Eyes-Free Fitness™ Podcast on iTunes - BlindAlive.com

Mel shares thoughts and lessons learned from the past five years. Then, she discusses sphincter muscles on FitnessSpeak.Please note: This, for now, is BlindAlive’s final podcast. Thank you for listening.

Mel and Lisa answer your questions about BlindAlive’s closing, how to get the workouts, and so much more. Visit this link to get the free workout downloads.They also mention the song “I’m Not Lost, I’m Just Exploring.”If you want to keep up with Mel in the future, her email address will remain. You can also simply keep following BlindAlive on Social Media for now.You can remain in touch with Lisa by emailing her or following her on Twitter. She also has a website, which she plans to update starting in 2019.To reach Jamie Pauls, you can email him or follow him on Twitter.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel welcomes everyone to the podcast and shares her experiences with the Calm App. She also shares Chair Yoga, our featured workout for the month of November. All newsletter subscribers, past and present can receive the free download of a wrist, back and neck stretch that was featured as part of a previous podcast. Current subscribers have received the download link in their most recent newsletters, and new subscribers can sign up from BlindAlive’s main pageThen Mel and Lisa delve into the interesting and unusual subject of ASMR. Two links of interest for learning about ASMR are ASMR University and The ASMR.com .Also mentioned in this podcast are an interview Mel did with the creator of the Sleep with Me Podcast and a binaural recording of a haircut.Mel takes us on a quick but thorough tour of many of the muscles in our bodies.Then, Lisa reviews The Obesogen Effect: Why We Eat Less And Exercise More But Still Struggle To Lose Weight by Bruce Blumberg and Kristin Loberg.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

In this podcast, Jamie Pauls steps out of his chair as sound editor, and sits down to discuss the topic of self image and blindness for men.You can contact Joe via Twitter or email, and you can hear him on the Blind Bargains Qast. You can also contact Jamie on Twitter.Finally, Jamie closes out the podcast by directing listeners to Flirting with Balance, our featured workout, which is discounted for the month of October.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Lisa welcomes listeners to the podcast and shines the spotlight on Cardio Level One – our featured workout for September.Mel interviews Diane Bergeron and Shelley Morris about their adventures in running various legs of the Death Race.They would like to acknowledge their sponsors for this endeavor:Arc’Teryx West EdmontonEarthgroove ActivewearDriving ForceEdmonton Trail RunnersAnd their coach, Michel Elibani from Fitness DynamicsYou can visit Diane’s website and blog to read about her adventures.Shelley cohosts a weekly radio show: Welcome to My World, on CKCU FM 93.1 where you can learn about many interesting topics and keep up with what she is doing..Then, Lisa talks about the features of the Yunmai Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Scale and Body Fat Monitor, and demonstrates the Water Minder app.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel begins by talking about the book Falling into Grace: Insights on the End of Suffering by Adyshanti. She found it in Audible form, but it will likely be aware elsewhere.She then discusses her experience and provides education about the Shingles Virus.The remainder of the podcast is a series of BookIt segments done by lisa. The books she reviewed are listed below:The Longevity Plan: Seven Life-Transforming Lessons from Ancient China by Jane Ann Day, John D. Day, and Matthew Laplante.The Sleep Solution: Why Your Sleep is Broken and How to Fix It by W. Chris WinterThe Bad Food Bible: How and Why to Eat Sinfully by Nina Teicholz and Aaron CarrollGenius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life By: Max Lugavere, Paul GrewalThe Good Gut: Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood, and Your Long Term Health By Justin Sonnenburg and Erica SonnenburgWhy Diets Fail (Because You're Addicted to Sugar) by John R. Talbott and Nicole M. AvenaThe authors of several of the above books were interviewed in podcast episodes on The Peoples’ Pharmacy – which some might find to be a helpful resource.Mel concludes by talking about the Balance Bundle, which is our featured workout for August. You can find it on our main page, and you can read more about it in our most recent blog post: A Balanced Approach.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

As we look back over the last 100 podcasts, Mel and Lisa each share three of their favorite podcasts:Podcast 1: Let’s Get StartedPodcast 23: A Bop-It Made of Silly PuttyPodcast 26: Eight HabitsPodcast 47: It Could Save Your LifePodcast 95: What Would I Look Like If I Could See?Podcast 98: Functional FitnessThey also reference the unnumbered Holiday Podcast, and let listeners know that, for the time being, the podcast is changing to a once-monthly format.You can be in touch, find all our podcasts and blogs, and purchase workouts on the website and in the Eyes-Free Fitness AppCheck out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel welcomes listeners to the podcast and shares information about an upcoming workout and some convention specials. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing.Lisa shares two talks she has prepared. The first discusses the why’s and how to’s of portion control If you’ve ever wanted to shop for healthy foods and found it difficult, Lisa provides information about websites and apps to make the process easier.Below is a list of resources from both talks.If you want to hear a review of one available talking scale, you can find it in Podcast 95.Here are measuring cups with a built-in leveling arm:Dreamfarm Levups - Self-Leveling Measuring Cups, Set of 4 (Dreamfarm Blue),And here are the spoons:Dreamfarm Levoons - Self-Leveling Measuring Spoons, Set of 4 (Assorted Colors)Thrive Market has a webbsite, but many find the app of the same name to be considerably easier to use.You can use Amazon’s website to buy nonperishable foods, and perishable ones as well, depending on your location. They’re also a great place to look up specific information about canned and packaged products.InstaCart: is also available as a website or an app. You can shop for items and schedule delivery from stores of your choosing, depending on local availability. You can get some preparation and nutritional information about specific products as well.Directions For Me has packaging information for a variety of products. You can learn about calories per serving, ingredients, number of servings per container, and preparation methods. We talked about this site in more detail on Podcast 11.MyFitnessPal: is a website as well as an app, and provides information about portion sizes and calories. You can use it to track calories, exercise, nutrition, and more.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

