ModernGear Health: Working out with Gwyneth and Madonna's trainer

I wrote about the Tracy Anderson exercise DVDs a while ago, and I ordered the mat one a few weeks ago, and am finally getting my lazy ass in gear to try it. Honestly, I might not even have done so if we didn't have a wedding to go to in Cancun at the beginning of April...
I keep seeing pictures of an amazingly fit Gwyneth Paltrow and frankly, I didn't know she had it in her. So, it's time to see how she's doing it.

And I am going to keep a blog diary through the process - in the pursuit of journalistic excellence, commitment to storytelling and...who am I kidding...a chance to rest once in a while.

Whew! Let's go.

10 minutes in

Just the warm-up kicked my ass. I am seriously out of shape.

I only got through the first leg sequence by calling Tracy a bitch a few times. Duane is licking my yoga mat - he has never seen this pink thing, and he's been with us for what - 8 months? Yuh.

Time for a drink of water, grabbing my 3-lb weights and I am back at it. An update next rest.

30 minutes in
Loved the standing abs section. Once I get into a good routine of sticking to workouts, I am an abs machine. I once had a four-pack but the elusive six-pack was not mine. I like what Tracy said about abs - something about having a nicely-shaped tummy but not necessarily having a six-pack. I like dreaming about results that I can actually achieve.

Also finished up the arms sequence. She switches up the movements quickly and you have to really follow along, but that will get easier with each subsequent workout with the DVD as I'll get to know the moves. I can see how this part of the workout can achieve results, as you are required to keep your arms up and moving for quite a while. I found this part really enjoyable.

It could be because I had about ten breaks though, because Duane didn't enjoy the sequence so much. He can't seem to figure out why my arms and legs have been flailing about, and has been acting out in frustration. He's bitten the couch, and there's a new hole in a rug my husband brought back from a trip to Afghanistan years ago.

With that and the fact that the next sequence needs three-pound weights and the drawer in my bedroom that they're in is stuck and I can't get it open (that's kind of ironic and funny - because clearly I need to get stronger), I think I'll end it here for today, and get up while hubby and the pooch are still sleeping. Less collateral damage this way.

The good part is I already have the shakes and am pretty sure this is a great workout. If I can stick to it, which frankly is always the issue, then I'm sure I'll see some great results. And since I am admitting my plans and sharing them here, now I'll just have to give updates so that ought to keep me going. That and the idea of getting myself into a swimsuit in April.

Stay tuned. And no, do not even ask to see before-and-after pictures. Not gonna happen!!

February 26

I had a grand notion of getting up at 5am the next morning to do the DVD again. But I forgot to ask hubby to help me with the stuck drawer where the weights are held, and my legs felt awfully tight...and come on, like I was getting out of bed at 5am!!

I decided to ride my bike to work instead - about 45 minutes and 4 miles worth of cardio to get there, with a slower-paced ride for 4 miles home. THAT was fun - I'll be supplementing the home workouts and swimming when it gets a bit warmer, with the biking. I'm also going to start pilates after we move into our new place as well.

10:36am
So, on with today's workout. I still didn't get the weights, so I'll be doing the DVD up until that point. And hoping that Duane stays napping on the chair instead of eating it out of frustration and confusion as to why I'm flapping around.

10:48am
Thought: I love how Tracy says, "It should really start burning about now." Oh, I am a step ahead of you then because it started burning about three minutes ago. I'm an overachiever.

11:01am
Finished legs, am shaky but feel good. Number of rests: um...between 5 and 10. LESS than first time! And didn't call her names, just uttered, "Oh, Mother" one time. Onto standing abs, woot!

11:12am
I really do like this standing abs section! It's not easy, but it's not hard either. I can feel that it is working my abs, and I am not laying on the floor like a jerk, cranking my neck up. It would be hard to get these wrong. And there are some sexy moves in here. If this whole journalist thing doesn't work out, I could always get a job as a stripper.

11:37am
Finished the arms part without the weights. There's a whole other section with weights, for the arms! Oops. Half an arm workout is probably better than none, but still. Have to get that drawer unstuck. On to the mat.

