Good Morning Bellas and Bellos! I’ve heard some buzz lately about some upcoming Spartan races, and it is now my pleasure to announce that BellaVita will be partnering with Spartan Race! They are offering numerous races throughout the tri-state area, and we would love to help some of our members take up the challenge. AND we are going to be awarding a FREE race code to one of our dedicated members, stay tuned for more details on how to be the lucky racer! We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. Now to protein - every fitness fan's favorite macronutrient, and every vegan's least favorite topic of conversation. However, knowing how vital protein is to sustain the activity level of our clients, I think it'd be beneficial to discuss plant-based sources of protein that anybody (even college students) can afford to work into their diet.
This week I'll focus on the "meat alternative" types, I'm talking tofu, tempeh, seitan, etc. Each of these has their benefits as well as downfalls. Tofu is a complete protein which means that it contains all the essential amino acids, so the 13 grams of protein you get per 3 oz. serving are of the best quality. It's derived from soybeans, low in fat, high in calcium, and cholesterol free! Tempeh is also a soy based protein source, packing in tons of calcium and 5 grams of protein per ounce. It has a bit of a different texture, so its best to play around with it to determine how exactly you like it prepared! Seitan has bit more of a shaky reputation. For those with gluten allergies or sensitivities, stay away from this food as it's made solely of vital wheat gluten. Although, if you're down to devour some good old gluten, then seitan is a fantastic option. A 3 oz. serving of seitan has 21 grams of protein and only 4-5 grams of fat. Store bought seitan is typically higher in sodium, so to cut both costs and salt I would recommend making it at home. There are plenty of recipes online for all of these great foods! Next week I'll try to cover protein in plants and some of my favorite plant based protein shakes and bars. Be well, Cai Studio Representative Hello Bellas and Bellos!
Happy Sunday Bellas and Bellos!
Hopefully you all get a chance to soak up some of this Sunday sun! Since March is coming to a close, I think it's time for some quick end of the month announcements. First, if you haven't had the experience of taking Shock and Ah with the lovely Kristen Kenney, you definitely should this April as she will now be teaching here for another month! Check the post from March 1 for a short review on her class. And BellaVita is on Tumblr! For a more visually stimulating blog experience, I highly suggest heading over to http://bellavitaprogram.tumblr.com/ and giving them a follow! We are also working hard to bring you more goodies when you come in for class... For the next few weeks we'll be featuring David's Tea on Monday and Wednesday evenings! It's the perfect pre-class pick me up, and chances are you'll be able to snag a free drink card with one of their brochures. Finally, I wanted to quickly mention that April is National Poetry Month! It's simply a month of commemoration for the voices and experiences expressed through poems, regardless of how well their meanings are understood. For those of you who are interested, be sure to keep an eye out for poetry events going on throughout the city. Have a lovely week! Cai BellaVita Studio Representative Hello Bellas and Bellos!
While I was away, I hope you all were able to warmly welcome the spring season! The snow on Friday was a bit of a mixed signal (thanks, Mother Nature), but we can brush that off and hop into better, hopefully brighter days. I thought it'd be a good time to drop a couple tips to help you welcome this spring happily and healthily- Eat more plants! If any of you were considering, or already are, eating more plant-based meals, then this is the time to do so (but no pressure)! Lots of fruits and vegetables come into season in spring, like; beets, carrots, peas, arugula, cherries, strawberries just to name a few. Not to mention how much nicer farmer’s market outings will be when you aren’t freezing your fingers off. Side note - at BellaVita we’ve been really excited to get started on our acai bowl game, if you have any tips or recipes please feel free to share them with us! Drink up! As the temperatures climb (slowly), it’s important to remember to stay hydrated! Especially with how active I know you all are…. You can sweeten things up this season by adding strawberry slices to your water, you’ll be feeling pampered in no time. Also keep in mind that tea is good for many things, but be sure to keep an eye on your intake, as it also tends to dehydrate. We're offering EBoost to members now, for as long as supplies last. It's all all natural energy boosting supplement, it's gluten free, non-GMO, soy free, AND packs 150mg of caffeine per shot. Ask us about it next time you come by! Shake it off! It’s a great time to shake off some of our winter layers, and luckily BellaVita can help you do just that! A couple of Zumba classes and some sunshine and I promise you’ll be glowing in no time. To sweeten the deal a bit, we are also offering a special membership deal for the month of April; if you sign up for a 12-month membership, you only have to pay $59/month! That gets you unlimited fitness classes, your first Body Conceptions class for free, and so much more! Be sure to check out our website for more information. Finally, since March is wrapping up we want to let you all know that we are lining up a new course to start the first week of April! Keep an eye out for more information later. Be well, Cai BellaVita Studio Representative Good afternoon, Bellas and Bellos!
