When you’re parched, chugging water is the perfect thirst-quencher. It has no calories, and it hydrates you. The only problem? Plain old water can be boring when you’re craving some flavor and excitement, especially after a hard workout. Fortunately, sugar-loaded drinks aren’t your only alternative to standard-issue H2O.

Here are some sugar-free and no sugar drink options that are easy to find — even in your office’s soda machine or local Starbucks.

1. Sparkling Water

“It’s important to remember that you want to eat your calories, not drink them as a general rule,” explains Andrea N. Giancoli, MPH, RD. Sparkling water is like water’s more exciting, bubbly sister.

“Carbonated water (e.g., seltzer, sparkling water) is a fine alternative to the still stuff. Flavored seltzers for the most part are great,” says Michele Promaulayko, author of Sugar Free 3. “Just read the label to make sure there are no calories, no added sugars, or artificial sweeteners.” LaCroix is one option that is free of sugars, calories, sodium, and artificial ingredients.

2. Infused Water

There are tons of infused water products. The tricky part is choosing one without hidden sugar. Hint is flavor-infused water that offers all the benefits of agua without sugar or sweeteners.

3. Tea

“A cup of herbal tea is part of my nightly wind-down — I do ginger, lemon, licorice, or peppermint,” Promaulayko says. There are tons of options, so you can pick and choose your favorite flavor!

“You can drink unsweetened tea,” says Giancoli. “Or you can sweeten it with stevia, which has no calories.” Research has found natural, no-calorie sweeteners, such as stevia, to be safe and can be a healthy part of a balanced diet in moderation.

4. Matcha

Black, green, and herbal teas have antioxidants. Matcha has become a trendy green tea because it has a unique growing process to boost its health benefits. On its own, matcha green tea powder has very few calories and no sugar, but once you start turning it into lattes and other beverages, that changes. Lots of sugar and calories may be hiding out in those yummy matcha drinks.

“Many coffee and matcha tea drinks add sugar to reduce the bitterness,” Promaulayko says. So just make sure you pay attention to what’s actually in your drink!

5. Coffee

“Packed with natural antioxidants, black coffee is looking more and more like a health elixir in the eyes of modern science, and the natural caffeine gives your system a natural boost — mentally and physically,” Promaulayko says.

However, when it comes to hitting up your local coffee chain, three pumps of vanilla syrup in a latte can add a whopping amount of sugar, well over the 25-gram upper limit per day. A safer bet is sticking to coffee or cold brew without added sugar — and adding a minimal amount of dairy milk or whatever plant-based milk you use. “I take mine with a little milk and stevia,” Promaulayko says.

6. Sports Drinks

“Energy drinks and sports drinks are some of the emptiest braggarts about the energy and nutritional benefits of sugar,” Promaulayko says. “Don’t get me wrong. There are times when these drinks can be beneficial. But couch surfers and weekend gym warriors shouldn’t fool themselves. To your body, it’s essentially getting pretty colored sugar water.”

Sports drinks are designed to help replenish electrolytes and support hydration during intense exercise, but many of them contain lots of added sugar. A new generation of sports drinks have flipped the sugar-heavy formula by adding sweetness with stevia, or other no-calorie sweeteners.

Don’t Be Fooled by Juice

“With fruit juice, the fiber is gone, so the sugars hit your bloodstream unregulated,” Promaulayko says. Plus, green, fresh-squeezed, and organic juices have higher concentrations of natural sugars than you might expect.

What’s more, many juice drinks are loaded with extra sugar. “Whole fruits have naturally occurring sugar, but many ‘juice’ drinks add sugar or have very little real fruit in them,” says Giancoli.

What About Alcohol?

Don’t be fooled by hard seltzers that boast their low sugar content. When you consume these beverages, you’re just trading calories from sugar for those from alcohol. These drinks may be low in or contain no added sugar, but you’re still adding to your daily calorie intake.

“As far as your body is concerned, alcohol behaves similarly to a sugar or a refined carb — it’s just empty calories,” Promaulayko says. “And your body will use it as an energy source rather than burning fat.”

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You want to make your date memorable by setting the mood. You want to create a warm and intimate atmosphere where you can enjoy each other’s company and cast away the outside world for a little while. And if you’re looking for something different, these are some great date ideas that will give you something to talk about later.

