The dirty dozen and clean fifteen lists are a great way to ease into buying organic produce. These lists reveal the most pesticide-laden produce items as well as the 15 produce items with the least amount of pesticides. The lists guide you in what products you'll want to buy organic and what products you can opt not to if you are tight on money or lack selection in your local grocery store.
Read moreRecipe of the Week - Mustard-Herb Crusted Chicken Breast
I struggle to find recipes that are (1) healthy, (2) fairly easy to make, and (3) kid-friendly. This recipe meets all three criteria! I'm a huge fan of Skinnytaste's recipes, and this recipe is another winner. My son loved his chicken "tenders," which is not something he often says about dinners that I prepare.
Read moreHip/Knee-Friendly Workout
Many of my clients need workouts that are hip and knee-friendly. I am a firm believer that chronic injuries don't have to derail us from working out. As long as you find ways to exercise without causing harm to the injured or sensitive area, you can find a way to be active. This workout was created to cater to individuals with sensitive knees and hips.
Read moreRecipe of the Week - Whole Wheat Banana Coconut Vegan Muffins
I'm a huge fan of the baked goods on Two Peas & Their Pod's site. Everything I've baked from the site has been amazing. These muffins are no exception - they are so, so good. The muffins are easy to prepare, and they will be gone before you know it!
Read moreWhat Happens to My Body if I Stop Working Out?
Getting yourself motivated to workout can be a challenge for both a seasoned exerciser and a beginner. It's so tempting to hit snooze on the alarm clock or skip your workout for some TV time. So, what happens to our bodies if we stop for a week, month or several months?
Read moreRecipe of the Week - Homemade Granola Bars
These bars might not have less calories compared to store-bought granola bars, but they are made from ingredients you can actually pronounce. Added bonus: they are DELICIOUS. I love making these bars for my family and friends. The bars are rich in flavor, and they fill you up! They take about 10 minutes to pull together and another 30-60 minutes to set up in the refrigerator.
Read moreThe 22 Workout
Last year, a client of mine was participating in the #22PushUpChallenge. After being challenged by her to do 22 push-ups, I created a workout to incorporate 22 repetitions of several exercises for all of my clients.
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Recipe of the Week - 140 Calorie Cheesy Sausage Quiche
This crustless cheesy sausage quiche from Sally's Baking Addiction is one of my favorite meals to make for dinner. It's so good that you don't even miss the crust. It doesn't take long to pull all of the ingredients together, and leftovers heat up really well.
Read moreToned Arms Workout - No Weights Needed!
Bingo wings, bat wings, lunch lady arms - these are some of the colorful terms I hear my clients use to talk about their upper arms. Ab workouts and arm workouts are what my clients request the most. The tricky thing about arm workouts is that you can't just do a few sets of arm exercises and immediately have Michelle Obama arms. You also have to throw in some cardio if you have any fat on your arms. You can build muscle, but if you have excess fat on your arms, it's going to be harder to see the muscle. (Also, what you eat can affect this, too. Make healthy choices! )
Read moreRecipe of the Week - Naked Greek Feta-Zucchini Turkey Burgers
Skinnytaste's Naked Greek Feta-Zucchini Turkey Burgers recipe is one of my favorites! I love how fresh these burgers taste, and they are quick and easy to pull together.
Read moreWhy Are My Muscles Crazy Sore Two Days After a Workout?
Have you ever felt like your post-workout soreness was worse two days after your workout? You know the soreness I'm talking about - when it's hard to sit on the toilet or you feel every muscle in your abs when you laugh. If you are experiencing more intense soreness on day two following a workout, you are likely experiencing Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
Read moreRecipe of the Week - Cooking Light Sausage, Shrimp & Quinoa Skillet
What you fuel your body with is as important if not more important than exercise. Last year, I started a habit of trying one new recipe a week. It's been a great way to break out of my rut and try new, healthy foods. I'm going to try to share one new recipe that I've tried each week! (These fabulous recipes were created by other amazing chefs - not me!)
Read moreSweating it Out - Cardio Workout You Can Do Anywhere!
I usually don't mind doing cardio workouts, but on days when my body is tired, I have to work really hard to muster up the enthusiasm to do the workout. Today was one of those days; I was feeling lethargic. I'm not going to lie - this workout was a challenge for me, but after I was done, I actually had MORE energy. It was worth the effort.
Read moreCalculating Your Target Heart Rate
It's important to know your target heart rate, so you can ensure that you are exercising effectively and safely. Your target heart rate zone will help you determine if your intensity is where it should be to reach your goals.
At Home Beginner Weight Lifting Routine
This strength training workout is designed for beginners or for individuals who need a low impact workout because of knee or hip injuries. All of the moves are bodyweight moves, so you can do this strength training workout at home, the gym or even your hotel room.
Read more10-Minute Full Body Workout
If you are short on time, this is a quick, full-body workout that combines both cardio and strength training moves.
Read more12 Days of Christmas Bodyweight Workout
This is a fun, easy-to-follow workout that will work your entire body. All you need is your own bodyweight and about 30-40 minutes. Happy Holidays!
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 12
12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 12 - get moving! Sometime during the week or weekend, set a goal of "moving" for 30 minutes. It could be walking, jogging, swimming, raking leaves or doing a workout video. If it's too cold outside, find alocal mall or big box store where you can walk the perimeter. I like to go right when the store opens, so I can avoid the throngs of people. I also like to throw in some intervals - pick up the pace for 30 seconds and then recover for 30 seconds at least five times during the walk.
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 11
12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 11 - REST. Sleep is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself. Try to go to bed 30 min. earlier than normal!
Read more12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 10
12 Days of Health & Fitness Day 10: Lunge it, Lunge it, Lunge it! Find a track nearby (or an indoor gym) and prepare to do some lunges. Advanced option - Lunge around the entire circle of the track! Intermediate - Lunge 50-100 yards (about 50 lunges each leg); Beginner - 25 lunges each leg. Modification for individuals who don't lunge: sit on the ground and raise one leg up. Swing that leg to the side and back to the starting position. That's one rep. Complete 25 reps per leg.
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