Quick and easy, make this dip as spicy (or not) as you like. Leftovers make killer burritos the next day.
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2-3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp. dried or fresh minced onion
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. olive oil
3-4 Tbsp. hot sauce (or to taste)
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Heat over medium, stirring often, until bubbling. Or throw it in the micro for 3 minutes on high. stirring halfway through.
Serve hot and sprinkled with a little more cheddar.
Yum!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Pretty Pictures
About to have your own photo op? Do push ups and squats right before to help give muscles a harder, more toned look. Trust me, it totally works.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Asparagus Guacamole
This recipe was a huge score for me, as I am not an avocado fan. Even if you are, give this a try. It's fabulous, different, always a hit, and people can never guess the main ingredient. Maybe you could add margaritas and make a drinking game out of the guessing! Just a thought...
1 lb. fresh asparagus, cut in to 1 inch pieces, steamed or boiled until soft
1 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic
1 small tomato, seeded and chopped
2 & 1/2 Tbsp. plain low or fat free yogurt
1 & 1/2 Tbs. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. minced fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. chili powder
5-10 drops Tabasco or other hot sauce
Place cooked asparagus, onion, and garlic in a food processor blender and process until smooth. combine remaining ingredients in a bowl, and stir in to the asparagus mixture until blended. Serve with tortilla chips or raw veggies.
1 lb. fresh asparagus, cut in to 1 inch pieces, steamed or boiled until soft
1 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic
1 small tomato, seeded and chopped
2 & 1/2 Tbsp. plain low or fat free yogurt
1 & 1/2 Tbs. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. minced fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. chili powder
5-10 drops Tabasco or other hot sauce
Place cooked asparagus, onion, and garlic in a food processor blender and process until smooth. combine remaining ingredients in a bowl, and stir in to the asparagus mixture until blended. Serve with tortilla chips or raw veggies.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
NOT SKINNY!
Dear lovely friends, clients, students, & readers,
Thin/skinny is not the same as fit/healthy. You'd be amazed at how many people don't realize this. It is, however, the complete truth. I know a lot of people that are size 10+, and very fit with a healthy range of body fat, and size 2's that are not. I have seen a size 2 with enough body fat (vs.muscle) to have almost half of their body weight be unhealthy fat! Please readjust your thinking if needed. I have been frustrated by this misconception for years. Go for fit, not skinny!
This has been my personal public service announcement for the day.
Thank you.
Thin/skinny is not the same as fit/healthy. You'd be amazed at how many people don't realize this. It is, however, the complete truth. I know a lot of people that are size 10+, and very fit with a healthy range of body fat, and size 2's that are not. I have seen a size 2 with enough body fat (vs.muscle) to have almost half of their body weight be unhealthy fat! Please readjust your thinking if needed. I have been frustrated by this misconception for years. Go for fit, not skinny!
This has been my personal public service announcement for the day.
Thank you.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Personal Training
It's that time of year again, yay school! The kids are back to teachers and texts, which means I'm back to personal training. All sessions are held privately in Napa, home visit appointments are made by referral only. Ready to get in better shape? Let's go!
Because people are still having a tough time in this economy, I am continuing to let people share sessions, up to three people per group for the same hourly fee as one. Having a healthy body and feeling good about yourself should never be out of reach.
Available time slots are limited, talk to you soon!
Because people are still having a tough time in this economy, I am continuing to let people share sessions, up to three people per group for the same hourly fee as one. Having a healthy body and feeling good about yourself should never be out of reach.
Available time slots are limited, talk to you soon!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Hummus
I love hummus! It's fast, flavorful, full of fiber and heart friendly fat. Try it as a dip or sandwich spread, yummy!
2 cans garbanzo beans or chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste, in most grocery stores)
3 Tbs. olive oil, plus drizzle for garnish
1 1/2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 - 2 large garlic cloves, depending on preference
1/2 tsp. salt
paprika & chopped parsley (dried works) for garnish
Puree all but garnish until smooth. Sprinkle lightly with paprika and parsley, drizzle with olive oil. Serve with pita wedges, veggies, crackers, or as a spread.
2 cans garbanzo beans or chick peas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste, in most grocery stores)
3 Tbs. olive oil, plus drizzle for garnish
1 1/2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 - 2 large garlic cloves, depending on preference
1/2 tsp. salt
paprika & chopped parsley (dried works) for garnish
Puree all but garnish until smooth. Sprinkle lightly with paprika and parsley, drizzle with olive oil. Serve with pita wedges, veggies, crackers, or as a spread.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Extra Basil
If you have too much basil to use, save it for later. My Italian godmother, the incomparable Lee Morello, taught my mom, and she taught me.
