"Nothing Tastes as Good as Skinny Feels"

A girlfriend of mine had this posted as here Facebook status.  This is a direct quote from Kate Moss.  My honest first reaction was, wow that actually makes sense.  Nothing feels as good as stepping into a pair of your skinny jeans and closing the zipper, while absorbing the wonderful feeling of them fitting well with utter and the utmost comfort. 

This made me start to think more about what skinny is?  So I went to the dictionary and the definition shocked me;

          Very lean or thin; emaciated.

All I could envision was my daughter at 13, skin and bones! How awful!  But so much of our society is geared towards being skinny.  For example, there are skinny jeans, the skinny girls margarita, the skinny bitch, the skinny girl's diet, and even many websites dedicated to being skinny.

But wait!  Is this really what is important, fitting into those size 2 jeans.  Pretty much starving yourself to do so.  Is this the healthy body image we want to give our daughter's?  As I stared into my computer I started asking myself all these questions.  Our society seems to go to extremes.  Either you are obese or you are skinny.  There is no in between.  The reason being,  is that the media does not sell papers about the "in between".  Young girls and teens buy magazines because they want to look like the models inside.  They memorize the pages so they can recreate the same look.  As a society is there a way to get our girls away from that?

This image of being perfectly skinny will always surround us and our children.   As parents I think it is important to teach them how to be healthy, with proper nutrition and exercise.  Also we need to give our children confidence in who they are and who they will become.  Just take a look around today and notice how obsessed our society is with being "skinny".

Work that Butt!

This past weekend was very exciting for me.  It was the first time I became a published writer!  I have started doing some freelance writing for fitness and health websites.  My goal being Women's Health or Shape Magazine's.  After owning my own personal training studio in Miami I realized how much I enjoy helping woman, moms, moms-to-be, and, I have to include men, attain their fitness goals.  It is such a great feeling being part and helping someone accomplish their goals. Whether it be fitting into those skinny jeans, running  a mile , or being healthier from the inside to the outside, I enjoy being there each step of the way.  So I decided this weekend that I would gear some of my blogs towards health and fitness.
 
Yesterday at polo, I was chatting with some friends and the hot topic was our butts!  They wanted to know a routine they could do at home while their children were sleeping that would help tighten and shrink the behind.  So here is my favorite routine for at home!

Image by MyGymworkout.co.uk via Flickr
• For this routine all you need is a stability ball and a mat. 

• Warm up
• Lie on your back with your legs straight and your calf muscle on top of the stability ball. As shown to the right
• Lift your hips up towards the ceiling, squeezing your glutes as you raise the hips. Lower them back to starting position and repeat 25 times. 

• Second. 
• Lift your hips up to the ceiling as before
• Now keeping your hips up roll the ball in towards your body by bending the knees. Then roll the ball back out. It is important to keep your hips up through the whole movement and your arms by your sides. You will feel this in the back of your leg, calf, and abs. Repeat 15 times.
• Next, place your feet on the ball with your knees bent.  Squeeze your hips up to the ceiling and then drop back down. It is important to not let your hips touch the floor in between reps.  Repeat 15 times. 
• Turn over and do the plank for 30 secs.
• When finished with the plank repeat the whole set 2 more times. 

• Third.  
• Lie on your side on the mat. With your top foot flexed, do 25 leg raises. Make sure you lead with your heel and not your toe. You want your flexed foot to be completely parallel with the floor. You will feel this much more. 
• After you complete the side leg lifts. Keep your leg raised and circle it clockwise in small circles 20 times and then go counter clockwise 20 times. The movement will be small and make sure to keep the foot flexed. 
• Lastly on this side, lift both legs off the mat. 
• Move the top leg back and forth, (towards opposite walls) Keeping the foot flexed. Count back and forth as one time and complete 15 of them.
• Switch to the other side and complete the same routine. Do this twice on both sides. 

To finish:

• We are going to complete a stability ball wall squat. Place the ball against a bare wall. Stand with the stability ball in the lull (top of the hips) of your back.  Squat down, making sure to keep your hips back towards the wall as you squat down.  
• Go down until your thighs are parallel to the floor and then press up through the heels, so that you really activate the butt muscles. Repeat 15 times. 
• Now we are going to do a one legged squat with the stability ball behind our back. Move the leg you are standing on a little towards the center. Lift the opposite leg and perform the squat. Only go down as far as it feels comfortable. Repeat 12 times and then switch to the opposite leg. 
• Do this whole series three times. 

When you are finished with this routine make sure to stretch.  Please feel free to comment with any questions or concerns.  I recommend doing this series 2 to 3 times a week.  Remember cardio is very important as well for toning and weight loss.   Have fun tightening those buns!

Nantucket: Time for a End of the Summer Getaway!

Cover of Nantucket: Island Living

Maybe I say this every summer, but where did the summer go?  I cannot believe that it is August already and the kids will be back in school before you know it.  If any of you are feeling the way I am, then one more summer getaway is a must!!  So why not go away for Labor Day Weekend.  I promise it is not too late.  The kids will be back in school shortly after as well.  For some reason I woke up today in the mood to take a trip to Nantucket.  The best part about this island is that they do not have a bridge or a tunnel.  It is either by ferry or by plane.  But the trip to get there is worth every minute.

