Matcha Magic- The stats & a fun recipe!

Marisol and I have always been hardcore coffee & espresso drinkers but recently thanks to Downtown Abbey & David's Tea, we've been poshing it up with more tea! Tea is not a miracle drug but there does seem to be a tea for whatever ails you. I started out with blends that are congruent with coffee palates; black teas, namely Earl Gray & Chai.  The superstar of teas is green tea due to it all of it's amazing health benefits but I just couldn't stand the bitter, burnt taste that I got with most of the green teas I've tried and I've tried a lot! 

With David's Tea in front of MaZi Dance Fitness Wicker Park, we began going weekly and Marisol began drinking lots of Japanese Matcha (stoneground green tea leaves). So many in fact, that when I walked in last Sunday they informed me that they would get right to making "my" Matcha! Many people confuse us as twins and this woman thought we were the same person. Somehow I gave it a chance because I thought if Marisol is drinking that many, it MUST be good! 

And it was! It's smooth, almost velvetey, with both a refreshing & soothing effect. What's really exciting for us are the health benefits:

Baby Jane wondering where hers is!

• Is packed with antioxidants including the powerful EGCg
• Boosts metabolism and burns calories
• Detoxifies effectively and naturally
• Calms and relaxes
• Enhances mood and aids in concentration
• Provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium
• Fights against viruses and bacteria
• Is rich in fiber
• Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar
• Does not raise insulin levels (source: matchasource.com)

MaZi Matcha Magic
REFRESHING, NOURISHING SUMMER TREAT

Here's a little matcha green tea frappucino "wanna-be" recipe to make the green powder a little more fun. PLUS, this has whey protein to make it a filling snack or part of a light lunch (have an 1/2 an avocado on top of a rice cake)! 

4-6 oz. vanilla unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk

2-3 drops of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of vanilla whey protein powder 
1 heaping tsp. matcha green tea powder (get at David's Tea or Whole Foods) 
2 no-calorie sweetener packets (like Stevia) 
1 1/2 cups crushed ice
 

3-5 tablespoons of warm water
Approx: 150 calories

Blend the matcha powder and warm water together to disolve completely. Throw everything in the blender, and enjoy the cool, sweet summer bev! 

Finally, will leave you with some final nutritional facts! 

-Zi

Some stats! source: Matchasource.com

Meet Anson! South Loop Studio Manager

Anson is a MaZi gem! She is MaZi's South Loop studio manager, a Gift of Movement team lead, a MaZi Dance Chicago company member and also a soon to be graduate of Columbia College's Master's Program with an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling and  Graduate Certificate in Movement Analysis program.

Everyone knows when Anson is in the room, thanks to her magnetic smile, sugar-spun sweetness and sparkly eyes & earrings.

"You heard right! ANOTHER SET!"

Don't be fooled though! Anson is a relentlessly focused instructor that delivers fun-filled Zi-Cardio & Ballerina Bum classes!

What do you love about teaching Ballerina Bum method classes?

I love teaching Ballerina Bum classes, because I love what they can do for my body! I started taking classes at MaZi last May after I needed some serious getting in shape. I quickly became addicted to the killer workout and the positive energy that exists at MaZi! Today, I feel better than I have ever felt before. The workouts are inspired and different from any other kind of workout, which makes teaching them exciting and enlivening.

What about Zi-Cardio?( MaZi's version of Zumba)

I love teaching Zi cardio because it is a killer workout that leaves me feeling unstoppable. I love the choreography and the fun music is always sure to lift my spirits. As an instructor, I really love when people are able to take the steps and make them their own!

How do you relax?

I like to relax through some good self-care. I like to paint my nails, do a facial mask, take a bath, watch a movie, be with friends, etc… I like to do things that help fill my soul and help me feel like a better me.

How do you rev up?

I like to put on a good song and dance around like a fool! It wakes up my body and gives me a surge of energy! Of course throwing my hair up into a killer side ponytail always puts a little extra pep in my step as well!

What fashion item can you not live without?

