Workout 1: The OG Squat

If you’ve watched the most basic of basic workout videos, then you must’ve done this one before. It’s very simple: stand with your legs shoulder width apart, with your arms stretched out forward, and bend your knees with your back straight until knees are at a 90 degree angle. Hold the position for 5-10 seconds (Feel the burn!), then get back up and repeat.

Tip: This exercise is a classic but needs to be repeated often in order to see results. Try doing at least three sets of 20 squats everyday and you might notice a little extra perk in your step!

Workout 2: The Kettlebell Swing

This one incorporates the OG squat but takes it up a notch. With a kettlebell in both hands, legs shoulder width apart, keep the bell hanging in the centre of your legs. As you begin to squat towards that 90 degree knee angle, simultaneously swing the kettlebell up until it is outright in front of you with arms extended. Repeat this again, holding the squat position again for 5-10 seconds.

 

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Workout 3: The JLo

I call this one the JLo because you’ve probably seen it in at least one of her music videos. Lay flat on your back with your knees bent upright, and with you feet planted on the ground, begin to elevate your hips till they are all the way up (it’s basically a classy, and more intense hip thrust). Hold this position for 10 seconds and repeat. This works best in 2 sets of 20.

Tip: Kick it up a notch and extend one leg upwards, only working one side at a time. This way you’ll feel the burn much more intensely and see better results!

Workout 4: The Booty Bounce

The booty bounce is basically like baby squats. In the same position you’d use to begin squatting, begin to squat but hold your position once your knees are around a 60 degree angle. You’ll definitely feel those glutes tightening with this. Once in that position continue bouncing in and out of that position at a decent pace.

Tip: Working out alone can be a bummer sometimes. Invite some friends over with their yoga mats and weights and turn it into a booty party! (Be sure to have a cool twerk playlist on deck too).

Workout 5: The Bench Jumper

For this one, you’re going to need a bench. Whether it’s a park bench, ottoman, short table, as long as it’s something sturdy enough and safe to jump on. With all your strength and the bench in front of you, swing your body up and jump onto the bench, landing in a squat position. Continue doing this for two sets of 10.

This is definitely the most intense one, so I would suggest saving it for last ensuring that you won’t burn out. You can also select your favourite ones and incorporate them into your existing workout routine. Best of luck, and this summer may the waves be beachy and your bums be peachy!

Read more:

• The Best Fitness Classes for Mothers-To-Be with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

The post 5 Easy Home Workouts For A Perfect Peachy Bottom appeared first on Food Health & Parenting Tips.

For a curry that is wholesome, full of flavour and not overwhelming with spice, I turn to this recipe as my saviour. No other recipe I have followed has matched this masterpiece. And now I pass the golden pot spoon onto you, as this recipe you will find, is a major key.

Ingredients:

4 Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters (uncooked and washed)

1 2 litre jug of water

1 Onion, chopped

½ Cup Tomato Paste

¼ Cup Canola or Vegetable Oil

3 Tablespoons Blended Garlic, or 3 cloves peeled and chopped

4 Tablespoons Garam Masala or Mix Masala

1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin

2 Tablespoon Salt

4 Tablespoon Turmeric

1 Scotch Bonnet Pepper cut in half (for taste)

4 Tablespoon All Purpose Seasoning (For Chicken)

1/8 Cup White Vinegar (To Wash Chicken)

1 Teaspoon Chopped Cilantro for Garnish (Optional)

Instructions:

Wash the chicken leg quarters in the white vinegar. Rinse the remaining vinegar off the chicken in cold water. Proceed to chop the chicken into 2-inch cubes. Washing meat is a very necessary process in any West-Indian household. Another great alternative to vinegar is freshly squeezed lemon juice, as this will also give the chicken a zestier taste. It is important to make the washing process no longer than 3 minutes, as the potency of the vinegar or lemon juice could dry out the chicken.

Once chopped, combine the chicken with the all-purpose seasoning, marinating each piece. Place in an airtight container and set aside in the fridge.

In a large saucepan, pour in the canola and set the burner to medium-high heat. Once the oil has reached optimal temperature, throw in the chopped onion. Continue to cook the onion for a quick minute.

