BRINK Fitness

BRINK Fitness
"Taking fitness to the very edge."

Monday, December 27, 2010

Quote of the Day

"Eventually you will find the right line-the one that
will take you to the bottom of the mountain safely.
Others will put you off course, but the one you are
truly meant for will always be there,
silently waiting for you to

SKI."

                                                                          Erin Whittington (my analogy for life)

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Recipe of the Day

As spinach has been named one, if not the healthiest food, I love to add it into my meals at least once, if not more, everyday. This is a quick and light salad that is a perfect addition to any main course, or by adding grilled chicken, seafood or tofu can be a main meal in itself. Another thing wonderful about this salad is that it is a blank slate for creativity; add any dried or fresh fruit, nuts, a variety of crumbled cheeses or additional mixed greens of your liking to make it a recipe of your own!

Strawberry-Gorgonzola Spinach Salad
with a Ginger-Olive Oil Dressing

For the Salad:
1 lb. spinach leaves, rinsed and drained
4 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup gorgonzola cheese (or blue cheese)
1 cup pecans

For the Ginger Dressing:
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

Serves: 4

The Healthiest Food

1. Spinach



Believe it or not, this vegetable is one of the healthiest in the world. This vegetable that is native to central and southwestern Asia has a strong affinity with Popeye and he becomes physically stronger after consuming it. This is due to the iron content.
  • Spinach is known as a rich source of iron and calcium.
  • Spinach contain a relatively high level of iron, compared to other vegetable and meat sources
  • Spinach also has high calcium content.
  • The calcium in spinach is the least bio-available of calcium sources
  • It is a rich source of several vital antioxidants
  • Rubiscolins have also been found in spinach.
  • It is a source of folic acid (Vitamin B9), and this vitamin was first purified from spinach
  • Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, lutein, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B2, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B6.
  • It is a very good source of dietary fiber, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin E.
  • A 180 gram serving of boiled spinach contains 6.43 mg of iron, whereas one 6 oz. (170 gram) ground hamburger patty contains at most 4.42 mg.
  • In addition, it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, niacin and selenium


Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/66645_10-healthiest-foods-in-the-world#ixzz19DXRO9nM

Quote of the Day

"Be always at war with your vices,
at peace with your neighbors
and let each new year find
you a better man."
                                                                   
                                                                             Benjamin Franklin

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Quote of the Day

"Don't take life seriously
because you can't come out of it alive."

                                                                       Warren Miller

The Healthiest Meal

Former head chef and nutritionist Gurpareet Bains spent two years crafting a dish packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, blending superfoods and classic ingredients to create a balance of taste and healthiness.

A portion is said to have the equivalent nutritional value of twenty-three bunches of grapes, forty-three bowls of spinach or nine helpings of broccoli.

It's true that these ingredients are a great healthy option-goji berries are packed with Vitamins A and C, whereas blueberries contain substances that are said to reduce the onset of Alzheimers and some cancers.

Chef Gurpareet says: "The curry I have created is brimming with health-beneficial ingredients that could, if eaten regularly, deal a devastating blow to many diseases."

 
Chicken and Blueberry Curry with Goji Berry Pilau Rice

INGREDIENTS
For the Curry
20g coriander, chopped
200g fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
3/4 tsp salt to taste
500g low-fat Greek yoghurt
4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp turmeric
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1tsp chilli powder
500g of chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
1 tsp garam masala

For the Rice
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 tsp turmeric
1 grated carrot
1 cup Basmati rice
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
50g goji berries
Handful of peas

PREPARATION
Blend the chopped coriander, blueberries, ginger and salt with 500g of low-fat Greek yoghurt and set aside.
Place the chopped garlic into a saucepan with the olive oil and heat on a low-medium flame until the garlic starts to turn brown - this should take no longer than one or two minutes.
Add the turmeric, mix well and heat through for 20 seconds. Mix in the ground cinnamon and chilli powder and cook for a further 20 seconds.
Add the chopped chicken breast, and seal, stirring frequently - this should take no more than five minutes.
Now slowly pour the yoghurt mixture, mixing into the chicken, and bring to a simmer on a low heat.
Simmer for 10 minutes uncovered, stirring from time to time. Mix through the garam masala and garnish with extra coriander.
To cook the pilau place the cumin seeds and olive oil into a saucepan and heat on a low-medium flame until the seeds begin to pop - about three minutes.
Fry the onion and cook until soft. Then add the turmeric powder, stir and heat for 20 seconds and add one grated carrot. Cook for two minutes.
Place the onion mixture, basmati rice, pinch of salt and the 1 3/4 cups of boiling water into a large microwaveable bowl and mix with a fork.
Cook uncovered in the microwave for  3 1/2 minutes. Stir and cook for a further 4 minutes. Finally, cover and continue to cook for 4 minutes.
To finish, add the goji berries and peas and let the rice stand covered for 10 minutes. Fluff the pilau with a fork, and serve.

Serves: 4

Mt. Hood

This is the reason that I go to the gym;
so I can ski any run and jump off any cliff that I want...and survive.


What is your inspiration?