6 Winter Workout Tips to Keep You Motivated

With winter creeping up on us, it means shorter daylight time and colder temperatures. For many people, it will also be a time of the year when their physical activity efforts dip. People often reduce the amount of time they spend being physically active over the winter, usually due in part to it being so cold outside. Add to that the lack of motivation that people have during the darker, colder months, and it’s a recipe for disaster. The good news is that there are things people can do to help stay motivated to keep moving all winter long.

“Although we may want to behave like it sometimes, we are not bears and cannot get away with hibernating all winter,” explains Coach Sarah Walls, personal trainer and owner of SAPT Strength & Performance Training, Inc., who is also the strength and conditioning coach for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. “We must continue being physically active during the winter. It’s the only way that we can continue being healthy, and to help avoid seasonal weight gain.”

Many people tend to gain weight over the holiday and winter season. Not only have their physical activity efforts decreased, but their calorie consumption has usually risen. Rather than curl up on the couch with a blanket and the television remote, there are many good health benefits to staying active all season long. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity can improve health, and can help people live longer. Being physically active also helps to lower risks of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some types of cancer.

Here are 6 winter workout tips to help keep you motivated:

Enlist a workout partner. Who no-shows on their workout partner? Not many people, and if they do, a good partner won't let them hear the end of it. If you're worried about missing an appointment with yourself, get a workout partner and set up a schedule - it's likely you will show up for many more sessions with a friend to hold you accountable.

Stay focused on healthy eating. It's easy for one holiday to flow right into the next. There are parties with alcohol and calorie-dense foods, and it may seem never-ending. When you are having fun, it can have a dramatic effect on how you are feeling. The alcohol and unhealthy party foods will wreak havoc with your energy levels immediately, so one of the best ways to stay motivated to get your workouts in is to start with what you are (or rather are not) eating. If you feel good, you'll probably want to keep that going with a workout. If you don't feel good because of all the unhealthy foods, it's likely you'll spiral out of control a bit when it comes to keeping up your exercise routine.

Try something new. The winter is a great time to try out a new class. Gyms are always coming up with something new and different, and this might be just the right time to add in something you've never tried. Trying new activities will help you find ones that you love, and help keep things interesting.

Define (and track) small goals. Whether it is learning to do a certain exercise, getting stronger, or improving your endurance, it's a great idea to write down and track goals. Start with the biggest one and then break it down into weekly and daily tasks that will get you there. Hold yourself accountable, track where you are at with reaching the goal, and give yourself some non-food rewards when you reach milestones.

Have a fallback plan. What is your plan B for when you walk out of your office at the end of the day and it is unforgivably cold and dark? Do you need to call a friend to remind you how much you love working out? Do you have a secondary workout to do in front of the TV at home? Having a plan B is a good idea, because you will automatically revert to it, rather than coming up with an excuse.

Try a virtual coach. A virtual coach will help you reaching your fitness goals all winter long, all from the comfort of your home or office. You won’t have to go out in the cold air, rather you can get the motivation and guidance you need in a setting that is comfortable for you, and during a time frame that works best for you.

“There is nothing to gain from not adhering to a workout plan all winter long, except for weight,” added Coach Walls. “When you hold yourself accountable and actively look for ways to keep yourself motivated and pushing on, you will be more successful at it, and you will emerge next spring feeling amazing.”

Sarah Walls has over 15 years experience in coaching and personal training. Owner of SAPT Strength & Performance Training, Inc, founded in 2007, she offers coaching to develop athletes, adult programs, team training, and has an online coaching program. She is also the strength and conditioning coach for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and has over eight years of experience working as an NCAA D1 strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer. To learn more, visit the site: www.saptstrength.com.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Sweet potatoes are one of those classic vegetable side dishes that are often served with holiday dinners like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Some people like a classic-style of recipe and other's will really go-to-town adding in additional ingredients to enhance their flavor.

Today's guest-post recipe is courtesy of Carrington Farms.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe

2 large Sweet Potatoes
1 Tbsp Carrington Farms Coconut Oil
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon Light Brown Sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground Nutmeg

Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into 1/2 inch chunks. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a skillet, melt the coconut oil over low heat. When coconut oil is melted transfer it to a large bowl with the sweet potatoes and other ingredients to toss together. Spread the sweet potatoes evenly on a large baking sheet. Roast, tossing occasionally until soft and caramelized for about 1 hour. Once done, serve immediately alongside your main dish.

Delicious Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Looking for an easy-to-prepare and delicious recipe to make homemade cranberry sauce? If so, you're going to enjoy our guest post recipe today that's courtesy of The Cocoa Exchange. You'll only need 5 ingredients to make.

Delicious Cranberry Sauce Recipe

1 lb. cranberries, fresh or frozen
3/4 cup apple cider
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup Pure Dark® Cinnamon Chocolate Nibs
1/2 pt. fresh raspberries

To a medium size saucepan over medium heat, add cranberries, apple cider, sugar and Pure Dark® Cinnamon Chocolate Nibs. Stir gently and bring to a boil.

Simmer over low-medium heat for 15-20 minutes until cranberries begin to burst and sauce starts to thicken.

Add raspberries and stir very gently so raspberries maintain shape. Allow to cool on stove before transferring to dish to refrigerate.

Peach and Nectarine Holiday Cocktail Recipe

Hosting an upcoming holiday party? Looking for a delicious cocktail to serve along with Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day dinner? If so, we've got a super-easy cocktail recipe for you today. The recipe is courtesy of Sparkling ICE.

Peach and Nectarine Holiday Cocktail Recipe

1 Part Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine
1 Part Grand Marnier
Blood Orange

Slice blood orange and remove slice for garnish. Juice remaining blood orange. Combine Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine, Grand Marnier and blood orange juice. Garnish with blood orange slice. Serve immediately.

Whiskey Peach Pit Pie Cocktail Recipe

2 Parts Irish Whiskey
1 Part Sparkling Ice Peach Nectarine
Tablespoon Maple syrup
Peach Slice

Add over ice in rocks glass. Garnish with a peach slice. Serve immediately.

Apple Pie Fizz Cocktail Recipe

When it comes to cocktail drinks, I'm all about the ones that contain fruity flavors and I'm all about drinks that I can easily whip up at home using only a handful of ingredients. Today's guest post recipe is courtesy of Sparkling ICE. I think it's perfect to serve around the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve holidays. Fun for sure!