In this podcast, Mel has a fascinating discussion with Dan Ritchie about maintaining health and independence into old age with functional fitness. They talk about what it is, and give some sample exercises.Dan, along with Cody Sipe, has authored the book Never Grow Old!: The Innovative, Easy to Follow Functional Aging Fitness Program that Increases Strength, Improves Balance, and Decreases Pain. It is available in various formats on Amazon. You can also visit the Functional Fitness Solution website to learn more about the work of Dan Ritchie.Mel provides some news after the interview. This month’s featured workout is the Whole Body Stretch, which is available both on our website and in the Eyes-Free Fitness App. She also lets listeners know that new yoga workouts are coming. To stay up to date with all the latest information, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Lisa welcomes listeners and gives a reminder that the former number for BlindAlive is going away soon. She also gives a tip that makes enjoying kiwi fruit easier.Lisa then interviews Abby Lentzh, the founder of Heartfelt Yoga and Heavyweight Yoga. If you would like to contact Abby, you can reach her by email. Her website contains links to purchase her DVD’s, check out some of the complimentary resources on her YouTube Channel, and a wealth of additional information.Maybe you’ve been challenging yourself with planks or pushups, or perhaps you’ve been sitting too long at the computer. Mel guides you through a set of neck, wrist, and back stretches to revitalize those tired muscles.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Lisa introduces the podcast and reminds listeners that BlindAlive has recommendations for some of our favorite health and fitness items on our Favorite Product Pics PageMel sits down to chat with Debbie Hazelton. They start by talking about Debbie’s experiences with Weight Watchers, and then delve into exercise.You can contact Debbie by email, on Twitter, or at her website.Lisa talks about the Bento Box, which can be used to control portion sizes when packing a meal. She ordered this oneCheck out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel begins the podcast by reminding listeners of ways to become involved with BlindAlive. You are welcome to join our listserv, and be in touch via our contact form. Also, rating the podcast on iTunes helps it to display higher in search results and be more noticeable for those who might benefit from it.You can also sign up for our fun and informative newsletter, which also delivers our weekly blog post to your inbox. Finally, we’d love to have you take our Eyes-Free Fitness App for a test drive.If you would like to follow Maria Johnson, you can read her blog or follow her on Twitter.Lisa closes the podcast with a review of theMy Weigh SCMVOXEVOL 5000g by 1g Talking Kitchen Scale.

Lisa sits down to talk with Caroline Toews about the Freestyle Libre, which is a continuous glucose monitoring system. Caroline talks about the work-arounds she has implemented to allow her to successfully use the device. If you’d like to learn more, you can visit the manufactureror’s website. You can also use this link to create an account or upload your data. If you would like to contact Caroline, you can email her.In FitnessSpeak, Mel talks about how to perform Breath of Fire, which she has found quite helpful.Finally, Peggy makes Tikka Masala in the crockpot to round out the podcast with a Let’s Eat segment. The recipe is below.Chicken Tikka MasalaIngredients1 pound skinless chicken thighs1 15-ounce can lite coconut milk1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated2 tablespoons garam masala1 tablespoon ground turmeric1 tablespoon ground cumin2 cups cooked brown riceDirectionsPlace chicken, coconut milk, diced tomatoes, ginger and spices in a slow cooker; stir to combine. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Serve over brown rice.—-Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 1/4 recipePer serving: Calories: 321; Total Fat: 12g; Saturated Fat: 7g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 95mg; Sodium: 133mg; Carbohydrate: 37g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 1g; Protein: 25gCheck out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel and Lisa sit down for a long overdue chat. They talk about sleep apnea and the use of a CPAP machine. Mel shares her experiences with yoga and deep breathing.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Lisa introduces the podcast and let’s you know that BlindAlive now has a new number. For all the ways to contact us, and for answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please visit our Support Page.In this podcast, Mel sits down to talk about experiences of seeing a therapist with Maria Johnson. Maria is the author of the Girl Gone Blind Blog. Additionally, you can follow Maria on Twitter and FaceBook.Lisa brings us two short book reviews. The first is Big Fit Girl: Embrace the Body You Have by Louise Green. It is available on Kindle and other electronic formats. The second is available through BARD and is First Bite: How we Learn to Eat by Bee Wilson.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Lisa welcomes listeners to the podcast, and shares a bit of additional information about bone broth that is related to the previous podcast.She sits down with Laura Ann Grymes to talk about the harmful effects of soft drinks, as well as some tasty and healthy alternatives. One site recommended by Laura Ann sells many varieties of sparkling and still herbal water.If you would like to contact Laura Ann, you can email her.In FitnessSpeak, Mel discusses proper ways to bend over when picking up both light and heavy objects.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list. 

