You Are Your Own Gym: The Bible of Bodyweight Exercises for Men and Women.

Strength and resistance training, by far, are the best ways of getting into shape, boosting metabolism, and increasing muscle mass and bone density. Moreover, strength training is key to sustained weight loss. You Are Your Own Gym, demonstrates that the gym, however, isn’t a must to see these benefits. Instead, the book advocates that you use your own body to get the workout.

The Concept: It is a simple, 10 week program, which requires that you workout 30 minutes, 4 days a week. The exercises only require you and your body. You don’t need equipment, dumbells, barbells, etc. Just you.

The Authors: Mark Lauren is a certified Military Physical Training Specialist, Special Operations Combat Controller, triathlete, and competitive Thai boxer. He has effectively prepared almost a thousand trainees for the extreme demands of the most elite levels of the Special Operations community. His career started as one of twelve to graduate the Pararescue & Combat Control Indoctrination Course, in a class that 94 trainees started. His active duty and civilian employment has taken him all around the world to teach, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Joshua Clark is the author of Heart Like Water: Surviving Katrina and Life in its Disaster Zone, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle award. He has contributed to several anthologies, including The Best American Nonrequired Reading, The Best Of Lonely Planet Travel Writing (a collection of the greatest travel stories published over the last 10 years), State by State (in which he represented Louisiana), and New Orleans: What Can’t Be Lost.

The Workout: The exercises are a mix of traditional military style exercises, Yoga and plyometrics.

The Benefits of this System:

1. Saves Time, Space and Money: There is no need for expensive memberships or equipment. It doesn’t require any extra space. And it doesn’t take more than a half hour or so to complete this workout.
2. You Can Do it Anywhere: Because you are using your own body as equipment, you can take the workout anywhere you go.
3. It’s Safer: Since you use motions and movements that are natural for the body, you are less likely to injure yourself.
4. No Plateaus: There is a lot of variety which will continue to keep your body challenged.
5. Better Muscle Building and Toning than Weightlifting: Unlike weight training, you engage more muscles with these exercises, meaning you build more muscle.
6. Burns More Fat: This workout has a great impact on your metabolism.

Are you ready to Be Your Own Gym?

With all the buzz surrounding the benefits of the omega 3 fatty acids, it’s not surprising to find omega 3 fortified foods and beverages popping up on supermarket shelves, in baby formulas, cereals breads and even yogurt! With regard to supplementation, how does one decode a good fish oil supplement from a neutral one or even worse, one contaminated with PCBs? Look no further–Nordic Naturals (www.nordicnaturals.com) is an excellent choice, and here’s why:

Many supplement companies offer a basic fish oil supplement, almost as a one size fits all. Nordic Naturals is vastly different in its approach and has individualized its line to offer products for kids, teens and adults. For example, there are naturally flavored strawberry, chewable capsules for kids that are very small and easy to consume. There are also liquids, as well synergistic blends for joint health, blood sugar, longevity, etc.

Cost: Nordic Naturals’ website offers discounts and free shipping. You can also find deep discounts for Nordic Naturals’ line of products online anytime on Amazon, and it is generally less expensive than purchasing from local retail health food stores.

Recently, I came across the TRX Suspension Training System. Hard to believe, but you can do 100s of exercises using nothing more than a single anchor point and suspension straps.  Here are the details:

What it is: Suspension Training^® is a revolutionary method of leveraged bodyweight exercise. Designed by Navy Seal and founder of Fitness Anywhere, the easy-to-carry-anywhere, portable TRX^® Suspension Trainer allows you to safely perform hundreds of exercises that build power, strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, and prevent injuries, all at the intensity you choose. Apparently, this system is utilized by military, which implies that even the toughest, most in-shape individuals get a good workout from TRX.

Benefits:

• Lightweight: The TRX^® weighs less than 2 pounds making it especially easy to pack
• Packability: There are no rigid pieces that make it difficult to squeeze or throw into your suitcase.
• Setup: To set TRX up requires no more than a few minutes and a strong anchor point situated overhead (higher than your head-height).
• Workout Versatility: The TRX is a total-body conditioning system, which allows you to workout all muscle groups. It can also be modified for all different user levels.

Drawbacks: You may have a difficult time finding a strong enough anchor point that will also work in a hotel room. Although some exercises can be done to get your heart rate up to a cardio level, the system is not meant for long stretches of cardio.

What it Comes with:

To Purchase, visit the Sheer Balance Shop: Purchase TRX Suspension Training System

Note: TRX Door Anchor sold separately…Purchase here.

Do you travel? How do you stay in shape on the road?

Stop Dieting and Lose Weight for Good! Eat healthy and Drop Excess Weight with #1 Bestseller "GET REAL" and STOP Dieting! - the most simple, straightforward, no-nonsense plan that reveals how to eat healthy today, tomorrow and always...without dieting! BUY IT NOW!

In my quest for the world’s best steel cut oatmeal, I have done the grunt work and played investigator in the grocery store. I’ve tried the name brands, the generics and the newbies. The winner? Coach’s Oats (www.coachsoats.com). I suggest ordering in bulk to minimize shipping, environmental impact and cost and integrate this delicious breakfast into your daily routine.

1. Taste: Unlike standard dry oats, in which the serving size is 1/2 cup oats to 1 cup water, Coach’s Oats suggests 1/3 cup dry oats to 1 cup water. This results in a thick, filling meal. You can certainly use more water for a thinner texture. You’ll immediately notice that Coach’s Oats have a slightly nuttier taste than classic oats (due in part to the higher fiber content).
2. Convenience: I’ve had clients initially shy away from buying steel cut oats, under the assumption that they require overnight cooking and settling. They’ve opted instead for pre-cooked steel cut oats or worse, those overly processed instant oatmeal varieties…you know, the kind with a packet of “fruit spread” or powdered peach “cream” or some other junk food concoction masquerading as health food. Coach’s Oats are great…they cook in just 5 minutes. Literally, you can wash your face and brush your teeth while the oats are cooking and voila…they’re done and you’re ready to go, with a portable breakfast.
3. Versatility: The nice thing about Coach’s Oats is its simplicity. While full flavored, however, it is safe to say that all oatmeal is certainly on the bland side in terms of flavor. Boost the nutrition factor and jazz-up the taste with some creative additions:
   • 1/2 Tbsp ground Saigon cinnamon, 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract & sweetener of choice
   • 1/4 cup raw almonds
   • 1 Tbsp coconut oil or 1/4 cup ground, unsweetened coconut, plus berries
   • flaxseed meal, walnuts and sliced peaches
   • tart cherries & pecans
   • 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter & 1/2 serving of chocolate whey protein powder
   • sunflower seeds and raisins or figs
   • ground Saigon cinnamon, dash of cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract, sweetener of choice & 1 cup unsweetened vanilla or chocolate flavored almond milk (instead of water)
4. Cost: Coach’s Oats are one of the least expensive health foods you can find, and a much better bargain than both cold cereal and pre-packaged cooked oatmeal and instant varieties. Costco sells a large bag (51 servings) for $5.29 and you can purchase them online (2 large bags [34 servings per bag] for $8.50). Basically, 7 weeks of breakfast for $8.50! Makes the dollar menu and value meals less “valuable,” don’t you agree?!

Try Coach’s Oats for yourself and share your favorite way to enjoy this hearty, healthy breakfast staple!

I always prefer to practice yoga once my muscles are warmed up and raring to go, vs. risking any kind of an injury (or added INflexibility) from tight hamstrings. I prefaced the DVD with a quick 20 min jog/run and then began with Ingber’s “55 Minute Loaded Challenge.”  The workout began with sun salutation and evolved into a wonderful array of typical yoga poses interspersed with toning exercises using one’s own body weight (read: lunges, plie squats, push ups).

The scenery was serene and picturesque…understated simplicity and elegance, with Mandy on her mat with the sky and ocean as an almost watercolor backdrop. How could you help but feel at peace? Now anyone who has tried a number of workout DVDs knows that 55 minutes can be either painstakingly LONG or incredibly fast-moving, depending on the interest of the participant and the enthusiasm, cueing and fluidity of the instructor. Mandy is a wonderful combination of someone with insight into yoga and she asks you to trust your own body, power and strength. She keeps the workout fun and engaging, not just for your muscles (which are most certainly activated) but also for your mind. She encourages you to push slightly past your comfort zone and to aim for your personal best, NOT for some pedestal of perfection.