Apple Pie Fizz Cocktail Recipe

2 oz. Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple
2 oz. Whiskey Bourbon
Dash of Cinnamon
Apple Slices for garnish

In a glass, mix bourbon and Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple with ice. Top it off with a dash of cinnamon and garnish with apple slices!

Apple Melon Juice Recipe

I love this time of the year when apples are being harvested and in abundance here in the northeast. I like to go to our local Farmer's Market and pick up 2-3 bushels of apples to make some homemade apple pies, applesauce, bread, use them in homemade juice recipes and in other apple-flavored goodies. Apples are good for our bodies and it's really easy to incorporate them into our daily diets.

Today's guest post recipe is courtesy of HUROM.

Apple Melon Juice Recipe

1 and 1/4 cup of melon cubes
2/3 cups of fresh apple chunks
1/2 cup of bok choy
1/2 cup of sliced celery

Using a peeler, peel the melon’s rind. Wash celery and bok choy and remove seeds from apple. Cut into appropriate sizes. Insert the ingredients into your juicer by alternating their order. Enjoy! Pour over ice if desired.

Healthy Vitamin H: A Biotin Briefing for Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails

What is biotin and why do I need it?

Biotin, commonly referred to as Vitamin H or Vitamin B-7, is a complex B vitamin that assists your body in converting food to fuel by helping to break down protein and fat. Apart from its crucial role in energy consumption, biotin is vital for healthy hair, skin, and nails as well as the nervous system and liver. Biotin is a key nutrient for a healthy pregnancy and is found in many prenatal vitamins to support embryonic growth.

Biotin also plays in important role in:

Blood sugar regulation, 
Maintaining healthy LDL cholesterol, and
Adrenal function

Your hair, skin, and nails are made of a very tough protein called keratin, which is a type of protein built from the cell reaction between enzymes and biotin.  Beauty products containing biotin are becoming increasingly popular to nurture thinning hair, promote healthy skin, and maintain strong nails. Biotin may also be effective in repairing scarring and damage caused by acne.

How can I recognize a biotin deficiency?

While naturally occurring within your body, biotin is water-soluble, meaning the body is unable to store it.  Bacteria found in your intestine produces biotin, but there is little evidence about how much of that biotin your body can absorb.  There is some evidence that a long-term use of antibiotics or eating raw egg whites can cause biotin deficiency.

Biotin deficiency is rare, but presents itself in the form of dry skin, brittle hair and nails, hair loss, issues within the nervous system, fatigue, and digestion problems.

How can I get more biotin?

A healthy diet can supply a daily serving of biotin. Foods like almonds, mushrooms, eggs, salmon, sweet potatoes, and spinach all contain biotin in different measures. However, many people struggle to consume the recommended amount every day.  This is where falling back on a supplement or multivitamin containing biotin and other antioxidants becomes efficient and convenient.

I really like Vitafusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin, & Nails- it¹s a delicious gummy multivitamin that contains 5000 mcg Biotin and powerful antioxidants Vitamin C & E essential for the body¹s production of collagen (a protein that works hand-in-hand with biotin).  It also contains zinc, a mineral that plays a crucial role in healthy skin cell division and reproduction, and folic acid which works to generate new cells and tissues in the body, Taking a supplement daily for at least 3 months is recommended to have an effective response in visibly healthier hair, skin, and nails. 

Dr. Jonny Bowden, also known as The Nutrition Myth Buster, is a nationally known expert on weight loss and health, and has been seen on Dr. Oz, the Doctors, and every major television network. He is the best-selling author of 15 books, including his latest book, The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, Living Low Carb, The Great Cholesterol Myth, and Smart Fat: Eat More Fat Lose More Weight Get Healthy Now!

5 Fitness Tips Every Teen and their Parent Should Read

There’s a lot of good reasons for teens to engage in exercising regularly and stay fit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that students who are physically active tend to have better grades, that higher physical fitness levels are associated with improved cognitive performance, and that those who participate in physical activities have fewer disciplinary problems. Add to that the fact that they will be laying the foundation for a healthy lifestyle and creating great habits, and it’s a great deal all around. Yet many teens and their parents have questions about fitness that may be holding them back.

“The benefits of being a fit teen are plentiful, but it’s important to also know how to help reduce injury risks and stay motivated over the long haul,” explains Coach Sarah Walls, personal trainer and owner of SAPT Strength & Performance Training, Inc., who is also the strength and conditioning coach for WNBA’s Washington Mystics. “Being fit and healthy is more than just exercising, so it’s a good idea to learn more about what you need to do to be healthy all around.”

Here are 5 fitness tips every teen should read:

1. Eat brain food. This is the good stuff, which is the unprocessed, whole foods, which include things like salads, poultry, lean meats, eggs, healthy fats, etc. Unprocessed foods are packed with vitamins and nutrients that will keep you sharp mentally and physically fit, too.

2. Train to be more useful. Going to the gym to work on your "abs" and "beach muscles" is usually done with endless sit-ups and biceps curls, but you can get the same effect by training to be more athletic, faster, and generally more useful in life, which means working to get your entire body stronger. You can work with a personal trainer to put together a routine that meets these needs and goals that are tailored specifically for you.

3. Go into Do Not Disturb mode. A big part of mental fitness is the ability to step away from the phone calls, texts, and Instagram feeds. Your mind will keep you feeling better when you walk away from those things more often. Take some time to go for a walk or spend time playing with your dog, as these kinds of things are good for your body and your mind.

4. Appreciate that nothing happens overnight. When embarking on a fitness routine, it helps to celebrate the small victories that come with the little daily improvements. Yes, you may want to get a big bench press or increase your vertical jump by several inches - both are worthy pursuits, but both also take time and dedication. Learn to love the small changes and watch how they lead to meeting big goals.

5. Beware of the changes. Fitness has changed a lot in 20 years, so be careful whose advice you take. There are plenty of well-intended coaches and parents who dole out advice that is at best antiquated and at worst downright dangerous. Listen to your body, ask questions, and seek out expert advice when you need it!

“The teen years are a great time to work on fitness and for laying the foundation for a healthy body and future,” added Coach Walls. “The more you know about what it takes, the less you are looking for an overnight fix. Getting fit, whether you are a teen or a senior citizen, takes time, patience, and dedication. But it’s worth it!”

