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Jan 17

Enter our Lookin’ Good Feelin’ Good Sweepstakes!

Our Lookin’ Good Feelin’ Good Sweepstakes is all about getting in shape- both mentally and physically. Each week we will ask you a question and provide challenges for you to take to help you along your Lookin’ Good Feelin’ Good journey! Make sure to submit photos to track your progress! Maybe you have stocked your fridge full of healthy foods, have a piece of fruit in your purse for an on-the-go snack, or maybe it’s a picture of you fitting in to those summer jeans even though it’s winter.

Until April 17, 2012, you can visit our Facebook Fan Page or our website and enter to win the grand prize of a five star luxury resort and spa getaway! You can also vote on responses in the forums, share feedback and tips and encourage one another. You also receive a $1.00 off 8th Continent Soymilk coupon just for entering!

In addition to the Grand Prize of an all-expenses paid trip, 10 first prize winners will receive a $2,500 physical education program donation to a school of their choice. Twenty second prize winners will receive a $1,000 physical education program donation and 50 third prize winners will receive a $500 physical education program donation to the school of their choice. Nearly 100 schools will benefit from the participation of Lookin’ Good Feelin’ Good entrants.

As the only soymilk approved by the American Heart Association, we are dedicated to providing benefits and nutrients for those who can’t drink milk or prefer soymilk. So what are you waiting for? Start your Lookin’ Good Feelin’ Good challenges today!

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and like our Facebook Page to keep up-to-date with all things 8th Continent and good luck in the sweepstakes!

About 8th Continent Soymilk Contests Fitness

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Jan 19

How I Shed the Baby Weight (and how you can too)

Article By: Megan Stremick

I can vividly remember being in the hospital shortly after giving birth to my son, gently shuffling to the bathroom and looking in the mirror with the slightest bit of disappointment.  It’s as if I thought by some miracle I would suddenly have my old stomach back within hours after giving birth, there wasn’t a baby in there anymore right? Did they somehow miss one and leave another little bundle inside that was still filling out my belly? Those feelings quickly faded with all of the enjoyment, excitement, and hard work with my newborn, the drama of breastfeeding alone trumped any worry about regaining my pre-pregnant body.

But after a few months went by and I was able to gain some sense of a routine in my life again I knew it was time to really focus on getting back into shape with what little time I had. I didn’t rush to the gym and go crazy with cardio and weight machines, I allowed my body a chance to remember what exercise was like. In the beginning I would do squats while holding my baby (not only did this help to get my legs stronger but my son loved the bouncing motion and it would sooth him to sleep). I took long walks and did gentle yoga, then a month or so later I started adding in weight bands (stretch bands used as resistance weight), upped the intensity of my yoga and began jogging and walking hills. And if I needed a nap and time allowed, by god I let the laundry go unfolded and I took my well deserved nap—getting enough rest is key to keeping your body balanced and healthy. I found that this was the best way not to burn myself out with exercise, it was slow and steady but comfortable and effective.  It also helped that because we did not have a house cleaner I spent time vacuuming and mopping—this definitely burns calories.

Of course my diet played a large part as well. I upped my protein by drinking my soymilk instead of just using it on my cereal, drank at least 2 liters of water a day and I never skipped a meal. This meant that I was never so hungry at any point in the day that I would just shove any kind of food in my mouth.  My meals consisted of fruit and cereal or oatmeal in the morning, salad and a half of sandwich for lunch, and a protein and veggie combo for dinner. I also ate fruit, nuts or protein bars as snacks to keep my energy up and I couldn’t resist a piece of dark chocolate or two for dessert.

It’s about finding time for you to make good decisions for yourself. I gained 40lbs when I was pregnant and by the time my son was 9 months old I lost 45lbs. I didn’t stress about it, I didn’t stand on the scale and cry. I just reminded myself before I ate anything or debated on exercising that I had the power to choose. I always have the power to make good choices.

Every body is different and reacts differently to different diet and exercise routines. If this helps you and works for you, great, if not, I encourage you to keep trying and find what does.

Do you have some tips of your own that you can share? Let us know on our Facebook or on our Twitter!

Fitness Megan Stremick

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Sep 30

Yoga Made Easy- Pose 9

Article by: Megan Stremick

Pose: Plank

All I have to do to motivate myself to work on toning and building arm strength is play one of the many home movies that captures my grandmother wearing a sleeveless top and waving at the camera. Oh the humanity of the dreaded arm jiggles! Even with all of her hard work in the kitchen, kneading dough to make fresh pasta and rolling a million Italian  meatballs her arms could not escape the flab.

