Are You a Barre Bee Girl?

First of all...Happy National Peanut Butter Cookie Day! Go treat yourself to a yummy cookie (but then again who needs an excuse).

My friend had been raving bout the Barre Bee Fit classes and asked me to join her.  As I've said before, I'm not usually one to step out of my typical gym routine.  I was definitely nervous about the class.  However, I jumped at the opportunity to do a class with a friend and told her to count me in!

For those who don't know, Barre Bee Fit is a studio in Chicago and Ann Arbor that has classes specifically designed for women.  They have a variety of classes that combine cardio, toning, deep stretching, and detoxing.  Classes focus on using light weights with high repetition in order to tone and target each muscle individually.  We chose to do the Barre Bee class, which is a 60 minute full body workout class that targets all muscle groups (and trust me...it hit them all!).  Some of their other classes are a Bario class, which focuses mostly on cardio, and a Baryasa class, which takes place in a hot yoga classroom.

We signed up for the class online a week before.  One downside to Barre Bee Fit is that since you have to sign up far in advance, you may not make it into the class you want.  Originally, I was number 9 on the wait list but made it into the class by the night before.  I later realized that the plus side of signing up for the class meant that the class did not have too many people in it, allowing for more personal attention and help.

Outside the studio

When I got to the studio, I was immediately greeted at the front desk and introduced to the instructor (brownie points for that).  They then showed me around the studio which included free lockers, changing rooms, a regular classroom, and a hot room.  They told me the props that I would need for the class (a small rubber ball and a pair of 2 pound weights) and then I headed to the class.  There were about 15 girls in class, as I said before the perfect class size.

My friend rocking her Barre Bee Fit gear

If I had to sum up the class, I would say it was intense!  The class moved through the different muscles groups going from abs to arms to legs to butt.  Each move could be modified for different fitness levels.  By the end of each segment, I was sore, tired, and ready to move on!  Despite the tiredness and soreness that I felt, the music was amazing and helped to keep me going.  Also, the instructor was extremely motivating and encouraging.  She showed us the moves, walked around the room to help people with form, and constantly encouraged us to push ourselves.

Just an example of some of the ab work we did.

Needless to say I was extremely sore the next day!  I'm so happy that I tried Barre Bee Fit and would definitely go back again!

Nutella Overload

I had an extremely busy and fun filled weekend!  Friday night started off with a going away party for one of my friends who is moving to Cleveland for the year.  A bunch of girls got together for some dessert and "girl time".  What can be better?

A while ago, I found a recipe for brownie bottom nutella cheesecake squares.  This was the perfect opportunity to make them.  The bottom of the bar is a nutella brownie and the top layer is a nutella cheesecake.  Talk about nutella overload (but in a very good way)!

For the recipe, the brownies are made form scratch.  I'll admit that I rarely make brownies from scratch.  I think brownies from the box are awesome once they are doctored up with some coffee (to bring out the chocolate flavor) and chocolate chips.  However, I made the brownies from scratch and they turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself!

Ricky's verdict: "absolutely delicious".  He even asked for me to bring him any leftovers after the party!

For the recipe click here.

Another fun part of my weekend was going to the farmers market on Saturday morning.  I bought a special produce that I have never bought before.  It's a surprise recipe that I'll share later this week.  I'm going to try out a new recipe with it so be on the look-out!

Fit2Fat2Fit

I was watching the news and saw a fascinating story about a trainer who went to great lengths so that he could relate to his clients better.

Drew Manning is a personal trainer who would refer to himself as a fitness addict.  Manning had never been overweight, never craved junk food, and never missed a work out (who is this guy?!).  Having difficulty reaching out to some of his clients, Manning wanted to find a way to better understand his clients.

This is how he looked/his measurements in the beginning.

Manning decided that for 6 months he would "let himself go".  He stopped exercising and ate fast food and processed food.  Throughout the 6 months, Manning blogged and chronicled his experience.  In the first month alone, Manning gained 21 pounds.  After 6 months, Manning gained almost 75 pounds.  Not only did Manning experience weight gain.  He also experienced medical and emotional changes.  His glucose and blood pressure levels were high.  He became lazy, easily winded walking up stairs, and lost his self confidence.

