BIG Announcement: Coming Fall of 2017 to Takoma….Yoga Heights #2!

Yoga Heights Hero
As Co-Owner of Yoga Heights, I just had to share!! We are so excited for this next big step and can’t wait to bring our community-oriented yoga and fitness classes to a new neighborhood in the District. Stay tuned for photos of the build-out and details on our grand opening slated for this fall.

Yoga Heights Takom

April 27, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yoga Heights, a yoga studio at 3506 Georgia Ave. NW., announced today that they are opening their second location this fall in the Takoma Central Apartment building at 235 Carroll Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.  Yoga Heights is a community oriented studio that offers classes for every body, at every level and every budget.

 

“The love and support of the Yoga Heights community has been overwhelming for the past three years,” said Jess Pierno, owner. “Our students’ enthusiasm for the studio, our teachers, events and community, has made Yoga Heights an incredibly special yoga studio. It was never in the plans to open additional locations, but due to repeated requests to offer more classes, community events and YHDC good vibes, we were inspired to expand our studio!”

 

Yoga Heights will continue to offer all levels vinyasa and power yoga, beginners classes, Rocket yoga, restorative and Yin yoga, prenatal yoga, bootcamps, Pilates, yoga teacher training and community events at both locations.  

 

Yoga Heights Takoma is just steps from the Takoma metro station on the red line and is on bus lines 52, 53, 54, 62, 63, F1, F2 and K2.

Yoga Heights Half Moon

To ensure that their classes work with all budgets, Yoga Heights offers half price “happy hour” classes five days per week, work-study in trade for classes, as well as “Karma Passes” which allows students to pay just $8 per class up to four times per month.Through these programs, Yoga Heights has helped more than 4,000 people afford yoga classes in the three years they have been open.  

 

“We look forward to continuing to be an affordable and community oriented yoga studio for people who are brand new to yoga, as well as regularly practicing yogis,” Pierno continued.

 

More information on class offerings, pricing and events is available at www.YogaHeightsDC.com.

 

Studio owners Jess Pierno and Amy Rizzotto, and their talented team of instructors remain steadfastly committed to working with Yoga Heights’ students to ensure that health and wellness are accessible to all.

 

Yoga Heights is currently offering pre-opening sales on unlimited memberships through its website at www.YogaHeightsDC.com. Visit www.YogaHeightsDC.com to sign up and save today!

 

For questions or comments please contact:
Amy Rizzotto, Yoga Heights
write: [email protected]

 

Washington, DC Trends in Food & Drink

The fabulous folks over at Eventbrite recently conducted a study on the top food and drink trends across the US, and Washington, DC was included in their “Top 10 Fastest-Growing Food & Drink Cities” (see graphic below). Of course we were! Eventbrite is running a Trends in Food & Drink project and I decided to join. Eventbrite is a great way to find events in your areas like my summer series of Detox to Retox: Yoga + Beer Tasting happy hours at Hellbender Brewing Company.

While I’m a little surprised that DC came in 7th behind some places which shall remain nameless that I don’t particularly associate with killer food – and believe me, I did the research with all the travel my last job entailed – I’m going to be the glass half full kind of gal here. The DC food scene is upping it’s game every single day. Having lived in San Francisco, a locavore and foodie’s Candyland, I’d venture to say DC is starting to rival culinary gems like Chicago, New York and even SF. I know some of you may balk at the idea that DC can give those cities a run for their money, but we’ve come a long way since I first  moved here 10 years ago.

GrowthbyCity-1

Of the observations noted in this study, the three food and drink trends I find most prevalent in the DMV, inspiring, and worth blabbing to you about are: Communal Dining, Local or Organic, and Spirits and Mixology.

