With the spring weather finally warming up, I think we can all say we’re on the same page here – bikini body season is coming up. It’s time to start cutting down on processed foods, sugary substances, and eat cleaner.

I’ve actually been steering my food choices lately into more healthier options. I try not the eat process foods full of sodium and instead opt for items that are more clean and just better for my body overall.  Although I haven’t seen a huge change in weight, I have noticed that I’ve been way less bloated, I feel happier, and more alert.

Not only should we be watching what we put in our bodies, but also what we put on them.  Since this is a beauty blog, I get to try hundreds of new products.  Obviously these products are made up of chemicals and ingredients that I have no idea what they do, nor most times, how to pronounce them.  I’m not saying that I’m going all organic, but it’s nice to sometimes use products that are made from natural ingredients.

Since I’m always working out (I teach fitness classes aside from blogging and my full-time gig), having enough protein to restore my muscles is important.  I got the opportunity to try out the Fermented Vegan Proteins+1 recently, which includes protein powders and bars. Vegan proteins have gained popularity recently with health-conscious consumers, but have been known to produce side effects, including digestive distress and bloating. Knowing that, Genuine Health came out with Fermented Vegan Proteins+, which includes non-GMO and non-allergenic ingredients. The ingredient list includes hemp seeds, yellow pea kernels (which are easily digested and low-allergen), quinoa sprouts (which are a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), mung bean sprouts (rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as anti-inflammatory), and alfalfa (rich in chlorophyll and high in fatty acids). There are no anti-nutrients included, which commonly cause digestive issues like gas, bloating and pain.

Since it’s a protein powder, you can drink it as is, add it in a smoothie, or create a yummy snack or meal (pancakes, waffles, etc.). They also offer protein bars (keep reading to win a box!) which are formulated to be easily digested and maximize protein absorption. The benefits include performance, weight management, digestive health, and fermentation. The flavours include dark chocolate almond, double chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate, and lemon coconut. Each bar includes 13g of fermented dietary protein per serving.

For the exterior of the body, UK brand Nip+Fab has recently introduced their Kale Fix line, which includes a range of three products packed with superfood ingredients kale and watercress to reinvigorate the skin with vitamins to protect against free radical damage and soften and hydrate dry skin. The range includes makeup removing pads, a clay mask and a moisturizer.

My favourite item from the line was the mask, as you only had to wear it for five to 10 minutes. It goes on clear and then dries to a slight clay texture.  You could totally wear this to sleep since it’s not messy at all and doesn’t change colour that much. After washing it off I would apply the moisturizer to help soften my skin.

Finally, since I seem to always have dry hands, I’ve been loving The Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector, which softens and protects hands. It contains community trade hemp seed oil, which is one of the richest sources of skin-nourishing fatty acids in nature. In addition to hemp being good for you (hemp seeds contain the most balanced and richest natural single source of essential oils for human consumption), The Body Shop’s hemp is a ‘miracle’ crop for the environment, as it helps to regenerate the land between food crops, is four times more effective at capturing CO2 than trees and it uses no pesticides or herbicides at all. So therefore, not only is it good for you, but it’s great for the earth as well.

The Body Shop has a whole line dedicated to this miracle worker, including the new Hemp Rescue Balm, which is 100 per cent vegetarian and high recommend to hydrate elbows, hands, knees, knuckles, and feet.

Since health is so important, I teamed with the Genuine Health to give away a box of protein bars (12 in a box). Contest is open to Canadian residents and closes on May 9, 2016. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are your favourite green products?

Also, don’t forget to enter my New York Color Lovatics by Demi contest, which features a signed copy of Confident!