How long does it really take to create the ultimate lifestyle fitness and weight management website?

We don't have an exact figure just yet, but it's been at least three years of dreaming, planning, and dedicated hard work - with the tireless support and encouragement of Don's students and friends.

The design phase of Body Quest Advantage is almost complete. Soon, we will send it off to be coded. We will then add the final touches, and hope to be up and running in June.

Stay tuned for announcements and tons of excitement as this long-held dream becomes a reality!

Many of our students own fitness balls but don't always know how to use them. Here's an easy and effective way to do crunches:

• Lie with your mid-back on the ball. Keep your head and neck off the ball and your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands at the side of your head.
• Lift your head and shoulders up and away from the ball, contracting your abdominals. Roll your upper body back over the ball, returning to the starting position.

Some things to keep in mind as you perform this exercise:

• Make an effort to control the movement through your midsection, and avoid jerky movements.
• Don't use your hands to pull up your head and neck.
• Raise only your head and shoulders, not your whole back.
• Do not continue this exercise if it causes neck, shoulder, or low back pain.

We are so excited to bring you a "double feature" in this newsletter - a book and recipe recommendation!

Among our diverse group of talented students, we are lucky to have Jessica Visinsky, cookbook author extraordinaire. In Tasteful Tours: Colorado, Jessica shares her love of food, Colorado, and Colorado food. Tasteful Tours takes its readers on a culinary road trip through our beautiful state, highlighting the festivals, tours and farmers' markets that make Colorado a delicious place to be. Please learn more about Jessica's book here. We also have copies available at Big Toe Studio.

As the weather turns warmer, many of us want to eat something a little lighter than our crockpot chilis and hearty stews. Jessica's tasty salad recipe features a dressing made with Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea; as many of you know, Celestial Seasonings is based in nearby Boulder.

Mixed Green Salad with Red Onion, Mandarin Oranges and Toasted Walnuts topped with Lemon Zinger Vinaigrette

A light and citrusy tea adds a zing to this easy to make salad. Don't be surprised when your dressing turns out pink. Lemon Zinger has a nice red hue rather than the expected yellow tint.

Salad Ingredients:

• 4 cups baby spinach, washed and trimmed
• 4 cups Romaine lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup canned Mandarin orange segments, drained
• � cup walnut pieces, toasted

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 Lemon Zinger tea bags
• � cup boiling water
• � cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons white or cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon style mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• � teaspoon salt

Method:

• Combine spinach and other salad ingredients in a large bowl
• Place tea bag in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow to steep for 3 minutes. Remove tea bag and allow mixture to cool slightly.
• Combine lemon tea concentrate, oil, and the next four ingredients (vinegar through salt) in a cruet or pint size container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Shake dressing well to incorporate all ingredients and add to salad. Toss well to coat and serve immediately.

Yield: 8 1-cup servings

Please join us at the 2011 Respite Care Perennial Breakfast on Wednesday, April 27^th at the Hilton Fort Collins. Coffee and networking will begin at 7am, followed by breakfast and a presentation from 7:30-8:30 am.

The Perennial Breakfast is a great way to learn more about Respite Care. Attendees will hear from parents and volunteers and will also have the opportunity to support this amazing program as donors.

Many of our students will be at the breakfast; please let Don or Eileen know if you would like to join Big Toe Studio at one of our tables. The event is free and open to the public; however, reservations are required.  If you attend, you will have a fun morning with terrific people. More importantly, you will be supporting one of Northern Colorado's greatest treasures.  

Learn more about Respite Care at their website.