Wash the leaves and put them in a food processor (a blender works) with a little olive oil, enough to make a smooth paste. Put the puree in ice cube trays and freeze. Put the cubes in a zip lock and pull them out whenever you need. For pesto, Lee sautes a little chopped garlic in olive oil, then adds the frozen cubes to the hot mix to defrost, then continues on from there. That technique works great for lots of recipes, actually.
Wash the leaves and put them in a food processor (a blender works) with a little olive oil, enough to make a smooth paste. Put the puree in ice cube trays and freeze. Put the cubes in a zip lock and pull them out whenever you need. For pesto, Lee sautes a little chopped garlic in olive oil, then adds the frozen cubes to the hot mix to defrost, then continues on from there. That technique works great for lots of recipes, actually.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Low(er) Fat Pesto
Just as tasty as the full fat variety, you'll never miss it! My daughter is a pesto freak, we make this a lot.
1 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
2-5 cloves peeled garlic, depending on how garlic-ky you like it
1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (that stuff in a can will not cut it here)
2 Tbsp. olive oil (good stuff if you've got it, but I've even used canola in a pinch, so don't sweat it)
pinch sugar (optional)
Blend everything but the juice and oil in a food processor of blender; slowly drizzle in juice then oil, pureeing until you reach your desired consistency.
1 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
2-5 cloves peeled garlic, depending on how garlic-ky you like it
1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (that stuff in a can will not cut it here)
2 Tbsp. olive oil (good stuff if you've got it, but I've even used canola in a pinch, so don't sweat it)
pinch sugar (optional)
Blend everything but the juice and oil in a food processor of blender; slowly drizzle in juice then oil, pureeing until you reach your desired consistency.
Salty Sweet
I love a salty sweet combo, and I think my favorite salty sweet snack deserves some props. Special K Chocolatey Pretzel Bar, I love you. You are salty, you are sweet, you are crunchy, you are chewy. At only 90 calories, you are totally guilt free, yet delight my taste buds like candy bars when I was a kid. For these reasons I am faithfully keeping you in my pantry, and sometimes my purse. Where have you been all my life?
(By the by, I am in no way paid to endorse these or any other Special K product. These are just so good that as I was looking at the empty wrapper of the one I had just ate, I thought, people need to know about these! Although the Special K people can feel free to hook me up any time they'd like. I find their chocolate bar cereal delightful too. Oh, and I love presents.)
(By the by, I am in no way paid to endorse these or any other Special K product. These are just so good that as I was looking at the empty wrapper of the one I had just ate, I thought, people need to know about these! Although the Special K people can feel free to hook me up any time they'd like. I find their chocolate bar cereal delightful too. Oh, and I love presents.)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Love a deal!
I love to get my shop on. Retail therapy? Yep, I'm a fan. But I also live in the real world, with bills to pay, kids to feed, and all that glamorous stuff.
So, I have become what I think to be a talented shopper. I love a good deal so I have teamed up with Amazon.com to find the best fitness and exercise equipment deals and share them with you. Any time something in their exercise and fitness department goes on sale for 70% off or more, it will show up on this blog. See that groovy box on the top left scrolling along that says Wicked Good Deals on top? That's the place. Only things 70% off or more will be included. Good deals? Absolutely! See? I can spot a deal a mile away, and now I wanna share them with you.
So, I have become what I think to be a talented shopper. I love a good deal so I have teamed up with Amazon.com to find the best fitness and exercise equipment deals and share them with you. Any time something in their exercise and fitness department goes on sale for 70% off or more, it will show up on this blog. See that groovy box on the top left scrolling along that says Wicked Good Deals on top? That's the place. Only things 70% off or more will be included. Good deals? Absolutely! See? I can spot a deal a mile away, and now I wanna share them with you.
Roll ups
Lie flat on your back, legs straight, arms straight overhead on the floor. Roll up to a seated position, reaching forward for your toes (try to touch them for a good hamstring stretch while you are at it!). Reverse to return to the starting position. Keep your abs engaged for the best results.
Want to take it up a notch? Hold a dumbbell horizontally with one hand on each end as you perform them.
Want to take it up a notch? Hold a dumbbell horizontally with one hand on each end as you perform them.
Work outs A & B
These are shorter workouts I usually email to clients and people going on vacation from our No-Nonsense Work Out class. Give 'em a try some time.
