Friday Favourites: Low Cost Advertising for Small Business

Friday Favourites are back and this week the focus is on building your business.

Whether you are a nutritionist with a home-practice or a chiropractor with your own clinic,
you need to do some form of advertising to attract clients.

Many advertising strategies don't come cheap, but does costly always equal more effective? Sometimes, but many small business just don't have a large advertising budget.

So, here are a few ideas on how to advertise on a shoestring:

A flyer that I used last year to advertise my bootcamp

45 Minute Workout: Cardio Blast

I miss running.  There, I said it.

As many of you know, I sprained my ankle just over a month ago. Although it is steadily getting better, I am being overly cautious as I don't want to put myself in a position where I might twist it again.

I am truly amazed how much I miss running given my love/hate relationship with it.  Hopefully, I will get into some physiotherapy soon and see what they suggest.  In the meantime, I will keep hitting the pool and walking my little heart out.

I could also do today's workout.

This calorie torcher requires very little equipment and space, is intense and guaranteed to make you feel like a million bucks when you are done.

As always,. check with your doc before you start any exercise program.

Healthy Cashew Raisin Granola Clusters

I almost didn't get a picture of these. They only lasted a few days in my house.

Passport to Prana: Body to Bliss Yoga

Last Sunday afternoon, I dusted of my Passport to Prana for a much needed yoga class.

My body has been feeling quite tight lately, so I wanted to do something gentle that involved a lot of stretching.  I decide on a 90 minute Meditation/Yin/Restorative class at Body to Bliss Yoga in Vaughan

5 Ways to Find Happiness Now

We are often so focused on diet and exercise, that we forget about the other factors that contribute to our overall well being.

I have talked about a few of them like how to get better sleep, reduce your stress and have more energy.  Today, I am going to talk a little bit about happiness.

Experiencing joy is so important to your health.  While we can't be happy all the time, taking a moment to reflect on what makes us feel content is good for the mind, body and spirit.  Here are a few tips on how to do it.

Source

Move of the Month: The Roll Up

I hope you had a great weekend and had a chance to get outside and enjoy the nice weather.
I tried out a new yoga class on Sunday (review later this week) and it was glorious.

I had every intention of getting this post up yesterday, but I wasn't feeling so hot so I took the day off. I am feeling much better today and very excited to share. :)

The Move of the Month for April is the pilates' Roll Up.

This exercise helps you to work on spinal articulation and it strengthens your abdominals.  The Roll Up is suitable for all levels, but check out the modifications below to increase or decrease the exercise difficulty.

As always, check with your doc before you begin any exercise program.

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Friday Favourites: Online Workouts

The blogosphere has become a fantastic resource for finding fun and creative ways to workout.  From pilates and yoga to tabata and interval training, there is certainly something for everything.

This week, I have rounded up a few great ones for you to try.  Just click, print and get moving!

As always, check with your doc before you start any exercise program.

Getting ready to burpee!  Learn how here.

 

Women's Fitness Q & A: Weight Loss Plateau and Knee Weakness

On Facebook and Twitter over the last few weeks, I asked you to ask me any questions you might have about women's health and fitness. Today, I am going to tackle a few of those questions in the next overdue installment of...

Q: Why when you are losing weight do you plateau? I have lost 10lbs and now I have been holding at the same weight for 2 weeks.  What can I do to break this? - Shannon

Lime Daiquiri Cupcakes with Whipped Strawberry Frosting

There are times for healthy makeovers and there are times for pure indulgence.  Today, it is time for the latter.

These cupcakes are one of the deadliest things to come out of my oven.

Friday Favourites: Easter Ideas

I am north bound shortly for three internet-free days of food, fun and frolic.

However, it is almost Easter and I could leave without sharing some of the fantastic holiday-themed ideas I have found over the last few weeks.

(Oh, and a sneak peak of my recipe coming to you next week. :)

30 Minute Workout: Super Set Circuit

I am going to be heading up north tomorrow to spend Easter at the cottage and will happily be baking cupcakes tonight to bring with me.  (Perhaps you will see a new recipe on the blog next week. ;)

It has been a while since we have been up to the cottage and I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend away.

Now, are you ready to sweat?

I am not going to lie, this workout is tough.  This good news is that you are going to be done in less than 30 minutes (depending on how many times you repeat the circuit)  You are going to love it.

As always, check with your Doc before you start any exercise program.

The Toronto Yoga Show 2012

It was Yoga Conference and Show time this past weekend and I please to report that it didn't disappoint. 

I didn't attend the conference sessions this year, but I did walk the trade show floor and came across some pretty cool finds from tasty treats...

Product Review: Under Armour Bra

I wear sports bras every day and when Under Armour contacted me to test drive their bra, I jumped at the chance to try something new.

It is very challenging to find a great fit, so the folks at Under Armour went right to the source and interviewed athletes to find out what they look for in a perfect sports bra.

The Under Armour bra features:

• Soft, removable cups for comfort.
• Mesh venting so you stay cool and dry.
• "Smart" UA fabric for moisture-wicking.
• Seam-free interior edges for anti-chafing.

It also comes is a variety of cup and closure sizes so you can find the one right for you.

So what did I think?

I loved:

• The material.  It was comfortable and definitely moisture-wicking.
• The thick straps. They provided lots of support and did not dig in.
• The seam-free interior.  The bra did not dig into my under arms like many of the bras I have tried.

I wished that:

• That the bra came in a higher band size.  Mine fit, but one size up would have been a bit better.
• The front of bra sat a little bit lower.

Overall, I really like the bra and would definitely recommend it.  Check out the Under Armour website for more information.


Do you have a favourite sports bra?

Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Disclosure:  I received these product for free to review, but the opinions are my own.