Crystal Body Deodorant: Crystal Clean For Your Health

Deodorants are the last thing you think about when you want to start living a "clean" life - but it's one of the most important items in your medicine cabinet that you should be researching. The reason? Parabens and other types of chemicals that could be causing weird reactions in your body. Parabens have been found in the breast tissue of many women with cancer. Although no direct link has been established, there should be some cause for concern.

Katherine Lee, MD, breast specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Breast Center in Ohio, for example, told WebMD that “Although the environmental exposure to parabens as a cause of breast cancer is a possibility, there is no conclusive data thus far to state this as fact." She adds that “The study suggests that if there is a relationship between parabens and breast cancer, it may be a complex one.”

The National Cancer Institute states on their website that "Research studies of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and breast cancer have been completed and provide conflicting results."

This should be enough to re-evaluate what you're putting in your underarm.  Luckily there are a few new options for you if you're looking for a clean deodorant.

One that I'm currently loving is Crystal Body Deodorant, that I found through KlutchClub. This product is literally made from natural salt. It's seriously just a big salt stone!

Crystal Body Deodorant is hypoallergenic, it's gentle on the skin, dries instantly (you have to run it under the faucet before using), it's never tested on animals and it's recommended by cancer treatment centers. But most importantly, it contains no chemicals, like Aluminum Cholohydrate, Parabens, and Pthalates. It's also fun to apply - imagine rubbing a big crystal on your underarm!

I'd say erring on the side of caution is a smart thing to do wouldn't you?

Mouthwatering Treats From Mama Earth Organics

With the days getting warmer and warmer, and the wonderful spring season upon us, it gets even more exciting to find snacks, because now you can  incorporate ice creams into your daily diet. And no, we're not  talking about chunky monkey double brownie Oreo mixes! We mean the healthy, water based ice creams, with natural sugar and no preservatives. The stuff your great-grandma used to make back in the farm.

Just found this wonderful recipe from Mama Earth Organics for these delicious looking fruity ice creams. The photo above makes our mouth water! We can just picture ourselves at the beach, with our Whole Foods picnic basket, our best friends next to us reading a book or listening to music, and us chomping down on this delicious treat.

Try it yourself and treat yo' self!


3 cups watermelon puree (seedless if possible)
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 peach or nectarine, diced small
handful fresh cherries, pitted and chopped

Cut the watermelon into chunks and then puree it in a blender until smooth. Set aside.

Set out about 1 dozen popsicle molds (amount needed will vary depending on size of molds). Fill each one with the chopped fresh fruit. Then pour in the watermelon puree until each mold is full to the top. Place a popsicle stick into each one. Place into your freezer and freeze for about 6 to 8 hours.

When ready to serve, run the popsicle molds under warm water for a few seconds and then pull each one out.

Getting Your Daily D's: Part Deux

One of my close friends was getting a regular check up at the doctor's the other day, and when she got her blood tests back, it indicated that she was vitamin D deficient.

This made sense to her, because she's been having weirdly persistent knee issues that just don't go away, and she's been feeling fatigued throughout the day (which is odd for her because she has tons of energy during the day).

Vitamin D deficiency stems from inadequate sunlight exposure, coupled with inadequate nutrition. According to WebMD, generally, people who make it a point to stay away from the sun, are vegetarian, and shun dairy products are particularly at risk for developing this deficiency. Turns out my friend is a triple risk, because she falls under all of these factors.  Unfortunately, this makes her a particularly risky case for D deficiency and for potential long-term effects of it - like osteoporosis, or even cancer when she gets older.

What are some of the signs that you may need a little extra D in your life? Bob Green over at Oprah.com explains the symptoms:

• Fatigue: "It can be a quite severe fatigue," Dr. Dowd says. In fact, those diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome may also suffer from lack of vitamin D, he says.
• Body aches: "Bone pain, muscle pain, joint pain [are all signs]," he says. "[The pain] typically moves around—one day it's your back that bothers you, a week later it's your shoulders and the next day it is your feet and hands."
• Difficulty controlling weight: Vitamin D plays a role in regulating weight, and Dr. Dowd says a deficiency may make it difficult to keep your weight in check.

If any of these sound familiar, go tell your doctor you'd like to get checked. If you know for a fact that you are indeed in need of the D's, there are a few simple steps you can take right away.

1. Pick up a 1500 to 2000 UI Vitamin D bottle at your local health food store. The Whole Foods brand costs just $6.99 and if you want to go cheaper, go Trader Joe's.

2. If you're not vegan, up your dairy. If you are dead set against cheese, a simple solution is incorporating probiotics or yogurt into your diet.

3. Add some pizzazz into your supplements, and try  "Coromega Omega3+D Squeese" Vitamin D gel packs, which she found through the great monthly subscription health box Klutchclub. These are individual packets of gel that tastes like orange and also contains Omega 3. It's actually pretty tasty. 