12:01pm
Done! After the mat legs workout (really good, and hard, I am shaking), to my great shock, there was a floor abs session! So there I was laying on the floor like a jerk, cranking my neck up. You really have to watch her closely as she'll switch it up without saying anything. Two rest breaks, not a bad section.

Et voila. A cool down, and I am hitting the showers!

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ModernGear Food: A healthy sweet treat

Working at home is wonderful - when you get a little peckish, you can make your way into the kitchen and nosh on whatever you can scrounge around and find. Hopefully that's something nutritious and delicious, but that's up to you when you're at the grocery store stocking up on supplies! The fact is, if you buy potato chips and Oreos, that might just be what you grab when your tummy starts to growl. I always try to keep this in mind when navigating the store aisles.

Now that I am transitioning from working at home all the time into working at an office half-time, I am having to put a lot more thought into how to pack my handbag for the day. If I don't grab at least an apple and a protein bar, I'm done for. There's a Pinkberry down the street and its siren song has lured me in a few times, and there's a cheap sub shop downstairs. But sometimes, and in fact, most times, all I need is just a little pick-me-up.

I recently found something special, that has been my mid-afternoon slump snack of choice lately: sweetriot's 100% cacao nibs.

They're billed as "'peaces' of intense yum, 1-2 calories per 'peace'". Each little nib is about half the size of a chocolate-covered raisin and has a crunch closer to a chocolate-covered espresso bean, without that caffeine kick.

I don't know if you're into dark chocolate, but I've developed a real taste for it, and it doesn't hurt that it's incredibly healthy and provides a powerful antioxidant punch as well. WebMD says so, Longevity.about.com says so, Dr. Weil says so. One thing they all say, though, is that like a lot of things that are healthy in moderation (red wine, olive oil, etc.) to limit your portion size.

If you have the sort of self-control where you can allow yourself a small taste of something and feel that it satisfies the craving, then sweetriot's cacao nibs are perfect. I carry a baggie of almonds with me, and pop a handful of nibs and almonds into my mouth for a few moments of pure bliss.

Here are some quick facts from their web site:
140 calories
12 - 14 carbs
11 - 12g fat
6 - 10g sugar
3 - 4g fiber
2g protein
0mg sodium
3 points WeightWatchers
And my own fact: 100% flavour!

My only caveat is that if you don't have much portion control, then you might eat the whole small canister in one go, and that wouldn't be so good. I'd say mine lasted about a week and a half...

You can choose between:
'flavor 50', which has 50% dark chocolate
'flavor 65', cacao nibs covered in 65% dark chocolate (these are the ones I chose, and they're YUH-MEEE!)
and 'flavor 70', lightly roasted cacao nibs, covered in 70% dark chocolate with a hint of espresso. Oh yeah, these are the ones I am going to try next time.
For a small 1 oz. (28g.) canister, they cost $3.99. I found mine at Whole Foods, but you can also order online (and in bulk, hello!) on their web site, and you can also find other bricks-and-mortar retail locations here. You can collect and re-use the artwork-covered tins, too, for breath mints, spare change, hairpins or anything else that would fit.

I love their other products like the unBAR, and I am definitely going to have to try their baking "peaces" for chocolate chip cookies.

I would also like to point out sweetriot's even sweeter side. The company's values leave an even better taste in my mouth than their chocolate, if that's possible:
*use premium, high-quality, and all-natural ingredients
*practice fair trade with developing countries
*celebrate culture and diversity through their products
*create sweet experiences for customers, partners and employees
*are young at heart, energetic, down-to-earth and contribute to the greater good
You can read even more about why the company itself is worthy of your support, here.

I'm such a fan I'd even wear their t-shirt and show my love of the dark chocolate nib and sweetriot, across my chest!


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ModernGear Women: Amusing or Offensive?

Bravo to the savvy entrepreneurs who are smart enough to capitalize upon Mother Nature and women's cycles. I mean really, if anyone creates a business other than tampons and pads around our monthly visitor, bully for you.

I love, for instance, these products, designed to help a girl out:

Vinnie's Tampon Case, $11.95
Vinnie's Giant Roller Coaster Period Chart & Journal Sticker Book, $18.84
Womens Hand Made Retro "Raving B" Personal Case, $24.99

Tres Femme Crystal Tampon Holder , $14.99
Tres Femme Girly Case pantiliner holder, $20.
But I must say, I am quite turned off by something I just caught wind of: the Period Bracelet.

