The holidays are right around the corner, so we're preparing for the cozier months with gear we can road test outside in cooler temps, kitchen appliances and cookbooks to make our favourite homemade soups and stews, and more. Check out our Fitness editors' picks for the latest in health, fitness, and wellness that we're coveting this month.
Oh She Glows For Dinner
"I'm a huge fan of Angela Liddon's Oh She Glows blog [1], and adore and regularly use both of her previous plant-based cookbooks. I was so excited that she was coming out with a third cookbook, Oh She Glows For Dinner [2] ($32), that I had to pre-order it! I love that it includes four weekly meal prep plans, and tons of dinner recipes like Instant Pot Potato and Cauliflower Red Thai Curry and Kitchen Sink Sheet Pan Buddha Bowl. Liddon also included hearty recipes like Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Salad and Cosy Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato, and Red Lentil Stew. Of course, she didn't leave out the desserts — I can't wait to make the Six-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Crumble Squares. My favourite part is that every single recipe has an inspiring matching photo!" — Jenny Sugar, staff writer, Fitness
Hamilton Beach Multi-Function Pressure Cooker
"As a vegan, I'm so excited about the six-quart Hamilton Beach Multi-Function Pressure Cooker [3] ($100), because I can use it for so many foods! I love meal prepping rice or beans, and making soups, curries, baked potatoes, and burrito filling. It cooks foods fast, is easy to use, easy to clean (love that it's stainless steel!), and is easily one of my favourite kitchen gadgets, especially now that it's getting colder. Bring on the cosy recipes!" — JS
Jade Yoga Travel Natural Rubber Yoga Mat
"I've been doing a lot of workouts outdoors, and the Jade Yoga Travel Natural Rubber Yoga Mat [4] ($65) has come in handy. I'm able to do my mobility exercises and warm up on it, and I don't have to worry about getting pieces of turf or grass stuck to my body or clothes. The best part about this yoga mat, in my opinion, is that it's foldable! I can just throw it in my bag, and I don't have to worry about carrying it over my shoulder or in my hands." — Tamara Pridgett, associate editor, Fitness
Nike AeroSwift Tight Running Shorts
"I do not love running, specifically sprinting, in leggings as they feel extremely restricting. I prefer running in shorts, but I haven't been able to find a pair that isn't baggy, puffy, and won't ride up with each stride I take. I had been eyeing the Nike AeroSwift Tight Running Shorts [5] ($65) for a while, but I didn't want to get them because I was sure they would instantly ride up. A few of my friends had purchased them and had good things to say, so I bought a pair and I love them! The colour is great, the feel is even better, and they don't ride up at all!" — TP
M-Roll Massage Stick
"This M-Roll Massage Stick [6] ($30) is great for massageing my calves, hamstrings, quads, and glutes after a lower-body workout. I've also used it to roll out my back and neck during the work day when I feel sore from sitting (I'm guilty of being so focussed on my work that I slouch a lot). I'm a fan for sure." — Sam Brodsky, assistant editor, Fitness
BHU Foods Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars
"I'm not on the keto diet, but these BHU Foods Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars [7] ($24 for 8) are delicious. I normally don't like the aftertaste of most keto bars that comes from the artificial sweetener found in many low-carb and low-sugar bars. However, these really do have the taste and texture of cookie dough." — SB
Brooks Catamount Trail Running Shoe
"As I enjoy this last month of warmer weather, I've been taking my workouts outdoors and hitting the trails in Brooks Catamount Trail Running Shoe [8] ($160). These lightweight shoes provide just the right traction for different terrains." - Genevieve Farrell Roston, Fitness and Wellness Director
Polar Vantage 2
"I recently tried out the Polar Vantage 2 [9] ($500) and am so impressed by the training, sleep, and recovery tools offered on this smart watch. The Recovery Pro combines your long-term recovery data with your long-term training load to monitor the balance between training and recovery. This allows the Vantage V2 to recommend training. It also has a sleep stages feature that provides insights into your sleep quality." — GFR
Moment Botanical Water Variety Pack
"The Moment Botanical Water Variety Pack [10] ($18 for six) is pitched as a way to 'drink your meditation,' which instantly intrigued me. These adaptogen-packed drinks taste like a light, slightly fruity tea and, I have to admit, I did feel calmer after sipping on one. To test out the relaxation effects, I tried one can during a packed workday (check — I did feel a little less stressed) and one on the weekend after a workout. That second knocked me out for a long nap, so it worked almost too well!" — Maggie Ryan, assistant editor, Fitness
Scoria Blossom Cork Yoga Mat
"I've been wanting a new yoga mat for a while because my old standby was starting to feel a little thin on the hard floors in my apartment. So of course, I was excited when Scoria sent me its Blossom Cork Yoga Mat [11] ($104) to try out. I'd never tried a cork mat before, but I love how soft and thick it is without sacrificing any of the grippiness of a normal mat. The gorgeous flower design is a nice touch, too." — MR
Lululemon Wunder Under High-Rise Tight Full-On Luxtreme
"It's not an exaggeration to say I've been living in exclusively stretchy pants these last eight months: if I'm working out, working from home, going for a walk, or running errands, I'm most likely wearing a pair of stretchy leggings. That's why I was so excited when Lululemon sent me a pair of its Wunder Under High-Rise Tight Full-On Luxtreme [12] ($98). I'm usually a black leggings gal, but the navy colour is a subtle way to mix it up. They are buttery softs and good for performance (I tried them on a stationary bike and doing some bodyweight moves), and comfortable to wear all day while WFH." — Christina Stiehl, senior editor, Fitness
Vide Cranberry Vodka Soda
"Spiked seltzers seem like such a summer drink, but cranberry reminds me of the holidays, which makes the Vide Cranberry Vodka Soda [13] ($12 for a 4-pack) seem so seasonal. And it's not a regular spiked seltzer that's usually a malt liquor; Vide is made with just distilled vodka, carbonated water, and natural flavours, and has the perfect hint of cranberry without being too sweet — not like the sugary vodka-cranberry cocktails you drank in college! Vide is gluten-free, and each can is only 99 calories, zero grams of carbs, and zero grams of sugar." — CS
Whisps Hot & Spicy
"I am a big salty snack person and I love chips, pretzels, and crackers — basically anything savory with a crunch, but I do need to watch my simple carb intake with my PCOS and insulin resistance. I'm not on the keto diet, but I know Whisps cheese crisps are big among the low-carb and keto crowd. I was excited to try the new Hot & Spicy Whisps [14] ($5 a bag), now available exclusively at Target. Each bite is definitely full of flavour since its made with pure cheddar cheese, and the Hot & Spicy crisps have just the right amount of a kick. The serving is half the bag and as 170 calories, 13 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 10 grams of protein. I may or may not have eaten the entire bag in one sitting." — CS