Sarah Walls has over 15 years experience in coaching and personal training. Owner of SAPT Strength & Performance Training, Inc, founded in 2007, she offers coaching to develop athletes, adult programs, team training, online coaching, and more. She is also the strength and conditioning coach for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and has over eight years of experience working as an NCAA D1 strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer. To learn more, visit the site: www.saptstrength.com.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Movie DVD

Are you a big fan of Oprah Winfrey? If so, you might want to check out this upcoming new movie DVD release called: THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS. It's available on Blu-ray™ and DVD September 5th, 2017. Here's some information about the upcoming release. Mark your calendars now!!!

An African-American woman becomes the unwitting pioneer for multiple medical developments, such as the Polio vaccine, when her cells are harvested to create the first immortal human cell line. Her story, previously lost in history, is brought to life in HBO® Films’ The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Led by Oscar® nominee and TV icon Oprah Winfrey and Emmy® nominee Rose Byrne, the “Intriguing and thought provoking” (The New York Times) HBO® Film, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, is available to own on Blu-RayTM and DVD September 5, 2017.

In this adaptation of Rebecca Skloot’s critically acclaimed, bestselling nonfiction book of the same name, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is told through the eyes of Henrietta Lacks’ daughter, Deborah Lacks (Winfrey). The film chronicles her search, along with journalist Rebecca Skloot (Byrne), to learn about the mother she never knew and understand how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks’ cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs, changing countless lives and the face of medicine forever. With a supporting cast that includes Renée Elise Goldsberry, Reg E. Cathey, Courtney B. Vance, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Leslie Uggams, Reed Birney, Rocky Carroll and John Douglas Thompson, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a story of medical arrogance and triumph, race, poverty, and deep friendship between the unlikeliest of people.

The A-list, ensemble cast includes Tony Award-winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, Reg E. Cathey from HBO's The Wire and Oz, and Emmy® winner Courtney B. Vance. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is directed by George C. Wolfe, and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and Alan Ball, the creator, writer, and executive producer of the HBO hit series, True Blood and Six Feet Under.

HBO Home Entertainment® - HBO Home Entertainment develops, distributes and markets an extensive array of critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking programs in three formats—Blu-rayTM, DVD, and Digital HD—throughout the world. Releases include the global hit Game of Thrones®, the #1 selling TV on DVD/Blu-rayTM title in major territories throughout the world over the past four years, in addition to current hits and classic favorites including True Detective®, Girls®, The Sopranos®, Sex and the City® True Blood®, The Wire® and Entourage®. The company’s catalog contains hundreds of titles including multiple Emmy® Award-winning mini-series The Pacific® and Band of Brothers®, which holds the record through 2014 as the all-time best selling TV on DVD/Blu-ray

Peachy Keen Cocktail Recipe

Now that summer is officially here, we've been doing more entertaining outdoors. During the summertime, I like to whip up easy-to-prepare cocktails and mocktails to serve to my adult guests. One hit with all of my guests have been peach-flavored cocktails, so today...we're sharing this delicious recipe with all of you. It's courtesy of Prosecco.

Peachy Keen Cocktail Recipe

1 bottle prosecco, preferably Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore DOCG
3 fresh peaches, pitted and halved
1/2 Ounce fresh ginger, chopped
3 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 Cups crushed ice

Place peaches, sugar, lime juice, ginger, and prosecco in blender. Blend at medium speed until smooth. Add ice to the blender and process. You'll want to serve these cocktails immediately.

Gifted Movie DVD - Starring Octavia Spencer

Looking for a new movie to watch? If so, you may want to check out the new movie DVD release called GIFTED starring Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, Lindsay Duncan, Jenny Slate and Octavia Spencer. This looks like a great movie to see and perfect for my upcoming date-night with the hubby. Here's some information about the upcoming release!

GIFTED Arrives on Digital HD July 11th and Blu-rayTM & DVD July 25th, 2017, from the Director of (500) Days of Summer.

Movie Synopsis: Frank Adler (Chris Evans) is a single man dedicated to raising his spirited young niece, Mary (Mckenna Grace), a child prodigy. But Frank and Mary’s happy life together is threatened when Mary’s mathematical abilities come to the attention of her overbearing grandmother (Lindsay Duncan) – who has other plans for the girl. You’ll love every moment of this “deeply satisfying” (Edward Douglas, Film Journal International) film, also starring Jenny Slate and OSCAR® Winner Octavia Spencer*.

*Supporting Actress, The Help, 2011.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT - Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film. TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions as well as all third party distribution partners on DVD, Blu-ray™, 4K Ultra HD, Digital HD, and VOD (video-on-demand). Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets and digital stores throughout the world.

Meat Solutions: Buy Some Bison!

There are two problems that the majority of people have with cooking and serving beef. They are fat content and sourcing. Market beef tends to be fatty, which adds to the expense. It also tends to trigger less than positive reactions when it comes to how meat makes its way to market. A fantastically tasteful and healthful solution is bison meat.

Bison Aren't Only Found In Wildlife Preserves

Yes, that's right! The mysterious native North American bovine is becoming more and more popular in your favorite supermarket. Though the price per pound is a little higher than what most bargain shoppers are used to, the benefits of using this wonderful meat in recipes far outweighs budgetary concerns.

Any processed meat containing beef products that is sold in stores, likely has an array of byproducts added to make the product profitable for producers. These byproducts and additives include grains like corn and soy, waste meats, and copious amounts of fat. Typical beef burger is an 80/20 mixture of meat and fat. This means at least 20 percent of what you buy will eventually be cooked away.

Though some beef purchased in stores is classified as extra lean, the meat itself can have questionable origins. Market cattle are raised on GMO grains, are regularly exposed to chemicals, and come from unnamed international sources. This doesn't mean that all beef purchased in supermarkets is unhealthy. It just means that there are far better sources for red meat available.

The Bison Meat Difference

Bison meat is growing in popularity because it has wonderful food properties. The meat is extremely lean and flavorful, which means it doesn't need to be mixed with bovine fats to work well in recipes. Market bison are also raised on farms that promote natural life cycles through untainted feeds, grass feeding, low stress environments, and natural breeding procedures. For anyone worried about ethical considerations when it comes to their meat sources, bison farming techniques are some of the purest and most humane in the world.

Bison Meat Versatility

When it comes to cooking bison meat, there is little to adjust in recipes for weight and volume. Bison is regularly packaged without added fats, fillers, nitrites, and colors. It is a “get what you see” meat. Bison meat also shrinks very little during cooking, so it is preferred in dishes where presentation is important.

