While “green may be the new black”, and we’re comforted knowing “it’s easy being green,” creating an earth-conscious sustainable lifestyle is not just an ad campaign or fad, but a necessity for overall health. Oh it’s a tangled web we weave!… The health of our environment, whether it be the soil that grows our food or the cleaning products we use at home, directly effects our personal wellness. We can’t simple take care of ourselves, we’ve got to take care of the web that sustains us.

With that being said, we can definitely hit two birds with one stone. Choosing to live sustainably offers you the ability to get and stay fit while being green. Here are 7 simple ways to burn calories, and save the planet in one fell swoop.

1. Spring Clean Tis’ the season to clean out those packed closets, drawers, and cupboards. I know when I overhauled my place, I was sweating up a storm from all that lifting, organizing and scrubbing. Vacuuming and dish washing could seriously replace a workout! With all that cleaning we sure don’t want to choke on toxic chemicals so here’s a run down on the best eco friendly cleaning products from Grist.org.

2. Compost And Recycle: Taking the recycling out and tossing food scraps into a compost pile isn’t always so convenient. By the time you are done sorting and hauling the recyclables down several flights of stairs or across town for some people, you’ve definitely burned some calories! Compost stiring is also a great upper body workout.

3. Bike Or Walk To The Farmers Market: Farmers markets are definitely the best place to find locally grown organic fruits, veggies, and even beauty products. While you probably already hit up the stands every week, why not get a workout in on the way to and from? Leaving your car behind obviously prevents CO2 emissions and saves you money on gas.

4. Tend Your Garden: Between pulling weeds, digging, hauling soil, and dealing with that unruly hose, gardening can be quite a sport. There’s nothing like taking a bite out of a home grown cucumber or tomato. Best of all, no pesticides, trucks, or planes involved. Just a few steps to the kitchen!

5. Jog The Stairs: Elevators spend a lot of time and energy traveling (at least in my building!), so save energy and sculpt gorgeous legs by taking the stairs. Jog or skip steps for more intensity. Or my favorite, make it a race to the top.

6. Limit Coach Surfing: There’s no doubt the tube can suck you in with Fresh Prince reruns, but how many wasted hours do you spend watching when you could be hitting the carpet for some crunches and pushups? Dig out those free weights or fitness ball and save energy during that normally useless hour.

7. Finish Home Projects: Chances are you have a list of things to fix, improve or upgrade at home, but have you explored all of your options? If you’re dying to paint the kitchen, look into low VOC water-based paints. Wanting to replace flooring? Research the highly sustainable and gorgeous bamboo flooring options. Do it yourself and save money while getting your sweat on!

So lets say you’ve got five places you need to be today. Work first, then lunch, quick meeting, then dash to the gym, stop by the market, arrive home to cook dinner and finally collapse on the couch. I’m sure we could all map out our day in it’s entirety based on all the main events. But what about the gray area in between?

Today I found myself sprinting between activities, as if my life depended on it, and had to stop and think. Where does my mind go when I’m speed walking to my lunch meeting, or do I even see and hear the chatter on the bus to work? It dawned on me that life is really lived in the transitions of the day.

I realized that while I was ravenously anxious to pick up the two tacos I had ordered for lunch, I hadn’t even noticed how beautiful it was outside. I mean the sun was shining for the first time in literally a week, and I hadn’t noticed on my 15 minute walk to the restaurant.

Rushing through life in a fast forward future driven mind had halted my ability to see what was right in front of my face. And by the time I got my tacos they were gulped down in under 10 minutes hardly remembered or tasted. So I didn’t really live while eating my food or traveling to get there. This is no way to live!!

So here is my challenge and yours: tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the day after that, choose to live in life’s transitions. No moment should be more important than the next. Mindfulness is the key.

Ririan Project: If you’re like me at this time of year the travel bug starts to creep into your psyche and all you can dream about is the day you’ll be splashing in the turquoise water of some far off locale. But, what about right here and now? We can’t always be off roaming the world, so here are some fun ways to experience the benefits of traveling without going anywhere.

Glam Spirit: Find mental clarity and ease in the body by practicing the ancient Chinese art of Qi Gong. This 5,000 year old practice fuses meditation, relaxation, breathing and movement to balance the mind, body and spirit. Learn more and find a practitioner from GlamSpirit.

Fitsugar: Can’t find a partner yoga class near you? All you need is a visual and simple instruction, so check out Fitsugar’s recommended partner yoga book. Share a smile with your partner while hanging upside down… super fun!

Zen Habits: Spring has finally blossomed and now it’s time to clean up and clear out our homes. Diving into spring cleaning is overwhelming, but so worth the effort. While I spent a whole day turning my place upside down, there’s no reason you can’t spread out the process. Here are 18 five minute decluttering tips from Leo over at Zen Habits.

