Featured excerpt from the 100 Days of Dance Blog.

Swimming is a low impact exercise that works every muscle in your body. So those with health conditions such as arthritis and back pain, and women who are pregnant, can swim with little risk. Aqua-aerobics classes take place in the pool, and use the water as resistance (weight) for toning. It is usually done in shallow water.

Swimming provides exercise and recreational fun for people of any age, size or fitness level. Basic swimming strokes are easy to learn in a few lessons. Swimming lessons are offered for children and adults alike, and learning to swim can create opportunities for fun and fitness.

Overall Benefits to Swimming

Swimming workouts improve cardiovascular health, raising your heart rate quickly since many muscles are involved. As you become a better swimmer, your heart rate will decrease because your body is getting oxygen to the muscles more effectively, and your heart doesn’t need to beat as fast.

Swimming also improves strength in the arms and legs, providing resistance training with every stroke.

5 More Reasons Why You Should Swim

#1. It’s a good alternative for strength training. YCup your hands while swimming or use devices such as swim paddles (many are like webbed gloves) to increase resistance.

#2. It provides an aerobic workout for people who find running too jarring on their joints. (Keep in mind: Your heart rate may not reflect intensity the same way it does on land. It can be as much as 17 beats per minute slower, in part due to water’s buoyancy and cooling effects.)

#3. It will probably not leave you injured or make your muscles sore because water reduces your weight by over 90 percent.

#4. You can achieve long-term flexibility because you can move your joints through a wider range of motion. (When stretching on land, certain muscles may have to restrict their movement to maintain posture or joint position.)

#5. The pool is a fun place to feel like a kid again. A water class can leave you surprisingly calm, yet energetic.

Kelly Preston on her healthy weight loss: “I feel good about how I did it!“

People Magazine catches up with the radiant Kelly Preston, behind the scenes of her glamorous Malibu photo shoot. On losing weight (after having a baby at 48!) and feeling young, Kelly says:
“I feel good about myself. I feel like I lost my baby weight in a healthy way, and, of course I used Kirstie Alley’s Organic Liaison. I feel good about how I did it—I ate well, healthily. I didn’t lose it too fast, and I feel good! 50 is the new 30… I SO don’t feel like I’m going to be 50!“

Watch the Behind-the-Scenes video here »

Then learn more about how Kelly did it with Organic Liaison »

No more waiting. Be your most fabulous self. Rock your best body and have more natural energy than ever. Start your transformation now with our ‘New Year, Fabulous You, Free Shipping’ Deal!

Get FREE SHIPPING* on any Organic Liaison order over $100 – until Jan. 15th!

Join Kirstie Alley, Kelly Preston, and the rest of the Organic Liaison community in achieving weight-loss success.

This year, say: “I did it—with Organic Liaison!”

Shop now »

*Free Shipping on shipments within the US. $15 off international shipments.

We’ve enjoyed welcoming new members and seeing great successes — from Kirstie’s incredible transformation to Kelly Preston’s fabulous post-baby body. And we’ve loved receiving your inspiring member success stories and photos, so keep sharing them with us!

Meanwhile, the holidays just give us one more reason to celebrate living healthy and happy. Cheers to you and yours this season!

Sincerely,
Kirstie Alley and The Organic Liaison Team

Kelly Preston stops by Good Morning America to talk about the joys of having a baby at 48 and how she lost the baby weight (39 pounds!) the healthy way with Organic Liaison.

Kelly tells GMA’s Robin Roberts how Kirstie’s program helped her slim down to less than her pre-pregnancy weight:

“[Organic Liaison] is so brilliant. It has the first USDA certified organic weight loss product. But there’s all of these products… they give you energy; there’s a cleansing one; there’s one to relax you… There’s so many things and a program online that takes you by the hand, to eat healthily and exercise…and it works!

It really is an entire program. The fad diets, they don’t work. [Organic Liaison] is a thing for your life.”

Watch the full interview »

Learn more about Kelly Preston »

Exclusive organic recipes from Kirstie’s Kitchen!

Holiday Tradition calls for Eggnog! Here’s a low-fat twist on the season’s staple beverage.

