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The last post in my series about eating healthy and finding deals on health food addresses a question many of us have had at one time or another: What does it mean to "go organic," and, "why buy organic?" Once again, Victoria has an awesome and informative post that addresses these questions, then finishes with mouth-watering recipe chock full of organic food.  Thank you for sharing your passion with us Victoria! Making the choice to purchase and consume organic food is a personal one. However, it is a choice that you should feel very good about making. By purchasing organic foods, you are ch......
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In part 3 of our series, Healthy Eating on the Cheap, financial blogger Victoria, happens to also be a health food nut who is passionate about organic eating. She has some great tips for buying organic foods if you are buying on a budget.  Thank you for blogging for me today Victoria! Buying Organics on a Budget Perhaps you have decided that purchasing organic foods is going to be a priority for your family. Although your budget may not have much wiggle room, there are ways to make this lifestyle work. Fortunately with more and more interest in organically grown food, there are many options a......
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We stump, stoop, slouch…so much so that the quality of our everyday lives can be directly affected from these posture problems.  I thought of this while sitting at the computer working, and had to stretch to relieve that nagging tightness between my shoulder blades. At the same time, I noticed a whole slew of other bad habits I was committing, and quickly set about practicing what I preach. Why good posture is important: Practicing good posture can improve your breathing, decrease your risk of injury, help you move more easily through the tasks of daily living, and also improve your sports ......
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Not long ago, if your neighbor had told you she was training for a triathlon, you might have looked at her crossed-eyed and with one eyebrow raised. Once thought of as an endurance sport for athletes who had both an unnatural pain threshold, and oodles of time on their hands, triathlon has in recent years become a sport for anyone who likes variety, has a few hours each week to dedicate toward training, and enjoys challenges small and large. No longer a sport just for the guys, the proliferation of female participants in triathlon events proves its growing popularity: in the late 1990s, women ......
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Did you give yoga a shot once upon a time, only to walk out mid-class, scratching your head and wondering, what was I thinking? It is possible the style you tried didn't match your personality, athletic ability, or just moved at a pace geared more toward advanced yogis than beginners. It isn't uncommon to feel lost during your first several classes, but there is a way to ensure you don't feel too out of place: pick the right style of yoga first. Before you write off yoga for good, try a class that is a better match for your personal style. I've compiled a short list of the most common yoga sty......
Nov

06

It isn’t often that the weather in November is both semi-warmish AND sunny, so take advantage of it while it lasts. Last I checked, most of the country (excluding Pacific Northwest – sorry guys) can expect decent weather through the weekend. Aside from the opportunity to soak up the last of the colorful fall foliage, hiking is great exercise. A 150lb person burns about 450 calories in one hour of hiking. The faster you walk, and the more hills there are, the more calories you’ll burn.

One of my favorite hiking areas is Hocking Hills (Ohio), about an hour southeast from Columbus. Amazing rock formations, breathtaking scenery, and hills. Lots of hills. Added bonus: this is one of the few activities the whole family enjoys, and the kids have no idea they are exercising! We call it “exploring nature.” Wink.

Need some hiking inspiration? Check out these sites for ideas…

Visit Trails.com to locate a trail near you.

Hop over to Yelp! to find out what other hikers in your neck of the woods recommend.

If you are lucky enough to live near one of our many U.S. National Parks, take advantage of the government website – it lets you search a park by location and activity. From there, you can read up on your park’s history and get directions.

A bit about safety…

Take your cell phone, driver’s license or Road I.D., water bottle, snacks (this is the perfect excuse to make your favorite trail mix – find recipe ideas here) and sunscreen (sun = sunburn, regardless of the time of year). Always tell at least one other person where you are going, and your expected return time. Always watch where you are going! I can’t emphasize this enough! Unpaved trails usually have rocks, tree branches, and are uneven. Many hikers have gone ass over tea kettle on a trail because they are in la la land when they should have their eyes on the path! And finally, it is always a good idea to hike with a buddy, especially if you’ll be visiting a new location that you are unfamiliar with. Abide by the park’s hours, and skadaddle when it dusk sets in.

And finally, because I think you can never bee too careful, check out Wilderness-Survival.net – a website full of advice, from identifying poisonous plants, to avoiding dangerous animals.



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