What are Menstrual Cramps?

Cramps; they can be debilitating

Last week, I reviewed a book about men making healthier choices (while still having fun.)  Guys, if you haven’t figured it out, this one’s for the ladies; though most of you have a wife, girlfriend, roommate, mother, sister, client or close friend who is a female dealing with this and it might behoove you to know a little bit more about it.

But first, a little background
 
Working with women as a trainer for as long as I have, you can imagine the excuses I’ve heard from people who want to get out of their workout. To say that I’ve heard it all is an understatement.  Let’s just say, I could write a book (and most of the time the excuses are for sessions they have already paid for!)  The texts come through with just one word…“cramps.” The rest is understood.

So what are cramps exactly? 

I Married a Nutritionist

Helps guys make healthier choices

My friends wrote a book. 

Now, when your friends write a book, you’re obligated to like it; are you not?  Well, you’re obligated to at least read it.  Then, you know that you’ll have to be honest and tell the world what you really think of it-if you are a true professional, or at least someone who wishes to remain in integrity.  This can obviously, be risky.

But, being one who takes pride in taking the high road whenever possible, (and suffering the consequences if necessary), I have to say…that I love this book!  I Married a Nutritionist: Things I've Learned that Every Guy Should Know  is a delight.  My friends Karen and Steve Roth did a wonderful job and created something really special with this book.  

Jini's Double Chocolate Shake

Dbl. Choc. Protein Shake made with Thorne's Whey Protein

Anyone who knows me or has read anything I’ve ever written knows that I’m all about the chocolate; (if you have any doubts, check out the chocolate page on my website.)  I have to admit I do a pretty good job of sticking to the prescribed one square of dark chocolate a day despite the lavish praise I dole out to the vendors on my chocolate page.  But a girl can dream; can’t she?

I long ago came up with a whey (pun intended) to marry my love of chocolate to my morning protein shake.  By itself, this shake is packed with nutrients, healthy fat, fiber, quality protein and

The Search for the Perfect Vitamin

Professional supplements can be as powerful as some medications

A couple of months ago, I wrote a post on whether or not you should take nutritional supplements. Personally, I am a big believer in them. In the past, when I’d find myself in a bit of a financial crunch, the one thing I refused to give up would be my supplements. Shoes? Gone. Cosmetics? Gone. Organic chicken… (hmm…even I have my limits.) 

I still take quite a few supplements with each meal. But are all those supplements actually doing anything? Until you run some lab tests on yourself, you could be popping pills for years that you don’t need (and then you really would have expensive pee.) I’ve been there…you read something interesting about a supplement, the outcome from taking it sounds like something you’d really like to experience like shinier hair, long, strong finger nails or best of all: the promise of abundant energy. You might also take supplements be-

The Happiness Project

Great book! -Can "teach" you how to be happy.

By-Gretchen Rubin -Jinifit review

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one day while simply riding on a NYC bus.  “The days are long, but the years are short,” she decided. I couldn’t agree more.  When I read this on the back cover of her book, The Happiness Project, I was immediately interested.  From there, I found that the best description of her book could be found in her Note to the Reader…

A “happiness project” is an approach to changing your life.  First is the preparation stage, when you

Holy Guacamole!

I am a foodie, that is for sure.  I grew up in a family of foodies, I worked in upscale restaurants for a number of years and  I consider myself to be a confirmed culinary snob, a gourmand if you will. So what does a foodie do when following a healthy lifestyle, eating to stay lean and mean and on top of her game?

First, I indulge every now and then-that's a given-and there is nothing wrong with that!  IF, every now and then does not turn into...every day.  Then, I am always looking for new and interesting recipes to satisfy my craving for undeniably good food that fits in with my healthy lifestyle goals.

How to Break a Fitness Plateau -Part II

Last week’s post on overcoming fitness plateaus focused on dietary and lifestyle aspects of training that could be preventing you from reaching your goals. This week, we take a look at some more strategies, this time targeting the way you spend your time in the gym…

•    Change up your workout-Fitness experts are always talking about how important it is to change up your workout and keep your body guessing; that’s good advice. But what is meant by “changing things up?  Can you be more specific?  Well, sure...

Get honest with yourself –There’s no need to bring yourself to the brink of death to experience a training effect.  But let’s be honest…are you hot and sweaty when you finish working out?  Or do you chit chat your way from one side of the gym to the other, with no