Cozy and Cute Workout Gear

I hate winter! Too bad for me, I live in Nebraska, where the wind chill regularly reaches far below the single digits. Should I let winter discourage me? Should I hide away, stuffing bonbons, or make excuses about the weather to assuage my conscience when it tells me to get out of my pink fluffy robe and get some exercise? Definitely not! And you shouldn’t either.

Yes, winter stinks. It’s cold as heck, and bulky coats and wool mittens aren’t the best workout gear. Sometimes, in the middle of winter, when I’m down in the dumps and don’t feel like exercising, I treat myself to some warm winter workout gear. It must be something cute, something that begs to be shown off at the gym or on the bike trail. Most of all, it has to be something useful, a reminder that staying fit has its own rewards…

Are You Tough Enough?

I love my GymGirl skirt, but it’s way too cold out this time of year for that kind of workout gear, so I was psyched when I heard about the ToughGirl from SkirtSports! This adorable skirt is perfect for those of us who want to be warm, but also look feminine and sexy while working out. It features a twelve-inch skirt and very stylish boot cut pants with pockets. The ToughGirl comes in seven hot colors, so you’re sure to find the perfect ToughGirl for you!

Let’s Hear it for the Hoodies!

Pearl Izumi is a company that is dedicated to providing quality apparel for serious athletes, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t produce something that’s stylish and versatile, too! The Aurora Thermal Hoodie is the perfect jacket for an active mama! It’s surprisingly warm, with a luxuriously soft lining. This jacket goes the distance, whether you’re running ten miles in winter, or running errands around town. It’s comfortable enough to work out in, but stylish enough to wear any time. I love the pocket large pocket in the back of the Aurora Hoodie, which is great for carrying money or I.D. when I’m jogging. It’s not warm enough to replace my winter coat (at least not here in Nebraska), but I can’t jog in a winter coat; it’s great for times that I want to stay comfortable and warm, but still look cool!

No More Bad Hair Days!

Would you let your child go without a stocking cap on a very cold winter day? Now, answer this question: Have you, yourself, ever gone without a stocking cap because you didn’t want to mess up your hair? Be honest! I know I’ve been guilty of this offense! Now, thanks to IllumiNITE, you can keep your head warm without destroying your hair! The IllumiNITE Ebony Dryrite Toque features a very unique ponytail opening in back. No more stuffing ponytails into the top of a stocking cap! This cap also features an inner moisture system that draws sweat away from your skin and evaporates it, making this the perfect hat for working out in cold weather! Last, but certainly not least, is the very cool fact that this hat reflects light (think passing cars) when you’re working out at night! So, not only is this accessory very stylish, it might just save your life!

Remember, winter doesn’t last forever! Hopefully, with some cute gear and an attitude adjustment, you’ll be able to power through until spring arrives!

Andrea McMann tries valiantly, and sometimes fails miserably, to keep herself and her family active and healthy, despite her insanely busy schedule as a wife, mother of two, freelance writer, and blogger. In addition to writing for Peekaboo Picks, Andrea writes for Inhabitots, and blogs at Chocolate Fingerprints.

Healthy Holiday Parties

I think it goes without saying that many of us will be attending some not-so-healthy events this holiday season. You can’t insist that the PTA start serving fat free refreshments, and some in-laws don’t take kindly to the request for light dishes during Christmas dinner. What can a person do to make sure they don’t render their New Year’s fitness resolutions null and void before the year even starts? Whenever possible, it helps to take the focus off food and place it back where it belongs: celebrating the real gifts in our lives, such as health, happiness, friends, and family. Use the following healthy celebration ideas to help you stay on the straight and narrow during this diet-endangering time of year.

Exercise DVD Exchange

I’ve often said that I think workout DVDs are a fantastic workout option for moms. They’re relatively low priced, and you can work them in around almost any schedule. The only problem I’ve found with this type of workout is that DVDs get quite boring after a while. You can solve this problem by participating in an exercise DVD exchange with your fitness-minded friends and family. Either bring your pre-owned DVDs that you’ve grown tired of, or buy a copy of your favorite workout to pass on to a buddy. Exchange the DVDs however you’d like, just make sure that everyone takes home a different DVD than they brought to the exchange.

Healthy Recipe Tasting

One of the best things about the holidays is the chance to enjoy great food in the company of the ones you love. But whoever said the food had to be disastrous for a dieter? Host a recipe tasting party, with one stipulation: the food has to be healthy and delicious! Each guest brings a healthy dish, and several copies of the corresponding recipe. What follows will be a celebration, just like typical holiday get-togethers, except no one will have to feel guilty afterward. The biggest bonus is that you’ll get to take home the recipes for all the wonderful dishes you sampled through the night!

