extreme at home workout that will make you regret even smelling the beautiful combination of egg nog and gingerbread! I started The Asylum leading up to the Hamilton Road 2 Hope Marathon and it is killer. I was intrigued in the program because of the recent surge in functional fitness style workouts and local programs like Game Changer, so thought giving it a try at home would save me some embarrassment in the park. Insanity: The Asylum is  Beachbody’s latest home fitness programs with celebrity trainer Shaun T. It’s a 30 day elite sports training program, which would be a great gift for athletes of all levels including those just getting started and those training for marathons, triathlons, and especially obstacle races. It includes the 6 DVDs, a workout tracking calendar, a nutrition plan, as well as both a jump rope and agility ladder for the many die hard drills. It does require some floor space (my Toronto condo was tight), but with some creativity you can make it work and it’s well worth it! Asylum is available at Best Buy, Sears, TV Showcase, Walmart, Beachbody.com and Shopnorthern.com for $119.99.

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2. Oakley Extreme Tight Capris

I love the look and feel of these tights, and every time I wear them I feel like I am in a scene from Tron (the new one) come to life. Created for “zoned support and mobility,” the Extreme Tight Capris are a high–performance compression fit capris. They have stretch panels which cover key alignment areas of the body, and a nearly seamless construction which “reduces chafing and increases durability.” The capris also have articulated knees and mesh panels which “provide a natural feel and optimize airflow.” These capris would be a great gift for any active gal who likes putting her clothes through demanding multi–sport workouts, run, yoga, or cross-fit, these capris will have you covered. Available in store and online at http://ca.oakley.com for $100.

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3. Nike+ SportWatch GPS

After my Nike+ SportBand died I needed something new and knew many runners rocking the Nike + SportWatch so decided it give it a try. The reason Why I am so happy with this watch is best described on their sight “Think Less, Run Better Put on your Nike+ SportWatch GPS, go outside and run.” The SportWatch allows you to personalize the scrolling data that you want to see during your run which includes the ability  to track your pace, distance, calories and heart rate and more. It contains a built in USB into the watch strap, so post run you just plug the watch directly into a USB port on your computer to upload run data and recharge the battery. You can also combine this watch with the Nike+ shoe sensor which acts as an optional backup if the GPS signal gets interrupted or for indoor use on the treadmill. The SportWatch also allows you to connect with Nikeplus.com which allows you to connect with friends through Challenges and sharing your run activity on Facebook and Twitter, and also allows you to see your mapped route with pace data, and elevation changes. Available in your local Nike store, at http://www.RunningRoom.com or http://store.nike.com for $169.

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4. Saje Natural Wellness Pain Release Natures Remedy Roll On

While in Vancouver for the SeaWheeze Half Marathon last August I was introduced to Saje and fell in love with this store. The air at the start of the race was filled with the scent of their Pain Release Remedy Roll as their army of volunteers filtered through the start line massaging this oil onto the necks of the eager runners. The Pain Release Remedy Roll On is an all natural pain release remedy which is a safe, gentle topical recovery tool for all skin types. The easy-to-use roll on format is ideal for muscular pain, joint stiffness, external bruising and arthritis, and is perfect for your FitFriend who may need some extra recovery help after those long runs or tough strength workouts.  Available at http://saje.ca for $26.95.

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5. Tiny Devotions Stack

For many years I have been in love with Tiny Devotions and their mala beads and gorgeous stacks. Perfect for yogis, yoginis, or mindful athletes, every piece of jewelry is connected to an intention such as love, joy, patience, focus, adventure, freedom, and strength to name a few. Below is the Bardot Stack, named after Bridget Bardot (a piece I have been coveting for a while). This yellow and cherry quartz, lotus and sky blue fire agate stack has the intention of being a beautiful person on the inside and out. I suggest purchasing a stack over a mala necklace because personally I love to mix my stacks with each other as well as other pieces of jewellery for the ultimate arm party – I’ve even mixed my Gangster stack with my Goddess stack, my RoadID and Nike SportWatch for what I refer to as Endurance Boho or Mindful Athlete style. Available online at http://www.lovetinydevotions.com/ stacks are made in Canada and range in price depending on the stones. The Bardot stack is available for $127.

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6. RoadID, Wrist ID Slim

If you are shopping for a runner, cyclists, or anyone who likes to get fit outdoors, the RoadID should be a must on you list.  Their website puts it best stating that “in the event of an accident, if you can’t speak for yourself, your Road ID will.” RoadID is a silicon bracelet with the emergency contact information of the wearer. After deciding to no longer race with my cell phone, Road ID for me was a must, because “it’s not just a piece of gear – it’s piece of mind.” I purchased a black  Wrist ID Slim which is the slimmest (or smallest) ID in their lineup – also suitable for kids. The website states “with its stylish and comfortable silicone band, you will be tempted to make a lifestyle statement and wear it 24/7” and to be honest I have considered that – especially when off to functions with other fit peeps (read above re. arm party). Like all their ID products, The Wrist ID Slim can be laser engraved with  three emergency contacts and is available in ten different colors. Side note – be sure to double check your phone numbers – I wrote my sisters down wrong 😦 Available at https://www.roadid.com for $17.99. (Shoppers hint: there are often sales and promo codes flying around the internet so do a quick Google search to save on shipping.)

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7. A Gift Card to Your Local Fitness Studio or Race Registration

I love sweating in new ways and January is always a great (although crowded) time to start. Consider purchasing an entry fee to an upcoming race event or a month long membership (or at least a 5 class pass) for your FitFriend at their favourite gym or a new studio within the community. Better yet, make a purchase for the two of you and start 2014 off sweating together!

What’s on your fitness holiday wish list? Share it in the comments!