Best Fitness and Healthy Living Products April 2019
These 13 Products Will Help You Crush Your Spring Fitness Goals
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Fueled by the longer days and Spring blooms, we're feeling ready to take on April — predicted showers or not. Inspired by the season change, we're moving workouts outdoors but still feeling the need for hearty broths and healthy snacks. From cookbooks to sneakers, here's what we're excited about this month.
Dinner for Everyone by Mark Bittman
"This cookbook has revolutionized dinner at my house. In Dinner for Everyone ($23), Mark Bittman creates 100 recipes in three different ways (yeah, there are 300 recipes in this book), and in the breakdown there is always a vegan option, which is exactly what I needed to help steer my family toward a more plant-based diet. That doesn't mean we haven't enjoyed some of the meaty, cheesy recipes, but Bittman's vegan dishes are consistently far more flavorful than others I have tried previously. It's a globetrotting cookbook with recipes from around the world — so many good curries — with many basics, like mac and cheese or meatballs (or beetballs if you're vegan). The photos are gorgeous, too, and truly inspire. This cookbook brought some adventure back to the kitchen, and the easy version of these recipes that make for quick dinners on weeknights." — Susi May, senior content director, Fitness
Quevos Egg White Chips
"I get crunchy, salty cravings pretty much every afternoon, but eating the carb-rich snacks that I love, like pretzels, leaves me feeling bloated. Quevos ($18 for pack of six) are chips made out of egg whites (yes, I know), and they're both light and satisfying, all the crunch and taste without the gross feeling afterwards. They're low-carb (only 6 grams per bag), high-protein (10 grams), and so delicious, like a lighter, crispier potato chip. The Quevos Rancheros are my favorites. Preorder now before they sell out again." — Maggie Ryan, assistant editor, Fitness
The Stick Foot Wheel Massager
"A foot roller is not exactly the sexiest fitness item out there, but if you get sore arches or cramped muscles in your feet, it won't matter — you will adore the Stick Foot Wheel Massager ($19, originally $22). I've used it after long runs, plyometric workouts, and nights out wearing heels. Roll it over the soles of your feet, apply slight pressure, and feel it unknot every aching muscle. It makes my feet feel brand new every time." — MR
Nike Power Speed 7/8 Running Tights
"As a trainer and someone who works out a lot, I spend a majority of my time in leggings. Because of that, I need leggings that are functional, comfy, and cute. The Nike Power Speed 7/8 Running Tights ($75) check off every box. I can do all my favorite workouts in them, they move well (which means I can demo exercises with ease), and they also look good when I'm running errands and hanging out." — Tamara Pridgett, assistant editor, Fitness
RXBAR Chocolate Peanut Butter
"I can't have Nutella in the house; I'll sneak spoonful after spoonful and eat an entire jar before the week is over. As a replacement, I've taken to melting chocolate chips in all-natural peanut butter, but RXBAR came out with an even better solution: Chocolate Peanut Butter ($13 for 10 pouches). It's the perfect snack with apples, bananas, or alone out of the single-serve pouch. There's an egg white for extra protein (9 grams total!) and each serving only has 3 grams of sugar." — Christina Stiehl, editor, Fitness
Crocs LiteRide Colorblock Pacers
"I cannot tell you how excited I was to find out that Crocs sells sneakers. Cute sneakers. These Women's LiteRide Colorblock Pacers ($60) are not running shoes, but they've been great for hiking, commutes, and racing for the checkout line at the grocey store. I love them because they're super lightweight and my toes can breathe. When I tell people they're Crocs, nine times out of 10 they say the same thing: 'Wow, I didn't know Crocs made shoes that cute!'" — Sam Brodsky, assistant editor, Fitness
The F*ck It Diet
"I've been immersing myself in podcasts about intuitive eating, and that's where I heard about this book, The F*ck It Diet ($18) by Caroline Dooner. Caroline talks about why diets fail us, why diet culture is so detrimental to our physical and emotional well-being, and then offers a solution to making eating simple and enjoyable, and to healing our relationships with food and our bodies. Seems fitting as we're heading into Spring, where the message to women is to get 'bikini-ready,' and Caroline calls BS on that! This book is a must for all women to read." — Jenny Sugar, staff writer, Fitness
Nike 6:1 Shine Stripe Crossback One-Piece
"I have worn the same basic style of one-piece for lap swimming since I began working out in a pool years ago; it was a boring, high-necked suit and since I wasn't there to see people, it didn't really matter. But new fun gear can reinvigorate a workout, and this Nike 6:1 Shine Stripe Crossback One-Piece ($100) has definitely brought some style and excitement to my swims. It has shiny, almost metallic horizontal stripes, which give it a fashion-forward feel, but most importantly, this suit is comfortable. It's form-fitting without being too tight, and I love the open back and adjustable straps." — SM
OWL Bone Broths
"With the onset of Spring, I'm giving my system a mindful reset and thinking more consciously about what I'm putting in my body. Since I very often end up doing quite the opposite (read: mindlessly snacking), I'm reaching for this Organic Chicken Bone Broth Elixir ($21) that's easy on my stomach, filling, and nutrient-rich with added benefits of healing ingredients like fennel, turmeric, and ginger. I sip on this between meetings or add it to rice and veggies for a heartier meal." — Hannah Weil McKinley, director, Fashion & Shop
SmartWool Merino Sport 150 Long Sleeve
"There is a chill in the morning here in Northern California, but not so cold as to wear a coat. For predawn hill walks (the multiple staircases in the hills make for a great leg and butt workout), I've been sporting this SmartWool Merino Sport 150 Long Sleeve ($70). The fabric, a blend of merino wool and quick-drying polyester, is not too thick, the length of the shirt covers my hips, and there is a line of mesh venting down that back that not only looks cool, but it helps keep me cool as my body warms up. It's great for hiking, too." — SM
Peckish Eggs
"I'm sorry, but I simply don't want to take time to hard-boil eggs. So when Peckish sent me packages of its hard-boiled eggs, I was so grateful. Each pack has between 11 and 14 grams of protein and comes with two eggs and a game-changing crunchy dip with flavors like Maple Waffles, Everything, and Rancheros (my favorite). You can order shipments of 10 PECKISH Egg Packages ($45) on a biweekly or monthly basis online. They're also sold individually at some Equinox and Barry's Bootcamp locations as well as Whole Foods 365." — SB
Titan Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar
"Pull-up bars that hook onto door frames are great, but they're too low for me to work on muscle-ups and most have foam covering the bar, which isn't on the bars at my CrossFit gym. For my home gym, I'm all about this Titan Wall-Mounted Pull-Up Bar ($63). It's super sturdy and totally inspires me to work on pull-ups, hanging hollow rocks, scapular pull-ups, and toes-to-bars at home." — JS
Vertly CBD-Infused Lip and Skin Balm
"My lips get so dry and chapped when it's cold out. And since this Winter weather doesn't seem to be leaving NYC any time soon, I'm stuck with dry and cracked lips. Enter Vertly CBD Infused Lip and Skin Balm ($22), to the rescue. It's moisturizing enough to make my lips feel hydrated and soft but not too thick or watery. A little dab will do ya, and I keep it in my desk so I can moisturize all day." — CS
