Resolution recipe

Got some New Year's Resolutions involving healthier eating but still crunched for time? Here's an easy recipe that you can throw into the rotation that could help out:

Slow-cooker Brisket Sandwiches (courtesy of Food Network Magazine)

8 hr 30 min
Prep
30 min
Cook
8 hr 0 min
Yield:
4 servings
Level:
Easy

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 5-to-6-pound first-cut or flat-cut brisket, cut into 3 pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 12-ounce bottle stout beer
4 stalks celery, cut into large pieces
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup dijon mustard
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon paprika
2 brioche or other rolls, split open and toasted
Coleslaw, for serving
Directions
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the brisket with salt and pepper, then brown on all sides, about 10 minutes, adding the garlic in the last 2 minutes. Transfer the meat and garlic to a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker. Pour the beer into the skillet and simmer 30 seconds, scraping up the browned bits from the pan; add the beer mixture to the slow cooker.
Nestle the celery around the meat and add the brown sugar, tomato paste, vinegar, mustard, soy sauce, bay leaves and paprika. Stir, then cover and cook on low 8 hours or on high 6 hours. Transfer the meat to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes, then thinly slice.
Serve on brioche halves with coleslaw; drizzle with the cooking liquid.

Per serving: Calories 474; Fat 16 g (Saturated 7 g); Cholesterol 128 mg; Sodium 265 mg; Carbohydrate 18 g; Fiber 0 g; Protein 61 g

Notes:
You'll have plenty of leftover brisket: Use it in tacos, quesadillas, chili or even on a pizza.

Power pump

Don't forget, power pump is returning to Monday afternoons at it's old 4:15 time slot in January. This is in response to the multiple requests we received for the class. If you haven't tried it before, maybe now is the time. Power pump is a great way to get your weight lifting worked into your day in a group setting. 45 minutes goes by quickly and regular attendance will produce results!

Massage

Some of you are getting close to accumulating your 60 visits. You know what that means... massage time! I (Jen) took advantage of some down time last week and had an hour of pure bliss myself. I have to tell you that it had been way too long. As many of you may be, I was super tight and I could really tell that she was working hard for me. Those gals have to have to be pretty strong. I guess I just need to get in there more frequently. What a sacrifice that would be. My massage actually had an element of comedy as well since I was so relaxed I kept falling asleep. That's not so funny but the fact that I started snoring so loud I woke myself up not once, not twice, but four times is pretty hilarious. Yes, I just admitted to snoring to all of you. And I'll tell you what, multiple therapists told me it happens all the time. It was so wonderfully relaxing I just couldn't help it. I also noticed that movement came more freely during that evening's classes. All in all, it was a wonderful experience that I plan to duplicate more regularly in the future and I recommend you all join me over at Postels. Call 236-2953 to schedule

Year round holiday cheer

This morning I (Jen) noticed a headline on our first TV naming today, the 23rd, the busiest shopping day of the year. I have to admit to a little procrastination myself so I guess it's true. It also appears to be a busy morning for exercisers too as we are pretty full so far today. It's so wonderful to see people here in the fitness center getting in a bit of activity before we close for the weekend. More importantly, I'm also noticing how friendly everyone is with each other. But here's the great part: it's not just the time of year filling everyone with good spirits. Really, this cheerful team spirit is a year round phenomenon.

Between our classes and members coming to the fitness center at similar times of day, people get to the point that they know each other's routines. During busy times it's not uncommon to hear conversations like, "I'll do this nu step and you do the treadmill and then we'll switch in X minutes." I always hear people asking one another about families and weekend plans and upcoming events. This friendly group atmosphere we have is one of my favorite parts of my job, and I know the other gals love it too. So thank you to our members that make our days so much friendlier, not just around the holidays, but all year long!

Hello again

Well hello there all! We had some busy days and some technical difficulties that kept us locked out of the blog but now we're back in action! I (Jen) apologize for the length of time you all had to wait.

