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Workout: Double Trouble

woman doing glute bridges on a mat in her living room

Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Equipment Needed: Weights (recommended) and a Stopwatch

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Perform the following exercises for 60 seconds of work and 15 seconds of rest. Complete all exercises in round 1, rest for 2 - 3 minutes, and then complete all of the exercises in round 2. 

Round 1:

  • 60 seconds Dumbbell or Kettlebell Swings

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Goblet Squats

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Pullover Sit-Ups

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Windmills - right side

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Windmills - left side

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Burpees with a High Pull at the Top

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Squat with Overhead Presses

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Alternating Step-Up Kickbacks

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Bicep Curl into (over the head) Triceps Extension

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Plank

Rest 2 - 3 minutes.

Round 2:

  • 60 seconds Stiff-Legged Deadlifts

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Quick / Pulse Squats

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Coffin Sit-Ups

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Oblique Crunches - right side

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Oblique Crunches - left side

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds V-Jumps

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Wall Sits

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Hip Bridges

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Bench Dips

  • 15 seconds Rest

  • 60 seconds Plank

Finisher:

¼ - ½ mile gentle run.

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes

Workout by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by studioroman

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Recipe: Warm Maple-Pumpkin Smoothie

warm maple-pumpkin smoothie in a glass mug next to fall leaves and pumpkins

This warm smoothie has all the flavors of fall and the holidays. You can enjoy it year-round though.

 

Makes 1 smoothie.

 

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup pumpkin puree

  • 2 dates, chopped

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

  • ½ tsp vanilla or vanilla bean powder

  • 1 cup light coconut milk

  • (optional: whipped coconut cream topping)

 

Directions:

  1. In a high-speed blender, combine the pumpkin puree, dates, cinnamon, maple syrup and vanilla until well blended. You might have to scrape down the sides of the blender.

  2. In a small saucepan, heat up the coconut milk. When it’s hot, transfer to the blender, cover, and blend with the pumpkin mixture until it’s smooth and creamy.

  3. Pour into a big mug, top with coconut cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon and enjoy!

 

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by New Africa studio 

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Workout: Partner Tabatas

man and woman high fiving in the gym after a partner tabata workout

Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Equipment Needed: A Partner (optional), Box / Bench, and Dumbbells

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

How to Tabatas:

Find a partner for the following Tabata Exercises. One partner can do one exercise for 20 seconds while the other one performs the other exercise for 20 seconds. Rest 10 seconds and then switch exercises. After you have completed 4 minutes (8 sets), rest for 1-2 minutes and then move to the next set. This will take the entire workout. If you don’t have a partner, just alternate through the exercises.

Example:

The 2 Tabata Exercises are Box Jumps and Skull Crushers.

  • 20 seconds Partner #1: Box Jumps and Partner #2: Skull Crushers

  • 10 seconds Rest or Transition Time

  • 20 seconds Partner #1: Skull Crushers and Partner #2: Box Jumps

  • 10 seconds Rest or Transition Time

  • Repeat for 4 minutes total (8 sets - 4 of each exercise)

  • Rest 1 - 2 minutes before moving onto the next set.

Tabatas:

  • Set #1: Box Jumps and Skull Crushers

  • Set #2: Split Squats (right foot on the bench the whole set) and Jump Squats

  • Set #3: Step-Ups with Lateral Leg Raise (right foot on the bench the whole set) and Floor Jacks

  • Set #4: Bent-Over Rows and Burpees

  • Set #5: Split Squats (left food on the bench the whole set) and Jump Squats

  • Set #6: Step-Ups with Lateral Leg Raise (left foot on the bench the whole set) and Floor Jacks

  • Set #7: Knee Lifts with Overhead Press and Bench/Chair Dips

  • Set #8: Plank and Cross-Over Mountain Climbers

Finisher:

Together, complete the following for 2 minutes (4 sets).

  • 20 seconds Butt Kicks

  • 10 seconds Rest

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes

Workout by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by FamingoImages from Getty Images

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Recipe: Moroccan Beef Stew

moroccan beef stew being served from a skillet

This spicy 30-minute stew will warm you up with its exotic flavors, and it tastes great as leftovers!

 

Serves 4

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp avocado or olive oil

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 3 celery stalks, chopped

  • 3 carrots, chopped

  • 2 tsp ras el hanout (Moroccan spice blend)

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 pound grass-fed ground beef

  • 2 15-ounce cans low-sodium garbanzo beans

  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes

  • (optional: feta cheese for topping)

 

Directions:

  1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots and saute for about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and spices, cooking for another minute. Add the beef, stirring to breaking up the meat, and cook until browned. Add the tomatoes and chickpeas with their liquid, bringing to a boil.

  2. Lower the heat and simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with optional feta cheese.

 

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by dulezidar from Getty Images 

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