So, my sister Ashleigh is looking ultra toned and buff lately. Very cut. I learned her new physique is a result of her current (and I think long-term) obsession with "aerial yoga." In essence, it's an art that combines traditional yoga poses in the air using a soft fabric trapeze.

My sis, Ash, flying high














Instead of me trying to explain the details of aerial yoga, I asked Ashleigh to do a little Q&A with Micha Adams, a woman at the forefront of the Aerial acrobat movement and owner of the Detroit Flyhouse--one of the premier aerial yoga studios in the northeast.

ASHLEIGH: Please tell us a little bit about your personal description of The Detroit Flyhouse?
MICHA: It's adult recess!! It was our dream to create a safe space for adults and children alike to take healthy risks in a totally supportive, non-competitive environment. The Flyhouse is about creating community and we've done just that. You leave with tired arms, a big smile on your face and lots of new friends.

Micha instructing during a workshop: Photo courtesy of Spilt Sugar


















Private advanced lesson. Photo courtesy of Spilt Sugar


















ASHLEIGH: How would you describe aerial yoga to the layperson that has never experienced it? Please enlighten us!
MICHA: It's another word for trapeze or tissue... anything done in the air. Many of the poses mirror traditional yoga poses done on the ground. There is a bit of climbing, a LOT of hanging out upside down and lots of laughing.

Cirque workshop: photo courtesy of Spilt Sugar


















ASHLEIGH: How did you fall (um... ascend) into loving aerial yoga?
MICHA: Well, I taught yoga for about five years then decided I wanted to expand my practice and started learning from aerial circus performance instructors.

ASHLEIGH: What do women need to do to get started in Aerial yoga? Do you have to have a certain type of body to perform?
MICHA: It's for everyone. We pride ourselves on making this practice accessible to everyone. Showing up that first time is probably the most difficult part. The practice meets you exactly where your physical ability is at and then you grow "or fly" from there.

ASHLEIGH: Being the creator of The Detroit Flyhouse must be an incredible experience. What are some of the challenges that come with owning your own studio?
MICHA: I have found the Flyhouse to be an incredible and unique vehicle for my own, personal transformation. I have become better at setting healthy boundaries around time and energy. I have so many opportunities to show and share my love with the people who come through our doors. I love the fact that this studio challenges me to constantly find new ways of inspiring students and myself both physically and emotionally.

ASHLEIGH: You are very fit and perform with such ease. What do you do to stay healthy on a daily basis?
MICHA: Ha! I do everything! I do circuit training. I bike, swim and stretch. Of course I train on the aerial apparatus. I also have learned the value of sweet rest.

ASHLEIGH: If you could pinpoint it, what do you feel is the best health advice to give the average person?
MICHA: Keep moving!

If you would like to learn more about aerial yoga (I'm definitely taking a class next time I go back to Michigan), please visit www.detroitflyhouse.com or email micha@detroitflyhouse.com. As always, keep counting.

Labels: aerial yoga, count me healthy jewelry, countessess, fitness, fitness tips, healthy living, Micha Adams

So I was creating my travel calendar for the next four months out and I think I'm home two weekends! I'm not complaining though--traveling is up there on my list of favorite things... right next to online shopping and wine (which don't mix, by the way).

A couple of these upcoming trips require international travel, with connections and being on the plane for 10 hour stints. This is no issue, but you have to plan. Travel is broadening, but it shouldn't be for your waistline.

Here are my tips for maintaining a somewhat healthy lifestyle while traveling:

Bring Your Own Food
I'm not saying you have to lug around a full course meal or a cooler, but you do need to have back up snacks. I never eat the airplane food because I don't know what the mystery sauce is and there is ALWAYS a mystery sauce. It's not the time to be an adventurous foodie. You'll have time to do this when you land. You are stuck in a small space with lots of people for a long time. Sketchy cuisine = bathroom time.



Here is what I bring:
- Plain, instant oatmeal packets (if you have a nice flight attendant, she will zap this for you or at least ration you some hot water and skim milk)
- Tuna or salmon steak in a packet (they don't smell, promise, and you will be opening them when the airplane food smell is wafting in the air anyway)
- Light salt (low sodium salt) or Spike
- Almonds
- Energy bars (I know I preach against these, but I do use while traveling)
- Baggies of dry cereal
- Liquid stevia & splenda packets

I swear this doesn't take up a lot of room in your bag, and at least you know you'll have a fall-back snack.

