If you are busy juggling family life with a full-time job, you’ll know just how tough fitting fitness into your routine can be. No matter how busy you are, you shouldn’t use this as an excuse not to exercise. After all, running is perfect exercise for any time of the day. So why not start running once the kids are in bed at night? You may be put off slightly by running in the dark, but you can guarantee a peaceful run. There’s be no busy traffic or crowds to get in your way!
Want to know how to run safely at night? Here are our five top tips.
Run a Familiar Route
Stick to a route you are familiar with to cut down your chances of getting lost. Not only will getting lost increase your mileage, but it could also be tricky finding your way back in the dark. Running in an area you know well also means you’ll know where there are street lights. If you jog in a well-lit area, you will be able to see exactly what is happening in your surroundings, helping you to feel safe.
Run with a Buddy
Ladies, listen up! Pair up with your friend or partner and go out pounding the streets together. This is a great way to stay motivated throughout your run, and you will also feel safer in numbers. If you do not know anyone who enjoys running as much as you, see if there are any local running clubs in your area. As well as helping you with your running, you’ll be able to meet new people and make more social connections!
Stay Bright
It is important that you can clearly see traffic and pedestrians in your vicinity, but they also need to see you. So brighten up your clothes! Wear colourful running gear and, if possible, wear high-vis materials. Your local sports shop will sell fluorescent arm bands, which are a great investment. Running headlamps are also readily available. Not sure which one to go with? Check out what personal trainer Andrew Rockwell thinks.
Don’t Run With Music
I know we often go on about how great music is for your workouts. However, when running at night, it’s a good idea to leave your iPod at home. This will help increase your awareness. You’ll sooner notice if anyone suspect is following you or if there is something else occurring near you that you need to be aware of.
Bring a Cellphone and ID
Always take a cellphone and ID with you if you are running after dark. The cellphone will help you contact a friend or relative if you have an accident. If things take a turn for the worse, the emergency services may need to contact someone on your behalf. They will be able to get important information using your ID. Don’t forget to charge your cell fully before you head out!
Running in the night is a fantastic way to squeeze fitness into your packed schedule. It’s important to put your safety first!
Your track record at the gym might be second to none. But how is your gym style? If you look great during your workout, you’ll feel much more confident in yourself. It’ll also give you an extra reason to head out for a workout and show off your new clothes! After all, the gym usually turns into a parade of everyone showing off their ripped muscles and tight abs, so why not turn it into a catwalk too?! Want to know how to look the part in the gym? Here is what you need.
We have all worn protective sleeves at one point to support muscle weaknesses and protect injuries. You can buy them in a range of different styles and colors. Pick one that lets your personality shine right through! Wear a copper knee sleeve as well as one on your arm for maximum impact.
Eyecatching shoes
As well as being super fashionable, your shoes need to be the correct style for your workout. If you are jogging outside, on a sports track, or even just on a treadmill, you need shoes that support your weight. If you test your gait, you’ll know which style of running shoes are best for you. If your feet and legs aren’t exposed to as much impact through your choice of activity, you can opt for a lightweight sports shoe. To find your ideal pair, speak to a physician who can suggest what to go for.
Headbands
If you think headbands were left behind in the 80s, you’re very much mistaken! Lots of gym-goers wear headbands to hold their hair back. Don’t get annoyed by strands of hair falling in front of your face as you’re trying to lift weights or reach your new personal best on the exercise bike. Keep your hair slicked back under a headband. It’ll also save it from getting sweaty!
This one is mainly for all you guys who prefer an outdoor workout. If temperatures dip slightly, you need to keep yourself wrapped up warm. Exercising out in the cold can cause extra strain on your muscles. If you don’t wrap them up warm, you will be increasing your risk of injuring yourself. So always check the weather before you head outside. If it looks a bit chilly, pull on a long sleeve sweatshirt and leggings.
