Lizzie Fuhr
Assistant Editor, Fitness
healthy living

Paleo Perfect: Cauliflower "Rice" Stir-Fry

Paleo dieters craving a big bowl of stir-fry will find delicious comfort in this fresh, bright, and satisfying cauliflower "rice" recipe.

Paleo dieters craving a big bowl of stir-fry will find delicious comfort in this fresh, bright, and satisfying cauliflower "rice" recipe. Beyond being a Paleo-friendly offering, this grain-free stir-fry has zero cholesterol, is low in sodium, and offers your entire daily recommended intake of vitamin A and vitamin C in just one meal. While this recipe requires a decent amount of chopping in the kitchen, once the prep is done, the cook time is under 15 minutes — just trust me on this one, the healthy result is well worth the effort.

Keep reading for your new favorite Paleo recipe.

workouts

Your 5K Playlist: 10.5-Minute Mile

Anyone who runs a 10.5-minute mile needs to listen to this new 5K playlist on her next run.

Anyone who runs a 10.5-minute mile needs to listen to this new 5K playlist on her next run. There's a little something for every runner's needs in this perfect blend of rock, pop, and soul. Subscribe to the Spotify playlist, then keep reading for the full list of songs.

workouts

Stand Up Tall: 33 Essential Yoga Poses

Standing poses might not be as glamorous as the big arm balances, but their benefits are plenty.
Warrior Eagle

Standing poses might not be as glamorous as the big arm balances, but their benefits are plenty. They can open up your chest and shoulders and help you build long, lean, and strong arms and legs. The following 33 standing poses vary from beginner to advanced, so try out those that only serve you right now. Instead of feeling discouraged about those you can't do yet, look forward to what you'll be able to do a few months down the line!

Photo: Jenny Sugar
healthy living

Your Healthy Monday Mantra

If you feel like you're falling off the fit wagon, look to this quote for inspiration.

If you feel like you're falling off the fit wagon, look to this quote for inspiration. Remember that consistency is your key to success.

Vegan

Hit the Grill With These Vegan-Friendly Burgers

There's nothing better than some grilled goodness for Memorial Day weekend.

There's nothing better than some grilled goodness for Memorial Day weekend. If you've taken on a vegan or vegetarian diet and you're tired of those prepackaged burgers, you're in luck. There's something to tempt vegans regardless of their preferences, from white bean to black bean to portobello — no one-size-fits-all here! Click through to get inspired for your start-of-Summer backyard BBQ bliss or a weeknight supper.

healthy recipes

Paleo Pasta Alternative: Zucchini Noodles

A grain-free life does not have to be free of comfort food!

A grain-free life does not have to be free of comfort food! When you're craving a big bowl of garlicky pasta, cook up these zucchini noodles aglio et olio (garlic and oil) instead. The real comfort here, other than that fragrant garlic, comes from "breadcrumbs" created from toasted almond meal; I was truly surprised by how much I enjoyed their flavor and texture.

Keep reading for this protein-packed, Paleo-friendly recipe for pasta.

healthy living

Yoga Class Getting You Home Late? 4 Ideas For Quick, Healthy Dinners

For 9-to-5ers, taking a yoga class after work can result in eating a late dinner.

For 9-to-5ers, taking a yoga class after work can result in eating a late dinner. If you're eating closer to bedtime, then cut back on heavy meat and dairy to help ease digestion, and prep meals in advance to make the process of cooking a quick one. With some advice from a few Ayurveda and nutrition experts, here are five ideas for quick and healthy suppers to make after yoga.

Homemade Soup

A homemade soup is often as easy as throwing ingredients together into a pot. Cook broth in advance to always have the makings of a soup ready to go, but if you're crunched for time, then use a low-sodium, store-bought version. This recipe for ginger-carrot soup is high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese, which aids in digestion, plus it offers hydration after a sweaty yoga session!

Veggie-Packed Wraps

Replacing a meat-heavy sandwich with a lighter veggie wrap can be easier on the digestive system to help prevent you from feeling weighed down after yoga. These vegan spiral wraps from Happy Healthy Life offer vibrant color, creamy hummus, and serious veggie power.

Keep reading for two more late-night dinner ideas.

beginner fitness tips

Not in the Mood? How to Trick Yourself Into a Workout

You know it's the right thing to do, but every once in a while, getting to a workout can feel close to impossible.

You know it's the right thing to do, but every once in a while, getting to a workout can feel close to impossible. A late night or a tough day at work can leave you wanting to cancel your fitness plans and have a date with your couch.

During these times, making time to exercise is even more essential, since it can restore endorphins, clear your head, and leave you with a sense of calm. If making moves to the gym is feeling difficult, then try one of these low-key ideas that start slow but might turn into a more intense workout session.

Go out for a walk: Start off on a leisurely walk, plug into your favorite inspiring workout playlist, and see what happens. Once you warm up a bit, you might find yourself on a brisk jog or alternating between a fast-paced walk and sprints.

Head to the pool: Planning on a pool day where you'll relax and cool off? All those bikini bodies might inspire you to get moving! What started off as a quick dip can easily turn into a few rounds of treading water or a ton of laps.

