New Products and Free Shipping

We couldn't let Cyber Monday go by without joining in on the fun. YogaDudes has some fun new products that would be great little gifts for the yogis in your life and from now until December 7th, everything ships free with the coupon code SHIPMEFREE. Why stop at just Cyber Monday? Let the fun continue for a couple of weeks!

Here are some great gift suggestions:

OM Dangle European Charm

This item was just added to the YogaDudes shop. At the moment supplies are very limited, but more will soon be on the way. This charm is regularly priced at $12.99, but is now on sale for $8.99 and can be purchased here in the shop.

YogaDudes Bubble Earrings

These bubble earrings are just plain fun. They feature the signature "YogaDudes" set in a bezel-type silver setting and hung from surgical steel earring posts. Great on or off the mat and they coordinate with the bubble pendant necklace and the bubble zipper bling. For a limited time these earrings will be on sale for $19.99 (regularly $24.99). They can be found here in the shop.

YogaDudes Holiday Ornament

No home, studio, or tree would be complete around the holidays without adding a little bit of YogaDudes OM. This porcelain ornament measures 3" wide, hangs from a red ribbon, and comes in a little red pouch ready for giving. These ornaments are $14.99 and can be found online here.

OM for the Holiday Glass Pendant Necklace

Why stop the cuteness at the ornament? Why not wear it on your neck throughout the holiday season. You will undoubtedly be the hit of your next yoga class sporting one of these glass pendant necklaces. Regularly priced at $24.99, these necklaces are now on sale for $19.99. They can be found online here.

And don't forget to add the coupon code SHIPMEFREE during checkout to check free shipping. Valid until December 7th, 2912. Happy shopping.

Identifying Fiber Rich Foods

After recently having surgery I've been instructed to seek out fiber-rich foods as part of my "getting back to normal" procedure. I didn't think this would be a very big challenge, as I know a lot about food and nutrition and the notorious foods immediately came to my mind such as prunes, bran, beans. But after making that short list I found myself searching for what else to add. Where else can I easily find fiber?

As it turned out it was more of a challenge that I thought it would be. I bought some gummer fiber chews and yucky powdered mixes, but this was hardly the best way to incorporate more fiber into my daily meals. When I'm searching for answers to anything health-related Dr. Oz always come through. Gosh, I love him.

I was delighted to find these graphics on his web site and I thought I should share. Perhaps more people would like to save these for future reference.

And now I'm going to work on trying to convince myself that the pumpkin pie sitting in my fridge does not qualify as my go-to must-have serving of fiber for today.

New YogaDudes Earrings

Our newest addition to the YogaDudes earrings line up are now in stock and ready for the holidays. Each one of these puppies was handmade and it was a long summer of cutting, gluing, and assembling, but the results are worth the effort. These earrings would make the cutest of all stocking stuffers so be sure to grab a pair for your pal and slip your own personal Santa a little wish list hint.

The new "bubble earrings"are normally $24.99 per pair, but we are introducing them at a sale price of just $19.99 from now until the end of November. It pays to be an early holiday shopper. Grab the deal while you can. You can view and purchase the earrings in the YogaDudes shop here. And you can also check out some coordinating accessories like the bubble necklace and the bubble zipper bling.

New Yogi Book Hits the Streets

If you"re looking for a holiday gift for a yogi in your life (and you already got them all the adorable YogaDudes accessories) or maybe you"re shopping for a male yogi, or maybe you just want a little something to read for yourself over the holidays . . . There"s a new book out called Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi: My Humble Quest to Heal my Colitis, Calm my ADD, and Find the Key to Happiness, by Brian Leaf. In the book, the author shares how with no real understanding of the practice he signed up for a yoga class.  Little did he realize then how that one class would ultimately set the course for a lifetime of exploration into the healing powers of yoga and other holistic therapies.

Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi details Leaf"s triumphs, trials, and tribulations as he hilariously navigates his way through the world of yoga and holistic health. Along the way, he road trips to visit yoga studios around the country, has a spiritual experience at a Grateful Dead show, cures his chronic ulcerative colitis, and lives at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in his quest to become a certified instructor.“I explored, I traveled, I trained, and I experimented,” writes Leaf. “I searched for a way to feel comfortable and happy. I consulted psychics, scientists, yogis, swamis, Ayurvedic physicians, life coaches, and even (accidentally, I assure you) one prostitute. I tried meditation, herbs, flower essences, psychotherapy, and shouting out my angst…. And, I learned a lot.”

Twenty-one years later, Leaf teaches yoga and meditation, practices multifaceted healing, and is the beloved founder of a holistic tutoring center that helps students — whose ailments he once shared — manage ADD and overcome test and math phobias.

Through his adventures and misadventures, Leaf ultimately discovered eight Keys to Happiness, or rules to live by for health and vitality that he shares throughout the book’s 32 rollicking and wise chapters. Things like: Do yoga and if you already do yoga, do more yoga; cultivate and follow your intuition; apply Ayruvedic wisdom to your daily schedule; meditate; speak and act from your true self; and more.

I got my copy and I"m ready for some peaceful reading over the holidays! Well, one can hope for that anyway. Perhaps the book will help me get through the hectic holidays. You can check out and purchase the book .

Out For Repairs

Just a quick note to explain why there was, and continues to be, no November YogaDudes calendar. I know many people look forward to these little monthly calendars and often question what's up when they are late to hit the web. I'm sorry to say that the November one will either be very late, or non-existent, and for that I apologize. This month sure is starting off challenging. Both me and my trusty computer had to have some repairs done and have been knocked out of service for a while.

I will likely be blogging about my recent experience undergoing neck surgery. I have mentioned my "neck condition" several times throughout the past few years in blog posts. It is something that I've been struggling with for years and has recently gotten so bad that I had to quit doing yoga all together this past Spring (gasp). Well, the truth is out. I haven't been doing yoga at all! Gosh, I hate to admit that fact. It's been such a depressing time struggling with the pain and with the fact that I could no longer do the things I love to do. But I'm hoping all that will change now. I'm on the mend and I will explain what I've been through soon.

My computer, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be on the mend at all. I'm without my Adobe products and that's like removing one of my limbs. With any luck both of us will be back in action before December rolls around so you can look forward to the December calendar for sure.

21-Day Free Meditation Challenge: Creating Abundance

Starting on November 5, 2012, the Chopra Center is offering 21 days of free guided meditations to those who register. A new meditation will be posted to the Web each day and the theme of this particular challenge is "creating abundance."

According to best-selling author, Deepak Chopra, through the guided meditations each day you will “discover and leverage the secrets to attracting abundance.”

You have nothing to lose. Sign up for free and make the 21-day commitment to mediation and more abundance in all areas of your life!

We're Moving

It's been years in the making, but YogaDudes has officially launched a new web site with a new blog integrated into it. We are very happy to introduce a new, more modern look and shopping cart that will hopefully provide a better user experience. And now the YogaDudes fitness blog is built right in. So please take a moment to check out our new web site at www.yogadudes.com.

And if you were following this blog, please update your RSS reader with our new feed which is http://feeds.feedburner.com/yogadudes/ZfkY. There is also a handy little "subscribe" button directly on the new blog.

We hope you will follow our blog at our new home on the world wide web. This blog, although will continue to live at this address, will no longer be updated. 

Please stay tuned for new product announcements coming soon  . . .

August Desktop Calendar

Savory the last few weeks of summer by bringing the shore to your desktop. To make this image your desktop background calendar, just click on this link. A new window will appear with a much larger graphic. Once the bigger graphic appears, just right-click on it and "save as desktop."

Benefits of Eating Chia Seeds

I recently discovered Chia seeds and I'm amazed at the many health benefits they offer. I'm surprised that it took me this long into my quest for optimal health to learn about these little miracle seeds and I thought I should pass along my new discovery. Since I haven't been using these seeds for very long, I can't yet make any claims, but according to my research, chia seeds can have the following benefits:

Reduces Hunger
When a chia seed is exposed to water, it forms a coating of gel, increasing its size and weight. It helps your body think it is full, without adding calories. This alone is worth trying them!

