Posted by: By Allison Barnes, October 26, 2009 in Balance
My friends used to tell me that I was an old lady, because I'd always try to get to sleep around 10 p.m. I thought that was a respectable time to be in bed, and necessary, considering the fact that I get up at 6 a.m. during the weekdays to get ready for work.
If I'm really tired, I can fall asleep in just a few minutes. However, when I'm restless, it can be quite a battle finding that internal snooze button. However, one thing that always works to help me fall asleep is wrapping up in my polar fleece blanket.
I first became attached to having a polar fleece blanket when going to sleep a few years ago, when I was on a long flight and an attendant handed me a thin fleece throw to wrap up in. It was so soft and cuddly, that it did the trick. When I got home, I bought a dark gray polar fleece blanket, and soon wore that one out. Now, I have a light blue one that keeps me wrapped up at night. I have to have it to get a good night's rest.
Getting the right amount of sleep is so important in staying healthy--physically and mentally. According to a Washington Post article:
"The amount of necessary sleep varies from person to person, with some breezing through their days on just a few hours' slumber and others barely functioning without a full 10 hours, experts say. But most people apparently need between about seven and nine hours, with studies indicating that an increased risk for disease starts to kick in when people get less than six or seven, experts say."
On the other hand, according to Harvard University research, getting the right amount of sleep can help your:
Memory
Metabolism
Cognitive functions
Body repair tissue
So, it seems that my polar fleece blanket is, in a way helping me to stay well by helping me get to sleep.
We want to hear from you: "What kind of nighttime rituals do you have to prepare for a good night's sleep?"
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Posted by: By Erin Shaw Street, October 23, 2009 in Southern Blogging Mamas
This week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week is Southern Fried Mama.
Trista is an Alabama mom who writes about her adventures of being a stay-at-home mom of two. She writes about her challenges -- and solutions -- of raising two young kids and managing a part-time job, with a husband who travels for work.
"I started my blog to keep a journal of what the kids were doing, but then started connecting with other moms and being part of an online community," she says. "With my husband on the road and being at home there are days when I don't talk in person with another adult. Connecting with other moms helps me stay in touch with the outside world."
We like this post about how she makes time for herself by attending Friday night painting classes when she can. (Click here for Southern Living tips on de-stressing with art.)
Thanks for sharing your Southern Fried story Trista, and happy blogging!
Want to recommend a Southern blogger to be featured on Live Healthy? Drop us a line here, or on our Twitter account:
When I first heard about hula hooping as a trend,I reacted the same way a lot of people do: "come again?"
It was this spring when I heard about people working out with a hula hoop. Skeptical that hooping could be a real workout, I started looking for Southern hoopers.
What I found lead to the story that is in the November Southern Living (p. 122) -- "Hooping For Health." The story is about East Nashville resident Sunny Becks Crumpton who teaches women of all ages to get fit, relieve stress and have fun with hula hoops. Yep, like the kind we played with as kids.
I visited Sunny at her studio Hooprama, where I learned that yes, hooping is most definitely a workout. I was amazed to watch hoopers of all ages -- from their 20s through their 60s -- move the plastic circles up and down and around their bodies, twisting and twirling to the booming music. They told me their stories about how hooping helped them lose weight, strengthen their core, and de-stress. Plus it was clear that these women were having a great time. And I know myself -- if a workout isn't fun, I am not going to do it.
I couldn't wait to get my hands on a hoop and try it for myself.
It took a couple of tries -- the hoop seemed so big compared to the ones I played with growing up. (Adult size hoops are actually easier to use -- they stay up thanks to the laws of physics. But it still takes work. A lot of it.)
Sunny explained how there are two basic hooping stances: side to side and front to back. Once I found my groove, I started to gain confidence. This wasn't so difficult, I thought, which would be right around the time I'd get out of sync and boom, the hoop dropped to the floor. So much for progressing to the more advanced tricks out of the gate.
Hoopers say this and it's true -- the repetitive motion of the hoop can be calming, almost Zen like. (OK, I wasn't exactly being enlightened out on the floor but it was relaxing once I got the swing of it.) I took my hoop home and started practicing in my backyard, and got a child's size hoop for my 3 year old.
When I asked Sunny how much time a hooper should practice every day she said that her advice is just to put on one great song and hoop through it. If you're having fun, try another, and another. The advice works -- once I put on my music there's no stopping me. The neighbors are probably tired of hearing The BeeGees blasting from my iPod speakers.
Now hooping has become a part of my routine. Nothing is better than getting home from work and hooping off the cares of the work day. Other times, when I make a long distance call to a friend I go outside and get into the hooping groove, burning calories while catching up.
My tricks are still pretty basic -- I've done my share of throwing the hoop across the backyard on more than one occasion as I try to move it from hand to hand, above my head, and other variations that when done right are super cool. My moves may be laughable, but they are fun, burn calories, and make me laugh. And in my world of Healthy Living, that's what it's all about.
Wanna try hooping for yourself? Check out the story and these resources:
Hooping.org -- This site contains everything you need, from learning the basic moves to starting your own hoop group (they're popping up all over the place!)
Hooprama Blog -- Sunny's blog about all things hooping
Hoopnatica -- Hooping and hoop dance resources, including instructional DVDs
And this video:
Let me know how it goes -- I want to hear from my fellow Southern hoopers!
