Don't forget to stop in and check out the new space at the Postel's Community Health Park located on Broad. Our instructors have tried to spread the word, but in case you missed it, yoga is on the second floor and is best reached through the Broad Street entrance. All other classes are in the lower level and participants should use the blue double doors located on Commercial street. As you most likely know, we worked very hard to make this a great space in just 30 days. At this point, not every single piece of artwork is up and some of the baseboards are still on order, but we think you'll be impressed. We'll be there during class times but if those times don't fit in your schedule, the folks at the main desk will be glad to give you a tour today or tomorrow.
On another note, this morning's 5:30 spinners got double the treats as they participated in class today. First they have the distinction of being the first class in our new facility. It's nice of them to break it in for us! Our spinners were also treated to Denise's now famous Halloween playlist. Denise's spooky playlist was recently featured in a newsletter for spinning instructors. This was a contest with submissions from around the country, so it's pretty impressive to be selected. Way to go, Denise!
Here's her playlist:
“This Is Halloween” Marilyn Manson
“Monster Mash” Bobby "Boris" Pickett
“Ghostbusters” Ray Parker Jr.
“Bat Out of Hell” Meatloaf
“I Want Candy (Kevin Shields Remix)” Bow Wow Wow
“Hotel California” The Eagles
“Twilight Zone” Golden Earring
“Millie and Billie” Alice Cooper
“Marie Lavaux” Bobby Bare
“Little Red Riding Hood” Nine Nine Nine
“Ben” Michael Jackson
Sounds like some good ones, bet they had a fun, spooky ride!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The beauty of cork
We have had a victory today! The final piece of the cork flooring in our new yoga space was installed today. I (Jen) can't even tell you how pleased I am with the final look. I'm not alone in this. Lots of people have been popping their heads in and making positive comments. In fact, today Cory took a sample home to consider for her kitchen.
I've learned quite a bit in the last few days, so allow me to share... This stuff is amazingly light, which makes it great for the individuals installing it. Imagine carrying a waste basket full of oak flooring vs. one full of cork. I recently installed oak in my attic and there was no way I could have carried one nearly so easily. I've learned the reason why is that cork is basically made up of air-filled cells. Also, cork is much more environmentally friendly as the flooring is actually made up of the bark. The rest of the tree is left intact and the bark will regrow. Obviously the ethos of yoga lends itself to green practices so it makes this new floor all the more appropriate. Cork is also soft, scratch resistant, sound absorbent, warm, and we have been told that furniture will not leave an impression. Interesting, right!?
I feel like a sales-person but I have found this product to be very fascinating. Of course I had a cork board filled with push-pins in my room as a little girl. I've heard of cork floors as a newer trend on TV, but you never know how things are going to look in real life. Let me tell you, this doesn't look like the cork boards of old and it doesn't look like some super modern space that will be out of fashion in two years. So how does it look? It looks perfect for a yoga space, that's how! Come see for yourself at our open house on Monday and Tuesday next week.
I've learned quite a bit in the last few days, so allow me to share... This stuff is amazingly light, which makes it great for the individuals installing it. Imagine carrying a waste basket full of oak flooring vs. one full of cork. I recently installed oak in my attic and there was no way I could have carried one nearly so easily. I've learned the reason why is that cork is basically made up of air-filled cells. Also, cork is much more environmentally friendly as the flooring is actually made up of the bark. The rest of the tree is left intact and the bark will regrow. Obviously the ethos of yoga lends itself to green practices so it makes this new floor all the more appropriate. Cork is also soft, scratch resistant, sound absorbent, warm, and we have been told that furniture will not leave an impression. Interesting, right!?
