Are you looking for a new fitness program that incorporates exercise, healthy living and plant-based nutrition all into one? Then, you’re in luck thanks to Brendan Brazier and his new ZoN Thrive Fitness Program.

First, let me introduce the fabulous Brendan Brazier. At 37-years-old he has sky rocketed off the charts with his accomplishments. From being a vegan for 22 years to being a professional Ironman triathlete to launching the plant-based delivery system Thrive Foods Direct to his Vega sport performance system to publishing several books, Brazier can now add to his resume the launch of ZoN Thrive Fitness.

If you’ve been looking to change up your workout routine, ZoN is a great way to go. I spoke directly with Brazier who gave me some insight into the new fitness program. ZoN (pronounced Zone) is an exercise and nutrition program available for FREE online.

A little over a year ago, Brazier partnered with Big Game International, the world’s largest distributor of sporting goods in Chicago. They first wanted to create a line of fitness equipment and came up with this beneficial program.

“My motivation for it was they’re selling their equipment to places like Rite Aid, Sports Authority and Walmart and kinds of places like this [where] the shoppers are not really exposed to any good nutritional information ever,” Brazier said. “I figured it was a great opportunity to get plant-based nutrition in front of an audience that probably never even considered it.”

ZoN is an accessible program online that provides eBooks, downloadable workout and recipe videos and DVD’s. Through ZoN one can better his/her lifestyle by learning about how to enhance the quality of life, reducing risk of disease and boosting fitness.

Again, this is all for free and you can download a variety of information to better you life. For example, you can get three workout videos, a printable training log and 20 plant-based performance recipes.

If you’re worried the program might be too advanced; don’t be. Brazier assures it is scaled to everyone’s level. Through the videos, Brazier not only demonstrates routines, but also shows how to make a workout easier and harder.

“It’s really good general information for people. You know [to learn] about the relationship between health and fitness and how it impacts in really reducing the risk of disease and obviously obesity and all those types of things that so many people are struggling with these days,” Brazier explained.

“I’d love for the government to do something and have a program in place that gets this information out there and make it accessible to everyone [so] everyone knows what constitutes good nutrition and have access to a good, solid fitness program and nutrition programs.

“This was kind of our way of stepping in and doing something like that just to make it free and broad and spread it out to a great group using basically corporate money from a company that funded all this and put it together, because they have the same ambition I do to get this information out there,” he added.

You might be thinking “this sounds great, but I don’t have time.” Brazier explained the program was crafted for busy people. It’s for people who are constantly busy, but want the benefits of reducing disease, want to partake in activities, want to be toned and those who don’t want to get winded walking up the stairs.

ZoN was designed after Brazier’s book “Thrive Fitness” and his idea of high-return exercise. Basically, “you’re expending the least amount of time and effort to get the greatest fitness return back.”

“My big motivation for getting into this was more to do with the nutritional side. Like I say, a lot of these people who shop in stores where [BGI] is sold would probably not be exposed to the benefits of plant-based, so that was really important to me to just put that out there and have those resources available to people,” Brazier said.

He noted it’s not just for Whole Foods shoppers who are aware of the benefits of plant-based nutrition, but for others who are not-so-well-aware and somewhat oblivious.

“[My one goal is] to expose a broader group of people to the benefits of plant-based nutrition and exercise. I mean I think most people know of course that exercise is good. I don’t think that’s any secret, but making it accessible, making it easy and not having it as an elitist thing. Not making programs, DVD’s and well produced videos for only those who can afford it.”

Brazier also said, “Even if people don’t fully eat vegan or eat vegan at all, just helping people become aware of that it is an option and the overall benefits.”

Check out the video below for an introduction from Brazier himself. For more information, visit ZoN Thrive Fitness to educate yourself about the program and the benefits of incorporating a fitness and nutritional routine into your life.

Via ZoN Thrive Fitness

-Allyson Koerner

Photo Credit: Brendan Brazier, ZoN Thrive Fitness

When spring and summer roll around we get ancy to get outside and sunbathe, do yard work, play with the kids, go swimming or go hiking. One important factor you can’t forget about is applying sunscreen. It’s a must have product for warm weather, even if the sun isn’t shining. We need to protect our skin the best we can.

If you’re not sure what products are the best, definitely check out Skin Authority’s Age Defying Hydrating Sunscreen. Not only is it a SPF 30 water resistant, weightless moisturizer and a full-spectrum UV protector, this sunscreen contains no parabens, formaldehydes, dyes or added fragrances.