Earrings. I am not much of a fashionista (as most of my fashion choices have been described as “comfy”), but I feel like earrings can make any boring outfit a little more exciting!

Go to healthy snack?

Avocado!!! I’ll eat a plain one whole. So yummy and filling!

Fave indulgence?

Without a doubt sushi! While I definitely can indulge on items that may be more sinful, if I am going to treat myself, I do it with sushi!

What do you like about teaching at MaZi!?

I love teaching at MaZi because not only do they provide an amazing fulfilling workout, there is also an amazing community. I feel the environment created at MaZi exudes positive energy and I am so happy to be part of a team that helps generate the love and support that is MaZi!

Song that keeps you going?

I think this goes hand-in-hand with how I rev up. Putting on a good song will always lift my spirits and make me move! Some of my favorite go-to songs that help rev me up are: Forget You by Cee Lo Green, Beating Hearts Baby by Head Automatica, and Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours by Stevie Wonder….among many others. While these are not necessarily my all time favorite songs, they do have a great beat and I have some sort of nostalgic connection to them, which always brightens my day.

Fun fact?

I love to knit! I have knit hats, scarves, ear warmers, mittens, leg warmers, and my favorite…socks!

Your #1 Fitness tip?

To stay positive! Some days working out can be more challenging than others, but always stay positive by tracking your progress and celebrating the successes no matter how small. Positivity can help keep you going through anything!

Strong & Graceful 

Come take her classes at MaZi South Loop, Tuesdays & Thursdays, and she can also be found rocking out a MaZi Wicker Park on her rare free time, it's a treat to dance & work out with her! 

- Zi

My Spring Breakfasts!

If anything can get me out of bed it's the promise of breakfast! Like most people in the AM I'm
1) In a hurry,
2) Don't have a huge appetite (great time to eat!) and,
3) Can think of 100 things I need to do vs. eat, BUT I always get in trouble if I don't eat 2 hours after I wake up. So! You've probably checked out My 3 Power Breakfasts or My Favorite Fall breakfast, so now I will share My Spring Breakfasts!

1) Quick & Dirty- Kale juice, love this one from Whole Foods that's already packaged PLUS 2 hard-boiled eggs, and an hour later no-sugar added dried mangos (Starbucks always has them in single servings!)
Approx. calories: 400-500

2) Seemingly decadent- MARK bar with a teaspoon of Peanut Butter & Co.'s Smooth Operator spread on top! This tastes like DESSERT, it's crazy! It feels like I'm eating a Reeses for breakfast! You can find both at Go Grocer on North Ave (for Wicker Parkers) or S Michigan (for SLoopers) and Mark bars at MaZi Dance Fitness!
Approx. calories: 300-350

Extra protein! & good fats

Too much yumminess!

3) Brunch- Spring invites the brunch concept back into my life! The Tomatillo Egg Scramble at Bongo Room is PERFECTION; Egg whites, green tomatillo salsa, grilled chicken and avocado with optional mulit-grain toast. When I have this meal, I seriously can't think of food until dinner. It's so yummy and filling.
Approx. calories: 500 or 600-700 with bread. There are Bongo Rooms conveniently located by both MaZi's, coincidence? I think not!

And of course I top all of this off with my Americano's, that's always non-negotiable. :) So just eat breakfast already and you will find your body burns energy more efficiently throughout the day, you will be nicer, your body will feel GOOOOOD,  and you will make better food choices throughout the day!

- Zi

Meet Jess! Wicker Park Studio Manager

Jess mid-flight, supporting our claim that we can fly at MaZi!

            Meet Jess, our newly appointed Wicker Park Studio Manager! Jess has been working as a choreographer and instructor for the past four years. Her choreographic works have been featured in festivals & concerts and she has taught ballet, jazz, modern. Her certifications include Zumba, NETA and Ballerina Bum! We'll let you know when she performs again so you can catch her onstage! 

"MaZi provides the environment and community to share a passion for creative and innovative workouts that truly make a difference". 

What do you love about teaching Ballerina Bum classes?

  I love the workout itself! Ballerina Bum works my core, gluts, legs, and more. It's the perfect combination of strengthening and stretching and I always leave energized and toned. As a dancer, it's definitely strengthened me technically!