I feel like a sales-person but I have found this product to be very fascinating. Of course I had a cork board filled with push-pins in my room as a little girl. I've heard of cork floors as a newer trend on TV, but you never know how things are going to look in real life. Let me tell you, this doesn't look like the cork boards of old and it doesn't look like some super modern space that will be out of fashion in two years. So how does it look? It looks perfect for a yoga space, that's how! Come see for yourself at our open house on Monday and Tuesday next week.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Changes
You might notice some changes around Fly High as we prepare for our move. The "skinny" mirror in the studio has disappeared. Don't worry, it's coming with us! You also may notice the floor in the spinning room is missing. That has been cleaned up and found a home at our new location. Trust us, that was not a small job. The walls are looking pretty bare as the artwork has been moved. The toy area is pared down to very little. We have been trying to move as many non-essentials as a possible to make it easier for us later this week. Obviously, this also helps keep us from cancelling tons of classes on our big moving days (Thursday and Friday). The new spaces at Postels are looking fabulous. Classes are going to fit in nicely. Just sick with us through this time of transition and it will be great!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Communication
I (Jen) have received some feedback that we haven't always been great lately in terms of communication with our members. Apparently not everyone received our email notification of our big move and had to hear it via the rumor mill in town. Worse, it seems our October schedule never made it to the website. That's terrible and we hate when we have missteps like that. Nobody has been left out on purpose and we try very hard to keep everyone in the loop at all times. I have to beg for your patience with us while we prepare for our move to our new location. (Which, by the way, is looking great!) The move is an excuse, I realize, but it's a big one. I'm sure you can imagine how scatter-brained we all are. Bear with us, for this too, shall pass.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Bluezones
You're going to be hearing the term "bluezone project" a lot in the near future. Today I (Jen) went to an informational meeting for those communities that are interested in applying to become a bluezone. It was super inspiring and informative. Folks, we want this! The benefits both in the short and long term are huge. The more I learn about it, the more I believe this is something we, as a community, need to strive for.
What is it? I posted briefly about it last week but I'm happy to remind you. National geographic author Dan Buettner researched and wrote a book about areas in the world where people are living longer and why that phenomenon occurs. He found several key components that contributed to these longer lifespans. Now he and his team are choosing communities in Iowa to bring that information to our town in order to enhance Grinnell. I'm not talking that they'd come here one day and some folks spend a nice lunch hearing a PowerPoint presentation. I'm talking about months of study and training and time dedicated to truly creating a healthier version of Grinnell across all our different socio-economic demographics. And when I say "healthier" I mean physically, socially, and emotionally. It's a big stinkin' deal.
They are not going to consider communities that don't have a citizen buy-in. We have to be ready for them to come and the initial piece we need is for members of our community to show their support. Here's how:
You can text "BZP" to 772937
or you can go online to http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup and select "I'm a citizen" and fill out the information required
It takes less than 5 minutes and costs nothing.
The percentage of citizens that sign up factor into the decision making process. Anyone over the age of 13 is eligible to contribute. At first we were very low in the top 100 but luckily Grinnell has made a big jump up to around 13th for citizen support. Obviously, that's not enough. We've got to show that we are a community that is invested in our health. So spread the word because we want to be a bluezone!
What is it? I posted briefly about it last week but I'm happy to remind you. National geographic author Dan Buettner researched and wrote a book about areas in the world where people are living longer and why that phenomenon occurs. He found several key components that contributed to these longer lifespans. Now he and his team are choosing communities in Iowa to bring that information to our town in order to enhance Grinnell. I'm not talking that they'd come here one day and some folks spend a nice lunch hearing a PowerPoint presentation. I'm talking about months of study and training and time dedicated to truly creating a healthier version of Grinnell across all our different socio-economic demographics. And when I say "healthier" I mean physically, socially, and emotionally. It's a big stinkin' deal.
They are not going to consider communities that don't have a citizen buy-in. We have to be ready for them to come and the initial piece we need is for members of our community to show their support. Here's how:
You can text "BZP" to 772937
or you can go online to http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup and select "I'm a citizen" and fill out the information required
It takes less than 5 minutes and costs nothing.