Posted by: By Allison Barnes, October 19, 2009 in Beauty
, Food
Confession: It's been raining nearly every day here in Alabama, so, in order to keep my hair somewhat tame, I've been using more heat (i.e., flat ironing, blowing out) than usual. Please, please do not tell my stylist.
We've all been told to eat fruits and veggies to gain their nutritional value. Many of the nutrients found in the earth's harvests can heal, protect, and enhance beauty from the inside out. However, can fruits and vegetables be just as beneficial when used topically on your skin in beauty products such as washes, soaps, masques, and scrubs?
Here, I've provided a breakdown of some of the season's most iconic fruits and veggies, and the power-packed nutrients they hold. I'm also offering suggestions for products that contain these Fall favs.
Pumpkin--According to Care2.com, pumpkin contains vitamins A and C, zinc, and alpha-hydroxy acids. (PTR Pumpkin Enzyme Peel)
Pomegranate--According to BeyondJane.com, pomegranate is said to regenerate and repair skin. Thedermblog.com says that it contains ellagic acid, which may prevent skin cancer. Plus, this superfruit contains more antioxidants than green tea. (Eminence Organic Cranberry Pomegranate Masque)
Posted by: By Erin Shaw Street, October 16, 2009 in Activity
, Food
, Southern Blogging Mamas
This week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week is Jen Houck of One Mom's World. Jen (pictured at left with her family) is a North Carolina work at home mom of two girls ages four and six and has been blogging since 2005.
Jen's chronicles daily life, including her healthy weight loss journey. So far she's lost 55 lbs toward her 70 lbs. goal.
Here she is sharing a video update on how she feels healthier since making exercise a daily part of her life (she swears by EA Sports for the Nintendo Wii.)
"I'm just so happy with myself," she says. "I feel like I'm a better example to my girls."
One of our favorite posts on her blog is one about ice skating with her best friend and their families, which puts us in the mood for cold weather activities that are on the horizon:
"You see it has been about 11 years since we both had been. We went together with my church youth group at the time and how neat it was that we went back together 11 years later. This time we got to share in the experience with our children. Let’s just say the children way outdid us. There were falls into the puddles (that would be muah and her daughter M), there was plowing into the sides of the ice skating rink, there were times we wouldn’t let go of the rails, there were times we skated around with the Kid’s bar haha… it was just some plain ole genuine fun ..."
You've inspired us Jen, and for that, you are this week's Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week!
Also, kudos to the the women of MamaLaw, who organized the successful Blogalicious Conference held in Atlanta last weekend!
Keep them coming ladies! If you have a mom you'd like to nominate for Southern Living Mama Blogger of the Week, please let us know.
Posted by: By Jennifer, October 12, 2009 in Activity
We're well into October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments in the fight so far, remember friends and loved ones and get motivated all over again to make a difference.
In the coming weeks there are so many great opportunities here in the South and around the country to get involved.
I ran in the Race for the Cure alongside colleagues from Southern Progress and 14,000 other runners and walkers in Birmingham, Saturday. Even with persistent showers, the downtown streets overflowed with pink. Within two minutes of the race start I lost my running buddies and fellow interns, (In the photo L to R: Maddie Crawford, Jennifer Barnes, Christy Roach and Katie Melick before the race) but I found the time to soak in the real meaning of the Race. I read the names pinned to runners' backs, overheard powerful stories and listened to cheers from the sidewalks.
There are 26 races in the South benefitting Susan G Komen in October and it's not too late to join in, just search for a race near you here and lace up your running sneaks. Your fundraising stays close to home; 75% of the net income of each race funds breast health programs in the local community. Check out a 5k training guide or take it easy with a fitness walk, both help the cause and get you moving.
Signing up for a race kick- starts your motivation to exercise because every workout builds up to a larger goal. In the weeks leading up to the race every time I saw a Race for the Cure sign, I felt re-energized and ran a little bit faster and farther.
The race series has progressed in leaps and bounds from humble beginnings in Dallas, Texas in 1983 with 800 runners. Now there are more than 120 races around the world. It's a venue for people of all ages to show support in their own individual way. Though most stick with a pink shirt, I saw one daring gentleman in a ballerina costume complete with a tutu.
My afternoon exercise coach is a real taskmaster! She doesn't care if I'm tired, if I've had a long day, or what. There she is waiting impatiently for me to change clothes and lace-up my walking shoes. Before I can catch my breath, we are out the door and heading for a long walk. So who is this personal trainer? Why our dog, Miss Maya, of course! She's the cute golden retriever in the picture. If you notice a tail
behind her, that is our other dog, Mr. Maxwell. He might go on a walk with us, but he prefers hanging back, usually on the couch.
Even though I go faithfully to the Shades Valley YMCA every morning before work, I find these afternoon walks with Maya give back more than fitting in extra fitness. They give me a chance to unwind, relax, and stop and smell the woods (almost 300 acres) that surround our house. On the weekends, we make a point to walk at least 10 miles. Sure, there have been afternoons or weekends when I think I really need to stay inside. But then, sweet Maya looks at me, places a paw on my knee, and I'm done! She is already racing down the driveway knowing I will be following.
We want to hear from you:
"How does your pet keep you healthy?"
Your above submission to SouthernLiving.com, including contact information, gives us the right to modify, use, distribute, reproduce, publish and display the submission indefinitely in all media, means, and forms without any payment to you. You hereby represent that you haven't copied the content from a book, magazine, newspaper, or other commercial source.
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