Exercise w/ Your Dog, Summer Squash Saute, Split Stance Dumbbell Row

Tip of the Day: Exercise w/ Your Dog
Is your workout buddy bailing on you again? We all know of a certain friend we have that will never bail on us. Dogs never let their owner down, and they love you no matter what. If you don't have a dog, get one! It could be the turning point for you to be motivated to stay in shape! Dogs need to stay in shape too, so make it a goal to take your loyal canine friend for a walk every day. You will both be so happy for it!


Healthy Recipe: Summer Squash & White Bean Saute

This recipe is made up of pretty much everything I love! 195 calories a serving (recipe makes 4)! Seriously, that's ridiculously low. Eat it.

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, halved and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1 medium yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 15- or 19-ounce can cannellini or great northern beans, rinsed (see Tip)
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add zucchini, summer squash, oregano, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook, stirring once, until the vegetables are tender-crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Stir in beans, tomatoes and vinegar; increase heat to medium and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in Parmesan.

*Don't forget to drain and rinse the beans! They can have so much sodium in those cans!

Exercise: Split Stance Dumbbell Row

I am all for two in one exercises, and this is a great one to add into your workout routine. You're not only working your mid/upper back with the row, but you're really working on your hips with the split stance. Hips are part of your core, and having a strong core means everything when you're trying to get in shape!

In split stance, right leg in front, with both knees slightly bent, lean forward and place your right arm on your knee for support, with a dumbbell in your left arm, straight down. Engage your core, and bring the dumbbell closer to your body, bending your elbow 90 degrees. Do 2 sets of 12 on each side. Pick a weight that's challenging, and once you can easily do 12, it's time to up the weight!