this week in ZUMBA

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: Latin / Indian
• Tuesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop

Fit 'N' Fun!
Saturday Scott Fitness participated in the June Fit 'N' Fun Event at the Power and Light District, focusing on getting children involved in fun exercise.

Thanks Jennifer, Samatha and Josie for helping me out with doing some ZUMBA with the kids! And thanks Dayle for the 100 awesome photos you took!

Here are some of the photos. (click on the images to view larger)

Here we are just getting started. The Royals mascot came out to get his groove on.



We're doing a little Egyptian.




Now we're gettign things going!



Here we go with the arm song!



High five -- it's over!

#5b SYTYCD

PERFORMANCE + RESULTS


So I FINALLY watched my DVR of SYTYCD.

Ashlee and Max were eliminated.


Everyone's people in my SYTYCD/ZUMBA giveaway are safe:
• me, I picked Evan
• Michelle, picked Kayla
• Snuggs, picked Ade
• Amanda, picked Asuka

Michelle's pick Kayla was in the bottom 3. But she's safe. I think it's a total boo-boo on America's part that her and her partner Max was in the bottom 3. But poor ballroom Max went home. I totally think Kupono should of went home instead! I think his solo was bootie. Let me take that back. Phillip should have went home 'cause that tango he did of performance night was whack.

Snuggs, I think you may have something by picking Ade. He was in the front the whole time during Thursday's opening by Mia. He was AMAZING! And Mia's Men in Black / monster-Thriller chorography to Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" was sick!

Some notes on performance night... Ok, I love me some Lil C. I think his critiques are so interesting with his flowery vocabulary. But halfway through the show he was startin' to get on my nerves. He needs to chillax a bit.

I still think Randy and Evan's jive was the best! That's my couple yo! It was "FUN!" I think the judges were hard on Evan.

Melissa and Ade's jazz was cool. If I was a dancer that's the kind of dance I would do. That eagle split Melissa did over Ade's head was sick!

Janette and Brandon's disco was crazy! I usually dislike the disco because the dancers are scrambling to prep for the next trick. But this one was great and fast!

Asuka and Vitolio's waltz was nice. Where was that passion last week?!? Vitolio is lookin' kinda sexy. Darn Haitian men!

Kayla and Max's pop jazz was alright. Sorry Michelle. But I don't see why the judges think she's so amazing and perfect. Iwas more mesmerized by her feathery-fluffy-ruffly skirt than by her. I even watched the performance again to be sure I didn't miss anything.

Karla and Jonathan's contemporary was real nice. And I agree with Mary, Jonathan knocked it out of the box.

The two sad performances to me were Jeanine and Phillip's tango (even though Jeanine looked great) and Ashley and Kupono's hip hop.

I originally thought Phillip and Caitlin were going to go home. Caitlin is so stiff to me... ugh.

No one has taken my breath away yet. I can say that Season 5 isn't as wonderful as the previous seasons I've watched. Hopefully it'll get more exciting soon.

• links to the music from 6/17 show
• Entertainment Weekly recap
-- performance
-- results

there is still time to participate!

I NEED YOU!
Scott Fitness is going to be participating in the June Fit 'N' Fun Event at the Power and Light District, focusing on getting children involved in fun exercise.

The event starts at noon on Saturday, June 20.

I'll be doing ZUMBA at 1p.

I need some volunteers to come out and do a little 20-30 mini ZUMBA class with me. We will be positioned right in front of the main stage at the KC Live Block on floor in front of the stage. We'll be facing the kids, so I need you guys behind me so it'll be easier for them to follow along. You'll be my backup dancers!

If you'll like to help me out from 12:45-1:30p please email me. Or just show up!

Thanks!

#5a SYTYCD

PERFORMANCE NIGHT


I haven't had a chance to completely watch the show. I DVR'd it. So I'll be watching it later.

Check back for my comments!

this week in ZUMBA

ZUMBA MUSIC THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop
• Tuesday: Latin / Indian

GLOW STICKS!

