Blog Posts by Intent.com

You have probably seen these colorful balls in your gym or in a magazine. There is a good reason that they have become so ubiquitous. Exercise balls are inexpensive and focus on your "core." The "core" is defined as "balanced development of the deep and superficial muscles that stabilize, align, and move the trunk of the body, especially the abdominals and muscles of the back." Here are some great exercises you can do with only an exercise ball to help you strengthen your muscles, tone your body and look fabulous!
Back Extensions. Make sure the ball is placed at your lower torso and hips. Put your hands behind your head and slowly roll your body down the ball. Lift your chest until your body is in a straight line. Repeat 12-16 times.
Seated Leg Extensions will strengthen both your abs and your back. Sit in a neutral, lumbar position. Place your hands on your hips, keep your back straight and shoulders down. Lift one foot at a time and straighten the knee. Repeat 10-20 times.

Read More »from Best Exercise Ball Routines To Do At Home

Time.com reports that about half of all Americans, 48% will make a resolution. The top three desires are to lose weight, stop smoking, and to exercise more often. However, despite our good intentions, Time also reports that 35% of us never even make it a single day. How do you prevent yourself from falling into an illusion and instead create a reality? Here are seven ways to make things you want to change actually happen!

1. Be Realistic and Be Honest. Thomas Jefferson said, " Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." Be wise and realize what your limits are. For example, if you want to get in shape and the most stringent thing you've done for the past six months is lift the remote, don't resolve to begin running twenty miles a week starting January 1 st . Instead, build up your goals and stamina so you don't get discouraged and give it up all together.

2. Spread the Word. Have someone other than yourself to hold you accountable for your behavior. Tell one or two Read More »from Your Cheat Sheet To Achieving Your New Year's Resolutions

It's 2:30 in the afternoon. Suddenly, you envision your cubicle turning into your bedroom, much like Max's room transforms in Where the Wild Things Are. You know you still have hours of work to do, and let's face it, the boss tends to become annoyed when you short out the keyboard with drool. Fight off the afternoon doldrums and maintain your energy by following these simple tips.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H! A good number of us work at a desk for at least eight hours a day. You need to remember to MOVE occasionally to keep your blood flowing. There are a number of simple exercises you can do at your desk. WedMD recommends the following:
· Jumping Jacks for one minute.
· Shadow boxing for one minute.
· Run in place for one minute.
· Pump your arms over your head for 30 seconds, tap your feet quickly for 30 seconds
· Pretend to jump rope for a minute.
· Take the stairs, 2 at a time if you are able.
B-Complex Vitamins. There are a number of "B" vitamins, and all will help your energy Read More »from Mid-Day Energy Slump? Fight It Off!

Spinach salads are a wonderful accompaniment to a variety of meals, or as a meal in itself! They pair deliciously with a nuts, fruits, and meats. Spinach is a step above other greens in nutritional value as well, as it is one of the richest sources of beta carotene, which improves immunity (among other benefits), and it is packed with vitamins C, A and B. Not to mention the fact that it is delicious and colorful. Try one of making these tasty salads for your next dinner party!

Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Almonds, and Sesame Seeds. This light and beautiful salad is tossed with blanched almonds, cranberries, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and minced onions and drizzled with a light vinaigrette. Consider pairing this salad with Spaghetti Bolognese and toasty garlic bread.
Shrimp and Orange Spinach Salad. This low-fat, Asian-influenced delight is a complete meal. A layer of spinach is topped with shrimp, oranges, small pasta shells and peas, which are coated in a soy and ginger Read More »from Five Fabulous Spinach Salad Recipes

The English poet William Cowper wrote, "Variety is the spice of life / That gives it all its flavor." This advice can easily be applied to your workout routine. It doesn't take long to become bored with exercise if you don't keep it interesting. And if you are not interested, you are more likely to find excuses not to do it at all. Stay healthy, maintain your weight, and feel better about yourself in general by mixing it up.

Start Here
· It's a new day. Stop feeling guilty about the time you've neglected exercise or the weight you've gained. As the old Nike advertisements argued, "Just DO it."
· Make a schedule. Rather than just leaving it up to "When I can cram it in to my life," get out your calendar and BUDGET the time. If you know you have events that conflict with your schedule in advance, you can plan ahead and make sure you have an alternate time to work out.
· If you despised what you did before, don't punish yourself. Try something different: yoga, music-integrated Read More »from Bored Of Your Exercise Routine? Tips To Revitalize Your Work-Out And Renew Your Commitment To Staying Fit

I don't know about you, but a gift from a foodie is always welcomed in my house. I love the thoughtfulness it takes to prepare these gifts. Fortunately, I have a lot of friends who love to cook (and eat). Here are some of my favorite gifts from my friends from around the world.

Bollywood Coconut Curry Popcorn Seasoning. Give this spicy-sweet popcorn seasoning to a friend! The curry and coconut blend to make something like an Indian Kettle Corn. Give in a pretty jar with the recipe and let your friend or family member experience a new flavor as they watch their favorite holiday movies.
Cranberry Pear Chutney. A perfect hostess gift! This chutney goes with just about everything, from turkey to pork to chicken, so even if you don't know the main course, it's likely to go perfectly with whatever he or she is serving. Cranberries, pears, and a pistachio nut mix simmer in cinnamon, allspice, and brown sugar. It only takes five minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook, another plus Read More »from 8 Edible, Prepare-Ahead Gifts For Christmas

Just because you are not a kid doesn't mean you shouldn't expect a stocking on Christmas morning! Here are some helpful suggestions for stocking stuffers for either the special man or woman in your life. Your job as Santa just got easier!

Men:
Santa Boxers. What is Santa wearing under all that fur? Well, these whimsical and comfy boxers. From Urban Outfitters, $18.00
Wireless Key Finder. Can't find the car keys in the midst of all the discarded wrapping paper and boxes? For many of us, misplacing our keys doesn't just happen in chaos…it can be a quite frequent frustration. End the searching with this clever key finder and locate those missing keys in seconds! From Brookstone, $49.95
iPod/iPhone Art Skins. Make his iPod stand out with these fabulous, unique art skins. From GelaSkins, $30.00
Fallout: New Vegas for XBOX is one of the hottest games of 2010. Give your man this coveted game, and perhaps a coupon for several nag-free hours of gaming bliss. From Amazon.com, $49.54 Read More »from Super Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Men and Women

This year, fill stockings for the kids that are unique and memorable. Too often, we buy throw-away toys on the spur of the moment that are forgettable and not very much fun (yet they still cost plenty!). Instead of grabbing whatever is left in the small toy aisles at your local Target or Wal-Mart, consider adding a few of these clever stuffers.

Kids' Electric Guitar Shirt. "The Electronic Guitar Shirt is not a toy that plays pre-canned musical riffs, it is a real musical instrument that allows you to play your favorite songs and sound great doing it." From ThinkGeek, $29.99

Skip, Hop, Dunck! This clever bath toy allows little ones to scoop up water in fun duck shapes. As an added bonus, parents can use the dippers to help rinse of the suds. From Amazon.com, $7.99

Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters. Dads and sons might be a bit more interested in baking ginger/ninjabread men with these clever cookie cutters. From Perpetual Kid, $5.99

Rubic's Cube Alarm

Read More »from 9 Cool Stocking Stuffers For Kids