Category Archives: Fave Fix

Fave Fix: Corazonas heart-healthy tortilla chips

Corazonas

Think chips have to be a guilty pleasure reserved only for cheat days? Think again.

I was in search of a healthier option to pair with my favorite guacamole recipe when the folks at Corazonas reached out to see if I’d like to check out their line of cholesterol-lowering crisps (wait, isn’t that an oxymoron?!).

Well, as it turns out, these puppies are infused with something called plant sterols, which have been shown in more than 140 clinical studies to help fight heart disease by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol.

In fact, researchers from The University of Canada recently published a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showing that people who followed a “Portfolio Diet” consisting of foods like oatmeal, almonds, soy protein, eggplant and plant sterols lowered their LDL levels by almost 13 percent over a six-month period (as compared to those who followed a low-fat diet and experienced only a three percent reduction).

But how do they taste?

Great, actually. They’ve got the same crispness of your usual tortilla chips, but without the usual grease that hits your gut (and your waistline) after the fact. And they’re available in three flavors – Lightly Salted, Squeeze of Lime and (my personal favorite), the zesty Black Bean & Cheese pictured here.

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Now this doesn’t mean you can eat the entire bag in one sitting (everything in moderation, people!), but Corazonas tortilla chips do fall into the Portfolio eating plan and offer an impressive 18g of whole grain and 3g of fiber in each serving.

Now that’s some smarter snacking you can really take to heart!

Thanks to the folks at Corazonas for providing samples for review; all opinions are my own. 

Fave Fix: Snikiddy’s smart snack swaps


Snikiddy

Football season is in full swing, Halloween is nearly here, and holiday parties are just around the corner…let the mindless munching commence!

Ok, ok – so it’s not necessarily bad news for nibblers: Savvy snacking can actually help you lose weight by staving off hunger and preventing overeating. That is, as long as you keep your wits about you when staring down a gauntlet of goodies.

A few tips:

1. Plan ahead. When hunger hits and you’re unprepared, you can get into some real trouble. Have something light and healthy (fruit and cheese, or even a handful of nuts and crackers) before you set foot into the party. That way, you can relax and enjoy yourself instead of making a beeline for the buffet.

2. Practice portion control. As with many things in life, bigger is not better. So say ‘no’ to supersizing, whether it’s your plate, your serving or (like me, often) your eyes in proportion to your stomach. Start with small tastes, eat slowly and savor every bite.

3. Pick replacements. Choose flavor-packed snacks that contribute to the feeling of fullness and satisfaction. And when you’ve got a favorite food that you just can’t pass up, find a healthier replacement to satisfy that craving…otherwise you’ll keep eating other stuff in an attempt to fill the void.

Case in point: Chips. Sometimes you just need that hit of salty crunchiness. But all the grease, artificial ingredients and extra calories? Not so much.

Well, that very same dilemma inspired Mary Owings Schulman, a mother concerned about her kids eating healthy, to create a company called Snikiddy, which makes snacks that promote good health.

Snikiddy’s all-natural snacks are made from non-GMO ingredients, are certified wheat- and gluten-free and come in three varieties – Cheese Puffs, Baked Fries and an eight-veggie crisp, Eat Your Vegetables.

These are some seriously good snacks. I even ran an unofficial taste-test among a group of friends and the consensus was that they are…delicious. If you like Pirate’s Booty, you’ll love the cheese puffs, and the fries packed a big punch of flavor in a crunchy little straw.

But the crowd favorite, by far, was the veggie crisps. Not only are they tasty and filling (one tester described them as “surprisingly substantial”), but they’re also super crunchy and flavorful, almost like pita chips. Plus there’s a full serving of veggies in every ounce.

But the best part? Finally, a great chip for scooping guac… you know, just in case you want a little extra-veggie credit next time you get a snack attack.

Thanks to the folks at Snikiddy for providing samples for review; all opinions are my own. 

Fave Fix: Tieks ballet flats

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If you’ve ever lived in (or visited) San Francisco, you know that the hills here can wreak havoc on feet.

Combine that with the fact that it’s nearly impossible to find a comfortable pair of walking shoes that doesn’t look orthopedic, and it’s no wonder we’re known here for our yoga-pants-wearing ways (i.e. an attempt to dress up while clinging to sneakers for dear life).

Well, the folks at Tieks have proposed a solution: Their Italian leather flats offer the comfort of a slipper and the support of an athletic shoe, all wrapped up in a fashionable, ballet-flat package.

They’re good enough for Oprah, but I wanted to see how they’d hold up during my massive walks around the city – running errands, between workouts, shopping with friends, etc. – so I ordered a pair to put to the test.

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Now these puppies aren’t cheap; they range from $165-$295 a pop, but from their buttery Italian leather and hand-stitched craftsmanship to the attention to detail in their packaging and accessories, you do really get what you pay for.

