Veggie Patch Brings You Quick & HEALTHY Meals: Back to School Time Saver!

Are you ready for back to school? Let  Veggie Patch  help you pack a healthy lunch or a quick and healthy dinner for those late nights. Running from school, work, PTA meetings, after school sports and more? Let Veggie Patch help you with dinner tonight. I LOVE being able to just grab a Veggie Patch meal from my freezer and feeding the whole family something we can all enjoy and feel good about eating. Save yourself from the drive through and keep your freezers stocked with Veggie Patch products. So many options let you find something everyone in the family can enjoy. Keep reading to learn all about the Veggie Patch products I love. 

People are always looking for easy ways to consume more veggies as part of a healthy diet. That’s where Veggie Patch comes in. They’ve developed inspired vegetable creations that taste great, are easy to make and are good for you. And with so many delicious varieties- you and your entire family will find something you love! Why not make a meatless Monday? With Veggie Patch- youre whole family will be excited about enjoying their wonderful vegetable products! Make good for you food fun & delicious!

With amazingly delicious varieites such as Chik’n Cutlets, Meatless Meatballs, Falafel, and more- you are sure to find a few varities to your liking. More reasons to love the Veggie Patch Meatless products:  NO ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES, GOOD SOURCE OF PROTEIN, 0G TRANS FAT, and are AVAILABLE IN THE PRODUCE AND FROZEN AISLE!  I found them at my local Safeway store and I was pleasantly surprised that they are affordabley priced! I love that the company has made such yummy kid-friendly meat free products that are high in protein to keep your little ones fueled for their days. Healthy, “fast” food is rare, something the little ones like- even more rare; which is why the Belles are very happy to have had the opportunity to review some of the fantastic family approved Meatless Veggie Patch products!

i had the pleasure of reviewing the Falafel and the Meatless Meatballs. I absolutely loved both. I am a huge fan of falafel but often they are full of fat and deep fried, well not the Veggie Patch Falafel- crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, filling & satisfying with a  fantastic flavor. I was very impressed and will certainly be buying them again. I also LOVED the Meatless Meatballs- I will admit I was a little unsure of what to expect in this category but I am pleased to tell you that not only did I enjoy them, but DH did as well! That really says a lot as DH is not into health food but he is in to MEAT. Truth be told- I didnt tell him they were meatless (hehe) until after he ate them and he didnt even know! Bam- take that DH We enjoyed them as is as a quick and easy snack but these would be really good on a sandwich- a Meatless Meatball hero or on spaghetti. YUM!

I was also lucky enough to try the Chik’n Nuggets and Meatless Buffalo Wings. I wanted to have my niece test out the Chik’n Nuggets since she is such a fan of the chicken variety – well resutls are in and she loved them! She was a happy camper and enjoyed them for her lunch. I got the Meatless Buffalo Wings for my husband and I to try as we are big fans of spicy. DH was  actually excited to try them- and we both really enjoyed them! Just the right amount of spice and so much better for you than typical greasy deep fried chicken wings. I was happy to see that they are carried at my local market and cant wait to try the other varieties of Veggie Patch meatless products. Next on my list are the Veggie Dogs. I can’t wait to throw a couple of these on the grill! I am really excited that Veggie Patch makes such delicious kid-friendly vegetable products! Their website also has some fun kid activities!

For More Information, Visit:

The Veggie Patch Website

Veggie Patch on Facebook

Veggie Patch on Twitter

I received samples of these products to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  Please see my disclosures page for details

Adidas Fruity Rhythm Body Spray: Back to School Must Have!

Is your beauty cabinet fully stocked and ready for the back to school season? I have discovered a must have for your back to school beauty must-haves: Adidas Fruity Rhythm Body Spray for women! I am a huge fan of body sprays and this one smells amazing! I love the fine mist and fun, fruity fragrance. Im not much into perfumes and strong sprays so this light splash of fragrance is perfect for me. 

Perfect to keep in your gym bag for an after workout refresher and perfect to keep in your beauty bag. Bring with you to the dorm room and add to your morning routine before school. Great for tweens, teens, and women this is a fun and light scent that is perfect for athletes, mathletes, and everyone in between. Be sure to add Adidas Fruity Rhythm Body Spray to your back to school shopping list. They offer other great scents so be sure to check them all out! I love this fragrance and am so happy I had the pleasure of reviewing it.

