ACTOR BILL MURRAY takes up PILATES for a MOVIE ROLE

Funny man Bill Murray was one of the last celebrity's that anyone thought would take an interest in exercise, let alone Pilates! It is no secret that Murray has spent much of his 64 years partying, drinking alcohol and indulging in choice other drugs. However it appears that the legendary comedy star has turned over a new leaf and is making exercise a priority, all due to a movie role. 

At a recent premiere for his upcoming movie "Rock the Kasbah" Bill was asked by the media if he was being considered for a part in a young "Han Solo" movie that is currently in the works. Murray answered; "I don't know if I was up for it (the role)...I am working out now in hoping of getting this new thing. A lot of swimming and Pilates. Really gonna work hard at it." Bill was actually seriously considered for the Han Solo role in the 1977 Star Wars, however he lost out to Harrison Ford. 

Hopefully Murray's regular Pilates classes and swimming sessions in the pool can finally land him the movie role he has been wanting to play for almost 40 years! 

Not sure that you will fit in a Pilates class because of your gender? You certainly will at Premium Pilates studio! A considerable portion of our clientele are male and the co-owner of the studio, Chris Boult, makes all men feel welcome and confident. Come try our Floor work or Reformer classes today! Call 0402 680 724, email at inquiries@premiumpilatesstudio.com or visit our website by clicking here. 

Images and content by http://www.hitfix.com/awards-campaign/bill-murray-says-hes-swimming-and-doing-pilates-in-hopes-of-playing-young-han-solo#YRIkfzoEzWlika6F.99, http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/10/05/1412501306801_Image_galleryImage_Mandatory_Credit_Photo_by.JPG. http://www.thecannabist.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bill-murray.jpg. 

NOURISHING VEGETARIAN SOUP

There is nothing more that I love in winter than warm, hearty soup. I adapted this recipe from one I found in Yoga Girl's (Rachel Brathen's) book. Brathen lists some delicious recipes at the end of most of her chapters, all vegetarian, all super healthy and all very easy to make. I adapted her 'Carrot & Ginger Soup' to include more vegetables, particularly some that were on their last legs in my fridge. To spice up this soup you could add some ground or fresh chilli or more garlic or ginger. The amount that I used below of both garlic & ginger is subtle, however if you are fighting off winter bugs I'd suggest a bit more of each. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 kg of carrots, peeled and cut into similar sized rounds
• 5cm of fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 large or 4 small to medium garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
• 400g potatoes, peeled and cut into similar sized sliced
• 1 large zucchini or 2 small to medium, cut into similar sized rounds
• 3 large celery sticks, cut into similar sized pieces
• 1 large brown onion, cut into similar sized pieces
• 2 litres of low salt vegetable stock
• 1 x 400ml can of coconut milk 
• salt & ground black pepper
• Optional- a large handful of fresh finely cut parsley

COOKING 

1. Place the carrots, ginger, garlic, potatoes, zucchini, celery and brown onion in a large, deep saucepan. Pour the stock over the top and season with a pinch of salt and a generous amount of pepper. If the stock does not just cover all the vegetables, add a bit more water, 1/2 cup at a time. Cover and bring to the boil over high heat, then simmer for 10 minutes or until the vegetables have softened considerably. 

2. Pour in the coconut milk then return the pan to the boil, covered and over high heat. Once boiled, remove from the stove and leave to cool slightly for a few minutes before blending or processing in a blender or a food processor. Make sure to blend/process a little of the vegetables and liquid at a time. 

Serve warm, with extra ground black pepper, a touch of ground chilli and/or some fresh parsley on top. 

Serves / 8 

Total Preparation time / 20-30 minutes 

Total Cooking time / 25 minutes 

x Emily 

SPICED PUMPKIN & SWEET POTATO with CREAMY POLENTA

I love to make this roast vegetable dish in winter. As our little 40 plus year-old abode has no insulation whatsoever, I have spent the past few wintery days standing in the kitchen hovering near the warmth of the oven. I love winter as roasted spiced vegetables are one of my favourite things. Add in some hearty polenta and you have a substantial meal to warm your insides. Readers of this blog will know that ground coriander and cumin are some of my choice spices and I adore them with roasted vegetables, especially sweet potato. No need to add salt or cheese of any sort to the cooked polenta, as the flavour of the spiced vegetables is tasty enough. You can add a scant amount of crumbled feta on top of the dish to serve, however. Such a hearty vegetarian meal. 

