Get Outside

As I mentioned in January, I want to take a moment to share with you some of my favorite things I did, or saw, or was inspired by, while spending time outside and in nature throughout the month. While most of the country was bundled up fighting the Polar Vortex, we Californian’s were lucky enough to spend a lot of time outside this February- with several days in the high 70’s and 80’s I was even able to sneak in some Beach Days! Look on for some pictures from my month outside. J

February Get Outside Highlights:

1. Farmer’s Market berries make me happy! I love supporting local suppliers and farmers, and I really love fresh raspberries. This bunch didn’t last very long! 

2. The Cutes – 50 Year Trail! This was the toughest and most beautiful 6-mile trail run I’ve ever been on. Here’s a shot of me with my guide from my recent stay at Miraval in Tucson, AZ.

3. I  recently enjoyed a sunset-sweat session with a friend. You don’t have to go to a gym to get a good workout! This photo was taken from the top step on the grounds at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. We did tricep-dips and pushups off the stairs, and ran laps around the beautiful water fountains among other exercises. What a view! It’s sometimes nice to Get Outside and get creative with workouts in your neighborhood.

4. The drought may have affected the greenery a bit, but that didn’t stop me from admiring and the beautiful, and newly planted, succulent garden at the West Hollywood Library and park.

2014 Detox 101: Continued

Earlier this week I talked about Juice Cleansing and how popular Juicing is in Los Angeles, but a post-holiday detox doesn’t have to involve a juice-only diet. There are so many ways to start living a healthier lifestyle, and I’m going to share with you some of the things I like to do to get back on a healthy track, and detox sans-juice.

REST: Get some more ZZZzzzz’s! Chances are you’ve tried to cram everything in your schedule- cooking and cleaning and traveling, in between working and staying active. This can leave even the most energetic person exhausted. My post-holiday detox always includes getting more rest. Try turning off the lights early, not using your computer or phone in bed, or reading instead of catching another episode of television.

FUN: Have some fun! It’s easy to get stressed and feel defeated when tackling new lifestyle changes. Make sure you put some focus on having fun, too. Take a new class, or go on a hike you’ve never tried before. Go explore your neighborhood, say hi to strangers, pet a dog, or cook dinner for a friend… When you’re having fun, you’re smiling and laughing and happy. And that’s a huge part of my post-holiday detox.

GREENS: Add greens to your diet! This is a must for any time of the year. Green vegetables are one of the most energy-rich foods out there. Dark, leafy, yummy, and filled with nutrients- you can eat raw greens in a salad, blend spinach or kale into a smoothie, or get creative with your mid-day snacks (celery with almond butter, or homemade kale chips for example). There are so many ways to add green veggies to your day and doing so will help you reach your healthy detox goals.

TEA:  Drink more tea! Green Tea, Herbal Tea, Dandelion-Root Tea, Chamomile Tea…I could go on and on. Green tea in the morning gives me the boost I want without grabbing a cup of coffee (and leaves me with much better breath than my lattes!). Herbal Teas have such strong flavors and I love to drink one as an afternoon pick-me-up. Dandelion-Root Tea, which is well known for detoxing the liver, is great if you’ve overdone it with the champagne this past season. It’ll also help cleanse your skin, and although it’s not as common as Green Tea, you can find it at Whole Foods. Chamomile Tea has become my nightly favorite. Add a splash of Almond Milk and some Honey and thank me later.

(above image from healthylifestyletea.com)

Get Outside!

This holiday season I was able to spend some time with my family in Vail, Colorado. While away from home, I challenged myself to new exercises in my hotel, bonded with family over a healthy après ski soup, and took advantage of the weather by waking up every day and hitting the slopes!

(I can attest that the endless amount of Spider Kicks, Bungees, and Skater moves in Pilates class helped prepare me for actually skiing DOWN the mountain. For those who haven’t read my blog post titled, “How Pilates is Beneficial for Winter Sports”, I talk about types of Pilates exercises that target the muscle groups used while skiing.)

Skiing and playing in the snow reminded me of how much I enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s the massive snow-covered Rockies, or the beautiful hiking trails I frequent in Los Angeles, I love to get outside and appreciate the beauty of nature.

As this New Year begins, I’m going to begin something new for the blog, too. Each month I’ll be posting a list of my favorite moments spent in nature! I’m lucky enough to live in an area with an extraordinary amount of beauty just outside my front door and I’m looking forward to sharing my appreciation of it all with you!

January 2014 Get Outside Highlights:

1. The sun was shining bright as I started a day of skiing during my recent visit to Vail.

 

2. The open hillsides were filled with beautiful, untouched snow during a cross-country ski excursion in Vail. There are 17km of trails in the area just for cross-country skiing! Check out the Vail Nordic Center at www.vailnordiccenter.com for more information if you are heading to CO and want to give it a try!

3. Malibu beaches never disappoint! I took a little break to take this photo while on a run this past month along the Malibu coast.

 

4. Hiking Franklin Canyon is a great way to fit in a workout AND spend time in nature. This spot is so peaceful and tucked away that you almost forget you’re in the middle of Los Angeles.

Grand Canyon Rim To Rim Hike

On October 14-16 there will be a really exciting opportunity to do a special hike in the Grand Canyon. The RIM 2 Trim hike will consist of 2 days and 52 miles going from rim to rim. And if you're not into roughing it, don't fret, there are no cookouts, no camping, and no stuffy boring cargo pants that you'll have to wear. You'll be dining in 4-star restaurants.

This inclusive program costs about $1200, and includes travel, lodging, food, training, tshirts and awards, which is a fantastic price if you think about everything that the package includes. So what are you waiting for? Sign up! Maybe I will see you there!

Visit www.livitadventures.com for more details