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Are you thinking of taking a trip that involves hiking, sightseeing, heat, or maybe a foreign country? Apparently such travel is big and getting bigger with baby boomers. Make your trip more comfortable, less stressful, more versatile, and less buggy with a few packing product suggestions from yours truly.

On our recent trip to Thailand via the Sierra Club we were told to pack light. We interpreted that also to mean “leave room to purchase handcrafted items to bring home after shopping abroad.” We also knew we are not the sorts to wear “special” travel pants that unzip at the knee and come in one bland color. Revoke our stylemonger status if we recommend calf high socks with tennis shoes and a worn out t-shirt. Two other factors affected what we brought with us: it would be hot and humid in Thailand and we’d be also helping our mom carry her suitcases. In the heat. Up and down stairs. Every day. So each item we added to our luggage underwent careful scrutiny.

So what did we bring that we recommend for your next healthy, active, good-looking trip?

My puffy feet got beat by the heat

Kymberly: Let me start with what I did not pack and wish I had: a supply of CocoaVia drink supplements for circulation. (While CocoaVia has gifted me three months’ supply of their product, they have not asked nor compensated me to write about them in this context). I had vanity-busting puffy feet and cankles from the time we landed in Bangkok until our return to LAX three weeks later.  Attractive for sure and probably due to the extreme heat and humidity, though that twin and genetically similar personage did not have similar circulation issues.

What I am still congratulating myself for bringing and using daily are my Overland backpack (super comfy straps, insulated, and a fun color to match the sherbet brights of Thailand) and my BlueFish water bottle carrier. (I have had both these items more than a year, which were given to me by the respective companies. Again, I was not asked nor compensated to write about nor pack these products).

Reclining Buddha and Kymberly on HOT HOT ground seeking Enlightenment and Shadows

Each day we’d load our main suitcases into the bowels of the bus and have available whatever was up top with us, Since many Buddhist temples require covered shoulders and hats off, it worked well to put my back-up shoulder scarf or shirt into the backpack along with snacks, the hat, lipstick and other items I wanted close by (No, not a personal A/C unit, though that might have fit). The little shoulder strap pouch from Bluefish had my money, water, cell phone and camera and went everywhere with me. Take a look at the photos to see that I really mean everywhere. The Overland backpack marked my bus spot some of the time and went along on our forays some others.

Temple and palace time means covered shoulders. Ask Alexandra to tell you about that little motorized fan around her neck and the hair cut she gave herself. And, yup, that’s mom! Hi Mom!

Crossing borders in my Aventura top, Ahnu shoes, and with my Bluefish pouch. Styler or what??!!

You’re trying to see my puffy cankles aren’t you?

The other three companies that came up big for me on our trip are Aventura, Zensah, and Ahnu. Aventura sent me two organic cotton, lightweight tank tops more than a year ago (again, not compensated to write about them now, though we did get the shirts free initially. I bought the third one as I liked them so well). They were perfect for the jungle, city, bus, restaurants, and markets as they washed well, dried overnight, and took up little space in my suitcase. I like to flatter myself that they also looked good on. The black sports bra under my shirt is from Zensah as were the minimalist ankle socks I brought to hike in. (Zensah sent me the socks and sports bra several months ago to try out. Again, I was not asked nor compensated additionally to post about them here). Take a tip from me, those of you with cleavage — underwire bras in the heat and humidity can really chafe. I was so glad to have a soft, seamless support top to rely on, especially for the three hour trek in the bamboo forest and on the interminable Leech Hike (click the link if you missed that story). The socks were also ideal for travel. For one, they stretched out to fit those puffed up feet I mentioned.

As for the Ahnu shoes, they were an inspired choice to pack: lightweight, good on land and in water, super comfy, and covered at the toe for protection though open along the sides for air. I bought the blue Ahnus a while back for beachwalking. Aaaaand, Alexandra and I came home to free shoes from Ahnu to try out as well. More on the new pair in a future (disclosed) post. I definitely recommend such a shoe for this kind of travel.

