Whenever I fly, I try to pack a healthy snack – but sometimes that’s hard to do, especially on the return flight home. I always recommend options like fruit, nuts or other things that don’t have to be kept hot or cold. Last week I was at the Dallas Love Field airport  and came across this “Go Picnic” package that I found in one of their shops. At first glance, I thought this was going to be similar to some of the “snack packs” on the airlines that are loaded with junk and chemicals. But, I was pleasantly surprised! They have 3-4 of these “Go Picnic” packages that contain things like hummus, edamame, tuna and multi-seed crackers! I was in heaven! I grabbed the hummus + crackers kit below and it was very tasty. I had never had dry roasted edamame before and I loved it! The box contains enough food for 2 (I split it) and has 400 calories and 25g of protein. It looks like the brand has these kits at many major airports – so check their website next time you are traveling to see where you can get your own box.

It’s that time of year again – time to start thinking about what you want to accomplish during the next year! For most people, at least 1 of their resolutions will revolve around health, diet, or weight loss. It’s a popular choice because the new year means you can create a “new you”! But, it can be discouraging if you want to make big changes and don’t know where to start. Plus all the choices and options out there to help you reach your goals can be quite overwhelming. Most people end up wasting money on crazy fads, programs (no, you don’t need to buy “Insanity”!) and weird food products.

This year, save your mind (and body) by keeping it simple. All you need is some basic workout equipment (a set of weights or resistance band, a mat and good workout clothes/shoes), a journal and most importantly – a plan to help you reach your goals. Start by setting a goal for this week like “I’m going to join a gym” or “I’m going to go for a run 3 times this week”. Then, set a long-term goal for the next month, but be realistic – that is the key! If you tell yourself you are going to lose 10lbs this month, it probably won’t happen and then come February you will just give up. Instead, make realistic goals like” I’ll join a bootcamp“, “I’ll ask a trainer for help” or “I’m going to lose at least 3lbs and get stronger this month”.

Things that can help you stick with it:

• A food and/or workout journal. This doesn’t have to be fancy, but if you want to buy one – I like the Fitbook and also the Ultimate Pocket Workout Journal.
• A trainer. Not in your budget? Join a bootcamp or get a gym membership where you can take free classes (I like Fit in Houston). Most people will stick with their workouts if they do them in a group setting. Plus, it’s just more fun!
• Realistic goals (see above).
• Sign up for a race, contest or team sport. If you have to train for an event, you are more likely to stick with your workouts. Also, tell your friends and family about it or post it on Facebook in order to hold yourself accountable!
• Get the right tools. I love magazines, specifically: Women’s (or Men’s) Health, Shape, Fitness, Oxygen and Muscle & Fitness. Get a subscription so that you get one of these every month. This will supply you with a new workout, recipes and other tools to keep you on track. Plus, I find (at least for me) that when a magazine is filled with fit people – it really motivates me to get my butt to the gym!
• Look for online resources and subscribe to fitness blogs (like mine if you haven’t already!!). I like FitSugar, Shape.com, Runnersworld.com , NikeWomen.com and AceFitness.org

Last week I was notified by Nike that I was one of the 5 winners who submitted their favorite drill as part of a Nike Training Club (“NTC”) contest! I submitted my favorite drill – a jumprope drill that I called “Triple Jumprope Drill”. I love jumprope and thought that all the NTC members and people who use the app would like to incorporate it into their routine because it’s so much fun and a great workout! I’m so honored that Nike chose me! Look for my name and my drill in the new Spring App!

Read what Nike has to say about me on their Blog:

I love the NTC App and highly recommend it, if you don’t have it already. It’t great for when you don’t have time to take a class, work with a trainer or go to the gym – because it requires very little equipment. I love how it has 3 levels to chose from (the advanced is definitely advanced!) and goals to choose: Get Lean, Get Toned, Get Strong or Get Focused. Most workouts are either 30 minutes or 45 and you have a virtual trainer speaking to you the whole time and guiding you through each move (about 30-90 seconds each) with a live clock counting down. Not sure how to do the “frogger”? Well, just click on the little video icon and you’ll get to watch a demo before you return back to the workout.

Check back for info on the new app and my drill!

Here are my latest favorites!

Crazy Steve’s Pickles and Salsa

I read about Steve’s pickles and salsa (“Condiments on a Mission”) and knew I had to give them a try. All of his pickles and salsa are made with all natural ingredients, gluten free and have little or no added sugar. I love the clever labels that include pickle facts! My favorite is the Green Smokin’ Salsa…it’s addictive! You can buy them online HERE.