At $10, its description is "interesting":
I dig the fact that a portion of proceeds goes towards cervical cancer research, but the rest of it more than borders on ridiculous - it is waaaay over into ridiculous territory, in my opinion. Like the selection of t-shirts:

"Let us know when you flow"? How about a big F*CK YOU! Is that letting you know enough?!


Let's take a closer look at this one

And, the rest are worse.

Listen, I can appreciate the fact that some women are right b*tches at that time of the month but don't I have enough to deal with than worry about how other people are coping with my period? For the love of God, there's no doubt in my mind that these products are the product of some brainchild who happens to have a penis but here's the thing about making fun of women when their monthly visitor is around: if men bled, there would have been a cure years ago. Guys - you can't handle this sh*t!!

Amusing or offensive, these products are ridiculous, and I cannot a) imagine a woman who would buy one, or b) recommend it.

I have a great sense of humour! But I also have some really terrible months where it feels like I have food poisoning, anemia, the flu, appendicitis, and have been hit by a Mac truck, all at the same time, for a few days. And to think I might be inconveniencing anyone with this "affliction" is just more than I can take.

I am well aware of the fact that any media coverage is good media coverage, so in essence I am supporting what they are doing. I'll just end with two words to the guy behind these products: good luck. (With your business, and any woman unlucky enough to end up with you!)
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ModernGear Monday: what wish I could be doing today

I always like to brag that I don't get sick, when everyone around me is coming down with the sniffles and sneezes. Well, I now have the first cold I can remember in a very long time. I guess only getting sick every few years is a good thing, but then the illness just seems to just gather up more power.

I have lost my sense of taste so there's no cooking for me today, but instead here's an inspiration board of how I would rather be spending my day (rather than what? Pretty much anything!)...click to open it larger.


1. Walk into my stunning Provence chateau meets modern industrial kitchen, and make myself a pot of healing, immune system-boosting tea with lemon, honey and cayenne pepper (and if I was planning to spend the day alone, a clove of garlic). Refill mug frequently.
2. Light a few scented taper candles in the Tove Adman concrete candlesticks.
3. Slip into a hot bath with eucalyptus and cedar oil, in the egg-shaped bathtub.
4. Wrap myself in an anatolian bath towel from toast.
5. Slather on some Pure Garden Flower Body Oil
6. Then slip into a Baresuit.
7. Rest easy in a Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman, to read a book.
8. I've really been enjoying one my hubby gave me for Christmas: Le Corbusier: A Life.
9. After a few chapters, retire to the bedroom. Get tucked in to the Sferra Grande Hotel sheets. 10. Lay my head down on a Branché silk pillowcase.

Then repeat as needed. Wouldn't those be lovely doctor's orders? Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to reality, and to work!
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ModernGear Women: A Secret weapon

So I've been poking my nose in round these parts, but not sticking around long because I got a promotion a week ago, from Managing Editor to Editor-in-Chief at a certain local magazine. The new increased work hours and responsibility have been wonderful, because it feels like a job that finally combines all of my interests, abilities and passions. But it has also been a bit stressful because I inherited a magazine that runs way close to deadline (oh heck, way past deadline), and makes everything high stress and worrisome.

So you know that new wardrobe I have been slowly building? I've had to take a few extraordinary measures to ensure it lasts through Santa Ana hot wind and stress-inducing perspiration!


First of all, it has been getting past 25 degrees Celsius here (80 degrees Fahrenheit). So much for my beautiful merino wool turtleneck! But I have such a hard time wearing a summer dress and sandals that I have worn that sweater, and sweated buckets in it.

And then there's the stress. I am not embarrassed to say that I sweat when I am nervous, or in a high pressure situation. So, I've been sweating.

I decided to take advantage of this stressful-sweat-inducing situation, and test out what I was told would be my secret weapon...Secret Clinical Strength.
I am not sure why it works so well, but it does. I follow the instructions and apply it at night,
and I have tried to apply it again in the morning, and then I have also tried it at night and then apply another deodorant in the morning. I can tell you that I smell fresh as a daisy, each time!