Hopefully everyone has some plans to gather together with loved ones in the upcoming days. If your families/friends are anything like mine, there will be food involved. Oh baby, lots, and lots of food involved. On any regular day many of us struggle to keep the food indulgence to a minimum. This time of year can really be a phenomenal effort to just keep the consumption of mass quantities down to less than "mass". It can be nearly impossible. Or can it? I'll gladly share some great tips I've heard floating around lately.

Many of you have heard it before, but keeping the size of the actual plates we use can help reduce the amount of food we eat. Bluezones goes as far as to encourage folks to go out and purchase smaller dinnerware for their everyday use. When we're talking about just the main holiday event, consider grabbing the smaller dessert or salad plates. It's almost like playing a little mind game with yourself. Of course, this idea works best if you keep the number of plate refills to a minimum as well.

Is the spread so impressive that even if you take a small amount of everything, you're still left with a heaping pile on your plate? I've been there. Set some limits to what you actually take. For example, only take those special dishes which you never make yourself, or that you only eat this one time of the year. Additionally, there are some foods that are only good fresh, but others are just as tasty rewarmed the next days. Chose the fresh group first and then decide if you really need more after all.

Eat slowly, taking small bites as you go. These events are usually not a race so there is no reason to shovel it in by the cubic ton per second. Take a break when your plate is 2/3 empty and assess how you feel. The chances are you were so busy enjoying what was going on around you that you didn't notice the button on your jeans slowly expanding out.

Finally finished eating? Great. Get up and get away from the table immediately. We've all been in the scenario where we continued to nibble away at the food that was left as we chatted around the table. Don't do that to yourself, you were full twelve helpings ago. You'll be miserable and you know it! Most be people own a couch that is perfectly comfortable for conversation. Go there. Better yet, get up and chat over a soapy sink as your whole crew helps with the dishes.

If your host or hostess has little nibbly items like nuts, cookies, or candies strategically placed around the house, strategically place yourself as far away as possible. Keep busy talking to your friends and family to keep your mind off the little delicacies that might be calling your name. Out of sight, out of mind.

And if you do splurge, which we are all prone to doing, don't beat yourself up about it. Just head on over our way and get active. We allow guests, don't forget, so your out of town visitors can join you and need not be a hindrance to your exercise routines. The PWA is open until 5pm on Friday the 23rd and 30th, closed Saturday and Sunday and reopens on Monday the 26th and 2nd at 7am. There aren't any Saturday classes but the Monday 5:30 AM class is still on. So there is still plenty of opportunity for movement despite the holidays.

Everyone travel safe, and have fun! Report back how it was, we love to hear fun family stories!

Parrafin Treatment

Well today was the first day of snow so here comes a Winter special for you guys. Our Massage and Relaxation Services is offering a special on Paraffin treatments for December and January for only $44. Here is the official description of the paraffin process for : "Paraffin treatments begin with getting into a robe and sandals. The client washes his/her hands and face, then is brought into the treatment room where staff will wash the client’s feet. The hands and elbows are dipped in paraffin, then the feet, and last but not least the face and neck. Each area is wrapped and left to sit for 15 minutes. When the paraffin is removed, we massage each area to finish. The treatment lasts 60 minutes. This treatment can help with chronic joint pain, arthritis, tension, poor circulation, dry skin, and carpal tunnel pain." It sounds wonderful, doesn't it? I've had samples on my poor, Winter-dry hands and it has really helped. I bet I'll be taking advantage of this one, maybe you should too.

The next great ride

Can't believe it, but it's time to start thinking about our annual Thanksgiving ride. All our regularly scheduled classes will be cancelled on Thursday, November 24 in honor of the holiday. However, you can throw your turkey in the oven and then head over to the Postels building to spin from 8:00-8:45am. You know Denise and her playlists, surely it will be a good one. She promises to include Adam Sandler's "Thanksgiving Song"and many other fun ones that won't disappoint. Space is limited so call the PWA fitness center at 236-2999 to sign up!