Workout: Spring Full Body Circuit 2

Equipment Needed: One pair of light dumbbells One pair of heavy dumbbells Flat bench (or sturdy chair & floor mat) Weighted medicine ball (abs/curls/squats) Optional Replacement: A Single Heavy Dumbbell, Telephone Book or other object (movements are more awkward however)

Tip: When starting out, perform all exercises with light weight (or no weight on the leg exercises) until you learn correct form and become familiar with the routine. This also allows you to figure out your recovery time as light weight may be enough to challenge you initially.

Tip: This workout hits abs, shoulders, chest, biceps, triceps, glutes, hamstrings and calves. It is really a total body workout so allow at least a days rest in between circuits when starting out. Drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest.

Tip: You can alternate this workout with the previously posted Circuit #1

Circuit #2

SUMMARY Stretch/Warmup Flat Bench Reverse Crunch Standing Knee Raises Knee Push-Ups Reverse Lunges Dumbbell Front Raise Bench Step Ups Tricep Dips Medicine Ball Squat Press Medicine Ball Curls Single Leg Stand Up

Stretch / Warmup Stretch your upper body 1- Place your hands on your hips and legs shoulder-width apart. Roll your neck in circles slowly, reversing direction ocassionally. 2 - Look forward and extend your arms out parallel to the ground. Start making small forward circles with your arms. Slowly increase the size of the circles over time until you are making large circles. Reverse direction at this point. 3 - Keep your arms out, look forward and twist your torso back and forth slowly while keeping your arms locked out. 4 - Place your hands back on your hips and roll your hips in a circular fashion clockwise. After 5-10 revolutions, reverse direction. Stretch your lower body 1 - Legs shoulder-width apart, clasp your hands together and reach toward the sky. Make sure to breathe. After a few seconds slowly bend over and reach toward the ground. Try to keep your head above your heart (unless you're super flexible). Repeat the sky/ground reaches for a few repitions. 2 - With your feet and legs together and your hands at your sides, take a half step forward with your left foot so that your left knee is bent. Take your right foot and step back a whole step so your right leg is straight. Stretch and then reverse feet. 3 - Sit on the ground and attempt to place the bottoms of your feet together. Pull your feet toward your groin area slowly. Warmup 1 - Perform 10 Jumping Jacks. 2 - Get on the ground and do 5 push-ups on your knees. 3 - Stand back up and do 10 high knees. 4 - Repeat warmup exercises until you feel loose and have a slightly elevated heartrate.

Abs A - Flat Bench Reverse Crunch Video Example Sit near the end of the flat bench. Lay flat back onto the bench. Reach behind your head and hold the sides of the flat bench. Place your legs together and extend them out in front of the end of the bench. They should be parallel to the ground with your butt firmly on the bench still. Perform reps by raising your knees and pulling them in toward your chest & elbows. Release by returning your legs back to the starting position. Optional: To make it tougher, you can place a weighted medicine ball in between your kness and perform the exercise. Perform at least 10 reps (or as many as you can do if less) and then rest 30 seconds. Repeat at least three times. B - Standing Knee Raises Video Example Stand tall with your feet shoulder width apart. Grab a light weight and hold it with both hands and your arms extended outward about chest high. Perform reps by raising one knee high enough to meet your outstretched arms holding the weight. Relax by returning your feet back to the starting position. Alternate knees each rep. Perform at least 10 reps per knee (or as many as you can do if less) and then rest 30 seconds. Repeat at least three times.

1 - Knee Push-Ups Kneeling on the ground, lean forward and place both hands on the ground slightly larger than shoulder width apart. Keep your back straight, knees on the ground and you can optionally cross your lower legs and feet. Perform kneeling push-ups. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 10 reps (or until failure if less) Set#2: Repeat Set #1 Set#3: 5-10 reps (or until failure if you can do 10+)

2 - Reverse Lunges With your feet together and the weights down by your sides, perform reverse lunges (stepping backwards). Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 5 reps on each leg w/ light weight in hand Set#2: Repeat Set #1 but w/ heavy weight in hand Set#3: 10 reps on each leg w/ light weight in hand

