We can tell it’s the holidays because we’re knee deep in flour (the Vancouver equivalent to a white Christmas). Our Carlsbad store keyleader, Maiah, took to her kitchen determined to infuse some classic Christmas flavour and baking into her vegan diet. These cookies are quick to whip up and are the perfect combination of sugar and spice. Chai cookies for all! #yum

vegan chai cookies

prep: 10 min
bake: 12-15 min
cool: 5 min

ingredients:

• 2 sticks non-dairy margarine or butter (such as Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground clove
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar

directions:

Preheat oven to 350F.
Grease several cookie sheets with nonstick spray.
Mix butter and sugar until creamy.
Add in flour, vanilla, spices and salt; mix well.
Roll dough into desired sized balls (I like to do 1 or 2 tablespoons.)
Space out the cookies evenly on cookie sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden.
Let cool for five minutes, then roll each ball in powdered sugar to coat.
Recipe yields a few dozen (depending on how much batter you eat!)

While these cookies will appeal to all (vegan or not) you can substitute for regular dairy butter for an equally delicious treat. What family holiday recipe screams Christmas in your household?

Whenever someone mentioned the words “pole dance,” like most people, Maiah visualized a sequined bikini, a Neil Armstrong-like desire to defy gravity and, ahem, the “human anatomy.” After attending her first class, Maiah tells us that pole dancing was more much sweat and tears than it was T&A.

dancing around pole fitness

With a new job (as an educator!), new roommates and living in a new city in California, I made it my goal to be open to as many new things as possible. Despite all my apprehensions (and maybe even some misconceptions), I was intrigued by the idea of a pole dancing class and the way it was quickly becoming the trendiest way to sweat.

I spent some time researching studios online and found one in my local Carlsbad neighborhood. Comforted by the fact that I was attending “pole fitness” rather than “pole dancing,” I reserved a spot online and was ready to cross this item off my bucket list.

what to expect from a pole fitness class

The promise that the class would focus on a routine that includes ‘poses, transitions and spins designed to build strength and get your blood pumping’ was spot-on. The class started on a yoga mat warming up the body with some great stretches and toning exercises. From here we moved into some pole work where I quickly realized that upper body and core strength are essential to succeed at this discipline.

top tips for mastering the pole

If there’s one thing I’d like to make clear, it’s that pole fitness is no walk in the park. Far beyond my expectation, the class proved to be an amazing aerobic and anaerobic workout. I was initially sore and slightly bruised but once I learned a few basic moves and spins, I was surprised how skillful and competent I felt. One tip I found helpful is to keep those toes pointed and extend the legs for a beautiful line in the body. I also found that I needed attire that allowed for a great range of motion. I wore my boogie shorts, the same ones I wear for hot yoga.

One of the best aspects of pole fitness is the way I see myself incorporating my flexibility and strength from my yoga, gymnastics and ballet background. What started as the need to fulfill a curious desire has developed into a weekly fitness commitment.

While pole fitness has become Maiah’s new favourite way to sweat, she’s still committed to her goal of trying new things. What other fitness bandwagons should she hop on?

want more?

• give stand-up paddleboarding a try before the season ends
  
• dare to go bare? Tess trades in her sneakers and goes au natural