Recently, I got back into weight training. And when I say recently, I mean that I still can’t move from my workout two days ago. Is it too soon to talk about getting back into something when it’s been less than a week? That’s debatable, I suppose. Really, the pain is not that bad, but it’s definitely a reminder of how long it’s been since I lifted weights consistently. My triceps are alive and kicking! Yeow.
After I tore the meniscus in my knee last year (a result of lifting a heavy box during a move), my workouts have been all over the map. I had months of relentless, nagging pain and then short periods without much pain. Totally unpredictable, incredibly frustrating. My love for running races was sidelined indefinitely, which was the hardest part to come to terms with. Meniscus injuries are notorious for slow healing and often, the knee is never quite the same after injury. There is a new definition of normal, I guess. Needless to say, I’ve walked on eggshells – fitness-wise – for the past year and a half, scared to push my knee too hard.
Thankfully though, my injury seems to have turned a corner since earlier this year (knock on wood), thanks in part to the knee strengthening exercises I’ve stuck with. I no longer have pain from daily walking and regular cardio workouts have been fine too. Squatting on the floor or sitting on my knees is still bothersome (as are twisting movements), but it could always be worse.
So, it’s time to get inspired about new fitness challenges again. Weight training is a good place to start; not only is it a muscle builder, but it’s a confidence builder too. I’ve never been overly excited about weight training, but it’s amazing how much of a positive impact it has on my body, mind, and spirit when I do it. My goal is to do a few strength training sessions per week. I’ll have to modify some of the exercises in workout DVDs (plyometrics, like jumping squats, need to be avoided), but I’ll be able to do pretty much everything else. My mantra is to focus on what I can do instead of what I can’t do. It’s similar to enjoying a vegan diet – focus on all the incredible foods you can eat rather than the ones that you want to avoid. Before long, you’ve created a “new normal” for yourself.
All of this brings me to the million dollar question – which workout DVD to use? If you have any recommendations, I’d love to hear them below!
In other celebratory news, can we give three cheers for peaches and other stone fruits this month? Can’t. get. enough.
Traditional crisp recipes are usually loaded with sugar and butter, but they don’t have to be. The natural sweetness of seasonal fruit should take centre stage. This recipe I’m sharing today does just that; in fact, it’s healthy enough for breakfast which is how we enjoyed it this past weekend. It would also be lovely with a scoop of ice cream or coconut whipped cream for dessert. It yields 3-4 small servings so if you want something to serve a small crowd I suggest doubling the recipe.
Summer Stone Fruit Crisp
Yield
3-4 servings
Prep time
Rest time
5 minutes
Cook time
Total time
Peaches, plums, and cherries make up this stone fruit filling. It’s versatile though, so play around with the fruit. Apricots and nectarines would be nice too. I added a light dusting of coconut sugar, cinnamon, arrowroot powder, and chia seeds (the latter two absorbing water) into the filling. The topping is made up of almond flour (or almond meal, if you’d rather), rolled oats, oat flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, and sea salt. It tastes like a cross between an oatmeal cookie and granola without being sickly sweet! I love serving it with Coconut Whipped Cream or vegan ice cream.
Ingredients
For the filling:
- 3 peaches, peeled, pitted, and diced
- 2 plums, peeled, pitted, and diced
- 1 cup cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar (or other granulated sugar)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup almond flour (or almond meal)
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- pinch of salt, to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a small 1 litre (4 cup) casserole dish.
- Combine the filling ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir until fully incorporated.
- In another medium bowl, stir together the almond flour, oat flour, rolled oats, and cinnamon. Add in the maple syrup and coconut oil and mash with a fork (or beat with a hand mixer) until thoroughly combined into a dough. Add salt to taste.
- Spoon fruit filling into casserole dish and level out. Crumble the topping over top of the fruit in an even layer. Bake, uncovered, at 375°F (190°C) for around 30 minutes, checking on the topping after 20 minutes. If the topping starts to brown too soon, you can remove it from the oven and cover with tin foil for the rest of the time. The crisp is ready when the fruit is fork tender and the topping is golden.
- Cool for 5-10 minutes and serve on its own, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream.
Tip:
Note: Use certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten-free.
This crisp looks amazing! I have tried a few workout DVDs and I always go back to my favorite. It is Body Sculpting Weights 3 by Francesca Fisher. It looks a little dated but the exercises are tried and true. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
Seriously, there is nothing better than stone fruit! My obsession with cherries has gotten a little overboard this summer and after seeing this I know exactly what to make next!
Yummy crisps! The most delicious way to enjoy summer stone fruits :)
Hi Angela! I personally fell in love with Piloxing- a combination of pilates and boxing. It isn’t weight training but it is a great workout. I ordered the DVD on amazon along with the one pound hand weights it comes with. I love this workout because even though it’s an hour long it’s very empowering but kicks your butt at the same time. It’s also a nice change of pace after running all week or lifting weights. Check it out ;)
Definitely going to make this crisp!