Tips For Creating That Perfect Night Date

Walking

Walking is one of the most popular date ideas, and for a good reason. It’s easy to do, inexpensive, and leaves the door open for fun conversations. Plus, getting out of your house can help you feel more adventurous and less worried about how your date will go.

Cooking

Cooking is a fun way to practice your skills or learn new ones. You can bond over the food you prepare, and you might even learn something new about each other. Plus, cooking is messy, which means that no matter what happens while you’re in the kitchen, there won’t be any hard feelings when it’s over.

Wine Tasting

Wine tasting is one of the most romantic things you can do. It presents a fun and educational way to spend an evening with your partner while giving you something to talk about afterward. For a perfect excuse to get out of the house without going too far from home, wine tastings are great.

Dancing

Dancing helps you spend time together and get your hearts racing. It’s also an opportunity to bond, so it’s perfect for couples who don’t know each other well yet. You can dance any day or night, at parties, clubs, weddings, or even at your office Christmas party.

Karaoke Night

Karaoke night is a great way to have fun and enjoy some sweet serenades. But before you head out to the karaoke bar, you should know a few things: firstly, karaoke can be embarrassing, but that’s part of the fun! You’ll get up on stage with your partner in front of strangers and maybe sing songs, which will get some laughs out of everyone at the bar. You can also organize a karaoke party at home.

Picnic

The picnic is easy to plan and execute. You can eat anything in any fashion at any time. Going anywhere outside, like a local park with views of trees or waterfalls, will do fine. You may also want to consider areas where you can have some privacy from other people for a quiet time alone.

Dinner-Movie Night

When going to the movies, ensure that you order food you both like and pack a small bag with drinks and snacks. The movie selection is up to you. It can be something old or new, classic or popular.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Look no further than dessert drinks if you want to spice up your night and impress your date. Of course, you’ll keep the evening going with the favorite romantic dessert drinks we love: The Espresso Martini. These sweet treats are rich, creamy, and decadent, and the fact that they come in an array of flavors means there’s an espresso martini for everyone, no matter who you are with.

Stargazing

To ensure you and your date get the best view possible, find a place that isn’t lit up or a spot along the beach where there are no lights nearby. If it’s nighttime during the summer months, choose somewhere that’s open but has some shelter from trees and other foliage. If you’d like to bring a blanket to lie down on, this is also a good idea as it’ll make stargazing much more comfortable.

Massage Night

A massage is perfect for relaxing and connecting with your loved one. It can be a healthy activity that you do together and an intimate activity that helps you bond.

The perfect date doesn’t have to be expensive, and it certainly doesn’t have to be big. Sometimes, the most memorable dates are simple, intimate, and just for you two. Whether you’re looking for something low-key or something more adventurous, these awesome date ideas will make you fall in love with each other all over again.

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When it comes to home design, many people struggle with finding the perfect balance between function and form. It can be tricky to create a space that is both comfortable and stylish at the same time. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for achieving a perfect balance in your home’s layout. We will also provide examples of how to apply these concepts in your own space!

Feng Shui

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that teaches us how to create harmony in our environment. The main goal of feng shui is to promote good chi, or energy flow, in our space. There are many ways to apply feng shui principles in your home’s layout. One way is to pay attention to the furniture placement. You should try to avoid blockages in doorways and pathways. You also want to make sure that you have a clear view of the entryway from all points in the room. Another way to create balance in your home with feng shui is by paying attention to the five elements. By achieving Feng Shui in your home, it is said you will achieve balance and harmony in all areas of your life. These elements are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each element has its energy and qualities. You can use these elements to create balance in your space.

The Rule Of Three

Another way to achieve balance in your home’s layout is by following the rule of three. This rule states that things should be grouped in threes. This can be applied to furniture placement, art, and accessories. By grouping things in threes, you will create a sense of balance and harmony in the space. This is because our eyes are naturally drawn to odd numbers. An easy way to apply this concept is to place two smaller items next to a larger item. For example, you could place two small end tables next to a sofa. Or, you could hang three pictures on a wall above a piece of furniture. This rule can also be applied to color. When choosing paint colors or fabrics, try to use three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. This will create a harmonious and balanced look in your space.

