There are few more relaxing activities than yoga and whether you practice it for fitness, mental clarity or physical therapy, you know the importance of being comfortable. Nike, the world’s leader in all things sport, has developed an entire line of products to help you achieve full range-of-motion in your poses.

Slip into the Nike Bliss Yoga Tank Top, an astonishingly comfortable and supportive tank with built-in bra. The Dri-FIT fabric will keep you dry and comfortable even during the adho mukha posture. Tap into your full freedom of movement with the racerback-style complemented by a contemporary screenprint front design and left-hem Swoosh logo. Your balance won’t be the only thing your instructor compliments you on.

Tie it together with the Nike Warrior II Open Hem Capri to get the full experience. These low-rise capris have a 26” leg opening to allow you maximum flexibility, even in the most difficult of postures. Zappos.com also offers a wide range of other yoga products to aid you in your quest toward inner-peace. Namaste!

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the healthiest thing you can do for your body, your heart included. Our bodies are not meant to ingest chemicals and other unnatural substances that are put on and in our fruits and vegetables each day. The best way to avoid this, and to get the freshest produce available, is to go straight to the farm and do it yourself! You'll be surprised how great it feels to be out there in the fields yourself, and it is can be a good workout for your heart as well. Without feeling like you're getting exercise, you'll work your upper and lower body, likely feeling the burn the next day!

If you live in an area where there are a lot of farms, you're lucky. You should pick a day with nice weather projected and head over to the farm on your bike or via walking. If you're not so lucky, and agricultural districts are a little further away, try to schedule a carpool with others so that you can minimize your carbon footprint. Always bring a picnic when you do "you-pick" (or pick your own), unless you plan on filling your stomach with the items you pick. This beautiful picnic basket is perfect for any outing, whether to the beach, to a farm, or just to a local park.

Remember that most farms will weigh everything you pick when you exit, so don't go overboard. Only pick what you can eat, or what you're willing to give away to friends. And also check the farm's website before heading out for a pick-your-own event. Because agriculture is so closely tied to the weather patterns, the time of year you go to the farm will dictate what produce you're likely to pick. If you go in early summer, there will be less variety available, but still probably some delicious strawberries. Later in the summer you'll get tomatoes, many different kinds of berries, and maybe even melons!

It seems no matter where you go in the country there is always a special store or market that carries the town's favorite corn. People can't wait until the first batch is brought in. They dream of the taste of fresh corn on the cob and with good reason. Not only does fresh corn taste amazing, but it can be served in so many different ways. In fact, fresh corn can be used in several recipes that are light, easy and perfect for spring.

Quick Fried Corn
Serves 4 to 6

10 ears of fresh corn
½ stick of butter substitute that is free of trans-fat
Sea salt, to taste
Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

1. Shuck the corn and cut the kernels off the cob.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter substitute and add the corn.
3. Cook for 10 minutes and season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve with grilled chicken or allow to cool and mix into a cold succotash salad.

Cold Succotash Salad
Serves 4 to 6

4 cups of corn, cooked or raw
1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed
1 small red onion, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
Sea salt, to taste
Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste

1. In a large bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients.
2. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil and seasonings.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and beans and allow to chill overnight.
4. Serve with grilled meat or fish.

If you're looking for way to enjoy corn in a light and easy snack, look no further than popcorn. You can purchase 100 packs of microwave popcorn and it doesn't get much easier than that. If you want to do a little bit of prep work, you can create a black bean and corn salsa using fresh corn, black beans, red onion, jalapeno and seasonings such as garlic powder, cilantro and cumin.

Candles are a must-have item for relaxation. They not only are easier on your eyes after a long day under harsh fluorescent bulbs, but they create a calming effect with their hypnotic flicker. If you are interested in building a candle collection, you will have several types to choose between.

Sizes of Candles

When buying candles, it is important to think about the size of candle you want to purchase. The size and shape of a candle will impact what type of holder is required and how long it will burn. Obviously larger candles will burn longer but will cost more, and smaller candles will be cheaper but will burn out faster.

