Today is my mom’s birthday. Actually, she is my grandmother. However, she raised me from day one, so she is the one person in the world I can call “Mom.” Besides giving her the proverbial yearly birthday gift, I figured i would give her something special this year by dedicating today’s workout to her. I figure adding years to her baby boy’s life, with a good workout, is a special gift you can’t put a price on, right?

So, since my beautiful mom turned 69 today (and doesn’t look a day over 50), and she was born in 1939, I added 39 & 69 (one-hundred eight) to come up with my goal for today. Thus, here’s my workout of the day.

1. 108 Burpees w/jump)

2. 108 Kettlebell Snatches (35lb) - 54/arm

3. 108 Jump Ropes

I finished the entire workout in 19 minutes. Ironically, that’s how many years it’s been since I moved away from home….go figure….lol.

Happy birthday mama. I love you.

This recipe sounds really good. However, I am growing tired of chicken. Thus, I may substitute it with fish, lamb, or organic turkey instead. Take a look, and enjoy.

Curried Chicken Wraps (courtesy of FoodFit)
This recipe serves: 4

Preparation time : 15 minutes
Cooking time : 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the curried chicken salad:
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
pinch of salt
10 black peppercorns
juice of 1 lemon
2 sprigs fresh thyme
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 4 ounces each
1 tablespoon canola or peanut oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 cup non-fat sour cream
1 cup red or green grapes, halved
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
freshly ground black pepper

For the wraps:
4 large whole wheat flour tortillas
4 lettuce leaves, shredded

Cooking Instructions
For the curried chicken salad:
1. In a large saucepan combine the wine, salt, peppercorns, lemon juice and thyme. Add the chicken breasts and enough water to cover them. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the chicken cool in the liquid.

2. To make the curried sour cream, heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until the onion is very soft, about 5 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Stir in the sour cream.

3. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove it from the liquid. (Discard the liquid.) Cut the chicken into small pieces, place it in a bowl and toss it with the curried sour cream, grapes and almonds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

For the wraps:
4. Lay the tortillas out and divide the curried chicken mixture among the tortillas. Divide the shredded lettuce among the tortillas and tightly roll each tortilla into a cylinder, ending with the seam side down.

5. Cut the wraps in half on the diagonal and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 wrap

Amount Per Serving:

Calories 510
Protein 37 g
Total Carbohydrate 55 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g
Soluble Fiber 1 g
Insoluble Fiber 2 g
Sugar 10 g
Total Fat 13 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 7 g

OK, allergy attacks are almost unbearable this time of year. However, I have 2 concoctions that I use, Not only do they get me energized, but also help me with my allergies.

By the way, the pollen count in Houston can be ridiculous. A juice mixture I drink before bed includes 3-5 freshly-squeezed limes, a tablespoon of bee pollen, a dash of cayenne pepper, local organic honey or organic agave, and cinnamon. By the way, if you are allergic to bee products, then leave out the honey and bee pollen.

However, in the mornings, I add a 2-4 inch sliced piece of ginger to 4 cups of boiling water. While this simmers, I squeeze and place 5-6 kumquats (grown in my girlfriend’s parent’s backyard) in a 16 oz mug,, plus a few fresh mint leaves, and pour the ginger tea over it. You can also use oranges.

This tea gets me going in the morning, plus gets my nasal passages prepared for the humid, polluted morning Houston air. Once you finish the tea, you can eat the kumquats, as is, for an added vitamin C boost.

If you have any tea or juicing recipes you’d like to share, feel free to post them here, as well as leave your comments and/or questions.

Norinishi Wrote:

I’M 45 YEARS OLD AND OUT OF SHAPE. I’M INTERESTED IN WORKING OUT WITH 2 KETTLEBELLS FOR EXERCISE, FAT LOSS AND MUSCLE INCREASE. WHICH KG, POOD, OR POUNDS SHOULD I START WITH THE 35LB OR THE 26LB.

I READ THE 35LB IS FOR THE AVERAGE GUY BUT I’M MIDDLE AGED AND OUT OF SHAPE. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST MY BRUTHU?

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Hey Norinishi. How’s it going? Thanks for reaching out to me. You pose a very good question. It can be very confusing, in regards to choosing the right kettlebell. I know there are plenty of websites stating the average guy should begin with a 1 pood (36lbs), and stronger, more conditioned guys should begin with the 1.5 (53lb) pood.

However, the word “average’ is very relative. Before suggesting what size kettlebell to begin your program, I always consider any preexisting conditions a client may have, my clients’ level of experience with basic exercises such as the squat, pressing and pulling exercises, core stability, as well as joint mobility & flexibility, just to name a few. That being said, as always, check with your physician before beginning any exercise program.

If this is your first time training with kettlebells, I suggest buying one lighter, and one heavier size kettlebell (i.e. one 25lb and one 35lb). I would utilize the smaller kettlebell to learn proper movements such as the swing, cleans, jerks, presses, and get ups.

Meanwhile, the heavier kettlebell would be great for your squat movements, 2 handed swings, and even possible various deadlifts. I know it can be a little misleading in choosing the right size kettlebell, compared to dumbbells weighing the same weight. However, you will come to find out that performing exercises such as swings. with a 25lb kettlebell compared to a 25 lb dumbbell is very different.

Due to the off-centered design of the kettlebell, it will recruit and work more muscle fibers, during exercises such as the swing, than the balanced nature of a dumbbell weighing the same. Believe me, training with one KB in the beginning stages of your program, will definitely get the job done. I suggest being highly comfortable and confident in your form, before utilizing 2 KBs at once. Remember, “Quality over Quantity” always.

The most important thing to consider before adding kettlebells as another tool to your fitness toolbox, is learning proper technique. I suggest finding a well-qualified kettlebell coach in your area, such as those in the IKFF or the AKC.

If you cannot find a coach in your area, grab the a couple of DVDs from some of the best kettlebell instructors out there, such as Steve Cotter, Mike Mahler, Steve Maxwell, or Jeff Martone. These are some of “the’ go-to guys in the industry, and definitely have their stuff together, in terms of proper kettlebell lifting.

I suggest getting a copy of Mahler’s new Beginning KB workshop DVD, from his site, or grab the DVD, “The Boys Are Back In Town on Mahler or Cotter’s site.

I hope this info helps, and I wish you the best with your training. Make sure you check back here for my blog update.

Keep me posted on your training, and feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.

Train smart, train hard, train like a warrior!

Sincere~
http://sincerehogan.com