Mel welcomes listeners to Podcast 90 by talking about curiosity, rebounders, yoga, and pushing yourself that little bit extra.She then interviews Kathy Strahan about bone broth, a healthy way to add flavor to and increase the health benefits of soup.Below is an article by Kathy which outlines her process:Soup: The First Fast FoodEveryone knows how wonderful a bowl of warm soup is on a cold winter day, right?But most people don’t consider soup the fastest fast food on the planet.Yes, with a little planning ahead, even homemade soup can provide an almost instant meal that is nourishing, and delicious.I make it a point to prepare a batch of soup every week because my husband and I really love it, plus, we also know the health benefits of starting with homemade bone broth.However, start the process of healthy meal preparation at your own pace. Any homemade food is better than a drive-through meal, and easier on the wallet too.So, prepare the healthy make-ahead meals from where you are right now in life. For instance, you may want to make your own soup, but would prefer to buy the store-bought broth. That’s fine. Do that. Add your own veggies and other goodies.If you’d like to try making your own broth, below is my version of homemade chicken bone broth, and the basics of how to build a soup. From the recipe below, any soup can evolve depending on taste and preference.NOTE: Traditional bone broth is simmered for 24 hours or so. I used to prepare it this way, now I use a faster procedure which gives the same or even better results. This recipe can be used in a slow cooker, or on the stove. Broth can also be made with the use of a pressure cooker. At this writing, I have no experience with that yet. I plan to get a pressure cooker soon.Slow Cooker Chicken Bone Broth1. First I start with a whole, pastured chicken I get from my farmers market. (The most organic chicken you can find is ideal)2. And the second most important ingredient, but it is still optional, is a pound or so of chicken feet from a farmers market, or your local butcher. Using chicken feet has finally given me the wonderful gelatin like consistency we all want. It also has all the beneficial collagen etc.3. A TBSP of apple sider vinegar is added to extract the minerals from the bones during cooking.4. I also throw in carrots and celery which I dispose after the cooking procedure. (veggies also contribute to the high mineral content of bone broth)5. You can use other veggies and then near the end of the cooking, (about 30 minutes) add onions and garlic if you wish.6. Now, cover all the contents with filtered water so that there is roughly a half to an inch of water above the contents.7. I set the slow cooker to high and after 5-7 hours, the broth is strained8. The bones are discarded, and the chicken is separated from the broth for use in other dishes, including the chicken soup I’m making.9. Then the broth is allowed to sit in mason jars in the fridge for about 24 hours. This seems to be a good amount of time for the liquid to gel.10. (the result should ideally be dense and jiggly just like Jell-O.11. I then remove the hard fat from the top and discard. What is left is a nourishing, Jell-O like substance called bone broth.12. I usually get 3-4 jars of broth from this procedure, so I will freeze the extra broth to use in future cooking.Now comes the fun, building the soup!Basic guidelines:1. Start by sautéing onions. I use two large onions, usually red. (2. The onions are roughly cut and then coat the bottom of a heavy soup pot with a generous amount of oil like avocado, butter, or ghe...3. After the onions are soft and translucent, (about 15 minutes) then add fresh mushrooms. (we like tons of mushrooms so I use two packages of sliced mushrooms)4. After the mushrooms are soft, then I add 2-3 TBSP dried spices. I like basil, and oregano. I will also use garlic powder if I don’t have fresh.5. After the dried spices seem incorporated, I may add fresh garlic and let the garlic sauté for about 2 minutes.Now here is where you can get creative.1. Add in other veggies (for a big batch, about 6 cups) like shredded cabbage, kale, squash if you like, a can of beans (Eden Foods brand is ideal because the beans are soaked and pressure cooked) and also this is a good time to add in a pinch of salt such as sea salt or kosher salt, as well as ground pepper.2. Now the final thing is add in the homemade broth and let the soup simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes.3. You can serve over rice, add in such protein sources as chicken, or even grass-fed sausage. You can add grated parmesan cheese, freshly chopped parsley -- the extras are up to you!Final notes:Soup preparation is almost impossible to mess up. In other words, please be encouraged to experiment. After a couple of tries, you will come up with your favorite soup.The Jell-O like result we talked about will liquefy into soup during the cooking process. The broth when heated is quite thin and sippable. Some people heat small portions of the broth and drink it from a cup like tea. Here you can add spices, a little salt, etc.I’m here to help if you have any questions or comments.Kathy also suggests two authors whose writing about health is both humorous and easy to understand. They are Michael Pollan and Michael Moss.To contact Kathy, you can email her or visit her website.In this segment of BookIt, Lisa discusses a book by Andrew Weil Mind Over Meds: Know When Drugs are Necessary, When Alternatives are Better, and When to Let Your Body Heal On Its Own.Check out our Eyes-Free Fitness iOS App for workouts, podcasts, and our blog. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel introduces the podcast and talks about some events in her life.She then interviews Maria Johnson, a fitness trainer and author of the Girl Gone Blind Blog. Additionally, you can follow Maria on Twitter and FaceBook.Then, in a “Let’s Eat” segment, Peggy and Wayne are back with some delicious ideas for foil packet meals.You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel interviews Barb Seiden, who is known to many of our listeners as the person who developed the Whole Body Stretch workout. They are back to talk about their newest creation – Interval Training Level One. They discuss the benefits, similarities, and differences between HIIT Training and interval workouts. If you would like to contact Barb, you can visit her website.Lisa brings us two BookIt segments. She first reviews Secrets of the Human Body by Chris van Tulleken, Xand van Tulleken, and Andrew Cohen. She then discussesStop the Insanity! Eat, Breathe, Move, Change the Way You Look and Feel--Foreverby Susan Powter. This book is available on BARD and from used book sellers.You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel and Lisa start off the first podcast of 2018 by talking about some challenges present in the Eyes-Free Fitness App, and how it relates to the new Interval Training Workout. They also talk about some gentler New Year’s Resolutions.Then, Mel interviews Judy Dixon about Ski for Light. Registrations for this year are closed, but if you would like to attend next year, or just want to learn more, you can visit the Ski for Light Website.