Stretch on your mat: Rolling out that yoga mat might be the only motivation you need. Once you move through a series of relaxing and restorative poses, your body might be feeling so great that you start moving through a few series of Sun Salutations to get your heart rate rising.

Start slow on a machine: Hop on the elliptical or a stationary bike, and start at a slow and steady pace as you catch up on your favorite show or magazines. Once you start to get into the groove, you might find yourself moving through your own short interval workout, alternating between periods of pushing your body of the max and rest periods.

How do you trick yourself into a workout? Tell me below!

healthy living

Before Your Big Day: Reach Your Goals and Eliminate Stress

Getting bogged down in the muck of wedding planning does not need to consume all of your thoughts and zap your energy.

Getting bogged down in the muck of wedding planning does not need to consume all of your thoughts and zap your energy. This is a joyous time of excitement and celebration after all! Whether you're a few months out or you have just one week before your big day, these tips will help you keep calm, carry on, and feel like the best version of yourself when you say "I do."

Pencil in workouts: Just like any of your other appointments and obligations around your wedding, workouts need to be a priority during this time. Make appointments with trainers or hit up a Zumba class with a group of girlfriends; just make sure you get there. The last thing you want to do is binge exercise right before your wedding — or worse, regret any lack of effort on your part when you go to walk down the aisle.

Set healthy limits: Knowing yourself is integral when it comes to devising a healthy plan to prep for your big day. Going for a clean diet free of unprocessed foods is a straightforward technique to keep you on track instead of taking on a new diet with too many restrictions. If spending hours in the kitchen sounds like the perfect way to unwind, then feel free to experiment with a raw, vegan, or elimination diet. But if all the laborious vegetable chopping sounds like a waste of precious planning time, keep it basic, fresh, and simple. Above all else, set limits that are realistic and consistent. Don't set yourself up to fail, and know that it will take a little effort every day to achieve your goals.

Keep reading for two ways to de-stress right before your wedding.

healthy eating tips

Do I Need to Eat Before a Short Cardio Session?

You might be surprised to learn that not every trip to the gym necessitates a preworkout snack.

You might be surprised to learn that not every trip to the gym necessitates a preworkout snack. According to Heidi Skolnik, nutritionist to the Julliard School and the School of American Ballet and the Women's Sports Medicine Center, if you happen to snack on something right before a quick cardio session, it won't hurt you, but it won't necessarily help you either.

"If you’re doing 30 minutes [of cardio] to be fit, you don’t need to do anything." While a short cardio session certainly boosts your metabolism, benefits your mood, and improves blood pressure and cholesterol levels, "you’re not burning a significant enough amount of calories that requires you to eat anything special," says Heidi. However, this only goes for a short workout that's completely cardio. For example, if you’re taking a heavy-duty indoor cycling class and you’re going to lift weights right after, you need the right blend of protein and carbohydrates to fuel your workout — and at least 10 grams of protein afterwards to help muscles recover.

If 30 minutes of cardio to stay fit and maintain your weight sounds like your workout routine, it might be time to let go of snack time and create new healthy habits. Make sure you've properly nourished your body with a meal two to three hours ahead of time and drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout.

Do you always snack before a short workout? Will this tip change your habits? Tell us below!

Yoga

What Celebs Have to Say About the Benefits of Yoga

Yoga may be an ancient practice, but it feels like we're constantly hearing a new celebrity boasting about its impact.

Yoga may be an ancient practice, but it feels like we're constantly hearing a new celebrity boasting about its impact. If you still haven't tried out a yoga class, maybe seeing how these beautiful celebrities keep their youthful glow from the practice will be the push you need. From Ellen DeGeneres to Gwyneth Paltrow, these celebrities have all praised the benefits of a solid, consistent yoga practice.

healthy living

6 Stylish and Smart Beach Bags to Keep You Organized

Staying in style for a sporty day at the beach is important, but keeping all your gear organized is even more essential.

Staying in style for a sporty day at the beach is important, but keeping all your gear organized is even more essential. All six of these beach bags offer plenty of pockets to stash your goods, material that will hold up against the sand, and, in some cases, cooler capacities to keep you nourished and hydrated all day long. Click through to find your next bag for the beach.

Source: Thinkstock
Yoga

Wanderlust Yogi Shiva Rea Shares Her Top Pose For Desk Dwellers

Expert teacher Shiva Rea is a pioneer in the yoga community, so it's no surprise that she's a fixture at the four-day yoga and music Wanderlust Festival, happening at various locations across North America.

Expert teacher Shiva Rea is a pioneer in the yoga community, so it's no surprise that she's a fixture at the four-day yoga and music Wanderlust Festival, happening at various locations across North America.

While the yoga life is a good one, Shiva recognizes that not everyone has the opportunity to practice yoga for hours every day. When we asked her for the number one pose for 9-to-5ers who sit at a desk, her response was the "all-around asana" Downward Facing Dog, since it's "an inversion, backbend, and forward bend" all rolled into one.

For people who can't drop to the floor and enjoy yoga freely at the office, Shiva offers a desk-approved version of Downward Dog. Keep reading to learn the variation that will help you release tension at work.

healthy snacks

21 Light Bites For a Bridal Shower

When it comes to bridal shower foods, keeping things light, fresh, and elegant is always on point.