After completing the DVD, I felt fantastic…the way you should feel after a good workout: renewed, with a sense of accomplishment, ready to greet the day ahead and at peace, in body, mind and spirit.

Buy Mandy Ingber’s Yogalosophy Workout DVD on Amazon

Solemate: Master the Art of Aloneness and Transform Your Life

I have to be completely honest, I’m biased in writing this review.  Lauren Mackler was my career coach and instrumental in inspiring me to start Sheer Balance.  So when it came to reviewing her book, I was sold even before I had my very own signed copy in hand. Although I never hired Lauren as a life coach, Lauren’s methodologies and approach as a career coach were sound, practical and results oriented. After reading Solemate, I can honestly attest that the same holds true for her approach to life coaching.

While many of Lauren’s contemporaries and colleagues fall into the “Law of Attraction” arena, which for some of us seems way to ambiguous, dreamy and borderline “hoo-haey,” Lauren’s approach to finding happiness is packaged neatly into a step-by-step process that is commonsensical, relevant and real.  She has created a road-map that has real destinations with real purpose. In short, it is easy to understand why her process works and why anyone, no matter their life experiences, can adopt her philosophy and her teachings. Solemate is the perfect book for anyone at any age…single or not…looking to find more happiness, purpose and overall mental well-being.

After delivering 12-week intensive workshops called Mastering the Art of Aloneness, Lauren had a strong passion for extending her reach and thus, Solemate was born.  Lauren takes the reader through a process of reclaiming one’s wholeness within themselves, rather than looking externally to feel a sense of completeness and well-being. She helps the reader discover who they really are, deep down, by uncovering the various layers of life conditioning. She then helps us to liberate our true selves to live the life we want. Here are some of my favorite pieces that she discusses:

1. Family Systems: Lauren helps us examine our family and its influence on our development, our ability to be whole, our perceptions and how all of this may or may not have limited our ability to seek a natural, healthy balance.
2. Fear: The limitations we put on ourselves as a result of fear…whether the fear is of failure, of being alone, you name it…can have a detrimental impact on our ability to find happiness and success.  Lauren provides us with five steps to managing fear so that we can move beyond it into a better place.
3. Deliberate vs. Default Living: I like to akin this to active vs. auto-pilot.  We often go through life…going through the motions.  Lauren helps us get past the day-to-day default and move into a more active, deliberate, seize the day type of mindset.
4. Wholeness: We often seek the company of others to “complete” ourselves.  But, in reality, we never can fully complete ourselves through someone else.  Lauren teaches us how to reclaim our own wholeness so that we can live more completely, without relying or depending on others to make us so.

Whether you are married, single, divorced, widowed or looking for love, Lauren Mackler’s Solemate will provide you with a new, healthy-minded approach to create the life you desire.  She helps us to get passed the idea that “aloneness” is being “alone” and instead gives us the tools and a “road-map” for gaining mastery of our own lives.

Purchase Solemate: Master the Art of Aloneness and Transform Your Life Now!

How it Works: The Magic Bullet comes with a power base, short and tall Bullet cups and two blades – a cross blade and a flat blade.  To use the Bullet, you put the contents into a Bullet cup, twist on the appropriate blade and insert the cup/blade combination blade-side down into the base.  To blend ingredients into a smooth texture, you press down on the cup, twist and lock the cup into place.  To pulse or chop, you press down on the cup without it locking.

1. Convenience: The Magic Bullet is quick and easy to use.  My smoothies and shakes take no more than 2 minutes.  Further, you blend your shake in the cup you drink out of, requiring no messy transfers from blender to drinking glass. The cups are both microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe.  One drawback, however, is that if you are interested in making more than one or two servings, it isn’t a good way to go.  The blending cups make about 16 to 20 liquid ounces.
2. Size and Storage: The power base is four inches wide and six-and-a-half inches tall.  It stores easily in any kitchen cabinet or if you use it often enough, takes up less space on your counter than a coffee pot.  I store the cups and blades in the same cabinet as my glassware.
3. Versatility: The Magic Bullet does not come with different speeds. Additionally, there are no on/off switches. All you do is press down on the cup to make the Bullet work.  It has two blades: The cross-blade, which is meant for chopping, grating and blending, and the flat blade, which is meant for grinding harder foods.  In order to coarsely “chop” foods, you have to practice the pulse feature.  I think the Bullet is best for recipes that require completely blending ingredients or for finely chopping.  The Magic Bullet is especially great for dips, iced-beverages, shakes, sauces, mousse, smoothies and spreads.
4. Cost: The best part of the Magic Bullet is that it is extremely economical.  On Amazon, you can purchase the Magic Bullet 17-Piece Express Mixing Set for less than $40.

I highly recommend the Magic Bullet for its ease of use, size, speed and quality blending.  If you are like me and enjoy protein shakes and blended drinks…or if you like to entertain and are constantly making dips, sauces and spreads, Magic Bullet will be a great addition to your kitchen gadgets!

Stop Dieting and Lose Weight for Good! Eat healthy and Drop Excess Weight with #1 Bestseller "GET REAL" and STOP Dieting! - the most simple, straightforward, no-nonsense plan that reveals how to eat healthy today, tomorrow and always...without dieting! BUY IT NOW!

Moji recently sent me their Moji Knee product* – an icing and compression product in one – to try.  Desperate to find a new and convenient way to ice my knee, I was happy to give the product a trial run.

What it is: Moji is a two-piece product which incorporates a Moji Compression Wrap and Moji Cold Cell.  The Compression Wrap acts like a soft fabric knee brace that  holds the Cold Cell in place so that you can effectively ice your knee without necessarily needing to sit still for the full 20 minutes.  The Cold Cell can remain in the freezer until you’re ready to use it, and remains cold for the typical recommended 20-minute icing protocol.

Here’s my take on the product:

1. Convenience: Moji is extremely convenient.  The Cold Cell goes into the freezer and is ready whenever you are.  You can also take the Cold Cell with you in a cooler for on-the-go icing.  Further, the Compression Wrap eliminates the need for towels, plastic bags or something to hold the Cold Cell into place.
2. Comfort: With the my approach, I’d find that the icepack wouldn’t conform to my knee or that certain parts of the knee would get TOO much exposure, while others didn’t get enough.  The whole process was awkward and cumbersome.  Moji, however, wraps around your knee and is designed to work with the shape of your knee so that you have the ability to move freely, yet cover all the whole knee properly. The Compression Wrap is made with Polartec fabric which allows you to compress the knee WHILE icing, and allows you to adjust the amount of pressure so that it is comfortable.  Further, Moji Knee comes in three different sizes, ensuring that you get a proper fit.
3. Messiness: Moji is completely contained, meaning no leaks or condensation on the couch or cat.  You also don’t have to make ice.
4. Effectiveness: Because of Moji’s two piece system, the Cold Cell is held in place for more effective and targeted icing.  Further, the Compression Wrap makes it easy to effectively put the right amount of pressure on the area, making the whole process more effective.

In short, if you tend to have knee pain and are tired of the old fashioned ice-in-a-bag or other methods that are less than optimal, I highly recommend you give Moji a try.  You can purchase Moji Knee on Amazon.

Stop Dieting and Lose Weight for Good! Eat healthy and Drop Excess Weight with #1 Bestseller "GET REAL" and STOP Dieting! - the most simple, straightforward, no-nonsense plan that reveals how to eat healthy today, tomorrow and always...without dieting! BUY IT NOW!

* Moji Knee was provided to Sheer Balance for review purposes.

Today, the idea of a Fruit Roll-up isn’t nearly as appetizing.  First, I’d much rather eat a whole piece of fruit to get the fiber and nutrients.  And second, Fruit Roll-Ups, contrary to popular belief, are not all that healthy.  Recently, I was sent a snack by the Stretch Island Fruit Company.  They sent their line of Fruit Strips which look similar to fruit roll-ups.  Of course, I immediately looked at the ingredient list and Nutrition Facts.  I rarely will try a food unless I think they are made with quality ingredients.  I liked what I saw, so I ripped open the Summer Strawberry flavored strip.  I loved it.

