Cardio Cooking
My time was completely booked this week due to the holidays, so I really wanted something healthy to eat. That means - you guessed it - veggies! That's why I made an Italian dish.
No, you did not read that incorrectly. For some reason, many Americans associate Italian cooking only with pasta. The reality is that vegetables are an integral part of cooking in many regions of Italy. Here’s a recipe for one of the more famous dishes, Ratatouille, from Toscanos Café and Wine Bar in Puyallup, WA. The restaurant hosts cooking classes that feature many healthy and delicious recipes, such as this one.
Ratatouille
½ cup sliced green and red peppers (cut small)
½ cup sliced carrots
½ cup sliced zucchini
1 small head broccoli, sliced (best with flat edges)
1 small onion, sliced
1 small eggplant, diced
3 small potatoes, boiled, cooled and sliced
½ cup crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper
¼ cup olive oil
Instructions:
1. Gather and prep your ingredients as you groove out to great tunes.
2. Heat olive oil in large frying pan. Add carrots, peppers and eggplant. Sauté on high heat until vegetables begin to brown. As you stir, use a soup can or hand weight to do bicep curls with the other hand. Do as many as you can and switch hands. Squat down very slightly each time you release your arm, and come up as you curl. Squeeze those butt cheeks together at the top of the movement.
3. Add onions and broccoli, cook until begin to brown. Stand with legs wide apart and do Hula-Hoop circles one way.
4. Add cooled, sliced potatoes along with zucchini. Do hulas in the other direction.
5. Pour in crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper and a little water. You can deglaze now too if desired. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender and all flavors have blended together. Stir infrequently. Repeat on set of bicep curls on each side along with the small squats.
6. Do walking lunges as you move to and from the table to set it. Stretch and enjoy your healthy cooking!
NOTE: I served this last with a roasted chicken.
Shape-Up Shopping (Grocery Day)
Here’s a workout you can do in the grocery store while you shop for all of those holiday recipe ingredients you need.
1. Walk for 4 minutes.
2. Now stop and look at something interesting while you work your chest with 2 isometric contractions. HOW TO DO THEM: Press your palms together in front of you. Hold for 10-15 seconds and release.
3. Walk down 3 aisles with abs pulled in tight (don’t forget to breathe).
4. Grab a can of food from your cart or the shelf. Hold it straight out in front of you, arm at shoulder height, as you walk down an aisle, pushing the cart with your other arm.
5. Repeat with the other arm.
6. Walk down 3 aisles with tight buns.
7. Do 2 more isometric contractions.
8. Walk down 3 more aisles, and then modify steps 4 and 5 so you are lowering the arm halfway down and raising it to shoulder height as you walk.
9. Walk the store perimeter, then do 2 isometric contractions followed by a repeat of step 8.
10. Pat yourself on the back for all of the multitasking you just did: You worked your abs, upper and lower body at the same time you shopped!
Play Day
I don’t know about you, but this week I needed a break from holiday cheer for a while. That’s why I took my kids on a dragon hunt. Here’s how to do it, according to www.pbskids.org:
1. Set out on a dragon hunt: Stand together have your kids repeat after you as you chant words and perform actions. For example:
I woke up in the morning - stretch -
I decided to find a dragon - show claws and teeth -
I ate a hearty breakfast - eat -
And headed out the door - march -
I walked through the tall grass - push aside tall grass -
I squished through the mud, etc.
Add whatever adventures you and your kids would like.
2. Flee the dragon: When you encounter the dragon in its cave, run home by retracing your steps in reverse order at a much faster pace.
For more information on this activity and other ideas, see http://pbskids.org/arthur/parentsteachers/activities/acts/dragon_hunt.html
Groggy Day
With all of the holiday shopping, cooking, cold-weather school closures, winterizing headaches and other curves life throws at us this time of year it’s easy to get exhausted and stressed. Here are two helpful workouts – one to energize and one to relieve stress – featured in Fitness magazine. Follow the links below:
To energize: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/express/20-minute/20-minute-energizing-workout/
To alleviate stress: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/express/20-minute/20-minute-workout-for-stress-relief/
Cleaning Day
Let’s get that kitchen cleaned up.