The percentage of citizens that sign up factor into the decision making process. Anyone over the age of 13 is eligible to contribute. At first we were very low in the top 100 but luckily Grinnell has made a big jump up to around 13th for citizen support. Obviously, that's not enough. We've got to show that we are a community that is invested in our health. So spread the word because we want to be a bluezone!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Fly High Fitness Center is Moving
Fly High Fitness Center in downtown Grinnell will be moving on October 30th to a larger location and with a different name.
The Grinnell Regional Medical Center-owned fitness program is moving to Postels Community Health Park, just a few doors to the east of its current location on Commercial Street.
The gym will reopen under the name Grinnell Regional Wellness and Fitness Center.
The move will not change fitness class programming and current class offerings, only the location in which they are held. The new gym area is more than double the size of the old gym, and the Postels facility has a studio area dedicated to yoga classes.
"We are excited about this move because it takes us a step closer toward coordinating many of our services into one building. We already offer acupuncture, massage therapy, aqua med bed therapy, and more at Postels. Fitness and wellness is a good fit with those services," says Cory Jackson, GRMC's director of wellness.
Open House Tours of the facility will be held on Monday, October 31, and Tuesday, November 1. On those two days, the space will be open to the public and members for tours. In addition, everyone can take a class for free.
For more information, contact Jackson at 641-236-2998 or cjackson@grmc.us.
The Grinnell Regional Medical Center-owned fitness program is moving to Postels Community Health Park, just a few doors to the east of its current location on Commercial Street.
The gym will reopen under the name Grinnell Regional Wellness and Fitness Center.
The move will not change fitness class programming and current class offerings, only the location in which they are held. The new gym area is more than double the size of the old gym, and the Postels facility has a studio area dedicated to yoga classes.
"We are excited about this move because it takes us a step closer toward coordinating many of our services into one building. We already offer acupuncture, massage therapy, aqua med bed therapy, and more at Postels. Fitness and wellness is a good fit with those services," says Cory Jackson, GRMC's director of wellness.
Open House Tours of the facility will be held on Monday, October 31, and Tuesday, November 1. On those two days, the space will be open to the public and members for tours. In addition, everyone can take a class for free.
For more information, contact Jackson at 641-236-2998 or cjackson@grmc.us.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Start Somewhere Wa1k
What a beautiful day yesterday was for a walk! I (Jen) brought my daughters here to the hospital and we participated in the state-wide 1K walk. It hardly took any time at all and was just a bit over one lap around the hospital campus. I was pleased to notice that there was a larger group of people participating in this event in comprison to our initial city-wide walk last month. It seemed to me to be a nice community-building event. There were lots of people to chat with on the walk. Maybe someone was inspired to start getting healthier... I hope you were able to get out to any of the many locations because it truly was a gorgeous October day.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wellness in Grinnell
So you most likely have seen the public service announcements encouraging all Iowans (or is it Iowegians) to get out and go for a walk on Friday at noon. I (Jen) didn't know all those celebrities were from Iowa! The hope is that this walk will inspire folks to start or contiune to live a healthy lifestyle. There are several different sites around town including Grinnell Mutual, Ahrens Park, Mayflower, Seeland Park, and here at the hospital. I, for one, will be bringing my daughters here to make our 1K round. Gotta set that healthy example, you know. If you'd like, you can pledge to walk at www.iowahealthieststate.com/take-the-pledge .
Another wellness program you'll be hearing more about in the upcoming month is the effort to make Grinnell a bluezone community. A quick and dirty explanation is that bluezones are areas in which studies have shown that residents live longer, healthier lives. So, yeah, I want to live in a bluezone! If Grinnell is chosen for this program we will receive assistance toward becoming a community that supports healthy choices, both in terms of activity and nutrition and lifestyle in general. In order to even be considered we have to go online and show that we support this effort. We can do that at www.bluezonesproject.com.citizens/signup . It's important, it takes very little time and has to be done before the end of the month. Let me know if you have any questions or need any help with it.
