Come see and PHEEL what is new in our E-Boutique.   A boatload of new yoga pants, tanks and cover ups came yesterday.  There is definitely something for everyone.   I have already seen some beautiful people wearing and modeling our clothes in the studio today.   You work so hard to be the amazing, stunning people you are--it's about time you show it off. 

You all know Caroline.  The woman behind Energy's powerhouse classes--PUSH, TABATA, HIIT and PILATES CARDIO AND CORE. She is silly. She is goofy. She has the most infectious laugh.

Because Caroline always gives killer, challenging and MOTIVATING workouts,  I asked her to share with you what keeps her moving and grooving when she is not at Energy.

I love techno!!! But I also really love...

Remixes of 90s club music!
Britney!
Bruno!
Basement Jax
Dj Skribble
Clarity
Summertime
Beyoncé
Rihanna
Eat Sleep Rave Repeat
#Selfie

What's on your playlists these days? Would anyone be interested in making one for their Energy class? We'd love to put your Ipod on our player. 


Photo Source: Wendy B. Photography

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful long weekend.  We couldn't ask for better weather to soak in sun, time with family and to remember those who have served in all branches of our military.  We truly couldn't have asked for a better weekend weather wise--three perfect days for boating, running through sprinklers, grilling, paying tribute, eating ice cream, spitting watermelon seeds, drawing with sidewalk chalk, catching fireflies and taking naps in the sun. 

How many of you have been reading in our book club? Our May pick of the month was THE INTERESTINGS.  Stay tuned for our book club discussion this Saturday.  I cannot wait to hear what you thought of this choice.  It was certainly very different than last month's selection.  But, we'll save that for Saturday's post.

I am so excited to announce our book club selection for June.  It's been hard keeping it a secret.
I hope you will join our Energy reading community as we take on KEEP QUIET by Lisa Scottoline.  If you have ever read anything by Jodi Piccoult, you will enjoy this book.  Lisa Scottoline has a similar writing style. Her books are a quick read and extremely thought provoking.   Can't wait to hear what you think about this one. 

A little birdie told me that Target has the book for 20% off, and Barnes and Noble has it for 30% off plus another 10% if you are a club member.  Just saying:-)

"Scottoline delivers once again with Keep Quiet, an emotionally gripping and morally complex story about one father's decision to protect his son — and the devestating consequences that follow.

Jake Buckman’s relationship with his sixteen-year-old son Ryan is not an easy one, so at the urging of his loving wife, Pam, Jake goes alone to pick up Ryan at their suburban movie theater. On the way home, Ryan asks to drive on a deserted road, and Jake sees it as a chance to make a connection. However, what starts as a father-son bonding opportunity instantly turns into a nightmare. Tragedy strikes, and with Ryan’s entire future hanging in the balance, Jake is forced to make a split-second decision that plunges them both into a world of guilt and lies. Without ever meaning to, Jake and Ryan find themselves living under the crushing weight of their secret, which treatens to tear their family to shreds and ruin them all.

Powerful and dramatic, Keep Quiet will have readers and book clubs debating what it means to be a parent and how far you can, and should, go to protect those you love. "  (Source: www.scottoline.com)

Energy wants to wish you all the happiest of Memorial Days.  We cannot express how much we deeply thank the men, women and their families for the sacrifices they have made for our country over the years.  We will be remembering you as we celebrate today. 

Come spend a portion of your Memorial Day Monday with us in the studio. 

8:30 Tabata with Mary
9:30 Pilates Mat with Nancy (yes, she's finally back)
9:30 Group Reformer with Jennifer
10:45 Barre with Debra
5:35 Pilates Mat with Nancy
5:35 Yoga Strength with Natania

And now, without further ado--what motivates you today? This week? What new goals will you set for yourselves? 

Time to take a peek into the lives of two more lovely women who grace us with their inner and outer beauty here at Energy.  We are so blessed to have Christa and Natania on our staff.  Both of these women have infectious smiles and personalities.  They are the women that you want to have as girlfriends that you can meet up and talk and laugh with. 

Christa is a premiere Barre instructor at Energy.  Her classes offer the perfect amount of challenge and motivation. Outside of the studio she is a lovely wife and mother to Anna and Emmett. You will find her on the ski slopes in the winter and at her cabin in the summer. 

Natania is our beautiful Brazilian yoga extraordinaire.  You can here her laughter all over the studio. When Natania is not teaching or working the front desk at Energy she is a wife and mother to two cuties, Jovan and Lana.  Natania is also a member of a Brazilian band (you need to hear her sing sometime!) and is the creative genius behind the bracelets for sale in our E-Boutique.  She loves the arts and is passionate about photography.  Is there anything this woman cannot do?