Bison is now being used to make seasonal favorites. As an example, bison hotdogs are taking the market by storm. Normally, beef hotdogs represent an exercise in eating something unhealthy because the dogs are full of fillers, fats, and meat from unidentified sources. Bison dogs are pure meat, do not change volumes when cooking, and have vetted origins like any other select cut. As a result, bison dogs are more appetizing, more appropriate as meal centerpieces, and truer to the original intent of a great hotdog. That intent is great meat in a convenient package.

Instead of serving guests low quality dogs this summer, try lighting their taste buds with an authentic red meat that is free of everything unwanted in a diet. Bison meat hotdogs are easy to prepare, have a vibrant taste, and are made with great care.

Cheddar Folios Crispy Bowl of Avocado Cream Recipe

Lotito Foods, the family owned, four generation cheese and specialty food company, wants to add a special treat in your Easter basket: the roll out to ALL Shoprite stores of the newest addition to their iconic imported Italian and domestic cheese line: Folios™. The delicious Folios product is lightly baked sheets of cheese that are made from Parmesan, Cheddar or Jarlsberg® cheese. Folios are a first of its kind cheese product as no other company has ever created a product made of all natural, part-skim cheese, that is carb and gluten free and high in protein.

Folios can be crisped in the microwave or oven and crumbled for use on salads and soups, or eaten alone as a crunchy cheese snack. They can be molded into an edible bowl for salads or pasta or melted over omelets or soups and they can come straight out of the package as a perfect no-carb, high protein wrap option.

Cheddar Folios Crispy Bowl of Avocado Cream with Cheddar Folios Chips Recipe

4 Cheddar Folios™
1 Avocado - ripe, pitted, and skin removed
3 Green Onions - chopped
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Fresh Lime Juice
1 Serrano Chili Pepper - stemmed, seeded, and chopped
2 tsp. Fresh Cilantro - diced

Make 1 Cheddar Folios™ bowl as instructed on package. Then, make Cheddar Folios™ chips by placing 1 Folios™ in the microwave for 1 ½ minutes. As soon as removed, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife and immediately cut into triangle pieces before turning into crisps (about 30 seconds). Place on a dry paper towel and repeat for the other 2 Folios™. Set aside.

Now, make the avocado cream by placing all remaining ingredients in a food processor (minus 1 tsp. cilantro and 1 tsp. of green onions). Blend until smooth and creamy. Place the Cheddar Folios™ bowl on a serving platter and surround by the Cheddar Folios™ chips. Fill the Folios™ bowl with the avocado cream and top with remaining onions and cilantro. Serves 4 – 6.

Folios is available in three delicious flavors: Parmesan Folios, taken from the authentic most famous cheese of Italy, with a nutty, fruity blast of flavor; Cheddar Folios, impart a rich, Vermont buttery cheese taste and Folios made with Jarlsberg cheese offer the classic mellow yet slightly nutty deliciousness in every bite.

Feta and Olive Oil Cakes Recipe

Looking for something special to make for your next tea party, family get-together or church bake sale? If so, I think you'll appreciate our guest post recipe today from the great folks over at Gaea. This recipe reminds me of something my grandmother used to make many years ago.

Feta and Olive Oil Cakes Recipe

5.30 ounces (or a little less than ¾ cup) feta cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 1/4 Tbsp. honey
1/2 cup Gaea’s Kalamata D.O.P. Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
3.50 ounces (or a little less than ½ cup) ground almonds
1 tsp. baking powder
Gaea Pitted Kalamata olives, cut in half
Brown sugar for garnishing

Preheat oven to 350F.

Process the cheese with the sugar and honey in a mixer until smooth. Add olive oil. Combine flour with the ground almonds and baking powder and add to bowl while mixing. Divide batter among 6 greased one-use individual cake molds and top each with half an olive. Sprinkle top of batter with brown sugar and bake for about 25 minutes.

6 Must Have Exercises to be Fit and Fabulous

Summer is a time of the year when more people are motivated to get active. The sun is out, the weather is inviting, and people are feeling up to staying active. Yet most people don’t know how much exercise they should be getting or which ones are going to help them look and feel their best. The National Institutes of Health reports that children and youth should get 60 minutes of physical activity per day, while adults should aim to get 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous intensity exercise. For most people, if they can remember to get 30 minutes of exercise five days per week, they will be well ahead of the game.

“It’s a great time to get moving and make the most of your summer,” explains Coach Sarah Walls, personal trainer and owner of SAPT Strength & Performance Training, Inc., who is also the strength and conditioning coach for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. “By keeping active and exercising regularly this summer, you can look fit and fabulous. Now is the time to get motivated and get moving.”

There are many exercises one can engage in this summer to get fit and fabulous, but here are six tried and true ones that Coach Walls recommends to the athletes she works with:

The Turkish Getup – Using a kettlebell, this exercise will help stabilize your shoulder muscles and develop your core muscles.

The Pushup – This handy standard works your core muscles and offers the strength and conditioning your body needs to become more defined.

The Squat – Often referred to as the “king of all exercises” this is an exercise that can be done anywhere, and offers increased fitness for your whole body.

Metabolic circuits – This type of exercise will help you burn a lot of fat, but it’s also going to provide benefits to the heart. A metabolic circuit is going to include various exercises done one after another, so you are working various muscle groups.

The Inverted Row – This is a great exercise for working the muscles that you would pull with, including your biceps, back, and stabilizer muscles. This helps even out the work you are doing when you do pushups, which will provide more stabilization.

Turtle Rolls - Everyone wants a good ab burn, but traditional exercises can cause pain and big problems for the spine. Try this fun variation with a partner.

“Rather than stick to the same old routine, give these exercises a try and see the great results you can get,” added Coach Walls. “Not only will you probably have fun shaking up your regular exercise routine, but you will be working different muscles and challenging yourself in new ways. From that, you will end up liking what you see in the mirror.”

Sarah Walls has over 15 years experience in coaching and personal training. Owner of the SAPT Strength & Performance Training, Inc, founded in 2007, she offers coaching to develop athletes, adult programs, team training, online coaching, and more. She is also the strength and conditioning coach for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and has over eight years of experience working as an NCAA D1 strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer. To learn more, visit the site: www.saptstrength.com.

