Power Up Your Runs

I make the resolution every year to get my body into premium shape (who doesn’t).  The Broad River Trace fitness center is cool for a quick workouts but I like to run whenever I can.  Any other runners out there?  What are some of your favorite routes in the area?   Check out this tip I found online in the 15 Best Workout Tips of all time…

“Adding wall sits to the end of every run will strengthen your quads, hamstrings and glutes, improving your speed and endurance. Lean against a wall with your feet shoulder-width apart, then squat until your knees are bent at 45 degrees. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds; work up to doing 10 sets. Add a challenge by including heel raises: Lift your left heel, then the right, then lift both together twice.”

–Mindy Solkin, owner and head coach of the Running Center, New York City

Let’s get it in people!  Who’s with me?

Stay hydrated!

Hydration is important. I am sure of the fact that you do not need me to tell you that. But, if you are going to keep hydrated, do it right and do it in style!

I want to share with you some of my favorite hydrating containers, as I like to call them (mostly because people look at me funny then chuckle a little). Water bottles works just fine too. I digress…call them what you will, here are some cool ones.

You can continue reading this article at MyRentalPad.com.

In-Season Produce: Markets near Broad River Trace

Do you shop for your fresh food and produce locally? If not, you may want to give it some serious consideration. Although today’s global market allows us to buy foods grown almost anywhere in the world at any given time, this option is not the most sustainable.

Buying in-season fruits and vegetables that are locally grown helps to eliminate the environmental damage caused by shipping foods across the country – and in some cases – the world. Not only does your food dollar go directly to the farmers, but you’re able to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, better tasting, unprocessed produce. According to the National Resources Defense Council, in-season foods for the state of Missouri (and surrouning areas) include:

Cabbage Mixed Greens Scallions Blueberries (Georgia) Broccoli (North Carolina) Carrots (Georgia) Greens (Georgia) Leafy greens (North Carolina) Peanuts (North Carolina)

Snap Beans (Georgia) Strawberries (Georgia, North Carolina) Sweet Potatoes (North Carolina) Vidalia Onions (Georgia) Yellow Squash (Georgia) Zucchini (Georgia)

Here is a short list of markets that sell fresh locally grown foods near the Broad River Trace area. If you can suggest any other markets, leave a comment and let the community know!

Markets near Broad River Trace

Going Green: Healthy healing for your hands

Check out this easy Do it Yourself recipe courtesy of The Daily Green…

Hand Softening and Conditioning Treatment

• 1/4 cup course brown sugar
• Baby oil (or olive oil)  to make into a paste

Mix together.  Using a hand washing motion apply the mixture to the hands.  Continue the washing motion for a minute then rinse off with warm water and pat dry.  Makes 1 treatment.

Fogelman Management Group is focused on spreading the word about Going Green, a term that signifies the social movement towards environmental conservation, protection and improvement. It’s all about making simple lifestyle choices that will lessen our negative impact on the Earth. Making and using home products with organic materials is just one way to we can make a difference.

Stay tuned to the Broad River Trace blog throughout the month of April for more tips on how you can play your part.

How does your water taste?

According to an independent group of panelists, Columbia’s water is the best tasting in the state of South Carolina!

On March 14, Columbia’s water beat out 11 other contestants throughout the state, including Greenville, Charleston and Orangeburg, during a water taste test at the South Carolina Environmental Conference in Myrtle Beach.

What do you think about the tap water here in Columbia?  Do you drink it vs. bottled water?  I’ve been drinking bottled water for years now, but it seems that I’m always coming across reports or articles that seek to prove that bottled water is no better for you than tap water.  To be honest, there are times when I can’t tell the difference.

Maybe now that I know Columbia’s water is “award-winning”, I’ll give it a shot.

What would you do?

Riddles are fun to do and they are great brain exercises!  If you have a minute, try to figure this one out and post your explanation as a comment.  I’ll put up the answer sometime next week.  Let’s see who the real brainiacs of Broad River Trace are!

You are a prisoner in a dungeon, with a torturer who likes to gamble. One day, he brings you two glasses of transparent liquids. He tells you one is water and the other is poison, which if completely drunk will kill you. He then forces you into an empty cell. You have 5 minutes to drain one glass, and leave the other full. What do you do? (You must drink one full glass.)

Warm and Working Out

Yes, I know working out might not be at the top of your list. It is cold outside and that certainly poses additional challenges. You will be OK though if you want to go for a nice walk or run; just dress warmly.

Once you get moving you’ll warm up quickly enough, but make sure you start off at least semi-warm (you don’t want to be burning up because you have on five layers).

Check out these winter tips here and feel free to comment.