Lori Rischer, Author at LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health

Rockstar Health and Fitness: Nathan Sykes

Lori Rischer — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 00:07:01 +0000

Nathan Sykes Solo Artist

Nathan Sykes is following in the footsteps of Justin Timberlake and Nick Jonas. Artists who made the not-so-easy transition from massively successful boy bands (NYSNC and the Jonas Brothers, respectively) to heartthrob solo artists.

Many have tried and failed, but Nathan will not fall into that category. Born with an incredible musical talent, he started singing when he was six years old. By the age of 10, he was winning local competitions including the Cheltenham Competitive Festival of Dramatic Art. He joined the British boy band The Wanted when he was 16. I had the pleasure of working with the band for a few years during which we shared a lot of fun memories (including adventures in London, NYC, LA, San Diego and Las Vegas). They achieved notable success.

The Wanted and The Wanted Life

The Wanted’s first single, “Glad You Came” went all the way to #1 in the US. They had a reality show on E TV, The Wanted Life. I watched as they went from being unknown in the US to heartthrobs.. I remember walking through The Grove with the guys while being chased by girls and the paparazzi. When The Wanted performed on the Tonight Show, the girls rushed the stage. It was chaos and an all-time first for Jay Leno and crew.

Nathan Skyes and Unfinished Business

Nathan launched his first solo project with the powerhouse team of Global Entertainment behind him. I’m excited to work with Nathan on his US radio campaign. We had so much fun while he was part of The Wanted and I look forward to achieving another #1 hit together. His first single is a fun uptempo song called “Kiss Me Quick.” His album, Unfinished Business, is available.

Nathan Sykes and Health and Fitness

Being an international star requires a busy travel schedule. I was able to grab a few minutes with Nathan to talk about his healthy secrets. The first thing he told me is, “I’m a bit weird,” and of course, we laughed. He continued to tell me the most important change he made after vocal cord surgery to remove a polyp: He stopped drinking soda. Instead, he drinks plenty of water and loves juicing. His favorite juice is the classic lemon and cayenne blend.

When it come to exercise he said, “I love walking.” I find a lot of artists either run or walk because at the same time they exercise, they can sightsee and enjoy the views of nature or the city they’re visiting. While walking, Nathan loves to listen to artists including Amy Winehouse, Miguel, and Frank Ocean. He wants to try yoga and his sister swears by it (I told him I swear by it as well). He tries to eat as healthy as he can when traveling and is a pescatarian (when he cut out all meat except fish, he noticed a drastic improvement in his skin).

Be sure to purchase his incredible hit single “Kiss Me Quick.” Nathan Syke’s long-awaited debut album Unfinished Business. Download it here: nathansyk.es/UnfinishedBusinessDeluxe

You can find more information at: nathansykesofficial.com.

Lori Rischer

Lori Rischer is a music business promotion and marketing executive. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on icHeartRadio iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness.

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health and Fitness: Harry Hamlin

Lori Rischer — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 07:01:31 +0000

Harry Hamlin discusses finding the grounding influence of meditation through his role in feature film, The Fourth Noble Truth.

Meditation is increasingly a topic of news stories and a part of popular culture. Meditation is even part of the subject of an entertaining feature film, The Fourth Noble Truth. The film’s star Harry Hamlin inspires on screen. A recent conversation with the talented actor gave me a powerful hit on inspiration when we discussed the power of practicing meditation.

Harry Hamlin and the film The Fourth Noble Truth

In The Fourth Noble Truth, Harry plays Aaron. Aaron is a narcissistic movie star who gets in trouble (the kind of trouble that involves handcuffs) because he can’t maintain his cool. In order to impress the judge, Aaron’s lawyer sends the misbehaving actor to a series of classes with the judge’s meditation teacher, who is played with sincerity by Kristen Kerr.

Once I heard the name of the movie I was immediately intrigued. The first lesson that the Buddha taught beneath the Bodhi Tree was the lesson of the four noble truths. Life is suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, there are methods for reducing suffering, and the method for reducing suffering is to live by the principles of the eightfold path. The Bodhi Tree was also the place where the Buddha sat and attained enlightenment. I visited that very location in India and sat under the Bodhi Tree. It was a highlight of my travels.

As Harry and I spoke about the film and what drew him to the role of Aaron in The Fourth Noble Truth, my interest in the film, in Harry’s story, and in meditation grew. Harry decided to take on the role of the reluctant meditator Aaron because he was looking for a grounding influence in his own life in the midst of chaos. He found a welcome and fun challenge in the idea of playing a self-obsessed movie star who is handed a somewhat unconventional punishment for road rage.

Harry Hamlin and his Personal Practice of Meditation and Fitness

Harry began his personal practice of meditation in 1976 during his classical acting training at one of the top drama schools in the country—the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. He studied Transcendental Meditation (it was part of the school’s curriculum) and was given a mantra. When he is regularly practicing meditation, he says that he find his life runs like a well-oiled machine. Everything works and flows more efficiently. “The way you react is different, you sleep better and have an overall sense of calm,” Harry said. He continued, “When you step back and look at the big picture life is better, more enjoyable.” His meditation practice helps him step back.

In addition to meditation, Harry has a number of other healthy habits. These include hiking (his favorite outdoor activity is climbing mountains), weight training, and stretching. Healing from a recent foot injury required him to wear a cast and change up his routine. So he added daily 30 to 120-minute rides on a stationary bike in place of his customary hikes. And while Harry used to enjoy a regular yoga practice, an injury sustained during his stint on Dancing with the Stars led to placing his practice on hold to avoid forward folds per doctor’s orders. After the herniated disc he experienced has healed and Harry is looking forward to resuming his yoga practice.

Harry Hamlin and Food and Health

When it comes to food and health, Harry favors healthy and organic. He became vegan for a year after reading The China Study. During that year, his spine healed faster and more completely than the doctors thought possible. While he is not currently a vegan, he remains conscious about his choices.

The two of us had fun sharing meditation stories. If you have not yet tried mediation….go for it, it’s worth it. I promise you your life will improve. Just ask Harry.

The Fourth Noble Truth

The Fourth Noble Truth stars Harry Hamlin and Kristen Kerr. It opened in Los Angeles on June 5, 2015, at the Laemmle Royal (laemmle.com).
For more information about the film, visit: thefourthnobletruth.com

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: Wyclef Jean

Lori Rischer — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 07:01:17 +0000

Rockstar Health & Fitness: Wyclef Jean

My favorite memories of working with Wyclef Jean involve numerous occasions of him stopping by my office for a visit that began as a business meeting and then became a dance party. At the time, he had just released his solo album, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book. It included some of my favorite songs: “Perfect Gentleman,” “The Red Light District,” and “911” (with Mary J Blige). In those days, I shared a large office with my good friend Andrea Kline at the Sony Music headquarters at 550 Madison Avenue in NYC. Wyclef Jean would stop by looking for updates on how his songs were doing on the radio. And before you knew it, he would be putting on a private concert for us. If you have ever seen Clef perform, you would understand why he would immediately have us on our feet dancing and singing.

Wyclef Jean and his Journey

Wyclef’s life has been an interesting journey. He was born in Haiti and moved to Brooklyn at the age of nine. When living in the projects, his mom noticed his talent for music, and at a young age bought him a guitar. She wanted to encourage him to follow his passion and stay out of trouble. Boy did that pay off!! Funny side note: the first song he learned to play was Steve Martin’s “King Tut.”

