Nutritious choices made simple®
Nicki is a fitness and nutrition enthusiast with a passion for all things healthy and organic. A web marketing specialist and search geek by day, Nicki works to increase her clients' search engine visibility. By night, you might find Nicki coaching, practicing yoga, or pretending to be an artist. Nicki regularly contributes to the Guiding Stars blog.
We all know how great salads are. The right combination of vegetables and protein makes for a power-packed and nutrition-friendly meal. There’s just one big, glaring problem. Salads can get boring when you make the same one day after day. They can also be tedious when you end up having to buy so many different ingredients. The answer? Mix up your salad routine!
It doesn’t matter where you are in the country this summer, there seems to be only one temperature setting… and it’s hot. While we all still want to remain active with our exercise routines, sometimes it can be difficult to stay cool, comfortable and motivated out in the sweltering heat. Here are a few tips so that you can still enjoy the great outdoors and even find some indoor activities you’ll enjoy just as much!
These days, many of us spend a staggering amount of time gathered in front of screens – whether it’s the TV, computer, cell phone or iPad – instead of spending quality time with one another, outside or reading a book. As you can imagine, the amount of time spent in front of a screen instead of making healthier choices like exercising or simply spending time with loved ones can take a toll on all of us.
Did you know that the nation celebrated Girls & Women in Sports Day at the beginning of February? This day honoring female athletes epitomizes what Title IX gave us in 1972 when it made it illegal to exclude anyone from any educational program on the basis of gender. While I don’t think this holiday is celebrated enough, it doesn’t mean that its value can’t be recognized during the other 364 days in the year. As a college cheerleading coach and former athlete, I see the value of sports for women every day.
Fitness and nutrition may not be on the top of your list of priorities during a move, but they’ll certainly keep you feeling good during it. Here are some things to keep in mind during the process of your move.
We all know exercise has a ton of benefits (including weight loss), but there are quite a few additional benefits you may not have known about.
I’m not going to lie. Sometimes, I don’t follow my own advice. By the end of the winter, even with a gym membership (and even a free one at the school I coach at!), I struggle getting myself there. But recently, something amazing happened. Since spring sprung (you know, way back last week), I’ve gotten back into running, and started doing it two or three times a week during lunchtime. Not enough to make me sweat, usually 2 ½-3 ½ milers.
In Maine, we don’t have 4 seasons; we have two: winter and spring/summer/fall. Winter lasts from November to mid-April here in the Northeast and with a possible 5+ months of snow-covered ground, it’s sometimes hard to stay with your fitness routine.
I’ll admit it: I’m not a winter person. I think the snow is beautiful, but by this time of the year, I’m ready for my garden to start blooming. I’m also ready to start running outside again and, for many of us, the treadmill looks better this time of the year than a jaunt through the snow and ice. Never fear, fellow warm-blooded Mainers, there are ways to combat the dreary days of March and April.