Sunday, December 27, 2009

Vanilla Roasted Pears

Now that we are in Vegas, we are not running off early Sundays to volunteer at Unity. I find myself now using the time to be creative with our late morning breakfasts.

This morning I woke up thinking about what I might do with the ripening pears in the kitchen. I came across a recipe at Smitten Kitchen that seemed perfect. After tasting the pears, I declared them the best pears I had ever cooked.

This dish is excellent as a brunch side dish or dinner dessert. Serve them warm over oatmeal or with a dollop of creme fraiche or scoop of butter pecan ice cream. If you don't want to work with the vanilla beans, sprinkle cinnamon instead. I sprinkled roasted walnuts over mine. Whatever you decide to do, make these pears...they will not disappoint.

Vanilla Roasted Pears

4 Medium pears, not fully ripe, peeled, halved and cored with stem
1/2 Vanilla bean
2 tbs Xylitol or sugar
1/2 lemon
2 tbs water
2 tbs unsalted butter


Preheat oven to 375. Split beans and mix seeds with sugar. Place pears in baking dish, cut side up. Squeeze lemon and sprinkle sugar over fruit evenly. Divide butter so each pear has a bit. Split the bean and spread the seeds among the pears. Add the water.

Roast pears for 30 min, basting ocassionaly. Turn pears overs and continue roasting 25-30 min, or until pears are tender and carmelized.

Makes 4 servings

Oven baked white truffle butter and brie omelet. I whisked 2 egg whites until they were about 4 x their original volume. I added 3 extra large eggs and 4 tablespoons almond milk (any dairy will do), pink salt and pepper. I heated a bit of white truffle butter and poured the egg mixture into the oven safe skillet. Over med-low heat, I cooked the eggs for about 5 min, until the bottom 1/2 looked set. I arranged brie slices just before popping into the oven to finish the cooking process.

A bed of spinach and a glass of Perrier and brunch is served.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Oatmeal Breakfast Cake

While taking our fitness and nutrition to the next level, Doug and I have added oatmeal to our menu more regularly. However, there are only so many times in a row one wants to see grey-brown porridge in a bowl. An oatmeal breakfast cake is a nice way to break it up. I have tweaked this recipe to keep it low glycemic and I make ours gluten free. Sweetener could be reduced to 2 tbsp.

I love two things about this cake: I can use up leftover oatmeal from breakfast and I am once again able to have a breakfast bread that meets my criteria for gluten and yeast free items.

Try it...you'll agree it's just great for breakfast or post workout snack.

Oatmeal Breakfast Cake

1 1/2 c. flour or Pamela's Products Baking & Pancake Mix (gluten free)
1/2 cup Xylitol, agave nectar or low glycemic alternative
4 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. almond, rice, soy or dairy milk
1 egg, well beaten
1 t. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. butter, melted, or 2 Tbsp. coconut, flaxseed or other healthy oil
2 t. cinnamon
1 c. cooked oatmeal (more or less)
1/2 c. walnuts or other superfood nut

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter round or square cake pan. Combine dry ingredients together in small bowl. In a separate bowl, stir the egg, milk, extract and butter/oil into the oatmeal. Stir until well blended. Combine the two mixtures and mix well. Spoon batter into prepared cake pan. sprinkle then press lightly walnuts into top of batter. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out dry when inserted into the center.

Makes 6-8 servings. Optional: a drizzle of agave nectar over the top while warm on a Sunday morning makes it special.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Abs 100 Challenge

Within Pilates Mat, there is the Abdominal Series, consisting of 5 exercises performed supine. I have assembled a set of new variations and upped the reps so that practitioners may ring in the new year with a stronger torso.

Abs 100 Challenge

Exercise set up and instructions are available on my website at the above link. An appropriate warm up would be to do some pelvic curls, chest lifts, supine spine twists and shoulder bridges.
5 x 20 = 100

This set works the entire core: rectus abd., transverse abd., obliques, back extensors, respirators and pelvic floor.

I'm endeavoring to complete a set every day until New Year's. Are you in?

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Rainbows On your Plate

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. My affinity for rainbows first began when I was inducted into the Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Rainbows figured prominently in our decision to purchase the Southwest Fl Supercuts salons. When touring the market, 4 double rainbows appeared above Tampa Bay. We considered it a good omen and it turned out to be so. I have now learned that incorporating the color spectrum at meal time is easy and good for me.