I picked up some glow sticks over the weekend. I thought it would be fun to wear while we are danicng in the disco lights! Look for 'em Monday!

I NEED YOU!
Scott Fitness is going to be participating in the June Fit 'N' Fun Event at the Power and Light District, focusing on getting children involved in fun exercise.

The event starts at noon on Saturday, June 20.

I'll be doing ZUMBA at 1p.

I need some volunteers to come out and do a little 20-30 mini ZUMBA class with me. We will be positioned right in front of the main stage at the KC Live Block on floor in front of the stage. We'll be facing the kids, so I need you guys behind me so it'll be easier for them to follow along.

If you'll like to help me out from 12:45-1:30p please email me.

#4b SYTYCD

RESULTS NIGHT


"Boom Boom Pow!" WHAT?!? Loved the opening performance. I'm not mad SYTYCD is trying to copy MY SWAGGAR 'cause we've been doing Boom Boom Pow in Zumba for like a month now. What ev... I'm on that next s*** now!

I think the right people had to dance for their lives.

Asuka and Vitolio WORKED IT in their solos! I wish they has that much passion in their performance last night! I'm SO GLAD Asuka came back to life! She was my original pick to win it. Now I'm mad I changed my mind! But Nigel is trippin' by saying that Vitolio didn't do well!

Three people entered my giveaway last night. Wished there were more contestants. But I guess they are the only ones who wants a FREE Zumba shirt!

This is the line-up:
• me, I picked Evan
• Michelle, picked Kayla
• Snuggs, picked Ade
• Amanda, picked Asuka (my original pick)

We're ALL safe! Paris and Tony went home. Oddly they were the two oddest looking kids I ever seen. Paris had a Jay Leno chin and Tony's eyes are too far apart. Geez.


All of the couples get to stay together. Let's see what happens next week!

#4a SYTYCD

The Top 20 performed for the 1st time tonight. I just LOVE this show! I totally respect all forms of dance and music and this show expresses it all.


Don't forget to enter my So You Think You Can Dance / ZUMBA giveaway!

First of all, I think the judges were TOO NICE. Things they were saying was so amazing was just ok to me. Just my opinion. I'm no professional judge.

The surprise couple for me was Randi and Evan. I think they were the BEST!

I was SO NOT feeling Evan the Broadway dancer in the auditions. The jazz routine by Tyce Diorio was not only beautiful, but the couple had a connection and you could feel every movement.

I had my eye on Asuka, but she did a technical performance with not feeling. I'm not going to pick Brandon because I feel the judges (except Mary) are out to get him and he'll make an early departure. They made him do the waltz. I don't think anyone should have to do that boring dance! At least they had good things to say about him.

Who am I going to pick as Season's 5 winner? Hummm. Hey wait! There are no sistah's on the show! That sucks.

Ok. My pick for the winner is going to be a guy again. I can't believe I'm saying this...

Let's see if I'm right!

Go to the giveaway and comment who is your winner for a chance to win Zumba gear

• links to the music from tonight's show
• Entertainment Weekly recap

this week in ZUMBA

ZUMBA THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: Latin / Indian
• Tuesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop

GIVEAWAYS!
Don't forget to enter my So You Think You Can Dance / ZUMBA giveaway on Wednesday!

[ [ click here for details ] ]

The ZUMBA stickers I ordered are here!

On random days I’ll give a sticker for who attended all three days that week, who had the best freestyle or pose. Stuff like that. So watch out! You can hang the sticker in your office, or your fridge at home as a reminder of how awesome ZUMBA is!

I NEED YOU!
Scott Fitness is going to be participating in the June Fit 'N' Fun Event at the Power and Light District, focusing on getting children involved in fun exercise.

The event runs from 12pm-4pm on Saturday, June 20.

I'll be doing ZUMBA at 3:30-4p.