Adidas now offers a full line of womens beauty products. From shower gel, body spray and deodorants you can fill your beauty bag, gym bag, or medicine cabinet with fun beauty products from Adidas. Stay smelling great and active and also enhance a feminine and cool attitude with this sweet fruity floral fragrance. So, spray energy in your life as this deo is for the girls who are looking for dynamism and style. Spray some fun in your life with Adidas Fruity Rhythm, an addictive fruity floral fragrance that brings you a splash of youthful vibe and a fresh clean scent. 

And for those looking for an Adidas Eau de Toilette Fragrance, check out all of the fun & fresh fragrances from Adidas. These make the perfect addition to any gals back to school regime and a nice back to school gift. With so many scents to choose from, you will find one perfect for you and perfect for every back to school lady on your shopping list this season. Dont forget to check out the Adidas deodorants, shower gels, and more!

For More Information, Visit:

Adidas Body Care on the web

Adidas Women on Facebook

Adidas on Twitter

I received samples of these products to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  Please see my disclosures page for details

Wild Planet: Feel Good About Your Back to School Lunches!

Wild Planet: Sustainably Caught Wild Seafood

Its back to school time and we all know that means packing lunches and making healthy choices for ourselves & our little ones. Well Wild Planet makes it easy to choose healthy & delicious options and also options that are good for our planet! Feel good about what you eat, stay green, and stay healthy with Wild Planet. Wild Planet offers a large variety of sustainably caught wild seafood that are quick and easy to make a sandwich, wrap, seafood dip, or snack to toss in your lunch bag! Wild Planets tinned & canned varieties of seafood make seafood accessible for us all! Wild Planet's single serve pouch make a healthy lunch SO easy for even the busiest student/ parent/ full time worker-bee and everyone!

Wild Planet is a planet friendly, health friendly, fantastic seafood company: Wild Planet! Their seafood is sustainably caught wild seafood- making it an excellent choice for you, your family, and the planet! Thank you Wild Planet for providing us with healthy sustainable choices in our seafood.

Whether you are a fan of tuna fish, salmon, or sardines- Wild Planet has you covered! They carry a full line of delicious, super healthy, conveniently packaged seafood that is caught in the wild & is sustainable. Both very important to our health, the health of our families and the planet! Seafood is one of natures super foods but isnt always convenient to enjoy or prepare. Thankfully Wild Planet offers tinned & canned varieties of some of our absolute favorites, making healthy eating even more convenient for us! Make up a sandwich and toss it in your lunch box, or a salmon salad - yum!

I was very excited to see that Wild Planet offers Wild Albacore Tuna Fillets- I had never had the pleasure of enjoying them until now and let me tell you -they are amazing! I highly recommend them and am so happy that Wild Planet offers them! I found a large selection of Wild Planet products at my local Target store - so be sure to check them out. Getting seafood into your diet is important to your health & now you can rest assured that nature is being looked out for with Wild Planets seafood. Feel good about eating it and enjoy the deliciousness and health benefits of Wild Planet.

Sardines are a delicious and heart healthy treat, so I were very excited to see that Wild Planet also carries a selection of sustainable wild caught sardines in a variety of flavors.  We love them on pizza, salads, in pasta dishes, or straight from the tin! And we all know how healthy sardines are for us! Wild Planet sardines are full of heart healthy omega 3s, are very tasty, and come in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with or without Lemon, Spring Water, and Marinara varieties- cant wait to try each & every yummy variety!

One thing I was most impressed with is the big chunks of fresh tasting tuna in Wild Planet Albacore Tuna, which contains six times omega 3′s and is lower in sodium than other canned tuna products! I also love that Wild Planet offers Albacore Tuna with no added salt for those that are watching their sodium intake! Seriously, does this not, look SO much better than the other tuna guys? Come on! This looks amazing, and the good news: it tastes amazing and really does look like this straight from the can! Talk about fresh tasting seafood in the convenience of a tin!

For More Information, Visit:
Wild Planet on the web
The Wild Planet Online Store
Wild Planet on Facebook
Wild Planet on Twitter

I received samples of these products to review. I was in no other way compensated for our honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Please see my disclosure page for full disclosure.

Frontera Wines & BzzAgent

Frontera Wine is a heart healthy way to get in your antioxidants. A glass of Frontera red wine a few times a week is great for your heart! I had the opportunity to join the Frontera Wines Bzz Campaign and I am so happy I did.

Randomly enough, I have always been a huge fan of Chilean wines so I am excited to discover how delicious Frontera wines are! And they are affordable. Tastes expensive but is not! Great for me as I dont want to spend a ton of money on a bottle of wine.