Alexandra: Oh, crap, I forgot all about that haircut. Yeah, well, our local tour guide gave us battery-powered fans to help us feel like it was only 97 instead of 100. I was dinking around at the Summer Palace with my fan and got it tangled up in my hair. Er, it was not possible to untangle it. I’m a princess, so I tried to save each and every strand. When that didn’t appear to be working, Kymberly came along and cut the fan off my hair. Those were my favorite 10 strands! Truly, I cannot be trusted near most appliances!

Moving on…. I don’t like mosquitos. I dislike leeches more, but that’s no endorsement of skeeters! Right before leaving for Thailand we attended the Natural Products Expo West, where we found Purple Frog Patches. The company is so new, it doesn’t even have a completed website, but I loved the patches because they DID keep away the mosquitos and they are DEET-free. They are like scratch and sniff pads, and you stick them on yourself. They have citronella and eucalyptus. I hope these patches become available, because I feel certain you’d love them too.

Patch me up, Froggy!

From our other posts about Thailand, you’ve probably discerned that I don’t like to be uncomfortable or interact too closely with nature. I also whined when the hot water didn’t work for 5 of the trip nights. You can add a dislike of sunburn to the list. Did I mention that I love my hair and am mad at my fan? Another product that we got at Expo West (in our press gift bags) was Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen. It’s totally free of weird stuff that’s hard to spell (i.e., phthalates) and is full of really good stuff (click the link, as it’s quite an impressive list). I don’t mind if this sounds like an ad (I’m paid nothing for saying this), but it did 4 things I care about – blocked the sun, looked good on me, felt good on my face, and matched my ingredient values.

I also wore my Aventura red capris (they can be rolled up & buttoned just below the knee), plus my Headsweats cap a LOT (I was sent the hat about a year ago). Both wash and dry fairly quickly. You might not think of this while packing so I’ll share my discovery – the hat has a Velcro adjustable closure in back, which meant I could take it off and easily attach it to my backpack or pants loop whenever I went indoors. It’s so easy to lose hats, but I never did. I hope this is a helpful tip for you. Oh, besides keeping the sun off me, the hat kept the sweat out of my eyes and prevented leeches from dropping into my hair. Bonus!

See how my Headsweats cap keeps me covered and dry? P.S. Way cool waterfall too!

Having an adventure in my Aventura pants (or just being goofy)

Got my hat, shades, backpack and guide while hiking to the summit of Doi Inthanon. And lipstick!

The final item that I found invaluable was the insulated backpack that Alpina gave me at their test kitchen (they were introducing their Greek yogurt & granola pairings) during Expo West (no compensation or expectations involved). It was small enough to use as a daypack, and the insulation kept my water from getting hot. I left my purse at home in favor of the Alpina pack.

We hope these suggestions help you plan your next trip or hike. Having the right items can make all the difference when traveling. P.S. I don’t recommend the battery fan – better to get a hand fan for a dollar and wave it at yourself non-stop.

Whew, are you exhausted now? How about a nice cup of coffee from the Royal Projects at Doi Inthanon? The hand-grinder will totally give you a workout. Trust me on that!

I’m smiling because I didn’t embarrass myself when I volunteered to attempt the heavy coffee grinder.

Gift yourself by subscribing to our YouTube channel and blog. Please also follow us on Twitter: AlexandraFunFit and KymberlyFunFit and Instagram: KymberlyFunFit and AlexandraFunFit. Or click now on the icons above. Then go pack your lipstick so you’ll always look fresh in travel photos, no matter how sweaty you are. 

Wow, did you see how beautiful and confident all the women looked in their gowns during the Oscar ceremony? I hope I would be as confident in a tight dress as they all seemed to be. And what about those Michelle Obama arms? Were you so distracted by them that you didn’t notice her toned abs?

If you want look just as great even better in your awards gown (just don’t trip like Jennifer Lawrence did), you’ll want to tone your abs up properly. With that in mind, we have a video that shows 3 tips for doing crunches the right way on a stability ball, and the 3 most common mistakes.