Sports Bra
Ladies, you need effective support for your chest otherwise, you could be giving your fellow gym members an eyeful! In all serious, though, wearing a well-fitted sports bra will correctly support your breasts and reduce aches and pains. You won't do any serious damage if you do not wear a sports bra, but you will be saving yourself from a lot of discomforts! Visit your local sports shop to get one correctly fitted. Bras come in all different styles and colors, so you’ll have no trouble finding one you like. Now you know how to look the part, there’s nothing stopping you smashing all your gym records!
We all have a friend who’s constantly in the gym. In fact, the gym might be the only thing they ever talk about! When it comes to your gym-bunny friends’ birthdays, you may be a bit stumped for gift ideas. There’s no point buying them chocolates or candies; how about buying them something they can use for their training sessions? Here are some fab gift ideas for your gym-obsessed mates!
An awesome gym bag
We all get bored of carrying the same old bag with us each time we head to the gym. I’m sure your friend will love a change! Especially if it’s a good quality, trustworthy bag. That means one that isn’t going to break after a couple of uses. It needs to be large enough for the days he or she has their yoga, spinning and pilloxing classes one after another. And that means plenty of space for a spare change of clothes!
A new foam roller
You can’t have too many foam rollers after a hard gym session! Using one of these can help with all those aches and pains. We’re sure your friend will be over the moon when they unwrap their roller. If they haven’t used one before, their workout life will be changed forever! Simply rolling one over post-workout muscles helps relieve any painful exercising aches.
New gym clothes
You can never have too many clothes – this also includes gym clothes! From chic yoga tops to a pair of stylish leggings, your friend will appreciate some stylish clothes. Make sure you know buy some gear that fits in with their workout of choice. There’s no point buying a swimmer a new pair of running shoes!
Some new weights
If your gym bunny friend loves pumping iron in the gym, buy them some dumbbells or kettlebells so they can start training at home. You’ll need to get an idea of the kinds of weight they are already lifting, so you can buy yours accordingly. There’ll be no point buying weights that are either too light or way too heavy, as it could cause an injury.
Training technology
In today’s modern world, you can buy many accessories which are great for tracking workout sessions. Why not opt for a Fitbit so your friend can track their diet as well as how many calories they are burning on a daily basis. If your budget can’t stretch to a Fitbit, there are cheaper alternatives. You can keep it very basic and buy accessories that simply track how many steps the wearer does in a day.
A slap-up meal
What does every trainer want after a gruelling gym session? Loads of protein and carbs! Why not take your friend out for a meal in their favourite restaurant? As well as tucking into an amazing meal, you can both enjoy a long overdue catch-up and compare your gym stories. So now you know exactly what to buy your gym-obsessed friend, you’ll be wishing birthdays came around more often than just once a year!
When it comes to your regular workout, chances are you want it to have the fullest possible effect. Otherwise, what’s the point? Everybody wants to keep fit. The fact is, very few people actually take the right steps towards making their workout more worthwhile. Lots of people workout frequently, only to discover that it doesn't have quite the full effect they desired. If that sounds like you, don’t worry - all is not lost. There are a number of different techniques you can take advantage of to make your workout go much further. Next time you hit the gym, consider these top tips to make the most of your time spent there.
Like so much else in life, planning can make the world of difference. When you plan a workout, it means that you have a sense of what you are trying to achieve. Even just knowing this can make a huge difference to the effectiveness of your workout. That’s why you should plan it out before you start. Make sure that you know exactly what you are going to do, and for how long. That way, you won’t get lost during the routine. And what’s more - you will keep the whole session tight. This makes it more worth your while and also saves you some time.
Boost It
You have a few different options when it comes to getting more out of your workout session. One effective way to achieve that is by using supplements like these: https://1stphorm.com/shop/products/post-workout. Using these after your workout can make a world of difference. After you workout, your muscle fibers are not exactly in their best state. Often, they get badly torn up from the torture that you have just put them through. Their glycogen has been severely depleted, and as a result they are in disarray. These supplements can be of huge help in restoring them.