Happy International Women’s Day! Today we celebrate the tremendous strides made by women all over the world towards equality. However, we all must also remember that we are still many strides away from a truly equal world. There various ways in which women remain underrepresented, in the US and in countries all over the world. The UN General Assembly President for the sixty-ninth session, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, summed up the daunting task that people all over, and of all genders face; “The deep-seated norms, beliefs and practices that contribute to gender-based discrimination must be confronted and changed.” This isn’t meant to discount any of the work of women from the past, but instead inspire you all to think about how we can take steps together in the future! Change begins with empowerment, and I must say that the women I’ve met at the studio are the embodiment of that. They are strong, intelligent, and incredibly driven. We at BellaVita are incredibly privileged to continue to work (and work out) with all of you! Remember, today is a day to celebrate history’s greatest, and a day to celebrate the greatness each of us is capable of. Enjoy the (slightly) warmer weather this Sunday, and make sure to check back with us next week! Cai BellaVita Studio Representative (Quote Source: http://www.un.org/pga/060315_statement-opening-gender-equality/) Happy first day of March, Bellas and Bellos! Hello Bellas and Bellos,
This is our official welcome back! For those who have been attending class, thank you so much! We love seeing your beautiful faces here in Chelsea. We’ve been working away at our new studio, making it perfect for all of you, and have finally had a moment to reboot our blog. Here’s the plan; on Sunday mornings when you are busy working your butts off in class, we are going to be typing away to bring you news, health tips, and all sorts of great content. So be sure to check back every Sunday afternoon! We’ve been continuing with all the great classes offered at our old space, with the addition of a few more specialty classes. Our classic Zumba and CORE classes have been filling up, so be sure to reserve your spot, and arrive a few minutes early. As they say, the early bird gets a good spot in front of our new mirrors. Or maybe that’s not what they say, but hey, it’s still pretty good advice. Be happy, healthy, and warm! Cai BellaVita Studio Representative Dear BellaVita: Fitness & Wellness Community-- Thank you all for making the last year unforgettable! We’ve had 4500+ attend classes. We’ve also had the honor of being featured in press and receiving wonderful reviews from our clients. Because we appreciate each and every single visitor, client, & member we are relocating to offer you MORE! -MORE classes -MORE space -MORE events -MORE wellness services -MORE convenience Starting on November 1st, our new location will be in the HEART of Chelsea at 161 W 22nd Street on the ground level. We cannot wait to see each and every one of you there! Look out for information regarding our Grand Opening Event! In health, Izabella Steele, Director/Founder www.BellaVitaWorld.com info@bellavitaworld.com 917-722-2378 Do you find yoga to be unchallenging? Yoga is the perfect way to meditate while improving flexibility; however others find Pilates to be a more solid routine. BellaVita’s yogilaties class combines the meditation of yoga and the full body toning of Pilates. Through our mediation techniques you’ll feel more relaxed after a long day of work. While our full body workout incorporates various movements targeting arms, legs, but, and core! With bikini season in full swing now is the time to firm up and show off your summer body. Taught by a variety of talented and experienced instructors, they will have you leaving both physically and mentally satisfied. Written by: Molly Yetman, Studio Representative Since BellaVita first opened its doors in July 2013, Zumba has quickly become one of our most popular classes for adults! It wasn't long before we wanted to share the excitement of this workout with children as well. For the past several months, BellaVita has been partnering with schools all around New York City to expose young students to the many perks and enjoyments that Zumba has to offer! As a result, children learn at an early age not only the assets of physical activity, but its many advantages too. With the ever-increasing appeal of technology and the constant role it plays in our lives, parents are having to think outside the box when presenting the attraction of physical activity to their children. Fortunately, Zumba is a method of exercise just as fun and unique as it is healthy and beneficial, and we believe that an early start will help keep kids on the right track! BellaVita caters to its young students very particularly and our licensed instructors have extensive experience teaching dance and yoga to children of all ages. Group activities such as Rhythm Master, in which a volunteer is selected to create his or her own unique beat while the other children mimic it, promotes coordination and concentration within a large group setting. Freeze Dance is another great way to keep the kids highly energized (but still very focused), and the activity is a clear favorite for them. Not only does Zumba encourage its followers to stay in great shape, it also gives participants a happy and healthy mindset; those who engage in the workout are quick to cite the overall feeling of accomplishment they experience after each class. To learn more about BellaVita's work with children, Visit: www.bellavitaworld.com/bellavita-kids.html And to look up the times for our adult Zumba classes at our studio, see our schedule here: www.bellavitaworld.com/schedule.html Written By: Kimberly McDole |
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