June 2011

How Filthy is Your Pillow?

June 30, 2011 at 12:50 pm
By Karla Walsh

Bed bugs seem to be getting all of the attention lately. There may be more stealth organisms hanging out where you hit the hay, SleepBetter.org has found in a new study appropriately named “Fungus Among Us.”

SleepBetter tested pillows owned by more than 1,000 college students across the country, and they found that the average pillow has 350,000 potential live bacteria colonies and nearly 100,000 potential live yeast and mold colonies. Eek!

Some other fast pillow facts:

• Of those tested, men’s average nearly twice as much bacteria as women’s
• Not surprisingly, pillows that were three to five years or older had many more microbes than those less than one year old
• More than 40 percent of those surveyed admit to never washing their pillows Did you know you should do this twice a year? Here are instructions!

The SleepBetter team asked me if I would like to submit a pillow for testing as well, so that I could compare my (very unwelcome) bedmates with those already uncovered in the test. I was a little leery at first to learn the truth. But I had to admit that after hearing how common the microbes are, I might just sleep better knowing what was really hiding under the pillowcase.

I’ll share the good news first: My pillow was relatively clean on the yeast and mold front. The not-so-good news? It was about average when compared to other pillows tested for bacteria. One strain in particular they were able to detect was a generally harmless microbe (that can, in very rare cases, cause pulmonary issues) often found in water, dust and soil. The perfect nudge I need to make sure I schedule time for evening showers—and also invest in new pillows every 18 to 24 months!

For complete results of the study, click here.

Image via

Now tell us: Are you vigilant about keeping your bedding tidy?

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Fit Blogger We Love: FANNEtastic Food

June 30, 2011 at 8:34 am
By Marianne Magno

We admire this runner and foodie’s recent big life change: quitting her cubicle job to move to Europe and then back to the U.S. to become a registered dietitian. Her blog features photos of healthy food that’ll make you drool and gorgeous scenery that’ll make you want to pack your bags for your own adventure! Here’s more about this soon-to-be R.D.:

I’m happiest when I’m: Outside! Hiking, running, biking, swimming, walking…you name it! If it’s outdoors, I probably love it.

My fave fit snack: Greek yogurt with fruit, my Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Granola Bars or my 5-Minute No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars!

Most embarrassing song I’ll admit I work out to: I have a very random mix of music on my computer, and sometimes old school Disney movie songs come on. I’ve definitely rocked out to “Hakuna Matata” before while running. I may or may not still know all the words.

Olympic sport I’d love to try: Probably something super random like synchronized swimming, just to see what it was like. I have a feeling it would be a lot harder than it looks…

My “I Did It” Moment: Finishing my first half-marathon! Not only had I trained hard, but it was also approximately 1,000 billion degrees that day so finishing was an even bigger accomplishment than I had anticipated! I’ve since gone on to run a second half-marathon (and knocked nearly 15 minutes off my time due to better training and race day conditions), but I’m not sure anything will top the relief and pride I felt crossing the finish line that first time.

Do you have a favorite fit blogger you want us to highlight? Tell us in the comments below.

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Design Your Perfect Fourth of July Party

June 29, 2011 at 12:49 pm
By Karla Walsh

Heather Christo may very well be the next Martha Stewart. When she stopped by our offices to tell us about her amazing blog, we were charmed by her personality and surprised with how easy she made elegant entertaining look (even for beginners like us)!

She grew up in a family that loved to throw dinner parties and the passion rubbed off. Heather attended the California Culinary Academy and Le Cordon Bleu. In other words, this mom of two knows her stuff!

With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, we asked Heather for her top tips for a successful party.

• Plan ahead. “Do prep work before so you can enjoy the party! Make marinades, dips and dressings the day before, then just add them to the freshly-prepared ingredients.”
• Make it D.I.Y. “Guests love ‘build your own’ meals like adding grilled meats on top of salads or assembling their own tacos or burgers.”
• Simplify the decor. “It can be beautiful without too much work! Feature farmers market or garden flowers with piles of gorgeous, seasonal fresh fruit for the centerpiece. Large white ceramic platters are timeless and make food look fabulous.”

Start prepping now for a stress-free soiree. Click below for a complete healthy menu that Heather designed for your festive party!

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Run, Dozer, Run! Dozer the Dog Completes a Half-Marathon

June 28, 2011 at 3:53 pm
By Marianne Magno

Well, this dog’s Sunday activity makes our weekends look lazy. Dozer, a 3-year-old goldendoodle from Maryland ran from his home on May 15 and decided to join the Maryland Half-Marathon. He is reported to have snuck in at mile five and was seen at various points of the race by several runners. Here’s a video of him crossing the finish line at 2 hours and 14 minutes:

When race organizers heard about this pooch’s feat, they awarded him a medal. Now he even has his own runner’s page at the Maryland Half Marathon website where fans can donate funding for the University of Maryland Greenbaum Cancer Center. He’s raised more than $17,000 to date. Good job, Dozer!

