Continue reading Stinky Feet? See Ya!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gallery: von Natur Mineral Makeup

Continue reading Fit Beauty - von Natur Mineral Makeup is worth the price

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Miss Fitzness, I'm a vegetarian, but still weigh 34 pounds more than I'd like to. What gives? I thought vegetarians were supposed to be skinny, and I hate being chubby! Meredith

A. Hello Meredith, Thanks for writing! Vegetarianism can have tons of benefits, and a trim physique can be one of them, if done right. Having said that ... it's very easy to go wrong as well. Here is the deal. Vegetarians don't necessarily eat all fruits and vegetables ... vegetarians just don't eat meat. There are tons of products that have no animal products in them, yet are still super high in calories and fat. Let's start with a short list of some vegetarian approved products:

• Flour
• Sugar
• Oil
• Frosting
• Gummy Bears

Continue reading Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Chubby Vegetarians

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sounds impossible, doesn't it? Who in the world ever thought of going to Disney and eating healthy? Crazy talk, right? Wrong! Your loving online Fitzness Expert (me) who has extremely high standards on what I put in both my children's mouth and my own can spend a day at the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT and eat as well as I would in my own home. Disney has made grand efforts to improve the healthfulness of the foods they offer, and has even gone overboard with an abundance of fresh fruit stands located throughout each theme park.

I just spent a week at Walt Disney World in Florida and returned home half a pound less than I was the day before vacation. Want to eat right while enjoying the magic with Mickey Mouse? Read on.

• Mickey makes mealtime easy on the fitness fan. Every restaurant I ventured through offered several menu options based on lean grilled meat, veggies, and/or fruit. Even the children's meals come standard with side items like: grapes, carrot sticks, and unsweetened applesauce. They also come with bottled water or skim milk. Sweet! Parents would have to go out of their way to substitute french fries and soda for their children instead of the healthy stuff. Eww! You the fitness fan, certainly wouldn't do that!
• Sit down dining restaurants offer Egg Beaters cooked without oil in lieu of regular scrambled eggs. I enjoyed this perk while dining with Minnie and Goofy at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
• Resort dining facilities offer endless refrigerators full of fresh fruit, veggies, yogurt, dried fruit, nutritious snack bars and more.
• Seek out healthier desserts. Anywhere they are served, Disney has made efforts to make reduced fat, low sugar or fresh fruit treats available.

Gallery: Dining at Disney is a fitness family's dream!

Continue reading How to eat healthy at Walt Disney World

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Since I've been working on a series of stories featuring the efforts being made on behalf of Walt Disney Wold in Florida, to provide healthier meals and a grand assortment of opportunities for physical fitness, I thought I'd share this fantastic press release I received with you. As you read it, think about the other places you patronize throughout the year. Have they taken your health this seriously? I don't believe even the local school board in the county I live in can compete with Disney's efforts on nutritious dining. Read ahead and prepare to be impressed. I'm both in love with the magic of Disney and grateful that the company is showing such high regard for the lives of their guests.

Walt Disney World Menus Evolving with Healthful Choices

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- "Do you want apple slices or fries with that cheeseburger?"

It's all about healthful choices as Walt Disney World quick-service and fast-casual restaurants refine their menus. French fries aren't going away, but menus are being revised with well-balanced options -- at least one low-fat and one vegetarian entrée at all table service restaurants, and side options to include salads and fresh fruit.

Gallery: Walt Disney World Menus Evolve

Continue reading Walt Disney World Menus Evolving with Healthful Choices

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly, our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Mmmmmm. Just the mention of Chef Jens Dahlmanns's name puts my mind in ecstasy. His is the name of the man who created what I'd choose as my 'last meal.' He's the premier Chef of Disney's signature restaurant The California Grill, who also oversees a staff of award-winning chefs atop Disney's Contemporary Resort. Chef Jens was classically trained in European kitchens and worked for Le Cirque 2000 in New York City and Cafe 'L Europe in Palm Beach, Florida, before joining Disney in April 2004.

We first spoke on the phone a week before I was to dine at his spectacular grill. From a fitness trainer standpoint, he gave all of the 'right answers.' Not that he was contrived, but his stance on cooking is what I would wish to hear. If you've read my features before, you'll know that I preach the importance of lean fresh foods. Read on to see how dead-on Chef Jens is to that style of eating. From a regular gal's point of view, it was just really exciting and fun to hear Chef Jens talk about food. He described white asparagus the same way most men would describe a beautiful woman. I could imagine what each item tasted like as he described them.

My experience at The California Grill was almost indescribable. Chef Jens and his staff were pampering to say the least. He greeted me with a sample of the white asparagus he gushed about, and I knew I was in for something special. The combinations of flavors and textures were to die for! I relished every bite and cleaned each and every plate that landed in front of me (highly unusual for me). The man knows how to make fresh food taste divine. The advice he gave in this interview is exactly what I, as your online Fitzness Trainer, want you to follow. Chef Jens just knows far better than I, how to make all of the healthy stuff taste heavenly.

Fitz: How much does "healthy" influence the foods you create for your menus?

