Working Out During Vacations

There should be no excuse at all to fit in cardio when you are on the road!

It's hard to keep up with your daily workout routine when you're out of town for the holidays, but you want to have some way of keeping that holiday weight down. What do you do when you're in a particularly tough environment that doesn't really allow for much outdoor activity?

I was just in Telluride, Colorado for the holidays, where my daily run/hike was not possible because of the ice and snow on the streets. What did I do to keep up with my cardio? I jumped rope. It's easy enough to carry on your luggage - just pack the light weight and lets not forget inexpensive rope.

But I'll be the first to admit it, it's not as easy at it looks. I can easily run seven miles, but, wow, was I sweating after only thirty minutes of jumping rope. Even if this sounds too intimidating, break it up in 10 minute intervals mixed in with planks/side planks/bicycle crunches.

What are the benefits to jumping rope?

• Rocks your heart rate on par with running, but without the joint-jarring impact.
• Works on your agility, posture, balance, reflexes and coordination
• Tones your calves, delts and arms and abs.
  

Kelp Noodles: Indulge Without Pasta Guilt

Are you a pasta lover like me? (Isn't everyone?).

But if you're also like me, you don't like feeling full and heavy after a nice big plate of Grandma's special spaghetti.

When you feel like having pasta but not the carbs or that heavyness, substitute pasta for Kelp Noodles. You can serve them hot or cold, but I actually prefer to warm them up and prepare a nice yummy all natural tomato sauce. You can also drizzle a little bit of olive oil and salt & pepper to taste. Top that off with a little bit of feta cheese, and you have a pasta ever your Italian Grandmother would love.

Best of all, they are only six calories per serving! So you can indulge without guilt.

Magic Chia Seeds

Ever heard of Chia seeds? Of course, you have. Especially if you have heard about chia pets. But did you know that Chia seeds are so useful and packed with high energy that the Aztec warriors used it during their battles? Only if you eat them, of course, not grow them as decorative sheep.

It's especially useful if you run, and actually is able to keep you hydrated. The way you take these is with a glass of water. Extra water if you're running.

These little magical gems are packed with fiber, packed with antioxidants, proteins, vitamins
and minerals, and omega-3. They're also way easier to digest than flaxseed.

Nature's Electrolyte Guru: Vita Coco

Vita Coco is my new favorite obsession when I need a refreshing alternative to plain old water. It has a hint of flavor, but best of all it contains electrolytes, is fat and cholesterol free, and it's completely natural (no preservatives or extra ingredients that you can't even sound out).

I am mostly into the natural flavor, but they now offer acai, tangerine and pineapple...now tell me if that doesn't sound super yummy and exotic.

It's especially helpful once you've gotten a great workout over at my Pilates Plus HBV and you need to feel energized and quench that crazy thirst you get after losing so much H20.

Love it!

Raw Foods Live! Banana Flax Bar

Raw foods is a particular favorite in some circles, and has been getting a lot of attention because of its great, healing qualities and benefits over cooked foods.

Raw food is said to contain enzymes that cooked food does not - and any food that was cooked over 116 degrees looses these enzymes, which actually aids in digestion. And from personal experience, when you eat raw foods you really do feel that it's easier to eat.

Where can you try out raw foods? You can start with places like Euphoria Loves Rawvolution, or Juliano's Raw in Santa Monica.

But if you want to start small, try Goraw, where you can find real live food snacks and is "the easiest way to incorporate living foods into anyone's diet". My favorite is the banana bread flaxseed bar.

Get Your Water Right!

You might be surprised to learn what's floating around in your water - and I'm not talking tap either.

A great alternative is pH water, which is alkaline water - said to remove acids from the body by neutralizing them.

My favorite is the Delphi alkaline system. It is costly up front but when you add up all of that cost of bottled water it is well worth it.

Or, if you would rather buy alkaline water by the bottle-full, Real Alkalized Water is the best way to go. It is energizing and tastes great.

Luvalla: Oganic, Healing Skin Toners

Many of you know me - and as you know I am all about the least amount of steps to get the job done.

This also applies especially to the end of a long day, when I want to get ready for bed but I do not want to do the six steps necessary to fully clean your face after the end of a busy day on the job and around town.

Enter Luvella into the equation, an organic, natural toner that is super gentle on your skin. This product is alcohol-free so it does not dry your face and is therefore great for make-up removal and basic cleansing needs. The toners also PH balance the skin to a 4.5 acidity, which is why the skin looks even and soft all around.

I often just tone my face when I'm too tired to go through the whole face cleaning and make-up removing routine at night. At least that way I know I'm going to bed with clean, PH balanced skin in just one step.

Luvella is especialy helpful and healing for those who have skin that is too sensitive for regular toners.

Bethenny Frankel's Mock-a-mole!

Guacamole is one of my own personal favorite dishes, but the problem is when too much dairy or cream (or mayo even) is added to the mixture. Also, too many avocados might be a little too harsh on the tummy - not to mention calorie heavy.

Skinny guru Bethenny Frankel has the solution - in her NY Times Best Seller book, The Skinnygirl Dish, she includes a low fat mock-a-mole, which, as she explains, has more fiber and less fat than its "regular" cousin.

Try it out and tell me what you think on your blog or in the comments below!




* 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and mashed

* 1 cup cooked green peas

* 1/4 cup chopped fresh tomato

* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro plus more for garnish

* 1 tablespoon chopped red onion

* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

* 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

* 1 teaspoon garlic salt

* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

* 3/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

* Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips, whole grain crackers, and raw vegetables.

Use any of these variations, or mix and match them according to your tastes

* Variation 1: Instead of cooked peas, try an additional avocado.
* Variation 2: Instead of tomato, try chopped pear, grape, or cherry tomatoes.
* Variation 3: Instead of cilantro, try doubling the amount of parsley.
* Variation 4: Instead of red onion, try: Any other onion -- scallions, white parts and some of green -- chives.
* Variation 5: Instead of fresh parsley, try adding 1 extra tablespoon fresh cilantro.
* Variation 6: Instead of fresh lime juice, try other citrus juice.
* Variation 7: Instead of Worcestershire sauce, try soy sauce (including tamari or shoyu).
* Variation 8: Instead of garlic salt, try: 1 clove garlic, minced, plus ¾ teaspoon regular or seasoned salt.
* Variation 9: Instead of Tabasco sauce, try: any other hot sauce -- 1 dash cayenne pepper -- 1 pinch red pepper flakes



*Photos from Bethenny.com.