As a child I recall the taste of pasta being an explosion of various
different spices and sauces on my lovely taste buds. So, grab a small bowl and heat up your stoves because I’m going to share a recipe of one of my moms favorite pasta dishes-Fettuccini Shrimp Pasta! -Monica

Ingredients

• 1 pound fettuccini pasta
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pound cooked shrimp - peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley salt to taste

Directions

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In a large skillet, sauté shrimp and garlic in the butter for about one minute. Pour in half and half; stir. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese in one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly. After all Parmesan is added, mix in parsley and salt. Stir frequently making sure it does not boil. Sauce will take a while to thicken.
• When sauce has thickened, combine with cooked pasta noodles; serve hot.

 Fruits are an amazing nutritious snack to consume and there is such a variety of things that can be made with fruit. For instance fruit can be used in breakfast meals. Combining fresh strawberries with plain yogurt some honey and almonds is one option. Eating a banana with peanut butter and honey is another way to enjoy fruit. Another option is breakfast smoothie. A smoothie can be made with any fruit, banana and peanut butter smoothie, very berry smoothie, mango and orange smoothie, there are many fruit combinations that can help a person receive a balanced meal.

Fruit snacks are a good way to stop craving. Fresh watermelon a warm sunny day or delicious red or purple grapes are sweet and juicy. Combining pretzels, cheese, or vegetables with fruit is a way to spice up a snack and enjoy a variety. Chopping up fruits such as melon, papaya, grapes, kiwi, strawberries, and mango with some lime on top can create another great snack on warm sunny day.

Fruits can also be used in dessert or even main dishes. Apple turnover, raspberry pie, peach tarts are some delicious desserts that can all be homemade and those fatty ingredients can be substituted with nutritious ingredients. As a part of main dish, foods such as Sweet and Sour Pineapple Pork and  Chicken with Apple Stuffing are delicious meals that contain fruit.

There are so many ways that people can enjoy fruit, be creative and find new ways on how to enjoy fruit with out getting tired of eating it the same way every time.

Running has long been an option for those who want to shed a few pounds, stay fit, or just need to get somewhere fast. Either way there’s a reason why it remains on the top 10 of workout methods—the following reasons may give insight on why.

1. Everyone Can Do It

Everyone knows how to run. Although, you may not have the right running form down you can still do it. There are no master skills or training needed the only thing you need are supportive running shoes, a bottle of water, and your motiviation to keep going.

2. It’s A Great Way to Lower Stress

Most have had those days where you just want tomorrow to come very quickly either because things weren’t just going your way, you had a big school exam coming, or works been catching up to you. Instead of feeling bad the whole day and driving yourself crazy with tasks—take a break from your brain. Go out for a run, get fresh air, and just sweat away all your worries.

3. Increase Your Confidence
You can do it! In the world of fitness life can get tough—you’ll have your days where you wonder if you’re even making progress or if you should give up but keep fighting. Running is a form of exercise that doesn’t take much knowledge on to figure out. So, if you need babysteps set goals for yourself and increase your confidence out on the track so you can be proud of yourself and bring that same confidence outside the track. The world holds no boundaries unless you impose them upon yourself.

4. The World is Your Track

The great thing about running is that you can choose where you want to run. You don’t have to be stuck at a gym all day to get your workout in. Although, using treadmills at a gym is an option you can also run indoors a basketball court or if you’re more into fresh air than outside on a sceneic route to keep your mind interested, at the beach, or at the park—anywhere is a great location as long as YOU like it.

5. Make friends

Believe it or not but you can meet a whole running community out there that shares the same ideas and goals. If you don’t like working out by yourself than bring a friend along. Nothing is better than running outdoors with your best friend. The benefit of this is that it allows someone to keep you at your toes when you just feel like turning back and walking home. Don’t be afraid to ask for moral support, we all need it at times.

-Monica

Do your research:

If you know exactly what restaurant you’re going to then try doing some research on their menu to see what choices are healthier.