In addition to protecting your skin without all those unneeded ingredients, Skin Authority’s sunscreen was named a must have hiking product by the Discovery Channel, so you know it’s not misleading.

Another great quality is it contains a Dry Finish Technology that leaves the skin dry and not greasy. It’s also ideal under make-up, helps slows down aging, controls dark spots, hydrates flaky skin and most importantly protects against skin cancer development.

Skin Authority is one of the fastest growing skincare brands that develops its products with naturally effective ingredients and can be considered an organic, natural company. If you’re looking for other skincare products for body care, eye care, legs, lips and many others be sure to visit their website.

If you should remember anything when going outside this summer, it’s to apply sunscreen as needed!

-Allyson Koerner

Photo Credit: Skin Authority

April 12, 2012

Next Monday, April 16, the city of Boston will host the 116th Boston Marathon. The city comes to a standstill, except for those running, to make way for sports enthusiasts and spectators from far and wide. In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle through running, training and eating right, the event also supports the environment. Here are just a few ways the race contributes to our planet.

Communication
Before the race even begins, communication is highly needed to inform each racer about the actual marathon. Instead of sending a 32-page booklet to thousands of people, electronic communication is widely used, along with mailing two single-pages of information printed with eco-friendly ink on post-consumer paper.

Food and Water
Each year, the Boston Athletic Association hosts a pre-race dinner for about 12,500 participants. Diners eat off of compostable plates and use compostable silverware. When finished they are then asked to dispose of their waste at one of two recovery stations and sort it out themselves. If there are indeed leftovers, the waste is collected for recycling and composting. Poland Spring is the official supplier of water for the marathon and helps spread the message of recycling through its RECYCLE 4 Humanity program. Along the race course, the company also places large, clear bins to encourage marathoners to recycle their water bottles.

Transportation
When race day arrives, all runners are asked to arrive at Hopkinton for lineup. Rather than driving themselves, they are shipped via bus. Don’t worry it’s eco-friendly. Not only does it cut down on traffic and exhaust by not having people drive individual cars, but carbon offsets are purchased for the yellow schools buses. For race officials, media and photographers, they ride in hybrid or electric vehicles using natural gas.

Waste and Recycling
At any large event, waste is a huge factor. Well, at the Boston Marathon recycling bins and composting stations are placed at every location possible. Runners and spectators are encouraged to use the recycling stations as much as possible. When it comes to using a restroom, eco-friendly portable toilets are available. You can probably imagine the clean-up after the marathon. Cardboard, paper and plastic are collected and recycled.

Clothing
Before the runners head off on their 26.2 mile run, they take off layers of clothing in starting corrals. Clothing collection teams gather the discarded shirts, pants, jackets, etc. For those that can be washed and saved, they are then donated to charity. In addition, adidas creates the official Boston Marathon shirts out of soybean-based fabric and resource-efficient design.

For a race that shows off such a healthy sport and fit athletes, it’s great to see the event encourage people to protect and make our environment that much cleaner and safer.

-Allyson Koerner

Photo Credit: Boston Athletic Association

Gentlemen, whether your personal products inventory is smaller than that of your female friends or not, you too can make your personal care routine more eco-friendly. How? Read on to find out which products help.

There are a lot of products out there with labels reading “green,” “organic,” “all natural,” “chemical-free,” but which products live up to their labels? More importantly what do these labels mean? Here’s a list of some eco-friendly personal care lines and products that specialize in men’s products and might be exactly what you need.

1. Shaving

Synthetic fragrance, parabens, petroleum or mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), propolene glycol, triethanolamine (TEA) are the top chemicals you should avoid in shaving products for the damage they can cause the environment and your own health. Instead, look for products that contain natural oils, aloes, glycerin and various plant extracts to heal, invigorate and smooth skin after shaving.

Pacific Shaving Company, 2012 winner of Delicious Living Beauty and Body Award, features men’s products that are certified organic and recommended for a clean, eco-friendly and itch-free shave. Its 3 ounce all-natural shaving cream promises up to 100 shaves and for every Pacific Shaving Company product you buy, a tree will be planted in return! Aubrey, the first natural cosmetic company to have a complete product line certified by the National Products Association (NPA), is another company to look for when it comes to shaving sustainably. Its shaving cream is vegan and cruelty-free tested, and it smells great!

