Rejuvenate For Summer : Part V: Roadtrips

Summer means vacations means road trips. Our bodies and boredom can take its toll on long hours in the car, so how can you keep healthy and happy behind the seatbelt?

 Body

Fuel up by bringing healthy snacks like grapes, nuts, berries, string cheese, yogurt - these will help you stay alert for the long distant driving. If you have a hard time sticking to healthy snacks, try portion control by preparing small bags of goodies before you go.

 Check out these sites for more ideas:

Snackin' Better On The Road

Healthy Car-Trip Snacks You Can Make Yourself 

Great Regional Foods Along Highways, Small Towns & City Neighborhoods

Keep your body from getting sore by stopping at regular intervals and getting out of the car. When you're stuck for long periods in the car, try some Stoplight Yoga:

Basics: Concentrate on your breathing and keep a good posture

Waiter Pose: Hold onto the steering wheel with one hand, and then raise your other hand and firmly press it flat against the roof of the car. Hold for a few seconds as you breathe. Release the pose, then take the hand back a little further. Press, breathe, and hold again. Keep taking the hand back a little at a time as you open up your arm pit and the side of your body.

Spinal Twists: Keeping your foot on the brake, sit up a little straighter and gently pull your abs in, then using leverage with your right hand in between the seats, reach across with your left hand to a comfortable place on the passenger seat and pull yourself into a gentle twist. Look over the right shoulder. Keep breathing and hold for 10 - 15 seconds, slowly release, check the stoplight and at the next signal, twist to the other side. 

...and a few sites for stretch ideas when you get out of the car

Men's Health

Woman's Day

Drive Time Yoga

Camping Road Trip

 

Mind

Those breaks are important, not just to stretch your body but to rejuvenate the mind. Get some fresh air, close your eyes for a bit and relax - you deserve it!

To keep you alert on the road, try some of these sites games, trivia and more...

Best Road Trip Apps

15 Road Trip Games For Adults

Music on the Road

Do you have tips for the road? Let us know via Facebook, Twitter or email!

Rejuvenate for Summer: Part II: Run Around

Last post's subject gave tips on venturing into the backyard and preparing your body for outdoor spring cleaning. If you're looking to getting past the garden and taking advantage of the paths around the neighborhood, running is the perfect way. The Twin Cities has been named as one of the best cities to run around in, thanks to the beautiful lakes and Mississippi river. Whether you're an avid runner or enjoy a brisk walk around the block, we've got a few pointers for you before you go...

There are a lot of ways to prepare yourself to avoid injury, key word is *stretching*.... A LOT

Great foods to help you fuel your runs (yum!):

Eggs - contains all the crucial amino acids your hard-working muscles need to promote recovery

Sweet Potatoes - have manganese and copper, minerals that help make healthy, functioning muscles 

Whole Grain Bread/Pasta - eat this over white bread/pasta to promote weight-loss and still get the carb-fuel in

Bananas - the potassium helps regulate blood pressure while the carbs give natural energy

 Low-Fat Yogurt - Calcium is crucial to building bone-mass!

Check out the link Running A Thousand Miles for more food advice

Minnesota's heat and humidity can quickly leave you parched. Don't forget to hydrate no matter how hard or easy the run is!

For motivation, get ready for one of these upcoming races:

5K Beer Run! every weekend until the end of June in Minneapolis

Heartbeat 5000 June 22nd in Minneapolis  

Midnight Sun Midnight Run June 28th along Lake Superior

Warrior Dash June 29th in Hastings 

Independence Day Races July 6th in Minneapolis

And many more options when you go to RunningintheUSA.com

Check out the Twin Cities Running Club for routes near you and The Running Room has a lot of great advice on training programs, races and getting the right gear.

Did you know that going barefoot is much more beneficial than jogging with traditional running shoes? Posture, balance improvement and less injury are very big factors to consider  for avid runners. For everyone out there who is anticipating the warmer weather as a sign to get out the running shoes and go for a good old fashioned jog, or just want an excuse to go barefoot, here's an infographic to show the growing trend of barefoot running @ Runningshoes.com
  

Do you have any running tips or marathons you'd like to promote? Shoot us an email: inquiries@greatbackrubs.com or a friendly Facebook message!

Eat (Your) Green(s)

During our busy lives many of us tend to choose the easier option when it's time for dinner and turn to fast food. 

It's not hard to forget how accomplished and happier cooking for ourselves, family and friends makes us feel. The cooking process is also therapeutic and helps to decrease stress. 

Even better when we've used local and quality organic ingredients - buying locally helps sustain our community and cuts down our carbon footprint.

10 Farmers' Market Shopping Tips

Localharvest.org invites you to find the best organic food grown closest to you. All you need to do is type in your city or zip code - Minnesota has countless farms and info on farmers' markets and the site is countrywide. 

Consider how hard the farmers have worked to bring you their produce - from picking their fresh, crisp apples to milking cows for cheese and milk. Help support them while having a more personable and enjoyable experience.

If you can't get to the farmers market, try a few of these tips to stay eco-friendly when at the grocery store:

• Bring your own reusable bags
• Buy in bulk to minimize the packaging
• Try to make your trips less to reduce your carbon footprint
• Look for products with recyclable packaging
• Free-range meat, smart seafood and shade-grown coffee are all things you should look out for on those products' labels
• If you have babies, consider buying washable, reusable diapers
• Even in the grocery store there is opportunity to buy local!

 

Learn about the effect your diet is having on the environment with the Eating Green Calculator. Also see how your food choices impact climate change.

Remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for weekly updates and let us know how you are being eco-friendly this month!