The Teal Pumpkin Project

Tabata - Heaven or Hell?

Have you heard of Tabata?  Good god this is a workout!

Tabata is a high-intensity interval training that builds endurance and strength quickly!

The concept is simple, go all out for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, repeat the pattern until you pass out (just kidding, kinda).  Sounds easy and doable.

As I was eager to try Tabata, I hit YouTube and came across this energetic, "fun" hip hop video by Keaira LaShae.  The music is pumping (Miss LaShae's), she has a great attitude and doesn't sugar coat that what you are doing is tough and offers modified moves.  I made it through and then collapsed in a pool of sweat.  But I did it!

If you want to give Tabata a try, check this out!

The Teal Pumpkin Project

As a severe food allergy suffer myself, this project is near and dear to my heart. And frankly anything that makes Halloween an even more "awesomer" holiday for one and all is alright in my book!

This Halloween, FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) is encouraging communities to start a new tradition that will help make this holiday season less scary for children with food allergies: the Teal Pumpkin Project.

This campaign encourages people to raise awareness of food allergies by providing non-food treats for trick-or-treaters and painting a pumpkin teal - the color of food allergy awareness - to place in front of their house along with a free printable sign from FARE to indicate they have non-food treats available.

The Teal Pumpkin Project is designed to promote safety, inclusion and respect of individuals managing food allergies – and to keep Halloween a fun, positive experience for all.


Download FARE’s Non-Food Treats Halloween Poster to show your support

Download a flyer about the Teal Pumpkin Project and share it to spread the word
 
Questions and Answers About the Teal Pumpkin Project

Happy Halloween!!!

New 21-Day Meditation with Oprah & Deepak Starts 8.11.14!!!

You were born to be happy!

 

Are you ready for a big boost of joy? Join Oprah & Deepak to tap into the inner wellspring of happiness that awaits you. In this perfect summertime journey, Oprah & Deepak help you spark the bliss, profound peace, and playful exhilaration that is within you.

Register for Free Now!

Beach Yoga With Brad

Every year, I like to travel for my birthday.  This year I landed in sunny, vegan, super friendly - Santa Monica, CA.  :)

The first thing I had to do was find a yoga class on the glorious shores of the Pacific and a quick Google search turned up Beach Yoga With Brad!

Brad is a character - super nice, full of energy and full of spirit.  He leads both sunrise and sunset yoga classes just a few scant feet from the beautiful soothing waves of the ocean - for a mere $10.  Quite the bargain if you ask me.

His 1.5 hour class is low key, but challenging - there's all types of yogis here and there's no shame at going at your own pace.

Truly a one of a kind experience that, I highly recommend.  Picture this, downward facing down facing the ocean - can you imagine!

If you're lucky enough to live in or near Santa Monica or are ever visiting, put this on your to do list.

Be sure to like the Brad's Facebook page, Beach Yoga With Brad & Friends to get the latest updates on upcoming classes.

Namaste.

P.S. Dolphins are not guaranteed, but while in Warrior 1, we go to watch these magnificent guys playing in the surf!

Shout Out Your Cruelty Free Halloween!

It's that time of year when little people raid your house in search of tricks or treats, ok, mostly treats.

If you're going to the cruelty-free route this year, let the little treaters know by showing your vegan pride with this cool window/door sign!

Or spread the education with vegan or fair trade treat cards or just let the ghouls & goblins know their treats are vegan with these super cute cards!

Looking for treat ideas? Check it out!

Happy Halloween!

 

Source: VeganStreet.com

http://www.abolitionistvegansociety.org

What To Be For Halloween?

Stumped for a costume idea for you or your kid?

Try this on for size...

See The 5 Kick-Ass Women This Mom Dressed Her Daughter As Instead Of A Disney Princess

Minute Meditation

Where I am...

By night, I am The Healthy Hoff, but by day, I am corporate girl.  This means my days are typically filled with meetings - sometimes up to six a day!

And despite my total disregard for time - don't wear a watch, never carry my phone, won't even set my clocks when the power goes out - I am constantly the first one in the meeting room, waiting... 

Where I think I am...

