Helpful classes for relaxation and exercise

 

During this time of coronavirus we need to boost our endorphins!  I usually attend group exercise classes twice a week, so was really missing the endorphins.  Endorphins are chemicals released by the pituitary gland that help us deal with pain and trigger positive feelings.  They are released with exercise, meditation, and listening to music. 

Need some new music to stimulate well being? Try Earl Klug, Shakti Deva, Kitaro, David Arkenstone, Adreas Vallenweider, Peter Kater, Otmar Liebert, and Marisa (cosmic chants on you tube, the most beautiful female voice I have ever heard!).  My daughter gave me Spotify and I love it. It has many more artists than Pandora. 

Here are some helpful links. 

I made a video geared especially for tension release.   

Stretching the neck and shoulders link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IHwCCWUwo0

Chair aerobics can be very helpful.  I like the toning exercises, but use only one pound weights. 

Be very cautious with a new activity.  Start out with 5 minute sessions, take a break and then do another 5 minutes. Be cleared by your doctor for exercise.  If you have a lung condition, an oximeter is helpful to monitor your oxygen saturation.  You want it to be near 88% or higher.  If you google chair aerobics there are many classes to chose from.  You have to find a teacher with a voice you like and music your enjoy. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azv8eJgoGLk 

You also can google chair yoga and come up with classes.  Another resource is Amazon Prime.  If you have watched movies on TV with Amazon you are familiar with it. Many people don't know that they also have Yoga and exercise classes.  Just do a search for Yoga, or aerobics. 

I will be adding some videos.  I like videos with outdoor scenery, and they are hard to find.  I think I got hooked on the outdoor scenery from watching Gilad's  exercise program, shot on the beach in Hawaii. 

The Mystery of Love

Love makes you feel special.  It changes everyone for the better.  It is the one commodity that multiplies when you give it away.  The more you spread it around, the more you are able to hang on to it because it keeps coming back to you.  Where love is concerned, it pays to be an absolute spendthrift.  It cannot be bought or sold, so give it away.  Throw it away.  Splash it all over!  Empty your pockets!  Shake the basket!  Turn it upside down!  Shower it on everyone--even those who don't deserve it!  You may startle them into behaving in a way you never dreamed possible.  Not only is it the sweet mystery of life, it is the most powerful motivator known to humankind. 

Anonymous   From Fall 1984 Self Realization Fellowship Magazine

Best ever orange french toast

12 slices french bread (Believe it or not, Walmart everything bread

works great for this recipe!)

Spray 9x11 pan with non stick spray.

Mix:

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup skim milk

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs (I use egg beaters)
1 teaspoon valencia orange peel

Dip each piece of bread in mixture, flip and dip again.

Place in 9x11 pan.

Combine for topping:

2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup chopped pecans

2/3 c margarine

Put a large spoonful of topping on each piece of bread. Spread. 

Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  No need for syrup!

Peanut Butter Pie or Nutella Pie

Mix in a food processor:

1/3 cup skim milk
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup peanut butter or 2/3 cup nutella
one cup fat free Greek strained yogurt.

Fold in one 8 ounce container of  fat free whipped topping.  (sold in freezer section, some stores carry Cool Whip that is fat free or their own brand. Albertsons and Smiths groceries carry it.  )

Pour into a pie plate that has been sprayed with non stick spray.
Freeze, then serve.

Lemon Cake

For my Brooklyn friends:

1 box lemon cake mix
1 3 oz box lemon jello
one cup fat free strained greek yogurt
1/2 cup apple sauce
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup egg beaters (can use 5 egg whites)

Mix cake batter. For the most flavor put it in two 8x8 pans or a 9 x 11 pan. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. (The error I have made in the past is making the cake too thick. I would double the recipe and bake it in a 9 x 11 pan. The glaze would not saturate the entire thickness of the cake and the result was  having to eat a layer of cake not saturated with the glaze, a truly horrid experience!
I have tweaked the glaze amount to avoid this unpleasant experience.)

After  you remove the cake from the oven, pierce the cake with a fork. Make a glaze with
1 1/2 cup lemon juice and 2 cups powdered sugar. I use a measuring cup to pour the glaze over every square inch of the cake. 

I am including a photo of the non fat strained greek yogurt, to help you in your shopping.

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie 

Mix: 2 egg whites and a splash of egg beaters, 1 cup fat free evaporated milk.

Add:  One cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger,  1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Mix.

Add: one 15 ounce can of pumpkin. 

Spray a pie pan with non stick spray. Pou pumpkin mixture in.  Bake at 400 degrees for 

30 minutes. 

Serve with fat free cool whip.  

Low fat chicken salad

3 pounds of chicken- you may boil in water with 2 bay leaves, 2 whole cloves, 1/2 lemon until done.  Another option is to grill the chicken.
Cut the chicken in bite sized pieces. Refrigerate.

For dressing combine:
1/2 cup mustard (spicy brown or honey mustard)
1/2 cup honey
1 1/4 t curry powder
3/4 teaspoon lemon peper

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Just before serving combine:

1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/3 cup slivered almonds
Chicken and dresing.

May serve on a bed of mesclun (or greens of your choice) and 2 chopped tomatoes.