Vega Sport: For The Sports Nuts In All of Us.

Im a fitness junky, and if you're reading my blog through Pilates Platinum, you probably are too. So you know very well how much we need to remain hydrated and healthy, especially in between intense workouts.

While water is a must, you can always spice it up a little bit by adding an electrolyte hydrator by Vega Sport. I add this to my water and drink it throughout the day. It's a drink mix, without preservatives or additives.

Other products that Vega is so great for includes their protein powder, which helps you improve performance and your strength.

Check out Vega Sport's other must-have items!

Heather Dorak on How Pilates Healed Her Life

Article originally published at MindBodyGreen

By Jason Wachob

Meet Heather Dorak, the founder of LA's fastest growing Pilates studio, Pilates Platinum. Heather tells us how Pilates healed her life, helped her overcome an eating disorder, and also shares her philosophy on food and more!

MBG: Many people come to Pilates for healing...how did you come to Pilates/how did it heal your body?

HD: I was a dancer for many years and the repetitive practice of moves over the years resulted in injuries and chronic pain in my feet, ankles and lower back. Because of the pain, I tended to over compensate my movements in one area of the body over the other which affected my alignment as well. As I was considering options for therapy, a friend of mine introduced me to Pilates. I took several classes and noticed an immediate improvement. Unlike many other training program Pilates works the whole body emphasizing control, precision and concentration in the mind, body and spirit. The focus on core stabilization makes one stronger from the inside out which is critical in healing and strengthening the body. Pilates is low impact which makes it ideal for injury prevention and rehabilitation. The balance between strength and flexibility creates a healthy , symmetrical workout for all muscle groups resulting in a leaner , more balanced and stronger body. My health and energy level improved dramatically after taking Pilates classes and I no longer experience any pain. My own personal successes led me to open my first Pilates studio with the goal in mind to inspire others to create implement and achieve their own health and fitness goals.

How did Pilates help you overcome an eating disorder?

Being a dancer for many years created a lot of body image issues and led into an eating disorder which was very difficult to overcome. My eating disorder affected my mind, body and spirit. In combination with the chronic pain that I was experiencing , my emotional level and loss of self greatly affected the quality of my life. Taking Pilates classes was my first step in the recovery process as it addressed the pain that I had been experiencing. As the pain diminished and my body became stronger I started to pay greater attention to my overall health and nutrition. I realized that having a stronger body while struggling with an eating disorder was completely counter productive. It wasn’t easy, but I started taking small steps to improving all aspects of my health. My family and friends supported and coached me through the process. The next big step that contributed to my recovery was opening my first Pilates studio. I quickly realized that in order to be effective with my clients I had to be honest with them and with myself. I knew that I would achieve greater success if I was as strong and healthy as possible and this idea in itself created a continued path of wellness.

How/why can Pilates empower someone to overcome obstacles in their life?

Pilates emphasizes a lifestyle. It's not a fad or trendy workout -- Pilates can truly change your body. Results are achieved in a short amount of time and I see it all the time from people at my studio. They become more self confident as they accomplish more and this motivates and empowers them to address other obstacles in their lives as well. They begin to make a long term commitment to their overall daily lives, activities and relationships the same way that they approach their fitness goals which brings them greater success and encourages them to take their lives to the next level.

A lot of yogis also practice Pilates -- why do you think this is so?

Even though they are quite different, I think that a lot of yogis practice Pilates because the nature of the techniques makes it easy for them to compliment each other. You get the stretch with yoga and keep it with Pilates. You can strengthen your abdominals on the reformer and see improvement in many of your poses. Joining the breathing techniques of Pilates and meditative aspect of yoga into a daily routine will enhance the mind, body and spirit. By combining both the body never becomes totally accustomed to performing the same routine every day so it's constantly in a state of change and development. This is what a successful workout routine is all about. Pilates and yoga are both dynamic workouts that are time proven and established and people who participate in both achieve the ultimate benefits possible.

What is your philosophy on food?

I believe that clean eating goes hand in hand with being healthy and achieving our fitness goals. The soul of clean eating is consuming food in its most natural state, or as close to it as possible. If you eat garbage, your body will show it. If you eat whole, healthy and fresh foods your body, skin and soul will glow with health that will give you endless energy. It is not a diet, it is a lifestyle approach to food and its preparation. Here are my favorite tips that I share with my clients who are seeking ways to improve their food choices.