3 - Dumbbell Front Raise With your feet together and the weights in hand, down in front of your body, perform front raises. The standard grip is to handle the dumbbell with your palms facing your body and parallel to the floor once raised (as in video example). You can optionally have your palms facing your thighs (hands by your sides) and perpendicular to the floor once raised. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 10-15 reps w/ light weight Set#2: 4-8 reps w/ heavy weight Set#3: Repeat Set #2 Set#4: 10+ reps with light weight (or to failure if less, or skip if wiped from previous set)

4 - Bench Step Ups Standing in front of the flat bench (or chair), stand w/ feet a little closer than shoulder-wodth apart. Have your arms at your sides w/ the appropriate weight in each hand. Take one foot and place it onto the bench. Push off that same foot and raise the rest of your body up so you can step onto the bench with your other foot. To relax, take the original foot you stepped onto the bench with and step down onto the ground. Once planted, return your other foot to the ground. Perform setp-ups. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 5 reps each leg w/ no weight in hand Set#2: Repeat Set #1 but w/ light weight in hand Set#3: 10 reps each leg w/ heavy weight in hand

5 - Tricep Dips Start seating on the bench with your feet flat on the floor and your legs bent out slightly more than 90 degrees. With your palms flat on the bench and your fingers facing the same direction as your body, push your butt out in the air so that you are being supported by your arms. Perform dips. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 5 reps Set#2: 10 reps Set#3: 5-10 reps (or until failure if you can do 10+)

6 - Medicine Ball Squat Press Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a weighted medicine ball with both hands and a nuetral grip. If you lack a medicine ball, you can use a heavier dumbbell or other equally heavy object. Perform Squat Presses. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 5 reps Set#2: 10 reps Set#3: 10 reps or until failure if 10+ (if arms tired, perform without any weight in hand)

7 - Medicine Ball Curls Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a weighted medicine ball with both hands and a nuetral grip. If you lack a medicine ball, you can use a heavier dumbbell or other equally heavy object. Perform curls. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 10-15 reps Set#2: Repeat Set #2 Set#3: Repeat Set #2 (use heavier ball/object if possible) Set#4: 10-15+ reps with lighter ball/object

8 - Single Leg Stand Up Stand in front of a chair or flat bench w/ your legs somewhat close together. Hold your arms out for balance and slightly lift one foot off the floor. Perform a squat using only one leg and take a seat onto the chair/bench behind you. You may extend your raised foot outward for balance if needed as well. Rest a second, and then return to standing using only that same leg to propel you upward. Perform single leg stand ups. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Note: The example video is performing the toughest version of this exercise by squatting to the ground almost. Based on your individual flexibility and strength, you may want to alter this exercise. Start out squatting onto something relatively high off the ground and easy to accomplish (ex. tall chair or couch). Gradually lower the height of your target squat as your prowess increases. Video Example Set#1: 4 reps per leg Set#2: 6 reps per leg Set#3: Either repeat Set #2 or only do 4 reps per leg but squat to a lower height

Good luck!!!

Workout: Spring Full Body Circuit 1

Equipment Needed: One pair of light dumbbells One pair of heavy dumbbells Flat bench (or sturdy chair & floor mat) Optional: Weighted medicine ball (abs)

Tip: When starting out, perform all exercises with light weight (or no weight on the leg exercises) until you learn correct form and become familiar with the routine. This also allows you to figure out your recovery time as light weight may be enough to challenge you initially.

Tip: This workout hits abs, shoulders, chest, biceps, triceps, glutes, hamstrings and calves. It is really a total body workout so allow at least a days rest in between circuits when starting out. Drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest.

Circuit #1

SUMMARY Stretch/Warmup Reverse Ab Crunch (Flat bench) Seated Dumbbell Military Press Stationary Lunges Lying Dumbbell Chest Press Squats Standing Hammer Curls Calf Raises Tricep Kickback Standing Lunges

