cycle for survival
cancer.
those two syllables could be the glummest two combinations in the dictionary.
who hasn’t been personally affected with the evil of cancer?
the insidiousness of the disease, the frustration with lags in treatments and cures, and the devastating toll this beast takes on bodies, minds and souls; cancer knows no boundaries in its methods to rip your heart wide open.
i’ve shared my personal heartbreak watching my dear aunt bravely fight and BEAT cancer this past year.
two other, beautiful friends, battled just as fierce, but unfortunately lost their crusades against this menace a few months ago.
and of course my truman.
it’s easy to feel helpless and bitter; tears of fury form now as i try to type. but i know it’s best to put my energy into more productive, contributive uses.
this coming saturday an amazing event is taking place across the united states: cycle for survival.
an indoor cycling relay event held in equinox fitness clubs across the country, and in some satellite locations around the world, cycle for survival was created to generate money for rare cancer research at memorial sloan-kettering cancer center, the largest cancer center worldwide.
ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the funds go directly to rare cancer research.
we have an incredible group of riders representing the best of orange county’s equinox, many of them are my beloved students from spin class.
i am so sad i will not be able to ride in person, but i will be there in spirit and donation.
so often i am moved to help with various causes and issues, but never know where to turn or what organizations to trust. and this is the first time i think i’ve written about a charity on “the blog”…i feel rather washy about that kind of thing….
but this is a cause i back with both feet, legs, heart & soul, and i invite you to check it out.
and if you’re so inclined to donate to the amazing team on saturday…..here is their link.
i definitely encourage you to read about the amazing work happening at memorial sloan-kettering cancer center.
go team. keep up the fight.
all my love,
katie
wednesday wellness
wednesday morning kisses to you m’loves.
ironic i’m sharing my latest health tip whilst in the trenches of a {should be} bedridden cold/flu; my body waxes and wanes ‘tween the chills of a flu, and the fuzziness of a head cold.
thank you all for your well wishes and various remedies; i especially love miss teri’s wellness shot {delicious}.
and while on the subject of delicious, let me tell you about my new obsession: cinnamon.
study after study shows this sweet, pleasing, piquant spice to be an arbiter of innumerable health benefits.
a great boon to our metabolisms, cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar. this is important for diabetics, hypoglycemics, and anyone else who is looking to stabilize their moods {drama queens}.
cinnamon also helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels {the rotten kind}, reduce arthritis pain, and this powerhouse spice is also effective in staving off ulcers.
researchers in alzheimer’s disease, parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors and meningitis are using cinnamon in their hunts for treatments, cures & prevention because of its effective ability to reduce inflammation.
done, and DONE!
every morning, before i pour my coffee, i first sprinkle my cup with a smattering of cinnamon. it makes for a simple, homemade, gourmet-tasting mug of yum. now, when bopping into my local, coffee shop for a latté; instead of lamenting the days of yore when i {ignorantly} sweetened with splenda, i gladly grab that cinnamon shaker {they’re always there with the cream & sugar} and shake away.
easy to do with fantastic benefits…..
have a healthy wednesday m’loves.
band practice……
we work hard, we play hard.
yesterday, i had bushels of fun debuting my new “band practice” section in my coreplay ™ class at villa pilates & yoga.
although still the same lively class, heavily influenced by my pilates, lotte berk & yoga background, i added suspended therabands to blend just an extra edge of core, balance, and eccentric resistance training.
here are some shots of our fun:
true, in living color, fly-girls.
single leg & single arm barre work {dallas & carly are using barres}.
whittling away our holiday indulgence.
about to dive down into water ski….i’m using the theraband….carly using her barre. we’re all saying our last set of prayers and invocations to the gods and goddesses of thigh work.
this is such my drug of choice; i love creating new ways to work and shape the body.
it’s a new year and i have many more ideas brewing which i can’t wait to share.
i hope if you live in southern california you’re able to come visit me in class.
here’s my schedule…..let’s tuck, squeeze, hold & look fabulous while doing it!
love,
katie
my recipe for a healthy 2012!
i finally found the magic playlist for my vitamix. the grass is definitely greener ’round her m’loves.
happy new year to you!
