Workout with Celebrity Trainer Loui Pacheco

Workout with Celebrity Trainer Loui Pacheco

Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven. All rights reserved.

Eating a box of apple fritter doughnuts topped with cream cheese frosting and pink sprinkles or working out on a Sunday morning.  Such a dilemma.  Celebrity trainer Loui Pacheco certainly is an expert at making a workout appealing.  His positive feedback, variety within his routine, and confidence was outstanding to see at a recent fitness event benefiting people affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

DJ KRZA kept the rhythm going as Pacheco lead participants through a variety of exercises, including squat pulses, lunges, step down and cross back moves, and abdominal crunches.  This routine was followed by a 20 minute meditation yoga.  The mix of exercises and challenging steps was excellent to get the heart rate up.  Also, including the mind-body-spirit connection through yoga gave participants a thorough workout.

We all have goals related to physical health and wellness.  Among these could be to improve body image, avoid following unhealthy eating behaviors, making healthy food choices, and being physically active every day.  Pacheco’s fusion of fitness and love of music makes working out engaging and supports people on the path to healthy choices and looking great.

Visit Amazon to purchase your exercise ball and other equipment.

Starting each day with a healthy perspective enables us to face challenges and be sure in the choices we make when we are eating alone, with friends, coworkers, or family.  Over time this mental lifting of weights, making good steps, goes a long way in the ability to have a fit body.  Including friends and family that share an interest in fitness is beneficial, as the synergy created will keep each person in various activities and encouraged to exercise.  That is why a trainer, such as Loui Pacheco, can be beneficial and an investment in long-term health and wellness.

Overall, a wonderful event to promote fitness and to support Puerto Rico after the devastation from the violent storm.  Also deserving recognition is lululemon for providing the event space.  Alchemy Cafe for providing delicious fresh squeezed orange juice at the after party, champagne, and superfood popcorn—made with organic popcorn, spirulina, cayenne, turmeric, himalayan salt, paprika, cumin, nutritional yeast, and coconut oil.  Kona Deep for providing water.  Skin Laundry representatives on hand for treatments.  The restaurant Otium and Sweet House for donating gift certificates for the benefit raffle.

Visit Amazon to purchase your exercise ball and other equipment.

100% of the proceeds were donated by Pacheco to the Ricky Martin Foundation benefitting Puerto Rico as they continue to recover from the effects of Hurricane Maria.

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Credit: lululemon.com

Fitness and Living Jigsaw: Number 9 by Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven

Fitness and Living Jigsaw: Number 9

Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven. All rights reserved.

What signs of better strength, wellness, and living have you seen since Fitness and Living Jigsaw: Number 8?

Remind yourself again:  You deserve to live well and be well.  Making fitness and good nutrition a routine, a habit, and expression of how you respect yourself is essential to developing a desire to get moving and stay moving.  

Visit Amazon to purchase your exercise ball and other equipment.

It is imperative to understand the power of health and wellness.  One of the most critical factors in the process of physical, mental, and emotional wellness is you.  Your creativity, choices, workout equipment, awareness of your own abilities, evaluation of health goals, and execution of good habits is essential.  Execution and implementation can be a challenge, although without implementing the proper healthy habits all the reading of exercise articles will not make you physically stronger.  Rather than a specific plan, this article supplies guidelines, inspiration, and ideas to spark your interest.

Often I am asked about my routine for healthy living and how I maintain good fitness, especially when I am regularly baking, cooking, and always on the hunt for excellent restaurants.  No big secrets here.  I eat well, get a good amount of sleep, rest, and give my body and mind a good workout.  If anyone knows a thing or two about fitness and nutrition, it’s me.  And if I can do it, you can too.  A background of teaching health and physical education, as well as a lifelong interest in nutrition, has been essential to maintain an excellent level of fitness, energy, and strength for me.  