Walking Club

This isn’t technically a celebration, but it’s a great way to get together with friends and make sure that exercise isn’t set aside during this busy season. Ask several friends or family members to meet you at a certain location (shopping malls are wonderful during the early hours) several days a week so you can get your walk on! You never know…taking the initiative might be all that’s required to begin a healthy ritual that’s enjoyed by family and friends alike!

Here We Come A’Caroling

If done correctly, Christmas Caroling involves a lot of walking! It can also involve shivering, which burns calories too. Why not bundle up and spread some Christmas cheer as often as you can this holiday season? Just don’t overdo it on the eggnog and hot cocoa afterward!

Shake Your Groove Thing

If part of your holiday routine involved bar hopping, ingesting calorie-soaked beverages, perhaps you should shake things up a bit. Instead of going to a bar, go to a club and dance your heart out. Dancing burns tons of calories and is a great way to spend time with friends. You’ll probably enjoy yourself much more than you would just sitting at a bar, and there will be no need to feel guilty afterward!

Picking up the Pieces

If every good intention fails you, and you find that you’ve been more naughty than nice when it comes to dieting, don’t forget that a new year is just around the corner. Take your healthy lifestyle one day at a time. Tomorrow is always a new day, with fresh possibilities and the potential to turn yourself into a healthier, more confident you!

Happy Holidays!

Andrea McMann tries valiantly, and sometimes fails miserably, to keep herself and her family active and healthy, despite her insanely busy schedule as a wife, mother of two, freelance writer, and blogger. In addition to writing for Peekaboo Picks, Andrea writes for Inhabitots, and blogs at Chocolate Fingerprints.

How to Survive Thanksgiving

If the thought of Thanksgiving sends chills down your spine, you’re not alone. On that celebrated Thursday, people all over the country will be stuffing their faces in the name of gratitude, and when their gravy-soaked bellies can’t take any more, they’ll fall into food comas for several hours, only to wake repeat the whole process. If this annual ritual doesn’t sound too appealing to you, or if it’s downright appalling, maybe you need to take a few minutes to step back and come up with a game plan for Turkey day, one that won’t leave you guilt-ridden until Christmas. The following tips will help you get through Thanksgiving, and you’ll still be able feel thankful for your good health and clean conscience!

Game Plan

Devise a strategy that will help you on this day where eating is such an important factor. Do you need to have your sister keep you away from the pumpkin pie? Maybe it would be best to fill your plate with veggies on the first trip to the buffet. That way, the gravy and deep-fried turkey won’t call your name quite as strongly, forcing you to load your plate with as many calories as possible. The bottom line is this: you know yourself. Decide what you are and aren’t going to do on Thanksgiving, tell your family, and stick to it, but don’t be a stick in the mud. Let those around you celebrate however they like. That doesn’t mean you have to, too.

Choose Wisely

If you have received standing invitations to several Thanksgiving dinners, ask around before you accept one. Does Aunt Lucy plan to offer any healthy food options, or is she going to soak everything in grease? Is your cousin Frank going to be there, stressing you out and causing you to run to the comfort food? Choose a Thanksgiving celebration that works for you and your healthy lifestyle.

Don’t Fast Beforehand

Eat breakfast on Thanksgiving! Don’t skip meals, thinking that it will save you calories so that you can pig out later. It doesn’t work. You’ll end up ravenous and make the worst food choices possible, trust me. Who cares if you’re too full for a huge slice of pie? It’s not the worst thing that could happen!

Everything in Moderation

Don’t be a martyr. What’s the point of even attending a Thanksgiving celebration if you’re going to eat like an anorexic caterpillar? Enjoy yourself! A sliver of pumpkin pie or a dollop of gravy won’t hurt you. If you enjoy dark meat, by all means, partake!

Make your Own

If you always cook Thanksgiving dinner, don’t feel that you have to abstain just because you’ve made a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. The fact that you’re cooking can actually be to your advantage. You can choose to cook the turkey in a healthy way, and add chicken broth and skim milk to the potatoes, instead of cream and butter. Think of this as an opportunity to introduce your family to the lighter side of Thanksgiving. Who knows? Maybe they’ll prefer the healthier holiday fare.

Remember Gratitude?

Don’t forget what Thanksgiving is really all about: giving thanks. Sure the food is amazing, but that’s not the whole point of the holiday. It’s supposed to be a day to get together with family and friends and celebrate being alive, and the things we love most in life. Filling our bellies is just the icing on the cake. Don’t get so caught up in the food craze that you forget to give thanks for the really important things in your life!

Andrea McMann tries valiantly, and sometimes fails miserably, to keep herself and her family active and healthy, despite her insanely busy schedule as a wife, mother of two, freelance writer, and blogger. In addition to writing for Peekaboo Picks, Andrea writes for Inhabitots, and blogs at Chocolate Fingerprints.

