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Paddleboards, Pilates & Pizza Runs

Paddleboards, Pilates & Pizza Runs

Salt River sunrises, rooftop plunges, Blue Zones cooking, and your cutest floral Sunday reset — here’s your Sunday scroll

Aurora Pedroza
May 26, 2025

👋 Welcome Back - Week 3!

This space was created to help you reconnect — with yourself, your people, and your city.

Even though I’m always out at events, building this newsletter has shown me just how much I wasn’t seeing. There’s so much happening across the Valley — in all price ranges — and it’s honestly inspired me to try new things each week. (And yes, I get asked constantly how I find all this 😅)

Whether you’re here to move, explore, or just feel more plugged in, this newsletter is your guide.

Let’s get into this week’s dose of local goodness. 🌵

🌞 This Week at a Glance

Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:

🍕 Pizza + Pint Run
Community run + post-run pizza and drinks = your most fun Thursday workout.

💪 MK x Pyro Stronger Together
Rooftop sculpt, massage, and cold plunge — your whole wellness weekend in one class.

🌸 Plants & Pilates
Sunday’s floral pilates session is the cutest chill-down you’ll find this week.

🏋️‍♀️ HYROX Spotlight: F45 DC Ranch
How one Scottsdale studio helped me train for (and crush!) my first HYROX.

🍵 Desert Bite: Crete Tea Room
The strawberry iced matcha that changed my morning — and my cortisol.👉 Tap a section above to scroll, or just keep reading for everything happening across the Valley.

🧠 Wellness Tip: Move Smart in the Desert Heat
Still hiking? A few smart shifts can keep you safe and grounded on the trail.

🔥 Don’t Miss These Highlights This Week

🌿 Blue Zones Project Scottsdale Cooking Demo
📍 University of Arizona Scottsdale Center | 📅 Tuesday, May 27 | 🕠 5:30 PM | 💵 Free
Cool & Healthy: Blue Zones-Inspired Summer Dishes that nourish the body and inspire mindful eating.
👉 RSVP here

🍕 Pizza and Pint Run
📍 Tortoise and Hare Sports | 📅 Thursday, May 29 | 🕕 6:00 PM | 💵 Free
Walk or run, then reward yourself with pizza and pints — the perfect midweek combo of movement and indulgence.
👉 RSVP here

🏞️ Salt River Paddle Adventure
📍 Salt River | 📅 Saturday, May 31 | 🕕 6:00 AM | 💵 Free
Paddle with Utah Paddle Babes & AZ Ladies. Start the day on the water with great energy and even better community vibes.
👉 RSVP here

💪 MK x Pyro Stronger Together
📍 Pyro Rooftop | 📅 Saturday, May 31 | 🕗 8:00 AM | 💵 $50
Sculpt class meets spa day — join for a full-body workout, cold plunge, and recovery massage all in one rooftop experience.
👉 RSVP here

🌸 Plants & Pilates
📍 Provision | 📅 Sunday, June 1 | 🕟 4:30 PM | 💵 $45
Chill, floral, and fabulous. Enjoy a 45-minute pilates session surrounded by plants. Cute mats, good vibes.
👉 RSVP here

📋 Full Event Calendar — May 26 - June 1

🟤 Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)

🟤 Tuesday, May 27

🟤 Wednesday, May 28

🟤 Thursday, May 29

🟤 Friday, May 30

Sunset Yoga on the Lawn | 6:30 PM | Mountain Shadows Resort | $18 | Free flow yoga class
Womens Golf Day | 6:00 PM | Dobson Ranch Golf Course | $30

🟤 Saturday, May 31

🟤 Sunday, June 1

Know of a cool event? DM me on IG @desertdosewellness or reply to this emai

🐾 Community Spotlight: F45 Training DC Ranch

This week’s spotlight is on F45 Training DC Ranch, a high-energy fitness studio in North Scottsdale offering functional full-body workouts in just 45 minutes. Known for their group-based strength and cardio classes, F45’s DC Ranch location stands out for its commitment to building a strong, supportive fitness community — and its unique role in Arizona’s growing HYROX scene.