Models, actors, athletes.  The images we see in ads, movies, and media can influence our goals and perceptions.  Keep in mind the people in those professions spend a lot of time and have a lot of time to look their best.  Or computer graphics best.  Rather than focusing on images in media, focus on health and wellness for the mind, body, and soul.  We all approach fitness at various levels, perspectives, and habits based upon previous experiences and family environment.  Take a moment to reflect upon good values, the ideas you hold close, that will be the center of what gets you physically fit.  Structure your day, fight for the time to eat well and get physically fit.  Work toward betterment, not perfection.  Be prepared to respond in life.  That means being ready to plan out options and alternatives to preserve your health and wellness.  We all know life is a continual journey, full of difficulties and blessings.  Put on some good music, turn up the volume, and get liberated from those unhealthy habits.  

Working out is not enough for our bodies.  Diet, what you eat, what you buy at the store and bring home to your kitchen, is highly significant to strong abs and obliques.  Purchase and prepare foods that satiate your appetite.  Eat seasonally and enjoy the monthly flavors.  Your fitness routine also needs variety.  Mix up your activities.  Sleep is also key.  The body, mind, and soul need rest and revitalizing.  Sometimes preparing yourself is the key.  Remind yourself in verbal or written form to workout the next day or after work.  Repeat that reminder each night before you go to bed.  This mantra may be the key to applying the health and wellness information you know to do. 

Eat.  Enjoy.  Satiate.  Satisfy.  Get nutrients.  Deal with emotions.  Make something beautiful to make your belly happy.  Breathe.  Those daily habits make a difference.  In my book, candy, cakes, cookies, and desserts are not the devil.  Too many sweets and too often is not good.  Not to worry though.  Take a breath.  If you get off the path of healthy living, I’m confident you can do better next time.  As David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD stated, “Overeating doesn't make us fat.  The process of becoming fat makes us overeat.  In other words, hunger and overeating are the consequences of an underlying problem.  Follow a simple lifestyle prescription focused on enjoyable physical activities, sleep, and stress relief to improve metabolism and support permanent behavior change.”

Visit Amazon to purchase your exercise ball and other equipment.

Jigsaw Number 9: Triceps and Balance

Lifting Dumbbells 

Tree Pose

As part of improving flexibility, agility, and coordination change up your routine with lifting dumbbells or the Tree Pose.  Begin with either activity and then work up to doing more of that exercise.  You may find doing variations on your movements or speed and distances make working out more interesting for you and you may see better results.  

Lifting dumbbells are key to your fitness program.  The triceps are the three-part muscles in the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow.  Weight training with the the arms in combination with aerobics can increase your strength, muscle tone, power, and lead to weight loss.  If beginning weight training seek out an excellent trainer that can teach you proper and effective technique.  Stretching and warming up the muscles is essential before lifting and working out with weights in general.  After a proper stretch and warm up choose the proper weights and perform 12 to 15 repetitions of lifts with dumbbells to strengthen the arms.

The Tree Pose is another significant option to develop balance, concentration, strength, and flexibility.  This activity works the spine, legs, ankles, feet, thighs, and hips.  Proper technique and exercise surface is important to gain the most out of the activity and prevent injury.  Find a floor that is flat and not slippery.  First, stand in Mountain Pose until your body is balanced.  Place your arms at your side, feet together, and weight evenly distributed.  Ground feet to the floor, evenly pressed.  Slightly press your shoulder blades back.  Then, move into standing on one leg.  Draw up your right foot to right above your inner left thigh.  Make any adjustments to ensure your hips and pelvis are centered.  Place your hands in prayer position once you are balanced.  Hold the pose.  Repeat the steps by drawing up your left foot to right above your inner right thigh.

Join with your family and friends today.  Find a locale to work out that gets you inspired.  Then return here and share your progress, tips, and what you learned.  Please remember all information is of a general nature and is furnished only for education.  See a doctor or medical professional for your own personal fitness advice.

The Ultimate Playlist for Your Workouts

Visit Amazon to purchase your exercise ball and other equipment.

Join the Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven circle:

sign up for email updates.