Balance Through Symmetry

The third way to achieve balance in your home’s layout is through symmetry. This means that things should be evenly spaced and arranged in a mirror image. This can be applied to furniture placement, art, and accessories. By creating symmetrical arrangements, you will create a sense of balance and order in the space. An easy way to apply this concept is to arrange furniture around a focal point. For example, you could arrange a couch and two chairs around a coffee table. Or, you could hang pictures on a wall in a symmetrical arrangement. You can also use symmetry to create balance in your color scheme. Try using two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. This will create a sense of balance and harmony in your space.

Visual Balance

The fourth way to achieve balance in your home’s layout is through visual balance. This means that things should be arranged in a way that is pleasing to the eye. This can be applied to furniture placement, art, and accessories. By creating visually balanced arrangements, you will create a sense of harmony in the space. An easy way to apply this concept is to use odd numbers when grouping items together. For example, you could group three chairs instead of two. Or, you could hang five pictures on a wall instead of four. You can also use a visual balance to create balance in your color scheme. Try using three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. This will create a harmonious and balanced look in your space.

Balance Through Texture

The fifth way to achieve balance in your home’s layout is through texture. This means that things should have a variety of textures to create interest and visual balance. This can be applied to furniture, art, and accessories. By using a variety of textures, you will create a sense of harmony in the space. An easy way to apply this concept is to use different fabrics when upholstering furniture. For example, you could use a velvet couch with wool pillows. Or, you could use a leather chair with a cotton throw blanket. You can also use texture to create balance in your color scheme. Try using two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. This is a great way to create visual interest and balance in your space.

By following these tips, you will be able to achieve a perfect balance in your home’s layout. By using a variety of methods, you can create a space that is both pleasing to the eye and harmonious. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with different furniture arrangements, color schemes, and texture combinations. With a little bit of effort, you can achieve the perfect balance for your home.

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Weddings can be stressful, the whole planning process itself can be so daunting. Sure, it’s very exciting, but it’s so daunting as well. Even if you’re opting for a unique wedding destination, it still can become tiring because you want to make sure that everything is just right.  So how can you escape this? How can you just temporarily get away from the stress of having to plan a wedding, work, and deal with everything else that life is throwing at you?

A wellness weekend of course! Wellness weekends are very similar to vacations, but the point is to just unwind. It’s like a spa visit that’s been extended. Just let your troubles melt away by spending time with your partner at one of these wonderful retreats or hotels. Here are some tips for planning it so you can make it happen.

Why Dedicate A Weekend To Wellness?

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life, we forget to take care of ourselves. Sure, you’re still eating, sleeping, and bathing, but taking care of yourself goes much further than that. It’s about rejuvenating your body. It’s about getting your mind to forget what problems you’ve dealt with. It’s also about being stress-free. Not just for you but your partner as well. Wellness is important and it’s another aspect to help.

Get To Planning

So there are multiple options when it comes to having a wellness-filled weekend with your partner. This could include visiting a relaxing retreat. These are very luxurious, and can include having spectacular views of mother nature (such as being next to a beach), and so much more. The idea of a retreat is very relaxing and romantic as well. Just keep in mind that these can be quite far from cities, so some planning needs to be taken into account.

A couple of other options could be staying at an all-inclusive resort, a 5-star hotel with a wellness area, opt into getting spa access at your local spa for one to two days, or just buying all the materials and creating a Spa Day at home. There are plenty of options to choose from based on your budget.

Think About The Activities

While it does depend on what you do or where you go for your romantic wellness weekend, you should also keep the activities in mind. Maybe you and your partner can learn the difference between Thai massage and Swedish massage by visiting your local masseuse. Other options can include just going to spas such as the sauna or pool and just doing some chit-chatting.  Just ask your partner what they’re wanting and think about what you’re wanting out of this wellness weekend. It helps to combine ideas to ensure that both of you get to relax.

Think About What You Eat

You are what you eat and during a wellness weekend, it’s strongly encouraged that you eat healthily. This can include smoothie shots such as celery juice, salads, and even healthy vegan products. Just allow yourself to feel healthy inside and out.

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Buying the perfect gift for your child is tough, right? One moment they’re into one particular thing and then before you know it they’re into something entirely different. As a parent of two kids, who are now 13 and 11, trust me I’ve been there and done it and I’ve got to say that when it comes to buying awesome children’s presents one of the first websites I visit for a bit of inspiration is Wicked Uncle. This website has literally saved me on so many occasions. I’ve always managed to get something a little bit different, and the gifts have gone down an absolute treat with my kids. From small and larger presents right through to fab little stocking filler gifts (at the risk of freaking you out, Christmas is just 4 months away!!) it has been my present buying saviour.

