Spinning Queen Paula

After a punishing workout,
Paula shows off her prize.

I think all my students kick serious spinning ass!  But there are always those who stand out because of their commitment to health and fitness.  Paula from Rocky's Gym is one of those!  For the past 6 months, she's been dedicated to losing weight, and building muscle and cardiovascular endurance.  And it's working!  She's spinning three times a week, lifting and eating right.  Go, Paula!

We celebrated Paula in class today by naming her Spinning Queen, and giving her a small prize:  a delish bottle of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar Grape-Acai drink.  There are lots of amino acids in apple cider vinegar that can help keep you operating at peak performance.  Amino acids repair cells and build muscle, and exercising increases your body's demand for them.

Paula, you're an inspiration! Keep up the great work!

Curing with Cayenne

Thanks to the remarkable producer, filmmaker, and grass-roots organizer Anne Hubbell, I discovered Prometheus Springs' Citrus Cayenne drink. You can find it at Whole Foods, but it's more fun to sip the morning away at Irving Farm, a trendy cafe on New York's Upper West Side. I rate this drink a TEN - in taste and health benefits! Not enough good things can be said about cayenne pepper, a food that can truly be called a fundamental form of medicine. It's the capsicum in cayenne pepper that makes it hot and healthy. The list of health benefits includes its ability to serve as a powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive aid, pain reliever. It also reduces cholesterol and improves blood pressure making it a great choice for heart health. There's a reason it's called the King of Herbs and has been used for centuries as a natural remedy! Where does it get its name? From the city of Cayenne in French Guiana.