Lifestyle

For a lot of us stretching just isn't a priority. And,  I get that. If you're a gym person then you probably want to get in, get sweaty and get out. If you take fitness classes then you may have noticed that a lot of instructors skip stretching all together. (Some don't believe it's necessary, some expect that you'll do it on your own). In the fitness community stretching has become somewhat of a controversial subject. When I was studying for my Personal Training & Sports Medicine certification I realized that opinions of Fitness Experts are all over the board. So, I've made an effort to study and research the whole stretching she-bang for the past few years. Here's what I've learned - stretching is key - especially for those of us who spend a good portion of the day sitting. However, old school stretching before exercise is not of paramount importance and doesn't necessarily improve athletic importance. Personally I love my weekly yoga class as a way to work in stretching. But I'm an intermittent yogi and when I can't get to class I have to make an effort to carve out stretch time; Or, I feel it. I recently realized the hard way just how bad my body needs that stretch (and I'm not even a "desk worker" most days!) when I woke up feeling like a 90 year-old lady lacking full range of motion in my neck and complaining of creaky joints after a week without stretch time. If you aren't a regular stretcher I urge you to add even just 5-10 minutes into your routine two or three times a week. Do it first thing in the am pre-shower, as a mid-workday break or right before bed - just get it in and your bod will thank you. Click through for 6 reasons you need to stretch.

I have a confession to make. Deep breath. Here it goes. When I was a small kid,  I used to trap insects in a bug catcher. Then, I read James and the Giant Peach.  James and the Giant Peach is an adventure about a young boy who crosses the Atlantic with his best friends, who just so happen to have many legs and an exoskeleton. My days as a bugnapper were officially over. This experience taught me how important books are in shaping the values of children. However, I’m not the only one who can benefit from the lessons of my transformation. What literature can you use to introduce environmental lessons for your kids? Find out the 6 best children’s books to raise young environmentalists, after the jump!

Friends, a momentous event occurred this past weekend. I'm not talking about the Olympics. Or Broad Street Run bibs announced. I'm talkin' Grilled Cheese Party. A simple idea inspired by MNN, we temporarily escaped from this wintery, snowy with an impromptu grilled cheese party?

Hi. My name is Julie, and I'm addicted to Lithe Method. I've witnessed others try this workout since the first studio opened while I was living in Northern Liberties. Beth had her bout of Lithe Method addiction. But I didn't think it could happen to me. As a loyal PSC customer for over 6 years, I checked my attendance record in September. 10. times. total. (in 6 months.) My warmer months were spent running and biking, but I needed something new for the winter. I wanted to give the Pilates, Cheerleading and Ballet combination of Lithe Method a whirl. Find out more about my Lithe Method Trial & Review, after the jump.

The best part about the locavore movement sweeping up the nation, is that a farmers' market is often nearby. And it's great to try the local fare regardless of where you are. A recent trip to Missouri and Kansas (OK, over the summer...) lead me to the City Market in Kansas City.

The Decision. Buzzzzzzzz. Christmas Eve 2012, 7:30 AM. My dreams of sugarplums and eggnog were rudely interrupted when I awoke to a mouse slaughter from my electronic "rat zapper". Believe me, I love animals and believe in their rights. However, there is one exception to the rule: pests in my apartment. I can't compromise sanitation for coexistence. After a few 4 AM wakeup calls, culminating with a stare-down with a mouse in my kitchen, I knew I faced a miserable winter unless I did one thing: adopt a predator to solve this problem. Find out more and why you should adopt a shelter animal, after the jump.

All of this snow outside means people rush to treat their sidewalks and driveways. But don't run and buy the nearest rock salt available on your corner store. Common ice melt products and rock salt can become trapped in pets' paws, causing severe irritation and burns. Or, the animals will lick their paws in relief and ingest them, which is even worse and can lead to serious side effects. Even if you have an indoor animal, you'll track some salt in with your shoes in the cold weather. Find out more about choosing safe & pet-friendly ice melt, after the jump!

Get dressed up. Ball drops. Make a list of how to be more awesome in 2014. Did this sound like your December 31st evening? I've (almost) officially given up on New Years resolutions. To be totally honest, I don't know if I keep track of New Years resolutions after January 2nd. Instead, I've moved to throughout-the-year changes. I can even show a few examples to prove it:

Whether you are hosting a festive party over the holidays or offering to clean up after one you attended, there's always the dilemma of dishwasher vs. hand-washing dishes. So which is better for the Earth?