Nourish Your Wellness Routine: Meet 3 Holistic Nutritionists Behind Canada’s Fave Health Brands (Win!)

Discover how three inspiring Canadian women turned their passion for holistic nutrition into thriving wellness brands. Meredith Youngson of Lake & Oak Tea Co., Joy McCarthy of Hello Joyous and Angela Ysseldyk of Dutchman’s Gold share their journeys of creating organic superfoods, minimalist skincare, and raw honey. Plus, don’t miss your chance to enter our exclusive giveaway featuring three $200 prize packs with wellness goodies from each of these incredible brands. —Noa Nichol

Meredith Youngson, Lake & Oak

• Founder, Holistic Nutritionist, and Best-selling Author

VITA: What inspired you to start your brand, and how does it reflect your personal wellness philosophy?

Meredith Youngson: I started Lake & Oak in 2018. At the time, I was working at my dream job as a recipe developer, creating delicious meals for a meal kit company. I was experiencing really bad anxiety for the first time, and found it affected everything from my digestion to my sleep.

I felt inspired to take my mental health into my own hands, so I became obsessed with creating tools and rituals to help myself feel better. With my background in nutrition, food naturally became a large focus, and I familiarized myself with herbs and superfoods and their impact on the body and mind.

The teas that were on the market at the time were either functional or flavorful, and I thought we deserved something better.

The idea for Lake & Oak was born… organic, delicious teas made with real food ingredients designed to make you feel amazing. Every tea is formulated with a flavor-first perspective, but packed with amazing-for-you ingredients. I want you to enjoy every sip and do something great for your body and mind too.

VITA: What are some unique challenges you’ve faced in building a brand in the health and beauty industry, and how have you overcome them?

Meredith Youngson: Coming out in 2018, I was very naive to the fact that there is SO much competition in the tea market, and just because you think your product is special, doesn’t mean everyone else will automatically buy in. Grocery stores are maxed out on tea space and are looking for the next big thing. We managed to cut through the clutter over time by listening to our customers and constantly adapting and improving to zero in on what makes us different. By continuously focusing on quality and uniqueness, we’ve been able to become a high standard in our industry. It also took years to really find who our true customer is, and who they are not. That being said, we have a long way to go and many hurdles to overcome 🙂

VITA: How do you stay updated on wellness trends, and how do you decide which ones to incorporate into your product lineup?

Meredith Youngson: When it’s something you’re passionate about, it feels effortless to stay on top of trends. Do what is natural for your lifestyle, and you will thrive!

I actively take trips to different cities or countries to get inspiration outside of my bubble, and I learn from other industries as well (like cosmetic brands or restaurants) to get creative ideas.

Wellness trends come out weekly now, but I look for ones with history and staying power, like medicinal mushrooms (cordyceps in our Pumpkin Spice Chai), anti-inflammatory superfoods (turmeric and ginger in our Turmeric Ginger Tonic), or super potent superfoods (camu camu in our Gingeraid).

We’re not here to capture fads or quick sales. We want to create something that will actually help people for the long run.

VITA: Can you share one health or beauty tip you personally swear by and think everyone should try? What future innovations or products are you excited about bringing to your brand in the coming year?

Meredith Youngson: I start my day with our Purely Matcha for a smooth energy boost, electrolyte water, and a high-protein breakfast. A ritual I swear by as a busy new mom and business owner. And walking… so good for mental health!

We are looking forward to creating teas that do more for you. Like a chocolate tea to help with PMS that’s also a delicious treat, and a greens-packed tea that energizes you and is packed with chlorophyll. Those are some hints on our spring lineup 😉

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Angela Ysseldyk, Dutchman’s Gold
Co-Owner and Holistic Nutritionist

VITA: What inspired you to start your brand, and how does it reflect your personal wellness philosophy?

Angela Ysseldyk: I grew up on the Dutchman’s Gold honey farm, where we sold honey, granola, and beehive wellness tinctures right from our front porch in the early ’80s. This foundation gave me a deep appreciation for holistic living. Our family prioritized whole foods, avoiding refined sugar, and choosing whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Mornings always started with bee pollen in my granola. Wellness, to me, is a lifestyle rooted in physical, mental, and social well-being.

This upbringing inspired not only my path as a nutritionist but also drove me to pursue a business degree and work with top nutraceutical brands. I gained invaluable experience in the industry, but I always treated each role as if it were my own. So, when the opportunity to buy the family business came, it felt like the natural next step. I took the leap, trusting I’d figure it out along the way. Our brand reflects my personal wellness philosophy—wellness from the inside out, grounded in nature and authenticity.

VITA: What are some unique challenges you’ve faced in building a brand in the health and beauty industry, and how have you overcome them?

Angela Ysseldyk: Besides the typical challenges of running a business and securing resources, there are unique issues in the honey and beehive wellness industry. Honey fraud, for example, is a persistent problem where products are adulterated with syrups and falsely labeled as pure honey, damaging consumer trust and undercutting authentic producers like us (especially when dealing with imports). Navigating complex regulations around honey labeling and health claims also requires care, as different markets have different standards.

