Category Archives: The Body

The Body

What is Fartlek Training? Not what your thinking……..

When our fitness instructor told us about this training method of course the whole class started laughing….. the name is crazy, but the workout is good. If you have never heard of it, check the info out and try giving it a chance. One of the best things you can do for your fitness routine is to switch it up!
Fartlek, a Swedish term that means “speed play,” is a form of interval or speed training that can be effective in improving your speed and endurance.
Fartlek running involves varying your pace throughout your run, alternating between fast segments and slow jogs. Unlike traditional interval training that involves specific timed or measured segments, fartleks are more unstructured. Work-rest intervals can be based on how the body feels. With fartlek training, you can experiment with pace and endurance, and to experience changes of pace. Many runners, especially beginners, enjoy fartlek training because it involves speed work. But it is more flexible and not as demanding as traditional interval training. Another benefit of fartlek training is that it doesn’t have to be done on a track and can be done on all types of terrains — roads, trails, or even hills.
To do a fartlek workout, try introducing some short periods of slightly higher pace into your normal runs. Maintain the faster pace for a short distance or time intervals, such as 200m or 30 seconds. The intervals can vary throughout the workout, and you can even use landmarks such as streetlights or telephone poles to mark your segments.
Once you complete a fast segment, slow your pace to below your normal running pace, until you have fully recovered and your breathing has returned to normal. Then return to running at your normal pace, and incorporate more slightly fast intervals later in the run.
Fartlek training puts a little extra stress on your system, eventually leading to faster speeds and improving your anaerobic threshold.
The Body

California Kabobs

Some say Labor day weekend is the end of summer grilling, we say NO-WAY, keep on grilling and here is a great recipe to throw on the grill!!
ingredients
• 8  6-inch  wooden skewers
• 4  ounces  pearl white or red onions (about 16), unpeeled
• 1  14-ounce can  artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
lengthwise
• 12  ounces  medium-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 12    refrigerated spinach-and-cheese tortellini, cooked,
drained, and cooled
•    Lemon Tarragon Vinaigrette (see recipe below)
•    Radicchio or red Swiss chard leaves (optional)
•    Freshly shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese (optional)
directions
1. Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes; drain. Pour boiling water over the onions; let stand for 3 minutes; drain. Trim off root ends and gently press to slip off skins. Alternately thread onions, artichoke hears, shrimp, and tortellini onto prepared skewer. Set on oiled vegetable grilling rack, if desired.
2. Grill for 6 to 8 minutes or until shrimp turn opaque, brushing frequently with Lemon-Tarragon Vinaigrette and turning once. To serve, place over radicchio or red Swiss chard leaves and pass Parmesan or Romano cheese, if desired. Makes 8 servings.
Lemon-Tarragon Vinaigrette: Stir together 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel; 2 tablespoons lemon juice or dry vermouth; 1 tablespoon snipped fresh tarragon or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried tarragon, crushed; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Makes about 1/3 cup.
nutrition facts
• Servings Per Recipe 8 servings Calories116, Total Fat (g)5, Saturated Fat (g)1, Cholesterol (mg)55, Sodium (mg)226, Carbohydrate (g)12, Fiber (g)2, Protein (g)8, Vitamin C (DV%)14, Iron (DV%)10, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
The Body

Zumba

Ok, you have probably heard about it, but may have been too intimated to really venture in and take a class or learn more about it. So we decided to give Zumba a test run and report back to you. Woah, what a work out.  For some people working out can be crazy boring and we can agree with that, spending an hour on a treadmill isn’t the most fun thing you could be doing. The Zumba® fitness program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that feels more like being out at a night club than working out in a gym. The Music is loud and fun and the people in the class are loving every minute of it. We recommend taking a beginners class to learn all the “steps” first, once you have the steps down the class is much more enjoyable, you’ll be able to keep up vs. trying to figure out what the hell the instructor is doing. We found a clip on youtube that shows some of the basic steps. Try it out, it’s defiantly fun and you’ll be burning a TON of calories….  just remember to balance your workouts and include weight training, after all muscle is what gobbles up fat!

The Body

Sanuk It means Fun

Out of the blue we came across this company Sanuk, which means Fun in Thai.

The company’s goal is to provide creatively inspired yet thoughtfully designed products for the global outdoor community…mostly because they are  part of it.
Headquartered in Southern California, with interests from surfing to rock climbing this company strives to make products as much about funk as function.  We wanted to share these with you because one of the flip flops is the MOST comfortable flip flop we have ever tried on. It is called the Yoga Mat, because that is what it is made of. Once you slip your foot into this flip flop you will melt, we are not kidding when we say that. Check them out you gotta try ’em.