Now I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but this present buying malarky gets harder with each passing year. The 13-year-old mostly wants money, but let’s face it no matter what age you are, seeing a lone envelope on the table rather than a mountain of gift-wrapped presents is nowhere near as exciting. However, on the flip side, there’s nothing worse than buying a present for your kid that they don’t end up using. And as we all know, kids are blunt, like brutally blunt. If they don’t like something you are 100% going to know about it!

Over the years, I have fine tuned my gift buying process so that I’ve pretty much managed to avoid any awkward present opening moments, and I want to share my tips with you all so that you can avoid it too.

1) Check What Their Friends Are Into

I know we should be encouraging our children to be the beautifully unique humans that they are, but come on now let’s be realistic for a moment. Children are influenced by many things, but by far the most influential factor is their friends. If their friend has “an awesome doll that wees” or “this awesome robot building kit” you can bet your bottom dollar that your kid is gonna want it too!

Being a parent is kind of like being a private detective; you need to ask the right questions, interpret the answers, and do a fair bit of sneaking around. So, it’s time to don the investigative hat and make it your mission to find the perfect gift for your child and there are a couple of ways you can do this:

• Scan the room – If you child is of an age where you still need to be present at play dates, next time you go round their friend’s house do a mental stock take of the toys your child plays with the most.
• Interrogate – If you have a slightly older child, who can be dropped off for play dates without you needing to stay, make sure you quiz them on the way home about what they did, what they played with etc.
• Listen in – Yeah OK so I know it’s a little bit sneaky, but hey it’s all with the very best of intentions. If they chat with their mates on their phones…. listen in. If they have a mate round… listen in. If they chat with their mates online… yep you got it… listen in. The older they get, the less they talk to their parents (FACT) so if you want to figure out the perfect gift for your child it’s all about being smart.

2) Check Their YouTube/TikTok/Browser history

Again, totally sneaky, but seeing as these days we’re all supposed to be internet savvy parents and keep a check on what our kids are doing online anyway, I don’t really see a problem in using this to our advantage and using the intel for some present buying inspo.

When they’re in bed or at school, hop onto their devices and firstly check the accounts they follow. This will give you an indication of the type of things they like to watch and this will usually translate into products. I remember when my daughter was younger she was obsessed with some family on YouTube who got gifted all the latest toys and they would do big product reveals. She particularly loved it when they opened up blind bags, little themed bags with surprises in them, and would ask for them for every birthday and Christmas. It was a guaranteed success.

It’s also worth checking their browser history to see what they’ve been searching for. Chances are it’s going to bring up a whole heap of random searches, but you might get lucky and spot a few product websites in there too, in which case result, you’ve hit the jackpot!

3) Get Them To Make A List

Sometimes you just need to scrap the whole surprise element and simply ask them what it is they’d like. If they’re younger, be prepared for a list as long as your arm, if they’re older be grateful if you get one as long as your little fingernail, but at least you’ll have something to go on.

Certain online stores allow you to create wish lists, so get your kids to sit down and put one together, making sure younger children don’t accidentally ‘add to basket’. Explain to them that they should aim to add items from various price brackets so that you then send this list out to relatives too – grandparents find it even harder to buy things than us parents do.

Or keep it old school and ask them to write a list out by hand, making sure you take a photo of it in case it gets lost. And if they’re struggling for inspiration, get them to check out the Wicked Uncle website that I mentioned above. It breaks presents down into categories that are relevant for certain ages, or that are more suited to boys/girls, as well as the most popular products and to suit your budget, which makes the whole searching process a lot easier.

To avoid tears on the day, make it clear that they won’t get necessarily get everything from their list, especially if there are a crazy amount of items on there. It might be worth getting them to put their most lusted after items at the top to help you out when it comes to doing your present buying.

4) Keep A Record

We all know how often kids change their minds about things and sometimes there’s the worry that if you’re too organised and buy presents too far in advance, by the time it gets round to actually giving it to them, they no longer want or like the item you’ve bought them. Which is frustrating and disappointing for everyone involved. Make sure you check, and double check and then check again, with your child before buying anything from their list and always check the refund policy… just in case.

