It’s that time again fellas: Movember is upon us. And you know what that means. Moustaches for everyone – even if your main squeeze, girlfriend, wife, sister or daughter says you look like a 70s porn star. Why? Because Movember is prostate cancer awareness month, and by adorning your upper lip with some serious fur you are making your fellow men as well as their women aware of the fact that although less talked about, prostate cancer is actually more common than breast cancer!

Dabbler has been on hiatus for some time. Both Angela and myself have taken on some major projects that make it impossible to stay on top of this site as well. But since Movember is such a good cause we felt the least we could do was repost the video to get everyone in the mood for some mo-growin’.

For more information and to sign up go to Movember.com, then send your friends or loved ones who think you’ve gone insane here or to YouTube to watch the video. And while you’re at it you can read the original article after the jump.

A little action in the bedroom is good but did you know it’s also good FOR you?

If your man is using this as a reason for gettin’ a little somethin’ somethin,’ it ain’t no ordinary line ladies. He’s actually right! Such a release is good for his prostate and if you knew how common it is for men to develop cancer in this gland, you wouldn’t take his request so lightly.

Even though the subject is brought up every once in a while, people (generally of the male variety) are usually quick to change it or simply tune it out because it’s an uncomfortable issue. But why? We hear about breast cancer on a daily basis now it seems, and you can buy pretty much anything in pink these days so why is there this great imbalance?

Well, for one thing, just as you’d rather see bare breasts than full frontal male nudity, women just have a prettier package and pretty things are easier to talk about. The fact that breast cancer surgery is a lot more traumatic also warrants the attention. Consider that women can actually lose a whole breast, something that is more physically and psychologically damaging than losing an organ that you can’t see or touch. That’s why I think prostate cancer never gets the spotlight…until now!

And it’s about time! Did you know that prostate cancer is actually more common than breast cancer?! The numbers are staggering. Just this week alone, 429 Canadian men will have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and according to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1 in 27 will die from it. That’s why early detection is so critical. Like any other cancer, doctors the world over are still hard at work finding a cure so if a cancer is left to grow, it could not only be debilitating, but fatal. Prostate cancer develops very slowly so by the time you experience any symptoms, it may already be too late. However, if you are diligent about your annual checkups, early detection will ensure that you receive the right treatment so you can continue to live your life to the fullest. It is strongly recommended that men 40 and over be examined regularly but men in their mid-30s are now beginning to do so as well. Can’t hurt right? Well…maybe a little…

Granted, a physical examination of your prostate is more than unpleasant, but consider the repercussions if you ignore such a serious condition. Mad Morten’s grandfather discovered a tumor that eventually spread to his back, paralyzing him during his latter years of life and only through sheer stubbornness did he still live a relatively long one. The cancer can engulf any part of your body, not just your back as in this case. You guys out there will be happy to know that there is an alternative to being poked and prodded. As Alan explains in the video, there is a blood test called the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test that is less invasive and which produces the same results, so please consult your family physician, ask lots of questions, and learn more about it.

All this education is where Movember comes into play. Now that you’re armed with potentially life-saving info, it’s time to spread something of the good kind…awareness. And how will you do that? By sporting a MO (an Aussie slang for mustache) and becoming a Mo Bro! Unless you’re Magnum P.I., these facial accents are a rarity. That’s why when you wear one yourself, you’ll naturally attract attention and as people begin to ask you why you’re wearing such a pimpin’ look, you can enlighten them about a worthy cause. Women may be challenged in the facial hair department, but they have a part to play as well, by becoming Mo Sistas and supporting and recruiting Mo Men. This is one of the most creative ways of approaching a delicate subject and you’re encouraged to have fun with it. Conduct Mo-offs at your office! The teachers at Midland Secondary School in Ontario are raising money by selling ballots to vote on which teacher will don which ridiculous-looking mustache for the remainder of the month. All the money raised will fund each participating country’s leading prostate cancer research foundation so all the money raised in Canada will stay IN Canada. Our country’s beneficiary partner is the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada so sign up at Movember.com, start your own competition, and at the end of the month, celebrate with all your Vancouver Mo Bros and Sistas at a Gala Parté on November 29th at Caprice Night Club (check Movember.com for listings in other cities).