1. Dance as you clear and scrub the counters, then do as many biceps lifts as you can. HOW TO DO THEM: Reach under the counter. Put your palms against the underside and pretend you are lifting it off the floor. Hold for 10-15 seconds.
2. Got dishes? Scrub them up while you keep movin that body. Then do as many wall push-ups as you can.
3. Now it’s time for the floor. Forget the mop and do “squat and scrubs.” HOW TO DO THEM: Squat down with a cloth, scrub the area around you with your right hand and then your left. Stand up and squeeze your bum as tight as you can. Take a step forward or to the side and repeat. Keep going till your floor is all done.
Legal junk/Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice or care of medical professionals. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, or exercise program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
Showing posts with label dishes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dishes. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Fitness Me In Workout #5
Cardio Cooking
The day has gone by, and now it’s time to cook dinner with no workout in sight.
Here’s the solution: Cardio Cooking and a fabulous fish recipe from Daphne Miller, M.D., author of “The Jungle Effect.” Miller traveled the world to what she calls “cold spots,” areas where there is an unusually low number of people suffering from a particular disease such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, or colon, breast and prostate cancers. In her nutrition book she discusses what people in these areas are doing right.
HEALTHY OILS: Before I give you the recipe, I’ll give you one other healthy eating tip that Miller recently revealed at the Seasons Women’s Health Festival in Tacoma, WA. When you are wondering whether oil is healthy, put it to the “metate” test. Metate is the Tarahumara Indian word for mortar.
If you can get the oil by using a “metate” and pestle, it’s likely good (think olive oil). If not, the oil’s probably not good for you because of the way it is processed (such as corn oil). By the way, the Tarahumara live in the Copper Canyon area of Mexico, eat no processed foods, and have extremely low rates of type 2 diabetes.
Here’s your cardio cooking recipe, courtesy of Miller. It’s high in antioxidants and omega-3 oils.
Fish Sewed With Wild Greens and Leeks
2 to 2 ½ pounds delicate white fish (such as cod, sea bass, sole)
Juice of 2 lemons or ½ cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
¼ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 leeks or 1 onion, chopped
6 cups wild greens, chopped (such as Swiss chard, spinach, kale, beet greens. If using a leaf with a woody stem like chard or kale, remove stems).
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (including lemon thyme, Greek oregano, basil)
Directions
1. Marinate the fish in lemon juice, salt and pepper one hour before cooking.
2. After that’s ready, gather and prep all of your ingredients while – you guessed it – shakin' that booty to your favorite music. To prepare leeks, first wash thoroughly and remove soil and sand. Trim the rootlets and a portion of the green tops, remove the outer layer and then chop.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic and leeks (or onions) until translucent, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, do 30-40 standing side leg lifts on each side and 20-30 rear leg lifts. HOW TO DO THEM: For the side lifts, lift your leg straight out to the side until your foot is 6 to 12 inches off the floor. Slightly bend leg you are standing on and keep abs tight. At the top of the movement pause and count to 3. Return the leg to the floor. For the rear lifts, extend your leg straight back behind you, keeping your knee straight and your toes pointed down to the floor. Squeeze your buttocks as you lift. Pause at the top for count of 3 before returning leg to the floor.
4. Add the wild greens, toss, and cook until wilted. Meanwhile, suck in your abs, squat as far as you can while maintaining balance, and hold that squat. If you get shaky come up, squeeze your tush, then go back down and hold again.
5. Lay the fish over the greens, top with fresh herbs and lemon juice from marinade, cover with a lid, and turn down to simmer. Cook 15 to 18 minutes or until the fish is tender and flakes with a fork. Meanwhile, it’s back to dancing as you set the table and check on those fish. Throw in 3 sets of walking lunges as you travel from kitchen to table with your dishes, with at least 8 reps each time. HOW TO DO THEM: For proper form, view these instructions on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYTNEh4r5PI
TIP: If you need help balancing during any of these exercises, use a spot on your counter that is NOT right next to your burner or a chair.
