I’m Juhi, a certified Pilates instructor in Toronto. I write about Pilates, vegetarian cooking and travel.https://therealjuhisharma.com/en-cahttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/how-often-should-you-do-pilates/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/how-often-should-you-do-pilates/Two or three Pilates sessions a week suits most people, and once a week still helps. Pilates covers strength work, so add walking or another aerobic activity.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTPilatesPilates basicsExercise frequencyBeginnershttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/mat-vs-reformer-pilates/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/mat-vs-reformer-pilates/Mat and Reformer Pilates share the same principles and differ mainly in what you work against. With a good instructor, either one is a good place to start.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTPilatesMat PilatesReformer PilatesPilates basicshttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/pilates-for-beginners-where-to-start/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/pilates-for-beginners-where-to-start/Start with mat Pilates and a qualified instructor, and learn breathing and control before you build up. You don't need any experience to begin.Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTPilatesBeginnersPilates basicsMat Pilateshttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/your-gut-weekly-motivation/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/your-gut-weekly-motivation/Trust your gut. It's that inner voice you hear while making decisions, and it hardly ever fails us.Sun, 12 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/how-to-stay-safe-healthy-as-the-corona-virus-spreads/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/how-to-stay-safe-healthy-as-the-corona-virus-spreads/In this video from March 2020, I share how I was staying safe and healthy as the coronavirus spread. It reflects what I was doing at that time.Sat, 21 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/self-care-weekly-motivation/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/self-care-weekly-motivation/Self-care isn't selfish. It's what keeps us sane, and it's how our batteries recharge.Sat, 21 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/dubai-where-to-go-what-to-wear/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/dubai-where-to-go-what-to-wear/The most Instagrammable places in Dubai, from the Burj Al Arab and Miracle Garden to the desert and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and what to wear at each.Wed, 16 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMTTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/celeriac-celery-root-green-pea-risotto-rice-less/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/celeriac-celery-root-green-pea-risotto-rice-less/A rice-less risotto I learned from Chef Dominic at Casino Tremblant: tiny cubes of celery root instead of rice, with peas, cream, vermouth and Parmesan.Mon, 07 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/what-i-did-in-mont-tremblant/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/what-i-did-in-mont-tremblant/What I did in Mont Tremblant: horseback riding, a helicopter tour, the gondola, a lake cruise, the Moment Spa, the La Corniche hike and cooking with a chef.Thu, 03 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMTTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/the-moncey-luggage-that-will-never-fail-you/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/the-moncey-luggage-that-will-never-fail-you/The Delsey Moncey is a hard-case suitcase that's rainproof, not waterproof, and a lot stronger than your average hard case.Fri, 27 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMTLifestyleTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/dubai-through-my-eyes/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/dubai-through-my-eyes/Dubai felt like two worlds at once to me, one very modern and one very traditional.Fri, 20 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMTTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/luxuria-is-the-burj-al-arab/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/luxuria-is-the-burj-al-arab/You can't just walk into the Burj Al Arab. You need a time-slot reservation with a partial payment in advance, so book ahead. For me, it was worth it.Wed, 11 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMTLifestyleTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/nearly-12-hours-in-new-delhi/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/nearly-12-hours-in-new-delhi/Akshay and I had nearly 12 hours in New Delhi. We stayed at the Taj Diplomatic Palace and saw the Qutub Minar and the Red Fort in 41 degree heat.Tue, 21 May 2019 00:00:00 GMTTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/delsey-a-luxury-luggage-brand/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/delsey-a-luxury-luggage-brand/I took my Delsey Chatelet suitcase to Cappadocia. On the rocky ground at Sunrise Point, its Lock & Stop brake kept it standing still on a slope.Tue, 14 May 2019 00:00:00 GMTLifestyleTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/love-where-you-live/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/love-where-you-live/Akshay and I are first-time home buyers, and Daniels' Wesley Tower might be our home.Tue, 07 May 2019 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/glossybox-jan-edition/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/glossybox-jan-edition/My January Glossybox had five products, and my favourite was the Zéa Facial Wipes.Tue, 29 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMTBeautyLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/5-places-in-london-i-love/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/5-places-in-london-i-love/My five favourite places in London: Les Senteurs perfumery in Belgravia, the pink Peggy Porschen cafe, the London Eye, St. Pancras and The Landmark London.Sat, 05 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMTTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/glossybox-december-box/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/glossybox-december-box/My December 2018 Glossybox came with five full-sized products. My favourite was the Jafra Luxury Lip Liner in Victoria, a smooth, deep red.Thu, 27 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTBeautyLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/mushroom-lentil-shepherds-pie/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/mushroom-lentil-shepherds-pie/My meat-free shepherd's pie: green lentils, ground soy and vegetables in homemade mushroom broth, grilled cremini and brown butter mashed potatoes