Because Motivation Monday didn't get posted (and it's my FAVORITE FAVORITE post of the week), I thought that just this once, I could post it on a Wednesday.  The best part about Wednesdays is that the rest of the week is all downhill from here, and a glorious weekend is on tap.  

Don't forget to check our Memorial Weekend schedule to plan your weekend workouts accordingly. We have a great line up ready for you.  We also have our Kid's Program and Yoga workshops this summer all programmed in, and ready for you to register.  See our website for details.  

And we're back!  It's beautiful outside, the grass is green, the birds are chirping--makes me want to move and groove outside all day.  Today I was looking for something a little bit lighter to post here for a try it recipe.  I was also looking for something that is easy and portable.  Knowing our Energy members, we are always on the move and having a healthy grab and go make ahead option is exactly what we need. 

I've always been a huge fan of yogurt.  It has a wonderfully sweet taste, it's filling and it's chock full of probiotics, protein and calcium---what a powerful trifecta of goodness.  What I like best about this recipe, is that it is merely a base and a foundation for countless variations.   My personal favorite always includes blueberries. 

Your yogurt base is 2 cups of whatever Greek yogurt you like.  As someone who is busy in life and working out, I prefer using full fat Greek yogurt--Chobani and Fage are my favorites.

Pumpkin Pie

Stir together pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon and ginger. Divide yogurt among 4 containers and add 1/4 of mixture to each. Top each bowl with 1 Tbsp. coconut and 2 Tbsp. pecans.

Nutritional Info per serving: 225 Calories, 12G Protein, 17G Fat, 15G Carbs, 5MG Sodium

Coffee Prune

Place prunes, coffee, orange zest and cinnamon in a container and let soak overnight in the refrigerator. Add mixture and vanilla to a blender, and blend into a chunky mixture. Divide yogurt among 4 containers and add 1/4 of mixture to each.

Nutritional Info per serving: 259 Calories, 22G Protein, 7G Fat, 39G Carbs, 1MG Sodium

Blueberry Granola

Place blueberries, vanilla, lemon juice and allspice in a blender container and blend until smooth. Divide yogurt among 4 containers and add 1/4 of mixture to each. Top each bowl with 1/2 cup granola and 1/2 Tbsp. nibs.

Nutritional Info per serving: 385 Calories, 19G Protein, 19G Fat, 39G Carbs, 12MG Sodium

Just in case you were not aware--it snowed in the state of Colorado yesterday.  Denver got 3-4 inches and the higher mountain elevations got 19 inches.  Even though this rain day after day makes me feel like Eeyore sometimes, I've decided to embrace using an umbrella versus walking around in winter boots mid May.

This weather is tricky for cooking.  Part of me leans towards wanting something warm and comforting like a soup, or a roasted chicken.  The other part of me is excited for Farmer's Market adventures and bringing home seasonal fruits and veggies to make some summery salads to eat in bare feet on the back patio.  To ease both of these sides, I will post a rainy day recipe and a summery recipe--now no matter what the weather brings today, you can be prepared .

I absolutely adore this avocado salad.  Sometimes I play around with the veggies, and if I am craving this more as a main dish, then I add grilled chicken, or even white beans for a protein.  I have found that the key is to keep it simple and enjoy the natural flavor each ingredient brings to the table.    Photo Source: Dash and Bella

Have you ever had one of those moments when you look at a recipe and think, REALLY? These quinoa stuffed sweet potatoes really hit the spot when I crave something warm and comforting.  Sweet potatoes always make me think of family meals together.  My favorite parts of this meal are the sweet and salty components together and the vibrant color.  After all, we eat with our eyes first, right?  I never hesitate to throw in some chicken to the mix either.

Photo Source: Leslie Durso

I am dying for you all to post favorite recipes.  What fuels your body each day?

Author: Joanna Etshokin

Did you all have a fabulous Mother's Day weekend? What did you do to celebrate? It was fun to see so many of your Facebook pictures and read your sentiments about being mothers and role models.   Our Mother's Day Yoga was a smashing success.  Thank you to everyone who signed up and spent part of your special day with us. Continue to check our website and Facebook page for additional special yoga sessions including Yoga for Runners, Gentle Yoga, and De-Stress with Yoga.

We are back at it with our regular line up of classes, workouts, laughter and friendship and cannot wait to see you in our studio this week. 

Why is Energy different? I am sitting at the front desk, listening to women laugh together, women telling each other how beautiful they are, and women remarking that it's never felt so good to be sore. I am so thankful to be a part of such an incredible fitness and FRIEND community. Thank YOU for making Energy the place to be!