photography courtesy of Rae Cosmetics

Remember when I told you how obsessed I was Revision’s Intellishade Tinted Moisturizer? Well, I still am.

But I’m also liking a similar product from Austin-based Rae Cosmetics, the Climate Control tinted moisturizer for $39 in eight shades. The mineral-based brand, created for exercisers, travelers, and all around busy people, consists of eyeshadows, lip sticks, glosses, and liners, tools, powder, blush, concealer, an more. According to Rae, products are made of “micro-crushed minerals, pigments, and potent anti-oxidants” that protect the skin from daily damage without suffocating it. After playing with them, I agree: they feel light but stay put. Plus, I’m thrilled having a bit of color on my face that doesn’t need to be washed off before I work out. The tinted moisturizer is a water-based formula with a chemical-free sunscreen and a shimmer. Wear it alone for a glow or dust some quick powder on top to tone it down. I’m wearing it tomorrow for Genesis Women’s Shelter’s Make the Break from Domestic Violence race. (Don’t judge. I have to speak, and I don’t want to look like a vampire that hasn’t fed in a long time.) For now, shop the line online.

Merge is unpacking and hanging up new spring merchandise everyday, so feel free to stop in more than once.

(from top) Locally designed python wallets and iPad cases, pastel skinny leg jeans, a sale rack of denim from white to dark wash, more python iPad cases and clutches, House of Harlow 1960 black resin necklace ($145),  Bella Dahl white blouse ($97), Ttee taupe jacket ($142), and Jamison sweater ($148), House of Harlow 1960 studded bangles ($138).

*If you deal with shin splints, your workout life isn’t over. I see Dr. Jason Rowenhorst at Premier Sports Chiropractic, and I’m healing. I can actually hit the treadmill again. (For, like, a minute before I’m out of breath.)

photography courtesy of The Juice Extractor Report

No, no, you lush. I mean with real, organic fruit and veggie juice, hand squeezed, blended, and poured from behind the new Juice Bar at The Bar Method in Inwood Village. Why we don’t have more juiceries in Dallas is beyond me, but thank goodness for Bar Method’s husband and wife team, Tom and Lisa Hennings, who realized we need a hot spot that doles out (get it? “dole?” like the banana?) pressed juices, smoothies, kombucha tea, and specialty concoctions like oat shakes, coconut water, and green lemonade. Tom’s own Dallas-made Groovin’ On Granola will also be in stock, along with other healthful, refueling, on-the-go snacks in the newly expanded space. Getting a sculpted rear end at The Bar Method was already delicious, but I can’t wait for The Juice Bar, which opens on April 2.

That's trainer Amy Mack, left. I try to sneak in breaks during plank holds, and she always catches me. On the right, you'll see happy faces. Those are real. I was there. (photography by Jason Janik)

I’ve lost 10 pounds since January 9. It doesn’t count as rubbing it in if I tell you how I’ve done it, right? Well, I go to Camp Gladiator. (To be more specific, I participated in a semi-annual Camp Gladiator Fitness Challenge which are offered throughout the year.) Here’s the basic rundown of this award-winning fitness program, courtesy of our beauty guide:

Campers are fiercely loyal to this program; after attending, we understand why. Few fitness programs can make you feel so motivated you want to sign up for the rest of your life. Trainers are professional, fun, and work to know the names of campers, so personal encouragement is shouted out regularly. Every workout changes, so there’s no monotony. Sessions are offered from 5:30 am to 7:30 pm all over DFW. Various locations.

