How to Find Real Food at the Supermarket

Grocery shopping can be confusing. With so many different marketing tactics screaming at you in every isle, it becomes difficult to tell which foods are actually good for you and which ones you should stay away from. This handy and amusing little chart from the Huffington Post will help you navigate through the junk and find the real food at your local supermarket.

Source: Huffington Post

Quote Of The Day

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

My lovelies, what are you up to this weekend? Tonight, Mike and I are going on a low-key movie date complete with comfy jeans, sweatshirts, and Ugs (for me) and a few snuck in (somewhat) healthy snacks. Tomorrow night is my favorite duo's Christmas party, and Sunday we are finally getting our Christmas tree. Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, and here are some healthy living posts from around the web:

7 Winter Superfoods.

Do Pilates while you walk to work.

Foods that food safety experts won't ever eat.

The top 10 best workout videos on Youtube.

Delicious fall vegetable recipe. Just swap the butter for Earth Balance, sour cream for greek yogurt, and use whole wheat pasta instead. 

How to preserve lemons in a jar (makes for a great and inexpensive Christmas present!).

Some bikini workouts for your winter getaway. 

Foods to eat if you're trying to grow out your hair. 

Why coconut sugar may be the new agave. 

2 Waist-Whittling Exercises

Side Plank-Up
Targets: Rectus and transversus abdominis, obliques, and inner thighs

1. Lie on left side on floor with legs stacked and a rolled-up towel between thighs, propping torso on left elbow so that left forearm is perpendicular to torso. Make it easier: stagger feet so that side of right foot is on floor in front of left foot for a wider base of support.

2. Lift hips so that body forms a straight line from head to toe and squeeze towel between thighs. Hold for 1 count, then lower. Do 10 reps. Switch sides and repeat. Do 3 sets.

Round Back
Targets: Rectus and transversus abdominis

1. Sit on a folded tower on floor with shoulder blades against a wall and knees bent, feet flat; make sure back is rounded. Place hands on floor near hips, fingertips pressed into floor.

2. Squeeze abs and lift feet off floor, bring knees toward chest, then straighten legs so toes point toward ceiling. Do 10 pulses: Bring legs 1 inch closer to wall, then move them back 1 inch. Make it easier: keep one foot down and repeat on both sides. Do 3 sets.

Dinner Idea

Not sure what to make for dinner? Here's an easy little dish you can whip up in just minutes. Take some quinoa, cook as directed on the package, mix in some vegan cheese like this one, and salt to taste. Being the spicy-foodaholic that I am, I add hot sauce and red pepper flakes. Just add whatever tickles your fancy. Then, plop yourself on the couch, turn on a good show or movie and devour :). Happy Wednesday!

Move of The Day: Arm Circles

Targets: shoulders, back, triceps, biceps
What you'll need: Two 3-pound dumbbells

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms extended straight out to sides at shoulder height.
2. Keeping shoulders down, do 20 small backwards circles.
3. Switch directions; do 20 forward circles

Make it harder: stand on one foot for 10 circles, and on the other foot for 10 circles. Repeat in both directions.

Move Of the Day: Couch Decline Push-Up

Targets: Chest, arms, and abs

1. Get into full push-up position with palms on floor, arms extended, balls of feet resting on couch cushion and hips lifted to that the body forms a straight line from head to heels. Make it easier: place knees on cushion or do an incline push-up with feet on floor and palms on cushion.

2. Bend elbows to lower chest toward floor, then return to start. Do 15 reps. Make it harder: keep your elbows narrow, skimming the sides of your body when you bend.