Hear From The Framers

Interviews

Hey Framers!

Ms. Catalina Molnari told us one of her favorite local spots in Houston. The Jade Garden Classical Chinese Medicine. If you’ve had a stressful day/ week, this tranquil abode offers soothing teas and healing services including chiropractic, massage, bodywork, re-connective healing and yoga. These holistic classes infuse 2,000 year old traditional medicine methods that help their weary visitors reduce their stress and boost their energy levels.

Frame Dance’s Catalina says it’s a great place to simply relax with a fresh cup of herbal tea after a satisfying session in her martial arts class. Instead of heading home right after work and suffering through Houston traffic, try The Jade Garden Classical Chinese Medicine in the Heights. It must be a great place because Catalina told Frame Dance if she’s not at work or home it’s she’s at The Jade Garden.

 

Click on the picture to find out more!

 

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Frame Dance Productions’ Beginner Adult Workshop According to a Non-Dancing Framer

Education

 

Still not sure about attending the Beginner Adult Workshop?

 

I understand how intimidating it can be to go to a dance class and feel completely overwhelmed. You feel awkward and even slow at times, but this isn’t your typical dance class-it’s better. We weren’t just learning simplified dance moves. This class allows us to forget the mundane calculating world and just lets us enjoy being creative for a day. One of the best things about this workshop is the fact we are not only getting in shape through dance and yoga but we also get the opportunity to expand our creative minds. That’s not something most dance classes teach. That’s why I say this workshop is better. It offers a variety of things that people normally don’t find in typical dance classes.

I’m not a professional dancer so I was very thankful our first session wasn’t dancing at all. We simply walked about the room to loosen up. I could do that! We then learned about the various parts of our feet and I honestly had no idea how complex the human foot was! I found out we have outer, middle and inner parts to our heels, arches, pads and even toes. It felt great stretching each part of my foot. I felt each individual toe move as we walked and it really relieved stress in our backs as well. I enjoyed the first session. It was a great break ice breaker to get me ready for Jackie’s intro to modern dance class.

It was nice having one of the Framers teaching us about basic modern dance steps and exercises instead of having a third party teaching it. It made me feel more connected to the Frame Dance team by seeing how they dance/train and use simple body movements to create beautiful dance routines for different shows. I especially liked the fact we spent so much time lying on the floor doing stretching exercises. Who wouldn’t love that if they went to a dance class?

I loved learning new easy ways to stay in shape that didn’t involve spending a lot of money on equipment. That’s one of the other great things about this workshop! We can learn new skills that require no experience and no special gear. Jackie taught us very basic, what felt like ballet moves. Now don’t worry you’re not expected to perform Swan Lake by the end of the class. They were very simple and we did them several times. It wasn’t like other classes where they show a move and they see if you can get it by the second example. Jackie would put on fun music and we would travel across the room. The moves were kind of a mixer of ballet and basic waltzing moves. I know it sounds intimidating when putting them together but they were very easy to pick up.

After Jackie’s intro to modern dance session, it was time to move onto yoga! Yoga mats out and ready to go! The yoga portion of the workshop was very rewarding physically and mentally. As much as I enjoy doing yoga at home, I wasn’t the most coordinated person in the class, but I had fun. I felt skinnier the more we did it! Definitely worth it! I liked the idea of having a session that everyone was used to. I looked forward to that particular session because it was something I already knew and felt comfortable doing. Plus, everyone got to take a short “nap” in the dark dance studio as a part of yoga. Now that should definitely make you want to go to the workshop. Great idea Frame Dance!

After a great lunch at the Vietnamese restaurant across street, we teamed up with another Framer-Alex, who taught us fun creative exercises that expanded our imaginations during the creative writing portion of the workshop. As I stated before, these workshops aren’t typical. I thought we would just sit around, write in our journals and that was it. Nope! Alex had us walk around the room in any direction we desired and would play word association games. We were still being physically active while being mentally tested.