To summarize, it’s a go-at-your-own-pace boot camp with experienced trainers who have created this unusual sense of community during their one hour workouts all over DFW. They make you do annoying things like yell “Camp Gladiator” while you’re doing jumping jacks or sprint when the workout is nearly over (or both), but somehow, some way, CG-ers are sort of still smiling when they’re finished. This four-week camp is nearly one week in, but enter to win right now, and CG has allowed me to pick THREE WINNERS. Each one will receive a certificate to participate in the remaining 3 weeks of this session of CG boot camp. Winners selected tomorrow.

photography courtesy of vendors

Unsurprisingly, a few recent Ask Raya questions have included a plea for health counseling. Like this question below:

“It’s the new year, and I’m already ready to break my resolution to get healthy and shed a couple pounds! I can’t afford a nutritionist, but I need help with meal planning. I thought you might know an expert that can help with some healthy meal pointers!” –Elisa

I immediately contacted Cooper Clinic. From the brain of resident dietician Cynthanne Duryea, RD, LD, to your plate, here is a list of delicious healthy meal and snack suggestions worth their weight in chocolate, er, gold.

Ditch the rumored “rules.” Instead, work with Cynthanne’s three important strategies:

1. Every meal should be PCF balanced. (That is, protein, carbohydrate, and fat.) Check your plate for fiber-rich carbs, heart healthy fats, and lean meats for protein.
2. Go for three meals and two snacks each day. Snacks offer another opportunity to fuel your body wisely. See examples of great snacks below.
3. Consider this question: Why do we eat? The answer is to fuel and nourish our bodies. Before you put something in your mouth ask yourself, “what can this food do for me?” Concentrate on purposeful eating.

Now, welcome to a day of eating in Cynthanne Duryea’s life. Below are some meal ideas that she frequently uses, as well as some go-to snack ideas that she finds to be remarkably satisfying and keeps her fueled throughout the day.

BREAKFAST

photography courtesy of vendors

Option 1:
-Uncle Sam Cereal (toasted whole-wheat flakes and Flaxseed- a 100% whole grain cereal)
-1 cup skim milk (used on cereal and to “cream” coffee)
-1 banana sliced on cereal
(Note: This fiber rich breakfast contains 15 grams of protein, giving real staying power throughout the morning.)

Option 2:
-Quaker Oats Old Fashioned rolled oats cooked with pears, apples, dried apricots and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
-½ cup of Vanilla Strained Low-Fat Greek yogurt, scooped on top of oatmeal
-½ ounce almonds (11 almonds to be exact!)

(Note: I prefer to batch cook this hot breakfast on the weekends, when I have more time. I start with 2.25 cups of dry rolled oats which will yield 3 heart-healthy portions of oatmeal. There are 3 grams of soluble fiber in each of the heart-healthy portions, which is an amount that can effectively lower LDL cholesterol, as part of a diet low in saturated fat. I add 1 apple (chopped), 1 pear (chopped) and about 9 apricots (cut into quarters) and about ¼ tsp. cinnamon to add a nice flavor to the cooked fruit and oats. The Vanilla Low-fat Greek strained yogurt I add lends about 11 grams of protein, giving a lot of bang for the 80-calorie buck. The almonds that top this delicious breakfast add heart healthy fat and a lot of satiety.)

MID-MORNING SNACK

photography courtesy of vendors

Option 1:
-Kashi TLC Bar- The Honey Almond Flax is a personal favorite!
(Note: What a tasty and convenient way to enjoy 4 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein, in a whole grain source that only has 140 calories.)

Option 2:
-Clementine
-Mozzarella String Cheese stick
(Note: The clementine is the perfect portable fruit: it is easy to carry to work and peels effortlessly, unlike a thick skinned orange. Combining it with the string cheese adds about 6 grams of protein to this snack, making it more complete. The flavor and texture combination of these two simple items is quite nice.)

LUNCH

photography courtesy of vendors

Option 1:
A lunch that I have at the office has to be quick and easy, as I typically work through my lunch. Therefore, I gravitate towards a healthier version frozen meal:
-Either a Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, Kashi or an Amy’s Organic frozen meal
-Triscuit Crackers
-Piece of fruit
(Note: Many of the patients I see believe that the sodium content of these meals is extremely high. However, when I compare the sodium content of these above frozen meals to the sodium content of their usual sandwich ordered at their local sandwich shop, they are shocked to learn that a 6” sub sandwich is about double to triple the sodium content of any of these frozen meals, with just the bread, lunch meat and cheese….and any pickles or dressings would add much more sodium.)