Zico Chocolate Coconut Water

I’ve always liked Zico because of the taste and also because I feel like it’s more natural than some of the sports drinks out there. It has no added sugar, has 5 essential electrolytes and as much potassium as a banana. I recently tried their chocolate flavor and I’m hooked. I’m not a huge chocolate milk fan, but if I had to compare it…I would say it tastes similarly sweet but it’s not as thick. It really fills me up and it’s only 110 calories and 2g of fat!

Think Thin Crunch Bar

I love Think Thin bars and have even got my clients and the Rockets Power Dancers hooked. They now have these “crunch” bars that are similar to their other bars but are packed with fruit and nuts. They have only 3g of sugar (their other bars have 0!) and are packed with protein, vitamins and minerals.

Pita Pal

I stumbled across this a few months ago at Whole Foods when I was looking at hummus. This pearl couscous tastes amazing and is great as a snack or side dish. The whole container has 3 servings and each has only 140 calories with 3g of protein. My only complaint is that it’s a little high in sodium, so I wouldn’t eat the whole container at once! Pita Pal is made here in Houston and all their products are organic and made with 100% clean energy.

Hail Merry

I love Hail Merry! They have so many cool organic and raw products including their new variety of nuts. I get mine at Whole Foods but you can also order them online.

Lucy Wave Racerback Top

This is the top I wore when I participated in NBC Universal’s “Healthy Week” and also did some yoga in Times Square! The top is perfect for yoga because it has a side drawstring that keeps it from slipping up when you are doing tricky moves like downward dog or headstand! It’s on sale now on Lucy’s site HERE!

Nike Side Tie Capris

I’m also wearing these in the picture to the left and I get compliments on them everywhere I go! I got my black ones at Luke’s Locker in Houston, but you can buy the other colors on Nike’s site HERE.

Did you know that January & February are the best months for broccoli?I just picked up some fresh broccoli from Whole Foods this week and decided to use my Sleekstor Veggiesteam (silicone steamer) to cook it. All I did was place the steamer inside a pot with about 1-2 inches of water then, wash the broccoli and trim off the stems and then place it on top of the steamer. Cook on med/high heat for about 10-15 minutes until the broccoli is tender. To speed up the process you can place the lid on your pot but allow a small vent/crack to let some steam out. I served my broccoli with a tiny amount of shredded cheddar cheese, sea salt and pepper. You can use this steamer to cook all your veggies: carrots, mushroom, zucchini, etc!

I get asked all the time about protein and snack bars. There are a lot out there that can actually cause more harm than good because they are loaded with fat, calories and sugar. If you are having a bar as a snack or one of your six mini-meals a day…you should keep it around 200 calories or less. Two of my favorites are Think Thin bars and Larabars that I get at Whole Foods. The Think Thin bars are great because they have 0g of sugar and you get 15-20g protein. On average they have about 230 calories, which isn’t too bad…but you can always eat half and save half for later. My favorite thing about Larabars is that they usually only have 2-3 ingredients and are made of just fruit and nuts. Simple is always better and you don’t want to be stuffing your body full of chemicals and crap or it will start to show on the outside. I buy the mini bars that have 100 calories each.

I get asked all the time about pre-made/prepped foods here in Houston. Everywhere you go there are stores and shops where you can pick up pre-packaged meals and snacks that are supposed to be “Fit” and made for people that want to lose weight and lead a healthy lifestyle. For the most part, I think that most offer the right amount of calories and fat, with the exception of a few that are portioned for male bodybuilders (haha)!  So, your decision mainly lies with taste and price. Just watch sodium levels, because many that seem to taste better are loaded with salt.

I decided to try the new Snap Kitchen yesterday on Kirby to see what they offer. They have a cute store with a place to sit and eat inside as well as a salad bar, where someone will make you a custom salad. I bought a few things to try including their Spicy Sambal Tofu w/ veggies, Curry Dusted Cauliflower Steak w/lentils and the Spinach and Goat Cheese Scramble w/ sweet potatoes. I actually liked all of the dishes, except the tofu was a little too spicy for me. Some of their items are a little high in calories and fat (like the 290 calorie, 11g fat breakfast I had this AM), but that’s because they are pretty dense and filling. I ended up only eating 1/2 of the breakfast, so only had 1/2 the calories and fat. Overall, I think they have great variety (gluten free + vegetarian!) and would recommend this place for a quick meal on the go!