2. Scrubbing

Parabens, triclosan and BHA are some of the chemicals you don’t want your soaps to contain for environmental and personal health reasons. When looking for bar soap, natural ingredients that don’t contaminate water and air supplies are best.

Dr. Bronner’s is a decade-old soap company dedicated to sustainable scrubbing. Check out their bar soaps that are made of 100 percent vegetable oil. Their soaps can even double—or triple– as dish washers, laundry detergents and more. Burt’s Bees also features a line of men’s soaps made from plant oils and other extracts, turning out to be 99.7 percent natural.

3. Washing

An important thing to remember about body washes is that they usually require more plastic and water than bar soap—increasing their environmental impact. Still, there are body washes that are more eco-friendly than others.

Promising not to deliver rock hard abs or an irresistible aura upon using its products, Every Man Jack is one of the most popular lines of hygiene products for men that leaves out the harsh chemicals that pollute water, air and damage skin. Its body washes feature marine extracts and are free of parabens, phthalates and dyes. Ecosopia is another liquid soap company that is green for several reasons. In addition to having soap that are free of parabens, synthetic preservatives and sodium dodecyl sulfate , Ecosopia website says it donates 10 percent of its profits to rainforest conservation.

4. Smelling—Or Not

Buying green deodorant is an easy way to cut back on your environmental impact. Avoiding aerosol sprays is the first step you can take to deodorize sustainably. Though aerosol sprays may not emit chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) like they did in the past, they can contain hydrocarbons, compressed gases and emit volatile organic carbons (VOCs).

Terra Naturals offers vegan deodorants that use organic extracts and antioxidants without petroleum, aluminum and parabens. Unlike other personal product companies, Terra Naturals does not use any synthetic antibacterials and petroleum-derived ingredients—cutting off its link to these damaging chemicals completely by using food grade seaweed instead. Crystal stick deodorants are known for their all-natural compositions—being made of 100 percent natural salt minerals. Deodorants come in roll-on, spray, stick and toilette form, and some are made from tea leaves.

When shopping for soaps, shaving supplies and deodorants; be sure to read the labels and look out for the chemicals to avoid for environmental and personal health reasons. Researching is always the first step for going green, but these are some of the brands you can start with to clean and be green.

-Alivia Ashenfarb

Photo Credit: Flickr/Aveda Corp, Flickr/Katerha, Flickr/Famara Designs, Flickr/Robert Sharp, Flickr/Arlington County

Do you want to start off the spring season with a new look? Do you want to make it a “green” one? Take a look at which cosmetics can help brighten your look without casting an ugly light on the environment.

Considering all the chemicals that go into personal care products, it’s hard to keep both the environment and ourselves looking our best. Fortunately, the cosmetics industry has been making strides producing entire lines of products that are safer for the environment and our own health. Read more to find out what makes products today environmentally dangerous and which lines are green alternatives.

1. Bath and Body

Using vegetarian or castile soaps (vegetable oil-based) is one way to make your hygiene routine more eco-friendly. Stay clear of chemicals like triclosan and triclocarban that damage aquatic ecosystems. Organic soaps clean your body without dirtying the environment. Check out bath products from Dr. Bronner’s , a decade-old line company famous for its castile soaps that use only natural ingredients. Pangea Organics is another company dedicated to eco-friendly bath and body products. Producing an array of award-winning products, Pangea is not only known for its all-natural ingredient base, but it has been recognized for its environmentally-friendly packaging system by Delicious Living Magazine.

2. Nails

Many nail polish removers and nail polishes are loaded with chemicals like acetone, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, ethyl acetate and toluene that contaminate the air and water. Finding products that nix these chemicals is getting easier—as long as you read the labels.

The first company to offer non-toxic nail polish in the U.S. is Butter London. It hosts a line of toxic-free and waterless nail polishes as well as eco-friendly nail polish removers like “Powder Room” that are acetone free. RGB is another sustainable nail product company that makes its products in the U.S. Its nail polishes are free of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin and camphor and tend to be the nail polish of choice for many magazine covers!

3. Hair

Sodium laurel sulphate (SLS) and its relative sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are two chemicals responsible for the “foaming up” property in a lot of shampoos. As studies show, this “foaming up” action might have negative impacts on the environment—and our health. Aside from causing skin irritation and hormone imbalance, these chemicals also contribute to nitrate contamination in water, increasing the levels of nitrate beyond Federal standards.

