I Dare You: Healthy Holiday Fun

Is it even possible to have a healthy 4th of July? Summer holidays are all about hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and beer. These celebrations are fun and often create lasting memories. So, how do you keep to your healthy diet and exercise habits without feeing like you're missing out?

Here are just some of the ways I've found of enjoying a great summer holiday or backyard barbecue without falling off track or feeling deprived of the full experience. I challenge you to see how many of these tips you can incorporate into your celebration and still have a blast this July 4th!

Is it even possible to have a healthy 4th of July? Summer holidays are all about hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and beer. These celebrations are fun and often create lasting memories. So, how do you keep to your healthy diet and exercise habits without feeing like you're missing out?

Here are just some of the ways I've found of enjoying a great summer holiday or backyard barbecue without falling off track or feeling deprived of the full experience. I challenge you to see how many of these tips you can incorporate into your celebration and still have a blast this July 4th!

Feeling the Burn? Learn How to Prevent Acid Reflux...

Recently, I found myself chatting with a fellow New York City subway rider and mentioned that I was studying to become a Registered Dietitian. Immediately, he asked me how he can prevent acid reflux. Acid reflux describes the backward flow of food, liquid and stomach acid from the stomach up through the esophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. This reflux can cause a feeling of heartburn, a burning or pressure in the chest, and can lead to a more serious condition known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). In GERD, frequent episodes of acid reflux can lead not only to heartburn, but also to an irritatation of the esophagus and signs and symptoms like: nausea after eating, a sour taste in the mouth, dry cough, wheezing, hoarse voice, sore throat, or difficulty swallowing. Many of these symptoms may be worse in the evening, especially while lying down.   

A few easy lifestyle changes may help you find relief from reflux: 

Recently, I found myself chatting with a fellow New York City subway rider and mentioned that I was studying to become a Registered Dietitian. Immediately, he asked me how he can prevent acid reflux. Acid reflux describes the backward flow of food, liquid and stomach acid from the stomach up through the esophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. This reflux can cause a feeling of heartburn, a burning or pressure in the chest, and can lead to a more serious condition known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). In GERD, frequent episodes of acid reflux can lead not only to heartburn, but also to an irritatation of the esophagus and signs and symptoms like: nausea after eating, a sour taste in the mouth, dry cough, wheezing, hoarse voice, sore throat, or difficulty swallowing. Many of these symptoms may be worse in the evening, especially while lying down.   

A few easy lifestyle changes may help you find relief from reflux: 

Piece O' Cheesecake: Who Needs a Gym Membership?!

Recently I posted about free yoga classes and other workouts in NYC. Since then, I am excited to report, I have discovered that the two NYC locations of Athleta are also offering free weekly classes and boy do they sound like fun! The Upper West Side and Upper East Side Athleta sites offer everything from yoga, Zumba, Stacy's Bootcamp, cardio sculpt and dance cardio to...Burlesque Pilates, Bellydance Fitness, and Booty Blasting! They even offer a kids yoga class. I cannot wait to try my first class.

For more information on Athleta's class offerings, check out their website here.

Athleta UWS - 216 Columbus (between 69th & 70th)
Athleta UES - 1517 3rd Avenue (between 85th & 86th)

All this fitness fun isn't reserved exclusively for New Yorkers! 

Athleta also has stores in CA, IL, MD, MA, MN, NJ, PA, TX, VA, Washington DC & in Scarsdale, NY, with several new locations coming soon.

Don't forget about the Solstice:

I learned about Athleta's free weekly classes when I decided to read more about this year's Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga event coming up on Wednesday, June 20. My mom and I did Solstice Yoga in Times Square last year and had a blast. There's still time to sign up for the three of four free classes that still have availability!

Recently I posted about free yoga classes and other workouts in NYC. Since then, I am excited to report, I have discovered that the two NYC locations of Athleta are also offering free weekly classes and boy do they sound like fun! The Upper West Side and Upper East Side Athleta sites offer everything from yoga, Zumba, Stacy's Bootcamp, cardio sculpt and dance cardio to...Burlesque Pilates, Bellydance Fitness, and Booty Blasting! They even offer a kids yoga class. I cannot wait to try my first class.

For more information on Athleta's class offerings, check out their website here.

Athleta UWS - 216 Columbus (between 69th & 70th)
Athleta UES - 1517 3rd Avenue (between 85th & 86th)

All this fitness fun isn't reserved exclusively for New Yorkers! 

Athleta also has stores in CA, IL, MD, MA, MN, NJ, PA, TX, VA, Washington DC & in Scarsdale, NY, with several new locations coming soon.

Don't forget about the Solstice:

I learned about Athleta's free weekly classes when I decided to read more about this year's Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga event coming up on Wednesday, June 20. My mom and I did Solstice Yoga in Times Square last year and had a blast. There's still time to sign up for the three of four free classes that still have availability!

Hit the Road... & Have Your Cake Too!

As my partner-in-crime and I set off on a weekend adventure, I want to share with you our tips for making healthy choices while enjoying the giddy fun of a road trip. Driving trips can be tons of fun but the endless stream of fast food joints and fast-casual restaurants can make it very easy to overload on salty, fatty, sugary foods; foods that will do nothing to help you get through your trip and in fact may lead you to feel sluggish, bloated, gassy or cranky and may cause you to return home carrying a few extra pounds of body weight! With a little advanced planning and some thoughtful choices, you can still have delicious meals and snacks and get the energy you need to fully embrace the excitement of the road…

As my partner-in-crime and I set off on a weekend adventure, I want to share with you our tips for making healthy choices while enjoying the giddy fun of a road trip. Driving trips can be tons of fun but the endless stream of fast food joints and fast-casual restaurants can make it very easy to overload on salty, fatty, sugary foods; foods that will do nothing to help you get through your trip and in fact may lead you to feel sluggish, bloated, gassy or cranky and may cause you to return home carrying a few extra pounds of body weight! With a little advanced planning and some thoughtful choices, you can still have delicious meals and snacks and get the energy you need to fully embrace the excitement of the road…

Piece O’ Cheesecake: Yoga-curious? Try it (+ other workouts) Completely-free in NYC!

Are you interested in trying yoga but aren’t sure it’s for you, are intimidated by the studio atmosphere, don’t have a gym membership or don’t want to shell out the cash for a class? Here in NYC there are many opportunities for Yoga virgins to dabble with Downward Dog or test out their Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), especially during the Summer season! Or add spice to your regular workout routine with Tai Chi, running or dance…

Are you interested in trying yoga but aren’t sure it’s for you, are intimidated by the studio atmosphere, don’t have a gym membership or don’t want to shell out the cash for a class? Here in NYC there are many opportunities for Yoga virgins to dabble with Downward Dog or test out their Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), especially during the Summer season! Or add spice to your regular workout routine with Tai Chi, running or dance…