Grocery Day
It’s been tough to get outside with the recent stormy weather. However, you can do your walking – and even your workout – as you shop for groceries. Don’t forget your cell phone so you can keep track of time.
This is an especially good workout to do with your kids because people will smile and think you are humoring them. My 7-year-old did this one with me and liked it so well that we completed it twice.
1. Walk sideways down one aisle, tightening the hip flexor (side of the leg) of the forward foot each time you take a step.
2. Walk forward along perimeter of store for 2 minutes
3. Walk another aisle sideways with the other leg leading.
4. Walk up and down aisles for 2 minutes
5. Now, walk backwards down one aisle, tightening your butt each time you take a step – Don’t forget to watch where you are going!
6. Walk for 2 minutes
7. Repeat the sideways walk with right leg leading down one aisle and left leg leading down the next.
8. Walk 2 more minutes.
You’re done!
Cleaning Day
It’s time for the dishwasher boogie!
1. Warm up by walking or dancing around your house for 2 minutes.
2. Now, each time you remove a dish from the bottom rack squat down to get it instead of bending over. Keep your abs tight when you squat, and reach with your arms to get the dishes instead of bending at the waist.
When you come up tighten the buttocks, and keep them tight as you walk the dish to its proper place. Release and walk back to the dishwasher.
3. Now it’s time for the top rack.
Stand sideways to the dishwasher and bend sideways using your obliques (side ab muscles) each time you retrieve a dish. Jazzercise as you bring the dish to its proper place (just joking – any version of dancing will do).
4. Close the dishwasher and do a set of walking lunges – as many as you can stand.
5. If you have time dance or walk for 2 more minutes before stretching your legs.
Play Day
I went to the library and checked the “Kids in Motion” CD by Greg & Steve. It’s got lots of silly songs that encourage kids to be active. The Tummy Tango, for example, gets kids to move their bodies in the shape of different foods. The song Animal Action gets them running around the room pretending to be different animals. My kids and I had fun with this one – and got our heart rates up! My kids loved this CD so much they did not want to return it to the library.
Groggy Day
Yoga is a great resource for days when your energy is low. Michelle Trantina, 37, co-founder of www.myyogaonline.com, says yoga helps you deal with stress and depleted energy.
Here’s a 15-minute Yoga routine from RealSimple.com: http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1334008-1576764-7,00.html
Legal junk/Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice or care of medical professionals. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, or exercise program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
The day has gone by, and now it’s time to cook dinner with no workout in sight.
Here’s the solution: Cardio Cooking and a fabulous fish recipe from Daphne Miller, M.D., author of “The Jungle Effect.” Miller traveled the world to what she calls “cold spots,” areas where there is an unusually low number of people suffering from a particular disease such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, or colon, breast and prostate cancers. In her nutrition book she discusses what people in these areas are doing right.
HEALTHY OILS: Before I give you the recipe, I’ll give you one other healthy eating tip that Miller recently revealed at the Seasons Women’s Health Festival in Tacoma, WA. When you are wondering whether oil is healthy, put it to the “metate” test. Metate is the Tarahumara Indian word for mortar.
If you can get the oil by using a “metate” and pestle, it’s likely good (think olive oil). If not, the oil’s probably not good for you because of the way it is processed (such as corn oil). By the way, the Tarahumara live in the Copper Canyon area of Mexico, eat no processed foods, and have extremely low rates of type 2 diabetes.
Here’s your cardio cooking recipe, courtesy of Miller. It’s high in antioxidants and omega-3 oils.
Fish Sewed With Wild Greens and Leeks
2 to 2 ½ pounds delicate white fish (such as cod, sea bass, sole)
Juice of 2 lemons or ½ cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
¼ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 leeks or 1 onion, chopped
6 cups wild greens, chopped (such as Swiss chard, spinach, kale, beet greens. If using a leaf with a woody stem like chard or kale, remove stems).
