A Mountain Biking Experience

 Mountain Biking
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Last weekend I mustered a little courage and took on SFA’s mountain bike trail. I could tell this day was special because it wasn’t a hundred degrees outside. It was in the mid 80’s, the perfect weather for mountain biking. I went with a small group of co-workers to get some footage of us biking the trail. A normal person would have first asked the group if there were any basics I needed to go over before we headed out on the trail. The basics are always a good starting point. No, I was feeling too confident to ask such silly questions. When I first got on the bike I realized how long ago since my last ride. After some wobbling, I gained control and regained confidence. We were able to get some great footage of the trip.

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Now, I’m not going to lie to you guys, I ate a lot of dirt that day. Besides that, I only ran into three trees; which isn’t too bad. Now I know that you should not use the front brakes when going down hill and it’s a whole a lot easier to pedal if you’re in a lower gear (the basics). Sure, I came out with some scrapes and cuts all over my body, but it was worth it. Not because I got great exercise or I learned more about mountain biking or even because I spent good quality time with my co-workers. 

It’s because I can now brag to my friends that I’m a mountain biker, and that makes it all worth it in the end.

 If you are interested in mountain biking and you don’t have a bike, just make a visit to the Outdoor Pursuits office located in the Student Rec Center. You can rent a Trek 6000 mountain bike for $7 on weekdays or $14 on weekends. For more information on mountain biking in East Texas or cool stuff you can rent, visit the Outdoor Center or call 936.468.6234

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- The News Reel from your boy D.Hill

A Night at the Rec Center

On September 4^th almost a hundred people came to the Rec Center to get their evening work out and enjoy some great music. The court was full of happy people breaking a sweat to the rhythmic tones of Zumba music. If you thought Zumba was just for girls, you are mistaken; we had guys come to the event as well. All in all, it was a great time.

 

 

Later on in the night we had a game of Battleship at the pool. The object of the game was to sink the other canoes. Students prepared for battle using only two buckets and a shield. The pool battlefield was filled with splashing and turning until only one canoe was left floating.

Over all, it was just another amazing night at the Rec Center.  

We will have another Battleship event on October 11^th.  If you find splashing in water interesting, we have the Davy Crockett Padding Trail on September 22^nd. To register for that event just visit the Outdoor Pursuits office at the Rec Center. The last day to register is September 17^th.

- News Reel from yo boy D.Hill

Chicken! Chicken! Chicken!

If I was ever stuck on a deserted island and the only meat that was available was chicken, I would be set. Chicken is one of the most versatile meats and is featured in many different cultural foods around the world.  Here are some basic techniques for cooking chicken just in case you had some chicken that needs “fixin.” 

Chicken Ramon Stir-Fry

Ingredients:  

•            1 package (3 ounces) ramen noodles

•            1-1/2 cups hot water

•            8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 2-inch strips)

•            2 teaspoons canola oil (or olive or peanut oil)

•            1 large green pepper (cubed)

•            2/3 cup chopped onion

•            1 garlic clove (minced)

•            1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

•            2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

•            1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend

•            1 small tomato (cut into wedges)

Cooking Steps.  

1.)  In a bowl, place noodles in hot water for 2 minutes

2.)  Drain noodles and set aside

3.)  Discard seasoning package or save for another use

4.)  In a large nonstick skillet, stir-fry chicken in 1 teaspoon of canola oil (or other) until it’s no longer pink. Then remove and keep warm

5.)  Stir-fry the green pepper, onion and garlic in remaining oil until crisp-tender.

6.)  Add the chicken, broth, soy sauce, seasoning blend and noodles

7.)  toss gently.

8.)  Add tomato;

9.)  heat thoroughly

Heath Facts:

One serving (2 cups) equals 419 calories, 14 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 66 mg cholesterol, 590 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 33 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.

Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the chicken breast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until an internal roasting thermometer reaches 170°. Don't overcook it. An overcooked, dried-out chicken breast won't give you salmonella, but you still probably won't want to eat it. Also, quickly searing the breast in a hot skillet will help avoid dryness because it locks in the bird's juices.

Sauced

Watery ready-made sauces like salsa will bake fine—some of the liquid will boil away as the chicken bakes. But thicker sauces, like barbecue or ranch, need water or broth mixed into it, otherwise you'll be left with a sticky, blackened char. Use a small baking dish to keep the meat covered with sauce.

Different sauces you can try:
1. 1/3 c salsa

2. 2 Tbsp jalapeño cheese dip, 2 Tbsp salsa, 1 Tbsp water

3. 2 Tbsp marinara sauce, 2 Tbsp water

4. 2 Tbsp barbecue sauce, 2 Tbsp water

5. 2 Tbsp ranch dressing, 2 Tbsp water

6. 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 Tbsp honey, 1 tsp olive oil

7. 3 Tbsp chicken broth; 1 Tbsp mustard; 1 clove garlic (crushed)

8. 2 Tbsp condensed mushroom soup, 2 Tbsp water

9. 2 Tbsp pesto, 2 Tbsp reduced-sodium chicken broth

10. 3 Tbsp chicken broth, 2 Tbsp light coconut milk, 1/4 tsp curry powder

11. 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 Tbsp barbecue sauce; 1 clove garlic, crushed

12. 2 Tbsp hot sauce, 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp chili powder

13. 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp orange marmalade, 1/4 tsp rosemary

Remember, make cooking original and your own. These recipes are just starting points. Try mixing and matching and coming up with your own recipes. The important thing is that you’re eating healthy.