Keep It Short
One of the best things you can do for your workout is to keep it short. This might sound unlikely, but it’s true! Research has shown that most forms of exercise are more effective is they are around the thirty-forty minute mark. That’s right - keep it short and you are actually doing yourself a massive favour. Short, intensive exercise is much more effective than a longer period of less intense exercise.
Keep It Up
But far and away the number one thing to do is to keep going. When it comes to keeping your body in peak physical condition, persistence is absolutely the key. It does very little for you if you do not keep it up. One or two sessions a month is pointless - you may as well just not do them! Ideally, you need to be exercising at least three times a week. However, you could increase this to anything up to six or seven. Just remember, if you do increase it, to keep it focused and to keep each session relatively short. That way, you will maximise the benefits of each session. Your body will notice the difference in no time!
Canadians embrace food – we value family traditions, recipes passed down through generations, global trends and show a lot of heart for our local producers. For almost 150 years, Catelli pasta has grown up with Canadian families through a shared passion for food – not to mention a shared birthday, a proud heritage and strong ideals. And like our country, Canadian families have evolved. Blended, single-parent and multi-ethnic families are part of our modern mosaic and match our evolving tastes and preferences – from locally sourced yet globally influenced, to simple, healthy and trusted ingredients. But what has stayed the same is our love of pasta. That's why leading up to this special anniversary year, Catelli along with three celebrated Canadian chefs – Cory Vitiello, Martin Juneau and Michael Allemeier – are taking a journey with Canadians to explore this universal food and its relationship with families across Canada today.
And there's no doubt we love our pasta. Case in point, almost 9 in 10 households have it in their cupboard. What's more, it's a 'real' food in an industry striving to meet the demands of today's health-minded Canadian families. So what do Canadians love about it?
Quite simply, pasta makes us feel good. In fact, three-quarters of Canadians said they feel relaxed cooking pasta because it's easy meal making or like that it offers so many options, most strongly felt by Ontarians at 82 per cent.* Other feelings cooking pasta evokes? Nearly a third of Canadians say experimenting with new pasta recipes makes them feel excited and half of Canadian parents in particular, feel confident they can create a good meal when cooking pasta.*
"It's not surprising that cooking pasta makes us feel good, and we get excited to experiment with it," says Montreal chef and Dad to two, Martin Juneau. "Families today really value the 3 E's of a pasta meal – easy, efficient and enjoyable. It's why I'm excited to start talking with Canadians about its place in their homes. Food has never been a more talked about subject and pasta offers us a range of meal options and nutritional benefits – not to mention that its simplicity gives us back the gift of quality family time, one of the biggest challenges we struggle with today."
In fact, when it comes to the role pasta plays in Canadians' lives, the majority say it means less kitchen time because of its easy prep or that it provides a lot of options for their family.* Health is important too. Almost half say pasta is a healthy meal option due to its simple ingredients and the fact that it can be further paired with 'good for me' ingredients.* And with healthier pasta options such as Catelli Smart®, with its very high source of fibre, Catelli® Gluten Free and 100% whole grain Catelli® Healthy Harvest®, serving this quality, delicious meal to the family is adding to the good feeling too. Six in 10 parents with kids in the household shared that pasta makes their kids happy or their family feel fueled.*
"There isn't a typical Canadian family anymore – and few of us would say our lifestyles are typical," says Doyle Brown, Senior Brand Manager, Catelli. "Just like Canadian families, pasta has become such a versatile food with so many ways to experience it – we're moving away from the traditional view of it as just an Italian meal. Canadians also have a lot to do with the many ways we enjoy pasta today – whether it's a fresh spin on an old favorite or something completely new and inventive."
Look no further than our quest for recipes. In 2015, Spaghetti Bolognese was the 7th most searched recipe by Canadians according to Google Trends, with lasagna in close pursuit in 9th. And breakout recipe searches have recently included everything from 'one pot pasta' and 'pasta bake' to 'pesto pasta' and 'basil pasta'.** Additionally, our love of local means we're cooking more with real, simple ingredients grown or raised close to home and available in local grocers or farmer's markets.
