Pickled Carrots

This recipe is from my Mother-in-law Jean Jibb, canner extraordinaire! My family loves pickled carrots and it is a great way to use up those carrots in the garden:)

½ cups pickling salt
2 cups White vinegar
6 cups water
1/8 tsp of Bernadine pickle crisp per small jar and ¼ tsp for big mason jar
Dill
Carrots, cut length ways thin or thick whatever you like, enough to fill your jar.
Use fresh carrots, from the garden is best.
Place some dill in the bottom of your sterile jar, then fill with carrots. Add more dill to the top.
Bring the salt, vinegar, and water to a boil, pour hot liquid over the carrots and seal the jars. I put them in the kettle canner for 10 mins to seal.
Let sit for 6 weeks. Yield enough liquid for four quartz= 4.6litres
Nutrition: 140 cal per jar, Protein 0, Carbs 32g, fibre 8g, sugar 20g, Fat 0

Sherry Morton-Jibb,
PTS. RYT. FIS. HWL (Healthy Eating Weight Loss Coach)
Certified Pilates Mat & Reformer Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, Registered Yoga Teacher

“Blog Of The Week: 24 Hrs Feeling Proudly Canadian: Go Gord, Go Canada!!”

This weekend was by far the most patriotic I have felt, probably ever. A couple of circumstances aligned that provoked a lot of feelings of pride, humility, vulnerability and respect. In 24 hours we witnessed the culmination of an emotional last concert of an epic Canadian band and the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. I’ve seen a lot of Facebook posts indicating that many of you felt the same, but I just had to blog about it.  

I still remember vividly the moment that The Tragically Hip crossed my radar. It was 1983, as a townie student at Western University I was reading the Western newspaper (yes, actual printed paper, lol) on my 1 hour bus commute to school. An article jumped out about a new band called The Tragically Hip who was rocking the bars and pubs in Kingston, Ontario. As a 20 something embracing alternative everything I was struck by how weird their name was… thus automatically cool and relevant. Fast forward 33 years and 19 truly Canadian albums plus a couple of solo albums the lead singer, Gord Downie was tragically (no pun intended) diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Courageously, the band embarked on one last tour of Canada, wrapping up in their hometown of Kingston Saturday evening. CBC Radio and Television advertised the heck out of the concert as a National Celebration. I was pleased to see, even during the Olympics. They televised the concert live without commentary or advertisements, which was incredible!!! I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the Hip live twice but on Saturday we elected to stay home and invite some friends to watch the concert on a big screen on the deck with a rocking sound system.

It was a blast!! Never have I witnessed a more emotionally charged rock concert. The love between band members as well as love for and from the audience was so obvious, so touching. Gord was more outrageous than ever on stage in his flamboyant hats. His personal struggle with what was unfolding was very evident as he struggled not to cry (choosing to scream instead) during one of their 5 encores. We felt like we were there. We found ourselves whooping and singing along and clapping. What made it even more magical was the thunderstorm that began during the concert, with the lightning in the distance. Luckily we had shelter but it truly felt like the sky was crying and battling to accept reality along with Gord and us. Prime Minister Trudeau was present at the concert in his Hip t-shirt and Gord had a little pep talk with him from the stage about turning our country around lol. But when he said, “Have a nice life.” I had to wipe away some tears. The experience was so powerful I was glad to be surrounded by friends (thinking about others who we would have loved to have seen but couldn’t pull it off). Music is so amazing for bringing you places, stirring memories and evoking emotions. This music, at this time was all that to me.

The next day, as we watched the final competitions and closing ceremonies of the Olympics we reflected on the 22 medals hard won by our Canadian athletes: Their pride to represent their country, giving their all to perform their best in their events. Canada faired very well per capita, 30th in the world standings (USA was 50th). We’re a big country, with relatively few people, but our people have talent, dedication and spunk!! Way to go Canada! Brave and courageous!

And way to go Gord, you brave and courageous man! People will be getting goosebumps about that last concert for years to come. You’ve left a legacy of music and we will sorely miss you and your beautiful poetry.  

