Old Navy GogaGo & Cute Workout Clothes

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
Beauty & Fashion, Health & Fitness
8 Comments

Sometimes going to the gym is hard, we all know this. It takes real motivation to get up and get going, but as soon as we’re there working out all is right with the world. Yes? If you’re like me, you’ve been wearing the same busted sweats and hoodies for a long time, and they’re designated just for the gym! I think that we all need a boost when it comes to working out and enjoying it, and that can start with some great work out accessories. I am BY NO MEANS saying that you should dress like you’re going to the Dolce & Gabbana’s spring runway show, but by sprucing up your workout wardrobe, you can sometimes have a little more motivation to get going, and of course to feel great in what you’re wearing.

Old Navy knows what I’m talking about. They’ve just launched their new “Goga Go!” line complete with different types of walking, running, and yoga pants. Best of all they are reasonably priced. During these though economic times, you can still stock up with great workout clothes without breaking your budget. I absolutely love their Yoga Capris (pictured above). They have a medium rise which holds you in for workout moves such as lifting or doing lunges. When it comes to washing them, they dry nicely and haven’t faded yet. I wear them almost 2-3 times a week while working out. A truly great investment to add to your closet.

Since we can’t go to the gym topless, Old Navy also offers different types of tank tops, track jackets and tees to complete your look without making your wallet cry. I love their women’s stretch tanks. They come in a variety of colors (although I prefer basic black and white, big surprise!), and are easily washable and breathable. There’s nothing like feeling like you’re “stuck” in your clothes while working out. The movability is something to be noted! Tanks cost $8.50, and in some stores you can score great deals such as “2 for 10″ or “3 for 10.” Best of all, basic stretch tanks are great for layering even when you’re not working out. Something to be worn at the gym, OR at school or work? I say yes!

Most of you probably balance cardio with some weight lifting. After a while of weight lifting, you’ll notice small calluses or blisters on the bottoms of your fingers. No fun right? It can make lifting painful and leave your hands sore. To complete your look try Reebok’s Women’s Workout Gloves. They’re available at Target stores for less than $12.00! I love the pink and grey ones pictured, but you can also order them in plain black.

So, try out a new workout wardrobe! There’s no reason that going to the gym means you have to dress in clothes that are five sizes two big and look like you grabbed them out of a garbage bin. And new workout clothes sitting in your closet will hopefully be a great motivator for you!

Different Types of Tea & Their Benefits

Thursday, January 15th, 2009
Food & Recipes, Health & Fitness
10 Comments

A few days ago Marsadie mentioned a great Detox tea to help with weight loss, which is great seeing as how I’m sure many of us are still losing some of that Holiday weight. I’ve always been a Tea drinker, mainly for the different flavors, and the fact that different types of tea offer a host of amazing health benefits. Even if you’re a Lipton girl, you can still reap the benefits of tea. During the cold winter weather many of us are experiencing right now, it’ll warm you up as well, and it a better alternative to coffee which can dehydrate you if you drink it in excess.

The most common tea that we all know and love is Black Tea. Black Tea is the one of the world’s oldest teas, and most other teas have been derived from the picking, brewing, and fermenting process that Black Tea goes through. Black Tea comes in second places for antioxidants, after it’s distant cousin, Green Tea. While Green Tea gets most of the health hype now a days, Black Tea also inhibits cancer growth, tames inflammation, fights viruses, stimulates your immune system, and has been said to be a potential heart tonic. My favorite Black Tea is Earl Grey. If you’re new to black tea, try the following:

  • British Breakfast: A light morning tea with little flowery undertones.
  • Orange Pekoe: Like Lipton Tea, but better…much better.
  • Earl Grey (pictured): A thicker bodied tea that I drink whatever time of day. It has a flavor of citrus and Bergamot, and a bluish tint. (For a lighter flavor with some lemon hints try Lady Grey!)