Workout A:
25 pushups
25 lunges (per leg, alternating, for a total of 50)
25 roll ups
2 of my favorite flow (down dog, plank, crocodile, cobra)
Workout B:
25 pushups
25 dips
3 squats, 30 seconds each; 30 seconds rest in between (or scattered throughout the day)
1 minute plank
1 sun salutation, holding each pose for 3 beats
Workout A:
25 pushups
25 lunges (per leg, alternating, for a total of 50)
25 roll ups
2 of my favorite flow (down dog, plank, crocodile, cobra)
Workout B:
25 pushups
25 dips
3 squats, 30 seconds each; 30 seconds rest in between (or scattered throughout the day)
1 minute plank
1 sun salutation, holding each pose for 3 beats
Gingered Shrimp Bites
If someone has been to a party at my house, or my mother's, they have probably had these bites. I even handed over the recipe and specifically requested someone make them for a baby shower being thrown for me by friends a few years ago. I love them that much. They are healthy, low in calories and fat, full of flavor, and just plain pretty on a platter. Mama-san gets credit for this recipe.
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 pound cooked bay (or salad) shrimp
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
Pickled ginger (found in jars at most grocery stores)
Stir together the sugar and vinegar until dissolved. Mix in shrimp, cover and refrigerate for at least one or up to four hours. Arrange one or two of the marinated shrimp on top of each cucumber slice. Top with a slice of pickled ginger.
Mmmmmmmm, yummy!
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 pound cooked bay (or salad) shrimp
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
Pickled ginger (found in jars at most grocery stores)
Stir together the sugar and vinegar until dissolved. Mix in shrimp, cover and refrigerate for at least one or up to four hours. Arrange one or two of the marinated shrimp on top of each cucumber slice. Top with a slice of pickled ginger.
Mmmmmmmm, yummy!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Golden Granola
OK, this is the one. I'm serious here. If you like granola, you must try this. It is so much better for you than the stuff you get at the store, which is often loaded with fat, sugar, and additives.
I have had so many people tell me it has become one of their house recipes. We get a lot of visitors in Napa, and a lot of my client's and friend's house guests get this for breakfast. And people are usually quite impressed when you tell them you made it yourself. It's up to you whether or not to tell them how easy it is!
In a small bowl combine:
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
In a 9" x 13" baking pan, coated with nonstick spray, combine:
3 cups uncooked oatmeal
3/4cup optional (leave it out if you're not a fan)
1cup chopped nuts, your choice
1/8 cup sesame seeds
1/2 - 1 cup oat bran, wheat bran, wheat germ, or any combo
Stir to coat with butter mixture. Bake at 275 for 50-60 minutes, stirring every 15minutes, until golden brown. Cool, stirring occasionally. If you want to add dried fruit, add it after taking the granola out of the oven.
Done!
I have had so many people tell me it has become one of their house recipes. We get a lot of visitors in Napa, and a lot of my client's and friend's house guests get this for breakfast. And people are usually quite impressed when you tell them you made it yourself. It's up to you whether or not to tell them how easy it is!
In a small bowl combine:
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
In a 9" x 13" baking pan, coated with nonstick spray, combine:
3 cups uncooked oatmeal
3/4cup optional (leave it out if you're not a fan)
1cup chopped nuts, your choice
1/8 cup sesame seeds
1/2 - 1 cup oat bran, wheat bran, wheat germ, or any combo
Stir to coat with butter mixture. Bake at 275 for 50-60 minutes, stirring every 15minutes, until golden brown. Cool, stirring occasionally. If you want to add dried fruit, add it after taking the granola out of the oven.
Done!
Comments
Ok, so my little counter tells me you are reading this...someone has to be, we're up in the 4 digits! (Woo-hoo, thanks, by the way, this is so fun!). And I know it's not just my mom reading, she told me just this morning she hasn't looked at this in a long time. (By the way, what's up with that, Mama-san?)
So hear's my question..does anyone have anything to say? Ask? Anything? I check my comments and there is always a sad little empty box. So, please, talk to me people. Tell me what you want to know. What do you want to say? What do you want to see? Want to know about? Do I sound needy? I don't care, I'm new to the world of blogging, and I wanna hear from you!
So hear's my question..does anyone have anything to say? Ask? Anything? I check my comments and there is always a sad little empty box. So, please, talk to me people. Tell me what you want to know. What do you want to say? What do you want to see? Want to know about? Do I sound needy? I don't care, I'm new to the world of blogging, and I wanna hear from you!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Dips
This is a dip. Sit on any stable structure, like a coffee table, a strong armless chair, or a park bench like shown here. Lift and move your body forward, so your butt is a few inches from the edge. Bend and straighten your elbows to lift our body up and down.
Do not raise and lower your hips, these are not dips. Keep everything else still, use only your arms. To help you not cheat, put your toes up.
To modify, bend the knees; for more exertion, keep them straight, like Julie here. For even more, lift one leg straight out in front of you; switch legs halfway through. Either way, do them until you can't any more. That's right, do it 'til it burns, baby! Repeat every other day, maybe even on different surfaces at different levels. Feeling hardcore? Do more than one set, try to do it a few times throughout the day. I promise, it will be worth it!
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