4. Get your sun on! We previously wrote about getting your Vitamin D intake by laying out in the sun once in a while. Now we know just how important this is for your body.

Pilates Platinum's Spinning Tricks

Many of you guys are already addicted to our amazing 30/30 and Platinum Spin classes at Brentwood, Hollywood and Venice locations. I think it's important to always make sure that you are spinning using your best form and that you're getting the best workout of your life.

I asked some of our instructors what was their best tip for getting the most of out spin class and they gave us great tips that we can start using even in our next class.  Here's what they said.

Remember to just try your best! It's ok if you can't stay out of the saddle the whole time, just try your best and keep coming back to build those leg muscles.

When you are out of the saddle press your heels towards the floor and keep your butt back over the saddle and relax your upper body. Breathe during the class and STRETCH after!! :)

-Heather Adair 

Think about pulling up your knees rather than just pushing down on your pedals, which will activate more of the muscles in your legs.

Engage your core and your legs will naturally go faster

Don't think of hills as battles but as celebrations of your body's capabilities

Be mindful of your bike set-up and always ask your instructor to check you out before class starts. you want to activate your whole leg without locking your knees so even if you're a pro, your settings change as you change as a rider and this extra set of eyes can't hurt! 

- Lizy

I think the most important tip for spinning is having the correct bike adjustments.  The bike seat should be as high as possible where there is a small bend at the knee.  This will prevent knee injuries and lower back pain. Having your seat too low compacts your legs putting to much strain on your patella. 

  - Brian

 

 

Your Favorite Acai Bowl: A Ticking Time Bomb?

For a few years now everyone has been talking about Acai. Acai this, Acai that. Acai is America's new superfood and the answer to all of your problems.

As many things in life, if it seems too good to be true...it probably is.

Acai may be a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, but it also packs a whopping caloric punch. You know that Acai bowl you've been scarfing down after pilates? It could have as much as 640 calories!

You seriously may as well have a Big Mac!

Here's the caloric brakdown, ingredient by ingredient:

240 calories of Cranberry Nut Trail Mix Granola, (0.66 cup)

113 calories of Blueberries, fresh, (0.50 pint as purchased, yields)

100 calories of Sambazon Acai Pack, (1 serving)

93 calories of Banana, fresh, (1 small (6" to 6-7/8" long))

40 calories of Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Milk, (1 cup)

37 calories of Blackberries, fresh, (0.50 cup)

18 calories of Strawberries, fresh, (5 medium (1-1/4" dia))

This could be a serious hindrance to your diet plans. So next time you want to reach for that Acai bowl, just reach for  a banana and blueberries, and throw it in a blender with a Sambazon Acai pack. It's just as delicious, and you'll be avoiding the sticky heavyness of the infamous acai bowl.

Sumo Citrus: A Funny Fruit

Have you ever had Sumo Citrus? Can you say it with a straight face?

It's an actual fruit, that's been making the rounds here in LA and getting into all kinds of trouble. And I'm loving it! It's like an orange, but better! It has little raised corners, it's bigger, and it's a cross between a mandarin and an orange. It comes straight from Japan, so you'll feel fancy as you're stuffing your face with it at the Farmers Market.

What's even better is that although it originates in Japan, it's grown here in SoCal so you can rest assured that it's locally grown. Try one and tell us what you think!

SimpleFoods: Simple, Real Food, Just For You

I'm always looking for great food around town, and last week I found a great new service that everyone's talking about, including one of my favorite actresses Jessica Alba, who instagrammed her SimpleFoods meal plan just last week.

Beverly Hills Personal Fitness Trainer Fred Khorshidi is behind SimpleFoods, which creates daily meals from scratch that are low in sodium, calories, and free of unprocessed foods. He created the brand because he realized that though his clients were great at following his fitness regimen, they found it hard to find time to seek out clean and fresh foods that weren't sabotaging their progress. So he began preparing meals for several of them. 

And everything quickly skyrocketed from there. His clients were so ecstatic with their meals they told friends and family, and he began picking up new clients quicker than he could fulfill orders. Soon he had orders all over Los Angeles. That's simply how SimpleFoods was born.

What I love about their plans is their simplicity. No crazy concoctions, just simple, real food, just for you. It' perfect for the low-touch busy person that has such a complicated life that they need their meals and their workouts simple, quick and easy. Also their prices are great, starting at $55 a day.

And let me tell you, the dishes were mouth watering, and I quickly turned into one of Fred's infamously happy customers. Just look at the sample meals: This upcoming week, the menu includes orange and cranberry oatmeal for breakfast, dried papaya and quinoa salad for a snacks, a veggie wrap for lunch, and grilled chicken with steamed veggies for dinner. You can even eat delicious chocolate mousse.

And now, all Pilates Platinum members can get a taste, thanks to a special 20% discount straight from SimpleFoods to you. When you order any of their meal plans, just use coupon code PLATINUM20, and voila, you'll be eating as though you had your own personal chef. Simple and real!