The pot at the end of the rainbow might just be filled with that which is more precious than gold: optimal health and wellness. Eating a diet that incorporates the colors of the rainbow ensures you get sufficient macro- and micronutruients, along with all the accompanying vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and such from your diet. You will notice that what have become known as Superfoods, foods like tomatoes, spinach and pumpkin, comprise the recommendations of the Rainbow Diet. Rather than another diet fad, the Rainbow Diet provides another path for determining a desirable nutrition plan.




Excerpted from Rainbow Diet...

Reds, Blues and Purples

Blueberries, blackberries, cherries, red and purple grapes, beets and purple cabbage all contain antioxidant compounds that protect your body from the damaging effects of free radicals. The pigments that give color to these foods most specifically protect your blood vessels, cartilage, tendons and ligaments from damage. It is presently thought that consuming these pigments regularly reduces the likelihood of cancer by preventing tissue degeneration that sometimes follows chronic irritation such as smoking or chronic inflammatory disorders. Tomatoes and watermelon have lycopenes that are proven to prevent heart disease and prostate cancer. Red snapper is a great fish – a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. And let’s not forget about red meat packed with essential amino acids that are used throughout our body. Red teas include red zinger, cinnamon, raspberry and others. Red spices are Chile pepper which is known to reduce appetite, and paprika. Chew on some purple fox glove and receive some digitalis for rapid heart beat. Cayenne pepper can reduce heart burn and passion flower tea promotes relaxation.

Yellows and Oranges

these fruits and vegetables are high in carotenoids which have anti-cancer and anti-oxidant properties. Carotenoids lead to an increase in the number of white blood cells circulating throughout the bloodstream having basically the same effects as the well known immune booster Echinacea. Try to eat at least 2-3 different orange or yellow foods daily. Orange foods like carrots or pumpkin are high in beta carotene and vitamin A. They are also abundant in keratolytic enzymes and offer more than 100 beneficial components for healthy skin of any age. Wild salmon is know for its high fish oil content; omega 3 fatty acids that prevent and fight heart disease, headaches, skin aging, etc. Spices include turmeric, which possesses tremendous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This herb used for wound healing, digestive aid, liver protection and heart tonic. Turmeric is sought of protecting against Alzheimer’s disease. Cinnamon is excellent for sugar control as well as stomach ulcer and gum disease prevention. Orange teas are apricot, peach, and tangerine. Yellow foods (citrus family) are full of vitamin C and selenium which are potent antioxidants. Honey, in addition to its antioxidant properties inhibits bacterial growth of wound infecting bacteria. Yellow species are amongst the most healing ones: cumin is used for enhanced digestion, ginger often used for nausea. Yellow teas are lemon peel, eucalyptus, ginger tea.

Greens

Chlorophyll present in all green plants has anti-cancer and detoxifying properties. As far as quantity goes, the more greens you eat- the better. It is recommended to eat at least one serving daily of green leafy vegetables, as they contain many health promoting constituents. In addition to chlorophyll, green leaves are high in carotenoids, bioflavinoids, vitamins and organic mineral complexes. Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin B-12 and iron. Avocado is high in magnesium and has friendly oils. Green grapes have anti viral properties while 2-3 kiwis a day can replace aspirin for some people as it reduces clotting and lowers artery blocking fat in the blood. Green spices are countless from basil to tarragon to dill, which has been used traditionally as a remedy for cancer, estrogen deficiency and intestinal gas. Dill contains various photochemical that fight infection, bacteria and insects, etc. Green teas are full of antioxidants that protect us from whole array of illnesses. Other green teas include jasmine, mint tea, chamomile.

While information about the nutrients of foods can be interesting, we probably don't want to get hung up on it. What is important to take away is that the most nutritious foods come in a variety of colors.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

New Website Launches!

I have just launched my new website for Pilates instruction and Fitness Nutrition coaching in Las Vegas (Summerlin).