If you have been doing your crunches wrong, that’s okay. You’re still a winner. But if you want to take home the award for “Best Performance by Your Abs in a Leading Role (and Tight Dress),” try the 3 tips shown above. And if you want to work on your waistline, read our post about Working Obliques.

What was your favorite Oscar moment?

You’ll be a winner in our hearts when you subscribe to our YouTube channel and blog. Please also follow us on Twitter: AlexandraFunFit and KymberlyFunFit and Instagram: KymberlyFunFit and AlexandraFunFit. Or click now on the icons above.

Merry Christmas to me! I am headed to Cologne and Amsterdam in January as part of BlogTour by Modenus. 

I’m one of 14 international designers (not me) and lifestyle (me) bloggers invited to attend the giant IMM (International Furniture Fair) and Living Kitchen as well as other design destinations in Cologne before moving on to spend a day in Amsterdam for a guided tour of the City’s design hotspots in collaboration with home design magazine Eigen Huis and Interieur.

What? You are wondering how I managed to wangle this amazing invitation when I can’t even tell you the 2013 color of the year (it’s emerald)! Let me put it like this – You love good food, right? And you spend a lot of time in your kitchen? And in your bathroom? And you appreciate good design, whether it’s your sculpted body or a beautiful sculpture, right? How about well-made products that make your life more enjoyable? Exactly!

A few of the items I’ll be checking out on your behalf:

We moved away from Oregon just as my dream kitchen was finished. So I didn’t get to spend much time with MY sink. So for sure I’ll be sidling up to this  BLANCO CERANA™ fireclay, as it’s just like the one I left behind.

This magical espresso machine is by Miele. Need I say more?

I’ve read the research about the health benefits of cooking with steam (think of vitamins, minerals and nutrients). But I didn’t know about these steam ovens until just now. On the wish list!!

 If you read our November Holiday Fitness Gift List, then you already know about the standing towel warmer by Mr. Steam. I figured out pretty quickly that it warms my fitness clothes in the morning too! And I’m sure it would warm up this snuggly robe from The Turkish Towel Company.

These cabinet pulls by Du Verre are shaped like pomegranates. I think it would be so cool to have the drawers match one of my favorite smoothie ingredients! Since they’re manufactured entirely from recycled aluminum, they satisfy my environmental values too!

My compost currently goes into an old milk container. It’s disgusting. Dear BLANCO SOLON™ Compost System, come to Mama.

These are but a fraction of the many amazing items and brands I’ll be checking out during the trip! I’m pretty excited. And I’l be keeping an eye out for the items I think Kymberly would like in her new home. She needs appliances for an entire house! Hmmm, there must be a way to make her into a Shrinky-Dink so she can fit in my luggage and come along….

If you want to know more of our gift suggestions for the season (or any time, really)  listen to our Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas radio interview with Southern Fried Fitness.

And if you want to learn more about Cologne or Amsterdam, GaiamTV has a few videos you might like. FengShui at the Dorint, and Insights: Amsterdam.

Now I’m off to brush up on my basic Dutch skills. Tot ziens!

Photo credits: Miele, BLANCO, The Turkish Towel Company, Modenus, DuVerre, Zachi Evenor (Cologne Cathedral), and Go Orbit (Shrinky Dink poster).

For true beauty, form and function, subscribe to our YouTube channel and blog. Please also follow us on Twitter: AlexandraFunFit and KymberlyFunFit and Instagram: KymberlyFunFit and AlexandraFunFit. Click now on the icons above or below. We make it easy to share and subscribe!

Super Shopping or Super Stressful? The holidays can be both. And they can also be much more. Giving. Gratitude. Guests. Good deals too!

Your fitness and health should stay front and center during this season. In the spirit of combining your lifestyle with the desire for finding quality gifts, we offer this list of 5 products that promote an active, healthy life!

Red Shoes for a Redhead. Now, THESE were made for walking!

