Archive for the ‘Winners’ Category

Thanks to everyone who entered to win a President's Choice gift card. Congratulations to Sarah who's won the $150 card. When asked what she would like to change about her diet, she said:

"If I could change anything about my diet, it would be to be more balanced and consistent. I have good days where I put a lot of effort into my meals and make sure I'm getting all my daily recommended values, and then days where I slack off and start a cycle of bad habits all over again."

I think this is a problem many of us face! Sticking to our healthy ways can be hard, but once we make it a habit and way of life, it'll get a easier and easier.

Talk soon!

My Four Best Fruits!

As I forge ahead in the Canadian Living 6-Week Slim Down, I'm discovering fruits (ie., goji berries) that I've seldom included in my diet - and rediscovering old favourites that haven't made an appearance in my kitchen in a long time.

Last week I enjoyed a mouthful of fresh blueberries and the taste brought me right back to late summer at the cottage when I was a teen. My mom would toss us kids a bunch of baskets, pile us into the car and off we'd go to pick our own. They're just as delicious all these years later. But why is it they rarely end up in my shopping cart - especially considering how good they are for you.

Fruits are essential to our health, our resident registered dietitian Cara Rosenbloom reminded me recently. They're bursting with all manner of vitamins, they fill you up and many fruits are incredible sources of antioxidants, which can beef up the immune system and help prevent disease.

Here are the four fruits I've been eating in the last month and why they're good for you:

Apple:
• This easy-to-pack fruit contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which may help lower the chance of developing diabetes and asthma. For maximum flavour, don't peel your apple.

Blueberry
• Blueberries are No. 1 in antioxidant activity compared to 60 other fresh fruits and vegetables. They may help lower the risk of developing Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
(Another advantage of buying blueberries: they freeze well.) Check out one of our Tested Til Perfect Blueberry Recipes.

Goji berry
• Goji berries are a nutrient powerhouse, containing six vitamins, 21 minerals and a host of antioxidants. Some health experts believe goji berries can help prevent diabetes.

Orange
• This citrus fruit is a good source of folate, an important vitamin for pregnant women (not that I'm too concerned about that at this stage of life) and it may lower triglyceride and blood cholesterol levels (the latter IS important to me!)

For the complete story on fruits and what they can do for your health, read Cara Rosenbloom's article The top 25 healthy fruits.

What fruits are you including in your 6-Week Slim Down?

I would like to congratulate the eight winners of my Summer's Here Contest. And what better way to celebrate its arrival than with a scoop of delicious Baskin Robins ice cream?

Here is what the winners say is their most favourite thing about summer:

Lee:
Summer is a wonderful time to work out in the vegetable gardens, and reap the rewards all summer long.

Gailoleary:
My favourite thing about summer is long walks on the beach, BBQs, sun and cold ice cream.

G sussman:
I love the renewed energy i feel from the sun and warmth.

Sandra p:
Being able to open the windows and get fresh air, and fragrant whiffs of summer blooms.

Philip P:
My favourite thing about summer is swimming!

Mommakoala:
What isn't there to love about summer? Longer days filled with sunshine and flowers. The aroma of bbq throughout the neighbourhood. Everyone comes out of their winter hibernation and congregate on porches and in yards. Everything comes back to life.

Celtic734:
Going to the beach for the day.

Halya:
Fresh berries and local produce!  Love the little road side stands while heading up north to the cottage!  Good things do grow in Ontario.

Congrats to everyone. Enjoy your ice cream.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about super cool health, nutrition and fitness apps and also ran a giveaway. I also asked folks how they motivate themselves to stay healthy for a chance to win one of five GelaSkins. Congrats to the five randomly selected winners below. I've also shared their tips for staying motivated, in case you need some ideas

1. From Mike:

I like to pick a goal like running a marathon or hiking to machu picchu that requires a sustained long term change to achieve. Then the sense of accomplishment is doubled you feel great and you have an unforgettable memory of your achievement.

2. From Cheryl:

I have a 20 month old son who I love to bits.  I really look forward to watching him grow up.  This motivates me to eat well and work out to keep myself healthy.  I also want to look great in my summer dresses and this motivates me too!

3. From Pat B:

I have a dog.....need I say more!?  He gets me out and about for long walks a few times a day, and loves lounging in the yard while I garden.  I have always enjoyed eating simply and with a large proportion of raw foods in my diet, so no problem there - and those are just the things tha pup of mine likes to be thrown as a treat (cantaloupe and banana pieces being his all-time favourites).

4. From Aleesha:

I love to garden! This helps me work for a healthy purpose and stock my fridge with yummy vegetables and herbs.

5. From Emma:

By keeping a small pair of jeans and making sure I can still get in them. Also by walking with my baby where ever we can.