Stretch / Warmup Stretch your upper body 1- Place your hands on your hips and legs shoulder-width apart. Roll your neck in circles slowly, reversing direction ocassionally. 2 - Look forward and extend your arms out parallel to the ground. Start making small forward circles with your arms. Slowly increase the size of the circles over time until you are making large circles. Reverse direction at this point. 3 - Keep your arms out, look forward and twist your torso back and forth slowly while keeping your arms locked out. 4 - Place your hands back on your hips and roll your hips in a circular fashion clockwise. After 5-10 revolutions, reverse direction. Stretch your lower body 1 - Legs shoulder-width apart, clasp your hands together and reach toward the sky. Make sure to breathe. After a few seconds slowly bend over and reach toward the ground. Try to keep your head above your heart (unless you're super flexible). Repeat the sky/ground reaches for a few repitions. 2 - With your feet and legs together and your hands at your sides, take a half step forward with your left foot so that your left knee is bent. Take your right foot and step back a whole step so your right leg is straight. Stretch and then reverse feet. 3 - Sit on the ground and attempt to place the bottoms of your feet together. Pull your feet toward your groin area slowly. Warmup 1 - Perform 10 Jumping Jacks. 2 - Get on the ground and do 5 push-ups on your knees. 3 - Stand back up and do 10 high knees. 4 - Repeat warmup exercises until you feel loose and have a slightly elevated heartrate.

Abs Reverse Ab Crunch Video Example Sit near the end of the flat bench. Lean back slightly and hold the sides of the flat bench. Place your legs together and extend them out in front of the end of the bench. Perform reps by bending your knees and pulling them in toward your chest while leaning forward. Release by leaning back into starting position and extending your legs back out. Perform at least 10 reps (or as many as you can do if less) and then rest 30 seconds. Repeat at least three times.

1 - Military Press Seated on the flat bench (or chair) perform 4 sets of Military Presses. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 10-15 reps w/ light weight Set#2: Repeat Set #1 Set#3: 6-10 reps w/ heavy weight Set#4: 2-8 reps w/ heavy weight and then 10+ reps with light weight

2 - Stationary Lunges Standing in front of the flat bench (or chair), place the top of one foot on the bench w/ your heel facing the sky. Dumbells are in hand. Perform stationary lunges. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 5 reps on each leg w/ light weight in hand Set#2: Repeat Set #1 but w/ heavy weight in hand Set#3: 10 reps on each leg w/ light weight in hand

3 - Lying Dumbbell Chest Press Lying on the flat bench (or on the floor) perform 4 sets of Dumbbell Chest Presses. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 10-15 reps w/ light weight Set#2: 6-10 reps w/ heavy weight Set#3: Repeat Set #2 Set#4: 2-8 reps w/ heavy weight and then 10+ reps with light weight

4 - Squats Standing in front of the flat bench (or chair), stand w/ feet shoulder-width apart and have your arms bent with your weights up near your ears. Perform squats. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 5 reps w/ no weight in hand) Set#2: Repeat Set #1 but w/ light weight in hand Set#3: 10 reps w/ light weight in hand

5 - Standing Hammer Curls Standing up with your feet should-width apart and your weights down by your sides, perform hammer curls. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 10-15 reps w/ light weight Set#2: 6-10 reps w/ heavy weight Set#3: Repeat Set #2 Set#4: 2-8 reps w/ heavy weight and then 10+ reps with light weight

6 - Calf Raises Standing on flat ground w/ your feet a few inches apart and your weights by your sides. Perform calf raises. (This is better performed standing on the step of a staircase or elevated slab in the garage. Somewhere you can have the heels of your feet hanging off the elevated platform into free air) Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 10-15 reps w/ light weight Set#2: Repeat Set #1 w/ heavy weight in hand Set#3: Repeat Set #2

7 - Tricep Kickback With your right knee on the bench, bend over and place your right hand on the bench as well. Your left leg should be planted on the ground to the left of the bench. A weight should be in your left hand w/ your elbowtucked near your ribcage. Perform kickbacks. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 10-15 reps w/ light weight Set#2: 6-10 reps w/ heavy weight Set#3: Repeat Set #2 Set#4: 2-8 reps w/ heavy weight and then 10+ reps with light weight

8 - Standing Lunges With your feet together and the weights down by your sides, perform lunges. Rest 20-30 seconds between sets. Decrease rest to increase intensity. Video Example Set#1: 8 reps per leg w/ light weight Set#2: Repeat Set #1 w/ heavy weight in hand Set#3: 4 reps per leg w/ heavy weight and then 8 reps w/ light weight

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition: Basic Supplements

The best way to nourish your body is through a wide variety of healthy foods. Nutrients from food are more natural, more easily digestible and best absorbing. That being said, not everyone has the time or ability to prepare and eat a complete diet. Whether you're extremely active athletically or just worried about your general health and well-being, vitamins and supplements are beneficial for filling in the gaps within your diet. Your body is a temple but it's only as strong as the building blocks used to construct it. Fill in the cracks of your foundation with supplement support. Supplements come in a wide variety of strengths and types. They don't necessarily have to be expensive or hard to find either. Below we will go over some basic and easy to find supplements that will benefit both casual and hardcore fitness fans. I visited my local grocery store to comparison shop against my usual online source of supplements (Bodybuilding.com). While the online store was generally cheaper per bottle of supplement, the shipping charge equalizes the cost in most cases. I suggest to choose large quantities and bundle your supplements into one order to reap the benefit of savings from purchasing online. Otherwise the local grocer had comparable prices and the convenience of immediate consumption.