Therafit Athletic Shoes for Women

A fairly new company, Therafit makes shoes that are super comfy right away, which is a must for a fitness shoe. Actually, the minute Alexandra tried hers on, she said, “Look, They’re a Fit!” ahahahah. We like to crack ourselves up over here!

Wrap it up Zorro and give us the TheraFit shoes, while you get the wrapping!

If you’ve read any of our posture posts,you know how important good posture is. And if you haven’t read them (what’s stopping you?), you may want to know that good posture makes you look taller, younger and stronger. The Therafit shoes are actually endorsed by the National Posture Institute. And they come with tiny removable rods under the heel (they look like hidden secret scrolls) that let you adjust the impact and cushioning. At first we wondered if the rods were a fancy shmancy gimmick, but dang, they work. And our reconstructed soccer knees and arthritic big toes (soccer again!) would know!

Bonus(besides the comfort and joint support): For every pair you order, Therafit donates $1 to a charity of your choice. Perfect for the season of giving.

Steam Me Up, Scotty!

Mr. Steam towel warmers

Ah, luxury. Wouldn’t you love to step out of the shower or bath to a nice, warm, snuggle-bunny towel, especially in the winter? Kymberly has a wall-mounted unit and Alexandra has the standing one; we are both happy. We’d be even happier if they came with a masseur genie. Or Four Yorkshiremen!

Love the Novica sweater. Wouldn’t mind if the guy handed me a warm towel!

Novica

You worked hard to look good, so treat yourself and loved ones to handcrafted gifts from around the world. In association with National Geographic, Novica supports artisans who are working to preserve culture and tradition. Kymberly got a super soft ivory sweater from Peru that her black cats tried to lie on. Get off, you fur flyers! Lie on the new, black skirt from Thailand instead.

Wake me up before you Go-Go

Hanna’s Herbs Anti-Fatigue

Teaching fitness classes all week, being a mom, getting too little sleep, worrying about the bills, and hunting for Monty Python video clips can make a person very tired. We like this Vitamin B Anti-Fatigue supplement from Hanna’s because it has no caffeine. None! The description for these tablets says, “Our adrenal glands are the seat of our physical power.” We might argue that our physical power comes from our core, but we have noticed that our (gah, should we admit it?) somewhat aging bodies need a bit of a boost sometimes.

Argyle Compression Socks for the Sexy Beast in You!

Zensah Seamless Performance Apparel

In our teens, twenties and thirties, we both played soccer. Lots of it. We loved it. It didn’t love our knees and toes, as noted above and in the post we had about overcoming life’s challenges and being awesome! Zensah compression socks and sleeves to the rescue! If you’ve ever had post-foot-surgery swelling, you might have discovered how frustrating it is to NOT fit into your shoes. I, Alexandra, was very sad because my body would not cooperate with my desire to teach. When Zensah stepped in with socks and leg sleeves that decreased the swelling and came in wild, fun colors, I became a brand enthusiast for life!

These are 5 companies that have helped us live our lives as we want to. We didn’t write this list or associate ourselves with these companies to get free stuff – our reputations are not for sale. We are proud to associate ourselves with them because they offer excellent products. We feel a personal connection to the brands and the people who work for them.

Ask yourself these questions when planning your shopping:

• Do these products fill a need I have?
• Do these companies offer excellent customer service?
• Are these companies contributing to the greater good (via charitable works or earth-friendly policies)?

For us, the answer was Yes, Yes and Yes. Let the holiday season begin. Or, as we call it, the Season of Fs – Family, Fun, Fitness, Food, Friendship and Frolicking!

Frolic on your keyboard to give yourself the gift of fitness solutions when you subscribe to our YouTube channel and blog. Follow us on Twitter: AlexandraFunFit and KymberlyFunFit. Please also follow us on Instagram: KymberlyFunFit and AlexandraFunFit. Or click on the icons in the right sidebar. We’ll be ever so Thanksgiving grateful!

The following disclosure relates to the Therafit shoes: FitFluential LLC compensated me for this Campaign. All opinions are my own. In all cases, we were provided with products. In all cases, you are getting our honest input … AND some swell cat pictures!

