As the New Year has gotten under way, everywhere we look, we’ve seen it and heard it. On morning talk shows and the radio. In the news paper and magazines. “Get

in shape.” “Exercise more.” “Eat healthy.” “Eat smart.”

It all sounds very reasonable. We have the resources to help us keep our New Years resolutions. So what’s the problem?

Having a friend to work out with is always an incentive. And it shouldn’t be too difficult to modify our eating habits.

I decided to ask some friends in different walks of life to please share their ideas and advice on the subject. Here’s what I got,

along with a few recipes.

Get running. Start off slow and set a goal of running up to 30 plus miles a week.

Rebecca Walker, 1st Grade Teacher

Drink a glass of water upon waking in the morning. You become dehydrated while sleeping.

Deb Little, Infusion Nurse

Substitute two glasses of water for your typical lunchtime drink. Cut sodas out of your diet. The calories from one soda may just equal the calories burned in the 30 minutes you spend on the elliptical machine at your gym.

Dr. Ashley Weekes Flowers, DDS

PA

This next one I found very inspirational!

Working outside as much as possible, no matter what the season. Getting my hands

dirty working in my flower gardens and watching the flowers grow is my best

therapy, both physically and mentally. Adding a new flower bed is a great stress

reliever. Mowing grass is another thing I love to do.

Most importantly, sitting down for a meal with my sons and husband, with lots of full, carefree laughter and joking is something that fills my heart and takes away any

ache or pain. Knowing they are doing ok, keeps my mind healthy.



Lynn Patton, RN

Smoothie

1 banana

1 cup ice

1 cup milk

1 T. honey

1 T. cocoa powder

Pinch of cinnamon

Blend and enjoy! Great

for after a workout or

even as a supplement for

breakfast. (Can be made

the night before).

Adrienne Beauduy,

Fitness Instructor

Healthy Cucumber Appetizer

Slice a cucumber in wedges.

Cover with rice wine vinegar

and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove from refrigerator

and sprinkle with salt and

pepper. Serve. Quite tasty!

Richard Little

Low Fat Chocolate Cake

1 ½ c. all-purpose flour

¾ c. granulated sugar

3 T. cocoa

1 t. baking soda

¼ t. salt

1 t. vanilla

¼ c. applesauce

2 T. oil

1 T. white vinegar

1 c. water

Grease an 8 x 8 inch square

or round pan. Combine flour,

sugar, cocoa, baking soda and

salt in the cake pan. Stir and

make a large hole in the middle

and add applesauce, vanilla,

oil, vinegar and water. Stir

until ingredients are combined.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to

30 minutes or until toothpick

inserted comes out clean.

Serve with low-fat ice cream

or whipped topping.

Julia Hillmann

Crustless Chili Quiche

4 large eggs

3 T. flour

2 T. plus 2 t. reduced- calorie stick margarine,

melted

1 T. Dijon mustard

¼ t. salt

3 to 4 drops red pepper sauce

1 c. nonfat cottage cheese

½ c. shredded Monterey

Jack cheese

¼ c. chopped canned

green chilies

¼ c. drained, chopped

roasted red bell pepper

1 ½ T. diced jalapeno

½ c. diced ham

1 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9 inch pie plate or a

pie pan with nonstick cooking

spray.

In a medium bowl, lightly beat

eggs. Whisk in flour, melted

margarine, mustard, salt and

pepper sauce. Stir in cottage

cheese, Monterey Jack cheese,

chilies, red pepper, jalapeno

and ham. Pour into prepared

pan and sprinkle with Parmesan

cheese.

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or

until filling is set and golden

brown. Let stand 10 minutes

before cutting. Serve with a

salad.

Jeannie Inskeep