Blog Posts by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance

You've probably heard that having high cholesterol is bad for you, but do you REALLY understand what it means and why? Believe it or not, it is normal to have cholesterol in your body. It is found in your blood and cells, and it is important to a healthy body because it supports multiple body functions, including the manufacturing of cell membranes and some hormones. However, too much cholesterol in the blood (known as hypercholesterolemia) may increase your risk for heart disease.

Cholesterol is both manufactured by the body, and comes from foods you eat. In order to understand cholesterol's impact on your health, I've provided a chart of the different terms you have heard and what they really mean

Just when you thought our Military couldn't get any tougher, it has. With recent statistics of soldiers sustaining a 40 to 60 percent injury rate during physical training, it was clear that something needed to change...and that change? The Eagle Tactical Athletic Program (ETAP), a new physical training program.

Dr. Scott Lephart, from the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, transformed the military's traditional physical training of calisthenics into something different: Interval circuit training. Through 45 second circuits, soldiers increase their speed, agility, flexibility and balance. And although injury rates were the primary focus, it is clear that the results have proven to be beneficial in making soldiers stronger: ETAP participants are 30 percent more fit than those that go through traditional training!

So, how can you get in on the action? And, is it really something that you should consider? Absolutely!

1. Cardio AND

somersaultNormally, I look for a Nutrition Bar when looking for a filling, well-balanced snack. However, I recently tried Somersaults...a snack that truly is different. They are delicious, yet encourage "mindful munching!" The philosophy of the company is to create snacks that both "nourish and delight." Here are the details:

1. Description: The shape of a Somersault is a 1/4" thick disk that is about 3/4" in diameter. Their look reminds me of kids-cereals...namely Cookie Crisp, however, instead of chocolate chips, they have sunflower seeds. A serving size is about 15 of these little munchables.
2. Taste and Flavors: Somersaults come in three flavors: Chez Cocoa, Salty Pepper and S.S. Sea Salt. In general, their flavors, although different, remind me of a cross between pretzels, crackers, nuts and seeds. Chez Cocoa reminds me of a healthier and slightly less sweet version of Cocoa Puffs. Salty Pepper has a bit of a nuttier flavor with a bit of a spicy pretzel taste. And, S.S. Sea

As the temperature drops and days get shorter, we still want to enjoy the outdoors. There is no reason why we can't and there are some great activities we can do to get some exercise, all while having fun. The best part of exercising outdoors during autumn is that you don't get overheated. Remember, however, as days get cooler, dress more warmly to be sure you don't catch a seasonal cold!

Each activity is accompanied with a calorie burn assessment for an individual who is 130 pounds. If you are at a different weight, you can reference the "Calories Burned Chart" on Sheer Balance to know your personal burn. The great thing about most of these activities is that they provide both strength and cardio benefits!

1. Rowing, Canoeing and Kayaking: If you live near water (lake, ocean or river), try getting in some rowing or kayaking. Rivers aren't as full, which will make navigating more difficult terrain (white water and rapids) a bit easier. It is a great way to see the sites!

Ahhh...apple season is in full swing. And, with 36 states growing apples, it is fair to say that many of us have some picking to do! I've sworn to do some local apple picking this year...especially since I love having them in my protein shakes in the morning!

Although the old mantra of "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is pretty ingrained, the average American consumes a mere 65 apples a year. That is barely once or twice a week, or 2 months out of the year! Seems like Americans could benefit from upping their intake. Here's why:

1. Cancer Prevention: Various studies have shown that eating apples helps prevent the development of various cancers, including: breast, lung, colon and liver cancers.
2. Lung Health: Daily apple consumption helps to lower symptoms of asthma and protect against lung disease.
3. Heart Health: As a result of a unique combination of phytonutrients, flavenoids and fiber, apples help support heart health and lower cholesterol. Many of

I've recently had a really tough time motivating myself to get to the gym in the morning. Let's face it, this happens to the best of us. We hit a point when for some reason, the LAST thing we feel like doing is moving our butt...even though we know we should and that it is good for us.

Truth is, these phases are normal. If anyone claims otherwise, they would be lying. But just because your inner-devil has won over your inner-angel does not mean that it has won for good! Here are a few ways to overcome your burnout period and move into a more motivated frame of mind:

1. STOP Exercising. Yep, you heard me right. Stop exercising. Take a week off and don't feel guilty about it either. Burning out is a sign that you may have been overdoing it. Allowing yourself to not exercise will give your body a break and, even more importantly, your mind a rest. The more we berate ourselves into having to go to the gym, the more we feel that it is a chore...something to loathe. Giving yourself

We are living in a world where big business isn't as attractive as it used to be and people are, instead, looking to other options to find satisfaction, happiness and meaning in their lives. As we set goals for these new chapters in life, we make tons of plans and run full-steam ahead, but often, we lose sight of one of the most important ingredients to our success: believing in ourselves.

It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but without this specific element, reaching our goals can be more challenging. Here's why:

1. The Rough Patches: When we find that we hit a rough patch in our path to success, we need something to pull us out of the "funk." Not every day is going to be a success…some days may be dull or may feel like we aren't getting anywhere. It is at these times that believing in ourselves gives us the energy to keep going.
2. Rejection: Believing in ourselves helps us get through the rejections, the "naysayers," the "you can'ts," the "it won't works" and

clarisonicMy beauty regimen would fall into the "low-maintenance" category. Don't get me wrong, I HAVE a regimen...but I tend to keep it simple and stick with the basics. I DO believe in getting facials every six to eight weeks or once every season, at the very least. And, I DO believe in investing in a good skin care line that is made of good ingredients, helps with anti-aging and protects against free-radicals.

However, when it comes to buying a lot of different gadgets, that is not me. So, when my aesthetician recommended I try the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush, you could say I was skeptical. What convinced me, however, was one simple thing: It was touted as being a great makeup remover. For years, I found that unless I washed my face with a washcloth, I didn't get all of the make-up residue off my face...and that was frustrating. So, I made the $200 investment and brought home my new shiny Pro-Model brush, eager to find out if it worked. Here is the scoop: What it is... Developed by the same