Candles come in the following sizes and burn times:

- Tea lights - burns for between 8 and 10 hours 
- Votives - burns for between 10 and 15 hours 
- 8 oz. Jar - burns for 50-60 hours 
- 16 oz. Jar - burns for 70-80 hours 
- 26 oz. Jar - burns for 125-150 hours 
- 28 oz. Jar - burns for 130-150 hours 
- 3X3 inch Pillar - burns for 40-50 hours 
- 3X6 inch Pillar - burns for 70-80 hours 
- 6X6 inch Pillar - burns for 90-120 hours

Types of Candles

After selecting a candle size, your next step is to select the type of candle you want to use. The first type of candle is the unscented candle. This is a great option for people with sensitivities or allergies to perfumes and strong scents. The second type of candle is the scented candle. If you enjoy scented candles, it is a good idea to invest a little extra money in buying a quality scented candle so you get consistent scent release during the entire burning of your candle. Your third option is the organic candle. These candles are made with natural and organic materials.

Candle Safety Tips

When burning your candles, you need to be careful. They do use an open flame, so you will want to position your candle on a fireproof plate or in a fireproof container. Glass, ceramics and metal are all viable options. Once in its container, do not put your candle too close to walls or other combustible objects. Finally, keep lit candles out of the reach of pets and small children.

Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy brunch, but it doesn't have to be loaded with fat and calories like heavy pastries. There are ways to enjoy a spring brunch that are not only light and easy, but healthy, as well. The following recipes and snack ideas (for those too busy to sit down for brunch) are sure to please everyone in your home.

Veggie Lover's Frittata
Serves 6 to 8

½ cup of sliced mushrooms
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 red onion, chopped
Olive oil
1 cup of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 cups of baby spinach
12 eggs, beaten
1 cup of Parmesan cheese
Fresh cracked black pepper

1. In a large, ovenproof skillet, sauté the mushrooms, green pepper and onion in olive oil until tender, adding sea salt, if desired. Remove from the heat once cooked.
2. Add the spinach and tomatoes and stir to combine.
3. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheese and pepper.
4. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the skillet and place in a 350-degree oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the eggs are firm and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
5. Serve with a side salad.

Bottomless Parfaits
Serves 6

2 cups of chopped kiwi
2 cups of blackberries
2 cups of chopped strawberries
6 cups of fat-free, low-sugar vanilla yogurt
2 cups of organic granola

1. Mix the fruit together and layer it along with the yogurt in six large parfait glasses.
2. Top with granola and serve.

Tips:

Any type of fruit and yogurt can be used for this recipe.
These can be made the night before and topped with granola right before serving.

If you have family members that are always on the go, there are quick snacks they can grab on the way out. Healthy fruit bars made with all-natural ingredients are a good option and a nice change from plain fruit. If you're looking for a savory option, there are breakfast sandwiches in the freezer section that are quick to heat and are made with whole grains, egg whites and other healthy ingredients. 

For anyone who loves the idea of sitting on a boat in the middle of the bay with the sun shining and a cool breeze blowing, but also loves a good workout, dinghy sailing could be just for you. Surprisingly, dinghy sailing is quite a workout, which qualifies it as a heart healthy activity. Depending on the speed of the wind, dinghy sailing can be a very challenging exercise workout for people of all ages.

Preparing for dinghy sailing takes a bit of effort and planning. First of all, anyone going sailing must always wear a life jacket. In addition, if you're new to sailing, you may want to wear some old clothes, a swimsuit, or other water resistant gear. This is because dinghy sailboats do not have keels like larger sailboats, but merely have centerboards which are meant to keep the dinghy sturdy. Without an experienced skipper, or captain, you could easily be tossed into the water during a capsize!

If you're looking for a good workout, you'll want to head out on a day when the wind is on the heavier side. In order to keep the dinghy steady, you may need to use hiking straps. Hiking straps allow sailors, both crew and skippers, to leverage their bodies outside of the boat in order to keep the boat from tipping. It can be extremely tiresome on your back, abs, quads, and calves, but the benefit is great!