Thanks to everyone who shared their great tips!

I ran a Heidi Swanson cookbook contest here a few weeks ago. Congrats to Adina and Melanie. In response to the question about their favourite healthy ingredients, our winners said:

"My favourite healthy ingredients are tomatoes. I can't wait until they are bursting from my garden again." - Adina

and

"I love tossing leafy greens into side dishes, soups, etc. Or even just sauteing a bunch of greens as a simple side dish - kale, spinach, even bok choy are great quickly sauted with a bit of olive oil and tamari." - Melanie

You both have won a copy of Heidi Swanson's new cookbook Super Natural Every Day. Please come back and let us know what you think of it.

Have a healthy weekend!

Congratulations to Rosita who has won a copy of fab book Prevent, Halt & Reverse Heart Disease: 109 Things You Can Do. I'm sure you'll find it most helpful.

This is how Rosita keeps her heart healthy: "I try to limit my sodium intake as well as engaging in physical activity 30 minutes daily. The most important thing for me, personally, is to have a lot of love- that's the most important thing for your heart! "

Thanks to everyone for the great advice!

Thanks to everyone for your fabulous comments.

Congrats to Cath! You've won a copy of the fabulous book Home Workout. Cathy said:

"I definitely need to lose weight because I am diabetic, and added weights just adds to my sugar levels. I take medication and this medication also makes me put on weight. I was going to the gym in the nicer weather and I was seeing some good results with my sugar levels being lower. Since it's gotten so cold, I find it really hard to go out in the eveninging to get to the gym. Because I am not working out I have put on a bit of weight, my sugar levels have also gone up and so I have to take more medication which makes me put on more weight. It's just a vicious circle. Having a routine I could do at home would be great. The book would really help out in this regard."

I hope this book will help you get fit and healthy.

Wow! So many of you entered into the Mott's healthy holiday giveaway. It's a shame I could only pick one winner because you all had such wonderful advice about staying healthy over the holidays.

Congratulations to Shirley P. You've won a Mott's Garden Cocktail Healthy Holiday Survival Kit, including a bunch of different kinds of Garden Cocktail, a $50 Loblaws gift certificate, fitness supplies, and what looks to be a very handsome basket.

Shirley P's says:

"I stay healthy by the old adage 'moderation in all things'."

Great advice (which I too often forget).

Thanks to all who entered!

That's right, chocolate is healthy. Shhh ... don't tell me otherwise or I'll be sad.

The other week I gave you a great last-minute gift idea, as well as tantalized your taste buds with a chance to win six Green & Black's dark chocolate bars.

Congrats to Cheryl who absolutely astounded me with her love for chocolate.

Cheryl said:
"I am so crazy for chocolate that many years ago when I worked at McDonalds and got a free burger on my breaks, I would open up the bun, stop at the ice cream sundae machine, and give the patty a good squirt of chocolate syrup! I've been a vegetarian for many years now and that sounds disgusting but back in my have chocolate with anything days, that was the only way to get my hamburger edible for me."

Now that's dedication, Cheryl.

I hope you enjoy your delicious chocolate bars!

Waaay back on August 25, I asked you to tell us about your favourite Health & Wellness Club workout and fitness video for a chance to win one of three mini-libraries featuring books from all nine of this year's Read for the Cure authors, including Ian Brown, Margaret Atwood, Linden MacIntyre and more. (For more information, visit readforthecure.ca.)

Congratulations to our winners, Jeanette R., Irene and Kara!

Jeanette R. says:
"I really got a lot out of viewing Boot Camp Workout - Week 2.  The "mountain climber" was just the challenge I needed, as I feel like my workouts have been feeling a little drab lately. This is an excellent video!"

Irene says:
"I love the Boot Camp Workout Video - Week 4 where Pam, the fitness instructor, teaches how we can increase our strength with simple equipment that is not too expensive. Simple exercises with dumb bells, which I already have, are very useful. I could do them even when watching TV."

Kara says:
My favourite video is the Boot Camp Workout - Week 5 video. I really like the wood chop move as it works your whole body and you can feel every one of your muscles working. The videos have definitely helped me tone my muscles and I have discovered many new moves, such as the wood chop, to vary my workout and keep me motivated!

Hey - have you checked out our fab, new Yoga 101 video yet?

Also! Did you know that we'll be running Sexy Boot Camp after the holidays? Starting January 3, it's time to shake those January blues and get your groove back with six weeks of free daily e-mails to inspire you to become your strongest, sexiest, most confident self in time for Valentine's Day.

You'll receive fun daily challenges and make-at-home menus for romantic Saturday night dinners. Plus you'll get great workout tips, style guides and advice for how to heat things up in the bedroom. Yeow! Sign up for the newsletter today!