As we head into the 3rd month of 2023, I wanted to check in with you. How are you? How is your fitness journey going now that the sparkly newness of it all has worn off? What healthy habits have you been able to incorporate into your daily routine?
If your answers sound something like “meh,” “not very well,” and “not very many,” I want you to know that you’re not alone and it’s never too late to incorporate new healthy habits into your life. I’ve compiled some fun workout ideas, healthy recipes, and exciting events to help you get active in this month’s newsletter. With any luck, this might just be the month that you stick with your fitness journey for good!
The 8 BEST Exercises For The Springtime
As the weather grows warmer, it’s the perfect time of year to reevaluate our health and fitness routines to accommodate the changing seasons. Here are 8 fun and effective workouts you can try this Spring to get into your best shape for the Summer months:
- HIIT Workouts: Burn fat during your workout AND throughout the day with High Intensity Interval Training, one of the quickest and most effective ways to get into the best shape of your life. HIIT can be done from home, outdoors, or at BeFitSRQ! Just be sure not to overdo it… if you’re pushing yourself hard enough, you should only need a few HIIT sessions per week to see great results.
- Biking: Get moving on an exercise bike OR outdoors as the weather warms up; it’s the perfect way to incorporate cardio without FEELING like you’re doing cardio.
- Barre: Ease back into movement this spring with these ballet-inspired workouts with class offerings in most localities.
- Dance: Speaking of DANCE, why not get moving with your loved ones or by yourself in the comfort of your own home? Grab your partner and enjoy getting active together; dancing raises your heart rate, improves your coordination, and betters your balance!
Check out the rest by clicking here.
Healthy St Patrick’s Day Recipes
Feeling lucky? Kickstart your health and fitness journey with these nutritious Irish recipes …
Braised Pork with Potatoes and Shallots
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 3 pounds bone-in pork shoulder roast (Boston butt), trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup unsalted chicken stock
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 pound baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved
- 4 large shallots, peeled and halved lengthwise (about 4 oz.)
- 2 large fresh thyme sprigs
- Fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Directions:
- Place fennel seeds and coriander seeds in a spice grinder; pulse until coarsely ground. Stir together ground seeds, pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over pork.
- Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add pork to skillet; cook, turning to brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer pork to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker; reserve drippings in skillet.
- Add chicken stock, wine, and soy sauce to reserved drippings in skillet; bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring to loosen browned bits from bottom of skillet. Pour mixture over pork. Add sweet potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, shallots, and thyme sprigs to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until pork and vegetables are tender, about 8 hours.
- Transfer pork to a cutting board, and let rest 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a platter; reserve cooking liquid in slow cooker. Discard thyme sprigs. Break pork into large pieces; discard bone. Place pork on platter with vegetables; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Garnish with thyme leaves, if desired. Serve with reserved cooking liquid.
Matcha Biscotti with Bittersweet Drizzle
Ingredients
- 7.5 ounces whole-wheat pastry flour (about 2 cups plus 2 Tbsp.)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted roasted almonds
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 Teaspoon instant espresso granules
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, sugar, matcha, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in almonds. Add eggs and extracts. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until a sticky dough forms, about 2 minutes.
- Divide dough in half. Shape each half into an 8-inch-long log on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pat each log to a width of 3 inches. Bake at 350°F until set, about 20 minutes. (Dough will be cracked.)
- Remove biscotti logs from oven; cool on pan 5 minutes. Using a wide spatula, carefully transfer biscotti logs to a wire rack; cool 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F.
- Place biscotti logs on a cutting board. Cut each diagonally into 12 slices. Return slices to parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 300°F 20 minutes, flipping slices after 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes.
- Place chocolate in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on medium until melted, about 1 minute and 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds (be careful not to overheat chocolate so it doesn’t scorch or seize). Stir in espresso granules. Drizzle over biscotti. Let stand until the chocolate mixture sets, about 10 minutes.
Cultivate Luck & Positivity this Spring with these St. Patrick’s themed essential oil blends…
Sun Exposure and kids…how much is too much?
You’ve heard both sides…
- On the one hand, we all know it’s important to get sun each day for optimal Vitamin D absorption. This goes for children, adults, and seniors.
- On the other hand, we know that getting sunburned increases our likelihood of developing skin cancer, and no one wants that for their children.
So how much sun exposure is too much for kids?
In the first few months of life, babies are particularly sensitive to sun exposure. During this time, it’s best to keep your child out of the sun as much as possible. As children grow older, sun exposure is important to their development. However, because getting sunburnt can be easy for children who love to stay outside and play for long periods of time, it’s critical that you protect your children’s skin from the sun’s harmful rays in order to avoid health complications and premature aging as your child grows older.
Check out BloqUV today & order your kids their sun-protective clothing!
Enjoy a self-care day with the NEW Pink Moon Candle
Element Tree Essentials has done it again… their newest lotion candle is named for the Pink Moon, which arrives every April and boasts notes of rich vanilla, lavender, amber & sandalwood.
Topped with rose quartz, clear quartz, and buds of heather, this candle is sure to uplevel your spring self-care routine. Be sure to stop by soon to grab yours before they sell out!
Dealing with stress, inflammation, or chronic pain?
That’s no way to go into the beautiful spring months! Come in today to treat your pain and inflammation with Light Force Medical Laser Therapy.
Upcoming March Events
The Rocco’s Tacos Grand Opening is coming up on March 6th! Drop by the University Town Center to enjoy tacos and Margaritas in the warmer weather.
Through June 25, 2023, the Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature exhibition will be open to the public at Selby Gardens.
Enjoy fun with friends and families and screen the newest and best films at the annual Sarasota Film Festival from March 24th- April 2nd.
Have a great month, and let me know how I can help you stay on your 2023 fitness goals!
Sincerely,
Michele