Balance Blood Sugar
The gelling action of the seed, and it’s unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber combine to slow down your body’s conversion of starches into sugars. If you eat chia with a meal, it will help you turn your food into constant, steady energy rather than a series of ups and downs that wear you out.

Helps Maintain Regularity
With the abundance of over-processed foods and white flour on the market today, rich sources of fiber are harder to come by and irregularity is becoming a more common problem. To help ensure regularity, you need plenty of soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet. Chia seeds are coated with soluble fibers which aid its gelling action and  keep the colon hydrated to ensure the easy movement of food.

Adds Healthy Omega-3 Oils
Chia is the richest plant-source of this healthy oil. By weight, chia contains more omega 3 than salmon, but without fishy taste! Omega 3 oil is important in heart and cholesterol health. It’s also recently been targeted as a weight-loss helper.

Have More Energy All Day Long
Your energy levels have a lot to do with what you eat. Chia is one of nature’s highest plant-based sources of complete protein that will raise your energy levels. The combination of complete protein, vitamins, minerals and blood-sugar balancing gel all work together to make sure you have steady energy.

Add age-defying anti-oxidants
Chia seeds are extremely high in anti-oxidants which help prevent free-radical damage in your body. Free radicals lead to problematic conditions such as premature aging of the skin and inflammation of various tissues.

Makes Your Food Taste Even Better
I don't know how it works, but when the seeds hydrate, they magnify the taste of whatever they were added to. Your chocolate pudding can taste more chocolaty. Your smoothie can taste more fruity.

It's certainly worth trying these chia seeds out for yourself and see if you notice any healthy benefits. They can be found in your local health food store. Please look for a future blog posting with suggestions on how to easily incorporate them into your daily meals.

Whole Living Magazine Deal

Have you ever read Whole Living magazine? This magazine brings you the best in healthy living. Whole Living will teach you how to live a healthy, natural life. Learn how to relax, eat right, treat your body right, de-stress, exercise for your health and so much more. Each issue is filled with features, columns and departments that help readers explore natural, holistic health and wellness, personal growth, the environment, spirituality and social change. If you are looking for a healthier way of living, this magazine is just for you!

For today only, you can take advantage of a great deal on a new or renewal subscription. A one year subscription is normally $14.95, but today you can purchase it at 71% off, at just $4.29.

All you need to do to grab this deal is to CLICK HERE to be taken to the offer. You can purchase a brand new subscription or renew the one you already have, but here's the catch . . . the offer is only valid today – Monday, July 30th, so don't delay, click now to grab the deal.

Eating Well Magazine Deal

Who doesn’t want to try to improve their eating and nutrition? Seems like it’s a never ending quest. For today only, you can take advantage of a great deal on Eating Well magazine. A one year subscription is normally $19.97, but today you can purchase it at 52% off, at just $9.49.

Eating Well is an award-winning magazine that serves up a delicious balance of crisp, fresh cooking content and must-have nutrition features with a flavorful variety of tasty and healthy recipes. Every issue is packed with delicious recipes and color photographs illustrating what each recipe should look like, smart shopping tips, quick and healthy menus, fresh news from the world of food, nutrition science and news, and creative seasonal recipes that are tasty and easy to make, with ingredients readily available at your grocery store.

All you need to do to grab this deal is to CLICK HERE to be taken to the offer. You can purchase a brand new subscription or renew the one you already have, but here's the catch . . . the offer is only valid today – Thursday, July 26th, so don't delay, click now to grab the deal.

Free Yoga Music

Would you like to download a free yoga compilation? If so, just head on over to YogiTunes.  You are required to join their mailing list, but it's a small price to pay for the free Yoga Rocks the Park Sounds of Summer 2012 Compilation.