Combine the tomato paste, garlic, masala, cumin, salt, turmeric and pepper in the saucepan. Continue to mix the base for another 2 minutes or until the spices are aromatic and cooked.

Take the seasoned chicken cubes out of the fridge and combine in the saucepan. Toss for another minute before adding 1 litre of water into the saucepan.

Turn the heat up to the highest setting, cover the saucepan and bring to a boil for 7 minutes or until water has slightly dried down.

Add more water from the jug for desired consistency and continue to boil for another 10 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.

Turn off the stove and set aside to cool for one minute. And voila! Serve with your choice of roti or an easy serving of white rice. As pictured above, I’ve served my curry with a traditional Guyanese roti known as dhalpuri. This roti features ground split peas and ground cumin as a filling inside large thin roti cooked on a flat frying pan.

For a healthier option opt for brown rice or wild rice. Plus it is easier to pack up for a delicious next day lunch. One last thing to do once it is clean up time is light a scented candle. This will help get rid of the lingering curry smell and have you smelling fresh in no time!

Read more:

• Shikoku: A Traveler’s Checklist
• Pelee Island Trout Almondine

The post A Chicken Curry Recipe That Will Transport You to The Caribbean appeared first on Food Health & Parenting Tips.

If you’re anything like me, then you’ve probably tried gin straight and absolutely hate it. Or if you love it, you’re probably slow-sippin’ on your third gin and tonic. But gin is so much more complex than that, and there are many cool ways to enjoy it, and possibly make it your go-to spring drink!

Spring Passion

The idea of this cocktail came to me while I was listening to Drake’s song “Passionfruit”. No, seriously it did. I also thought passion fruit nectar would be a perfect pairing to contrast the prominent herbal flavours of gin, in order to make it a mellow sip.

2oz Gin

5oz Passion fruit Juice

1/2oz Lime Juice

1 Lime Wedge and Mint Leaves for Garnish

Fill a tall glass entirely with ice. Add gin, passion fruit juice and lime juice. Stir, garnish with mint and a lime wedge and enjoy!

Gin-ger Lemonade

What’s more refreshing than lemonade?! The perfect way to keep cool, plus a hint of spice from the ginger beer. This one will have you geared up for a spicy spring! Moscow mule who?

1 1/2oz Gin

1oz Limoncello

1 1/2oz Simple Syrup

4oz Ginger Beer

2 Lemon Wheels for garnish

In a Collins glass, fill with ice, gin, Limoncello, and simple syrup. Finish by topping it off with ginger beer. Insert the lemon wheels along the walls of the glass for garnish.

Morning Glory

If you could have gin for breakfast (well you can, no judgement) it would be ideally in this drink, paired with some fluffy pancakes and maple syrup. Note that this recipe does require earl grey infused-gin, which could come in handy for a number of other recipes as well.

2oz Earl Grey Infused Gin (soak overnight with an earl grey tea bag)

1oz Orange Juice

1/2oz Simple Syrup

Mint Leaves for Garnish

Combine all ingredients in shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake for 20 seconds and then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with chopped mint leaves.

Violet Sky

If Prince were still alive, he’d definitely love this drink! Note that it has a light purple hue with shades of yellow, reminiscent of a bright evening sky aka one of the telltale signs of spring!

2oz Gin

1/2oz Galliano Vanilla Liqueur

2oz Lavender Syrup

1oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Lavender Sprig for garnish

Combine all ingredients in shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake for 15 seconds and then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with the lavender sprig and smell the flowers!

Les Fleurs

Nothing screams spring more than FLOWERS! This garden-inspired drink incorporates gin with some of our favourite flowers. Plus you can give it your own personalized look by garnishing with your favourite little flower!

1oz Gin

1oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

1oz Rose Flavoured Syrup

5oz Club Soda

1 Single stem flower of your choice

In a collins glass filled with ice, combine the gin, elderflower liqueur and rose syrup. Top it off with club soda and stir. Garnish with a cute flower from the store or even better, your garden.

Read more:

• Fools + Horses Boreal Latte
• Cocktail Hour: The Old Fashioned
• Hendrick’s: A Wildly Unusual Gin

The post 5 Easy Gin Cocktails For a Refreshing Spring Season appeared first on Food Health & Parenting Tips.