Carolyn Bell Pilates


"No amount of exercise will reshape your body without appropriate nutrition." - Tosca Teno

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Commandments Of The Religon Of Environmentalists

ZoNation's comically rifts on the occasion of UN Climate Change Summit, with a vein of truth, particularly in the wake of the much under reported Climategate scandal.

Dopenhagen

"You shall not use the term climate change in vain...mighty term that ends all debate.

For 6 days, you should benefit off the labor of others.

Remember Earth Day and thy father's science.

Thou shalt not kill tree, kill the unborn instead.

Thou shalt not commit adultery because that would lead to unexpected pregnancy, which could further overpopulate, which is bad for the environment.

Thou shalt not steal, wait for the government to steal the fruits of others for you and you may receive your ration.

Thou shalt not challenge the false evidence of environmentalists.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's oil.

If you do not follow these commandments, you are doomed to hell, translated as global warming."

-AlfonZo Rachel

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Eggs In Tomato Sauce

This is one of those recipes where you open the fridge and pantry and assemble a dish with what you have. Seeing tomatoes, salsa and avocados, I was reminded of a brunch prepared for us by friend, Arlon Keegan, on a visit a few years back.

Traditionally, this is an Italian preparation. It is fast, simple and inexpensive. It is great for both casual and brunch entertaining.

Eggs In Tomato Sauce

400 degree oven.

Tomatoes: I used about 7 oz of Campari tomatoes for 2. You could use cherry, plum, canned or even spaghetti sauce (which is likely how Italians used up the sauce left over from the previous night's dinner).


If using fresh tomatoes, place in ovenproof dish and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and other seasonings. I used Smoked Pimento, Cumin and dried Cilantro. Roast until tomatoes start breaking, remove and chop into a chunky sauce consistency.

Eggs: Pour 1-3 eggs per person on top of the sauce in your bakeware.

Condiment: If preparing mexican style, add 2-3 tablespoons (pp) salsa to the sauce. Greek, use chopped olives or tapanade. Italian, chop capers or an artichoke dip.

Cheese: Grate a hard cheese over the top, such as Parmesean or, in today's case, Manchego.

S&P


Sides: I served alongside blue corn tortilla chips and guacamole, keeping the dish gluten free. Some toasted ciabatta would be delicious.

Bake 8-10 minutes.


Variations: Can be made in individual dishes or one large one for brunches/buffets. Also may be made entirely on the stove top.

Friday, December 4, 2009

New Fitness Inspiration

After the Vegas relocation and getting out of my fitness routine, I needed some serious motivation to get back on track. Apparently, anything worth doing is worth overdoing...












For the new studio, I ordered a Ladder Barrel. My SA studio was too small to have one so it has been since May that I have had access to one. Now I can perfect my Swan Dive (and assist Doug in his backbends).









Physique 57 is a studio with 3 NY locations. They just released a dvd series! Many celebrities are swearing by their workouts. I've had my eye on them for a while. They teach a mixture of Pilates, Barre and Orthopedic exercise at an interval training pace. For $50, I have brought their studio to me. I like the workout intensity. Let's face it, trainers love squats and lunges but dancers truly have the best butts. Sold separately and as a set.












This is Zuzana and she is my new fitness guru. A "fitness enthusiast" rather than a professional trainer, she loads a free daily workout on YouTube and at her website, BodyRock.tv. Truthfully, this is about as close as you get to fitness porn (that's what happens when the fitness model is also a soft porn model). The workouts are grueling. The videos and still photos give you a very good idea how to replicate the exercises. Take it from me, it is best not to do the Physique 57 Express workout and follow it up with Zuhana's latest!










I am also working on functional (wellness) training with a coach two days a week. The gym uses very modern machines, the TechnoGym's Kinesis unit and the Power Plate . The Kinesis machines move like the Pilates Reformer to me (although not progressive resistance) and the vibration of the PP adds a challenging new element to my work in plies, side kicks and planks. I am continuing the work I was doing with Wellness In Motion: squats, lunges, martial art kicks, cardio etc. Other days, I can choose from Pilates, Physique 57, BodyRock.tv, yoga, a walk or a combination.

Doug says "You never know how much is enough until you find out how much is too much."
A new piece of equipment. A new workout system. A free daily challenge on the web. Quality professional coaching. My choice is to kick myself in the pants from several directions.

Get moving and keep moving.