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Recipe: Savory Lentils with Greens

savory lentils with greens in a white mug bowl

This recipe qualifies as a stick-to- your ribs comfort food that’s good for you! Plus, it makes for great leftovers.

As-is, this is a vegan recipe but if you want to add more protein, stir in 1 cup of cooked, shredded chicken. 

Serves 6

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil or butter

  • 2 celery stalks, chopped

  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped

  • 1⁄2 onion, chopped

  • 1⁄4 cup apple cider or white wine vinegar 2 cups uncooked lentils, rinsed

  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) veggie or chicken broth, divided

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 tsp each dried marjoram and thyme

  • 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) full-fat coconut milk

  • 4 large handfuls fresh spinach or kale salt and pepper to taste

  • olive oil and lemon juice (or vinegar) for topping 

 

Directions:

  1. In a soup pot or good-sized saucepan, melt the butter or coconut oil over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots, and onion and saute for 10 minutes, until they are soft. Drizzle in the vinegar and stir to deglaze the pan.

  2. Add the lentils, potatoes, and 4 cups (950 ml) of the broth, stirring. Add the bay leaf and spices and let simmer for 45 minutes.

  3. Stir occasionally and keep your eye on the pot, adding extra broth when needed so there’s enough liquid to cover the mixture.

  4. When the lentils are cooked through, pour in the coconut milk and stir to incorporate.

  5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  6. Just before serving, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. 

 

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by nata_vkusidey from Getty Images

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Workout: The 12 Days of Fitness

woman doing a v sit-up on a yellow mat in the grass

Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Equipment Needed: Smile

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Round 1:

Perform the exercises below the same way the song goes. 1st day of Christmas, perform the first day of fitness exercise. Then add the 2nd day of fitness exercise and then repeat the 1st days exercise. Continue to add the day (exercise) and descend down to 1st day until you reach the 12th day of fitness.

  • 1st Day of Fitness: 1 Dive Bombers

  • 2nd Day of Fitness: 2 Tuck Jumps (on ground)

  • 3rd Day of Fitness: 3 Floppy Burpees

  • 4th Day of Fitness: 4 Box Jumps

  • 5th Day of Fitness: 5 Bench Dips

  • 6th Day of Fitness: 6 Squats with Calf Raise

  • 7th Day of Fitness: 7 Burpees

  • 8th Day of Fitness: 8 Fast Pace/Pulse Lunges (each side)

  • 9th Day of Fitness: 9 Arnold Presses

  • 10th Day of Fitness: 10 Jump Squats

  • 11th Day of Fitness: 11 Push-Ups

  • 12th Day of Fitness: 12 Frog Jumps

2 - 3 minutes Rest

Round 2:

Same as above for Abs.

  • 1st Day of Fitness: 1 Deck Squat

  • 2nd Day of Fitness: 2 V-Ups

  • 3rd Day of Fitness; 3 Quadruped (each side)

  • 4th Day of Fitness: 4 Spiderman Plank (each side)

  • 5th Day of Fitness: 5 Bench Crunches

  • 6th Day of Fitness: 6 Jack Knife (eacch leg)

  • 7th Day of Fitness: 7 Knees to Elbows

  • 8th Day of Fitness: 8 Side Planks with Dip (each side)

  • 9th Day of Fitness: 9 Sea Turtles

  • 10th Day of Fitness: 10 Bicycles (each leg)

  • 11th Day of Fitness: 11 Coffins

  • 12th Day of Fitness: 12 Opposite Hand/Opposite Leg

Cool Down and Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes

Workout by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by razyph from Getty Images

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Recipe: Marinated Olives with Salami

salami and olives on a cutting board

Looking for a decadent treat? This one's a keeper – make it for yourself or guests.

 

Makes 4 servings

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • 1 sprig fresh thyme

  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary

  • 1 clove garlic, sliced

  • 1 tbsp orange juice

  • 1 cup ripe pitted olives

  • 4 oz. nitrate-free organic salami (such as Applegate)

 

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the pepper flakes, thyme, rosemary, and garlic and cook for about 2-3 minutes, until the garlic starts to turn golden.

  2. Add the olives and, constantly stirring, cook for another couple minutes until the olives are warm. Remove from the heat and stir in the orange juice. Place in a serving bowl and serve with sliced salami.

 

Recipe by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by grafvision from Getty Images 

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Workout: Jingle “Bells”

woman bench pressing with purple dumbbells

Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Equipment Needed: Kettlebells or Dumbbells and a Stopwatch

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Perform the following 3 exercises for 60 seconds each, repeat, and after the 2nd round, move to the next set of 3 exercises. Rest 1 - 2 minutes after each set.

1st Set:

  • 60 sec Chest Flys with Weights

  • 60 sec Bench Press with Weights

  • 60 sec Frog Jumps

  • Repeat

Rest 1 - 2 minutes

2nd Set:

  • 60 sec Squat with Weights

  • 60 sec Squat with Overhead Press with Weights

  • 60 sec Jump Squats

  • Repeat

Rest 1 - 2 minutes

3rd Set:

  • Bent-over Rows

  • Hip Bridges

  • Lateral Tap Downs

  • Repeat

Rest 1 - 2 minutes

4th Set:

  • Walking Lunges with Side Twist

  • Stiff Legged Deadlifts

  • Jump Lunges

  • Repeat

Rest 1 - 2 minutes.

5th Set:

  • Skull Crushers

  • Kickbacks

  • Floor Jacks

  • Repeat

Rest 1 - 2 minutes.

6th Set:

  • Bicycle Crunches

  • Flutter Kicks

  • Floor Jacks

  • Repeat

Rest 1 - 2 minutes

Cool Down and Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes

Workout by: Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by vitapix from Getty Images Signature

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