"The popularity in using fewer and fresher, local ingredients is helping build pasta's quality reputation," says Toronto Chef Cory Vitiello. "Canadians are learning they don't have to be trained chefs to get creative with their pasta dishes, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they've been up to in their kitchens!"
Yet, Canadians don't shy away from practicality either. The top two reasons Canadians add pasta to their shopping lists include: how easy it is to make a pasta meal (59%) and how affordable pasta is (48%).* Whether a bustling family household or a single individual, pasta remains one of the most reasonable meals on the market. And, the taste factor is never far behind – 4 out of 10 say they just can't live without it!*
"Pasta has a special place in Canadian households – and what makes it special is different for every family," says Chef Michael Allemeier. "It's a comfort food, an easy meal time win, a quick dinner fix and a crowd-pleasing entertaining option – and the recipe options are really endless. Look how butternut squash provides a delicious twist to meat lasagna or how fresh goat cheese and pesto puts a new spin on spaghetti."
The Catelli Pasta Journey
The Catelli team is hitting the road in 2016 to learn more about how today's Canadian families are enjoying pasta and inviting them to share their stories, their recipes and even their pictures at #CatelliFamilies. This spring, a video series documenting some of these stories will be introduced and a new collection of recipes inspired by our modern taste preferences – and featuring favourites from chefs Cory Vitiello, Martin Juneau and Michael Allemeier, will be available at www.catelli.ca. The majority of Catelli pastas – including 100% whole grain Catelli® Healthy Harvest® and fibre rich Catelli Smart® – are not produced with ingredients that have been genetically modified.
About Catelli Foods Corporation
Catelli is a Canadian pasta company founded in Montréal, QC in 1867. It holds the ranking of #1 Canadian pasta brand and is the leader in the health and wellness pasta segment. With more than 75 products available in its line-up today, including Catelli Smart®, Catelli® GlutenFree and Catelli® Healthy Harvest®, Catelli offers pasta made from simple, wholesome ingredients for every kind of family taste and preference.
About the Research Study:
A study of 300 Canadians was completed online between December 3 – December 8, 2015 by Environics Research.
*Environics Research Study (in partnership with Catelli), 2015
**Google Trends, 2015
10 Fueling Tips For Marathoners
by Tara Martine, MS, RD, LDN
Wise marathon preparation is a holistic endeavor. Sleep, recovery, cross-training, and most of all, nutrition, all play essential roles. Ask any experienced runner: the right foods, eaten in the right quantities and at the right times, can make all the difference when race day arrives. Here are ten nutrition tips any runner would be smart to follow:
1. Winners plan ahead.
Many marathoners wait until a week or two before the big event before thinking about their diet. But race nutrition is much more than five days of carb loading. Start thinking about what you’ll eat at least a couple months before the race. As you’ll see below, there’s a lot to do.
2. Stomachs need training too.
About eight weeks before your race, figure out which brands and types of sports nutrition products settle best in your stomach. The only way to determine this is to experiment. Simulate your race-day nutrition plan during your long workouts. Aim for 30-60 grams of carbohydrates, 24-48 oz. of water, and 400-800 mg sodium per hour.
3. Plan your final meal.
Within a month of the race you should have your race-day meal plan dialed in as well. General guidelines are 1-2 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight 1-2 hours before the race, OR 3-4 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight 3-4 hours before. Practice eating a variety of breakfast foods before your long runs to see how they digest. Avoid high fat foods because fat takes a long time to digest. Good options are bananas, toast, oatmeal, bagels, fruit, cereal, potatoes or rice.
4. Be good to your body during race week.
During taper week, the goal is to rest your body and full recover from all the hard work you’ve put in. Replenish with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. Avoid processed foods. Shoot for 70% of your total calories from high carbohydrate foods.
