Mulligatawny Soup

Spring is almost here! Can you taste it?

Well, I'm back! My family and I just spent two glorious, sunny weeks in Florida. Every day was a scorcher with the ocean inviting us into her warm waters. Aah, the beach!

Upon returning to our more familiar winter wonderland, I vow to get back in shape for the upcoming season. Whether bike races, marathons, 5Ks, adventure races or just plain bikini weather is your motivation to get it in gear, hats off to you (along with coats and mitts - hooray!).

Seems this is a tough time for all to stay motivated. The weather is bleak and February seems to have greedily sucked the last of our spirits, leaving us deflated, pale and Vitamin-D deprived. Even though I had a nice break in the Sunny State, it's hard to now be upbeat about basement workouts after  biking along the beach with a dolphin as your riding partner 6 feet from your pedals. Sigh.

But I have seen the sunny side and was pleasantly reminded that ours is just a few short weeks away! I've been to the future and it's warm and fun and only an arm's reach away. After all - we've made it to March. If we can stay motivated every day for the next month, we've all made it to spring! Remember what that was like? Birds chirping from the treetops, the sound of slush melting into water and making its way down the sewers, winter boots finding spots in storage where the sneakers and crocs have been hiding out.

So I have to ask...

What is your fitness plan as we patiently wait for the snow to retreat? If we use March wisely, we will be able to greet spring with ambition, energy and enthusiasm! Please share as I'm looking to really mix it up and vow to try all ideas brought forward. What is your favourite workout? How do you keep it fun? This is my plan for March:

-interval workouts (alternating weights with sprints on the treadmill)
-spinning indoors (at least when my bike finds its way out of the shop)
-long walks with my doggie

My husband likes to:

-workout to Gilad
-Drum
-lift weights

Let's help each other make the best of the next 30 days!!

For now, I will leave you with a slow cooker soup that caught my eye with its fresh herbs. Sort of like winter meets spring!

Chicken Mulligatawny Soup

Translated, mulligatawny means: 'pepper water' in Tamil

photo by Melanie F. on Flickr

6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 cup brown rice
2 garlic cloves; chopped
1 tbsp. curry paste, patted with paper towel to remove oil
2 tsp minced ginger (or more if you like!)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp saffron threads
1/2 cinammon stick
2 cups apple juice (I know! Right?)
1/2 cup lite coconut milk
chopped green onion

Slice chicken into thin strips. Combine with rice, garlic, curry paste, ginger, salt, saffron and cinnamon stick in slow cooker. Pour int 5 cups water. Stir until mixed. Cook on low for 8 hours.

Stir in apple juice, coconut milk and green onion. Garnish with apple slices, cilantro and fresh lime if desired.