I really LOVE Jessica Smith for workout DVDs (and I almost exclusively use DVDs to work out, so I’ve tried a lot). She has a GREAT YouTube channel. For strength training, I really love her CardioAbs DVD (yeah that doesn’t sound like strength training but it actually includes a 30 minute total body strength routine that is AWESOME) as well as her 10 Pounds Down Bettter Body Blast — three 20 minute strength routines (upper body, lower body, abs). I find her workouts just as hard as Jillian michaels but just a lot more pleasant — she is nice/encouraging/real rather than sort of yelling at you :) although a little Jillian yelling sometimes is what we need too… :)
Hi Angela!
Once again, thank you for a great recipe. I’ve been dying to make a strawberry rhubarb crisp, and I think I’ll try your streusel topping on that. :)
As for weight training, you can try older posts on bodyrock.tv, and blogilates. Both focus on personal bests and weight trainings. :) I hope you find something you like!
I bought way too many peaches and cherries earlier this week, so I’m glad I saw this recipe–now I know what to do with them!
And so many good workout DVD suggestions in the comments! I’ll echo the suggestions about the Bar Method (specifically the Dancer’s Body Advanced workout) and Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones. Also, here in Chicago we have a place called the Mercury Method where the room is heated to 98.6 degrees and they have a variety of strength training classes. I’ve only gone a few times but it’s SO effective. Maybe there is something similar in your area?
Thank you so much for this recipe! I love fruit crisps but have been stumped as to how to veganize them. Good luck with the weight training – the first workout back is always the worst!
Cathe Friedrich is an amazing fitness DVD instructor. Everything she produces is challenging and high quality. There are too many excellent choices to name, but Butts and Guts is a good lower body one, Xtrain Back, Chest and Shoulder is a great upper body one and STS Total Body is a great full body choice. Check them out at http://cathe.com/ or www.collagevideo.com. Good luck!
Sorry about your knee, injuries suck! I am a big fan of the Insanity DVDs. I just bought the Insanity Asylum set and am very excited for a new physical challenge. They are the toughest fitness DVDs I’ve found to date.
Outstanding recipe.
This sounds so lovely, Ange!! I’ve been doing workouts from the GPP Fitness website that are awesome. They have one called the STAB Medley, which is all upper body if you wanted to start there. After I finished that thing, I couldn’t even lift my arms up past my shoulders! haha
Re; your injury, I feel your pain! I injured my glute medius last year and was told no running, jumping or any type of high impact training. Recovery took 5 months. Very frustrating but I did find a workout dvd that helped me to burn calories and strengthen the muscles around my injury. Jillian Michael’s No More Trouble Zones. No high impact and lots of muscle work. Best of luck with your recovery. Happy running!
Angela. You have to try the Ballet Beautiful DVD’s. It is SUCH a great workout. They’re led by Mary Helen Bowers, who, I’m preeeeetty sure is the sweetest workout coach ever in existence. It’s a very fluid, strength workout. There are a few samples on youtube to preview before you go all in and buy the DVD. I recommend the Total Body Workout one, specifically.
Good luck!
Angela,
I just read through the comments and can’t believe that no one mentioned to toneitup.com!
The Tone It Up girls, Karena and Katrina, post work out plans and videos along with printable instructions. They also post recipes and other tips and have DVDs available for purchase.
Peaches are my favorite! Thanks for the recipe. You have some of the best recipes out there – several of them have become a part of my new normal (along with my parents). I’ve worked out off and on to THE FIRM workout videos / DVDs since the early ’90s. When I’m doing them consistently, I get amazing results!
Pretty sure my family won’t be able to turn this one down! I am thinking of using a variation of this to share at Thanksgiving dinner down here in the states.
I feel the same way about strength training. I find it incredible empowering. As far as DVD’s go I have enjoyed P90X- big commitment, and even the other version that is less intense. Just called BeachBody.
I would love to keep hearing about your progress with weight training. I started weight training about 6 months ago when I was getting a little sick of running (gasp!) Running is still my fave, but I have really found the weight lifting to be a huge confidence builder. I feel so strong when I reach a lifting PR. Dead lifts are my fave weight lifting move.
As for videos, like a few of you, I love Jillian Michaels’ 30-day Shred. My all-time favourite is Elle MacPherson’s “The Body”… it’s really old and cheeseball! I have so much fun doing it that it barely feels like a workout, but I always notice increased toning in my arms after about a week of it.
I think I’m going to make your crisp for a “mojito madness” party I’m going to this weekend. Looks like a great dessert for a pool event, thanks for sharing!
I feel so sad for you that you cannot race. I know how hard that can be, especially for someone who really loves running and racing.
On a happier note, I love the simple, nutritious ingredients in both the filling and the topping! Can you believe I have not had ONE cherry this summer? NOT ONE! What is the matter with me? I think this recipe might just be the little nudge I needed to see that this changes in the very very near future! Thanks for sharing!
Looks very tasty! And pretty! Yum!