Friday, May 20, 2016

ipaccblog#6: Sip Your Way to Optimal Performance



For the active dancer, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the right sources of nutrition at the times that you need it. These delicious smoothie recipes give you the satisfying taste you crave and provide a powerful nutritional punch at the times you need it most. Whether you’re looking for an energy pick-me-up, for muscle-building protein, or for relief from soreness, there’s a smoothie for every occasion!

For Muscle Recovery…

Get-Ahead Gingerbread

7 oz 2% Greek yogurt
1 c ice cubes
¼ c frozen sliced banana
2 Tbsp almond butter
1 Tbsp molasses
1 tsp grated ginger
¼ tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg and cardamom

Nutritional Punch: Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein that helps rebuild muscle. The banana replaces potassium and carbohydrates lost during exercise. Molasses is a great source of iron, a nutrient that helps to oxygenate the blood.


For Stamina….
Cran-Beet Crusher

1 c silken tofu
½ c fresh or frozen cranberries
½ medium beet
½ medium cucumber
1 celery stalk
1 c kale
1 orange or half cup orange juice
2 tsp honey

Nutritional Punch: Beets have been shown to improve blood flow and stamina, perfect if you find yourself getting winded in class.  As an added bonus, kale has heart disease and cancer-fighting powers.


For Soreness…

Cherry-Chia Pain Buster

1 c pitted tart cherries
½ c blueberries (or berry blend)
½ c frozen pineapple chunks
1 scoop vegan protein powder
1c chilled brewed green tea or diluted cherry juice
½ inch chunk ginger root or ¼ tsp powdered ginger
½ inch chunk turmeric root or ¼ tsp powdered turmeric
2 tsp raw honey

Nutritional Punch: Tart cherries have been shown to alleviate soreness and repair muscle damage. The turmeric also helps to ease muscle soreness by acting as an anti-inflammatory.

Be sure to stay cool this summer with these delicious smoothies and sip your way to your optimal physical performance!

These smoothie recipes and their complete nutritional compositions can be found at www.prevention.com



Pauline Braxton
Community Outreach Coordinator

Friday, May 13, 2016

ipaccblog#5: Celebrating InSpira’s 14th Anniversary!


Can you believe this Saturday, May 14, 2016, marks the 14th year that InSpira has been in business? That’s right, 14 years of incredible Performing Arts education! 

As we celebrate InSpira's Anniversary, let’s take a look back at the history of how it all started…

Co-Founder and Artistic Director Kristine Smith first had the vision for InSpira after a major health scare in 1991, when she received the troubling news of the existence of a tumor in her brain. Prior to InSpira, Ms. Kris worked in the Magazine and Nonprofit Industries with a focus on Performing Arts and Fitness, for 9 years. After receiving Pituitary Brain Surgery in 1993, she felt overwhelmed with gratitude to God for allowing her to live and decided to take her life in a new direction.

With a new vigor for life, Ms. Kris decided to go into business for herself, with one main goal in mind – to make a positive impact on the lives of others. As a long-time dancer herself, Ms. Kris knew first-hand the power of the arts to influence lives in the community. Thus, InSpira was born.

IPACC, formerly known as InSpira Dance Theater, had its humble beginnings in 2002 with just 14 students in the basement of Mt. Zion AME Church in Little Rocky Hill, NJ.  In 2005, InSpira moved to its first commercial location in New Brunswick, NJ. This year also marked the start of the Academy and Scholarship programs – programs designed to recognize and foster dance excellence and educational achievements. In the year 2007, the InSpira community continued to grow as the studio moved to it's current location and expanded to include music and voice education. 

Over the years, InSpira has become a safe haven for more than 300 students. It has blossomed into a hub for students to not only foster their dance and music abilities, but to be engaged in a supportive and loving family atmosphere. Without a doubt, to be at InSpira is to be home.

Happy 14th Anniversary, InSpira! #BeTheInSpiration

What are some of the reasons you are thankful for InSpira? Comment below.

Pauline Braxton
Community Outreach Coordinator

Friday, May 6, 2016

ipaccblog#4: InSpira Moms - Thank You


She carpools you and your friends back and forth to classes all season long. She forces you to rehearse your piano solo one last time before bed. And she knows all the right things to say to encourage you just when you feel like giving up.

Yes, InSpira Mothers are truly one-of-a-kind.

This Mother’s Day, we’d like to celebrate all the phenomenal mothers of our InSpira family by acknowledging what makes them so incredible.

Our InSpira Mothers are…
Engaged
InSpira Moms are notorious for being highly involved at the studio! They show their support at studio functions and events as often as they can. You can also find them up onstage at the recitals, as they are no strangers to taking classes themselves! Our moms are active learners in our adult classes, studying various types of dance. It’s true, when it comes to their child’s dance and music education, the InSpira Mom does not take a backseat.

Team-Players
The InSpira Mom is not solely concerned about the health and well being of her own children, but rather she also extends herself in service to other students in need as well. Backstage at recitals you can find her helping another student pin a hairpiece into place, or bringing in snacks for the students to share. InSpira Mothers are key contributors to our community, always willing to uplift the team.

Informed
Our mothers know all the best ways to stay connected with happenings at InSpira. They wield the powers of the Internet and social media to stay on top of all the latest announcements and news releases. They are not afraid to share a picture or two on Facebook, or hashtag #InSpira to spread the news and show their studio pride.

Devoted
Above all else, the InSpira Mother is selflessly devoted to the success of her children. She optimizes every opportunity at InSpira to nurture her child’s growth and development.

InSpira Moms, we’d like to send a special Thank You for all you do. Your selflessness and devotion is an inspiration to us all. We appreciate you. And we love you. Happy Mother’s Day! #BeTheInSpiration

Leave a comment and share your thoughts or favorite memory of an outstanding InSpira Mom!

Pauline Braxton
Community Outreach Coordinator