Create a Comfy Environment
Here are some of the non-food items I bring to ensure a comfortable and awesome flight:

- My ful Gibson backpack
- Laptop with a stocked itunes movie library (I realize you can watch in-flight entertainment, but I prefer my screen)
- iPod
- Skull Candy headphones
- A splitter so my hubby can watch a movie with me if he's traveling too
- Kindle
- Those Colgate disposable toothbrushes
- Bottled water
- Extra thick socks because my feet are always freezing
- Lotion
- Eye drops
- Cuticle Pen
- Chapstick
- Magazines
- Huge Sunglasses (I don't wear eye makeup so I put these on when we land so I don't scare anyone)

Train in a foreign land
Just because you are overseas, it doesn't mean you have to abandon your workout. Sometimes it's hard. The treadmills aren't in English, there's nowhere to run outside, jet lag, they don't believe in air conditioning in the workout facility. There are a thousand excuses. You just have to push yourself and I swear you will feel better after the sweat session. Here are a couple things to bring to help you along:

- iPod
- Exercise bands (they take up no room)
- Workout clothes and sneakers
- A zip-front hoodie
- Workout DVDs to play on your laptop (Tracy Anderson's Mat Workout is awesome)
- My Count Me Healthy bracelet (I count water so I don't get dehydrated)











Believe me, I can pack as compact as a marine. But girlfriend, if you're traveling with me and you need something... I got you covered. What do you bring to stay healthy while flying? A little planning goes a long way. As always, keep counting.

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy jewelry, countessess, fitness tips, healthy living, travel

So, I have to take a minute to blog about the Oscars because 1) Count Me healthy bracelets were featured in the official Oscar baskets last year (Yay, it was amazing) and 2) It's the most fabulous of all Hollywood events!

There is no better excuse to throw a get together with girlfriends to dress up and try really flashy cocktails that you would never go out and even attempt to order in public!

I've been reading up on Oscar parties and sorry to say, I just don't feel like sending out the invitations that look like movie director clapboards or giving out Golden Boy statutes (there is such a thing as prop overkill). Sometimes I think themed parties go just a little too far, like wearing a sequins blazer AND skirt. So, if I was going to throw an Academy Awards Soiree, this is how I would do it. And, I just might. So all of the girls who read this and see me on a regular basis, I am divulging all of the surprises that may be awaiting you.

Invites:
VIP passes, of course. Since this is last minute, it will be an "E-VIP" pass. Please note, I am all about beautiful paper invitations but time is of the essence.

Attire
It is a "Cas (as in Casual) Oscar Gathering." This is a twist to try. Friends can dress in their favorite denim, casual tops, but wear the biggest, funkiest earrings, cocktail rings, tiaras, and necklaces you can find. If you want to take it a step further, try an updo to accentuate your massive CZ earrings. If you wear the real thing, I have my gun license and would not only act as hostess but also as your bodyguard. Top it off by wearing satin evening shoes that we can all Ooooh and Aaaahhh over. So fun!


Festivities
Everyone will have to arrive early to watch the pre-Academy Award show on the E! Network for the Red Carpet arrivals. The hits, the misses, and the "Trash Your Sylists." I would hand out a form to each friend with the Award categories and contenders and before the Oscars start everyone would need to turn in their picks (in pen, no erasing!) It would be like Super Bowl betting, only better. Then, when it was over we'd tally up who had the most correct answers and the winner would get a fun prize. Okay, the gold statuette as a prize would be appropriate here I guess.

Oscar Cocktail:
I'm normally a vodka soda with lime (or red wine) gal, but signature events call for signature cocktails!

Red Carpet Martini

Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces pomegranate liqueur (recommended: PAMA)
- Champagne
- Gold leaf, for garnish

Directions
Pour vodka and pomegranate juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass rimmed with gold sugar and top with a splash of chilled Champagne. Float gold leaf and serve.

Menu:
For a minute I tried to be all creative and "channel" appetizers based on the nominees. Then I realized that I would probably just make or buy what I like and what I think my guests would enjoy!