MULTIVITAMIN A good, all-around supplement as it covers a wide range of basic nutrients essential for peak performance. This is beneficial because those that are more active than normal may require a greater amount of base vitamins and minerals. Also as we age, our bodies ability to naturally produce certain nutrients slows so a good supplement can help us recover and repair quicker. Cost-wise, multivitamins can range from cheap to very expensive. For the average person, any off the shelf multi will work. They are relatively cheap at your local grocer or pharmacist. If you are a serious runner or lift weights regularly, you may want to try out a vitamin stack that is more tailored toward your needs. I personally use Universal Animal Pak but I lift weights several days a week. There are also multi's that are gender specific to treat the individual needs of women as opposed to men. For you vegetarians out there, a multi like the one pictured here lacks the animal-based gelatin caps. On average a multivitamin may contain around 60-90 capsules for about $10-15 locally. A typical dosage is only 1 or 2 per day so they tend to last about 1 to 2 months depending on container size. Not a terribly expensive investment in your health. My Universal vitamin pack comes in a container w/ 44 servings for about $30. So the special vitamins are a tad bit more expensive but only recommended for those with more extreme regimens.

GLUCOSAMINE / CHONDROTIN The fluid in our joints and body cushioning contains Glucosamine. Often times you will see a glucosamine supplements paired with Chondroitin because it retains water & encourages nutrient flow within our joints. Whether it's lifting weights, zumba or running, joints are integral pieces of each exercise. Adding joint support supplements helps maintain healthy cartilage tissue, lowers your risk of stress fracture and lubricates joints. Generally a supplement with both combined is more pricey than just glucosamine alone. Chondroitin has anti-inflammatory properties so those with joint issues already should definitely include this. I personally just take glucosamine alone since there are other supplements I take that have joint support components. About 60-90 capsules of a Glucosamine/Chondroitin combo will run around $15 a container locally but may last less than your multi as the recommended dosage is often 2-3 times a day. Larger containers give you more bang for your buck and generally fun cheaper when bought online.

FLAX, FISH, AND OMEGA-3's Not all fat is bad! In fact certain types of fat derivatives are good for your body and required to keep it running smoothly. An example of a beneficial fatty acid are omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids are generally found in marine and plant oils. Our body does not produce omega-3s naturally so we must ingest it via our diet. Unless your diet is super high in cold water fish, you are probably deficient in omega-3s. Fortunately this is where supplements come in handy. Fish contain a natural source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Thus fish oil supplements help raise your omega-3 counts. If you're not into seafood, you can alternately take Flaxseed Oil supplements. Flaxseed has an additional benefit of boosting your fiber intake (feel less hungry and maintain regularity). There are several combination vitamins which contain a range of fatty acids as well (omega 3,6 and 9). Supplements are, as the name implies, designed to supplement your diet. There are several natural sources from which you can consume essential fatty acids. In addition to certain fish, most dark, leafy greens contain omega-3s. Example: kale, spinach, collard/mustard greens, etc (See Kale Shake recipe). Grapeseed oil and almonds are good sources of omega-6s. Almonds also overlap into omega-9s along with avocadoes. The complete list of omega sources is too large to list here. The omega products tend to be slightly cheaper than the other supplements named above. Generally 100 capsules is going to range from $10-12 locally. The recommended dosage is the standard 2-3 times per day in which for this supplement group, I usually follow. At least with Fish Oil, I take 2-3 per day. Since the capsules per container size is larger with this group, they will last just as long as your multi.

