Rock Climbing 101: Basic Gear
Do You Work Out Even When Really Sore?
I spent a good portion of my Sunday bouldering in the gym. Time flew by and before I knew it, I had spent about four hours climbing up and down bouldering walls. I felt OK that evening, but the next day I was unbelievably sore. I knew the soreness I was feeling wasn't anything to be alarmed about. Soreness is caused by microscopic tears in your muscle fibers — when your body rebuilds the Read more
Coming Soon to a Theater Near You: Reel Rock
I was lucky enough to hit the Reel Rock Film Tour — an annual showcase of the best new films about climbing — when it passed through San Francisco this weekend. Highlights of the festival include the world premiere of Progression and a preview of First Ascent, a new series for the Nat Geo Adventure Channel. Climber or not, the Reel Rock festival is a must see for adrenaline junkies, outdoor Read more
Definition: Crimping
Crimping is a type of hold used in rock climbing that relies only on the fingertips for support. It's characterized by the hyperextension of the first joint in the fingers and a contraction of the second joint. An easy way to picture this is to visualize your fingers bent at your first knuckle while grasping onto a small edge. As a rule, the technique is best used on holds that are no deeper than Read more
Boulder, CO: A Food Mecca in the Rockies
Recently, I found myself with the prospect of being in Boulder, CO, for a long weekend. It was an opportunity that I seized faster than a dog would take leftovers. Aside from being home to the University of Colorado's flagship college campus, Boulder's also known for its food-centric, health-focused, and highly educated population — last year, it was even named America's Foodiest Town by Bon Read more
Cracking the Symbolism of Easter Eggs
Whether you enjoy them hard-boiled, poached, fried, or deviled, eggs are a kitchen staple and delicious in any form. While breakfast has made the egg a culinary celebrity, it's Easter that has transformed the egg into a cultural icon. Springtime brings us eggs colorfully dyed or reincarnated in chocolate, but the Easter egg actually boasts a rich history, dating back thousands of years to Read more
Brian Atwood on Living With His BFF Melissa McCarthy, the Power of the Red Carpet, and What Makes a Woman Sexy
Brian Atwood's chic shoes have been spotted on a bevy of stars, like Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Trachtenberg, and, most recently, Jennifer Lawrence at the Hunger Games premiere, to name a few, so we're predicting that his gorgeous new handbag line, only available at Gilt.com, will garner an equally star-studded crowd. Last night, Gilt hosted a beautiful event at The Standard hotel in NYC to Read more
Reasons You Should Try Vinyasa Yoga
No wonder you're confused about which type of yoga to take — there are so many to choose from. Repetitive Ashtanga, insanely hot Bikram, and alignment-focused Iyengar are a few popular ones you've probably heard of, but Vinyasa is quickly becoming a popular choice. Here are some reasons why. The Element of Surprise Ashtanga and Bikram have one thing in common — the sequence of poses are the Read more
Get to Know the 2012 Finalists For America's Top Food Awards
America is home to more than 100,000 head chefs — and today, a select few of them will be given nods as finalists for the James Beard Awards, the industry's top honors. Among those who made the cut from the list of last month's semifinalists: David Chang, Tom Douglas, and Ina Garten. Winners will be announced on May 7 in an award ceremony at New York's Lincoln Center, to be hosted by none Read more
Which City Was Your Favorite Dining Destination This Year?
Hopefully, for you, 2011 was a year of eating well. It certainly was for me: I returned to Los Angeles after a hiatus to discover a burgeoning restaurant scene downtown and made my first visit to the town of Boulder, CO, where I discovered there was much more to devour than late-night college food. What American city, in your opinion, took the title of tastiest this year? Which City Was Read more
