Gorgonzola Pear Salad

Salad- cut up and combine in a bowl

• 1 head lettuce (6 cups of leafy greens)
• 3 pears - peeled, cored and chopped
• 5 ounces gorgonzola or bleu cheese, crumbled
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced                                                                                            
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions          
• 1/2 cup plain or candied pecans     

 

Dressing- blend everything below together

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar           
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt       
• fresh ground black pepper to taste

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roquefort-Pear-Salad/Detail.aspx?evt19=1&referringHubId=96

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.

Core Exercises

Bored or your normal core exercises or want a new challenge? Give some of these a try!

 

Bicycle Crunches

 

Medicine Ball Twists

V Sit-ups

Windshield Wipers

 

Supermans

Modified Supermans

Plank + Knee Tucks

Leg Throw Downs

 

 

*Remember to always keep your back straight and not push yourself past your limits. Many of these exercises can be modified by bending your knees, resting on your knees, or using less weight.

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com

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Boost Your Metabolism

Why not try to boost the amount of calories you burn each day? Try these strategies to increase the burn!

Exercise. Not only does exercise burn calories, it also builds the muscle that can help you burn even more calories. If you don't exercise regularly, start now. There are numerous benefits from a 15-min walk and even more when you get  a full hour at a higher intensity. 

Eat breakfast. Boost your metabolism first thing in the morning by starting your day with nutritious foods like fruit, oatmeal, eggs, or yogurt.

Eat fish. Omega-3 fats can reduce inflammation, regulate blood sugar, an apparently increase hormones to boost your metabolism.

Don't go in to starvation mode. The healthiest and most successful weight loss is obtained through cutting calories a little bit at a time.

Graze. Some people can benefit greatly by switching from 3 large meals down to smaller meals or healthy snacks throughout the day. Check out my blog on Mindful Eating.

Stop eating processed & fried foods. Many packaged foods have more additives than you can imagine. Don't trust 0g trans fat labels- many hide them as "hydrogenated oils" in the ingredients list.

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306911_11,00.html

Greek Salad Recipe

Ingredients

Salad

• 6 cups salad greens
• 2 medium tomatoes or 8 cherry tomatoes
• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion, cut into thin wedges
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (2 ounces)
• 2 small pita bread rounds, cut into wedges (optional)

Dressing

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or salad oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons snipped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. In a salad bowl combine salad greens, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, and crumbled cheese. Add Greek Vinaigrette; toss to coat. If desired, serve with pita bread wedges.
2. In a screw top jar combine olive oil or salad oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover and shake well.

http://www.recipe.com/collections/green-spring-salads/?page=4