Table 19 - Starring Anna Kendrick and Lisa Kudrow

Looking for a new movie to add to your must-see list? If so, you may want to consider Table 19 ~ starring Anna Kendrick and Lisa Kudrow. This movie DVD is available for purchase, video-on-demand and digital HD starting on June 13th, 2017. Here's some more information about the movie and DVD release.

The movie stars: Anna Kendrick, Lisa Kudrow, Craig Robinson, Stephen Merchant, Tony Revolori and June Squibb.

TABLE 19 - Academy Award® Nominee Anna Kendrick leads a hilarious ensemble cast—including Lisa Kudrow, Stephen Merchant and Craig Robinson—in this laugh-out-loud tale of mischief and matrimony. Relieved of her maid of honor duties after being dumped by the best man, Eloise (Kendrick) decides to attend her oldest friend’s wedding anyway and finds herself seated among random strangers in the back of the ballroom. As secrets are revealed, Eloise bonds with her new tablemates and discovers that friendships, and even romance, can develop under the most unlikely circumstances.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT - Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film. TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions as well as all third party distribution partners on DVD, Blu-ray™, 4K Ultra HD, Digital HD, and VOD (video-on-demand). Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets and digital stores throughout the world.

6 Reasons To Stop Feeding Your Kids “Kid Food”

Doctor Yum dishes up important reasons to skip the typical kid-related food and opt for more nutritious options.

According to the National Institutes of Health, on any given day one-third of children and 41 percent of teens eat from a fast-food restaurant. They also report that the restaurant meals often served to kids contain too many calories. The typical “kid food” being offered tends to usually include chicken nuggets, fries, macaroni and cheese, burgers, and pizza. The problem is that these meals often provide empty calories and don’t provide enough nutrition. They also keep the kids wanting the same types of foods at home, with parents often providing them. One expert, Doctor Yum, says it’s time to ditch the “kid food” and start giving kids better options.

“Most food is kid-friendly. Kids just need to learn how to eat it,” says Dr. Nimali Fernando, a Fredericksburg, Virginia-based pediatrician who founded The Doctor Yum Project. “Kids who are taught healthy eating habits, which include eating a variety of healthy foods, will be far better off now and in the long run. They will be learning healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”

Here are 6 reasons to ditch the pizza and pouches and get your kids back to real food:

Kids can learn to eat real food. Most of us parents overestimate the amount of food children need. Therefore when a toddler takes two bites of their entree, parents may feel defeated instead of realizing they may have eaten enough. Parents then may be more likely to reach for those kid-friendly, addictive snacks (like crackers and gummy snacks) to fill their child’s belly. It should be no surprise that grazing-style eating, where hunger does not fully develop, leads to a poor appetite at mealtime. Parents should continue to provide opportunities to practice eating healthy foods, and have realistic expectations for what their child should eat. With enough practice kids will get used to a healthy array of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Check with your pediatrician to see if your child is meeting expectations for growth to ensure his food intake is on track.

Restaurant kids meals are a waste of money. When eating out, say no to kid’s meals, which are usually variations on the same “kid-friendly” foods like pizza, chicken nuggets, and sweet drinks. Most of these menus have little to no vegetables or fruit. They may be belly fillers and provide calories but little added nutritional value for your dollar. Instead, order a healthy similarly priced appetizer and/or share your entree with your little one (restaurant meals are so oversized that chances are good that the serving is too big for you anyway). Alternatively, order a few entrees “family style” and ask the server to bring extra plates for whole family to sample. This encourages kids to be adventurous and get used to trying new foods.

Kid-friendly foods are misleading. Recent studies of toddler foods show that many actually have more sugar and salt than what is recommended by experts. Food companies know that parents worry about nutrition, and know the buzzwords to attract those worried parents. It’s easy to make food choices based on the promise of “more protein” or “high in calcium.” But reading the nutrition label (on the back of the box, not the front) will give you the big picture on whether a food is right for your child. Is there an abundance of additives and preservatives? Are the ingredients recognizable and safe? How much sugar is added? Think about the whole foods that might be used to get the same benefit (like a handful of nuts for protein instead of a protein bar).

Kids need real food to develop and thrive. While pizza and macaroni and cheese may fill a child’s belly, kids need fruits, vegetables and whole grains to provide the necessary, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (plant nutrients) for optimal growth and development. Furthermore, an important part of a child’s development is their oral motor skills, those functions of the mouth (lips, tongue, teeth and palate) that allow for speech, safe feeding and swallowing. Many kid-friendly foods are soft and easy to eat and don’t encourage development of those skills. Relying too heavily on these foods (like soft chicken nuggets and pouches with soft purées) can allow kids to lag behind in oral motor development and may lead to picky eating.

You don’t have time to be a short order cook. Making two or three meals to satisfy everyone's preferences is exhausting and can lead to cooking burnout. Teach kids to eat what you are eating to save time and money and to encourage the spirit of adventurous eating. This can be done from the earliest bites of solid food. Instead of relying on store-bought baby food exclusively, find ways to make your meals into healthy baby food. Check out the Doctor Yum Project’s kid-tested, pediatrician approved recipes on doctoryum.org. Many of them have a “baby food shortcut” which shows families how to adapt a family meal and make a meal for a baby along the way. Eating in this way from a young age can avoid that picky eater trap and lead to a path to adventurous eating for a lifetime.

Nutrition shouldn’t be hidden, so stop hiding the veggies. Kids that are very hesitant eaters may be benefit from a few hidden vegetables as they gain confidence in food, but in general parents should try to help kids learn to love healthy foods without hiding them. While hidden veggies may help nutritionally, the kids may not gain an understanding that vegetables can be delicious, so they may still try to avoid them when they are visible. Get kids loving their veggies by leading by example, preparing them together, growing a garden, and visiting a farmers market where they can pick out a couple of things to try. The more variety they are exposed to and realize that they enjoy, the better the eating habits will be.

“If kids can get involved in the food process, from shopping to preparing it, and they can learn about why eating healthy is so important to them, they are more likely to do so,” adds Heidi DiEugenio, a director at the Doctor Yum Project. “This will help them avoid the obesity problems, chronic health issues, and they will have a better opportunity to live a healthier life throughout their adulthood.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthy eating habits can help children maintain a healthy weight, as well as reduce their risks of such conditions as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, iron deficiency, dental cavities, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. An unhealthy diet, on the other hand, can lead to being overweight or obese, increase risks for certain types of cancer, and negatively affect overall health, cognitive development, and a child’s school performance.

