Traveling

When traveling somewhere while dieting, keep your routine.

Bring workout clothes and a video. Keep working out. Bring along some snacks that are good for you and other will eat too. It will help you to not eat too much of the things you should not.

What are some of your ideas?

Don't let the cold get you

I know that it is REALLY cold and you have every good excuse not do to anything.

But push through. Find something that you can do without leaving the house. You will warm up and feel better.

You could

1. Give you house a good clean
2. Clean out the closet you have been meaning to get to.
3. Get a workout video from the library. Try a few and find something that you like.
4. Do sit ups while watching tv
   

You can still find things to keep busy with and will help you beat the cold.

Taco Soup

I am making this for super and thought you might like the recipe.

Taco Soup

2-3 Chicken Breasts (Baked and Shredded) or 1 lb ground beef, chicken or turkey.
1 Medium Onion Chopped
1 can Diced Tomatoes
1 can Tomato Sauce
1 can Diced Green Chilies (4 oz)
1 can Corn (drained)
1 can Black Beans (drained but not rinsed)
1 can of Chicken Broth or water (use one of the empty tomato cans to fill this measure)
1 packet Taco Seasoning
1 packet Ranch Dressing Mix

- If you are using a ground meat, brown the meat with the onion. If you are using shredded chicken, saute the onion in a little olive oil until translucent then add chicken for a a 1 minute. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with sour cream, cheese, and/or tortilla chips.

This is a really healthy meal. It if filling, full of protein, and yummy. Be careful with how much of the extras you serve with it. That will make it less healthy.

There is a lot of sodium, you will likely be a bit swollen the next day. So do not eat right before a weigh in (I know from experience) because it will make you retain water.

Enjoy!!!

Keeping Hand Busy

I tend to eat when I am bored or antsy. I know I am not alone in this. So here are some ideas of things you can do when you have down time to keep your hand and mind busy and out of the kitchen

1. Knitting - scarves and blankets are really easy once you get started. And you can easily do it while watching tv.
2. Embroidering - It if fun and creative. You are able to create great things for people
3. Reading - I always have a book that I am working on. If it is not too intense, I keep it around to keep me occupied during commericals.
4. Computer - If you are able, having a computer around for fun things at night helps keep you busy. I like Facebook to keep in touch with people from my past and present. This blog is a great way to pass time. I have also heard good things about The Mommy Business ;-)
5. Find something to organize. - Photos are usually asking to be put in some sort of order.

What do you do to keep busy and out of the kitchen???

Black Bean, Corn and CousCous Salad

Carl and I had this in the Quad Cities and it was delicious! As a note, there are green onions in it, and you can really taste them. However, they could probably be taken out of the recipe if you don't like them.

Ingredients:
1 (10-ounce) box dry plain couscous
1 (16-ounce) bag of frozen white or yellow corn, thawed and drained
2 (15 -ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed*
4 medium green onions, sliced (both white and green parts
1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of 2 lemons (~1/4 cup)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. salt
Coarsely ground black pepper

*The recipe only called for one can, but that wasn't really enough, I would recommend using 2 unless you really don't like black beans)

1. Prepare the couscous according to the package directions. To cool quickly, spread the couscous on a large baking sheet in a thin layer and let it stand for 10 minutes.

2. Combine the cooled couscous, corn, beans, green onions, bell pepper and garlic in a bowl, mix gently. Add lemon juice and olive oil; toss well. Season with salt and pepper.

Serves 12

Tip: Giant pasta pearls (ex: Casbah Toasted Couscous) can be used in place of plain couscous. To enhance the flavor, add a bit of grated lemon rind, minced jalapeno chili or cilantro.

Enjoy!

Post-Thanksgiving Help

So, we've made it through the first major holiday of the Fitness Challenge, and we are preparing for the next one (celebrated multiple times throughout the next few weeks)! While I'm really excited for Christmas, I've found that I am a little nervous to get through the holidays successfully and maintaining that success throughout the rest of the year. However, I discovered a great way to burn off some steam and keep myself busy that even allows for a few workout points!

This year is the first year that I'm doing a lot of decorating for Christmas. Last night, Carl and I spent a few hours rearranging the house in order to put up the Christmas Tree, hang some holiday-specific decorations and generally cleaning up the house. Sometimes I forget how much work housework can be, but last night I was reminded that moving around that much is not only good for the appearance of the house, but great for us! We were too busy to snack, and we were moving around a lot. Plus, now the house looks great (though still a little messy). :) I'll have to include pictures in a later post, though. We didn't have time to take any yet.

Also, Lenny offered us a little extra exercise. This is his first Christmas, and he doesn't really know what to do about the Christmas Tree. To him, it seems to be one giant toy, regardless of whether Carl and I agree with that. As much as it bothered me, I guess that his excitement will give us a little bit more to do around the house this month because I'm pretty sure that he will have us chasing him and our ornaments all over the place until we take the tree down.

Anyway...I know I wrote this in true Ruth fashion (way more details than you guys need or want), but my point is to remember that the little things that you do around the house every day count toward the work out points, as long as you are moving around and get your heart pumping. I even managed to break a sweat while we were emptying everything out of the closet where it is all stored! Just stay positive and remember to keep moving because this time of year there's no way to completely avoid the yummy (albeit unhealthy) food options.