Monday, December 17, 2012

Beverage Pick: Rishi White Ginseng Detox (organic loose leaf herbal tea)

Rishi White Ginseng Detox organic loose leaf tea is a tea that I have tried recently. First and foremost, it tastes good. Secondly, at this time of year of possible overindulgence, having a cup of tea that may give you a little boost seems like a good idea. Rishi tea is available online at http://www.rishi-tea.com/ or retail at Whole Foods.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Equipment Pick: Half Moon Yoga Bolster

A half moon yoga bolster is a piece of equipment that is indispensable for general relaxation purposes and for the practice of restorative yoga at home or at the studio. Restorative yoga is incredibly relaxing and helps to restore balance to the nervous system and general well being. With the high stress levels that most of us experience, restorative yoga is a great idea. Look for and try a restorative yoga class at a studio near you.

https://www.shophalfmoon.com/


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Equipment Pick: Jumpsport Fitness Trampoline

The Jumpsport fitness trampoline is a piece of equipment I was dying to own when I first tried it in 2010 at a fitness trade show. I have loved jumping on bouncy things since childhood and I have not outgrown this. The trampolines were for sale in 2011 and I did buy one for home use. I will admit that I like to hop on and jump around just for fun. However, there is a great list of benefits with fun being the last item:

http://www.jumpsport.com/pr-jt-info.htm

This is a great piece of equipment to have at home that does not require much space and brings joy to getting a little physical activity. Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Class Pick: ShockWave by IndoRow

Shockwave by IndoRow is a new group exercise class I tried in August. I loved it. I felt the class was the perfect blend of intensity, overall conditioning and most of all fun. This workout is getting lots of media attention:

http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/24/we-tried-this-shockwave-rowing-workout/

Try the workout if you get a chance. This class is a great embodiment of a general trend in fitness where workouts deliver a lot of benefits in a minimal amount of time.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Equipment Pick: Foam Roller

A 48 inch foam roller is a piece of equipment I suggest that many clients and friends purchase. In fact, I will be purchasing several this weekend at a fitness conference and tradeshow. I recommend the foam roller mainly for the purpose of lying on top of it to relax and open up the chest area. The vast majority of people I have introduced this exercise to find it relaxing and enjoyable. The best part is it helps to bring a person's postural alignment into a more ideal position. Foam rollers are readily available at a fitness equipment retailer near you.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Nairn's Oat Cookies

As an active person, I'm always on the lookout for snacks and treats that provide steady energy and nutrition at the same time. Good taste is also a requirement, so this can be a tall order. Nairn's stem ginger oat cookies are energizing and tasty at the same time, with only 2 grams of sugar per cookie. These cookies are wheat free and taste like a hearty gingersnap as they are made with oats.

http://www.nairns-oatcakes.com/oat-biscuits-stem-ginger

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Dessert Pick: XocoCava Chocolate Walnut Macaroon

The chocolate walnut macaroon at XocoCava is a wheat free, gluten free treat I indulge in on a regular basis. I have found that consuming less wheat products has helped me in shedding body fat. However, I still enjoy a sweet treat and I have been spotted on many occasions enjoying one of these macaroons, so it must become a Trainer's Pick.

Chef Doug Penfold of Cava let me know that the chocolate walnut macaroon is one of their original recipes and it is absolutely delicious. It has a rich chocolate flavour that blends well with the walnuts and a really pleasing texture and chew that is brownie like.
Enjoy a XocoCava chocolate macaroon as a delicious dessert or share with a friend at 1560 Yonge Street, Toronto

September 30, 2013 note: Xococava has closed for now. However, I still highly recommend a flourless chocolate cookie where you can find one.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Equipment Pick: Klean Kanteen Bottle

Over the years at the gym, we have made some great improvements in reducing plastic water bottle consumption by encouraging the use of re-usable water bottles. There are a variety of bottles available with glass and stainless steel being the most desirable. After many unsatisfactory bottles, I settled on a wide mouthed Kleen Kanteen stainless steel bottle. I find this bottle to be easier to clean and prevent any buildup and unpleasant odour. I'm pleased to report that I've had my bottle for over a year and it has performed exceptionally well. The Kleen Kanteen is what I would highly recommend to stayed hydrated and be green.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Relaxation Tool: Eye Pillow