Looking for some last minute gift ideas for someone that that loves to workout or is maybe starting a new fitness routine? Here are some of my Top Favorites:

1. Ipod Nano Touch and/or Itunes gift certificate
2. Foam Roller or The Stick
3. Food journal from FitBook
4. Lucy Propel Knee Pants
5. Lululemon Hoodies (I have this one).
6. Magic Bullet or Fit & Fresh Smoothie Maker
7. Gaiam Yoga Mats (they have a cool new one with a built in speaker)
8. Gift certificate to a new gym (I love FIT) or personal training sessions
9. A fitness dvd (Have you tried my “Long Lean Legs”?!)
10. A monthly pass for ExerciseTV
11. A new Polar heart rate monitor or Garmin if they are a die hard runner like me : )
12. Healthy cookbooks like ones from Hungry Girl, Biggest Loser, Tosca Reno, etc.
13. Organic treats from Hail Merry or other items at Whole Foods
14. Magazine subscription to Runners World, Shape, Women’s (or Men’s) Health
15. Spa gift certificate

I thought I’d share a few of the new things I really like right now : )

Jala Lemon Green Tea Frozen Yogurt Bar

I normally don’t buy a lot of ice cream or frozen products, but these caught my eye a few weeks ago at Central Market. Now I’m hooked. After eating one of the Lemon and Green Tea (my favorite) bars, I had to go back and re-read the box because I though I bought something high fat by accident. Nope! These have only 110 calories, 1 g of Fat and 15g Sugar (not bad for ice cream/fro-yo).

Ipod Nano Touch

Until recently, I was using my 4G Nano, which works great. But, I was having a problem finding a good lightweight arm band that I liked. The one that’s made for the Nano doesn’t fit it correctly and all the others were either too bulky or didn’t allow easy scrolling. So, I decided to get the new Nano Touch ($149) so that I could do my runs and workouts without my bulky armband. I didn’t like them before because I wanted to be able to see my playlists and have options. With this new version, you can easily scroll through your playlists, see album covers and more. Plus, you can turn it into a cool watch!

lucy Propel Knee Pant in Navy

I already have this pant in black, but love the navy version! Plus, it has a cute pink inner drawstring that you could let show through. I spend 90% of my week either in these propel pants or my similar Nike capris. I am able to teach my classes, run errands and also go for a long run…all in the same pant. Read the rest of this entry »

Now you can get my exclusive Long Lean Legs workout plan and food journal to accompany your Long Lean Legs DVD! You can download the workout plan and food journal on ExerciseTV’s site HERE (or click the pics below) and then use it along with my dvd to really get lean legs FAST. I’ve put together a 30-day plan with ExerciseTV that will incorporate my dvd, cardio (hills and other workouts to target legs), yoga and a healthy eating plan so you get maximum results. The best part is it’s FREE! All you need to make the plan work is your copy of my DVD: Long Lean Legs and you can buy it HERE.

*Click picture for online edition!

I’m so excited to be included in the August Issue of 002 Magazine and on the COVER!! 002 has been my favorite Houston magazine for years because they have the best information and reviews on all the newest restaurants, hangouts, hip events, products and people.  Special thanks to Carla Valencia (the amazing Editor) for giving me a shot and including me in the magazine; Edward Sanchez who worked his magic with my makeup and gave me great posing tips; Sarah Al-Adwani for making my hair look great not just during the shoot, but for the last 5+ years; Jill Hunter who is a creative and talented photographer and Nancy Mathe’ my sidekick and trusted advisor.

The photoshoot was so much fun and even got to do a shopping spree at Neimans, but sadly had to return the $2,300 leather Prada below : (  Check back soon for my “behind the scenes” video!

KNOCKOUT : 002houston Magazine | hip.current.cool

It’s summer and we all want to look cute while we workout and that means having a toned, tanned body (right?!) and sporting workout clothes that don’t look sweaty and gross. Look for products that are not cotton, like the ones below, to keep you the coolest and driest! Here are some of my current favorites…

I Love Lucy!!

I just got a new pair of “Balance Knee Pants” (pink and black) from Lucy Activewear that I love! The Lucy crop pants have always been my favorite and and I love the new styling with the stripes on the side….very flattering! I wore these in a few short videos that I recently filmed (check back soon) and they look and feel amazing.

I also like their cute matching “Propel Tank” that keeps you cool and has a great fit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ok, so you’ve waited until the last minute to decide what you are doing this weekend. Fireworks? Swimming? Grilling? Well, you can still get out and enjoy all the traditional activities without having to spend hours in the kitchen making something healthy to take with you. Here are a few things that are easy to pack for the Fourth or any summer picnic….

