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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.



Check out www.waterrower.com for more specific information

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.