Mel reflects on the workouts produced during 2017, as well as the release of the Eyes-Free Fitness App.Jennifer Kern and Mel talk about the new foam roller workout. You can purchase a foam roller from a variety of places including Amazon.If you would like to contact Jennifer directly, you can visit her website.Lisa talks about the new Apple Heart Study and how those who have an Apple Watch can enroll.You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Lisa begins by sharing more news and specifics regarding the Eyes-Free Fitness app.Mel and Laura An Grymes share nearly everything you want or need to know about tea. Laura Ann has compiled several resources which are shared below.Finally, Lisa reviews the Freedom Wand, a device that can help people with limitations more easily reach and clean various parts of their bodies.Here are Laura Ann Grymes’ notes about tea:Different types of teasHerbal which is not actually a tea.Rooibos which is also called red tea or honey bush and is herbal and no caffeine and has minerals and a natural sweetness.Malange is a fruit infusion from tea leaf camellia SinensisBlack, Green, Oolong, White Teas can absorb scents so depending on where it is grown and if it has been blended or scented or had herbs, fruits and spices and nut flavors added the sky is the limit on flavors and varieties.If grown near jasmine it will take on that scent or can be sprayed with essential oil to scent the tea.Some teas have fruit or herbs or essential oil added like Hot cinnamon Spice from Harney and sons has a red hot flavor and naturally sweet just from cinnamon added to green, black or rooibus tea.I love adding a lemon or lime slice to my tea or the baby mexican key limes.Temperatures for TeasBlack tea boiling water or right before it boils steep 3 to 5 minutes Green Tea about 180 Degrees F below boiling 165 to 190 degrees F steep 2 to 3 minutes Oolong Tea boiling or below 190 F degrees to 212 degrees F steep 3 to 7 minutes.oolong can re steep leaves and have 3 or so infusions White tea below boiling 190 to 208 Degrees F 3 to 7 minutes Rooibus boiling water 4 to 10 minutes Herbals boiling 5 minutes Use filtered water for best flavor1 tsp of loose leaf tea per 6 oz cup of tea1 TBSP of larger leaf teas per 6 oz cup of tea1/3 cup loose tea for 1 gallon of teaLearning the Basics of TeaIf you steep green tea too long it can become bitter.So better to steep the shorter 2 to 3 minutes and if like it stronger use a heaping tsp instead of level tsp more tea not longer steep time.There are many health benefits to teas as well and lots of research being done.Tea can boost energy as well as help relax you.It can help improve health and help fight diseases and lots of researching being done in this area from helping prevent cancer to heart health.It has many antioxidants.Health Benefits of TeaPreparationCan use tea bags or loose tea.I use a wireless electric tea kettle to heat water and use filtered water.I use a tea infuser when making a cup or pitcher of loose tea or a french coffee/ tea press.Steep then gently press handle down and pour tea into desired container.Takeya has a neat BPA free 24 oz tea pitcher with infuser Or can just use a bag or sachet or teaspoon of loose tea in an infuser that sits down in the cup or a tea ball type infuser that hangs on the side of the cup.You can also purchase your own tea bags and make your own blend.Can be easy to more elaborate.You choose.I have enjoyed tea for as long as I can remember but in the 90’s my mom and I found this wonderful tea place in Austin called the Tea EmbassyIt was a wonderful tea shop in an old house and this is where I learned about many varieties and flavors of teas.They had large stainless canisters of over 200 teas.I had the joy of smelling and enjoying the aromas of many varieties and learned black teas can have flavors naturally from honey undertones to natural fruit undertones or floral or even smoky which I am not a fan of.They had many ways to even prepare tea from tea bags to many types of teapots and infusers They are now a mail order tea place.It’s important to store your tea in sealed containers for freshness.I have stainless containers and some in the tea embassy foil lined zip locked packages.Teas are very absorbent so I do not store it near coffee or strong smells.Some favorites of minePeppermint tea herbal - can add a squeeze of lemon and tsp of honey if sore throat and congestion Love a nice cup of peppermint or spearmint tea.I also enjoy icedThis helps me when I have a headacheIt also helps with nausea and is one of my favorite flavors.Spearmint, lavender and chamomile herbal would make a good evening tea to relax and help digestion Black teas great way to start the day Green tea is great for energy.Teas have natural antioxidants and are great for good health.Teas with lemon, ginger or peppermint can help aid in digestion or settling the stomach.Favorite teasBerry Earl Gray black teaEarl Gray SupremeLady Gray black teaBerry black teasShakesphere blend simpson and veil interesting has rosemary and bergamot in it great to start the day.Secret garden green and white tea with fruit flavors from Tea Embassy Warm winter blend from Wild orchid tea spicy Chai Warm Winter black tea chai blend with fruity flavor cardamon makes wonderful chai Wild orchid teasLunch timeStrawberry or blueberry green iced tea or a mint green teaI get the Strawberry green, Blueberry Green and mint breeze green from Wild orchid Teas mail order from ohio loose teas.Herbal Peppermint sachets from Harney and sonsCandy cane rooibus from Simpson and veilLove this when avoiding caffeineGreat hot or iced.OrChristmas rooibus from Tea Embassy with candied fruit and nut flavors great hot or icedSecret Garden green and black loose tea from Tea Embassy my favoriteHot cinnamon spice herbal rooibus or hot cinnamon spice black or green from Harney and sons in tea sachets or loose tea. Tea Embassy also has a hot cinnamon spice black loose teaLove Tea Embassy’s Earl Gray Supreme with bergamot and orange added to black tea.Tea Embassy also has a delicious Berry Earl Gray black loose teaand Lady Earl Gray black loose tea with bergamot and LavenderTea Embassy has a yummy blueberry Rooibus which has no caffeine and add a touch of honey or stevia and it tones down tartness is is fabulous hot or iced.My mom enjoys Tea Embassy’s snowflake tea which is coconut and almond loose black tea.Wild orchid teas has delicious blueberry green loose tea, Strawberry Green loose tea, and Mint Breeze green loose tea.Wild Orchid has a neat warm winter blend that is a fruity chai black loose tea.Wild orchid also has a delicious Strawberry rooibus loose teaFound harney and sons mentioned in a fiction book I was reading and it mentioned Hot cinnamon spice and said it was naturally sweet with no sweeteners or sugar added just wonderful sweetness from cinnamon.It talked about Sachet bags and I looked it up on the internet and bought some to try.It is wonderful and does have a hot cinnamon spice taste like a red hot.Cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar and is also wonderful to sooth a cough and can even help break up the yuckiness of congestion.These are some of my favorite resources for loose teas and tea bags:Tea EmbassyHarney and sonsWild orchid teasSimpson and veilsome simpson and vail teas are not as strong so may need to use more tea to get stronger infusion from my experienceThe sites also have all types of infusers and strainers and teaspoons and beautiful tea pots and cups and books.Takeya 24 oz iced tea pitcher maker is at Tea Embassy or AmazonI love visiting tea rooms and meeting new people and learning.The steeping room in Austin is one of my favorite tea rooms.It has yummy food and desserts and lots of loose teas to purchase and about 4 to 6 teas and you can change your tea selection when dining and try multiple flavors.The Steeping room Austin, TXFinally, I like this BPA-free french coffee tea press

