Exercise of the Month – Ball Squats

Toning your legs doesn’t require hours at the gym, endless lunges, or pricey gadgets. This one essential exercise hits your glutes, quads, and hamstrings. All you need is a wall, an inflatable exercise ball, and your own body weight.Stand facing away from the wall and place the ball between it and your buttocks. Leaning back against the ball to hold it in place, position your feet slightly in front of you, about shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees to lower yourself into a squat position. (The ball should roll up your back as you do this.) Hold for one count, and then return to the starting position. Aim for two sets of 15 to 20 repetitions, two to three times a week. If you get good and want to challenge yourself, hold dumbbells (5 to 8 pounds) as you squat and hold the squat position for longer. You can also add a bicep curl to work your arms.

Tips

• Keep the abs contracted.
• Squeeze your glutes as you lower and lift.
• Make sure that your knees stay behind your toes as you squat.

Recipe of the Month – Low-fat Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients

I c. whole wheat flour

¼ c. brown sugar

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. nutmeg

½ tsp. cinnamon and ½ tsp. grnd ginger

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp. canola oil

1 c. nonfat milk

1/3 c. pure pumpkin

Throw in some chopped apple, raisins, dried cranberries or walnuts for an extra boost! Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, ginger and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Combine oil, milk, and pumpkin in a small bowl. Stir pumpkin mixture into dry ingredients. Leave to stand for five minutes. For each pancake, scoop ¼ cup of batter on to a hot griddle or nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Turn pancakes when bubbles appear and edges are cooked, after about 2 minutes. Cook for 1 ½ minutes on second side.  YUMMY!!!!

Don’t Forget about Butts & Guts:

Saturday, November 7th and 28th @ 9:30 a.m.

See you there!!!

The world consumption of plastic shopping bags is staggering. According to the website reusablebags.com, world consumption is up to one trillion of these bags each year. Start reducing your consumption of these plastic shopping bags today. At the grocery store checkout, choose paper over plastic bags and reuse the paper bags on your next shopping trip. When you make small purchases, kindly refuse the plastic bag and place the item and receipt in your personal bag.

Recycling is the cornerstone of going green and it has never been easier. An inspiring number of communities have implemented recycling programs. Did you know Las Ventanas offers an on-site recycling program for each apartment home? Contact the office for more details. To begin participating in your community’s recycling program you don’t have to spend any extra money. You just have to get a little organized. You are a piece of the puzzle.

Do you have a closet or storage unit full of old clothes and furniture? A simple way to Go Green that doesn’t cost money is to give away, instead of throw away, old clothes, linens, furniture and electronics. Give other people the opportunity to reuse the items you do not need anymore. You can drop off your items at a local bin, usually located in grocery superstore parking lots or at a local Goodwill or Salvation Army center. You can also call the charity of your choice and they may offer the option to come in a truck and pick up your used items right in Las Ventanas.

Reusing is as equally important as reducing consumption and recycling. People throw away enough textiles each year to fill three football stadiums. There are varying degrees of going green. Reducing your consumption of plastic bags, donating used goods for reuse and participating in your community’s recycling program are a great start. You don’t have to spend more money to Go Green; start today.

Research distributed by the two organizations reflects that you may save up to 40% on cooling costs and as much as 10% on heating costs. Stopping air leaks below the door will prevent hot and cold air from escaping and decrease energy use from heating and cooling. The figure below illustrates how the process works.

Did you know Las Ventanas allows you to purchase new fans and switch out the ones already provided in your residence? A qualified technician hired by you is welcomed to install.

Description:

Easy Recipe
Family Favorite
Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large beaten eggs
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups cubed Italian bread, allow to stale overnight in a bowl

1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
1 cup chopped pecans

For the sauce:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup brandy

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan.

Mix together granulated sugar, eggs, and milk in a bowl; add vanilla. Pour over cubed bread and let sit for 10 minutes.

In another bowl, mix and crumble together brown sugar, butter, and pecans.

Pour bread mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over the top and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven.

For the sauce:
Mix together the granulated sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir together until the sugar is melted. Add the brandy, stirring well. Pour over bread pudding. Serve warm or cold.
Prep Time: 15 minutes   Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Desserts    Servings: 10