Woman must not accept; she must challenge.
She must not be awed by that which has been built up around her;
she must reverence that woman in her which struggles for expression.
~ Margaret Sanger ~
When you walk in to Sheila Kelly's SFactor studio, there's something comforting about being surrounded by 6 inch platform shoes and dimly lit rooms with poles. I know it may sound strange, but when you leave after one class, there's an extra bounce in your step and an air of confidence radiating from you. . . feeling empowered for that moment. It was my experience at SFactor that inspired me to write the previous entry on empowerment. Women are still insecure with their bodies and owning their sexuality and sensuality. Why is it okay for men to have multiple girlfriends or wives, but women are considered sluts and may even be stoned or run over with a car for having a sexual relation? Society has molded women into submissive, sexually-restraint individuals. Why is it that women are always supposed to be in the mood to have sex whenever the man wants or at least compromise and suck it up. . .just because he's ready to go? We wait for the man to make the first move, to ask for our number, invite us on a date, and so on. I consider myself traditional in courtship and chivalry, but women need to begin to learn to own their voice and body and discover the power in them. Feeling your sensuality, acknowledging your sexuality, embracing your body. . .this is empowerment!
"A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform." ~ Diane Mariechild
About a year ago, I signed up for an intro class at SFactor. I was intrigued to learn more about the pole dancing workout that incorporates dancing, strengthening and fun tricks on the pole that you see at the "classy" strip clubs. I left feeling energized, sexy and empowered. I walked out of the studio with a renewed energy and confidence but wasn't ready to financially make the commitment. It is definitely way overpriced, but a year later, I was ready to reap the potential benefits, making the economical sacrafrice and am absolutely loving it. For two hours a week, I am in my own world, away from judgements, stress, superficiality and any other frustrations or negativity. In class, it's my time for meditation and to be with and in my body, exploring myself with carelessness, embracing all that I am. The goal is to carry this feeling within at all times. The pole itself is seriously addicting and feels amazing to wind around, letting the body move freely as it feels to music before swinging in to a firefly. As in life, this experience at SFactor is about the journey, a personal journey in discovering, understanding and accepting me.
I'd like to meet one woman out there who has not fantasized about pole dancing, stripping, giving a lap dance. As dirty and uncomfortable as the fantasy may seem to you, it's hard to imagine, you've never fantasized for one, even brief, moment. And, if not, go on YouTube to find a pole dancing video and tell me it's not beautiful the way the body moves and that you don't get a tad bit envious of the woman's ability to let herself go and be sexy. Still no? Well, then you definitely need to take SFactor's workout class. Women's sexuality has been repressed for too long. It's time to connect with our bodies to feel empowered from the inside out.
Sexy, Sweet, and Indulgent Dark Chocolate Truffles:
Ingredients
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
2/3 cup heavy cream
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa, sifted
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, sifted
Place 8 ounces semisweet chocolate and the unsweetened chocolate in a 4-quart bowl.
Heat the heavy cream in a 1 1/2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate. Allow to stand for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth (now you have ganache). Refrigerate the ganache for 1 hour until firm but not hard.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon of ganache for each truffle (approximately 3/4 ounce), portion 24 truffles, evenly space onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the ganache portions for 15 minutes (so the ganache will be firm enough to roll into truffles). When the ganache is firm enough to handle, remove from the refrigerator and individually roll each portion of ganache in your palms, in a gentle circular motion, using just enough pressure to form smooth rounds. Roll 16 of the rounds in 2 tablespoons cocoa and separately roll 8 in the confectioners sugar until completely covered. Store the truffles in a tightly sealed plastic container, in the refrigerator. Remove about 1 hour before serving.
Heat the heavy cream in a 1 1/2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Pour the boiling cream over the chocolate. Allow to stand for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth (now you have ganache). Refrigerate the ganache for 1 hour until firm but not hard.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon of ganache for each truffle (approximately 3/4 ounce), portion 24 truffles, evenly space onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the ganache portions for 15 minutes (so the ganache will be firm enough to roll into truffles). When the ganache is firm enough to handle, remove from the refrigerator and individually roll each portion of ganache in your palms, in a gentle circular motion, using just enough pressure to form smooth rounds. Roll 16 of the rounds in 2 tablespoons cocoa and separately roll 8 in the confectioners sugar until completely covered. Store the truffles in a tightly sealed plastic container, in the refrigerator. Remove about 1 hour before serving.
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