3 Healthy Tips to Live By

1. Eat right 80% of the time and cheat a little (don't deprive yourself, enjoy your favorite treat once in a while).

2. Have balanced meals with fresh produce and whole grains.

3. Don't obsess about your weight (as you exercise and gain muscle, your weight may stay the same as muscle mass increases and your body fat decreases). 

I have a nice breakfast with Greek yogurt, whole grain cereal and fruits. I usually have a salad for lunch and a home-cooked Chinese dinner which is healthier than eating out. Most Chinese restaurants use too much salt, oil and serve big portions. My advice is to plan ahead when you go grocery shopping. Make a list, buy the ingredients you need to cook a week's worth of meals. You save money and eat healthier that way. I also have soup for dinner as it fills me up and is so good for my health. I enjoy fruits as snacks.

I hope you use these tips to be healthy and fit.

Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

Thrive or Jet

I am trying out an online discount healthy products store and really like the extra 15% off (as a new member) and free bone broth (Free 1 month trial). http://thrv.me/4HiysC

I tried Blissmo box, a monthly subscription that's quite good but I can't really choose though they give 2-3 options. Also, I may not want stuff every month.

I also tried https://jet.com (No membership fee) and extra 15% off (15NOW) your first order. I like Jet because I don't buy enough to justify paying a $50+ yearly membership nor do I get tied down to a subscription. I order what I want when I want, so it's best for me.

I go to Trader Joe's every week to get the pre-packed organic salad, the dark chocolate and other stuff. Their prices are good, but I think the sizes have shrunk.

I belong to Costco and go there every 3 months to get stocked up. I even got my new Prius at special Costco price through their Auto Program.

I believe we all want to thrive and use healthy products. So, try one of the above and see if it's right for you.

Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

Dance & Zumba

Friday, Feb. 268pm-Close

Dance the night away to your favorite '90s hits @ Club TUBTHUMP
2020 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

90's costume contests, games, themed drink specials, photo booth and more - Free entrance! 
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/club-tubthump-90s-party-tickets-20764202288

I've been taking Zumba classes on Wednesdays and really like dancing to great music, learning choreography and burning a ton of calories while having fun. Did you know that Zumba is popular in 180 countries and 15 million people are taking classes?

Free weekly Zumba® classes Saturdays @ Santa Monica Place, Center Plaza from 9AM-10AM, rain or shine.
http://www.santamonicaplace.com/Events/Details/289305

Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

Kid's Yoga Events

National Yoga Recess Day

Friday, February 26, 2016.

Yes, we need a national awareness day to focus on the benefits of yoga for kids and youth.

• Yes, movement, breath and stretching have tremendous benefits for kids and youth starting with physical fitness, mental clarity and focus (guaranteeing better grades ...).
• Yes, Friday, February 26 hundreds of school teachers will integrate yoga-type exercises into their daily teaching schedule.
• Yes, yogis, parents and organizations nationwide will support Yoga-Recess-Day and help create awareness.
• Yes, school teachers are ready to help their kids be healthier and fitter using yoga movements, breathing exercises and stretching.

What now? Get involved!
School Teachers: Access free resources
Parents, Yogis: Share with friends and family

Kid's Yoga Day
March 12 (see above)

Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

Benefits of Tai Chi

I had the chance to learn Tai Chi yesterday and enjoyed getting my energy flowing. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that combines slow, deliberate movements, meditation and mindful breathing. It can help improve circulation, balance, flexibilyt, strength, endurance and alignment; also it restores your energy. Everyone can benefit from Tai Chi because it promotes better balance and muscle control.

The teacher explains that Tai Chi is about using Dan Tian located in the lower abdomen to channel our energy and stay centered. Tai Chi balanced the yin (feminine) with the yang (masculine) and helps us be grounded/ rooted to the earth while connecting to the heaven.

Tai Chi is good for seniors because it is a low-impact exercise that improves balance and prevents falls - a leading cause of death from injury and disability among older adults. One of the most serious fall injuries is hip fracture. One-half of all older adults hospitalized for hip fracture never regain their former level of function. Tai Chi also promotes calmness and reduces stress.

So, try Tai Chi. It's good for you.

Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

8 Cold & Flu Prevention Tips

So many people are sick, so I want to share some tips with you.

1. Eat a well-balanced diet
2. Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day
3. Get enough sleep (7-8 hours)
4. Make time for exercise
5. Wash your hands frequently and don't touch your face
6. Take Zinc Elderberry Lozenges first thing when you have a sore throat
7. Home remedy: Gargle with hot salt water for sore throat
8. Don't wait and see: go see your doctor right away

P.S. I take superfoods like Boku and Wildeflowers Chocolate drink for overall health.

Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

6 Tips to Get Fit In Less Time

1. Do 30 minutes of yoga in the morning before you go to work
2. Workout during lunch break (better with an exercise buddy)
3. Multi-task (walk your dog, switch from jog, fast walk to a sprint)
4. Create a calendar (schedule your workout a week ahead)  
5. Track your exercise @ https://www.presidentschallenge.org
6. Reward yourself with a facial or massage (not food)

* Most of all, enjoy feeling healthy and fit.

I declared my intention to keep fit and healthy by exercising every day and I've kept it up. Join me on this challenge for the year, it's never too late.
Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

Do You Have Food or Exercise Issues?

February 22 - 28 is Body Positive/ National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week

  

Instead of feeling bad about your body, focus on increasing your self-esteem with a mantra like "I am beautiful, I am healthy and I am fit."

 

Ways to get involved:

 

1. Host an online eating disorders screening

2. Plan a #NEDAwareness Event

3. Blog about this & post on Social Media

Proud2Bme On Campus is a national initiative to bring students, faculty and campus services together in the fight against eating disorders, on behalf of the online youth community site Proud2Bme.org.

Let's all work together to educate people about making healthy choices.

Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/
 

 

Fall in Love

This weekend, Feb. 13 & 14, the Petco Foundation invites you to fall in love at any Petco or Unleashed store! Thousands of sweet, spunky, and undeniably lovable dogs and cats will be waiting to meet you. So whatever your type, you’re sure to find the pet of your dreams.

Petco

2910 Wilshire Boulevard

Santa Monica, CA 90403

or

1873 Westwood Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90025

Unleashed

1402 Wilshire Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90404

All new pet parents are eligible for our Welcome to the Family kit, complete with more the $650 in savings for your new pet! My dog Sparky wishes you a Happy Valentine's Day! Today, I'll go on a date with Sparky and bring her to Yogurtland for a treat.

Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

I Love Chocolate

I have been enjoying healthy and tasty foods as part of my 7-Day Love Challenge. My breakfast is usually Greek yogurt with whole-grain cereal and fresh fruit like the one above. My lunch is a salad with a healthy starch like yams. My favorite treat after dinner is a piece of dark chocolate. Studies show that it is good for your heart, brain and the flavonoids in dark chocolate also help reduce insulin resistance. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants. It contains a number of vitamins and minerals like copper,  iron, magnesium and potassium. (Source: FitDay)

Pick a bar of dark chocolate that has 70% of. cacao or more like Trader Joe's Swiss 72%.

I also like to drink a cup of hot choclate in the morning before I go to work. I love Wildeflowers healthy Chocolate Tonic made with Superfoods and Chinese herbs.


Ingrid Cheng
Blogger, certified yoga teacher

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255

http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice

The Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) and the office of the 62^nd Assemblywoman Autumn Burke cordially invite you to “Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice” Town Hall Forum being held at Lennox Middle School (11033 Buford Ave Lennox, CA 90304) on Saturday, February 13^th, 2016 from 11am-3pm.

African American and Latino communities have the highest rates of high blood pressure and Diabetes 1 & 2 in L.A County. We want our families to be knowledgeable and empowered to change these outcomes by pushing for healthier options in their communities. Let's come together and discuss how we all can be a part of the solution.

Community members will enjoy a panel discussion on health equity and a catered light lunch, followed by a forum to learn about some of the resources available to them. The panel discussion will be facilitated by Assemblywoman Autumn Burke. Our hope is that community members walk away prepared to create change. The first 50 participants will also receive a free Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) bag of locally grown produce provided by SJLI.

 

This is also National Cancer Prevention Month. Above is a Cancer Prevention graphic from http://www.maacenter.org.  The Mesothelioma + Asbestos Awareness Center spreads awareness and has information about Mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Many other cancers can be prevented too. Staying healthy with some good food and exercise, along with checking to make sure your home is free of toxins and other harmful substances can help as well.

 

Let's all strive to be aware and healthy.

 

Ingrid Cheng

https://www.ideafit.com/user/1391255

http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

5 Health Hacks for Office Workers



Nuts.com is challenging all of us to share their workplace health hacks. I am so glad to partner with them and share my tips with you. Check out Healthy Snacks for Work

1. *Bring a healthy lunch & snack to work (save $ & eat less) - studies show we eat more at restaurants & vending machines usually have junk food so I bring a Kashi bar.

I love Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Sesame dressing. Perfect for lunch.