If you are currently buying Fruit Roll-Ups for your kids, I highly suggest that you switch immediately.  Here’s a comparison:

Using this chart, it is pretty easy to see that there is no contest when it comes to which product is better for you or your kid.  Now granted, I did not try to play with my Stretch Island strip, but I think the benefits outweigh the fun.  Stretch Island snacks taste a heck of a lot more like fruit than the traditional Roll-up.  And, Fruit Roll-Ups contain added sugars, refined and processed oils, preservatives and dyes, while Stretch Island Fruit Strips don’t.  If you are interested in purchasing Stretch Island Fruit Company products, you can easily find them here on Amazon.

Have you tried these?  What did you think?

So when I sat down to read her new book: Shovel It: Kick-Ass Advice to Turn Life’s Crap into the Peace and Happiness You Deserve, I had no doubt I’d be entertained.  As you might expect from reading the title of her book, Debbie gets right to the point.  And, when you don’t want to read through a lot of crap (pardon the pun) or fluff to get to the point, it is greatly appreciated.

Shovel It! is refreshingly honest and fun to read. Throughout the book, Debbie Robins harnesses life lessons from those we know from the media, film and entertainment industry.  Deepak Chopra, Sandra Bernhard, Julia Ormond, Rosanna Arquette and others share how to retrieve one’s balance, peace, and happiness when the “crap” hits the fan.   Debbie entertains us with seven “Crap-Shoveling” techniques to help us gain more control over our lives and turn life’s challenges into the peace and happiness each of us deserves.

My favorite technique she offers responds to the never-ending affirmation quest. The chapter entitled “One More Affirmation and I’ll Kill Myself” starts off with Debbie’s humorous look at her three favorites:   “I am one with the universe,” “I am seeing the perfection in all things,” and “I am open to receive the abundance.” She then offers up a technique to create REAL positivity in one’s life without repetitive and mindless chanting of affirmation after affirmation.  Instead, her wisdom is something we can really use…something that really works and can drive positive change.

If you are looking for some no-nonsense advice that will keep you laughing along the way, this is the book for you.  Each technique makes practical sense, is legitimately helpful and is short and sweet.  When you are looking for a little wake-up call, Shovel It! does the job.

BUY Shovel It! Now!

Stop Dieting and Lose Weight for Good! Eat healthy and Drop Excess Weight with #1 Bestseller "GET REAL" and STOP Dieting! - the most simple, straightforward, no-nonsense plan that reveals how to eat healthy today, tomorrow and always...without dieting! BUY IT NOW!

So, what do you put with your guacamole and salsa?  How do you get the flavor and taste, and not forgo the nutrition?   Food Should Taste Good may have found the answer:  Offering a variety of chip flavors, they are a company that seems to have mastered the concept that food tasting good should ALSO be good for you.  Their varieties are healthier versions of the standard classics, including potato and chive, lime, jalapeno, sweet potato and, believe it or not, chocolate.  These chips are wholesome, made with ingredients that even Grandma would recognize.  And, when it comes to fiber, they pack a decent punch per serving (2 – 4 grams).  Taste wise, these snacks are absolutely delicious and give you a much more robust flavor and feeling of satiation than your standard Lays.

My absolute favorite flavor is their Multigrain Tortilla Chips.  It contains heart-healthy flax, sunflower and sesame seeds, as well as oat fiber, brown rice and Quinoa (Personally, I’d like to rename it the “Super Chip”).  Don’t let these ingredients fool you…the healthy quotient doesn’t detract from their yumminess…if anything, it completely enhances it!

Buy Food Should Taste Good products on Amazon.

Stop Dieting and Lose Weight for Good! Eat healthy and Drop Excess Weight with #1 Bestseller "GET REAL" and STOP Dieting! - the most simple, straightforward, no-nonsense plan that reveals how to eat healthy today, tomorrow and always...without dieting! BUY IT NOW!

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto

In Defense of Food)

Let me preface this review with the fact that I am wholeheartedly a meat lover.  I am never going to be a vegetarian, a vegan or any other type of food eater that abstains from it.  Yet, at the same time, I’ve always pretended to not know where my meat comes from.  Why?  I ALSO am an animal lover.  Hence, my denial.  After reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, however, I have become acutely aware that where my meat comes from is more important than I ever wanted to admit.

The Omnivore’s Dilemma isn’t so much a nutrition book as an investigation into our food supply: where it comes from, what it really is and why we need to be so darn aware of it all.   Half-way through the first chapter of the book, I found myself underlining passages, jotting notes and ear-marking pages…all with the hope of providing my readers with some “cliff-notes” of the thought provoking information shared. Before I knew it, I had almost every page underlined or folded over.  You could say there is a LOT of fascinating information.

Admittedly, the book is a long read (400 pages), but if you can get through the first part (the book is 3 parts), you’ll be too curious not to finish.

Pollan’s book is centered around three journeys to create a meal: the industrial way, the organic way and the hunter-gatherer way.

1. The Industrial Way: In short, this part of the book demonstrates how our food supply has become predominantly corn.  Yes, corn.  When we eat packaged foods…we are eating corn.   When we eat fast foods…we are eating corn.   And, maybe most surprisingly, when we eat beef…we are indeed…eating corn.  Although most familiar to us, this way of producing food is by far the most eye-opening and disturbing.  Pollan follows a bushel of corn from a a field in Iowa to its “ultimate destination in a fast-food meal.”  This is where we learn that the majority of beef we eat, is in actuality, corn.  And, at the end of the chapter, we learn that a simple meal at McDonald’s is once again, corn.  So much so, that “78% of a milkshake, 56% of a chicken nugget, 52% of a cheeseburger and 23% of french fries” is corn.
2. The Organic Way: In the second part of the book, Pollan takes us on two organic journeys:  First, the Whole Foods way and the second, a “beyond organic” way.   In this part of the book, you learn that the industrial/commercialization revolution of the food industry has caused us to take a step backwards in how we feed ourselves.  It will make you think long and hard about what organic really means and how the USDA has evolved the term “organic” into one that is  diluted and somewhat meaningless.
3. The Hunter-Gatherer Way: In part three, Pollan creates a meal on his own, through hunting and gathering the ingredients himself.  The point of this part of the book is to understand how we have lost “consciousness” of everything in feeding ourselves.  This part of the book, in particular, has me now questioning “where does my beef come from?”

I can’t recommend this book enough.  Although a longer read than I would normally opt for, it was intensely captivating.  And, if you are at all interested in your health and the food you put in your body, this book is a must.

Have you read The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals? What did you like or dislike most?

Today, more than ever, they are offering really fun and interesting classes that go way beyond the days of Jane Fonda.  Trying new classes will keep you challenged and motivated.  As with any group fitness class, you want to make sure that you are getting a good workout, having fun and that the instructor is good at what they do.  Also, make sure to round-out your exercises so that you incorporate all exercise types.

Type of Class	What it is	Most Benefit	At Home Options
T-Bow Classes	Having been quoted as being the next “Step,” the T-BOW is a Swiss based concept that utilizes a curved plastic piece of equipment. It is considered more versatile than the “Step” as it can be used lengthwise, crosswise and upside-down and also with or without optional T-Rings.  You can use it for stepping, rocking, stretching, balance and strength training.	Cardio Strength Muscular Flexibility Core and Stabilization	T-BOW® Home Workout System
Kettlebell Classes	Originating in Russia, kettlebells are cast iron weights that resemble a small cannonball with a handle.  It has become popular in recent years for strength, endurance, balance and flexibility conditioning.  During classes, you swing the kettlebell through various movements as your workout.	Strength Flexibility Cardio	Gaiam Kettlenetics Slim and Tone Kit
Gyrotonics / Gyrokinesis	Gyrotonic equipment and exercises were developed by Juliu Horvath to offer the same benefits one would gain from yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and tai chi.  Students stretch and strengthen muscles, while stimulating and strengthening connective tissues in and around the joints of the body.  Exercises are performed on a “Tower” which is fully adjustable and can meet the needs of many people with varying body types and levels of strength.  The circular, spiraling and undulating movements help to increase spine functionality, three-dimensional awareness and equilibrium.  Gyrokenesis is similar in concept, but doesn’t utilize equipment.	Strength Flexibility Stability Core	GYROKINESIS® Spinal Essentials with Aerobic Sequence DVD
Striptease/Pole Dancing	Striptease and pole dancing classes have become the rage in the last few years.  Utilizing striptease and pole-dancing moves, you can get a fantastic workout.  Further, it can help build self-confidence and self-esteem sexually.	Core Flexibility Strength	X-pole 50mm Chrome Xpole Dancing Stripper Pole
Anti-Gravity Classes	The most popular format for these classes are anti-gravity yoga.  Think cirque du soleil meets the gym.  If you love yoga and you love the idea of being a trapeze artist (or a cirque artist), then this class is for you.  Using big “hammocks” hung from the ceiling, you will fly, swing, spin and float.  Talk about fun!	Core Strength Flexibility Strength	Nothing available at this time
Urban Rebounding	The Urban Rebounding Workout uses a small trampoline to allow you to do moves while jumping.  The movements are less stressful on your joints, and more fun than doing an average low-high impact workout.	Core Training Balance Coordination Cardio	Urban Rebounder Trampoline Workout System
Belly Dancing Classes	If the idea of strip teasing or pole dancing is a little too much for you to handle, then belly dancing may be the next best thing.  The class will work and strengthen your core through dance movements utilizing your hips, your back, your legs and your abdominals.	Core Training Balance	Belly Dancing DVDs

Have you tried any of these classes? What were your experiences? What did you like most about them?

