Polenta with Fresh Veggies
This creamy polenta has added flavor because of the Parmesan cheese. For a healthier dish, this recipe includes lightly steamed and sautéed vegetables instead of a mushroom butter sauce. Try any combination of vegetables, including leafy vegetables such as spinach.
Polenta with Fresh Veggies
It Should Be Fun!
Caution: I’m about to use a four-letter word for some people…
Exercise.
I recently came across this amazing YouTube video (now blocked do to copyright laws) of Flying Uwe doing a treadmill cardio workout.
It caught my eye because:
(1) I love to dance
(2) The gym is one of my happy places
While I know these are unique character traits, I believe that there is an activity for everyone. Humans are designed to move! Being active does not mean you must spend hours at the gym, running or lifting weights – those are just a few options.
As I mentioned before, I’m an avid walker. I often get the question “how many miles do you run per week?” My response “ugh, running hurts.” If this is your answer to most traditional exercise options, I understand; however, I have faith there are alternative options for you.
Below are a few resources that I hope will inspire. If none of these speak to you, I promise this is a topic we will come back to ;-).
YouTube videos – There is amazing amount of free material on the web these days and I personally use YouTube for discovering new Zumba routines and to do Jillian Michaels workouts.
My sister (Thanks, Wendi!) recently discovered Aging Backwards, which is a series of low-impact, but still challenging stretching and functional movement routines.
Find a trail or park near you! My first mission when I move or go visit a new place is to see what is close by to walk to or around. Typically, I consult Google maps to find parks nearby and then research the park website for details on trails.
Easy Eggplant Dip
Easy Eggplant Dip
Apple Snack Dip
Apple Snack Dip
Ingredients
- 1 Apple, gala or your personal favorite
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp creamy PB
- 1 tbsp caramel sundae topping
- 1/4 cup granola cereal
Instructions
- Directions:Slice apple, heat PB, milk and caramel together in microwave for 15-20 seconds, and stir, microwave additional 5-10 seconds, if necessary. Dip apple in mixture and dip in granola for extra crunch!
Fresh Pumpkin
Fresh Pumpkin
Lentil & Sausage Stew
Classic Baked Acorn Squash
Classic Baked Acorn Squash
Strawberry Yogurt Pop
Kick-up your workout!
Recently, I’ve been feeling bored in my normal exercise routine and was glad to get some inspiration from the article mentioned below to restart interval training and shake things up a bit!
In this article, Walk Hard. Walk Easy. Repeat. by Gretchen Reynolds with NYtimes.com discusses the benefits of interval training. It is especially good for those that only are able to work out a few days a week and shown to improve cardiac fitness, reduce blood pressure and increase low-body strength.
For anyone unfamiliar interval training; essentially this workout method involves changing the pace, resistance and/or difficulty level of your chosen exercise alternating between low to moderate to difficult and back down. This article specifically highlights how a walking interval routine improved the physical capabilities for individuals age 44 to 78 in Japan.