Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

fall

Recipe of the Week: Skillet Apple Pork Chops

Total Time: 26 Mins
Serves 4 (serving size: 1 chop and about 2/3 cup apple mixture)

Ingredients: 

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 4 (6-oz.) bone-in pork chops
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 medium apples, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly vertically sliced

Directions:

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Sprinkle pork chops evenly with 3/8 teaspoon salt and 3/8 teaspoon pepper. Add pork chops to pan; cook 5 minutes on each side or until pork chops are done. Remove from pan.
  2. Combine stock and mustard, stirring with a whisk. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl. Add remaining 3/8 teaspoon salt, remaining 3/8 teaspoon pepper, sage, rosemary, apple, and onion to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in stock mixture. Return pork chops to pan; cook 3 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half.

 

 

Original recipe can be found here!

Fall Prevention in Autumn

As the leaves begin to change, Team Peak dedicates its time and resources to Fall Prevention Awareness month. There are a number of Fall Prevention Programs available, including the ones here at Peak Fitness and Physical Therapy! Before you ask about or programs, here are some helpful tips to get you started.

  • Research shows that fall risk is increased by things such as age, weakness, confusion and unsteady movement. Luckily, that same research also shows that if we pay particular attention to these risk factors, our fall risk decreases. A consistent exercise program will not only help keep you on your feet, it will help keep you healthy and strong (Rubenstein, 2006).
  • Wear the appropriate footwear. Consider the changing weather as a cue to ditch the unstable sandals and opt for some better fitting sneakers. This is especially important if you are going to be doing activities like raking leaves, picking pumpkins, etc.
  • Get a balance assessment. Ideally, we can start an intervention before a fall incident Get your eyes, ears, strength, mobility and gait assessed by a qualified professional to help set you up for success (Moylan, Binder, 2007).

 

By Matt Rhodes

 

References:
Moylan and Binder, 2007. Falls in older adults: risk assessment, management and prevention. American Journal of Medicine 120(6).

Rubenstein, EF, 2006. Falls in older people: epidemiology, risk factors and strategies for prevention. Journal of Aging 35.

 

 

 

Recipe of the Week: One Pot Pumpkin Chili

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 lb grass fed ground beef
  • 1/2 lb organic ground pork or turkey, or all beef if preferred
  • 1/2 tbsp coconut oil to brown the meat
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 large green pepper diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2-3/4 tsp sea salt adjust to taste, plus some to sprinkle on meat
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes not drained, no salt added
  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
  • 2 tsp ancho chili powder
  • 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish if desired

Instructions

Stovetop directions:

  1. Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat and add coconut oil. Add the beef and pork, breaking up clumps to evenly brown. Once 2/3 done, drain fat (leave a bit) and add onions and peppers. Stir and continue to cook 2 minutes or until beef is browned and onions and pepper start to soften. Do not drain any more fat. Add garlic, stir, and cook another minute.
  2. Lower the heat and add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, pumpkin, 1/2 tsp salt and all spices. Stir to combine well, then raise heat to bring to a boil. Once bubbling, lower heat to a slow simmer, cover, and allow to simmer for at least 15 minutes (and up to 45) to thicken and combine flavors. The flavor will only get better the longer this chili simmers, which makes it great for leftovers too.
  3. Garnish with cilantro and avocado if desired and serve.

Slow cook directions:

  1. Brown the beef and cook the onions, peppers and garlic as directed, then transfer to your slow cooker and add remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 4 hours.

Calories: 218
Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 15g
 

Original recipe from Paleo Running Momma can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Apple Pie Granola Bars

Makes: 20 bars
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Per bar: 155 cal, 8 g fat, 19 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 3 g protein

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/3 cup dates
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup dried apples, chopped

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Place the oats in a blender or food processor and pulse for 5 to 10 seconds.
  3. On a baking sheet, combine the oats, shredded coconut and pecans and toast in the oven for approximately 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes to ensure mixture does not burn. Once golden in color, remove from the oven.
  4. Place the dates in a food processor and blend until they fully combine and form a paste-like consistency.
  5. In a sauce pan over medium heat, combine the coconut oil, honey and vanilla. As the liquid heats up, begin to stir the date paste until it becomes well-combined with the mixture.
  6. In a bowl, combine the toasted oat mixture, chopped apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and hot liquid from the stove. Stir until completely mixed.
  7. Firmly press the mixture into a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or until bars become firm.
  8. Remove from the fridge and cut into 20 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for more crumbly bars, or in the fridge for firmer bars.

 

You can find the original recipe here.

How Do You Get The Sunshine Vitamin In The Wintertime?

Vitamin D is important for our bodies, but how can we get enough during the winter months?

Research has linked Vitamin D to decreased rates of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and depression. Vitamin D levels in the body are not as much of an issue during the summer when people are going outside. However, during the winter months, people spend a lot more of their time indoors due to colder temperatures and snowy days. This often leads to a drop in the body’s vitamin D levels.

But how can you get Vitamin D in the winter? Go outside! Even when there is snow on the ground, you can still get enough sun to boost your vitamin D levels. When you’re outside, let as much skin show as you comfortably can- your face, neck, and hands can get some sunshine. Go outside during “solar noon.” This is the time of day when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. When you’re outside, use your skin as a cue. If your skin starts to turn pink, you’ve had enough. Keep in mind that you don’t need to spend hours in the sun. Even ten minutes a day can help boost the level of vitamin D in your body.

We live in an area where the sun shines enough in the winter that vitamin D supplements may not be necessary. However, especially with supplements, we need to ensure that we don’t get “toxic” on vitamin D. A better way to get vitamin D is simply by eating more of the foods rich in this vitamin. There are a handful of foods that can help boost vitamin D levels. Good food sources include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, mushrooms, eggs, and vitamin D fortified foods such as milk. Wild salmon is a great source and just a small 4 ounce serving can give us more than enough of the recommend daily allowance. For those with dietary restrictions, any type of milk will do! Cow, soy, almond, and coconut milk are all vitamin D fortified.

Following these simple recommendations can help everyone enjoy the health benefits of vitamin D naturally not only during the winter, but all year long.