This week @ the Studio

Monday NEW ZUMBA!! we have a 30 minute morning Zumba community (free) class starting at 10 a.m-this class will consist of basic steps set to that wonderful hip shaking-you-gotta-move music. Several of you have been asking about contributions to the community classes-again, community classes are a thank you for the support the studio continues to receive and the studio's service back to the community. If you wish to make donations-please feel free to donate to a cause you support.

Fit Mom & Baby - You asked for more cardio to help get in shape and lose those post-delivery pounds, so the mom & baby yogafit has been slowly changing over the past few weeks. This class will be fitness focused incorporating cardio-strength and yoga-the ultimate fitness class for the new mom.

Zumba-I love the set this week!! some wonderful new songs and some oldies that everyone loves to move to!

Yoga classes, learn how to use cleansing breath to help detox and breath of joy to bring a state of bliss into your life.

Fit Facts-Do you know what you are eating?

I was so thrilled to run into a friend of mine from university. After we finished catching up, our dicussion went to the topic of nutrition and natural foods as I'm in my winter cleanse (no coffee)!! So, what does all natural really mean when we see it on a label?

The ingredients from a loaf of bread that states on the label in big letters, 'ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS,' and 'NO ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES ADDED,' are: Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, malted barley, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin), water, high fructose corn syrup, yeast, wheat bran, vital wheat gluten butter. Contains 2% or less of each of the following: rye meal, corn flour, molasses, rolled whole wheat, salt, dough conditioners (ammonium sulfate, sodium stearoyl lactylate), brown sugar, honey, vinegar, oatmeal, soy flour, mono and diglycerides, partially hydrogenated soybean oil.

So what is natural about this? Not alot! Here is what some of these ingredients mean:

Enriched wheat flour is white flour. The bran and the germ portion of the whole wheat, which are rich in vitamins and minerals, have been refined out. To compensate for refining out approximately 20 nutrients, they add back 4 synthetic nutrients, niacin (vitamin B3), reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate (synthetic vitamin B1), and riboflavin (vitamin B2). These nutrient additives...are added to mostly refined and processed foods giving a false sense of nutritional value and can lead to nutritional imbalances.

High fructose corn syrup is basically sugar derived from corn. Brown sugar is often white sugar with molasses added. Both of these products are associated with blood sugar problems (Type II diabetes) weight gain, depression, fatigue, B-vitamin deficiency, hyperactivity, tooth decay, periodontal disease and indigestion.

Dough conditioners: Sodium stearoyl lactylate may be corn, milk, peanut or soy based, and may cause blood pressure and kidney disturbances, and water retention.

Mono and diglycerides may be soy, corn, peanut or fat based. Among some of the problems these have been associated with are allergic reactions.

Partially hydrogenated soybean oil is associated with heart disease, atherosclerosis and elevated cholesterol.

Have a safe & healthy week!