Note: All 3 recipes are included in the Organic Liaison Recipe collection, accessible to Organic Liaison members. Learn more about how to begin your Organic Liaison weight loss journey today.

Low-Fat Egg Nog

Enjoy a low fat, well-balanced Holiday Treat! Get your necessary carbs and protein in one soothing drink.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes.

Cooking Time: 15 minutes.

Servings: 8 cups. Each serving: 1 cup.

Ingredients:

1 cup organic “Sucanat” (natural sugarcane)
4 egg whites
½ teaspoon salt
1/3-cup water
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
4 cups organic skim milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ to 1-cup brandy or rum
Dash of Nutmeg

Nutritional Information 216 calories per serving
31 g Carbohydrate
6 g Protein
1 g Fat

Directions:

Combine sugar, egg whites, water, and cream of tartar in a large non-aluminum metal bowl. Whisk to blend. Set bowl over a pan of simmering water; please make sure, the bowl does not touch the water. Beat with an electric mixer on medium about 10 minutes, until the mixture is very thick and fluffy. Continue to beat 3 more minutes; remove from heat and beat until mixture has cooled slightly. Pour milk and vanilla into another large bowl. Add egg white mixture and brandy or rum; combine gently with a whisk. Serve chilled and dusted with nutmeg.

Happy, Holiday eating! If you like these recipes and would like more sneak peaks into the Organic Liaison Recipe Collection, sign up for a free account to receive our updates!

Learn more about our Recipes Collection.

Featured article by Jeff Boone, guest instructor at our recent FREE 1-hr Workout Seminar, ‘Power Hour!’ Benjamin is an National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer and founder of Burn Sweat Live. See Jeff’s full bio here.

Often times, people skip out on their workouts because they don’t feel like going to the gym. But the gym isn’t always necessary for a great workout. Using a combination of body weight exercises and inexpensive equipment (such as resistance bands), you can burn calories and get a quality workout all in the comfort of your home.

5 Tips:

1). To maximize the calorie burn, do an exercise circuit. Pick 5 to 7 exercises and do them one after the other with little to no rest in between sets.

2). Incorporate exercises like body weight squats and lunges into your workout. Not only are they good for toning your legs, but also great for burning calories. Your legs have some of the largest muscles in your body. So, by working the larger muscles, you exert more energy and thus burn more calories.

3). Make sure to work every major muscle group. Having a balanced body can help prevent injuries, whether you are playing sports or conquering everyday life.

4). Do total body movements like a lunge to curl. By doing movements that work more than one muscle group at a time, you exert more energy and burn more calories.

5.) Finish your workout with cardio intervals. Pick an exercise such as jumping rope or running in place. Go hard for 30 seconds and then go easy for 30 seconds. Repeat this for several rounds and you will continue to burn calories even after you are finished working out.

For more information on Jeff Boone and calorie burning moves you can do at home, visit: www.burnsweatlive.com.

Like this topic? Come to a FREE Nutrition and Fitness Seminar at the Organic Liaison Store in Los Angeles. Check out our seminar schedule here.

For regular tips and advice on nutrition, fitness, diet, health, and weight loss, register for a free Organic Liaison account today!

Now a ravishing brunette, Kirstie tells Jay Leno about going “dark” for her new sitcom, The Manzanis, and how she’s keeping the weight off with her own Rescue Me Weight Loss Elixir.

Kirstie also invites Jay to join in on her New Year’s resolution:
100 Days of Dance.

Watch the interview to hear Kirstie talk about wish lists, dancers, Kardashians, and Broadway!

Click here to watch the interview on NBC!

It’s time for you to get your best body with our BIGGEST DEAL EVER!

Get the full Rescue Me Kit and all our Membership Tools for just $99 PLUS GET FREE SHIPPING!*

That’s over $165 in total savings! This is a ONE TIME OFFER for the first 100 purchases only.

Organic Liaison’s Premium Rescue Me Kit has everything you need to start your transformation: the best combination of premium organic and natural products to help you lose weight. You also get a full month of FREE access to our online member tools: Daily Journal, Calorie Counter, Meal Planner, our recipe collection, complimentary 1-on-1 consultation with our members-only dietitian, and more.