Stop Dieting and Lose Weight for Good! Eat healthy and Drop Excess Weight with #1 Bestseller "GET REAL" and STOP Dieting! - the most simple, straightforward, no-nonsense plan that reveals how to eat healthy today, tomorrow and always...without dieting! BUY IT NOW!

1. Description: The shape of a Somersault is a 1/4″ thick disk that is about 3/4″ in diameter.  Their look reminds me of kids-cereals…namely Cookie Crisp, however, instead of chocolate chips, they have sunflower seeds.    A serving size is about 15 of these little munchables.
2. Taste and Flavors: Somersaults come in three flavors:  Chez Cocoa, Salty Pepper and S.S. Sea Salt.  In general, their flavors, although different, remind me of a cross between pretzels, crackers, nuts and seeds.  Chez Cocoa reminds me of a healthier and slightly less sweet version of Cocoa Puffs.  Salty Pepper has a bit of a nuttier flavor with a bit of a spicy pretzel taste.  And,  S.S. Sea Salt is most like a very salty pretzel.  My favorites are Chez Cocoa: It isn’t too sweet, yet still satisfies the sweet tooth in all of us; and Salty Pepper.  I find that S.S. Sea Salt is a little on the boring side, and not nearly as robust in flavor as the Salty Pepper.
3. Ingredient Quality: Each flavor is made with all-natural ingredients, including: spices, toasted grains, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.  Nothing artificial and no fillers.
4. Nutritional Value: These little nuggets are a bit high in fat, however, they are low in saturated fat.  Their nutritional breakdown is approximately: 40% Fat, 44% Carbs and 16% Protein.  Further, they offer 3 grams of fiber, definitely a healthy dose per serving.
5. Overall: I like these.  I’m not sure I would make them a regular snack, but they would definitely fill the bill once in awhile.  Further, given their flavor, shape and size, they would most likely be a winner with the kids!  One word of caution:  It is easy to be “not-so-mindful” when eating these, as 15 little nuggets pop in your mouth pretty easily.  So, I’d be extra mindful when enjoying them!

To Purchase:

You can buy either the 2 oz pouches or 6 ounce resealable pouches on Amazon: BUY SOMERSAULTS

Samples were provided from Somersaults Snack Co.

What convinced me, however, was one simple thing: It was touted as being a great makeup remover.  For years, I found that unless I washed my face with a washcloth, I didn’t get all of the make-up residue off my face…and that was frustrating.  So, I made the $200 investment and brought home my new shiny brush eager to find out if it worked.  Here is the scoop:

What it is…

Developed by the same people who developed Sonic Care Toothbrushes, the Clarisonic Cleansing System uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean your skin.

Specifics

The Clarisonic system comes in four types – Mia, Classic, Plus and Pro.  Here is a comparison:

Additionally, there are four types of brushes you can use:

• Normal: For normal skin, shaving prep and use on body.
• Sensitive: For sensitive to normal skin types.
• Delicate: Ultra-soft brush for delicate or extra-sensitive skin.
• Spot Therapy: For cleansing areas of the body needing extra care and attention, including the décolleté, hands, arms, elbows and feet. Works with Clarisonic PLUS and PRO models.

And lastly, they sell cleansers and skin-care products that you can use with the Clarisonic.

Benefits

Here are the benefits that Clarisonic claims it provides and how I thought it stacked up against its claims:

• Removes 6x more makeup than manual cleansing: TRUE.  Although I can’t measure “6x,” I definitely get all of the makeup off of my skin, without the need for rough and irritating wash-clothes.
• Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother: TRUE.  Be sure to use the right brush for your type of skin so you don’t overdry!
• Products absorb better: TRUE.  Because dry patches are diminished, I find that my products smooth on more easily.
• Gentle for use 2x daily: TRUE.  If you have sensitive or delicate skin, however, you MUST use the right brushes.  Using Clarisonic twice a day with the wrong brush may irritate your skin.
• Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes: PARTIALLY TRUE.  I have combination skin, and although  I have found that my skin is smoother and that dry patches have diminished, I would not say that my oily areas have reduced.
• Helps reduce appearance of visible pores: PARTIALLY TRUE.  Again, texture is improved, but in certain areas (chin), I have not seen diminished pores.  In other areas (nose), I have.
• Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: PARTIALLY TRUE.  I would argue that Clarisonic makes a difference with fine lines, but not with deep wrinkles.

Overall Review

I HIGHLY recommend using the Clarisonic as part of your beauty and skin care regimen.  A few points, however:

• Make sure you purchase the right brushes for your skin type.  This is very important in ensuring you don’t irritate your skin.
• Don’t buy their cleansers.  Frankly, you can use your own cleanser and their products contain ingredients that I recommend you avoid.
• Purchase the model you think you will most benefit.  There is no need to buy the most expensive model.  The technology is the same…and if you are a simple person (like me), you most likely won’t use the extra bells and whistles of the Plus or Pro models.

Where Can you Buy?

Clarisonic at Beauty.com
Clarisonic at Amazon
CLARISONIC Skin Care Brush Limited Edition Pink, Breast Cancer Awareness + 2 oz Cleanser

Recently, I tried Suzanne Bowen’s and Leah Sarago’s Release Workout DVD.  It teaches moves that are part of their Ruah Mind Body Movement, utilizing a method they term “Postural Movement and Flow” to strengthen the mind, body, and spirit.  It is centered in principles of lengthening the muscles through deep muscle work with stretching.  Here is what I thought:

1. Video Synopsis: The video is about 55 minutes long, with 15 minutes dedicated to lower body, 25 minutes dedciated to upper body and core and 10 minutes of the video dedicated to stretching and relaxation.   All of the work is done in a low to non-impact format, utilizing both standing movements and matwork.
2. Type of Workout: Although the video claims that the exercises offer the three components of cardio, strength, and flexibility training, if you are especially in shape, I would offer that the video is more geared towards strength and flexibility.  The more fit you are, the more it takes to increase your heart rate.  If you are a beginner, however, I would say that it definitely offers some amount of cardio.
3. How to Incorporate: Although I would never use this video to replace traditional cardio or strength training, it is definitely something to consider incorporating into your overall workout regimen.  If you are especially prone to skipping stretching or relaxation, and feel it is a waste of time, this video incorporates enough movement to keep even the most non-yoga types engaged.
4. Level of Difficulty: The moves are simple in regards to coordination and choreography, but still challenges the muscles.
5. Level of Creativity: If you have taken a yoga class or a pilates class, many of the moves will be familiar.  They are not especially unique and can be a bit repetitive (this is not a dance video!), however, Leah and Suzanne combine various moves into a sequence which gives the moves a bit of a new twist.
6. Overall Review: I recommend “Release” for beginners who want to ease into an exercise program or for those individuals who are fit, but want to get more stretching, lengthening and toning into their workout regimens.

To learn more about the Ruah Movement, visit www.ruahmovement.com.  You can also buy “Release” here..

KOR Hydration Vessel:

This really is my best eco-style secret as of late.

Its sleek design is incredible and the bottles are BPA & PBA free. What this means is that the plastic will not leach to your system when you drink out of it. I love the fact that you can actually see the water in the bottle that comes in four colors. Its hinge cap lets you drink with one hand instead of fumbling with those incredibly annoying screw on tops. And the rubber bottom keeps it from slipping.

KOR has a company value system called S.E.T. (Sustainable, Ethical, Transparent) in all their business practices. They firmly believe that in the “importance of clean water to human health and to the health of our planet, and in the power of design to inspire and motivate”. That is music to our ears. Green Scout Report could not have said it better ourselves.

