Dare You To...

Ah, it's been a while since I did a formally organized challenge.  What better time than now, to get recharged and refreshed for spring?

The folks at Greatist.com are challenging YOU for month of April!  In the DIY Health Challenge, there are two goals, that you can fit into your life this month as you see fit:  (1) "cook one healthy meal per day", and (2) "complete 20 minutes of bodyweight exercises daily."  These target specific areas, but are broad enough that it's up to you how you fulfill them.

As a Greatist Ambasssador, I knew I had to accept this challenge.  For me, the cooking one healthy meal per day is pretty much down.  I already prepare most of my meals at home, so that won't take much change.  Twenty minutes of bodyweight exercises, though... At first, I'd thought that it'd be too much. I don't like to do strength-based workouts more than two or three times per week, but by switching up which muscles are working, I should be alr…

The dare says it all.


I, personally, have a lot of plastic containers.  Someday, when I become a "real person", I will get a beautiful set of glass food storage containers and life will be grand.  They will be matching and organized. They'll stack neatly, and I will be able to cook or microwave in them!

But for now... I've got plastic.


But is that ideal? Probably not, especially microwaving in them.   So if you're like me and use plastic storage containers, please be aware of the chemicals they leak into food, and how microwaving can make it worse.

First, let's just look at plastic.  This material's use in cooking and food preparation has been linked to: hormonal imbalance, various cancers, heart disease, and impaired brain development.

Even before microwaving, these containers can leech estrogenic chemicals in plastic products.  Research has found that more than 70% of common plastics released estrogenic compounds, and that number increased to 95% after …

Man, oh man, do I have some great reads for you!  I've just been collecting them and the list grows longer and longer...

Reminder: If you like Friday Features, you can always stay up to date with articles that I find worth sharing by following me on Twitter,because I'm always retweeting similar content!

There is a LOT of nutrition in the news these days, so today is going to be nutrition-heavy.  Maybe next week I'll shift gears to focus on fitness.

[But, before we begin, one fun fitness feature:] Remember last year's introduction to SlimKicker?  It's this awesome website that helps you tackle challenges you give yourself, to become a better you.  Sound familiar?  Anyway, they're hosting a huge giveaway, where you can win a Bowflex Home Gym, worth over $1000!  They tell us: "This home gym features more than 50 strength building exercises, with resistance ranging from 50 to 210 pounds. It's very convenient, and simple to use, with no cable exchanges neede…

One of my 2013 goals was to continue increasing my protein consumption to >90 grams per day.  Last year, I found that focusing on protein intake made my meals infinitely more satisfying, so I vowed to keep it up and take it to the next level.  Plus, there's the added benefits of consuming protein post-workout to help repair and build your muscles.  Because I've also been focusing on strength training and conditioning, protein has become that much more important.  I've been amping up my protein in the form of nutritious, real foods: wild fish, high-quality meat, and nature's perfect gift--eggs.

Many people use protein powders to bulk up meals or shakes after exercise. I have never been one of them. First, there was the period of time I wasn't really eating meat, so integrating whey or casein just didn't appeal.  This year, whey wasn't so scary anymore, but I simply wasn't in the habit and didn't really know why or where to start.

When Designer Whe…

(For my male audience, I apologize. This one's for the ladies!) 

This is a dare that, for too long, I avoided, denied its importance, neglected.  But finally, about a year ago, I came around and gave in and decided it was time to start cleaning my makeup brushes.



This is SO necessary!  It's really disgusting to think about how much old makeup is dried up in there.  Being lazy, I'd sooner have bought a new brush than deal with washing my own.  However, after some research and experimentation, I learned that it's really not that hard at all, just one of those inconveniences that seems like a bigger deal than it is.

The internet is a wonderful resource for "How To" anything.  Finding sites and videos was incredibly easy.  With so many options to choose from, I browsed a bit before choosing to follow this one, which shows several techniques:



But there are tons more, so you  can search for one that appeals to you!

I still remember after that first cleaning, seeing…