Chef Jens: Healthy actually has a lot to do with our menu. First of all, Disney has set an initiative for enhancing our menus in a healthy way, so across all of the Disney parks and restaurants you'll find better choices. On my part, I'm always driven by what's fresh in the market. We create meals based on the season. At the California Grill, our menu changes according to what foods are in season. Fresh food equals leaner and "cleaner" food. I never use processed ingredients.

Continue reading Celebrity Fitzness Report: Chef Jens Dahlmann of Disney's California Grill

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

In my expert opinion, yes! Disney World is the healthiest place on earth. I just returned from a five-night, six-day vacation with my husband and two children and was blown away by the amount of physical activity both offered and required of ourselves in order to indulge in the full Disney experience.

We pushed our double-stroller miles through two theme parks, climbed thousands of stairs and jumped an equal amount of waves at two water-parks, danced our tushies off to live bands at various Disney resorts, and played game after game with our children as we giggled, oohed and ahhed at all the Disney magic. As a fitness trainer, one of my biggest obstacles is convincing my clients not to trash their fitness efforts when they head out on vacation. Disney offers the perfect opportunity to not only maintain one's fitness level, but improve it.

The physical adventures are endless, and Disney World has made a deliberate effort to increase the availability of legitimately nutritious, low fat, and lower sugar foods. Fruit stands have popped up all over the theme parks, and children's dining has switched from burgers and fries to grilled chicken with carrots and grapes offered as side dishes. Soda has been dumped for low fat milk! I can't get food that "clean" in my own neighborhood, unless I cook it myself! Of course, the old junkie favorites like popcorn, fries, and ice cream are still available, but if you do care about your health and want to maintain it on vacation ... Disney makes it easy.

Continue reading Walt Disney World: The healthiest place on earth?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

• taco salad made with homemade taco seasoning
• Applegate Farms hot dogs and Trader Joe's Organic Baked Beans and salad
• brown rice pasta with homemade red sauce, spinach, chicken sausage and zucchini chunks
• organic chicken burgers with avocado and salad

Continue reading Kids love healthy food -- at my house anyway

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Green has become a brand. Let's face it. While it is based on intelligent and environmentally friendly principles, the one unfortunate downside is that everyone from Fortune 500 companies to small, independently owned stores and service providers are trying to cash in on the Green brand. Is this a bad thing? I guess not, considering that it does help raise awareness and provide people with the option of living a healthier lifestyle. The only question is, At what cost?

Shape magazine ran an interesting piece in their most recent issue, taking a look at how to shop for organic foods without breaking the bank. Buying green without spending too much of it, I suppose you could say. The article itself was based on the new book The Organic Food Shopper's Guide, written by Jeff Cox. Here is one of the tips mentioned in both the book and the article. It is certainly worth considering the next time you're in the grocery store and want to go Green.

Search for the Seal. The USDA created a label in 2002 to help shoppers determine which grocery items were organic. This seal (which must say USDA Organic) ensures that the product is comprised of ingredients that are at least 95 percent organic. With specific regard to produce, the seal also ensures that the fruit or vegetable has been grown without the use of pesticides, or been genetically altered or treated with radiation to prevent spoiling. But Beware: the USDA permits companies to place the word "Organic" on their products if only 70 percent of ingredients are organically grown or processed. That's why seeking out the "USDA Organic" label is the healthier way to go.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Xylitol isn't the only natural sweetener. Have you heard of stevia? This South American calorie-free herb is purported to be 300 times sweeter than the white crystals we're trying to rid our bodies of, namely sugar. Stevia is legally available as a dietary supplement (it's on grocery shelves), but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned over its safety and has not approved stevia as a food additive, says Julie's Health Club's recent blog.

Hence, you can swirl it in your tea, but you won't currently find an official diet soda sweetened with stevia ... yet. Coca-Cola and Cargill are jointly developing a stevia product called Rebiana, and they'll likely be knocking on the FDA's door to allow it as a food additive. Japan's been using stevia as a food additive in products for years.

In worries over artificial, chemical sweeteners, I gave up regularly downing diet soda months ago. But I miss fizzy pop. Wouldn't it be great to have a natural alternative not sweetened with a chemical from a lab? Enter Zevia. With a tagline, Nature's Answer to Diet Soda, Zevia cannot be labeled as a soft drink, but it's stevia-sweetened and has no food dyes, phosphoric acid or artificial flavors. No sugar, carbs, sodium or fat, either. Zevia's Cola, Twist and Orange flavors come in aluminum cans (environmentally-friendly) and are currently available in a dozen states and over the internet. Wanna try it? Right now, you can order a Zevia six-pack on the internet for free --if you pony up the shipping and handling.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Dear Fitz. My high school offers very few sports, but I'd like to play something. I'd like to try out for football, but my old-fashioned mother thinks that will make me a "tomboy". What do you think? Katie

A. You've come to the right place Katie! I happen to have embedded myself in the traditionally male sport of full-contact kickboxing, and you know what? It made me a better woman! Sports are sports. Whether you play with a ball, racket, gloves or sneakers...sports are just a more fun way to exercise and flex your competitive muscles. Period.