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (including lemon thyme, Greek oregano, basil)
Directions
1. Marinate the fish in lemon juice, salt and pepper one hour before cooking.
2. After that’s ready, gather and prep all of your ingredients while – you guessed it – shakin' that booty to your favorite music. To prepare leeks, first wash thoroughly and remove soil and sand. Trim the rootlets and a portion of the green tops, remove the outer layer and then chop.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic and leeks (or onions) until translucent, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, do 30-40 standing side leg lifts on each side and 20-30 rear leg lifts. HOW TO DO THEM: For the side lifts, lift your leg straight out to the side until your foot is 6 to 12 inches off the floor. Slightly bend leg you are standing on and keep abs tight. At the top of the movement pause and count to 3. Return the leg to the floor. For the rear lifts, extend your leg straight back behind you, keeping your knee straight and your toes pointed down to the floor. Squeeze your buttocks as you lift. Pause at the top for count of 3 before returning leg to the floor.
4. Add the wild greens, toss, and cook until wilted. Meanwhile, suck in your abs, squat as far as you can while maintaining balance, and hold that squat. If you get shaky come up, squeeze your tush, then go back down and hold again.
5. Lay the fish over the greens, top with fresh herbs and lemon juice from marinade, cover with a lid, and turn down to simmer. Cook 15 to 18 minutes or until the fish is tender and flakes with a fork. Meanwhile, it’s back to dancing as you set the table and check on those fish. Throw in 3 sets of walking lunges as you travel from kitchen to table with your dishes, with at least 8 reps each time. HOW TO DO THEM: For proper form, view these instructions on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYTNEh4r5PI
TIP: If you need help balancing during any of these exercises, use a spot on your counter that is NOT right next to your burner or a chair.
Grocery Day
It’s been tough to get outside with the recent stormy weather. However, you can do your walking – and even your workout – as you shop for groceries. Don’t forget your cell phone so you can keep track of time.
This is an especially good workout to do with your kids because people will smile and think you are humoring them. My 7-year-old did this one with me and liked it so well that we completed it twice.
1. Walk sideways down one aisle, tightening the hip flexor (side of the leg) of the forward foot each time you take a step.
2. Walk forward along perimeter of store for 2 minutes
3. Walk another aisle sideways with the other leg leading.
4. Walk up and down aisles for 2 minutes
5. Now, walk backwards down one aisle, tightening your butt each time you take a step – Don’t forget to watch where you are going!
6. Walk for 2 minutes
7. Repeat the sideways walk with right leg leading down one aisle and left leg leading down the next.
8. Walk 2 more minutes.
You’re done!
Cleaning Day
It’s time for the dishwasher boogie!
1. Warm up by walking or dancing around your house for 2 minutes.
2. Now, each time you remove a dish from the bottom rack squat down to get it instead of bending over. Keep your abs tight when you squat, and reach with your arms to get the dishes instead of bending at the waist.
When you come up tighten the buttocks, and keep them tight as you walk the dish to its proper place. Release and walk back to the dishwasher.
3. Now it’s time for the top rack.
Stand sideways to the dishwasher and bend sideways using your obliques (side ab muscles) each time you retrieve a dish. Jazzercise as you bring the dish to its proper place (just joking – any version of dancing will do).
4. Close the dishwasher and do a set of walking lunges – as many as you can stand.
5. If you have time dance or walk for 2 more minutes before stretching your legs.
Play Day
I went to the library and checked the “Kids in Motion” CD by Greg & Steve. It’s got lots of silly songs that encourage kids to be active. The Tummy Tango, for example, gets kids to move their bodies in the shape of different foods. The song Animal Action gets them running around the room pretending to be different animals. My kids and I had fun with this one – and got our heart rates up! My kids loved this CD so much they did not want to return it to the library.
Groggy Day
Yoga is a great resource for days when your energy is low. Michelle Trantina, 37, co-founder of www.myyogaonline.com, says yoga helps you deal with stress and depleted energy.
Here’s a 15-minute Yoga routine from RealSimple.com: http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1334008-1576764-7,00.html
Legal junk/Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice or care of medical professionals. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, or exercise program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