Knowledge is power babeh!

If there’s one person who knows a great swimsuit when she sees one, it’s 36 year old ex-supermodel and former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition glamour girl Monika Schnarre. Coming out of her 15 year retirement from modeling, she is now the new spokesperson for Sea Queen. Never heard of the brand? Neither had I. That’s because the swimwear maker has just returned from a 10 year hiatus from the market. And why should we care? Because this is a brand specifically designed to fit and flatter women 35 and up and has figured out what makes the perfect swimsuit. Check out the video or click on to find out what the secret is!

“Let’s face it – gravity kicks in after you turn 30 – no matter who you are or how fit you are,” says Monika. “Until now, the choice has been limited to padded cups that soak up water; unflattering and uncomfortable underwires or shelf-bras that are added to the swimsuit as an afterthought; or just letting everything sag.”

Understanding that the key to a beautiful beach body is a gorgeous bustline, Sea Queen has reinvented bathing suit construction with its proprietary new SwimTech ContourLift Bra – and designed the latest swimwear trends around it.

Created by an actual bra designer, SwimTech ContourLift Bra features malleable moulded cups that maintain a perfectly natural shape both in and out of the water. Flexible underwires are fused within the cups’ high-tech, ultra-thin foam fabric so they never poke or prod. A comfort band wraps around the rib cage for enhanced support. And because the bra doesn’t retain water like the padded cups found in so many swimsuits, it delivers consistent, curve-enhancing lift for A, B, and C cup sizes.

Made of high-denier Italian microfibre with Lycra / Spandex, some suits offer cuts featuring supportive cup lining, while others also feature a light net lining for a touch of tummy support.

But “of course, all the clever technology wouldn’t mean a thing if the styling weren’t there,” asserts the statuesque Torontonian. “The new collection features the hottest trends in swimwear with hidden support that provides a welcome boost!”

Sea Queen has interpreted the key runway trends in its all new collection of 50 sophisticated one-piece, two-piece and tankini bathing suits – all named after the world’s most fabulous seaside destinations.

Looking for glam? There’s the retro-goddess appeal of Odessa (1), a draped empire maillot. Belts are big now, and Sea Queen’s got them – at the empire waist of the sculpted Monte Carlo one-piece with SwimTech ContourLift Bra (2); and in the obi-like midriff wrap on the two-tone Montecristo maillot (3). Metallics are a must so the Monte Carlo halter bikini (4) and the Monte Carlo maillot (5) make waves in molten gold. Today’s penchant for animal prints is satisfied in the grrreat tiger pattern of the Santorini halter bikini (6), while fashion’s appetite for brights is fulfilled with the exotic jungle print of the Bora Bora halter bikini (7). The current feeling for 40s femmes fatales shows up in the pin-up girl styling of the Odessa bikini (8).

Sea Queen swimwear ranges in price from $80 to $120 CDN and is available across Canada through The Bay, and also here in Vancouver at Swimco, Swimwear Etc, and The Just Cruisin’ Shoppe (also in White Rock at Wishes & Co Fashions). Click here for more information.

Photography Courtesy of: Paco Garcia for Sea Queen

I’m pretty good at some things and can wing most others, but if there is one thing that I’m absolutely clueless about, it’s beauty products. I’ve never quite understood why my sister refuses to leave the house without her makeup on or her hair just so. But while going through all the hair extension options available to us ladies (and some laddies) at the annual ABA (Allied Beauty Association) Show this year, I couldn’t help but try out some blue stresses against my black. Gone are the days when hair extensions meant pain and permanently damaged hair…actually, there are still products that will give you that, but the good news is that there are many other pain- and hassle-free ones that will still give you a gorgeous look one day AND a different one the next should you desire a change. Today, we’re featuring three such options and I bet you’ll want to try out at least one of ‘em before the video ends!