I need some volunteers to come out and do a little 20-30 mini ZUMBA class with me. We will be positioned right in front of the main stage at the KC Live Block on floor in front of the stage. We'll be facing the kids, so I need you guys behind me so it'll be easier for them to follow along.

If you'll like to help me out from 3:30-4p please email me.

THANKS!

#3b SYTYCD - ZUMBA giveaway!

The Top 20 dancers have been announced on So You Think You Can Dance. Whew! The judges are trippin' this year. But I got my money on Brandon (the black boy who didn't make it last year or so). And Asuta (the cute Asian ballroom dancer).

So who do YOU think will WIN?

Let's play a little game shall we?

WHAT YOU GOTTA DO: Watch the Top 20 dancers perform on So You Think You Can Dance on Wed. June 10 at 7c. You have until midnight to comment on this post and say who is going to be this season’s winner (PICK ONE). If you miss the show you can just randomly pick by who you think is the cutest ;) Also, be sure to add your email in the comment so I can contact you if you win!

Here are the Top 20.

You can read more about each contestant here to help you decide who you want to pick.

On Thurs. June 11th the 1st contestant will be voted off and we'll get closer to OUR winner.

I will contact the winner immediately following the So You Think You Can Dance season finale (the date of the finale is not posted on Fox’s site yet - TBA).

She or he will win a top in their size.
• Ladies: COLOUR LOVER RACER BACK TANK
• Gents: B-SHIRT

Good Luck!

#3a SYTYCD

Tonight was the Vegas cuts on So You Think You Can Dance. I TOTALLY think they let the wrong people go and didn't give 2nd chances to people that deserved it (like Natalie!).

Tomorrow they are going to announce the Top 20. I hope the right people make it onto the show!

this week in ZUMBA

PHOTO SHOOT MONDAY!
Hey Zumba folks... we're going to have a fabulous photo shoot DURING class Monday. We've gotten SO GOOD looking like a music video John Scott wants the class photographed. David Moody of David Moody Photography will be our photographer. He'll be doing his thing during class and we'll be doing ours. So don't pay him any attention, just do what you do any other class day. The photos will be out of focus action shots so don't worry if you got a piece of lettuce from lunch still stuck in your teeth. Nobody is going to see it.

So I need you all in class on Monday to make this exciting and fun. Please?!? The only thing I ask is to wear something bright.

Your Monday reward is HIP-HOP DAY!!! We learned some new things last week and I'm putting them into rotation.

ZUMBA THIS WEEK:
• Monday and Wednesday: hip-hop / R&B / pop
• Tuesday: Latin / Indian

I saw this video of Beyoncé - Single Ladies from one of my friend's blogs that I never seen before.

I realized that we haven't done that one in awhile. So I'm bringing it back in our Beyoncé section.

Hey... since we're doing the photo shoot on Monday we can work our way up to one of these public choreographed dances! (wink,wink)

#2 SYTYCD

So You Think You Can Dance tonight! I can't wait to watch. I get so inspired!

I'm not going to make my pick until they announce the top 20. But I did see some good ones last Thursday!

this week in ZUMBA

PLAY LIST THIS WEEK
We will be having class on Monday, Memorial Day.

New Stuff!
• Monday, Tuesday AND Wednesday: smorgasbord
We'll be doing a combo of old misc. routines and some new ones. The genre is ALL OVER the board, hence SMORGSBOARD. Since a lot is new and/or review and a lot of folks won't be in class on Memorial Day we'll be doing the same class all this week.


FANS
Within the next couple of weeks we are getting some ceiling fans at Scott Fitness 3.0. YEAH!


PHOTO SHOOT
I’ve just been informed by John Scott that there is going to be a photo shoot during a ZUMBA class for promotional post cards and such. How fun! I’d like for all of you to be there jammin’ out and striking your fierce poses. When I get more info about what day it’s going to be I’ll let you all know.


MORE COOL STUFF
To get a little friendly competition going I ordered some ZUMBA stickers that I’ll be giving out in class.

On random days I’ll give a sticker for who attended all three days that week, who had the best freestyle or pose. Stuff like that.

