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Before the current ski and snowboard season started, whispers of stellar snow to come – thanks to a La Niña trend – were heard up and down Vancouver Island. When record snow failed to show up in December, many were disappointed but 2012 has turned that all around.

A road sign struggles to peek out from underneath the snow. Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort

“The weather over the last few days has been very reminiscent of last year’s Snowmageddon event over Christmas,” remembers Brent Curtain, spokesperson for Mount Washington Alpine Resort. “We’ve received over 175 centimetres of new snow in the last five days so the landscape has changed significantly up here.”

With a tag team of snow and sunshine headed for Mount Washington over the next few days, there’s guaranteed to be no shortage of an amazing and exhilarating alpine experience.

If heading into the hills is part of your weekend plans, here are a few great events that Mount Washington will be hosting over the next few days…

• Saturday, January 28 – Kokanee Old School GS Race (19+ only) [event info]
• Saturday, January 28 – The Yeti Mountain Snowshoe Series [event info]
• Saturday, January 28 – Retro Costume Party with “March Hare” (19+ only) [event info]
• Saturday, January 28 – Sunday, January 29 – Burton Demo Days [event info]

For more information on these and other events on the mountain, visit Mount Washington Alpine Resort online. You can also follow them on Twitter or like the resort on Facebook.

If there’s one thing that there never seems to be enough of, it’s time. Last night J and I were flipping through his work calendar and, because his schedule is set a year in advance, we were able to see that our free weekends over the summer are few and far between. During the summer of 2011, we managed to squeeze in only three camping trips but hope to almost double that this year.

Over July and August, 2011, we found ourselves at Silver Lake, Washington, on Hornby Island and at Birkenhead Lake near Pemberton. While I’ve already managed to book a five-day weekend so we can explore the Oregon Coast this July, we are looking to plan and book other camping hot spots for the summer months.

• Where are some of your favourite places to go camping?
• Do you have any hidden spots you’re willing to share?

As I made the trek from Nanaimo to Courtenay last Friday night, the first few flakes were falling. By the time I reached the Comox Valley, Snowmaggedon had started and I knew that a blanket of white would cover everything by morning.

As any two-year-old would, my niece squealed with delight when she woke up on Saturday morning and insisted I take her out into the snow as soon as breakfast was finished. I insisted on bringing my camera…

Here’s to more snow-filled Saturdays with rosy cheeks and hot chocolate!

Yesterday, as I perused Miss604′s blog as I (somewhat religiously) do, I came across a post for the Vancouver Cupcake Throwdown 2012. Naturally, as a home-based baker, I was intrigued and read on.

As it turns out, this annual charity event features 20 local cupcake bakers duking it out for the title of best cupcake. After a bit of consideration, I decided to sign up in order to do something that I love while supporting a worthwhile local charity.

On February 16th, attendees will have the opportunity to attend the Vancouver Cupcake Throwdown, nosh on various cupcakes from sampling stations and vote on both taste and presentation. Here’s what you need to know:

Where: Chapel Arts, 304 Dunlevy Avenue, Vancouver

When: Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

How Much: Admission is $10 at the door and includes 5 tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased for $1 each

Who: Supporting the H.A.V.E. Culinary Training Society, providing training and employment placement in Vancouver’s downtown eastside community

This fun, family-friendly event features music from live DJs, beverages and excellent raffle prizes – including a much-coveted KitchenAid stand mixer! Please consider coming out to support H.A.V.E., sample some tasty cupcakes and have fun!

I’ll be there, toting the cupcakes seen above that I recently created for a birthday party. The only problem? They don’t have a name! These fudgy Dutch chocolate cupcakes are stuffed with mocha whipped cream and topped with handmade caramel buttercream frosting and a sprinkling of shaved Lindt milk chocolate. If you have an idea of a name for these cupcakes, leave it in the comments below.

I look forward to seeing you on February 16th! To learn more about my home-based baking, visit me on Facebook!

Last January, I made a list of “try-hards”. They weren’t necessarily resolutions, but instead various things I endeavoured to do over the course of 2011. I wanted to move out of downtown Vancouver, so I did. I wanted to make more room in my life for yoga, and I have. I also wanted to read more than my average of two or three books over the course of one year…

Feel the need to lurk my bookshelf? Click here to view the large size of this photo.

Throughout 2011 I read no less than the following:

• 1984 by George Orwell
• A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett
• Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama
• The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
• Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
• Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen
• The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Bossypants by Tina Fey
• The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
• The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

In total, that equates to one book per month over an entire year. And the truth is that there may be one or two that I’ve forgotten about. J prescribes to the notion that “if you don’t use it, you lose it” when it comes to brain power, so 2012 has already started off well. It’s only mid-January and I’m already working on my second book of the year.

What are some of your favourite reads from 2011? Do you have any must-read books that you’d recommend?

Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or driven by the desire to be mindful of what we’re putting on our skin, more than a few friends of mine are on the hunt for new products to incorporate into their daily beauty routine. Products have long been my “thing” and I’ve tried and tested almost everything you can imagine.