Dr. Fernando and Heidi DiEugenio are two of the original founders of The Doctor Yum Project, an organization with the mission of transforming the lives of families and communities by providing an understanding of the connection between food and overall health, as well as empowering them with the tools to live a healthy life. The project offers free online tools to help families make healthier meals, healthy cooking classes, child nutrition classes, cooking camps for kids, hands-on cooking instruction for families, first foods classes, and a teaching garden, They also offer a preschool nutrition curriculum, with 40 classrooms and almost 600 participating preschoolers. They are the go-to resource for families looking for answers on how make healthy, achievable dietary changes for a lifetime of good health.

Dr. Fernando, otherwise known as Dr. Yum, is a board-certified pediatrician. She is also the co-author of the book “Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater: A Parent’s Handbook” (The Experiment, October 2015). To learn more, visit the site at: www.doctoryum.org.

Lavender DRY Mimosa Cocktail Recipe

A mother who's gone above and beyond to try to teach you to mind your manners and, at the very least, look both ways before you cross the street deserves a drink (or 2) for a job well done. Along with the Mother's Day flowers, breakfast in bed and delicious chocolates, consider whipping up a quick and easy signature Lavender DRY Mom-osa that Mom is sure to love!

Lavender DRY Mimosa Cocktail Recipe

1. Pour orange juice and Prosecco into a chilled champagne flute
2. Get in mom’s good graces and make it freshly squeezed OJ
3. Top with Lavender DRY and garnish with slice of orange peel
4. Make a toast to the woman who raised you (and bask in the glory of your cocktailing skills)!

Plus, mom can sit back and enjoy every sip knowing that DRY Sparkling beverages contain only 45-70 calories and 11-19 grams of sugar per 12 oz. serving!

Remember, it's Mom's special day and she deserves to be treated like the Princess that she is! Go out of your way to make her day special!

How Pets Help Reduce Stress

Some studies show that people begin to feel less anxious after spending less than an hour with an animal. There are endless benefits from lowering your stress level and while the things that we find stressful in our lives are often hard to eliminate, adding an animal to your life can help.

General Benefits: There's a reason that they say dog is man's best friend. Having a pet, not limited to dogs, is something that everyone should experience at some point in their life. Pets can be calming, mood lifting, empathetic, and so much more. They teach you how to be selfless and responsible as you are caring over another life (for those of you without children). Generally speaking, they make you happy.

Helps with Depression: In some cases, therapists suggest that patients suffering from depression that they adopt a pet. An animal will love you unconditionally and also be a great friend and listener. People with depression often benefit from having a pet, as the animal can help them get out of the house.

Health Benefits: There are other health benefits associated with pet ownership (particularly dogs). Many studies show that owning a pet has a positive impact on cardiovascular disease, hypertension, infection control, allergies, stress related problems, blood pressure, and psychological issues.

Engaged Mind: A key to a healthy mind, especially for those who are elderly, is staying engaged with others. A pet is often a conversation starter and being out with a pet often warrants questions or comments from passersby. Bringing your dog to a dog park is a great way to meet new people with similar interests.

Build Your Children's Confidence: Having a dog in the home can build confidence and manage anxiety and stress in children. Children who struggle with reading or math can gain confidence when reading aloud or reciting multiplication tables to their dog.

Excuse to Play: Training and playing with your dog also provides mental stimulation, helps unleash creativity and alleviates stress. Having a dog will also encourage you to exercise as you'll need to walk Fido regularly.

Routine: Having a daily schedule reduces stress for any individual. Having a dog that relies on you at specific times each day (feeding, walking, and sleeping) can help establish a routine.

Bio: Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA and Training and Behavioral Expert at Camp Bow Wow (North America's largest and most trusted pet care franchise), has offered her insights and tips on the benefits of having a pup and how our furry family members can truly reduce the stress we experience every day.

5 Phrases to Never Say to The Elderly

Anyone who has ever cared for or spent time with the elderly knows the frustrations that can arise. Simple things that most of us take for granted can turn into monumental tasks that must be repeated over and over again. What are the best ways to handle these situations?

Kurt Kazanowski, an expert in hospice, homecare and working with the elderly, says that while it can be frustrating, especially when it’s someone very close to you like your own parents, there are things you should and should not say that can make it a bit easier:

For example:

- Don’t say: “How can you not remember that!?”
Say instead: “See this sticker? Dad, if the car isn’t inspected before the end of the month, we could have problems.” Place a few post-it notes on the dashboard, fridge and bathroom mirror. Add a smiley face to keep the tone light. And if you still think your parents might forget, make the appointment and then call your dad that morning to remind him.

- Don’t say: “You could do that if you really tried.”
Say instead: “Let me watch and see where you’re having trouble so we can figure out how this can get done together.” Or if you live out of town: “Ask (So-and-so) for help.” Seniors, like everyone else, want to maintain their independence. But if a project is truly beyond their capabilities and they either don’t know anyone who could help (or won’t ask), you might want to try to find someone who can lend a hand.

- Don’t say: “I just showed you how to use the remote control yesterday.”
Instead say: “The blue button on top turns the TV on and there’s one set of arrows for changing the channel and another for the volume. I’ll show you again.” Better yet — ask your parents’ cable or satellite provider to recommend a senior-friendly remote control with a simple design, or purchase one at a local electronics store. Or if they’re okay following instructions, you could write or print out step-by-step directions in large, legible type and leave it near the remote.

- Don’t say: “What does that have to do with what we’re talking about?”
Say instead: “I was telling you about the game last night. It’s okay if you want to chat about something else.” If the subject is important to you, try to bring the conversation back on track without pointing a finger at your dad. And to avoid suppressing genuine anger or sadness, gently explain why the conversation was important to you. Another option: Say nothing and just listen.

- Don’t say: “You already told me that.”
Say instead: “No kidding? And don’t tell me that the next thing you did was . . . .” Yes, you can make a joke out of it — but only if your parents won’t feel hurt. Best-case scenario: Your mom or dad will feel amused and relaxed enough to join in.

Cocktail Drink Recipes for National Sibling Day

Today is National Sibling Day and it's time to sit down and relax with a delicious cocktail with all of your brothers and sisters. Celebrate your siblings with delicious cocktails from zero-calorie Sparkling Ice.

Whether you're two peas in a pod or polar opposites, siblings all still have the common bond of family, so we have created two cocktails with very different flavors made from the same base of Sparkling Ice Pomegranate Blueberry.