In this podcast, Jamie pauls provides us with a walkthrough of BlindAlive’s brand new iOS app. You can find it by searching for blindalive in the app store, or you can use this link

Mel interviews Jason Romero about Vision Run USA, where he ran across the USA to combat depression and raise awareness. His upcoming book, Running into the Dark will be released shortly.Mel provides an in-depth tour of the many systems that allow our bodies to run efficiently on FitnessSpeak.You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel interviews Sarah Harris about the Marathon walk she did with Project Athena. They also discuss Sarah’s life in general and her work as president of the California Council of the Blind, Fresno. In this BookIt segment, Lisa reviews a book she almost didn’t read. It is called The Unapologetic Fat Girl's Guide to Exercise and Other Incendiary Acts by Hanne Blank. It is available through Bookshare and other retail booksellers. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel chats with Sandra Baggot, who works with Doterra Essential Oils to educate others about the power and variety of uses for essential oils of all types. To obtain more information, please got to https://eyesfreefitness.com/q/podcast81 and enter your email address.

Lisa compares this podcast episode to Stone Soup, where different people add ingredients to make a nourishing finished product. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, you can read more about stone soup on Wikipedia. Lisa gives an update on her firned and talks about good health for caregivers. Mel shares her story about being diagnosed with osteopenia, and what can be done to treat this condition. In a recent blog about bone health, Mel piqued Lisa’s curiosity when she mentioned sardines. They found that neither of them had ways to use them, short of eating them out of the can. The resulting research is a discussion about the topic, and a blog post containing some creative uses. Then, we discuss the book There Is No Good Card for This: What to Say and Do When Life Is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love By Emily McDowell, Kelsey Crowe. We have linked to this book on Audible because it, in Lisa’s opinion, offers the most complete reading experience. Mel concludes by reminding everyone that the new Balance and Stretch Bundle is available for purchase. Visit the above link to check out the individual workouts as well. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Lisa welcomes listeners to the podcast, and extends best wishes from everyone at BlindAlive to those affected by the storms. She also references a blog post about preparing for natural disasters, in the hope that it will be helpful. In thisepisode, we’re providing an encore of an interview from a previous podcast. Lisa interviews George Drees, a search and rescue specialist and full-time firefighter, who served in the aftermaths of several recent emergencies. He talks about what kinds of medical information is helpful to first responders, what is not, and what kinds of things can jeopardize your security. Thanks to Mystic Access, creators of tutorials to fast-track your learning, for their sponsorship of our podcast. Next, Lisa discusses two options for medical identification which can be used by someone with little or no sight. Lauren's Hope sells engraved necklaces and bracelets, and has some higher fashion items. This would be a good solution for those with a relatively small amount of medical information that does not generally change. Keep Me Safe ID sells necklaces, bracelets, shoe tags, collar tags, and other items which are imprinted with QR codes. Once the code is scanned, it provides access to information the user has placed on a secure site. QR Reader for iPhone by TapMedia LTD is a free app which will read QR codes should this ever be needed. Below are some notes which might be helpful for those filling out a Keep Me Safe ID profile: When you receive your information, it is filled in on a form and may have underlines before or after the information. Be sure not to copy these. For some reason, when you copy the website that is given, it will not work if you do this from the Run Dialog in Windows. Instead, first open your browser and paste in the address. When you enter your address, there are not separate fields for city, state, etc. Just type the first line, press enter, and continue typing the address before moving on to the next item. The information you are asked to provide refers to a child. If you are filling this out for yourself, disregard this reference. Once you choose to edit your profile, you will need to log in again. Passwords must be at least 8 characters, 1 number, 1 lower case, and 1 upper case. You will know you have filled out the information successfully when you see the text: "Your Membership Registration is Complete." On BookIt, we review Why Diets Make Us Fat: The Unintended Consequences of Our Obsession With Weight Loss by Sandra Aahmodt by Sandra Aahmodt. If you find this topic of interest, you might want to view the Ted Talk given by the author. Another related book is Health at Every Size by Linda Bacon. This is available on Bookshare and through eBook retailers. Finally, you might also benefit from a blog post written by Melanie Peskoe on tis topic. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Diane Bergeron was first featured on Podcast 50. Since then, she has completed an IronMan Triathalon, and sat down to talk to Mel about the routines and healthy habits that help make it happen. If you would like to follow Diane’s journey, you may visit her blog. Then, Lisa reviews the book Just Breathe Out: Using Your Breath to Create a New, Healthier You by Betsy Thomason. It is available on BARD, and through various other retailers. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Since Mel was the special guest on a recent “Let’s Eat,” BookIt had to follow suit. Mel and Lisa start out the podcast by touching briefly on the final in our series of three balance workouts. It is nearly ready for release, so be looking for it very soon. Then, they talk about two books they have both read, and they discuss how to get the most out of books you read, even if you don’t agree with everything in them. The books they discussed are: The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington and The Plant Paradox: The Hidden Dangers in "Healthy" Foods That Cause Disease and Weight Gain by Dr Steven R. Gundry. Both books contain a wealth of information, and are available in digital and audio formats. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel talks about the importance of good balance and announces the first in a three-part workout series – Strengthen for Balance. In “Let’s Eat,” Lisa discusses cucumbers, a favorite summer vegetable, and provides quick and versatile tips for their use. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel and Lisa are back to chat about a variety of topics on Podcast 75. Mel talks about the book Strong Women Stay Young and how heeding its advice helped her prepare for the NFB Convention. Lisa shares information about an upcoming free class from Mystic Access. It is called Recharge, Rest and Relax with Alexa. It takes place Thursday July 27 at 8:30 Eastern. For details, subscribe to the Mystic Access Teleseminars list. Lisa has spoken on on a previous podcast about the process of obtaining certification as a life coach. She is offering a free 30-minute coaching session to 100 people as a way of improving her skills. The only requirement is that you fill out a brief, accessible survey. If you think you’d like to learn more about life coaching, you might want to Coach with Lisa. Mel and Lisa discuss the benefits of coaching for overall health. Then, on “Let’s Eat,” Peggy and Wayne have a very special guest. While not an edible item, they enjoy talking about the Lug Cargo Five-Piece Packing Kit. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Lisa kicks off Podcast 74 with some news and some congratulations to Jamie Pauls, our podcast editor, for receiving the Ned E. Freeman Award for excellence in writing. Read his article in The ACB E-Forum, April 2016 » Making the Transition from English Braille to UEB, by Jamie Pauls. Mel interviews Audrey Schading about the ease and benefits of using sprouted foods. One of Audrey’s favorite resources is The Sprout House, which is an accessible site with a newsletter and a wide variety of products. You can also contact them by phone: (800) 777-6887. In this BookIt segment, Lisa discusses Fat for Fuel: A Revolutionary Diet to Combat Cancer, Boost Brain Power, and Increase Your Energy by Joseph Mercola. It is available in many accessible formats. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel and Lisa talk about BlindAlive’s presence at the NFB Convention, and summer conventions in general. They also share creative ideas for breakfast that take advantage of summer’s bounty. On “Let’s Eat,” Peggy and Wayne cook lima beans, which are great any time of year. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel and Lisa talk travels, fidget spinners, and more. FitnessSpeak: a Stretch to Combat Sitting