I tried an eye pillow for the first time in March at a yoga retreat. My instructor had told me that I would need to get one in preparation for the trip. I had no idea what an eye pillow was, and she told me it would change my life. Well, it did. I find my Half Moon eye pillow to be a great tool for relaxation and for getting back to sleep if disturbed.
I'm sure there are a few different types and makers of eye pillows available on the market. I can speak of mine, which is made by Half Moon. It is filled with flaxseeds and lavender. I find the weight of the pillow on my eyes and the scent of lavender to be most relaxing. Relaxation is something we all need more of, so anything that aids being calm and relaxed is a trainer's pick.

Available at www.halfmoon.bz
Whole Foods or yoga studios

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Beverage Pick: David's Tea

I discovered David's Tea with a friend in the fall. I had walked by there many times, but had never gone in to buy any tea before. The huge variety of fragrant loose leaf tea they have available is amazing. The staff are exceptionally helpful, knowledgeable and great with making recommendations that suit your taste. So far, I love the Midsummer Night's Dream, which is a fruity, lemony herbal tea. The Honey Bee Mate tea is a great tasting caffeine free energy booster.
Tea has contains various antioxidants (loose leaf is best) and the act of sitting down to enjoy a cup is a great way to slow down and unwind for a few minutes. Enjoy a cup of tea anytime.

www.davidstea.com

Friday, April 20, 2012

Beverage Pick: Coconut Dream

I have been trying to use non dairy milk for some time now, and have tried many different non dairy milks. Almond milk, soy milk, rice milk and hemp milk. Coconut milk beverage has been the most agreeable for me so far. My absolute favourite is Coconut Dream, which I first tried in Hawaii in December. It is now widely available at large grocery stores in Toronto as well. It does contain a little sugar (there is an unsweetened version), but the Coconut Dream original has the nicest liquid flavour and consistency of all the non dairy milks that I have tried. I use it on cereal, in porridge and in pancakes. The medium chain fatty acids the beverage contains are an added nutritional bonus that provide quick energy and nutrition to the body.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Class Pick: Indo-Row

Indo-Row is a fresh new group exercise concept I tried and thoroughly enjoyed at Can Fit Pro 2010 and 2011. The class concept was created by Jay Blahnik and Josh Crosby. One of the major benefits of the class is it makes rowing, an excellent full body exercise, more fun and easier to learn great technique in a group setting. The group setting also facilitates friendly team competition and motivation. Another great thing is people of many age groups and ability can participate.
The classes are not readily available just yet, but I believe it is the next generation of group exercise class involving a piece of cardio equipment.

Check out www.indorow.com and look out for it near you.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Equipment Pick: Water Rower

I tried a water rower for the first time at the Can Fit Pro conference in August 2010. It was a different, effective and fun workout, so I purchased a demonstration model for home use that weekend. The Indo Row workshop was taught by Jay Blahnik and Josh Crosby, it was a super fun and memorable group fitness workout that got you to compete against yourself and work as part of a team.
The water rower concept was designed by a rower, John Duke in the mid 1980s. Many of us have not seen it until the past few years due to lack of marketing.
I believe that this is a great piece of equipment to purchase for a home gym, as it delivers an excellent cardio, interval and full body workout. Even when you are pressed for time, you can choose suitable interval distances to row and still get some activity (please warm up!). The machine stores upright to save space, and its beautiful woodframe blends easily into many surroundings.

