July’s Tiny Change: Creative Hydration

July 5, 2016July 6, 2016Leave a comment

This post is part of Kale & Chocolate’s #12tinychanges challenge. Each month, we’re implementing one super small, super doable change…over a year, it really adds up! You can read about it here and share your progress on instagram – tag @kaleandchocolate and @hamptonskiley with the hashtag #12tinychanges for a chance to win some cool prizes!

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: we should all be drinking more water. And yet here we are – many of us walking around in a state of low-grade, chronic dehydration.

hydrate

How do you know if you’re dehydrated? Perhaps you’re feeling a bit unfocused or sluggish, maybe you feel hungry all the time, or your skin isn’t looking its best. It’s entirely possible that you aren’t actually hungry, or unfocused, or having skin problems; chances are, you’re thirsty!

Our bodies are 65% water, and our brains are 73% water. No wonder we feel better when we stay hydrated! Yet it’s easy to forget to drink in the midst of our busy and active lives. This month, we’re going to fill up our cups and keep our bodies happy with more water and better hydration. If you’re not exactly keen on chugging eight glasses of lukewarm tap water every day, read on!

Make it fun (and delicious!)
Not everyone loves plain old water. If you aren’t a fan, don’t worry – there are many other ways to stay hydrated! Toss together a pitcher of spa waters (they’re so easy and colorful!) or load up the freezer with fruity ice cubes and add them to your water or herbal iced tea. Save your leftover smoothies, filling up popsicle molds, and create beautiful (and hydrating) smoothie pops!

Drink easy.
If you spend most of your time in your office, get a pretty glass that you can keep on your desk. If you’re always in the car, find a reusable water bottle and don’t leave the house without it!

Drink a superfood snack
Chia seeds are a miracle food, especially when it comes to keeping us hydrated. These teeny, tiny seeds are hydrophilic, which means that they can absorb approximately 10 to 12 times their weight in water. This powerhouse superfood can also prolong hydration and retain electrolytes in body fluids, protecting against dehydration.

Incorporating chia seeds into your diet is incredibly easy: simply stir a heaping tablespoon to your morning juice or smoothie, and you’re set! For a real treat, try peppermint mocha chia pudding or have a super yummy energy bite!

Drink your eats (no, really!)
Hydration comes in many forms, not just from water! All raw fruits and vegetables contain water, particularly cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, celery, and radishes. Try this watermelon cucumber cooler on for size!

Drink your potassium
Why do we need electrolytes, including potassium, to stay hydrated? Our muscles use them with water to make sure that the electrical charges in our bodies work properly. Potassium balances the fluids and electrolytes in our bodies. All this is to say: eat plenty of bananas and drink some coconut water. These two foods are inexpensive, widely available, and they’ll help you maintain the proper nutrients after a workout or on a hot summer day.

See? Hydration can be fun and delicious! And once we fill up with the proper amount of fluid, our minds and bodies are so much more effective. We think better, look better, and feel better.

One Healthy Breakdown: create and hydrate!

5 Healthy Summer BBQ Tips

June 28, 2016June 28, 2016Leave a comment

‘Tis the season of endless barbecues, pool parties, ice cream cones, and of course, #roséallday. So, how do we stay healthy, feel balanced, enjoy ourselves, and fit into those white skinny jeans through it all?! Here’s how to stay healthy and feel good throughout BBQ season:

1. Focus on what’s off the grille, not what’s on it. While the main attraction of a summer BBQ may be the food, focus on the company instead. Soak up the friends, family, sunshine, outdoor activities and you’re sure to make lasting memories that go far beyond the bites.

2. Have a snack before. Showing up to a BBQ, party, or restaurant starving is not the way to go; you’ll actually be far more likely to overeat. Leaving the house hungry is not going to save you calories, it’s actually going to cause your blood sugar to crash and then spike, inhibiting your judgement and control. Instead, calm your hunger by having a small snack before you leave the house: a piece of fruit, a small salad, or some nuts will do. the trick.