But my favorite part about the creative writing tutorial was plastering colorful sticky notes all over the dance studio with words or phrases of inspiration. But he took it a step further and made us add onto each others’ work and in the end producing a very original short stanza or poem. That was just amazing to see different people with different levels of written creativity come together and create this beautiful and coherent piece of art. It was amazing to see!

The final part was just fun. I don’t know how to describe it in any other way. Lydia Hance, one of the co-founders of Frame Dance, taught us how to take the words/ phrases we produced from the creative writing class and portray them through dance moves. We basically just built on what we learned from Alex but instead of writing, we used our bodies to convey a story.

We had four people in the final session and we each came up with a different dance move. It was incredible how many stories we could tell just by using four dance moves. Sometimes the story would be about controlling one another like puppets on strings or opening someone’s eyes to the beauty of life. All from four dance moves. Amazing. The best part was it was all from our own creativity. No one was telling us how our part should be or how our part fits into the story. We simply told stories.

All in all, this adult workshop is a wonderful idea for anyone looking to get into shape but not wanting to spend the money on a gym. It’s educational, productive and yet relaxing. This class offers the chance to expand creative minds and stay in shape in fun ways. Tap into your artistic side for a day before heading back to the black, white and gray world of responsibility and math. The Framers did a great job in coordinating a friendly and unique workshop. And it’s only $60 for the whole day! Cheap and easy! What more could you ask for? I hope to see all of you on October 25th at the MET Dance Studio. Until then, keep dancing.

 

Click on the picture and register today!

Frame Dance - Multi-Gen Class - Discovery Green Water Promo -  Photographer Lynn Lane-65.jpg

Hear from the Framers

Interviews

Hey Everyone!

I hope all of you are enjoying your Tuesday. If not, it was because you didn’t know about Danielle Garza’s Quick and Easy Overnight Oats recipe!

It’s tough sometimes trying to find something healthy in a world of fast food and high carbs. Even breakfast items! The most important meal of the day and it’s too unhealthy and can make you sluggish. Some snack companies claim to be “healthier alternatives” but in reality are actually higher in carbs than the “bad stuff.”

It really can be challenging when you’re trying to stay fit and sometimes you just don’t have time to prepare an easy meal (or your like me and just don’t really care to cook).

Well, no fear! Here is a low-carb alternative that you can put your personal spin on.

 

Quick and Easy Overnight Oats

 

  • Fill mason jar with 1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup almond milk, raisins and chia seeds.
  • Blueberries and Bananas (Or any fruit you love)
  • Optional: Add cinnamon or sweetener.
  • Then put in the fridge over night and have a great breakfast ready in the morning that keeps you energized throughout a busy day! Or at least until your next meal 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Food for Thought

Eat Well Wednesday

10 Interesting Facts About Caffeine

 

https://cranemedicine.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/hot-cup-tea.jpg

People may not think of caffeine as the most popular mood-altering drug in the world, even those who use it daily, by drinking coffee, tea, sodas or energy drinks as part of their routine.

Whether it’s brewed from a K-Cup, sipped in sweet tea, savored in chocolate or downed in cola, caffeine is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system that has become a regular fixture in everyday life. 

 

Cari Nierenberg, a Live Science Contributor, writes about 10 Interesting Facts About Caffeine. This article covers topics like “How Long Does it Stay in Your System?”, “Withdrawal Issues”, “Can People Truly Be Addicted?” and others.

Wellness Wednesday

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

0What are the 20 best foods to eat for breakfast?  Some of these may surprise you.  Read the article from Health.com to get more details.  Some of these had my brow furrowing skeptically….

Oatmeal

Greek yogurt

Wheat germ

Grapefruit

fruits-for-skinBananas (I thought we were off of these)

Eggs

Almond butter

Watermelon

Flaxseed

Blueberries

Strawberries

Coffee (yay!)

Tea

Cantaloupe

Kiwi

Orange juice (what?! Didn’t we JUST hear about all the sugar in this?)

Cranberry juice (I’m imagining in small doses, but boy do I love this)

Cereal (careful on this one)

Raspberries

Whole wheat bread (careful on this one too)

Wellness Wednesday: The Holidays!

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Here are some fun recipes to help you get ready for the holidays!