Frontera, The best-selling chilean wine in the world has its presence on more than 120 countries around the globe.

Frontera wines are born in Chile’s beautiful Central Valley, a winemaking paradise where the vineyards are protected by four natural frontiers:

South: the awesome glaciers.
North: the arid Atacama Desert.
East: the majestic Andes Mountain range.
West: the immense Pacific Ocean.

Frontera takes Chile’s essence to the world in each of its delicious wines. Frontera… Chile in a glass.

For More Information, Visit:

Frontera Wines on the Web 

The Bzzagent website

I received a sample of this product from Bzzagent to review.  I am a bzzagent and participate in their program. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.   Please see my disclosures page for details.

Our Interview with Fitness Icon: Jackie Warner

Belles: Many of our readers are familiar with you from your television shows The Workout and Thintervention, for those that aren’t can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into the fitness industry and on television?

Jackie: I was working at Warner Brothers and realized I didn’t want to be working in the entertainment business. I got into fitness late. I got certified at 30 but I was bodybuilding since I was 20. Once I was certified I started training friends and then clients. One of my clients had a total transformation in just 4 months. That got me hooked and made me really passionate about this as a career.

Belles: You have also created quite a few exercise DVDs, can we expect any more in the future?

Jackie: Definitely! I’ve got 3,000 workouts in my head and I’ve got to get them out or they’ll eat me up inside. You can expect to see my newest DVD in December.

Belles: What can you tell us about what is involved in starring in a television show vs producing a workout? Do you have a preference?

Jackie: I love producing. I’m much more comfortable behind the camera than in front. I love being in the editing bay and putting everything together. In fact I’m developing 3 shows right now and I’m not even in 2 of them!

Belles: We have done Xtreme Timesaver many times and it is an effective, tough and thorough workout. You are a huge proponent of circuit workouts.  Why are they your favorite and what is the magic behind them?

Jackie: You can get more done in 10 mins of circuit training than 40 mins of weight training. I love circuits because your heart rate is up, you’re in the fat burning zone AND you’re putting on muscle. It’s the best way to get great results. And it’s more fun for the mind, too, to keep moving.

Belles: Do your workout DVDs reflect your actual workout routine? And can you give us an example of your weekly workout routine?

Jackie: My “Personal Training with Jackie” DVDs are definitely what I do for myself. For the most part I do 2 muscle groups a day to FAILURE. So Monday might be 6 chest moves and 6 tricep moves. I spend about an hour and twenty minutes in the gym every day except Sunday. Research from Harvard shows if you work out 3 times per week you’ll maintain but it takes 5 times per week to see change. You really need that consistency.

Belles: What advice can you offer women and men out there regarding our struggles with body image?

Jackie: Don’t even look at the magazines. If you’re 5’2” you’re never going to look like Giselle. Find something realistic. Ask your doctor for your ideal weight. When you’re looking at a model or celebrity, you don’t know how unhealthy that person may be and they’re so photoshopped, it’s not their body that you’re really seeing.

Belles: You understand the evils of sugar- do you have any tricks to help with our sweet tooths? And what are your feelings on Stevia & Splenda?

Jackie: I like Stevia and avoid Spenda but…everything in moderation. A little Splenda is OK. Don’t replace sugar with artificial sweeteners. The latest research show they spike insulin  too. You need to go cold turkey. It takes five t0 seven days to break the addiction. I’ll take you through this in my book, “This is Why You’re Fat…”

For more information about Jackie Warner and her popular workout series visit:

The Jackie Warner website

Jackie Warner on Facebook

Jackie Warner on Twitter

Cedars Mediterranean Food ~ Perfectly Healthy, Perfectly Delicious

I cant wait to tell you all about my go-to absolute favorite brand of Mediterranean food - Cedar’s Foods! Their line of fresh, authentic, and HEALTHY Mediterranean foods are not only good for you- they are quick, convenient, and delicious! They are perfect for back to school - keep the kids (and your own) lunches fun & healthy with Cedars. So many varieites and so much flavor - you will find something quick & easy for everyone in the family. Keep reading to find out about some of my FAVORITE Cedar’s Foods products and check out their on-line coupons.

Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods has been a leader in the Mediterranean food industry for over 25 years. Its authenticity and expertise has allowed the company to be  one of the only major hommus manufacturers still privately owned, Cedar’s continually introduces new products and flavors to help keep the industry fresh and consumers satisfied. Throughout its success, Cedar’s has focused on promoting healthy lifestyles through great tasting Mediterranean food. Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods is the original manufacturer of Mediterranean cuisine such as hommus, fresh salads, and tzatziki.