This used to make me uncomfortable, until I turned those wasted minutes into something beneficial for me!  Now, I purposely arrive 2 minutes early to every meeting and I use that time to meditate. 

I sit with my back to the door so I can hear approaching footsteps and so that no one walking by thinks I that am sleeping.  I focus on the white noise that is ever present and zone out.  As soon as someone enters, I come back to the present refreshed and ready to go. 

Two minutes may not seem like a lot of time, but multiply that by six meetings and I've meditated for 12 minutes!  This is a lot better than my typical zero minutes, since I still can’t still my mind long enough.  Who knows, this practice could actual help me become a professional meditator.

Namaste
The Hoff

Recyle Your Christmas Tree

Sigh.  The holidays are over and now it's time to begin the massive clean-up from Christmas.  For some that includes dragging your live tree out to the curb to sit and rot in a landfill.

Don't be part of this sad, sad display...

Instead, give your tree a second life and drag it to the Metroparks!

That's right!  The trees will be chipped and then turned into mulch and compost.  Plus, this program is free and benefits the environment!

All decorations, plastic, tinsel and wire must be removed prior to dropping off.

Find a drop-off location near you:
Cleveland (ends January 25)
Lake County (ends week of January 17)
Summit County (ends January 31)


Not your area? 
Google Christmas Tree Recycling and see what's available in your neck of the woods or check out the National Christmas Tree Association (yes that exists) for more ideas.  Another great resource is "How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree", for an extensive state by state listing.


Remember, Santa is watching...so is Mother Nature.
The Hoff

Outdoor Yoga in Cleveland!

What's better than Yoga? Yoga in nature of course!

Check out Pink Lotus Yoga, for this very unique experience.

These outdoor classes are fun, free-spirited yoga for students at all levels.

Bring mat, water, towel or blanket, and dress in layers. Sunscreen and sunglasses are highly recommended, though locations offer a sun/shade mix.

Parents who wish to bring children must have prior instructor approval.

Cost: There is no fee for these classes, but a donation is requested.

2012 Schedule:

• Saturdays: May 12-July 28 & August 11-25
•  9:00-10:00 a.m. - Rocky River Park
• Sundays: May 20-July 22
• 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. - Rocky River Park
• Tuesdays: May 22-July 24
• 7:15-8:15 p.m. - Lakewood Park
• Fridays: May 18-July 27 & August 10-31
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. - Lakewood Park

Rainsite: At the studio: 18103 Detroit Avenue; Lakewood, OH 44107

Classes remain as donation when moved indoors.
Note: There is no rainsite for the Saturday morning outdoor class!

Updates provided close to class time on website, on Facebook, and on Twitter when classes will be held at rainsite, or if it is necessary to cancel class.

Jamming & Canning!

Today, I attempted two things for the first time - making jam and canning.

I was a little nervous to say the least.  Do I know how to make jam?  No, not really.  Do I know how to can?  No, not really.

But, I watched a TV show all about it!

Armed with my detailed notes, I hit the kitchen and to my surprise & delight, making jam and canning is easy and rather gratifying.  In fact, I think I accomplished both in about an hour.

Since, I did not know if canning was something I was going to be into, I did not buy any canning equipment (which is readily available at any large grocery store & even Walmart).  Instead, I did what any self-respecting cook would do, I Macgyvered it.

For the record, you need 4 cups of Berries to make the jam, I started out with 4 cups of fresh Blueberries and after blending it, had 2 cups. So I added an additional 4 cups of frozen Blueberries, to get to the 4 cups required for this recipe.  Don't be afraid to improvise.

Canning Equipment:

• 9 Half Pint Canning Jars
• 1 Large Pot with Pasta Strainer Insert
• 1 Large Pot
• 1 Medium Pot
• 1 Funnel
• 1 Ladle
• 1 pair of Rubber Tongs
• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 pair of Ove' Gloves
• Additional Oven Mitts
• A friend/helper

Blueberry Jam Ingredients:

• 6 cups Blueberries (yields 4 cups blended)
• 7 cups Sugar
• 1 pack of Pectin 

Jam Directions:

1. Using a food processor or Vitamix, pulse/blend Berries
2. If using a Berry with seeds, using a spatula, push blended Berries through a wire sieve to remove seeds
3. Add Berries to large pot and slowly stir in Sugar until it is fully dissolved
4. On high heat, bring to a rapid boil
5. Quickly stir in Pectin & bring back to rapid boil, stir for 1 minute, remove from heat
6. Told you it was easy!

