Hey Folks,

Welcome to another edition of Life Ingredients, the newsletter where I share a workout, a healthy recipe, and a piece of motivational advice.

Let’s jump right in as we always do, with a great workout!

 

Not sure if you caught Olympic Fever like I did, but I had a blast watching the games. The Olympics are such a great reminder that we are constantly pushing the boundaries of human potential. My motto—nothing is impossible—was proven true practically every day of the Olympics as World Records
were shattered with alarming regularity. And while I rooted my heart out for Team USA, the bodybuilding fan in me also had to admire the remarkable physiques and easy athletic grace of all the athletes. It also reminded me: If you want to look like an athlete, it’s a great idea to train like one.

So once again, here’s my trainer, Steve Wrona, with a terrific new workout of the month that ditches the isolation exercises and puts an emphasis on multi-joint athletic moves so that you can move and look a bit more like an athlete. Goodbye isolation curls and leg extensions, hello deadlifts and kettlebell windmills. The workout is below, and don’t forget to click the video to see Steve explain it all in more detail.

WARM UP

Alternating Hills Treadmill Warm-Up – 10 minutes
½ Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch, Lying Hip Rotation
Mini Band Monster Walk 2 x 30-60 seconds

THE WORKOUT

A) Cable Zercher Grip Deadlift 3 x 8-12
A) 90/90 Hip Rotation 3 x 5 each side

B) Cable Woodchop 3 x 10 each
B) Glute Bridge 3 x up to 60 seconds

C) Med Ball Triple Extension Slam 3 x 8-12
C) Side Lying Open Book 3 x 5-10 each

D) Kettlebell Windmill 3 x 5 each
D) Frog Stretch 3 x 30-60 seconds

 

 

My show Restaurant: Impossible might be in the rearview mirror, but over the course of over 300 episodes, I have to say I’m proud of the show’s legacy. For each one of those episodes, I crafted multiple menu items to help revitalize struggling restaurants, and some of those recipes remain some of my best work in the culinary field. This month I picked one of my all-time favorite recipes from the show, a Pan Seared Salmon with Yellow Curry that is just as delicious as it is nutrient dense. Salmon is my favorite fish, and this is an amazing way of preparing it. It’s not difficult to make and doesn’t take long to cook. I hope you’ll give it a try!

 

PAN SEARED SALMON WITH YELLOW CURRY

SERVES 4 – Double the recipe if needed!

YOU’LL NEED

FOR THE YELLOW CURRY
2 tbsp grapeseed oil
1 small white onion, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 thumbs ginger, peeled and minced
1 tsp coriander
2 tsp turmeric
3 tbsp yellow curry paste
1 cup coconut milk
Juice of 1 lime

FOR THE BRUSSELS SPROUTS & SPAGHETTI SQUASH

1 spaghetti squash, halved and seeded

8 oz Brussels sprouts, shaved thin

1 tbsp butter

1 lemon juiced

1 tsp chili flakes

FOR THE SALMON
Grapeseed oil
4 salmon filets, skin off (about 6 oz each)
1 bunch mint
2 tbsp pepitas (pumpkin seed)

MAKE IT

YELLOW CURRY
1) In a saucepan over medium heat, sweat onions in grapeseed oil. Cook for about 3 minutes or
until translucent.
2) Add carrots, garlic, ginger, coriander, turmeric, and yellow curry paste.
3) Add coconut milk and lime juice.
4) Add the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS

1) Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

2) Season the spaghetti squash with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet face down.

3) Roast in oven for about 20 minutes. The squash should be just cooked through.

4) Allow the squash to slightly cool. Using a fork, scoop out the insides, which should look like

spaghetti.

5) Add Brussel sprouts and butter to large sauté pan over high heat. Sear and continue to stir.

6) Add lemon juice and chili flakes. Continue to cook.

7) Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

SALMON & PLATING

1) Season the salmon with salt and pepper.

2) In a sauté pan over medium high heat add the salmon. Cook for 4 minutes on each side.

3) Place a large scoop of spaghetti squash in the center of the plate.

4) Top the spaghetti squash with the seared Brussel sprouts.

5) Place the cooked salmon on top of the Brussel sprouts.

6) Dress the salmon with the yellow curry sauce. Garnish with torn mint and pepitas.

 

I’m on the go constantly, as you’re probably aware. In fact, as I write this month’s newsletter, I’m on a flight home over the Atlantic Ocean, returning to the States from a tour of Europe where I visited with our troops stationed throughout the region. What often happens on these whirlwind tours is I get lost, or fully immersed, in the experience, and it’s only sometime later that I’m able to sit down, sift through all my experiences, and extract the lessons that will stay with me or that I wish to share.

But this trip was different. Or, more accurately, I should say that I was different. Because what I’m writing about today isn’t something that’s dawning on me now that I’ve got some time to breathe. It’s something that I was aware of at the moment. And that’s just the thing… What I was aware of was THE MOMENT itself. I slowed down and appreciated everything as it was happening. I fully absorbed the unique beauty of every meal, every car ride through the countryside, and every interaction I was fortunate enough to have with our brave men and women in uniform.

 

Slowing down is no small trick for a man who always has to run from one place to the next; I’ve developed a reflexive habit of living two or three moves ahead. But once I was able to slow down, I felt amazing. And it wasn’t just the fact that I had a deeper appreciation of everything around me, but the fact that as I slowed my mind down, I felt my body relax and my blood pressure sink lower. In short, I was able to access the benefits of having taken some time off without actually taking the time off.

The lesson here for you should be clear: Don’t just stop and smell the roses for the sake of the roses, but for the sake of your own mental health. Concentrating on what is right in front of you and being truly present in the moment is gift you can give yourself at any time. You don’t need to wait for a vacation to have access to this gift. Moreover, you can’t really afford to wait for the quiet moments to access it. Life doesn’t slow down. In fact, with age, I’ve learned time only seems to gain speed as the years wear on. With that being the case, it is critical that you learn to stay in the moment—and appreciate all that you find there—as often as you can. It’s made all the difference for me, and I’m certain it can do the same for you. As you try this on for yourself, remember the words I live by:

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.