Our products are further impacted by environmental challenges—climate change, pesticide exposure, and habitat loss directly affect bee health, which, in turn, impacts yields of honey, bee pollen, and other hive products. As both a nutritionist and owner, I find educating consumers about the authenticity and benefits of bee products like honey, bee pollen, and propolis is crucial. There’s also a strong push toward sustainable, ethical practices, which is essential but costly. Success requires transparency, commitment to sustainability, and ongoing consumer education to build trust and stand out from competitors.

VITA: How do you stay updated on wellness trends, and how do you decide which ones to incorporate into your product lineup?

Angela Ysseldyk: There are many ways to stay on top of wellness trends, but as a small business without a dedicated research team, I make it part of my daily habits. My passion for the industry and curiosity about what’s next keep me engaged, and sometimes I even feel ahead of the curve. Of course, we don’t always get it right, but when we do, it’s so rewarding. A strong network is key—I rely on partnerships, social media insights, wellness podcasts, trend talks, and industry reports. And we love hearing from our customers! Analyzing sales and POS data shows us what’s resonating, what to innovate, and where it’s time to move on.

There’s also something timeless about honey and beehive wellness products. These natural offerings, like bee pollen, honey, and beeswax candles, were popular even in the ’80s, and now people seem to want to get back to basics. So, in many ways, we’re in the right place at the right time, providing exactly what people are looking for.

VITA: Can you share one health or beauty tip you personally swear by and think everyone should try? What future innovations or products are you excited about bringing to your brand in the coming year?

Angela Ysseldyk: One health tip I swear by is to move your body and laugh as much as possible. It helps keep your body in shape, mentally work through things, and helps keep you moving forward. Whether it’s walking, yoga, running, lifting weights, or dancing, staying active is key to moving through life. Don’t stop moving! Keeping a light-hearted perspective helps you stay buoyant and not get bogged down by life’s little challenges. I truly believe in the power of a good belly laugh! And don’t forget to eat honey every day!

Looking ahead, I’m excited about some innovations we’re bringing to our brand, including new and updated packaging for our bee pollen and refreshing our honey line. As a second-generation owner, I see it as our responsibility to build on what was established and make it even better. There’s so much work to be done in educating consumers about the benefits of beehive wellness products, and that drives me. We also plan to make our products more accessible with new sizes, ensuring everyone can enjoy the goodness of honey and bee products.

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Joy McCarthy, Hello Joyous
Founder, Holistic Nutritionist, and Best-selling Author

VITA: What inspired you to start your brand, and how does it reflect your personal wellness philosophy?

Joy McCarthy: I created Hello Joyous to offer luxurious beauty products that combine premium organic ingredients with true, family-safe purity—without sacrificing effectiveness or affordability, even in today’s beauty industry. As a holistic nutritionist with over 15 years of experience, living a low-tox lifestyle and empowering my community have always been at the heart of what I do. That’s why I’m dedicated to creating beautiful, safe, and earth-conscious products that everyone can enjoy. We’re here to bring a bit more joy to our customers’ everyday routines—knowing they’re using products that are good for them and the planet.

VITA: What are some unique challenges you’ve faced in building a brand in the health and beauty industry, and how have you overcome them?

Joy McCarthy: Competing in the “clean” beauty space has its challenges, especially as so many brands claim to be “clean” but aren’t truly transparent about what’s in their products. We set ourselves apart by focusing on minimalist formulations without unnecessary additives, using only high-quality, organic ingredients that deliver real results. We create products with zero synthetic chemicals, zero water, and 100% active ingredients that nourish the skin.

VITA: Can you share one health or beauty tip you personally swear by and think everyone should try? What future innovations or products are you excited about bringing to your brand in the coming year?

Joy McCarthy: A healthy skincare ritual that I swear by is using toner, as it helps rebalance the pH of the skin and acts as an additional layer of hydration. In 2025, we’re launching a cold-pressed hair and scalp serum that delivers nourishment to both the skin and hair.

Win! 1 of 3 Wellness Prize Packs!

Three lucky Canadian winners will each receive one of the following wellness prize packs from the brands mentioned above:

Lake & Oak:

• Vanilla Candy Cane
• Ashwagandha + Chill
• Vanilla Cookie Calm
• Gingerbread Cookie
• Cinnamon Roll Rooibos
• Purely Matcha
• Matcha Club Tote
• Bamboo Whisk
• Matcha Bowl
• Gold Goddess Tea Strainer 

Dutchman’s Gold:

• 1kg raw honey 
• 500g wildflower honey
• 330g Superfood Honey
• 250g Bee Pollen Bag 
• Propolis Gummies 
• Honey Mint Throat Spray
• Holiday 8 oz Mason Jar Beeswax Candle
• Christmas Tree Candle 
• Dutchman’s Gold Honey Comb 
• Holiday Spice Honey
• Hot Honey 

Hello Joyous:

• Ultimate Skincare Bundle
• Tea Rituals Bundle
• Ultra-Moisturizing Body Butter

To enter, head over to Instagram, follow @lakeandoaktea and @hellojoyous_ and @dutchmansgold and @vitadailymedia and make sure to fulfil all the entry rules in the caption of the corresponding contest post. Contest opens November 9, 2024 and closes November 16, 2024. Complete contest rules and regulations here. Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.