Macros 101: Everything You Need to Know about Macronutrients

Macronutrients are what are body needs the most of, so shouldn't we learn more about them? What are they? What do they do? Where can we get them from? Its important to learn more about our body's needs so we can take better care of it!

Health and Fitness New Years Resolutions

     The New Year is here! Welcome 2017 and all that you have to offer! I can't wait to see what this next year holds for me! The new year is a great time to get back on track and start being healthier. Even if you already have a healthy lifestyle, its still a good time to shake things up and get back on track!

 

Gift Guide for the Health Conscience

     Its Christmas time! Its the time for giving, being with friend and family, and enjoying all the season has to offer! We all love to give gifts to our  friends and family members and see their face light up when they open the gift, and of course we like receive gifts too!

      Knowing what to get someone as a gift can be pretty tricky, especially if they have some interests or hobbies you don't know alot about! In that case, it can be helpful to do some research or talk to someone who does know something and get some gift ideas from them! I love running, fitness and nutrition. Taking care of my body and helping others do the same is one of my hobbies. You might need to get a gift for someone who has the same or similar interests and if so, you've come to the right place!

Gift Guide for Your Health Conscience Friends

 

 

 

Fitness Accessories

 

      For someone who is really in to fitness, staying active and working, there is nothing better to receive than some cool new gear to use! Whether its a pretty water bottle, a cute headband, gym bag, ear buds, or even some new kettle bells, who ever you give them to, will love them! You can even customize it to whatever activity he/she is interested in!

     For runners, ear buds, arm belt for their phone, running ID or even a new running watch are great ideas!

     For those into weight lifting, some new weight gloves, fun workout shirts or a bluetooth speaker to blast their tunes might just be perfect!

    And for those who are just getting in to fitness, some kettle bells, light weights, yoga mat, or resistance bands are great! Whatever your fitness-buff friend or family member is in to, getting them a gift that fits their activity is always a good idea!

 

 

Reading Material

 

     If you are a health conscience person, or you know some one who is, you probably know that we are always reading up on the lastest health craze, workout trend or lifestyle. Even if we don't agree with them 100%, we still love to learn about them! Getting someone a magazine subscription to a health or fitness magazine is a great gift that they get to keep getting all year long! I am subscribed to VegNews and I love it!

     Also, books make wonderful gifts during the winter because there is nothing better than curling up next to the fire with a good book! There are hundreds of health, wellness and fitness books out there, so you are sure to find the perfect one to gift!

 

 

 

Classes

 

     Like I said, health conscience people love to learn how to be healthier, and while reading about it is great, taking a class can be alot of fun too! Taking a fitness class in somthing they've never tried, or something they already love is a great way to give your friend/family member a day to remember!

     Cooking classes are also another fun gift to give to someone who is careful about what they eat. Learning to cook healthier, better or in a differnt way can really help to inspire them to continue living their healthy lives!

     There are tons of differnt kinds of classes out there to choose from, so you will have no problem finding the perfect one! Even offering to taking the class with your friend or family member can make the experience even more special!

FOOD!

     You might be laughing now, but get in between a runner/cyclist/yogi... and their food and you won't be! :) We all love food, especially fitness and health conscience people, so giving it as a gift is never a bad idea!
    If a person has a specific diet or allergy, then getting them food that is suited to them is very thoughtful. Maybe they are gluten free but love a certain type of dessert, so you could make or buy them that dessert in a way that they could enjoy it. Or, like me, they are vegan, so you could gift them some delicious vegan food goodies!
     Food subscription boxes are another fun way to give food this season! They are offered in various catagories, such as vegan, gluten free or whole-foods, and usually can be customized. Having a box of food to look forward to every month is pretty exciting and I don't know one person who wouldn't love it!

Pamper Time

     If food, books or new fitness gear don't seem to fit your friend or family member, maybe they just need a little pamper time. Time just for themselves, to relax and chill. Giving someone a day of relaxations is always welcome, whether they are into health and fitness or not.

      A day at the spa, a nice massage or a trip to the nail salon might be just what a person needs. For those who are busy staying active, pampering themselves like this is probably something they do once every blue moon. Giving them a massage or spa session is a great way to make sure they get the pampering they deserve!
    If going to the spa doesn't sound right, having a relaxing day in might be better! Putting together a 'at home' pamper session might even be more fun! Fill a box or basket with lotions, bath bombs, teas, a cozy rob or pair of PJs or whatever would make your friend or family member feel pampered!

