Photo: lucy.com

Yoga pants. We all have them, and we all wear them for a million things other than yoga. But, if you want a really good pair of yoga pants that will actually work for, you know, yoga, there are a few things to look for.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Lucy (capris and pants range around $60 to $90). They've recently come out with a new material called lucy powermaxTMv, which is used in their newest styles, the Vinyasa Pant and Vinyasa Capri. They offer: Compression to reduce muscle fatigue, moisture-wicking properties, anti-chafe flat locked seams, four-way stretch that retains its shape, plus, a flattering crossover waistband.

But don't just rely on my advice. I've talked to a couple of well-known yoga instructors about what brands and styles they like best, as well as how pricey is too pricey.

If you find yourself shopping in New York City on a Saturday between tomorrow and June 13, you may want to take a break from the stacks of summer goodies on the shelves and head over to Kate Spade's 5th Avenue store. The designer, inspired by a retro hula theme, is offering free hula hoop lessons from 3 p.m to 5 p.m., weather permitting. There will be hooping professional to teach you some moves, and plenty of hula hoops on hand -- of course you can bring your own, too.

Is this a ploy to just get people into the store? Yes, for sure. Will you walk away a hula hoop master? Probably not. But you might just be inspired enough to pick up your own hoop at home and use it to have some fun and tone your waistline all summer long. Spinning a hula hoop around your middle can burn more than 150 calories per hour.

And, if a few minutes of hooping outside a store sounds like child's play, try a hooping class at a gym near you for a more serious workout.

Have you ever unloaded your grocery cart at the check out and wondered how all that junk food got there? Marion Nestle, author of "What to Eat" says shopping the perimeter of the store will result in healthier selections.

Fresh, healthier foods are found on the outskirts of your grocery store. Colorful fruits and vegetables, fish, dairy and meat are all found on the perimeter. When you delve into the center aisles, you're more likely to select unhealthy processed foods.

However, in these tight financial times, what's a person to do? The perimeter of the store may contain fresher and more nutritious foods, but they also tend to be more expensive. Try shopping the perimeter first -- plan your meals and spend the bulk of your grocery budget on the most healthful foods. Then, with specific items in mind, venture into the center aisles and look for inexpensive but healthful foods such as frozen fruits and vegetables, whole grains (like as brown rice and quinoa) and beans.

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With today's economy, most people are feeling a budget crunch. Even though the cost of gas has come down, grocery costs stay as high as ever. But high prices at the check-out counter don't mean you have to eat low-cost, low-nutrition foods. Divine Caroline has a list of 20 healthful foods for under one dollar.

• Oats. High in heart-healthy soluble fiber, oats are a quick and tasty meal. A dollar will get you more than a week's worth of breakfasts.
  
• Eggs. About a dollar for a half dozen, eggs -- once given a bad rap for high cholesterol -- are now back in the good nutrition fold.
  
• Kale. Roughly a dollar a bunch, kale and other dark leafy greens are packed with nutrition.
  
• Potatoes. As long as you don't fry them or slather them in fatty condiments, potatoes can be a part of a nutritious diet. Sweet potatoes have the added benefit of beta carotene.
  
• Apples. Most varieties are very inexpensive and can satisfy a sweet tooth with their crunchy goodness.
  
• Nuts. A great source of healthy fats, nuts might seem expensive, but since their portion size is small, many varieties (such as peanuts, walnuts and almonds) land well under a dollar per serving.
  
• Bananas. High in potassium and fiber, bananas are a nutritious and inexpensive food.
  
• Garbanzo Beans. Beans, in general, are a healthful and ridiculously-cheap food. Plus, they're a great protein-rich replacement for high-cost meat. Garbanzos are a versatile and healthful choice.
  
• Broccoli. Delicious raw or cooked into a wide variety of meals, broccoli is well under a dollar per serving.
  

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Last week, you told us that -- for the majority of you -- Christmas cookies were your biggest holiday weakness. But if you had a few more than you'd planned on over the past few weeks, don't beat yourself up over it -- you may have already burned them off in all your hectic Christmas activities.

Assuming a Christmas cookie has 90 calories ...

• An hour of singing Christmas carols burned off one cookie.
• An hour of writing Holiday cards burned off one and a half cookies.
• An hour of baking burned off two cookies.
• An hour of shopping burned off two cookies (and no one does just an hour of shopping -- if they do, I am so so jealous).
  
• An hour of decorating burned off three cookies.
• An hour of dancing burned off three and a half cookies.
• An hour of shoveling snow burned off four cookies.
• An hour of splitting wood for the fire burned off four and a half cookies.

See? Those holiday cookies don't seem so bad now, do they?

Good things come in small packages, they say. That's especially true when it comes to healthy stocking stuffers. What better gift to give than one that encourages an active, healthy, happy life?

Over at Holidash you can find healthy stocking stuffers for women, for men, and even for the kids in your life.