And… thanks to the young lady who gave me free Dance Flick passes, wrist band (which I wore in class Wednesday), and sticker. I didn’t have a chance to go, but I’ll be using the Star Trek passes she gave today!

#1 SYTYCD

So You Think You Can Dance premiers tomorrow!!! I can't wait!

this week in ZUMBA

I posted on December 8th that the Dance Flick was coming out in February. Well it's FINALLY coming out on the 22nd. I think I'm going to go see it, but I haven't seen X-men or Star Trek and Terminator come out also. Too many movies to see!


So silly!

Also, I'm officially ZUMBA Level II certified! It was a long workshop (9a - 6p). By 4p we we're losing steam. There were about 15 of us and I got lots of ideas for class. When I went home I set aside 40+ new songs to choreograph! Some of them are song I've been meaning to get to, others are some I've been too afraid to try. I doubt I'll ever get to all of them because I'm always hearing new stuff and there are already 80+ songs that we do already. Did you know that we knew that many routines? Well you do!

I learned some new belly dancing, flamenco and samba moves to add onto some new songs. I learned some tango too. Long ago in my Hallmark class I did a tango, but I took it off of my list. Now I'm going to re-choreograph it. I've also wanted to do a soul train line and other things in class. But I've been too nervous to do them. Now with my new training I'm more confident to do more fun stuff. But how can my class be any more funner?!? Watch out!!!

CD... I learned in my workshop that I can't make a ZUMBA CD to sell. The music ZUMBA gives me is licensed for me to use for class, and I can't share it with others. I'm not even supposed to be using other music for class even if I purchase it. Like, iTunes purchases are for personal use only. However lots of the remixes I use are from my husband. Since he's a DJ he explained to me that those remixes are free so they are ok. It's complicated - licenses on uses of music. Long story short I won't be making a Zumba CD of the music I use in class for you guys to buy. I can't give it to you either. So just check the side bar for my iTunes list.

This week in class:
• Monday and Wednesday: last week's hip-hop and R&B set
• Tuesday: last week's Latin / Indian set

this week in ZUMBA

• Monday and Wednesday ZUMBA will be another mix of Latin/Indian.
• Tuesday ZUMBA will be another mix of hip-hop/R&B.

On Saturday May 16th I'll be getting ZUMBA certified again for a ZUMBA Basic Level 2 certificate!

On December 10th, 2006 I was trained in the four basic rhythms: merengue, salsa, cumbia and reggaeton. In the Basic Level 2 course I'll learn belly dance, flamenco, tango and samba. Well, we already do belly dance and some flamenco and samba. But we haven't done any tango. So it'll be good to learn some new things and be refreshed on others.

And did you know there is ZUMBA Gold, which focus on senior citizens and features the ZUMBA Chair workout. There is ZUMBA Toning that incorporates the unique rhythmic ZUMBA Toning Sticks. And ZUMBA Kids and Aqua ZUMBA is being developed now! WOW!

One more thing... I think the "only in a Woman's World" series by Frito Lay Snacks is so funny! I love that the four characters are different ethnicities.


The situations they put the characters in are super silly! (Sorry the video is a little chopped off, I tried resizing it).

The site is SO CUTE! You can watch the 7 webisodes, send e-cards and you can even make yourself one of the girls! Here is me:

It was so fun making her!

She so looks like me and she even has my fav Flat Earth chips. HA!

switch-a-roo!

Ok... some folks missed out on hip-hop /R&B last Tuesday so I'm going to do it again!

• Monday and Wednesday ZUMBA will be hip-hop/R&B.
• Tuesday ZUMBA will be Latin/Indian.

I figure I'd do the classes on a two-week rotation so no one will miss out.

Hope to see you there!

P.S. I just HAVE to include a video that I saw on one of my friend's blog. Just watch the little boy. HA!


Oh... one more! This is my FAV...

what's the theme?

Monday and Wednesday ZUMBA will be Latin/Indian.