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Meet the Trainer: Sadie Lincoln

June 27, 2011 at 3:54 pm
By Karla Walsh

There’s one hot trainer on our July/August cover (who will also be guest editing the FITNESS Facebook page tomorrow!), but open to page 66 to find a killer workout from another star exercise expert: Sadie Lincoln. Barre3 mixes the popular barre method with yoga and Pilates to boost users’ balance, strength and flexibility. Her dedicated following includes Madonna—if a workout will give us a rock-solid body like hers, sign us up!

We caught up with the busy entrepreneur and mom of two to learn about how she entered the fitness world and how she finds balance even outside of the studio.

I’m writing a movie about your life, tell me the plot.

A small town hippie kid gets a good education, marries the man of her dreams, works her tail off for a large company in a big city, has kids and realizes she wants more meaning in her life. She quits the big job, says goodbye to the big house, big career and “keeping up with the Joneses.” She packs the family up, returns to her roots and puts her life savings to work to build her dream company: a family of exercise studios powered by women who share her values to balance both the body and life. After 20 years teaching classes, she puts all her favorite disciplines and yogic philosophy into one workout and is surprised to find it is celebrated by super-moms and super-celebrities alike!

Who would you want to portray you in a movie?

Reese Witherspoon.

How did you get involved with fitness?

I loved movement and dance at a very young age. My earliest memory of yoga is watching my Mom do yoga in her room out of a paperback book. While attending UCLA, I discovered the power of group exercise classes and ended up leading the instructor training program. This passion led to a graduate assistantship at the College of William and Mary to develop the campus group fitness program while I earned my Masters in Higher Education. Right out of grad school I landed a job with a fast-growth fitness company working direct for the founder and CEO, Mark Mastrov. Little did I know, he would end up being my mentor and one of the most successful fitness entrepreneurs in the world! I am blessed to have a career in fitness and I love helping other women like me find their way in this industry.

For more about Sadie’s top fitness gear pick and a typical day in her life, click below.

Read more

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Guilt-Free (and Delicious!) Salad Dressing Recipes

June 27, 2011 at 11:14 am
By Karla Walsh

So when I met with the Whole Foods Market “Health Starts Here” team last week and heard about their oil-free dressings, I of course had to ask for a recipe or two to try—and share with all of you!

Strawberry Balsamic
Serves 8

Strawberries are in season and tasting great. Add them to your salad, then drizzle some of this on top for additional berry flavor!

• 2/3 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 shallot, chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 1/4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a blender with 1/4 cup water. Mix until smooth.

Nutrition facts per serving (about 2 tablespoons): 15 calories, 0 g. fat

Low-Fat Caesar
Serves 8

One serving of the average Caesar dressing has at least 150 calories and 15 grams of fat per serving. Swapping this salad dressing for the typical one everyday for a month? A simple way to drop a full pound.

• 2/3 cup (about 5 oz.) firm silken tofu
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons light soy or chickpea miso
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Mix until smooth.

Nutrition facts per serving (about 2 tablespoons): 25 calories, 0.5 g. fat (0 g. saturated fat)

Now tell us: What salad ingredients do you love to add to your bowl to fill you up without filling you out?

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Fit Links: Celebrating Summer with Yoga, Strawberries and a Hammock

June 24, 2011 at 3:11 pm
By Marianne Magno

• Turns out the 10 percent rule for increasing your mileage when running doesn’t prevent injuries, according to a new study. — NYTimes
• This strawberry pizza looks amazing— and just in time for summer! — FitSugar
• As if we needed another reason to want a hammock…Scientists found that the rocking motion improves sleep quality. — The Body Odd
• How did you celebrate the start of summer? This yogi did downward dog in the middle of Times Square.— Ladies’ Lounge
• Not so shocking: City dwellers respond more to stress than those who live in rural areas. — The Chart

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Can a Cocktail Make You Even More Beautiful?

June 24, 2011 at 1:35 pm
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Danielle Paquette, editorial intern

Sip vodka to banish blackheads, tequila to erase wrinkles and rum to diminish dryness. There’s a cocktail for every skin woe, claims Randy Falcon, a mixologist at swanky New York City nightclub Provocateur.

I bellied up to the bar for some serious research and Falcon poured me a vibrant red Teddy Bear—one of 11 alleged drinkable facials. The blend of fresh lime juice, crushed mint, muddled strawberries and Belvedere is designed to unclog pores, according to the menu. Extra vitamins, minerals and “power powders” are mixed to delay aging.

