Recipe of the Week – Broiled Steak Kabobs with Orange Relish

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Invite the neighbors over this weekend, fire up the grill, crack open a cold one and enjoy this weeks “recipe of the week.”

Broiled Steak Kabobs with Orange Relish

Ingredients:

  • 1½ c. orange segments, chopped
  • ½ c. cucumber, chopped
  • ½ c. red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/4 c. Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 minced jalapeño
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 lb. sirloin
  • 1/2 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp. canola oil
  • 1 tbsp. jerk seasoning

Directions:

  1. Toss together 1 1/2 cups chopped orange segments, 1/2 cup each chopped cucumber and red bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 minced jalapeño, 1 Tbsp. olive oil, and salt and black pepper.
  2. Toss together 2 lb. sirloin (cut into 1-inch pieces), 1/2 red onion (cut into 1-inch pieces), 2 Tbsp. canola oil, 1 Tbsp. jerk seasoning, and salt and black pepper; thread on 6 (8-inch) metal skewers.
  3. Broil on top rack, turning once, until medium-rare, 10 to 12 mins.
  4. Serve with relish and lime wedges.
Recipe Source: http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a41071/broiled-steak-kabobs-with-orange-relish/

 

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Recipe of the Week – Slammin Salmon

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Slammin Salmon

The weather is getting nicer and summer is almost here and as the patio furniture comes out so do the grills. Give this delicious grilled salmon dish a try. Pair if with last weeks grilled zucchini and cauliflower skewers for complete meal.

 

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup peanut oil
  • 8 (4 ounce) skinless, boneless salmon fillets

 

Directions

  1. Stir balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and soy sauce with salt, brown sugar, ground ginger, paprika, pepper, and red pepper flakes until the salt has dissolved. Stir in garlic, green onions, sesame oil, and peanut oil until well combined.
  2. Pour marinade into a resealable plastic bag or glass bowl. Add salmon to marinade and gently toss to coat. Place into refrigerator and marinate 2 to 24 hours.
  3. Prepare an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
  4. Drain excess marinade from salmon fillets. Grill until firm and opaque, about 4 minutes per side.

Recipe Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/137414/slammin-salmon/

 

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4 Diet Killers

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4 Diet Killers

While there are many things that can wreck clean eating these four tend to wreck it without you realizing it.

Agave Nectar – Even though it is a “natural” sweetner agave nectar has been shown to derange liver function and promote obesity. The main reason is because it contains the highest amount of fructose. Even more than high fructose corn syrup.

Gluten Free Snacks – Today it is common to walk down any grocery store aisle and find gluten-free Oreo’s, gluten-free Pop Tarts, you name it. Just because a snack food is gluten-free doesn’t mean it is healthy.

Fat-Free – When fat is removed from a product taste is usually removed. So in order to make up for taste something else has to be added typically sugar, salt, flour, food thickeners, and other food additives. All fat is not bad and the body actually needs fat to function properly. Naturally occurring fat is what you want to eat, the man-made franken-fats are what you want to avoid.

Stevia – Many of the sweetners on the market that contain Stevia, claim that it is natural. But, in order for it to be made into a sugar it has to be processed and have other things added, like sugar alcohols. There is also evidence that artificial sweetners, which includes stevia products, contribute to obesity.

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PNF Member – Ken R.

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A Member’s Story…

“I just celebrated my three year anniversary here at Pittsburgh North Fitness and what I can tell you is that the workouts are so different, so unique….they really give you an effective workout. The trainers are great and I’ll tell you one thing if come here you will feel it, but you will look great!” – Ken R.

 

Never Bulk Up Again

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If you are afraid to lift weights because you are afraid of bulking up, you need to look at how you eat.

Women need to lift and need to lift heavy weight. Lifting doesn’t not bulk up women; it is poor choices that bulk up women when they lift. Or as Dwight Schrute from the Office puts it, “False, it’s not lifting weights that makes women bulky. It’s eating cupcakes that makes women bulky.”

As much as you may want to believe that you can go out Friday and Saturday night and eat and drink whatever you please and then burn it off in the gym simply doesn’t work. This is why most people fail to see their body change, at least change for the better. You can blame the workout program, but it is really the food and lifestyle habits that need changed.

This does not mean you can never enjoy your favorite foods or have a drink, but they do need to be controlled. Cheat 20% of the time and you should be fine that means 20% of your weekly calories come from “bad” foods and the other 80% come from “good” foods. Tracking it this way for a week usually reveals that you are only eating clean 50-60% of the time, here lies the problem.

And what about alcohol? Keep it to no more than six drinks a week and you will be fine. (Just don’t go out and buy bigger wine glasses.)