While you may not create cut biceps by pounding out chicken picata, you don’t have to look foolish trying to lift weights next to the 300 pound gorilla at the gym either. Just begin with Plank and come back next week to check out how to move from plank into a full Push-up (Caturanga Dandasana) and really make those arm muscles work harder.

Plank Benefits:

Tone, Tone, Tone

Builds strength and tones your abs, arms, wrists, and back (especially when you keep your back straight and engage your core).

Plank How To:

  1. Begin in Downward Facing Dog.
  2. Move the torso forward while keeping the hands and feet stationary—the shoulders are now in line with the wrists.
  3. If you’ve ever seen someone doing a push up or you’ve done them yourself, this would be the starting position.
  4. Stay long in the spine by looking straight down, not letting your pelvis drop, and keeping your stomach and thighs engaged.
  5. Hold this position for 30 seconds to a minute then push back into down dog.
  6. Hold in down dog for five deep breaths and repeat. Sit back in child’s pose at any time to take a break by placing your knees on the mat, resting your tailbone on your heels, tops of the feet flat on the mat, arms down by your side and forehead resting on the mat.

Diva Plank Caution:

Those with carpal tunnel syndrome should do this pose on their knees or disregard completely and work on holding down dog for 5 deep breaths at a time.

Make sure to also check out our Facebook and Twitter for great recipes and Halloween ideas!

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Aug 12

Yoga Made Easy- Pose 8

Article by: Megan Stremick

Pose: Cobra

Your on the floor playing with the kids, lying on your belly while they push around the blocks or show you how well they can open and close their favorite pop up book (for the millionth time), so why not do a little something good to strengthen your back and your arms while you’re there. This pose is simple enough in the execution but delivers big results from repeated use.

Cobra Benefits:

Promotes blood circulation and strengthens the spine

Opens the heart and lungs and stimulates the abdominal organs

Tones upper arms and buttocks

Stretches the chest, shoulders and abs

Cobra How To:

  1. Lie flat on your stomach, top of your feet flat on the mat and your hands at the sides of your chest right next to your front ribs.
  2. Keep your elbows in the frame of the body (imagine there is a string attached to each elbow holding them in next to your body)
  3. Push through the hands, lifting the chest, and pressing the pubic bone into the earth.
  4. Keep a soft bend in your elbows (elbows pointing straight back not out to the sides) and look straight ahead
  5. Hold here for three deep breaths then push back to child’s pose.

Cobra Caution:

Pregnant women should avoid this pose as well as any women who have serious back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome or suffer from a hernia.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook for more Yoga Made Easy poses!

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Aug 6

Yoga Made Easy- Pose 8

Article By: Megan Stremick

Pose: Childs Pose

There is a little child in everyone of us just screaming to get out but once released this child doesn’t say “let’s go on a roller coaster ride and eat cotton candy till we puke!”, this child whispers in a soft little voice “rest, relax, and just be”. This pose is reminiscent of when I was a little girl and my mom would let me stay up late to watch Bambi. I sat on the comfy shag carpet in a ball in front of the TV and felt so comfortable in my own little world—that is until my brother would push me over and tickle me until I cried, but it was oh so nice while it lasted.

Today, I routinely practice Childs Pose, and I don’t need to be watching Bambi to do it. I practice this pose as both a transition between a series of challenging asanas, or poses, and as a chance to take a rest and calm my thoughts. So let your inner child remind you to rest, relax, and just BE for a few moments out of everyday while you practice this pose.

Childs Pose Benefits:

Gently stretches the lower back, hips, and ankles

Relieves stress and tension

Childs Pose How To:

  1. Begin on your hands and knees, with the tops of your feet flat on your mat, knees out to a V and your big toes touching.
  2. Slowly lower your tailbone to your heels and your torso down between your thighs.
  3. Lengthen the neck and gently rest your forehead onto the mat.
  4. Place your arms on the mat by the sides of your torso, with your hands back by your feet, palms up.
  5. Stay here for at least three deep breaths if you are transitioning between poses or a few minutes if this is your only pose.

Childs Pose Caution:

Those with knee injuries should not attempt this pose unless properly supervised by a yoga teacher.

Have any poses you need help with? Let us know on our Facebok or Twitter.

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Jul 29

Summer X Games 2010

Written By: Sara Lopez

Today begins the 16th Annual X Games in LA. This year’s competition will include Moto X, Skateboarding, BMX, and Rallying. If you can’t make it to downtown LA, don’t fret- ESPN and ESPN2 will be airing more than 31 hours of live HD programming!
This year’s X Games is loaded with some of the biggest names in extreme sports like Anthony Napolitan, Blako ‘Bilko’ Williams, Scotty Cranmer, Elissa Steamer, Travis Pastrana, and one of my all-time favorites Shaun White.

