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Workout: Cardio with Sprinkles of Strength! 

Time: 30 minutes

Equipment Needed: Exercise Bike

Warm Up:

Start with 5 minutes of easy cycling at a low resistance to get your heart rate up and to warm up your muscles.

Interval 1:

Increase resistance and pedal at a moderate-high intensity for 30 seconds. Follow that with 30 seconds of easy cycling at a low resistance, repeating this pattern for a total of 5 minutes.

Isometric Movement 1:

Get off the bike and stand beside it. Place your hands on the handlebars and press down as hard as you can for 30 seconds. FOcus on engaging arms and shoulders. 

Interval 2: 

Repeat the same 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off pattern for 5 minutes.

Isometric Movement 2: 

Stand behind the bike (lower the seat if needed) and place your hands on the seat. Push down on the seat as hard as you can for 30 seconds, engaging your back and core muscles.

Interval 3: 

Repeat the same 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off pattern for 5 minutes.

Isometric Movement 3: 

Sit on the bike and grip the handles tightly and straighten out your legs in front of you. Push down on the handles as hard as you can for 30 seconds, working your chest and arms.

Interval 4: 

Repeat the same 30 seconds on, 30 seconds off pattern for 5 minutes.

Cool Down: 

Finish with 5 minutes of easy cycling at a low resistance to bring your heart rate down and to cool down your muscles.

Workout by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by SimonSkafar from Getty Images Signature

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Workout: Big 4-0!

Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Equipment Needed: Dumbbells

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Exercises:

Start by running a ¼ mile. Then perform 40 reps of each exercise. Rest as needed.

  • ¼ Mile Run

  • 40 Walking Lunges with Bicep Curls (40 each leg)

  • 40 Jump Squats

  • 40 Full Sit-Ups with Feet FLAT to the Ground

  • 40 Sumo Squats

  • 40 Oblique Crunches on EACH Side

  • 40 Floor Jacks

  • 40 Push-Ups

  • 40 Spiderman on EACH Side

  • 40 Lumbar Jacks

  • 40 Butt Kicks on EACH Leg

  • 40 Wipers (all directions)

  • 40 Floppy Burpees

  • 40 Skull Crushers

  • 40 Russian Twists on EACH Side

  • 40 Star Jumps

Finisher:

Tabata style set with 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. Alternate between exercises (plank and mountain climbers) for 4 minutes total (8 sets).

  • 20 seconds Plank

  • 10 seconds Rest

  • 20 seconds Cross-Over Mountain Climbers

  • 10 seconds Rest

  • Repeat for 4 total rounds

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes


Workout by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by BartekSzewczyk from Getty Images

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Recipe: “Cheeseburger” Skillet

cheeseburger in a skillet

What?! A cheeseburger recipe that doesn’t contain cheese?


Yes, it’s true!

The nutritional yeast in this recipe has a surprisingly “cheesy” taste, making it a satisfying dairy-free option.

Try this with ground beef, chicken, turkey, or meat substitute.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

  • 1 - 2 Tbsp olive oil

  • 2 potatoes, peeled and diced

  • 2 tsp pink Himalayan salt, divided

  • 2 tsp ground pepper

  • ½ large onion, diced

  • 1 cup (120 g) mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 lb. (450 g) ground meat / meat substitute

  • 1 Tbsp yellow mustard

  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

  • 1 Tbsp liquid aminos

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Toppings (choose your favorites):

  • Lettuce / Tomato / Avocado

  • Crumbled bacon

  • Pickles

Directions:

  1. Heat a large skillet over med-high heat with about 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Add the potatoes with about 1 tsp each of salt and pepper. Saute for about 10 - 12 minutes until brown and barely fork-tender.

  2. Using a slotted spoon, remove the potatoes to a plate and set aside. Lower the heat and add the onion to the skillet and cook for 3 - 4 minutes before adding the garlic and saute for 1 minute before adding the mushrooms.

  3. Cook until the onions and mushrooms start to soften. Push the veggies off to the side and add the ground meat or meat substitute to the center of the skillet and stir to break it up. Add the mustard, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, liquid aminos, garlic powder, and the rest of the salt and pepper.

  4. Cook the meat until it reaches your desired level of doneness and add the potatoes back to the skillet, and stir to combine the mixture.

  5. When the potatoes are heated through, serve with suggested toppings.


Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by rudisill from Getty Images Signature

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Workout: On a Minute!

man doing reverse crunches in front of an orange background

Time: 45 minutes

Equipment Needed: Dumbbells & a Stopwatch

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Set #1:

Perform 45 seconds of work and 15 seconds of rest for the following exercises. Complete all 5 stations, rest 1 - 2minutes, and then repeat for a total of 5 rounds.

  1. Push Up to Tuck - perform push up and then follow with a tuck

  2. Sumo Jump Squats with Weight in Front of Body - toes and knees out

  3. Skull Crushers with Hips Up Off the Floor (high hips)

  4. Mountain Climbers to Snow Angel Combo - perform 10 mountain climbers and then 5 snow angels

  5. Squat with Alternating Overhead Dumbbell Swings

Rest 1 - 2 minutes. Repeat for 5 total rounds.

Set #2:

Perform 1 minute of each exercise with 5 seconds rest (to transition) to the next exercise.

  • 1 minute Pulse / Quick Squats

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute Side Plank Hold - right side

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute Floppy Burpees

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute Side Plank Hold - left side

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute Butt Kicks

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute V Sit-Ups

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute Belt Kicks - hands on hips and alternate front leg kicks

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute Reverse Crunches

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute Lateral Tap Downs

  • 5 seconds Rest

  • 1 minute Russian Twist

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes


Workout by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by Ziga Plahutar from Getty Images Signature

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