healthy Archives - MINT DC | Best Gym in Washington DC

The United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Marathon and Half Marathon is coming to Washington, DC on March 8-11, 2017 and is in need of many great volunteers. Sign up today and help us celebrate this annual running tradition by supporting almost 25,000 runners and walkers!

All non-profit groups, schools, teams, and organizations are invited to take part as a fundraising event. Every volunteer from your group that comes out to work a shift will count towards a dollar amount back to your organization. Volunteers can help at any shift that suits their schedule, or a group can help all together at a water stop or at the start or finish line on race day (Saturday, March 11.)

In order to set up a fundraising group, or ask any questions about the process, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Karen, for full details on donation amounts and registration process: dc@rnrracecrew.com

Each Race Crew volunteer receives:

Official Race Crew T-shirt *NEW Design for 2017*
Race Crew Drawstring Backpack *NEW Design for 2017*
Refreshments and snacks
Free parking OR a $10 gift card to reimburse your public transportation expense
Satisfaction of helping others while having a blast!

Key shifts where we could use your help include:

Thursday, 11:00 am -3:30 pm at the Expo (DC Armory)
Friday, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Expo (DC Armory)
Saturday, 6:00 am – 9:30 am at the Start Line (12th and Constitution, NW)
Saturday, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Finish Line (RFK Stadium)
Saturday, 7:00 am – 11:00 am at Various Water Stops (just email dc@rnrracecrew.com for location details)

We look forward to seeing you race weekend!

To see the full shift options: http://www.runrocknroll.com/dc/the-weekend/volunteer/

Sincerely,

Race Crew Team
United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
March 8 – 11, 2017
DC@RNRRaceCrew.com
800.311.1255 x6956

Volunteer Information, Race Information
This newsletter was sponsored by RocknRollDC.

At Glen’s Garden Market, there is plenty of amazing, unusual produce and unique, local products – and they want to teach you how to cook with them! Use the ‘Glen’s Recipe Series’ cards (or stop by their Dupont or Shaw locations to pick one up) to learn more about how to prepare their food and why it’s so special.

Today’s featured recipe is: Chicken & Broccoli!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

The winter season is a popular time of year to stay indoors and get cozy.

“Strawberry Martini,” Photo cred: daspunkt on Flickr

Because of this, you may find yourself spending more time at home or at a friends’ place, and less time moving around outside. While the cold weather may make you feel a little more sedentary than normal, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious winter cocktail amongst friends or family, as a way to unwind or treat yourself.

While cocktails can oftentimes be filled with extra calories and high amounts of sugar, there are absolutely alternatives to get that yummy fix with less guilt. Check out these fun and healthier ideas for winter cocktails for you to enjoy (c/o Daily Burn), and perhaps, throw together for company at a get together. Enjoy!

Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.

Try These Healthy Winter Soup Recipes!

Sweet Potato and Bacon Soup, Photo Cred: Jess (Paleo Grubs) on Flickr

Now that the temperatures are starting to drop outside and the snow is starting to fall, it’s good to be prepared indoors with yummy, healthy recipes to keep you warm. This is the perfect time of year to hang out at home and let some soup sit on the stove or in your slow cooker, to keep you warm and keep your stomach happy. Because you may find yourself sitting around a little more often than in warmer temperatures, these soups provide nutritional info and healthy ingredients, so to minimize feelings of guilt and keep your stomachs full. So check out some of these delicious, healthy recipes, and get cooking!

Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.

Should You Workout When You’re Not 100 Percent?

That is the question…

If you’re a regular at MINT, you may find that you take fewer sick days compared with your sedentary peers. A 2015 study found that regular exercise might give your immune system a boost. You can read more about that in the Phys Ed blog for the New York Times. But even the most die-hard MINTer is likely to get a cold or the flu this winter, or to suffer from allergies from exposure to indoor pollutants like mold. Should you skip your work out when you’re feeling lousy? It depends. Here is the question you need to ask yourself: Are all of your symptoms above or below your neck? Above the neck symptoms include a stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, or sneezing. Below the neck symptoms are things like a cough from deep in your chest or an upset stomach. If it’s just a cold, you may find that you feel better after spin class. You can always dial back the intensity of your sprints and climbs, de-germ your bike with wipes, and enjoy a good heart-pumping workout. You’ll probably breathe easier after class – exercise can temporarily relieve nasal congestion. In fact, studies have shown that your cold may not impair your lung function at all. Nausea, aches, and a ‘productive’ cough are all signs that you should take a day or two off to rest and recovery. Try out some restorative yoga poses you can do from the comfort of your bed. Drink plenty of fluids, get lots of sleep, and tell your body that you will be back on the bike in no time.

