Preparing for the road ahead....

"All hands on deck, heave out and get up!  Fore and aft..."  These are the words my father used to bellow down the long hallway of our red ranch house, waking everyone up for the day!  (he was in the navy)  That's what's going on around Boston's North Shore this weekend: getting up and at 'em, preparing for the storm, Hurricane Sandy...!!   Gathering outside toys and loose gardening items, cleaning out the gutters, putting things away in the garage to prepare for the storm.

So as I was buying some "rations" for the Riccio crew at the grocery store this morning, I got to thinking ~ it's very similar to what I see Pilates and CORE strengthening as: preparing for the years to come.  Sure, it would be nice to have the Giselle Bundchen body and boast the 36-26-36 measurements,  But let's face it, we are who we are.  What we really need to exercise for is to be strong from the inside out.  So, when we fall on the ice, or reach for something high in the cabinet (maybe while cleaning out the garage), we will instinctively rely on our core strength to protect us from injury.  Our muscles follow patterns, and our minds tell the inner muscles to work first, then trigger the outside, bigger muscles.  Pilates will help us all to be strong, fit, and healthy for the long road ahead, to "Keep the Peace" with in you.:)


See you soon,
Moira

Are You a "Foodie?"

A "Foodie" according to the definition is, "an epicure: a person devoted to the sensuous enjoyment of good food and drink."  Yup, that's me...are you?  Of course, my twist is always, "Can I create healthy food and drink that still tastes good?"  I want to have my cake and eat it, too!  I am not a nutritionist, just a foodie ~ and I've tried many different combinations over the years with cooking and baking.  This week ~ see attached ~ is the now famous turkey chili recipe.  Try it out!

So where do you buy this food?  I shop all over ~ big grocery stores and smaller specialty shops like Canaan Farm in Wenham, especially in tomato season.  If you are really into it, and want to find speciality food stores like bakeries, chocolatiers, cheese shops, purveyors, farm stands, even food trucks, or places to buy fresh from the farm meats, eggs, honey, vegetables, breads etc... go to localpickins.com and it will guide you in the right direction.  Localpickins is soon coming out with an app as well.

If you don't feel like cooking,  North Shore Magazine's food issue (November 2012) will guide you in the right direction of some new restaurants.  I have a couple of recommendations for you as well:

Lobsta Land in Gloucester, right off the highway.  Our very own Sara Rosetti described the breakfast as delicious...especially the anadama bread french toast!  Open now through December.  Take a ride one morning, especially if the line is too long at Depot Diner.:)

Scosso Restaurant in the North Shore Mall is opening mid-November.  A martini bar, and restaurant specializing in gourmet Italian dishes.   Vanessa Cavallo's family owns Venetian Moon in Reading, and this is their new restaurant, in the old Bertucci's location.  (Maybe after checking out the new Container Store?)

If you have a suggestion, let us know...:)  It's always good to share the wealth of good ideas.  Remember, food is life...enjoy it!

Have a great day,
Moira

Fall 2012 Hiking Trails

Fall 2012 ~ a perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy the crisp air....Here are a few places on the North Shore you can walk/run/bike or hike: (I am sure you may have heard of a few of these...)

Close by is the Wenham Canal: take Cherry Street off Route 1A and after 1/2 mile turn right onto "Old Town Way."  Follow the dirt road and park at the end.  You can walk either side of the canal ~ the left side is 4 miles roundtrip, and connects to Rail Trail at the end.  The new Rail Trail runs throughout the North Shore, so you may want to bike down the path and continue to Topsfield or Danvers.  Dogs are welcome, too.

At the end of the canal, in Topsfield is the Ipswich River Bird Sanctuary.  Many trails for walking or hiking and birdwatching, and beautiful foliage!  Bring a picnic.

On Route 97, there is the JC Phillips Nature Preserve.  Park right across from the Beverly Airport....you can walk a big loop and discover the backside of Wenham Lake.  Only biking and hiking, dogs are welcome.

In Hamilton, Appleton Farms is always a good choice.  Popular for cross country skiers in the snow but certainly a beautiful walk in the woods now!  Dogs need to be on leash.

Additionally in Hamilton, is the Bradley Palmer State Park, right on Asbury Street.  There is a driveway open only to pedestrians, so you can walk, bike, rollerblade here.  Dogs are permitted on leash too.

Manchester has the Coolidge Reservation, (Route 127) which is a hike through a pathway in the woods, and opens up onto a huge green field overlooking the ocean.  Bring a picnic and a camera.   Children (no dogs) love to climb the rocks.  It's open on the weekends.

Gloucester has recently improved the playground at Stage Fort Park (on the corner of Routes 127 and 133) If you go here you may want to swing by the Causeway Restaurant on 133 which has the best chowder!

Last but not least is my favorite: Halibut Point in Rockport.  Everyone is welcome here -- people of all ages walk the trails out to the rocks to watch the waves roll in.   Bring a picnic and/or hit "Lobster Pool" restaurant on the way home...

Thank you once again for your continued support and business ~ I appreciate it!   Pilates will strengthen your muscles, improve posture, build flexibility and balance to "Keep the Peace" within you...

See you all this weekend,

Moira

Keep the Fire Burning...