1. Avoid processed foods and eliminate food with chemicals.
   
2. Eat lots of plants, preferably straight off of the tree or bush; the idea here is to stay away from anything that has been altered by a food company.
   
3. Drink at least two liters of water a day.
   
4. If you eat meat, eat meats that are whole and straight from the butcher, humanly raised and local.
   
5. Consume healthy fats every day.
   
6. Enjoy grains – eat whole grains that haven’t been broken down.
   
7. Read labels so you know what you are eating. Clean foods only include one or two ingredients.
   
8. Buy organic when you can.
   
9. Learn about portion sizes and work toward eating within them.
   
10. Eat 5-6 small meals per day, if this is too difficult, eat 3 smaller meals with a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Include a lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and a complex carbohydrate with each meal. This keeps your body energized and burning calories efficiently all day long.

Clean eating may seem overwhelming at first, especially if you have lots of changes to make. My advice is to take baby steps. Make little changes every day and don’t feel guilty if you make mistakes. We all do. Just realize that it is what you do the majority of the time that counts.

What are some of your favorite healthy places to eat in LA?

There are so many amazing healthy places to eat in LA and that’s why I love this city. I love Tender Greens, especially the one next to my Santa Monica studio on Broadway and 2nd street. They have a raw salad featured every day with local farmers market produce. Euphoria Loves Rawvolution is an amazing place that serves up these marvelous raw food dishes. It's also my go to place when I am craving something sweet. Latest indulgence was cookie dough ball made out of coconut butter and coconut oil -- amazing! The space out there is just so cool, vibrant and open, I love going there to work or just hang out with friends. Main Street in Santa Monica is one of my favorite streets in LA.

What's next for you, what are you working on?

I have found that lifestyle, not diets or trendy workouts is the most important thing to emphasize as we strive to make changes in our lives. My dedication is to inspire others to create, implement and achieve their personal fitness goals. Next month I will also begin to offer fitness and nutrition seminars at our Brentwood studio. I'd like to create an environment that is constantly evolving and provides opportunities for people to feel supported and engaged as they continue on their chosen path.

For more on Heather check out PilatesPlatinum.com.

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Voli Light Vodka

Now for a more..ahem...fun post.

You're at a cocktail party or a dinner with friends, and you want to get a little crazy. Without overdoing it of course, and you particularly want to go easy on the calories.

Enter Voli light vodkas, a new discovery I made at an event. It's a fun, low calorie (20 to 40% less calories than other vodkas) way to get your drink on. They come in multiple flavors, including lemon, pear vanilla, and raspberry cocoa.

They're great, they taste "light" and they are easy on the tummy. Didn't even give me the headache that I get with most vodkas.

Check out your nearest Whole Foods to get your vodka fix - or just order them straight from the website. Bottom's up!

Pilates Platinum is now on Pinterest!

Ever heard of Pinterest? It's a cute little platform - kind of a mini Tumblr - that you can use to share beautiful or funny or interesting images.

We'll be using this awesome network to share things that interest us and that we think you'll love. Feel free to sign up and follow Pilates Platinum! It's fun!

What's For Breakfast?

The other day someone asked me, what's the perfect breakfast, especially when you are trying to lose weight or keep fit?

It's a tough question, because everyone has different tastes and metabolism.

So I like to give as an example the type of breakfast that I might eat on a typical day. I like to keep it light, but sweet, because that keeps me full until lunchtime.

I might have gluten-free oatmeal with fresh berries. Sometimes I might also sprinkle a few Chia seeds on top. If you need a little bit more sweetness add a teaspoon of honey. But not too much.

Another favorite of mine and of many of my healthy friends is an egg white omelet with all kinds of of veggies. I top this off with fresh salsa and one slice of Ezekiel bread, which is really hearty, so it keeps you satisfied for a while.

One of my friends sometimes does raw food cleanse programs. When she's on those, she has found that the best, easiest way to go each morning is the simplest: a raw, vegan bar like a Earthling Organic's Raw Bar, with a banana, followed by green tea. That's especially useful for those who like to eat more on the sweet side in the morning.

Earthling Organics Raw Bars

I was at Whole Foods the other day, browsing the fruit and protein bar aisle, and I have to admit, it got a little overwhelming trying to pick out a new bar. The selections have really expanded to include any type of flavor or type of bar that you might be looking for.