When he was a teenager, his family moved to Newark, New Jersey, where he went to high school. It was there that he teamed up with his cousin Pras and friend Lauryn Hill, and created the iconic music group, The Fugees. Their biggest singles were “Ready or Not” and their remake of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.” The band went on to sell over 15 million albums worldwide and their notoriety launched successful solo careers for all three artists.

Wyclef is also a featured performer in several hit songs including: Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” and Santana’s “Maria Maria.” His incredible song with Avicii is called “Divine Sorrow;” definitely put it on your workout playlist. His album, Clefication, was released in Fall, 2015. In 2018, he is performing on The Carnival Tour.

Wyclef is also politically active in addition to being a legendary rapper, musician, and producer. In 2010, Wyclef ran for the President of Haiti, but shortly after his campaign began, he was disqualified since he had not lived in Haiti the previous five years. Nonetheless, he remains active to this day in a number of charitable causes supporting his country.

Wyclef Jean and Workouts

I always love spending time with Wyclef. On a recent visit to LA, he took me through his workout. I admit it: he kicked my butt! What makes his workouts fun is he feels that the best place to exercise is anywhere you find yourself. Since we were at my friend’s house, we moved the furniture out of the room for a workout that included everything from acro yoga, gymnastics, push ups, tricep dips off the couch, relay races across the living room, and sit ups to Wyclef lifting me up onto his shoulders while doing squats! He even taught me how to walk on my hands, which is something he always did when we traveled together.

I like to tell people that working out should be enjoyable. Find something you like doing and get your body moving rather than making it a dreaded chore on your to do list. Get out and have fun! And, as Wyclef taught me, you can exercise anywhere!

Wyclef Jean, Fruit, and Smoothies

As far as food, Wyclef Jean continues the habits he learned from his mother while growing up in Haiti. Eat from the earth and choose organic. This includes staying away from processed and manufactured foods. To stay healthy on the road, he travels with his own juicer, and I had the pleasure of learning his technique. As I was rushing to chop the fruit, he taught me to slow down and enjoy the process. Even the washing and chipping of the fruit is part of the experience, so slow down and enjoy. He turned our juicing session into a dance party, just as he did with our business meetings. He danced, moved his hips, and even sang “Hips Don’t Life.” I took his advice and enjoyed the experience. Oh, and the juice (pineapple, mango, apple, and orange), it was delicious.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness with Jared Leto

Lori Rischer — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 23:00:12 +0000

I will always remember the first conversation I had with Jared Leto. We originally met in NYC in 2008 when I was working with his former management company, The Firm. I took him to do a radio interview at Z100. At the time, Jared had just finished filming the movie Chapter 27 where he played Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon. He had to gain 60 pounds for the role.

The details of how he did it have stayed with me. Jared would set his alarm in the middle of the night, wake up, and then eat cereal, ice cream, and pizza. And he would eat so much food that he would sleep propped up with pillows or in a recliner so he wouldn’t have excruciating heartburn. He became so sick from the rapid weight gain that he could barely walk, and would use a wheelchair to move around the set. Jared developed gout, said his body was continually in pain; he felt toxic, lethargic and depressed. This quick dose of reality revealed just how miserable life can be if you don’t take care of yourself.

In contrast, Jared Leto playing the role of himself means that he must operate at the top of his game. Jared is one of the biggest rock stars in the world as the lead singer/guitarist for the band, Thirty Seconds to Mars (who recently I had the pleasure of working with again).

Jared is such an incredible actor that in March 2014, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the acclaimed film Dallas Buyers Club. In many of his movies, he has some sort of dramatic physical issue, or extreme weight gain or weight loss. For example, in Requiem for a Dream, he plays a heroin junkie whose arm becomes infected and is amputated. In Fight Club, his beautiful face is beaten beyond recognition. He is badly burned in Panic Room. Then in American Psycho, he is brutally murdered with an axe. For Chapter 27, he gained 62 pounds. When it came to both Dallas Buyers Club and Requiem for a Dream, he lost 40 pounds for each film. According to Jared, “I enjoy the challenge of a physical role.”

Jared’s 2012 documentary, Artifact, is a mind-blowing saga about greed and art. It is the must-see true story of how his record label tried to sue his band for 30 million dollars. Having grown up in the music business, I knew the people being interviewed and found the movie particularly fascinating. The story detailed in Artifact inspired Thirty Seconds to Mars’ album, Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams, which had three big radio hit singles (including my favorite “Do or Die”).

Jared Leto’s Healthy Habits

After our initial conversation about the horrors of Jared’s weight gain, I couldn’t WAIT to learn his healthy secrets. First: Jared loves to work out in nature (especially hiking and snowboarding). We have this love in common, which explains why we frequently run into each other while hiking in the Hollywood Hills. While exercising outdoors, you can easily reconnect with your center by taking in the surrounding beauty, which is also a form of mindful meditation.

In addition, Jared meditates daily, allowing him to maximize his creativity and encourage his growth as an artist. We also have this love in common; meditation is game-changing and some of the most successful people I know have a strong mediation practice. To support his practice, Jared is a fan of the Headspace meditation app. When on tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jared is known for his high-energy performances running on stage, climbing up poles, and practically hanging from ceilings.

When it comes to his diet, Jared is a vegan, or as close as he can be. In 2014 he was named PETA’s World Sexiest Vegetarian. I found it ironic, that Thirty Second to Mars’ 2014 with Linkin Park was called the Carnivores Tour. Fortunately for Jared and band, a vegan chef was backstage. Jared’s favorite foods are popcorn, vegetables, and hot chocolate made with almond milk.

Jared is one of the hardest working, most inspirational, coolest, and nicest artists I have ever met who makes the world a better place by sharing his art with us. He agrees with my philosophy “Being healthy is not a choice, it’s a lifestyle.”

Jared Leto Shares a Vegan Recipe

Organic Buckwheat Pancakes

Ingredients

2/3 cup Arrowhead Mills buckwheat pancake and waffle mix
1 egg substitute
2 tsp olive oil
3/4 cup almond milk (For thicker pancakes, use less liquid. For thinner pancakes, use more liquid.)

Directions

Combine all ingredients and stir only until lumps disappear.
Cook on preheated (375 – 400 degrees) lightly oiled griddle or pan, turning when bubbles appear on the surface and the edges begin to dry.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness with Laurel Berman of Black Halo

Lori Rischer — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 20:21:44 +0000

We met on a wild adventure in India. The irony is we live a mile apart in LA, but destiny had our paths crossing nearly 10,000 miles away from home. As we shared our life-changing journey exploring the Taj Mahal, Varanasi, and Delhi, I discovered she was a top fashion designer. I was already well aware of the famous dresses from her line, Black Halo. One of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets, her clothes are designed to make you look five pounds thinner and two inches taller with her expert cuts and high-end material. They are the perfect “day-to-dinner” or “boardroom-to-bar” dresses because they are elegant, yet powerful and sexy.