Just a sampling of the appetizers (taken from of all places, Disneyfamily.com)

Spinach-&-Brie-Topped Artichoke Hearts
These made my mouth water, plus they are (somewhat) healthy. Plus, they are a pretty twist on the classic spinach and artichoke dip, so people will think you are uber-creative. Creamy brie is the topper, but parmesan would also work for a lighter version.

In this deconstructed version of hot spinach-artichoke dip, we stuff artichoke hearts with lightly seasoned cooked spinach and melt brie on top.


Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ready in: 15 minutes
Yield: 18 servings
Ease of Prep: Easy

Ingredients
- 1 9-ounce box frozen artichoke hearts
- 2/3 cup cooked chopped spinach
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 18 thin slices brie

Directions
Preheat broiler. Prepare artichoke hearts according to package directions.
Combine spinach, lemon pepper and salt in a small bowl. Top each artichoke heart with the spinach mixture and brie. Broil until cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes.

Tomato-Basil Skewers
These are for the hostess who is Oscar glam but short on time. Skewering mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes makes them easy to nosh at a party.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 10 minutes
Yield: 16 pieces
Ease of Prep: Easy



Ingredients
- 16 small fresh mozzarella balls
- 16 fresh basil leaves
- 16 cherry tomatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle
- Coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions
Thread mozzarella, basil and tomatoes on small skewers. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spicy Sweet Turkey Meatballs
So, since we're only having apps, it's good to serve something hearty for those who like a little more than the fruit and veggie scene. These bake in the oven which makes for fuss-free cooking and quick clean-up.

Hands-on time: 15 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 meatballs




Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 scallions, very finely chopped
- 1/2 cup very finely chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs (unseasoned)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten

Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 or 3 slices fresh ginger smashed with the side of a heavy knife

Directions
- To make the meatballs: Heat the oven to 400.
- Gently mix together the ingredients (hands are best for this), then form meatballs by rolling tablespoon-sized scoops between your palms.
- Arrange on a lightly oiled or parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until well-browned and cooked through. Serve with toothpicks for dipping.
- To make the dipping sauce: In a small pot, stir all the ingredients together over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer 3 or so minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens a bit.
- Fish out the ginger and serve in small cups for dipping.

Are you throwing an Oscar soiree? If so, what are you serving? May the stars align for you and as always... keep counting!

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy, countessess, entertaining, party

I recently went to an Inspirational Friends' Brunch at one of my dear friend's houses and I have to share. What a fabulous concept--getting women together to discuss what (or who) inspires them daily. It was refreshing and I left the event ready to embrace the day (no mimosas necessary.)

If you should want to throw an Inspirational Friends' Brunch, here are a few steps to get the "Good Food and Gratitude" flowing:

1) Invite different circles of friends. Everyone is inspired so it makes for fabulous common ground (which is hard to come by these days.) Also, often inspiration is the birth of a challenge and/or hardship in one's life, so it's nice to hear other examples outside of your tight-knit group.

2) I'm speaking from personal experience, but if you are a Facebook fiend, like moi, then you will probably invite some of your friends via FB. Message their accounts (in a group email) and ask them each for a song that inspires them. My friend, Laura, did this and put an amazing CD together which was handed out at the end (I offered the song "Jesus and Gravity" by Dolly Parton). Unfortunately, "Ice Ice Baby" didn’t make the cut but there is always next year and another friend already offered her spectacular casa for the second annual gathering.

3) Get some speakers together. These women do not have to have the scaling of Mt. Everest or a Middle-East Peace Keeper on their resume to be a speaker (although I wouldn't doubt this for some). Since you are the host, you make the rules. And you can invite whomever inspires you to "come on up here and hold the mic" (or the zebra-printed broom, which is what was used in place of a mic).

4) Home Cooking! Now this was a very southern event complete with sweet mint tea and amazing desserts. I'm from Detroit, so I know that Northern Women can cook it up just as well as the Southern Belles. Anyway, the food was fantastic. Ask a couple of your friends for their culinary specialties. They will love to help and it will take some of the pressure off of you.

5) The last step is easy. Just be proud of the event you put together and enjoy yourself. Gratitude and inspiration should be a reason to celebrate in itself; therefore you offered the perfect reason to throw a party.












What inspires you? Is it reason to throw a soiree (I'm betting, heck yes)? Enjoy your week and as always, keep counting!

