I would move to Portugal just for a dentist

And I do not mean I met a dentist who melted my heart. I am absolutely terrified of dentists due to an awful experience of a crazy dentist lady pulling out the wrong teeth. I hate going but I know it's necessary and also a luxury. I am one of the millions who has nightmares of my teeth crumbling into my mouth and well, this very thing happened to me last week. 

I sat for some breakfast, felt a crunch which I blamed on a seed, finished, got my stuff together to stroll to the beach and next thing I knew, a chomp on gum lead to a molar crumbling in my mouth. I froze. I all of a sudden felt completely terrified and useless. I did not know what to do, and my biggest fear aside from my teeth was - "how the hell can I afford to fix this". I even thought about whether or not I should even go or if I should just leave it. 

My last visit to the dentist was 2 years ago and I felt robbed. I went to a dentist in Toronto and it was 200.00$ + dollars for a clean, a check up and a strong and scary suggestion of an 8000.00$ gum graft. I was mortified. 

I was so lucky to be put through to a dentist here in Cascais who took me at 5pm that day. The office was friendly and immaculate, the service was pleasant and not overly clinical. I was taken straight in, they redid the filling, rebuilt my molar, cleaned my teeth and didn't charge me 25.00$ for the mouth rinse, as they did in Toronto. And, to top it all off, I was told my teeth are great and I do not need a gum graft. 

When I went to pay, I thought there was a mistake. The price was so incredible - a cleaning is simply 35 euros. So, when in need of an amazing, friendly and cheap dentist experience, do yourself a favour and head to 

Reino Do Leao

Rue das Amoreiras, 126A

Cascais

Tel: 21 486 63 80 

My teeth feel great, I'm flossing and swishing everyday now because I want to make sure I keep my dentist happy, I am no longer scared of the dentist financially or physically and to top it off, I have a new excuse to come to Portugal!

Miles of smiles,

Pippa

Do yoga with me

I really can't explain how happy I am to have discovered doyogawithme.com. Loving my yoga and doing my daily Pippa time has over the years become more important to me than I ever could have thought it would. There were times when I would be very stressed if I couldn't make it to yoga, which is complete the opposite of how I should feel. I tried many many times to make the most out of myself and do yoga "a la Pippa solo styles" and I could never take myself seriously. I'd end up laughing, pausing and before I knew it falling asleep. 

After doing some research I discovered doyogawithme.com and it has not only saved me but improved my practice, taught me new styles, assisted me in deep meditations when I can't sleep and has been a friend on the road. The yin and restorative classes are my down time and the others my challenge. You can stream the classes or purchase audio and full classes. 

Do yourself a favour and doyogawithme. Use it, explore it and if you can, donate. 

Namaste,

Pippa 

Best road side food stop ever...

Cruising from Cascais to Sintra and back made for an incredible sunny afternoon, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I was introduced to this delicious fresh concoction of chourico (Portuguese sausage) wrapped in bread. They are made fresh on the spot and put into the fire oven while you wait. If they aren't fresh and ready to come out, luckily the ladies will happily serve you a fresh cold beer.

If I understood correctly the couple are a school bus driver and school teacher during the school months and do this in the summer. Coolest teacher and bus driver ever.

Luckily close by there is also a market with fresh fruits, veggies, honey....all you nee, as well as an adorable cafe on the corner where I wished to have had a much bigger stomach to indulge on treats. 

Do the drive, enjoy the view, share the road and indulge. 

Incredibly satisfied,

Pippa

Aerosol taste and waste

So, I am trying to understand the point of aerosol sprays. 

I was in the changeroom at yoga the other day and a lady used an aerosol deodorant and I am more than positive that 75% of what she sprayed ended up in the eyes, ears and mouths of everyone else in the room. I have asthma and could barely breathe. I had to hide in the corner. I see people using it as sunscreens on the beach and others as hairspray. 

The amount of product that is wasted while using these sprays as well as the pollution is irritating and infuriating. It is not just the amount of chemicals that are released into the air that is bad, but all the chemicals that Are being breathed in while using the product and the canister itself is hard to rid of. The extent of air pollution from aerosol deodorants has been proven to be so toxic that Unilever was fined in 2010 for having such a negative impact on California's environment. 

