In a recent post about how cheating on your workouts could mean you are cheating on your health, I used holding onto the handles while on a cardio machine as an example of cheating. One user didn't understand, so I wanted to clarify.

"I hold onto the elliptical handles . . . I mean, you have to move them. I'm a little confused by this."
— mtiger

Good point! And I think I can help you understand it better. To find out my answer, just read more

If you've been feeling extra tired lately, and skipping workouts due to your lethargy, then it's time to rethink your thinking.

Even though it seems a bit counterintuitive, exercise will not strip you of the little bit of energy you may have left in you. In fact, new research has found that sedentary people who seem to always be tired can increase their energy levels by 20 percent and decrease their fatigue by 65 percent just by engaging in regular, low intensity exercise. Even if you're not sedentary, exercise still increases your energy. Drag yourself off the couch and just do it; and use the mantra, "I will feel better when I am done," to keep going.

Source

I will admit that soy scares me a little. I know it's an inexpensive, cholesterol-free source of protein that can be enjoyed in so many ways from tofu, to soymilk, from edamame, to soy ice cream. I've also heard that eating too much soy has been linked to breast cancer. That's because soy contains phytoestrogens, a group of chemicals that mimic the hormone estrogen. Women need estrogen to regulate their menstrual cycles, have babies, and it's also involved with bone and heart health. Some experts are concerned that these phytoestrogens will stimulate the growth of estrogen-sensitive cancers since high exposures of estrogen over a woman's lifetime are linked with an increased risk for breast cancer. Others may argue that these plant-based estrogens may actually prevent breast cancer since they block the activity of the stronger human estrogen.

So what's a soy lover to do? To find out read more

It's harvest time and amazing produce is plentiful, especially zucchinis and pumpkins. Why not take advantage of these veggies with a little Autumn baking? Here's my recipe for Pumpkin Zucchini Muffins. They're a cinch to whip up and take half as long to bake as regular loaves. Plus the smaller portion size allows you to enjoy them without inhaling half a loaf in one sitting, which is always a plus in my book.

To see how I make these savory muffins read more