Aveda is an international favorite among households and spas a like for hair, skin and other beauty essentials. Founded in 1978, Aveda uses ingredients strictly from plants and flowers and purchases its ingredients from farming communities. Burt’s Bees is also known for its eco-friendly hair problems and was named one of Elle magazine’s top five natural shampoos. Its hair products are sulphate, paraben, phthalate and petrochemical free and are not tested on animals.

4.Makeup

Petroleum by-products are among the top substances you should avoid when looking for environmentally friendly makeup. Paraffin or mineral oil, propylene glycol and ethylene are some of these chemicals.

Physician’s Formula Organic wear is the first organic makeup line certified by EcoCert, an organic certification organization. Its products contain 100 percent certified organic ingredients and are packaged in “environmentally conscious” wrapping that features 93 percent less plastic than traditional makeup products. Cargo Cosmetics is another company dedicated to sustainable makeup that features packaging made entirely of corn and makeup products that are free of parabens, phthalates and other chemicals.

After considering what goes into the beauty products you use, consider how these ingredients affect the environment. With a little research, you could give yourself and the environment a makeover no one will regret.

Also, be on the lookout for our piece on green, personal products for men.

-Alivia Ashenfarb

Photo Credit: Flickr/teammarche, Flickr/B.G.Oodwin, Flickr/Katie Brady, Flickr/milk a deal, Flickr/Nature’s Basin

From ancient India to contemporary Hollywood, Yoga has been an admired practice throughout history by people from all backgrounds, shapes and sizes. Learn why you should join the commotion with this relaxing, empowering and rejuvenating activity that will not only improve your flexibility, strength and endurance, but will also teach you the arts of relaxation.
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-Alexandra Gyarfas

Photo Credit: Flickr/lululemon athletica

With the arrival of spring around the corner, many of us are itching to get out of our sweaters and wool socks and into the refreshing warm air. Whether you’re looking into simple cardio or an intense full-body workout, below are some of the best ways to get outside and get your heart rate up.

For the adventurer
If you’re secretly a mountaineer trapped in an urban setting, don’t think you can’t have your cake and eat it too. REI’s Outdoor School offers a series of workshops and classes on Outdoor Fitness, Camping and more with equipment and transportation included. Challenge yourself with a course in outdoor climbing (http://www.metrorock.com/mcs). Chances are the wilderness is closer than you think!

For the solo
Trading in the treadmill for a solitary run by the river is probably a warm-weather standard for you, but try moving your other gym activities to a patch of grass in the sun as well. Practicing yoga outside might feel a little awkward at first, but the feel of such a meditative workout in the natural environment might soon becoming addicting. If you’re really looking for an escape, rent a Zipcar on a warm weekend day and choose a challenging hike somewhere you won’t run into anyone you know.

For the workout fiend
If you love the adrenaline you get from kickboxing but don’t want to miss out on the great weather, make sure your workout regimen remains just as stringent with an Ultimate Bootcamp program. These four-week courses are all held outdoors, so you get to enjoy all the sunshine you want without sacrificing your workout.

-Kelisha Menon

Photo Credit: Flickr/Mike Baird

The exciting sounds of salsa and merengue moved everyone present, literally. And so, a new dance-fitness movement was accidentally created. Alberto “Beto” Perez proceeded to trademark Zumba, and began the global expansion of his new project.

According to WebMD, Zumba workouts are charged with health and wellness benefits. As a cardiovascular workout, it served as calorie burner and increases aerobic threshold, endurance and bone density. Additionally, Zumba improves balance and muscle tone, reduced body fat, and lowers blood pressure.
An incredibly efficient stress reliever that gets you in shape while you simple dance like no one’s watching, Zumba has expanded significantly since 2001. With a global following in more than 125 countries, according to the program’s official website Zumba.com, Zumba’s globalization has led to the addition of new rhythms to the repertoire, including reggaeton and hip-hop.

The high-energy workout routine causes everyone who participates – over 12 million people – to let loose and shake their tail feathers to catchy tunes that are impossible to listen to and stand still. Classes typically last 45 minutes to an hour, and they are now available in over 11,000 locations around the globe. Participants can burn up to 1,000 calories in one session.

With the objective to let the music do the work while you just have fun, Zumba classes seem more like a dance party than an exercise session. Anyone who’s tried it however will admit that these thumping sessions provide a full cardiovascular and aerobic workout.

You don’t have to have dance moves to enjoy and benefit from this exercise. The movements may seem complicated, but they are actually very simple, repetitive and comprehensible once the music takes control. They are designed to guarantee fun and freedom in movement, rather than demanding close attention to complicated dance routines.

