Healthy tips for a long winter.

For many of us, winter has lasted much longer this year, and the amount of winter storms has us aching for the spring to come. Often times, after a long winter, we have a difficult time staying in shape, as we tend to do only half the exercise as we would do during the summer. Here are a couple of simple tips to keep in mind to help you stay in shape, even though this winter seems endless.

1. Eat right. During winter, produce isn't always as fresh as we would like, and often then, we tend to move towards more meats during the winter season. But meats alone, although important to your diet, isn't very healthy. Try adding a few veggies on the side. While fruits may be better for the summer, you know what they say: an apple a day keeps the doctor away! Try some fruits and veggies from your local organic vendor.

2. Exercise anyway. Nobody wants to go outside when its 20 degrees outside. How about try something different? Try joining a gym. A gym membership is usually inexpensive and a great idea to stay in shape. 30 minutes a day of exercise will make a world of a difference. Ladies, go to the shopping mall with some friends and walk up and down the mall for a while. Men, how about walking around that bass pro shop a couple times?

3. Look at the bright side. Many times when March comes around and spring still isn't here, we tend to get gloomy. But have you ever stopped to think about how the morning after a snowstorm the snow sparkles in the sunlight? When was the last time you were grateful for even the sunshine? Sure it way be cold, and snowy, but think of the memories you had in the snow as a kid, think on the bright side, and your whole attitude will be refreshed and renewed, and you will feel more motivated to do what you need to do.

4. Lose the caffeine. It can be so tempting to want to pick up a hot cup of coffee to wake you up for the day. And once in a while, that's okay. But to make a habit of it is unhealthy, and very addicting. Eating right, especially fruits and veggies help provide your body with natural energy without the crash later on. Making the decision to eat healthier and skip the caffeine is easy, but just as easy not to do.

Chicken Marinara Quesadilla

Looking to start cooking a great dinner for your family? Here is a great healthy recipe that your whole family will love and is easy to make.

Ingredients:
2 flour tortilla shells
4 tablespoons marinara sauce
16 ounces (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup green and/or red pepper
1/4 cup black olives
1 cup baked or grilled boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons basil leaves

Directions:
Lay out one flour tortilla shell and use spread 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce across the shell leaving a thin border around the edge without sauce. Parmesan and Romano marinara sauce is really good but any marinara sauce will do. Pour 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire tortilla with a slightly higher concentration around the edge of the tortilla. Chop your onions, peppers, chicken, black olive and any other toppings you prefer into small bite size pieces. Leaving a thin border around the edge, scatter your chopped toppings across the tortilla. Lightly shake about 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning over the top of the tortilla, and approximately 2 tablespoons of basil leaves. Gently scatter 1 cup of your shredded mozzarella cheese over the tortilla. Lay out your second tortilla shell, and lightly spread about 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce across the shell, leaving a thin border untouched. Carefully place the second tortilla, sauce side down, on top of the first tortilla. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray your baking pan with butter (Pam). Place the tortilla on the pan and let bake for 13-15 minutes. Carefully remove the pan, and flip the tortilla over. Continue baking for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese has fully melted and tortilla shell is golden brown. Remove, cut, and serve!