Best wishes for a healthy and active winter!

Nikki Mueller is a MINT cycling instructor!

December 25th is quickly approaching and while many of us have Christmas festivities on our minds, you may also be anxiously awaiting the start of Chanukah!

Latkes, photo cred: Sarah and Jason, Flickr

Chanukah begins this year on December 24th – so this time of year is certainly one to celebrate, with Christmas and Chanukah both overlapping. As these holidays approach, it is a little easy to become indulgent and neglect some of our healthier and more mindful habits. In order to better prepare for the 8 nights of Chanukah, below is a link to some healthy latke recipes.

Latkes are potato pancakes, traditionally made with shredded potatoes and fried in oil. This link provides some great healthy alternatives to make latkes a little more guilt free with options to substitute potatoes for ingredients such as zucchini, beets or sweet potato just to name a few.

Take a look and enjoy! Happy holidays!

Melanie Rubin is a Physical Therapist in DC and a group fitness instructor at MINT.

A new sweetgreen is coming to town!

The new location will be at 888 17th Street NW… just around the corner from MINT Downtown! And what’s better, is during their soft-opening, MINT members can get FREE salads! RSVP here to redeem your free salad (and bring a friend)! (They will open officially on December 23rd! Stop by, say “hello,” enjoy your free salad and welcome them to the neighborhood!)

Photo credit: Kristina Servant on Flickr

Holidays are approaching, and that means one thing… holiday parties. At first, seeing your loved ones, coworkers, or friends gathered around an endless buffet and bar sounds enticing. But after two months of nonstop celebrations, it may be a frustrating struggle to fit into your favorite jeans. Well, we have a couple solutions for you to avoid packing on those pounds throughout the holidays!

1. Eat Before Going to a Party.

Before you head out, enjoy a healthy snack (or meal) to curb your appetite. Eating a healthy, substantial breakfast in the morning can prevent overeating later on in the day. Right before a party, eat a filling snack with protein and complex carbohydrates, such as peanut butter with whole wheat crackers or hummus and carrots, to hold you over.

2. Everything in Moderation.

It is totally fine to indulge in a piece of pumpkin pie—just not the third or fourth slice. Feel free to enjoy the dessert, but try using a smaller plate. Studies have shown that when smaller plates or bowls are used, a smaller portion is viewed as “more filling.” Choose your indulgences wisely!

3. Keep Up the Exercise.

Even if you do not have time for your normal gym routine, try and fit in exercise wherever you can in your busy day. Shovel snow, clean for houseguests, dash through the stores in search of presents, or even just go for a walk after dinner.

4. Provide a Healthy Dish to the Party.

Photo credit: Amazing Almonds on Flickr

Instead of bringing yet another dessert, offer to bring a healthy dish to the party. There are tons of holiday recipes that are modified to be a bit more health conscious. For example, if your signature dish is “Green Bean Casserole,” slim it down with fresh mushrooms and vegetable broth—instead of the cream of mushroom.

5. Stay Away from the Table.

If engaging in conversation, try to stand more than an arm’s length away from the snacks that may be out before the meal. While chatting, you may not notice yourself even reaching for the nuts or chips on display. Therefore, stay as far away (as possible) to avoid temptation.

6. Colors First!

Fill your plate with vegetables and fruit first before moving onto the creamy mashed potatoes and honey-glazed ham. The fruits and vegetables may fill you up first, and remember—everything else in moderation! These are just a few suggestions to keep you on track throughout the holiday season. It may seem impossible to prevent any weight gain, but all the more reason to stay active at MINT Health Club & Studio! Johanna is a MINT Ambassador. Fitness as well as eating right have always been two major passions of hers — her first degree was even in Nutrition! After finishing up her Master’s this past summer, she now works as a Registered Nurse, but when she’s off, you can find her running or lifting at the gym.