You don’t have to do it on your own. Do it with Organic Liaison.

Be one of the 100 to get this incredible ONE-TIME OFFER.

Celebrate the Holidays with a step towards a hotter, healthier you.

*Offer applies to Rescue Me Kit with monthly auto-ship only.
*Free Shipping in the Continental US. $15 Discount on shipping elsewhere.

Exclusive organic recipes from Kirstie’s Kitchen!

It’s Thanksgiving week! While a traditional roasted turkey may be the star of the feast, delicious sides are just as memorable. This year, put a healthy twist on your side offerings with these 3 recipes. Your waistline—and taste buds—will celebrate!

Note: All 3 recipes are included in the Organic Liaison Recipe collection, accessible to Organic Liaison members. Learn more about how to begin your Organic Liaison weight loss journey today.

1. Herbed Cornbread Stuffing

Healthy, savory stuffing to complement your beautifully roasted turkey.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes.

Cooking Time: 10 minutes.

Servings: 6. Each serving: ½ cup.

Ingredients:

6 cups cubed cornbread, dried
1 teaspoon minced organic garlic
1/2 cup sliced organic green onion
1/2 cup organic red pepper, diced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, diced
1 cup organic chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste

Nutritional Information 160 calories per serving
Fat: 4.5
SatFat: 1
Trans Fat: 0
Cholesterol: 0
Carbs: 24
Sugars: 4
Sodium: 170
Protein: 6
Fiber: 1
Vitamin A: 661
Vitamin C: 26.2
Iron: 1.8
Calcium: 170.5

Directions:

Prepare cornbread according to your favorite recipe or packaged mix directions. Cut in cubes and allow to sit out to dry. You can speed drying time by baking in the oven or drying out in the microwave.
Spray 2-quart sauce pan lightly with cooking spray or use 1 tsp oil. Saute garlic, green onion and both peppers until almost tender. Add chicken broth and seasonings. Bring to a boil then add cornbread. Stir well and allow to sit 5 minutes.

2. Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Delicious mashed potatoes that don’t break the calorie bank!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes.

Cooking Time: 15 minutes.

Servings: 6. Each serving: ½ cup.

Ingredients:

3 large organic russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium organic onion, peeled and sliced
3/4 cup skim organic buttermilk
1/2 cup organic skim milk

Nutritional Information 110 calories per serving
Fat: 0
SatFat: 0
Trans Fat: 0
Cholesterol: 0
Carbs: 23
Sugars: 5
Sodium: 50
Protein: 4
Fiber: 2
Vitamin A: 0
Vitamin C: 9
Iron: 0.4
Calcium: 150.5

Directions:

Place potatoes into a 3 or 4 quart sauce pan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook until fork tender. Meanwhile, roast onion slices under broiler until lightly brown. Drain water from potatoes, put back on stove and mash with buttermilk and milk (amount of liquid is variable); stir in onion. Reheat and serve.

3. Crockpot Pea Soup

A filling soup to start (or finish).

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 120

Servings: 8. Each serving: 1 ¼ cups.

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped organic onions
1/2 cup cubed organic potatoes
2 cup dry organic split peas
1 cup roasted organic chicken breast
6 cup water
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Nutritional Information: 198 calories per serving
Fat: 1.2
SatFat: 0.3
Trans Fat: 0
Cholesterol: 14
Carbs: 30.2
Sugars: 4.5
Sodium: 23
Protein: 16.4
Fiber: 11.4
Vitamin A: 67.3
Vitamin C: 4.9
Iron: 2.2
Calcium: 35

Directions:

Place all ingredients in crockpot and cook on high power until peas are soft, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove bay leaf. Serve hot in a soup bowl.
Optional serving suggestion: this soup goes well with a large organic tossed salad and whole grain bread.

Happy, Thanksgiving feasting! If you like these recipes and would like more sneak peaks into the Organic Liaison Recipe Collection, sign up for a free account to receive our updates!

Learn more about our Recipes Collection.