Trainer Todd's Recipe of the Week

Grilled Italian Skirt Steak
12 oz skirt/ flank steak
1 can 15.5 oz cannellini beans
1 large red onion
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
2 cloves garlic, minced
juice of 1/2 lemon

In a medium pan over medium heat, cook the onion in half of the olive oil for 10 minutes, until soft and slightly brown. Add the vinegar and cook another 5 min.
Heat a pot with remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, beans, and rosemary and cook for 5 min. Use a potato masher to roughly mash the beans. Add lemon juice to taste.
Heat a grill, grill pan over high heat. Grill steak for 3-4 min per side for medium rare. Slice and serve over the beans and spoon onion on top. Makes 2 servings.

Roughly 580 calories, 56 grams protein, 41g carbohydrates, 21g fat, 8 g fiber.
This is a GREAT post workout meal for protein content. Serve this with a green salad and you are good to go!!

HOLIDAY CHEER

With the Holiday season approaching, now is the time to focus in and prepare your workout routine for the end of year. I see a trend every year as the Holiday's approach. The workouts drop off as we get busier with parties, family, and travel.
This year let's get focused and prepared to keep a workout routine through the new year. Even if you downscale your regiment as long as you keep active. Your body will thank you come January 1st, when you make those new year resolutions.
Don't forget to pack those workout clothes if you are traveling. Find a gym close to where you will be staying at and drop in a class or hit the trail for a hike. Sign up for a Turkey Trot or Jingle Bell run. Most hotels have gym and cardio equipment, so set 1 hour a day out of your schedule to get that workout in.
Try to monitor that Holiday diet as well. We are all human when it comes to mom's home cooking, but MODERATION is our friend. The more you think about diet and exercise over the Holiday's the easier it will be when you return to your normal routine. You will feel better!!! ENJOY THE HOLIDAY'S, Trainer Todd

Trainer T's Recipe of the Week

Chinese Pineapple Chicken with Black Bean Sauce
4 medium scallions
1 Tbsp ginger root, fresh, chopped
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 LBS uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
20 oz can pineapple, packed in juice, tidbits
1/4 cup black bean sauce
2 cup cooked brown rice

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set pan over medium- high heat. Add scallions, ginger, and garlic; cook until soft around 3 min. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, stir often, around 5 min.
Add pineapple with its juice, and black bean sauce to skillet; bring to simmer until chicken is cooked through, around 5 min.
Divide rice into 4 plates and spoon chicken mixture over top.
Makes 4 servings or roughly 1 cup of chicken and 1/2 cup rice per serving.

This is a GREAT post workout meal. Serve this meal with a salad, and you are hitting all of those food groups. CHEERS, T

ENJOY YOUR FITNESS

HELLO ALL!! I was reminded by one of my clients this week that you should enjoy your fitness. Whether it is yoga, Pilate's, resistance training, running or hitting the elliptical in the gym you will tend to see better results if you look forward to fitness during your daily grind. You will more likely to stick with it over the long term as well. This helps with that rollercoaster weight loss and inconsistant fitness levels.
In a time where fitness modes are analyzed and media blitzed to the popular Hollywood fitness trends. Every year there are new products, exercises, and training methods that will get you "fitter faster". Sometimes it all seems overwhelming. What fitness modes should I choose to loose the pounds faster? What trainer is the best and most efficient? What overpriced fitness equipment do I buy this year to use as a clothes hanger? The one thing we overlook in these decisions is simply What activity do I like? I take it for granted. I put on my running shoes and hit the pavement. Running is my decompression, my office, my therapist, and my euphoria. Those of you who have felt that exercise high know what I mean. So sit down and ask yourself "WHAT FITNESS DO I ENJOY?" Make a list of the pros and cons of a few exercise modes. If you haven't found it yet, try something new. Stretch that comfort zone. Who knows, you might like it!! TRAINER TODD