Newsome stepped-up with line dancing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - My experience at line dancing reminded me of the opening scene of the 1970’s sitcom Gomer Pyle. He was a new Marine recruit and could not keep step with his platoon as they marched.

Simply put, I was out of step with the rest of the class, but I still managed to get a great workout and have fun.

Garnice Robertson is the instructor of line dance classes at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kan. She invited me to attend her class and I accepted.

She’s a high energy instructor and encourages her participants to keep moving even if they’re still learning the routine.

The music is high energy and fun and I felt like I was learning a dance rather than exercising, so it was a nice distraction. I was sweating when it was over.

The class meets three times a week. I also had the pleasure of meeting several breast cancer survivors who attend the class. If you're interested in attending her workouts email Garnice Robertson at mzgeegeedance@gmail.com

Garnice also shared her Sweet Potato and Apple Bake recipe with me. It comes from one of her favorite cook books, Seasonal and Simple.

The ingredients are:

3 medium sweet potatoes
1/2 cup butter (olive oil is a healthy alternative)
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into thin slices

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake sweet potatoes just until able to pierce with fork. Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Peel sweet potatoes and slice 1/2-inch thick. Layer sweet potato slices in baking dish. Dot with butter or drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Layer with apple slices.

Repeat with sweet potatoes, butter or olive oil, cinnamon, sugar and apples. Bake 20 minutes.