The Health Benefits of Being a Dancer

Since I was 4 years old, I have been a dancer. It is something that I enjoy and take very seriously. I have been trained in ballet, tap, and my favorite styles of dancing, hip hop and jazz. I have always danced because of my passion and love of self expression through the art, but I never thought much about the health benefits. As I sat back and talked to my current, college dance team at Michigan State University, I realized there are many health benefits that comes with the art/sport.

First off, you should know you don’t have to be a trained dancer to get enjoy the benefits of dancing.

1. Dancing can help you lose weight. Dancing requires the movement of your entire body in different ways. By constantly moving around, you are exercising your body and in turn, burning calories.

2. Dancing helps with your balance and posture. Almost every move, especially in ballet, requires good posture and constant movement. There are also stretched that dancers do specifically geared toward improving balance. This in return will help your posture and balance even when you are out of the dance studio. I have many people ask me if I am a dancer because I have great posture.

3. Dancing increases muscular strength. There are various dance moves that works the muscles repeatedly and helps build them.

4. Dancing increases flexibility. There are multiple stretches that dancers do to prepare themselves for shows. These stretches over time can credibly increase flexibility.

5. Dance improves the condition of the heart. Dancing can raise your heart and breathing rates because it is is very active. It increases your heart’s exercising by using burning calories.

6. Dance helps you sleep better. During a vigorous session of dancing, your body is being exercised and getting tired out, in return you will sleep great while your body is resting!

Now that you know some of the benefits of dancing, make sure you go out there and explore dance class options. And if you attend Michigan State University, make sure to check out MSU Urban Dreams Dance Team!

-LisaLenora

Bubble Soccer with Lettuce Live Well in Lansing

If you attended our Bubble Soccer game last Sunday, August 9, then most likely you just experienced the best day of your life!

And if you didn't attend, its probably because you don't know what bubble soccer is. But not to worry, that's what we're here for!

According to bubble-soccer.us, the sport is "very beneficial for health, because heart and lung function greatly increased wear on the action after loading large bubble soccer ball will be awkward, so in order to be sensitive to dodge and shoot the ball to score, these actions will need to spend more than usual energy and endurance"

It is also said that you can burn up to 476 calories per hour, according to coach.ninemsn.com.

You are also well protected within the suit, do no fear of getting hurt. Of course, you cannot at ANY TIME take off your suit while on the field. (But you will look hilarious!)

Our bubble soccer event went great! It was held at Hope Sports Complex, in Lansing. 

We had about 170 people attend, both children and adults. We played soccer 5 vs. 5 and our entire bodies, except for our legs were safely enclosed by a large inflatable ball.

In case you missed out on this event, there is no need to cry. You can go on nationalbubblesoccer.com and find a team in the city nearest to you. Also make sure to check out lettucelivewell.org for more fun, healthy events coming up.

Healthy Uses for Greek Yogurt

We have all been seeing and hearing about the wonders of Greek yogurt on tv and from friends. If you're anything like myself, you want to know what's all the commotion about.

Here are some of the health benefits of Greek yogurt according to usnews.com:

• Helps with the digestive system because of the probiotics it contains.
• Helps control high blood pressure because it is a source of many vitamins believed to help.
• Helps with weight management because it's high in protein and causes you to feel more full.
• Helps with bone health because it provides ton of calcium, protein, magnesium, and potassium.

Once I found out the glorious wonders of Greek yogurt I decided to look into all the ways I can use it. You can easily replace mayo with it as well as use it in these recipes:

Marinade for vegetables, seafood, and meat:

1 ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

1 tablespoon of chili powder

2 tablespoon of garlic powder

2 teaspoons of Ms. Dash Seasoning

2 teaspoons of salt

Ranch dressing:

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt

1 pack of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning

Alfredo sauce:

¾ cup of plain greek yogurt

1 ½ teaspoon of garlic powder

2 tablespoons of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter

½ cup of milk

½ cup of parmesan cheese

Honey fruit yogurt:

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt

½ cup of honey

½ cup of your favorite fruit