 

8 Hanukkah Recipes For A Happy, Healthy Celebration

http://www.blisstree.com/2012/12/08/food/happy-healthy-hanukkah-recipes-celebrations-food/

Traditional Hanukkah recipes - dessert doughnuts

 

Looking for fun and quick dishes to make for that upcoming Christmas party or family gathering?

Check out this amazing site full of appetizers, cocktails, desserts and more!

 

http://www.freefunchristmas.com/christmas-recipes/

 


 

 

 

Wellness Wednesday: cook with me tonight

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

0Hi Framers,

I have recently rediscovered the crock pot meal (after a wonderful reminder from #FrameMom.)  So both Monday and Tuesday, I’ve made different slow cooker dishes, and tonight I will try a third.  Will you join me?

Monday, I made orange glazed turkey meatballs. The recipe calls for regular, beef meatballs, but I wanted to try something a little lower in fat and still high in protein.  The recipe I used is here.  They were pretty delicious, better than I thought.  I do think they are best for a buffet or appetizer.

Tuesday, I made a taco pulled chicken salad.  It called for taco shells or tostadas, but I broke up a few blue corn chips and put it on a bed of lettuce and made it a taco salad.  This was VERY good and I would recommend it.  I also made my own seasonings instead of buying the packets.  Made me feel a little bit healthier.  I am always a fan of knowing what exactly is in my food.  (control freak?)

Tonight, I plan to make Sesame Chicken and serve it over spinach.  I’ll be following this recipe.  Join me?  Ingredients: chicken breasts, salt and pepper, honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, sesame seeds.

 

Eat Well Wednesday!

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

I love me some Almond butter! I even think it surpasses peanut butter and I have been known to be a big fan of pb.

It is too bad that Almond butter can be anywhere from $6-16 at the store. YIKES!! Good news is you can make your own for a fraction of the cost! Just add different flavorings such as coconut, vanilla, and chocolate, and it takes very little effort to put together.

Today we are going to make
Coconut Vanilla Almond Butter!!

 

 

Gather these 5 ingredients and you are on your way!

2.5 cups of Raw Almonds, unsalted

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

2 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds

 

 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Step 2: Place a single layer of almonds on baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring once.

Step 3: Let the almonds cool and then place in food processor

Step 4: Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth. This can take a few minutes so don’t get discouraged. You will also need to stop it every so often and scrape down the sides. This is where a Vita Mix, or super-duper powerful blender comes in handy. That baby can whip up those almonds in a about 2 minutes.

Step 5: Store your delicious, homemade almond butter in a glass jar and keep in the fridge. You are going to want to spread this on everything, toast, pancakes, apples, or perhaps just by the spoonful.

 

 

Enjoy and happy blending!

Be Well!

 

Jill Tarpey Wentworth is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful.  Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health.  In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA (San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life.  Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well-balanced eating for your busy lives.

Wellness Wednesdays

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

If You Only Do 10 Yoga Poses, Do These

 http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11941/if-you-only-do-10-yoga-poses-do-these.html

 

Broken Lady Finger Cookies

Broken Finger Cookies

 

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

pinch salt

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 Tbsp milk

2 Tbsp red cake-decorating sugar

20 whole blanched almonds OR 20 pieces banana chips

 

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. In bowl, using electric mixer, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat until mixture is no longer “scratchy” sounding against bowl.

4. Beat in egg, vanilla and salt.

5. In separate bowl, mix together flour and baking powder (tip for measuring flour: stir flour, spoon into measuring cup, then level).

6. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture.

7. Switch to working in flour mixture with hands when dough gets too stiff to beat.

8. Knead into smooth dough. Roll into 3/4-inch thick “ropes”. Break ropes into 3-inch sections. Pat one end smooth. Dip tip of other end of each piece into milk then red sugar.

9. Place on lined baking sheet. Pressing in sides of rope to prevent flattening, insert almond or piece of banana chip into rounded end. Repeat process to make 20 fingers.

10. Bake on middle rack of oven 17 minutes, or until dough is lightly golden.