When I was growing up my mother and I use to spend a month in Nantucket every summer.  Sometimes we would rent a house but other times we would stay at a hotel.  I have such fond memories of walking into town to get ice cream or playing in the ocean for hours.  Nantucket always had a special smell I will never forget.  The fresh air, mixed with the salty water, and sweetness from flowers.  Maybe now that I have a daughter of my own I want to give her the experience that I had.

The hotels I recommend for your trip are The Veranda House and The White Elephant.  Both are by the harbor and walking distance to main street.  The great thing about this island is that it is not over populated and you can walk or bike to so many activities and sites.  I recommend going to Young's Bicycle Shop and renting bicycles for your stay.  It is a great way to get to the beaches and tour the island.  Nantucket is full of wonderful boutiques, antique shops, fantastic restaurants, and lovely art galleries.  Also, during the summer there are outdoor concerts and fairs for the kids.

So if you are itching like I am to get away then I suggest finishing your summer off with a bang!! Visit Nantucket and I promise you will never look back.

The Best PreNatal Vitamins!

Image by Ellery Chen via Flickr

It seems to be the season for having a baby!  All of my girlfriends are pregnant and I am so incredibly happy for them!  At playgroup the other day we discussed prenatal vitamins and what brand everyone was taking.
When I was pregnant I purchased a prenatal that was suppose to be reputable from Whole Foods.  After taking the dosage I would become so nauseous and tired.  So I decided to do some research and see what else was out there.  A colleague, at the time, recommend LifePak PreNatal.  Her daughter was taking them at the same time and their doctor had also recommended them highly.  That night I went home and did some research on them and was very impressed with what I found. Who would ever think that I would be impressed by vitamins?  Not really something I paid much attention too.  However, the nerd in me came out. All the human genetic classes and biology courses were actually paying off.
The science behind these vitamins allows the the whole dosage to actually be absorbed into your system.  Did you know that a very large percent of the vitamins you take do not get absorbed.  LifePak PreNatal uses a patented nanotechnology that allows the vitamins to find the right bondage site, which allows the nutrients to be fully absorbed.  It really is fascinating stuff!  So right then I ordered a box.  As soon as I started taking them the nausea went away and I felt much stronger and energetic.  My hair did not get brittle and my skin was amazingly clear.  The best part is that the baby benefits as well. Also, these vitamins come individually wrapped in the proper dosage so you can just grab one and go.
My three girlfriends just started them and love them as well.  So if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant I highly recommend the LifePak PreNatals!

Easy and Delicious Homemade Protein Bars!

After my mothers visit last week I was in need of some detox!  I always like to stay very aware of how my pants fit.  Personally, that seems to be a good gage for me and staying at a healthy weight. When they start to feel a little snug, I know it is time to clean up the diet.  In a couple days I am back feeling sexy and good in my pants! 
The main way that I clean up my diet is by only eating the foods I make. So about a year and a half ago I started making homemade protein bars. I would alter recipes I found in cookbooks or magazines to tastes that I enjoyed.  Sunday, I made a batch of protein bars from a new recipe I had been playing with. I think I finally got it! These protein bars are delightful and I even got my husbands approval! He is the one in the back round, sitting on the couch, while watching golf, and laughing as he hears a pot drop or me screaming. Needless to say I am not very poetic in the kitchen, but I get the job done.
So here is the recipe and I hope you all enjoy it. They are very easy to make and make sure to read all the way to end for some alternatives to make them custom to your taste!

Enjoy!

Protein-Packed Bars

• 3/4 cup soy flour
• 1/4 whole-grain flour
• 1 cup wheat bran(you can use oat bran if that is all you have)
• 1 cup vanilla protein powder (try to find egg white protein powder)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/3 cup ground  flaxseed  (optional)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (I use Better'n Peanut Butter, low fat & cals)
• 1/4 cup Sucanat (optional)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tbls vanilla
• 1/2 cup vanilla 0% fat greek yogurt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a small baking dish with parchment paper
2. In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients together
3. In a small bowl mix the peanut butter, egg whites, applesauce, vanilla, and yogurt together
4. Add the wet ingredents to the large bowl. Mix well. If mixture is to dry add another egg white well beaten.
5. Spread mixture in baking panuntil even. Bake until golden brown

Alternatives:
If you would like a little variety, feel free to add a handful of dark chocolate chips or dried fruit in the mixture. Make sure you wait until the end to add them in. Do not mix them in, instead gently fold them into the batter.

A New Spin on Hostess Gift Ideas!

Image by ZenOptic via Flickr

Tonight I am attending a cocktail party with my husband.  Usually, I bring a nice bottle of wine or sometimes an orchid, but I am in the mood to do something a little different. When I host, I never complain when a guest brings wine, but sometimes it is nice to receive something a little out of the ordinary and thoughtful.  This made me start to think of what other types of gifts are out there.