3. Load up on the good stuff. Whether you’re grilling at home or heading out, there’s never an excuse to skip the fruit and veggies. Fill your plate with at least half veggies and lean protein, like chicken or fish (or an occasional burger or hot dog.) If you’re grilling or planning the menu, add tons of fresh seasonal veggies; click here for some ideas and recipes. Even broccoli, romaine lettuce, and green beans taste better on the grille, so get creative and veg out!

4. BYOF. Bring your own food. If you bring at least one healthy dish, there will be at least one healthy dish for you to eat. Simple as that.

5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Although it can be tough to remember to drink water if it’s not right in front of you, as the rosé, beer, and soda may be, remember that staying hydrated will not only make you feel better, but will also help you to make better choices. So, scout out the water and sip throughout the day, between cocktails, and before bed to ensure you stay hydrated.

One Healthy Breakdown: healthy BBQ = healthy summer

Best Metabolism Boosters

August 18, 2015August 18, 2015Leave a comment

Metabolism. We all have it. Some faster. Some slower. Metabolism is the rate at which we burn energy, aka the rate at which we burn calories. Though our individual metabolism is largely determined by our health and genetics, here are a few ways to boost metabolism…aka burn more calories…in less time. Aha, now you’re paying attention! Try these simple tips:

Hydration. How many times do I have to say it; drink up. Water, water, water! Sparkling water, lemon water, tea, and hydrating smoothies all count! Here’s how much water you really need.

Exercise. Move your body. While cardio definitely burns calories, strength training exercises boost metabolism for hours after the workout is complete. Also, the more muscle mass you have, the more calories your body burns. Find what you love, switch it up, and work those muscles. Varying your workouts also causes muscle confusion and prevents boredom and plateau.

Sleep. The body can’t metabolize food effectively without adequate sleep. 8 hours, people. Read all about why you snooze, you lose here.

Eat. Yes, eating (and digesting) burns calories and boosts metabolism. Breakfast is key as it literally breaks the fast that our body undergoes overnight. Not only is it important to eat throughout the day, there are also quite a few foods that are known for their boosting power.

One Healthy Breakdown: boost a bit to burn more!

Are YOU Hydrated?!

August 6, 2015August 5, 20154 Comments

Stay hydrated! Eight glasses a day! Water, water, water! H20 all day! We hear it all the time…but why? Is hydration overrated? Do we really need that much water every single day?

If you’re short on time, the answer is no, hydration is not overrated. Yes, we really need to drink a LOT of water…every single day.

So, how much water are we talkin’ here? Turns out the eight glasses a day may not actually be enough. More recent research suggests drinking half your body weight in ounces. For example, someone who ways 150 pounds should drink 75 ounces of water daily. Remember, drink even more if you’re exercising or spending long periods of time in the heat (hey, summer sun, I’m talking to you.)

Here are a few more numbers for ya: water makes up about 60% of your body weight, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, and hydration can increase your metabolism up to 3%. That’s more calories burned simply by drinking water!

Water also cleanses our system naturally, energizes our muscles, and averts cravings. Oh, and another thing: this just in, dehydration causes a hangover. Proper hydration prevents a hangover. So, drink up and then drink some more! If you’re going to follow just one nutrition tip, make it hydration. Get a (BPA free) water bottle or two and take it everywhere with you. Drink at least one glass first thing in the morning (lemon water, anyone?) and sip consistently throughout the day. What else counts? Great question. Seltzer, club soda, tea, iced tea, and hydrating foods (watermelon, cucumber, celery, tomatoes, radishes, etc.) If plain water bores you, spice it up with fun additions and natural concoctions.

One Healthy Breakdown: cheers to being a hydration station!

Bounce Back to Balance

July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: life’s about balance. That means indulgence, moderation, and wiggle room. For some of us, fun-filled weekends may mean a little too much indulging and not enough moderation. Instead of that all-or-nothing, detox-to-retox-plan, get back on track in a balanced way with these simple ‘bounce back’ strategies (juice cleanse not included):

1. Get over it. Don’t beat yourself up. You can’t change the past. So, move on and look forward.

2. Drink UP. Alcohol, salty foods, and the hot sun will cause some serious dehydration. Make it a point to drink water around the clock, carry a water bottle with you everywhere, and spice it up. Rise and shine with lemon water or start your day with a detox drink and just keep sippin’.