Black Halo Designs

Needless to say, my closet is now packed full of her designs, and I receive more compliments on her clothes than any of the other designers I wear. I heard the best compliment last week when I was in NYC wearing her cobalt blue, Jackie O dress. A gentleman approached me and said, “That dress is stunning and just screams, ‘You’d better have serious game to even approach me’.” I laughed and immediately texted Laurel to tell her it should be the tagline for Black Halo’s line of evening dresses, Black Halo Eve by Laurel Berman.

Laurel Berman of Black Halo and her Healthy Lifestyle

Since traveling through India together, Laurel has become one of my best friends—so I know firsthand how committed she is to a healthy lifestyle. Her favorite workout out is yoga, which she practices four to five times a week. She also rollerblades for four hours every other Saturday. When she travels, she visits her favorite yoga spots in each city, and sometimes sends her rollerblades on ahead to her hotel so she can cruise through Central Park or Golden Gate Park and enjoy the outdoors.

Laurel Berman and her Favorite Asanas

Humble Warrior: Because she loves forward folds—and this one is more active. She drops her head to release the tension in her neck and shoulders anytime stress begins to build; when needed, she even deepens the release by adding eagle arms to the forward fold. She told me the stretch is amazing. I just tried it and she’s right!

Tumbling Tree: I love the name of this pose, which is basically moving from Warrior 3 to standing splits without falling. She loves the balancing aspect of the pose, and says that when the body is in balance, it colors every aspect of your life, creating balance throughout.

Laurel loves the transitions in her practice, the poses between the poses. She focuses on the breath to keep them smooth and purposeful without falling out of the pose during exit and entry. This represents another skill that helps her in her daily life…flowing smoothly through life’s transitions is easier once you master it on the mat. The main reason why she loves the practice of yoga is how it benefits the mind; having more control over her thoughts and emotions—not letting them run wild helps in her fast-paced professional and personal life. She moves through life with grace and style thanks to her yoga practice, healthy lifestyle…and great wardrobe!

Laurel Berman Black Halo Designer’s Favorite Veggie Recipe

Tijuana Tacos with homemade roasted salsa

4 corn tortillas
2 goat cheese slices halved or 1 cup grated cashew nut cheese
1 whole organic avocado quartered
2 cups shredded organic cabbage
12 organic cherry tomatoes

Place cheese-covered tortillas flat on racks in conventional or toaster oven, set to broil.
Remove tortillas once cheese is completely melted or bubbling, add one quarter of avocado and 1/2 cup shredded cabbage, cover with roasted salsa.
Garnish with cherry tomatoes and cilantro.
Perfect served with fresh cucumber and jicama spears.

Roasted salsa

4 large organic beefsteak tomatoes
6 jalapeño peppers
1 clove raw organic garlic
1 tablespoon organic pink Himalayan salt

Place all tomatoes and jalapeños on dry skillet over high heat until evenly blackened on all sides.
Toss all ingredients into the blender and blend until chunky smooth.

Yields 2 cups medium hot fresh delicious salsa.

Be sure and check out BlackHalo.com for her latest arrivals. I can tell you firsthand your quality of life will improve when you wear her clothes.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: Lindsey Stirling

Lori Rischer — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 19:36:39 +0000

Artist Lindsey Stirling

Some people are born with a talent so amazing, it seems to come from another world. I was recently introduced to a girl with that kind of gift, and was blown away by what I discovered. Lindsey Stirling is definitely one of those people. Several years ago, I worked with the legendary guitarist, Carlos Santana, and Lindsey does with her violin what Carlos does with his guitar…makes it sing!

When I was researching her music and fans, I couldn’t believe what I found. Lindsey Stirling has more YouTube subscribers than Katy Perry or Justin Timberlake. She has racked up over 700 million views on her videos. Her 2014 album Shatter Me debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200, which by the way, is a staggering accomplishment, especially for an artist not signed to a major record label.

When she tours, Lindsey’s show is incredibly high-energy, as she spends the entire 90 minutes dancing, twirling, back-bending, twisting, and balancing—all while playing the violin.

Lindsey Stirling, Energy, and Dancing to EDM

All this provides a full workout for her six nights a week. Her dancers have taught her how to stretch before taking the stage. Another pre-show warm up for her fingers is to play the scales on her violin (just like singers warm up their voice). When home, she loves to put on her headphones and run or dance around the house while listening to EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and some of her favorite artists like The Clash, Cash Cash, Skrillex, Zedd, Paramore, and Ellie Golding.

According to Lindsey, “The way you treat your body is a reflection of how happy you are. It is so important to treat it kindly.” People ask her all the time, “How do you get so much energy?” To which she answers, “I live a very healthy lifestyle. No alcohol, no drugs, no cigarettes, no fried foods, and no caffeine. I try not to pump my body full of chemicals, which just weighs you down.”

Lindsey and the Dancing Violin

If you catch Lindsey’s live performance you will see there is nothing weighing her down; she has been nicknamed the “dancing violinist” for a reason. Be sure to pick up her latest album and her new single “Shatter Me.” You too will appreciate why I am fascinated with her music.

Sleepy Banana Muffin Smoothie

Here is one of Lindsey’s favorite ways to start her day.

All measuring and preparation is done the night before you enjoy this delectable breakfast.

Dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

1 cup non-dairy milk + 1/4 cup for blending
1 frozen banana
2 TBSP uncontaminated regular oats
1 TBSP raisins
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 TBSP raw walnuts
pinch of ground cinnamon

Optional toppings: coconut, raisins, walnuts, or chocolate chips

Instructions:

Night before: Combine all ingredients (except the frozen banana and 1/4 cup milk) in a glass or plastic container. Stir to combine and place in fridge.
Morning: Pour contents of container into blender, add banana and additional milk, blend until smooth.

More from Lindsey

Learn more about this remarkable artist at LindseyStirling.com

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: LP

Lori Rischer — Tue, 27 May 2014 19:47:17 +0000

They say there is no such thing as a coincidence. I believe it. I have been a big fan of LP for years, as I have watched her explode on the LA music scene. Her ability to command a room through her powerful performance and incredibly beautiful voice will leave you speechless. I have always wanted to interview her, especially when I found out she is a big fan of yoga.

LP and Yoga

I spoke with her manager, who is a close friend, to see if there was anyway I could spend a few minutes with her, or maybe share a yoga class. Since we both have crazy schedules, I figured it would be next to impossible to set something up…and then two days later a “coincidence” happened. As I was about to begin my morning yoga class with one of my favorite teachers, Joan Hyman, I turned around and guess who was literally right next to me in class? You guessed it, LP!! We quickly laughed about the crazy twist of fate that had us side-by-side on our mats that morning. You learn a lot about someone through their yoga practice.

What I learned about LP that day was that she is incredibly strong with a powerful, yet peaceful, presence. I was definitely impressed and inspired by her practice, just as I am by her music. With her powerful and unique voice, she has been described as a cross between Jeff Buckley, Florence & the Machine, and Janis Joplin with a style and sound all her own. She is equally gifted as a songwriter and has written songs for artists like: Christina Aguilera and Rihanna (including the song “Cheers, “which I worked at Island Def Jam Music Group. It was a big hit!).