We talked about the equipment. We talked about the training. Now all that’s left is to do the actual race! In the final installment of our Penticton Ironman series, Jeff Glen takes on the ultimate challenge and you’re invited to go along for the ride!

How often do you find yourself driving home in the thick of traffic after an arduous day of work, and turning into the drive-thru of your neighbourhood fast food joint instead of going that extra block for the supermarket? Who can blame you! No one is up for labouring over a stove, especially when Wednesday rolls around – sometimes you just want food, grease ‘n all. But trust me, the effort that goes into preparing a proper home-cooked meal will be nothing compared to the work you’ll need put in to burn off all the calories from an instant meal made up of a long list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients.

The recipes in Everyone Can Cook Midweek Meals are designed for cooks on the run, and that includes quick breakfasts, easy to prepare lunches, and dinner entrées that you’d probably never think you could make. Me? I’m all about the dessert and I’m personally dying to try out the Moist and Delicious One-Pan Chocolate Cake – it has all the key words! I know that cooking at home more regularly can be quite the hurdle, but once you start, not only will you realize that it’s easier than you think, but you just might start enjoying it! If you’re a cooking newbie, you have to get the right book though. When you pick one up, don’t just look at the pictures. If you’ve never heard of the ingredients, step away from the book. Thankfully, not only are Eric Akis’ recipes simple, but cumin is probably as exotic an ingredient as you’re gonna get!

Stay tuned for your chance to win a copy of Everyone Can Cook Midweek Meals!

For the recipe demoed in the video (and the bonus recipe for the Moist and Delicious One-Pan Chocolate Cake), read on!

Shrimp and Vegetable Fajitas

Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: About 5 minutes
Makes: 4 servings (2 fajitas each)

Stuffing your own warm tortillas with shrimp and sizzling-hot vegetables at the table is a fun and relaxing way to dine.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced
1 medium green bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced
1 tsp (5 mL) chili powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cumin
Salt and hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) to taste
32 cooked, peeled medium shrimp, tails removed
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) grated Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups (500 mL) shredded head or leaf lettuce
1 cup (250 mL) salsa, or to taste
8 10-inch (25 cm) tortillas, warmed

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

3. Mix in the chili powder, cumin, salt and hot pepper sauce.

4. Toss in the shrimp and cook for 2 – 3 minutes more, or until the shrimp are just heated through.

5. Spoon the mixture into a serving bowl and place on the table.

6. Set out the cheese, lettuce, salsa and tortilla alongside, and invite diners to stuff and roll their own fajitas.

Eric’s Options:

If you like things spicy, add 1 Р2 Tbsp (15 Р30 mL) of chopped fresh or canned jalape̱o peppers to the vegetable mixture when saut̩ing.

Instead of Monterey Jack, use grated cheddar cheese if that’s what you have on hand or prefer.

Moist and Delicious One-Pan Chocolate Cake

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 – 40 minutes
Makes: 9 servings

How easy can it get? This is a family-style cake that you mix right in the baking pan!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups (310 mL) all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (60 mL) cornstarch
1/4 cup (60 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1 cup (250 mL) milk
1/3 cup (75 mL) vegetable oil
1 Tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream or ice cream (optional)

Directions:

1. Place an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350ËšF (180ËšC).

2. Place the flour, sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a nonstick 8-inch-square (2 L) baking pan. Mix with a fork or small whisk until well combined.

3. Add the milk, oil, lemon juice and vanilla and mix until well combined.

4. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.

5. Cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes before cutting (it can be served warm or at room temperature).

6. Serve plain or, if desired, top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Eric’s Options:

For an elegant touch, serve slices of cake on a pool of strawberry sauce (recipe in the book).