waterrower natural rowing machines

Check out www.waterrower.com for more specific information

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Book Review: Wheat Belly

Wheat Belly
William Davis, MD

I read this book while taking in some sunshine on an oceanfront pool deck in Jamaica. It was an interesting, well paced read. Dr Davis' personal journey introduction along with numerous real life cases of patients being healed and cured of their wide array ailments by the elimination of wheat from their diet is very compelling. The biggest ailments being overweight, high blood sugar and diabetes.
Dr Davis also gives some great technical insight as to why wheat has changed over modern times and how it affects human health. Genetic modification being a big part of what disagrees with many a person's digestion and overall health. 
The practical diet guidelines are quite challenging in my opinion to follow. Foods that can be eaten in unlimited quantities are vegetables, nuts, seeds, meat and eggs, cheese, non sugary condiments. Non wheat grains, fruit, juice, legumes, soy products should be limited. Grains should be limited to 1/4cup to 1/2 cup serving sizes. His suggestion for fruit is 8-10 blueberries, 2 strawberries, a wedges of apple or orange. Banana, pineapple and mango should be especially limited due to the high sugar content. I'm sure there are health benefits to following his diet, but it may be hard for a person to sustain over the long term.
Overall, this book is well written and provides great insight and education on a food that most of us probably eat too much of on an everyday basis.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Equipment Pick: ProStretch Calf Stretcher

The Prostretch calf stretcher is a device I use daily myself and highly recommend to many clients. I have it at my door, so I use it at the end of a day to help loosen up my calves, which are tight. The Prostretch helped me rehabilitate from shin splints many years ago. It makes stretching your calves a little easier and more effective, which helps you comply with a program of stretching twice a day. This simple stretching program has helped me prevent injury and improve my performance for many years now.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Healthy Lunch: IQ Food

IQ Food came as a recommendation from a client who works in the financial core of downtown Toronto. He felt it was the healthiest and tastiest lunch option he has come across so far. I have made a few trips to IQ Food for lunch with a friend, and we both found it to be quite tasty. The concept is fresh food with lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains. Most trainers and nutritionists would approve of this with great taste being a superb bonus. In the winter, they served a spicy pumpkin soup, which was well made, delicious and actually spicy. I did not love the miso miso, the vegetarian hot box, as I found it to be a bit bland. I really liked the Lima (roasted chicken, cheddar, black beans, grape tomatoes, cilantro and lime) and the Brussel, which is a seasonal special that included spicy brussel sprouts, beets, roast chicken, orange and a tasty dressing. I must concur that IQ Food is a healthy, quick and tasty lunch option in the downtown underground.
IQ Food 100 Wellington West (underground food court)
www.iqfoodco.com
(check out the menu and nutritional info)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Healthy Snack: KIND fruit and nut bars

KIND fruit and nut bars were introduced to me last year by a client that spends time in Florida. The macadamia nut and apricot is the most delicious packaged energy bar I have ever tasted. I buy them by the case at Whole Foods and have them as a snack pre and post workout or whenever a snack is needed. I tried a quite few other flavours while I was in New York City last year, but the macadamia and apricot really stands out for me. I have seen the bars available at Starbucks as well. In general, they are a healthy snack choice, as they are made of natural, whole foods. Enjoy!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Beverage Pick: Grace No Sugar Added Coconut Water

Grace No Sugar Added Coconut Water is a tasty, refreshing drink that I consume quite regularly. The product has a pleasant taste and the little chunks of coconut in the beverage are delightful. Coconut water is a natural sports drink that contains far less sugar than Gatorade or other comparable products. Coconut water contains potassium and sodium, which helps replace what is lost in sweat during exercise. Ideally, we would have coconut trees in our yards and could drink from a fresh young, coconut, which is possible in the Caribbean and other warm spots in the world. Grace is a great tasting, reasonably priced version that we can have in Toronto. You can find it at Sobeys and other retailers.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Sky Valley Heirloom Oranges

These oranges are some of the best I have ever tasted and from California. I highly recommend eating them for the taste and nutritional value. They are available at Fiesta Farms 200 Christie Street, Toronto.

The benefits of eating oranges was covered by Leslie Beck last week in the Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/health-nutrition/leslie-beck/an-orange-a-day-may-keep-strokes-at-bay/article2352853/

Monday, March 5, 2012

Breville Juice Fountain Plus

I purchased the Breville Juice Fountain Plus last week for $179.99 at the Bay last week. There are more expensive and more powerful models. This model has 2 speeds and 850W of power versus 1200W for the most powerful model. I have been quite happy with the performance of the juicer so far. The instructions and recipes were helpful, because it included ideas of what to do with the pulp that is produced from juicing. It definitely takes time and effort to make the juice and clean the parts afterwards. However, the result of fresh juice is refreshing and has many health benefits.