LP and Health and Fitness

When it comes to her health and fitness routine, we have a lot in common. Our favorite exercise activities are yoga and hiking. Depending on her schedule, LP tries to practice yoga three to six days a week and hike at least twice. When she is traveling, she takes her yoga mat on the road and streams the class from her favorite teachers…or hits local studios. The yoga pose she enjoys the most is triangle (same as me) because it doesn’t take a lot of effort and you feel the benefits throughout your body. It’s also good for working tight hamstrings. In addition, we have similar eating habits which are basically vegan with occasional fish, eggs, and cheese (as I like to call it a “veg-aquarium”). Her daily dietary supplement is Green Vibrance which she calls her “back up nutrition,” ensuring sure she gets all the greens and probiotics she needs.

According to LP, “If you are on this earth you have to take care of yourself; you want your life to be the best it can possibly be.” We all benefit when someone with this much talent operates at the top of her game. Be sure to pick up her latest single, “Night Like This”, my favorite LP song, “Into the Wild” (which you will recognize from the Citibank commercial) and her new album, Forever For Now, ASAP! You will see what I mean about her mind-blowing talent.

LP and Veggie Recipes

Her favorite vegan recipe:

Lentil Dahl

Ingredients

one large onion

2 cloves garlic

2 heaping teaspoons turmeric

2-3 teaspoons ginger, grated or finely chopped

2-3 tablespoons coconut oil

one whole green chili, grated, or cayenne pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos to taste

3 bay leaves

2 cups lentils

optional:

1 teaspoon coriander powder

1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped

3-4 handfuls baby spinach

Instructions

Soak in the lentils in spring water for at least 30 minutes (soaking decreases cooking time).

Cook onion and garlic in 2-3 TBSP coconut oil over med heat until soft.

Turn down heat and spices and cook for five minutes.

Add lentils with enough water to cover them, and heat to a boil, then simmer until soft.

Add spinach and fresh cilantro if desired.

Stir every ten minutes until done. Usually takes about 30 minutes to cook.

Serve hot and top with fresh coriander if desired.

More About LP

Learn more about LP and her 2018 album Lost on You and her current tour at: IAMLP.com

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: Deepak Chopra

Lori Rischer — Sun, 25 May 2014 01:14:54 +0000

You know when you are in presence of greatness; you can just feel it. I felt something special when I spent time with Deepak Chopra.

His energy was calming, positive, powerful, and inspiring. Deepak is the author of over 75 books in 35 different languages and 25 of them have hit the NY Times bestseller list. One of my favorites (and I have read many) is The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.

I also love his new book What Are You Hungry For? It is an amazing account of our relationship with food. The premise is that if your life is not fulfilled, you are not going to fill it through your stomach (which many people try to do). What are You Hungry For? offers insight into the damage done to the body from the toxins in our food, and provides ideas for a healthier lifestyle. When my friend Felicia, who handles his PR, offered me the opportunity to chat with him at his book signing at LYFE Kitchen in Culver City, I was astounded! I have been a big fan of his work for years. He has single-handedly improved the quality of life for millions of people around the world. It was so much fun talking to him and if given the time, I would have asked him a million questions.

Here is what I learned about his personal healthy lifestyle and practices: He walks a minimum of 10 miles a day (up to 20 miles), gets plenty of sleep, meditates twice a day and eats healthy, organic food. His other advice was to stay away from anything toxic: no toxic relationships, food, or environments. Avoid them all!

We also discussed a few other interesting lifestyle-related facts, like how food manufacturers hire scientists to make processed food more addictive with just the right combinations of sugar, fat, salt, and preservatives. We can avoid this by eating organic and non-processed foods. Also, when we are present in the moment while eating (and not multi-tasking), we metabolize food differently. We digest the food much more efficiently and significantly increase what we absorb so we are better nourished.

Here is a great vegan recipe from his new bestseller, What Are You Hungry For?

Sautéed Greens and Cabbage

Serves 4-6 people

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

2 bunches Swiss chard or kale

1 small head cabbage

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a wok and saute the ginger and turmeric for about 40 seconds. Add the Swiss chard or kale and cabbage and toss over high heat for about four minutes. Sprinkle with coriander, salt, and pepper and stir to coat the vegetables. Add 1/8 cup water, cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes or until done to taste.

Lori Rischer is a music business executive, the KIIS-FM health and fitness spokesperson, and a yoga instructor. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at: KIISFM.com, keyword “Rockstar” or LoriRischer.com

Photo credit: Jeremiah Sullivan.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: Enrique Iglesias

Lori Rischer — Sun, 25 May 2014 01:06:42 +0000

I will never forget the first time I met Enrique Iglesias. His manager, Fernando, introduced us when I was working for The Firm, one of the most powerful management agencies in Hollywood. Enrique’s good looks and charm took my breath away when he immediately turned around and hugged me. He was one of our clients and we were about to release his new album. I was excited to be on his management team helping to oversee his US radio campaign.

The time I spent working with Enrique was some of the most fun of my career so far. Together, Fernando and Enrique were beyond hilarious and they were the biggest pranksters I’ve ever met. I spent several overnight plane flights with them, sleeping with one eye open with my cell phone under lock and key. You can never be too careful when they are around! I have some classic stories about working with him and still find myself laughing at the memories.

Global Superstar Enrique Iglesias

Enrique is a global superstar, having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. He is a multi-platinum selling artist in almost every country. In the U.S., he has a total of 69 #1 songs including 24 #1 singles on the Billboard Latin Songs Chart and 11 #1 singles on the Dance Club Chart. This rating beat out Michael Jackson for the most #1 singles on the Dance chart in Billboard history.

The Health and Fitness Lifestyle

Enrique lives an active lifestyle and loves playing sports, surfing, and swimming in the ocean. (He conveniently has a house in Miami.) Enrique told me, “I actually don’t have a specific routine. I mostly do push-ups and bench presses when I am at home. When I am on the road, I go to the gym to exercise. My shows are very active and provide a lot of cardio exercise.”

Enrique adds, “The main thing I believe in is eating healthy and playing sports to be active. Do something you enjoy, even a swim in the ocean.” I know his favorite food is spaghetti with bolognese sauce. It’s filling and packed with nutrients, especially this vegetarian version.

Enrique’s Vegetarian Spaghetti Bolognese

6 ounces whole wheat spaghetti or spaghetti squash, if desired
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed
3 onions, diced
1 red pepper, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
4 baby carrots, grated
3 cups mushrooms, chopped
8 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 cups cooked brown lentils
1 teaspoon tamari
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
1/4 teaspoon dried basil (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup tofu, cubed
1 teaspoon extra tamari or 1/2 teaspoon vegetable salt
3/4 cup almonds, chopped

Directions:

Cook the spaghetti or the spaghetti squash.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan. Add the garlic and onions and sauté, stirring for three-four minutes. Then add the red and green pepper, mushrooms, and carrots and sauté for three-four minutes. Next add the tomatoes, brown lentils, tamari, parsley, and herbs and cook for five minutes until heated. Sprinkle a little tamari on the tofu squares and heat the extra two teaspoons of oil in a separate (preferably non-stick) pan. Lightly sauté the tofu squares until they are lightly colored on each side.
Drain the spaghetti and distribute on a plate. Pour the sauce over the spaghetti, scatter the tofu on top, and sprinkle with the chopped almonds.

Being one of the biggest superstars in the world (I’ve seen it first hand, his fans go crazy!), Enrique continues to deliver a quality product. In order to do this, he stays at the top of his game. “I think it’s most important to stay healthy for your own well-being and peace of mind,” he says. “You just feel better.”

