LIVING OUR CAUSE A newsletter for our West Side Y community
YMCA OF GREATER NEW YORK 5 West 63rd Street, New York, NY 10023 NOVEMBER 2013 212-912-2600 | www.ymcanyc.org/westside
tinyurl.com/WSYFacebook
@WestSideYNYC
CONGRATULATIONS JEFFREY! WEST SIDE YMCA EMPLOYEE, JEFFREY DE LA CRUZ FINISHES HIS FIRST ING NYC MARATHON IN 4 HOURS, 6 MINUTES AND 44 SECONDS This father of two and West Side YMCA employee for over a decade is an inspiration for any aspiring marathoner. Jeffrey De La Cruz explains that he never thought he would even be a runner, “I would always see people running in Central Park and think that these people are crazy. Now, I am one of those crazy people.” His story began at the West Side Y’s Personal Fitness Program 3 ½ years ago. “Erica Lyon, the coordinator for the program, motivated me to join and kept me going,” said De La Cruz. Shortly after that, one of the Personal Trainers, Frank Hernandez, took De La Cruz for a three mile run in Central Park and he hasn't stopped running ever since. Besides the WSY Staff, De La Cruz also found help through WSY members, James Balcom and Gerald Chanorin. They gave him the schedule of when to run and when to eat among other things. They were a vital part of his training but more importantly, remain a motivation for him in the future. “My goal is to run right alongside them one day,” shared De La Cruz. De La Cruz trained for the marathon for over four months leading up to the 26 mile trek but he says you have to keep consistent all the time. De La Cruz added, “You really have to love doing it. Not to lose weight, but just to feel good. Once you do it for that reason, it is much easier.” With his body not yet recovered from the ING NYC Marathon, De La Cruz is already getting mentally prepared for the upcoming half marathon on December 8th. His advice to anyone that wants to start running is to put the necessary time into it. “Anyone can do it – it’s 90% mental and only 10% physical. If you just start, you might just finish,” encouraged De La Cruz.
The West Side Y offers a free Personal Training Program to all of its members. For more information about our Y Personal Fitness Program, please email Erica Lyon at elyon@ymcanyc.org. For more information about Personal Training at the West Side Y, please email Jasmin Cardona at jcardona@ymcanyc.org.
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BEV’S HEALTH CORNER
FOR KIDS AND FAMILY
The Autumn canvass showcases jeweled painted leaves gently tossed about by a crisp clean breeze while making their transition. Seasonal shifts can be metaphors for change with new beginnings and bold decisions. Why not begin this year with a commitment to make healthier food and lifestyle choices. After all, the supermarket produce section is now staged with an abundance of colorful, antioxidant-rich plant foods. There you’ll find a plethora of healing Power Foods like cauliflower, brussels sprouts and broccoli with cancer fighting, anti-inflammatory properties. These cruciferous detoxifiers are powerful immune boosters and nature’s pharmacy on your plate.
Make your family stronger with our new parenting workshops or just have fun with your little ones at one of our amazing early childhood programs.
Be adventurous, try new whole foods while minimizing process foods, add healing herbs and spices to recipes and take daily brisk walks. These are sustainable habits within your grasp that can promote long-lasting preventive and healthy recovery strategies. Change your lifestyle change your life, start by moving plant foods from the sidelines to center stage. Pump up the vegetables and stack optimal health odds in your favor. Give this delectable recipe a try, it combines a wealth of phytochemical compounds that help reduce risks of all types of cancer. NOVEMBER RECIPE Lightly coat cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, garlic, and heirloom tomatoes (when available) with a citrus sea salt and turmeric. Roast at 350 degrees, until charred, bringing the natural sweetness forward. Serve on a bed of watercress Add a drizzle of olive oil, zest and juice of a lemon. Here’s to your Health!
SOMETHING FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
FREE PARENTING WORKSHOPS DATE: November 22 TIME: 6 PM FEE: FREE RSVP to grochford@ymcanyc.org FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: Monsters University DATE: November 22nd TIME: 5:30 PM FEE: FREE For more information about these events, please email Grace Rochford at grochford@ymcanyc.org. For more youth and family programming, please visit our website at ymcanyc.org/westside!