 Lisa Goddard B.A., BScOT, NWL, is a Certified Pilates Instructor with special training in Pre and Post-Natal Pilates. She co-owns Balanced Motion Pilates and Yoga Studio in New Liskeard, ON

“Recipe Of The Week: Citrus Chicken Marinade”

Growing basil is a must for me in the summer. I love it so much I will often chew a leaf as I walk by the planter. This recipe features the uniquely fresh flavours of basil and citrus and leaves the chicken lovely and tender. You could use chicken breasts instead. Garnish with some chopped fresh basil to serve. Enjoy 🙂

Ingredients:

8 boneless chicken thighs

2 lemons (juice & grate peel)

1 cup orange juice

2 tbsp. olive oil

½ cup fresh basil (or ½ tsp dried)

2 garlic cloves

¾ tsp. salt & pepper

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in a plastic bag. Marinate for 4 hours.

Grill until chicken is cooked.

Nutritional Value (4 servings) Calories: 306, Fat: 13.3g, Protein: 33.3g, Carbs: 10.4g, Fibre: 1.2g.

Lisa Goddard B.A., BScOT, NWL, is a Certified Pilates Instructor with special training in Pre and Post-Natal Pilates. She co-owns Balanced Motion Pilates and Yoga Studio in New Liskeard, ON

“There is TIME for everything…..just not at the same TIME.”

Thank you so much for your comments on my last blog, ” Summer Half Full or Half Empty?”.   I think it is so wonderful that it motivated some of you to dig in to this last half of summer.  Shortly after the blog, I went golfing for the first time this summer and in, fact, did my first Ladies Night ever and it was great.  Now I am sure that Cathy Beauchamp did not set  “Get a hole in One” as one of her summer goals but she did it and did a spectacular happy dance as well.  And yes, Boots and Hearts was amazing…thanks for asking!

The focus of this week’s Blog is on time .  Our relationship with time is complicated to say the least but what I know for sure ( to borrow a line from Oprah) is that there is time for us to do everything that we want to do….just not at the same time.   Olympic athletes are a very real example of this.  There is much that has to be given up right now ( other sports, traditional school experience, working, social and family time, most other activities) because there is not enough time to train and compete and do all of the regular activities of life.  They make a choice knowing that they will experience everything they need to experience in due time and will have all of their Olympic memories as well.   In fact, as Olympic spectators we can not do everything that we usually do ( cutting the lawn, doing the dishes after dinner, going to bed early……sound familiar anyone?) as we make extra time for being a spectator.  I am though   TOTALLY on top of my laundry this week as I fold, cheer and jump as our Canadian athletes make us proud!

As August comes to a close there may be some things on your summer list that you did not get to.  No worries…….just look at your year as an Olympic athlete does.  We may not have 2020 to look forward to, but we could move that activity to Summer 2017, especially if it is something fun.  I like to look at the year in chunks ( September – December:  January – March Break:  Mid March – end of June and then July- August).  This chunking is how competitive athletes look at their training and competitive year but it can work for all of us.  For me, it gives me a sense of  control over my time and allows me to shift tasks and activities based on the weather, my energy level, my kid’s schedule, work schedule etc.  but there is still lots of room for spontaneity.  Although you would think that planning decreases spontaneity, it is actually the reverse.  Consider that planning actually allows you to be more spontaneous.  You mind is clearer and you are more creative and open to all of the possibilities and opportunities around you.

So, if you are looking ahead to September, look at what needs to be done in September, put some fun activities in there( Fall hikes, a beautiful Fall family photo, community walk/run, a Fall Retreat) and shift those activities and tasks that can be done inside in the colder months into January-March.  Notice how you feel and how things open up for you.  Approach your year like an Olympic athlete in training and go for the gold!

Go Canada Go!