CONCLUSION

The most basic "stack" (group of supplements) for aerobic exercise or weightlifting that I would recommend is to use at least a multivitamin along with protein powder. Protein helps your muscles repair, which burns calories as they repair and works as an excellent meal replacement or snack. You can find it in all flavors and configurations based on if you're looking to gain mass, tone up or cut carbs. In a later post we will go more in-depth into protein. I would add glucosamine and fish oil (or one other omega supplement) to the stack next. This covers your joints and cardiovascular health. When getting into heavier or more serious exercise we are moving towards adding creatine, glutamine, amino acids and other supplements. Again that will be for a later blog post. Until then, if you haven't looked into supplementing your diet, you should! Read up, educate yourself and get out there and try to figure out what works for you and your dietary needs. Good luck...

Submitted by Bars

At Home Beach Body Workout

Ladies: At Home Beach Body Workout

Summer is soon upon us so that means it's time to break out the swimsuits. Although fitness is a lifestyle, it's never too late to start preparing for pool season. A common misconception is that you can target certain areas of your body to burn fat from. This unfortunately isn't true but what you can do is tone certain areas so when you shed that body fat, your muscles will come shining through. Women tend to want to focus specifically on cardio but they really should incorporate weights. Women have different types of hormones compared to men so you will not instantly become "manly" or "buff" by lifting weights. Cardio is great but it burns calories primarily while you are performing the exercise. As your body gets used to a cardio exercise, you have to perform that exercise longer to recieve the same initial effect. Thus you're on the treadmill forever to try and burn the same amount of calories as you once did. It's also extremely boring!

Weight training tears muscle. As the muscle rebuilds, it's requiring energy and burning calories throughout the day (and night). With weights, you simply use heavier weights once your body gets to used to your current routine. So you never have to increase the amount of time needed to exercise like you do with cardio. So try to mix in weights or any sort of high intensity training (HIT) with your cardio ladies. You'll shed fat and gain tone all at once. A beneficial tendency for women is to focus on leg routines. This is actually beneficial because the leg muscles are among the largest in the body. By tearing that muscle you are forcing the body to repair large quantities of tissue and thus burning large amounts of calories. There are "bonus" leg exercises included below to help shape your butt and thighs.

Below are some exercises and a sample routine that gives you a fast, total body workout. It hits the upper body, lower body and abs. Start out slow and learn the form for each exercise. Once you have the routine down, you can increase the pace of the exercises and shorten your rest period between repetitions. This should also allow you to build up a good sweat and get your heart pumping like a cardio or HIT session. I also outline a "superset" routine which combines two exercises into one merged set of movements. All the exercises can be performed at home with or without a set of dumbbells. There is one exercise that uses a resistance band but it can be done without it as well.

Beach Body Workout Example

Clear out some space in an area with a soft surface as we will be lying on the ground (or use a yoga mat in the garage). If you have a set of dumbbells or kettlebells, have them handy. You could also use a chair (i.e. folding chair) and a resistance band if you have them. If you lack these items, the routine will still work. All exercises are numbered and there are video examples of the exercise at the bottom of the page. Please review these videos before attempting the exercise if you're not familiar with them.

Alternating Ab Crunch *** Perform for three sets of 10-20 reps Front Plank *** Perform for three sets and hold for at least 30 seconds each set Chair Squats *** If you do not have a chair, you can simply squat but make sure not to go too low. Just act as if you are going to sit. *** You can optionally do these with dumbbells in your hand. *** Perform for three sets of 10-15 reps Reverse Lunges *** You can optionally do these with dumbbells in your hand. *** Perform for three sets of 10-15 reps Push-Up (knees) *** Perform for three sets and hold for at least 30 seconds each set Military Press *** If you lack dumbbells, you can place anything heavy in your hands (i.e. books, firewood, etc) or perform more reps with no weights at all (you will feel it eventually). *** Perform for three sets of 8-12 reps (or 20+ reps for little to no weight in hand) Bonus: You can add the bonus exercises to the routine to make it more intense. After military presses, perform 10 Donkey Kicks per leg and then knock out 10+ side lunges for extra leg and butt toning. INTENSITY TIP: If the above routine becomes easy, move to doing 4 sets per exercise while increasing any dumbbell weight. You can also decrease the amount of time you rest in between exercises to amp up the intensity. INTENSITY TIP: You could also alternately perform the exercises in a "circuit". For example: Lie flat on the floor and knock out 10 reps of alternating ab crunches first. Stand up, check your form and then perform 10 chair squats. Get on your knees, then knock out 10 push-ups. While still on the floor, go into a plank position and hold for 30 seconds. Stand up, grab a couple dumbbells and start 10 reverse lunges. After the last lunge, place your feet shoulder width apart and perform 15 military presses. Take a quick break, drink some water and then hit it again! Each "circuit" will represet a set. You can increase sets, increase weights used during the set or time yourself and try to finish the circuit quicker to increase the degree of difficulty. INTENSITY TIP: You can insert the bonus exercises into your circuit. You can start the circuit with side lunges and then move onto the ab crunches. After you finish the plank portion of the circuit, while still on the floor, add 10 Donkey Kicks per leg.