Each water bottle holds 25-ounces of liquid and has a hinged cap and perfect spout. And for every product purchased, KOR will donate funds to various water-related non-profits depending on the color you purchase. Choose from Ocean Protection (blue), Watershed Protection (green), Container Recycling (orange) and Global Water Crisis (purple).

For more information or to purchase, visit KOR. You can also get them on Amazon.

Klean Kanteen: The Original Stainless Steel Bottle

Launched in 2004 Klean Kanteen™ introduced the first personal hydration bottle made from stainless steel to give health and environmentally conscious people an alternative to plastic. These are high quality, handcrafted bottles committed to strong environmental and labor standards.

Klean Kanteen has recently launched their new WIDE version of their best selling Kanteen. Here at Green Scout Report, we are thrilled about this new version! The Klean Kanteen is BPA free, as well. All Wide bottles have a cap with stainless steel on the inside so drinks never touch plastic.

This family-owned business also practices the eco it preaches! The company uses office paper is 100% post-consumer content, providing all soaps that are fair trade and eco-friendly, using Energy Star-certified office equipment. They have increased third-party audits of factories making its products in China to ensure they’re meeting Klean Kanteen’s high environmental and fair labor standards.

For more information or to order a bottle, visit Klean Kanteen or Amazon.

Sahale Snacks was started by two Climbers who felt the trail mixes they noshed on during a climb of Mt. Rainier were rather uninspiring.  Wanting something more, they decided to create snacks that used whole foods, avoided processed and artificial ingredients, yet incorporated a bit of “culinary magic.”  So what can you look forward to if you take Sahale on a climb of your own?

1. Unique Flavor: Their Glazed Nut Products come in three flavors: Almond PB&J, Almonds with Cranberries, Honey and Sea Salt, and Cashews with Pomegranate and Vanilla.  All three flavors are unique, but the Almond PB&J, which is made with peanuts and berries, is especially tasty with a real ‘peanut butter and jelly’ flavor.
2. Whole Ingredients: The more whole the ingredients the better.  Why?  Because you will feel more satisfied for a longer period of time than if you eat a snack with processed ingredients.  The only ingredients these tasty snacks contain which I would take small umbrage with are the evaporated cane juice and the brown sugar.  These aren’t nearly as bad as white sugar or artificial sweeteners but they are still processed.  Still, they do utilize fruits and fruit juices for most of the sweet flavoring in their nut blends.
3. Nutritional Value: Obviously, these are nut snacks…making them naturally high in fat.  However, the fat content of these nibbles is made up mostly of mono and polyunsaturated fats, making them heart healthy and cholesterol free.  Further, because these snacks are mixed with fruits, the fat content is lower than if you were to eat nuts on their own.
4. Satisfaction: Because of the fat content, these snacks are satiating and will keep you filled up until meal time rolls around.
5. Snack Size Packs: Sahale Glazed nuts come in two sizes: 0.75 oz and 4 oz.  The good news is that 0.75 ounces is a perfect snack size and will keep you from over-indulging.  Remember, even healthy fats should be eaten in moderation!
6. Overall Recommendation: When it comes to overall quality of ingredients and taste, Sahale Snacks’ Glazed Nuts get a thumbs up.  Nutritionally, I provide a word of caution:  I recommend snacks that are high in fiber (2 gms per 100 calories), have moderate fat (2 – 3 gms per 100 calories) and contain some protein, with a ratio of nutrients somewhere between 20  – 30% fat, 20% – 40% protein and 30% – 60% carbs.  These snacks’ ratios fall somewhere in the range of 60 – 64% fat, 11% – 14% protein and 18% – 29% carbs.   As a result, I would recommend that if you were to eat these, make sure to limit your fat intake during the rest of the day so that your overall fat intake ratio stays within the 20 – 30% range.

Where can you get these snacks? You can buy them here: Sahale Snacks Glazed Nut Variety Pack Of 3 Flavors, 4-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6) Otherwise, they retail their products through gourmet, specialty, and natural grocery stores, cafes, outdoor and recreation stores.

Have you had Sahale Snacks before?  What did you think?

Pete Cerqua, a NYC based Personal Trainer, attempts to get us to do the unthinkable…be fit in 90 seconds.  Look, the reality is, everyone needs a gimmick to get people’s attention.  And the title of the book, in this case, is a bit of a gimmick.  You are NOT going to be fit in 90 seconds alone.  However, the principle behind the book, does revolve around a 90 second concept.   This is the scoop:

1. What 90 Seconds Really Means: In short, Pete Cerqua’s The 90-Second Fitness Solution is to take strength training’s conventional 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 15 repetitions of a single exercise, and convert them into a single 90 second exercise.  The exercises require you to either hold a position for 90 seconds, to do one repetition in steps within 90 seconds or to do no more that three repetitions within 90 seconds.  Essentially, this concept adopts the isometric approach to exercise.  Isometric exercises rely on your larger muscles becoming tired, and as a result, engages other muscles to keep you in a position.  Basically, you are killing a few muscles with one exercise.
2. The Workouts: Pete Cerqua provides four different workouts.  Home routines Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, and a Gym routine.  Truth be told, the efficacy of these routines is completely dependent on your current level of fitness.  If you are in good shape, have been strength training and have been doing so regularly, Home Levels 1 and 2, more likely than not, are not going to challenge you.  If, however, you are at a low fitness level, and find exercise to be extremely distasteful, these Levels will definitely kick your butt, and will do so in a short amount of time.  Home routine Level 3 and the Gym routine, however, will most likely challenge a person who is already in good shape.   This is how long each routine takes:
   • Home Routine Level 1: 3 minutes / 5 days a week / 15 weekly minutes
   • Home Routine Level 2: 9 minutes / 3 days a week / 27 weekly minutes
   • Home Routine Level 3: 10 1/2 minutes / 2 days a week / 21 weekly minutes
   • Gym Routine: 12 minutes / 2 days a week / 24 weekly minutes
3. What Else?: Pete also provides a few other pieces of the health puzzle.  He couches them in ‘The Four Secrets of Success’.  The secrets include nutrition advice, along with recipes to help individuals eat right.  I’m a big fan of the recipe: Nicholas’s Apple-Banana Shake.  Additionally, he touches on nutritional supplements and stress management.
4. Voice: Although, at times, Pete can sound a little salesy in his book, it is understandable as to why.  His method is a bit unconventional; and just like I was skeptical, he knows others will be too.  Throughout his book, Pete uses real life examples of people who have gone through his methods and have succeeded.  Those success stories are key to making his case and can inspire those who feel frustrated from a lack of results with their current fitness routine.
5. Who Should Buy the Book: Pete is definitely speaking to the busy individual, who doesn’t enjoy exercise and wants to find a low-budget, gym-free routine that gives them some benefit.  If you are really well-informed, are happy with your exercise routines and find them effective, you may not necessarily gain huge insights, but still may want the book, just to get some new perspective.

Although originally skeptical about the The 90-Second Fitness Solution, I think Pete Cerqua has provided some great basic information for the exercise leary.  Further, his solution is founded in strength training, which I believe is hugely impactful to being in shape.  A lot of the exercises are great strength builders and his nutrition advice is sound.  I’d recommend the book highly if you are looking to workout at home, don’t want to spend a lot of time or money to get in some exercise, or need a good kick in the pants to get moving.  If you want to buy his book, you can do so here.

Have you read the book?  What were your thoughts?

Related Topics:

• Recipe: Nicholas’s Apple-Banana Shake
• 90 Seconds Strong?
• Book Review:  Strong, Slim and 30!
• There is No Quick Fix Solution
• Strength Training 101

When I picked up a bottle of the Kitchen Cleaner “Kitchen Plus,” I was a bit skeptical of its power. After all, they DO list their ingredients, and they include: non-chlorinated water, corn, tree sap, grass, potatoes, and sugarcane.  Sounds more like a funky farmer concoction than a cleaner to me!

In all honesty, however, it was a breath of fresh air (pardon the pun) to find such non-toxic ingredients: safe enough to eat, but supposedly strong enough to clean. Is a matter of fact, to date, “all of Eco Mist Solutions’ ingredients have been recognized as being ‘Food’ surface safe.” Sure, safety comes first, but how does Eco Mist Solutions stack up against other kitchen cleaners? All in all, pretty well. Here are some details:

Cleaning Power: Kitchen Plus does a decent job (worthy of Clorox’s 409) of getting up the typical food and muck from kitchen counters and cabinets. Granted, a little elbow grease or a sponge with a scrub side doesn’t hurt for the tougher jobs.

VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals): Whether you know what VOCs are or not, you don’t want them in your home.  VOCs off-gas the smells that often come with household cleaners that are toxic to breathe.  Bleach is one common household cleaner that is infamous for its smell.  That smell, although we are trained to think it means ‘clean’, isn’t good for you or your lungs.  Eco Mist Solutions Kitchen Plus has no odor, no toxic chemicals and hence, no VOCs.

Wide Variety: The company is dedicated to making highly effective cleaners, all from 100% non-toxic and natural ingredients.  To do so, they have come up with multiple formulations to address every household need.   Everything from BBQ Cleaners, Deck Wash and Patio Furniture Cleaners to highly specialized surface cleaners for the home, including those formulated for granite and counter tops, stainless steel, hardwood, carpet, tile and glass.

The Drawback: Unfortunately, Eco Mist Solutions is based in Canada…and as a result, their products are not widely distributed throughout the US or the rest of the world.  You can purchase their products, however, online at Home Depot Canada.  All their cleaners are reasonably priced from $5.99 – $7.99 (Canadian Dollars).

Have you tried these cleaners?  Would you recommend any of them?

Related topics:

• 5 Ways to Keep Your Personal Environment Healthy
• Goodbye Carpet, Hello FLOR
• Safe Water Bottles
• 10 Easy Ways to Get Your Green on at Home
• Asthma and the Healthy Home
  

Lisa Drayer, M.A., R.D. addresses all of these issues in her book Strong, Slim, and 30! As a Registered Dietitian, she has encountered hundreds of women who struggle with weight loss, reduced energy and other health issues as a result of hitting the big 3-0.  In Strong, Slim, and 30!, she provides a targeted plan to address slowing metabolism, beauty, aging and even pregnancy in your 30s.  Here is what I love about Strong, Slim, and 30!

1. Quick and Easy, Yet Informative Read: The book is an easy read and is easy to follow. Although Lisa will get technical about some of her points, they are important in helping the reader understand the science behind the theory.  There are solid explanations for her recommendations and points.
2. Actionable: Not only does Lisa tell you what to do, but she tells you how to do it.  She gives you a plan that is easy to implement.
3. Long-Term Appropriate: Yes, the book is about your 30s, but in reality, the information can be applied to your life past 30, as well.  The book is a great long-term nutrition solution.   Further, it applies good nutrition principles to every day situations, such as eating out and busy days.
4. Prevention Based: Instead of advocating a ‘Fad Diet,’  Strong, Slim, and 30! promotes lifestyle.  Lifestyle choices are key to sticking with a healthy nutrition plan, but even more importantly, they are key to preventing disease and other health problems.
5. Protein and Strength Building Advocate: Personally, I am a big believer in protein and strength training.  Protein is the foundation for muscle building and maintenance…which directly impacts our bone density, metabolisms and ability to keep off unwanted weight.  Lisa advocates for both.

Strong, Slim, and 30! is a must read for any woman in her 30s or older.  Not only will you learn the basics of good nutrition, but you will learn how to stay young and feel great well throughout your life.

Buy Strong, Slim, and 30! here.

Related Topics:

• The Secret Weapon of Weight Loss
• Why Losing Weight is so Hard and Gaining Weight is so Easy
• Your Strength Training Guide
• Diet vs. Lifestyle?
• 10 Ways to Not Look Old
  

Based on Ayurvedic tradition and practice, many of the tea blends contain the five traditional spices of cardamom seed, cinnamon bark, clove bud, ginger root and black pepper. I’ve fallen hook line and sinker for a few different flavors, but all in all, Yogi Tea is a great supplement to your daily routine.  Here are the things I love about Yogi Tea:

1. Taste: There are 60 available blends of tea.  Personally, I’m a huge fan of their DeTox, Egyptian Licorice and BedtimeTeas.  They use creative combinations of spices that are unique, interesting and highly flavorful…definitely not your ordinary tea!  Some flavors are not my favorite (Berry Detox), but overall, they have a wonderful product and the disliked flavors are few and far between.
2. Health Benefits: Tea in itself offers many healthful benefits, but Yogi Teas promise to provide a solution to anyone’s health needs, everything from giving you a boost in the day to calming your mind to reviving the spirit to even promoting healthy liver and kidney function.
3. A Little Fortune in Your Tea: I love fortune cookies.  Maybe that is why I am head over heels for Yogi Tea’s ‘inspirations’ that come on every tea bag label.  These inspirations provide wisdom and guidance that encourages perseverance, community, kindness, inner strength, joy and personal growth.  Although each one is inspiring, one of my favorites is: “It’s important to find your identity and your legacy.”
4. Quality of Ingredients: They use only whole ingredients that are natural and when possible, organic.  They don’t have labs, they have kitchens.  They work from nature.
5. Caffeine: Many tea flavors are caffeine free, keeping you from becoming dependent.
6. Responsibility: The company is committed to sustainable practices, including: packaging and shipping product in 100% recycled paperboard, tea packaging has a 55% post-consumer waste content, and printing with environmentally-friendly, vegetable-based inks.

These teas can be a wonderful part of your day.  Have you tried them?  What were your thoughts?

Interested in trying Yogi Tea?   Buy Yogi Teas here!

Related Topics:

• Green Tea and Weight Management
• Tea and Your Health
  
• 8 Interesting Facts about Caffeine
• Other Product Reviews
  

Today, there are products and services that are becoming available to assist in the rapidly expanding market of home diet and nutrition education. One of the newest, and most exciting, is called a nutrition scale. These amazing kitchen gadgets look and function like normal counter top kitchen scales, weighing foods in both grams and ounces. Unlike most other kitchen scales, however, these have the ability to calculate exact nutrient values contained in any sized food portion. The scales have an internal database of hundreds of different foods, any of which can be placed on the scale and calculated. So instead of guessing how many calories are in the handful of peanuts you have, you can simply place them on the scale and calculate the exact amount. This technology provides both practical reinforcement for a diet and nutrition education for long-term self dependency.

Of the nutrition scales on the market today, the EatSmart Digital Nutrition Scale is one the most complete and well designed. The scale stores information on 999 foods, but more importantly it emphasizes fresh, whole foods that typically do not come with USDA nutrition fact labels on them. Additionally, the EatSmart scale calculates the exact values for 12 nutrients, considerably more than others on the market.

The top five benefits of this scale include:

1. Precision: The scale precisely calculates the calories, carbs, fiber, sodium, fats, Vitamin K and six other nutrients from thousands of packaged foods and 999 whole foods.
2. Goal Oriented: The scale gives you the ability to seamlessly add or subtract food on the scale to reach a desired nutritional goal.
3. Memory Mode: You can save up to 99 entries for quick reference.
4. Package Weight Subtraction: The Tare function allows users to subtract the container’s weight, in order to obtain the precise weight of its contents.
5. Educational: The EatSmart Nutrition Scale provides nutritional information that helps people to make informed food choices and encourages “food intake training”. Moreover, the scale comes with a nutrition guidebook to help you understand how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Using nutrition scales can help you to understand how to eat better and how to make smarter choices. Over time you should be able to remove relatively unhealthy food choices from your diet and replace them with nutrient rich foods that you enjoy.

As you probably already know, I’m a huge fiber fanatic. I’ve made my case before about how important it is to a healthy diet, and to a healthy lifestyle.  With the average American consuming only 5 of the recommended 25 – 35 grams a day, however, it is obvious that getting enough fiber in your diet is relatively challenging.