For those unfamiliar, HYROX is a global fitness racing competition that blends endurance and functional strength. It’s the same standardized race format across the world: 8 rounds of 1K runs, each followed by a functional workout station — think sled pushes, rowing, burpee broad jumps, sandbag lunges, and more. It’s intense, empowering, and surprisingly addictive.

I first stumbled upon HYROX while scrolling through TikTok (as usual) and was both inspired and intimidated. But thanks to F45 DC Ranch — an official HYROX partner — I was able to train in a way that made the whole thing feel possible. They offer weekly HYROX-focused classes, simulation events, and an environment that makes you feel seen and supported every step of the way.

This past April, I completed my first HYROX in Monterrey, Mexico — something I truly never imagined myself doing.

I went alone, to a new city, not really knowing what to expect. But the moment I stepped into the start tunnel, the energy was electric. Music was blasting, competitors were jumping in place to shake off the nerves, and the adrenaline was unreal. Even though I was by myself, I didn’t feel alone for a second. I quickly made friends with people from all over — cheering each other on, swapping race tips, even sharing snacks. The HYROX community is welcoming, inspiring, and filled with people of all fitness levels and backgrounds.

Honestly? I would’ve been completely overwhelmed if it weren’t for the preparation and support I received from F45 DC Ranch. Their HYROX-focused classes and simulations helped me understand the race format, build confidence, and push through both physically and mentally. I knew how to pace myself, when to push, when to breathe — because I had already practiced those exact movements, under real race-like conditions.

If you’re even a little bit curious about HYROX — or just want to challenge yourself in a new way — I can’t recommend them enough. Their next Half HYROX Simulation is on Saturday, June 21st, and it’s the perfect way to experience the race structure in a super supportive, low-pressure environment.

🍵 Desert Bite: Crete Tea Room

Some days, wellness is a long hike. Other days? It’s sitting in a serene, light-filled café with a beautiful iced matcha and your to-do list. This weekend, I found exactly that vibe at Crete Tea Room, a minimalist Phoenix gem tucked into the Grand Avenue Arts District.

They’re quietly redefining what a tea house can be:
✅ Calm, cozy atmosphere perfect for working or unwinding
✅ A matcha-forward menu with unexpected flavor pairings
✅ House made syrups and high-quality ceremonial-grade matcha

I came here to work on this very newsletter — and ordered the strawberry iced matcha. It was the perfect balance: smooth, grassy matcha with just the right hint of fresh strawberry, not overly sweet. It tasted like spring in a cup.

If you’re looking to ease up on caffeine or just explore a new morning ritual, matcha is an amazing alternative to coffee. It's packed with antioxidants (especially EGCG, which supports heart health), delivers a calm, sustained energy boost thanks to L-theanine, and doesn’t spike your cortisol the way coffee can.

Whether you're working remotely, catching up with a friend, or just treating yourself to a midday reset, Crete is 100% worth a visit.

📍 Crete Tea Room
1030 Grand Ave, Phoenix
Follow them on Instagram

🧠 Wellness Tip of the Week: Move Smart in the Desert Heat

Hiking season doesn’t stop just because the temps rise—but your approach has to shift.

If you’re heading outdoors this week, remember:

☀️ Go early (before 8 AM) or late (after 6 PM)
💧 Bring more water than you think you need
🧢 Wear a hat, sunglasses, and light long sleeves
📍 Share your route and hike with a friend if possible
🚫 Know your limits—shade and rest are part of the plan

Even a short trail walk can reset your nervous system—but safety is the priority.

💌 That’s your Desert Dose

Thanks for reading — and for making space in your week to recharge, explore, and try something new.

Every time I put this together, I’m reminded of just how many amazing wellness experiences are happening right here in our backyard — and how many of us are craving more ways to move, connect, and reset. If this issue sparked something for you, forward it to a friend who’d love a local sweat, sound bath, or paddle sesh. 🌵

✨ Are you a local wellness biz or event host? I’d love to highlight you in a future issue.
DM me on Instagram @desertdosewellness or email [email protected] to connect.

See you next Sunday,
– Aurora from Desert Dose