Spinning Class Revamped

While in your spinning class you can now take a virtual tour of the Wine in California, the Spanish in Mexico, or the French in Guadeloupe Tour.

The 6 disc set features 12 different 45 minute tours. During the Spanish tour you pedal through Mexico while learning the language and traveling through different cities including Puerto Vallarta.

To learn more check out the company who came up with the grand idea, Connect18.

I think it sounds fun and would add a new twist to the same old spin class, treadmill or elliptical machine. I am going to suggest this program to the Downtown YMCA.

I Understand Yoga

I am finally on the Yoga wagon. I have found a class that I truly enjoy and my body and mind are reaping the benefits.

I took a yoga class a while back but found it too slow for my workout schedule at the time. I was turned on again from a fellow YMCA member telling me to try out the Power Yoga class at the Glenwood Y on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 by Ledys. It was exactly what my body and mind needed. I receive a complete body stretch and a rejuvenation of my mind. I truly immerse from class feeling so completely one.

It really is a class you may want to try out. I finally understand the benefits that yoga can provide for you internally and externally.

A Great Website!

On my path to educating myself and going organic, I have came across this great website for anyone who cares about themselves.

Environmental Working Group is a non-profit organization, check out their "About" page. The Home page has many links that will spark your interest about the food we eat to the products we use daily.

Happy Health.

rBGH-Free Milk

I am alarmed at the high rate of cancer in our area, especially breast cancer. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and I try to live a life without any added hormones to my diet as well as my young children.

I have been researching all the information regarding the synthetic hormone rBGH, aka Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, that farmers inject their cattle with so as to produce more milk.

What really got me interested was that Canada, Europe, Australia, Spain, New Zealand, and more have banned this hormone and have banned American milk products in their countries.

I spoke with a representative of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture who assured me these hormones are safe. They have been in use for only ten years.

After much reading I have decided that Organic milk is the way to go. I have been purchasing Wegmans Organic Milk which clearly states "No rBGH Hormones."

Love Yourself First

To love yourself is the number one thing that your children will learn from you. Your children are waiting for you to love yourself, it's the most important life lesson you can give them.

Love yourself.

True Love Test

Have you just met someone new or have been dating for a while and want to know for sure if this is a possible candidate for a true relationship?

This is what you will need to do. Take a drive in the car together and purposely get yourselves lost. This may sound crazy but it will really expose a side of his/her personality that is important to learn. Try it!

So my secret here is that's when you will know it's true!

Arthritis

Does anyone suffer from any type of arthritis or hand pain of any sort?

My hands are in pain a lot. When I do things like scrape the snow off my car, vacuum my stairs, cut chicken, type too long, to just name a few. I went to my family doctor, had blood taken and x-rays on both hands. My Rheumatoid factor was up, so I needed to see a specialist.

After waiting in a cold waiting room, half naked in a hospital gown, and listening to the doctor flirt with a drug rep for 30 minutes, he finally entered. He asked his questions and did a exam on my hands and feet. Five minutes later, I was diagnosed with "Overuse Syndrome"......what?
Is that what they call hand pain when they can't figure anything else out? Has anyone ever been diagnosed with such a diagnosis?

So my secret here is be happy that it wasn't Rheumatoid arthritis.

How happy are you?

This was on Oprah the other day.

How happy are you? Take the test,
answer with 1-7, seven being the highest..

1. In most ways my life is close to ideal.
2. The conditions of my life are excellent.
3. I am satisfied with my life.
4. So far, I have gotten the important things i want in life.
5. If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.

add score up
31-35 --extremely satisfied
15-or below dissatisfied with life
and somewhere in between there's room to become a happier person. Dr. Robert Holden has some advice how to live a more satisfying life.

Do you listen to your conscious?

I know that we live in a world that a large number of marriages end in divorce.

My question is, wasn't there a part of you that knew from the very beginning, before the marriage ceremony, that this may not be the "one"? I believe our conscious speak to us in many ways, and that the majority of people choose to ignore that part of themselves. My secret is to always listen to your conscious it's telling you what to do..all you have to do is listen.

YMCA

I have been a member of the YMCA since I moved back to Erie after attending college in Pittsburgh in 1995. The YMCA has so many great programs for individuals, as well as the whole family.

First, and foremost, the Y has four locations in our area. Eastside, Downtown, Glenwood and Edinboro. I have used 3 of the 4, with Edinboro being the one I have not used, but I still have that option.

Second, the Y offers daycare free of charge while you work out! This is a big plus, since I thought after I had children it will be hard to find the time to go and work out, but this is not the case. It's great to go workout and still have time to steam or get in the sauna, then get a shower, and not worry about the children.

Third, having choices of different times and different classes and equipment, which really helps to promote diversity in working out. One day you may want a spinning class, the next day you may want to take a kickboxing class. Some days you may of missed the 9:20 class at Glenwood, but can make the 10:00 class at the Eastside. Our bodies can hit plateaus doing the same workout day after day, and options help to avoid this situation, and keeps your body guessing.

Lastly, the Y provides swimming lessons, tumbling, and other classes geared to children, with the cost included in your annual membership. So if your looking for a change in yourself this year, take a moment and check out your local Y.

I have heard a lot of residents state that they don't go to certain other fitness centers in the area, because they feel they have to "get ready" to sweat, this is not the case at the Y's. Everyone is there to work out and feel great afterwords, and I have never felt like I should have done my hair before I go there. It's a very friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Living in Erie, these three locations are never far from where you live and have served me well and I will continue to brag what great options I have.

The Glenwood YMCA is due to go under a $2.5 to $3 million, 2 story expansion, which will make the facility larger to accommodate the surge of Erie residents who have already discovered the secret.

Need some time without the kids?

Here's a great idea complete with free babysitting. Go to the grocery store! My husband and I have had many free dates, and some quality time with each other, walking around the grocery store. We have so far used the W-Kids Fun Center at the Wegman's store on Peach St., and two Giant Eagle Eagle's Nest. Giant Eagle on upper Peach and the store on West 12th Street. Children must be 3 years old to use these facilities, and you obviously have to stay in the store.

I have found it's easier when you both grab a shopping cart and it's a fun way to shop and stay connected. The secret here is when you look around you really don't have to do the suspected. You can just have a cup of coffee and just sit there and relax for a moment and not feel guilty.

Eagles Nest 12th street location hours:
M-Sa 1030-7p
Su 1000-6p
Eagles Nest Peach Street location:
M-Sa 1000-8p
Su 1000-p
Wegmans Hours
call 814-866-6870

p.s. It's fun alone too!