Have you Floated today? And no I’m not talking about your typical float in a pool, the ocean, or even a bath tub. I’m referencing a brand new relaxation method called Floating.

Utilizing a revolutionary scientific approach to deep relaxation called R.E.S.T (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique), Flotation eliminates all sensory stress to the body allowing the mind and body to fall into the deepest state of relaxation on earth.

After hearing about this extraodinary method from a dancer friend of mine, I was intrigued, to say the least, and dug up some research. Here’s what I found!

If you’re looking to de-stress (and seriously who isn’t) then imagine falling into a calm state considered purer and more beneficial than sleep. This deep relaxation is created through the use of a sound and light proof floatation pod in which you float effortlessly on the surface of 10 inches of water that is saturated with 800lbs of medical grade Epsom salt and 100 million year old Himalayan salt. It is set to your skin temperature to give the sensation of floating “out of body”.

Apparently, “Scientists estimate that up to 90% of the brain’s normal workload is caused by the effects of gravity on muscles and the nervous system as well as sensory stimuli that needs to be processed.

The float tank screens out these external physical stimuli, creating a pure state of “sensory” relaxation. Under these unique conditions your body has a chance to restore its natural powers of self regulation, while you simply lie back and rediscover the latent abilities of a deeply relaxed mind.”

Sounds fantastic right?! Like I have mentioned before, there is a vast connection between the mind, body and spirit. Reducing tension in the body inevitably relaxes the mind and visa versa. While meditation and mindfulness calm the mind and in turn relax the body, floating creates an environment that reduces all stressors on the body, allowing you to fall into deep levels of consciousness. Floating actually activates parts of the brain and consciousness that only Zen monks and other yogi’s can access through deep meditation.

I have already scheduled my appointment at the Float Matrix here in San Francisco to give it a whirl. I’ll be sure to follow up and let you know how it goes! Check into it and see if any spa’s or holistic centers near you offer Floating. For only $75 dollars an hour (cheaper than a massage) I’m considering scheduling several appointments.

Spring is officially here and while some of you can’t wait to get outside for a morning jog in the sun, gyms are unrolling innovative fusion classes to keep you indoors. It’s well known that the body becomes accustomed to your usual workout over time. To lose those last few pounds or to take your personal fitness to the next level you’ve got to challenge your muscles in new ways. Here are a few of the spanken’ new fusion classes that will have you burning calories, shaking your groove thang, and most importantly, creating your most epic self. 

Available From Crunch Fitness:
Club Cirque: Ever fantasize about running away and joining the circus? Here’s your chance! Based on movements from Static Trapeze and other Circus disciplines, this class focuses on agility, flexibility, acrobatics and strength to give you the ultimate performers body. From the flying trapeze to climbing the Spanish web, it will bring out the daredevil in everyone.

Buff Girl Workout: Come on, let’s be fabulous! Combine pilates, ballet, bootcamp and vintage aerobic moves for one great workout. Create a long lean sexy body. Even your psyche gets in shape through empowering words. Alright guys can come too!

Blading w/ Gliding™ Discs: No helmet or kneepads required in this fun, fat-burning class inspired by rollerblading. Simulate the street stride with Gliding™ Discs and Body Bars while cruising your way through cool cardio and strength training exercises.

Kangoo: Kangoo is the exercise boot with bounce. Strap on a pair of Kangoos, equipped with springs on the bottom and hop, jog, and jump your way through this low impact workout.

BodyWeb with TRX System®: Hang from the durable TRX system ropes to push, pull, lift and lower your body through Spiderman moves for a total body suspension workout that also super-strengthens your core.

Surfboarding w/ Gliding Discs: Get ready to hit the waves! Using the unique and fabulous Gliding Discs, and the balance challenge of the half foam roller, a multitude of surfing skills will be introduced, practiced, and perfected leaving your body toned and ready for the athlete in you to spring into action.

Available From Equinox:

Buff Ballet Barre Workout: Work on and off the barre to sculpt and define a long, lean dancer’s physique. Intense and fun for dancers and non-dancers alike.

Candlelight Yoga: Incorporating a gentler and more healing approach, and to relieve stress and relax from the inside out. Set to a candlelit room.

Video Dance Jam: Shake your booty like Beyonce. Bring down house and break a sweat with fun and hip dance video choreography!

This is just a sample of all the wonderful classes available from only a handful of nationwide gyms. Now there is definitely no reason working out can’t be super fun! I’m sure there are tons of creative classes near you. Have any favorites you want to share? Let me know in the comments.