Be sure and pick up his single, “Heart Attack” on iTunes.
For more information visit EnriqueIglesias.com.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: OneRepublic

Lori Rischer — Sun, 25 May 2014 00:49:08 +0000

Every once in a while you hear a song that you instantly love. The first time I heard Apologize, by OneRepublic, it was clear there was something special about this band. No surprise — Apologize went on to break airplay records worldwide.

OneRepublic has also experienced success with their singles, Good Life, All the Right Moves, Secrets, Stop and Stare, Feel Again and their latest song If I Lose Myself. You can expect more since their new album, Native, will be released March 26.

Lead singer Ryan Tedder is also one of today’s hottest Top 40 producers and songwriters. Along with writing all the music for OneRepublic, some of his other hits include Beyonce’s Halo, Kelly Clarkson’s Already Gone, Leona Lewis’s Bleeding Love, and two of Adele’s recent songs, Turning Tables and Rumor Has It.

I had the privilege of being on OneRepublic’s management team in the early stages of their career and spent a lot of quality time traveling with them, so I know first-hand the band’s emphasis on a healthy lifestyle.

Here is an inside look:

While they are traveling, Ryan Tedder keeps up his exercise routine. If it’s warm outside, he loves to run. “The best way to see a city is by foot and we always stay in an interesting part of town,” says Tedder. “Whether it’s Berlin, Denmark, Paris, or Dallas, I like to explore the city while I get my cardio exercise.” If it’s cold outside, he likes the Insanity Fit Test, which includes a lot of high intensity jumping, push-ups, high kicks, plank, and other similar poses.

Guitar player Zach Filkins shares his favorite power breakfast which includes:
Organic yogurt
Scrambled eggs, mixed with egg whites
Oatmeal (Zach always packs instant oatmeal when they are traveling.)

Lori Rischer is a veteran music business executive, the KIIS-FM health & fitness spokesperson, and yoga instructor. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at: KIISFM.com keyword “Rockstar” or: LoriRischer.com Here is a link to Ryan giving me all the details, while we were backstage at a recent TV performance:

Zach was one of our guests on Season 1 of Rockstar Health & Fitness. Watch this episode to learn more about his power breakfast, and his favorite workout with a weight plate.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: Jon Bon Jovi

Lori Rischer — Sun, 25 May 2014 00:37:19 +0000

Photo by David Bergman

No doubt about it……time flies! It seems like only yesterday that I was in high school with feathered hair watching Bon Jovi from the front row.

Now instead of simply sitting in the audience singing along, I’ve helped spearhead the band’s US radio promotion and marketing campaign for the last few years. During this time, I’ve also had a front row view of the band’s health and fitness routine.

Jon Bon Jovi & Band Health & Fitness

Staying healthy while meeting the demands of the road is not an easy thing to do! While on tour, the band travels with a multi-talented healthcare professional who is an expert nutritionist, trainer, and chiropractor. Some of the band’s other must-haves include: acupuncture for overall wellness, cold laser therapy to ease inflammation, water, and vitamins. Nutrition is also important to the guys. Some of Jon’s favorite healthy foods are grilled fish, low-fat Greek yogurt, almonds, fresh fruit, and protein bars.

Jon Bon Jovi is an avid runner and will usually run six days a week. Don’t be surprised to see the rock star throw on his hat and sunglasses for some fresh air and cardio when he’s on tour. In addition, he lifts weights, and does core strengthening and balance/stability exercises. This routine helps him keep up the same stage moves he had when I was in high school.

My favorite fitness comment was from Jon’s longtime band mate Richie Sambora. We were talking about exercise and I asked him if he did yoga. He replied: “$#*@ no – I’m from Jersey!!” We had a good laugh at the classic rock star moment. Clearly, these New Jersey boys are doing something right because they have been at the top of their game for over 30 years. Bon Jovi continues to deliver #1 albums and hit singles, and they sell out stadiums around the world.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: Melissa Etheridge

Lori Rischer — Sun, 25 May 2014 00:08:25 +0000

We all have our own personal playlist to the soundtrack in our lives. Someone who is both one of my favorite artists as well as a contributor of several singles to my soundtrack is rock ‘n roll legend Melissa Etheridge.

When I began my career in the music business, I was just out of college and living in New York City. One of the first artists I had the honor to work with was Melissa. Throughout her career, she has won an Academy Award, numerous Grammys, and has sold millions of albums. Some of my favorite songs by Melissa include: “Come to My Window,” “Bring Me Some Water,” “Similar Features,” and “I’m The Only One.” From her latest album, 4th Street Feeling, I love “Disaster” and “Fallen Up.”

Whenever Melissa and I are together, we trade healthy secrets; we’ve also learned that we both love yoga and hiking—my favorite combo. While on tour, Melissa maintains a gluten-, dairy-, and sugar-free diet and takes time on a regular basis for her yoga practice. She shared with us some of her favorite yoga poses and why they hold a special place in her practice.

1. Tree: I love finding my balance. It can apply to everything in my life.

2. Down Dog: Simple, yes, but it works every part of my body in one pose.

3. Pigeon: If I can do this, I can do anything.

4. Half Lord of The Fishes: I love the feeling it gives me in my spine.

5. Pranayama: Understanding my breathing is extremely important to me.

Vegan Chocolate Mousse

This dairy and gluten-free recipe is easy to make and one of Melissa’s favorites:

Ingredients

1 avocado (soft and ripe)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup Grade B maple syrup

6 tablespoons milk (coconut, almond or any preferred milk)

Directions

1. Cut avocado in half and remove pit. Scoop out flesh and put it in in the blender along with remaining ingredients.

2. Process until smooth, occasionally scraping down sides. Serve immediately or refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness – Neon Trees

Lori Rischer — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 22:46:46 +0000

There are many factors that determine if a song makes it all the way to Number One. Not only does the song need to connect with listeners, but the timing has to be just right. Literally, all the stars have to line up. I have watched this happen numerous times in my music business career; when it happens, it’s a magical and exciting moment, one that is due to the combination of a great song and a lot of hard work from a team of experts.

I have had the privilege of seeing it happen, not just once, but twice with the band Neon Trees. Both of their multi-platinum singles, “Animal,” which you may recognize from the Las Vegas tourism commercial, and “Everybody Talks” from the Buick commercial where it showed the band performing the hook of the song on a tour bus, rose straight to the Number One spot on numerous charts. I have spent a lot of time on the road doing press and promotion with the band, including a recent fun adventure in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

A healthy lifestyle is important to all of the band members; none of them drinks alcohol or caffeine, or smokes. Since lead singer Tyler Glenn follows a vegan diet, he prepares a wide variety of delicious and healthy recipes. Here is one that he showed me when he was a recent guest on Rockstar Health & Fitness:

Tyler Glen’s Road Ready Vegan Mexi Scramble

Ingredients:

1 block of extra firm tofu

Half package of soyrizo (any brand)

¼ cup nutritional yeast

½ cup fresh salsa or pico de gallo

½ cup black beans

Daiya vegan shredded cheese (pepper jack or cheddar)

Olive oil

Season to taste with any of the following:

1 tsp garlic salt

Salt and pepper to taste

Hot sauce to taste

Optional garnish:

Avocado slices

Tofutti sour cream

Directions:

Heat a small amount of olive oil in skillet.