I bought a pair of the Fuchsia flats, and they arrived in a sturdy blue box with a flower on top. Inside were the shoes, folded up in their little carrying pouch. There was also a larger reusable tote (for your purse when you want to swap out heels – how smart!), plus a hand-written thank-you note, which was a nice touch.

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The purpose of the foldable, split-sole design is to keep Tieks compact and lightweight. I was concerned it might make for a flimsy shoe, but it’s quite the opposite, in fact.

Between the foam cushioning in the sole and the non-skid rubber soles (in the signature Tiek blue, of course), they feel more substantial than any other ballet flat I’ve worn.

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But the real test was wearing them out and about on my usual city escapades – topped off with a date I made for happy hour that was a two-mile walk away.

Aside from a little rubbing on the balls of my feet (I got a nine, but next time I think I’ll order a size down), I was really pleased with the results.

Not only did my feet benefit (didn’t feel as tired as they get in other flats), but my ego did, as well (received a few compliments)! One girl even stopped to ask me how I liked my Tieks, so I was all too happy to take one off and give her the rundown.

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But the real verdict? Well, despite the price tag, I’m saving up for another pair down the road. My only dilemma is which color to go with next…

If you’re a city-dweller or just a walk-everywhere fiend like me, definitely check ’em out. After all, ladies, it’s about time we save our poor soles!

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For more information, take a peek at the Tieks website at Tieks.com.

Get your fix: New fall collection from Moving Comfort

Comfortable workout wear is usually something I take for granted, but now that I’m in the thick of marathon training and logging lots of mileage, it’s a non-negotiable.

That’s why when Moving Comfort contacted me to test out some of the pieces from their new fall collection, I jumped at the chance.

I’ve been a longtime fan of the brand for its fit and quality, but it wasn’t one of the first I’d consider for fashion-forward tops and bottoms…until now.

Case in point: The new Foxie tank ($56), which is made to layer over a racer-back sports bra (especially if you’re looking for more support).

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It’s got a mesh panel at the upper back for added breathability, plus an envelope pocket at the lower back with a handy media port so you can stash your tunes and run hands-free.

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But the real test was when I wore it to a boot camp and had friends come up with compliments and to ask what I was wearing. That’s how you know it’s a great top; when other people see it and want one of their own!

But my absolute favorite piece, hands down, is the new Urban Gym Capri ($60), which is made of this amazing fabric that’s so soft and feels good against your skin (i.e. no chafing!).

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The best part, though, is that these capris feature Moving Comfort’s signature PowerFit waistband, which slims and stays put.

Translation: This is some seriously flattering compression support that helps flatten the tummy and prevent any type of muffin-top situation from happening.

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The verdict? I didn’t just take these pieces for a spin; I really put them through the paces – from tempo runs and boot camp class to track practice and long training runs – and can vouch that this is some seriously workout-worthy gear!

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Thanks to the folks at Moving Comfort for providing samples for review; all opinions are my own. 

Pressed for time? Get fit in a flash with 10-Minute Trainer

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What you’ll get with the 10-Minute Trainer box set

No time to work out?

No excuse, according to 10-Minute Trainer program creator Tony Horton, who has single-handedly revolutionized the world of weight loss.

After successfully molding weekend warriors into athletes with his P90X series, Horton has turned his focus to people who simply want to get off the couch, get moving and establish a healthier routine.

“There’s a lot of this one-size-fits-all philosophy out there; you’ve got folks who have never exercised in their entire life maybe, and they’ve got 100 pounds to lose,” he said recently on the Dr. Oz Show. “You can’t ask them to do Bikram yoga and eat raw the very next day, so the idea here is, how do you stay focused, how do you create a plan, how do you stay accountable – and what is that plan, based on who you are as an individual.”

Horton’s solution was to take his popular, ultra-effective moves and condense them into bite-sized segments that can be done at home in the span of a few commercial breaks.

“I’ve turbo-charged the routines so your muscles become these fat-burning machines to get the best results in the shorted period of time,” he said. “You don’t need a gym, you don’t need fancy equipment. You just need to give me 10 minutes a day, and I will transform your life.”

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A sneak peek at Horton’s 10-Minute Trainer moves

But while the notion of getting more for less is always appealing, can you really revamp your body in just a few minutes a day?

“It really comes down to focus,” Horton assured. “You know, the 10 minutes are hard – it’s not an easy 10 minutes. We call it stacking – or muscle confusion; you’re doing several things at once, and that’s the reason why those 10 minutes work.”

But I’d argue that there’s another reason why those 10 minutes a day work: People will actually do them.

By removing the “lack of time” excuse by creating workouts in small segments that can be done at home, plus making exercises both fun and able to be adjusted for all experience levels, Horton achieves his goal of getting people up, moving and started on a routine.

Sure, it’s a little dialed down from Horton’s other programs, such as P90X2, but after trying the program myself, I still found it to be quite challenging. Horton has designed each move with a range of modifications to keep anyone, regardless fitness level, from resting on their laurels.