 

How do you chill out?

  My favorite way to relax is spending the day in a coffee shop reading a book. My life is so hectic that I rarely get down time, being able to sit still and read is a luxury! Add a Chai Tea Latte and that is my weekly therapy session!

 

How do you rev up?

    I rev up by putting on my favorite song. It changes weekly- but whatever it is I blast it while taking a walk and let myself dance a little bit. The right music and movement can really wake up my senses and fill me with adrenaline. 

   

What fashion item can you not live without?

     Two things: a scarf and pair of boots. They compliment every outfit and I feel so classy when I add these accessories to my wardrobe. 

 

Go to healthy snack?

     Granola. I'm a granola-holic. 

 

Fave indulgence?

    Frozen Yogurt. I have quite the sweet tooth and usually it's hard but possible for me to turn down junk food, but if ever someone mentions ice cream, I'm in!!

 

What do you like about teaching at MaZi!?

     I love that everyone at MaZi is so warm and giving. It means a lot that I work in an environment where the students are invested in working hard and want the class to grow in the best way possible. It isn't often that you run across a student base that is devoted to a studio. 

 

Song that keeps you going?

    No matter what my favorite song of the week is, my go to is always "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train. Particularly the verse: "the way you move ain't fair, ya know." As a dancer, I like to listen to that and it reminds me that I'm lucky to be doing what I do. 

Fun fact?

     I've read each of the Harry Potter books a dozen times. 

 

Your #1 Fitness tip?
   Make sure you enjoy your workout. The best way to maintain a work-out schedule and stay on track is if you love what you are doing. Having a passion for working-out makes the world of difference. Try several forms of classes and find the ones that are both challenging and fun. An hour long class can fly by much faster if you're smiling the entire time!

Catch her classes Mondays at South Loop, and Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays at Wicker Park!

- Zi

MaZi Dance Chicago Q & A

We've had such an amazing response to our 3rd Season of MaZi Dance Chicago! We're going to take a minute to answer some FAQ's.

-Do I have to audition for MaZi Dance Chicago (MDC)? 
Nope! We welcome anyone who wishes to perform to join.

-What is the format of the Monday 8:00 PM class?
You will warm-up (plies, isolations, etc.) for 15-20 minutes and then you will begin the choreography process with the featured choreographer for the month; learning the steps, working through the piece's "language" and theme, repetition, polishing, and more repetition.

-Will this be available at South Loop location?
Not at this time........next season maybe!

-What style of dance will we be learning?
We always incorporate several styles into our performances and choreo classes. First month will be Contemporary/Jazz, and second/third will be hip hop or lyrical.

-Do I have to commit for the entire time? 
Yes. From 2/11-4/29 we will have rehearsals/class on Mondays. We can only grow as a performing group with consistency and teamwork!

-Do I have to perform?
Not necessarily. If you just want to partake in the rehearsal experience that is ok. Additional rehearsals will be needed in the 2 weeks before a performance and if you choose not to perform you would not be part of that. You might decide that you want to be in one of the 2 scheduled performances or both. Not everyone will be in every piece, usually there's a natural gravitas that occurs in the rehearsal process for a certain piece or the other.

-What/where are we performing?
Currently, we are scheduled to perform at RIC's ArtFUTURA Opening Celebration, May 30th at 6PM, with Jackson Junge Gallery in April, and some other opportunities might come throughout the Spring......they always do! Additionally, you have the opportunity to audition for AyOH's music video being shot 2/22 (all day).

-How do I audition for AyOH's music video?
The audition is Friday, 2/8 at 6:30 PM and you must be part of MDC. AyOH will be at the studio to watch a short combination and select a couple of dancers for the video based on their vision for the edit.

-What happens if AyOH selects me to be in the video?
The shoot will take place all day Friday 2/22. Rehearsals for the video will be seperate from Monday night's class and will take place the weekend of 2/9-10, and 2/16-17 with Ziba (choreographer for production).