Note: all information is of a general nature and is furnished only for education.  See a doctor or medical professional for your own personal fitness advice.  Use of this information is at your own risk in regard to any losses, liabilities, injuries or damages resulting from any and all claims.

Credits: drweil.com/drw/u/ART03528/Always-Hungry-David-Ludwig.html, Image courtesy of [lkunl] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of [stockimages] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of [photostock] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Credits:  drweil.com/drw/u/ART03528/Always-Hungry-David-Ludwig.html, Image courtesy of [lkunl] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of [stockimages] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of [nenetus] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net,   Image courtesy of [JanPietruszka] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, KiropraktorCentrum, https://sites.google.com/site/compendiumofphysicalactivities/Activity-Categories/sports, http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-expert-discusses-safe-swimming-practices-to-reduce-water-related-illnesses/, Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fitness and Living Jigsaw: Number 8 by Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven

Fitness and Living Jigsaw: Number 8

Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven. All rights reserved.

What signs of better strength, wellness, and living have you seen since Fitness and Living Jigsaw: Number 7?

Remind yourself again: You deserve to live well and be well.  Making fitness and good nutrition a routine, a habit, and expression of how you respect yourself is essential to developing a desire to get moving and stay moving.  

Visit Amazon to purchase your exercise ball and other equipment.

It is imperative to understand the power of health and wellness.  One of the most critical factors in the process of physical, mental, and emotional wellness is you.  Your creativity, choices, workout equipment, awareness of your own abilities, evaluation of health goals, and execution of good habits is essential.  Execution and implementation can be a challenge, although without implementing the proper healthy habits all the reading of exercise articles will not make you physically stronger.  Rather than a specific plan, this article supplies guidelines, inspiration, and ideas to spark your interest.

Often I am asked about my routine for healthy living and how I maintain good fitness, especially when I am regularly baking, cooking, and always on the hunt for excellent restaurants.  No big secrets here.  I eat well, get a good amount of sleep, rest, and give my body and mind a good workout.  If anyone knows a thing or two about fitness and nutrition, it’s me.  And if I can do it, you can too.  A background of teaching health and physical education, as well as a lifelong interest in nutrition, has been essential to maintain an excellent level of fitness, energy, and strength for me.  

Models, actors, athletes.  The images we see in ads, movies, and media can influence our goals and perceptions.  Keep in mind the people in those professions spend a lot of time and have a lot of time to look their best.  Or computer graphics best.  Rather than focusing on images in media, focus on health and wellness for the mind, body, and soul.  We all approach fitness at various levels, perspectives, and habits based upon previous experiences and family environment.  Take a moment to reflect upon good values, the ideas you hold close, that will be the center of what gets you physically fit.  Structure your day, fight for the time to eat well and get physically fit.  Work toward betterment, not perfection.  Be prepared to respond in life.  That means being ready to plan out options and alternatives to preserve your health and wellness.  We all know life is a continual journey, full of difficulties and blessings.  Put on some good music, turn up the volume, and get liberated from those unhealthy habits.  

Working out is not enough for our bodies.  Diet, what you eat, what you buy at the store and bring home to your kitchen, is highly significant to strong abs and obliques.  Purchase and prepare foods that satiate your appetite.  Eat seasonally and enjoy the monthly flavors.  Your fitness routine also needs variety.  Mix up your activities.  Sleep is also key.  The body, mind, and soul need rest and revitalizing.  Sometimes preparing yourself is the key.  Remind yourself in verbal or written form to workout the next day or after work.  Repeat that reminder each night before you go to bed.  This mantra may be the key to applying the health and wellness information you know to do. 