Healing the Healers

Second Annual Yoga Festival Offers Educational and Restorative Retreat for Healthcare Professionals, August 22-26

Copper Mountain Resort, in the Rockies of Colorado, presents the second annual Mountain Pose Yoga & Medicine Symposium as part of the 2012 summer event lineup. From Wednesday, August 22 through Sunday, August 26, Copper invites medical professionals, yoga enthusiasts and anyone who works in health care to enjoy a weekend of professional development and relaxation in a breathtaking mountain setting. With over 30+ workshops and lectures led by a talented cast of medical and yoga leaders, this educational program has been approved by the AAFP for up to 25 CME credits.  Mountain Pose Medicine & Yoga Symposium has been recognized by the Board of Certification, Inc. to offer continuing education for Certified Athletic Trainers.

The Symposium also runs concurrently with Copper's Genuine Jazz and Wine Festival, with Symposium passes granting attendees access to all Jazz and Wine events. If you live anywhere near the Rockies of Colorado you should check out this event. I sure wish I could go!

For more information please visit: www.mountainposesymposium.com.

Great Deal on Shape Magazine

Yesterday we offered you a great deal on a magazine to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and today we are offering you some fitness inspiration. If you would like to get yourself a one year subscription to Shape magazine for just $4.39, this is your lucky day. Shape magazine is for active contemporary women interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle with quality articles about fitness, nutrition, psychology, beauty, fashion, relationships, and inspiring success stories.

All you need to do to grab this deal is to CLICK HERE to be taken to the offer. You can purchase a brand new subscription or renew the one you already have, but here's the catch . . . the offer is only valid today – Wednesday, July 18th, so don't delay, click now to grab the deal.

Click here to grab the deal.

Natural Heath Magazine on the Cheap

Would you like to snag a one year subscription to Natural Health Magazine for just $4.39? Natural Health can be your guide to a healthy mind/body lifestyle, with information about alternative health, natural foods, cuisines, nutrition, crafts, sports, organic gardening and holistic health.

What a bargain for this ultimate guide to a healthy lifestyle!  This deal is valid for brand new subscriptions, as well as renewals. All you need to do is click here to be taken to the place where you can purchase the subscription. But here's the catch . . . this deal is only valid today – Tuesday, July 17th. Don't miss it. Just click on the link below.

Click here to grab this deal.

Keeping Fit After 40

I recently found the photo above on Pinterest with a caption that said, "She's 40!" It made me think that being in shape and keeping fit past 40 must be some sort of big accomplishment, especially after seeing some of the comments that women posted on the photo. There is no doubt that it made me feel proud to be over 40 and still be in good shape. So I am going to post the picture below on Pinterest with a caption that says, "She's 43, and she's me." I should also note that this picture was taken 2 months ago and that just happens to be 2 months before my 44th birthday.

So how do I do it? How did I keep fit in my 40s? Well, there really is no magically secret. It's all about self discipline, good nutrition, and working out. OK, maybe genes have something to do with it too, but I don't think that should be an excuse to give up and not try to strive for the best health you can achieve. Not everybody can be pencil thin, but many people can be strong and fit if they didn't use the crutch of having 'fat genes.'

I've spent most of my life trying to be as healthy as I can be. I'm always concerned about what I eat. This doesn't mean I sacrifice and never have sweets and fattening foods. In fact, I often do. But I'm always completely aware that 80% of what makes up my body composition is what I eat. Making good choices is key. And yes, I have a sweet tooth and love my dessert, but I've learned that a bite or two can be just as satisfying as eating the whole serving. When I do splurge on the dish of ice cream of chocolate bar it's often because I just competed a long bike ride or hike. I always feel the need to either earn the treat, or pay for it afterwards.

And it's not just avoiding sweets and fatty foods that is important. I think it's just as important, if not more important to strive to put as much good nutritional food into our bodies as possible. We are eating to fuel our bodies and just like at the gas pump, we have to decide upon the quality of that gas we are putting in. How our cars run and how are bodies run is a direct result of the fuel.

Avoiding candy and carbs is one thing, but going out of our way to eat the "super foods" is another. So much of the America diet is just empty calories, giving us no nutritional value. It is really a challenge in today's age to hunt down the foods that are actually good for us. It takes effort, and unfortunately it costs more, but it's a necessary step in keeping fit.