Whenever my kids used to write letters to Santa I would make sure I took photos of them holding their letters up. Now, obviously I did this because hello cute, but also because it was a sneaky way to get a copy of the letter before it got posted off so that the kids didn’t suspect anything. Not only is it helpful at the time, it’s also useful for any future present buying occasions. What they’re into may change, but some things may also still be relevant or they may have just forgotten about them, so keep a record of both Santa letters and past birthday lists to draw inspiration from before you start your present buying.

5) Know Your Kid

You know your child better than anybody and so the most important thing to consider when researching gifts for them is to think about the type of kid they are?

Do they like dressing up? Are they into arts and crafts? Perhaps they like role play? Or maybe they like all the latest gadgets, in which case I feel your pain as I have one of those and trust me it is costly! Whatever your kid is into you can almost guarantee that if you buy them something related to their passion they will absolutely love it.

Buying the perfect gift for your child needn’t be difficult. I guess the hardest thing is the fact that there are just so many incredible toys and products out there – our kids are literally spoilt for choice these days. The good news is, that now I’ve revealed some of the things I do to find the perfect gift, it’ll hopefully help you on your way to finding a present that your child will absolutely love too.

*SPONSORED POST*

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Khloe Kardashian is no stranger to sharing her life with the world, from her starring role in Keeping Up with the Kardashians to her frequent social media posts, but even the outspoken reality star has her limits. After an unedited bikini photo of Khloe was posted to Instagram, the reality star deleted the photo, which her PR team has allegedly been trying to scrub from social media accounts and websites since.

Now, Khloe has finally addressed the bikini photo scandal head-on, admitting she’s “not perfect” and explaining her reasoning behind the decision to take the photo down. Read on to discover why Khloe pulled the picture and how she’s dealing with the aftermath. And for more on this famous family, check out Kylie Jenner Reveals Her Exact Diet and Exercise Plan.

While Khloe and her team may have taken extreme measures to remove her bikini photo from the internet, the star admitted on Instagram that it’s not because she’s trying to keep her unfiltered image from being seen by the world.

“The photo that was posted this week is beautiful,” Khloe wrote. “But as someone who has struggled with body image her whole life, when someone takes a photo of you that isn’t flattering in bad lighting that doesn’t capture your body the way it is after working so hard to get to this point — and then shares it to the world — you should have every right to ask for it not to be shared — regardless of who you are.”

To keep her detractors at bay, Khloe went so far as to share a live video of herself in a bikini to prove that her figure is the result of her hard work, not skilled editing.

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Khloe admitted that she frequently finds “the pressure, constant ridicule and judgment” she experiences at the hands of her followers and media outlets alike “too much to bear.”

Khloe said that being labeled “the fat sister” or “the ugly sister,” as well as insinuations about her late father Robert Kardashian not being her biological father, have taken a severe toll on her over the years. “I’m of course not asking for sympathy but I am asking to be acknowledged for being human,” she explained.

For more on reality TV’s first family, Kourtney Kardashian Says She Takes These Supplements Every Day to Stay Fit.

While the Kardashians may paint a rosy picture of their lives on TV and social media, Khloe admitted that she finds being constantly criticized “almost unbearable.” However, she added that she’s used the constant pressure to keep herself on track toward her health and fitness goals—but even that hasn’t stopped her critics.

“When I take that criticism to use as motivation to get myself in the best shape of my life and to even help others with the same struggles, I am told I couldn’t have done it through hard work and I must have paid for it all,” she explained.

Though Khloe may have gotten serious flak from fans for deleting the picture, it’s not going to change how she lives her life going forward. “I love a good filter, good lighting and an edit here and there,” she admitted. “The same way I throw on some make-up, get my nails done, or wear a pair of heels to present myself to the world the way I want to be seen and it’s exactly what I will continue to do unapologetically.”

“My body, my image and how I choose to look and what I want to share is my choice.”

The Kardashian-Jenner family is rallying around Khloe following her bikini photo snafu. Younger sister Kendall Jenner commented on Khloe’s series of explainer posts, “yes! you beautiful, strong, HEALTHY queen,” while older sister Kim Kardashian wrote, “I love you
Khloe.” Khloe’s youngest sibling, Kylie Jenner, added, “love you soooo much.”

Mom Kris Jenner was even more effusive with her praise, telling her daughter, “Khloé you are the kindest most loving, most supportive, most beautiful heart I have ever known, and I adore you and am so proud of you…. you are an inspiration to all of us and I appreciate and love you each and every single day. Thank you for teaching the rest of us to be kind and to not judge…. you are one of a kind…. what a blessing you are. You are a gift.”

