Down with diets, vertical workouts and more: 4 healthy innovations you need to know about now
Ever the pioneer in getting us to run faster, farther and more frequently, Nike has launched a futuristic new running shoe that weighs in at less than eight ounces. The Flyknit Lunar1+ ($195, nike.com) fits like a second skin—it almost feels like wearing socks—with cushiony Lunarlon, a resilient foam that keeps runners’ soles supported and comfortable. The upper part of the shoe is nearly seamless, which cuts down on materials by a claimed 80 per cent. Nike’s Toronto flagship on Bloor Street is home to its only machine in Canada that steams the shoes before fitting them perfectly to each unique pair of feet; even after removing the shoes an outline of your toes will be visible (Canadian Olympic triathlete Paula Findlay was first in line to test the shoes, remarking how well they molded to her feet before taking them out for a winter jog). And the only thing better than putting on a toasty pair of kicks is the neon colour combos they come in. —Caitlin Agnew
Meghan Telpner does not believe in diets. “It’s crazy how many people continue to believe in diets, despite their ongoing failed attempts,” she says. “We can get back to enjoying food by ensuring that most of what we eat is real, whole and unprocessed. It becomes less about what the scale says and more about how we feel as ‘healthy’ becomes the new ‘skinny.’” The holistic nutritionist and author of Undiet: Eat Your Way To Vibrant Health (out April 2) was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2006, and embarked on a radical diet and lifestyle change that ultimately healed her of the autoimmune disease said to have no cure. Fun and feisty, Telpner crusades against “healthwashing” by processed food manufacturers and her cooking workshops are lively affairs—she advises keeping a jar of coconut oil in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Her homemade granola recipe is a thing of seedy, oaty, coconutty goodness. —Rani Sheen
If you’re looking to take your workout to new levels, you can—literally—on the FitWall. An eight-rung standing training apparatus, the FitWall elevates your workout from horizontal to vertical: You hang onto, and off of, a wall while you exercise, which engages more of your muscles than a floor workout and burns more calories in a shorter period of time. The efficient 30-minute sessions include core work, resistance and cardio. “The U.S. Navy SEALs train with FitWall,” mentions Bonnie Goldmacher, who has brought this rapidly expanding franchise to Canada. Torontonians can try it at the new Fitwall studio in Leaside. Just make sure you won’t need the use of your arms the next day. —Lindsay Tapscott
With personalized beauty box deliveries sprouting up all over, it was inevitable that other enterprising outfits would jump on the to-your-door bandwagon. In the states, there’s everything from the personalized tampon, liner-and-chocolate delivery service Le Parcel to a company called KlutchClub that mails you fitness products, such as workout DVDs and gym-ready snacks. A service called Healthy Surprise delivers a monthly box filled with treats like kale chips, nuts and raw chocolate (it’s only a small fee for Canadian shipping). Joining the fray is Vancouver-based Tea Sparrow, which delivers a parcel of “tea sommelier”-selected loose leaf teas to your doorstep every month. Watch out for the detoxifying Spring Kiss, a blend of lemongrass, peppermint, raspberry leaf and cardamom, or the calming, digestion-supporting Harmony Tea, with lemon balm, fennel, licorice and quince. —Rani Sheen
 fits like a second skin—it almost feels like wearing socks—with cushiony Lunarlon, a resilient foam that keeps runners’ soles supported and comfortable. The upper part of the shoe is nearly seamless, which cuts down on materials by a claimed 80 per cent. Nike’s Toronto flagship on Bloor Street is home to its only machine in Canada that steams the shoes before fitting them perfectly to each unique pair of feet; even after removing the shoes an outline of your toes will be visible (Canadian Olympic triathlete Paula Findlay was first in line to test the shoes, remarking how well they molded to her feet before taking them out for a winter jog). And the only thing better than putting on a toasty pair of kicks is the neon colour combos they come in. —Caitlin Agnew
Meghan Telpner does not believe in diets. “It's crazy how many people continue to believe in diets, despite their ongoing failed attempts,” she says. “We can get back to enjoying food by ensuring that most of what we eat is real, whole and unprocessed. It becomes less about what the scale says and more about how we feel as ‘healthy’ becomes the new ‘skinny.’” The holistic nutritionist and author of Undiet: Eat Your Way To Vibrant Health (out April 2) was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2006, and embarked on a radical diet and lifestyle change that ultimately healed her of the autoimmune disease said to have no cure. Fun and feisty, Telpner crusades against “healthwashing” by processed food manufacturers and her cooking workshops are lively affairs—she advises keeping a jar of coconut oil in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Her homemade granola recipe is a thing of seedy, oaty, coconutty goodness. —Rani Sheen
[caption id="attachment_132387" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Photography courtesy Fitwall Leaside[/caption]
If you’re looking to take your workout to new levels, you can—literally—on the FitWall. An eight-rung standing training apparatus, the FitWall elevates your workout from horizontal to vertical: You hang onto, and off of, a wall while you exercise, which engages more of your muscles than a floor workout and burns more calories in a shorter period of time. The efficient 30-minute sessions include core work, resistance and cardio. “The U.S. Navy SEALs train with FitWall,” mentions Bonnie Goldmacher, who has brought this rapidly expanding franchise to Canada. Torontonians can try it at the new Fitwall studio in Leaside. Just make sure you won’t need the use of your arms the next day. —Lindsay Tapscott
[caption id="attachment_132390" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Photography courtesy Tea Sparrow[/caption]
With personalized beauty box deliveries sprouting up all over, it was inevitable that other enterprising outfits would jump on the to-your-door bandwagon. In the states, there’s everything from the personalized tampon, liner-and-chocolate delivery service Le Parcel to a company called KlutchClub that mails you fitness products, such as workout DVDs and gym-ready snacks. A service called Healthy Surprise delivers a monthly box filled with treats like kale chips, nuts and raw chocolate (it’s only a small fee for Canadian shipping). Joining the fray is Vancouver-based Tea Sparrow, which delivers a parcel of “tea sommelier”-selected loose leaf teas to your doorstep every month. Watch out for the detoxifying Spring Kiss, a blend of lemongrass, peppermint, raspberry leaf and cardamom, or the calming, digestion-supporting Harmony Tea, with lemon balm, fennel, licorice and quince. —Rani Sheen
){kind=link}