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> The first run of the Iván Meade Chocolate collection combines two of the local designer’s passions: great design and quality food. “A lot of thought went into the process, as we wanted to pair the chocolate flavours with our fabric patterns while showcasing the best of both worlds,” Meade says. “We are working with renowned chocolatier Sylvia Punguntzky from Art Meets Chocolate and we wanted to create a unique and memorable experience through this important collaboration: designer with chocolatier.” Flavours run from the familiar, such as Eme Salted Caramel and Fleur de Sel, to the exotic, such as Jinete Matcha Green Tea and Lime. With the purchase of the Collection, a limitededition package featuring all six flavours, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Testicular Cancer Canada. Visit ivanmeade.com for local retailers.
> A visit to Olive This & More (OT&M), the new olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting room on Broughton Street, presents one with 56 different flavours of oils and vinegars. Currently there are single varietal olive oils from Northern Hemisphere harvests, including offerings from Spain, Portugal and the U.S. The fall will see the store switch over to the Southern Hemisphere harvests. “Our single variety extra-virgin olive oil is what distinguishes us the most,” says store manager Chelsea Daemmig. To expand your use of olive oils and balsamic vinegars this summer, Daemmig recommends trying the Cascadia Raspberry Balsamic with the Lemon Infused Olive Oil. “They are lovely drizzled together over fruit and ice cream or even yogurt,” she says. “The raspberry vinegar is also ideal for mixing into cocktails or into sparkling water for a refreshing drink.”
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Bellyfit is a Victoria-based fitness system that’s inspiring women around the world. “It’s that age-old story where you go away and become famous and then you come back and your hometown is like, ‘We see you now!’” says Bellyfit founder Alice Bracegirdle about her workout program’s growth to over 300 trained instructors around the world. “Our big markets right now are India and Japan and we’re working on Europe.” Bracegirdle describes Bellyfit as a maverick in the fitness industry. “This is a program created by women for
women,” she says. “It is specifically for female physiology, and that includes the female psyche and spirituality. That’s one differentiating factor. And the second is that it’s holistic. Most physical fitness programs focus primarily on the physical body. Bellyfit focuses on that also, but then we go deeper, by incorporating elements of yoga and spiritual awareness. We work with breath and energy. We do vocalizations, as well. So we’re actually repeating affirmations throughout the class. It’s physical, but it’s also mental, emotional and spiritual.” Another important element, and what Bracegirdle believes is the draw for many women, is the focus on body
positivity. The Bellyfit philosophy is to encourage women to exercise because they love their bodies and want to honour and make those bodies feel good. Along with fostering a global community of instructors and classes, Bracegirdle and her team have just wrapped up the first season of BellyfitTV. There are 12 episodes that can be purchased from their website (bellyfit. com), and each offers an invigorating 45-minute workout. “They’re for people who can’t get to a live class or just prefer to shake it at home,” Bracegirdle says. “We’re trying to get as many women moving around the world as possible — in a way that makes them love their body and their life.”