Cold Cure

This last week I have been feeling a little under the weather... the usual symptoms of a cold where really all you can do is go easy on yourself and let it run its course. Instead of medicating myself with drugs, I have been trying to pump my body full of vitamin C rich foods (grapefruit, oranges etc), lots of water, vitamins and sleep... I am killing my cold with kindness...

However, the real cure came to me yesterday when I discovered a tiny tea shop about 50 steps from my front door in Yaletown: O-Cha Tea Bar. There they serve a COLD BUSTER tea which not only warmed me up, but soothed my sore throat and cough almost on impact.

Here is the gist of what goes into it:

- 1 black tea bag (leave it in)

- 1 shot of orange juice

- A squeeze of honey

- 1 lemon slice

- A healthy dash of cayenne pepper on top

Although this concoction can easily be recreated at home, there was something soothing in itself about standing in the small tea shop and chatting with the owner amongst his diverse range of spices and tea flavours... If you are in the area I would definitely check it out.

Turkey Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Last night I could not sit down and watch the Canucks play Chicago... it was too much.

Instead I intermittently checked in with Troy to see the score and tried out a new recipe: Turkey Sausage Stuffed Peppers (See Here)They turned out really good and filled both of us up after our 17km run that morning. I sliced up an avocado with some balsamic dressing on the side just as a little extra. Let me know what you think!

Sun Run 2011

Congratulations to all the participants!

Workout Style!

Trainer to TV's "Biggest Losers" Jillian Michaels is teaming up with K-Swiss to launch a new clothing line. The vintage inspired collection features a range of halters, tanks, pants, and sweatshirts and is featured in InStyle this month. Here are a few of my favourite pieces:

Pink Legging with tapered bottom, $88

Loose V-Neck Sweatshirt, $88

Sag-proof fleece pant with ribbed waistband and elastic ankle cuffs, $68

"Life Is..." Long Sleeve Shirt, $50

Love the message... , $50

Defying Gravity...

Today some of the instructors and trainers at Steve Nash got a special class with the creator of Antigravity Yoga, Chris Harrison. A former dancer and world class gymnast, this New Yorker ran us through crazy inversions, soothing stretches, and a floating meditation that completely

ROCKED MY WORLD!

If you can make it to a class, Do it! Do it! Do it!

Are You Ready for Summer??

April is definitely the time where the last 6 months of unhealthy eating and not a lot of activity kick in. The nights stay brighter for longer, and when the sun is out, it can almost pass for warm... At this time, it is amazing the new flock of people that suddenly appear at the gym striving to get "beach ready"... While I love them for this sudden inspiration and renewed dedication, I also want to shake them for not simply sticking with a consistent routine year round.

Now more than ever I am approached with questions about the 'quick fix'. Everyone wants a six pack when they can no longer hide behind their winter clothing. Well, there is no quick fix, but definitely some things we can all do to get ready for the season of smaller outfits.

Here is a quick Abs Routine you can incorporate into your own workout, or simply do on it's own:

Round 1- Full-Sit Ups x 20 .... Bicycles x 20 per side...1/2 Bicycles x 20 per side (Hold right knee in and keep your left leg straight and hovering about an inch off the ground. Place your hands behind your head and rotate to the left as you aim to touch your left armpit to the right knee).

Round 2- High Knees 1 Minute... Hold Plank 1 Minute

Round 3- Butt Lift with Leg Drop x 20 (Lay face up on the floor with your hands underneath your low back for support. Bring your legs straight up in the air and try to touch the ceiling with your toes. Drop the legs slowly about an inch from the floor and repeat)

Round 4- Tuck Jumps x 10... Hold Plank 1 Minute

Repeat 3 times