Read the rest of this entry »

The DVD Release Party on 5/21 was a huge success!

To see some of the photos and read the recap…click HERE or click the “DVD Release Party” tab above.

I bought Alicia Silverstone’s book The Kind Diet a few weeks ago after a friend recommended it. I always thought Alicia was a vegetarian (not eating any meat) but she’s actually vegan (doesn’t eat any animal products including eggs or dairy) so I was interested in how she makes her diet tasty and healthy. Plus, I’m always interested in new diet trends…especially organic and natural ones. Also, I’m a borderline vegetarian and I only eat fish about once or twice a week. Most of my family and friends don’t even realize this because I don’t make a big deal about it and I still go out to eat and to dinner parties but just get veggie options. I started eating this way about 2 years ago and it’s become super easy! Read the rest of this entry »

Here is another round of my product reviews. Let me know what you think!!

Lush Bubble Bars

I started using Lush a few years ago after I found them on a trip to Atlanta. Now we finally have them in Houston at the Macy’s store in the Galleria! I love this brand because all of their products are natural and their fragrances come from plants and flowers. One of my favorites are these “bubble bars”. They come in all colors and flavors but I love the lavender one that has a tiny bit of sparkle in it. But beware…a small piece of one goes a long way!

Woolite Dark

I’ve been using this product for about a year and it really helps my workout clothes stay looking new and fresh. Most of my workout pants and jackets are black and I was worried about them fading since I wash them so much. This detergent is specifically for dark clothes and it really works. Most of my pants have kept their deep dark color and don’t look dingy or worn out. I also use it on dark jeans to keep them looking new.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hi guys! Well, as you know..the holidays are probably the hardest time to stay in shape and eat right. But, that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible! I’m trying to lean out and drop a few lb’s over the next month for my ExerciseTV video shoot! This is going to be such a challenge because of all the parties, family functions and yummy holiday treats in stores right now (I can’t resist hot chocolate!!). But, I’m sticking to my game plan and finding ways to satisfy my appetite while getting lean and mean! So, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite snacks that I will be having over the holidays, along with a recipe that I whipped up last week that I LOVED!

Snacks:

“Cuties”: These are in season right now and I found them at Randalls, but Whole Foods also has their version that’s just as good. These small clementines taste great and are sooo easy to eat. I’m not a big fan of oranges because they are messy and hard to eat and plus, they have a lot of pulp. I’ve been putting mine in my purse (they don’t get squished like bananas) and plus, their vitamin C will help those winter colds!

Protein Powders: For most people, you don’t need to consume protein shakes on a regular basis. But, if you are trying to build muscle/lean out and/or you are a vegetarian…a protein powder shake can be good for you. I’ve been mixing only 1 scoop (about 100 calories) of either Muscle Milk Light or GNC’s new Be-Buff Vanilla Bean powder with water in my Blender Bottle for a post-workout drink. Another snack I have is my Fage Greek Yogurt with 1/2 scoop of the Be-Buff Vanilla Bean powder and a few blueberries. OMG...this concoction taste like a vanilla cupcake with frosting! It’s soo good…and good for you!

+  = YUM!!!

more snacks and recipe…click here:

Read the rest of this entry »

Confused about what to eat when you are starting a new workout program? On Fox Morning News Extra I showed viewers why 100 calorie packs are not good! Also, I didn’t get to talk about the plate of powdered donuts…but they are NOT one of my healthy items! I was trying to show that the Yoplait yogurt I brought had 27 grams of sugar and that was the same as 7 powdered donuts!! YIKES

*Also, not all “healthy” frozen meals are healthy. Most have a ton of sodium, preservatives and “fake” ingredients that may make your mouth happy but your body (including those thighs) are screaming: “What the heck is this crap?”!!

I’m now accepting clients for my “virtual training” program. I know many of my readers do not live in Houston, but I’ve found a way that you can still train with me! For only a fraction of my normal personal training rates I will give you a month of virtual/remote training that will include a personal assessment, goal setting and workout plan customized for your goals. I will also include diet tips and work with you on any injuries or health issues.

This will still be PERSONAL training and you will not be getting a one-size fits all workout plan. You can also email or call me if you have questions when you are at the grocery store or if you are at the gym and forget how to do an exercise.

Email me at Cari@Cari-Fit.com for more details or you can signup here:

Options

1-Month Plan $30.00 2-Month Plan $50.00