But what can a shot of liquor do for my face (besides give me puffy eyes in the morning)? “You’ll feel and look a lot better with this than if you had a vodka tonic,” Falcon said. “It’s all in the fresh ingredients. ”

Since Provocateur unveiled its bar-meets-spa selection in April, health-conscious celebs have been spotted dropping $22 a glass. And with cocktail names like “Sweet Enchantment” and “Spring Flower,” why shouldn’t I, too, buy into promises of a gorgeous morning-after?

“Beauty drinks are a fun idea, but alcohol tends to dehydrate the skin and cause it to look dry,” says Tess Mauricio, M.D., a dermatologist in San Diego. No amount of kumquat, cucumber or pomegranate can cancel that consequence, she warns. “However, in moderation, drinking can reduce stress. That won’t hurt your complexion.”

After finishing the Teddy Bear in three swigs, I definitely felt more relaxed. It was fresh, fruity, refreshing—all of the qualities I desire in a drink.  So I had another.

When my alarm sounded at 7:30 a.m. the next day, I didn’t feel like a beauty queen. I didn’t feel particularly hungover, either. And after a look in the mirror, I realized I hadn’t found the secret to skin radiance in a cocktail or two.

But a night on the town put me in a great mood, and that’s worth the occasional puffy-eyed morning.

More from FITNESS: Yes, you can drink and still shrink! Check out our round-up of delicious low-calorie cocktails.

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Fashion Diaries: Why Do We Workout?

June 24, 2011 at 9:13 am
By Marla Horenbein

Everyone here at FITNESS seems to have their own workout regimen that helps them stay fit during the summer. Whether it’s taking classes at SoulCycle like our fitness editor Jenna does, trying a trampoline class like Karla our editorial assistant, or doing yoga in the park with the lovelies over at Lululemon, it’s important to do what makes you feel good—and of course, look good.

My personal favorite way to exercise is to hit the streets and go for a run. Since I ran my first half-marathon in April, I have been addicted to the sport and can’t wait to run the Philadelphia Half in November! But for the fashion team, hitting the gym hard (like Melissa does) or going for a jog (like Argy and I do) means more than just burning calories and getting our endorphins flowing. We exercise so that we can look good in all of the season’s latest fashions!

Here are some of our favorite summer workout pieces that we wear so that we can look amazing in the gym—then out for a night on the town.

Run (clockwise from top): Champion bra, $40, championusa.com. Skull Candy earbuds, $50, skullcandy.com. Camelbak water bottle, $30, camelbak.com. Saucony sneakers, $90, saucony.com. Adidas by Stella McCartney shorts,$75, shopadidas.com. Helly Hansen tank, $40, hellyhansen.com.

Play (clockwise from top): Mosley Tribes sunglasses, $180, mosleytribes.com. Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, $280, net-a-porter.com. Lanvin shoes, $417, net-a-porter.com. Dannijo bracelet, $488, dannijo.com. Asos clutch,$78, asos.com. Essie nail polish,$8, essie.com.

Now tell us: Does fashion (especially the skin-baring styles of summer!) inspire you to stay in shape?

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How to Decode Nutrition Panels and Label Claims

June 23, 2011 at 4:29 pm
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Alexa Cortese, web intern

Many of us don’t consciously consider packaging and marketing when it comes to food shopping, but it can be a huge factor in what we decide to pile into our carts. Food companies make health claims so often that it’s hard to know which ones are true and which ones are simply trying to sell more items! Even more important than understanding these health claims, however, is understanding exactly how to decipher the nutrition labels. That’s right, that panel on the back or side of the box you’d rather not look at (or maybe you look but don’t fully understand).

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when grocery shopping, courtesy of Jill Marie Hively, R.D.

• The most important thing to keep in mind when reading nutrition labels? Serving size and servings per container, Hively says. This gives you a clear label of the nutrients included relative to the amount of food you are consuming. In other words, a food that’s only 100 calories may sound like a smart option until you realize that a serving size is only ¼ cup (or not enough to really fill you up!). Use MyPlate as a good example of proportions, Hively recommends, and familiarize yourself with visual cues—a three-ounce serving of protein should be about the size of the palm of your hand. (Check out more handy portion size tips here.)
• Percent daily values (DV) can also be helpful. Generally, aim for foods that contain less than 5 percent of the daily value for cholesterol or saturated fat. If the label says one serving contains 20 percent or more of your DV of a vitamin or mineral, that a food is a “good source” of that particular nutrient.

For the scoop about “natural,” “made with whole grains” and more, keep reading.

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