ZUMBA FITNESS PARTY

As a ballroom and latin dance enthusiast, I have attended Zumba classes all over Houston.   Zumba is a fusion of Latin and International music with a fun and effective workout system.  It's an exhilarating, effective, easy to follow, calorie-burning workout!  It's so much fun it's not exercise!

To save money on gym membership and Zumba classes, I have decided to become certified to teach Zumba fitness.  Effective April 13, 2012, I will be teaching the following types of Zumba classes at various fitness facilities in Houston, so stay tuned for dates and times.

AQUA ZUMBA

Known as the Zumba "pool party, " the Aqua Zumba program gives new meaning to the idea of an invigorating workout.  Splashing, stretching, twisting, even shouting, laughing, hooting and hollering are often heard during an Aqua Zumba class.  Integrating the Zumba formula and philosophy with traditional aqua fitness disciplines, the Aqua Zumba class blends it all together into a safe, challenging, water-based workout that's cardio-conditioning, body-toning, and most of all, exhilarating beyond belief.

ZUMBA GOLD

Zumba Gold targets the largest growing segment of the population: the older adult.  It takes the Zumba formula and modifies the moves and pacing to suit the needs of the active older participant, as well as the deconditioned participant.  What stays the same are all the elements the Zumba Fitness-Party is known for: the party-like atmospher, the zesty Latin music and the sheer vibrance of each class.  And that's exactly what active older adults want.  They want camaraderie, excitement and fitness as a regular part of their weekly schedule.  On the go and ready for adventure, this new wave of retiring baby boomers account for 28 percent of the population and 40 percent of total consumer demand - spending two trillion dollars in goods and services every year.  With Americans over the age of 65 expected to double to an astounding 70 million by the year 2040, one in four Americans will be an older adult.

Research from the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity shows that dancing for the senior population "... can improve aerobic power, lower-body muscular endurance, strength, flexibility, balance, agility and gait speed for older males and females."  This means, for active older adults, Zumba Gold is the perfect fit.  It's a dance-fitness class that feels friendly and, most of all, FUN!

PHOTOGRAPHY

I began writing this Blog to express my passion for food and travel.  I noticed, however, that it is gradually morphing into something other than what it was originally intended for.  But that's ok; after all, the bottom line is: this Blog is an expression of all things I truly enjoy, and I do have varied interests.

One of my hobbies is photography.  I appreciate a good work of art... and if it evokes my emotion, then the photographer has done his/her job!

As a celebration that is central to most cultures, a wedding is full of rites, customs, costumes, and festivities.  Therefore, it is an absolute must that they are  captured by a skilled photographer.

One of the services we provide here is excellent and inexpensive photography.  Since this is merely a hobby, we charge a minuscule amount that's truly unheard of! So don't spend thousands of dollars for your wedding photos and we'll take care of this for you.  Just enjoy a milestone.

If you have an event and need a photographer, please do not hesitate to let us know.  Please e-mail the writer and have fun at your wedding!  Here are a few samples of our photography. 

KICK UP YOUR HEELS!

Dancing can be magical and transforming.  It can breathe new life into a tired soul; make a spirit soar; unleash locked-away creativity; inspire new romances or rekindled old ones; trigger long forgotten memories; and turn sadness into joy, if only during the dance.


On a more physical level, dancing can give you a great mind-body workout.  Researches are learning that regular physical activity in general can keep your body, including your brain healthy as you age.  Exercise increases the level of brain chemicals that encourage nerve cells to grow, and dancing that requires you to remember dance steps and sequences boosts brain power by improving memory skills.


Benefits Abound

• strengthen bones and muscles without hurting your joints
• tone your entire body
• improve your posture and balance, which can prevent falls
• increase your stamina and flexibility
• reduce stress and tension
• build confidence
• provide opportunities to meet people; and
• ward off illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression.

So if you're tired of the treadmill and looking for a fun way to stay fit and healthy, it might be time to kick up your heels!

