Healthy Happy Holidays - Dec. 5

We made it through Thanksgiving, and I know we all had some great food.  I know that some of you tried some new healthier recipes, but some of you are looking for ways to cut calories, so that you can balance out the extra from last week.  Here is a combo pack for your weekend:  I am sharing with you all the workout challenge issued by a friend of mine which will help us to kick our workout plan up a notch. Below you will find some cold weather comfort food with a healthy spin. 

Weekend Challenge:

Hip Raises! This exercise works your glutes, hamstrings and core. Do 3 sets of 8 reps on EACH leg before every meal this weekend.

This recipe comes from Cooking Light.  It's a healthy version of Mac n' Cheese. 
When I made it, I made a couple of substitutions, because in addition to making it healthier, I also wanted to make the Mac n' Cheese safe for a person with a serious allergy to cow's milk. 
I followed the recipe as written, but used the ingredients below (modifications in red):
· 3 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (about 1 [1-pound] squash)
· 1 1/4 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
· 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk Almond/soy milk
· 2 garlic cloves, peeled
· 2 tablespoons plain fat-free Greek yogurt soy yogurt
· 1 teaspoon kosher salt
· 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
· 1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese Manchego the first time  (second time Goat Jack)
· 1 cup (4 ounces) grated pecorino Romano cheese made from sheep
· 1/4 cup (1 ounce) finely grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided used midnight moon for top
· 1 pound uncooked cavatappi any pasta you want
· Cooking spray
· 1 teaspoon olive oil
· 1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
I found it super yummy, as did both of the people I fed. 

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*No information on this blog should be considered medical advice. You should always consider consulting a medical professional before making drastic diet or lifestyle changes. I am not a medical professional.