Thursday, February 25, 2010

Fit to BWell Free Event Schedule- This Saturday, February 27

Join us RAIN OR SHINE for a day of fitness, motivation, nurtition, information and fun! This is our way of showing you love and giving you a real feel of BWell Fit and all we have to offer. Get there early for the boot camp!


Activities include:
* Fitness and Nutrition Consultation with Celebrity Personal Trainers and Champion Fitness Competitors Linda Okwor and Toneka Pires
* Weight Loss Expert Dr. Andrea Pennington will share her 5 tips for weight loss success
* Boot Camp Session with LA's #1 Boot Camp featuring Dulcie Hellings
* Body Assessments
* Pole Dancing Demo by Sharon Polsky
* Yoga with My-rah Penaloza
* Fit to BWell Challenge sign-up; winner gets up to $1000! (12-weeks, only 25 participants taken,
   $40/person/month)
* Free parking on site
* Event Cost: Free!
* Prizes and Giveaways:
   * MicroNutrient Testing ($1900) courtesy of Spectracell
   * 1 of 5 Luxury Couture Swimsuits by Laura Soares
   * 1-on-1 Training Session with Linda and Toneka
   * 1-on-1 Session with Dr. Andrea Pennington
   * Nutrition 101 CD's for those who register for the Fit to BWell Challenge
   * 2 Tickets to Weekend Warrior Boot Camp
   * Pole Dance for Fitness & Fun DVD free to all participants

Limited space, please RSVP!

We will be hosting the event rain or shine!

*After the event we will be casting families for a new total wellness show called "Diabetes Proof My Family" from 2pm to 4pm. For more information and general inquiries please contact: info@andreapennington.com

Event Schedule

9:00 – Registration


9:30 – Boot camp

10:15 – Yoga

10:45 – 11:00 - Break

11-noon – Presentations and Panel, Q & A

Noon – 12:30 – Fit To BWell Challenge Intro Pole Dance Demo, Assessments

12:30 – 1:00 – Fit To BWell Challenge Sign up, Assessments, Giveaways

1:00 - Thank you and End of program

1:00 – 2:00 - Break

2:00 – 4:00 - Casting for Diabetes Proof my family

4:00 – End of Casting

What to bring (participants):

• Water; Enough to last 4 hours or more

• Snacks; Enough to last 4 hours or more

• Yoga Mat

• Small weights (if they have them); 3-8 lbs for ladies, 5-15 lbs for men. Please select weight carefully. You will be performing multiple reps during boot camp.

• Towel(s)

• Pen and paper (optional)

• Great attitude

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Free Fitness and Nutrition Event to Kick off Weight Loss Challenge!!


Join us this Saturday, 2/27/10, from 9am to 1pm, at Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles for a FREE Fitness & Nutrition Event! Activities Include:

* Fitness and Nutrition Consultation with Celebrity Personal Trainers and Champion Fitness Competitors Linda Okwor and Toneka Pires
* Weight Loss Expert Dr. Andrea Pennington will share her 5 tips for weight success
* Boot Camp Session with LA's #1 Boot Camp featuring Dulcie Hellings

* Body Assessments
* Pole Dancing Demo by Sharon Polsky
* Yoga with My-rah Penaloza
* Fit to BWell Challenge Registration
* Nutritional snacks and more
What to bring:

• Water; Enough to last 4 hours or more

• Snacks; Enough to last 4 hours or more

• Yoga Mat

• Small weights (if they have them); 3-8 lbs for ladies, 5-15 lbs for men. Please select weight carefully. You will be performing multiple reps during boot camp.

• Towel(s)

• Pen and paper (optional)

• Great attitude

*RSVP here: http://bit.ly/b5ZW2P

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Tip to Your Health: Aphrodisiacs...Recipes

In our last issue, we told you about 7 aphrodisiacs to get you hot and bothered!  We are going to take this issue to give you some recipes that you can use to get your motor started.

  1. Chocolate Finger & Toes Lickin' Good Mousse
  2. Oyster Dipping Sauce
  3. So Sexy Asparagus
  4. Fig That!
  5. Scallops for Two and then...
  6. Hot, Spicy, Easy, Chicken Curry
  7. Oh Honey Dip
1. Chocolate   Chocolate Finger & Toes Lickin' Good Mousse
 1 lg. egg

 1 tbsp. cold water
 1 env. unflavored gelatin
 1 c. boiling water
 1/2 c. part-skim ricotta cheese
 1/2 c. cold 1% low-fat milk
 1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. sugar
 1 1/4 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

In a blender container or food processor, combine the egg, cold water and the gelatin. Process for 10 seconds. Scrape sides. Process for 10 seconds longer. Let stand for 1 minute or until gelatin is softened. Add boiling water. Process for 10 seconds or until gelatin is dissolved. Add ricotta cheese, milk, sugar and cocoa. Process for 1 minute. Pour mousse into 6 dessert cups. Chill for 2 hours or until set. Garnish each cup with a whole, fresh strawberry, if so desired. (Approximately 124 calories per serving.)