Each day we slather soaps, lotions, make-up, creams, gels and toners on our skin. Every time we do so, everything is being absorbed into our skin and our bloodstream. Using products that are as natural as possible is vital to me for that very reason. However, equally important is using products that aren’t tested on our animal friends.

Here are the current top five products rotating through my bathroom…

1. REN Clean Skincare [website]

Developed in the UK by a husband and wife team, REN’s successful line of (mostly) vegan products has earned it a global fanbase. Guided by five principles – including the right ingredients and the right environmental impact – their line of gentle skincare has my face glowing. Find it in BC at Sephora or Kiss & Makeup.

2. Kibio Eye Makeup Remover [website]

Extensively certified for being both organic and eco-friendly, this animal and plant-loving brand is simple, balanced skincare at its finest. Because REN doesn’t remove eye makeup, this remover gel is one of my essentials! It’s available in Canada exclusively at Shopper’s Drug Mart.

3. MOROCCANOIL [website]

Ever the skeptic, I’d heard about all the hype that Moroccan-based oils can have on one’s hair and I saw all the imitations flooding the market. On my last visit to The Lounge, my equally skeptical stylist, Mari, gushed about original MOROCCANOIL. I’d buy this product based on scent alone, but now I use it twice a week to keep split ends and dry tresses at bay. Original MOROCCANOIL can be found at most salons or online.

4. Revlon ColorStay Aqua Mineral Makeup [website]

If you’re like me and prefer the feeling of little or no makeup, this might be the right foundation for you. This powdered foundation is kept moist with coconut water and because it’s powder-based, oil is instantly eliminated. It feels entirely weightless and covers flawlessly – if you use it correctly. Don’t be afraid to load up your brush.

5. Bumble and bumble. [website]

Like Jack Burton and Gracie Law or peanut butter and chocolate, so too are my hair and Bumble and bumble meant to be together. I’ve never, ever found a haircare line that loves my locks as much as this one. I’ll admit that it’s pricey but it cleanses, softens and detangles without build-up. And better still? I can flip over the bottle and understand 99% of the ingredients. You can find Bumble and bumble. at certified salons or on their website.

A few more note-worthy products to keep an eye out for…

• Burt’s Bees Replenishing lip balm with pomegranate – yum! [website]
• SeaFlora’s Sea Spray Splash toner is luxuriously fresh (and local!). [website]
• Clinique Super City Block with SPF 40 is a must every single day. If you’re still tanning, you’re not doing your face any favours. [website]
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF 15 keeps my kisser supple. [website]

A little research goes a long way when it comes to finding the right products for you. With so many eco and animal-friendly products on the market, there’s no reason to shell out your cash on products that aren’t. PETA has a comprehensive resource of products that are (and aren’t) animal friendly, which you can find here. However, just because it isn’t PETA-certified doesn’t mean it isn’t animal-friendly. Read the labels and look for a little bunny logo!

What are some of your favourite, must-have products?

I was not paid, expected, endorsed or asked to write about any of these products. This post is based simply on my experience and preferences after finding what has worked best for me.

I can’t even begin to count the number of posts I have written over the years pertaining to exercise, eating right, yoga and general health. For most of us, maintaining some semblance of balance in these areas is an ongoing challenge.

All my life I’ve had a high metabolism. In my earlier years, I was often called a “tall drink of water” due to my waif-like frame. However, once my late 20s came calling, my metabolism changed and keeping my weight on an even keel was next to impossible without effort. Since the age of 25, my weight has always fluctuated by 10-15 pounds. While that doesn’t seem like much, diabetes and heart issues affect my family, so fluctuation can be quite dangerous.

Photo: Eric Bjerke on Flickr

Each year over the Christmas holidays, I tend to take the approach of “it’s December – anything goes!” in terms of eating and lack of exercise. On Boxing Day, as I finished off the second 48-piece box of Toffifee chocolates I’d eaten in as many days (gross, right?), I suddenly realized that this mantra wasn’t going to work anymore.

As painfully cliche as it seems, I’ve taken up counting calories over the past few days. It’s not a diet; it’s an endeavour to get back on track. Eating healthy foods isn’t my problem. Portion control is what I lack. Since starting to count the actual calories I consume, it’s become apparent to me that I was probably eating between 3,000 – 4,000 calories each day over the holidays!

Photo: Lululemon Athletica on Flickr

Along with a few friends, I recently signed up for MyFitnessPal online. Including a handy smartphone app, it allows me to log any physical activity I do each day, diarize the foods I eat and keep track of how much I eat and – most importantly – provides an opportunity to encourage my friends who are on the same journey to health.

In addition to giving a damn about what I eat, I’ve finally bitten the bullet and bought myself some flex time with YYoga. I’ve been dabbling in yoga on and off for years and it’s high time that I finally give my practice the time and attention it deserves.

I feel like when we “resolve” to do something at the start of a new year, failing is likely because we lack the support needed to back up our choices. Structuring this new lifestyle change in the way that I have will, hopefully, allow me to stick with it in a tangible way. If it’s something you’re into doing too, find me on MyFitnessPal and let’s support each other!