5. Don’t worry about your weight.
Don’t be alarmed if you gain weight during taper week. For every gram of stored glycogen, the body stores three grams of water, which is used to help convert the stored carbs into energy once you begin racing. So drink plenty of water and relax.
6. Load up on nitrates.
Everyone knows about carbs, but few realize how important nitrates are to performance. Nitrates, found in plant foods like beets, argula and swiss chard, are converted into nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator that increases blood flow to the heart and working muscles. A good idea is to drink eight daily ounces of a performance juice like Beet Performer for seven days prior to your race, and another eight ounces the morning of the race.
7. Eat your pre-race dinner early.
Eat an early high-carbohydrate, low-fat meal to ensure that your body has enough time to fully digest and eliminate everything. Avoid foods that can trigger heartburn including spicy foods, high-fat foods deep-fried foods, highly acidic foods like tomatoes, chocolate or mint. Foods that are lower in fiber, like regular spaghetti, may help prevent diarrhea, intestinal cramping and bloating.
8. Don’t try anything new on race day.
The biggest rule of thumb for race-day nutrition is don’t try anything new. Eat the breakfast that you have perfected over the last month at the time that works best for you.
9. Fluids matter.
If you normally consume coffee in the mornings, then do so on race day. Hot tea or coffee often helps clear out your bowels before the gun goes off. Hydrate yourself with 1.5-2.5 cups of fluid 2-3 hours before the race. This will ensure you are fully hydrated and allow enough time to void excess fluid before the race starts.
10. Add carbs a half-hour before the gun.
To top off your energy stores, you might want to consume 15-30 grams of carbs within 30 minutes of the event start in the form of a gel, chews, or sports drink.
Following a thoughtful nutrition program will give you confidence once your race starts. So plan early, follow the plan, then get out there and enjoy your day. You’ve worked hard for it!
# # # #
TARA MARTINE, overall women’s winner of the 2014 Savannah (GA) Rock ‘N Roll Marathon, is a registered dietitian, licensed dietitian/nutritionist, and founder/owner of Whole Impact Nutrition. She specializes in wellness, sports, and plant-based nutrition.
TORONTO, ON – Kanye West and adidas Originals start 2016 with the release of the highly sought-after black version of the YEEZY BOOST 350.
The lo-top YEEZY BOOST 350 features a Primeknit upper: a break-through material developed using adidas’ most advanced digital engineering techniques to fit like a second skin. Colour-coordinated outsoles leverage adidas BOOST™’s highly responsive properties to offer an unparalleled level of comfort, performance and style.
The YEEZY BOOST 350 combines the forward-thinking technologies of adidas with a classic aesthetic and represents a bold new design ideal.
The black YEEZY BOOST 350 will be released on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 through adidas.ca and select global retailers worldwide and will have a suggested retail price of $265 CAD. Visit any one of our adidas Originals stores (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal) on February 16th to enter the silent raffle. The raffle officially closes February 18 at 12 p.m. and the winners will be contacted that afternoon.
It’s undoubtedly a lot easier to get fit if you work a manual labour job. For example, you might be walking lots, or lifting items, or operating heavy machinery. Having a basic level of fitness makes getting very fit easier. This is because your body is already partly use to exercise.
However, it can be a very different story for people who spend more of their lives sat down or working in an office. We spend a huge proportion of our lives at work. Also, working full-time can be very tiring. This may mean that when you do leave work, you don’t have the energy to exercise. Instead, you just find yourself sitting down in front of the TV! This vicious cycle will get you nowhere.
If you do work in an office, one item that you should be sure to invest in is a pedometer. Although this seems like a very basic fitness product, it is actually fantastic for motivation. Nice and small, you can attach it to your trouser band or belt. At the beginning of the day, set yourself an aim. For example; “I will take 2,000 steps today.” Keep checking up on the pedometer throughout the day to remind yourself of the challenge and keep moving! As time progresses, you can increase the number of steps. If you always have your phone on you, you can even get an app that does the same job. As if you needed another excuse to go and make a fresh cup of coffee in the staff kitchen!
