During the past several weeks, I've been wearing and testing Bolle's new "Draft" performance sunglasses with photochromic lenses during cycling and running workouts. Bolle provided Athletic-Minded Traveler with a few complimentary models (full disclosure) for testing purposes, but as with all of our product reviews, the freebies do not influence our opinions--our credibility is always paramount.
How can it possibly be December 18th? Weren't we just enjoying our smoked turkey from Greenberg Farms last week? HARDLY! Time flies when you are active and on-the-go!
If you are like we, and a little unprepared for the gift giving about to come, we hope these ideas will be helpful:
Deli meat is a quick and flexible source of protein. Between your favorite slices of bread, rolled around hummus, or our favorite, spread with Trader Joe's cilantro chive yogurt dip. The challenge is finding deli meat that is nitrate free and still tastes good.
Maybe it's because we just completed a post about healthy eating for kids, or maybe it's because we just love cookies, or maybe it's simply that we get excited when we find a treat that tastes good and has sensible nutrition properties.
This is not a new topic for the Team. Not long ago, we posted a healthy cookie comparison.
After making notes all year long, we're ready to share our Top Ten Holiday Gift Picks for everyone on your list! These are products that the Athletic-Minded Team think are useful, cool and exceed expectations. So before you head to the mall or start combing the web for gift ideas, read through our recommendations.
NOTE: If you need additional ideas, our prior two years' lists have some real winners.
I'm always amazed at the number of local San Diegan runners who have never heard of or experienced some of San Diego's best run routes. For example, my good friend David Smotrich, M.D., logs hundreds of miles each year in prep for the New York Marathon and yet he still hasn't trained once on the Lake Hodges Trail--San Diego County's best jogging trail in my opinion. I like variety in my training and have run throughout the county.
On my international trip two weeks ago, I flew on Lufthansa from Chicago to Dusseldorf and United from Frankfurt to Washington D.C.--each way in coach as our business travel budget does not support first or business class premiums.
The Lufthansa flight was far superior:
1) More Leg Room - every inch counts when on an airplane for 8+ hours (especially if you are 6ft. tall or more).
It's hot outside and nothing hits the spot better than a tasty frozen treat. And when you make your own, you can skip the extra sugar and calorie explosion that often accompany anything with "chocolate" as an ingredient! (Our favorite Jamba order is one of the worst in terms of sugar and calories!)
Athletic-Minded Traveler's Healthy Chocolate Banana Almond Butter Smoothie
It's considered unfashionable by many. Oenophiles will lecture about superior choices. Restaurant servers are often challenged to render a recommendation. And, to acquire a really good one, it's almost necessary to spend north of $30!