Opt Out the Salad and Go for the Soup:

Just because you choose to eat healthier doesn’t mean you have to eat like a bunny. Going for the soup is a wholesome choice—because it carries light calories (depending on the soup) and while keeping down your appetite until your main dish comes out.

Caution! Bread Ahead:

As you’re waiting for your meal to come out do not indulge in bread because it can be quite filling—-which is why they gave it to prisoners back in the day. So, take caution.

Aim for veggies:

If you can always try to aim for fruits and vegetables. If given the option order fruit instead of fries or vegetables instead of fruit. Just keep in mind that small choices like that can benefit you greatly in the end—you’re left feeling content at your choice rather than guilty for indulging in fries.

Can I have a Water Please?

Not only is water free at restaurants (unless bottled) but it’s also a healthier choice. Sodas are filled with lots of corn syrup which is certainly not the right fuel your body needs so instead of anything “heavy” in sodium-get water! -Monica

What is a Squat?

According to the Mayo Health Website, “a squat is a full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks,hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body. Squats are considered a vital exercise for increasing the strength and size of the legs and buttocks, as well as developing core strength. Isometrically, the lower back, the upper back, the abdominals, the trunk muscles, the costal muscles, and the shoulders and arms are all essential to the exercise and thus are trained when squatting with proper form.”

How to Do a Squat:

Squat down until your thighs are at least parallel to the floor.

 If you don’t go down that far, you’re cheating yourself and doing a fake squat. The only way you’ll know you’re really working out your back end and legs are if you go as low as you can—trust me, you will feel it and know you’re doing it the right way!

Try not to extend your knees past your toes.

If you’re doing the squats right, you should be sitting back with your “behind” out and back straight as possible just as if you were about to sit down or pick up a box.

Don’t arch your back.

Keep your head up when doing squats to prevent arching your back. It is important to keep your back straight in order for you to do the squat correctly.

Leg Extender

You can choose to extend one leg out and lean down with the other and repeat as shown above on the picture provided

Benefits of Doing Squats:

Squats are the ultimate core workout for your lower body because they help strengthen and works out the following:

• Thighs
• Hamstrings
• Buttocks
• Abdominal Muscles
• Hips

It’s important to keep in mind that a set of 10 perfectly done squats is better than 30 poorly done one—don’t cheat yourself out of a good workout and remember that to see results you need patience. Good Health! -Monica

Keeping motivated can often times prove to be easier said than done but don’t fret—the following is a list I have composed to spice things up and keep that motivation going before you know it you’ll have that determined spark back! -Monica

Change Things Up

Introducing a new activity every week or two helps prevent boredom. Often times when a person sticks to one workout routine things can get, well comfy. Although, being comfy is always nice it is never good when working out because you should always be challenging your capabilities-if you feel like things are comfy then start taking things up a notch and setting higher goals for yourself in your routine. Instead of doing 10 push-ups add an extra 5.

Find a partner in sweat-workout buddy

Exercise companions add a social element to any routine. Ask a friend to be your workout partner — you won’t skip a workout if someone is waiting for you.

Set a new goal!

Goals are endless and will keep you motivated when working out.

Treat yourself

It’s always nice to reward yourself for the effort being put into your workout sessions so don’t be afraid to eat a nice little cupcake or buy yourself a new shirt for a job well done

Keep an exercise log to track your progress!

Unsure if your making progress toward your goals? Then start a workout log. It allows you to keep track of your goals, monitor your progress and adjust your routines as necessary.

Don’t beat yourself down if you miss a workout!

Life is full of obstacles; don’t let a few missed workouts turn into a month of unfulfilled resolutions.

Focus on how good exercise makes you look and feel!

 You know that incredibly satisfied and healthy feeling you get immediately after a workout? Remember it! And use it to motivate yourself the next time you’re thinking about blowing off that next workout!

Take Breaks

You’re human; so remember to take breaks from exercise and let your body rest. Just like all things—too much of something can never be good.