Although some folks consider couscous a whole grain, I just think of it as very small pasta. But the whole wheat version of this very small pasta is very tasty and a serving has seven grams of fiber. Not too shabby for tiny pasta.

Couscous is very versatile and I recently concocted a sweet side dish featuring dried fruit and the healthful sweet spices cardamom and cinnamon. The dish complements spicy main dishes and the leftovers are great for breakfast the next day. This couscous may be sweet, but there is no sugar added! The combination of dried fruit and nut increases the fiber content of this dish too, making it a truly healthful side dish.

To see the recipe, just read more

Why yes, Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is on one of my favorite songs for running mixes. I know it's old school, but it always reminds me of my wild youth and revs me up. Songs like this motivate me to move and help me enjoy the process of getting my heart rate up.

Want to know what else is on my fun running mix? Then read more

I'm all for promoting peace and positive energy, but this world's going to need a whole lot more than these H2Om water bottles. Fusing the chemical symbol for water, H2O, with the sound of the universe, "om," makes for a pretty catchy product name. And this is water with intention — not water infused with fruit juice, vitamins, electrolytes, or anything else you'd expect to pay extra for. And no, it won't help you with your yoga or meditation practice. H2Om is all about the idea that if a person thinks positive thoughts, then drinks this water that the vibrations of their thoughts will spread through the universe and make the world a better place. Hmm . . .

To hear more about this water read more

Finding the perfect pair of sneakers is no easy task. If you're like me, you have to try on a bazillion running shoes to find the pair that fits you like Cinderella's glass slipper.

So when you unearth those unbelievably made-for-you sneaks, just buy a second pair. That way you can run in the first pair, and when it's time to give them a rest, you'll have another perfect pair waiting for you. This is especially helpful if you're training for a big race. If you feel weird about having two of the exact same looking pairs, then buy the sneakers you love in two different colors, like these Nike Air Zoom Vomero+2 shoes. They'll seem new and different to your eyes, but your feet won't notice the difference.