About the Author:

Eric Akis is in his 12th year as food writer for the Victoria Times Colonist. His twice-weekly food features also appear in a variety of other newspapers across Canada. Prior to becoming a journalist, Akis worked for 15 years as a chef. He is the author of the best-selling cookbooks Everyone Can Cook, Everyone Can Cook Seafood and Everyone Can Cook Appetizers. When not writing, Akis works as a food consultant, providing services such as food styling and recipe and product development. Akis lives in Victoria, BC, with his wife, Cheryl Warwick (also a chef), and a teenage son, Tyler.

In part two of three, Jeff Glen talks about the grueling training regimen necessary to conquer the most challenging race of all: The Ironman Triathlon.

For details, click on!

One of the most critical factors for Ironman is to create a training schedule/diary at the beginning of the season, and to stick to it as best as you can.

According to Jeff’s diary, he trained 165 days during a 251 day period (just under 9 months) for an average of 4.6 days a week, and he trained for about 1.5 hours each training day. This is somewhat misleading however, since some periods were heavier than others. For instance, during the last month, Jeff only had 10 training days out of a possible 26 since he was resting for the race. There were also workouts he forgot to record in his diary, and days he went for a run without his watch. All said and done, he trained for 245 hours and travelled 4435 kilometres; 3642 on his bike alone.

What is key about all of this is that you start your endurance training early in the season and build up what’s called a “Base.” Basically, you’re improving your fitness and getting your muscles used to long distance. In the mid season you start working on speed by doing intervals, hills and sometimes shorter workouts with higher intensity. During the last leg of training, you push your limits and work on combined training such as riding 100 kilometres, then going for a 10 kilometre run. Finally, the last 4 weeks are spent tapering down with minimal amount of training and no intensity! As mentioned, Jeff spent most of that time resting, and it helped him out immensely. So many people train hard the last couple of weeks, which has no impact on increasing fitness and only serves to tire your muscles.

Swimming

Swimming is about all form, and all of the following tips will help you be more fluid in the water:

• Anything that drags in the water will slow you down, including hair (shave those legs guys)
• Keep your head down instead of looking where you’re going
• Keep your toes pointed back
• Reach forward on every stroke rather than trying to get in as many strokes as you can

Most of the training is done at 6:30 in the morning while it is still dark and cold out, but as summer approaches you really need to get some open water swimming. Jeff’s parents own a cabin on a lake, so he got plenty of time out there. Make sure you have a spotter too! Anyone can get into trouble, especially if you have been swimming for over an hour.

Cycling

Jeff cycles to work, which is highly recommended. Not only do you get your training done, but you help eliminate that nasty pollution that we all have to breathe every day. Imagine coming home and getting dressed to go for a ride before dinner – it’s the last you thing you want to do.

Jeff also put in eight big rides that exceeded 100 kilometres, which he almost always followed with a run right after. This is a critical part of training, and six of these rides included going up Cypress Mountain (15 km/1100 m) and one both Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain. Hill training is the ultimate and you need a long climb without interruptions. The other component is the tri-bars, which you need to get used to for balance and for power transfer. Have a professional set these up for you so you have the right balance between comfort, aerodynamics and pedal power. Use your lighter gears and spin! Unless you’re Jan Ulrich (pro rider), you’re not going to power through with a low cadence, especially over 180 kilometres.

Finally, get used to eating on the ride. During the race, this is your best chance to take in critical calories. Practice eating when you are not even hungry to see how your body takes it.

Jeff’s typical route:

• From Metrotown Burnaby to Kent Avenue
• Kent Avenue to South West Marine Drive all the way to Burrard Street Bridge
• Through downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park over Lions Gate Bridge
• Up Taylor Way (11% grade) along the highway to Cypress Mountain

• The way back is the same until you hit downtown
• Take Pender Street through Chinatown
• Then Frances Union to Gilmour, which takes you back to Metrotown

This route is in fact a bike route, which is safer than other routes.

Running

Do it often and establish your pace. Pace is everything, and since running comes last in an Ironman, you may not have much left by that time and this training will keep you going.