Communal Dining

DC has some of the best communal table restaurants around. I loved this style, or “trend” of dining experience before I even knew what it was. You never know who you’re going to rub elbows with or what kind of shared conversation just might spark. One of the classics, in my opinion, is Le Pain Quotidien. LPQ has been a Georgetown staple for fresh and tasty food without a lot of pomp and circumstance for ages. They have one of the best bagel and lox plates I’ve ever savored – hello behemoth capers – and rich, dark French-roast coffee to boot. Others I’ve enjoyed include Zaytinya, Masa 14, and Founding Farmers. For a more extensive list of where to go to see what eating with others is really all about, check out Jenny Mayo’s article from the Washington Post Express.

Local or Organic

Want to know what’s on the top of my locavore bucket list for the summer? Arcadia’s 2015 Summer Solstice Farm Dinner. Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, located just outside the city in Alexandria, is “dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system and culture in the Washington, DC area and a collaborative space for the many local efforts and initiatives around better food.” They’ve got something real good going and there are countless ways to get involved if you’re looking to get your hands dirty this summer. Sadly I’ll be missing out on their solstice dinner and instead will be eating local Vermont fare at a foodie friend’s wedding that weekend. I wouldn’t miss it otherwise! It’s well worth the big ticket price for an incredible farm-to-table meal in support of this worthwhile endeavor.

Spirits and Mixology

DC’s bar and brewery scene is growing rapidly. From Mockingbird Hill, a Sherry and ham bar in DC’s Shaw neighborhood, to DC Brau, a local craft brewery distilling world-class beer right here in the District, we’ve got something for everyone. Heck, my Detox to Retox event series proves in many ways that District residents are finding creative ways to breathe new life into their joint passion for tasty libations and supporting local businesses. You see, that what it’s all about – community. The DC food and drink scene goes well beyond innovative concepts and delicious end products, it’s bringing together people from all walks in search of something they can share in this otherwise transient and uptight city.

What’d they miss?

There’s only one thing I think Eventbrite missed while evaluating these trends – all the amazing food you can eat at and take home to cook from our amazing DMV Farmer’s Markets. Mount Pleasant’s Saturday market has steamed pork buns that sell out halfway through its open hours and the Columbia Heights’ market has some of the tastiest local goat cheese and grass-fed meats I’ve ever put in my body. The markets are many and, thank goodness, they’re everywhere! Check out my Guide to Spring Seasonal Eating in the DMV for a complete list of where to go in your neck of the woods.

Recent Events: Fueling Amazing with Athleta and Nutrition for Athletes with Off Road Cycling

The first official weekend of summer was jam-packed with fun. Not only was I at the studio (Yoga Heights) more than usual with my business partner getting some well-deserved R&R, but I had one MOARfit event each day to make it extra special.

First up – Fueling Amazing with Athleta Georgetown:

I had such an awesome group of yogis Saturday, June 21 for the Athleta Summer Solstice celebration down on The Labyrinth at Georgetown Waterfront Park.

Amy Rizzotto MOARfit Athleta 2

More than 25 people braved the temperamental weather and didn’t let a few rain drops during our sun salutations dampen the fun. Amy Rizzotto MOARfit Athleta

A great big THANK YOU to everyone that came out for the event and to Athleta for including me as their teacher for this powerful group!
Amy Rizzotto MOARfit Athleta 3

Stay in the know on future FREE Athleta Georgetown events by following them on Twitter @Athleta_DC. And while you’re at it, follow me @MOARfit! #fuelingamazing

To cap off the weekend – Nutrition for Athletes at Off Road:

Nutrition for Athletes MOARfit Amy Rizzotto

A fit-fabulous group of 15 runners (and some cyclists) came out to Off Road Indoor Cycling Sunday, June 22 for my Nutrition for Athletes Workshop. We covered pre-, during and post-race nutrition, all the while sampling delicious granola from my girl Alicia at Greenheart Wellness and smoothies concocted by yours truly.

Greenheart Wellness

Keep checking the blog for a little fit-focused nutrition knowledge coming your way in July!

Announcement: I’m opening a yoga studio!

Yoga Heights_Jess and Amy

Yoga Heights–aka my amazing business partner and friend Jess Pierno’s and my baby–will be the District’s newest yoga studio and wellness center. Our goal is to offer balanced wellness for every body, at every level and every budget.