Canning Directions:

1. Put the glass canning jars in the pot with the strainer, fill with water & bring to a low boil, turn down & cook for 5 minutes
2. In the medium pot, add lids & rings, fill with water & bring to a low boil, turn down & cook for 5 minutes
3. Using the rubber tongs, remove jars and set on cutting board
4. Keep water cooking in pot with strainer
5. Using the funnel & your helper, fill each jar with jam - it will take about 2 to 3 ladles to fill each jar, leaving a slight gap at the top about 1/4"
6. Clean any jam residue from lip of jars using a wet paper towel
7. Using a butter knife, poke around jam to remove any air bubbles (air is your enemy)
8. Remove lids & rings from hot water as needed to ensure they stay warm, put on just fingertip tight
9. Return jars to the pot with the strainer and boil for 5 minutes
10. Remove jars from water, keep on counter to cool until all lids pop (about 12 to 24 hours)

You know when your lids are sealed because they will not give in when pressed upon.

You now have your very own freshly made jam that you can enjoy for the coming months!

Cheap, easy, what more could you want?

Go Canning!
The Hoff

Cooking with C.A.R.E. to Offer Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Classes!!!

I'm super excited to share that Cooking with C.A.R.E., a Cleveland based cooking/personal chef service has just announced plans to offer vegan and vegetarian cooking classes for 2012!!!!

Woooo hooo!!!!

But wait, it's get better!

They have a new, bigger location that can accommodate more students - the Shore Cultural Center in Euclid, Ohio.

PLUS - due to a funding grant, live classes are now only $25, online classes are $15!!! Now that is a bargain!

Check out the schedule for Online Classes and for Live Classes for more details!

Another very cool concept that was just announced is Shore Cultural Dinners!

Occurring every 4th Friday of the month from 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Chef Robin will guide your exploration of a different culture through books, music, arts & crafts, activities, live cooking demonstrations and a full meal that represents that culture. This is a family friendly event that's open to everyone!

Upcoming 2012 Schedule:
January - Chinese New Year
February - Mardi Gras
March - Indian Cuisine

Cost is only $10 per adult and $25 per family of 4!

Check it Out!
The Hoff

Do You Zumba?!?!

Do you Zumba?  If not, what are you waiting for?!?

Zumba is an excellent, get yo ass off the couch, booty shaking, heart pumping exercise DVD series that is so addicting you'll crave to do it everyday!

What I like about this exercise DVD set is that it doesn't really feel like exercise at all as you are dancing more than anything so the repetitive moves don't really feel repetitive.  Plus you are learning actual Latin dances - I love multitasking!

While this is a Latin inspired program, I like that they infuse a mix of cultural music all set to modern hip-hop beats.  Beware though, I have found myself breaking out a Zumba move or two out on the dance floor - booty circle, anyone!?!?


When I started Zumba, only the original series, Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation was available.  Now, there are a variety of packages to choose from, including their second full series,
Zumba Fitness Exhilarate: The Ultimate Experience DVD Set.  I haven't tried the second series yet, but it looks awesome.

Zumba is also now available for Wii, PS3 and Xbox.

Prefer a little social interaction?  Zumba is taught live across the country, click here to find a location.  I have found that many churches conduct classes for either a low fee or a donation - ask around!

So, if you're bored with your exercise routine or are just not motivated to workout at all, I highly suggest that you give Zumba a try - it's a dance party in your living room!  In no time, Beto, Tanya and Gina and will feel like old friends!

Zuuuuuuuuuuumba!
The Hoff

On Display At A Kitchen Near You!

It's true!  If you make healthy food easily accessible, you will eat it!

I found this out for myself this morning while chopping the weekly veggies.  I suddenly caught myself mindlessly chowing down on a bowl of cherry tomatoes that I had pre-washed and displayed in one of my favorite glass bowls.

I say mindlessly because I hate raw tomatoes and I would never, ever commit such an act consciously.