The Body

blackberry sangria

Ok we here at Garage-Girls are on a new kick, Sangria…… yummmmmm…  and when a friend hooked us up with this recipe, well we thought it would be just too damn rude not to share! Enjoy!
ingredients
• 4  cups  fresh blackberries
• 3/4  cup  sugar
• 1 1/2  cups  water
• 2  750-ml. bottles  rosé wine
• 1  cup  cognac
• 1/4  cup  lemon or lime juice
• 3  cups  sliced peaches and/or plums
•    Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
directions
1. For the syrup, in a medium saucepan* combine 2 cups of the berries, the sugar, water, and a dash of salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Strain through a colander, pressing gently without crushing the fruit; discard berries. Cool syrup.
2. For sangria, in a gallon jar or pitcher combine the blackberry syrup, rosé wine, cognac, lemon juice, fruit, and a few sprigs of basil, if desired. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 24 hours.
3. Serve with ice, additional fruit, and basil. Makes 13 cups (26, four-oz. servings).
4. *Test Kitchen Tip: Use a nonreactive saucepan, such as Teflon-lined, enamel, stainless steel, or silver. The acid in the berries may react with metal.
The Body

Bag Lady Sue takes on New York City

If your not familiar with Bag Lady Sue here is your chance to catch the outrageous comedienne in New York City.  Suzanne Austin will entertain you with a show you will not forget. Suzanne’s comedy is geared toward “Adult” or as they say “Mature” audiences. She has a hair trigger mind and a caustic wit that will destroy any preconceived notion of what a female comedian should be talking about.
Suzanne created a character named “Baglady Sue” who combines the physicality of Lucille Ball and Red Skelton with the finest traditions of Burlesque and Vaudeville.  She is liberated, uninhibited, gutsy and up for interacting with you, whether you can take it or not. Don’t miss your chance to see her live Wed. Sept 15th and Friday sept. 17th at the Comic Strip Live at Gladys Comedy Room also Thursday Sept 15th at the Comic Strip Live at 318 W. 53rd St. New York City.  for more info visit http://www.bagladysue.com/ or catch her on facebook at Bag Lady Sue
The Body

The Other Guys

No, don’t expect the next great smart comedy, or witty written, twisty, totally different style of a comedy, thats not what your going toget. What you will get is straight up dumb-ass silly non-stop laughs. We hate to admit that this movie was funny because it had stupid written all over it, but DAM did we laugh out loud, like the whole time, and so did the rest of the theatre.   Wahlberg and Ferrell actually make a great comedy duo, who would have guessed?  If your looking for a flick to throw a smile on your face and bring out the laughs, you won’t be disappointed. Leave your expectations of smart comedy at the door though, you won’t be getting that, and just admit it, it’s FUNNY……………..

Because “The Other Guys” made us genuinely laugh out loud so much this flick is getting 4 spark plugs, Go see it!

The Body

aNGrYGiRL Gear

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Are you looking for clothing that is custom, handmade and full of attitude? Something no-one else will be wearing? You have to check out aNGrYGirl Gear.
The concept behind the aNGrYGiRL Gear line is pretty straightforward: Its all about attitude.  aNGrYGiRL Gear was originally conceived as a tough and aggressive clothing line, done almost entirely in black, with extreme metal accents and a preference for bondage. With time, this vision has broadened to include themes based on heavy metal/death metal/industrial music, alternative lifestyles, pop culture, and other cultural phenomena. So much more now than *just* black and metal, aNGrYGiRL Gear includes stunning pieces created from exquisite brocades, eyelets, taffetas, silk and leather… The only thing that hasn’t changed?
The attitude …its all about attitude 😉
Unless specified, each piece in the aNGrYGiRL Gear line is cut at the time of your order, and sewn to your custom measurements. This process generally takes 3 weeks to complete, depending on order volume. aNGrYGirl Gear is a one woman operation ~ each piece is designed and sewn by aNGrYLiTTLeDeAdGiRL, a seamstress with several years of professional experience. Since each piece is cut and sewn at the time of order, there is a great deal of flexibility available with your order.  Any design elements can be adjusted to your preference ~ color changes, etc.
All aNGryGiRL Gear is made to the highest possible professional standards. All seams are professionally finished and topstitched where appropriate. All hems are professionally finished. Hoods are fully lined. Lighter weight fabrics are backed to improve sturdiness. aNGrYGiRL Gear is notoriously substantial ~ the pieces are heavy, sturdy enough to last for years.
We found some really sweet tops in her collection and we are a HUGE fan of her “kitty” and “Panda” hoodies…
We just love the custom designs this chick is kickin’ out you gotta check her out!

You can find her on Facebook at facebook.com/angrygirlgear

Tell her Garage-Girls sent you over to check her designs out.