We open our doors in less than two months (March 22, 2014) at 3506 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. YHDC (hastag that!) will offer a variety of different yoga classes–including power yoga, fusion yoga, prenatal yoga, and yin yoga–as well as yogalates, pilates, meditation, nutrition education and more. Jess and I are so excited to bring moar yoga to our new neighbors in the Columbia Heights, Petworth, Parkview and surrounding neighborhoods.

To ensure that wellness classes are affordable to everyone, YHDC will offer a unique “Karma Pass” that will subsidize the cost of classes for students who are unable to afford regularly priced offerings. Students may apply for the “Karma Pass Program” and receive up to three classes per week at a steeply discounted rate. Funds raised through a weekly donation class, as well as donations from other students who wish to support the Karma Pass Program will be matched by Yoga Heights to fund the program.

Stay in the know on opening events, pre-sales and special deals by visiting our new website–www.YogaHeightsDC.com.

Thanks for all the love and support!

White Asparagus & Shiitake Mushroom Salad w/ Balsamic Reduction

In need of an idea for a quick summer salad that tastes delicious? I was too. Salad’s can get boring, especially for those of us that eat them on the regular. It’s important to change up the ingredients to keep your interest (and this healthy habit) alive and well.

On my first trip ever to the AdMo Harris Teeter, I was inspired at the sight of white asparagus. The pale sister of glowing green asparagus, white asparagus is rare to find fresh in the US. Luckily, I caught the tail-end of prime asparagus season and seized the opportunity to snag this porcelain beauty.

photo (2)

This spring treat boasts a pretty impressive nutritional profile. Not only does Asparagus provide a natural liver detox, it is fortified with folate and vitamins E, A, and C to help protect you against heart disease. Folate, or B9, has also been linked to cellular regeneration (aka healing power). Vitamin E is shown to help fight Type II diabetes, and vitamins A and C will steel you against certain types of cancer and cataracts. Asparagus also contains potassium (as does its green cousin the avocado), which helps lower blood pressure and may reduce LDL cholesterol (that’s the bad kind).

Having selected my star ingredient, I decided to pick up some yummy shiitake mushrooms and arugula to round out the salad. For dressing, I decided to go sweet and simple with a balsamic reduction. The mild white asparagus paired nicely with the earthiness of the mushrooms, bitter bite of arugula, and sweet finish of balsamic.

Give this easy recipe a whirl for yourself, and if you aren’t lactose-intolerant or vegan, a hit of pecorino romano shavings would be delicioso!

Warm White Asparagus & Shiitake Mushroom Salad:

(Serves 4)

What You’ll Need:

  • 3 tbs olive oil
  • 1 bunch white asparagus (substitute green if unavailable)
  • 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, sliced thin
  • 5 oz arugula (or 1 bag/box)
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 cup good balsamic vinegar (for the reduction)

How to Make the Salad:

  1. Thoroughly wash your mushrooms, asparagus and arugula (unless pre-washed).
  2. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tbs olive oil over medium heat. Add your asparagus, spreading it into a single layer, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 min or until al dente (you can get a fork in but the spear doesn’t slip right off). Remove from heat and slice into 2 inch pieces.
  3. Simultaneously with step 2,  heat another large saucepan with  2 tbs olive oil over medium heat. Add your mushrooms and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until mushrooms begin to brown, or about 5 min. Remove from heat but leave the pan on your stove. Add your arugula to the same pan and give it a quick warm up for 1-2 min.
  4. Plate immediately, starting with the warm arugula as your base and equally dividing the asparagus and shiitake between four plates.
  5. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction (recipe below) and enjoy!

How to Make the Balsamic Reduction:

  1. Pour your balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil.
  2. Turn down the heat so that the boil reduces to a simmer.
  3. Stir occasionally and allow to simmer until the vinegar has reduced by at least half – though I liked to let it go longer for a thicker consistency.
  4. Allow to cool then drizzle over your plated salads to finish.