Blog Posts by TheDailyZeel

By: StacyAtZeel

Marina-de-la-Torre-blog-resizedNo matter how often you go, most consumers can agree that supermarket shopping can be an overwhelming experience. As Zeel Nutrition Expert Marina de la Torre explains, "A routine can make all the difference. If you want to get in and out of the grocery store in as little time as possible - pushing a cart loaded with nutrients and short on calories - here is a basic game-plan:"

1. Choose a smaller cart. We know it was on sale, but did you really need four boxes of Cheerios and five jars of peanut butter? Opting to peruse the aisles with a small cart in tow won't just limit your spending; it'll also limit unnecessary snacking. The smaller cart will signal when you've likely bought enough, at which point you can check out and be on your merry way.

2. Stick to the perimeter of the store. With a few exceptions, the best, most wholesome foods can generally be found on the outer edges of the grocery store-think fruits, dairies and more. Processed,

By: StacyAtZeel

Whether caused by sports injury or simply sitting at a desk all day long, neck pain is one of the most common kinds of chronic discomfort. Sound familiar? Trust us, you're not alone. As cited by the National Institutes of Health, distress in the neck is the culprit for roughly 15 percent of all chronic pain sufferers.

While there are various sources of neck pain (from strains and injuries to stress retention that manifests itself from the shoulders up), relief may be as simple as practicing preventative methods of health maintenance-like stretching! Zeel Experts recommend three basic stretches using nothing more than your own body - and maybe a pool noodle! - for enhanced physical wellness.

The all-around stretch.

Besides booking a therapeutic massage to increase circulation and address trigger points, licensed therapist Molly Sutton recommends stretching the neck in all directions.

First, bring the chin to the chest and push down from

By: StacyAtZeel

Throughout the years, there have been countless track and field athletes to laud - Jesee Owens, Jim Hines, Carl Lewis to name just a few. But as a fascinating The New York Times feature recently made abundantly clear, none have demonstrated such impressive speeds as that of the explosive Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

While most of us probably won't reach such lightening speeds as the world's fastest man, it is nevertheless possible to make small changes to our running and training routines that yield big results. Pick up the pace as we revisit these five tips on how to become a faster runner from Zeel Fitness Expert Frank Baptiste.

1. Play up. Find a partner who's better than you-someone you can run with who pushes you beyond what you're comfortable doing. Even with a sport like tennis, you don't want to play someone you can always beat. Just be sure to choose a partner who isn't so far out of your league, otherwise you'll just get discouraged.

By: StacyAtZeel

The following is based on Zeel Expert Marina de la Torre's answer to a Zeel Member's question on the efficacy and safety of doing a juice cleanse.

There's a lot of buzz these days around detox and cleansing programs; many of these include juice cleansing.

Doing a juice cleanse in general is a good idea because you give your digestive system "a break"; you ingest plenty of nutrients, and the effects are tangible. You lose weight (mostly from retained water), your skin glows, you have more energy, etc.

Things to consider before doing a juice cleanse are:

1. Start slow. If it is your first time, you want to take it slowly (e.g. only for a day or two). Your body is not used to a lack of food, and it will complain.

2. Keep it green. Juicing should include mostly vegetables and only some fruits. Beware of jumping into a fruits-only juice feast (fructose, sugar in fruits, is processed in the liver, and too much of it can cause

By: StacyAtZeel

Melissa Rycroft is feeling the KLUTCHclub love this summer too!

Ask around our office, and you'll learn that most of us here at Zeel are determined to live balanced, healthy lives. After all, that's what being a New Yorker is about - working hard, playing hard, and minding our midsections somewhere in between.

How are Zeelots staying healthy, happy and fit this summer? With back-to-back-to-back heatwaves and endlessly muggy air, it's been a serious challenge; but these personal favorites, have made it a whole lot easier to maintain a healthy, positive attitude while having delicious, nutritious fun.

Read on to find out which fitness and nutrition trends have caught Team Zeel's attention this summer.

Marcy Lerner, VP of Business Development and Lover of String Cheese

Coconut oil is apparently the secret ingredient to use in the kitchen right now. It's also good as a leave-in hair conditioner. And while it's not super-new, neon has