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.

Exercise Of The Month: December 2012

December 2, 2012

PILATES UPWARD PLANK

Pilates Upward Plank
Pilates Upward Plank

Type: Stabilization Bodyweight Exercise

Level: Intermediate.  Requires considerable strength when performed correctly.

Equipment: Non-skid mat.  Sneakers optional.

Correct Form

  • Shoulders are higher than the hips, while the hips are higher than the knees, and the knees are higher than the ankles.
  • Do not sag.  Maintain one long line from shoulders to ankles.

Variation: Turn palms outward if the inward position is uncomfortable for your wrists.

Cautions

  • If you have carpel, or sensitivity in  your wrists, this exercise may feel very uncomfortable.
  • Do not attempt this exercise if you experience pain.
  • Do not throw your head back.

Muscles Worked: Triceps, Hip Flexors, Abdominals, Trapezius, Rhomboids, Teres Major, Latissimus Dorsi.

How To Perform Pilates Upward Plank

  • From a seated position, turn palms toward body.
  • Bring chin toward chest.
  • Exhale and lift up balancing on heels and hands.
  • Lower down to start position.
  • Repeat exercise for 8 to 10 repetitions.

The exercise described in this post is informational, and not meant to replace the guidance of a personal trainer in a live setting.  Exercises performed incorrectly may result in injury.

Copyright 2012 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training

Off The Grid Vegetable Juicer

December 1, 2012
TRIBEST MANUAL JUICER

When Hurricane Sandy hit New York City, in late October 2012, a lot of us lost power.  So I decided to start an Off The Grid category for anyone interested in learning more about household appliances that are either battery, or manually operated.

In addition, Off The Grid posts will help you find out where to buy these products, without too much searching. Continue reading “Off The Grid Vegetable Juicer”

Cast Iron Cookware: Stay Fit While You Cook

November 28, 2012

Besides being a great conductor of heat, lasting a lifetime, being an heirloom to pass down to your kin, cast iron cookware takes muscle to lift, and that’s a good thing.

Takes Muscle To Lift

Cast iron is very heavy.  If you’re a fitness buff, who appreciates home-cooked meals, then you ought to look into buying cast iron cookware.

Start out by purchasing a small 8″ skillet to learn how to cook, and care for cast iron.  If you decide you really enjoy using it, then branch out into a larger 10 or 12 inch skillet, or even a dutch oven. Continue reading “Cast Iron Cookware: Stay Fit While You Cook”

Villa Linguine: Holiday Vegan Clam Sauce

November 27, 2012

During my childhood, our family Christmas dinner was seafood served with pasta, vegetables, and a green salad.  Now that I no longer eat sea creatures, I found a great substitute by using mushrooms.  See what you think.

VEGAN CLAM SAUCE OVER LINGUINE

OYSTER MUSHROOMS

• 1 Lb. cooked whole wheat linguine
• 2 to 3 Tablespoons dry arame
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 4 Cloves garlic sliced thin
• 3 Cups sliced mushrooms: Alii Oyster Mushrooms, or Shiitake Mushrooms.*
• 1/4 Cup white wine
•  Juice of one-half fresh lemon
• 1  1/2 Cups unsweetened rice or soy milk
• 3 Tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• Chili pepper flakes to taste
• Chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 2 Tablespoons toasted pine nuts Continue reading “Villa Linguine: Holiday Vegan Clam Sauce”

Happy Tofurky Day: Vegetarian Thanksgiving on The Rise

November 22, 2012
Vegan Tofurky Feast

For all vegans and vegetarians, here’s some good news about Americans opting out of eating turkey on Thanksgiving, and choosing non-meat alternatives.

According to an article by Laura L. Thornton, in the November 21, 2012 Takoma Park Patch, 3 million Tofurky roasts were sold this year.  The Tofurky was invented by Seth Tibbott.  In 1995 about 500 Tofurky Roasts were sold by natural food stores in the Pacific northwest.  Consumption of Tofurky is on the rise.

Turtle Island Foods, located in Hood River, Oregon manufactures meat-like textured Tofurky made from organic tofu, vital wheat gluten, and expeller-pressed, non GMO canola oil.

Just click the links in this article to learn more about Tofurky, and where you can buy it.

Copyright 2012 Irene Pastore and Blue Moon Personal Training