Place block of tofu in skillet and use a fork to mash to a crumbly consistency.

Add soyrizo and mix together over medium heat.

Add nutritional yeast, seasonings, salsa, and hot sauce to tofu and soyrizo mixture and blend.

Add black beans and daiya cheese.

Cook scramble until lightly pan-fried and daiya cheese melts.

Garnish as desired with avocado slices and/or Tofutti sour cream.

Tyler also does a lot of stretching, regular cardio, and works out with a kettle bell. His bandmate and guitar player, Chris, loves to run. To keep it fun, he listens to the Zombie app while he’s running. Neon Trees drummer, Elaine, recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy; soon after, she was back on the road and in great shape. Elaine works out regularly with a combination of cardio and weights. When we were in Mexico, she was in the gym doing the Insanity^®high-intensity interval workout. The band was recently on the road opening for Maroon 5 and playing in front of sold-out arenas. I love watching Neon Trees evolve into classic rock stars. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of their journey! Watch for new music coming soon.

Lori Rischer is a veteran music business executive, the KISS-FM health and fitness spokesperson, and yoga instructor. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities Check out her weekly blog at KISSFM.com keyword “Rockstar” or: LoriRischer.com.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness – Diane Warren

Lori Rischer — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 05:18:16 +0000

Music has the power to cut through the layers of our lives and connect directly to the deepest parts of our heart and soul. It is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Music is one of my life’s passions, which is why working in the music business is a dream come true for me. I have the privilege of working with some of the most talented people in the world to help their music reach new listeners. One of the most inspiring and talented people I have met is my good friend, Diane Warren. Diane has written thousands of songs and her inspiring lyrics have helped heal people around the world.

You probably have her songs in your playlists without even realizing it. Her songwriting credits include hits like: Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart,” Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” Celine Dion’s “Because You Love Me,” LeAnn Rimes’s “How Do I Live,” Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” and the song for which Cher won a recent Golden Globe, “You Haven’t Seen The Last of Me.” Diane has been nominated for numerous Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards (one year she had written the songs for both the oldest and youngest artists nominated in the same category: Justin Bieber and Cher), and was recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Currently, she is working with artists like Adele, Taylor Swift, JoJo, the Civil Wars, and Halestorm.

Diane is a legend in the music business. I have seen people moved to tears when they randomly meet her on the streets of Paris or in boutiques in NYC. We have had adventures all over the world and I know firsthand that a healthy lifestyle is incredibly important to her.

Because of her love for animals and involvement with animal-related nonprofits, she is a vegetarian. She has a giant heart and one time even bought a cow that she had seen in the newspaper, which had been on its way to slaughter! The cow now lives free and happy at an animal sanctuary. A significant component of her healthy lifestyle is a plant-based diet. We have eaten at almost every vegan restaurant in LA; one of our favorites is Crossroads. Diane works out regularly and is a big fan of yoga. Her office has a gym where she works out with a trainer several times a week, including with the elliptical and weights. She says it plain and simple, “A healthy lifestyle is important because it is fu*king important to stay healthy.” When Diane is operating at the top of her game, the entire world benefits through her music!

Watch Lori’s interview with Diane.

Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese

(recipe from J. Scot Jones at Crossroads Restaurant)

Serves 6

1 red onion, diced into 1/2 inch pieces

2 carrots, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces

3 celery ribs, diced into 1/2 inch pieces

2 tsp chopped garlic

1 tsp nutmeg

4 pieces of field roast Italian-style vegan sausage, crumbled

6 cups of your favorite marinara sauce

1 tbsp Earth balance vegan margarine

1 cup dry white wine

salt and pepper to taste

1. In large pot, add Earth balance and crumbled vegan sausage. Saute till browned.

2. Add diced onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and nutmeg. Saute for three minutes.

3. Add white wine and marinara and reduce for 25 minutes.

4. Serve over your favorite pasta.

Lori Rischer is a music business executive and is currently part of the powerhouse team at Island Def Jam Music Group. In addition, she is the health & fitness spokesperson for KIIS-FM, a yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at KIISFM.com keyword Rockstar or LoriRischer.com and listen to her workout playlist on iHeartRadio http://www.iheart.com/original/Rockstar-Health-Fitness/.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Fitness & Health: American Authors

Lori Rischer — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 04:40:28 +0000

What was the best day of your life? I think it’s always fun to remember these moments when a familiar song takes us there. One of my favorites is the current hit single, “Best Day of My Life,” by the band American Authors. It’s a feel-good anthem with a catchy hook and positive lyrics. In addition to just passing Gold status, it has been used in numerous TV shows and commercials and is currently Top 5 on the radio airplay charts. American Authors has performed on the Today Show, the Tonight Show, Kelly and Michael (and subsequently invited back), and Conan O’Brien. “Best Day of My Life” will also be featured in one of the Winter Olympic Games’ highlight clips showing athletes having the best days of their lives. Since American Authors is signed to Island Def Jam, I have the pleasure of working with this Brooklyn-based rock band. Their new album, Oh, What a Life, will be available March 4.

Not only are these guys incredibly talented, they also lead interesting lives off stage. Guitarist James Shelley speaks several languages (including Chinese) and is planning to climb the highest mountain on every continent. He is just starting to organize his climbing adventure, and we’ve had fun brainstorming marketing ideas and charity tie-ins. When the band is on tour, James starts his workout with an hour on the treadmill and then 30 minutes of weight lifting. When he is training for one of his big mountain climbs, he prepares six months in advance. This includes a daily run of 4-12 miles, 30 minutes on an elliptical, 30 minutes on the bike and then 30 minutes weight training and rock climbing. He says that the best thing for preparing for a strenuous climb is spending time in the mountains for several days, hiking and rock climbing at higher altitudes.

Since their schedule has become very busy very quickly, the guys have had to learn to balance a healthy lifestyle on the road. Lead singer Zac Barnett is a big fan of vinyasa yoga and hot yoga, and practices three to four days a week when he is home in Brooklyn. While on the road, he goes to the gym every day. His gym routine consists of a 3-5 mile run, free weights, crunches, push-ups, and plenty of core exercises. “When touring, we rarely eat fast food,” he says. “Our tour manager is great at finding local cafes and restaurants that offer delicious and healthy options. We’re not always perfect, but we try to stick to salads and organic fish. We also try to eat at least one vegetarian meal a day. We motivate each other to make healthy decisions about our diets.”

Favorite vegetarian meal: Kale and Broccoli Chips

1 head kale, chopped with ribs cut out

1 head fresh broccoli, chopped with stems cut off

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp coriander

salt and pepper to taste

Put in the oven at 375 degrees for approximately 10 min or until crispy.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health and Fitness with Iggy Azalea

Lori Rischer — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 19:29:01 +0000

When I first saw Iggy Azalea perform, I left the venue speechless! I was blown away by her talent and incredible performance. Her fashion style is dynamic, and her dancing abilities are beyond inspiring. I was excited to learn more about Iggy and her healthy secrets.

Iggy Azalea has been blessed with incredible talent and has known exactly what she wanted to do with her gifts. At the young age of 16, she moved from Australia to the US to pursue her dream of music. She worked hard to make it in the US by saving the money she earned cleaning hotel rooms and networking among the hip hop community. She continued to work on her music and post viral content on the Internet, which quickly captured the attention of the power players in music and modeling.

