Courtesy of Shafin Thawer

HOLISTIC NUTRITION The term holistic, meaning the whole is more than a sum of its parts, is often discussed in relation to health and wellness – particularly in nutrition. But what exactly is holistic nutrition? Medical experts who recommend a holistic nutrition plan believe that eating a wide range of nutritious, whole foods aids in the body’s natural ability to heal itself and maintain optimal health. Holistic nutrition also treats each person as a unique individual, with different needs and different lifestyles. However, at the root, holistic eating means eating more real food and less food products. To get started, think of what your grandmother or great grandmother would have eaten – foods were much less processed sixty years ago! SELLING YOUR HOME IN THE FALL As the saying goes, real estate is a 365-day a year business. And just like with any season, there are pros and cons to selling your home in the fall. Fall can be a great time of the year to list as families have settled back into a regular routine after summer and the busyness of the winter season hasn’t yet begun. On the other hand, unpredictable autumn weather in some parts of the country may keep potential buyers indoors. Yet, no matter what the weather, there are a few things you can do to make your home stand out. Make sure your interior is clutter free – including seasonal decor. Also, if you have heavy blinds or curtains on your windows remove them to let in as much natural light as possible. And don’t forget to keep your walkways, porch and deck free from leaves – or snow! CREATE A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT There’s no one-size fits all strategy to creating a personal budget. Just as each individual and each family is different, so is their budget. Realizing that a budget needs to fit your income, lifestyle, saving style and will help you plan for future goals is the first step to establishing an easy to follow budget. Also, while it’s always good to cut out unnecessary expenses, don’t cut out everything you love – even if that includes a pricey coffee every once in a while. Depriving yourself is the quickest way for a budget to feel unattainable. It may seem like it will take longer to save under this model, but if you’re able to stick to it you’ll actually achieve your financial goals sooner.

DIY DECORATING IDEAS FOR YOUNG TEENS Are you a teen looking to add a little something to your room or a parent who wants to help their teen make their space special? Then these four teen-centric DIY decor ideas are for you! 1. Masking tape picture frames. Grab some coloured masking tape and create different shapes on the wall. Then tape your favourite pictures inside. 2. Geometric headboard. Cut different shapes out of coloured craft foam or construction paper. Tape them above your bed in a cool pattern and voila – instant headboard! 3. Chalk paint globe. Tape out a favourite saying on the surface of an old globe. Then paint it with black chalk paint, let dry and remove the tape. Marvel at the parts of the globe that make up your phrase. 4. Pom pom garland. Pom poms aren’t just for little kids! Make them cool by gluing, taping or sewing them to several pieces of string. Then drape the pom pom garlands around your room for a fun boho-inspired look.