Not only can these athletes do extraordinary things in their sports, but they have also paved the way for other people to be able to learn and grow into aggressive sports.

Elissa Streamer

Elissa Streamer was one of my heroes while growing up. She was the first female to get a video part in a legit skate movie and the first female to get an avatar in a skateboarding videogame (Tony Hawk’s “Pro Skater”).  Women like Ms. Streamer have paved the way for female skateboarders and women of many different aggressive sports by sticking with the sport she loved, even when the boys suggested she be a cheerleader instead.

Shaun White

Shaun White is nothing less than a superstar. He is not only one of the best skateboarders in the world, but he is also one of the best snowboarders in the world. He started competing in Winter X Games when he was only 13. Ten years later, Shaun White is still a force to be reckoned with at the age of 23.

There are many more talented athletes that will be competing in the X Games this year. You can check out all of their profiles here and if you can’t tune in to ESPN or ESPN2 on your TV, make sure to catch the free updates online here.

If you can come on out to Downtown LA make sure to keep an eye out for the 8th Continent Soymilk team. We will be passing out samples, coupons, and supporting all of the amazing extreme athletes!

Do you have a favorite competitor in X Games 2010? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook!

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Jul 14

Yoga Made Easy- Pose 7

Article By: Megan Stremick

Pose: Downward Facing Dog

Mommies, it’s time to down dog! Next to savasana, or corpse pose, where you lie on your back in relaxed meditation, down dog is one of the most widely recognized yoga poses. The mainstay in any yoga class, down dog is used as a warm-up pose, a pose to transition between poses, a strengthening pose, and much more. Recently I watched my one year old boy do a baby version of down dog and it was adorable. He had his hands and feet on the ground walking around like Mogley from The Jungle Book when he saw something between his legs that caught his eyes—so with his head down and butt up I couldn’t help but giggle at my little yoga boy in the making. This pose is great to do any time of day for a quick ‘all over’ stretch and energy boost.

Down Dog Benefits:

Energizes the whole body

Builds arm and leg strength

Beneficial in relieving symptoms of menopause or menstrual discomfort

Builds flexibility in the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands

Stimulates the nerves and calms the brain

Down Dog How-To:

  1. Start with your hands and knees on the mat—wrists under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
  2. Curl your toes under and straighten your legs. Be sure your feet are hips distance apart.
  3. Your tailbone lifts up toward the sky then presses back. The top of your head reaches toward the earth as your chest reaches back toward your legs.
  4. Rotate the arms outward—imagine you are turning your hands so that your thumbs would point straight forward—this helps to create space between the shoulder blades.
  5. Engage the front of the thighs (quadriceps) as you draw the heels down to the mat. *For those with tighter hamstrings keep a slight bend in the knees but continue to work towards straightening the legs.
  6. Hold here for 5 deep, even breaths then release back to the starting position or release further into child’s pose by resting the tailbone back on the heels, bringing the arms back by your side, palms up, and resting your forehead on the mat.

Down DogCaution:

For those with frequent headaches or high blood pressure be sure to rest your head on a block or folded blanket in down dog.

If you have shoulder issues, take care by not rotating the shoulders and arms outward.

And lastly, if you are in the latter stages of pregnancy do not practice

Make sure to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date with all of the new Yoga Made Easy Poses brought to you by 8th Continent Soymilk.

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Jun 30

Yoga Made Easy- Pose 6

Article By: Megan Stremick

Pose:

Warrior 2

Now that you’ve had a week to master Warrior 1 let’s continue the theme of the mommy warrior with Warrior 2, strengthening both your peace-of-mind and your thighs. This is a perfect pose to do for those times that you’re feeling a little less than the awesome mommy that you are; like when you beat yourself up over that Krispy Kreme you indulged in, your mother-in-law made another comment about the way you choose to discipline your kids, or instead of ‘politely’ hanging up on the solicitor on the phone you decided to release your frustration with a string of four letter words. Follow the How To below and you will feel like a peaceful, strong, and beautiful mommy in no time.

Warrior 2 Benefits:

  1. Promotes flexibility in the inner thighs, hips, groin, ankles and chest
  2. Strengthens the thighs, shoulders and arms
  3. Builds stamina
  4. Relieves back pain

Warrior 2 How To:

  1. Stand in Mountain pose, reach your arms out to a T then step your feet out to the sides so that your ankles line up underneath your wrists—yes, your stance should be that wide.
  2. Keep your arms out to a T. Spin your right leg open so that your right toes are now pointing in the same direction as your right fingertips.
  3. Pivot your left heel back so that your left foot is now at an angle
  4. Bend your right knee so that it sits above the ankle. Look down to make sure that you can see your front big toe and the knee is in line with the second toe (this alignment protects the knee and the hips).
  5. The torso sits right above the hips, do not lean the torso over the front thigh—the spine should be straight.
  6. Keep the back leg straight and strong by reaching down through the outer arch of the back foot.
  7. Take a deep inhale and lift the chest up, exhale as you relax the shoulders down away from your ears.
  8. Focus your gaze is out over your front middle finger.
  9. Hold for five deep breaths or as long as you can while breathing in through the nose and out through the nose
  10. Repeat on the left side.