Tuesday ZUMBA will be hip-hop/R&B.

Hope to see you there!

ZUMBA 3 times a week!

I'm so excited to teach ZUMBA 3 times at week at Scott's Fitness 3.0 location. The Tuesday and Wednesday classes have been packed, so I'm glad to offer another day.

Remember... starting next week (4/27). There will be class Monday, Tuesday AND Wednesday @ 5:30p. My plan is to do my regular class of mixed genres on Monday and Wednesday. But on Tuesday do a theme day like all hip-hop and R&B, or all 80s. That would be fun!

See you there!

new playlist

Hey! I've added a new playlist! And my Zumba mix CD is in the works (for real). So stay tuned!

And... don't forget. Monday classes start at Scott's Fitness on April 27th!!!

online recipe community

Today I ran across this cool online recipe community called the Mixing Bowl. (Logo is too cute!!!)

Not only can you find recipes you can join recipe groups, put up your food photos and recipes, look at blogs AND there are contests! Man I missed the cupcake contest :(

Mixing Bowl is like a food-Flickr! I refuse to get on Facebook, so my blogs, Flickr and now Mixing Bowl are my places to get my Internet connections on.

I can't wait to put up my photos and recipes from Flickr EATS section, find some new vegetarian recipes and get into some contests to win some cash prizes!

Leg Magic on sale

I was in CVS today and the Leg Magic was on sale for $49.99!

I think I paid at least $100 for mine :(

CLASS UPDATE

At the end of April I will be teaching ZUMBA exclusively at Scott's Fitness.

Beginning April 27th, there will be class Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays @ 5:30-6:30p.

Capiora

I've introduced Capiora in one of our Zumba routines. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that makes a ritual of movements from martial arts, games, and dance. Participants form a circle, and take turns either playing musical instruments, singing, or ritually sparring in pairs in the center of the circle.

The basic Capiora step we're doing is called Ginga.

Here is the proper way to do Ginga.

from the Zumba Instructors Network

I want to share part of my Zumba Instructors Network (ZIN) March 2009 newsletter...

"Dear ZIN Member,

With the world in midst of chaos, people are turning to Zumba for an escape. For one hour, they choose to forget, dissolve their worries, get rid of their frown lines and replace them with smiles. They choose us to reenergize, revamp, and restore faith in their lives. They choose to feel the music as opposed to feeling their daily struggles. They choose Zumba.

The title Zumba Fitness Instructor now goes beyond teaching. We have been charged with the responsibility of not only educating, but giving our students something to look forward to amidst all their struggles. We must be present. This is the time to step up our role and become indispensable in our student’s lives. It is not enough to merely show up and teach a Zumba Fitness class; it is our duty to take them to that OTHER place; that magical land of Zumba where nothing else exists but music and movement, where the only thing that matters is the moment, where an uncontrollable surge of life revitalizes your mind, body and soul. This is our obligation. Our students come to us to feel alive.



Yours in Zumba,

The Zumba Staff"

WOW!

I truly hope my Zumba class gives you a place where you can let loose and have fun. Sometimes while I'm teaching I catch a glance at yall laughing, smiling and having a good time. That means so much to me and makes me have more fun too!

Once again I just like to say thanks for coming to class and doing you.

OMG!

OMG... my iPod died at Wednesday night's class! So I thought...

We were at the end of our last set before "Jai Ho" and the cool down and boomp... my iPod stopped! I thought it was dead. But when I got home I realized that it just needed charging. (Damn... I thought I was gonna get a new iPod out of the ordeal). Out of the 2 years and nearly 3 months that I've been teaching my iPod never cut off on me.

From now on I'll make EXTRA sure my iPod is charged. I apologize Wednesday class for shorting you on your workout, and thanks for being so understanding.

But wait there is a new iPod that speaks! Will it tell me, "hey I'm about to run out - charge me!"


See you next week!