I started looking around in local shops and online to get some ideas.  Pottery Barn had some great bottle stoppers. The one that says "stop" is great. If you keep scrolling down they have martini shakers with glasses. This made me think, why not purchase a bottle of liquor, as well as the shaker, and then hand write a drink recipe for the host to try.  I think handwriting the recipe, on a nice piece of stationary, gives the gift a more personal feel. Or you could monogram the shaker and the glasses with their initials.
Thinking of monogramming, I found this wonderful website that has a plethora of monogrammed gifts! If the host is an organized person, you could monogram a bulletin board, or if they host often, they have serving trays and much more. Really is a cute site.
Now, for the hostess's that are Eco Friendly you could give personalized reusable shopping bags.  Flip and Tumble have some wonderful stuff! They even have produce bags! How fun.  I just ordered the bags with the birdie for myself!  Lastly, if the host/hostess is into stationary, a personalized stamp would be a fantastic idea!

These are a couple of non traditional ideas.  Just remember to not stress about it. Soaps, candles, and dishtowels are always wonderful as well.  Also, cookbooks or a Table-Top books are great ideas.  Keep in mind, you do not need to wrap it. A simple bow will do fine. 
Hope this helps and have fun at all your parties!

Some Unknown Facts about Coconut Water

For those of you who do not know me, I love being healthy. Okay, in total honesty, I am a huge health nut! To me, being "healthy" is finding a balance between staying fit, having a balanced diet, and finding things or hobbies that are enjoyable and make you happy. For me, I enjoy high intensity workouts and supplement them with sports, like tennis and golf. Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong. You have to find what works for you. Or what makes you want to go back for more!  I also love researching new trends, surveying the shelves at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, and testing recipes for new ways to create a great tasting but nutritious masterpiece of a meal.
Over the past year I have added coconut water into my daily routine. I have seen a huge difference in my complexsion, energy, and getting rid of that craving for sweets. I really think that the stuff is amazing. A lot of people complain about the taste, but I actually look forward to it now. If I have an urge to open the fridge and snack, I just take a sip of the coconut water, shut the door, and then I can walk away without needing anything. It really is amazing stuff.

My usual brand of choice is Zico.  It would come in a non-plastic container and the only ingredient listed was "pure brazilian coconuts". So simple and yet so many health benefits.  I would pick it up at my local grocery store, which was very convientent.
About a month ago,  I was grocery shopping like usual, and I went down the health food isle to grab my Zico coconut water, and to my surprise it had been replaced! The brand name was the same, but now it was in a plastic container, and the ingredients said "coconut water and plant extract". The calorie content was higher as well as the sugar. I stood in the isle for a moment in bewilderment. What was this plant extract? What were they adding to my coconut water? Why is the container plastic? I needed answers before I was about to put this new beverage in my body.
As soon as I got home from the store, I ran to my computer and looked up contact information for Zico.  After searching for thirty-five minutes, I found an email for customer assistance.  So that night,  I wrote an email asking to please let me know if the plastic was safe, where this new product was coming from, and what was in this, so-called, plant extract.
I checked my email for a response daily and after one week there was still nothing. I was starting to go through withdrawal from my coconut water. So I decided to take a drive to Whole Foods and see what other brands it offered and if maybe it had my original Zico that I loved.
It was not their! It had been replaced with the new version, by Zico, as well. Whole Foods did have a variety of different brands of coconut water. However, I learned my lesson, that you must be careful and read all the ingredients. So many of these brands are trying to pose as "pure coconut water". Instead, they are mixed with other fruits, high in sugar and carbohydrates, and pretty much a non nutritious fruit drink. Naked, seemed to be the only brand I could find that was 100% Brazilian Coconut water. So, I bought enough to get me through the week. I was not going to go through another coconut water  drought!
When I got home from the store, I checked my email again, but this time I had a response. Everything around me disappeared as I became completely engaged in Zico's reply. They assured me that the plastic was BPA free and they used high quality plastics to make the bottle. However, the most interesting part was about the plant extract.  They could not tell me what was in the extract because that would be giving away their secret. What they could tell me was that the coconuts where now coming from Asia, as well as the extract. They could not disclose what countries in Asia.

I am sorry  but this is a huge red flag. Could this extract be coming from the same country that had all the problems with infant formula?  Personally, I do not trust China and many of the other countries,in Asia,  that use cheap labor and poor ingredients. I was totally appalled and wanted to share this with others. Taking pride in what you put into your body is very important.  Many of these companies deceive consumers that are busy with life and have trust that the companies are following through with their claims.

Needless to say, I have switched to Naked Coconut Water!

Here are the reasons why I drink it:

Coconut water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties that have been known to help

1. Keep the body cool and at the proper temperature.
2. Orally re-hydrate your body, it is an all natural isotonic beverage.
3. Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells.
4. Naturally replenish your body's fluids after exercising.
5. Raise your metabolism.
6. Promote weight loss.
7. Boost your immune system.
8. Detoxify and fight viruses.
9. Cleanse your digestive tract.
10. Control diabetes.
11. Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes, and AIDS.
12. Balance your PH and reduce risk of cancer.
13. Treat kidney and urethral stones.
14. Boost poor circulation.