Zumba® is for anyone and everyone!!! Please check out my promo video.

UPDATED GROUP FITNESS CLASS SCHEDULE 2013

MONDAY: 8:30/9:00 am - Curves Circuit with Zumba® at Curves on Northside
4:30/5:00 pm - Curves Circuit with Zumba® at Curves on Northside
6:00 pm - Zumba® at Moody AFB Fitness Center Annex

TUESDAY: 6:00 am - Boot Camp at Anytime Fitness
4:15 pm - Zumbatomic® at Brooks County High School
6:00 pm - Zumba® at Valdosta Parks and Rec

WEDNESDAY: 8:30/9:00 am - Curves Circuit with Zumba® at Curves on Northside
12:00 pm - Zumba® at Moody AFB Fitness Center Annex
5:30 pm - Zumba® Toning at Anytime Fitness

THURSDAY: 6:00 am - Boot Camp at Anytime Fitness
8:30 am - HOT HULA fitness® at Valdosta Nutrition
9:30 am - Yoga at Valdosta Nutrition
6:00 pm - Zumba® at Valdosta Parks and Rec

FRIDAY: 12:00 pm - HOT HULA fitness® at Moody AFB Fitness Center Annex

Caribbean Inspired Chicken

I have been having a taste for Caribbean food all week long. I used to live in Atlanta in a predominantly Jamaican neighborhood, and what I miss most about it is the food. I used to eat Curried Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Stewed Chicken, and all kinds of other dishes cooked by people native to the Caribbean on a weekly basis. I decided that I would make my own creation, and keep it as healthy as possible.

I baked boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the oven at about 350 degrees while I prepared the other ingredients. I peeled and cut up two limes and threw them in the food processor with a bit of habanero pepper sauce, Caribbean jerk seasoning, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and curry powder. I pulled the chicken breasts out of the oven after about 20 minutes, and dumped the seasoning mixture on top of them. I let them cook for about another 25 minutes until they were done. The length of time it takes to cook chicken breasts depends on their thickness.

While they were baking, I got out a skillet and turned the heat up to medium high. I cut up and peeled a few plantains and coated the bottom of the pan with extra virgin olive oil. I added the plantains and let them cook.

I cut up a mango, an avocado, and some cilantro. I had some pre-cut broccoli slaw and some prepared pico de gallo in the fridge. I tossed it all together for a side dish.

I flipped the plantains over and let them simmer until they were golden brown. When the chicken was done, I removed it from the oven, and made my plate. Now I wish I had taken some more pictures of it, but I was ready to dig in! Yum!

The only thing I would have done differently was purchasing my produce from the farmer's market instead of a grocery store. I could really tell the difference. The mango and the avocado were not nearly as good, and they had a strange, chemical taste to them. I definitely will not be buying Walmart produce again.

I love listening to music while I'm cooking. I was in such a Caribbean mood this evening, that I downloaded an entire album to motivate me during my kitchen exploration. I chose Reggae Gold 2012. I have bought several Reggae Gold albums in the past, and they're always fantastic. My Zumba® students may be getting some extra island flavor in the coming weeks!

Zumba® Website Makeover

My Zumba® website has just had a major overhaul. Take a moment and check out the new features like more photos, my promotional video, and brightly colored text to match my mood! Here's the link: http://jessicaavera.zumba.com/

Playlist!

Here is a list of songs I am currently using in my Zumba® classes:

Let's Go - Calvin Harris ft Ne-Yo
Goin' In - Jennifer Lopez ft Flo Rida
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
Mr. Saxo Beat - Alexandra Stan
No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti - Ilegales
La Batidora - Zumba® Fitness Original Music
La Vida Es Un Carnaval - Celia Cruz
En Sus Marcas Listos Fuera! - Daddy Yankee
Insomnio - Kumbia Kings
Chori Chori - Aneela ft Arash
Danza Kuduro - Don omar ft Lucenzo
Mueve la Colita - Soca Boys
Mi Nena - Don Omar ft Zion y Lennox
We Want the Funk - Gerardo
Somebody that I Used to Know - Gotye
Dirty Harry (Schtung Chinese New Year Remix) - Gorillaz
Hay Que Empezar Otra Vez - Celia Cruz
Mueve La Booty - Oro Solido
I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston
Mi Corazon Esta Muerto - Rakim y Ken Y
Open Road (I Love Her) Chris Brown

Vacation!

I am leaving tomorrow morning for my summer vacation. I'm taking a week for myself to rest and recover, and then I'll spend four days at the annual Zumba® instructor convention.

All Zumba® classes at Moody AFB, Valdosta Parks and Recreation, and Curves will be canceled. All HOT HULA fitness® classes at Valdosta Nutrition and Moody AFB will be canceled.

Erica Strayhorn will be subbing my Zumba® class at Anytime at 5:30 pm on August 1 and 8, and she will also be subbing my 6 am boot camp classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays until I return. Although most of the classes I teach are canceled, I encourage you guys to take instructors' classes in other locations.

Erica also teaches a 5:15 pm Zumba® class on Mondays, and a 10 am one on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Nicole Wright teaches at the YMCA in Lake Park Fridays at 5:30 pm. The Hahira Fitness studio offers Zumba® classes Monday through Friday as well. Please check out their Facebook page for more information.

I will get back to my regular schedule on August 13. Stay active, eat healthy, and I will see you all soon!

Promotional Video

I am super excited to bring you my Zumba® promotional video! Please feel free to show the video to your friends and family and anyone you think may be interested in taking a Zumba® class.