Gnu Bar – Flavor and Fiber makes this challenge virtually nonexistent.  Flavor & Fiber, Gnu Foods’ first product, is a nutrition bar; and after having tried them recently, I’m addicted.  On a scale of 5, they get a 5.  Here’s why:

1. Nutrition Quality: At a mere 130 – 140 calories a bar (depending on the flavor), these flavorful snacks pack a whopping 12 grams of fiber (including both soluble and insoluble) into your day.  That is practically 50% of the recommended daily intake, within approximately 5 – 10% of your caloric intake.  Compared to other products on the market, Gnu Foods is a much higher quality product.
2. Taste: Gnu Bars currently come in 5 tasty flavors: Banana Walnut, Cinnamon Raisin, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Brownie and Orange Cranberry – satisfying almost any taste buds out there.  Personally, I’m a big fan of the Orange Cranberry and Chocolate Brownie.  If you are an Oatmeal Raisin cookie fan, however, you will find the Cinnamon Raisin Bar a delicious healthier version.
3. Texture: Soft. moist and chewy, these bars are far from their high fiber cardboard counterparts.
4. Quality of Ingredients: Quality does not get much better than these bars.  Any and all sweetness comes from fruit juice and the flour is pure organic whole wheat flour.  Further, Gnu Bars don’t contain any of the following: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Refined Sugars (except chips in Chocolate Brownie), Cholesterol, Trans Fat, Soy, Hydrogenated Oils, Preservatives, Artificial Flavors or Colorings, Yeast, Dairy or Whey, Sugar Alcohols, Maltodextrin or Methylcellulose.  These bars are pure, natural goodness.
5. Price: I’m not going to lie.  These puppies aren’t cheap.  That said, if you buy them in bulk (16 per pack), they come in at a reasonable $1.50 – $1.75 a bar.  Click here to buy!

These bars can be a great daily snack to help ensure you are getting your prescribed dosage of fiber.  Have you tried them?  What were your thoughts?

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Generally speaking, I try to eat every three to four hours.  If I don’t, I become ravenous and can end up doing something I regret when feeding time does kick in.  Although I’m a big believer in eating whole foods (not processed), it isn’t always possible.  As a result, I tend to resort to Nutrition Bars for easy, on the go snacking.  There are TONS of different nutrition bars on the market, and it can be somewhat confusing as to which ones really are the best for you.

To help you through the nutrition bar jungle, I have done the analysis for you.  The chart below compares many popular nutrition bars.  See how they stack up and which pack the most powerful punch and which ones you might want to forgo:

These bars were rated for nutritional content, as well as quality of ingredients.  The percentages shown refer to the percentage of calories that are dedicated to that particular nutrient.  For instance, Zone Perfect is made up of 30% protein, 40% carbs and 30% Fat.  In summary, those bars that were high in refined sugars scored low, while those bars that were all natural and high in fiber tended to score higher.  Additionally, if a nutrition bar was high in saturated fat (the kind of fat that is bad for you), it scored on the low side as well.  Personally, my favorites are the Kashi Brand bars and Odwalla because I know that the ingredients are all natural.  And for a really great source of fiber, the South Beach Fiber Fit bar ranks best.  My least favorites are the Special K cereal bars and Pria.

When you choose a snack, it is important to find one that is going to fill you up and make you feel satiated.  Those nutrition bars that contain a good amount of protein (15% – 30% of calories) and fat (20% – 30% of calories) will keep you feeling fuller longer.  This is important to warding off hunger later in the day.

One other thing to remember is that even though these brands’ nutritional values are similar across all flavors of their bars, they do vary slightly.  So make sure to check the nutrition label to get a full understanding of the bar’s nutritional makeup.

What Nutrition Bar have you tried that you like?  Do you like any of the ones discussed?

Related Topics:

• Counting Calories is Overrated…Focus on Quality
• How to Read Nutrition Labels
• Special K Diet:  It isn’t that Special Afterall
• Calculate your Nutritional Needs
• Your Solution Guide to HFCS
• Natural Sweeteners to Replace Sugar

]]> http://www.sheerbalance.com/nutrition/what-nutrition-bar-is-the-best-for-you/feed/ 6 http://www.sheerbalance.com/eco-living/kiss-my-face-products-all-natural-or-not/ http://www.sheerbalance.com/eco-living/kiss-my-face-products-all-natural-or-not/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2009 15:34:45 +0000 Brett Blumenthal http://www.sheerbalance.com/brettsblog/?p=782 by Brett Blumenthal

At heart, I consider myself a naturalist.  For instance, when I choose foods to eat, I tend to opt for those that are minimally processed and have no additives, artificial preservatives, artificial ingredients and chemicals.  And when possible, I will buy organic.  This also holds true for personal care products, such as make-up and skin care.  In the last year or so, I’ve made a significant effort to avoid buying products that have fillers, preservatives and parabens.  Unlike food products, however, there really aren’t any industry standards around labeling products as organic or all-natural in the personal care market.  So, for the most part, you have to do your research.

In my quest for keeping personal care products as natural as possible, I’ve discovered certain brands and product companies that I like and as a result, stick with.  A few include: Cosmedix, Burt’s Bees and Kiss My Face.  Cosmedix is great for skin care, Burt’s Bees is great for moisturizing my hands and body and Kiss My Face has been the shower products ‘go to brand’ for the last few months.

In researching products, I read the list of ingredients and if I find anything that I don’t know, are animal based, are artificial scents or colors, or are parabens, I take a pass.  Parabens, in particular, I avoid, as they tend to be very drying and irritating to my skin.  When I first found Kiss My Face, I was attracted to their slogan ‘Obsessively Organic’.  I bought their shampoo and conditioner products and was pleased to see that their products contain ‘no sls or parabens,’ as stated on the bottles. They also smell great and don’t over-dry my hair.  A couple of months later, I discovered that Kiss My Face also made Body Wash.  Without thinking twice, I grabbed a bottle and was glad to have found another product by a company I trusted.

Yesterday, however, as I was loading up my loofah with the Body Wash, I noticed the slogan didn’t say ‘Obsessively Organic’, but rather ‘Obsessively Natural’.  My interest piqued, I looked at the ingredient list and to my dismay, noticed, as big as life, ‘Methylparaben and Propylparaben’ listed.  Not more than two inches below this, was the following statement ‘This product contains no animal ingredients, no PARABENS or artificial colors and was not tested on animals.’  Huh?  Ummm…not sure I quite understand this one: As clear as day, they list two parabens in the list of ingredients and then outright contradict themselves by saying the product doesn’t contain parabens!  Wow. Call me crazy, but that sounds like really bad editing.

I’m not a chemical or bio-chemical engineer, but this sounds pretty misleading to me.  Yes, methylparaben can be found naturally in blueberries and propylparaben can be found naturally in plants and insects, but when they are used in products, more often than not, they are synthetically derived.  Regardless, the label blatantly states the product doesn’t contain ‘parabens,’ yet, it does – regardless of where they came from.

So what is my point?  Read your labels. Product companies are very quick to make claims that don’t really hold true.  Be careful and read the fine print.

Have you had any disappointing label discoveries?

by Brett Blumenthal

When we moved into our condo three years ago, my husband and I knew that the crappy beige carpet that came with the condo had to go.  It was obviously one of the cheapest carpets that the management company could find and install.  At first, we looked into putting down bamboo flooring: it was a sustainable and eco-friendly material, and it would give the condo a very upscale finished look.  After getting a few estimates, we quickly realized we would need to find another option. 

Both my husband and I were interested in a product that would promote a ’healthy home’.  What does this mean?  That whatever we put down on our floor didn’t emit toxins into the air, that the material was renewable or sustainable and that the company that manufactured the product was dedicated to sustainable practices.  As a result, we turned to Interface Flor Tiles: a modular tile carpet system.  After the job was completed, we were amazed at the difference the floor tile made.  It looked a million times better and cost next to nothing.  Here are a few reasons to think about the product next time you have a re-flooring project:

1. Modularity Makes it Easy: At 18 inches x 18 inches, FLOR allows for great flexibility and variety in use. You can use it as an area rug or wall-to-wall carpet. 
2. Martha and Disney Approve: Carpet tile might conjur up images of a boring office, but FLOR has great patterns, textures and colors.  Moreover, Martha Stewart and Disney have partnered with FLOR to create some great looks and designs.
3. Cheap and Easy to Install: Installation requires FLOR’s Easy Dots™, one-sided adhesives that, when placed underneath adjacent carpet tiles, fasten the tiles to each other instead of to the floor. There is NO glue and NO padding! The dots hold everything from area rugs to wall-to-wall carpets in place. An area rug takes about an hour to install, while wall-to-wall takes an afternoon.  
4. Your Style…Your Way: Because it comes in tiles, FLOR allows you to mix and match and create your own look. Also, since they are tiles and the installation doesn’t require glue, your designs aren’t permanent, making it easy to change the design if you don’t like your first attempt.
5. Goodbye Carpet Stains: If Fido has a bladder issue, FLOR tiles are a great solution.  Because the tiles can be pulled up individually, all you have to do is pull up the tile that is stained and either clean it or if the stain is really bad, replace it.  The whole carpet does not get ruined. 
6. Safe for your Home and Family: All FLOR have the lowest VOC (new carpet smell) in the industry.  This keeps your home free from chemicals and chemical smells.
7. Eco-Friendly: The carpet tiles are made out of nylon or natural fibers like hemp or wool.  The backings of the tiles are a composite, made up of some recycled materials.

