In tough financial times, we all start to trim the fat off our budgets. When the monetary trimming comes from your fitness life, be careful. Exercise helps relieve the stress that accompanies uncertain times. Pilates, a mind-body exercise, works as a great mental distraction while you're working out, but it can be expensive. That is why I was so excited when I found free workouts at Ultimate Pilates Workouts. The site offers much more in a tiered fee system, but their free workouts are 30 to 45 minutes long, informative, and challenging. You do have to register with their site, but opt for the free basic package to gain access to their video mat classes.

The site was create by twin sisters, both former Rockettes. Their studio Pilates on Fifth in NYC seems like a great place to work out, and with their videos you get mat class instruction that is certainly not over-produced. For more Pilates tips and in-depth explanations of Pilates exercises and concepts, check out their video podcasts.

To get a taste of the videos, just read more

The colors of Autumn might be lovely, but a few things about the season actually bring me down. I am talking about cold and flu season. If you're unlucky enough to have come down with some bug, you might be able to soothe some of your ailments with ingredients you have in your pantry. Prevention has listed some home remedies for common cold symptoms, and here are the highlights.

Soothe that sore throat: Mix six pressed garlic cloves with hot water, and gargle with this garlic tea twice a day, for three days. The warm liquid soothes inflamed tissues, while the garlic has antimicrobial properties that fight pain-causing bacteria.

Bring down a fever: Try drinking linden flower tea. It controls your body temperature by stimulating the hypothalamus, and also dilates your blood vessels and induces sweating. Pick up the dried herb at a health food store or herb shop. Steep one tablespoon of dried linden flower in a cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Stash makes a linden flower tea, too. Drink this tea three to four times a day. If your fever is over 102° F, take a tepid bath to cool off the body.

To see how you can dull your hacking cough with a few sweet things, just read more

Dear Fit,
I've always used dumbbells and weight machines for strength training exercises, but at the gym recently, I saw some people using kettlebells. Are they better than dumbbells and why should I use them? Should I switch completely?
— Confused about Kettlebells

This is such a great question. Both kettlebells and dumbbells are great tools for strength training, but they're used in different ways. To find out if one is better than the other, read more

Parsnips are more than just craggy looking albino carrots. They are tasty tubers that are worth learning to love, and I don't think you will have to work hard to love them. Nutritionally speaking, parnips are like a cross between carrots and potatoes. They have a lot less vitamin A than carrots, but more vitamin C and a bit more fiber. Parsnips are high in folic acid, which is important if you are planning on getting pregnant in the near future.

Tastewise, the parsnip is also a blend of carrots and potatoes. They are sweeter than carrots and bit starchier, too. I don't think I am the only one who would say that they taste like Fall. They are in the height of their season right now, making them a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal. Parsnips are great roasted in a medley of Winter veggies and make a nice addition to mashed potatoes.

You can also turn them into tasty curry oven fries, and see how, just read more