7 Ways to Exercise for FREE!

Getting fit isn’t easy, at least not for most of us, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Sure, I’d love to have the latest and greatest exercise equipment, a personal chef, and a drill sergeant personal trainer who makes me push myself to my limits, but unless I win the lottery, none of those things are going to happen any time soon. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great workout. You don’t have to spend any money at all! Free exercise opportunities are all around us, if we just know where to look.

1. These Feet Were Made for Walkin’: It’s true, you know. Walking is probably the easiest, most convenient exercise imaginable. It can be done any place, at any time, with anyone. Stop making excuses and get out there! Find a path or head to your local gym, lace your shoes up and go! Did you know that most shopping malls open early for walkers? It’s great; you can walk all year round, in climate-controlled comfort without having to navigate cracks in the sidewalk or wait at crosswalks.

2. Freecycle: If you haven’t heard of the Freecycle Network, it’s a fantastic, free way to find items you need, and get rid of items you don’t need. Go to the Freecycle website and find your local Freecycle group. Join up and leave a message, stating that you’re interested in used fitness equipment and DVDs, in good shape. You might not receive any responses, but you never know until you try! Also, if you have any fitness equipment or DVDs that just didn’t do it for you, why not give them away through your local Freecycle group? You know what they say: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

3. Beat the Clock: When you have a chore to do, like cleaning the house or dusting, try setting a kitchen timer for a much smaller amount of time than you would ordinarily allow yourself to accomplish the task. Then, work like a demon to try and finish the task before the timer goes off. Not only will this method make your chores more fun, but all the moving about will help you get into shape faster!

4. Get Your Groove on: Dancing is a wonderful way to tone and shape your body, while burning calories at the same time. Who cares if you’ve got no rhythm? Close the curtains, turn up the radio, and let loose! If you do have rhythm, try to go out dancing once in a while. For more specific ideas about dancing with your kids, see my earlier article, Dance Party.

5. Keep Tabs: Keep an eye on your local paper, or talk to members of the gyms in your area. Every once in a while, gyms will hold free classes or offer a limited time free membership in an attempt to attract new members. If you stay on top of these events, you’ll be able to enjoy these benefits whenever the opportunity arises.

6. Check it Out: Libraries can be a great resource when it comes to getting fit. Visit your local library and see what workout DVDs and fitness-related books they have to offer. You might be surprised!

7. Play: It’s simple, really. Play your heart out, just like young children do. Play tag, kick ball, run in circles and climb imaginary mountains. Above all, keep moving and have fun!

Andrea McMann tries valiantly, and sometimes fails miserably, to keep herself and her family active and healthy, despite her insanely busy schedule as a wife, mother of two, freelance writer, and blogger. In addition to writing for Peekaboo Picks, Andrea writes for Inhabitots, and blogs at Chocolate Fingerprints.

Healthy Gifts

I hate it when people give me food as a present, but I love making handmade food items to give to others. Does that mean that my friends and family secretly curse me for ruining their diets? Maybe. After giving it some serious thought, I’ve decided that this year, I’ll try my hardest to give gifts that encourage a healthy lifestyle, instead of hindering it. And the best part? None of them contain even a single calorie!

The list below is organized by the items I might ordinarily buy for my loved ones. Hopefully, it will spark your imagination, and encourage you to give health-inspired gifts a try!

Nixed Item: The newest role-playing video game

New Item: Wii Fit

Why: Yes, Wii Fit costs more than the average video game, but it’s interactive and encourages healthy behaviors and exercise. So, instead of growing mold on the couch, your loved ones will be performing all kinds of exercises, from cardio to yoga, getting fit and having fun at the same time!

Nixed Item: The latest and greatest children’s toy

New Item: FunSlides Carpet Skates

Why: These skates are a blast! They can be used on any carpet, anywhere, right over shoes of almost any size. When you wear them it feels like you’re gliding on a very slippery surface (think socks on a highly polished floor). With FunSlides, your kids will spend hours exercising without even realizing it! Just make sure to buy one pair for each child, to avoid fights!

Nixed Item: Cakes and cookies

New Item: Luxurious lotions and body care items

Why: When you think psychologically, I bet you’ll realize that the real reason you want to give out Christmas cookies or cheesecake is to show care for others, and show them how much you really do care. While baked goods are wonderful, they’re murder on the waistline. Why not buy them sweetly scented lotions or soaps instead? If you love giving baked goods because of the care that goes into them, try making homemade bath salts or soaps. Run a Google search on soap or bath salt recipes, and you’ll find a huge variety!