2. Oysters   Oyster Dipping Sauce
 1 pint shucked oysters
 1 cup finely chopped onion or sliced leek
 2 tsp butter
 1/2 tsp salt
 2 cup skim milk
 1 cup half and half
 1 tbsp. fresh parsley
 1/4 tsp white pepper

In a large saucepan, cook onion or leek in butter until tender. Stir in oysters and salt. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, until oysters curl around the edges. Stir in milk, cream, parsley and pepper. Heat through. Serves 4 to 6.

3. Asparagus   So Sexy Asparagus
 1 to 1 and 1/2 lbs fresh asparagus

 2 tsp olive oil or butter
 2 tbsp. snipped fresh chervil or 2 tsp tarragon
 A dash of course salt

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Cut woody bases from asparagus. Combine oil and 1 T chervil or 1 tsp tarragon. Drizzle over asparagus. Toss to coat. Roast 4 to 6 minutes in greased baking pan until tender. To serve, place upright in a jar. Sprinkle with remaining chervil. Makes 6 servings

4. Figs   Fig This!
Healthy Fig Bars


Figs are a great non-dairy way to add calcium into your diet. This healthy vegan recipe is perfect for fiber-full breakfasts, afterschool snacks and lunchbox treats.

Makes one 8"x8" pan, or 8-12 squares

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
 32 dried calimyrna figs, stems removed
 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
 ¾ cups oat flour
 ½ cup rolled oats, finely ground in a blender or food processor
 2 tbsp. finely ground cashews or almonds
 ½ tsp. baking soda
 ¼ tsp. salt
 ¼ cup canola oil
 1/3 cup maple syrup
 ¼ cup plain almond milk, soymilk or rice milk

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly oil an 8 x8 inch square cake pan. Set aside.

2. Place the figs in a saucepan just large enough to fit with just enough water to cover. Boil for 2-3 minutes, cover, and allow figs to soak for 10 minutes. Place figs in a blender or food processor with ¼ cup of the water and puree, adding more water if necessary. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, make the crust. In a small mixing bowl, sift together the flours, ground oats, ground nuts, baking soda and salt, and set aside. In another small bowl, whisk together the canola oil, maple syrup and non-dairy milk alternative until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined.

4. Spread half to 2/3 of the crust mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared pan, followed by the fig mixture. Top with the remaining crust mixture, drizzling with a bit of maple syrup if desired. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown.

5. Scallops   Scallops for Two and then...
Sautéed Bay Scallops with Lemon and Thyme


If you are looking for fast and easy, try this scallop recipe! You can make sautéed scallops in less than 10 minutes: just sauté them and sprinkle with a little lemon juice and fresh thyme and serve. For a bit more flavor and glamour -- but still quite easy -- serve the version below.

1 lb fresh bay scallops
Salt
Pepper
2 tbsp butter (divided into two pieces)
1 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp minced shallot
1/4 cup white wine
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp chopped thyme

Rinse scallops and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Add oil and 1 tablespoon butter to a large skillet; heat over medium high heat about 1 minute. Add scallops to pan, a few at a time, cooking 1-2 minute per side or until they are golden brown on the outside but still translucent in the middle. Place scallops on a heated platter and cover with foil.

Return skillet to burner and add shallots and cook for about 2 minutes. Add wine, lemon juice and thyme to pan and cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining tablespoon of butter. Return scallops to the pan and toss with the sauce. Serve immediately.

(Makes up to 4 servings)

6. Chili and Curry   Hot, Spicy, Easy, Chicken Curry
Crock Pot Chicken Curry

Use your Crockpot to make this flavorful chicken curry dish. Serve this savory chicken over hot rice with additional chutney and some chopped peanuts on the side.


Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 7 hours

Ingredients:
 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2" pieces
 2 onions, chopped
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 9 oz. jar mango chutney
 2/3 cup water
 2 tbsp. cornstarch
 1 tbsp. curry powder
 1/2 tsp. salt
 1/4 tsp. chili powder
 1/4 tsp. white pepper
 1 red bell pepper, chopped
 1 green bell pepper, chopped
 1 cup frozen baby peas

Preparation:

Combine chicken, onions, and garlic in a 3-4 quart Crockpot. In medium bowl, combine chutney, water, cornstarch, curry powder, salt and pepper, and mix well. If there are any large pieces in the chutney, remove them, chop into smaller pieces and return to the sauce. Pour over chicken and onions in the Crockpot.