Innocent One Cocktail Drink Recipe

3 oz of Prosecco
1.5 oz of orange juice
1.5 oz Sparkling Ice Pomegranate Blueberry
Mint leaves (garnish)

Combine all into champagne flute. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.

Rough Around the Edges Cocktail Drink Recipe

1.5 oz of rye whiskey
0.5 oz of lemon juice
6 oz Sparkling Ice Pomegranate Blueberry
Dash of Angostura bitters
Lemon (garnish)

Add bitters, rye whiskey, and lemon juice to shaker. Add ice. Shake and strain into Collins glass with ice. Add Sparkling Ice Pomegranate Blueberry. Garnish with lemon twist. Serve immediately.

Disclaimer: You must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

A Cowgirl's Story: Movie and DVD Release

Bailee Madison, Pat Boone and Chloe Lukasiak Star in the Inspirational Story for the Entire Family A COWGIRL'S STORY will be available on DVD & Digital April 18th, 2017. Here's additional information about the upcoming movie and DVD release.

A dynamic young cast, led by Bailee Madison (Just Go With It), Chloe Lukasiak (Center Stage: On Pointe), YouTube star Aidan Alexander and Froy Gutierrez (“One Day at a Time”), highlight the family dramedy A COWGIRL’S STORY, debuting on DVD and digital April 18 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film follows Dusty Rhodes (Madison) who goes to live with her grandfather (iconic singer Pat Boone) while her military parents are serving in Afghanistan. When she starts an equestrian club at her new school in an effort to support the troops, she unites the community like never before. A COWGIRL’S STORY also stars James C. Victor (12 Years a Slave), Kai Thomas Schulz (When Life Gives You Lemons), Elise Robertson (American Sniper) and Robert W. Arbogast (The Prestige).

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Dusty Rhodes (Bailee Madison) goes to live with her grandfather (Pat Boone) because both of her Army parents are fighting in the Afghanistan war. Dusty attends a new high school where she makes friends with a group that includes Savanah (Chloe Lukasiak), a girl whose father also served in the Army. Dusty convinces her new friends into forming an equestrian drill team that allows them to perform at rodeos and parades.

Dusty's world is turned upside down by the war when her mother’s helicopter is shot down in action and she goes missing. To cope with her fear and helplessness, Dusty enlists the help of her grandfather and friends to put on a special riding performance for her parents and all of the soldiers fighting overseas. The entire town turns out in support of the event, and it becomes an unforgettable experience for everyone.

Written and directed by Timothy Armstrong (Cowgirls 'n Angels), A COWGIRL’S STORY is produced by Bailee Madison, Carlos De Mattos and Marcos De Mattos. Timothy Armstrong, Celeste Armstrong, Derrick Strickland, Starla Christian, Paul Crouch Jr. and Ralph McCloud serve as executive producers.

A COWGIRL’S STORY has a run time of approximately 98 minutes and is rated PG for thematic elements.

SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.

The Young Pope: Starring Jude Law

THE YOUNG POPE stars Jude Law and Diane Keaton. It's available for Digital Download April 10th, 2017 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD June 6th, 2017. Here's some additional information about the upcoming movie and DVD release.

Starring two-time Academy Award® nominee Jude Law and Academy Award® winner Diane Keaton, the “superb” (Rolling Stone) HBO® limited series The Young Pope is yours to own on Digital Download April 10, 2017 and on Blu-RayTM and DVD June 6th, 2017. The series, which delves in to the life of a newly elected pope (Law) – the youngest in history and first-ever American – whose audacity, independence and arch-conservatism wreaks havoc within the Vatican. Heralded by critics as “dazzling, riveting” (TV Guide), The Young Pope on Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital Download includes all ten episodes of the limited series and three special features including an exclusive new “The Making of The Young Pope” featurette. The Blu-rayTM and DVD release also include a free Digital Download copy.

​​From Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film, Paolo Sorrentino, the ten-episode limited series The Young Pope tells the fictional story of Lenny Belardo, a.k.a. Pius XIII, the first-ever American Pope and the youngest elected by the College of Cardinals. At first glance, Lenny's selection over older and more experienced clerics – in particular Cardinal Spencer, a fellow American and Lenny's mentor – seems part of a simple media strategy by Vatican elders, who no doubt expect the new Pope to toe the line and follow their lead. Instead, Pius XIII eschews the counsel of the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Voiello, and enlists the woman who raised him, Sister Mary, to be his chief confidante. To the chagrin of Voiello and the PR reps who would market the handsome and charming young Pope, Lenny refuses to allow himself to be photographed, and he announces a series of severe, hardline initiatives that confound the Vatican status quo. The Young Pope paints a portrait of a mysterious, complicated man fully aware of the contradictions and consequences of being the conservative leader of a billion followers in a changing world – but unwilling to bend in the execution of his duties.

The ensemble cast includes Jude Law (Lenny Belardo), Diane Keaton (Sister Mary), Scott Shepherd (Cardinal Dussolier), James Cromwell (Cardinal Spencer), Ludivine Sagnier (Esther), Silvio Orlando (Cardinal Voiello), Cécile De France (Sofia), Javier Cámara (Monsignor Bernardo Alonso Gutierrez), Toni Bertorelli (Cardinal Caltanissetta), and more. All 10 episodes are directed and edited by Paolo Sorrentino, co-writer and director of The Great Beauty and winner of an Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 2014.

*** Information was provided by HBO Home Entertainment.

St. Patrick's Day Party Cocktail Recipes

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Time to get your Irish - theme party rolling with this fun assortment of Shamrock-inspired cocktail recipes! All of these cocktail recipes are super easy-to-make, take seconds to prepare and are courtesy of our friends over at Sparkling ICE.

Irish Appletini Recipe

1 ounce vodka
1 1/2 ounces Sour Apple Pucker
1 1/2 ounces Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple
2 cups of ice
Apple wedges for garnish (optional)

Fill a martini shaker with ice. Pour in the vodka, sour apple pucker and juice into shaker. Stir ingredients and then garnish with an apple wedge. Serve the beverage immediately.

Sparkling Lemon Lime Margarita Recipe

3 oz Lemon Lime Sparkling Ice
1 ½ oz Tequila
Splash of fresh squeezed orange
Fresh squeezed lime

Shake and pour into a chilled rocks glass rimmed in salt. Garnish with a lime slice. Serve immediately.