Option 2:
If lunch is at home, I love to throw together a salad, using washed and trimmed baby spinach, the kind in the bag that is ready to go. Components that would go into the salad would be:
-2-3 ounces of left over turkey, pork tenderloin or extra lean ground beef (often leftovers from taco night!)
-1 Roma tomato, diced
-¼ avocado
-½ cup black beans
-bell pepper strips
-shredded carrots or whatever colorful vegetable I may have in the refrigerator to add nutrients and color to this salad.
-¼ cup shredded cheese – for a heart healthier choice I aim for a 2% milk-fat cheese or a shredded partially skimmed mozzarella
(Note: The salad is quick and easy because there is very little preparation needed. Also, I find that the avocado adds enough creaminess to the salad, I often do not even add a salad dressing.)

AFTERNOON SNACK

photography courtesy of vendors

Option 1:
-Chobani Greek Non-fat yogurt – I love the fruit varieties! The 14 grams of protein in an individual 6 ounce container really has staying power. I have found that purchasing them by the dozen at Sam’s Club is a smart economical way to buy them!
Option 2:
If I have a sweet tooth in the afternoon, I have two favorites that I alternate and enjoy with a glass of skim milk:
-Either a Corazonas Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Square (It’s pluses are its 5 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein and it contains plant sterols in a daily amount that can effectively reduce cholesterol….it does have 190 calories, which may be a little high in calories for some women though.)
-Or a Kashi TLC Soft-Baked Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Chip cookie
(Note: both of the above snack ideas are great whole grain sources, and they truly fulfill a sweet craving. By washing either one down with an 8 ounce glass of skim milk, you get an additional 8 grams of protein and 300 mg of calcium.)

DINNER

photography courtesy of vendors

Option 1:
Dinner often consists of
-A lean meat prepared in the crock pot cooked on low, while I am away from home during the day- examples would be pork tenderloin, lean center cut pork chops, or chicken pieces without skin….even flank steak can be prepared in the crock pot with a marinade, to make fajitas or to be used on top of a salad.
-Frozen vegetables are a constant “go-to” to assure that a colorful vegetable is included at this meal.
-Almost always there is a salad made with the washed and trimmed salad mixes that are “ready to go.” I dice up tomatoes and whatever raw vegetable I might have in the refrigerator. Olive oil based vinaigrettes are most commonly used for these.
-One fiber rich starch food completes the meal. Examples are brown rice; fresh corn; quinoa; a bean variation like pinto, black, or lima; a sweet potato or red skin new potato; or a piece of Ezekiel bread, which is especially good toasted.
-If my time and energy allow, I will cut up fruit and make a quick fruit salad. If I am more pressed for time, I will literally bring the fruit bowl to the table, and set out a piece of fruit for each family member, to encourage its consumption.

Option 2:
An easy dinner that feels “gourmet” is:
-I steam a white fish like tilapia in an old electric rice and vegetable steamer (I was given a Black and Decker electric steamer as a wedding gift 22 years ago….and it is still going strong. To steam 4 fillets takes only about 20 minutes)
-As the fish fillets are steaming, I heat slivered almonds in a non-stick skillet, until just lightly golden, to lend a slightly toasted flavor to the almonds. Then I remove the almonds from the pan and set aside.
-In the same non-stick skillet that I used for the slivered almonds, I heat 1.5 tbsp. olive oil. Then I add washed and trimmed baby spinach (about a 2 pound bag) adding small amounts at a time, until it wilts and decreases in volume, and I continue to add until it is all wilted and fits within the pan. Then I add sliced mushrooms and allow the spinach and mushrooms to sauté together until heated and the mushrooms become tender. I may splash just a bit of soy sauce to add some flavor to the sautéed spinach and mushrooms.
-After the fish is done, I plate the steamed fillets on the plate, and then I cover each fillet with the sautéed spinach and mushrooms, and then I sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds on top.
-Wild Rice is served with this meal as the starch component.
-Adding a yellow/orange vegetable such as steamed carrots or sliced yellow squash, adds nice color and more nutrients.
(Note: this meal feels gourmet somehow- although it is incredibly easy and simple. It is especially nice to have a glass of Pinot Grigio with it.)

