He & She Eat Clean | Healthy Recipes & Workout Plans

Lifestyle,Workout Tips

Are Your Cleaning Products Really "Clean?" - Recipes to Help You Clean

Lifestyle, Most PopularWhitney Carlson37 Comments

It's hard to go from using your old cleaning products to new, natural ones! I found myself wanting to revert back to what I know works - bleach, formulated granite cleaners/polish, chemical-laden window and toilet cleaners, but alas! Here are my favorite "recipes" for disinfecting your home!

In case you want to copy and paste these recipes to a word doc, here they are in text format! 

All Purpose Cleaner

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Dusting Spray

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Place ingredients directly into toilet. Mix gently with bowl brush. Let sit at least 30 minutes before scrubbing. 

Granite Cleaner

Combine in a squirt bottle.

Glass Cleaner

Stir/shake to mix well. Use a squirt bottle for optimal usage.

Tub Cleanser

Place salt directly on grapefruit half. Scrub your tub!

Grout Cleaner

Mix in a small, open container. Using a toothbrush, apply paste to grout and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Rinse off.

Not sure what you need to get your Green "Clean" Cleaning Pantry stocked? Check out our shopping list from yesterday's post!

Do you have a favorite green cleaning recipe to share? 

Fit Finds :: At Home Workout Essentials

Workout TipsWhitney Carlson8 Comments

We often get questions from our readers asking us to help them create the home gym of their dreams or simply asking what the best equipment is for home use. Although it helps if you lack space, a gym is NOT a requirement to eating clean and building the body you always dreamed of having. NEITHER is spending a TON of money on equipment for your home gym. You can stock your gym using our recommendations for UNDER $300!!

Create a Home Gym Under $300

Here are our recommendations for must-haves to get the most out of your workout at home:

A Good Quality Height Changing "Step" - This is a triple-duty piece of equipment! Not only can you use it for toning your legs (think step-ups) but also for cardio and as a bench upper body workouts (just consider throwing a towel down or a yoga mat for added comfort)

A Workout Mat or Yoga Mat - This one is really up to you! If you feel like you will need a little extra cushion (say you are working out on hardwood floors vs carpet) then you may feel like a workout mat is right for you. If Yoga is your thing, a good quality yoga mat can do double duty for you (PS - You can also get them in extra thickness!).

An Exercise/Stability Ball - Stability balls can be great to use as "benches" for upper body workouts or to tone your abdominal muscles during planks or crunches. My best suggestion is that you choose a ball that is medium in size - you don't want it to be too large (unless you are 6'4'') or too small.

A Weighted Medicine Ball - Medicine balls are phenomenal for a multitude of exercises. Slam one of these puppies against a wall during an ab workout, use it while you do burpees or simply use as a weight while you lift upper body. It's as functional as it is small!  We recommend a variety of weights, depending on your fitness level.

Resistance Bands - Resistance bands are possibly one of the best items that provide a "bang" for your buck! Not only can you string them together to make your workouts more challenging, but they are portable - you can take them with you when you travel!  Here is Jim's favorite set:

Free Weights - You can never have enough free weights! Especially as you begin building your gym and building your endurance and strength. When choosing weights, consider buying three (if buying static dumbells) - one that you are comfortable with, one you can do but struggle too and one to work up to! You can always keep adding! Or, consider a plate-loaded mechanism.

Jump Rope - Need a quick cardio pick me up? Try a jump rope! They are portable and CHEAP!

Workout DVDs - These are great for days when you just need a change from your ordinary workout! We have reviewed several different DVDs over the course of the blog - you will find the links to the reviews below.

What piece of equipment can you NOT live without in your home gym?

Creating YOUR Workout Plan

Workout TipsWhitney Carlson4 Comments

It seems like we get questions from our readers everyday asking how to create their own workout plan. Here are some simple rules and tips for creating a workout plan that will help you get closer to your goals.

Think about your goals.

Are you interested in adding muscle? 

      Consider a plan with increased weight, less cardio and more rest between muscle groups.

Want to lean out? 

      Continue lifting weights, increase reps and increase cardiovascular exercise.

Determine how/where you will workout.

  • Do you have access to a gym? If so, what equipment is available?
  • Will you workout outside? What routes can you use for cardio? Is there a park with pull up bars, benches and stairs?
  • Can you workout at home? What equipment do you have/need? Will you use any DVDs?

Follow these simple guidelines:

1. Work All Muscle Groups at least once per week - Think one group per day or group them together (for example - chest/back, legs, bis/tris OR chest/tris, back/bis, upper legs, calves/abs)

2. Do NOT work the same muscle group the following day - If you worked legs one day, do not follow it with an additional leg workout - your muscles need rest!!

3. Incorporate more challenging cardio on non-leg days - Use those days to your advantage and save your energy for lifting heavy on legs.

4. Alter exercises every 4 weeks - Muscles have memory. They also get adapt well to the "work" that you are subjecting them to - keep them guessing by changing up your exercises and routine every 4 weeks. 

Remember - it takes time to produce results. Don't be afraid to try new things and determine what works best for you. You and your body are unique - what works for one of your friends may not work for you. 

Try one of our workout plans here - we take the guesswork out of it!