Thursday 12 April 2012

Have you tried Zumba®?


A few months ago one of my best friends (Lou,) encouraged me to try the new dance fitness craze, Zumba®.

Now... being the martial artist I am, (I have to confess,) I have more fight in me than dance. However, it seemed like a fun idea so I thought I would give it a try.

I would have to say it was like being a white belt once again, every thing is new, including the surroundings and people (you know the people that in your own mind you think will laugh at you if you get a move wrong.)

It is always scary to be a beginner and honestly, I guess I had forgotten how it felt. Once I got past the nerves after picking up a few of the steps I walked away to my surprise with a lot of sweat. Any one who knows me will know that if this happens I am one happy girl!

I could not believe the full body workout I had just received. Who would have thought working out could be such fun.

It was good to have a few of my friends their too, as we interacted with each other in the class as we all enjoyed the dance routines to our favourite songs. 

I have to say though, if it were not for my fabulous Zumba® instructor Kinga, who is a 'Hungarian bundle of joy', I would not have felt so comfortable.

The other side to Zumba is that I have now made some new friends, and Kinga has now become one of my closest friends too. I love her!

So anyway, if you live near Bury St Edmunds and fancy giving Zumba a go her website is www.thefeelgoodproject.co.uk and her flyer is below! Do it! You will never look back.

Sunday 1 April 2012

A healthy pie... Surely not!!!

Ok, so I am sure that you cannot make a completely healthy pie, but here is my recipe makeover to make the traditional pastry filler somewhat lighter.

You will need: 
2 layers of puff pastry
10g butter


For the filling: 

1/2 onion (white)
1/2 pack mushrooms
2 sliced tomatoes
Broccoli
175ml Milk
1 egg

To make: 


1. To start with get yourself some puff pastry, less pastry needed = less calories woo hoo! Fill a pie dish with one layer of the pastry.


2. Butter very lightly using some melted butter (microwave job will be sufficient here!)


3. In a pan fry gently with a dash of oil the onion and mushrooms. Once soft add to the base along with your sliced tomatoes.


4. Beat together the egg and milk mixture, add the broccoli and pour into the case.


5. Pop the other piece of puff pastry on top, butter as required and cook in the oven for around 20 minutes.

6. The result one delicious and almost guilt free pie.


In fact this tasty treat ended up being a quiche in a pie which was really yummy.