The December Newsletter is available! Check it out for How to do a Mountain Climber, the Workout of the Month Minutes workout #2 and the Recipe of the Month Healthy Chocolate Coconut Cookies

Introduction

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you all are enjoying this month as much as I am 🙂 I LOVE the holidays, so much so that I wear holiday-themed socks the entire month of December.

To help you stay healthy and active this holiday season, neither the “exercise of the month” nor the “workout of the month” require gym equipment. They are perfect when you need to fit in a quick training session in your living room between work and holiday fun. The recipe of the month is courtesy of Tara Postnikoff – ” Healthy Chocolate Coconut Cookies”. I love when a holiday treat can be both healthy and yummy!

I am excited to announce I was on the TV show Downright Domestic. I discussed how to separate fitness fact from fiction. Missed it? Watch it now 🙂

Also, The Globe and Mail started to post links of my most recent series of videos. Take a look!
Video 1. Video 2. Video 3.

I also had the pleasure of answering a “Canada Q&A” question for The Globe where readers sent in questions on everything from politics to fitness via text, twitter or video and the appropriate journalist posts an answer. I answered, “What are the best exercises to get a six pack?” Read now

Lastly, I am highlighting this recent column because it may be my favorite Globe and Mail “Ask The Trainer” column to date. Who wouldn’t love a chance to critique the Kardashiams? Take a read.

Exercise of the Month

Mountain Climbers
Place your hands and feet on the floor. Don’t let your lower back arch or round. Your body should form a plank. This is your starting position. Hold this plank position as you alternate one knee into your chest at a time. Repeat for twenty to forty repetitions.

 

Workout of the Month: Minutes Workout #2

Recipe of the Month: Healthy Chocolate Coconut Cookies

By Tara Postnikoff

Ingredients
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/4 cup coconut milk (not coconut beverage)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond butter or your favourite nut butter
2 cups oats or other flakes
1/3 cup organic shredded coconut
1/3 cup crushed hazelnuts
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp sea salt

Instructions
In saucepan mix maple syrup, cacao powder, coconut milk together until combined.
Add coconut oil and vanilla and bring to boil for about a minute or two.
Continue to stir.
Remover from heat and add almond butter.
Combine oats, coconut flakes and salt together then add to mixture.
Crush hazelnuts in food processor or blender and add to mixture.
Spoon cookies onto parchment paper or silicon pad.
Put cookies in refrigerator for 30-45 minutes to cook.
Enjoy!

Notes
Per cookie is approx 131 calories, 8g Fat, 14g carbs, 3g protein