Summer is officially over, the new quarter has started where I teach at the University of California, and the lovely outdoor weather of Fall has begun. A perfect time to set yourself up for a fitness challenge.

Training to walk a half-marathon

If you read my recent post about taking on new challenges and aging forward, not downward, then you know that I believe chronological age is a lesser factor in achieving your goals than attitude.

UCSB Students: You are young in body, yet with budget cuts having decimated P.E. throughout your entire school career so far, you might not be surprised to discover that your parents are probably more fit than you. Why? They (and I) had P.E. every single day when we were kids, so we have a history and muscle memory of movement.

My cohorts (Those of us in our 40s and 50s): We know the meaning of the word stamina! We know that we want the second half to be enjoyable and full of possibilities. We don’t want to be limited by health issues or injuries. We get the importance of taking on challenges (notice I did NOT say “dares”).

As the Fall season and quarter kick off (that’s as close to football as I’ll ever care to be), I want to challenge you to create a fitness goal. Something difficult, yet achievable. If you’re one of my 19-year-old students, that might be making it all the way through the quarter to the Tabata class, which WILL make you, er, uncomfortable, want to urp, exhausted, proud when it’s over. For my 80-year-old students, it might just be time to pick up those 7 pound weights instead of those 5s you’ve been hugging for years (yup, that means you).

As to me, everyone who knows me, and I mean everyone, knows I hate running unless there’s a soccer ball involved. But I found out that I am allowed to walk in a half-marathon coming up in two weeks. I just have to finish in a certain time. That’s it. My challenge is to fully kick kiss my foot surgery recovery good-bye and walk 13.1 miles in less than 4 hours. They give 6.5 hours, but I’m aiming for four. And I will do it! I know this because I already decided about a month ago. Now it’s just a matter of plugging in the training. My mind leads and my body follows.

I’m not special (yes, I am). Do you recall English teacher David McCullough, Jr.’s commencement speech in which he told the graduates, “You are not special. You are not exceptional. Because everyone is.” We are all unspecial because we all want to age with all our faculties and abilities intact, with good looks and great legs; with friends and family to encourage and support us; with the ability to walk and talk and do things we enjoy. We are all special because we get to choose for ourselves the means and methods to get there. Maybe I should use the word “path,” because a fit lifestyle is a journey, not an endpoint.

And ladies (sorry, guys, next time), I heard of a great campaign that can help you on the journey. And yeah, there are prizes. Under Armour has begun their “What’s Beautiful” campaign. I define “beautiful” as comfortable and healthy in your body. Strong is Sexy and that’s all there is to it. Under Armour’s campaign is to encourage women to get on a fitness journey, share it, get motivated, and get support (and free swag) from them. Heck, ten women will get flown to Florida to train with elite trainers, work out, get nutrition advice and SPA TREATMENTS. I am not entering the campaign because I want to give you all a chance I’ll be out of town in early January, but you should! Just click on the What’s Beautiful or Under Armour link. It’s free. There’s no catch. Except your breath. You can catch that!

What have you got to lose by challenging yourself, except maybe some weight or bad habits? More to the point, what have you got to win?

This is what I'll probably look like after doing 13.1 miles

This is how I think I'll look after 13.1 miles!

As far as I’m concerned, my knee surgery (from soccer) and foot surgery (also from soccer) were necessary to help me reach my goals, not keep me from them. Here’s to you. And here’s to me. I will be at my most beautiful at the end of the half-marathon because I’ll have a big smile on my face.

What fitness challenge will bring a smile to your face?

Want something to do that’s so easy it’s not even a challenge? Clickity clack on our links and subscribe to our YouTube channel and our blog. Follow us on Twitter: AlexandraFunFit and KymberlyFunFit. Please also follow us on Instagram: KymberlyFunFit and AlexandraFunFit. Or click on the icons in the right sidebar ——–>

FitFluential LLC compensated me for this Campaign. All opinions are my own.