Eating right and routine exercise are essential in keeping fit. There is no doubt, it just keeps getting harder and harder to do as you get older and the trick is not to stop. It's all about priorities and habits. Build yourself some good ones and just don't quit.

July Desktop Calendar

It's time to bring a little beach to your computer. To make this image your desktop background calendar, just click on this link. A new window will appear with a much larger graphic. Once the bigger graphic appears, just right-click on it and "save as desktop."

Good Healthy Snacks as an Alternative to Granola Bars

Are you looking for some good healthy snacks? That sure does seem to be a challenge in today's world, but with a little effort it is possible to keep a low carb diet, eat healthy foods, and still treat your occasional sweet tooth.

Lately, I have been carefully making more healthy choices, paying extra special attention to good nutrition, and trying to maintain a low carb diet. And I have to say, it's not easy. I'm making a concerted effort to reduce the amount of processed foods I consume and I'm paying an awful lot of attention to the nutrition labels. I've been researching the best food to get the most healthy benefits from and during this research I discovered a healthy food that I never even heard of. It's called quinoa and it's pronounced "keen-wah."

Quinoa is a recently rediscovered ancient "grain" that was once called "the gold of the Incas," who recognized its value in increasing the stamina of their warriors. Not only is quinoa high in protein, but the protein it supplies is complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa is also especially well-endowed with the amino acid lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair. In addition to protein, quinoa features a host of other health-building nutrients.

I added quinoa to my diet and make a point to have several servings per week. I simply love the stuff. During my search for healthy snacks I was thrilled when I stumbled over a healthy alternative to the granola or protein bar called Keen-Wah Decadence bars. These bars are made from quinoa and produced by a company called YogaEarth. YogaEarth creates their products for optimal health and sustainable living based on Yoga and Ayurvedic practices and that alone is worth checking them out.

A healthy snack alternative made from quinoa.

These unique quinoa-based super-food bars are 100% organic, vegan, gluten-free and soy free. Built on the concept of Intelligent Indulgence™, Keen-Wah Decadence bars provide high-quality nourishment in a bar that also tastes like a decadent treat!

6 grams of protein per bar.

Not only do the bars taste good, but the best benefit (aside from them being healthy and good for you) is that seem to really keep me full. This never happens from eating normal granola bars, but so far, every time I ate a Keen-Wah Decadence bar I've found that I stayed satisfied for hours. I give them two thumbs up and recommend you try them out if you're searching for truly healthy snacks.

You can shop for these new healthy snacks online here: http://www.yogaearth.com/

Whole Living Magazine Bargain - Today Only

How would you like a one year subscription to Whole Living Magazine for just $4.29? Whole Living brings you the best in healthy living. It will teach you how to live a healthy, natural life. Learn how to relax, eat right, treat your body right, de-stress, exercise for your health and so much more.

What a bargain for this ultimate guide to a healthy lifestyle!  This deal is valid for brand new subscriptions, as well as renewals. All you need to do is click on the link below to be taken to the place where you can purchase the subscription. But here's the catch . . . this deal is only valid today, June 25th. Don't miss it. Just click on the link below.

Click here to grab this deal.

A New Lay-flat, Roll-up Tight Yoga Mat

I came across a brilliant new invention for a yoga mat that solves the problem of your mat rolling up on you when you begin your session . . . and then, not rolling back up nice and tight and neatly when you're done. Everybody struggles with these little annoyances during every yoga session, but it's just something we all deal with. Wouldn't it be nice to have a mat that instantly lays flat and then easily rolls back up? This new mat uses embedded magnets to stay tightly rolled when not in use, and the magnets also serve as weights to keep the mat flat while in use.

A young guy in California has invented it and he just launched a kickstarter campaign to try to raise the necessary funds to bring his Nadi yoga mat to market. Please watch this video that explains and shows off the mat.  And then visit his Kickstarter page to get even more info. If you think this is a brilliant idea I encourage you to support him.