And on days where I wanted to up the intensity, I was able to stack a few segments together for a great full-body workout that had me sweating buckets and left me sore a few days later…which is always the mark of a great workout in my book!

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An example of a month-long schedule on the program, which alternates segments each day

Thanks to the folks at Beachbody for providing a copy for review; all opinions are my own. 

Get your fix: KEEN’s Haven CNX shoe

Photo credit: The Gear Institute

Photo credit: The Gear Institute

You might be a runner if…you wouldn’t dare think of doing anything else in your designated running shoes except, well, running.

Why? Athletic shoes have a limited lifespan of anywhere from 300-600 miles (it varies by person), so if you’re spending upwards of $150 per pair, you may want to consider conserving your mileage in them.

Which is why I went in search of a good cross-training shoe for anything from bike riding and hiking to boot camps and strength training (think speed and agility over endurance).

I’m not a huge fan of minimalist running shoes (I like my shoes how I like my best girlfriends: supportive!), but I do look for a more natural foot feel for other activities; so when KEEN approached me to try their new Haven CNX, a low-profile, multi-sport outdoor shoe, I decided to give it a shot.

The Haven CNX offers the same KEEN fit and protection we know and love, only lightened up with a proprietary new midsole and multi-directional flex grooves on the sole, which allow for more freedom of movement. They delivered over the course of several tests on easy-to-moderate trails, allowing me to feel a solid connection despite varied terrain.

And at a mere 8.2 ounces, these shoes fit like a glove and are as comfortable as slippers thanks to the soft,  super-breathable mesh uppers, which are adjustable for a variety of foot widths. Throw in the contoured arch and metatarsal ridge for underfoot support, and you’ve got a versatile pair of shoes that’ll give any runner a reason to shed their usual kicks on those cross-training days!

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Thanks to the folks at Keen for providing samples for review; all opinions are my own. 

Get your fix: HannahMax Baking’s All-Natural Crunchy Cookie Chips

CookieChipsCheck out our latest and greatest healthy living obsessions! 

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m far from perfect when it comes to healthy eating.

But when I do indulge, I’d much rather reach for whole food rather than a bunch of fat-free, sugar-free artificial junk.

Enter my latest go-to treat, HannahMax Baking’s All-Natural Crunchy Cookie Chips, which marry the satisfying crunch of a chip with that classic cookie taste we all know and love.

Made with all-natural ingredients – milled cane sugar, rBST hormone-free butter, cage-free eggs and pure Bourbon vanilla, just to name a few – this delicious snack/dessert hybrid tastes just like homemade (maybe even better…shhh, don’t tell Mom!).

In fact, one of our testers even said, “I can’t believe how much flavor they packed into such a delicate cookie.”

But perhaps just as important is what’s left out of the recipe: Cookie Chips are free of trans fats, artificial flavors or colors, preservatives and GMOs.

Available in four flavors (Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Sugar, Salted Peanut Butter and Original – we loved ’em all), Cookie Chips are great straight out of the 6 oz. bag, perfect for dipping in espresso – or crushed and sprinkled over frozen yogurt.

And at only around 120-130 calories per serving, they won’t set you back on the scale later.

Cookie Chips are available at a variety of supermarket chains, specialty grocers and gourmet stores across the U.S. To find a location near you or to purchase online, visit www.hannahmax.com.

Thanks to the folks at HannahMax Baking for providing samples for review; all opinions are my own. 

Get Your Fix: Zola’s “Fruits of the World”

Check out our latest and greatest healthy living obsessions!  Zola

If you read up on the 10 hot nutrition trends for spring, you know that coconut water is making a comeback (has it ever left?), thanks to its loyal following of fitness junkies and athletes who use it as a high-potassium replacement for sugary sports drinks.

But while I love to use the slightly-sour liquid in place of water or juice in smoothies, I’ve never really been a fan of sucking it down straight from the bottle – until now.

At the suggestion of my friend, Fit Approach co-founder Jamie Walker, I tried Zola’s version and found it is indeed all it’s “cracked” up to be (plus, as an ultra-marathoner, boot-camp instructor and yogi, I’m pretty sure Jamie knows a little something about hydration).

Not only does it contain five essential electrolytes – potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium – but unlike a lot of stuff that’s that good for you, it also actually tastes great.

How? Founder and intrepid traveler Chris Cuvelier has been trekking around the globe for more than a decade in search of the world’s best sources for the tastiest and most nutritious exotic fruits – which just happen to be Thai coconuts and Brazilian Açaí, by the way (the company also offers a yummy line of antioxidant-packed Açaí juices, too).

I guess you could say the, well, “fruits” of his labor turned out to be some pretty darn delicious and refreshing ways to replenish, re-hydrate and recover.

Thanks to the folks at Zola for providing samples for review; all opinions are my own.