The Lost Art of Customer Service-found!

Today I experienced a high level of customer service in an unexpected place; Gamestop.  My son was there to exchange a Nintendo DS for the latest, greatest PSP.  Long story short, this young gal Kitty gave me the cliff notes education on game systems and discouraged him from switching.  Being the wise 8 year old he is, he took her (& my) advice and purchased new games for his DS instead.  Because of her honesty, service, & knowledge, I will certainly return and look for her assistance in the future.  The store could be a dump, the selection minimal, the prices too high, but because of this one salesgirl - Gamestop now has a loyal customer.  

Last week I experienced something similar.  I went to buy donuts for my son's birthday.  Super donuts #4 only takes cash & all I had was $7.  The price was $15.  I was expecting a trip to the ATM but instead she said, "bring it next time" and handed me the donuts.  Now, I try not to hit the donut store often, but now you know in my effort to support her business (ha ha) I will stop by more often! ;)

The moral of my blog is this: What a difference authentic customer service makes!  I regularly take the time to write reviews on yelp.com for places that are worthy.  Usually service alone is all the difference it takes to earn my 5 stars.  Of course quality work and a pleasant & professional personality are part of that.  I'd love to hear your favorite places to eat, shop, get your car fixed, painters, etc. and why you give them your hard earned $ for their goods/services. (Especially if you are in N. S.D. county so I can give them my business too & spread the word!)  

Why the Y?

Last week I took my usual spot somewhere in the middle of Studio 1 for yet another step interval class.  No need for the headset or wondering how I'd pull of the combos, as I was simply enjoying following Allison's lead. I surveyed the room, full of sweaty, gals and a guy (our token male participant and friend Glenn), all there with the same goal in mind. We want to be fit; stronger, better able to defy the aging process we gratefully embrace. After all, it beats the alternative!   I often think sadly of the countless individuals who are too ill or injured to get out of bed, or whose health or lifestyle prevents them from this experience.   It is one of the joys in my life. Listening to fun music (usually!), surrounded by friends, exercising, & enjoying the good health I am blessed with to it's fullest.

On that day, of the 25 or so gathered, there was only one whose name I did not know.  In the four years of coming to the Y I have delighted in meeting friends from 20's-70's, the unemployed to business owners, married with kids or not, democrat & republican, all sizes, religions, & ethnicities.  At home my friends are very homogenous; 40's with school-aged kids, similar incomes, jobs, etc.  I enjoy the diversity of the Y population, as I believe we can learn so much from others who are different.  Based on Judeo-Christian values; respect, caring, honesty and responsibility, the Y is a wonderful melting pot of our community as I believe God intended us all to live each day. I also love the Y motto of, "We build strong kids, families, & communities".  As our crumbling economy & these uncertain times have shown us; our faith, friends, & family are all that really matter and all we can count on.

Earlier I mentioned the fitness classes I love, however the Y is so much more than that. For less than the cost of a tall latte each day, your family can belong to the Y.  Music lessons, access to an amazing aquatic facility, discounts on kids programs, belly dance, african dance, sign with your baby, stroller jam (yes, exercising with your baby in a stroller!), yoga, pilates, tai chi, and sooooo much more. Show me another "fitness club" that can compare for the same value! (Just pick up the current catalog and see for yourself!)

Of course the Y is in a class all it's own.  It is my home away from home.  I had to laugh when one of my Y friends saw me leaving last week and said, "You DO go home? I thought you lived here!" I am grateful to live near and be a part of one of the largest and best Ys in the country. I heard the M.E.F.Y. referred to as the "Mercedes Benz" of the YMCAs.  If you are already a Y member, spread the word. For friends, value, fitness, and fun nowhere else can compare.  I heard they have quite an awesome outdoor boot camp class too! ;) I'd love to hear why YOU love your YMCA! 

(*Next blog...Heaven on earth - my other YMCA, YMCA of the Rockies!)

The Amazing Apple

It's that time of year when the best apples begin appearing at your favorite grocer, and maybe still on teachers' desks! Do kids still do that?  Regardless, we associate this plentiful, affordable fruit with back-to-school.

No longer are we limited to the traditional red and golden delicious, seems each year new, tastier varieties debut!  My favorite in recent years is the "Pink Lady" variety; sweet, slightly tart and very tasty, but prone to bruising and usually more costly than the more common choices. 

Who hasn't recently heard of the pomegranate, gogi berry, or acai for maximum nutrition potency?  The apple has taken a back seat to these trendy superstar fruits, but no more!  I am here to remind you there is truth in that old saying, "An apple a day..." well, you know the rest!  

Here's a few apple facts you may not know:

-average sized apple or 1 cup cut up contains only 65 calories

-high in fiber (1/5 rec. daily allowance=to a serving of bran cereal)

- Eat the skin! The apple is high in vitamin C but most of it is right under the skin. 

-Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.  Both are good! Insoluble is good for digestion, & soluble apple pectin, may aid in colon cancer prevention by helping your body produce anticancer compounds. (Nutrition journal, Shape magazine Oct. 2008)

-Contains the trace mineral boron which has been shown to help retain estrogen, and maintain calcium levels promoting healthy bones! (perfect for those of us 40+, and women in general!)

-high in potassium and vitamin A

-of course no fat or cholesterol

-an overall perfect, portable, readily available, sweet, healthy treat!

Some apple tips:

1. choose a whole apple over juice, perfect to keep in car for an after workout snack

2. Lg. clamshell packs available at Costco for less than $8, perfect for families

3. Keep a bowl of washed apples on your counter to remind you & your kids to eat up!

4. search the internet (www.recipezaar.com is a fave site of mine) for healthy apple recipes

One of my eating goals is to focus on yummy foods I CAN and SHOULD eat to maintain or lose weight rather than dwelling on the evil ones I crave! (darn those Krispy Kreme donuts!)

If we fill our plates with nutrition and taste giants like the apple, we will keep those hunger pangs - and hopefully cravings! -  at bay.  Let me know what some of your favorite GOOD foods are!

Easy, healthy, vegetarian chili recipe

Here's a treasured recipe I've had for a decade or so.  I found it in "Runners' World" magazine and even my picky husband likes it!  My kids eat it too, without a lot of complaining!

It is literally a bowl full of low fat, tummy-warming nutrition, packed with immunity boosting vitamins; perfect food for cold & flu season. Yes, believe it or not it will be here before we know it!  Soon the weather will be cool enough that this will sound like the perfect post "boot camp" meal.

1 onion chopped

1 green pepper (bell) chopped

1 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. olive oil

1 16 oz. package of extra-firm tofu, drained and crumbled

1 or 2 cans of beans (kidney, pinto, or white)

1 28 oz. can stewed or chopped tomatoes

3 med. carrots sliced

2 tbsps. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. hot sauce (tabasco)

salt and pepper to taste

Saute the onion, pepper and garlic in the oil over med. heat. Add the tofu and saute until crisp

and lightly browned (about 10 min.). Add the beans, stewed tomatoes, carrots, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 50-60 min. Serves 4.

Serving suggestions: tossed salad and corn bread.

Outdoor Boot Camp at the Ecke YMCA

Join us every Tuesday at 9:15 in the lobby as we head to the ball fields for a tough 70 min.

workout! All are welcome but come prepared to sweat and move!  Our class consists of cardio drills, relays, balance work, and resistance work (using exercise tubing and body weight).

This class is FREE for all MEFY YMCA members! YES, FREE!  Not a member yet? Pay a $10 day use fee to give it a try. Bring plenty of water, a towel for ground work, and a friend!

Tune in again soon for comments about this class from our members.