Lorrie Mickelson M.A., B.A/BPHE, Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified Pilates Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, M.A., B.A/BPHE

 

 

 

 

“Recipe Of The Week: Cauliflower Fried Rice”

Cauliflower Fried Rice (Serves 6)

Photo provided by Allrecipes.com, recipe by: John Melinte

 

I made this last week and it was a hit. It is a great way to use a full cauliflower head and a great “no carb” option. The recipe suggests shredding the Cauliflower but I went on line to find a video that showed putting florets in to a large food processor ( I used my ninja) and then fill it with water and pulse a few times and strain – it worked beautifully. Enjoy!
Ingredients:

2 cups frozen peas

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup sesame oil, divided

4 cups cubed pork loin

6 green onions, sliced

1 large carrot, cubed

2 cloves garlic, minced

20 ounces shredded cauliflower

4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

2 eggs, beaten

Directions:
Stir peas and water together in a saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook and stir until peas are tender and heated through, about 5 minutes. Drain and discard water.

Heat 2 tablespoons sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Cook and stir pork in hot oil until
lightly browned on all sides and cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer meat to a plate.

Heat remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil the wok. Saute green onions, carrot, and garlic in hot oil until just softened, about 5 minutes. Add cauliflower; cook and stir until cauliflower had a tender but firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes.

Stir pork, peas, and and soy sauce into cauliflower mixture and stir-fry until mixture is hot and slightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes.

Beat eggs separately, then add to mixture ( they can be cooked on the side if you have a large wok or cook them separately and add to mixture).

Nutrition: per serving (6 total) Calories: 366, Fat: 19.2, Carbs: 15.8g, Protein: 33.3 g.

 

 

 

Life is a Balance between Movement & Rest!

“Life is a balance between movement and rest”

This is so much easier said than done.

 Trying to find that delicate balance between how much energy you put into something and when enough is enough!

Life is busy with work, family, friends, and somewhere in there fitting in consistent exercise to keep ourselves healthy. I tend to be a “give her girl” in most things that I take on. I have the ability to push through something regardless of my fatigue level. I remember being at the Yoga Show a few years ago in a workshop with Rodney Yee. The class was pretty intense with lots of challenging Yoga postures, his message of the day was “Reserve some”.  That balance between movement (energy expended) and rest (energy reserved) is different for everyone. In Yoga we work then we rest, this allows the body and the mind to recover as well as internalize the depth of the postures. Somehow in today’s world we have lost touch with that balance. Quite often our rest time will include some sort of social media which is more  stimulating than restful, even though we are sprawled out on the couch. That ability to connect to deep rest whether it is a short afternoon nap, a good night’s sleep, a few minutes of deep breathing, or just total chill time on the dock is so imperative to our health both mentally and physically. I don’t know about you but when I am really tired, it isn’t pretty on so many levels. Feeling chronically tired is something I hear from client’s all the time, stress plays a role in this as well of course( a topic for another blog). So as you head into your day today be mindful of how your body talks to you in regards to movement and rest! Cold, craving sugar and coffee are often the bodies signals of fatigue. Check in with your energy levels often throughout the day and when it is time to rest or chill try to fit that in, even if it’s only for 5 minutes!! After all your worth it:)

Sherry Morton-Jibb RYT, PTS,FIS,HWL, certified Pilates Mat & Reformer Instructor. Owner of Sher-Fit Personal Training, co-owner of Balanced Motion Pilates & Yoga

Roasted Green Beans, with Beets, Feta & Walnuts

Recipe from Better Homes & Gardens

Ingredients

• 1pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1pound fresh beets, trimmed, peeled, and cut into thin wedges
• 1/2cup sliced shallots (4 medium) or 1 mdm onion + 2 cloves of garlic crushed
• 1/4cup coconut oil
• 1/2teaspoon salt
• 1/2teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2cup broken walnuts or almonds or cashews
• 1/2cup crumbled feta cheese (2 ounces)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F or grill on BBQ (I used a cookie sheet with foil on it) In a large roasting pan combine green beans, beets, and shallots. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat.
2. Roast, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes or until beans and beets are tender, stirring once or twice (if using BBQ will need stirred more often) and adding walnuts during the last 10 to 15 minutes of roasting.
3. To serve, transfer roasted vegetables to a serving platter. Sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Facts 

• Per serving
• 199 kcal cal., 14 g fat (3 g sat. fat, 4 g polyunsaturated fat, 6 g monounsatured fat), 8 mg chol., 303 mg sodium, 16 g carb., 5 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 6 g protein