And you know what?  They weren't half bad.

Keep in mind, that this little trick works equally as well for unhealthy food, if not more so.

Display Responsibly,
The Hoff

Pilates!

I always thought that in order to practice Pilates, one had to go to a gym and hire a personal trainer.

I was wrong.

I recently acquired the "Slim & Sculpt Pilates by 10 Minute Solution" DVD.  This is by no means the only Pilates DVD on the market, but it is the one that peaked my interest enough to try it.  Two things drew me to this particular DVD, the 10 minutes options and the Pilates Band that was included.

There are actually five, 10 minute segments on this DVD, so you can determine how long you actually want to workout (I really like that).  In fact there is an option to create your own personal workout by programming any one of the five segments in the order you want to practice them.

The five segments are:

1. Upper Body Pilates
2. Lower Body Pilates
3. Pilates for Abs
4. Total Body Pilates
5. Pilates for Flexibility

Having never done Pilates, I found the movements in this DVD surprisingly easy to follow, however don't be fooled, you are going to get a good workout. You may be doing simple movements, but they are impactful.  I love that the 10 minute segments go by so fast, you don't have time to dread them and being only 10 minutes long, you are more likely to push yourself to do more.  I did all five segments my first time trying this DVD, I was feeling it, but I wasn't wishing for it to be over (ok by segment five, I was about to pass out).

What I really like about Pilates is that it combines my two favorite exercises: stretching and weights (remember muscle burns fat in your sleep!).  I know you don't actually use hand weights with this DVD or Pilates in general, however, the Pilates Band simulates the act of lifting weights through resistance.

What I'm not liking so much is the band that was included with the DVD.  It only has powder coating on one side of the band, so as you use it the non-coated side gets sticky and the band becomes difficult to use.

Why do Pilates?

Practicing Pilates can help you develop strong abs, improved posture, greater flexibility, long lean muscles, increased energy and above all can aid in weight loss.  Pilates also gives you a total body workout and body awareness because you practice each movement with total attention, thus uniting the body and mind.

If you're looking for something new to add to your workout routine, definitely give Pilates a try.

Check out a preview of this DVD to see if this is for you!



Happy Exercising!
The Hoff

Yoga - it does a body good!

If you have never practiced Yoga, it can be a little daunting knowing where to start.

You could take a local class or you could practice in the privacy of your home with the help of a DVD, which I personally prefer.

Finding the right Yoga DVD can also be daunting, which is the reason for this post.  The answer to your dilemma is...

Rodney Yee.

I never fully enjoyed Yoga, until I practiced with my first Rodney Yee video - he's yummy!  He has a soothing voice, practices in the most beautiful places and usually wears a speedo (and yes he can wear that thing!).

Yee's videos are easy to follow, he talks you through each move in narrator style.

Yee has been practicing for about 30 years, so he has quite a video collection.   Here are a few that I currently use:

Power Yoga: Stamina: 25 minutes, good for beginners (my personal favorite)

Power Yoga: Strength and Flexibility: 2 - 20 minute programs, while this is for beginners, the strength poses can be challenging

AM Yoga for Your Week: 5 - 20 minute programs, perfect for when you're short on time, but still want to get some exercise.  Ignore the title, these programs can be done at anytime of the day.

AM & PM Yoga: 2 - 20 minute programs, Rodney Yee does the AM program, while Patricia Walden conducts the PM program.  I wasn't too happy with this DVD, as I didn't care for Patricia Walden and would have preferred Rodney exclusively - what can I say?

Relaxation & Breathing for Meditation: 2 - 30 minute programs, while there are some light yoga poses, the main focus of this one is to learn the art of meditation and conscious breathing techniques.  Anybody got stress?

To get a taste of Rodney, you can view some sample videos (although these don't do him justice.)  Did I mention that he practices with his shirt off?

You can buy Rodney Yee's videos through GAIAM, Amazon, or I've even seen him at Target and Wal-mart.

Now there's nothing stopping you from trying Yoga - you will find it to be a relaxing and zen way of getting your daily exercise.  And since Rodney is so easy on the eyes, I suspect you're going to enjoy it even more.



Namaste.
The Hoff