Learn to dance Salsa, Cha-cha, Bachata, Swing, Merengue, Jive, Jitterbug, Tango, Hustle, Foxtrot and Waltz while having the time of your life!  For social and competition, all ages and levels welcome.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

with son, Lester, near the
Buckingham Palace

Double-Decker

Not the Hunger Games, mind you, but the Games of the XXX Olympiad, that is! Scheduled to take place in London, England, UK from 27 July to 12 August 2012, what better timing than now to write about London, undoubtedly the most popular city in the world this summer.
No trip to London is ever complete without seeing the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, our first stop.  Buckingham Palace was built in 1702 by the Duke of Buckingham as his London home.  Buckingham Palace serves as both the office and London residence of Her Majesty The Queen, as well as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Household.  It is one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.

Big Ben

Next stop was the EDF Energy London Eye.  High atop London Eye, we saw breathtaking views of London from high above the River Thames, Big Ben towering above the Houses of Parliament and St. James Park as it swept down to Buckingham Palace.  A standard ticket experience on the London Eye lasts for about 30 minutes, the time it takes for the London Eye to revolve completely.  

An exhibit at the
British Museum

River Thames

Son, Lloyd at
the British Museum

The River Thames is famous throughout the world for its history, its culture and its amazing variety of wildlife, archaeology and scenery.  As a culture buff, I wouldn't dare leave London without first checking out The British Museum, considered to be one of the world's greatest museums of human history and culture.  Its permanent collection, numbering some eight million works, is amongst the finest, most comprehensive, and largest in existence and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present.

London Eye

The London Underground, colloquially called the Tube, is a rapid transit system in the UK, serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.  Here is where I've seen the most beautiful, exotic-looking people in the world, such an eclectic blend of Anglo, African, Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern races.

A stop at a London Pub

If you were to ask me to go to London again, I'd say "yes" in a New York minute!

We had lunch at a Filipino restaurant

A view of the London Eye, Big Ben and
River Thames
at night

Photos by Lester Del Valle.

MOTHER FLEA

Lester took this pic of Candy, his wife,
at a Cambridge alley.

My son, Lloyd and I visited my oldest son, Lester, while he was stationed in the UK in September of 2009.  Lester took us to Cambridge, home to the University of Cambridge and its 31 Colleges.  It's a wonderful and intriguing place, a destination to discover, and it boasts spectacular architecture in the shape of colleges, chapels, churches and courtyards combined with green parks, wide open spaces and the River Cam, which winds through its heart.

We rode on this bus to and from
Cambridge

The highlight of our visit to Cambridge is its flea market, the mother of all flea markets in my humble opinion.  Home to countless stalls from Monday to Saturday, selling fruits and veggies - much of which is organic, fresh produce, books, clothes, fresh fish, flowers and general bric-a-brac.  Crowds can often be found gathered around the stalls, particularly during the weekend. Close to the Holy Trinity Church, on Sunday the square hosts a large arts and crafts fair, including a number of antique stalls. Open: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00; Sunday - 10:30 to 16:00.

Lester loves their freshly-squeezed OJ

Traders have been selling their wares here for many centuries, from the Middle Ages onwards. Located on the western side of the city and next to the main University of Cambridge campus, Market Square is easy to find and stands alongside the City Council and the Arts Theatre, being close to the Corn Exchange. 

Lloyd and I love these freshly-
baked breads

Sited only a short stroll to the north is the ever-popular All Saints Gardens Market on St. John's Street, which is to be found close to the Round Church Visitor Centre and the All Saints Passage. Nearby attractions include the ADC Theatre and various eateries, such as Pizza Express. If you are driving here and looking for somewhere to leave your car, then you may like to make use of the Park Street Car Park, just around the corner from Round Church Street.    


The famous Cambridge Beer Festival in May is now firmly on the calendar for lovers of real ale, with cheddar cheese, pickles and other traditional British edible goodies to try.     


Gourmet Europe comes to town in the summer with the busy and bustling French and European Markets on Parkers Piece.  Parkers Piece is the city's bohemian area.  Grab yourself a satisfying bratwurst sausage, a delicious authentic crepe or some delectable Belgian chocolates!

Nowhere else can you see a sign like
this than in Cambridge!

Now that the 2012 Summer Olympics is fast approaching, I dream about being in the UK -- London, Nottinghill and yes -- Cambridge!

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