August student of the month...Laurie Spring

The August student of the month: 

Laurie Spring

 

Laurie is full of life, always wearing a smile and always wearing her signature color pink.  Her commitment to In Balance and Pilates is remarkable!  She travels from Jacksonville three times per week and does so in her new Prius which has a licence plate that says "2PILATES".  We are so lucky to have Laurie as part of the In Balance family and look forward to many more years of keeping her healthy, fit and strong!  

1. How long have you taken Pilates at In Balance? It will be 5 years in November of this year. 2. What's your favorite exercise and why?         Pike on the chair because I can really tell I am using my core. 3. What are some of the benefits and changes you've seen in yourself since taking Pilates?         *Better posture which has helped me maintain my height        *A defined core and abdomen        *Better flexibility        *Firmer everywhere        *Positive attitude and confidence 4. What inspires you? Carrie and Nicole who are always encouraging and challenge me.        5. What advice would you give to someone who has never done Pilates before? Everyone should give Pilates a try.  It is the best way to get in shape and stay in shape without hard impact on your body.  It is the best thing I have ever done for myself.  The benefits are continually with you.

Another mini workout

July student of the month!

The In Balance Pilates Studio

June Student of the Month

Fred Campau 

"Life is good when you are healthy"

Fred has been a dedicated client for 4 years.  He's currently recovering from a knee replacement and in just 4 months has regained his full Pilates strength!  Fred is focused, full of joy and jokes, and a treat to teach.  Here are a few words from Fred about his experience at In Balance:

“I retired and moved full time to Wilmington, NC in 2009.  My daughter, who owns a fitness studio on the West Coast, gave me a set of sessions at In Balance Pilates Studio for Father’s Day.  Four years later, I am still at it and so glad I am.  I find Pilates with my awesome instructor Carrie Pages to be a very important part of my fitness regimen.  For years I had had periodic low back pain and always needed to work on my flexibility.  Pilates did the trick, really increased my core strength, and is a great complement to my love for riding my bicycle.  I have put over 11,000 miles on my bike since I retired and have lost 25 lbs. and have kept it off.  Life is good when you are healthy.”

Thanks so much for your dedication to Pilates and In Balance.  We are honored to have you as a part of the studio family!

Carrie

Yummy Nut and Fruit bars: great as a pre or post Pilates snack!

I'm always looking for a healthy snack that's full of protein.  A couple of years ago a friend shared this recipe with me and I love it.   These bars taste just like yummy Larbars from the store but not as costly!

If you have any ideas of variations of this recipe please post them below.  

Be happy. Be healthy!

Carrie

Yummy Nut and Fruit bars

Medjool Dates, about 8-10 seeded (I buy mine at Costco)

1 cup of nuts (I like to combine cashews and almonds)

1/2 cup flax seed

I like to vary the flavor with 1/4-1/2 cup 

of craisons, dried cherries, dark chocolate chips, 

sunflower seeds and/or coconut (the healthy kind from the health food store).  

1. Put the nuts and flax seed and any other DRY ingredients in the food processor and grind.  Remove the mixture and set aside.  

2. Place the dates, vanilla and any other dried fruit in the processor and grind.  Be careful not to overwork the motor (I did and needed a new processor, boo).  The mixture will become a paste.

3. Add the nuts to the date mixture and process them together.  You're mixture should look something like this:

4.  I make a loaf out of the mixture and cut it into bars. I do this by smushing the mixture together in a big ball and loosely wrapping it in saran wrap. 

5.  Then I use the wrong side of a large knife to make a flat, squared off loaf and put the loaf (still wrapped) in the fridge to harden a bit.

6.  Remove the loaf and cut it into bars.  I make my bars pretty narrow so it's not highter in calories and fat than is healthy.  Sometimes one just isn't enough though so I do eat 2!

***If the mixture seems too dry just add water 1 tablespoon at a time until it holds together in a ball. 

A new blog..an old pilates video workout!

I'm going to give a 2nd go at this blogging thing!  Mostly I want for my clients to have a resource for mini workouts that can be done at home.  This video is from 2011 but it's a good one and less than 7 minutes long so you can do it RIGHT NOW!

Look forward to more mini workouts, demonstrations of exercises and healthy tips to keep you motivated.

Be happy. Be healthy!

Carrie