And for more celebrities who’ve stood up to their critics, read Demi Lovato Says This Body-Shaming Comment Almost Ruined Her.

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Yoga props were popularized by the late B.K.S. Iyengar as tools to support the body to allow a deeper expression of a yoga pose’s alignment. A yoga block or yoga brick is one of the most popular yoga props to use in a yoga class. Yoga blocks are most often used as an extension of one’s hands but are also used to support the back, head, and hips, and to deepen awareness of alignment. Most yoga studios have blocks available to borrow, but you may wish to purchase your own. Having your own set of blocks will be more sanitary than borrowing them, and you can use them in your home practice. When purchasing a yoga block you will need to consider size, material, cost, and quantity.

Are yoga blocks necessary?

The short answer is no—blocks are not necessary to use in yoga. But it is common for yoga instructors to suggest or require the use of one or two blocks for their classes. A yoga block is most helpful for beginning students and those experiencing injury or other physical limitations, but more advanced practitioners can utilize props to safely learn new challenging poses. Also, advanced yogis may have specific body proportions that make certain poses difficult and need blocks to fully access and experience them.

It is easy to think of yoga props as a crutch or as something only beginners need to use. Practitioners will also avoid them because they can often feel cumbersome and break the flow and experience of a class. There are many ways to use blocks to deepen and expand your yoga practice. Using yoga blocks in your yoga practice can:

• Make asanas more accessible by adding length to your limbs.
• Create more balance in standing poses.
• Help prevent injury by reducing overreaching and strain.
• Encourage proper alignment and a deeper understanding of the asanas.
• Add support to allow you to relax and soften into the experience of the asana.
• Deepen the activation of muscles and add more challenge to basic asanas.

Yoga block dimensions

B.K.S Iyengar’s stated ideal size for a yoga block is 9 x 4.5 x 3 inches. The most common yoga block dimensions are 4″ x 6″ x 9″ but you will find blocks that are both larger and smaller than this. Choosing a larger or smaller block will depend on the size of your hands and the level of your flexibility. If you have small hands and are fairly bendy you might want to consider a smaller sized block. Conversely, if you have larger hands and less flexibility think about choosing a larger block. Half-sized or smaller blocks can also be helpful when you need a height between one and two blocks.

Yoga block shapes

The traditional yoga block is the shape of a rectangular brick. You will also find blocks that have different proportions than the standard 4″ x 6″ x 9″ size as well as other shapes. Curved, rounded, or egg-shaped blocks will be the most comfortable for reclining poses and supporting your spine in back bending asanas.

Choosing between foam, wood, and cork blocks

Originally yoga blocks were made of wood, but now blocks also come in both foam and cork. Their materials will change their weight, durability, sweat-absorption, rigidity, and affordability. Your choice of yoga block will be determined by the type of classes or style of yoga you practice as well as your budget and personal preference.

Wood yoga blocks

Hollow wooden yoga blocks are often made of bamboo, birch, maple, pine, balsa, and poplar. Harder woods will be more durable, while softer woods will be lighter. Wooden blocks are comparatively hard and heavy (they usually weigh between 1.5 to 2.5 pounds) but are very sturdy, more aesthetically pleasing, and will last forever. The downsides to wooden blocks are that they are expensive, they become slippery with wet hands, can slide around when placed on a hardwood floor, and do not always stack very well. Wood blocks will also be uncomfortable to use for restorative yoga classes or to rest the weight of your body. This can be remedied somewhat by placing padding on top of the blocks.

Cork yoga blocks

Cork yoga blocks can be more eco-friendly than wooden ones (depending on how the wood and cork are harvested) and cork blocks are softer and weigh less than wood (between one and two pounds). They stack and store well, but unfortunately, cork absorbs sweat, moisture, and odors which may eventually cause them to smell funky and become crumbly or dented as they wear. Thus, cork blocks will require regular cleaning and will not last as long as wood blocks.

Foam yoga blocks

Foam yoga blocks are less expensive than cork and wood, are more lightweight (weighing between 3 and 12 ounces), and are very soft. Because of their low cost, durability, and ease of cleaning they are the most common blocks found in yoga studios. Foam blocks are best for restorative yoga classes or when used to support the weight of your body in yoga poses. The downsides to foam blocks are that foam can get dirty and wear easily, and they are not as eco-friendly as wood or cork. At times, they can also feel flimsy or less stable when used for support in active poses.

