Feel the Burn

Typically, when someone is talking about , ‘Feeling the burn’, they are referring to the euphoric high of an intense workout. The one that makes each breath of oxygen fuel your muscles, so that you can continue to get in one more set, one more rep, or maybe just one more step. The burn is the production and build up of lactic acid.

High intensity exercise can cause an endorphin rush much like the intake of Capsaicin, which is an active component in chilie peppers and is said to promote weight loss. It is also an anti fungal.

I am known as a chili head. I enjoy the burn of hot peppers, sauces, seasonings and all things chili. I have been busy grinding dried Mulato, Ancho, Ghost, New Mex., Chococlate Habanero, and Fatali chilies. I mix this with a few seasonings and use it as a topical addition for eggs, soups, meats, you name it.

These Fatali peppers are one of my favorites for their citrus like flavor. I am wearing gloves due to the oils that are present on these chilies. The vast majority of the heat is not in the seeds, as some people think, but in the membrane or placenta, that holds the seeds.

I recently took a stab at making my own pepper sauce. It turned out rather well. I made my first batch with Jalapenos and Poblanos. These were fermented in a brine solution with yogurt culture to help create the process. After about six weeks, I added vinegar, a few final seasonings, ran half the batch through a berry strainer, and my first bottle of hot sauce was born.

There was a point where we had to vacate the premises and air it out, due to the overwhelming fumes. This gave us ample time for some great Mexican food at my favorite restaurant.

Whether you choose to explore the use of capsaicin as a topical for pain relief, the ingestion of more spice for health reasons, (circulation), or just grab a bottle of chipotle sauce for flavor, I hope you enjoy your experience as much as I have enjoyed sharing mine with you.

Feel the Burn!

In fitness, Bob

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Isometric Exercise

A great addition to anyone’s fitness or exercise routine can and should be Isometrics. Using your own body against itself as resistance, or applying pressure to a stationary object will challenge and activate your muscles and increase circulation. As I write this, I am sitting on a stability ball instead of the office chair to engage my core.

It is believed that Isometric exercise dates back thousands of years to Yoga and Martial arts practitioners. It was also the precursor to body building. Chiropractors and Physical Therapists often instruct patients and clients on the use of isometric exercise to engage their muscles for corrective posture and rehabilitation. Dr.Chris Steidinger of Maximized Living, at ProActive Health and Wellness in Columbus, Ohio, prescribes and recommends isometric exercise  to many of his patients regularly.

Isometrics can be applied almost anywhere at anytime. While at work, watching TV at home, sitting in the car, flying on a business trip, or anywhere it would be safe to do so. Leg isometrics would be a bad idea sitting at a stop light in your car while driving. I do however twist my grip on the steering wheel while sitting at a stop light. This works the hands and forearms.

Standing in a doorway, you can push against both sides of the door frame at head, shoulder, waist and thigh height, for a full range of motion exercise. All you do is apply pressure against the frame as if pushing it apart. While seated, you can press down on your upper leg while trying to raising your leg against the resistance. To work the shoulder and back area you can put your hands together in front of you and apply pressure towards the palms. This can be reversed by locking your fingers together and trying to pull them apart. While keeping your head straight, you can apply pressure against it with your hands to strengthen the neck muscles. This is good for releasing tension in the neck area.

These are just a few of the many variations of Isometric exercise that are simple and require no special machines to perform. Do these at work, home, or on the go to tone your muscles.              Keep moving and stay fit.

In fitness, Bob