-How many additional rehearsals will be needed?
Usually, it's 2-3 additional rehearsals prior to a performance. The dates/times are arranged so that it works for all performers at that time.

-Do I have to have professional experience?
No. We do recommend that you feel comfortable in the existing MaZi formats; Zi-Cardio, Dance Cardio, MaZi Urban Hip Hop, etc.

-What does the price include (Zi members $55/month, MaZi general students $95/month, Feb, March April)?
It includes the Monday evening scheduled classes/rehearsals and all additional rehearsals. It does not include any other class on our schedule. Shoes and wardrobe are also not included.

-How much are shoes & wardrobe?
Generally, we've kept it under $50 for every performance. We usually leverage clothing that you would already own.

-Will I have the time of my life?
Pretty much.....YES!

REHEARSAL!

-Zi
Email us at mazidancefitness@gmail.com for anything else!

The Gift of Movement- Dance Therapy

Movement is a gift! Every note that I have choreographed, performed to, and throughout the tens of thousands of classes that I have taken or taught I’ve had an acute awareness of gratitude for that moment. To us at MaZi Dance Fitness, fitness is an extension of that insight and so is the “Gift of Movement”, our newest project in partnership with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).

This program will provide an extremely valuable outlet to RIC’s patients and community. As art therapy gains momentum and exciting new research supports its worth, we are so fortunate to get to participate in their ART in Motion program. If you’ve taken a class at MaZi Dance Fitness, you have felt how dance is the ultimate outlet and mind/body connection. After a dance fitness class, you feel whole, beautiful, happy, generous and superhuman. We believe that no matter one’s level, age, genetic predisposition or life circumstance should hinder the opportunity to dance and emotionally connect with music, our bodies and create art.

The Gift of Movement Program has been spearheaded by MaZi Dance Fitness Co-Founder Marisol Sarabia’s passion and determination to make a difference. Her huge heart and will have paved the way over the last two years to make the case for the inclusion of dance fitness in this art therapy program. We’re so excited to see where this leads, and to connect with the new people that we’ll cross ways with. There are so many ways that you can be involved! 

1) Join us at Art in Motion Event: http://www.ric.org/about/people/boards/associate/activities-events/artfutura/

2) Help spread the word! Share our FB INVITE

3) Volunteer with our MaZi Gift of Movement instructors during the summer! Email us at mazidanceinfo@gmail.com.

4) Donate!   

5)     Finally, if you know someone that is injured, handi-capped or restricted in movement, let them know! 

-Zi

Brownies: Naughty & Nice

"I hate brownies!", said no one ever. I started baking brownies at the tender age of 8 with a recipe from my first cookbook, aptly named "Kid's Cookbook". Given that I have difficulties following instructions, they didn't turn out very well but I have found my go-to recipes! These are my two favorite Brownie recipes for very different reasons.

NAUGHTY
The first is quick, lowfat, ridiculously simple and beyond delicious.The consistency is a crazy combo of chewy fudge and crispy edges. I heard of this recipe several years ago and it stuck in my head because you need two things:

Brownie Mix- I LOVE this one!

And the very controversial drink:

AND THAT'S IT!

I know what you're thinking.....I was reluctant also but it works and never fails to please! These are also Marisol's favorite, I can't count how many times I've made these for her. :) You take the Brownie box mix of your choice (literally any), dump it in a bowl and add diet coke ounce by ounce, mixing very well until it reaches the right consistency (probably about 1/2 cup-2/3 cup). You then follow the heating directions on the box and viola! These are perfect if you are:
- short on time
- can live with yourself after eating gluten, sugar and artificial sweetners (all currently damned ingredients)
- cutting down on fat
- run out of oil, eggs or butter

From thespunkycoconut.com!

NICE
The second is VIRTUOUS, grain-free,  and requires an involved grocery trip. This consistency retains it's brownie nature of fudgey, moist and chewy! Recipe here from thespunkycoconut.com. These are perfect if you are:
- not currently eating any gluten, grains, eggs
- shun artificial sweetners (nice job!)
- have time

Enjoy whichever you choose and remember to share and savor the moment!

-Zi