New Job Opportunity & Yum!

Okay now time for the BIG announcement!

I am now teaching Zumba fitness classes 6 times per week. :) A few weeks  ago I was contacted by a local Curves company who wants me to teach four Zumba in the Circuit classes per week. What is Zumba in the Circuit you ask? I shall tell you!

This past year Zumba partnered with Curves to create a workout incorporating resistance training with cardiovascular to create a more effective workout. Look how much fun it is!

Every time I teach a class I am amazed by just how much energy these women have. They are so INSPIRING! They make me want to work harder, to take care of my health now to make sure that I can live my life to its fullest capacity. What is one thing that inspires you?

Speaking of Zumba I have some HUGE NEWS! Last night my class had 51 people – that is the most that I have ever had. I am such a lucky girl! One thing though is that all of my work with Zumba is keeping me really busy. Choreographing new routines everyday and putting in a lot of time at the gym is so rewarding. However the downside is I am getting paid nearly nothing at all for teaching at my university. I don’t think that they understand just how much work I put in, or how much of my own money I put in. Hopefully things will change soon!

Onto the food front!

Usually these days I have just enough time to grab a piece of fruit in the morning before class and rush to the cafeteria for lunch. I have found that I can’t really eat dinner on most days since I get queasy if I teach dance classes on a full stomach. Then I find myself snacking here and there after class usually around 7 or 8 which is later to be eating than I would like. Do you eat before exercising? If so what do you eat? And if not why?

My lunches usually consist of a nice big salad, a side of steamed or sautéed veggies and then a piece of fruit. Today for lunch I had an extra special treat - naan!

Naan is a special type of indian flatbread which is popular in many middle eastern countries, and growing  in popularity here in the states too. I’m kind of obsessed with it! It’s so delicious and moist. I love how its a little different from pita bread which can sometimes be a bit dry.

Ingredients:

2/3 C warm water

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp active dry yeast

1 cup  whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup white flour

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Put the sugar, yeast and water in a small bowl and mix until the yeast is dissolved. Let stand until it gets foamy, about 10 minutes. Put the flour in a big bowl. Make a well in the center and add the 1 tablespoon of oil, the salt and the yeast mixture. Mix thoroughly with your hands to form a dough. Add sprinkles of water if needed.

2. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, until dough is smooth. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours. It should double in size.

3. When you are ready to bake the bread preheat the oven to 475°F. (If using a baking stone, preheat it in the oven when you turn it on).

4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 2 minutes. Break off small balls and pat into rounds about 5 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. Cover a baking sheet with tin foil and grease it well. Place 4 dough rounds on the tin foil and brush the surfaces with oil (slide into oven on the foil if using the baking stone). Bake for 3 minutes. Remove and turn breads over, brushing with more oil. Return to oven and bake 3 more minutes. Remove and brush with oil again. Return to oven again for an additional 1-2 minutes, being careful that they don?t burn. Wrap in tin foil until you are ready to serve. Repeat with remaining dough.

Viola! You have delicious vegan naan! YUM!

How do I eat my naan? With a shmeer of hummus and a sprinkle of pepper!

Michal ?

Question of the day – How are you planning on spending your weekend?