on top.Wed, 26 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/winter-quinoa-salad/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/winter-quinoa-salad/My Winter Quinoa Salad layers thinly sliced beets, quinoa tossed in basil olive oil and a feta and pomegranate salad.Fri, 14 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/rosemary-goat-cheese-tea-biscuits/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/rosemary-goat-cheese-tea-biscuits/My tea biscuits get their flavour from fresh rosemary, black pepper and goat cheese, which also helps the dough stick together.Mon, 10 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/mini-ginger-spice-cakes/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/mini-ginger-spice-cakes/My mini ginger spice cakes get their flavour from ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, molasses and coffee.Sun, 09 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/buche-de-noel-au-chocolat/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/buche-de-noel-au-chocolat/My Bûche de Noël au Chocolat: a light cocoa sponge rolled around chocolate whipped cream, covered in chocolate frosting and dusted with icing sugar.Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/christmas-markets/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/christmas-markets/The Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District is all fairy lights and Balsam Fir.Fri, 07 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/holiday-skin-care/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/holiday-skin-care/Holiday makeup and cold, dry air leave my skin tired, so I had a Classic Facial at Hand & Stone with nine Dermalogica products for dry to normal skin.Fri, 07 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/holiday-gift-guide-under-75/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/holiday-gift-guide-under-75/Five holiday gifts under $75 USD from Amazon's top sellers, including a Fjallraven Kanken Mini, a Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 and a tea advent calendar.Thu, 06 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/warmth-of-chai/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/warmth-of-chai/My masala chai: water simmered with peppercorns, cardamom, cloves and ginger, loose-leaf tea steeped for 2 to 4 minutes, then milk and sugar to taste.Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/rose-hot-cocoa/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/rose-hot-cocoa/My holiday twist on hot chocolate: hot cocoa made with 2% milk, topped with rose marshmallows toasted golden-brown with a blowtorch.Mon, 03 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/gooey-fudgy-brownies/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/gooey-fudgy-brownies/My gooey, fudgy brownies start with a ganache of melted salted butter poured over 70% dark chocolate, cocoa, instant coffee, vanilla and pink Himalayan salt.Sun, 02 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/holiday-sangrias/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/holiday-sangrias/My three favourite holiday sangrias, made with Vinho Verde, Pinot Grigio and sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Grigio. Chill each one for 3 to 5 hours.Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/how-to-grow/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/how-to-grow/In any moment you can step out of your comfort zone or step back into your safety net.Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/chunky-sweaters-embracing-change/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/chunky-sweaters-embracing-change/Every fall, the changing leaves remind me how beautiful change is. People have told me never to change, but change is how we grow.Fri, 26 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/dreams-sunflower-fields/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/dreams-sunflower-fields/For a whole year I wanted a photo in a sunflower field, and this summer I finally got it, at a 75-acre field in Hamilton, Ontario.Sat, 11 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestyleTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/fathers-day/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/fathers-day/Last-minute Father's Day gifts based on what your dad is like, from a #dadgoals mug and YSL cologne to a grilling book and fuzzy reading socks.Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/no-bake-cheese-cake/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/no-bake-cheese-cake/My no-bake cheesecake is made right in the glass: a graham cracker crust, a cream cheese filling with lemon zest and a layer of diced strawberries.Thu, 31 May 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/happy-mothers-day/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/happy-mothers-day/Last-minute Mother's Day gifts based on what your mum loves, from Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue to a #MOMLIFE mug with Tealish tea and a Mindful Journal.Sat, 12 May 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/the-ultimate-chai-latte/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/the-ultimate-chai-latte/The best café I found in Montreal is Tommy. Their chai latte comes topped with dried rose petals in a pink heart-shaped mug.Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestyleTravelhttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/valentines-gift-guide/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/valentines-gift-guide/This Valentine's Day, give your significant other the gift of being pampered. I've picked five gifts for him and five for her, and they're all under $100.Wed, 07 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/valentines-date-night-dilemma/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/valentines-date-night-dilemma/For Valentine's date night, I use my C³ formula: Chic, Comfy and Cute. Each look comes from pieces already hiding in your closet.Sat, 03 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMTLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/quinoa-salad-sharma-style/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/quinoa-salad-sharma-style/My quinoa salad, Sharma style: quinoa with dried cranberries, red onion, cucumber, peppers, dill and cilantro, lemon, red chili powder and goat cheese.Fri, 02 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMTCookbookLifestylehttps://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/get-to-know-me/https://therealjuhisharma.com/blog/get-to-know-me/A few things about me: I'm happily married, obsessed with sushi, and I love white, lipstick and peonies. Indian by birth, global citizen at heart.Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMTAbout meLifestyle