I loved getting in the ring to try and knock an opponent out. I loved the strategy, speed, and power of the event. Fighting, in fact, is one of my favorite things to do. Some of the girls I've competed against thought they had to take on some sort of macho persona. Short hair, yucky jeans, and mean snarls. I, on the other hand, preferred to act like a monster in the ring and show up to the after-party like a lady in a pretty dress and heels. Embracing my athleticism, strength and courage has allowed me to appreciate how wonderful it is to be a woman. A strong, athletic, educated woman who loves to have the doors held for her.

Continue reading Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Tomboy Sports & 100 Calorie Snack Packs

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading Athletes can go veg, but they need to do it right

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

• Willow Bark: This natural remedy has been used for years, and before the days of conventional drugs was used to ease the pain of child birth.
  
• Capsaicin: It's usually found in chili but apply capsaicin cream to an injury can relieve pain.
  
• Ginger: Ginger's active ingredients work much in the same way that capsaicin does, and it can soothe an upset tummy too.
  
• Omega-3s: These wonder nutrients have been shown to help fight off chronic pain and inflammation.
  

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

I just returned from ESPN the Weekend, at Disney World's Hollywood Studios. One of the highlights for me was when I stumbled across an interesting conversation between football all-stars Donovan McNabb, Chris Carter, Tony Gonzalez and a few others. The men were on an open stage being interviewed my Mike Greenberg of the Mike and Mike Show. What caught my attention was the taunting of Tony Gonzalez with strange veggie jokes. Why were they poking fun at this "lettuce man"? Little Miss Fitzness had to stop and listen.

The taunting was followed by Kansas City Chief tight-end Tony defending his vegan lifestyle. I was both surprised and impressed. Tony was bragging about his ability to jump rope and hit the weight room while his teammates were stuck in the mud the day after a game. He's beaten lethargy, increased his energy, and found many more fascinating benefits since he changed his eating habits. The nearly 250 pound tight end is not someone anyone would guess to be a vegan, but I think that's why he's so neat.

Gallery: TonyGonzalez88.com

Continue reading The biggest baddest VEGAN around: Tony Gonzalez

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gallery: Label lingo for a few new green icons

Continue reading Label lingo for a few new green icons

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Many people are making more of a push to go natural with their food these days. Organic brands are starting to fill up shopping carts in grocery stores around the country, but not everyone is sold on the idea just yet. For some, eating the way they do it's just a matter of choice, which, of course, is their prerogative. For others, they may want to make the switch to natural foods, but are unsure where to even start.

To help that lot along, this month's issue of Women's Health magazine offers some helpful tips, starting with knowing the truth behind some common foods.

Milk. A 2005 USDA study found pesticides in 27 percent of conventional milk samples.

Potatoes. The same 2005 USDA study found that 81 percent of non-organic spuds contain pesticides -- even after washing and peeling.

Peanut Butter. Non-organic brands use fungicides to combat peanut mold. The same fungicides have been shown to decrease fertility in mice.

Ketchup. Organic brands have 57 percent more lycopene than non-organic brands. This healthy antioxidant is a known fighter of cancer and heart disease.

Apples. Non-organics use pesticides that have been linked to developmental problems in children and altered hormone levels in adults.

How and what you choose to eat is entirely up to you and, quite frankly, is not deserving of judgment. But, it's still worth knowing the facts, isn't it?

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pomegranates were all the rage in 2006 and 2007. Because they contain high levels of antioxidants and were linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke, this fruit quickly rose to the rank of super-food. But, in the past few months or so, many people have started to question whether pomegranates are all they're cracked up to be; chiefly, if their high calorie count makes them a poor choice over other, lower-calorie fruits and vegetables that are also high in antioxidants.

However, as that debate rages on, some new pro pomegranate research just popped up. A UCLA study found that middle-aged men with moderate erectile dysfunction who drank one glass of pomegranate juice daily for twenty-eight days demonstrated a slight change in their capacity to get an erection.

Though in no way conclusive, this study shows promise for the use of pomegranate for the treatment of ED. If you're one of the estimated 30 million American men who suffer from this disorder, maybe this Valentine's Day you and your partner can thank pomegranate juice for helping you have a heart on. ;)

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

What's the deal with the mangosteen fruit? Considered by many (especially people who work on commission at health food stores) to be a "super fruit," the juice of this mysterious fruit has somehow found its way into my refrigerator.

There is actually a story, which is most likely apocryphal, about Queen Victoria offering a cash reward to anyone who could deliver her this fabled fruit. Known mostly for being a powerful antioxidant and for its alleged ability to help reduce the effects of arthritis, the mangosteen fruit has long been a thing of legend (referred to as the "Queen of Fruits" in Asia and the "Food of the Gods" in the French Caribbean).

But, is this all just a bunch of B.S.? According to the folks at the Mayo clinic, there have not been any studies, performed on humans, that would substantiate any claims involving the efficacy of the mangosteen fruit in fighting inflammation or possessing antioxidant properties. That being said, however, animal tests using the mangosteen fruit have revealed its value for these, and other, medical purposes.

So it would seem, then, that the only benefit I know for sure that I am getting from that bottle of mangosteen juice in my fridge is the taste.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments