5 Reasons You Should Add Quinoa to Your Diet

5 Reasons You Should Add Quinoa to Your Diet

You have probably heard about quinoa and it’s superfood-like health benefits, but perhaps haven’t gotten around to figuring out how to prepare it or maybe skipped past it down the health food aisle in the grocery store. There are many reasons why this little seed, which appears like a grain similar to rice, should be a regular staple in everyone’s diet. From being a perfect protein, to increasing your nutrient intake, the list can go on and on.

Here are 5 stand out reasons why you should give quinoa a try and consider it part of your regular meal planning. Continue reading →

How a Plant-Based Diet Helps You Sleep Better

How a Plant-Based Diet Helps You Sleep Better

Something that might not be foremost in your mind when it comes to optimal mental health, physical health and performance is sleep. According to the CDC, adults need 7 or more hours of sleep per night for their best health and wellbeing.

Practices and habits that can aid in healthy sleep include regular exercise, avoiding sugar and alcohol before bedtime, avoiding caffeine at least six hours before bedtime, avoiding saturated and trans fat before bedtime (animal products or fried foods), making your sleep surroundings your sanctuary, and creating a routine. Establishing a nighttime meditation practice and not using electronic devices one to two hours before bedtime may also help. Continue reading →

6 Easy Steps for Sustainable Picnic Gatherings

6 Easy Steps for Sustainable Picnic Gatherings

It is summertime and thankfully we are starting to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, and can safely celebrate the season of picnic parties with friends and family. Before you head out and stock up on throwaway picnic staples, like plastic cups, plates, utensils, napkins, take a minute to tune up your eco-friendly lifestyle and learn how to ditch needless plastics.

As we eat, drink and be merry, there’s no need to fall back into wasteful habits and trash our planet with needless single-use plastics, according to Sandra Ann Harris, the author of Say Goodbye To Plastic: A Survival Guide to Plastic-Free Living. Here are a few tips from her book to help you reboot your picnicking habits. Continue reading →

Get Fit This Summer With Waterx

Get Fit This Summer With Waterx

Waterx, or Water Exercise, incorporates weights and weightlifting moves in the water. This mode of strength training gives you added resistance from the water, working your muscles in new ways than solely lifting weights on land, in addition to high intensity interval training to round out your total body fitness routine.

The swimming brand Speedo came up with WTRX (Water Xtreme) bootcamp-style water classes to bring new life to traditional aqua classes. I took this concept, and a push plate from Speedo, developed specifically for this new way of aquatic training, and made up my own version of a water weights workout, calling it waterx, that you can do anywhere you have a pool, inside or out, year round. Continue reading →

Grads Need Charisma to Succeed

Grads Need Charisma to Succeed

The transition from high school or college to the real world is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life, but it can prove to be overwhelming. We receive a good solid foundation from our school educations to prepare us for life, but it is not until this knowledge is put into action that we can achieve success.

We are taught many lessons and develop many qualities and traits, but none are as uniquely important as discovering and nurturing your individual charisma factor that is already nestled deep inside of you. Charisma truly is the icing on the cake of a great foundation! It is an extremely important trait that can make a major difference in the way you live your life and network with others. Unfortunately, we are not taught many social skills such as charisma and presence and are pretty much left to wing this on our own. Continue reading →

Don’t Like to Run? No Worries

Don't Like to Run? No Worries

During the pandemic, the running population increased significantly as people sought ways to focus on their physical health. People went outside to run in fresh air or chose a treadmill to work out in their homes. New runners were getting in the miles and losing or maintaining weight. RunRepeat recently published a study about the running boom during the pandemic and found that the motives for running are changing. Physical health is the primary motivation for 72% of new pandemic runners, up 18% from the reasons given by runners who started before the pandemic.

Physical fitness is important in fighting any disease that we encounter. Running can be a viable option for most of us and isn’t just for those who like to do marathons. As with any physical activity, building up to full strength is the smart method for beginners. The bike-walk-run can be the best way to begin, especially if you have some weight to lose. By starting off with a non-impact cardio option and then walking, your knees, shins, feet and back will thank you for not jumping into running right away. Continue reading →

8 Times You Should Take a Rest Day

8 Times You Should Take a Rest Day

Those training shoes call to you from the corner. Some days you feel all in, while other days you need an extra push to get going. Maybe you lack motivation, feel under the weather, or need to recover. No matter the reason, when you find yourself without the desire to lace up, it’s a good idea to check in and see if you need time off.

Is today one of those days? Read on to find out how rest days benefit you, plus learn eight situations when you should go ahead and give your body a break from exercise. Continue reading →

5-Day Pilates for Athletes Challenge

5-Day Pilates for Athletes Challenge

This 5-Day Pilates for Athletes Challenge from Sean Vigue, author of Pilates for Athletes, is designed for all athletes regardless of their chosen sport(s), fitness level, exercise experience or age. Each of these bodyweight-only flows will vastly elevate your ability to move, breathe and focus. Pilates workouts with Sean always leave you stronger, more flexible, more resistant to injury and with increased endurance. Start this challenge today, share it with your teammates but NEVER with your rivals! Continue reading →

Getting Back In Shape Post-Pandemic

Getting Back In Shape Post-Pandemic

Throughout the last year as this country battled Covid 19, quarantines, loss of amenities, and freedom, fitness routines were some of the many things that suffered. Sure, a privileged few had the time, money and motivation to equip their homes like full gyms, but most didn’t.

What resulted for many were more sedentary lifestyles and weight gain. As we all start to come out of a pandemic haze, many are wondering how to regain their pre-pandemic fitness routines, motivation, and shed “pandemic weight.” We turned to certified fitness NYC fitness trainer Jessica Mazzucco, founder of The Glute Recruit®, for some tips. Continue reading →