Eat.  Enjoy.  Satiate.  Satisfy.  Get nutrients.  Deal with emotions.  Make something beautiful to make your belly happy.  Breathe.  Those daily habits make a difference.  In my book, candy, cakes, cookies, and desserts are not the devil.  Too many sweets and too often is not good.  Not to worry though.  Take a breath.  If you get off the path of healthy living, I’m confident you can do better next time.  As David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD stated, “Overeating doesn't make us fat.  The process of becoming fat makes us overeat.  In other words, hunger and overeating are the consequences of an underlying problem.  Follow a simple lifestyle prescription focused on enjoyable physical activities, sleep, and stress relief to improve metabolism and support permanent behavior change.”

Jigsaw Number 8: Full Body Options

Swimming

Mountain Climbers

As part of improving flexibility, agility, and coordination change up your routine with swimming or mountain climbers.  Begin with either activity and then work up to doing more of that exercise.  You may find doing variations on your movements or speed and distances make working out more interesting for you and you may see better results.  

Marco! Polo!  Shark!  The Color Game.  These aquatic games involve skill, strategizing, and give the body a lighthearted workout.  Full body exercise is key to your fitness program.  Swimming improves muscular strength, depending on the different strokes you do, including the back muscles and hamstrings.  Beginners must take swim lessons.  Swimming can improve cardio and power, working the heart, legs, arms, core, and hips.  Various strokes include the breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.  Swimming is also a fun way to cool off in summer months and climates.  Using a private pool is advantageous, as the Mayo Clinic advises to “be aware of the water illnesses associated with (public) pools due to the germs that can linger”.

Mountain climbers are another significant option to get your heart pumping and lungs working hard.  This activity works the upper body, arms, core, and hamstrings.  Proper technique and exercise surface is important to gain the most out of the activity and prevent injury.  Find a floor that is flat, not slippery, and probably without any neighbors below.  First, assume a push-up position with your hands spread wider than your shoulders, and back parallel to the floor.  Next, bring your right knee to your chest.  Then, switch to your left knee.  Repeat and continue the repetitions.  Remember to maintain the push-up position with your back flat and parallel to the floor.   

Join with your family and friends today.  Find a locale to work out that gets you inspired.  Then return here and share your progress, tips, and what you learned.  Please remember all information is of a general nature and is furnished only for education.  See a doctor or medical professional for your own personal fitness advice.

The Ultimate Playlist for Your Workouts

Visit Amazon to purchase your exercise ball and other equipment.

Join the Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven circle:

sign up for email updates.

Note: All information is of a general nature and is furnished only for education.  See a doctor or medical professional for your own personal fitness advice.  Use of this information is at your own risk in regard to any losses, liabilities, injuries or damages resulting from any and all claims.

Credits: drweil.com/drw/u/ART03528/Always-Hungry-David-Ludwig.html, Image courtesy of [lkunl] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of [stockimages] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of [photostock] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Credits:  drweil.com/drw/u/ART03528/Always-Hungry-David-Ludwig.html, Image courtesy of [lkunl] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of [stockimages] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of [nenetus] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net,   Image courtesy of [JanPietruszka] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, KiropraktorCentrum, https://sites.google.com/site/compendiumofphysicalactivities/Activity-Categories/sports, http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-expert-discusses-safe-swimming-practices-to-reduce-water-related-illnesses/, Image courtesy of arztsamui at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Patriotic Fruit Flag by Jesse Bluma

Patriotic Fruit Flag by Jesse Bluma

Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven. All rights reserved.

Serve this Patriotic Fruit Flag on Independence Day, Flag Day, election day, or any time the season is right.  Summer is the time when fruits and berries are ripe, luscious, and sweet.  This display of red, white, and blue is quick to assemble, fun, and one children, teens, and adults alike can create.  Assemble the fruit into a flag design on a handsome food tray, create a number of flags on several platters, or scale up in size to fit an entire table for a dramatic effect.

Ingredients

Organic Blueberries

Organic Black Cherries

Organic Strawberries

Organic Raspberries

White candy coated pretzels

Visit Amazon to purchase Flipz white fudge covered pretzels for your snacking and party needs.

Directions

Gently wash and dry the blueberries, black cherries, strawberries, and raspberries.

Fill a small bowl with blueberries.