Chinese Chicken Salad

P.S. The L.A Marathon is this Sunday 2/14. Check out health events related to the Marathon

LA Marathon Health & Fitness EXPO - Downtown LA
February 12, 2016 at 10am to February 13, 2016 at 5pm

Post Marathon RECOVERY EVENT - Downtown Santa Monica
February 14, 2016 from 11am to 4pm

 Ingrid

http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

7-Day Love Challenge for Valentine's Day

How do you treat yourself? Are you kind, loving and supportive? Do you talk to yourself in negative ways? I catch myself saying or thinking "I'm so stupid" or "I'm lazy" or "Why can't I be better at..."

We all can be hard on ourselves because we let fears control us. So we keep playing it safe. We feel guilty or stressed out. We focus on what we don't want instead of what we want. We live to please others and deny our real selves. We are too afraid to pursue our dreams. Or we tried and failed so we give up. I've been reading "Adventures for Your Soul" by Shannon Kaiser. I'm learning so much about myself and want to share with you. I let negative thoughts keep me from happiness and a great life. I settle because I am afraid of the unknown. I want to thrive not just survive.

1. I want to write a book in a place that inspires me
2. I want to go back to school or take classes
3. I want to play in nature and visit National Parks
4. I want to travel, visit my sister & niece in Singapore, go to Indonesia & Malaysia
5. I want to connect & collaborate with like-minded people to create fun, educational cartoons for kids

I know this is the place to share my dreams because of all the positive members. The 7-Day Love Challenge is inspired by the book which offers a 30-day one. I figure it's easier to start with a week.

I am going to put myself first and not feel guilty or selfish
I will go on "dates' with myself, do things I love to do
I will follow my heart not my head

Hope you'll join me or support me in this challenge.

Ingrid Cheng
Let's connect, collaborate and create passionate, purposeful lives.

Join spcaLA Big 5K

Team spcaLA needs you!

Are you up for a 3.1 mile walk or run on Saturday, February 13th?

Online registration closes TODAY at 5pm! Sign up now!

I adopted my workout buddy Sparky from the shelter, she's so sweet and studies show that dog-owners are healthier as pets help lower stress. Dogs also need to be walked so we go on many walks.

Ingrid Cheng
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/

 

 

 

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Feb 13 Sat 1:30 to 4 pm and 5:30 to 7 pm

Santa Monica Place shopping center in Santa Monica will host a free Chinese New Year celebration with traditional Chinese dragon dancers, music, ribbon dancers, stilt walkers, children's crafts and food. Traditional Music Duo with Gu-Zheng and Dizi Stilt Walkers 

1:30-4:00 p.m.  
Monkey Balloon Twisting Dough Artist Arts & Crafts 

3:00 p.m.
Traditional Fan Dance 

3:30 p.m.
Martial Arts Demonstration 

5:30 p.m. 
Traditional Fan Dance 

6:30 p.m.
Traditional Dragon Dance

http://www.santamonicaplace.com/Events/Details/288418

Then gather together to eat a Chinese dinner. My mom makes the best Chinese food. See photo above. I've been eating healthy and exercising to prepare for the delicious meal. I've been keeping an Active Lifestyle Activity log that also helps me improve my eating habits https://www.presidentschallenge.org/challenge/active/index.shtml

Join me on this challenge for the year, it's never too late.

Ingrid Cheng

Upcoming Health Events

National Girls and Women in Sports DayFebruary 3

Join us in recognizing the extraordinary achievements of those who have helped to effect change and create opportunities for women and girls in sports. For 30 years, NGWSD has empowered women and girls to get moving, embrace physical activity and push past their limits both in sports and in life. We know that when girls participate in sports, they develop the leadership skills to excel in school, at home and in their communities. The courage, confidence and character gained through physical activity are the very tools girls need to become the strong leaders of tomorrow.

Get the Event Action Kit that is designed to help you plan, organize, promote and host your own NGWSD activities. Don’t worry if February 3rd doesn’t fit your calendar – you can celebrate any “day” of the year.

http://ngwsd.org/

National Wear Red Day
February 5

American Heart Association's Go Red For Women® will hold its annual National Wear Red Day. This is a day when millions across the country will wear red to help build awareness about heart disease and stroke in women. Organize a Wear Red Day at your office or school. Take a selfie & post it on Social Media # #GoRedWearRed

https://www.goredforwomen.org/
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/

National Cancer Prevention Month

American Institute for Cancer Research/ AICR estimates that approximately one-third of cases of the most common cancers in the U.S. could be prevented by eating healthy, being active, and staying lean. That's an estimated 374,000 cases of cancer in the United States that would never happen. Make their evidence-based cancer prevention recommendations part of your life.
Every day this month, they're offering a new something on Facebook for a healthier lifestyle.

http://www.aicr.org/cancer-prevention-month/

Ingrid Cheng
http://letsmovewestla.ning.com/