- The News Reel from yo boy D.Hill

Information for techniques by:

Men's Health: http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/50-ways-prepare-chicken-breast#ixzz25iLve6Br

Taste of Home: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Ramen-Noodle-Stir-Fry

The Get Chosen Theory

The Chosen Edge

Every human experiences the eagerness of being seen and accepted by the opposite sex. I call this phenomenon The Get Chosen Theory or as Bernard Ambe (senior) calls it, “Tryin to get chose.” College students are prime examples of this theory. At the beginning of every year, students of all classifications make their way to the Rec Center in hopes of increasing their chances of being selected by a special someone by working out and getting fit.

“That’s why you see a spike of Rec Center usage at the beginning of the year, because of the get chose theory.” Bernard Ambe (Senior)

William Blanchette (Jumior) states,  “Everyone does it, both men and women”

“I see it a lot, they [guys] stare hard at you too,” says Janie Nieto (Junior)

Although in some cases The Get Chosen Theory may lead to creeper-like behavior, in many cases this willingness to work out for a better body has proven to be beneficial. To help give you the edge you need to succeed, I’ve gathered a list of great ab exercises to get you started.

 

1.)  The most effective ab exercise starts with the bicycle, the best move for working the rectus abdominis commonly know as the “six-pack” and the obliques (the waist).

 

2.)  The vertical leg crunch is another great workout for your abs and your obliques. It's similar to a regular crunch, but your legs are straight up in the air, forcing you to use your abs to do all the work and adding intensity to the work out.

 

3.)  The reverse crunch is another effective ab exercise. With this move, you're curling the hips off the ground, so you'll feel this in the lower part of your abs. Try to avoid swinging your legs to raise your hips. It’s a subtle move, so only lift your hips a few inches off the ground.

 4.)  The plank exercise is a great way to build endurance in the abs, back, as well as the stabilizer muscles. This move is also great for building strength for pushups.

Ab workouts alone will not give you the perfect body. You need a good balance of diet and exercise and order to fully realize that body you crave for. Another point to understand is that there is no such thing as one spot reduction. You have to work out all areas of your body in order to see change. Hopefully with these exercises and tips, you will have the fighting edge to “Get Chose.”

- The News Reel from yo boy D.Hill

Ab exercise ideas and photos by

Top 10 Most Effective Ab Exercises

By Paige Waehner, About.com Guide

Updated July 20, 2011

Hunger Games at the Rec Center

Last Friday August 24^th the Campus Rec center kicked the year off with a bang with the Hunger Game event. Anyone from returning upperclassmen to new freshman lumberjacks could come and enjoy the festivities held in the Rec center’s courtyard. 

Laura Moss, a sophomore, said quote, “It was a good chance to meet new people.” 

Playing off the theme of the movie The Hunger Games students could challenge each other in water balloon tosses, test their skills with fire building, fight to the death in an inflatable jousting pit and try to be the last one standing in a game of Knock Out. The event also featured a group game called, “Capture in the Cornucopia” where students put their odds to the test as they tried to capture a box before getting tagged out by the tributes.   

Nana, a senior, said quote, “It was a great time.” 

At the end of the event was a showing of the movie The Hunger Games as Campus Rec gear (blankets, t-shirts, headphones, ect.) rained from the sky. After the movie showing, the $750 raffle scholarship proved by SFA Orientations was awarded to Kimberly Whalon.

The evening was filled with smiles from students having a great time. Whether you wanted to participate in the games or just chill with your friends, the Hunger Game event was something anyone could enjoy.  Like the theme of the movie, may the Rec Center be forever in your favor. 

  

- The News Reel from yo boy D.Hill

Your ticket to Exercise!

So some super exciting news! Campus Recreation will be hold Group X classes Maymester, Summer 1 and Summer 2! With this news I thought it would be a good time to talk about the enormous benefits of group exercise.

A group environment can be very beneficial to work out in. "Working out in a group provides support, accountability, and structure," says Lynne Vaughan, Chief Innovation Officer of the national YMCA. "People don't want to let their buddy or group down, which is terrific in terms of adherence to an exercise routine.”

It just like a regular class. People ask you how you are doing, encourage and motivate you.  Also, as you develop relationships with people in the class you are more likely to go just because you get to hangout with them. It’s a great way to meet people and build friendships. Or make friendships stronger. I mean if you work out and accomplish something with someone, this will bring you closer.

Another benefit is that you get a more well-rounded work out. Your instructor is there to push you when you wouldn’t push yourself. This can help you reach fitness levels you never though were possible.

To view this summer’s Group X schedules go to the Fitness and Wellness page of the Campus Rec website at http://www.sfasu.edu/campusrec/104.asp.

Just a reminder however, the Rec center is only free for students who are enrolled in classes that semester. If you are a student, but not enrolled in classes you will have to purchase a monthly membership.

Your ticket to Campus Rec - Erin

Your Ticket to Healthy Weight Loss

So with this being the last week of school most of you are looking forward to being on the beach or at the pool. I know I am. Apart of that is looking your best. Most of us like to do a little dieting before summer starts so that things don’t jiggle in our swimsuits, but while reading I can across a seriously disturbing new diet trend. It’s called the tube diet and is very popular among brides to be right now.

So what is this tube diet. Well you know that tube they put up people’s nose and into their stomach in the hospital, you have a doctor hook you up to one of those and don’t eat anything except what’s is pumped into you. No, I’m not making this up. People have started doing this because it leads to rapid weight loss.

On this diet you would only consume 800 calories a day. Most doctors say that most adults need 1,500-4,000 calories a day, depending on body type and activity levels. This diet works because it is throwing your body into the first stages of starvation. Limiting the body from the calories it needs not only burns fat but will eventually destroy the muscles as well.

Starvation dieting is not only a dangerous way to diet. But once you do start eating again your body will store calories because it is so used to being starved. This means that you will eventually put on more weight than you lost. Yicks!

Your Ticket to Campus Rec - Erin