Happy New Year!... Resolutions suck!

Every year people everywhere vow to make changes to their lives. Everything from bad habits (smoking, cussing, etc.) to desires for improvements (give to charity more, donate my time, etc.) and I think that resolving to do something better for you is a great idea. I don’t understand why we wait to make those changes. Why not make those changes now?

My wife and I visited a dietician two months ago and made the decision that we are going to make a change. We did not wait for a specific event, date, or holiday. We left there with a little more knowledge and a lot of resolution. We are going to figure out how to lose weight, eat a good diet, and teach our boys the tools that they will need to live a long and healthy life. Sounds easy, no? NO!!!

It was/is very difficult everyday we are making decisions about what to eat, how much to eat, how many calories it is, how much exercise we are doing, and what to do the next day.

So my advice for you?

1. Don’t delay, start making changes today! You do not have to change everything at once, but change something.

2. Evaluate what you are eating. Are you eating enough or to much? Visit this website to calculate your BMR http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/ (how many calories you burn at rest).

3. Buy a scale and start looking at portion size. Weigh your food for awhile, you will be surprised.

Realize that this will take time. You may not see results right away. Stick with it and it will be worth the effort.

Here is a low calorie but hearty soup for you to enjoy this winter.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients (Makes 12 servings)
1 lb chicken breasts diced
3 cups  chopped celery
3 cups  diced carrots
5 ounces  diced onions
1/2 tsp  salt
1/2 tsp  ground pepper
1 1/2 tsp  Herbs de Provence
2 ounces  Superior Touch Chicken Base
8 cups  water
1 ounce  margarine
1 ounce  olive oil
12 ounces  Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Extra Wide Noodles

Directions
1. heat olive oil
2. add diced onions sauté until translucent
3. add diced chicken breasts heat until chicken is no longer pink
4. add spices and vegetables
5. mix chicken base with water and add to meat and veggies
6. bring to a boil add margarine
7. add pasta, cook until al dente

Cool slightly and serve

(nutrition information: approximately 11 ounce (309 grams) bowl of soup only has 241 calories)

Let me know if you try this recipe on my website at www.cookingwithtrace.com or on www.facebook.com/cookingwithtrace .

Now go cook something healthy!