With SO many delicious product categories- you will find something you love and something great for every lunch box in the house! I preportion out some Cedars hommus- for an afternoon snack with pitas or vegis and take it to work. It is creamy and super flavorful! Cedar’s Foods Hommus is available in a wide variety of delicious flavors. Their hommus is available in organic, natural, simply delicious smooth & creamy & more! My favorite flavor has to be Artichoke Kalamata Hommus-seriously amazing taste combination. But I also have to give a huge shout out to their Roasted Red Pepper Hommus. Honestly, I have loved every variety I have tried so I think you will too!

Next, we I their fresh salads. What a quick, convenient way to get some fresh healthy foods into your day! Perfect to toss in your lunchbox for lunch or add to your favorite dinner. My hubby & i both love their Chickpea Salad and their Lentil Mediterranean Salad- both Delicious and packed with protein-which is great for your lunch and keeps you energized for school, work, or a day around town. Cedar’s Foods salads are so fresh!

And one more Cedar’s Foods product that is perfect for back to school lunches is their wraps- so delicious and so many varieties to choose from. I love wrapping up some Cedar’s Foods hommus or tzatziki in their Six Grain Wrap with some fresh vegis for a super healthy lunch and why not add a Cedar’s Foods fresh salads for a complete meal. Want fresh, healthy, yummy Medetarranian food in the convenience of your own home? Check out Cedar’s Foods products in your local store!

For More Information: 
Visit the Cedar’s Foods website
Folow Cedar’s Foods on Facebook
Like @CedarsFoods on Twitter

I received samples of these products to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  Please see my disclosures page for details

Cathe Friedrich's XTrain: All Out Low Impact HiiT

XTrain: All Out Low Impact HiiT
Cathe Friedrich, 2012

Cathe leads this 39 min cardio routine in a brick gym set with 4 backgrounders. You will need a step, gliding dics, and dumbbells for this workout. The dvd is fully chaptered, contains premixes, and bonus routines.

After a warmup, floor work: squat kicks, lunges, wegithed sumo squats, switch kicks, shuffle digs, & robe climb –elbow strikes. Step work: swimmer lunges, sumo squats, box step cha-cha, windmill side kick, step slam, and running man. Disc work: step touch, Mt. climbers, swimmer lunges, cross country, and jacks.

Bonus Core (10 min): banana obliques, crunch, plank & sit up variations. Burn Set Chest (14 min): bench press, pec fly, incline press & pushups. Burn Set Shoulders (14 min): military press, single arm lat raise, & single arm real delt fly. 100 Rep Challenge Scarecrows also included.

I rate this a solid to high intermediate routine that really got my heartrate up and was easy on the joints & my bad knee. I love the athletic drill format, great music, and Cathe’s stellar instruction. Another wonderful workout from Cathe. I received this dvd to review. 

For More Information, Visit:
The Cathe Website
Cathe on Facebook
Cathe on Twitter

I received samples of these products to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  Please see my disclosures page for details

Running Divas Clothing for Active Women You Will LOVE!

Back so school time is upon us and I am so excited to share with you a company I love: Running Divas! They offer a unique, high quality line of clothing for athletes, runners, and exercise lovers alike. Running Divas is a clothing line that inspires women to live fun, active, outdoor lifestyles. An awesome line of casual wear for active women that is cute and playful, with slogans and styles that celebrate running and exercise. Keep reading for a full review of some of my favorite pieces from Running Divas. 

Just in time for back to school, I had the pleasure of reviewing some fab Running Divas  pieces. I am very excited about the light weight custom fit yoga pants- perfect for the cooler fall weather that is upon us! I LOVE the fit and think they are the perfect pants to toss on to run to the gym, take your kids to school, or wear around town running errands. Perfectly comfy, perfectly functional, and so motivational. I cant wait to sport these fab yoga pants. Here are some of my favorites:

And perfect to wear back to school, awesome on campus, great for a cool evening walk, or early morning class- check out the large line of Running Diva's long sleeve tops, outer wear, and hoodies. I had the pleasure of receiving an amazing one-of-a-kind hand painted hoodie- and let me tell you it is amazing! Check them out: what do you think? I love it and the custom print yoga pants make the perfect companion. Dont just love them from afar- visit Running Divas and get a one of a kind outfit for yourself!

