Plenty

Fit Sugar shares five reasons why watermelon is a wonderful summer treat.

BeThree asks, “Are You an Exercise Addict?” and offers solutions to break the pattern.

The Budget Ecoist found ways to be green on the go with tips to cut down on your summer vacation waste.

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It’s a workout that requires you to use every inch of your body and every single muscle from head to toe. This class will help you get stronger without lifting a single dumbell–it’s all about using your body. The class starts with a yoga session, though you’ll do dancing dogs in addition to your downward dogs and classic Vinyasa movements will be modified to the rolling wave. The moves get progressively more challenging as the class gears up for the martial arts set. The crocodile for example requires you to jump to a fighting stance from lying flat on the ground. The practice finishes with kicking, punching, blocking and so on in a martial arts series.

If you want to give it a try, search the site for an instructor near you or watch one of Shayne’s workout DVDs. I tried a couple of them and unlike some fitness videos that aren’t don’t even compare to taking an actual class, these were pretty challenging.

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But if you didn’t win, you’re not entirely out of luck! Click through to read more for a printable coupon that’ll save you $2 off any Skin Appetit product at Walgreens, Rite Aid, Longs or Duane Reade. Happy shopping!

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As these dancers put all of their passion out there on that stage, I always think about how there are times in our lives where we have to do the same thing. There are times when we have to prove ourselves and throw everything we have out on the table.  We have to dance our hearts out in a lot of different ways showing the world the best pieces of ourselves and letting our strengths shine. And when we’re put to the challenge, whether it’s opening up our heart to someone, nailing a presentation at work or finishing a race, we have to remember to dance for our life no matter what stage we’re performing on.

Here Twitch, a breaker, shows everyone exactly why he deserves to return to the stage as he gives 125% to his performance–let it inspire you the next time you need to give it your all.

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-Ayn Rand

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Organics by Noah’s Naturals Sea Salt Soak ($16.99): I poured a bunch of this organic blend of sea salt and lavender into a warm bath for a very spa-like pain relieving experience. The intoxicating scent of lavender relaxed my mind and the warm bath combined with the sea salt (which they say helps draw out the impurities from my skin) did offer some subtle soothing. Now whether or not it came from the warm bath water alone or the stuff I was soaking in, I don’t know, but either way I felt better when I stepped out and it was enjoyable.

Topical Anti-Pain By142 ($35): This cream is like a luxe version of Icy Hot. Menthol and camphor work instantly to relieve your pain, but then you’ll feel another sensation sneaking up on your muscle aches. Cehami, a plant-based ingredient first used by Australian Aboriginal people, has an anti-inflammatory power 3,000 times that of Aspirin–with that kind of reputation why bother popping pills! Supposedly the effect lasts up to 4 hours, but I get the most relief in the first hour.

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-Buddha

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Choosing your grilling weapon: Electric and gas grills are the greenest options (unless you can find a solar one). Even though propane is a non-renewable resource, charcoal and wood burning grills release more emissions into the air. If you’re partial to the flavor of charcoal, at least choose an eco-friendly charcoal to reduce the low-level smog and toxic chemicals traditional varieties create.

Cooking safely: Grilling meats can actually produce toxic carcinogenic chemicals in your food. There are two major problems–one is when fat and juice drip and burn, coming back to settle on your food in smoke later. So choose skinless and leaner cuts of beef and remove fat before cooking. The second problem is that carcinogens form when meat is cooked a high temperatures and they get even worse as you grill for long periods of time. One solution is too precook meat halfway in the oven so it’s only on the grill for a few minutes. Another is to marinate your meat. Aside from giving it good flavor, it can help prevent some of these toxins from forming too.

Make healthy choices: Consider organic meats and veggies. And I’m sure you know you should skip processed hot dogs and high-calorie cheese burgers and choose lighter options like fish, shrimp skewers or skinless chicken instead.

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You can upload your date to free Garmin Training Center software where you can keep track of workouts and calories burned, map routes you’ve run and design future workouts. You can also connect with other users online and even compete against other 405 users with the unit nearby. The watch is available with or without a heart monitor. If you workout indoors you can opt for a foot pod to track treadmill mileage (since GPS won’t work inside your gym) and if you’re a cyclist you can get a cadence sensor. I don’t think you’ll find a more fully-funtional fitness watch.

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