There are so many activities to enjoy with your kiddos outdoors- tennis, bike rides, hikes, tossing around a baseball or frisbee at a local park. Try something adventurous this weekend like a trapeze class or surfing lessons. Don’t want to spend money? Find a local farmers market and show your kids the beautiful variety of fruits and veggies. They might even want to pick out a pint of blueberries or strawberries (or even some kale) to take home. Guaranteed you will all have fun on your adventure to better health!
Plank Skier Jumps
For all you snow bunnies hitting the slopes this winter and spring – here is a stellar way to work your arms, legs, core and back to stay strong for those blacks and double diamonds.
Plank Skier Jumps:
– Begin in plank with hands directly under shoulders and the torso in a straight line from head to toes
– Engage core and jump feet to the right about 1-2 feet
– Jump back to center plank
– Repeat to the left side and back to center
– Total of 15 reps or 1-minute x 3 sets
What’s the Craziest Outfit You’ve Seen (or Worn) at a Race?
Yesterday I cheered on runners of all shapes, sizes and speeds at the 26.2 with Donna- The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer in Jacksonville Beach, FL. It was inspiring to see so many run with a sense of purpose for themselves or for a loved one. One of the advantages of being a sideline cheerleader is witnessing the many costumes displayed. First off there was tons of pink, which is to be expected. Women with bright pink clown wigs, men who dyed their beards fuchsia, and the few brave ones who wore “Will run for boobs” shirts. Lots of pink tutus and even some full-suit bunny rabbits with top hats. There was an Elvis impersonator in the glittered jumpsuit with shades and all. It got me thinking about other races. I’ve seen lots of crazy outfits at Superhero Costume races. I led a group of women as a team and we worn “Super Fit Chicks” shirts and capes. It’s all in good fun to see the outfits race by. What’s the craziest get-up you’ve seen or worn?
Valentine’s Day Recipe
Happy Valentine’s Day! One of my great friends sent me this recipe. Roasted winter vegetables with a maple-ginger glaze is the perfect healthy dinner with a touch of sweetness for your sweetie.
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. parsnips, peeled and cut into 2 x 1/2-inch sticks
1/2 lb. carrots (about 3 or 4), peeled and cut into 2 x 1/2-inch sticks
1/2 lb. turnips (about 2 medium or 1 large), peeled and cut into thin wedges
1/2 lb. Brussel sprouts, stems trimmed; large sprouts halved
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into very thin matchsticks (about 1/3 cup)
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 tbs. pure maple syrup
Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spread the vegetables and the ginger matchsticks in a large, low-sded roasting pan or a heavy rimmed baking sheet with oil. Roast the vegetables, tossing a couple times, until tender and golden brown in spots, about 30-mintues. Combine the grated ginger and maple syrup. Drizzle the vegetables with the maple-ginger mixture, toss and roast for another 5 minutes. The vegetables should be very tender and browned in spots. Serve warm and enjoy!
Lower Your Risk of Major Chronic Disease and Cardiovascular Disease by Increasing Exercise Intensity
Are there different benefits between moderate and vigorous activity? In 1986 a study took 44,551 men, ages 40-75 years old and over the course of 22 years examined “the relationship between vigorous-intensity physical activity, compared with moderate-intensity activity.” Their study found that the men who performed moderate-intensity physical activities had fewer cases of chronic diseases, such as cancer, as well as cardiovascular diseases. That’s great news that if you amp up your workouts, you set yourself up for greater health in the long run.