Looking for new exercises or a quick workout?

Are you looking for a change to your workout or hoping to start a new workout plan?

ACE Fitness has some great ready-to-go workouts available for free on their website. Each one includes a sample warm-up, workout, and cool down.

The two that would be great for anyone are the:

• 30 minute workout (no equipment needed)
• At home workout (no equipment needed)

Check out some of the other workouts available  on the website - you might find some extra motivation or something new to try!

Easter food safety

Easter is right around the corner. While Easter celebrations may vary, many of us will enjoy the day with food and possibly Easter egg hunts. Here are some things to remember about food safety for Easter.

• Always wash your hands before handling eggs, serving food, or eating food.


• Do not let food sit out for more than two hours at room temperature. Bacteria love growing rapidly at room temperature and can make food unsafe to eat after the two hour mark. Use smaller serving dishes and refill as needed or surround dishes with ice to keep below 40 degrees.


• Be careful not to crack eggs when dying, hiding, or retrieving them. It is also best to keep them refrigerated until they are to be hidden. If the shells are cracked during hiding or retrieving, it is best to throw those eggs away because bacteria can contaminate through the cracks.


• If you are planning to eat the eggs after the hunt, the total hiding and hunting time should not exceed 2 hours (or 1 hour if the outside temperature is above 90 degrees). The eggs should be washed, refrigerated, and eaten within 7 days of when they were cooked.


• If the eggs or any food has been left out for more than 2 hours, it must be thrown away to prevent foodborne illness. If eggs were used as decoration and left at room temperature for 2 hours or more, they also need to be thrown out.


• If you purchase a ham, pay attention to the label for storage information. It should have a best if used by date for best quality. Leftover cooked ham should be used within 3-4 days or frozen.


• The American Egg board has easy instructions for hard-boiling eggs.  

Enjoy the Easter holiday with friends and family!

April Cook It Quick newsletter

The April edition of the Cook It Quick newsletter from the University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension is now online. There are some GREAT recipes in this issues, so make sure you check it out.

You will find:

• Jiffy oatmeal crunch (quick, delicious, easy ingredients)
• Quick black bean soup (only 20 minutes to make)
• BBQ chicken pizza (BBQ + pizza = tasty!)
• Apple coffee cake (looks great for breakfast)
• Stuffed bell pepper (veggies, protein, and grain all in one dish)
• Bachelor food (good for those hungry men - and women!)
• Baked lentils casserole (protein-rich and colorful)
• 20 minute chicken creole (who doesn't love quick meals)

As well as other information on:

• Measurement equivalents
• How does your club stack up?
• How to chill foods properly
• Safe grocery shopping

This edition is not to be missed - it has something for everybody! Read the April Cook It Quick newsletter from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

April 2 is National Walking Day

April 2, 2014 is National Walking Day.  The American Heart Association has designated this day to remind adults to take at least 30 minutes a day to get up and walk.

It is easier to be inactive than it is to be active. Regular activity helps keep bones strong, hearts healthy, muscles strong, improves balance and coordination, keeps cholesterol levels normal, prevents falls, increases energy, prevents weight gain, and makes it easier to do our normal activities of daily living (carrying groceries, going up and down stairs).

Physical activity is vital in enhancing quality of life and maintaining independence. Regular physical activity also helps reduce risk for many diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, some types of cancer, depression, and anxiety. If the benefits of physical activity could be bottled into a medication, adults would be jumping at the chance to take this “miracle” pill!

Add walking to your daily routine to increase your physical activity and enjoy the many benefits of being active.Walking is free, easy to do, and fun! All you need is a safe place to walk, comfortable shoes, and the motivation to get it done.

Warm up by walking slowly for five minutes at the beginning and cool down similarly. Add in some stretches at the end to help improve flexibility. Make sure to walk in safe places (parks, trails, sidewalks) and be careful if you walk near busy areas.

Walking can be done anytime of the day and can be a great way to catch up with a friend or family member. Walking with a partner can not only improve your health, but the health of your partner too. You can help keep each other motivated and accountable. Pets benefit from walking too!

The 2008 Physical Activity guidelines recommend 150 minutes of cardiovascular (aerobic) activity per week. Walking for 30 minutes, five days a week will meet this goal. If you are currently inactive or if that sounds like too much, you can just add in a few minutes of walking here and there. Even an extra trip to the mailbox or an extra trip around the grocery store will add up. Start with a few minutes and increase that amount toward the goal, as you feel comfortable.  

The American Heart Association website has resources available for National Walking Day on their website.