Ingredients

* 1 eggplant
* 5 tomatoes
* 1 onion
* 4 potatoes
* 1 courgette
* 2 pepper bells
* 1 cauliflower
* 2 carrots
* 3tbs olive oil
* 1lb beef

Directions

1. Pour the oil in a large pot and add the chopped onion. Stir it until becomes transparent. Add the chopped beef and the chopped tomatoes.
2. After the beef has been fried, add the rest of the vegetables, chopped.
3. Add water just enough to cover the vegetable and leave to simmer on a medium heat for about 40mins, stirring them occasionally

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time:  45 minutes
Serves:  6 People
Calories:  289
Fat: 10g
Carbs: 31g
Protein: 21g

Invite some friends over for a warm and cozy meal. Yum!

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The workout is a hybrid of Dance, Pilates, and Yoga, it’s designed to get you moving, stretching, toning, strengthening your core, and improving your posture. The workout cleverly uses common household items like food cans and water bottles to serve as hand weights. A straight-back chair is also needed for the seated exercises.

Initially, I thought some of the seated exercises were too easy, but for folks who sit at a desk all day, they are great for working the upper body and easy to incorporate into a work day to keep your upper body both strong and flexible. The neck and shoulder relaxation section is WONDERFUL. It’s like giving yourself a mini-massage.

Jillian says, ”I created HomeBody because I want to inspire folks to get up off the couch and start moving, dancing, and toning in the comfort and security of their own homes. Homebody is for everyone who likes to move to music, but doesn’t want to spend a lot of money or time getting into shape.”

The HomeBody workout is divided into four main parts (plus bonus tutorial!) that can be performed separately or in their entirety, depending on your time schedule. Special navigation buttons allow certain sections to be repeated if you want to concentrate on a particular exercise or sequence. Here is the workout summary:

• Part I — Standing Dance Warm-up:
  Gets the heart rate up, warms and limbers the entire body, and tones the arms using props found at home.
• Part II — Chair Workout:
  Chair squats, triceps dips, pelvic lifts, spine twist, a special neck & shoulder tension taming section, plus more arms work!
• Part III — Mat Sequence:
  Challenging Pilates floor work session. Great for the abs, back, and waist. Includes a special section focusing on toning hips & thighs.
• Part IV — Rise to Standing and Finish:
  Works on balance and coordination to integrate the core work from the mat sequence into your new improved standing posture.
• Bonus Personal Trainer Tutorial:
  A unique 12-minute add-on featuring Master Teacher Jillian Hessel offering individualized tips on posture and the exercises included in HomeBody, designed to enhance your understanding and execution of the workout.

Launched in January 2010, HomeBody is now available in Walmart Stores nationwide, on Amazon.com, and here at Jillian’s website. I highly recommend this workout for beginners, but there are portions that are more intermediate. I also like that it’s easy to segment into times that will work for different schedules. So, no excuses. Give this one a try!

Have you tried HomeBody? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

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The group is out with its top 10 fitness trends for the upcoming year, after surveying personal trainers, group fitness professionals, and lifestyle and weight management consultants. Here is the list and my commentary on them.

1. Boot camp-style fitness programs

I’ve done a few of these workouts both in person and on DVD. They are really fun and work your entire body. A good DVD in this category is The Crunch Bootcamp Training. I’d say that it is at the beginner/intermediate level.

2. Workout plans that are less expensive.

This one is a no-brainer in this economy. I highly recommend in-home workouts and the Team BeachBody Club here. For only $12 per month, you get access to an online fitness club and thousands of program participants to help you succeed. You also get a personal fitness coach, access to all the professional trainers, a personalize diet plan and much more! Plus, you can win up to $1000 in cash and prizes each day just for working out. I don’t know of any other club that does that.

3. Specialty classes like Zumba, and ballroom dancing.

These classes (like Afro-cuban and Bollywood to name a few more) are set to rhythmic music and aim to increase cardiovascular fitness while folks have fun. I also like Capoera a lot. It is Brazilian and includes elements from dance and martial arts.

4. Basic Fitness Programs.

Fitness professionals believe that people will want to return to basic fitness programs. Getting back to old-fashioned activities like running and walking are as basic as you can get. Each provide a great workout for your heart and your health.

5. Circuit training

Circuit training blends strength training and cardiovascular activity at different intensities. Some gyms can set up their own circuit for members to follow. To try this type of workout at home, I am a big fan of Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred DVD.

6. Kettlebell training.

These iron weights, traditionally used in Russia, aim to develop whole body fitness and core strength. I have not tried these myself. I do not recommend them for beginner. So far, many of the videos I’ve seen online do not use form that I would call safe. Make sure you work with a specialized trainer if you want to try this challenging workout style.

7. Boomer fitness.

A focus on fitness led by people 50 and older. I love this trend. My aunt is 54 and just became a personal trainer. Go Boomers!

8. Technology-based fitness.

Using high-tech gadgets like iPods to help keep workouts engaging, plus an increase in interactive fitness video games. Wii Fit was one of the most popular holiday gifts this year. A good place to download iPod workouts is via iTrain.

9. Event or sports-specific exercises.

A focus on the simple things, like basketball or volleyball games, or day bike rides. Try ultimate Frisbee or soccer too! In my area, moms started a soccer group that meets just before the kids play. Look for, or start something similar in your area.

10. Mixing it up.

Low-intensity cardio or weight training on one day, followed by a high-intensity workout on another day. I highly recommend two BeachBody workout systems that follow this approach. I’m currently going through P90X and I love it. This one is for intermediate to advanced exercisers wanting to take it to the next level. Another great workout program is ChaLEAN Extreme. While “extreme” is in the name, there are moves from beginner to advanced.

All the best for getting fine in 2009!

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Can you block out everything when you workout and push as hard as you can? Or, do you answer the phone or let your mind wander about whatever might be going on in your life at the time?

The ability to focus on the task at hand is MONUMENTAL in your ability to achieve your Fitness goals.

Shut off your cellphone, home phone, ect., just for the time you have alloted to workout. Think about nothing else but moving your Fitness forward!

How about your Nutritional Focus? Do you plan your meals or just eat on the fly? I don’t have to tell you which is more effective. The time to have laser focus on your nutrition is late in the day. That is when the “Carb Monster” can sneak into your house and jump on your back! Believe me I know! There is nothing worse than an entire day of super clean eating and then blowing it in 5 minutes right before bed time!

Stay on task and push your fitness forward! When you concentrate on the task at hand and blend your workouts and nutrition into a focused Tsunami of forward progress you will be AMAZED at how quickly you reach your goals.

Everyone has a choice…what are you going to do today?

This article is courtesy of my friend and fellow fitness Coach Mike French – Thanks Mike

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