On a food tray, evenly distribute the black cherries, white candy coated pretzels, strawberries, and raspberries to form the red and white stripes.

*Cookery Facts: Strawberries are fruits, not berries.  First bred in France with a cross between a species from Chile and one from the United States.

*History Facts of the United States Flag: The heraldry of the flag is significant.  The white stripes symbolize purity and innocence.   Red symbolizes hardiness and valor.  The blue field symbolizes vigilance, perseverance, and justice.  Each star signifies a state within the union, a new constellation, or divine goal of the nation.  Also of significance is the number of stripes; 13 to represent the original colonies.

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Credits

time.com/2013/07/04/why-the-u-s-flag-is-red-white-and-blue/

https://www.facebook.com/FlipzChocolatePretzels

Tomato and Nectarine Fruit Salad

Tomato and Nectarine Fruit Salad 

Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven. All rights reserved.

The full flavor of the season makes this dish a satiating hit.  Conquer your nutritional needs, hunger, and menu planning all in this recipe.  Walnuts give this salad a good meaty crunch, along with omega-3 fatty acids thought to assist with lower blood pressure and to reduce inflammation in the body.  Queso panela, a fresh, salty Mexican cheese, brings unity to the flavors on the plate.

*Cooking Tip: Read a recipe several times before preparation.  Highlight or underline key steps.  Then double check you have the correct ingredients.

Serves: two people as one salad each or twelve smaller portions.

Ingredients

2 organic nectarines

2 large organic tomatoes

1 organic lemon

6 to 12 cubes (1/2” x 1/2” x 1/2") panela cheese

2 or more organic black cherries

coarse sea salt

white pepper

1/3 cup walnuts

4 Tablespoons fresh, organic baby dill

4 Tablespoons chopped fresh, organic chives

3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Purchase Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper and other products by Reynolds on Amazon today.

Tools

3” round stainless steel cookie cutter

produce knife

cheese knife

cutting board

large bowl

paper towel 

measuring spoons

sauce pot

spoon

serving plates

kitchen scissors

baking sheet

parchment paper

table knives 

salad forks

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).

Gently wash and dry the nectarines, tomatoes, lemon, cherries, dill, and chives with water.

Juice the lemon.

Pour the juice of the lemon into a large bowl.

Thinly slice the nectarines.

Place the nectarine slices into the bowl of lemon juice to prevent browning and add flavor.

Lightly sprinkle nectarines with salt.

Neatly remove the stem from each tomato.

Place the cookie cutter on top of one of the tomatoes and push down.

Trim the remaining tomato peel.

Repeat with the other tomato.

Sprinkle each tomato with salt to taste.

Sprinkle each tomato with white pepper to taste.

Place the tomatoes on a paper towel to absorb water.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place walnuts in a single layer on the parchment lined baking sheet.

Toast walnuts in the oven for approximately 5 minutes.

Use an oven mitt to carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven.

Set walnuts aside to cool.

Lightly sprinkle the toasted walnuts with salt and white pepper to taste.

Pour balsamic vinegar into a sauce pot on medium-low heat.

Allow the balsamic vinegar to barely simmer, occasionally whisking for about 3 to 5 minutes until thickened.  Keep attention on the balsamic vinegar to prevent burning. 

Remove the balsamic vinegar glaze from the heat and allow to cool until needed for plating.  

Slice the panela cheese into 6 to 12 cubes (1/2” x 1/2” x 1/2").

Use kitchen scissors to snip the chives into small pieces.

Gently pull off the baby dill fronds from the stems.

On two plates or one large platter, arrange the tomatoes, nectarines, walnuts, and cherries.  As you plate keep in mind the acronym BUFF: B for balance, U for unity, F for focal point, F for flow.

Place cubes of cheese on top of each tomato.

Sprinkle chives on top of each tomato.

Top the nectarines with dill fronds.

Add a few drops of the balsamic vinegar glaze to the plates or platter.

Purchase Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper and other products by Reynolds on Amazon today.

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