Warrior 2 Cautions:

  1. Diarrhea
  2. High Blood Pressure
  3. Severe neck or back discomfort

Are you loving our Yoga Made Easy Poses? Let us know on our Facebook or on Twitter!

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Jun 24

Yoga Made Easy- Pose 5

Article By: Megan Stremick

Pose:

Warrior 1

Being the perfect, well rounded moms that we all are it’s part of our inherent makeup that we always strive to act in peaceful, non violent ways with everyone we encounter. This includes the times that we are confronted with a rude clerk at the store counter or that pushy woman at the department store, and yes, even when our children are acting like wild animals. It was hard for me to keep a straight face as I wrote that but let’s pretend for a moment that’s all true. No matter how calm we may try to stay in a particular situation, whether by taking deep breaths and finding our chi, or gritting our teeth and praying to everything holy to help keep us from exploding, we can be assured that there is a peaceful warrior that resides in us all. Warrior 1 is one of three warrior poses in yoga, all giving strength to the arms, back, chest, and thighs.  So strike a pose, it’s time to be mommy warriors of peace and strength.

Warrior 1 Benefits:

  1. Promotes flexibility in the back of the legs
  2. Strengthens the thighs
  3. Opens up and stretches the chest and lungs
  4. Strengthens the arms and shoulders
  5. Promotes flexibility in the hips and groin

Warrior 1 How To:

  1. Begin standing in Mountain pose at the back of your mat.
  2. Take a long stride forward with your right foot.
  3. Set your back heel down so that your back toes are now angles to the front left corner of your mat.
  4. Inhale and reach your arms up, palms facing each other, fingertips to the sky, biceps next to the ears and shoulders relaxed down.
  5. Exhale and bend your front knee so that it sits above your ankle. Look down to make sure that you can see your front big toe and the knee is in line with the second toe (this alignment protects the knee and the hips).
  6. The spine is straight with your torso above your hips.
  7. Pull the right hip back and the left hip forward—this is a small movement.
  8. Keep the back leg straight and strong by reaching down through the outer arch of the back foot.
  9. If you’re comfortable with your balance and you do not have any issue in your neck, look up between your hands.
  10. Hold for five deep breaths or as long as you can while breathing in through the nose and out through the nose
  11. Repeat on the left side.

Warrior 1 Caution:

If your neck bothers you at all in this position just look straight ahead instead of looking up between your hands.

Those with high blood pressure, severe back pain, and any heart problems should not do this pose.

If your shoulders bother you with your arms raised, lower them down by your side.

Any tips for us or which poses we should post in the future? Let us know on Facebook or on Twitter!

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Jun 15

Yoga Made Easy- Pose 4

Article By: Megan Stremick

Pose:

Chair Pose

Utkatasana

We all know how to sit down in a chair, we do it everyday, but what would happen if we took the chair away and just pretended to sit down? We’d all have thighs and a butt like Jessica Alba, that’s what! This pose helps to shape your butt, thighs, and back as well as chest and shoulders, try to hold the pose for at least 30 seconds, if not longer, at a time and you will see great results. So, take a seat… just leave out the chair!

Utkatasana Benefits:

  1. Stretches the torso, shoulders, and chest
  2. Strengthens the ankles, calves, thighs, and spine
  3. Stimulates the internal organs, improving digestion
  4. Beneficial for those with flat feet

Utkatasana How To:

  1. Begin standing with your feet together and arms by your sides.
  2. Inhale the arms up, biceps nest to your ears and palms facing each other. Relax your shoulders down.
  3. Exhale and bend your knees keeping the weight of the body back in the heels (so much so that you can wiggle your toes). You are slightly bent forward at the hip hinge but the chest stays lifted keeping your spine lone.
  4. Imagine you have a string attached from your tailbone to your heels—this will help you from sticking your butt out and arching in your lower back.
  5. Hold for 30 seconds to a minute then straighten the legs, release the hands back by your side and stand straight up.

Utkatasana Caution:

Be mindful not to do this pose if you have severe headaches, insomnia, or low blood pressure.

Other Yoga Made Easy Poses:

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