I actually bought an aerosol deodorant before writing this to see why someone would buy one, and I cannot figure it out. Within the first second of the spray, I was blinded and choking and ended up being held hostage in the farthest room from my room for about 10 minutes until the smell disappeared. The deodorant was on my chest, back and arms, on my bed and on my lampshade. It also tastes disgusting. I don't get it. 

There are so many natural and healthier options to get protection from stinky arm pits, sunshine and frizzy hair. They may take a bit of work to prepare, but once you get the hang of it it is easy, much cheaper and very fulfilling. 

http://wellnessmama.com/1409/seven-natural-homemade-substitues-for-conventional-beauty-products/

Think before you buy and those who are around you. 

Environmentally yours,

Pippa

Strong woman. Delicate gesture.

Yesterday I popped into a Pingo Doce in the little Cascais mall to buy a few veggies for a salad. I had carrots and cucumber in mind and as always, was seduced by tomatoes, ginger and beans. My arms were overflowing as I was distracted by some chocolate and out of nowhere this woman, the butcher, popped up and had a plastic bag in hand offering to put my veggies in it. I was speechless. It was so simple and so unexpected. I would want her working for me! 

Such simple gestures that leave such a mark. 

Thank you my dear butcher lady. I will be back. 

Pippa 

Paddleboard yoga.... Where are you?

Well, here I am, back in lovely Cascais, Portugal. An easy 30 minutes from Lisbon, along the coast. The weather is a little drizzly but the surroundings are always amazing. The food, coffee, people and views. Yesterday I went to the Oceanarium on the Expo grounds in Lisbon where I was able to meet some beautiful turtles, the famous and oh so cute otters and a huge selection of other life forms that fill our oceans. An amazing place for kids and adults. 

Today, I am craving a feeling I have had for a while. I was very lucky last year to get to Whitefish, Montana. Such a beautiful place in itself, but being able to do my first stand-up paddleboard yoga class was amazing. I love my headstands and a successful headstand on a board gave me a completely different feeling. The balance, the connection to water, the fresh air - I don't think I had a care in the world for those moments. Nothing could have fazed me. 

Today, I want to find somewhere to offer me this feeling again. I understand and am planning in advance for it to be a little more challenging on the ocean rather than a lake, but this will be fun. 

I will keep you posted. 

If you ever have the chance to try stand-up paddleboarding, do it. And if you can add a yoga class, do that. I am a Libra so balance is heavily ingrained, but this feeling is a feeling for everyone. 

Namaste,

Pippa

Vueling a let down, but back to lovely lovely Portugal

Well I flew Vueling for my first time. The check-in process was good and speedy but I was upset by the fact that my seat had chocolate all over it and when I asked if they could clean it or find me another seat the air hostess was not very useful. She said she couldn't move because they were refuelling the plane. After about 15 minutes of awkwardly shifting around people because I could not sit down, I went back to the washroom and got the necessary tools and did it myself. 

What if: she either called to the back for someone to do it, or after the fact, offered me a free drink or a chocolate bar - as a cheeky apology. Instead, she completely ignored the situation. 

They did however have great music playing which made the boarding time a little more exciting. 

I fell asleep and landed in beautiful Portugal so I quickly forgot about the chocolate. 

Sunshine and salt water,

Pippa

Cheap car rentals in Portugal?!

So, something has come up and I am so lucky. I am getting the chance to go back to Portugal for six weeks. However, I need to rent a car. I understand it is peak season, but, wow, I simply cannot afford it. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best cheap rental? I have looked at National, Budget, Thrifty, Europecar, Expedia, Kayak .... All of the sites. 

There used to be something called rent-a-wreck but all of those sites are a little curious...

If you have any tips please let me know!

Maybe I'll rent a bike and a trailer... Or....

Pippa 

final TIPS for Amsterdam

Although I am not sure I can say FINAL tips because I had such an amazing time and of course I hope to go back soon, these are just a few final thoughts that have stuck out from Amsterdam.

