Author: Irene Pastore

Hello! I am a Personal Trainer, Yoga and Pilates Instructor who specializes in fitness after 50. My service is Live Streaming. Connect with me from anywhere in the world. I look forward to helping you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Symptoms of Influenza

January 6, 2022
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses
Common Influenza Symptoms
  • You May Have Fever Above 100 F
  • Severe Aches In Muscles and Joints
  • Weakness or Severe Fatigue
  • Warm, Flushed Skin, and Red Watery Eyes
  • Chills
  • A Headache
  • A Dry Cough
  • A Sore Throat and Runny Nose
  • Trouble Breathing or Shortness of Breath
  • Pain or Pressure in Your Chest or Belly
  • Sudden Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe Vomiting

*Seek immediate medical help if you have the last 5 symptoms.

Source: WebMD

How To Do TRX Reverse Lunge Knee Tucks

January 6, 2022

TRX Reverse Lunge Knee Tucks

TRX Standing Knee Tucks is a strength training suspension exercise that improves the core, front deltoid, biceps, hamstrings, quadriceps, and gluteals.
INSTRUCTIONS: Stand facing the suspension cables. Grab handles. Elbows at 90 degree angles. Starting position is standing on right foot. Hold handles firmly and step back with left foot, with your left knee under your left hip. Allow the left foot and knee to lightly touch the floor. Begin stepping forward while raising left knee toward chest. Repeat the movement until your set is completed. Perform 10 to 12 repetitions on left leg, and then switch to the right leg. Maintain a straight back during the exercise.
GOAL: Maintain a straight back and steady movement throughout the entire sequence.

EXERCISE DOs and DONTs – As with all exercise programs, when using exercise videos that appear on this site, you need to use common sense. If your muscles are weak, either do the modifications, or don’t attempt this exercise if it’s too difficult for you. When starting an exercise program, be sure to discuss your plans with your healthcare provider

How To Make Toast In A Skillet

January 5, 2022
Cast Iron Skillet Toast
Skillet Wall Rack

Use a cast iron skillet for pan toasting bread, since cast iron heats up faster, and stays hot longer than other metals.

Cast iron skillets come in handy during an electric power failure. Camping enthusiasts can also enjoy their morning toast in a heavy skillet. For anyone living in a small apartment, with little counter, or closet space, skillets can be stored on wall racks.

Skillet Toast VS Electric Toaster
Electric Toaster

The difference between skillet toast and an electric toaster, is that you have to watch the toasting progress in order to prevent burning.  In an electric toaster, you set the timer, and the toast is done automatically. Larger skillets accomodate bagels, English muffins, thick bread, and long slices, cut from a loaf of round artisan bread. You can also reheat pancakes. Standard electric toasters limit the size and thickness of bread to square bread slices.

Instructions
  • Spread a generous amount of cooking oil over the bottom of the skillet If you skip this step, the toast will burn.
  • Heat up the skillet over a low to medium flame.
  • Place bread in skillet. Turn bread over when one side is toasted.
  • Remove bread from skillet.  Place in dish.  Add favorite toppings.
How To Add Seed Toppings During Skillet Toasting

If you like seeded bread, but don’t have any on hand, transform an ordinary slice of bread by adding seeds during toasting.

Cast Iron Skillet French Toast
  • Place bread in warm, well-oiled skillet.
  • Add cooking oil to bread.  Sprinkle caraway, or sesame seeds over the oiled bread, and place in skillet.
  • After one side is toasted, flip the bread over, and repeat on the other side.

NOTE: Some of the seeds will fall off into the pan, but many will stick to the oiled bread. For this process you might want to use a low flame. This gives the seeds a chance to soften during toasting.  If they don’t soften, you will have a mouthful of uncooked seeds.  Unless you enjoy chewing on raw caraway seeds, be patient and allow the seeds to soften before removing the bread from the skillet

Garlic Oil Topping

Line the skillet with garlic oil instead of ordinary cooking oil. Melt a slice of cheese over the bread during toasting.

Where To Buy Cast Iron Cookware

You can buy cast iron skillets from Lodge Cast Iron. Their skillets are an American product, made in Tennessee.  If you’re planning to toast single slices of bread, get the 6.5″ skillet.  Lodge sells bigger skillets that will hold more.  Cast iron is heavy.  The bigger skillets weigh more.  If you’re planning to store them on a wall rack, be sure you have one that can handle the weight.