Ho Ho Ho!

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December's Family Circle magazine has the skinny on blasting holiday calories. Here's what the editors say.

• Wrap presents while standing at a high table to burn twice as many calories as you would sitting. Place scissors and tape on the floor beside you and squat your way to a firmer behind.
• Make your mall shopping a relay. Choose a faraway parking spot and carry packages to your car after each purchase.
• Don't lick the spoon, because snacking on the wrong foods can add 500 calories to your daily intake. Try chewing sugarless gum, carrots and celery instead.

Clearly, some clever tips, right? Sure enough. But I don't think I'll be practicing them anytime soon. No baking for me -- sugar is just not my thing. And wrapping presents and shopping are two tasks I prefer to master with speed. The less time I spend on them, the better. I'd rather burn a few calories racing from store to store in the mall. As for wrapping, the quicker I am with the scissors and tape, the faster I can get to my real workout. What about you? How do you prefer to blast your holiday fat?

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Here's some good news for you busy holiday shoppers.

That Christmas shopping you're putting off is becoming dangerously close to "last-minute" Christmas shopping.

No worries, though, because over at Holidash you'll find the healthy gift finder. So now, not only can you hunt down the perfect gift ... you can give the gift of a healthier lifestyle at the same time.

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The day after Thanksgiving is reserved for all-day shopping and gigantic sales. Why not reserve it for wondrous workouts too?

When you're crunched for time, you many find it difficult to prepare creative, healthful meals. I know that I resort to my old stand-by meals when I'm really busy. They're stand-by meals because they're quick, healthful, and tasty but after a while, they get a bit boring.

One of my favorite tricks for cutting down on meal preparation time is to cook ahead. For example, if I'm going to be baking some chicken for dinner, I bake an extra piece or two for a different meal later in the week. Self magazine has a great sample menu that uses that same time-saving tip -- and the recipes are healthful, balanced, and sound positively yummy. Give it a try!

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Have you ever been in a house of mirrors with all those wacky, warped things that make you look twisted, short and squat, or long and skinny? It turns out those distorting mirrors aren't reserved for festivals and amusement parks ... many clothing stores use subtle mirror tricks to make you look longer and leaner.

It can be a disappointment when, while shopping, you find clothes that look good on you -- only to find that they don't look so great when you get home. According to one Seattle boutique owner, creating a "skinny mirror" is as easy as tilting it slightly back. Your best bet is to know your own body type and dress accordingly. And maybe bring a friend shopping with you to be a reliable judge of how you look.

For many people, it's hard enough to look in the mirror and have a positive body image. Harder still when the mirrors in stores are playing tricks on you. Learning to love the reflection in the mirror starts with a healthy lifestyle. When you make a habit of exercising and eating healthfully, you know you're doing right by your body -- and that's a positive stepping stone toward confidence in your appearance.

[via FitSugar]

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Cooking for one is difficult, I know. My partner works nights, which means that Monday through Friday, I'm flying solo at home. It's a bit daunting to cook for one, and it would be all too easy to live on cereal or toaster waffles. Divine Caroline recently put together some nutritious solo dining tips:

• Freeze it. Hesitant to put that yummy-looking recipe for six to use? Go for it -- and freeze the extras for future easy meals.
  
• Buy some small appliances. A small George Forman grill is a staple in my kitchen. Other ones that will come in handy? A small food processor, blender or toaster oven.
  
• Limit snack foods. After a long day at the office, it might seem like a good idea to have 25 crackers for dinner instead of a nutritious meal. Toss your favourite snack foods from the cupboards -- it'll force you to put together something that resembles a meal.
  
• Be realistic. Are you really going to eat four red bell peppers this week? Probably not. Limit how much fresh produce you buy to reduce waste and cost -- you can always pick more up if need be. But make sure to buy some produce -- you won't eat it if it's not in your kitchen.
  
  

Want more tips? Click here, and be sure to let us know yours.

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We all need great shoes for working out and/or playing sports. But do we all really need to pay enormous prices per pair? Not necessarily. In this video, Fitz tells you what you do need and the secret to getting the best prices.

For more fun videos, quick fitness tips and recipes ...

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What is GOOP, you ask? Well ... I have no idea, other than it's the unusual and nondescript name for Gwyneth Paltrow's up and coming advice website.

We wrote a lot about Gwyneth in September -- about her cooking habits, her workout routine, and her slimdown secret. Now all the press makes sense; Paltrow's website is set to launch soon and a little media attention pre-launch never hurt, right?

GOOP isn't exactly getting rave reviews. Though I don't understand how anyone could make a judgment call yet ... there's no real content on the yet-to-be released website. The subjects she intends to discuss sound interesting enough -- it looks like there will be tips on cooking/nutrition, exercise, travel, shopping, and more. If you're interested in what Gwyneth Paltrow has to say about living a full, happy, and healthy life, sign up for the GOOP newsletter.

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