    While I’m personally not a fan of plain Green Tea, (in my opinion it just tastes like hot water), we all know it comes second to none in terms of health benefits. To reel off a few: it lowers risk of cancer, heart attack, and stroke. With the numbers of heart and stroke issues going up in the country (and that they’re effecting women!!), downing a cup of Green Tea certainly isn’t going to hurt! Green Tea also lowers blood pressures, prevents tooth decay (keep the sugar to a minimum), and inhibits viruses! Green Tea has also been said to help stimulate your metabolism. We all know the benefits by now, with all of the hype on TV, and on the Internet. So if you’re like me, and you just can’t settle for plain Green Tea, try to search out some of these flavorful Green Tea options. All of the benefits, with a different flavor.

  • Peppermint Green Tea: My best friend swears by it. It has a light refreshing mint flavor. Perfect with a dash of Splenda.
  • Granny Green Apple (pictured): Tastes just like biting into a Grannysmith apple. Light refreshing, and perfect for any time of the day. If you’re craving sweets this is probably a good tea to try.

    Herbal and Oolong Teas are often forgotten and left to the side. Oolong is also one of the world’s oldest teas, and is similar to the tea you get at a Chinese restaurant. Light and delicious, and especially yummy sweetened. Oolong helps burn body fat and fight cholesterol, while Herbal Tea relaxes you, heals aches, and leaves you feeling refreshed. When I’m sick I usually reach for Lipton’s Honey & Lemon which soothes sore throats, and in the summer a great herbal is Twining’s Raspberry, which I ice.

    Oh, you want some more color, do you? Last but not least, we have the two “newest” teas to begin a craze. White and Red Tea (Rooibos) are all the rage now. Not ringing any bells? White Tea (pictured) is a younger tea leaf which gets picked earlier (remember the snapple commercial? Love it!) It has a fruitier taste, but is packed with antioxidants much like Green Tea, but also protects bones. Listen up ladies! We have to protect our bones! Red Tea has all of the above mentioned benefits, with an aid in sleep. College students? Nervous about exams? Can’t sleep? Try sipping some Red Tea and let the relaxation begin.

  • Sowmee White Tea (pictured): Light and crisp. Great alone or with splenda and a splash of milk. I especially enjoyed this Tea in the summer for it’s lighter flavors. A hint of orange is lingering.
  • Bourbon St. Vanilla Caffeine Free (Red Tea): If you’re wary about trying new teas, think about trying a Vanilla flavor. Vanilla is sweet and universal in most cases.

    All of the teas I have mentioned you can purchase online for VERY reasonable prices. I’ve ordered from English Tea Store and absolutely love it. They have amazing teas, treats to compliment teas, and they ship promptly. And if you want to learn more about the benefits of tea, click to Tea Benefits where you can buy Organic online as well.

    Merry Christmas! (and some tips too!)

    Wednesday, December 24th, 2008
    Daily Grind, Health & Fitness
    11 Comments

    Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy all of the festivities.

    Tonight we’re heading to Keith’s for Christmas Eve and we have all of this amazing Polish food. We have Sauerkraut Soup, three types of Pieroggis, and two types of Babikas (my favorite being the sugar and walnut ones), and Kolach Bread which has raisins, cinnamon, and walnuts. Delicious! I’m super excited. And tomorrow we’re having Christmas day at my Aunt’s and I’m giving Keith his presents tomorrow.

    I absolutely love Christmas traditions. There’s something about the Christmas season that just makes me so happy.

    What are some of your traditions? What are your plans for Christmas Eve/Day?

    And since you know I can just leave you without giving some healthy tips, for those of us who are worried about holiday weight gain, there’s plenty of things you can do to make the holidays more manageable.

    - Drink a full glass of water and have a light snack before going to parties! You’ll be less likely to overindulge.

    - That being said, don’t starve yourself all day, so you “can eat more later.” It doesn’t work that way, and you’ll end up eating more than you have planned.

    - Wine is a good option for alcohol instead of having a cocktail or a beer. Even better? Make it a spritzer. Less wine, and club soda is a no calorie mixer!

    - If you’re going to a party where you’re bringing something, make a veggie or fruit dish. You’ll be surprised at how many other people will be happy that you brought something healthy. Try fat free yogurt for a fruit dip, or hummus/fat free ranch for veggies.

    We all love eating around the holiday season, and food plays a big role, especially in my family with us being Italian and Greek, but there’s plenty of ways you can still enjoy all of these treats without going overboard.

    I hope you all have a great Christmas, and enjoy yourselves! Be safe, have fun, and enjoy all of the presents. =]

    Cold Season & Apple Pie

    Friday, October 31st, 2008
    Food & Recipes, Health & Fitness, Photos
    11 Comments

    It seems like everyone is getting sick at this time of the year what with the season change. I currently am battling Bronchitis (and hopefully nothing more! We’ll see on Tuesday when I go for my Doc follow up). I have an ass kicking antibiotic and an inhaler (which is amazing, I’ve never used one before) to help get me better for the next week. Coughing, sneezing, and not being able to hear that well out of my left ear has been rough, but there’s ways to help yourself stay well, and of course, to relief some of the uncomfortable repercussions of being sick.

    Chapped lips? Dry hands? No doubt you’re washing your hands a lot more during the cold and flu season if you’re anything like me. I absolutely love Aquaphor and The Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector. Slather your hands before you go to sleep, and watch the magic. Dry chapped hands due to cold weather, and hand washing is healed! As for chapped lips (which can be caused by cold weather, and antibiotics/decongestants), I love traditional Chapstick and Carmex. Also, drink plenty of water. If you’re currently sick, water helps to flush out your system, and also plumps lips and skin to keep it moist.

    For sore throats and coughs I drink Lipton’s Honey Lemon Black Tea. Tashina suggested it, and I forgot how soothing the honey and lemon are. It’s delicious alone, or with a packet of no calorie sweetener.

    And if all else fails, BAKE! I recently baked these two homemade apple pies. I used Cortland Apples for one, and Grannysmith Apples for another. I’ve never used Grannysmith Apples before for baking, but the pie was absolutely delicious.

    The flavor was tart, but with the buttery pastry crust (which took the longest to make, but so fun to do), was a great pair. Cortland Apples are always great to bake with in my opinion as well. This might be a new fall tradition. Also throwing a few pinches of flour in the apple mixture made the juices thicker. YUM!! Baking the pies were just as fun as eating them after wards. And don’t lie; you love the lattice crust.

    October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

    Sunday, October 5th, 2008
    Beauty & Fashion, Health & Fitness, The Media
    13 Comments

    Happy October everybody! October is breast cancer awareness month, and there is so much that we can do to help find a cure, donate to research, and support survivors. Breast cancer is one of the most easily treatable cancers if detected early. One of the biggest fallacies is that breast cancer is something only women have to be concerned with. Men can also be at risk for breast cancer, as they also have breast tissue! We can all do something to help the cause for curing and treating breast cancer. There are many beauty and fashion companies that make products in which all proceeds go directly to charities. Here are some links, and amazing products that work in two ways; keeping you gorgeous, and helping those in need.

    Make sure to check out Totalbeauty.com’s Breast Cancer Awareness Shopping Guide. Clinique is just one of the companies contributing to such an amazing cause. This special edition of their Dramatically Different Moisturizer (which I’ve never met someone who didn’t love it), donates to Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Also featured is Bobbi Brown’s Pink Ribbon collection which boasts beautiful lip glosses and colors. The two I’ve mentioned are only a few of the amazing products on TB’s shopping guide. Make sure to check out the products, and take note of the amazing cause you’ll be helping out.

    Beauty companies worldwide are focusing on this important cause, but clothing companies also donate to charities and foundations as well. Consider shopping on The Susan G. Komen For The Cure Promise Shop. The shop features beautiful ‘Warrior’ Scarves, in which each symbol means something different. Also on the website are Komen Holiday cards, and watches. Why not have Holiday cards which also help a good cause?

    And, finally, you can even help the cause to cure breast cancer when you go out to eat. Panera features a Pink Ribbon Bagel for the month of October. As I used to work there I can tell you it’s pretty delicious. It has dried cherries and a vanilla flavor, and tastes great alone or with your morning cup of coffee.

    If you want to learn more, I’ve included some amazing links. Check them out and be informed!
    Susan G. Komen For The Cure - Buy products, donate, and learn more about Breast Cancer

    Breast Cancer Research Foundation - Learn more about the steps we’re taking everyday to find a cure.

    Total Beauty’s Breast Cancer Awareness Shopping Guide - Buy beauty products, donate to a good cause!

    Breast Cancer in Men - Guys! Read this! Women are not the only ones at risk!

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