So next time you think you might want to re-do your floors…think about some sustainable options that will be healthy both for the environment and for you!

Related Topics:

• Feng Shui
• Feng Shui Elements
• Green Living
• Having a Healthy Perspective about your Home

If you are searching for a healthy breakfast or snack, you may very well grab a yogurt.  Yogurt has gotten a really great reputation for being healthy, even substituting ice cream as a ‘healthier’ option.  Besides the fact that yogurt is a great source of calcium, iodine and phosphorous, among other vitamins and minerals, yogurt’s biggest claim to fame is that it contains live active bacterial cultures which may help you to live longer and may fortify your immune system.  Unfortunately, along with these great health benefits comes a ton of sugar.  Refined sugar, otherwise known as simple carbohydrates, provide very little nutrition and a load of unnecessary, empty calories.  Further, most traditional yogurts that don’t have sugar are loaded with artificial sweeteners, which, as we know, are no good for you.  Lastly, if you are interested in getting fiber and protein which makes you feel fuller for longer, traditional yogurt doesn’t cut it.

So does this mean that yogurt isn’t a healthy snack or breakfast?  Not necessarily.  Here is a great way to make yogurt a healty choice:

1. Choose a yogurt that is low in sugars.  And choose one that is plain.  If you choose one with fruit on the bottom, you are going to get a whopping amount of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.  Fage Greek Yogurt in particular is the best choice and great tasting too.  In addition to lower sugar content, it has a higher protein content, making it more filling and nutritious. Look at the chart below:

 

2. Use real fruit. For some sweetness, add a 1/2 cup of berries…either fresh or frozen.  Real fruit will provide you with fiber in addition to the natural sugars, which will help to keep you more satisfied longer.  The fruit that already comes in yogurt (like Dannon’s Fruit on the Bottom) has preservatives and added sugars.  If you want a little more sweetness, consider using a very tiny amount of stevia.
3. Get in a little Fat. For an even more satiating experience, choose Fage’s 2% Fat which provides you with a little fat to keep you satiated even longer.
4. Make it Fiber-licious.  To really boost your fiber intake, add a 1/4 of raw oats or some flaxseeds to your yogurt.  This will give it more texture and fiber, keeping your digestive tract happy and healthy.

So go ahead, have some yogurt for your breakfast.  Just be smart about the kind you eat.  It can be a great choice!

Relevant Topics:

• Fiber
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Stevia: How sweet it is!
• 5 Ingredients to Avoid
• Reasons to Love Flaxseeds
• How to Read Nutrition Labels

With all of the hoopla about water bottles and plastic these days, taking a simple drink of water can be a bit intimidating.  If you use a water bottle for the gym or as a way to ‘measure’ how much water you are drinking through the course of the day, you probably have become hyper-aware of the possible health risks that your seemingly innocent water bottle may pose.  Certain types of plastics used in water bottles can leach into your water.  Basically, if you can taste plastic, you are drinking it…so it pays to get another bottle.  Here is a short breakdown of what to avoid:

• Dispose of the Disposable: Look at the recycling symbol on the bottom of the bottle. Disposable water bottles (your typical Poland Spring and Evian types) usually have a #1 in the center of the symbol, and are only recommended for one time use. The temptation to refill it can be overwhelming, but resist that urge.  Instead, look for a reusable option that you can purchase.
• BPA: Bottles with the #7 recycling symbol are considered hazardous, potentially leaching BPA (Bisphenol A).  This chemical is linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children. BPA has even been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes.

As technologies advance, it seems that somehow we take steps backwards, needing to right the ‘toxic’ wrongs that we have created.  Don’t despair.  There are manufacturers who have already come up with safe solutions.  Here are a few:

• CamelBak BPA-Free: Plastic bottles, that don’t contain the chemical BPA
• SIGG: A Swiss-Made, lightweight aluminum option.  The inner coating is non-toxic as well.  And if you have kids, try their kid-sized bottles and grip handle add-ons
• Nalgene:  In response to these recent concerns, Nalgene has created a safer plastic option as well.
• Klean Kanteen: A Stainless steel option that does not leach toxic chemicals

Do you have a favorite water bottle that is safe?  Tell us!

After falling head over heals for Nature’s Path Organic Flax Plus Granola Cereal with Pumpkin Seeds, my interest around Flax was peaked.  I did some research around the benefits of Flax and why we should be incorporating this little teeny weeny seed into our diets.

1. Omega-3 essential fatty acids: Flax Seed is full of Omega-3s…which are known to lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, lower risk of breast, prostate and colon cancers and even reduce inflammation due to arthritis, Parkinson’s Disease and asthma.

2. Full of Fiber: The fiber in Flax is especially beneficial because it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber.

3. Loaded with Lignans: Lignans are beneficial because they act as phytoestrogens and antioxidants.

4. Lubrication: Because of the omega-3, essential fatty acids, flaxseed is a great lubricant and can be especially helpful in relieving dry eyes.  Dry eyes are usually a result of an insufficient outer oil layer in the tear film.  Flax oil (also known as linseed oil) helps the oil glands produce the proper consistency of oil to coat the surface.

Flaxseed can be bought at most supermarkets and/or health food stores.  It comes in three varieties: whole seeds, ground seed or oil.  Most experts would recommend that you use the ground seeds, as they provide all of the benefits listed above.  Whole seeds, on the other hand, will pass through your system undigested and the oil, lacks the fiber which is so good for you.

Note: If you suffer from diverticulosis, the oil is probably the best option.

Related Topics:

• omega-3, essential fatty acids

• soluble and insoluble fiber

If you watch TV at all, you’ve probably seen the commercials for Kellogg’s special attempt at a special diet with their famed Special K products.  Basically, they claim if you eat two 1 cup bowls of their cereal a day, you will lose six pounds in two weeks.*  In short, the program instructs you to start your day with a piece of fruit, a cup of their cereal and skim milk.  And then at lunch, you get to do the same thing.  And then at dinner, you get to eat normally.  Oh, yes, and you get two snacks a day that are Special K branded.

Argh! This kind of marketing ploy makes me crazy!  Why?  Well for one, this is a very unhealthy, unbalanced diet approach.  You aren’t getting all the nutrients that you need to keep your body functioning properly.  This is what you are getting:

• Little to no fiber. Fiber is important in that it makes you feel fuller longer.  Further, it prevents or relieve constipation, as well as lowers risk of diabetes and heart disease. Without it, you can experience constipation, infrequent and hard stools and abdominal pains.
• Little to no healthy fat. Why is this a problem?  Fat is bad, right? Wrong.  Fat is essential for lubricating your joints and manufacturing hormones, and actually making you feel satisfied.  Also, healthy fat (unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids) is important in keeping your cholesterol levels in check and your body systems functioning properly.
• High in Saturated fat. Special K non-cereal products tend to be high in saturated fat, which raises LDL, the bad type of cholesterol and therefore increases your risk of heart disease.
• You are getting a lot of sugar. Sugar is an enemy of a healthy diet.  It is digested quickly and contains few essential vitamins and minerals.
• You get a decent amount of protein. This is a good thing…but when combined with all of the factors above, it isn’t.  You need fiber and healthy fat too.

Second, the Special K Diet doesn’t teach the consumer (you) what is a healthy diet.  It tells you what to do and doesn’t explain the importance of a balanced diet and why eating right is the best, long-term strategy for reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.

Third, you are consuming a good amount of processed foods throughout the day.  Processed foods tend to have tons of additives, preservatives and chemicals…all bad for you.  Our bodies are not designed to process these, and as a result, it is detrimental in the long duration.

And lastly, well, it is all self-serving and about market share…corporate America finding a way to make more money while sacrificing the consumer’s best interest…not something I’m all too fond of.

Look, resorting to quick fix strategies, where no thought is involved, is just not sustainable…in any way.  It is more detrimental than anything.  If you see a gimmick on TV about losing weight….there is a good chance it is just that…a gimmick.

* Weight loss may vary.