It's March Madness - No Gym Necessary!

It was March Madness! We were on the downslope of the month and its challenges, but wait there was #noexcuse for not working out! You don't need a trainer, a gym, or special equipment to get that body moving. Most people enjoy dancing even if it is to their own individual beat, music in their heads, or just to shake what their mama gave them! I know I do! In fact, whenever I'm stressed or trying to unwind, or really in a silly mood, I DANCE IT OUT! Yep...sometimes you just have to dance it out, dance it out, dance, dance, dance! You get what I'm saying.

Well, there are all sorts of exercises you can do anywhere. We at RMDSF want to know how our Chicks Who Play actually play. What do you do when you can't make it to the gym or when it is snowing outside or when you only have 10-20 minutes? I used to belong to a gym then I took inventory at home and found that I didn't need a gym. The gym was $40/month and cost me an extra two tanks of gas/month, and an extra 30 minutes in travel time each day I attended. Don't get me wrong; I think a gym can be well worth the added expense. But, I didn't see the benefits and found that I really only liked the bellydancing classes, Zumba, and kickboxing. 

So, I was at home and thought about all of the exercise focused items I had here. Well, my complex has a full gym. Yeah, I only go to use the stationary bikes and for the occasional weight training session. But here, I have a gym quality treadmill, stability balls, a jump rope, resistance bands, hand weights, assorted DVDs, Wii Fit, a yoga mat, and Youtube! I'm sure I've left something out. Nonetheless, I have all of this stuff, but truthfully, I just need me. Walking, jumping jacks, burpees, pushups, squats, and ab exercises do not require any equipment or videos. So, there is no excuse for not exercising. Go ahead...shake that body! Shake those calories down! Move those curves!

I like to do an assortment of exercises, but I need something that makes me sweat to feel accomplished. Since the weather has been uncooperative, I often walk on the treadmill on days that I cannot meet up with my walking partner and hit the trails. For strength and cardio, I use cross training videos. My favorite is Insanity by Shaun T, but it is too long for that level of intensity. Hey, I'm still a beginner! LOL! So,sometimes instead, I use Jillian Michael's 30-day shred. I prefer level 2. It gives me a good sweat, but I do find it just a little boring. Just last week, I purchased the shorter Focus T25 by Shaun T. I'll let you know in a few days if it becomes my preferred video. When I'm at my oldest sister's house, I pull double duty with Zumba and walking her doggy, Kilo Buddy. 

 I plan to start the C25K program this spring. I am not a runner nor do I want to be, but I want to know that I can do it. So, I am doing the couch to 5K program for that reason alone. Besides, it can come in handy for my next 5K (per my niece). It's always good to challenge yourself...your life may depend on it.

February Nutrition Challenge - Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup

 The February Nutrition Challenge is to make a heart healthy soup. This challenge could not have been timed more perfectly. With the adverse weather that most of the United States have had, we have been unusually impacted in the southeast with ice, freezing rain, and snow. Having a hearty healthy soup is just want you want when you come in from the cold or snuggle with the family during the "snow day." Sodium, cholesterol, and fat are key in this exercise toward healthier living. I also utilized some shortcuts to save time and cut out some of the bad stuff. 

Chicken noodle soup is one of America's favorites. So, I wanted to make a lighter, healthier, and cost-effective version. My 5-ingredient chicken noodle soup turned out wonderfully delicious and quite healthy. I think I will be incorporating this one into my normal rotation. Who needs canned and bottled soups when you can make it at home for less and healthier!

 The ingredients are easy - one of our newest time savers is Birds Eye Recipe Ready frozen vegetable mixes. For this soup, I used the "mirepoix" mix. It includes the holy veggie trinity: onions, carrots, and celery. This is the based for lots of recipes and perfect for chicken noodle soup. We give these shortcuts the thumb up because they saves time and money. All the chopping is done for you, so no excuse about not having time to chop all of the vegetables. They are frozen at their freshest point, so no worries about having to find good produce. The mix is already done, so you do not have to buy a variety of vegetables that you may not use often. And they are frozen, so no worries about them going bad quickly. And finally, they are affordable. I paid $1.29 for this bag and only used a quarter of it for four servings. Birds Eye has lots of these mixes for all sorts of recipes. If you are making a stew or chili for your February challenge, they have you covered! 

In this recipe, I also use organic chicken broth, organic chicken, and whole wheat noodles. Harris Teeter was having a great sale on Swanson Chicken Broth and I had a coupon. So, you know I was especially excited. So, I only spent $1.50 for a 32-ounce carton. I chose low fat, low sodium, free range, hormone free, certified organic. For more health savings, try vegetable broth to further reduce the fat and cholesterol. I wanted the protein and a more authentic chicken soup. So, I got the chicken broth. Because I was adding chicken to the soup, I diluted the broth with water to reduce the amount of sodium.

 I chose Ronzoni's whole grain extra wide egg noodles. They are light and made only with egg whites. No yolks...less cholesterol and fat. They are not gluten free, so you may choose something else if that is a problem for you. I had some chicken left over from a shredded chicken salad I'd made earlier in the week. I used the leftovers to save money and time. The chicken was originally roasted in the oven with a spritz (yes, I have a spritzer) of olive oil and fresh ground black pepper. I added the broth, water, and chicken first. I let it come up to a boil so it could develop rich flavors, then I add the vegetables and noodles. Once the soup boiled and the noodles were tender, I added the black pepper to taste. 

Voila! 10-minute fresh and flavorful chicken noodle soup. I love this soup. I hope you will too!