Lisa welcomes podcast listeners with some good news. BlindAlive’s blog will soon be showing up in the emails of those subscribed to our newsletter. If you haven’t yet subscribed, you can do so from the main page. We often receive questions about the best workout for customers with various kinds of limitations. Lisa explains why the Gentle Workout Set is such a good place to start for many people. In a Bookit segment, we review The Upside of Your Dark Side: Why Being Your Whole Self - Not Just Your "Good" Self - Drives Success and Fulfillment Written by: Todd Kashdan , Robert Biswas-Diener. This book is available in audio and electronic formats, and through a variety of websites. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

On podcast 70, Lisa interviews Anna Dresner about her new book Ten Thousand Steps, Cane Not Included. This must-read is available in a number of accessible formats, and walks you through a number of audio resources, apps, and hardware to help you get and stay fit and healthy. If you purchase this resource prior to July 31, 2017, you are eligible to enter a drawing to win a FitBit Flex. You will also find a discount code in the book which will allow you to save on any BlindAlive workout. In FitnessSpeak, Mel tells us all about lymph � what it is, and how it works. You can comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our informative chat list.

Mel and Lisa discuss recent experiences, both as a caregiver and a patient. Lisa mentions a book, available from Bookshare and other sources. It is called Advance Directives, and deals with a number of end-of-life and healthcare decisions. Mel discusses the Five Wishes document, which can help individuals clarify their options. They also discuss two helpful resources. The first is an article from AccessWorld: Advocating for Yourself in an Emergency Medical Situation. The second was developed by the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind’s Information Access Committee and is designed primarily for individuals to share with medical staff. The document consists of Best Practices for Healthcare Professionals with Patients who are Visually Impaired. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

