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Posts in the Wellness category

5 Superfruits You Must Incorporate Into Your Diet For Amazing Health

Superfoods are all the rage but have you heard of them? Superfruits are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but not all fruits fall under the superfruit category. Five superfruits you should introduce into your diet include goji berries, pomegranates, figs, acai berries and mangosteen. To gain optimal nutrients from each superfruit, it is best to consume it in its most natural, raw form- not processed or cooked. 

So what's all the hype around superfruits? We know they are healthy for us, but what are the benefits? Consumed on a regular basis, superfruits can help you live a longer, prevent disease and maintain a healthy weight- just to name a few!

 

Pomegranates contain punicalagin, a powerful antioxidant. It attaches itself to free flowing radicals within the body to neutralize them, otherwise free radicals cause damage to cells within the body. Pomegranates are also high in vitamin k, which has been shown to help prevent the hardening of arteries making pomegranates an important fruit for heart protection.

 

Figs are high in fiber, great for people trying to manage and even shed a few pounds. Consistent dietary fiber on a daily basis is important for overall health, especially gut health. Figs contain calcium, iron, and potassium. Minerals important for heart health, bone and blood health.

 

Acai Berries we’ve seen them everywhere, covered in dark chocolate, dried and acai-based smoothie bowls. While acai berries are healthy, they are best consumed in their raw, natural state to attain all the health benefits that include immune boosting, heart health, and natural energy. Due to the high antioxidant content in acai berries they have been hailed as one of the go-to fruits for beauty and skin health. If consumed on a regular basis the berries have been shown to improve ones complexion and give a radiant glow to the skin.

 

Mangosteen grows in Southeast Asia. Mangosteen is a superfruit many Westerners are not familiar with, at least not yet but they have nutrients we should all be searching for from fruit. Mangosteen contains high amounts of minerals like copper, magnesium and potassium. Important minerals help with the prevention of heart disease manage and control blood pressure. One cool fact about this fruit, they have been used in Eastern Medicine practices to treat everything from mental health to gastrointestinal issues.

 

Goji Berries native to China, these berries are packed with amino acids, fiber, iron, and polysaccharides. Research has shown consuming goji berries on a regular basis can boost energy and strengthen the immune system. Due to a high amount of vitamin c and complex carbohydrates, it doesn't give you a sugar crash post consumption.

Superfruits are great to consume when you have access to them, but it is equally important to eat well-balanced, organic meals three times a day. 

We want to know! Do you eat any of these superfruits on a regular basis? If so, comment below and tell us about your favorite superfruit!

By Ryan Wallace | | fitness success, goals, Healthy, Wellness | 0 comments | Read more

Vacationing Without Neglecting Your Fitness Routine

Hello Fitness Family! Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Kate and I am an employee at Collage Video. I am passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle; however, my body has had its struggles keeping up with the level of physical fitness it used to handle with ease. I’ve realized that it is far more difficult to get back on a fitness regimen after stopping, than it is to push through when you just don’t want to. I recently went away to Florida and I tried to implement a (reasonable) fitness plan that could work with - not against - my vacation. I am here to tell you some of my takeaways – the do’s and don’ts that I learned along with some tips so that you can plan for your vacation with the peace of mind knowing you aren’t giving up fun in the sun or your thighs and buns!  You’ll also find these takeaways & tips applicable to your everyday life!

Firstly, plan ahead! I took the time before my trip to plan out my vacation days and I highly recommend doing this. I made sure to know what days I was doing what, and plan both the amount of time spent on working out as well as which zones on my body I would be targeting, based on the activities of that day. For example – I spent a day at the beach and a day at an amusement park. I made sure to allow more time to do intense cardio on my beach days since most of those days were spent laying out relaxing. On the day we visited an amusement park, I knew I would be walking around all day – so I focused more on upper body exercises and stretching.

(Disclaimer: Not me..but I wish!)

I brought along a couple workout DVDs to play in the condo we rented (I am a Collage employee after all!).  However, I really wanted to take advantage of my surroundings, especially when we stayed at the beach. I normally watch my yoga or stretch videos in the morning, so I got up and performed some poses to the early morning sun on the beach. Admittedly, I only got to my DVDs once... but I found success using my phone and watching workout ideas on YouTube.  If you have a phone or tablet, they can be immensely useful for working out while away from home.

One of the things that I had to accept was that I would not be able to exercise the same amount of hours as I would on my normal schedule. If for no other reason, because I wanted to spend as much time relaxing on this vacation as possible, while still maintaining a certain level of physical activity to keep up with my routine. It’s all about a reasonable balance.  I also knew it wasn’t realistic to bring my dumbbells or weights with me, so I brought a resistance band and used it sporadically.  As a side note, you can utilize home objects to sub-in for exercise equipment too - like an (unopened) gallon of water to supplement a kettlebell (within reason!). Being resourceful can be fun when supplementing away-from-home versions of your workouts!

I certainly hope my tips help you plan a strategy to fit in your fitness activities with your vacation time!  Remember you can always make time to have fun, relax, and stay fit! You can do it all!