Zumba provides a much needed excuse to dance. It melts daily stresses away, provides a fun and effective way to get your daily dose of exercise, enables you to forget that it’s cold outside, and makes it nearly impossible to listen to the music without shaking your hips.

Via YouTube

-Alexandra Gyarfas

Photo Credit: Zumba Fitness, Flickr/Cimm

Maid Brigade’s Work/Life Balance Survey Explores How Women Cope with Life, Health, and Home

What women would want to do if they had spare time along with their attitudes and knowledge regarding creating a healthy home environment is the focus of a new survey targeting busy women. The survey is available through April 31 and all busy women and working mothers are encouraged to participate. All participants will be entered to win $1000 of house cleaning from the green-cleaning experts at Maid Brigade.

This is the third annual survey conducted by Maid Brigade, the nation’s leading green cleaning service company. It is part of the company’s goal to better understand the basic and profound needs of a multi-tasking demographic and to help women improve their quality of lives by eliminating some of the common barriers to well being. The survey findings and methodology will be available to the public in May.

More than 72 percent of women feel that they work a ‘second shift’ when it comes to balancing work and keeping a clean home, as found by Maid Brigade’s 2011 Work/Life Balance Survey. This year’s survey has an enhanced focus on how women cope with life, health, and home – along with what they would do with their spare time if they had a few minutes (or hours!) to themselves.

All busy women and working mothers are encouraged to partake in the online survey starting now through April 31 by visiting http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e5j0y3v2gxta97zt/start  

When it comes to personal products, hundreds are out there for women to choose, but what about men? We decided it was time to focus on personal items for our male counterparts and give them a shove in the right direction. These aren’t your ordinary hair gels, body washes and colognes, but devoted to the planet and veganism. Here are our top five vegan personal products for men. Enjoy!

1. Don’t Forget Your Vitamins, Minerals & Protein

Vitamins, minerals and protein do the body good, but some aren’t so healthy. On the other hand, Brendan Brazier’s Vega nutritional products are just what the body needs. Choose from shakes, optimizers, smoothies, infusions and many others to fulfill your body’s need. All products are 100 percent plant-based, all-natural and allergy free. They also come in berry, chocolate, vanilla and a variety of other flavors. This is a sure way to show your body what healthiness is all about.

2. Add a Little Splash of Cologne

Nothing is better than when a man smells good. Some hearts even go pitter-patter just with a whiff of men’s cologne, and you may just reel that special someone in if you start wearing vegan scents like Burt’s Bees Natural Skin Care Cologne for Men. Crafted from cypress, fir oils, citrus oils you will surely smell like a man. It even contains bergamot oil, which energizes the skin. Not only will you smell good, but animals will love you for purchasing a cruelty-free product.

3. Smooth Those Hair Kinks

If you’re having trouble styling your hair or you just don’t know what product to buy, no worries we’ve got it covered. Jack Black carries all types of men’s personal accessories like hair gel. The Body Building Hair Gel contains grapefruit, ginger, vitamins B5 and B6 and is not tested on animals! You can’t get much better than that. These all-natural ingredients provide health, luster and shine to your head of hair. Oh yeah, your hair will smell great too.

4. Never Forget to Apply Deodorant

Even though it’s nice to see men sweat, especially when they work out, they still need deodorant. With vegan ingredients and recyclable packing being at the base of Herban Cowboy, the company is truly committed to the environment. For deodorant, try the dusk scent that’s free of dyes, alcohol and aluminum. If that doesn’t persuade you, then maybe this will. Many TV shows and movies use Herban Cowboy like “Gossip Girl,” “Dancing With The Stars” and “Milk.”

5. Trim That Beard and Mustache

It’s nice to see men who take care of themselves and are well groomed. To help out those men who are confused on what beard and mustache trimmer to purchase, we’re here to guide you. Conair is recognized for its durable products, so we recommend the 13-Piece All-In-One Beard and Mustache Trimmer. Now, it can be hard to find vegan and organic razors, but the nice thing about Conair is they do not test on animals! This cordless, rechargeable trimmer will do wonders when it comes to shaping up your face.

Yes, hundreds of products are still out there, but hopefully this list gives you a push in the right direction in shopping for ecological and animal-friendly personal care items.

-Allyson Koerner

Photo Credit: Aveda Corporation, Vega, PETA, Jack Black, Herban Cowboy, Conair