On the first of two short BookIt segments, she reviews the book Back in Control: a Surgeon's Roadmap Out of Chronic Pain by David Hanscom M.D. It is available in Kindle and other electronic formats. Then, in Let’s Eat, Peggy and Wayne are using the Instant Pot to prepare Sausage Kale Soup. Here is the recipe: Ingredient List: 1 pound chopped sausage (kielbasa or sweet Italian) 1 onion, diced 3-4 carrots, diced 1 cup uncooked brown rice 2 cup chopped kale 4 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour Method: Saute chopped sausage in the Instant Pot. Let the sausage cook for as long as it takes you to chop 1 onion and dice 3-4 carrots (stirring once or twice). Stir in the onions and carrots. Saute 3-4 minutes more. Stir in 1 cup uncooked brown rice, 2 C chopped kale, and 4 C chicken broth. Cover and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Quick release the pressure and uncover. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 2 Tbsp flour and 1/2 C heavy cream. Pour the cream mixture into the soup, stir to mix, and return the Instant Pot to sauté. Let the soup cook for about 5 more minutes, or until it begins to thicken. Salt to taste and serve immediately. Lisa concludes the podcast with a look at another book: The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That's Smarter, Faster, Shorter by Martin Gibala. It is available on Bookshare, and in a number of readily purchased audio and text formats. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Mel talks with Brenda Bennet about Kombucha, Water Kefir, Kimchi, and other fermented foods. In particular, Brenda recommends the GT Synergy brand of Kombucha as a good bottled product, and the Cultures for Health website as a good place to get resources for preparing your own fermented foods. In BookIt, Lisa reviews The Secret Life of Fat: the Science Behind the Body's Least-Understood Organ, and What it Means for You by Sylvia Tara PHD. Between the time this segment was recorded and the release of the podcast, this book has also become available on Bookshare. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Mel starts out the podcast by thanking listeners for voting for her Holman Prize entry. We’ll be sure to let you know when we have any additional results. Mel and Jennifer Kern talk about the new Barre Method Level One workout: who it’s for, what it’s like, and many more. If you would like to contact Jennifer, you can visit her website for more information. Peggy is back with “Let’s Eat,” and this time she’s talking about cauliflower, which is much more versatile than you might think. Lisa closes out the podcast by sharing some helpful tips for finding older episodes and playing podcasts online. Cauliflower recipes shared by Peggy: Miracle Mashies One 12-oz. russet potato 3 cups cauliflower florets 3 tbsp. fat-free half & half 1 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread 1/4 tsp. salt, or more to taste Optional seasoning: black pepper 2 tbsp. sour cream Directions Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, peel and cube potato. Add cauliflower and cubed potato to boiling water. Once returned to a boil, reduce heat to medium. Cook until potatoes and cauliflower are very tender, 15 to 20 minutes, (or microwave for five to six minutes.) Drain and transfer cauliflower and potato to a large bowl. Add half & half, sour cream, butter, and salt. Thoroughly mash and mix. You can mix in a blender. Enjoy 5-Ingredient Cauliflower “Fried Rice” Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 10 min Yield: 4 servings Recipe by: Christina from The Blissful Balance This healthy spin on "Fried Rice" is the perfect side dish to any meal. INGREDIENTS 1 head cauliflower 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables 3 Eggland’s Best eggs (large), scrambled 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, or more as you need PREPARATION Clean and chop cauliflower head into florets. In batches, using your food processor, pulse until ‘rice’ is formed. In a large saute pan over medium heat, add olive oil. Add in cauliflower and vegetables. Cook for about ten minutes, or until fragrant. Add in eggs and cook, stirring together until well-combined. When eggs are cooked, turn off the heat. Serve topped with sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, or chopped scallions. Cauliflower pizza Ingredients 1 head cauliflower, stalk removed 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 2 eggs, lightly beaten Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Break the cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until fine. Steam in a steamer basket and drain well. (I like to put it on a towel to get all the moisture out.) Let cool. In a bowl, combine the cauliflower with the mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, salt, garlic powder and eggs. Transfer to the center of the baking sheet and spread into a circle, resembling a pizza crust. Bake for 20 minutes. Add desired toppings and bake an additional 10 minutes. Recipe courtesy of Katie Lee We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Lisa welcomes listeners to Podcast 65, and thanks all those who have voted for Mel in the Holman Prize Contest. The date for voting has been extended to March 14, so please consider liking Mel’s video about BlindAlive on the Candidates’ Page and on YouTube. We are happy to have so many of you join our Eyes-Free-Fitness email list. To subscribe, send a blank message to eyes-free-fitness+subscribe@groups.io . If you have difficulty subscribing, please write to Lisa@BlindAlive.com for help. Mel interviews Dayle Kane, a massage therapist and practitioner of the MyoKinesthetic System. To contact Dayle directly, you can email her at daykane@comcast.net . There is also a link where you can learn about the MyoKinesthetic System. In BookIt, Lisa reviews The tapping solution for weight loss & body confidence : a woman’s guide to stressing less, weighing less, and loving more by Jessica Ortner ; foreword by Christiane Northrup. If you are interested in this book, you might enjoy the interview with Debbie Hazelton on the Emotional Freedom Technique we aired on a previous podcast. To learn more about tapping, you can also visit the Tapping Solution Website We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

In this podcast extra, Lisa talks about Mel’s entry for the Holman Prize, and briefly explains how to cast your vote. You can click the Candidates’ Blog Pages to view and vote on the entries. And you can click this link to go directly to Mel’s entry Voting closes March 7, 2017. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Lisa discusses various devices for monitoring blood pressure, and concentrates on those that connect to an iOS or Android device. When making a purchase, she considered the QardioArm Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor. Ultimately, she opted to purchase the iHealth Sense Wireless Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor for Apple and Android. She talks about various factors to keep in mind when measuring blood pressure, and walks listeners through taking blood pressure using the monitor she has purchased. On FitnessSpeak, Mel talks about sebum, and it’s importance for our skin. Mel also reminds listeners that BlindAlive now has fourteen workouts for people of all different skill levels. You can learn more about all of them on BlindAlive’s main page. Finally, our Eyes-Free Fitness list is growing, and is a source of excellent information. To subscribe, just send a blank email to eyes-free-fitness+subscribe@groups.io or visit our group on the web. Please note that this subscription address is for a chat list. To keep receiving your newsletter, you do not need to make any changes. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Lisa starts things off with a number of announcements. She explains how to access show notes, then points listeners to a podcast she did on Applevis of the Pedometer++ app. To get the app, you can follow this link. On February 19, Mel will be part of a free webinar about starting a business as a person who is blind. To learn about this event, and to sign up, you can visit the launch page. Next, Mel interviews Kathy Strahan and they discuss options related to gluten-free eating. To obtain a free copy of Kathy’s book on the topic, please visit her website. On this week’s BookIt segment, Lisa reviews two books by Brian Wansink -- Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We think, and Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life. You can obtain copies of these books through Bookshare, Audible, and anywhere books are sold. As of February 28, 2017, we are discontinuing the BlindAlive Facebook Community group, but will absolutely be continuing our BlindAlive Facebook page. We invite you to socially interact with us there. The good news is that we are going to replace the Facebook Community Group with an e-mail chat list. This will provide a more accessible way for us to give and receive support. To subscribe, just send a blank email to eyes-free-fitness-subscribe@groups.io or visit our group on the web. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