By Collage Video | | exercise, fitness, fitness tips, health, Healthy, tips, Wellness | 2 comments | Read more

Green Salad with Brown Butter Walnut Vinaigrette

This recipe was found on the Food Network, courtesy of Amy Thielen.
salad
Easy to Make     Only 15 Minutes Prep Time     Yields 8 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup walnut halves or pieces *Walnuts contain a lot of fat, and therefore, a lot of calories.  Although they have many health benefits, and have their place in a healthy diet, be cautious of your intake.
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil *Similarly to walnuts, olive oil is filled with healthy fat and is a high-caloric food. 
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for the salad
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 cups mixed garden greens
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
  • 2 ounces crumbled aged blue cheese *You can also try feta of goat cheese

Directions:

  • Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat and add the walnuts, butter, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Cook very gently, stirring often, until the walnuts turn golden brown and the garlic has cooked, about 10 minutes. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet to slow the cooking, and set aside.
  • When ready to serve, toss the greens with a little salt and pepper. Add the lemon juice and vinegar to the walnut mixture and spoon the nuts over the salad, adding as much of the dressing as needed to lightly coat the leaves. Add the blue cheese, and toss again.
Additional Resources:

Ingredients and Directions by Food Network.  Comments on Ingredients and Resources Found by Collage Video!

By Collage Video | | Healthy, Recipe, Wellness | 0 comments | Read more

Functional Fitness Tips & Motivations Now Posted!

Check out this week's Functional Fitness Motivational Moment!
Learn more Age Reversing & Weight Loss Tips every Thursday
here by Suzanne Andrews.

New “Fit Forever with Kathy” Blog Now Posted!

The latest blog from Kathy Smith is now posted!

You can read it HERE!!!

Thank you! 

By Collage Video | | goals, Healthy, Kathy Smith, practice, Weekly Blog, Wellness | 0 comments | Read more

Love Notes Blog by Jari Love Now Posted!

Love Notes Blog by Jari Love blog is now posted.

Find it HERE.

By Collage Video | | exercise, fitness, goals, Healthy, Jari Love, Motivation, Weekly Blog, Wellness | 0 comments | Read more

New “Fit Forever with Kathy” Blog Now Posted!

The latest blog from Kathy Smith is now posted!

You can find it at this link: Fit Forever with Kathy!

Thanks!

By Collage Video | | fitness, goals, Healthy, Kathy Smith, Motivation, tips, Weekly Blog, Wellness | 0 comments | Read more

Functional Fitness Tips & Motivations Now Posted!

Check out this week's Functional Fitness Motivational Moment!
Learn more Age Reversing & Weight Loss Tips every Thursday
here by Suzanne Andrews.

Women Over 40: Listen Up

by Suzanne Andrews

Six Unexpected Reasons Why You Should Strengthen Your Abs!

We all know that flat abs are attractive, but there are even more important (and surprising) reasons you need to blast belly fat and strengthen your core…

  1. To play sports and other awesome activities. With a strong core, you can be flexible and ready to take on activities such as putting the grandkids in and out of the car, (and to keep up with them!) Tennis anyone? You need a strong core so you don’t hurt yourself when you swing the racket. The same goes for golf. What about activities that involve balance? A strong core gives you better balance.
  1. To tackle housework. If you don’t have a magic genie to do the housework then you have to have a strong core to be able to make home repairs, to carry stuff, mop, vacuum and to make the many household chores and activities easier.
  1. To ward off a heart attack. A weak core is usually accompanied by belly fat. You need a strong core because belly fat puts you at high risk of having a heart attack. In a study of over 5,000 participants, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute found that the risk of heart failure was 34 percent higher for overweight individuals and 104 percent higher for people classified as "obese."
  1. To have good posture. You’re not getting any younger and poor posture will only make you look older and tired. Improve your posture by strengthening your abs and you will literally slash off years from your looks.
  1. To develop a healthy back. Back pains are often caused by weak abs. Since most back pain can be successfully treated with therapeutic exercises, when back pain strikes, rehab therapists, including myself, recommend a string of core-strengthening exercises. A study by researchers at Duke University suggests that not exercising is an especially effective way to put on belly fat. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, found that just eight months of inactivity increased visceral fat -- the potentially dangerous layer of belly fat -- by about 9 percent. On the bright side, people who exercised vigorously for eight months actually reduced their visceral fat by about 8 percent. You can get an amazingly strong core with chair exercises or standing exercises instead of engaging in floor crunches that can hurt your neck. 
  1. To enjoy good sex. When you get older it makes it tougher to enjoy sex and a strong core is your powerhouse and will help you enjoy better sex!

Start training now and live your life the way it was intended – a functional life filled with energy and abundant health.

Suzanne Andrews founded Functional Fitness in 2008, the most popular fitness series for boomers and seniors broadcasting on over 159 Public Television stations throughout the US and Canada.

Love Notes Blog by Jari Love Now Available!

Love Notes Blog by Jari Love is now posted.

Read it HERE.

By Collage Video | | exercise, fitness, goals, Jari Love, tips, Weekly Blog, Wellness | 0 comments | Read more
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