Ingredients

Spiced Pumpkin & Sweet Potato

• 700g pumpkin, skin & seeds removed and chopped into 2cm even pieces
• 700g sweet potato, peeled & chopped into 2cm even pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3 heaped teaspoons ground coriander
• 3 heaped teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons rice bran oil
• Optional - 40g feta, crumbled

Creamy Polenta 

• 2 cups vegetable stock (gluten free and low salt)
• 1 1/2 cups water 
• 3/4 cup polenta 

Cooking 

1. Preheat a fan force oven to MAX (240 degrees celsius). Line a large baking tray with baking paper. 

2. Toss the chopped pumpkin & sweet potato with the garlic, coriander, cumin, oil and a pinch of sea salt & ground black pepper in a large bowl. Spoon the vegetables onto the prepared tray, trying to form a single layer of vegetables if you can. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the pumpkin & sweet potato are tender and golden. 

3. Meanwhile, make the polenta by bringing the stock and water to a gentle boil in a small saucepan. Spoon 1/4 cup of the polenta into the pan at a time, stirring constantly until the polenta has absorbed most of the water, then repeat with the additional two 1/4 cups. Add more water if needed. When all the polenta is cooked, remove from heat. 

4. Spoon 1/2 cup of the cooked polenta into a bowl and top with one quarter of the roasted vegetables. Sprinkle 10g of feta onto each bowl. Serve warm and enjoy. 

Serves / 4

Total Preparation time / 20-25 minutes 

Total Cooking time / 25-30 minutes 

SANDRA BULLOCK'S FITNESS SECRETS: PILATES & MORE

Actress Sandra Bullock looked all kinds of toned at the London premiere of her latest film“Minions (see top photo). 'The Most Beautiful Woman In the World' actress (Bullock was crowned with this title earlier this year) recently spilled her fitness secrets and how she maintains her lean legs, her slim waist and her toned arms. Surprise, surprise, Pilates has quite a lot to do with it! 

The age-defying actress (Bullock is 50 years old) credits regular Pilates, yoga, weightlifting, kickboxing, circuit-training workouts and a low-carb eating plan to maintaining her fit physique. 

The 170cm star loves to combine resistance and strength training (Pilates) with cardio exercise to keep herself looking fit, lean and young. 

“I do a lot of Pilates, kick-boxing and weight training in L.A., and when I’m in Austin [Texas], I run or ride a bike,” said Sandra. 

Bullock takes an interesting approach to staying fit. The movie star insists that staying in shape isn’t difficult as it is part of her job to work out and look good. “People ask, ‘How do actresses do it [stay in shape]?...Um, they pay us to do this in order to look good on film," Sandra states. 

Bullock's personal trainer reveals that Sandra is incredibly committed to her exercise and works very hard to achieve her envious figure. "Sandra puts in an hour a day [at the gym], six times a week,” tells her trainer. “She is extremely motivated and driven.”

Bullock knows that it takes two to tango and focuses on her eating as well as her fitness. Sandra is a long time fan of a healthy low-carb diet and eats lots of fruit, vegetables and protein such as meat and eggs to keep her energy levels high. 

Want to tone up and slim down like Sandra? Envious of her age-defying figure? With a healthy eating plan and regular exercise including Pilates you can feel fitter, more toned and lean too! Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724, email us at inquiries@premiumpilatesstudio.com or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com to find out about all our classes and offerings! 

x The PPS team 

Images by http://www.celebrityhealthfitness.com/28647/sandra-bullock-wows-red-carpet-her-low-carb-diet-and-yoga-workout-secrets/, http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ba/1d/ba1d6f0b1c4b13f55e42f812020f5034.jpg?itok=CWkoA2ez, http://aimworkout.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Sandra+Bullock+Sandra+Bullock+Goes+Gym.jpg

MYER AMBASSADOR KRIS SMITH & GF MODEL MADDY KING are SNAP HAPPY at PILATES

Myer Ambassador Kris Smith and his model & Pilates instructor girlfriend Maddy King couldn't help taking a cute photo after their sweaty reformer Pilates workout a few days ago. 

