There are only so many hours you can spend on a stationary bike before you’re ready to swear off spin entirely. And don’t even get us started on our park’s monotonous running path. Sometimes you need a change of pace. Good news, we’ve got 10.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Estelle Harford.
Estelle is an accomplished and nationally recognized wellness consultant with a multi-faceted approach that began with her work as a personal trainer. Dedicating herself to increasing the strength and dexterity of her clients in a gym setting, Estelle increasingly witnessed the pain they were in due to muscular tension and imbalances. With the goal of alleviating the limitations she observed in her clients, Estelle sought out a method that would facilitate the efficient, healthy and effortless movement she and her clients desired. She found exactly what she was looking for in the discipline of Ki-Hara. What Estelle discovered is a revolutionary technique that utilizes a person’s own resistance in the strengthening and elongating of muscles. Through assisted sessions Estelle helps you develop flexibility, increase range of motion and offers strength training and core focus all in one session. One of only 30 Ki-Hara Master Trainers globally.
Estelle also completed the rigorous and esteemed training to become a John F. Barnes Myofascial Release practitioner. Estelle and Stellar Strength and Wellness has been described nationally in the Huffington Post as one of “The Ten New Workouts You Need to Try.” Her work has been praised on “PURE WOW”, because “it doesn’t involve equipment, is only as hard as you want it to be and helps your body feel healthier and move better. As ‘Chicago’s Stretch Therapist’, Estelle has been featured in “Chicago Social” magazine multiple times, and Modern Luxury. She has shared her expertise with the local community on ABC7 HealthBeat Chicago.
Estelle has recently opened a studio in Atlanta, Georgia and has already been listed by “The Atlantan,” as one of its city’s “Dynanic Women.” Estelle is passionate about helping people live pain free, active, healthy lives.
Has it been a smooth road?
My path is definitely not a traditional one. It has been filled with many bumps. It has been well worth it. What I do is very rare and not well known yet. My challenge is to educate people about what I do and how I can holistically help them rebalance and strengthen their body. It’s taken over a decade of hard work. I feel very fortunate to have something I am extremely passionate about.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Stellar Strength and Wellness story. Tell us more about the business.
Stellar Strength was founded on the principle that everybody is unique. I pull from my years of experience to help remove painful layers of tension and help restore strength, flexibility, range of motion and balance to your body. I solve muscular imbalances that may have been holding you back. I always listen to my clients and never have an agenda in regards to their path of healing and progress.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I am positive that people will begin to seek more holistic approaches to pain, and healing. I’ve already seen a shift. So many fascial restrictions and limitations can be solved and released without surgery or invasive options. The goal is to find a practitioner that cares and knows how to help you best.
Pricing:
Contact Info:
Image Credit:
Wil Byington Photography
John Harford
Estelle Harford
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
Visit www.stellarstrength.com to learn more and to book a session with Estelle.
Stellar Strength Black Bean Burgers
For some reason I’ve never made a good black bean burger. Yesterday, I was determined to change that. I came up with a healthy meat free alternative. Of course you can change this recipe if you want it to be gluten free or vegan. If you’re unsure how to change the recipe, just email me and I’ll help you. I always use organic, high quality ingredients when possible.
I used TVP, or texturized vegetable protein in this recipe. I started using this to add to our food on a backpacking trip in Grand Canyon. It adds a lot more protein without adding fat or a lot of calories. This also gave the burgers more substance and eliminated the mushy texture a lot of black bean burgers seem to have.
Makes 4
3 T Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil
1/3 c. chopped red onion
3 cloves chopped garlic
4 diced medium sized baby ‘bella mushrooms
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. cumin
½ tsp. garlic salt
¼ tsp. chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
½ c. Bob’s Red Mill TVP
1 egg
½ c. flour (you can substitute this with any gluten free flour you like)
1 can organic black beans, rinsed
Saute in medium sized pan over medium heat, 1T olive oil, red onion and garlic. Saute for a few minutes and then add the mushrooms. Add salt and pepper. Allow to caramelize a bit. Set aside. Maybe 5 minutes of cooking time.
Blend In a food processor or high quality blender. Add everything and blend until it is combined.
Cook Add 1 T olive oil, heat pan. Take a handful of bean mixture and drop patty sized mounds into pan. Make sure to give enough space to brown both sides evenly. After browned, transfer to paper towel.
Bake When almost ready to serve take browned patties and bake in a 350 oven for about 10 minutes.
Serve You can use bread, portabella mushrooms as buns, a lettuce bed or tortillas. It’s up to you, be creative. I served them with some shredded mozzarella cheese, some chopped heirloom tomatoes, fresh spinach, avocado, fresh cilantro and a dollop of non-fat greek yogurt.
Simple Greek Village Salad
1 organic cucumber
1/2 red onion
1 Fresh organic tomato
Greek Feta cheese
2 sprigs fresh dill
Maybe 10 leaves of fresh oregano
Greek extra virgin olive oil
Aged balsamic vinegar
Garlic salt, fresh cracked black pepper
This is a very uncomplicated, delicious recipe. I throw it all together. I mix oil and vinegar and spices to taste.