Charlene's favorite

After a career in the restaurant industry and in the visual arts, it is her passion for healthy food and natural products that led Charlène on the path to La Boite à Grains. Health advisor at our St-Joseph branch, she was a member of our team from 2021 to 2024. "All my life, walking into a health food store has been like a comfort. When I saw that the store was hiring, I said to myself 'why not? I've never felt so at home in a job, it's a blast!".

Speaking of crushes, Charlene presents three products she discovered at La Boite à Grains and which are now part of her daily routine: Divine Essence organic rose hip oil, Druide konjac sponge and Douceurs du Midi Aleppo soap.

Why these three products?

My original favorite is the Aleppo soap. Its smell is characteristic of natural food stores, it represents for me well-being and health. I use it in combination with the konjac sponge and rose hip oil, and it has become a ritual that accompanies me morning and night. If we consider the three products, it is more than 6000 years of history spread over three continents.

The soap of Aleppo comes from Syria, and contains very few ingredients, mainly oil of bay laurel and olive oil. It has proven itself and has been passed down from generation to generation, which is what I appreciate.

Rose hip oil from Chile is extracted from the seeds of the plant. It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin E and has healing properties. The skin of the face absorbs it very well, it is a dry oil. It helps to reduce sun spots, reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Konjac sponge comes from the konjac root, which grows in Asia. In Japan, it has long been used to cleanse the skin. Druide adds purifying bamboo charcoal. Since I started using it, my skin feels softer, nourished and moisturized, it's very pleasant.

Do you have any tips to share about using these products?

They are delicate products, which are especially suitable for sensitive skin. And the combination of the three is very effective, I promote it to everyone around me. In the summer, for example, when your skin is more oily, it is very interesting to rebalance the production of sebum.

Let's talk about diet. What is a healthy diet for you?

Healthy eating means everything to me! (Laughs). Eating healthy is a priority, it's synonymous with well-being. Meals are sacred in our house, with my children, we stay at the table for at least an hour, we talk about what we eat... I make sure that there is always a balance between the three meals of the day. I make sure that there is always a balance between the three meals of the day. I ask my boyfriend what he ate for lunch, for example, before preparing supper... I make sure that our diet is complete.

We eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. I always prefer organic whenever possible, it's important in terms of nutritional value and also in terms of taste.

Do you have a favorite meal of the day?

I love the weekend lunch, the no rush lunch! We often eat croustades, waffles, pancakes, with all sorts of compotes, lots of fruit, smoothies... and don't forget maple syrup.

Sometimes it can also be a lumberjack lunch, with baked beans... It starts the day off right.

Do you have any healthy habits to share?

Roller skating! It's extremely healthy for my mind, for my body. I feel like I'm flying, gliding, it's a great way to unwind.

I have memories as a child of taking great pleasure in rollerblading, and I went back to it at the time of the pandemic. I find the same pleasure today, it is a great activity to escape from the stress of everyday life. I joined a Roller Derby league, it's fun!

Thank you Charlène for sharing your passion with us!

Aleppo soap Douceurs du Midi

100% natural and made according to an ancestral recipe, the Aleppo soap is based on olive oil and enriched with oil of bay laurel. It is appreciated for its purifying and nourishing properties.

Discover it in store and learn more here.

Divine Essence Organic Rosehip Oil

An ally of your skin, organic rosehip oil has soothing and moisturizing properties. It is an excellent after-sun treatment and is suitable for all skin types.

Discover it in store and learn more here.

Druide Konjac Sponge

A gentle exfoliator, this konjac sponge contains purifying bamboo charcoal to deeply cleanse and moisturize the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and especially for easily irritated skin.

Discover it in store and learn more here.