Nixed Item: DVD Player

New Item: Creative ZEN Mozaic mp3 player

Why: For the techie or entertainment lover on your list, try to avoid something that will cause them to become even more of a couch potato. How about an mp3 player? These gadgets can be taken anywhere, so your techie won’t have any excuses to sit around! The ZEN Mozaic by Creative is my absolute favorite mp3 player ever! It’s extremely affordable, comes in a range of memory sizes and color choices, and has an ultra stylish look. With features like a full-color screen, calendar, alarm clock, and a built-in speaker and FM radio, you really can’t go wrong with the ZEN Mozaic.

Nixed Item: Pregnancy Books

New Item: kick Trak

Why: Instead of inundating your pregnant friend with more information, or a book she might already have, buy her something that will be useful and bring her peace of mind. This nifty gadget helps moms-to-be when they’re counting fetal movements. Your friend will thank you for saving her time and trouble. No more losing count or paper mess from filling out charts! The kick Trak also works to time contractions during labor.

I like the idea of taking a not-so-healthy gift and turning it into a healthier one. In reality, I know that not every gift you buy will be a healthy one, but it’s nice to at least make an attempt. I hope my list inspires you to put your loved ones’ health as a priority when you do your shopping this holiday season.

Andrea McMann tries valiantly, and sometimes fails miserably, to keep herself and her family active and healthy, despite her insanely busy schedule as a wife, mother of two, freelance writer, and blogger. In addition to writing for Peekaboo Picks, Andrea writes for Inhabitots, and blogs at Chocolate Fingerprints.

Get Slim: Eat Like a Celebrity

Eating healthy isn’t easy, especially with all the tempting, super-fattening foods that accost dieters from every direction. How do celebrities do it? How do they lose the baby weight so fast, and keep it off? Usually, they have personal chefs. Wouldn’t that be nice? Wouldn’t you love to have someone on staff who could provide you with fresh, delicious meals that actually helped you lose weight? You don’t have to be a celebrity to eat that kind of food, and you don’t even have to hire a personal chef! Now you can receive fresh, healthy meals that aid weight loss, with the new GETSLIM system from Freshology, Inc.

Celebrities like Rickie Lake, Debbie Mazar and Denise Richards have already discovered Freshology through their Fresh Dining program, which is available in Southern California. GETSLIM is a new program that can be delivered to select locations throughout the country, and thanks to the folks at Freshology, Inc, I had the chance to try the GETSLIM system recently, and I’d like to share my experience with you.

I received four days’ worth of GETSLIM meals via FedEx. I was amazed that, even though the package had been shipped the previous day, the food was still cold. In fact, the ice packs were still frozen! I was also shocked at the abundance of food that is included in four days of the system! I received one breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert for each day, and the portions were very reasonable.

My mouth started watering when I looked at the meals and saw things like pancakes, steak, chicken pot pie, and chocolate chip cookies! After extensively testing these meals, I’m still surprised that this food is formulated to aid in weight loss! It doesn’t taste like “diet food” at all!

The food is exquisite and so fresh! The salads didn’t wilt, the fruit didn’t get mushy and actually tasted like fruit! While eating these foods, I didn’t feel like I was abstaining or suffering, like I usually do when dieting. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

I got to eat great-tasting sausage and bacon, hearty stew, and blueberry coffee cake!

GETSLIM wants customers to be satisfied, and never bored. I love that their system is on a 45 day menu rotation. This means that not even one meal will be the same during the whole 45 days! To me, that’s just astounding!

GETSLIM meals are refrigerated, not frozen like other delivery food systems. This allows you to eat fruit and veggies at the peak of freshness, not frozen and reheated. All meals can be heated easily, with a microwave or on stovetop.

The GETSLIM Welcome Packet comes with ideas for recycling packaging and shipping materials, and also tips for dieting issues, such as eating out or consuming enough water. I loved that they took the time to address these areas that will most likely be of concern to many customers!

The only drawback to GETSLIM is that it’s not available absolutely everywhere. GETSLIM is available in the following states:

· Connecticut

· Delaware

· Maine

· Maryland

· Massachusetts

· Michigan

· New Hampshire

· New Jersey

· New York

· North Carolina

· Ohio

· Pennsylvania

· Rhode Island

· South Carolina

· Virginia

· West Virginia

· Vermont

· Washington DC

And in parts of:

· Georgia

· Illinois

· Indiana

· Kentucky

If you live in one of these areas, I strongly urge you to look into GETSLIM. If you can eat great and still lose weight, why not give it a try?

Andrea McMann tries valiantly, and sometimes fails miserably, to keep herself and her family active and healthy, despite her insanely busy schedule as a wife, mother of two, freelance writer, and blogger. In addition to writing for Peekaboo Picks, Andrea writes for Inhabitots, and blogs at Chocolate Fingerprints.

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