Smith captioned the photo: 'They say couples that train together stay together.’ 

King, who has recently become an ambassador for KX Pilates, posted the same photo on social media with the caption: '7am Pilates workout to make the Mrs happy!’

The very toned pair were all smiles after their sweaty Pilates class. Both models work hard to keep their bodies trim for the catwalk and reformer Pilates is a great form of low-impact exercise that they can do together. 

Maddy seems to bring Kris along to Pilates classes, as she is an avid fan and is a Pilates instructor herself! She tries to attend three reformer Pilates classes a week, in addition to walking, running, swimming and bike riding. 

At Premium Pilates studio, many of our female clients bring their partners along to try Pilates and these men seem to fall in love with our reformer machines or our Mat classes! Kris Smith is just one male that knows the numerous benefits that regular Pilates offer! Call our studio today on 0402 680 724, send us an email at inquiries@premiumpilatesstudio.com or visit us online at premiumpilatesstudio.com. 

from the PPS team 

Images by dailymail.co.uk and the dailytelergraph.

ACTRESS CHLOE GRACE MORETZ wears eye-catching leggings to a PILATES CLASS

Kick-ass movite star Chloe Grace Moretz was spotted on Thursday rushing to a Pilates class in LA in a pair of crazy graphic leggings! The 18-year-old actress wore black and white print leggings which made her pins look very toned and trim, no doubt a result of her dedication to her exercise regime. As the young star says about exercise: "working out is like therapy to me. I have to work out at least four times a week, otherwise I’m not a happy person." We totally understand that! 

The beautiful actress loves Pilates so much that she recently took part in a Five Core Exercise challenge. The video below shows Moretz demonstrating five very tough Pilates exercises all with a smile on her face. Click on the following link to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQnQEqhLbqk . In addition to Pilates, Chloe enjoys SoulCycle, a spin class that is very popular in North America. 

Whilst Chloe is young in years, she has a very grounded view of dieting and her body image. “I’m conscious of what I eat and try to eat what I want, but if it’s too rich then I change my choices for the rest of the day. I don’t really believe in depriving myself, I love food too much...I think a normal ‘real’ body is the most beautiful thing in the world. Anyone could be board thin if they want to deprive themselves. I just personally don’t like that look.”

In a recent interview the trim star shared her favourite healthy eating and her not so healthy treats! Chloe loves indulging in pasta and chocolate drink every once in a while, however she tries to eat simple and healthy food as often as she can. She enjoys tuna, other sea food and loves to cook at home. 

Want to do some cheap therapy in the form of working out? Call Premium Pilates Studio today on 0402 680 724, email inquiries@premiumpilatesstudio.com or visit us online at premiumpilatesstidio.com for more information! 

Images by http://i.dailymail.co.uk/, http://celebritiesreport.com/, 

QUINOA & TURKEY SALAD

This recipe just came to me as I was shopping for turkey mince this morning. Nothing makes me feel as full as quinoa, due to its high protein content. This wonder seed is also full of iron, magnesium and fibre, which makes it a great choice for vegetarians out there. The fresh or dried thyme is optional, however I urge you to include it, as this herb is a perfect paring with the turkey. Use ground black pepper instead of salt to flavour the turkey. You could add more vegetables to this salad if you wish, such as cucumber, green beans, etc. I find that with the avocado and herb/s in the dish there is no need for a dressing. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained twice
• 1 teaspoon rice bran oil 
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped or crushed 
• 500g lean turkey mince
• Optional - 1 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
• a generous pinch of ground black pepper
• 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 150g baby spinach, washed & drained 
• 1 small avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, chives and/or coriander 

Cooking 

1. In a saucepan cover the quinoa with 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork, then leave to cool slightly for a few minutes. 

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add the turkey mince to the pan along with the thyme (if using). Stir often, breaking down any lumps that form in the mince, until the mince is just cooked. Sprinkle the pepper on top and stir well, then leave to sit for 2 minutes.

3. Prepare the salad by combining the tomatoes, baby spinach, avocado and herb/s in a large salad/serving bowl. When the quinoa and turkey are ready, add to the bowl and toss well to combine. Serve warm, with a pinch more pepper if desired. 

Serves / 4 

Total Preparation time / 15 minutes 

Total Cooking time / 20 minutes