Fresh-Grilled Meal and a Mini-WorkOut

Ok ladies....Spring is in full swing and in another month we will start summer.....which for me means grilling outdoors almost every evening and eating alfresco style!

This post features a new recipe that I tweaked (I grill the pork rather than bake it) and it is DELICIOUS!!  It is also a really easy recipe to put together on a busy weekend evening or after a busy day at work.

Add a few sides that I'll list below and you'll have a complete meal in no time!!

AND.....since it's almost swim-suit weather here in the NorthEast, I have a little mini work-out to share with you. This idea came from a physical therapist whom I work with at the elementary school.  We were talking about our shared diagnoses' of osteopenia and she told me to not worry about it at all. We are prone to it because of our "skinny genes" but this work-out helps to build up bone density.  And it's actually great for ANYONE to try. As always though, if you are overweight or have high blood pressure,  please check with your doctor before attempting this routine.

image taken from myrecipes.com

TUSCAN PARMESAN PORK CHOPS

3/4 c. zesty Italian dressing

2 Tbl Dijon mustard

4 pork chops

(i use boneless)

1/4 tsp pepper

2/3 c. shredded Parmesan Cheese

1/2 c. finely chopped hazelnuts

(you can substitute pine nuts that are finely chopped)

• Combine the salad dressing and mustard in a large ziplock bag.  Add the pork chops, one at a time, seal the bag and turn to coat. Remove each pork chop, place in a pie dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (hint:  I prepare this as soon as I get home from work, stick in fridge until 5:45 and time to grill).
• Once the pork has sat in marinade for at least one hour:  drain and discard the marinade.
• Sprinkle each pork chop with pepper.  
• Combine the cheese and hazelnuts in a shallow bowl (I use a cereal bowl).
• Drop each pork chop into the bowl, turning to coat, and then place on a plate.
• Grill for about 20 minutes (10 min each side) or until juices run clear.

EASY SIDE DISHES TO COMPLETE YOUR MEAL:

• Tossed salad of greens, chopped tomato, cucumber slices, scallions
• Steaming hot garlic bread or garlic rolls (I use pepperidge farm brand)

OR

• Orzo with chopped fresh basil and chopped fresh tomato
• Raw Veggie Platter:  baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, tomato slices, celery sticks, raw broccoli crowns, red and green pepper strips

ENJOY!

MINI WORK-OUT DONE AT HOME!

Since I am adding bone density work-outs to my power walking routine, I have started doing the following mini-work-out.  This is super easy to do right in your own home, if you have a home that has at least a basement and/or a 2nd floor.

Put on comfy work-out clothes such as yoga capris or athletic shorts. You could even use jeans if they are loose.  I prefer yoga capris.  You can do this barefoot or wear your running/walking sneakers. I go barefoot. A tee-shirt or work-out shirt.  You will also need your hand weights or large soup cans. I use my 3 lbs weights, one for each hand.

The Routine:

• walk up your stairs, turn and come back down. Do this 3 times. At the end of this set, pick up your hand weights and do 6 bicep curls on each side. Put weights down.
• repeat step 1, only this time do it 4 times up and down. Keep the weights at 6 times each side.
• repeat step 1 but RUN up and then down the stairs 3 times. Keep weights the same.
• repeat step 2 while running. Keep weights the same.
• Walk up the stairs, do 8 deep breathes with arms stretched up and over head for breathing in, and arms down for breathing out.
• Walk down the steps and repeat the breathing exercise.

A simple work-out!! I like to do this after work and before dinner. This can be done all during the work week. Add running or power walking to the routine if the weather is good and find other work out routines for the weekends.  Things like biking, playing tennis, dancing, low-impact aerobic activities such as the programs under the Wii Fit,  badminton, or hiking.  All of these activities help with bone density AND help to keep your waist trim.  If done correctly, you can even count this as a mild cardio work out!

So get moving!!