What are some of the important upcoming fitness trends? What does the latest research indicate is the “best” way to get and stay healthy? Can someone really give you a cold or are you taking the cold from them? And what do menopause and HIIT have in common?

Exercise, Food, Weight Loss & Menopause (and Water for People): Notes From the IDEA Personal Trainer Institute:

Food and Recipes from Thailand and Natural Products Expo
What do the Natural Products Expo and Thailand have in common? Delicious food, of course! Do you want some recipes? You do, oh yes, you do.

Managing Weight As You Age: Guest Post by Jody Goldenfield
Are you frustrated by the weight gain that seems unavoidable with menopause? How do you address its effects on your body without getting too moody or overwhelmed? Guest blogger, Jody Goldenfield shares strategies and some personal stories to hep you minimize weight gain, deal with menopause changes, and move past frustration.

5 Nutrition Mistakes Women Make: Guest Post by Nicki Anderson
To start on the road to a healthier you, discover the 5 nutrition mistakes you need to avoid in order to reclaim your health and body! No more diets, just a healthier, happier you!

Perky Pick Me Up Smoothie
An excellent way to start your day is with a healthy breakfast smoothie. If done right, it’s a blended concoction that is nutritious and delicious! This recipe is full of foods recommended for increasing your brain power. I’m making no promises that you’ll get smarter, but it’s nice to start your day with the potential to boost your brain!

Food, Glorious Food: What do a Steam Oven and Cologne Cathedral Have in Common?
BlogTour to Cologne and Amsterdam begins on Sunday, and Alexandra is going to learn about the latest home design trends, especially the Miele steam oven. While there, she’ll also dust off her medieval history degree and tour Cologne Cathedral. Then she’ll mangle her knowledge of the Dutch language with a stop in Amsterdam.

Blood, Stress and Diet
Would you be excited if you won a blood test and follow-up consultation with a specialist? Alexandra was. Seventy percent of the data needed for an accurate health diagnosis is in your blood. Your blood can tell you what to do and eat to make yourself as healthy as possible.

Is Wheat-Free Better for You?
To bread or not to bread. That is the question. A lot of good information exists (and not so good) about whether or not wheat is the angel or devil in your diet. Is the wheat of today really so different from what our grandparents ate?

Thanksgiving: Family, Food and Fitness
We hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday, filled with fellowship, food, family, friends and of course, fitness! We took our own advice about going for walks to avoid the weight gain that occurs at this time of year. Please enjoy some photos from the weekend. It was very sunny and hot at the top of mountain, and very cloudy and wet at the beach.

How to Avoid Overeating on Thanksgiving
You’ve been diligent all year about exercising and eating healthfully. And now the holidays are creeping up faster than your heart rate monitor. How do you stay trimmer than a decorated tree and less stuffed than a turkey come Thanksgiving? Follow our 7 Healthful Tips to Avoid the Thanksgiving Food Trap.


