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Workout: Lower Body Burn!

woman doing a lunge next to a ballet bar in black leggings

Time: 60 - 75 minutes

Equipment Needed: Stopwatch and dumbbells or other weights

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Set #1:

Perform the following 4 exercises for 30 seconds of work. Rest 30 seconds and REPEAT!

  • 30 seconds Prison Squats

  • 30 seconds Butt Kicks

  • 30 seconds Alternating Lateral Lunges

  • 30 seconds Jumping Jacks

  • 30 seconds Rest

REPEAT

2 - 3 minutes Rest

Set #2:

Perform the following exercises for 60 seconds of work on the right leg for the entire set, rest 60 seconds and repeat the entire set on the left leg.

  • 60 seconds Reverse Lunges

  • 60 seconds Forward Lunges

  • 60 seconds Lateral Lunges

  • 60 seconds Quick / Pulse Lunges

  • 60 seconds Rest

REPEAT on the opposite leg.

1 - 2 minutes Rest

Set #3:

Perform the following exercises for 60 seconds of work, rest 30 seconds and repeat the set. After each completed set, rest 1 - 2 minutes.

  • 60 seconds Basic Squat

  • 60 seconds Sumo Squat

  • 60 seconds Squat with an Overhead Press

  • 60 seconds Squat with an Overhead Press and Calf Raises

  • 30 seconds Rest

REPEAT

1 - 2 minutes Rest

Set #4:

Perform the following exercises for 60 seconds of work, rest 30 seconds and repeat the set. After each completed set, rest 1 - 2 minutes.

  • 60 seconds Step-Ups

  • 60 seconds Step-Ups with Glute Kickback

  • 60 seconds Step-Ups with Knee Raise

  • 60 Seconds Step-Ups with Knee Raise and Overhead Press

  • 30 seconds Rest

REPEAT

1 - 2 minutes Rest

Set #5:

Perform the following exercises for 60 seconds of work on the right leg for the entire set, rest 60 seconds and repeat the entire set on the left leg.

  • 60 seconds Hydrant - left side

  • 60 seconds Donkey Kick - left side

  • 60 Hydrant to a Donkey Kick Combo - left side

  • 60 seconds Squat with Alternating Lateral Leg Lifts

  • 30 seconds Rest

REPEAT on the right side.

Rest 1 - 2 minutes

Finisher:

Complete 5 reps of each of the following burpees. Rest as needed.

  • 5 Burpees

  • 5 Burpee Push-Ups

  • 5 Burpees with High Pull

  • 5 V-Jumps

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes


Workout by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by serhiibobyk

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Recipe: Potato, Bean & Spinach Hash

You’ll love this plant-based comfort food recipe.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

  • 1 white onion, sliced

  • 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced

  • Himalayan salt, to taste

  • 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed

  • 6 big handfuls of fresh spinach, chopped

  • ½ cup (60 g) feta cheese, crumbled

  • Zest of 1 lemon

  • Ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 

  2. Add the onion and saute until it starts to soften, 4 - 5 minutes.

  3. Add the potatoes and 2 pinches of salt, tossing well to combine. Cover the skillet and cook for 8 - 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the potatoes brown on all sides.

  4. Add the beans and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

  5. Add the spinach and cook till wilted, about 3 - 5 minutes.

  6. Take off the stove and stir in the cheese, lemon, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  7. Serve immediately.

To make it vegan: Instead of cheese, use ¼ cup (40 g) nutritional yeast and 1 tsp garlic powder (or use prepared vegan “cheese”).

Make it decadent: Serve with a poached / fried egg on top of each serving.

Toss in extras: add veggies you have on-hand to the combo - diced beets, carrots, celery would all be delicious.

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by Brett Holmes Photography from Getty Images

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Workout: Cardio & Core x2!

woman doing jumping jacks in an orange gym outfit

Time: 45 minutes

Equipment Needed: None

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Set #1:

Perform the following exercises at your own pace for 25 reps each. Rest 2 - 3 minutes and then REPEAT!

  • 25 Inchworms

  • 25 Frog Jumps

  • 25 Elbows to Knees

  • 25 Jump Squats

  • 25 Body Saw

  • 25 Floppy Burpees

  • 25 Side Plank Tap Dows - right side

  • 25 Floor Jacks

  • 25 Side Plank Tap Downs - left side

  • 25 Lateral Tap Downs - EACH side

2 - 3 minutes Rest and then REPEAT!

Finisher:

Tabata Styles 20 seconds of work with 10 seconds of rest. Complete one 4 minutes et, rest 1 - 2 minutes, and REPEAT!

  • 20 second Plank

  • 10 seconds Rest

  • 20 second Overhead Presses with Knee Highs - weights optional here

  • 10 seconds Rest

X 4 Sets

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes


Workout by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by VORONA from voronaman

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