Fitness according to Bob Greene:  "Both strength-training and cardio are essential for dropping pounds and keeping them off, too.  I think of aerobic exercise as the kindling in a fire and resistance exercise as the big logs that keep it burning.  Cardio melts calories on the spot, while toning gives you stronger muscles that burn more calories all day long.  So, it's easier to slim down for good."

There you have it ~ an excellent way of suggesting you need to "mix things up" with your workout routine, especially as we grow older!  If you are feeling like you want to make a change in your routine and/or fitness lifestyle, just call me and we can sit down to discuss.  Or read about the different exercise routines here and try them out....

Keep the fire burning...and "Keep the Peace within You!"
Moira

The Golden Rule: Use it to improve overall wellness...

The Golden Rule: Use it to improve overall wellness...

Sounds crazy, right?  We all know that wellness -- your "fitness level, health and happiness" -- is mostly about you.  However, thinking of others will help you to stay positive and upbeat, therefore sticking with your exercise routine, healthy eating and enhancing wellness.

But let's face it, when we are feeling a little down in the dumps, we may choose to forego our workout and/or indulge in an extra sweet treat!  And sometimes that's just fine....We all have our moments.  After all, a rainy day is a rainy day.:)  However, if you can somehow reach out to your neighbor, friend, cousin, in-law, parent or sibling in some small way ~ with a card, phone call, text, batch of cookies or bouquet of flowers ~ you will truly be amazed how wonderful it feels.

In fact, studies have shown that: **
             * Helping others contributes to the maintenance of good health, psychological and physical
             * An increased sense of self-worth, greater happiness and optimism
             * Stress-related health problems improve after performing small acts of kindness
             * A decrease in both the intensity and awareness of physical pain, ("Get your mind off things")
             * Practice of caring for others translates to immense immune system and healing benefits
             * A rush of "euphoria,"followed by a period of calm, after performing random acts of kindness

It really is true: It's better to give than to receive!  Now go enjoy a hot cup of tea and call a friend in need ~ and feel great!

Have a great weekend....
Moira

** Source: Allan Luks, The Healing Power of Doing Good: Health Benefits of Helping Others

Spinning for Weight Loss

You may have seen these emails about "Spinning for Weight Loss" from Studio13.   It is an 8 week program tailored to help those who are interested in losing weight by building more cardio into their routine, with Spinning, and modifying their diet.  The Spinning classes are custom designed to ensure the participants stay in their "target" heart rate range of aerobic, or calorie burning phase.  

If you are wondering about this at all, and thinking you may have missed the boat ~ no worries....   Just figure out a time in which you can add in more cardio to your routine.  Can you take a quick walk after dinner each night?  Or can you spin with me early Fridays and/or Sundays?  (I promise fun music!!):)  We all need to condition ourselves with the Reformer, to lengthen and strengthen and increase core stability, especially as we grow older.   However, adding some good ol' cardio along the way will help you to actually lose weight and inches from your waistline.:)   And those endorphins will improve your mood, too!

Of course, modifying your diet simply means that you (and everyone) need a combination of carbs, healthy fats and protein.  Smaller meals are better -- to stabilize your blood sugar -- and to keep your energy up throughout the day.  We all have those favorite meals or snacks, and of course do not need to live the rest of you rife without them -- just eat them occasionally or in small portions.  

We are all a work in progress....

Have a good day,

"Keep the Peace,"

Moira

The aging process ~ what does it mean to you?

Everything!  This weekend, I had the opportunity witness and observe two different stages of the aging process:  first, I went to a High School reunion, where everyone is muddling their way through middle age....and second, I celebrated my mother-in-law's 84th birthday, where she is now in her later years.

Because I love to people watch, the reunion was actually very entertaining ~ lots of fun conversation, comparing notes about kids, jobs, and life.  As you can imagine, people attending the reunion came dressed in all different shapes and sizes.  Bottom line is some people take good care of themselves and some people simply accept that they will age just like their parents did --  a little heavier and a little rounder.  When they asked me what I was doing, I just said, "Fitness Instructor,"  I wanted to say to them, "You look terrific but get with the program ~ you are not old, just more mature.  Have you heard of the Reformer?  

And, of course our birthday celebration was a typical Italian feast of meatballs and "gravy," where everyone started out one size and probably finished another!:)  My mother-in-law asked my opinion because she was having pain in her hips.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out ~ her posture was so far forward (probably after stirring the gravy so many years...:)) that she was obviously putting undue pressure on her lower back.  "Squeeze it in, pull your shoulders back and down!"  I said, and she honestly could not do it.  When I tried to fix her pulling her up straight, she was laughing and saying, "That's so uncomfortable!"  Furthermore, I gave her a pair of form fitting pants for her birthday and she was totally thrown off.  My sisters-in-law and I were saying, "They look terrific!  You look ten years younger!"  She was absolutely bewildered however, to hold her stomach in and stand up straight.  

Watching and learning at both occasions made me realize (all over again) how important it is to stay in shape AND do Pilates.  I really believe it.   We all owe it to ourselves by keeping fit and eating right.  And yes, we all want to feel long and lean, and build core strength, but truly it is critical to take care of ourselves for the long term ~ by working out on Reformer and/or MAT Pilates for your balance, flexibility, posture and to keep our muscles on the right track as we age.  Your body will thank you later...:)

Someone shared with me once, "Gesture becomes habit becomes posture becomes structure."  Definitely something to think about as we head into a new season.

Have a great day ~ "Keep the Peace...within YOU"

Moira