SPRING AHEAD

Saturday we had to turn our clocks ahead. Loosing an hour is sad, but I'm SO HAPPY for more daylight. Before we know it darkness won't come until 9:30pm. But for now spring is coming and time for some spring cleaning!

You can burn serious calories during a marathon cleaning session. Here are a few jobs that work major muscle groups, and how many calories you're burning by completing each task. And because we think a sound mind should go with a strong body, we've included a few easy ways you can make that cardio-cleaning more eco-friendly.

Activity	Works	Burns	Make It Green
Mopping floors	Shoulders, biceps	112 calories/ 30 minutes	Try Method’s new OMop All Floor Starter Kit, which includes a mop, a washable cleaning pad and a nontoxic floor cleaner. $30; methodhome.com.
Painting	Arms, core	288 calories/ 60 minutes	Several brands now offer zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, which are better for the planet. For a wide range of colors, go to yolocolorhouse.com.
Gardening	Arms, back legs	256 calories/ 60 minutes	Reuse waste, garden organically, and reduce water consumption with the products available at naturemill.com, terracycle.net and cyber-rain.com.
Cleaning gutters	Shoulders, upper back, arms, legs	320 calories/ 60 minutes	Bag the leaves in BioBag’s 100 percent biodegradable and compostable 33 Gallon Lawn & Leaf Bags, made from corn. $5.19; biobagusa.com.

from fitness magazine

Hungry Girl

Hey.. I found this blog/site today called Hungry Girl.

A woman named Lisa is Hungry Girl. She considers herself a foodologist because she's obsessed with food and tried every diet. She shares her food tips on how to make things more low cal. She's a nutritionist or a doctor. Just a woman providing food informations from her own personal experiences.

I found some pretty useful things on her site. I like that she has many vegetarian options. You can even ask her questions!

new routines!

Hey Zumba folks! Be looking out for some new Zumba routines over the next couple of weeks! Especially my salute to Oscar winning Slumdog Millionare, Jai Ho. I love the ending credits dance! So fun...



We've already been doing some Bollywood / belly dancing routines. So I figured why not add another one!

Valentine chocolate

I was trying to find some low-cal chocolate Valentine treats to feature. But no luck. Forget it! Who can resist a chocolate heart?!?

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day and ate all of the chocolate your heart desired! (I did!) We'll work it off in class... I promise.

music

I've been getting requests to post my class playlist. Well here it is!

This isn't EVERY song. I figure I'd just list the songs I'm using for the month. Also many of the iTunes songs are not the versions that I use in class. My husband is a DJ so I get a lot of my remixes from him.

I've been thinking of making a CD to sell for like $5. But I'm not sure how to compose the CD. I'd hate for someone to buy it and there aren't that many songs on there that they like. I have several song categories:
• Latin
• Indian
• hip-hop
• pop
• other (country, African, etc).

I'm not sure if I should make CDs by genre or mix it up like my classes. Please comment on this post and let me know!

The T-Mobile Dance

This put a big smile on my face...

Just imagine you're waiting for the train and the person next to starts joining in the dance routine! Maybe we should do a spontaneous "Fame" inspired Zumba in the Crossroads during a 1st Friday. HA!!!

*** record number ***

We had a record of 40 people in Scott's Fitness Zumba today!!!

Thanks for your love and support!

what I eat for breakfast

Awhile ago my husband started to purchase MIX 1 drinks from Whole Foods. He buys 12-15 (however many is in a case) at a time! I LOVE to have one for breakfast with a handful of nuts and dried berries.

I'm not a big breakfast person, so a MIX 1 drink is just enough for me. It has 15 grams of protein and 200 calories.

Flavors include blueberry, lime, mango, tangerine (not pictured), and mix berry. All are equally yummy!

a healthy snack

I LOVE popcorn! I saw this recipe in Fitness magazine as a healthy snack.

If you eat more than one serving is it still healthy?