It's important to remember to always wear sunglasses and sunscreen when sailing -- this is because the water reflects the sun so you're more prone to getting sunburned. Protecting your eyes and your skin is essential! So bring along a great pair of sunglasses.

All in all, don't forget to relax on your sailing trip! Bring some cold beverages on the boat, and have fun even while you're getting great exercise.

Tea is relaxing and refreshing whether it is hot or cold. However, have you ever wondered who first thought of the various methods for brewing and serving tea? Well tea drinks have a long and colorful past that circumnavigates the globe.

Brewed Tea

Brewed tea, or hot tea, is suspected to have originated in China. There is documentation that proves that tea was brewed and consumed as a refreshing beverage prior to 4700 B.C. In fact, an early Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, is often credited with inventing hot tea. This discovery is fabled to have occurred when he noticed that tea leaves that had fallen into a pot of boiling water produced a liquid that smelled enticing and that tasted even better. Further evidence shows that the English word "tea" derives from the Amoy Chinese term te (tay), which also means tea. Also the Mandarin word for tea, cha, is most likely where chai (an Indian tea) derived.

Iced Tea

While brewed hot tea has a very long history, iced tea is a somewhat newer invention. In 19^th century America, tea punches were often served as a summer refreshment. These punches were made by mixing various liqueurs with cooled brewed tea. In 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair, Richard Blechynden introduced the world to what we now consider iced tea. Tea that is brewed, cooled and iced for a refreshing summer beverage.

The Tea Bag

Another advancement in tea development occurred in the early part of the 1900s when the tea bag was invented. Officially a patent for a fabric tea bag was filed in 1903, but it was not until 1904 to 1908 that tea bags were introduced to the public. This invention made tea vending a lot less expensive and brewing tea a lot more convenient. You now no longer needed to use a tea infuser or other metallic devices to steep tea, and you no longer needed to worry about tea leaves and other plant parts floating in your beverage.

Conclusion

Today tea is as popular as ever as a beverage. In the North, people drink tea that is more bitter, and in the South, it is served sweet. To accommodate the difference in regional taste buds, dozens of tea flavors are now available in mixes, in tea bags and in bulk.

Spring weather is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities. The temperature, bright sunshine and blooming flowers encourage families to enjoy a bit more time outdoors. This means you need meals and snacks that can be brought along and easily enjoyed without too much fuss. This week, let's look at a couple quick meal recipes and some easy suggestions for light snacks.

Salmon and Creamy Onion Pinwheels
Serves 4

4 large whole wheat tortillas
½ cup of fat-free onion flavored cream cheese
12 ounces of cooked salmon fillets or 2 cans of salmon with the skin and bones removed

1. Spread the whole wheat tortillas with 2 tablespoons of cream cheese.
2. Use forks to separate the salmon into bite-sized chunks and place on top of the cream cheese.
3. Fold the sides of the tortillas in and roll into a tight cylinder.
4. Wrap in aluminum foil and place in a large plastic storage container.
5. Store in an iced cooler until ready to serve.
6. Serve with baked potato chips or raw vegetables.

Mexican Chicken Pasta Salad
Serves 4

4 cups of cooked bowtie pasta
12 ounces of refrigerated grilled chicken strips
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon low-sodium taco seasoning

1. Mix the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.
2. In a smaller bowl, mix the olive oil with the taco seasoning until fully dissolved and mixed thoroughly.
3. Toss the dressing with the rest of the ingredients in the large bowl.
4. Separate into four plastic storage containers and refrigerate until the next day.
5. Keep in a cooler until ready to serve.

When enjoying the outdoors there are a number of easy snacks to bring along. Fresh fruit, trail mix, bottled juices and low-sodium beef jerky are just a few suggestions. You can also create easy snacks in your kitchen. For example, try spreading a whole wheat tortilla with peanut butter and then adding a banana and honey. It's a great way to get kids to eat a bit healthier.