As with cycling, get in lots of hill work and use high repetitions. Having a long lopy stride will guarantee an injury if you are running 42 kilometres!

Interval training is also a huge helper – a simple technique is once a week run at 80% of your fastest pace for a couple minutes during a ten kilometre training run. Make sure it’s somewhere in the middle of the run so you are warmed up and won’t get injured. Try to run 3 or 4 times a week and slowly build up your distance.

Typically Jeff would run to work, which is 17 kilometres and on the odd day, run to and from work. Be careful though – if you are physically tired, you risk injury.

To train for a marathon, you will at least want to cover 30 kilometres in a training run, but putting a marathon into your schedule is a better test. Make sure it is at least 3-4 months before the Ironman though.

Nutrition

All aspects of Ironman require giving up something. Mostly it’s your personal time, but you also need to stop drinking beer and eating junk food!

The key to remember is this: while working out, your body is burning fuel and you can eat just about anything (but don’t). After a workout however, you are rebuilding muscle, so beer and potato chips do a really bad job of that! The first time Jeff trained for an Ironman, he didn’t drink alcohol for 6 months. This time, he may have had a dozen beer over the whole 9 months of training.

Jeff didn’t consume bread, beef, pizza, pop, alcohol, candy (except dark chocolate), dairy (including ice cream) or any type of fast food. These are things that will be hard to give up for some, but he’s weaned himself off them over the years so it wasn’t as much of a challenge. He did have to start skipping his future mother-in-law’s Chinese home cooking because it’s a bit greasy! Jeff mostly eats organics and tonnes of carbs.

Cars, houses…heck, pretty much everything! They don’t make ‘em like they used to. And textiles are no exception. Today’s clothes are largely composed of strange synthetics that combined with shoddy mass manufacturing, just can’t take the wear and tear of regular use. And that’s how big companies like it. How else will they get you to go back for more! Well, that wasn’t always the case. Fabrics from 20 or 30 years ago were more substantial and rivalled today’s standards.

Now thanks to the rise of Conscious Consumerism, people are realizing that there is a lot of life left in old clothes. You know that gorgeous party dress that you’ve had to shelf due to that conspicuous tear? Save for the hole, the rest of the garment can be salvaged and become part of a cheeky and cheerful new design. That’s Melissa Ferreira‘s artistic view anyway. When the Vancouver-based designer started Adhesif Clothing, she was inspired by the quality of older textiles and just how many unwanted clothes were out there. “It just made sense to use recycled fabrics,” she said. “There was already an abundance of it.”

Wearing Melissa’s adorable, sustainable clothes is a great way to make your statement and celebrate the planet. “Start by taking small steps. Reduce, re-use, and recycle. At the very least, don’t be wasteful.”

For a listing of shops that carry Adhesif Clothing, click here.

No, we’re not talking about the superhero that fights evil in theatres next month. But when you get a load of what an average Joe like Jeff Glen goes through to train for the ultimate triathlon, you’ll wonder whether he has supernatural powers!

Summer’s just around the corner so you’ve probably started to notice a lot of people out training for the marathons and triathlons that are going down all over the world in the coming months. Ever wonder what it takes to finish a race like that? Well, Jeff should know! In part one of three, he introduces the equipment necessary to conquer the most challenging race of all: The Ironman Triathlon.

Next week, we’ll take a peek at his training regimen!

This week, our image consultant Kimberly Law demonstrates point folds with the two, three and four point folds.

Point folds work best with linen or cotton handkerchiefs.

They are stiffer than silk so they maintain their shape better.

Linen and cotton squares should be irregularly arranged and points shouldn’t appear mathematically exact or flattened.

For a crisper look, iron the handkerchief first.

