If you don’t have a life list, you should start one right now. It’s easy and fun–simply make a list of all the things that you want to do in your lifetime, both big and small, fun and serious. Or you could make it more specific like 30 Things to Do Before You’re 30. Maybe you want to swim in the Mediterranean sea, run a marathon, write a book, fall in love, see Madonna in concert or cut your carbon footprint in half. A life list is an active way to remind ourselves to keep dreaming and achieving. Without setting goals, we could float through life for years without ever trying anything new or feeling the thrill of doing something challenging or exciting.

While you could just keep track of your goals in a journal or a file on your computer, it’s more fun to have encouragement and support along the way. I just started recording a life list on 43 Things. It’s a simple site that asks you “What do you want to do with your life?” and in turn allows you to record up to 43 goals, compare with others on the site, cheer each other on and sign up to receive email reminders.

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I wrote a beauty piece for Sprig.com on LaLicious a yummy line of all-natural beauty products and now I’m a little obsessed. The tropical scents like Coconut Cream and Lily Mango are amazing and all the body oils, butters and sugar souffle scrubs are filled with natural ingredients like almond oil, vitamin E oil and pure sugar cane.

One of my favorite products from the line is the Coffee Bean Sugar Souffle Scrub. It smells enough like coffee to awaken your senses, but I promise you won’t feel like a cup of Joe is following you around all day long! The abrasiveness of pure sugar cane and 100% Arabica coffee beans exfoliate your skin gently. And studies show that coffee and caffeine have firming and tightening abilities–caffeine is found in lots of anti-cellulite products too. So after a tough morning workout, why not give it a try. It might make you feel extra toned…or at least extra pampered.

If you have bangs or short layers around your face you know that those little pieces can be a pain while you work out. A lot of times I wear a hat because I just can’t deal with hair in my face while I run. But for some activities like yoga or martial arts, a hat seems inappropriate or gets in the way. The alternative? A headband.

In the past I’ve had trouble finding a headband that’ll stay put because usually my hair isn’t thick enough to keep it in place. But I found the FeatherWeight Head Wrap from i|m Active does just the trick. The lightweight breathable fabric keeps all the hair out of my face and doesn’t slide around so I can focus on the om instead of the “oh no my hair keeps falling in my face.”

“One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.”

-Chinese Proverb

Last week I took a sculpt class and we did these silly (or so I thought) exercises where we were standing and bending side to side. The instructor warned us that we’d feel it the next day, but it didn’t really seem hard at the time. And oh boy did I feel it the next day. It was incredible! So this week, I introduce you to the “harder than it looks” Standing Side Crunch. You’ll feel this one in your obliques and glutes.

Start standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent pulling your navel in to your spine. Next, lift your right leg with your knee bent at 90 degrees and turned out to the side. Put your hands behind your head and bend your right elbow toward your right knee. Do 15 reps on each leg. Aim for 3 sets

Mark’s Daily Apple gives a lesson in plyometric training with ten tough moves to increase your fitness level fast.

Lifehack has a solution for all of you stop-start-aholics out there–develop a non-optional mindset and keep moving steadily toward your goals.

Fit Sugar reveals dirty little secrets about wheat buns, just in time for BBQ season.

Ecotality Life finds a cool way to turn a standard water bottle into a glowing solar LED lantern, perfect for camping.

60 in 3 encourages us to follow the 100 year rule when eating–would someone in the 19th century recognize what you’re putting in your mouth?

Planet Green looks at water quality and ways to drink up safely.

I’m ready for a new pair of running shoes and that fact fills me with both excitement and dread. I love having an excuse to treat myself to a new pair of shoes (it’s been six months), but always struggle to find a shoe that fits perfectly and feels great even after I get out of the store and into the gym. I did well with my last purchase–a pair of Brooks Radius R7s. I could stick with the same, but how fun is that?

So I decided to try the Running Shoe Finder from Runner’s World. It’s really cool! You input your gender, shoe size, preferred price range, favorite brands and shoe type and it produces a list of suggestions from the Runner’s World Shoe Lab. And if you don’t know what shoe type is best for you (i.e. cushioned, stability, etc.) there’s a separate tool for that too. Once you get your list, you can do a side-by-side comparison of up to four styles and print it to take along when you go shopping. While I still need to take them for a test run at the store, at least I’ve narrowed down the selection and have an opinion to consider other than the (not always so qualified) shoe salesman’s opinion.

It’s a dreary day here in New York and one of those days that makes it hard to wake up in the morning. So I decided to round up five quick energy boosters to help you get your day started. And you can use these tips along with coffee, because honestly I’m not giving up my a.m. cup anytime soon!

Let in the light: Don’t stay in the dark! When your alarm goes off, get out of bed and open your shades–the sun or natural light will give you energy.

Pump up the jams: Studies have shown that music can improve your mood and positive thinking so turn on your favorite tunes or try a Jiva Jam.

Drink water: While your pot of coffee is brewing, chug a glass of water. Dehydration saps your energy so if you wanna wake up, you’ve gotta drink up.

Indulge in an energizing shower: Use a body wash with an invigorating scent like Organics by Noah’s Naturals Rosemary Mint Body Wash.

Get down and give me 20: LifeHacker shares a quick push up routine from personal trainer Dan Boyle that’s supposed to wake up your body and in turn your mind.