Healthful Bites

The "Time Flies When You're On a Run" Treadmill Workout

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:00:06 -0500

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you’re all able to enjoy some quality time with loved ones...

My Top 5 Non-Food Treats

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:05 -0500

When you finish a week’s-worth of hard workouts or make it through a particularly busy day...

Go-To Blogs For Running Inspiration!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:20:13 -0500

Besides a doable training plan, a solid pair of sneakers and a motivating playlist, I’ve found...

Two Must-Try Light Chocolate Recipes

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:05 -0500

With all of the running I’ve been doing (OK, it hasn’t been that much yet, but go with...

Confidence-Boosting Half-Marathon Training Playlist

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:00:05 -0500

As you know, I’m very new to the endurance event training world—beginning this week in...

Perfect Popcorn for Awards and Super Bowl Season

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:06 -0500

Some may consider prime popcorn season to be summer—what with the vendors at fairs, baseball games...

Plotting Out My Half-Marathon Training Plan

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:05 -0500

As I mentioned last week, my half-marathon training starts soon! I’ve consulted several...

Crockpot Salsa Chicken: The Perfect Weeknight Dinner

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:06 -0500

In an effort to be more domestic for 2012, I added a mini-crockpot to my Amazon wishlist for...

My Latest Fitness Experiment: Running a Half-Marathon!

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:00:05 -0500

My apologies for the longer than planned blogging hiatus. Time ran away with me! But I’m back...

Healthful Bites Top 11 Workout Songs of 2011

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:59:43 -0500

The holidays are upon us and another year is drawing to a close. It’s a time for celebration...

Three Two-Ingredient "Recipes" for One Busy Season!

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:06 -0500

With shopping, baking, parties and more, it’s easy to just grab one of those...

On the hunt for some holiday gift ideas for fit (or soon-to-be...

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:00:05 -0500

Gaiam Zen Yoga Mat

Theraband Resistance Bands

Valslides

Cathe Weighted Gloves

Altus Medicine Ball/Kettlebell Combo

On the hunt for some holiday gift ideas for fit (or soon-to-be fit) pals or wish list ideas for yourself? Here are five of my favorite tools to help anyone squeeze in a fantastic workout away from the gym. And for those of your playing along at home, these come in handy during my workout videos too!

No one likes a sore back or bum during core exercises or slippery feet during yoga, so a mat is a must. I need any help I can get to find my inner “zen” so that’s why I picked this Japanese-inspired option! ($21.98, gaiam.com)

Add these to your weight workouts (think: holding it around dumbbell handles and looping it around your front foot in a static lunge) or use them solo for a unique resistance option. Perfect for at home or one the road! Buy an extra and just keep it in your suitcase. ($1.89-$6.03, amazon.com)

Sure, you can swap in rags on hard floors or paper plates on carpet, but these make fun gliding workouts a breeze! Make like Apolo Ohno and do some speed skating. ($29.99, valslide.com)

Weighted gloves are the perfect fix for a too-large interval between sets of dumbbells, and they add an awesome challenge to a kickboxing routine. ($19.99, shop.cathe.com)

Should you buy a medicine ball or kettlebell to supplement your other weights? Why not both! This combo ball/bell is perfect for anything from swings to trunk rotations and reverse crunches. ($39.99, amazon.com)

For more of my favorite gear picks of 2011, click here and here.

What are you asking Santa for this year?

Don’t forget you have until Thursday at noon ET to enter to win a Nasoya product of your choice! What are you waiting for?! :)

Giving Tofu a Try (Plus a Giveaway!)

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:00:06 -0500

Confession: Until the very recent past, I had never cooked with tofu. I had prepared dishes with soy...

The Home Workout That Improves Your ABCs

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:05:05 -0500

On a frigid day, it’s not very pleasant to head outside for a walk or jog or even scamper to...

Lighter Holiday Side: (Almost) Couldn't Be Easier Green Bean Recipe

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:35:44 -0500

Around the holidays, traditional green bean casserole is the norm—cream of mushroom soup, fried...

Timesaving Treadmill Workout (Just in Time for the Holidays!)

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:01:06 -0500

This time of year more than ever, many of us are searching for ways to carve out a few extra minutes...

Trim Your Table: Thanksgiving Sides Mega Recipe Round-Up

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:03:05 -0500

Let the countdown begin: Thanksgiving is less than one week away! While it seems like most people...

Skipping rest between exercises saves time and boosts your...

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:11:06 -0500

Skipping rest between exercises saves time and boosts your strength in a unique way compared to the traditional weight room rotation! Today’s workout focuses on supersets, which means stacking two or more exercises that challenge the same muscles group in a row with no break in between. I’m sharing a few strength moves for your shoulders and triceps, but this concept can be used for any muscle group! And more good news: skipping rest between sets, like you do with this method, helps to keep your heart rate up (which burns more calories).

You’ll need a pair of light or medium-weight dumbbells and a bench, chair or step to complete this routine.

Do you like to take rest breaks during weight training or transition directly from exercise to exercise?

Nosh on Five November Magazine Bites

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:15:05 -0500

The chillier temps (including some snow!) inspired me to spend a bit more time indoors early this...

Five-Minute Gym-Free Workout

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 09:01:05 -0500

After weeks of gym cardio workouts, I thought it was time to offer an option for those who prefer...