 Sherry Morton-Jibb RYT,PTS,FIS,HWL Certified Pilates Mat & Reformer Instructor, owner of Sher-Fit Personal Training & co-owner of Balanced Motion Pilates & Yoga

“Blog Of The Week: Just Do It – Now”

Wow! Here in Northern Ontario this summer has been stellar. Hot, yes (loving it!!), fairly dry, true, but we always have the lakes and the forests to cool off in. Facebook is full of pics of sunsets and outdoor fun/living…love, love, love. If you happened to catch a glimpse of the awesome photo Lorrie Michelson posted to Facebook and Instagram last week for Balanced Motion Pilates and Yoga (BMPY), she captured 93-year-old Papa Roy in mid dive off the dock! I wonder how many of you were inspired by that photo? I personally was in awe for a few reasons. Firstly, I realized I had not swam yet this summer and was pretty humbled seeing Papa Roy leaping in. It seems I spend a lot of time on water in boats but not too often in the water… There has to be a decent heat wave to warm up our waters enough for me to want to submerge ha-ha and I’m pleased to report we reached critical temperature this past weekend. Lisa Has Swam!! Secondly I cannot remember the last dive I took into any water (my family says I’m more of an “easer” into water, not much about the diving – jumping maybe). I must rectify that and get brave! Thirdly, I haven’t seen anyone even close to Papa Roy’s age do something that athletic in forever. All of this to say, I want to be like Papa Roy when I’m 93. He is an inspiration to me and we’ve never met. He represents “Just Do It” (the phrase Nike coined) in my opinion. Far into my future I want to have the body, mind and spirit to decide to do something spontaneous like that and just do it. I want to have the energy and ability to play with my (hopefully) future grandchildren and the ability to get on the floor, crawl through the jungle gyms, go down the water slides and run around with them. I want to spend lots of time cruising on a sailboat. And I want to swing off a rope swing into water ha-ha! If that sounds random, check out the little video of my son Ben that I posted this week to Facebook and Instagram for BMPY. I keep watching and re-watching it. His girlfriend captured the moment and through his movement he looks so free, happy and powerful. I want to try it (although that video would be much more comic) even if the water IS cold.

Papa Roy credits Yoga and blueberries for his longevity. Here, here!! Maybe there is hope for me yet. I do plan to keep doing all I can to make my wish come true by looking after my body mind and spirit. My other wish is that all of you find your own healthy recipe for longevity, starting today. Just Do It (thanks for the slogan Nike!).

 

Wishing you all a healthy, fulfilling and active day,

Lisa

Lisa Goddard B.A., BScOT, NWL, is a Certified Pilates Instructor with special training in Pre and Post-Natal Pilates. She co-owns Balanced Motion Pilates and Yoga Studio in New Liskeard, ON

“Recipe Of The Week: Raspberry Gazpacho Soup”

Raspberry Gazpacho Soup (4 Servings)(Source: Women’s Health Magazine)

Hooray! Raspberries are in season. A trip through the blender can make all the good stuff in raspberries that much easier to absorb. And by good stuff I mean lots of fibre, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help battle everything from cardiovascular disease to obesity. Another way to serve this chilled summer soup: Pour it into shot glasses for the perfect party appetizer.

Ingredients:

2 cups raspberries

2 medium tomatoes, seeded

1 seedless cucumber, peeled and chopped

1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped

2 small sweet peppers (red, yellow or orange)

¼ cup mint leaves

3 tbsp.lime juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

¼ tsp.salt

1/8 tsp.cumin

Directions:

Place all ingredients In a blender, reserving some cucumbers and mint for garnish. Blend until smooth.

Strain through a mesh sieve. To serve, ladle into chilled bowls and top with reserved mint and cucumber.

Nutritional Info per serving (serves 4): Calories: 80, Fat: 1g, Carbs: 17g, Protein: 2g, Fiber, 2g

Lisa Goddard B.A., BScOT, NWL, is a Certified Pilates Instructor with special training in Pre and Post-Natal Pilates. She co-owns Balanced Motion Pilates and Yoga Studio in New Liskeard, ON