Whole new layout!

Come by and see the new layout and newly added machine! Thanks to our wonderful community, we are able to grow a bit more!  Also, don't forget about the new Pilates Influenced TRX classes! They are getting full, so please schedule online to grab your spot! 

Superfoods! And Why I Love Chia Seeds

So I have recently been on a "superfoods" kick, and wow...!

  It is really feeling good - I have more energy in general, feel more motivated throughout my day, better sleep, brain fog is at an all-time low, blood sugar feeling more regulated... I could go on and on.  So I thought I would share in my excitement.  

A "superfood" is really any type of food that has unusually high amounts of vitamins, antioxidants, nutrients, etc. that you can use to supplement and enhance your diet.  With superfoods, a little goes a long way in terms of nutrient content and many of them can be added to your favorite meals without changing the flavor, or can even enhance the flavor of your food.  Why not just take a vitamin, you ask?  Well, vitamins are a very nice option if you are someone who really cannot find a way to incorporate nutrient dense foods into your diet regularly, but when we can offer our body nutrients in their unprocessed, "whole" form - as in, in the form of food - our body is MUCH better equipped to digest - and thus utilize - these nutrients.  On top of that, it can be so much fun to find ways to incorporate them into your diet, and they can be so tasty too!

What it comes down to:  more nutrient bang for your buck.

One of my current favorite superfoods:  Chia seeds.  Chia seeds have long been used in Central America, seen both as food and as medicine due to their high nutritional benefits.  Loaded with protein, healthy omega fatty acids that your brain loves and needs so much, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, these little gems can brighten your day a teaspoonful at a time.  Chia retains water, which can help with hydration and can help your body to feel full and satiated.  Aside from all that, what makes them so frequently used in my kitchen is their very mild flavor, which means they can be added to almost anything.  

 

Chia seed pudding with fresh berries is a staple in our house.  High in protein and very little sugar, this makes for a great healthy dessert, or even a super easy breakfast!

When they are given the chance to absorb liquid, they can take on a very interesting texture as well - almost like tapioca.  If you aren't into "interesting" textures, chia can also be blended, maintaining the thick and pudding-like texture, while getting rid of the tapioca-like feel and leaving it nice and creamy.  

Because of its high protein content, and its ability to be added to smoothies, stir-frys, granola, homemade power bars, and just about anything you can imagine,  using chia seeds in your post-workout meal is an excellent way to help your body gain muscle tone and retain all of your hard work.

 

Here are a few links to some of my favorite chia seed recipes:

  1. A relatively more elaborate (but still super simple) chia pudding recipe.
  2. Simple vegan strawberry chia pudding.

Whole list of superfood recipes featuring chia, including yummy smoothies and power bars (great for after your pilates lesson). 

Try a recipe with chia in it this week and tell us what you think in the comment section below - we would love to hear from you!  Wishing you a happy and healthy body and mind from all of us at Body Synergy!

-Katie 

 

 

 

What do WE mean by... "Holistic?"

"Holistic" has been quite the buzz-word for the past few years. It seems to be all over  signs, billboards, websites, brochures, and on and on... but sometimes when a word is used so frequently, it can lose its meaning, or we can begin to take for granted that we know what it means without further thought.  

In our modern world that has begun to place further and further value on specialization, it has become easy to start to view our body's imbalances from an isolating perspective - a perspective that focuses in on the very specific function of the mind or body in regards to the imbalance, and tries to alter it without acknowledgement that each function of the mind or body has an intricate, delicate, and intelligent connection to one another.  

A "holistic" approach is one that attempts to utilize the benefits of specialization - including an extremely thorough understanding of specific systems of the body - while still recognizing that these systems are connected.  For a practitioner to work in a holistic setting, they must embrace their particular modality, while also accepting and acknowledging the benefits of looking at an imbalance from multiple perspectives.  

We so deeply value each and every practitioner and instructor that participates at Body Synergy, and find that the difference between a good practitioner and a great one, is passion.  Each practitioner here is deeply committed to sharing their passion for wellness in the particular framework that they have mastered with their clients, and also respects the gifts that other modalities and practitioners can offer to the larger picture of health, wellness, and quality of life to each individual client.

We have recently integrated into our offerings at Body Synergy a Qi Gong class for all levels.  Qi Gong is an ancient practice, translating to "life energy cultivation," incorporating breath, movement, and sometimes sound to accumulate and circulate "Qi" or "life energy."  This class is taught by the wonderful Elizabeth Elzey, L.Ac. - our on-site acupuncturist.  We are so grateful for the beautiful perspective and gifts that Elizabeth brings to our work and our clients.

Come join us for the class every Saturday at 9a.m. and get your weekend started off full of energy!

Thank you for taking such good care of yourself.

Our first post!

Greetings all! 

Welcome to the Body Synergy blog page!  And thanks for visiting our new site!  We are still in the process of perfecting and tweaking it, so if there is anything you notice while you are perusing that needs to be corrected - or if you have any brilliant ideas about how we can improve our site - feel free to email us using our contact page.  

Many of you have been visiting us long enough to notice that we are always growing and changing.  While Pilates has been at the core (pun totally intended) of our services, we know that there are many ways to take care of our body, mind, and spirit.  Right now, Body Synergy is offering Pilates, Directional Non-Force Chiropractic care, (learn more about what in the world that means on our Chiropractic page!), Acupuncture, Massage, and Qi Gong classes.  

One of my favorite things about Body Synergy is that we truly have impeccable practitioners and instructors - all of whom are so devoted to encouraging balance and wellness for each of their clients.  It's a beautiful thing...

Again, thanks for stopping by the blog... hopefully we will see you soon!

Best, 

Katie