3. Eat a lot, too. Stick to whole foods – lots of leafy greens and veggies, fresh fruit, lean protein, and portioned healthy fats. Raw fruits and veggies reset the digestive system and provide the body with tons of nutrients and energy to keep you going. Season foods with herbs and spices; ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, dill, cinnamon, and cumin naturally detox with flavor.

4. Move. Exercise will make you feel renewed from the inside out. Not only will you torch calories and burn off those indulgences, sweating also flushes toxins. Hit up a class, head out for a run, or do an at-home workout to get the heart pumping.

5. Rest. Get some R&R to rejuvenate the mind and body. Remember, ya snooze, ya lose!

One Healthy Breakdown: keep these tips in mind this week and you’ll be back on track in no time.

Out With the Old, In With the New

March 26, 2015March 27, 2015Leave a comment

Spring. Birds chirping, sun shining, snow melting, spring cleaning. Before you roll your eyes, this isn’t about weeding through your closet, although that may be a good idea. Spring cleaning is about so much more than old clothing, clean countertops, and fresh gardening. Life is reborn for trees, flowers, wildlife, and whoever wants to take advantage. Spring is the season of growth and renewal; the perfect time to cleanse the old and welcome the new, both inside and out.

Cleanse. Clean out the junk in all aspects of life and replace it with fresh, positive, healthy goodness. As the saying goes, if you keep good food in your fridge, you will eat good food!

Cleanse your eating. That does not mean you’ll have to live on juice – been there, done that. Good news: your body is designed to cleanse itself. That’s right, you can skip the starvation, straw sipping, and pill popping. Just get back to the basics and treat your body right by eating right. Go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer, and throw away anything (and everything) past its expiration date, labeled with ingredients you don’t even recognize, and those winter comfort foods you know aren’t doing you any favors. Then make a grocery list full of (almost) nothing but whole foods and fresh, in-season produce. Get shopping, aiming for organic, unprocessed, high-quality, and local as much as possible. Most importantly, practice mindful eating to break up your current patterns. Call on a friend or nutritionist for some moral support. Take a step back, listen to your body, turn to whole foods, and sit and slowly chew, taste, and savor each bite. Soon enough, you’ll find you’re eating what your body truly wants and needs, not what your sweet tooth or emotions crave. You’ll be more in-tune with yourself and ready to spring into spring!

The other factor in cleansing is hydration. Drinking enough water is crucial to our health in so many ways. Since we’re made of mostly water, our body needs to stay hydrated in order to function properly, cleanse naturally, stay active, and maintain balance. Plus, drinking lots of water can boost metabolism, avert cravings, and energize your muscles. Since you’re cleaning out your fridge, you’re ditching the soda, fruit juice, sports drink, cocktail mixers, and whatever else you’re sippin’ on. Good ol’ H20 is where it’s at. Always carry a water bottle with you and spice up your water with fun additions and natural concoctions!

Lastly, what’s progress without positivity?! As we clean out our closets, pantries, and bodies, this spring renewal won’t last without an attitude adjustment. It’s as simple as the three words above: think good thoughts. Clean out the old – the judgement, negativity, fear, guilt, etc. that we place upon ourselves and others. Replace all this wasted space with pure, uplifting thoughts. We put so much effort into taking care of others and showing our loved ones that we care, but we often overlook the same treatment for ourselves. Treat yourself with respect, kindness, and self-confidence. Catch yourself next time you have a negative thought and turn it around. Soon, these mindful changes will result in greater happiness and health like never before! Feel free to evaluate the people in your life as well. If someone does nothin’ but bring ya down and you can easily avoid them, cleanse them right out and don’t look back. Fill your mind with good thoughts, fill your life with good people, and fill your days with good things!

One Healthy Breakdown: This spring season, don’t just replace the snow boots with rain boots. Instead, think about the changes you’ll make to rid the same old and embrace the new you, from the inside out and the outside in!

Hot Damn. Hot Yoga.