Another wellness program you'll be hearing more about in the upcoming month is the effort to make Grinnell a bluezone community. A quick and dirty explanation is that bluezones are areas in which studies have shown that residents live longer, healthier lives. So, yeah, I want to live in a bluezone! If Grinnell is chosen for this program we will receive assistance toward becoming a community that supports healthy choices, both in terms of activity and nutrition and lifestyle in general. In order to even be considered we have to go online and show that we support this effort. We can do that at www.bluezonesproject.com.citizens/signup . It's important, it takes very little time and has to be done before the end of the month. Let me know if you have any questions or need any help with it.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thank you Judy and Charlie!
A big thank you to Judy and Charlie Durr who allowed Fun with Fitness to come out and tour their farm today. I (Jen) took around a dozen school-aged children on a nice rural tour of a farm during harvest. Some of my participants live on farms, but some of the kids had never been that close to an actual working farm. We got to watch Charlie combining the beans and Judy explained the purpose of all the structures on the property, which has been in her family since the 1800's. This included "Screaming Mimi", their old, and apparently very loud, dryer. Ha! We also got to meet their dog, Carl, who is a very tough farm dog indeed. The poor guy was pooped by the time he was done chasing us all around. Judy was kind enough to take us down to one of her cornfields and many of the kids left with souvenir ears of corn. They had big plans for dinner tonight despite her explanation that it really was corn for cows. I'm curious to hear how that turned out. Mother Nature decided to cooperate and gave us some great weather, it was just a perfect outing! Thanks again, Durrs!
Monday, October 3, 2011
bacon-flavored vegetables
At the fitness center last week, I (Jen) put up a quote about how life expectancy would be greatly improved if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon. Hilarious, and sadly, so true. I can just imagine what my BMI would be if whole wheat anything tasted like milk chocolate and nice crisp lettuce was like biting into a pringle... but it's not. My kids will take salad on their plate, but it stays untouched and frankly, I can't blame them. And so, alas, I find myself having to make a conscious effort to sneak healthy food, especially vegetables, to my dinner table.
It can be tough, but a little planning and prep can get some healthier meals without compromising on flavor. Last night genius struck, but late and I ended up trying to make dinner while dragging my toddler around the kitchen like a ball and chain as she had wrapped her poor, sobbing body around my leg because she was half past starving to death. It was pitiful and frustrating. But worth the wait, as it turned out. You might be impressed to know that I snuck black eyed peas into the mashed potatoes and nobody blinked. Yup, I'm pretty proud of that one.
Have you ever tried something like that? I've heard of spinach in brownies (haven't tried it), carrots in meatloaf (tried it, love it, never going back), tofu in smoothies (makes it very creamy), mixed veggies in the mac and cheese (the kids saw right through that one) and on and on. A few small substitutions or additions can make a difference between getting our daily amount of vegetables or not. There are entire cookbooks dedicated to the subject of sneaky food prep.
So I guess you can come up with bacon flavored vegetables. There is probably a recipe floating around somewhere out there. You just have to plan ahead, get creative, and give your toddler a snack if you're running late.
It can be tough, but a little planning and prep can get some healthier meals without compromising on flavor. Last night genius struck, but late and I ended up trying to make dinner while dragging my toddler around the kitchen like a ball and chain as she had wrapped her poor, sobbing body around my leg because she was half past starving to death. It was pitiful and frustrating. But worth the wait, as it turned out. You might be impressed to know that I snuck black eyed peas into the mashed potatoes and nobody blinked. Yup, I'm pretty proud of that one.
Have you ever tried something like that? I've heard of spinach in brownies (haven't tried it), carrots in meatloaf (tried it, love it, never going back), tofu in smoothies (makes it very creamy), mixed veggies in the mac and cheese (the kids saw right through that one) and on and on. A few small substitutions or additions can make a difference between getting our daily amount of vegetables or not. There are entire cookbooks dedicated to the subject of sneaky food prep.
So I guess you can come up with bacon flavored vegetables. There is probably a recipe floating around somewhere out there. You just have to plan ahead, get creative, and give your toddler a snack if you're running late.
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