photography courtesy of vendors

Beverages that are nice alternatives to just water:
Le Croix Carbonated Fruit flavored beverages- these give you the kick of a carbonated soda, but without sugar or artificial sweetener…just a nice clean fruit taste with bubbles.
Celestial de-caffeinated herbal teas- on cold winter days these are a great comfort beverage.
Adding 2 Tbsp. POM (pomegranate juice) to 12 ounces of ice water. In the summer, I often have this as a dinner beverage. The concentrated juice lends a lot of flavor to the water, in just a small amount.

Cynthanne has worked in the Cooper Clinic Nutrition Department since 1998 and specializes in preventive health, cardiovascular nutrition, weight management and women’s health. Personally committed to exercise and fitness, she especially enjoys helping others with wellness and sports nutrition. Cynthanne is the lead dietitian for recipe analysis, working with restaurants, food companies and individuals. She received a Bachelor of Science in food and nutrition from Texas Tech University and interned at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Contact her.

My idea of yoga.

When Super Yoga Palace hosts Twitter Sundays, it does. Owner Jessica Jordan heads up this weekly free yoga class each weekend at 1 pm. Follow @superyogapalace, who will Tweet the location and then hurry your buns over to catch a complimentary workout with Jessica instructing, live music, and a post-Down Dog brunch. Each event will vary based on location and “which cafes or bakeries we can connect with,” according to SYP. Take last Sunday, for example. Jessica led the stretching and posing to live indie rock spun by DJ Datahowler at Good Records. Mimosas were served afterward. Now that’s how yoga should be. Quickly now. Launch your Twitter (or join) and follow @superyogapalace to be in the loop.

All winter wear is 25 percent off right now.

I can’t keep myself out of Relativity Outdoors lately. It could be that I found unique but functional gifts in there for everyone I know over Christmas. Or maybe it’s the way the outdoor adventure store’s furnished with shelves of hiking boots, chic tree branches, and snowy mountain landscape photos that makes me feel like I’ve actually spent some time outdoors during my lunchbreak. Whatever it is, I know I love stopping in, finding out about the latest technological advancements in Columbia jackets, styles of Arc’Teryx military grade sports bras and tanks, and newest shipment of Love Nail Tree jewelry. Oh, and taking home a garment from the sale rack. (Today I bought the boyfriend some slick, black Element board shorts for $25.) Check out my favorite things from the shop today.

1. Columbia tunic, $75
2. Soft-as-butter jacket
3. Horny Toad button-down, $85
4. Sandal island
5. Arc’Teryx tanks, $59 to $69
6. Sorel “Tofino” boot, $140
7. Love Nail Tree binoculars necklace, $42
8. Love Nail Tree rings with foreign coins, $17
9. Loe Nail Tree charm necklaces
10. Hemp t-shirts, 2 for $30
11. Patagonia “Advocate” men’s slip-ons, $55

That's trainer Jeni Maldanado in the middle, looking content while students feel the burn.

Remember when we told you about our favorite new 30-minute workout at Fitness with Insight? It’s the suspension training class (called TRX) where you use straps hanging from the ceiling to get a workout off your own body weight. Well, we still love it and attend regularly. We love the 30-minute timeframe. (We like to get in, get some exercise, and still have time for ourselves after work.) We love the trainers. (Meg Golden and Jeni Maldonado seem to know everyone by name and you’re greeted like their favorite client every time.) And we love the results. (After just three classes, we already felt so much stronger.) What we don’t always love is the price, which we know might stop people from signing up. But today’s a great day. Fitness with Insight is on GiltCity right now for $39 for three classes or $140 for unlimited classes for a month. Check it out. The offer ends on Monday.

my terrible 2010 cell phone photography

Holy Trinity of Nike workout pants.