If you want to work on your arms specifically, use a Gyro ball. This small plastic ball sits in the palm of your hand. You can use it while you’re writing with the other hand, or even on the phone to clients or colleagues. Simply shake your hand being the ball inside moving. Some have timers to help you keep track of how long you’ve used it for.
If you want to properly invest in fitness products that will do some of the work for you, consider a muscle stimulator. You attach the pads that come with the device to the specific muscles you wish to improve, like your abs or biceps. These nifty little devices have lots of different settings, and while they can be quite expensive, they can make a huge difference.
There are some other more basic tips you should be sure to follow every day. Firstly, think about getting to work in the mornings. Would it be possible to walk, run or even cycle? This way you’d get daily exercise before it was 9am! If you must drive, park further away from the entrance than you would usually. It might seem like a tiny change, but it can stack up. Similarly, if you use public transport, get off a stop earlier than usual and walk the rest of the way.
Once you arrive at work, you should of course always take the stairs instead of the lift. Also, during the day, take regular breaks to stretch. This will keep your body limber and stop you from seizing up.
Shoulder dislocation injuries can be very disruptive to your fitness regime - not to mention painful! And, although carrying on with your regular workout routines is going to be difficult, you can still stay fit. In this brief guide, I’m going to go through what you can expect from a shoulder dislocation injury. Let’s get started with some basic info.
The injury
First of all, the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in your body - but this can come at a cost. When it comes to contact sports like football, basketball, or martial arts, it can be vulnerable to being popped out of its socket. I won’t beat around the bush - it can cause extreme pain. And, when it has happened once, it is more likely to occur again. So, it’s important that when you start working out again, you don’t overdo it.
Treatment
The first step in your treatment is to get your shoulder back in place. Again, this can be a painful experience, even when a skilled physician or nurse is performing the task. Take a look at this shoulder dislocation treatment by Dr Siow Hua Ming to see what you can expect. You will wear a sling, and you won’t be able to move your shoulder for a while. You can also expect a fair amount of swelling, pain, and discomfort. It’s important to keep your shoulder immobile during this period, which can last up to a couple of weeks. Once it subsides, you can start with some rehab exercises.
Exercises
There is a range of exercises that can help you recover quicker from a shoulder dislocation. In the initial stages, you should try isometric exercises - or static contractions. These are exercises that work the joint without moving it and are perfect for building a little strength. The next stage is to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder with internal rotation exercises. These involve moving the arm in front of the body, rather than the outside. Only then can you start external rotations - such as pushing out with dumbbells.
Basic fitness
Your fitness levels are going to drop when you have any dislocation, due to the fact you need to rest the injury. However, with good strapping in place, there are a few ways you keep fit - to a certain extent. Running will be out of the question for a while, but you might feel comfortable with brisk walking. You might be surprised how many calories you can burn off. One thing you have to watch out for is your heart rate. Once it starts pumping fast, it can cause throbbing in your shoulder, so if this starts happening, slow things down a little. As the shoulder pain begins to recede, you can begin to up the intensity of your exercise. Just be careful not to overdo it, and if you have any shoulder pain, stop.
Diet
Finally, don’t forget to adjust your diet to suit the lower levels of exercise. If you’re still consuming a lot of calories to support a serious training program, it’s just going to make you put on weight. And, that means it’s going to take you far longer to get back to your original condition. Good luck with the recovery!
EMORY VODKA ENTERS THE PREMIUM SPIRITS MARKET WITH A PIONEERING PRODUCT CONCEPT INSPIRED BY NATURE’S GRAND DESIGN New York based artist in Optic Modernism inspires newly launched ultra-premium line of naturally gluten free vodka with his signature Zebra Love collection EMORY Vodka – the country’s first ultra-premium product to be conceptually inspired by one of today’s leading artists and the only vodka to originate from the art world since Romero Britto aligned with Absolut.