Tom is VERY excited about this fact!

Katie says, that's nice dear, keep it down.

I like the creamy consistency of the deodorant, not a clammy, sticky gel. And while I am concerned about the aluminum content, for preserving my relationship with colleagues and my nice work wardrobe, there is no doubt that this works.

I bought mine at Target but I did just find it cheaper online, of course. Secret Clinical Strength is available for $7.49 at Drugstore.com, or $15.35 for two at Amazon Secret Clinical Treatment (Pack of 2).

When I have to refill, I am going to order some from Amazon and then also get a few clothing protectors like I wrote about here, because sweaty underarms are the pits. With these two secret weapons, I think I stand a fighting chance!
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ModernGear Food: A protein bar that tastes like it should be bad for you

I'm not a gym buff, but used to be a little more active in that department. That was back when protein bars were chalky-tasting, so that goes to show how long ago that was! Since then (lo, all those years ago!), science or cooking or industry has made leaps and bounds of progress, and protein bars actually taste really, really good now. Like, so good you'd think they're bad.

Here are a few of my favourites - these come in handy when I need a snack to get me through til dinner when my tummy growls mid-afternoon, and these days with my new job, as a meal replacement when I don't have time for lunch (with a banana and an apple to round it out).

I really love the original Clif bar, and my favourite flavour has to be Banana Nut.
It just tastes like a baked goody that you'd make at home - bananas, chocolate chips and walnuts - say no more. Wait, I'll say this: only 6g of fat - and no saturated fats at all.

I also like the carrot cake flavour:
Clif's also makes Luna nutrition bars for women. The Berry Almond bar is delicious, it honors the Breast Cancer fund, and it is packed with organic berries in all their antioxidant goodness.
I think next I'd like to try the Chocolate Peppermint Stick one - kind of the healthier version of a York Peppermint Patty.
My new favourite bars are by Balance.

The almond brownie bars taste exactly like their name - you would think that this is a just slightly healthier version than the ones you make at home. 14 grams of protein, 6 grams of soy protein, 9 grams of fat, and 23 minerals and vitamins makes for a bar I can get behind!
I get mine at either Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, and when I was shopping at Von's a few nights ago, they didn't have this flavour so I decided to try Chocolate Peanut Butter. I didn't notice that this bar was part of the Balance Gold series, ooh la la!

I think the Balance 100 calorie bars would also be great to have in your bag in case of emergency - like when you have a craving for something sweet, your tummy is screaming "GIVE! ME! CHOCOLATE!", and you head towards the snack machine. Arm yourself for those moments with protein bars that are as good tasting as what you'd get from that vending machine or at the store.

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ModernGear Shoes: Saving your feet with a spare

This week I told you about going to the Women's Conference, and I wanted to share another observation: the wardrobe choices at these events is as interesting as the displays and speakers!

I learned that there are three types of women:
1. The woman who comes with comfort in mind and nothing else, in track pants and running shoes. (The Night At The Village was a full convention center of booths and samples, so you can imagine the hormone-fuelled craze!)
2. The woman who comes dressed for comfort AND style with business suits plus running shoes. 3. The woman who is dressed absolutely to the nines, complete with stilettos she cannot walk in (visibly, obviously, painfully). By the end of the night I just wanted to walk around with a big wheelbarrow and take these ones off their four-inch heels, and wheel them to their cars.

They would have been a lot better off by the end of the night if they had made their way over to the Spare Soles booth, I'll tell you that much. Their little spare pair-in-a-bag is for just such an occasion. Dressed up but feet ready to fall off? Stow those stilettos, and don a more reasonable pair of slipper-style shoes.

They're $25 and come packed in a little case to slip into your handbag.


There are a variety of colours available so that you can still coordinate with your outfit, but you'll look much better than that girl who is always walking around barefoot an hour after the dance starts at a wedding. No-one wants to be that girl.

Available at select stores and online at SpareSoles.com.
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ModernGear Health: energy drink without the jitters

Every now and then we need a little pick-me-up, and sometimes the energy kick requires more than a cup of coffee. But sometimes the kick is a little too hard, if you know what I mean.

