It's A Tracy Anderson Overload!

I already posted one cool Tracy Anderson video earlier this week, but then I found this little treasure in Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP archives. A killer leg and butt workout that you can do literally anywhere. Enjoy.

Should We Make Smokers Pay?

This week I read that Arizona's Medicaid (a government-run heathcare program for low income earners in the US) wants to charge people who smoke more for health cover. Oh, and they also want to hit diabetes patients with an extra fee if they refuse to comply with doctor's orders to lose weight. It's something that a lot of private health insurers in the States already do.

“This is an annual fee that says to consumers, ‘Hey, we’re not going to prevent you from smoking, but you have to put a little bit more into the system because it costs us more,’” says Monica Coury, spokeswoman for the state Medicaid agency. “We don’t care how much you weigh... We care if you are doing something you should be doing to manage your disease.” 

Keeping in mind that smoking costs Australia more tha $31 billion a year and obesity costs in excess of $37.7 billion a year, where do you stand on this issue? Should we ask people who knowingly put their health at risk to literally pay the price?

Fire Up The Pizza Oven.

Poppytalk

Sometimes I think pizzas get a bad wrap. Of course, the greased-up ones you get delivered from Dominos are not good (like really not good) but I found this recipe for a healthy pizza that actually looks quite delicious...

Hummus Vegetable Pizza

1 1/2 cup hummus (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup ricotta cheese, divided
1 head broccoli, broken into florets & lightly steamed
1 red pepper, sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Flaky salt & freshly ground pepper
Your favorite pizza dough
2 tbs cornmeal
1 tbs olive oil

Preheat oven to 425F.

1. Blend together the hummus and 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese until combined. Set aside.

2. After your pizza dough has risen, use 1 tablespoon of olive oil to grease up a walled cookie sheet. I use my hands for this. Sprinkle sheet with cornmeal and then push out or roll out your pizza dough until it spreads to all 4 corners.

3. Spread hummus evenly over pizza dough and scatter the steamed broccoli florets, red pepper slices and onion over top. Sprinkle with salt and give it a good grind of black pepper. Drop the remaining ricotta cheese over the pizza. Place in oven and heat for about 20 minutes or until the crust becomes golden. Slice and eat hot. 

And if you've got any winning topping combos, send 'em my way. Because sharing is caring, you guys.

Get Me A Body Like Brooklyn.

So, if you've been to the cinema lately you might have noticed there's a new Adam Sandler movie out called Just Go With It and it stars a very bikini-licious Brooklyn Decker (who you might also recognise from the Victoria's Secret runway).

And if, by chance, you see the flick (or, hell, just watch the trailer) and find yourself wishing and hoping for a bod like Brooklyn's, you can check her out in all her workout glory in the new Elle magazine fitness DVDs – Workout Yoga, Beauty Sculpt and Cardio Body. How very fashionably fit.

Elle Workout Yoga

On The Couch: Pick A Side...

Hesed Books And Gifts

I saw this yesterday and just had to share. So, Team Harry or Team Edward – which one are you on?

Push It, Push It Real Good.

Women's Health

Q. I want a simple exercise that uses a ton of different muscles. Any ideas?

A. I think the exercise you're fishing for is the humble push-up. You've probably heard of it. It's great for core strength and as well as the abs, it works the chest, shoulders, triceps, back and even the legs. I know, it's awesome, right? And you don't even need any fancy equipment. Just a body-length of space on the ground. But you've gotta fine tune your technique – and that's where this tutorial on the Women's Health website comes in very handy. So give it a quick squiz, then get down and give me twenty!

Maybe I'm Just Behind The Times...

Daily Mail

But are people really wearing legwarmers to the gym, Gisele Bundchen? Maybe it's just a supermodel thing. Either way,  I think I'll pass.