Tag Archives: la boulange

Barre Pro + Good Health Gone Viral

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Last night I had an… interesting night of sleep. It was pretty warm out so I (very uncharacteristically) was not bundled up to my neck in layers of down comforter and duvet. I got hot, and stuck my arms out, circa midnight I would estimate.

Around 3am, I woke up with a start, my arms itching like crazy. Still half-asleep I thought to myself “I’ll kill that little bastard mosquito in the morning.”

Two minutes later I felt something on my face.

Four minutes after that I’d had enough and bolted up and into the bathroom.

“AHHHHHH that little shit bit me on the inside of my lip!“

Boyfriend, in all of his 3:27am glory found this to be hysterically funny. I looked like I got punched in the face/was given a dose of Novocaine on one side of my face meant for an animal the size of an elephant.

Not the face, not the face, not the face.

After thoroughly checking the entire apartment for traces of the virus-carrying parasite (mosquito), I was pleasantly surprised to see it had met its (more-than) timely demise, as a result of me slapping myself in the face when I felt the little bastard on my freshly exfoliated face.

I popped a Benadryl (for the antihistamine benefits as well as the sleep-inducing ones), pulled the covers up to my ears, cursed the entire species of mosquitos, dropped a few f-bombs, and went back to sleep before waking up at 7:33am for an 8am surf inspired Barre Pro class.

I looked in the mirror and winced. The left side of my mouth drooped down, and was so puffy on the inside, I imagine it’s how one feels after getting sucker punched in the face.

I made it up to the studio, told everyone who would listen that yes I am aware my mouth looks like they OD-ed me on Novocaine, and no they didn’t, and yes it’s the result of a vicious mosquito attack.

I have a confession – I’ve never taken a Barre class before at my studio. Bar Method with all of its “tucking” scarred me for life. This class though… kicked my booty. I loved it.

Barre classes have always intimidates me because I a) have no coordination and b) have no rhythm. (You should have seen me in dance classes in high school.) Today, I felt really comfortable, and the always wonderful Tricia walked us through each exercise before we began, and then proceeded to do it with us (which in my opinion really helps to get the moves down correctly), and I had a great time. My legs felt like jello when I left, and I felt like my entire lack of coordination didn’t hinder me at all. It helped that she put together an entire surf-inspired playlist (think Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet) and I was rocking out in my head the entire time.

I was dripping sweat (you’re welcome for the visual) and had such a fantastic workout. Luckily I’ve already convinced a great friend (coughALIcough) to join me next week. I promise you La Boulange coffee after :)

(photo by Tricia)

(Sidebar: Speaking of La Boulange, I popped in for an iced coffee this morning, and frantically asked the manager if they would be changing anything about their coffee now that Starbucks paid $100 million for quality coffee owns them. Answer: Yes, they are changing their coffee and it will be a La Boulange-Starbucks blend. My friends it’s time to stock up on La Boulange coffee beans now and freeze them. I hope boyfriend doesn’t mind missing out on the freezer space.) ;-)

Good Health Gone Viral

I have this wonderful friend that I met through our previous company, and I am VERY excited for her and all of the new adventures she is taking – she’s started a blog, and is in the process of starting a business in the health and wellness space, called Blume. We ran the Kaiser Half-Marathon together, and she is an amazing resource into health topics and conversation, and writes really thought provoking-articles. I love it already.
A brief idea of what it’s all about:
Every single person on the planet has a health story. We all want to share and discover healthy tips easily and quickly with our friends. Where do we notoriously look first? The internet. But we don’t have a medical Google, or a Facebook, or a Pinterest, or an Amazon in a single integrated and trusted place. Blume is that destination. For U.

Today is a catalyst in getting Blume off the ground and I need YOUR help to get the buzz going. I’ve launched a landing page where my goal is to collect as many email addresses as possible. Not 50, not 100, not 500, but thousands. Yes, thousands! And I can’t do without you.

So, here’s how you can help:

  1. Enter your email address in the landing page here. You will then be prompted to share the landing page on Facebook and/or LinkedIn. This is what will make ALL the difference! 
  2. “Like” my Facebook page here and join the conversation as you see fit.
  3. Follow my blog here.

If you have a minute, she (and I – this will be such an amazing resource for everyone!) would so appreciate if you could enter your email address on her landing page and like her Facebook page.

Thanks everyone! :)

Peanut Butter Without the Fat. Um, What?

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Happy Tuesday! Hope you’re having a great week so far.

My day started off with a piping hot mug of black coffee, and a date with the treadmill. After yesterday’s 11 miles, I didn’t really go into today’s run with a plan – I told myself to run at least 5 miles, and I could stop anytime after that.

7 miles – the first 5 at an 8:34 pace, the last 2 at 8:20. 

I felt pretty great about it… and extremely sweaty afterwards. I’m reading a new Kindle book (Gone Girl - and it’s right on par with The Expats), and so far it’s really good, keeps my attention, and has just the right amount of suspense.

Post-gym I quickly hit Trader Joe’s for some essentials for the week, and sped home (kidding, I drove the speed limit) to put the groceries away, and put the fresh flowers (peonies and hydrangeas!) in water before booking it up to Pilates for the noon class.

source

A fellow new instructor was teaching today’s class and I was so excited to take her class. Natalie did an amazing job! I’m already sore. Scratch that, I was sore the moment I walked out of the studio. I judge a class (and teach my own this way!) on whether my legs feel like jello at the end as I walk out – this one definitely did the trick.

After class, I had plans to meet one of my good friends Kathleen for lunch on Union Street so I headed over to La Boulange and got there just in time. Yes it was past 1PM, and yes we both ordered coffee (I’ve been as into iced coffee with soy milk as Miley Cyrus is into teenage marriage lately), and omelettes. La Boulange has the best coffee. Starbucks if you’re going to pay $100M to buy them, do yourself a favor and just start serving La Boulange coffee exclusively. The world will thank you.

PB2

I’ve been seeing this PB2 pop up on blogs since… forever, and I’d always written it off as some weird diet food. I don’t do diet foods. If you’re going to eat something, just eat the real thing. Only eat less of it. I prefer to only eat foods that I can pronounce all of the ingredients, and food that is made out of real food. No chemicals.

I was at Lunardi’s the other day and randomly walked by a giant PB2 display. Once I saw the ingredients, I was officially intrigued. Roasted Peanuts, Cocoa Powder, Sugar, Salt

Once I saw the Chocolate variety? I was sold.

But still suspicious.

According to the genius’ behind PB2, they first slow roast the peanuts, then press them to remove the fat and oil (who knew this was even possible?). They then blend cocoa beans for a natural roasted peanut butter and chocolate flavor.

Sounds reasonable enough, right?

Still a little skeptical (we all know I love my peanut and almond butters like Lindsay Lohan loves breaking the law), I tried it out. 2 spoonfuls of the good stuff, 1 spoonful of water.

Stir for 5 seconds. Peanut Butter.

I toasted a piece of Banana Bread and eagerly spread the entire serving’s worth onto it.

Ridiculous.

And 45 calories. With 1g of fat.

Seriously?!

I’m still trying to figure out how they make this stuff so damn delicious. I really don’t understand.

I’ve since had it on apple slices, toast, and mixed into my Greek Yogurt bowl and I’m totally sold. (Let’s be clear – this will not and could not replace my beloved homemade almond butter. Ever. But it will be added into the rotation.) I will now eat my words (preferably with PB2 spread on top).

Have you ever tried PB2? (You can get it on Amazon, at Whole Foods, Lunardis, etc)