Serving Tip: Chill your beverage glasses for at least one hour before whipping up and serving your cocktails in them.

Delicious Mixed Berry Crisp Recipe

National Pi Day is on March 14th, 2017. How will you be celebrating? This day in history celebrates the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, 3.14 – but what better way to celebrate an ironic-named holiday than to share in a yummy pie recipe, too! This recipe is a delicious (and healthy!) pie recipe from Viki’s Granola that is a PERFECT way to ring in Pi Day – or any day for that matter!

This recipe is courtesy of Viki’s Granola.

Viki's Granola Mixed Berry Crisp Recipe

Topping Ingredients:

• ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (packed) light brown sugar
• 1 cup Viki's blueberry almond granola
• 1 stick unsalted butter

Filling Ingredients:

• 4 cups frozen mixed berries (don't thaw)
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Lightly butter oven safe ceramic bowl.
• Place topping ingredients into a bowl, working the butter into the granola mixture. Once complete, set aside.
• Place filling ingredients into a large bowl and mix thoroughly.
• Pour the berry mixture into the buttered ceramic bowl.
• Pour granola mixture evenly on top of the berries.
• Bake for 40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit juices are bubbling.
• Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Low Calorie Cocktail Drink Recipes

What's more relaxing than an evening with the Oscars and a drink in hand? A guilt-free way to enjoy those cocktails! Cozy up in front of the TV on Feb. 26th, 2017 with a low-calorie cocktail inspired by some of the Oscar nominees. Take a look at our themed recipes below.

Low Calorie Cocktail Drink Recipes

La La Lemon-berry Drop

Introducing your new favorite cocktail, the La La Lemon-Berry Drop! Start with 3 muddled raspberries at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice, 1 oz of vodka and 4 oz of Cascade Ice Lemonade. Swirl the mixture around and strain into a sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lemon slice or a couple raspberries if desired!

Octavia's Orangesicle Float

This simple, kid-friendly drink is sure to be a crowd pleaser! In a tall glass, put two scoops of your favorite vanilla ice cream. Next, pour Cascade Ice Orange Mango over the ice cream until the glass if full. Garnish with an orange slice if desired and serve with a spoon and a straw!

The Mathmaticians Moonshine

This bourbon berry cocktail will get an Oscar in your heart. Start with 3 muddle blackberries in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and then combine 1 oz of Bourbon, 6 oz of Huckleberry Blackberry Cascade Ice into the shaker. Squeeze one lemon slice into the mixture and then give it a nice stir. Strain the blackberry goodness into a sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with blackberries and a mint leaf and enjoy!

** These recipes are courtesy of Cascade ICE. You must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.

Bell Pepper Tomato Juice Recipe

February is American Heart Month and it's a great time to talk about juicing for a healthy heart. Luckily for me and my family, we love homemade juice and whip up some type of juicy concoction several times every week. Sometimes we use all veggies, sometimes all fruit or we'll toss in a combination of them to come up with something delicious.

The American Heart Association recommends eating 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Juicing is an EASY way to meet this daily recommendation with delicious fresh squeezed concoctions. Like most people, I don't get enough servings of them every day, so one way we can all get more is to start juicing.

HUROM, global market leader for premium slow juicers with patented slow squeeze technology, has a delicious recipe to help you reach the daily recommended value! What an interesting combination of ingredients.

Bell Pepper Tomato Juice Recipe

1/2 cup of bell pepper
1 1/4 cup of cherry tomatoes
1/2 cups of orange
1/2 cups of carrot

Wash carrot and cut into appropriate sizes. Peel orange before cutting. Wash bell peppers thoroughly and cut in half. Remove seeds and prepare by slicing into appropriate sizes. Prepare cherry tomatoes by washing thoroughly. Put lever on "close." Alternate the order of ingredient insertion.

Disclosure: Recipe Credit: HUROM

Tips For Your Reading

If you've ever wanted to get an idea as to what might happen in your future, then a free psychic reading might be the answer. This is a reading done by someone who uses cards and other tools to look at most of the major aspects of your life, such as romance, your career and your health. There are a few things that the psychic can look at with the tools that are used to see if there could be changes for the better or worse in the coming weeks and months.

Before you go for the reading, you need to prepare yourself mentally. Think about some of the questions that you want to ask the psychic. These questions should be more open-ended instead of those that require a simple yes or no as the psychic can't really elaborate. Find a quiet place to clear away any negative thoughts from the mind before you go to your appointment. When you meet with the reader, you want to be as relaxed as possible. This will be a time of questioning and anxiety for many, but if you are able to relax, then you will better be able to listen to what the reader is saying and ask further questions that can sometimes reveal more about your life.

Keep the energy flowing while at the reading. If there isn't any energy, then the reader won't have anything to grasp from, which means that the reading can easily go cold. The reader will likely be doing most of the talking, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be asking questions and making comments. Don't give anything away because this could mean that the reader is relying on you for answers instead of getting answers from the cards and other tools that are used. Don't set your mind up for disappointment. Not everything you hear might be positive, but it will be details that you need to accept in order to move on in life. At times, the answers you get might give you a chance to change some of the aspects of your life, such as a career move or your finances.

PJ Masks - Preschooler's Favorite Heroes on DVD

Pre-Schoolers' Favorite Nighttime Heroes Are Set to Save the Day! Young fans and families can bring home PJ Masks for the first time ever on DVD – February 7th, 2017. New title features six action-packed episodes, super new music video and bonus set of stickers!

Fans of Entertainment One’s (eOne) hit pre-school superhero show PJ Masks, can join Catboy, Owlette and Gekko on their heroic missions as they go into the night to save the day when the first ever PJ Masks DVD, “Let’s Go PJ Masks & Other Adventures,” soars into retail, February 7th!

In the new release, it’s up to Catboy, the real parade leader, to save the day from Night Ninja, but he doesn’t think he can lead the Ninjalinos without his drum. Plus, when Luna Girl turns a sleepwalking Cameron into her very own human puppet it’s up to the PJ Masks to save the day…but Gekko has to stop messing around first.

Following the pre-school phenomenon’s incredible success with toys, apparel, games, books and more, the hit series is now available to own on DVD!

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film, a News Corporation company. Representing over 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions as well as all third party distribution partners on DVD, Blu-ray™, Digital Copy, Digital HD™, and VOD (video-on-demand).