Curves in Tahoe City puts a twist on fitness. Owners Linda Lee and Claudia Jensen are waiving the $149 sign up fee for new members. Take in two bags of groceries to be donated to Tahoe Women’s Services (TWS) and the fee is waived. Donations go to the Mountain Rose Safe House, a shelter for women and children trying to escape the cycle of abuse.

and#8220;We have three families with children there now,and#8221; said Julia Santos-Coy, 16-year client services coordinator for TWS and Lee’s longtime friend.

and#8220;So far, we have donated 1,224 pounds of stuff,and#8221; Lee stated. Items include sheets, books, toys, kitchen items, clothes, non-perishable food, toiletries and even a bike or two. Curves previously donated to Project MANA once a year in March, but Lee has kept donations going every three months or so since times got tight and needs are greater.

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Worldwide, Curves encourages club promotions and events for women to support charitable causes. Lee chose TWS as a former volunteer/chocolatier three years running. And sitting, once, in the chocolate mousse she had prepared for the TWS sublime fundraising event, the Chocolate Festival. and#8220;We salvaged at least half of it,and#8221; laughs Lee.

Laughter, camaraderie and good-natured bantering are part of the professional fitness and nutrition solution at Curves. The 30-minute workouts include strength training, cardio and stretching. and#8220;We have it all, including the stretching cube and CurvesSmart machines,and#8221; said Lee.

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The CurvesSmart system collects all of your daily workout information and presents an overall performance index, representing the intensity level of the workout. You view results on a computer screen at the kiosk, including strength, range of motion and heart rate. There are four programs from which to choose: Fit and#8216;n’ Trim, Muscle Size and#8216;n’ Strength, Cardio and Endurance.

and#8220;Women can be very competitive, especially with themselves,and#8221; said member Heidi Reeves. and#8220;It forces you to want to work to your fullest.and#8221;

Toss out the old adage no pain, no gain. The workout is accompanied by pumping music, bumping through the sound system at 58 beats per minute. and#8220;Just the right stuff,and#8221; said Santos-Coy.

The banter at Curves is a lively exchange and interest in fitness. and#8220;It improves your sex life,and#8221; chimes one woman. and#8220;That’s right, men like tight butts.and#8221;

It’s not all about the butts, however. Linda Sheldon, a former Curves employee who still trains there emphasizes, and#8220;This keeps you strong to do other things. Even triathletes can come in to train: This is not about old ladies.and#8221;

Curves is about contributing to the community, nutrition and fitness. A well-rounded workout, indeed.

Tahoe City Curves is located at 3080 North Lake Blvd. For information, call 581-4895.

One box Duncan Hines white or yellow cake mix

6 egg whites, beaten

Cup of oatmeal (for fiber)

Cup of currants

Cup of apple sauce (to replace oil)

Cup of walnuts

Cup of protein powder

Spice to taste: Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves

Dump all the ingredients into a mixing bowl, blend for three to four minutes. Put in lined

muffin tins, bake for 15-20 minutes.