Day 29 of New Year New You

Well Folks this is our last Sunday for the New Year New You Challenge.  BUT this is not the last you will hear from me. I have lots more to share as the year progresses.

So here we go Sunday Jan 29th!

Fitness:
Plus One!  Take a loved one with you today and enjoy a physical activity together.  This doesn't have to be gym related, try these ideas out:

• Walking around Macy's
• Cleaning out the basement
• Going for a bike ride
• Rearrange the furniture

Now if your loved one isn't down for any of the above, go ahead hit the gym or your favorite yoga studio.   Whatever you do today, don't do it alone! 

Food: 

Quick and Easy!  We may not have a rest day from physical activity like yesterday but there is no need to get bogged down in the kitchen either.  So try this quick and easy to the table dinner meal. 

Pasta and Spinach Gratin

1 lb tubular pasta (rigatoni, ziti or penne)

6 cups of Fresh baby Spinach

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

Pinch of Salt

2 Cloves of garlic, minced

1 Cup Cream

1/2 teaspoon Chili flakes

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese (or a cheese of your choice)

• Preheat oven to 375.  Grease a 9x13 rectangular casserole dish
• Bring a stockpot of salted water to a boil then add pasta.  Cook until just a little less than al dente, drain
• While pasta is boiling - Heat oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-low heat.   Add garlic and chili flakes, stir while cooking for 1 minute.  Then add Spinach.  (you might have to add it in batches)
• When Spinach has cooked down, season with a pinch of kosher salt.  Stir into the cooked pasta
• Take entire mixture and pour into the prepared casserole dish. Pour cream over the pasta and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
• Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crunchy and sauce is bubbly. 

Total Time 40 minutes!  Enjoy

Self Growth:

Just Because!  I am not sure what FTD stands for but I'm going to say "Florist That Deliver."  Everyone likes getting flowers wether its at work or home.  So go online and plan to send flowers to someone tomorrow!   

Write on the note:  Just Because!  You can leave it like that or fill in the blank: Just Because ________ Whatever the reason I am sure you will be the talk of the day.  

As a bonus if you are a SkyMiles member you too will get for giving!!!  Now that's not bad, you get Skymiles for sending flowers.  So stop procrastinating and get on it, its a win/win.  

Until Tomorrow, 

Taj 

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/4510152438/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Day 17 of New Year New You

Sorry for the delay today!  I woke up and typed our Challenge but I was in a rush and forgot to hit publish!  So here we go another day, another fun challenge!

My Day 16: Successfully had no flour today, added 15 minutes onto my workout as well.  Feeling pretty good.

Time for Day 17:

Fitness:
Can't make it to the gym today, why not tone at work or at home!  Follow these easy steps to get in a quick workout while you work.

• Seated Scissors:  Sit towards the middle of your chair, (at home use a chair not the couch if possible) Lift legs up about parallel to the floor.  Engage core so you are sitting up super tall.  Raise arms in front of you and begin to cross right leg over left and right arm over left at the same time. Switching quickly 40 times (right - left =1)    You are targeting glutes, core, chest, quads and inner/outer thighs.  Now that's a lot of bang for no bucks! 
• Supported Single Leg Squat: Stand with hands at the side of your desk or the back of a chair or use a table if at home.  Lifting right foot so knee is bent at 90 degrees, lower into a single leg squat by bending the left knee.  Remember don't bend to far, knee should stay behind the toes. Stand up and repeat 20 times on one side.  Switch Want to add some calf work - Raise up on your tip toes when you come back to stand.  Targeting quads, hamstrings, balance and calf muscles. 
• Upright Push Ups:  Facing a wall, place hands directly in front of you shoulder height and slightly wider then your shoulder distance.  Bending elbows to bring chest to the wall performing 25 push ups off the wall. Targeting chest, triceps and shoulders

This workout can be done in about 15 minutes or less.  So no excuses! 

Food:
Here is a quick easy 502 calorie meal you can enjoy tonight for dinner!

Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

3/4 cup uncooked whole wheat pasta

2 cups steamed broccoli

4 oz baked chicken (you can pick up already prepared on your way home)

1/2 cup tomato sauce (3g. fat or less per 1/2 cup)

Pinch each of: Garlic, red pepper flakes and ground black pepper

Parmesan Cheese if desired. 

Cook Pasta.  While pasta is cooking cut up the chicken.  When 1 minute left to cook toss in Broccoli.  Drain.  Return Broccoli and Pasta to pot and add chicken, tomato sauce and above seasonings.  Top with Cheese and serve! This is a one serving so double the above if making it for two.

Self Growth:
Picture yourself 3 months from now and write down three words to describe the future you.  Post it on the fridge or near your computer as a reminder.  Remember no pressure to comply, it will be interesting to see how life play itself out 3 months from today.

Have a great day!

Until Tomorrow,

Taj