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Workout: Killer Core Camp

woman performing a bird dog exercise in purple clothes against a grey background

Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Equipment Needed: A Stopwatch

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Circuit #1:

Each exercise is to be performed for 30 - 60 seconds. Allow 30 - 60 seconds between each exercise. 

  • Alternating Lateral Lunges

  • Full Sit-Ups (or crunches)

  • Cross-Over Mountain Climbers

  • Inchworms

  • Sea Turtles (or superman hold)

  • Giant Flutter Kicks

Rest 2 - 4 minutes.

Circuit #2:

Each exercise is to be performed for 30 - 60 seconds. Allow 30 - 60 seconds between each exercise.

  • Modified V-Ups (alternating)

  • Bicycle Crunches

  • Regular Burpees

  • Alternating Bird-Dog

  • Reverse Crunches

  • Tuck Jumps (standing) or High Knees or Alternating Front Kicks

Rest 2 - 4 minutes.

Finisher:

Perform the following exercises.

  • 30 seconds Body Saw Plank

  • 30 seconds Side Plank - left

  • 30 seconds Body Saw Plank

  • 30 seconds Side Plank - right

  • 30 seconds Plank

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes


Workout by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by Koldunov from Getty Images 

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Recipe: 5-Ingredient Easy Baked Salmon

salmon and potatoes with greens on a dark plate on a dark table cloth with cutler

👩‍🍳This salmon recipe makes a fast and easy weeknight meal. Just whisk together the marinade, let the fish soak up all the deliciousness, and bake!

 

You also can cook this on the grill at the same temp. Tastes great … and it’s super healthy.

Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb (900 g) salmon, skin on

  • 2 Tbsp coconut aminos 

  • 1½ Tbsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 large clove of garlic, minced

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:

  1. Place the salmon skin-side-down on a cutting board and cut into 4 portions. Place in a baking dish and set aside.

  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, Dijon mustard, garlic, and oil. Spread about ⅔ of the mixture over the salmon and set the rest aside for later.

  3. Let the salmon marinate for about 15 minutes at room temperature. While it’s marinating, preheat the oven to 400ºF/200ºC.  Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

  4. When the salmon is ready to go in the oven, place skin-side-down on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through.

  5. Remove from the oven and brush the remaining marinade mixture over the salmon.

  6. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by EzumeImages from Getty Images

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Workout: Mini-Challenge & Tabata Time!

woman doing bicycle crunches in front of a wall full of windows

Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Equipment Needed: A Stopwatch

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Timed Round: 10 Minutes

Repeat as many rounds as possible of the following exercises. Rest only when necessary and keep track of your total rounds. Repeat this workout again in the future to track progress.

  • 8 Push-Ups - modified or regular

  • 8 Reverse Lunges - each side

  • 8 Floppy Burpees - use regular burpees as a modification

Rest 3 - 5 minutes.

Tabatas:

Each Tabata needs to be completed for 8 sets (or 4 minutes total). For example: 20 seconds of squats, 10 seconds rest, 20 seconds mountain climbers, 10 seconds rest, 20 seconds squats, 10 seconds rest, etc… until you reach 4 minutes (8 sets) total. Allow 2 - 4 m minutes rest after each numbered Tabata.

Tabata #1

  • Squats

  • Mountain Climbers

Tabata #2

  • Bicycle Crunches

  • V-Jumps

Ladder:

Perform 8 reps of each exercise, then 7 reps each, then 6 reps and so on until they reach 1 rep of each exercise. As fast as possible with proper form. Rest 1 - 3 minutes when done. 

  • Inchworms

  • Standing Tuck Jumps

Glutes:

Complete 1 - 2 sets of the following exercises. Allow 45 seconds rest between sets. 

  • Abduction - 30 seconds full range of motion & 30 seconds top half of the range of motion - left leg

  • Abduction - 30 seconds full range of motion & 30 seconds top half of the range of motion - right leg

  • 45 seconds Fire Hydrants - left side

  • 45 seconds Fire Hydrants - right side

Core:

Complete 2 - 3 sets of the following exercises.

  • 30 seconds Jack-Knife Crunches - left leg straight

  • 30 seconds Jack-Knife Crunches - right leg straight

  • 30 seconds Rest

  • 30 seconds Reverse Crunches

  • 30 seconds Plank

  • 30 seconds Rest

  • 30 seconds Quadruped - left

  • 30 seconds Quadruped - right

  • 60 seconds Rest

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes

Workout by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by instaphotos

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Recipe: Lucky Black-Eyed Peas Salad

black eyed peas salad and greens on a grey plate

🤩This salad is packed with protein … and also makes for a GREAT meal prep recipe. 

 

Tip: It tastes even better if you make this at least 8 hours ahead of time.

 

You can keep it plant-based … or you can add a can of tuna or shredded chicken to boost the protein content!

Makes 2 main servings or 4 side servings.

Ingredients:

  • 2 x 15 ounce (425 g) cans black-eyed peas

  • 1 tomato, seeded and chopped

  • 2 bell peppers, seeded and chopped

  • ½ red onion, diced

  • 1 carrot, chopped

  • 1 stalk celery, chopped

  • 1 Tbsp fresh parsley leaves, chopped

  • 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 

  • 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

  • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Toss the peas, tomato, bell pepper, onion, carrot, celery, and parsley together in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.

  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir the mixture into the vegetables. Cover well and place in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 8 hours) before serving. Delicious!!

Recipe by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by caratt from Getty Images

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Workout: Deck of Cards Craze!

woman doing squats in a light colored living room

Time: 45 - 60 minutes

Equipment Needed: A Deck of Cards and a Stopwatch

Warm Up: 5 - 10 minutes

Below you will see the exercises attached to each card. Perform the exercise as you flip each card. Cards 2 - 9 are categorized by their suit and represent how many reps to do of that exercise. The face cards and jokers are based on the exercise stated below and should be performed for 60 seconds each when selected. Rest as needed:

Suits:

  • Hearts - Burpees

  • Diamonds - Push-Ups

  • Spades - Hindu Squats

  • Clubs - Russian Twists

Face Cards:

  • Jacks - 60 seconds Jump Squats

  • Queens - 60 seconds Mountain Climbers

  • Kings - 60 seconds Body Saw Plank

  • Aces - 60 seconds Floor Jacks (V-Jumps)

  • Jokers - 60 seconds Superman Hold

Example:

  • Flip an 8 of Hearts - 8 Burpees

  • Flip a Jack of Spades - 60 seconds Jump Squats

Cool Down & Stretch: 5 - 10 minutes


Workout by: Dr. Saara Haapanen

Photo Credit: Canva by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels

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