Beverly Hemmings Culinary Wellness Educator
JOIN BEVERLY HEMMINGS’S AGING TASTEFULLY COOKING CLASS FREE OLDER ADULT PROGRAMMING WITH A FOCUS ON HEALTHY NUTRITION
Learn how to prepare and taste nutrient-rich, delectable, eye appealing recipes. Learn tips and techniques that promote optimal health and bring comfort to the soul. DATES: TIME: LOCATION: FEE:
SOUPS AND STEWS | November 25, December 2 & 16 11 AM – 12:30 PM 2nd Floor Activity Room FREE
You must RSVP for these events as space is limited. Please RSVP on the Fridays before the event to Grace Rochford at grochford@ymcanyc.org.
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#GIVINGTUESDAY™ AT THE WEST SIDE Y
HOW MUCH GOOD CAN YOU DO IN 3 HOURS? Join us for West Side Y’s biggest give back fair yet, as part of #GivingTuesday™* The projects at our fair include creating toiletry kits for the homeless, super hero capes for ill children, bagged lunches for NY Common Pantry, holiday cards for the Jewish Home Lifecare, animal beds for Animal Haven, and reusable shopping bags to help the environment. People can pick one cause to support or are free to participate in multiple projects! Part of the fun is being able to track how many lives will be improved by the three hours of service you put in! #youmakeanimpact DATE: TIME: LOCATION: FEES:
December 3, 2013 5 - 8 PM West Side YMCA Gymnasium $20 per individual $30 per family - 1 adult & 2 kids
WEST SIDE LIVE
FREE MUSIC IN THE WEST SIDE Y LOUNGE Join us this Fall for West Side Live as we continue our music series in the renovated West Side Y Lounge. For more information please visit the lounge website at: www.ymcanyc.org/westside/ pages/WSYLounge BIANCA ESPINAL November 13 | 8 - 9 PM THE JAZZ FOUNDATION LIVE: JAZZ SERIES November 20 | 7 - 8 PM December 11 | 7 - 8 PM
(fees cover the supplies for event)
To buy ticket please visit: tinyurl.com/WSYGivingTuesday
*
#GivingTuesday™ is a campaign to create a national day of giving during the annual holiday season.
KickstART Saturdays KEEP WINTER WEEKENDS INTERESTING WITH SOME FUN FAMILY ART CLASSES Recommended for ages 6+
DANCING IN WONDERLAND | Dance Workshop WINTER ORNAMENTS | Visual Arts Workshop
November 16 @ 10:30 - 11:30 AM December 7 @ 10:30 - 11:30 AM
FEES: FREE for Members
$10 for Non-Members (unless noted otherwise) Pre-registration is encouraged to secure your spot. Space is limited. Contact Danabelle Denis at ddenis@ymcanyc.org or 212-912-2635 to RSVP, or register online at tinyurl.com/YKickstART.
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d.i.Y. SERIES
THIS MONTH JOIN THE d.i.Y. SERIES AND LEARN HOW TO MAKE A HULA HOOP OR A WINTER SHAWLETTE! Learn a new skill, rekindle a passion, or just spend an evening having some fun. For more information, contact Grace Rochford at grochford@ymcanyc.org. You can also give us a shout at 212-912-2623. To register and check out more upcoming classes this season visit diyseries.org! CLASSES: MAKE YOUR OWN HULA HOOPS AND DANCE HOOP LESSON Thursday, November 14, 7:00-9:00, $30 per person VEGAN GLUTEN FREE KITCHEN Thursday, November 21, 7:00-9:00, $25 per person KNIT A WINTER SHAWLETTE Monday, November 25, 7:00-9:00 PM, $30 per person LOCATION: 2nd Floor Activity Room
Performed by the West Side YMCA KIDS COMPANY at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater
Wednesday - Saturday | November 20 - 23 • 7pm Saturday & Sunday Matinees | November 23 & 24 • 2pm Tickets on sale at www.theatermania.com For more info call: 212-365-2635
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