West Coast Strength & Movement with Phil Wittmer

It's not all about building muscle bulk and daily training to look better....with Phil Wittmer, co owner West Coast Strength & Movement. It's more about your health and fitness for life...no fads, no gadgets...just lets start with the basics of movement, core and strength.  No judgement, no 'i told you so's', just an honest, basic routine designed to help me regain mobility and strength with my injured knee. 

In March I was walking across the street after a hockey game and my knee gave out. Yes a tad bit of wine was involved, but regardless I tore my ACL & meniscus in the left knee and I was in a brace and had a crutch even while travelling Australia and Bali....not fun. When returning I met with a young Orthopedic surgeon who said my knee was already compromised with arthritis and now with the injury I had to throw away the crutch and get on with strengthening my knees and work on my gait.  Enters Phil Wittmer, a professional trainer and movement expert and one of the kindest, gentlest souls.  He designed a program for me that will be easy for me to do at home that starts with basic core  & balance work and then the routine focuses on my knees to slowly and carefully build up my strength & mobility again.  Thank you Phil and here we go. 
Thanks for joining me and I will keep you posted.

Cinnamon Biscuits for 'Deez Balls'

There is no better way to feed a hungry bunch of ball players than to whip up a batch of my famous cinnamon biscuits.  Easy to make, and delicious as always. Good luck today Deez Balls....and have fun. Click here to go to my original recipe.  Thanks for joining me...enjoy! 

Click here to go to the complete recipe.

Fresh rhubarb from the Cariboo for Strawberry Rhubarb Pies

 Strawberry Rhubarb pies are the best summer treat especially when you can pick the rhubarb fresh.  Maggie & Roddy have a rhubarb patch at their cabin at Greenlake (south east of 100 mile house) and how delicious the rhubarb will be, combined with strawberries to make pies to take to a dinner party.
For a complete recipe for these pies and the best pastry ever, click here to follow this link.  Thanks for joining me and please enjoy!

Greenlake in the Cariboo 

Delicious, pineapple dream cake for the best Calgary Stampede party.

OMG  it can't get any easier than this for a crowd pleasing, delicious cake.  My friend Carol from Calgary found this recipe and shared it with me...wow is all I can say. It is a perfect addition to a Stampede Party at the in-laws. Thanks Karen and Todd for the best Stampede party ever!

Cake ( I know what you are thinking....a cake mix but it works)
1 yellow (golden) cake mix
1 can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup veg oil
4 eggs

Beat eggs first. Add oil, cake mix and crushed pineapple. Beat again until well mixed.
Pour into a well greased 9X13 cake pan. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool completely before icing with the topping below.

Topping
I cool whip 1L
1 can crushed pineapple
1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding (small)
Mix together well.

When the cake is completely cool ice the cake with the topping and cool until ready for serving. This cake tastes so much better when made the day ahead..
Yummy is all that I can say.

Hearty Tomato Ground Beef Soup for friends

Gary and Devon visiting from Kelowna and after a bit of running around and shopping in the big city we wanted to stay home, eat an easy, delicious dinner and perhaps play some 'tile rummy'. 
This Hamburger Tomato Soup is so quick and easy for those busy days. This is one of those soups that if made the day ahead it only gets better.
This time I used my 'instapot' to make it even quicker. Prep takes 15-20 minutes, cooking time 20 minutes and your dinner is done.  Serve it with fresh, crusty bread.  Enjoy!

1 white onion
450 grams ground beef  ( I have used turkey as well and it is also delicious)
1 cup diced celery
1 1/2 cups carrots - chopped
3 fresh tomatoes - diced
4 bay leaves
1 tbsp. oregano
1 large potato - diced
1 tsp. beef bouillon
1 can tomato sauce or tomatoes diced (398 ml)
1 can tomato paste ( 5.5 oz.)
4 cups of soup broth

1st ever herb planter box with Nancy & Justin

Thank you to the Farran Dyer Family Wealth Management Team at 

my 
RBC Wealth Management, RBC  for the amazing planting workshop at GardenWorks North Vancouver .  It was fun and the staff were so helpful and knowledgable.  This is my first 'herb' garden every. Thanks to Nancy, Justin and Selina.

Justin's herb garden

The planting gang

Justin and Nancy

Nancy's herb garden