Labels: count me healthy jewelry, countessess, entertaining, food tips, friendship, inspiration

Dear Countesses

I recently asked my 21-year-old sister what she wanted to do as a career. She had just received her cosmetology license and was looking for apprenticeships. She was also tossing around the idea of going back to school to do something in the marketing field. "What do YOU want to do?" I asked. "Not what mom, dad, or your friends want you to do." She replied with, "I want a job where people look up to me and I feel fulfilled." Yes, a little bit general. We continued the talk and she said she'd love to own a salon and specialize in color.

Her statement got me thinking about when I was 21. The deep need to have people take you seriously, even though it's almost impossible. You can't take yourself seriously until you figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. At this age, so much hinges on what other people think of you that discomfort in the career world is two-pronged. It comes from not yet having the skills and experience and also this deep desire to have everyone like you.

To protect ourselves, we focus so much on our looks in our early 20's (I'm generalizing here and you could be the welcome exception). It's exhausting! I'm not saying we abandon all sense of grooming when we enter our late 20's/early 30's (I am a fashion junkie), but I think we know the routine and start to focus more on things that are a little more substantial, like family and job fulfillment. Oh, keep in mind that we are also man-hunting in our early 20's. They say that babies are intentionally adorable so that mother's will take care of them. Maybe that's why we have the most perfect booties we will ever have when we're in our early 20's (again generalizing) so people will want to take care of us. By the time we're in our 30's and the booty is starting to sag, we have the skills and experience to take care of ourselves. It's a wicked tradeoff!

I loved my 20's. But I wouldn't want to go back. I know I'm going to age and I'm cool with it. I'm really looking forward to my 30's. I look at how happy my grandma is in Florida, playing cards and drinking Manhattans at 2 pm, and so I'm even excited to, (GASP!) grow into my 60s and 70s (God willing). I'd love to hear how you feel about aging. Do you dread it? Are you embracing it? Enjoy your day and keep counting.

Labels: aging, chelsea gossett, count me healthy jewelry, countessess

Countesses,

The 100-calorie pack is marketing gold and, if used correctly, can be a great way to waylay the damage from snack attacks. I have no problem paying a bit more for someone to measure my calories and vacuum pack them into colorful, shiny, and come-eat-me-and-don't-feel-guilty packaging. However, 100-calorie packs can only help so much with discipline, so I feel the packaging is missing something... WARNING LABELS!

And I don't mean the warning you often see after the ingredients ("product contains wheat, eggs, dairy, and is manufactured in a facility that processes nuts.") I think they need to stamp the following warning, "Distractions and stress may lead to overconsumption of 100 calorie snack packs leading to 'the 400 Calorie Meal.'" This warning may help those of us not quite satisfied with our meager, measured portions as we're surfing the web, watching Oprah, or on deadline.

Let me know if this sounds familiar. I go to the grocery store's "100-calorie pre-packaged section" (which is offering more and more choices every month) and decide to stock up--100 calorie almond packs, Oreo Crisps, Nutter Butters. Sometimes my pantry looks like the 100-calorie pack aisle, just so I can have a wide variety on hand if I NEED THEM. Problem is, when I'm stressed and not aware, I go back and forth to the pantry three or four time... in one sitting (all the while tricking myself into thinking I'm being healthy because of the 100-calorie title). Pre-portioned snacks are not going to be friendly, weight-loss solutions unless we practice awareness while eating them. If you are a 100-calorie portion controller, use your Count Me Healthy to monitor the amount of 100-calorie packs and/or snacks you consume a day. I know it's better to cut down on processed food altogether, so I'm making a more conscious effort to eat whole foods. However, if I eat one of the packs, I move a bead over and move on. The bracelet serves as an excellent awareness tool.

Have you used Count Me Healthy to better your life? Let us know by entering the Healthy Her contest (click here to enter). We'll highlight a new Healthy Her on our blog, Facebook, and Twitter, complete with pictures and details about the winner's health & lifestyle goals. Plus, we'll give the winner a Sassy Stack so she can continue to keep multiple wellness goals top-of-mind.

Keep counting and be proud of the goals you've set for yourself!

--Chelsea Gossett

Labels: count me healthy, countessess, eating healthy, sassy stacks