When it comes to bridal shower foods, keeping things light, fresh, and elegant is always on point. Find inspiration in these 21 recipes that will help you build a healthy menu that everyone will rave about. In addition to lightened-up classics, there are inventive gluten-free and vegan ideas to make sure that everyone will have something to enjoy at your celebratory soiree.

healthy living

4 Creative Recipes That Bring Quinoa to Breakfast

Anyone who thinks that quinoa is just for lunch and dinner needs to use this ancient grain in their breakfast routine.

Anyone who thinks that quinoa is just for lunch and dinner needs to use this ancient grain in their breakfast routine. Versatile, protein-packed quinoa is a delicious resource when creating a satisfying and healthy start to your day. Let these four quinoa-filled recipes inspire you to get creative in the kitchen.

Quinoa, Egg, and Spinach Scramble

Bulk up your breakfast with some ancient grain power in this quinoa and egg scramble. It looks gourmand, but as long as you've precooked your quinoa, this recipe takes just a few minutes from prep to plate.

Quinoa Pancakes

For a satisfying weekend brunch, take the time to whip up these delicious quinoa flapjacks. The twist on the tradition offers more folate, protein, and fiber than standard pancakes.

Keep reading for two more easy recipes starring quinoa.

celebrity fitness

Find Healthy Motivation in Jillian Michaels GIFs

Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels gives new meaning to the phrase "tough love."

Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels gives new meaning to the phrase "tough love." Sure, she's said things that some people have found controversial, but she continues to motivate people all over the country to get into shape and stick with the game plan. However you feel about Jillian and The Biggest Loser, you'll love clicking through all these GIFs all about this celebrity trainer's no-nonsense approach to health.

Source: NBC
healthy living

3 Easy Stretches For Tight Hips

From marathon runners to desk dwellers, tight hips plague many.

From marathon runners to desk dwellers, tight hips plague many. The discomfort in your hips might be caused in part by tight hip flexors, the group of muscles that flex your femur and pull your knee upwards, the glutes, and even your inner thighs. The good news is even a minute of targeted stretching can help! Show your hips some love with these quick and easy stretches.

Butterfly Stretch

Photo: Jenny Sugar
  • Sit on the ground, bending both knees and bringing your feet together.
  • Using your hands, open your feet up like a book. Use your muscles to press your knees down towards the floor. This will help to open your hips up even more.
  • Draw your belly button towards your spine. Relax your shoulders and gaze either in front of you or towards your feet.
  • You can keep your hands on your feet, pressing your knees down with your arms, or if you want more of a stretch, extend your arms out in front of you. Stay here for at least 5 breaths.

Runner's Lunge

Source: POPSUGAR Studios
  • Starting in a plank position, bring your left foot up and around and to the outside of your left hand.
  • Hold for 5 seconds and bring the foot back into the plank position. Repeat this movement on your right side.
  • Complete 10 reps on each leg.

Keep reading for one more stretch that will help release tension in tight hips.

Strength Training

Mix It Up: 4 Varied Moves to Tone Lower Abs

The infamous lower-belly "pooch" plagues plenty of women, but finding the right moves to target this problematic area is easy.

The infamous lower-belly "pooch" plagues plenty of women, but finding the right moves to target this problematic area is easy. Whether you're a barre buff, yoga star, or gym rat, there's an exercise on this list to suit your taste.

Ab Scissors

For anyone who grew up dancing, you'll be well acquainted with the ab scissors that rock your lower abs while lifting your booty:

  • Lie flat on your back. Extend your arms so they're against the sides of your body with your palms pressing into the floor, or bend your elbows and place your palms under the back of your head. Bend your knees and draw them into your ribs. This will make it easier to pull your navel in toward your spine and actively press your lower back flat on the ground.
  • Lift both legs straight up toward the ceiling, continuing to engage your abs and pressing your lower back into the ground. Keeping your core strong, slowly lower your right leg down toward the ground until it is a few inches above. Then slowly scissor your legs, lifting your right leg back up as you lower your left leg down toward the ground.
  • You may not feel this until you do it for a while, so repeat this move for a total of 20 to 30 times on each leg (or more if you're still not feeling it).

High Curl

Beauties who love a good ballet barre workout will love the high curl:

  • Sitting up, place an exercise ball between your upper thighs. Pull behind your knees with your fingertips as you inch your heels closer to your seat.
  • Then roll your lower back down toward the floor, and use your abs to lift your chest closer to the ball.
  • Complete 15 to 20 reps.

Boat Pose (Navasana)

For all the yoginis out there, a few rounds of Boat Pose will challenge your strong core and tighten up those lower abs:

  • Begin sitting on your mat. Bend your knees and lift your feet off the floor, balancing on your tush. Keep the spine long and straighten the legs as much as you can without rounding the back. If this is too hard, then keep the knees bent — you're still working your core.
  • Perform six rounds of Navasana, holding the pose for five breaths each. Or challenge yourself and try to hold for 30 seconds to one minute without a break!

Keep reading for one more all-ab exercise.