Cover Crockpot and cook on LOW for 5-1/2 to 7-1/2 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink in center. Turn Crockpot to high and add bell peppers and peas. Cover Crockpot and cook for 20-30 minutes until vegetables are tender. 4-6 servings

7. Honey   Oh Honey...just like that
Low fat honey mustard


Ingredients
3/4 cup low-fat or non-fat yogurt
2 tsp. light mayonnaise
1 1/2 tsp. of honey
3 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 scallion, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Whisk ingredients together. Toss with fresh salad greens.

Eat up and have enjoy!








   

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Ask the Experts: 5 Fitness Tricks for Better Sex

Q: They say that being in better shape helps improve your sex life.  How is working out going to make me last longer or have better sex?  Since I am not one to pass up a good thing, can you add a little something for my wife too (wink, wink) ;)

A. Experts have long said that people who are in better mental and physical health tend to have good sex lives.  There are three primary components of fitness, they say "Endurance, strength and flexibility."  If you are in shape, you have more aerobic endurance, muscular strength and overall flexibility-- all of which can aid a person during sex.

Don't forget the increased blood flow to the brain and those parts down there that make you want to jump your mate.  Studies also point to the release of neurotransmitters that generally make people feel good.

When you are feeling good, you are more likely to want sex and enjoy it more.  You will also avoid injuries like cramping and muscle pulls during sex (yes, it happens).

People who are out of shape are often less motivated to have sex.  They tend to tire easily, have a lower sex drive and less stamina than those who work out.

So the moral of the story is get your butt in shape!

Here are 5 Fitness Tricks and Positions for Better Sex

1. Get your mind right – Brain fitness is very important since this where it all begins.


a. Ladies

i. Take the time to mentally get prepared for sex. This includes believing you are sexy and beautiful. We are all sexy and beautiful in our own way so you might as well own it. Repeat: “I am beautiful, I am sexy” over and over in your head. Studies show that when we tell ourselves something repeatedly, we will start to believe it. Many men believe that confidence is one of the sexiest things about a woman. Exuding confidence will quickly boost you from blah to hot.

ii. Now, think sexual thoughts. Think of your favorite fantasies and include your partner. When I played sports in school, the coach would make us replay a perfect race or competition in our head. I would picture myself running the perfect race and getting the perfect time. This mental exercise always improved my race and time. Use this when it comes to sex and you will find that your sex life will get better.

iii. Begin foreplay long before the act begins. Send your honey sexy texts, notes or long sexy stares across the table. Flirt and tease him so by the time you two are about to do the act, you are both ready to go. Now begin the traditional foreplay.

iv. Meditations can be used to enhance your sexual experience as well as other parts of your life. Invest in meditation books, audio books, etc…

b. Gentlemen

i. Please apply all the above

ii. We are going to take it a step further for you. Nature has blessed you with the ability to reach orgasmic climax faster and more frequent than women. It is going to take your lady a little longer to reach climax so try to prolong the act for her. When you are in the act, one of the best ways to prolong the experience is to think of something non-sexual. Some of the things I have heard guy friends use as orgasm blockers are station wagons, graveyards, work, getting up in the morning, and other visuals that are totally “un-PC” to mention. Use this mind trick to keep you going longer.

iii. Don’t go in with a loaded gun, release beforehand. This way you can focus on pleasing her and not worried whether you are going prematurely unload.

2. Get your heart in check – interval training 2-3 times per week to increase stamina. This means that you will last longer. Remember when you first started running? The first time, you were out of breath, your legs were cramping up and you were feeling a burning sensation in your chest. The more you ran, the longer you could go with less of the embarrassing symptoms we mentioned earlier. You can transfer that stamina to the bedroom. Try this interval training 2-3 times a week to get your heart in check.

a. Treadmill

i. Warm up with a 3-5 minute brisk walk

ii. Take the pace up another notch so that you are almost running for one minute

iii. Take the pace up to a run for a minute

iv. Back to near run for a minute

v. Take it up to a fast paced run

vi. Repeat

vii. The total time should be 20 minutes or more. Start with 10 minutes which is warm up, 2-3 run intervals, 2 minute cool down

3. Total body workout 2-3 times per week

Sex is very physical and will require you to use all your major muscles whether you know it or not. Your fitness routine should include exercises for the following muscle groups:

i. Deltoids (shoulders) – Try Lateral extensions, shoulder press

ii. Biceps – Try bicep curls

iii. Triceps - Try triceps extensions

iv. Chest – Try pushups or bench press

v. Back – Try pull ups, lat pull downs, fly’s

vi. Abs/Core – Try bicycles, plank holds

vii. Quadriceps – Try lunges

viii. Hamstrings /gluteus maximus– Try squats

ix. Calves – Try calf raises
The better shape you in the more confident you are sexually and the better you can perform.