A few years ago when I was working in morning television, I drank a can of Red Bull five minutes before going on air with a live update on a news story. I don't think I have ever talked so fast in my life, and I am not sure our viewers at home could keep up with me. That kind of energy from an energy drink is a little much. (To say nothing of the sugar content.)

Last night I discovered my new go-to energy drink at the Night At The Village, a marketplace that is a part of today's Women's Conference. When I was tired and dragging my butt around after a few hours of talking to people, Verve! came to my rescue.


Labeled "insanely healthy energy" and "a radically different dietary supplement", Verve! combines the powerful antioxidant mangosteen with aloe vera and green tea. It's impossible for me to describe taste (I've never been very good at that), but it's just yummy. It is definitely not as sugary as other energy drinks, but there is a wonderful flavor.

Verve! isn't available for purchase in stores, but you can order from pretty much anywhere in the world on their web site, and they'll deliver to you. $35USD for a 12-pack of Verve.

The company also has a liquid drink called Vemma that provides all of your vitamin needs for the day in just a few spoonfuls. I haven't tried it though, so I can't recommend it until I do!

I'm off to spend the day with Maria Shriver, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez and Bono at the Women's Conference...and to hang around the Verve! aisle in the hopes of stocking up!

I have been sipping a can as I have been writing

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ModernGear Women: Stop hoofing it!

If you were one of the intrepid few who allowed fish to nibble at your feet during this summer's fish pedicure craze (it's said to tickle and not hurt), consider yourself lucky to have had the experience...it seems that some states are disallowing the procedure due to hygiene and health concerns.

Dallas News reported yesterday that "The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation announced today that fish pedicures...are no longer permitted in the state. "

Oh, shoot. What are we going to do now? Foot care is incredibly important for overall health and we really shouldn't stop even when we put our sandals away for the fall and winter.

Well, times are tough so I suppose...do our own pedicures? Some of you are going..."gaaasp" (Kathryn, I'm talking to you!)... but don't freak out. There are a few products and tools that will make the process easier, quicker and more effective than ever before.

First up is the Ped Egg Pro Foot File.
I was definitely curious and mildly horrified when I first saw the product on an infomercial. You'll know what I mean if you've seen the same one. The Ped Egg is cupped in the hand while you rub the cheese grater-looking part over the worst dry and thick areas of your feet, and then you can dump out the "shavings" into the garbage can and have smooth heels. When the Ped Egg was emptied in the infomercial, you'd think the thing had done an entire football team for all of the powdery reside that poured out. Yech.

However, it's kind of true. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, either. Better there than on my feet, looking like a hoof.

Online reviews skew mostly in favour of the Ped Egg but some of the negative responses provide a cautionary lesson - test the product out first to see if the "shaving" will irritate your feet. Don't go crazy and scrape away half of your epidermis. Do it frequently but gently and moisturize afterwards. And, do this treatment maybe perched on the side of the bathrub with your feet inside the tub, or over a paper towel or garbage can. Depending on the condition of your feet when you start, it can get messy.
I do have one and love it, and find the results this little thing achieves to be practically miraculous.

has the Ped Egg for $9.99, and on Amazon you can find these prices:
Ped Egg $5.75
Ped Egg Callous Remover $6.99
Pink Ped Egg for Breast Cancer Research $9.99


Extra Large Ped Egg for Men $11.49
And sure, why not get your partners into foot care as well? After all, it's not exactly pleasant to rub up against their sandpaper-feeling tootsies when snuggling, is it?

I also love the Artemis Heel Smoother Optimum, available for $39.99 at Blissworld.com.
It's apparently available outside a doctor's office for the first time and works amazingly well. Replacement power tips are only $5.99, so this also seems like an inexpensive way to keep your feet smooth.
And once you've done so, Blissworld.com also has a great foot product to help keep them that way: bliss the tenderfoot.

It includes Softening Socks and Softening Sock Salve, and was $76 but is now $68. I wouldn't have wanted to wear these during the night while I slept, deep in the heat of summer - but now that it's cooler at night it would be quite lovely.

A pedicure can cost anywhere from $18-35 or more, but these home foot care products are reusable and with proper care, will last a long time. So here's to giving our hooves the boot, on the cheap.

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