Happy Labor Day, friends! I can’t believe that fall is upon us (at least in spirit… I know we Floridians have a few more months of warm weather to look forward to.) With fall comes back-to-school season, delicious pumpkin spice coffee, autumn candles, and last but not least, some good old-fashioned goal-setting for the end of the year! That’s right, friends… we’re in the final ⅓ of 2024, and that means it’s time to take stock of what’s working and shift gears to create the lives (and fitness routines) we want for ourselves.
Movement of the Month: Walking
Now that the weather is beginning to cool down (wishful thinking? maybe!), it’s the perfect time of year to resume your Hot Girl Walks if you’ve fallen off the wagon! Walking is amazing for cardiovascular, mental, and bone health (to name a few benefits!). Taking a 30-minute walk first thing in the morning, before the sun gets too hot, is one of the surest ways to improve your overall well-being. Here are some of my favorite benefits of taking daily walks:
- Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
- Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
- Improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
- Stronger bones and improved balance
- Increased muscle strength and endurance
- Reduced body fat.
That’s not all! To learn more about how to ensure you get these benefits out of your daily walks, be sure to check out this fantastic and informative article from Better Health.
Late Summer Recipes for Your Labor Day Celebration
Are YOU celebrating Labor Day with friends and family this weekend? If so, I’m so excited to be sharing these delicious and refreshing recipes with you. Both feature delicious seasonal produce and even the pickiest of guests are sure to love at least one of them.
Tandoori-Style Chicken with Cucumber Melon Relish
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups reduced-fat plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoon garam masala or curry powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
- 1 ½ cups chopped cantaloupe
- ½ cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh mint
- ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds, optional
Directions
- In a small bowl, whisk yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, garam masala, salt and pepper flakes until blended. Pour 1 cup marinade into a large bowl. Add chicken; turn to coat. Cover; refrigerate up to 6 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.
- For For relish, in a small bowl, mix cantaloupe, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, mint and remaining lemon juice.
- Drain chicken, discarding marinade in bowl. Grill chicken, covered, on a lightly oiled rack over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until a thermometer reads 165°, 6-8 minutes on each side. Serve with relish and reserved marinade. If desired, sprinkle with almonds.
Ingredients
- 1 package (16 ounces) orzo pasta
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen corn
- 24 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups crumbled feta cheese
- 1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup minced fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped, optional
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Directions
- Cook orzo according to package directions for al dente. Drain orzo; rinse with cold water and drain well. Transfer to a large bowl.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/4 cup water over medium heat. Add corn; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add to orzo; stir in tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, onion, mint and, if desired, capers. In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper until blended. Pour over orzo mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, stir in almonds
If chicken or orzo are NOT your thing (to each their own!), be sure to check out the complete list of healthy Labor Day recipes from Taste of Home!
Speed Up Your Muscle Recovery with doTERRA!
If you’ve been killing it on your summer fitness journey (or entering your weight training era), you might just be feeling a little sore and tense as we head into September! Luckily, I’ve found the perfect home remedy for sore, tense muscles… AND it’s all natural!
Stay Sun-Safe and Sylish with BloqUV
If there’s one thing consistent about fall weather, it’s unpredictable! One moment it’s cool, the next it’s raining, then it’s 80 degrees! Luckily, Bloq UV has you and your kids covered for all the ups and downs that the months ahead may bring. Whether your little ones need protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, the wind in the evenings, or chilly weather at their siblings’ sports games, the Kid’s Full Zip hoodie is a must-have for back-to-school season. Better yet? It comes in toddler sizes, so your older and little ones can match! Get yours now!
Embrace the Fall Vibes with Element Tree Essentials
I cannot IMAGINE anything that screams Fall quite like a night in with a yummy and nourishing soup, your favorite show, and a luxurious *everything* shower to refresh for the week ahead. Fall is, without a doubt, the season of self-care, and I’m so excited to share one of my favorite finds for pampering on my cozy nights. The Element Tree Essentials Palmetto and Citrus Lotion Candle features bright, warm, and refreshing notes that soothe and invigorate your senses. It’s perfect for a morning shower OR a night shower… get the cozy vibes going by lighting your candle and use the warm, buttery lotion that collects in the jar to moisturize your skin before throwing on your robe.
Tennis Injuries? 🎾 Here’s How our Friends at Lightforce can Help…
I absolutely love sharing the work of our amazing friends at Lightforce Medical because they’re like guardian angels for all our active members who sometimes sustain sports injuries, sprain muscles, or simply need a little help with rest and recovery (we’ve all been there!)
I know many of you have been loving tennis this season, but I also know that sports that involve swinging can often wreak havoc on your joints! Luckily, Lightforce Medical has your back with deep tissue Laser Therapy targeted at 3 common Tennis injuries.
Learn more here!
September in Sarasota
The 76th Annual Labor Day Regatta: From August 31st to September 1st, enjoy Sarasota’s longest-running sporting event!
John Crist’s Jokes For Humans: On September 26th, enjoy the very first night of John Crist’s “Jokes For Humans” tour at Van Wezel.
Food & Wine Festival: Enjoy the annual Sarasota Food & Wine Festival at 1:00 PM on September 21st to benefit Sarasota Youth Opera & Education! Grab your tickets today here.
That’s all for this month, friend! I hope the early days of fall treat you kindly and the back-to-school season has gone off without a hitch for your family. I can’t wait to connect with you again, and I hope to see you soon in the studio!
Warm regards,
Michele