Webber Naturals expert Kristin Metvedt gets colourful about fresh summer foods.

There's more than meets the eye with brightly coloured, aromatic organics.

I love the variety of vibrant colours and intense aromas that come with freshly grown foods in the summer. I love it so much that my grocery list is usually abandoned when I hit the fruit and veggie section- it’s free for all in that department! Why? It’s this intensity that is connected to an array of phytonutrients in each plant.

What are phytonutrients you ask? They are the chemicals with non-nutritive value that give a plant its distinct characteristics such as colour, aroma and taste. Phytonutrients are associated with health benefits beyond the traditional nutrients from food (vitamins, minerals, protein, fat and carbohydrates).

Ever heard the terms flavonoids (polyphenols), tannis, alkaloids, carotenoids, lignans and sulfur-containing compounds like alliin and allicin (garlic)? Studies have shown how important these "non-nutritive" plant chemicals are in contributing to human health by means of disease prevention, immune system support and anti-aging.

Moms know what they’re talking about when they say: "Eat your vegetables!" More plant-based foods means healthier skin, more energy and a strong immune system. There is a plethora of information available out there on the health benefits of phytonutrients. Now let’s simplify: choose fresh, crisp, brightly coloured and dark coloured fruits and veggies the next time you go shopping and I promise you’ll get what you need to keep fit, stay healthy and sustain good energy all summer long.

Stay tuned for my sample seasonal menu that's chock full of vivid colours and delicious aromas!

Image courtesy of Inés de Sequera.

Webber Naturals' tips for healthy skin, inside and out!

Ladies, listen up! Take care of your skin, inside and out! I'm talking about toxin-free makeup.

On Monday I talked about Nina Dobrev's skin and the fantastic five of the vitamin world that would help us achieve that flawless, celebrity-esque airbrushed perfection from the inside out. But let's face it ladies, the vitamin route is only one aspect of skin care. It won't cover up the spot that always seems to pop up right before a date! If we want immediate results, we turn to our toolbox: the makeup kit.

For most of us, putting on makeup has become a daily routine, and what goes onto our body is just as important as what goes into our body. With the world trying to move towards a greener, healthier future, it can be suprisingly tricky to find makeup products that are toxin-free and sustainable. My guess is that most products for sale will never make it into the autopsy report as cause of death but, we do only get one skin and it's definitely worth taking care of!

Toxins to Avoid

Look for products without the infamous parabens - controversial preservatives that have been linked to cancer (not fun). However, in small amounts, parabens are not considered a risk. I still don't think I want to be spreading it all over my face.

Keep an eye out for petrochemicals, which are derived from petroleum and synthetic dye. If the name, "petrochemicals" doesn't sound scary enough, let me tell you that these materials can get into your pores and irritate your skin.

Finally--something my mother tells me all the time--throw out old makeup! The bacteria in old makeup can cause those always inconveniently timed blemishes that get us scrambling for the concealer.

So whether you plan to do the usual daily touch ups and colour, go glam with a night time smokey eye, or go all out and rock the Queen of Hearts look (for extra special occassions only), take good care of your outer layer!

Image sources: bellasugar and MUAHjwn.

Webber Naturals' Essential Health Tips for Busy Men: Part 2

Dr. Stephanie Rubino weighs in on lifestyle changes for the guy on the go.

Wake up. Print proposals. Drive kids to school. Commute. Work. Presentation. Work. E-mails. Problem solve. Pick up dry-cleaning. Home. Mow the lawn. Dinner wth the in-laws. Throw the garbage... Does your mental checklist frequently sound similar to this one? It's easy to forget your health when it feels like you're on a roller coaster and someone just pressed the go button!

Constantly being on the go and living a chaotic life can have some serious repurcussions on your health. Help your doctor take care of you by engaging in preventive health care. Since you can't all be superman, here are more tips to living a healthier lifestyle:

INCORPORATE EXERCISE!

Aim for getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, three to five times per week. That's less than three hours (and we've got 168 hours in a week to juggle with)!

Find different exercises to help you stay in shape, such as dancing, swimming, walking, jogging, yoga (namaste to the yogis), chasing your dog as he runs away with a shredded shoe, football in a striped unitard... Whatever get's your heart pumping!

Make a point of using the stairs whenever possible, or search out local organizations for classes held before work begins or at lunch time.

If your company has a gym, team up with a colleague and make a commitment to use the facilities. Or maybe a little competition gets you moving...

MANAGE STRESS!

Engage in activities that help manage your stress at work and at home. Some techniques include reading a book, walking, listening to music, watching a movie, and going for a massage - so simple but so effective.

Meditating, deep breathing, and exercising are vital activities to managing stress.

So is there time to start making your health a priority? YES! Make your health number one on your list. Incorporate one essential tip at a time in order to enhance your life and prevent illness!

Image courtesy of the Guggenheim Online Collection, New York; Henri Rousseau, The Football Players, 1908.