2 Point Fold (demonstrated in video)

Place handkerchief on a flat surface
Fold to 4.5 inch square with points offset
Fold the left side towards the centre
Fold the right side towards the centre
Place in pocket and adjust

3 Point / 4 Point Folds (demonstrated in video)

Place handkerchief on a flat surface open with corner facing upward
Fold in half towards the top (corners off center for 4 point)
Fold left corner over to the right to create a point
Fold the right corner over the left to create a point
Depending on the width you may need to fold left and right sides again
Fold the bottom up
Place in pocket and adjust

Point folds appear structured and elegant. They work well for formal and conservative business occasions.

To learn more about Kimberly Law, click here.

Tune in next week when we will be talking about the Puff, Reverse Puff and the Dandy!

Because our Tie Knot series with personal image consultant Kimberly Law was so well received, we’ve decided to bring you another set of videos on men’s image and style: Pocket squares!

Since the late 19th century, all traditionally tailored men’s coats have featured an angled chest pocket to display a finishing touch. The best folded squares are those that don’t draw attention to themselves. Check out the video above to learn how this is done!

To learn more about Kimberly Law, click here. Read on for more tips on how to make the most out of pocket squares.

Shopping:

A white pocket handkerchief is the most versatile and the least expensive. It works well in business settings and for formal occasions as white shirts are most commonly used, but can also take you into more informal situations.

There are different opinions as to what size is best. They range from 12-18 inches but some say the best size is 16-18 inches.

The best pocket squares have rolled edges that are hand stitched.

Styling:

Pocket squares can be worn with or without a tie.

The trick is to have the square properly placed but nonchalantly placed at the same time. Pocket handkerchiefs and squares should appear effortless and unstudied.

Squares should be angled slightly outward towards the shoulder. This accentuates the V-shape of the upper body.

The amount of fabric showing is up to the wearer but less is more conservative, while more takes a little extra confidence to pull off. As a general guideline, the wider the lapel, the more fabric should be showing.

To avoid bulges, look for handkerchiefs made of a thin material. Smaller squares also create less bulge. Another option is to position it so that more fabric is sticking out of the pocket.

Coordinating:

Handkerchiefs should coordinate primarily with the shirt or tie. The best combinations are those that coordinate with similar shades but do not match exactly.

Ties and handkerchiefs work well in different textures. For instance, a silk tie with a linen handkerchief or a wool or linen tie with a silk pocket square.

Patterns should never be the same but colours should always coordinate. The pocket square should show some degree of contrast but should complement the clothing it is worn with.

The colour of the handkerchief should contrast the jacket.

White is the most versatile colour and can be worn with almost any colour. However, for a more conservative look or a truly elegant look, it works best with a white shirt.

Formality:

Solids are more formal than prints.

Flat and structured folds are more appropriate for conservative business settings.

For joyous occasions, any colour, print or fold is appropriate.

For formal gatherings like black-tie events, solid colours and tints are best.

For events of a more serious nature – such as funerals – subdued colours are called for. Whites, greys or simple solid colours that are not too flashy are all acceptable.

Today’s Video Feature: Flat Folds

These folds look particularly nice with a narrower tie and a narrower lapel and because they are more structured, they work best with a sturdier fabric like cotton or linen. There are several flat folds to choose from but the most popular ones are the TV Fold, the Architect and the Presidential Fold. The final look is similar for all of them.

Place the handkerchief on a flat surface.

The Presidential Fold:
Fold the square into quarters.
Open edges should be at the top and to the right.
Fold the left side toward the right side. The width should now be slightly less than the pocket.
Fold the bottom up just below the top.
Place in pocket.

The TV Fold:
Fold the square into quarters.
Fold the square diagonally into a triangle shape.
Fold the bottom left side point to the centre.
Fold the bottom right side point to the centre.
Turn the handkerchief upside down so the point is on the bottom and the smooth side is facing front.
Place the handkerchief into the pocket. The straight side will be visible.

These folds are very popular right now. They appear official and can take you from the boardroom to an evening on the town.

Next week, Kimberly will be demonstrating slightly more complicated “Point Folds,” so be sure to tune in!