How many yoga blocks do you need?

Most of the time you will only need one yoga block, but there is a good chance that you’d regret not buying two. There are a few advantages of purchasing two blocks at once. Firstly, you will have a matching set and won’t need to remember the size, brand, and color later on. Second, you may often find that having a block in each hand or stacked blocks will offer more support which will lead to a wider range of poses you can attempt during your practice. Even though purchasing two blocks at once will be more expensive, you can find sets of two blocks that are cheaper than buying two separately. Purchasing a second block later on may require you to pay more in shipping costs. If you happen to not need the second one you can always gift it to a yogi friend!

Where to buy a yoga block

Hugger Mugger was one of the first companies to manufacture yoga mats and yoga props. There are several other large companies that continue to innovate and develop better materials, shapes to improve the functionality of blocks. If you are looking for a non-standard size or non-rectangular shape then you will need to shop from a specialized yoga supply company. Yoga has become so popular that you can find yoga mats and props in big box stores like Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Walmart. Amazon.com has a wide selection of blocks at all price points. Experienced practitioners may want to invest in a premium block from a dedicated yoga supply company as these will be more durable. Beginners unsure of how dedicated they will be might be best served by purchasing a basic and inexpensive set of blocks.

Alternatives to yoga blocks

In a pinch, you can get away without having a block for support in your home practice. You might be able to just not use one, or you can find an alternative. Look around your home for substitutions—try using a stack of books, some firm cushions, a foam roller, or a few folded blankets.

Are yoga blocks worth it?

If you are brand new at yoga you may wish to wait until you have some experience to know how much you may need a block. If you practice regularly at home it is probably a good idea to purchase at least one block. You can buy a basic EVA foam yoga block for about $8 or a set of two for about $14 so this is a very small investment. More thought and consideration is required if you are considering a more expensive wood or cork yoga block. If you practice gentle, restorative or yin styles of yoga blocks are definitely worth having. Blocks are often used with Triangle, Bridge, Camel, Supine Bound Angle, Balancing Half Moon, and Hero’s Pose. If any of these poses are challenging or difficult for you then you would benefit from using blocks with them.

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Oats are one of the most convenient sources of fiber, and provide the soluble fiber beta-glucan, which may help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Three grams of this fiber are needed daily as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol for this effect.  According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Every year, 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease (610,000 annually), so I always make sure to emphasize heart healthy habits with all of my clients. 

A heart healthy diet includes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Here is a fun combination of oats with fruits and berries to help start your day with lots of colors (including foods with a variety of color means more variety of nutrients), vitamins and minerals.

In this recipe, I also incorporated one of my favorite trending foods, Maqui berry powder. I love not only the color but also that the Maqui berry is an exotic fruit from South America. These wild, dark purple berries have been used for thousands of years. They add a beautiful purple color to your food have a subtle tart and sweet taste that can go with both sweet and savory dishes.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of this recipe. Personally, I love it! It has just the right amount of sweetness and provides fiber and complex carbs from oats, berries, nuts and chia seeds. For more information about the nutrition benefits of oats, visit QuakerOats.com and check out this video for more about oats and heart health.

A heart healthy diet should include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy, lean protein and legumes, and should limit fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and sodium. This recipe per 1 serving provides about 2g soluble fiber from oats. Experts recommend that to maintain good health, no more than 10% of your calories should come from saturated fat, and no more than 20-35% of daily calories should come from total fat. 

Ingredients:

1. 1 C almond milk

2. ½ C oats

3. ½ C frozen mixed berries

4. 1 tsp chia seeds

5. 1 tsp agave

6. 1 tsp maqui berry powder

7. ¼ tsp cinnamon

8. ¼ tsp vanilla extract

9. Pinch of salt

Toppings: ½ sliced banana, ¼ C blueberries, 2 Tbsp goji berries and 2 Tbsp of pecans

Instructions:

• Bring almond milk to a gentle boil along with salt

• Add the oats and allow to cook over low heat, covered, for 5-7 minutes

• Add the frozen mixed berries and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until oats are soft

• Turn off heat, and add the chia seeds, maqui powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract and agave, and stir until everything is combined

•  Serve in a bowl with toppings sprinkled on top.

Enjoy!

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