Blog Posts by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance

Sometimes when I go to the gym, I have this urge to tell some of the most religious treadmill riders "Ma'am, Step away from the treadmill!" No matter how many articles and reports are written on the benefits of exercise other than cardio, it never ceases to amaze me how many women (and men too...) relegate themselves to the endless monotony of the treadmill - or for that matter, any other piece of cardio equipment. Moreover, these individuals will do cardio for over an hour...sometimes hopping from one piece of cardio equipment to another...never even considering time in the weight room, in classes or outdoors.

Although there are definite benefits to doing aerobic exercise; strength, core and flexibility training all provide numerous health benefits that cardio can't: They increase muscular and bone strength, increase lean body mass, safeguard against injury and boost metabolism while decreasing fat.

Is it possible you are overdoing the cardio? Here's how to know:

Is your child a picky eater? Do they claim they hate fruits or vegetables? Do you find the foods they do tend to like are unhealthy and don't provide much nutritional value? In order to help educate children on the benefits of healthy eating, and to potentially thwart off the rising childhood obesity epidemic, gardens and arboretums around the country are giving children new perspective through hands-on learning programs.

The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn, for instance, run programs where children can plant, tend and harvest their own fruits, herbs and vegetables. To appeal to the "ripe" ages of the NYBG's audience, the garden focuses on teaching children around their favorite dishes. For instance, in the Breakfast Bowl Bed, they plant and harvest cereals and grains such as corn, barley, oats, rice and wheat. While the Pizza Garden is where they can grow and cultivate various ingredients such as oregano, basil, and tomatoes.

We are now, full swing, in the midst of the new school year. And, although there is much excitement as college students get back into classes, there is also a lot of stress and pressure that they undergo. Four years really fly by and making the most of them is what will make your experience most rewarding and successful. Here are some tips:

1. Explore: Although almost every curriculum has "core requirements" and prerequisites, it is important to explore the topics that peak your interest...even if they have nothing to do with your major. If you want to take a dance class, do so. If you want to learn how to make rockets, look for an introductory class. You can even create your own classes by doing independent studies. Exploring your interests is what leads to discovering your passions. And having passion for what you do makes your future that much sweeter and exciting.
2. Stay Well Rounded. All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl. Finding courses you love is important,

When we work hard for something and finally achieve it, it is wonderful to celebrate and reward our accomplishments. Whether the achievement is big or small, rewarding ourselves allows us to acknowledge our effort, while giving ourselves permission to bask in our own glory.

How we celebrate our accomplishments can be just as much fun as the accomplishment itself. Here are some creative ways to let loose, have fun and give yourself a pat on the back!

1. Indulge: Eating is as much a necessity as a social occasion. Enjoying a meal with friends and family at your favorite restaurant allows you to splurge a little. Order your favorite piece of chocolate cake and heck, throw in a candle while you're at it!
2. Bottle of Bubbly: Personally, I love champagne, cava (Spanish sparkling wine) and prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) at any time. In my mind, there is no real need to have something to celebrate to enjoy the bubbly! However, if you are the type who only pops the cork for

Having been a group fitness instructor for over 15 years, I am not one to 'relax' when I exercise. And until recently, I found both Pilates and Yoga to lack the intensity that I needed to feel as though I got anything out of the workout. However, as I get older, I continue to gain appreciation for more variety in my workouts, including incorporating low-impact and stretching regimens.

Recently, I tried Suzanne Bowen's and Leah Sarago's Release Workout DVD. It teaches moves that are part of their Ruah Mind Body Movement, utilizing a method they term "Postural Movement and Flow" to strengthen the mind, body, and spirit. It is centered in principles of lengthening the muscles through deep muscle work with stretching. Here is what I thought:

1. Video Synopsis: The video is about 55 minutes long, with 15 minutes dedicated to lower body, 25 minutes dedciated to upper body and core and 10 minutes of the video dedicated to stretching and relaxation. All of the work is done in a low

Whether you say Tom-eh-to or you say Tom-ah-to, you can be sure that this sweet little fruit is going to do your body good. As we come full-swing into Tomato season, here are a few fun and interesting facts about the popular ingredient:

1. It is a fruit. Although many people believe that tomatoes are vegetables, they are actually fruits.
2. Italian in Origin..Not so Much. Although popular as an ingredient in Italian cuisine, tomatoes are originally native to the western side of South America. However, it was first cultivated in Mexico; and it was through Colombus that seeds were first introduced to Europe.
3. Antioxidant Powerhouse. Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. They are antioxidants that are instrumental in neutralizing free radicals known to potentially damage cells, which can increase inflammation and the progression or severity of disease. Diets high in these antioxidants have been shown to help reduce the risk or severity of all

Many people looking to get into shape and lose weight choose walking as a way to do so. It makes sense: It is low-impact, pleasurable, and manageable for most fitness levels, making it far from intimidating. Further, it has been widely accepted that walking three times a week for 30 minutes each time can help bolster your cardiovascular health. But is walking really enough to get into good physical condition? Unfortunately, I would have to say no.

Saying that walking is the only thing you need is like saying that gas is all your car needs to function properly. If you neglect the engine, don't put oil in it and don't inflate the tires, the car eventually will stop running properly. Walking is a great activity to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle, but it isn't the begin all and end all of being in great physical shape.

If you haven't exercised regularly for a long time, walking is a good way to start getting back into a regimen. But to make it really work for you, remember

Today, it is likely that you can get all types of produce, all year long. In a sense we have been spoiled. When you want blueberries in February...no problem...somewhere in the world, they are growing blueberries and they can be shipped to your local grocery. Although we like this convenience, there are many reasons to stick with locally grown, in-season produce. Here's why:

1. Taste: The fresher the produce, the better it will taste. If a fruit or vegetable isn't in season, it is shipped from across the country, or even worse, across the world. To do so, farmers harvest their crops early and refrigerate them so that they don't go bad during shipping. As a result, they aren't ripe when picked and don't always ripen to their full flavor as they would in their natural growing environment. During chilling and shipping, produce loses freshness and flavor with each step of the process: when chilled, when transported and when held in warehouses prior to distribution.