Here are three tips to ensure you never bulk up:

  1. Eat Clean. This means lean proteins, lots of veggies, good quality carbs such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, and whole-wheat pasta (1 cup serving, not 4) make up 80% of your weekly calories.
  2. Stop The Latte Habit. Drinking calories is the fastest way to pack on extra weight. Lattes, soda, juices, and sports drinks are loaded with sugar and as little as one or two a day can cause you gain weight.
  3. Lift Three Days A Week. Three 45 minute strength training sessions that focus on total body movements will create changes in your body cardio can never do. In a short time people will begin to notice that something has changed and ask what you are doing different because you look amazing. And if you still would like to do some cardio go for it, just make sure you always get your three strength workouts in each week.

Stop worrying about bulking and start lifting!

 

If you are interested in seeing our strength training can change your body, get started with our 6-Week “Strong is the New Sexy” Challenge by clicking the link below.

Recipe of the Week – Grilled Zucchini and Cauliflower Skewers with Feta

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These delicious skewers make for a healthy side to accompany any meal. Give them a try!

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 large zucchini and summer squash
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 8 skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 c. crumbled feta
  • 8 skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat grill to medium-high. Shave zucchini and yellow squash into long strips using a Y peeler or mandolin. Skewer zucchini, yellow squash, and cauliflower. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Grill, turning occasionally, until vegetables are tender and slightly charred, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Crumble with feta.

Recipe Resource: http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a43682/zucchini-cauliflower-skewers-feta-recipe/

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Weekend Warrior Workout – April 7th, 2017

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5 Rounds

20 Yard Tire Flip

20 Yard Farmer’s Carry

Enjoy!

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Recipe of the Week – Blueberry Espresso Brownies

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Give these delicious paleo friendly brownies a try.

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Coconut Cream Concentrate MELTED (and a bit leftover for drizzling)
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Raw Organic Honey
  • 1/4 Cup Organic Cocoa Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp Ground Coffee
  • 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 Cup Blueberries

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 325 Degrees F
  • Place coconut cream concentrate (coconut butter), eggs, honey, cocoa powder, cinnamon, coffee, vanilla, baking soda, and sea salt together in a mixing bowl
  • Use your hand mixer or stand mixer to mix all your ingredients until well blended
  • Once ready, fold in your blueberries by hand so you don’t crush them all
  • Pour your batter into a greased 9×13 baking dish (grease with coconut oil) or into greased individual mini muffin pans like I did
  • Place in the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes. At about 25 minutes, do the toothpick test and judge how much longer you need
  • Remove from oven, let cool
  • Once cool, use some melted Coconut Cream Concentrate and drizzle all over your brownies
  • Cut and Enjoy

Recipe Source: http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/recipes/desserts/blueberry-espresso-brownies/

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Weekend Warrior Workout – March 31st, 2017

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Need a workout this weekend?

Give this weeks “Weekend Warrior Workout” a try.

 

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5 Fitness Mistakes

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With all the conflicting advice and information available on exercise it can be difficult to know what to do and what works best to get into awesome shape, feel good, and have a body that you feel confident in.

Using our 16 years of experience in the fitness industry here are five mistakes we see many people make in their workout and fitness plans.

 

You Use Exercise As Punishment

Exercise is intended to be a reward for your body. Exercise should be something that makes you feel better, more confident, and add to your life. It should not be beat down that leaves you laying dead on the floor, or as a punishment for what you ate or gaining a few pounds.

 

You Only Do Cardio and High Intensity Interval Training

While cardio and HIIT can be beneficial and have a place in fitness, when they are the only form of exercise they can hinder your results. Overtime they both will cause a loss in muscle tissue, which leads to increased body fat percentages, and HIIT tends to make you extremely hungry afterward causing you to overeat.

This doesn’t mean that you have to give up your cardio or HIIT, you just need to limit them to 1-2 workouts per week and get in 2-3 total body strength workouts first. Following this order will get better results and create positive change.

 

You Don’t Eat Enough

You cannot restrict calories forever. Your body needs fuel to power through your workouts and keep everything running like a well oiled machine. When calorie restriction goes too long the body begins to lose muscle and gain body fat, leading to the dreaded skinny fat body type.

Also, as you change your nutritional requirements will change. As you get leaner and stronger your body needs more daily calories and needs a higher daily carb intake.

 

You Don’t Allow Your Body Time To Rest

Working out every day may work for short period of time, but it soon leads to burn out and an achy, tired body.

Three to four workouts per week is optimal and if you want to add a daily walk or light mobility work that will help you recover faster between workouts. Again as you get stronger you are able to stress the body more each workout and that stress requires more time to recover in order to keep making progress.

 

You’re Only Focused On Burning Calories

How many calories you burn in your workout plays a very small role in the results you get. It is very easy to get caught up in the calorie burn of your workout and feel the need to do more cardio and HIIT, as those tend to create a higher burn.

You will never out exercise a bad diet. So thinking you can go out drinking and eat bad tonight and then burn it all off in the gym is a recipe for failure. Clean eating done 80% of the time with a few strength workouts each week will beat the pants off of cardio and HIIT workouts when in comes to getting results and decreasing body fat.

Hard work and consistency are important for results, but it has to be the right consistent effort. If you’ve been making any of the above 5 Fitness Mistakes correct them in your routine and watch your results take off!

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