September 26, 2013September 30, 20131 Comment

Looks like your typical yoga studio? Well, it’s not. It’s HOT in there…at Hamptons Hot Yoga (Bridgehampton.) No, like really hot. I guess that’s the typical response of a hot yoga first-timer? Shock? Shock initially, gratitude to follow. It’s not instant gratification, but it is gratification. I’ve been wanting to try hot yoga for a long time now and I’m so glad I did. I find that there is nothing quite like the benefits of yoga, especially for a body tired from spin, TRX, running, body combat, etc. Hot yoga combines each of the benefits of these other exercises (cardio, endurance, strength, agility, warming the body) plus stretching, lengthening, and challenging on a whole new level. While I love a good group fitness class, I despise feeling tight and compact afterwards. I love the post-yoga high that brings that sensation of long, lean, stretched muscles as well as a good sweat. Hot yoga brings the term ‘good sweat’ to a whole new level.

As unsafe, unnatural, and unpleasant as exercise in extreme heat seems, the class is conducted in a very specific manner, making safety the top priority. The precise rules, sequence, structure, suggested routine before, during, and after class, (LOTS of water, no food, no caffeine) all make the practice safe and beneficial for all. So, what are the benefits?

Benefits are countless. While the high heat allows the body to move and open more fluidly, excess sweat quickly removes toxins from deep within. Hot yoga is the perfect cleansing activity, it will leave you feeling renewed, rejuvinated, and pure. The postures and the heat works every part of the body; muscles, bones, organs, and even skin (our largest elimination organ.) Hot yoga claims to actually work 100% of the body. That makes 90 minutes pretty worthwhile doesn’t it?

Other benefits include; enhanced body processes (like metabolism, detoxification, mobility, circulation, oxygenation, and endocrine function.) Hot yoga also decreases stress, regulates blood pressure, improves immune system, and provides an overall ‘feel good’ vitality.

It was great to see that the class was mixed, age, gender, ability, etc. It really speaks to the fact that anyone can do hot yoga, although I don’t think it’s for everyone. Anyone can experience this class, anyone can rest whenever they want, and anyone will feel the benefits for hours and hours after class. I was truly amazed at how I felt after class, with a new appreciation for the crisp fall air, my body, and even my simple daily routine outside of that oven.

You’re going to sweat. A LOT. You’re going to feel dizzy (at first, I’m told this sensation goes away after a few classes.) You’re going to want to guzzle water. You’re going to want to run out of the room. You’re going to daydream about ice cubes and stillness. But, you’re going to feel immense gratitude as well.

Hamptons Hot Yoga offers two variations; Bikram Hot Yoga and Hot Vinyasa, both open-level and all-inclusive. I gave the 90 minute Bikram class a try and plan to go back for more soon. There is not one downward dog and the class is the same every single time, a calculated sequence with exact purpose. This gives participants a chance to constantly improve their practice. Each of the 26 postures are performed twice with a few seconds rest in between. The first round sets the correct form and alignment, so your body knows where to go. The repetition allows you to push, go further, improve flexibility, and get the full benefits of the pose. The key, as with yoga in general, is to get the foundation down before pushing the body. Some of the poses are to be held for 30-60 seconds. This was a challenge. In the heat, it was a HUGE challenge. With sweat dripping down on the mat, focusing on the breath (and the rewards) is really all that keeps you going.

Vinyasa, meaning flow, is more of a fast-paced practice packed into a shorter (still 75 minutes) class. Vinyasa focuses on strength, balance, flexibility, and most of all: breath. Lienette, the studio director at Hamptons Hot Yoga, is very welcoming and informative. She clearly knows her stuff, as she walks the class through each and every posture with her words, not just telling you what to do, but how and why as well. And, even better, Hamptons Hot Yoga offers local a free week of classes so you can try it out!

One Healthy Breakdown: Hot yoga is like nothing else. I imagine the only thing it has in common with other workouts is the love/hate relationship. The benefits outweigh the burdens, if you can take the heat.

Watermelon Cuke Cooler

July 18, 20132 Comments

Holy heat wave! As if you haven’t heard it enough, STAY HYDRATED! It’s hot, hot, hot out there and hydrating is so important to staying healthy and active in this heat. One way to add more water to your diet without constant sipping is to eat hydrating foods, (most fruits and veggies) healthy popsicles, cold soups, and more! My favorite: watermelon!