Book Recommendation: The Oh She Glows Cookbook

The Oh She Glows cookbook is a great source of inspiration for delicious plant based food you can create with relative ease. There are numerous health benefits to eating more vegetables and plant based foods, so learning and trying a few vegan meals is a healthy habit to cultivate anytime.
www.ohsheglows.com 

Equipment Pick: Halfmoon Om Zafu Meditation cushion

I'm quite good at sitting in a crossed legged posture on the ground, on a sofa, in a office chair, as that has been my preference since childhood. I was amazed at how great I felt sitting on a Halfmoon Om Zafu meditation cushion. The filling of buckwheat hulls adjusts to your body weight, so I feel really light and can comfortably sit in meditation for longer periods of time. For those that have difficulty sitting in a crossed legged position, one of the higher meditation cushions works well to make the posture more comfortable.

https://www.shophalfmoon.com/Om_Zafu_Meditation_Cushions_s/1951.htm

Equipment Pick: Accuball Mini

Dr Blessyl Buan www.drblessylbuan.com, a brilliant chiropractor prescribed use of the accuball mini to help me heal a foot injury and misalignment. The improvement in the mobility of my feet has been helpful to my running performance. Rolling with an accuball mini is therapeutic and performance enhancing http://www.acuball.com/shop/acuball-mini/

Immune Booster: Echinacea Tea

Echinacea tea is an immune booster I like to have whenever I start to feel a little run down and I take it with me on some trips to prevent colds. Yogi echinacea tea is one that I have regularly:

http://www.yogiproducts.com/products/details/echinacea-immune-support/

I find this tea helpful to fend off colds, as the act of taking time to drink tea starts the process of slowing down and giving the body a break so it can fight infection.

Lifefactory Glass bottles

Lifefactory glass bottles are BPA free, they come in fun colours and most importantly, water tastes good when transported in one.
www.lifefactory.com 

Book Recommendation: Seven Masters One Path

Seven Masters One Path is a book that I have recommended and given to clients and friends on many occasions when I notice any interest in the practice of meditation. In this book, Dr John Selby has made the concept and practice of mindfulness and meditation into an engaging read, where you may find something new each time you open the book.

Maison Orphee and Grace Virgin Coconut Oil

 Coconut Oil has many health benefits. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are a healthy fat that aids in the absorption of nutrients. It can also be used topically on the skin as a moisturizer and to help speed up the healing of the skin, as it provides nourishment. Maison Orphee Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and Grace Virgin Coconut Oil are two brands of coconut oil that we consistently like to use.

www.maisonorphee.com
www.gracefoods.ca

Equipment Pick: Acuball

We learned to use an accuball at a restorative yoga class and loved it instantly for the comforting warm relief it provides to sore muscles and spots of tension in the body. The most beneficial component is learning where your body is holding tension and practicing breathing into those areas. The acuball provides a method for self healing that works for people of all ages. Available at retail stores near you-
www.acuball.com

Beverage Pick: Pukka Teas

Pukka teas are a pleasant recent discovery. The herbal blends are organic, with various health benefits and most importantly, taste good. The teas are available at various health food shops. Try them and see how you enjoy the teas,

http://www.pukkaherbs.com/tea-room/all-our-teas.html

Equipment Pick: Skipping Rope

This is an old school pick. However, a skipping rope is an incredibly effective piece of equipment that can travel anywhere with you. A skipping rope offers full body benefits, in a short amount of time. Try working up to jumping 30-60 seconds at a time.

NutraSea Omega 3 Supplement

Many trainers, nutritionists and health professionals recommend increasing your intake of omega 3 fats through eating more fish, nuts and seeds or taking a supplement. After whole, natural foods we like a liquid supplement best for its efficacy and taste. A flavoured liquid fish oil has been the only way for me to comply with taking such a supplement and the brand of choice is NutraSea for the lemon taste. Look for a bottle of Nutrasea in a flavour you like at a health food store near you.
www.ascentahealth.com 

Skyzone Trampoline Park

Skyzone indoor trampoline parks are a fun way for a family or group of friends to enjoy physical activity together. They offer a variety of trampoline related fun, including dodgeball, a foam pit to jump into and wall to wall trampolines. You can literally bounce off the walls if you wanted to!

http://www.skyzonesports.com/

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.

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/

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.