This morning, the newest super special Nike store opened in NorthPark Center. I’ve never seen a more excited staff, waiting to open the doors. And the “sneakerheads” waiting in line for a glimpse of the store’s limited-edition kicks, well, they were pretty stoked, too. (There are only six Nike stores like this around the country, so you can see why people are excited.) All the cool things you spy on athletes, see in commercials, and find online are now available, glittering on display, in a shop near you. The store is divided into sections: running, training, basketball, soccer, golf, kiddos, and more, but one of the most exciting areas is the customization shop. (THE most exciting area is up ahead.) Here, you can do the same sort of NikeiD personalization that you do online, but you have the help of expert staff, and exclusive fabrics and materials at your disposal. You can also customize hoodies, Dri-FIT tees, running shorts, and equipment. The best part of the shop is, of course, all the innovative gear for the ladies. There are rows of colorful everything: sports bras, tanks, sweaters, training shorts, etc., but I’m eyeing the the “perfect fit” Nike Legend pants, which come in cropped and full-length versions. Apparently, these babies have been in the works for years. Every detail is has been tailored for a comfy wear, but more importantly, a flattering fit. A couple patents sit on these pants, including the V-shape stitching that lifts the rear in the back of the pants. I can’t wait to shop for new workout gear. Hopefully I’ll be as excited to work out in the new workout gear, too. Jump for more low-tech photos.

Perfect, you say? I’ll try that!

All kinds of fits, left. One of the many possibilities for your feet, right.

Nike is gearing up to open its newest retail location at NorthPark Center later this month under a brand new multi-category concept – only the sixth of its kind in the U.S. – featuring innovative consumer experiences, market tailored product offerings, community resources and the introduction of team customization services. Grand opening festivities will take place at the new Nike Dallas Aug. 19 – 21.

Sweet.

photos courtesy of vendors

Yes, accessorizing for the Katy Trail. (And I’m not talking about wearing dangly earrings and lip gloss to the gym.) When your car’s displaying a temp that reaches above 90 degrees, there are things you absolutely need (a thneed, if you will) to make your life bearable outdoors. Head to the following stores for accessories that’ll keep you cooler (or just cooler looking) when your foundation’s running down your face.

Sport + Store Water Bottle at The Woodhouse Day Spa
This is the kind of invention that makes me say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” This functional water bottle has a hidden, removable bottom to store secret things (like money and keys) or to use as an on-the-go doggie dish.

Lug Cartwheel Bag at Sam Moon and Facelogic in Fort Worth
Overnight bags typically consist of a wide-open space with a couple tiny pockets to separate your goods. Not this bad boy. There are so many nooks and crannies and specialized compartments, I’m still finding them! (And I’ve had my bag for a month!) My favorite features include the super padded shoulder strap, ring holder bar that snaps open and closed to for keeping jewelry in place, the front flap for holding in a yoga mat (or whatever), and the extra drawstring bag inside for storing things (like, dirty clothes, muddy shoes, etc.).

Emi-Jay Hair Ties at Purre Barre
These accessories double as hair ties and bracelets. They come in fun colors and are stylishly knotted on the end (so you don’t look a nerd with it on your wrist). Plus, because they’re not rubbery and don’t yank strands out of your head, they’re actually good for your hair. (I get props from my colorist every time I wear one into the salon.) Check out these elastic bands around the locks of Jennifer Aniston and the ladies of Gossip Girl, and then go getchu one.

Bridalicious' butt-kicker, Doug Rice

It comes from the Bridalicious Boot Camp trainer and it’s sitting over at BridalBuzz. Highlights include not waiting to exercise until it’s blatantly convenient, leaving perfection out of the equation, and celebrating the everyday victories. Amen, brother! Read it all here.