EMORY Vodka is one of the first artist-inspired creations to enter the ultra-premium beverage market as a 100% corn based product that is naturally gluten free while being six times distilled and triple-filtered using charcoal during fermentation. This low-calorie alternative has a purity that vastly reduces the morning-after effects of consumption as a result of this process.
New York based artist Blake Emory, one of today’s most innovative pioneers in the “Optic Modernism” movement, has developed a unique extension of his existing Zebra Love oil on canvas signature collection for the brand design of EMORY Vodka. Michael Alden, CEO and President of Blue Vase Marketing, in partnership with Emory, has translated the Zebra Love concept on to frosted glass, releasing the limited edition premium vodka supported by one of the country’s leading strategic marketing firms for the beverage industry, Pearson & Pearson. Bottled by the newly formed Zebra Love, LLC parent company, Emory’s Zebra Love design is embossed on to a signature artisan bottle, complete with Emory’s trademark red stiletto. Emory Vodka marks the first brand extension in the Zebra Love series and features Emory’s “Shauna1” design for the inaugural product adaptation. A portion of proceeds from the sales of Emory Vodka are being donated to the ASPCA to help prevent cruelty to animals.
“We are pleased to announce the strategic roll-out of EMORY Vodka in key markets nationwide,” says Michael Alden, CEO and President of Blue Vase Marketing. “We understand the premium spirits business and know how important it is to develop something marketable and unique for the consumer in an over saturated marketplace. The exceptional design portrayed in Zebra Love by Blake Emory creates a strong artistic impression and will form tremendous brand recognition for the product. This unique design element also allows us to develop alternate configurations for the new line while remaining creative and diverse. Launching a one hundred percent corn based vodka that is naturally gluten free while being six times distilled will also deliver the ultra-premium taste that vodka lovers will expect.”
Priced at $29.99 for 750ml, EMORY Vodka is fully underway with its off premise campaign, targeting high volume cities around the country known for their trendsetting consumer audience, including Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Miami. The brand is currently on-shelf in New York, Texas and Massachusetts and is anticipated to be on shelf nationwide in established retailers such as Total Wine & More and Binny’s, as well as other major retailers, by Spring of this year. Zebra Love is the latest anthology by the New York artist Blake Emory, whose collective series of theoretical works is capturing the attention of not only the fine art world, but also the country’s leading brand visionaries within the marketing community.
Emory’s Zebra Love series represents the artist’s inspired discovery of what he refers to as “nature’s grand design” that encapsulates an artistic expression of retro fashion with love, passion and “divine geometry” from the animal kingdom. Zebra Love portrays an underlying theme based on a fluid visual depiction of Zebra stripes that are carved to form the foundation of a multi-dimensional approach to acrylic on canvas. Using an individual female model and form as the muse for every piece of work, the curvaceous and nude silhouette of each chosen woman is juxtaposed against the Zebra design and blended within the center of the frame to convey a layered optical illusion at first glance. Emory describes his final touch as a “passionate step in to the world of love needed to liberate us from the human construct,” illustrated by a retro-style red stiletto worn on one foot – giving the black and white design its signature dash of vibrant color, fashionable overture and overtly sexual connotation.
“I like to think of my work as representing the unity of mankind,” says Blake Emory. “The Zebra is one of nature’s grandest designs and I fell in love with this beautiful formation and found that its geometry gave me a new form of expression in Optic Modernism. The female figure represents the world of love and what I believe is a type of ‘social silhouette.’ Sharing my vision and inspiration through EMORY Vodka is an exciting new step in my career as an artist and I hope the impressionable brand design resonates with people everywhere.”
Each piece from Emory’s collection is entitled after the women whose voluntary participation is part of the creative process. “Josephine” is Emory’s most beloved and original work of art, with “Flove” cited by Emory as the most “sexual” and “controversial’ from his collection. Other example names of his artwork include “Shauna,” “Billy Leigh” and “Levon.”
Joint marketing efforts for the new line of EMORY Vodka by Blue Vase and Pearson & Pearson are being supported by a national PR campaign, social media and traditional advertising.