Running Divas offers a wide array of clothing with fun and playful sayings! With tops avaiable in various styles – short sleeve, long sleeve, tanks, sweat shirts, performance and – and bottoms that range from capris, yoga pants and sweat pants to running skirts, jogging shorts and skorts, you are bound to find something to fit your personal style. Running Divas apparel also has a slogan to fit your lifestyle, mood or personality. With sayings like, “girls gotta run” and “I knew there was something I  was supposed to do but went for a run instead” the clothing puts into words the feelings of a runner. Since they are created by an actual runner, that knows what it really means and what it is really like to be a lifestyle runner, the clothing line provides inspiration for the wearer. With slogans printed on the front and back, the Running Divas apparel makes a statement – whether you are coming or going. 

For More Information about Running Divas, visit:

Running Divas Website
Running Divas on Facebook
Running Divas on Twitter

We received samples of these products to review. We were in no other way compensated for our honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are oury own. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. We can not be held responsible for user errors in entering this contest, shipping errors, postage errors, damage in transit, or undelivered prizes.

Cathe Friedrich's XTrain: Tabaticize Review

XTrain: Tabatacise
Cathe Friedrich, 2012

Cathe leads this 45 min Tabata drill routine in a brick gym with 4 backgrounders. You will need only need a step for this workout. The dvd is fully chaptered, contains bonus routines, and premixes. Choose from one to five tabata drills to truly customize your workout!

Each tabata drill contains ~ 4 exercises, repeated 2 X each and in between each drill is a quick recovery blast step routine (dont be fooled- these are not easy!). Each exercise is performed for 20 seconds w/ a 10 second rest.

Tabata 1: heel click jacks, frog hop jumps, jacks & tuck jumps. Tabata 2: squat dips, air jacks, floor touch jump ups. Tabata 3: under wire tuck jumps, power lunges, jumps, lateral hops. Tabata 4: ice breakers, scissor -plyo- tuck jumps, power 180 lunges, jump & turn. Tabata 5: pop squats, apple picker jumps, hi knees, pliet heel clicks.

This dvd contains 2 10 min core routines, a 13 min back routine, a 100 rep tricep challenge, and a 100 rep bi curl challenge.

I rate this a true advanced routine that will get your heart pumping and burn those calories! Easy to modify the impact and tons of variety make this athletic routine fun & I def see myself reaching for this time and time again. As always, Cathe's instruction is superb and the routines are unique. No tricky cardio in this one- get in and get out routine with no dread factor- make this a huge winner in my book. I received this dvd to review.

For More Information, Visit:
The Cathe Website
Cathe on Facebook
Cathe on Twitter

I received samples of these products to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  Please see my disclosures page for details

Interview with Fitness Pro: Amy Dixon

Amy Dixon is one of the most dynamic fitness instructors and Master Trainers in the industry today. With a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise physiology, as well as many other fitness certifications, Amy delivers fresh, fun workouts while challenging and motivating exercisers. Featured in many workouts for Women’s Health and a popular trainer for ExerciseTV, Amy’s workouts SuperFitBod and Give Me 10 gained instant popularity with exercisers everywhere.  Amy Dixon’s two newest releases include Give me 10 More and Breathless Body.

Belles: Many of us are familiar with you from your workouts, ExerciseTV and Women’s Health workouts. What can you tell us about yourself and how you got started in fitness?

Amy: I am a hard-working mother of two that wanted to produce DVDS from the time I first started doing Karen Voight’s video’s.  I grew up in a small town in Utah and have participated in sports all of my life.  My dad was an amazing coach and his passion and hard work has definitely rubbed off on me.  I am a former World Competitive Power Tumbler, an Exercise Physiologist, the Group Fitness Manager for Equinox in Santa Monica, a member of Gatorade’s G-Series Fit Team, a Master trainer for Schwinn and BOSU, a founding member of the International Fitness Challenge and a star and creator of many critically acclaimed fitness DVDS.  For me fitness was a natural transition from sports, tumbling, and cheerleading.  I originally was going to be a school teacher but changed my major on my first day of school because I truly wanted to work in the fitness industry.  

Belles: With so much misinformation out there and everyone claiming to be an expert on something, how do you help your clients decipher the information so that they can achieve a healthy and fit lifestyle?

Amy: To me it is all about being authentic.  There definitely is a lot of misinformation out there, but I have found that by offering up my opinion with science as my support it tends to help people understand who really knows what they are talking about and who just wants to make a quick buck with the next trend. 