This time on the podcast, Mel chats with Lawrence MacLellan. He is a reflexologist from Canada who has been doing this work for twenty-four years. Don’t miss this fascinating interview. Unfortunately, the particular book he mentioned by Kevin and Barbara Kunz is out of print. However, you can find other books by them, and on reflexology in general from Bookshare, Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic, and anywhere electronic books are sold. Then, Peggy is joined by her daughter for “Let’s Eat.” This time, they’re making an apple cake recipe from Pampered Chef. The recipe follows: THIS APPLESAUCE CAKE HAS ALL THE FLAVORS OF FALL - PLUS A SIMPLE HOMEMADE CARAMEL SAUCE! INGREDIENTS · Cake · Oil for brushing pan · 1 red apple such as Gala, Braeburn, or Fuji · 1 pkg (15.25 oz or 515 g) spice cake mix · 1 ½ cups (375 mL) unsweetened applesauce · Salted Caramel Sauce · ½ cup (125 mL) pure maple syrup · 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter · Coarse sea salt DIRECTIONS 1 Brush the bottom and sides of the Rockcrok® Everyday Pan with oil using the Chef’s Silicone Basting Brush. 2 Core the apple using The Corer™. Cut the apple in half crosswise, then slice the apple halves using the Simple Slicer on the #3 setting. Cut slices in half. 3 Starting at the edges of the pan, carefully arrange the apple slices, slightly overlapping, in the bottom of the pan. 4 In a large bowl, whisk the cake mix and applesauce until blended. Spoon the batter over the apples and spread evenly. 5 Microwave, covered, on HIGH for 10 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the microwave, uncover, and let stand for 10 minutes. 6 Place the syrup in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until small bubbles form, stirring occasionally. Add the butter; stir until butter is melted. Bring the mixture to a boil. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. 7 Remove from the heat; let cool 15-20 minutes or until thickened (similar to the consistency of honey). 8 Carefully invert the cake onto a serving platter. Just before serving, drizzle with the caramel and sprinkle with salt. Yield: 12servings of 1 slice Nutrients per serving: Calories 210, Total Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 300 mg, Carbohydrate 43 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2 g Cook's Tips: To prepare in a conventional oven, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Follow steps 1-4 as directed. Bake on center rack for 32-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and loosen the edges of the cake. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a platter. Prepare the sauce as directed while cake is baking; continue as directed. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Mel and Lisa chat about their goals for the new year. They then profile three different types of people who might be starting workouts in the new year, and give them suggestions for places to begin. Lisa talks about rebounding in general and discusses the Urban Rebounder, which is the one she owns. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Jamie Pauls steps out of the editing booth to bring us some highlights of the previous year. If you've listened to every podcast, you may be interested to know what we found important. If you've missed a few, this might pique your curiosity. All of us at BlindAlive would like to wish our listeners the happiest of holidays, and a healthy, happy 2017! We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Mel welcomes everyone to the podcast, and shares a funny holiday SNAFU. Peggy is making collard greens on the final “Let’s Eat” segment of 2016. Lisa looks forward to the New Year with a book review: This Year I Will: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True by M. J. Ryan. This book is available through Bookshare and many online retailers. Lisa prefers the Audible version, which is read by the author. Finally, Lisa closes out the podcast with two surprises. There is a special discount for listeners, available through January 6, 2017. Be sure to listen to the podcast to get all the details. She also tells us that the new Chair Yoga Workout is now ready for purchase on either thumb drive, SD card, or as a digital download. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

This time on the podcast, Mel and Lisa talk about what’s on their minds. They share favorite hot drinks, and a new addiction. Lisa now has a Google Home, and reminds everyone you can hear our podcast there. The easiest way to ensure accurate results is to ask, “Play the BlindAlive podcast.” We are pleased to congratulate India Scott, who won first prize in our writing contest. Beckie Hoarter and Dee Leverens wrote some wonderful honorable mentions, and we look forward to publishing them on the blog. If you plan to visit BlindAlive this holiday season, we want to make you aware of a few things. With any product you order, you will receive a free audio download – a Sleep Meditation. There are no codes to enter, just place your order, and you’ll receive your gift automatically. Also, if you would like to order a BackTpack, thumb drive, or SD card, we need to receive those orders by December 12 to ensure you receive them in time for holiday gift-giving. Just a reminder that our Whole Body Stretch has arrived. Visit this link to learn more. The rest of the discussion delves into how to plan your workout schedule, and an unusual question from Lisa regarding a possible link between blindness and trauma to our knees. We round out the podcast with a hearty helping of pumpkin soup with Peggy and Wayne on “Let’s Eat.” We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com

Lisa welcomes everyone to the podcast, and addresses a recent concern. Some people are not receiving their newsletter subscriptions or notifications when they place an order. This seems to be particularly true if the recipient is using Gmail. Lisa reminds everyone, but especially Gmail users, to check Junk and Spam folders for missing email. If the lost emails still aren’t found, please use the contact form on our main site to be in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to help you. We’re pleased to announce BlindAlive’s newest workout -- a Whole Body Stretch. Mel and Barb Seiden talk about this workout, and the benefits of stretching in general. In a recent blog post, Mel also wrote about the benefits of stretching. You can read her thoughts on our blog page. To contact Barb Seiden, please visit her website. On FitnessSpeak, Mel takes us through a brief tour of the organs in our bodies, and explains how they work together and function efficiently. We welcome your feedback or questions! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and our BlindAlive Community on Facebook. Be the first to know of new and exclusive promotions by Subscribing to our Newsletter. For more information on Eyes-Free Fitness® Workouts go to www.BlindAlive.com