Meet Marissa!

Marissa started taking classes at MaZi, on our second month of being open! She's gone through our rigorous Ballerina Bum Training program and is now teaching Mondays at 7 PM. Her dance and ice skating background come through, as does her energy and attention to detail. A multi-talented beauty, she's also attending University of Chicago's Graduate School of Social Service Administration starting in the Fall!

Marissa!

How do you relax?
Putting on some music and cooking up something delicious is always relaxing for me.

How do you rev up?
Ziba's world famous Zumba class, of course! (Awww, thanks!)

What fashion item can you not live without?
Well I'm not sure if "fleece" can really be called a fashion item, but it sure is something I cannot live without. Mmmmm so cozy.

Go to healthy snack?
Well, I'm a fruit lover, so that is always a go to for me. Add in some crackers and cheese for a little bit of protein and I'm all set.

Fave indulgence?
Anything with chocolate. If anyone knows what "Graeters" ice cream is, I'm sure you'll agree that this is the ultimate indulgence.

What do you like about teaching at MaZi!?
What originally attracted me to MaZi was not only the wonderful classes, but also the atmosphere and sense of community you feel from the moment you walk in. I love teaching at MaZi because it is a way to bring people together in a space of encouragement and accomplishment. This is incredibly unique. And I feel lucky to be a part of it.

Song that keeps you going?
"By My Thrill" by The Weepies

Fun fact?
I recently hung upside down while ziplining through the rainforest of Costa Rica!

Your #1 Fitness tip?
Be kind to yourself and to your body. Take breaks when you need to and drink lots of water!

-Zi

MaZi's Summer Reading Picks! Part 1

I devour books and magazines and always look forward to my beach and travel reading, they make delays so much more bearable! Here are some of our recs once you get done with "Hunger Games" and "Fifty Shades of Grey". :)


For your Light Side
Holding on to the Air- Suzanne Farrell
Ever wonder what it would be like to be an artist's muse? Read about this ballerina's journey with the New York City and her relationship with the late George Balanchine. His obsession with her brought her fame, glitz and difficult decisions affecting her love life. See her dance here.


For your Dark Side
Dancing on my Grave- Gelsey Kirkland
This IS the juiciest read ever, and the dark side of the same story of being an artist's muse. She shares her obsessions with reaching physical perfection, her drug binges with Barshynikov (her lover and stage partner), and how she made peace with her otherworldly talent. 

Gelsey Kirkland

For the Heart 
Anna Karenina- Leo Tolstoy
Finally, Kindles and Nooks makes reading this book accessible. I tried reading this years ago when I was traveling for work, but didn't finish because I couldn't carry it around! Tolstoy's historical novel literally sweeps you away into a different world with timeless insight into the complications of human emotion and social norms. 


For the Pup Mum
Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell and Know- Alexandra Horowitz
Ahhhh! This book is like Women are from Venus, Men are from Pluto (or was it Mars?) but for dog owners and their dogs. It really helped me understand Baby Jane(my Australian silky) a lot better and have more patience with her when she goes up and down the street sniffing every pole and corner. Apparently, when dogs urinate they are leaving community postal boards for one another so she's actually socializing. Now I build in extra time during our walks so she can socialize away!

Baby Bumming it!

!!!

For the Body
Primal Body, Primal Mind- Nora Gedgaudas
One of the most comprehensive reads on how to eat based on pure science vs. fads. Diet affects hormone balance, how your body ages, your brain, disease prevention, not to mention weight and this book explains how to optimize those bodily functions with what you eat. 


For Girls Running the World
Cleopatra- A Life- Stacy Schiff
In case you need any inspiration to take over the world, read this! What I loved most about this book was how it details Cleopatra's intelligence, wit, and well......balls, that got her to leading Egypt as a teenage girl and having it flourish under her reign. It is all the more fascinating when you add the layer of love interests and her non-apologetic approach to her personal life. Great interview with the author here.



For the Brain ;)
Marisol prefers doing equations than reading but this is her pick if forced to read words vs numbers.....
"I read Facebook.  I'm not a big reader, but US Weekly is an instant pick-me-up.  It turns out I have some fashion sense and I buy my own toilet paper so I'm still "Down to Earth".  I also read Men's Health so that I can man the grill, carve my six-pack and get ahead at work (their top headliners).  I've read books in the past with just words, no equations but I can't remember the titles of the books or what they were about.  Something with green people and talking animals, I think?" 


She's talking about "Wicked" I believe. Yup, so she's not that huge into reading but we forgive her because she's currently working on writing her first book based on all the characters in her life! Uh oh ;). 


-Zi
"One can never be overdressed or over-educated" - Oscar Wilde

Salsa dance-off with Rick Bayless :)

This is our mother's salsa recipe that she used to watch our grandmother make, it's been in the family forever. It's yummy, healthy, easy to make,  and makes everything taste amazing and can be stored for up to a week! Try it this weekend to bring you back from Margaritaville causalities.


1 lb of jalapenos, stemmed (the smaller the hotter, so you decide!)
2 cups of water
4 small tomatoes
1 finely diced small onion
2 garlic cloves
cilantro bunch
pinch of sea salt

In a medium saucepan, add jalapenos, water, and tomatoes to a boil and boil for 30 minutes until peppers change colors and skin falls off tomatoes. Then let cool. Drain, save 1/4 cup of leftover water.

Next, throw onion, garlic, and cilantro into blender and add drained, cooled peppers and tomatoes along with 1/4 cup of the boiled water. Blend well, add sea salt.

Finally, add everything back to saucepan, coat with 1/4 tablespoon of olive oil and bring to boil for a minute. It's done and now you have yummy salsa verde that will hold you over until you can get into Frontera Grill.

Caution: When handling jalepenos, please note that washing your hands is NOT enough, the burn stays there for hours. So don't handle your contact lenses if you wear them. I learned that the hard way!

-Zi