Early Warning: Our prices are going up December 26th

Posted by: Brian on November 29, 2011

December is busy, but why get started on your New Year’s Resolution early?

Here’s a good reason: our prices are going up on December 26th.

If you are current Motiv client, you don’t have to worry. Your rate is locked in and will never go up as long as you keep your membership current. This is our commitment to you for being our client.

After Christmas, our monthly rates for a 12 month unlimited semi-private personal training package will increase $20 per month to $219/month. The 3 month unlimited semi-private rates will increase to $279/month. Our $59 joining fee remains the same.

So, if you want join Motiv for less than $200/month, give us a call today at 773.675.1420 or sign up for your first workout online today! You still even have time to try a 30-day trial membership if you are on the fence.

Please don’t wait for a sale or a Groupon…we don’t think those are fair to our current clients

An important point to note is that our club philosophy is to treat every single member the same every single day. This means we try and protect the integrity of our club by not making deals or offering wild discounts that are available to some members and not others. And, while we can always help a member obtain more service and support if they need it, we will never discount the basic membership plans. If you want to save money, join before December 26th!

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Korean Beef Stir-Fry

Posted by: Kate on November 4, 2011

Again, borrowing from my favorite magazine!  I made a couple of small changes to the recipe.  I used baby bok choy instead of spinach, only because I needed to use the bok choy.  I also added green onions (a.k.a. scallions) because I love them!  Please note that this recipe is for 2 servings.  So if you are cooking for more, plan accordingly.  For all of you cooking for just one, you have leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

Korean Beef Stir Fry

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Lentil Soup with Ham & Herbs

Posted by: Kate on October 28, 2011

Lentil Soup with Ham & Herbs

1/2 Cup Chopped Onion

1/2 Cup Chopped Celery

1/2 Cup Chopped Carrot

1 Ham Steak (about 4 ounces)

2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic

7 Cups Canned Low-salt Chicken Broth

2 Cups Dried Lentils

2 Large Fresh Thyme (or about 1/2 teaspoon of dried)

1 Bay Leaf

1.  Combine onion, celery, carrot, ham and garlic in a large, heavy pot.  Stir over medium heat for about 2 minutes.

2.  Reduce head to medium-low.  Cover and cook until veggies are tender, about 7 minutes.

3.  Uncover and add broth, lentils, thyme and bay leaf, and turn up heat to bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.  Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf.  Serve hot.

Notes:  This recipe takes longer than a half hour, so it may be a better Sunday evening recipe.  The other option would be to use canned lentils, cutting down on the cooking time dramatically.  Just make sure you drain and rinse them well before adding them in.  It freezes very well, so even if you are cooking for one, it makes for a great leftovers.  You can also cut the recipe in half in order to reduce the amount of leftovers.  If you are vegetarian, leave out the ham.  You may need to add a bit more salt to the recipe, but it should be tasty, especially with the fresh thyme.

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Buy Lollipops

Posted by: Brian on October 27, 2011

It is Halloween time again.  Your strategy for dealing with Halloween candy needs to start BEFORE Halloween.

If it is candy, it’s not good for you. You’ll never eat something that’s not in your house, but…

What is a good strategy for dealing with all the little trick-or-treaters that will invade your neighborhood this weekend?

Only buy candy you don’t like.

That’s right, only buy candy you don’t like so you won’t be tempted to “sample” it or eat any leftovers.

Personally, I recommend you only buy lollipops. Why? Because little kids absolutely love them, older kids (who are probably getting a bit old to be trick-or-treating) get annoyed by them and adults look goofy eating them (and if you do try one, you generally don’t eat 13 of them in a sitting)

Stop by Motiv Saturday from 10-1pm with your little ones in costume.

We’ll be there as part of the North Center Chamber’s Trick or Treat along Lincoln. We’ll have Apples (highly recommended), a treat for Mom’s and Dads, and yes, Lollipops for the kids too.

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