Now this was just foreplay, come back next time for our last 2 steamy tips....next up positions!

 

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Featured Recipe: Lover's Linguine

Ingredients

2 tablespoons pine nuts or almonds
1 large garlic clove
2 oz. parmesan cheese
3 cups fresh basil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb. fresh linguine

Directions

1. Pulse pine nuts or almonds in a food processor; put aside
2. Add garlic, parmesan cheese, fresh basil (set pinch aside for garnishing), lemon juice and olive oil in a fine stream, process the mixture until creamy
3. Top prepared linguine with pesto mix and nuts then toss
4. Garnish with a pince of fresh basil leaves

Makes 8 servings, 270 calories

Serve with dim lights, candles and a glass of red wine or cider.  Wear something that makes you feel "hot" or nothing at all but a smile.  The fun part will be feeding each other and "cleaning up" afterwards.  Enjoy and toast to love!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Tip to your Health: Aphrodisiacs

Foods that make you go uummm in more than one way

People have been fascinated with aphrodisiacs since the beginning of mankind. Let us first start by defining aphrodisiac. According to Wikipedia, “An aphrodisiac is a substance that is used in the belief that it increases sexual desire; substance that when ingested will make you or your chosen mate want to lose his/her pants. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sensuality and love; throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have been reputed to make sex more attainable and/or pleasurable.
People have tried it all, from dried beetle remains (aka Spanish Fly) to urine. No, I am not making these things up. Since we are into health, fitness and life, we are not going to send you searching for deadly snakes or rhinoceros horns. We are going to give you a list of natural, mostly healthy foods that have been said to get you a bit randy!


1. Chocolate I love, love, love chocolate!! This one is for all you chocoholics…try it warm and use your sweetie’s skin as a plate and your tongue and fingers as the utensil. Just what is it about the cacao bean that makes people go crazy? Perhaps it's the serotonin or the phenyl ethylamine, or all the other neurotransmitters that make our brains happy. There's also the stimulants theobromine and caffeine, plus the antioxidants. Ancient civilizations worshipped the Cacao tree and called it "food of the gods.

2. Oysters I absolutely laughed when I first read why oysters are considered an aphrodisiac. Oysters are viewed as an aphrodisiac because of its resemblance to female genitalia. I am in support of whatever works. But before you dismiss them, you should also know that they are high in zinc and all shellfish contain phosphorus, calcium, iodine, iron, vitamin B and glyco¬phosphates. These are basic essentials for an aphrodisiac.

3. Asparagus These are the only vegetables that have stalk shaped like “the you know what”. It is lacking a little in width but the thought of it in that way evokes unmentionable thoughts. They are high in potassium and vitamin A which are thought to boost sex drive. Who knows if it is fact or myth but at least you get veggies in while enjoying this nutritious veggie.

4. Figs This is another food that is said to resemble a woman’s “hoo ha” when opened, has aroused people for many centuries. They might not be pretties looking fruits but they are great with grapes, cheese and crackers when hand feeding your Boo like he or she is a royalty. Go ahead and enjoy!

5. Scallops Now I know why some people love scallops! The sea is one of the major sources of life. It is therefore no surprise that most sea creatures have the elements to form an aphrodisiac. As I said before, all shellfish, the strongest aphrodisiacs, contain phosphorus, calcium, iodine, iron, vitamin B and glyco¬phosphates, basic essentials for an aphrodisiac. Aphrodite is thought to have sprung from sea foam. As a result, various types of seafood are thought to have aphrodisiac qualities.

6. Chili and curry Spicy foods tend to raise the heart rate and cause beads of sweat to appear on the brow. These are physical reactions that may also occur during sex. I guess when you are doing something that causes reactions that occur when having sex; you can’t help but think of doing the do when eating them. Peppers can also increase your metabolism helping you burn a little more fat. Who doesn’t want a little more help when trying to get their sexy back?

7. Honey We have always known that honey was good for many uses…I can fill you with stick details…but this is not that kind of article ;) Honey is a highly metabolized sugar. Honey is also known as the "nectar of Aphrodite"! It has been said to prolong sexual arousal and is a good source of energy. I went out and bought two bottles after reading that. Who needs sugar substitutes when you can do so much with honey!

If none of these foods or suggestions get you going, then we should refer you to Dr. Pennington. Stay tuned for our next newsletter where we will share recipes that incorporate these yummy, naughty foods. We would love to hear about any aphrodisiacs that you have discovered. Come on, you have to share with the rest of us. Please send to info@bwellfit.com; we will then share with other readers and give you the credit for bringing a little more heat to the bedroom.