Fast forward a couple of years and she is signed to both Island Def Jam Music Group and the Wilhelmina modeling agency. Her single “Work” (which is an autobiographical story about her journey from scrub girl to headliner) is currently playing on the radio, and the video has over 20 million views (and counting) on YouTube. She has been selected as the opening act for Beyonce in Iggy’s homeland of Australia; which is a true honor. In the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, Iggy was both a presenter as well as nominated in the competitive “Artist To Watch” category. Her new single, “Change Your Life” featuring T.I., and her new EP which includes five songs plus a “Change Your Life” remix, will be available on iTunes October 8.

I was interested to learn what her workout includes. According to Iggy, “I am very competitive, which is why I have had success in music; and if I play a sport, I want to kick someone’s butt. That’s why I LOVE to play tennis–which is my favorite sport–and it includes a lot of running.” Iggy also does a lot of lunges and recently took on the “squat challenge” which is a 30-day routine that is increased daily. My friend, Beata, from KIIS-FM and I decided to try the squat challenge, and it’s pretty intense. I am currently on day five and hope I can make it all 30 days since Iggy swears by it. If you take a look at any of her videos or see her live performance you also realize she is an incredible dancer and this helps keep her in amazing shape when she is on tour.

Her favorite healthy recipe is a breakfast smoothie combining frozen organic fruit, banana, kale, almonds, gogi berries, and whatever supplements she has available. The power punch of superfoods and nutrients provides energy for the entire day.

Iggy Azalea has what it takes to be a superstar. If you get a chance to see her perform….you too, will be blown away! Her ability to “twerk” will inspire you to take a hip hop dance class and her music will get you on your feet! You will want to add her songs to your workout playlist and get moving. Find out more information at: IggyAzalea.com.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Big Sean – Born to be Famous — Rockstar Health & Fitness

Lori Rischer — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 22:26:02 +0000

Some people are destined to be superstars. It’s part of their DNA; you feel it. Having spent most of my life in the music business, I have been fortunate to meet many people with this quality as I work with some of the biggest artists in the world and help break new talent.

I met the talented and incredibly charming Big Sean a few years ago, and he has since been one of my favorite hip hop artists. He started rapping when he was twelve years old, and by high school, he was winning competitions. A chance encounter with Kanye West, who agreed to hear the teenager freestyle, catapulted him into the big leagues. His 2011 debut album, Finally Famous, entered the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 — his single, My Last, featuring Chris Brown, was a #1 smash! He has also been featured on Justin Bieber’s As Long As You Love Me and several other recent radio hits. Big Sean’s career has exploded over the last two years, and so has his social media presence: he has 3.2 million Facebook fans, 4.2 million Twitter followers, one million Instagram followers, over 50 million views on YouTube, and more than 400 million views on Vevo. Big Sean just released his new single, Beware, featuring Lil Wayne and Jhene Aiko, to rave reviews. It is the first single off his new album, Hall Of Fame, which was released on August 27.

Big Sean has been a featured guest on my KIIS-FM interview series, Rockstar Health & Fitness Extra, and we have had several conversations about his healthy secrets. He had a great start on the health bandwagon from his mom. I met her at The Grammys; she is beautiful and lives a very healthy lifestyle. She taught him at a young age about superfoods, vitamins, and working out. He continues to follow her advice by taking plenty of vitamins, enzymes, probiotics, fish oil, and other supplements. As for working out, boxing is his favorite way to keep in shape; being in the boxing ring with his trainer helps to develop more endurance for his performances, especially when touring.

“I try to work out as much as possible, although sometimes it is difficult with my hectic schedule. But whenever I do, I function better, which makes life better,” explains Big Sean.

Big Sean also mixes in some weight training, and when he’s traveling, his high energy performances provide additional cardio exercise. He only eats organic food, and his favorite healthy vegetarian meal is a salad with organic greens and eggs. This is his favorite quick and easy recipe:

Chop up some organic romaine lettuce, tomato, red peppers, and asparagus.
Add a splash of balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and mix.
Top the salad with a chopped hard-boiled egg. (Non vegetarians: Add sliced warm grilled organic chicken, if you desire.)
Serve.

Be sure to catch Big Sean on the road this year promoting his new album, Hall of Fame. The album is a perfect addition to your workout playlist and is available on iTunes, along with his single, Beware. You can find out more about Big Sean here: UKNOWBIGSEAN.com and follow him on Twitter: @BigSean and Facebook: facebook.com/uknowbigsean.

Lori Rischer is a veteran music business executive, the KIIS-FM health and fitness spokesperson, and a yoga instructor. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at: KIISFM.com, keyword “Rockstar” or: LoriRischer.com

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health & Fitness: Fall Out Boy

Lori Rischer — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 17:15:55 +0000

Fall Out Boy is back on top of the charts! It seems like their #1 hits “Sugar, We’re Going Down” and “Dance, Dance” were just in heavy rotation on the radio. After worldwide success and being chased by the relentless paparazzi, the band took a hiatus in 2010. That hiatus is now history!! With their successful new #1 album Save Rock And Roll, the multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated group put an end to the speculation that they had split up.

As the band (Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Andy Hurley, and Joe Trohman) stated, “When we were kids, the only thing that got us through most days was music. It’s why we started Fall Out Boy in the first place. This isn’t a reunion because we never broke up. We needed to plug back in and make some music that matters to us. The future of Fall Out Boy starts now.”

Save Rock and Roll is Fall Out Boy’s fifth studio album, and it debuted at #1 in 27 countries including the US. Not only was it the #1 album on iTunes, but the multi-format hit, “My Songs Know What You Did in The Dark (Light Em Up)” is also an iTunes Top 10 single.

I not only have the pleasure of working with Fall Out Boy at Island Def Jam, but lead singer Patrick Stump was our first official guest on our web TV series, Rockstar Health & Fitness. Since I work closely with the band, I have had the opportunity to learn their healthy secrets. Patrick, a musical genius, has gone through an incredible physical transformation during the band’s hiatus, losing 60 pounds (and shaving off his notorious sideburns). Patrick told me his healthy secret: portion control and exercise. When he learned that the stomach is really about the size of a fist, he started cutting back his portions. This, combined with added cardio and core exercises, resulted in his ability to quickly drop the weight. His favorite cardio workout is running, and his favorite core exercise is a variety of sit ups that he mixes up to work different muscles.

Bassist, songwriter, and pop culture icon Pete Wentz, told me backstage at KIIS-FM’s Wango Tango that his favorite workout is tennis. He plays the sport several times a week and combines that with various core exercises, for an all-around great workout that he enjoys. His favorite healthy recipe is Vegetable Stir Fry.

Pete’s Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups mixed vegetables

1/2 cup sliced onion

2 cups broccoli florets

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup water

Directions

Combine the cornstarch, water and garlic powder. Add the mixed veggies and onion. Mix everything together.

Heat the oil over medium heat and stir-fry the vegetables until tender. Add the broccoli and stir-fry 3-5 minutes, until tender.

Mix the remaining ingredients together in a small bowl and add to the pan stirring, another few minutes before serving.

