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!

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.

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.

There's no better time to start making healthy choices than right now.

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 good news is even a minute of targeted stretching can help! Show your hip flexors some love with these quick and easy stretches.

Butterfly Stretch

• 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.

  Keep reading for two more stretches that will help release tension in tight hips.

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

• 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

• 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.

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.

Thinking about running a half marathon soon? A solid training plan is necessary — and so are some quality tunes to keep you motivated. This half-marathon playlist clocks in at just under two and a half hours, perfect for someone who runs a 10-minute mile. Subscribe to the playlist so you have it with you on your run, then keep reading to see the songs on the list.

As you're planning meals for the rest of this week, take to heart this simple yet profound tip from author and activist Michael Pollan.

Turn off your music and tune in to a quality podcast. Whether you're an experienced yogi looking for a led flow class or you just want to listen to experts talk all things yoga, you'll find a new favorite in one of these podcasts.

Yoga and Other Useful Stuff With Tara Stiles
Yogi extraordinare Tara Stiles has a video podcast series that covers everything from living your best yoga life to weight loss. It's appropriately named Yoga and Other Useful Stuff With Tara Stiles, and we love listening to her perspective.

CorePower Yoga
The CorePower Yoga podcasts offer a mix of information in their various shows. Asana of the Month offers a short video demonstrating yoga poses, while Ask a Yogi answers questions beginners might be afraid.

Kripalu Perspectives
The Kripalu Center For Yoga and Health, a retreat center for yoga and holistic living in western Massachusetts, hosts an enlightened podcast called Kripalu Perspectives. If you want to listen to a traditional podcast format where experts are interviewed, then try Kripalu. You won't be disappointed.

Keep reading for two more yoga podcasts.