healthy Archives - Rave & Review

Convert any surface to a standing desk with the Lift24 laptop stand from ErgotronHome

At certain times of the year {and especially during the holidays}, I feel like I’m chained to my computer. Whether it is a large amount of wedding pictures, family photo sittings, or it’s an especially busy blog month, my computer use can get out of control. And, since I’m active and on-the-go by nature, the idea of sitting at a desk or in a chair just about kills me. There are many days during the holidays that you will find me hunched over the kitchen island on my computer, so sick of sitting that I would rather stand and stoop down to see my computer.

It’s this reason that I’ve been searching for a standing desk for the past few years to give me options when I must be at the computer but just can’t sit any longer. The problem was that I wasn’t ready to fully commit to the standing desk, and I really needed a sit-to-stand desk that gave me options depending on my needs and my computer usage. Even better would be if the desk fit within my home’s décor so I didn’t end up with a huge eyesore that was only used a few times a year.

And, then I found Ergotron and my search was finally over.

Raising kids: beating body issues and focusing on health

By Leanne, editor and founder

Obesity is an epidemic these days. One look around the local park or school yard and it’s clear that it is affecting kids younger and younger these days. Every parent wants their kids to beat the odds and to not deal with weight issues at a young age, but there is a fine line you must walk so your child doesn’t develop body image issues.

So, what’s a parent to do? I first need to be as healthy as possible and maintain a healthy weight to set a good example. I need to model an active lifestyle that will encourage my children to get out and stay moving. And, finally, I need to not let them see me obsess about my weight… and especially not theirs.

There are some things on this list I feel like I’m doing a good job with, like discouraging laziness by limiting TV, tablets, and games that the kids zone out in front of. Instead we do lots of walking, biking, and we play lots of sports together. But, I also know there are some things on this list I do need to work on, and that is taking care of myself. Today my baby is already 7 months old {sniff, sniff}, and it’s time for both hubby and I to get back into the shape we were in before baby. We were talking the other day about making healthier food choices and staying active. We came to the decision that we need to do it now while the kids are young, and while we still feel young. But, we were careful not to say things like “diet” or “lose weight” around the kids. The focus is always health, not weight.

AT&T helps you get fit with the Jawbone UP24 activity tracker

Earlier this month we attended an event hosted by AT&T at David Barton Gym in Bellevue, WA. Along with Seattle area tech, parenting and lifestyle bloggers and reporters, we got to test the newest wearable technology from Jawbone during a workout with one of the gym’s fitness trainers.

As excited as we were for the event, I must admit we spent a crazy amount of time right here in the entrance to the gym with its gorgeous wood detailing.

Enjoy a hot lunch anywhere with Lava Lunch

I’ve become quite the expert lunch packer in the past 6 years. I have my method down to an exact science to make sure everyone always has a healthy lunch with all the food groups in it.

My planning starts on Sunday when I wash fruits and veggies, prep cheese and yogurt, and place each into reusable containers in the drawer of our fridge, as well as pre-portion items from the pantry for every day of the week. Then, on the morning of, I’ve got ice packs, a container in the fridge for each family member, and loads of insulated totes at the ready to make lunches only take a few seconds.

But, sometimes those lovingly packed lunches come back to me just exactly as I sent them because hubby or the kids was offered a hot lunch instead. Not that I blame them, there’s something really satisfying about a nice, hot lunch. If I’m being truly honest, I prefer hot over cold lunch any day of the week, especially during the winter.

In fact, I’ve even attempted to send hot lunch once or twice… and, unfortunately, haven’t succeeded yet. So, when I read about Lava Lunch, I was immediately excited about the idea of hot lunch on the go.

Melissa Zimberg, the owner of Lava Lunch, explained that in addition to just being nice on a cold and rainy day, hot foods are also more nutrient dense, have more flavonoids, and are easier to digest. She also described how hot food signals the satiated response sooner, so it also prevents overeating, which makes a lot of sense.

Lava Lunch makes sending a hot and hearty lunch possible without worry of spoiled food or cold and tasteless food. Instead of ice packs, Lave Lunch offers you something not available in other lunch bags – warmth. By combining proprietary insulation and Lava Rocks that provide additional heat, Lava Lunch bags can keep food warm for up to 6 hours, which allows you to pack all sorts of healthy and flavorful foods that were never possible until now.

Natural & Kid-Friendly Nail Polish from Piggy Paint

For Mother’s Day last year my husband surprised my daughter and I with a day at the salon to go get pedicures and manicures together. Since she was only 3 years old at the time, I called ahead and asked if there was a fume- and chemical-free place to bring her and then asked about … Read more

Stax Living 3-piece hard anodized 5-quart saute pan set

In honor of February being Heart Health Month, we’ve been making an effort to eat healthier and cook more at home. In addition to the savings of not eating out, I just feel better knowing what every single thing is that I’m eating, and have found it’s actually a lot of fun to find, create, … Read more

Simple and Delicious Homemade Bread with the Lekue Bread Maker {Recipe}

While I love cooking, I’ve never fancied myself a baker. Whenever I try baking, it typically comes from a box, and even then I usually somehow manage to ruin it. For this reason, the main things on my grocery list each week are from the bakery – wheat rolls, bagels, baguettes, etc. But, in an … Read more

Our ActiFry Holiday Party

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide – Day 8 Have you seen the ActiFry multicooker before? We were introduced to this PTPA winner a few months back and have been simply amazed at all the entrees, appetizers and desserts you can create with little or no effort. This amazing appliance is launching this week at Costco, so … Read more

Knock Out The Fat with George Foreman Healthy Cooking

I love our George Foreman Grill. Even in our very well stocked kitchen it is hands-down one of my most used kitchen appliances for quick and easy dinners. By now our Evolve Grill has seen many family meals and the grill plates have endured numerous cycles through the dishwasher, but it still performs just as great as the day it arrived almost a year ago. So, when given the opportunity to test out the newest contact grill from George Foreman that features a 72 square inch cooking surface with removable dishwasher-safe grill plates, I was giddy with excitement.

With the launch of their Knock Out the Fat campaign years ago that encourages people to cook healthier by nixing oil and grease, George Foreman Healthy Cooking has been on the forefront of fat-reduction cooking. It all has to do with their patented slope design that allows the fat to drip away into an easy to wash drip tray while your food is cooked to perfection, which means less fat ends up on your dinner table. Then they took healthy cooking even further by designing truly non-stick cooking surfaces that need no oil or butter added, another bonus to those watching their waistline.

Waterpik Ultra Water Flosser for a Healthier Smile

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 37 There are at least a few of you out there shaking your heads wondering how a water flosser made its way onto a gift guide. For all of you, I would like to submit the fact that both my husband and I have had a Waterpik Water Flosser on … Read more