I was particularly looking for a raw bar - something that would be simple, delicious, and had just a few ingredients. One in particular caught my eye because of its packaging - Earthling Organics Raw bars. Simple and naked almost, with barely any ingredients, just raw fruit and nuts. The label said it all.

I took home two flavors - vanilla and the Yogi flavor - and loved them. They were crunchy with just the right amount of flavor; not too sweet and with a hint of a nutty flavor. Anyways, I loved them, they work great in the morning with a banana and a refreshing yerba mate.The snack comes in a variety of flavors, like Gogi, Matcha, and Rawnola.

Try it, you'll thank me. You can check them out at your nearest Whole Foods, in the protein bar area. Or order them direct from the Earthling Organics check out page.

Naked Cooking! The Naked Foods Cookbook

We are so used to eating out here in Los Angeles, that it's hard to imagine using your kitchen sometimes. But it's often useful, especially if you have specific food preferences and preferences.

But how to begin, especially if you are used to eating at restaurants?

Get yourself a really good, simple cookbook to get started on your culinary journey. My current favorite is The Naked Foods Cookbook: The Whole-Foods, Healthy-Fats, Gluten-Free Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great, by Margaret Floyd and and James Barry. This book gives you the scoop on how to make delicious meals that are whole, organic, natural and gluten free.

Cooking "naked" to the authors means cooking meals that contain no preservatives or harmful additives. The meals featured in the book also take into account your busy lifestyle and are organized into the time it takes for you to cook them: quick 20 minute meals, longer "impress the neighbors" recipes, and also time intensives recipes for when you have some extra time.

Check it out and tell me what you think!

Bella Bars: Belle Raw Snacks!

You all by now know how much I love raw snacks and foods. Well I particularly love raw food on the go, for when you are out on the town or on vacation somewhere awesome.

The go-to snacks for me right now are Bella Bars, luxury raw food bars, which are all natural, preservative-free and vegan, and with no added sugar and only 210 calories. I love these because I am an avid chocolate lover, and this is an easy way to get your choco fix without the stomach aches and calories that come with regular choco bars.

Bars come in chocolate nut and cinnamon nut flavors, both enough to satisfy your sweet tooth or that hunger on the go.

The bar's all natural ingredients include: Dates, Walnuts, Pecans, Agave Syrup, Hemp Seed, Rolled Oats, Hemp Powder, Ground Flax, Brown Rice Protein, Cocoa Powder, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Salt.

Order these online HERE.

Twin Cakes Bakery: Sweet Raw Goodness

I love to eat healthy and try new healthy foods, but I also have a really strong sweet tooth! It's difficult when you get those cravings because there's not much that's out there that is also easy on the stomach. But luckily, I recently found Twin Cakes bakery, gluten-free, raw and vegan sweets for your tooth that was recently given honors by VegNews magazine.

The bakery offers biscotti, snack bites, crackers, and flat breads, and these are shipped directly to your house (they are no longer offered at farmer's markets, unfortunately).

They say that what makes their sweets different than other raw vegan products in that they dehydrate their treats, which preserves its nutrients.

They also explain their use of coconut oil, which is pretty good for you:

It actually is comprised mainly of Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCT’s). These MCT’s are liquid at 76 degrees and remain liquid in our bodies. They also quickly convert to energy and are most likely NOT going to be stored as body fat like long chain animal fats. Coconut oil is also very stable therefore does not oxidize easily to create free radical damage. Athletes consume 1-2 tablespoons of MCT’s before competitions for added energy!
Coconut oil also contains Lauric Acid, known to be anti-bacterial/viral.

Check them out for yourself and try a treat - and make sure you check out their blog for more gluten-free and fitness favorites.

Mother Organica - The Mother of All Delivery!

My parents often visit me from out of town, and we love to sample the awesome and healthy food options that Los Angeles has to offer. Sometimes they just feel like staying indoors and ordering in a good meal.

Luckily, we have found MotherOrganica, which cooks and delivers healthy and amazing vegan options to your home.

It's basically like having your own private chef, because they go shopping at local farmer's markets to create customized meals that they then deliver on Monday and Thursday mornings. All you do is provide them with your dietary needs and restrictions, and voila! your own private meal arrives at your doorstep. They also offer private party catering, events and consulting.

I loved the options and my parents did too, so I'm sure you'll feel the same way!

Check them out here.