Fall Out Boy is currently on tour and I will be out on the road with them various dates doing various radio promotions. In case you miss them this time around, they have a headline arena tour coming up this fall. Be sure to pick up their new album Save Rock and Roll, and their latest single, “My Songs Know What You Did in The Dark (Light Em Up),” both of which are perfect for your workout playlist.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

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Rockstar Health and Fitness – The Wanted

Lori Rischer — Wed, 29 May 2013 23:02:03 +0000

What do you get when you take five talented, good-looking bad boys and put them in a singing group? The answer: International superstars The Wanted—a British band consisting of Max George, Nathan Sykes, Tom Parker, Jay McGuiness, and Siva Kaneswaran. You can’t turn on the radio in the US without hearing their #1 hit single “Glad You Came.” In addition to the massive US success of “Glad You Came” the group has had several Top 5 albums and numerous Number 1 singles in the UK and Ireland. Now, they have their own TV show on E! called The Wanted Life which will follow the band as they move into their new Hollywood home where they live, love, laugh, and of course, party

I have had the pleasure of working with The Wanted the last couple of years, so I know that in addition to partying, they also have some healthy habits in their routine; Max and Siva have the most active and consistent fitness programs. While we were all backstage at a May concert in San Diego, I asked them to share their healthy secrets.

Max George

Max loves push-ups and since that is basically a full-body workout, he knocks out a few hundred every day—and one of the great things about this workout is you can practice anywhere. Max also gets in an additional cardio workout running around on stage. As far as food, his favorite vegetable is broccoli; here is a delicious recipe Max recommends. (It can be made with regular or vegan cheese.)

Max’s Baked Broccoli

Ingredients

2 bunches of broccoli, diced, and lightly steamed

1 package of shredded cheddar cheese or 2 cups shredded (can substitute vegan cheese)

¼ cup of mayo (can use Vegenaise®)

½ lemon, freshly squeezed

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Combine the cheese, mayo, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.

Mix with lightly steamed broccoli.

Place broccoli and sauce in a casserole dish and bake for approximately 45 minutes until bubbling.

Siva Kaneswaran

Siva (who has an identical twin brother) makes exercise a priority. He loves to run and usually gets in 30 minutes at a time. Siva also chooses three different exercises to include in a work-out, such as sit ups, push-ups, pull-ups, or moves with a focus on the core; he completes three sets of 10 every day, rotating them among different work-outs to mix it up. His favorite healthy recipe is vegetable curry.

Siva’s Vegetable Curry

1 tbsp sesame oil (or coconut oil)

1 chopped onion

2 cloves crushed garlic

2 ½ tsp curry powder

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 ½ cup diced tomatoes (or 1 can diced tomatoes)

3 cups diced vegetables (or 1 pkg frozen veggies)

1 cube vegetable bouillon and 1 ½ cups water (or 1 ½ cup vegetable broth)

2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat oil and then sauté onion and garlic.

Stir in curry powder and tomato paste and simmer for two to three minutes.

Stir in tomatoes, vegetable bouillon cube and water (or vegetable broth), and veggies, salt, and pepper.

Simmer on stove approximately 30 minutes until veggies are done and flavors are marinated.

Remove from stove and garnish with cilantro before serving.

I enjoy working with and getting to know these fun and talented boys. Be sure and catch their TV show on E!, The Wanted Life …and try Max’s broccoli recipe.

Lori Rischer is a veteran music business executive, the KISS-FM health and fitness spokesperson, and yoga instructor. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities Check out her weekly blog at KIISFM.com keyword “Rockstar” or visit: LoriRischer.com

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health and Fitness – The Wanted appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Rockstar Health and Fitness: Neon Trees

Lori Rischer — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:57:01 +0000

Tyler Glenn’s Road Ready Vegan Mexi Scramble

Ingredients:

1 block of extra firm tofu

Half package of soyrizo (any brand)

¼ cup nutritional yeast

½ cup fresh salsa or pico de gallo

½ cup black beans

Daiya vegan shredded cheese (pepper jack or cheddar)

Olive oil

Lori Rischer (right) and the Neon Trees at the Staples Center in LA shot by David Young-Wolff

Season to taste with any of the following:

1 tsp garlic salt

Salt and pepper to taste

Hot sauce to taste

Optional garnish:

Avocado slices

Tofutti sour cream

Heat a small amount of olive oil in skillet.

Place block of tofu in skillet and use a fork to mash to a crumbly consistency.

Add soyrizo and mix together over medium heat.

Add nutritional yeast, seasonings, salsa, and hot sauce to tofu and soyrizo mixture and blend.

Add black beans and daiya cheese.

Cook scramble until lightly pan-fried and daiya cheese melts.

Garnish as desired with avocado slices and/or Tofutti sour cream.

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

The post Rockstar Health and Fitness: Neon Trees appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

RockStar Health and Fitness Featuring Ne-Yo

Lori Rischer — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:07:37 +0000

A Soulful Approach to Wellness: Moderation and Movement

Ne-Yo is one of the hardest working and most talented artists I know! Even if you don’t recognize his name or know his current #1 single, “Let Me Love You,” you may be familiar with some of his other hit songs, “Miss Independent”, “So Sick”, and “Closer.”

In addition to performing his own material, Ne-Yo has written for some of the world’s biggest pop stars including Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” as well as Rihanna’s “Unfaithful” and “Take a Bow.” Additionally, Grammy award-winning Ne-Yo has penned songs for Whitney Houston, Carrie Underwood, and Celine Dion.

When it comes to health and fitness, Ne-Yo’s discipline is inspiring. One of his healthy secrets when it comes to food is moderation, and if you’re going to indulge in a treat (such as french fries), then make sure not to have them every day and to alternate with some other healthy dishes. By the way, Ne-Yo loves seabass and shares his favorite vegetarian recipe below.

On the road, he works out regularly and emphasizes the importance of using your own body as a machine while traveling. We were recently in Chicago together, promoting his new album R.E.D. (Realizing Every Dream). He shared his healthy secrets with me and his trainer BOSS (@justtrain) gave me his workout details.

Ne-Yo’s six-day-a-week workout includes:

Jump rope (10 minutes)

Cardio

Boxing

Hiking (Ne-Yo loves hiking Runyon Canyon when he’s in Los Angeles)

CrossFit

400 sit ups (four days a week)

300 push-ups (three days a week)

Strength intervals

Ne-Yo’s favorite Vegetarian Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients

1 large eggplant, sliced lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick pieces (about eight)

2 eggs, beaten w/ a fork

1 1/2 cup bread crumbs

2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil

1 jar chunky tomato pasta sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven with baking sheet inside to 375 degrees. Coat eggplant slices with beaten egg, then bread with crumbs. Spread oil on hot baking sheet and arrange eggplant slices in a single layer. Bake 15 minutes then flip and bake another 10 minutes.

Increase oven temp to 475. In an 8 x 10 inch ovenproof dish, layer pasta sauce and the baked eggplant and top with cheese. Repeat finishing with cheese. Bake until the cheese melts and turns golden in spots, approximately 15 minutes.

Lori Rischer is a veteran music business executive and the KIIS-FM health & fitness spokesperson and yoga instructor. Rockstar Health & Fitness shares the healthy secrets of celebrities. Check out her weekly blog at: KIISFM.com keyword “Rockstar” or: LoriRischer.com

Lori Rischer

loririscher.com

The post RockStar Health and Fitness Featuring Ne-Yo appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.