RESTAURANT
I was so incredibly lucky to be introduced to the Indonesian restaurant TEMPO DOELOE.

http://www.tempodoeloerestaurant.nl/

We were able to sneak in for an hour before the next reservation however luckily the news that the reservation had been pushed back allowed us to relax a little more, indulge in the spices, textures and luckily a dessert. I love spicy food so when we asked for it to be spicy, luckily we were told that the extra spice would come on the side because SPICE in Indonesia is serious spice. We had the share platter so were able to test everything and attacked the platter as guided by the waiter - from left to right as the food spice increased. The dessert was the most delicate cake I have ever eaten and the overall experience was amazing. Thank you.


SHOPPING/DEALS!
Need shoes or boots? Head to OUTLET KALVERSTRAAT - 151 Kalverstraat (a big pedestrian shopping street in Amsterdam). Although I was hesitant to head to this area as it is PACKED with shoppers, I am happy I did.  I stumbled upon a great shoe store, an outlet. All boots are 40.00euros, maybe the shoes as well but I am was on a boot mission. I bought two pairs and the best part was a few doors down the exact same boots were more than twice the price. Such a nice feeling!!! One pair was regular 139.95 and the other 149.95. The service was sweet and attentive and I left very happy. Good luck!

CAFE/RESTAURANT
I will not get into this too much because well the entire thing was an awful experience. I went with two friends for coffee and a small lunch on my last day to a restaurant called GESPOT.  The service was awful and slow. With 4 waiters and not many customers, I am not sure how that place is managed. The order was wrong, the food (toasted sandwiches) took over 40 minutes and were not even toasted. Our coffees were cold, I ordered a mint tea and to add more water they wanted me to pay for an extra tea. The entire experience was awful. We all left hungry, thirsty and frustrated. This cafe is in a touristy area, however this should not be an excuse. Although the website may look promising, do yourself a favor, go to Bagels and Beans down the road.

http://www.restaurant-gespot.nl/

It really is a shame as the location, design and building are amazing.


CHOCOLATE
PUCCINI BOMBONI - thank you!
These are works of art, delicious and the variety of flavors are to die for! I have no idea how I did it, but I made my 4 last a few days - luckily they are a good size as well so you can cut them into 2 or 3 pieces. The chocolates are all made on location with natural ingredients therefore 7-10 days is the max you can keep them.

I am drooling writing this right now.

http://www.puccinibomboni.com/

I devoured the Ginger, Lemongrass, Paprika and Aniseed. These made up for the GESPOT let down. 

 

Well, as mentioned, I could absolutely keep writing about Amsterdam. Such an incredible city, happy people, great service and it has completely reminded me of the city I want to live in and HOW a city should feel.

I hope you are able to experience it one day,
Pippa

Happy Canada Day

 

Dearest Canada. I miss you. So so much. 

 Your mountains, oceans, lakes, ponds, streams and vast fields and forest. Your friendly customs agents and sometimes over the top but now highly appreciated customer service. Your multiculturalism and delicious selection of restaurants. Your coffee shops and brunch spots. Your independent movie rentals and one of a kind clothing boutiques. Your dirty music venues and groggy humidity. The Don Valley where people look grumpy but still aren't honking none stop and swearing at everyone. Your cowboys and fishermen, hitchhikers and truckers. Your clean-ish sidewalks and hipsters. Plaid and beards. Fresh air and country jams. Smiling at strangers and hanging in the park with whoever is there. Cottage country and fireflies. Bonfires and not giving a shit about what you are wearing. Our acceptance of who people love and how people dress. Hippies and juice bars. Vegetarian restaurants and Fish and Chips. Riding bikes and public toilets. Incredible music scene, seasonal yummy produce and the best drinking water. Friendly and beautiful yoga studios and decadent muffins. Poets and authors, actors and athletes.Patios and delicious hamburgers. BBQ's and corn on the cob. The Northern Lights and Wildlife.  Smalltown folk charm and post offices, movie rentals and convenience stores all in one.  Canoes and fur. Pow wows and sweat lodges. Kale and hemp seeds. 

I could go on and on. 

 I wish you the best birthday ever!!!!!

Pippa