     Gift giving can be hard, but if you take time to learn about what a person likes, then you can give them a gift that they will not only love, but remember! Gving them a gift that is personal or specifc to their lifestyle is thoughtful and always well received!


     I hope this gift guide has been helpful to you and that you feel more confident in your gift giving this year! Please share this post and my blog with your friends and family members to spread more love for a healthy lifestyle this holiday season!

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Stay healthy, happy and laughing!
Happy Holidays!

-Hannah



5 Life Changing Podcasts

     A couple of weeks ago, I suddenly found myself with a running injury! I don't know how it happened, or even if it was related to running at all, but it was there and pretty painful. Dealing with an injury was the last thing I wanted to do! I had just started some speed-training to get faster times on short distances, and here I was with an injury! Of course, its not uncommon for runners to get injuries, I just didn't think it would happen to me so early in my running career. I saw a chiropractor and he was able to help some, but I soon realized I was just going to have to give it time to heal on its own. So, since I wouldn't run, and I still wanted to get some exercise, what was I to do? Thankfully, my Dad had set up an elliptical in our garage, so I began to use that for my workouts. It wasn't the same as running, but it kept me active and it was easy on my injured leg.

     So, what is my point in telling you all this? I am telling you this because it has lead me to discover something wonderful! Something I had heard about, but never saw myself getting into. Let me explain.... When I run, I usually find a something to watch like a cooking show, documentary or something like that. But, on the elliptical, to know where I was calorie and heart-rate wise, I needed to look at my phone screen, so I couldn't watch anything. I had to listen to something. Music worked sometimes, but I wanted something that would get my mind off the workout. And that lead me to......PODCASTS!

     Podcast are basically a recording of someone talking about something. Topics range from health and wellness to comedy and cooking shows. What ever interests you, you will find at least one podcast on it! They are easy to listen to, and for me, they were perfect for workouts!
Even though I have only been listening to podcasts for a few weeks, I have already found some favorites! I want to share those with you today!

#1 The Raw Food Podcast by The Rawtarian
Don't let the name fool you or turn you away! Yes, this is a podcast about veganism and raw foodism, but thats not all. What I love so much about this podcast is how motivational, inspirational and just pleasant it is to listen to. Not only are there episodes on veganism and raw foods, there are also episodes on basic health, nutrition information, and also some recipes too! Vegan or not, Raw Foodist or not, I encourge you to check this one out! The Rawtarian .

#2 The Running Lifestyle Show
So this one might not have been the best thing to get my mind off the fact that I couldn't run, but I love it anyways! The episodes are full of helpful information, motivation for all runners, both beginner and long-time runners! There are lots of interveiws with various differnt types of people from doctors, race directors, other runners, and a few others! If you are a runner or you are thinking about running, this is a must listen to podcast! And even if you don't run, its still a great podcast to listen to for health and wellness information and inspiration! The Running Lifestyle

#3 Food for Thought
This is another vegan podcast, but that doesn't mean nonvegans won't benefit from listening to it. It is full of tips and tricks on how to live a healthier and happier life! There are episodes with interveiws, tips and tricks, traveling, and so much more! The host is also very easy to listen to, and is in no way judgemental! This podcast is all about healty living, no matter how you want to do it! Food for Thought Podcast

#4 The Good Life Project
This podcast is so uplifting and inspirational! It is all about living a better, happier and more productive life! There are episodes full of helpful tips, inspriration stories, and just plain motivaton! If you are in need of some inspritaion or motivation, look no further! Where ever you are in life, this is a podcast you don't want to be with out! The Good Life Project.

#5 The Daily Boost
This  one is alot like the Good Life Project, becasue it is all about happiness, positivity, and life boosting! They are shorter episodes, so easier for those that don't have alot of time! Each episode is full of motivation and helpful tips to make your life happier, more productive, and just over all better! Every one has 10 or 15 minutes to listen to one of these episodes, and their life will be better for it! Daily Boost Podcast

So, those are just 5 of the thousands of podcasts out there for you to discover! I hope you check out the ones I have shared, but also find your own favorite podcasts! There are so many topics to choose from! From crafts, cooking and comedy to classes on anything, there is something for everyone!

I listen to podcasts through the Podcast app on my Iphone, but most podcasts will have a website with there episodes linked there as well!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post today! If you enjoyed it or found it helpful, please share it with your friends and family!

You can follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood, Tumblr @ justrunningonfood, and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunket.

I post every Friday!

Stay Healthy, Happy and Laughing!

H. Banana