Wednesday 29 June 2011

Why Yin Yoga?

I recently met Lily who is a new yoga instructor just a few blocks from my house.  She agreed to guest post on my blog.  Its been awhile since I last did yoga but now I think I'll have to go back soon :)
Thank you Lily!

Yin Yoga

Have you ever considered starting yoga, but changed your mind when you saw crazy inversions and twisting poses? Not all styles of Yoga have to be extremely physical. If you are looking for a practice that will allow you to relax and receive physical benefits at the same time, Yin might be for you.

Yin Yoga is known as the “quiet practice” and targets much more than the muscles of the body. Traditional Yin postures are held anywhere from 2-20 minutes and target our connective tissues. A fast paced Yoga class involves active muscles and strong holds. Yin however, is a slow and relaxed class in which you are allowed and encouraged to relax the entire body while in the posture. Studies have shown that when the postures are held for more than 2 minutes and less than 20 the joints, fascia, and bones will be the main focus of the posture. This doesn't mean that any yoga pose can be safely held for such long periods of time. There are only a handful of poses that are safe, the majority of them being seated, and new Yogi's should try a guided Yin class at a studio or gym.

Summer is a great time to start doing yoga. As we try to get outside and enjoy the season, we often engage in activities that help to strengthen our muscles. Gardening, swimming, and jogging, are all examples of great exercises that we can compliment by practicing Yin. The lengthening and elongating of the tissues helps create the balance between muscular strength and flexibility that our bodies need.

Yin has opened the door for me to experience an amazing stretch for my body while quieting the busy and heavy thoughts of my mind. You will fall in love with this practice.

Lily Kiewitz
RYT 200
Epic Yoga and Fitness (Maple Ridge, B.C.)

Monday 27 June 2011

Hot Peppers to burn calories


Chili peppers are tasty in all kinds of food from tuna salad to pizza.  I try to add them to at least one dish a week not only for the spicy kick but because they suppress appetite and help burn calories.  Red chili peppers are one of the best "fat burning" foods.  The spicier the pepper, the better.

When eating a chili it increases your core body temp which leads to the increased calorie burn.  Eating chili's, especially Cayenne peppers can reduce hunger and increase energy. The capsaicin found in Cayenne pepper speeds up your metabolism and also sheds unwanted toxins from your body.  It also can reduce blood cholesterol.


Tuesday 21 June 2011

Tofu Parmigiana

Heres a simple dish thats high in protein and fairly low in carbs.  While trying to plate the final dish I dropped mine so theres no pics of the final meal :) oops.  I was hungry and in a rush. 


Tofu Parmigiana
1 Package firm tofu
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
8 ounce mushrooms - sliced
1 onion - diced
2 cloves garlic - diced
3/4 cup marinara sauce
salt/pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup shredded cheese

In shallow dish mix bread crumbs, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
Drain tofu and cut into 4 equal sized steaks. Press tofu into bread crumb mixture and set aside.

In frying pan mix 1 tbsp olive oil with mushrooms, garlic and onions, fry until cooked about 5-7 min.  Put in bowl and set aside.

In the same frying pan heat the rest of the oil and place tofu steaks in the pan.  Fry for 5 mins and flip over.  Take the mushroom mixture and spoon over the steaks.  Divide marinara sauce over the steaks and sprinkle cheese over them.  Cover and cook until cheese is melted and sauce is heated through.

This recipe takes 30 mins to make and serves 4.

Nutritional info:
262 calories
16g fat
15g carbs
16g protein
3f fiber

Thursday 16 June 2011

Taste Of Nature **Giveaway** CLOSED

***CLOSED***
Winner is #24.  Congrats!

Taste of Nature donated a box of 12 organic bars to one of my readers.
These are a tasty, healthy alternative to pack in your lunch instead of a sugary chocolate bar.  Or a good breakfast on the go.  Since I still have a few I'm throwing in another water bottle donated by my wonderful HTC rep ;)





This contest will run from June 16 to June 29.
The winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted through email.  Once contacted they will have 48 hrs to get back to me with shipping address.

How to enter: (leave separate comments for each entry please)
Mandatory entry:
Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect and leave a comment saying you do so along with your email address.

Extra Entry:
Blog, FB or Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link to your post (2 entries so 2 comments)

Contest Rules:
This is open to Canadians only.

Sunday 12 June 2011

Peppers and Mushrooms

Fried Peppers and Mushrooms:
2 red peppers, cut into long peices
2 yellow peppers, cut into long peices
2 cloves garlic
15 button mushrooms cut into 4
1tbsp olive oil
red pepper flakes

Heat oil and garlic in a pan for 3-5 mins, add in all other veggies and sprinkle red pepper flakes over top to taste. Cook for another 7 mins or until soft. Serve as side dish by itself, or over spinach to make a spinach salad, or over rice.

This simple recipe takes 10 mins to make.
The recipe can serve 2 or 4.
Calories per serving if serving 4: 88.25

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Steamed Mussels in White Wine

Steamed Mussels in White Wine Sauce:

2 Tbsp butter
3/4 cup dry white wine
3-4 cloves garlic minced
3 pounds cleaned mussels
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup chopped onion

Heat butter in medium/large stock pot.  Once melted add garlic and onion and cook for a few mins.
Pour in white wine, parsley and mussels, turn heat to high, cover with a lid and let steam until the mussel shells open (about 5 mins) Pour the mussels and sauce into a serving dish.  I made this with a friend at a party and we dipped french bread into the sauce. Mmmmm :)

Great appy that serves 4.  It takes about 15 mins to make.
Calories: 160
Protein: 10.6g
Carbs: 5.4g

Friday 3 June 2011

*** Fitness Giveaway ***Closed

Some fellow bloggers are doing a spring into fitness event.  I thought I would go with the theme and do a healthy giveaway.

 The prize is:
1 large water bottle
1 bag Hippie Chips
1 bottle liquid Iron
1 bottle liquid magnesium

The hippie chips were a nice alternative for potato chips, the texture of the chip was different and I enjoyed them.

The water bottle is so you stay hydrated and with a cute bottle its easier to remember to bring it with you so you can drink more water though out the day.

The liquid iron and magnesium was donated to this give away by UPTOWN Health foods in Maple Ridge, BC. The staff is really knowledgeable and very nice.  This is the first place I've found vegetarian jerky too!! www.uptownhealth.com

Iron is known for muscle and brain function along with several other health benefits and magnesium is needed for strong bones.

How to win this prize:
Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect and leave a comment with your email address.

Additional entry:
"Like" my brothers facebook page and leave a 2nd comment on here letting me know you did so:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Warren-Becker-Personal-Trainer/123927257661057
(If the link doesn't work let me know please)


Rules: Contest open to Canadians only.
The contest will end on June 10th (2011)
A winner will be chosen through random.org
I will email the winner and they will have 48 hrs to reply.

Now Closed.
Winner is # 12.
Sending the email now :)