What’s on Your Workout Music Playlist?
What do you listen to when you workout? Do you have a favorite playlist? A podcast? Sing to yourself? When I was a teenager, I made a mix cassette tape with songs from Huey Lewis and The News, Phil Collins, Survivor, Van Halen, Starship and Journey. A few years later I made another workout tape with Metallica, AC/DC, Anthrax and White Zombie. Quite a change there, huh? I’ve got a new jam. Well, it’s actually not new. It’s 4 years old. But for me, it’s new. I watched the movie The Greatest Showman and was absolutely taken by the music. As a matter of fact, I was on the treadmill while listening to the movie soundtrack just the other day, and I noticed that I had easily (and inadvertently) jogged over three miles. That’s pretty amazing for me since I don’t normally jog. . . and not for 3+ miles. So I wanted to share with you one of my favorite songs from the movie. It’s got a great beat and lots of emotion. Enjoy!
How to Improve Finger, Hand & Grip Strength
Improving grip strength isn’t just for giving firm handshakes. It’s to improve workout performance at the gym, raise the level in your chosen sport and reduce the chances of injury. Watch my video and learn how to improve finger, hand and grip strength with five different exercisers. Enjoy!
Give the Gift of Health for 2022
Not sure what to get your spouse, relative or friend this Holiday Season? Give a gift that will make a positive difference in their life. Buy a package of personal training. Don’t stress standing in long lines at the store or throw money at another electronic device that will break or be obsolete in a year or wonder if your on-line order will be delivered in time. A Personal Training Gift Certificate shows that you care about a person’s health and well-being. Personal training is an experience and not just another thing that you pull off a shelf. It’s a great way to help someone achieve their fitness goals faster, stay on track, and have fun along the way.
I have four private training packages to choose from.
Contact me today (608) 203-8817 or balancepersonaltraining4u@gmail.com.
*Printed or email gift certificates available upon request.
Broccoli-and-Chickpea Parmesan
This one-pan dinner brings together chickpeas, marinara sauce, broccoli and mozzarella in a single skillet. A crunchy Parmesan and bread crumb blend is the final touch to this comforting, easy, and nutritious meal. Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart.com.
Ingredients
1/3 cup breadcrumbs (*recipe called for Panko and I used Italian bread crumbs.)
Directions
Preheat over to 450°F, with a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet on middle rack. (*The original recipe asks that you cut the broccoli lengthwise and then cut larger pieces in half again (also lengthwise) to create long florets. Instead I used the entire head of broccoli including the stalk. No waste here.) Remove skillet from oven; swirl in 2 tablespoons oil. Add broccoli and turn to coat, then arrange so a flat side of each piece faces down; season with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes.
Stir together bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic, thyme, and oregano. Transfer broccoli to a plate. Add marinara to skillet; top with mozzarella and chickpeas. Return broccoli to skillet, browned-sides up. Sprinkle evenly with bread crumb mixture. Roast until bread crumbs are golden, mozzarella is melted, and sauce is bubbling, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Serve. (*Because my cast iron skillet wasn’t large enough to hold all of the contents, I used a bigger skillet [not oven-proof], added the ingredients and finished the dish off on the stove top instead of the oven. The Parmesan cheese did melt but the bread crumbs did not get golden. No biggie.)
Beef Flank Steak with Mom’s Marinade
Some people believe that “it’s all about the cut of meat” that makes a great steak. In my opinion, that is only partially true. I can tell you that if you have a great marinade like the one I’m going to share with you, you can make lesser quality steaks or cuts of meat taste fantastic. So without any further adieu, here you go.
Ingredients
2 pound beef flank steak
For the marinade:
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sesame oil
Directions
In a bowl, mix the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, ginger powder, garlic powder and sesame oil. Place flank steak in a 9×13″ casserole dish. Pour marinade on top. Cover dish and let marinate in refrigerator for several hours until over night. To get the most out of your marinade, be sure to flip the steak half way through. (The vinegar will help tenderize the steak and add sweetness.)
Set oven to broil. Remove the steak from the marinade, shake off the excess, and place it in the middle of a broiler pan. Place the pan in the oven on the top rack. Depending on the steak’s thickness cook for 7-10 minutes per side. This also depends on your taste; whether you like the steak rare, medium rare or well done. Also remember that the steak is thicker in the middle so the ends might get a little charred.
Remove steak from broiler pan and place on cutting board. Let rest for 5-10 minutes so juices reabsorb and you don’t bleed the meat.
Slice against grain. Serve and enjoy!
Halloween Decorations at My Fitness Studio
We’re having fun decorating for Halloween. Here are some pics that my clients get to enjoy.
8 BEST Abs Exercises with NO Gym Equipment
Don’t have an Ab Wheel? Don’t have a knee raise bar? Don’t have an abdominal crunch machine? No problem. You can still get strong ab muscles without gym equipment. Watch my video and try these “No Gym Equipment Exercises” for all fitness levels.