Superset Example

Use all the tips from the previous example but here make sure you're familiar with the exercises and have good form. This is similar to the "circuit" style workout outlined in the intesity tip above.

Front Plank into Donkey Kicks *** Get on the floor and perform a plank for 30 seconds. Go to your knees and perform 10+ Donkey Kicks per leg. *** Complete three sets Knee Push-Ups into Military Press *** Get on the floor and do 10+ knee push-ups. While still on the floor, stay on your knees but immediately raise your back up straight. Grab a couple dumbbells and perform 10+ military presses. (You could do the push-ups with dumbbells in hand to make this easier) *** Perform for three sets Chair Squats into Side Lunges *** Stand feet should width apart with dumbbells in hand if you have them. Perform 10+ Chair squats. Once done, immediately go into doing 10+ side lunges. *** Perform for three sets Side Steps into Ab Crunch *** Stand shoulder width apart with your knees slighty bent. If you have a resistance closed loop band, place this around your lower leg above the ankles. If you have a standard resistance band with handles, step on the resistance band with both feet and stretch the band with your hands up near your shoulders with your elbows bent and tucked in near your body. Be sure to take small, quick steps if you're using the standard band w/ handles. If you have no band, you can still perform this exercise, just take larger, more exaggerated steps to almost semi-squat when you shuffle across. *** Start performing side steps for about 10 repetitions. Immediately stop, lie on your back and do 5-10 reps of alternating ab crunches. Stand back up, setup your band again and then shuffle back the way you came doing side steps. *** Perform for three sets

Exercises (w/ links to YouTube video examples)

Main Routine

1 - Alternating Ab Crunch Click For Video Example 2 - Front Plank Click For Video Example 3 - Chair Squats Click For Video Example 4 - Reverse Lunges Click For Video Example 5 - Push-Up (knees) Click For Video Example 6 - Military Press Click For Video Example

Bonus - Leg Exercises

7 - Donkey Kicks (Glute Raises) Click For Video Example 8 - Side Lunges Click For Video Example 9 - Resistance Band Side Step (Can do without band) Click For Video Example

For more exercises, please visit an earlier post: Home Dumbbell Workout Exercises


See you in Padre!!!

Sweet Potato Soup

Nutrition: Sweet Potato Soup

Recipe 2 large sweet potatoes 2 lbs diced chicken * 1 cup chopped sweet onion 1 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup carrots 2 tbsp chopped garlic 1 cup Enchilada Sauce ** 7-8 cups Chicken Broth *** Creole Seasoning ****

Substitution Items * Substitute w/ 1 cup fried hard tofu or 1 additional sweet potato for vegetarian version ** Double this for the vegetarian version (veggie broth is a lil bland). *** Substitute Vegetable Broth for a vegetarian version **** You can substitute sea salt and pepper w/ maybe some paprika

Directions Wash and cut up the chicken into small chunks, place in a bowl, season and put in fridge while you cube potatoes *** Obviously skip this step for the veggie version Scrub the sweet potatoes (or peel them) and cut into cube chunks Heat a large soup pot w/ some extra virgin olive oil Add carrots, celery and onion. Cook for five minutes. Now add the garlic, enchilada sauce and a couple tbsp of your seasoning to the pot and stir well. Let cook for a minute or so. Add the Broth now, stir and raise the heat to high. Cover the pot. Once boiling, remove the cover and add in your chicken and sweet potatoes. Lower the heat to a mild simmer and leave the cover off. Stir the soup every 5-10 minutes and season to taste. Cook until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked thoroughly. (It was approx 15-20 minutes for me) Enjoy.