INGREDIENTS
2 tsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tbs. very finely grated pecorino Romano cheese
1 100-calorie bag microwave popcorn
Black pepper

DIRECTIONS
In a small skillet, saute garlic in olive oil over medium heat until it begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Make popcorn according to package directions. In a large bowl, combine popcorn and cheese. Drizzle in the garlic and oil, sprinkle with black pepper, and toss well.

eight years ago...

Two gals from one on my Zumba classes asked me if I used to be a dancer.

Well... sort of.

When I was a toddler my mom sent me to dance class. Ballet, tap, gymnastics, baton. I hated baton 'cause I kept hitting myself with it. And I could always do the routine alone in my bedroom, but not in class. Timing with the baton never worked itself out.

I was too much of a scaredy-cat for gymnastics. And my upper body wasn't strong enough to hold myself up on the double bars. I could never get across the monkey bars on the playground either.

So I stuck with ballet and tap for a very short time. Plus I was a little black girl at this white dance school and they weren't bringing it. Let's just say they were a little stiff. I thought the lessons were a waste of my parent's hard earned money so I told my mom I didn't want to go back.

I did choreograph my own contemporary ballet number for my 3rd grade talent show to Strawberry Shortcake's version of "Over the Rainbow." That is when I developed my trademark one-handed round-off cartwheel into the splits. Ah, the crown loved it!

In junior high and high school I was a cheerleader. But it wasn't until my junior and senior year I was on the dance squad.

I always had an appreciation for dance, but I never formally trained. In my mid 20s I was living in Detroit and I joined this black dance school called City in Motion (they are no longer open). They had an adult class and the children there were super talented.

Many of the ladies in the class were parents of the students there. Our teacher was a Rockett and she decided to make us into a competition group. I was 26 at the time and my other friend was a couple of years younger than me. The other women were in their 30s and early 40s. But we rocked it! We even beat out some young 18-year-olds.

Our song was a remix of Whitney Houston's, "It's Not Right But It's Okay." So we had attitude! At the finale of our routine I did my trademark one-handed round-off cartwheel into the splits while everyone posed behind me.

I can't believe that was 8 years ago!



And yes... I can still do my trick :)

Happy MLK day and Inauguration day!

my new year's resolution

I hate my thighs. So last winter I bought a Leg Magic machine. This thing works your inner thighs better than the machine in the gym! But I never used my Leg Magic consistently.



So my new year's resolution is: after every Zumba class I teach I go home, put on my headphones, and get on the Leg Magic for one song.

This is my 3rd week and I can already tell the difference!

new warm up

I've been working on some new routines for 2009. Britney Spears, "Circus" is part of the new warm up.

Watch the official video.

THANK YOU!

I'd like to take time out and thank everyone that has attended ZUMBA this year. It means so much to me when I look out into the class and see all of your smiling faces. Sometimes I can't believe you're all excited to take class from little 'ole me! I just do what I do and I'm glad yall have fun!

THANKS!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

peppermint patty “hot toddy”


ingredients
1 oz. peppermint schnapps
½ oz. créme de cacao
1 tsp. créme de menthe
5 to 8 oz. hot chocolate
About 1 oz. whipped cream
Shaved chocolate

directions
Pour liqueurs into a glass mug, fill with hot chocolate and top with whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

from the Winter 2008 issue of The Nest

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Riesling Baked Pears

A unique low-calorie holiday treat (241 calories per serving). Here are the pears I made:

Here is the recipe. I followed it exactly. ENJOY!

Dance Flick

A Wayans Brothers movie spoof on all of the dance movies. Looks silly!


In theaters February 2009.

inspiration

Now that we've pigged out on Thanksgiving dinner holiday parties are around the corner. Christmas dinner and New Year sweets and champagne are near.

Well here is some inspiration to stay on the workout train...

Ernestine Shepherd, 71, trains women five times a week. With 10 percent body fat, Shepherd is 5-foot-5 and about 130 pounds of inspiration to her clients, many of whom she includes in her routine of walking or running, which begins at 4 a.m.



Geez! She is amazing!!!

Her full story here.