Belles: You have created a variety of workouts from BOSU to kickboxing, circuits to Tabata. What is your favorite workout and training method and why?

Amy: It’s hard for me to pick a favorite BUT if I have to it would be strength training.  Right now I am really digging Kettlebells and ViPR. 

Belles: You have recently participated in some fun extreme events, Tough Mudder and International Fitness Challenge comes to mind, how do you prepare for these events and what do you have planned next? 

Amy: To prepare for these events I definitely logged more hours in the gym and practiced my BOSU workout from start to finish so that I could be completely prepared to work the room.  The next major event I have on the horizon is another Tough Mudder in February 2012…wish me luck.

Belles: You look absolutely fantastic in your new Breathless Body & Give Me Ten More! DVDs what was your training routine to prep for the filming? 

Amy: I actually trained hard by working on choreography for the DVDS and invested in a meal delivery program called ZEN foods.  It REALLY changed my body. 

Belles: We have loved all of your DVD releases and cannot wait for more! We know you just released two new (fantastic) workouts- any other projects on the horizon? 

Amy: I have quite a few more things up my sleeve.  Right now I am working on a new program for BOSU and plan to shoot two brand new DVDS in early 2012.  Stay tuned for specifics but I’m thinking there is a lot more room for a female to swing a Kettlebell. 

To learn more about Amy Dixon, visit her at

Amy Dixon Fitness website

Amy Dixon Fitness on Facebook

Amy Dixon Fitness on Twitter

You can also catch her columns on ESPNW and her FREE workout downloads for G-Series Fit and MotionTraxx

Interview with Martial Arts Pro Guillermo Gomez

The Belles have both had the pleasure of reviewing Guillermo Gomez’ awesome Martial FusionRockin’ Body Workout. We loved it, so we were very excited with the opportunity to “interview” Sensei Gomez.

Belles: We are both huge fans of your Martial Fusion workouts and see that you have a new dvd Yin Yang Fusion, that you co-lead with Jessica Smith. What can you share with us about this much anticipated release?
Guillermo: Well, this DVD is a beautiful blend of workout routines, styles and energies between Jessica and I. She is a fantastic instructor and her workouts are rock solid. I’m very happy with the end result of this DVD, It’s one of the best we both have done so far.

Belles: You are the founder of the Martial Fusion Organization in Miami, what motivated you to open this health and fitness training studio?
Guillermo: To me, it is more than just a training studio. It’s a dojo, a temple, a place where you come to develop yourself physically and spiritually. Coming into the dojo is an opportunity to leave outside the door all the energy and ideas that are holding you back, and face your training with the right open and humble attitude. I grew up in places like this, and have been training since I was 10, so it is very natural for me to somehow create an environment that others can benefit from as well. Martial Fusion is really an evolution of 25 years of my training in martial arts and many other disciplines combined, in one place and one workout.

Belles: You obviously have a background in martial arts, what got you started in the fitness industry.
Guillermo: An open mind. I wanted to try different things and to step out of my comfort zone. That’s how I got involved with the fitness Industry about 12 years ago, here in Miami. I was invited through a friend to substitute a kickboxing class in a gym, and I said, What? Teach martial arts in a fitness gym? With music? To a group of people that don’t wear uniforms, don’t have any training etiquette and like to chew gum during class? No way! Then I said to myself, the real goal of any martial arts training is for us to be flexible and adaptable to any situation. This is only a challenge that has been presented in front of me, so let’s step away from what I think I know and jump into the unknown! Now I get to teach both “fitness” martial arts classes and my more traditional Aikido martial arts practice several times a week to children and adults.

Belles: Your passion for your art shines through in your workouts, what are some of your other passions in life?
Guillermo: Traveling! No question, it is the best university you can ever attend. Learning about other cultures, people, and traditions gives a real perspective to where we come from, in my opinion, and the choices we later make along the way. It allow us to find exactly where and how we want to be, instead of repeating motions and patterns that maybe are not the best ones for us.

Belles: Besides Martial Arts based workouts, do you see yourself releasing other forms of fitness videos in the future?
Guillermo: Anything is possible. For sure with Dynamic Zen, Inc. I’ll be directing and producing new fitness workouts with other presenters as well.

For more information about Guillermo, Dynamic Zen, and Martial Fusion visit:
The Martial Fusion website
Yin Yang Fusion on Facebook
Martial Fusion on Twitter
Dynamic Zen on YouTube
Dynamic Zen on Linked In
Sensei Guillermo Gomez on Facebook