Review Sweet potatoes contain a good amount of fiber, complex carbs, calcium, iron and vitamins A and C. They're only about 100 calories per cup. The soup came out spicy due to the fact that I used Creole seasoning and a spicier enchilada sauce. For a mild soup, use salt and pepper along with a green enchilada sauce. The recipe as stands fills a large crock-pot and serves about 5 people.

Kale Shake

Nutrition: Kale Shake

Recipe A bunch of Kale *** Or any greens of your choice, the darker the better (i.e. mustard greens, spinach, bok choy, etc) Apple Juice *** Also can use any 100% juice of your choice Almond Milk (unsweetened, plain) *** This can be left out or replaced w/ any non-dairy milk of your choice (i.e. soy, rice, coconut, coconut water, etc) Fruit *** I use honeydew, cantaloupe or mango chunks A good blender Optional: Add honey or peeled ginger Optional: Add Ground flaxseed, protein, etc

Directions Grab a stalk of Kale. While washing it, pull the leaves of the stem. Drop into the blender. *** These directions are based on a 7-8 cup blender. Repeat previous step until the blender is about full. Do not press the kale down, let it sit loosely. Drop in 3-4 large chunks of the fruit of your choice. *** About 1/2 to 1 full cup of your fav fruit. Place about 1 cup of Apple Juice into the blender. *** Double this and skip step# 5 if you choose to not use any type of non-dairy milk. Place about 1 cup of Almond Milk into the blender. Cover blender top & start blending slowly. Gradually increase speed every 5-10 seconds until you are using your highest, most powerful setting. We want to completely break down the kale into a smooth mixture. *** If your mixture is still grainy on its highest setting, you need a better blender. Pop open the blender & pour. Enjoy!

Review This is a great way to get your greens, especially if you're not big into vegetables in general. You can tweak the balance of the recipe to make the shake as sweet as you need it. Dark greens are good for your immune system, they contain anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties and lots of other good stuff. Optional ingredients can allow you to get your protein or omega-3s into this shake as well. My blender is good but not strong enough to totally blend my leafy greens into a smooth mix but I don't mind a bit of grit. It's kind of like the difference between no pulp & some pulp orange juice. I like pear juice & almond milk but others usually do not use milk & go with straight juice. Tips: *** If you have animals, they may like the stems if you don't want to waste them. *** If you make a large amount, you may want to do a small blend upon refill as the shake will settle a bit. *** The shake may have a semi-strong vegetable smell when you crack open the blender but generally the drink itself in a glass smells good.

Veggie Jambalaya

Nutrition: Veggie Jambalaya

Recipe 12oz pack of LightLife Smart Ground Veggie Crumbles 14oz pack of LightLife Smart Dogs Veggie Links *** NOT RECOMMENDED. I would double up on the Veggie Crumbles above. These dogs taste like sand. Going to find a better tasting veggie dog. 28oz can of diced tomatoes 32oz of Vegetable Broth 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped bell peppers 1 cup diced white onion 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce 2 tbsp Tapatio (Hot Sauce) 2 tbsp Creole Seasoning (or to taste) 2 cups Cooked brown rice *** Instead of the Veggie crumbles & Links, you can use your ground meat & sausage of choice

Directions Cut up hot dog links into chunks, add to pot. Break up crumbles into small chunks, add to pot. Add the celery, bell peppers &onions to the pot. Add the vegetable broth & diced tomatoes (w/ tomato juice) to pot. Mix the pot contents & then add your Worcestershire, Hot Sauce & Creole seasoning. Stir & season to taste. (Be careful if using the vegetarian meat as they are generally already salty). Start crock pot & stir occasionally. Should cook in about 5-7hrs on low & 2-3hrs on high. In the meanwhile, cook the rice however you normally would & set aside. Once the crockpot is done, serve the mixture on a bed of rice. Enjoy.

Review Good substitute recipe for Fat Tuesday. Just add beads & a Zydeco band to complete. I used the Smart Dogs Veggie Links to try and replace the Andouille sausage but I am not a fan of that brand. If I had to make it again now, I would just double or triple the amount of Veggie Crumbles instead. I will update this blog post once I find a Veggie Sausage I like. Also the Veggie version doesnt need to cook as long the regular meat version. You can use ground beef/turkey/chicken or chicken chunks instead of the Veggie crumbles. Also replace the Veggie Links with regular hot links.