Favourite breakfast

During the week - a smoothie

Weekends - homemade shakshuka with tahini and sourdough toast. 

Nutritional Supplement you're currently into

I’m pretty obsessed with Adaptogens right now. I like Ashwaganda in general for relaxation and cortisol balancing and also am taking AOR’s ortho-adapt. 

Best way to de-stress

Spending time with the people I love...and playing backgammon.

Favourite way to workout

Yoga and Pilates. 

Best sleep tip

Electric sundown: Turn down all the lights and screens 2-3 hours before bed.

Do you Meditate? What kind? 

I'm currently using the Headspace app which I really like. I also just started doing kirtan kriya meditation daily which has been clinically proven to improve memory function, daily focus and help prevent age-associated brain deterioration. 

Way you like to give back

Supporting organizations like She’s The First which help provide vulnerable girls around the world access education they wouldn’t otherwise have.

One thing that makes you excited about getting older

Learning to live fully in the present moment.

Favourite breakfast

Steel-cut oats in the winter, and granola with yogurt in the summer. And coffee - always coffee.

Nutritional Supplement you're currently into

Honestly, right now I'm just focused on trying to eat balanced. As a freelancer, my schedule is always changing and cooking for myself requires discipline. 

Best way to de-stress

A bath and a glass of wine. Or dinner with a close friend. 

Favourite way to workout

Pilates. Ideally, I’d love to go for more hikes but I don’t get out of the city often. 

Best sleep tip

If I’m really feeling stuck, I’ll listen to the ‘Sleep With Me’ podcast and it always works. 

Do you Meditate? What kind? 

Not often, but it’s something I’d like to get better at!

Way you like to give back

I really love the community of women business owners in Toronto and try as much as I can to offer support and connect them with resources to help their brands thrive. I think everything gets better when more women are in charge. 

One thing that makes you excited about getting older

Figuring myself out better! I’m doing a lot of work currently to better get in touch with my needs, and I look forward to learning more. 

Learn more about Anna

Favourite breakfast

Any kind of toast with healthy things piled on top. Tomatoes, veganaise, sumac, dill, avocado, nutritional yeast, radish — whatever is in the fridge really!

Nutritional Supplement you're currently into

Rainbo! It's a multi-mushroom tincture that supports the immune system and gives a little boost of energy.

Best way to de-stress

Human touch????

Favourite way to workout

I dance at least once a week. It's been a good confidence booster, and is a great mental workout too!

Best sleep tip

My partner likes to read out loud before we fall asleep. He sets a good example for no screen time, just a good book right before bed.

Do you Meditate? What kind?

Lately we've been doing weekly Kundalini yoga with Krista Schilter of Golden Chain. We chant and move in sync for 5-10 minutes at a time and I find that when it's over, my whole body is swaying in a circle and my mind is clear.

Way you like to give back

I think mentorships are a great way to give back. I meet monthly with a student who has an interest in design, and we spend time working on technical aspects of the trade, and developing his personal project. We work on intangibles too, such as gaining confidence on the subway, or navigating the library and other public environments.

One thing that makes you excited about getting older

My dream is to be a cool Grandma who breaks all the rules while babysitting.

@designofbrand

Favourite breakfast

I don't really eat breakfast (typically just have broth!) but when I do, my favourites are Turkish Eggs and the pancakes at Chez Ma Tante.

Nutritional Supplement you're currently into

RAINBO 11:11

Best way to de-stress

sex :)

Favourite way to workout

Kundalini with Krista Schilter, and any class with Derek Friday.

Best sleep tip

Bath before bed time.

Do you Meditate? What kind?

Yep I use the beautiful app Tap In, that my pal Margaux created. They do short, live group meditations at 3pm every day. I'm trying to get better at meditating first thing in the morning but haven't quite got that down yet.

Way you like to give back

I spend a lot of time helping entrepreneurs with their business. I don't know if that counts because it is related to our work, but it feels like being generous with my time. Supporting people creating businesses that make the world better (like Primer!) is best way I can give back right now. We are also in the process of identifying a non-profit in female education to donate a portion of sales to from my personal project Scrunchero.

One thing that makes you excited about getting older

Building a family!

@designofbrand

Favourite breakfast

Unfortunately I don’t always have the time to indulge in breakfast, but whenever I do, my go-to is usually a quick bowl of cereal with sliced banana and orange juice.

Nutritional Supplement you're currently into

I take Vitamin C almost daily! 

Best way to de-stress

Writing, playing & recording music is my de-stress trifecta!

Favourite way to workout

Should probably be doing this more often, but when I do workout, swimming is my go-to. It’s a full body workout I actually enjoy that also isn’t harsh on my joints.

Best sleep tip

Set an alarm in the evening to remind you to put down your phone! For me I find it’s super easy to mindlessly get sucked into a never-ending scroll online. So I’ve found setting an alarm to remind myself that it’s time to put my phone down really helps a lot.
Do you Meditate? What kind? 
I usually take a couple minutes every day in the morning for some deep breathing before getting out of bed. Taking those few moments to close my eyes, and only focus on my breath helps to clear my mind and start my day off right.

Way you like to give back

Helping those who ask for help whenever I can. Seems simple, but I find the busier life gets, or the more we have going on in our own lives, the harder it can be to take a few moments to help others. Whether it’s a friend asking for advice, a coworker asking for assistance with a work project, or even a stranger on the street who might need some change, or help with directions. If I can help them, I will try my best to.

One thing that makes you excited about getting older

How much more I’ll learn! There’s soooo much knowledge out there to indulge in, and I love that with every experience I have, or person I meet, I’m constantly learning something new.

Favourite breakfast

Oatmeal! I heat rolled oats with almond milk on the stove and I like to add peanut butter, banana, berries, cinnamon, cocoa powder, honey and shredded coconut. 

Nutritional Supplement you're currently into

Rhodiola rosea by Cytomatrix. It gives me the energy I need to get through long days and helps to buffer my stress with my busy day-to-day schedule. 

Best way to de-stress

Walking in nature 😊 . I love to listening to nature’s calming sounds. 

Favourite way to workout

Running! I’ve been a runner since high school and I truly am addicted to the runner’s high.

Best sleep tip

Take the time to wind down before sleep. I like to put away my phone away and not watch any TV at least 30 minutes prior to bedtime. I think as a society we have become so used to always being in front of a screen and taking 30 minutes to myself to wind down before sleeping has really helped with my sleep quality. 

Do you Meditate? What kind? 

I like to wake up in the morning and do some sun salutations before going on my morning walk. This is my form of meditation. 

Way you like to give back

I love to support local farmers by attending local farmer’s markets. Unfortunately during this COVID time, farmers have been extremely impacted. Since I can no longer attend farmer’s markets in person, I still support them by ordering online. 

One thing that makes you excited about getting older

The older I get, the more comfortable I am with myself and what my purpose is.  I have this quote by Brene Brown written on my planner: “When we stop trying new things, we stop growing. When we stop growing, we stop living.” This is a daily reminder for me to be open to new opportunities and continue to find ways to sit in the discomfort of new things. That’s when personal growth and development occurs. 

Learn more about Daiana