After 6 months of "letting himself go", Manning spent the next 6 months working out and getting back into shape.  He wanted to show that just as a person can fall out of shape, a person can get back into shape and gain back their health and confidence.  Manning had his big reveal on Good Morning America. and wrote a book about his experience called Fit2Fat2Fit.

I was amazed at the lengths Manning went in order to relate to his clients.  Manning gained a better understanding of the emotional and physical strains that many people face when both at a stage in life when they are overweight and when they are trying to lose weight.

You can check out Manning's blog by clicking here and see his appearance on Good Morning America here.

Portabella Dinner

I usually go to the grocery store with an idea of what I'm cooking that week and a list of groceries.  This past weekend, I went with no plan.  I had no idea what to make and was not getting any good ideas looking around.  I had fallen into a dinner rut and needed some new ideas.  Dad to the rescue!  I called my dad and he suggested grilling portabella mushrooms.

I used Italian spices and added veggies, cheese, and tomato sauce.  To make the portabella, you can use a grill (outside of George Forman) or bake it.  I used the George Forman, but if you choose to make it put your oven at 420 and bake for about 15 minutes.

Grilled Portabella with Veggies (1 serving)
Ingredients:
1/2 bag spinach
sweet onion
cooking spray
spices of choice (I used garlic salt, basil, and red pepper flakes)
handful cherry tomatoes cut in half
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 portabella mushroom
1 wedge Laughing Cow Garlic and Herb
grated parmesan (if you want more cheese)

Instructions:
1. Heat skillet over medium heat and spray with cooking spray.  Plug in and spray George Foreman.
2. Add onions to pan.  Season as desired.  Remove from pan once softened (about 5 minutes) and put on plate.
3. Re-spray pan and add spinach. Once spinach is wilted (about 3 minutes), add to onions.
4. Add halved tomatoes to spinach and onions. Top with half of the tomato sauce.
5. Season portabella. Place on George Foreman.  Cook for about 2 minutes.
6. Place portabella on top on spinach mixture.  Spread cheese on portabella and top with remaining tomato sauce.

Please notice the Vitamin Water in the top right corner on the picture.  Yup...that's me drinking something with dinner!  Making moves to meet my new goal!

COLOR BOMB!

Fun runs are offered in every city throughout the year.  Every year I run the Turkey Trot with my dad over Thanksgiving (which I love) and maybe another fun run or two thrown in throughout the year (like the Hot Chocolate Run because who would want to pass up a fun run that hands out Ghirardelli chocolate).  This past weekend, I participated in possibly the best 5k race possible....The Color Run.

The Color Run is a 5k (3.1 mile) course along the Lakefront.  Everyone comes wearing white clothing or in costumes like tutus and painter suits.  There are 4 color stations throughout the course.  At each station, people throw colors powder at you as you run by...and it's awesome!  At the end of the race there is a party with music and "color bombs" (periods when powder is thrown by everyone from everywhere).  It was definitely not your typical fun run!  Obviously by the end of the run your white clothes have become multi-colored.

Yes it was!

Six friends and I formed a team (The Glitter-itas) and all "ran" together.  I loosely use the word run because it was more like running, walking, stopping to take pictures along the lakefront, skipping, and dancing.  Needless to say no one was running for time or a personal record.  

Clean and white before the run.

 Stopping along the way for one of many photo opps.

Just a little bit of color.

COLOR BOMB!

It was an incredibly fun run and I cannot wait until next year to do it again.  It has definitely made me want to look into other fun and different runs around Chicago.  There are always so many new and exciting runs happening and you don't have to be a runner to do them.  You just have to have fun!

Happy Froyo Day!

Today is a wonderful day.  Today is National Frozen Yogurt Day!  I know that I plan on treating myself to an incredible, yummy bowl of frozen yogurt tonight after dinner and hope you do too!

Everyone loves Pinkberry, but it's not my personal favorite.  Don't get me wrong...if someone asked me to join them at Pinkberry, I would not hesitate to say yes and would be more than happy to go.  However, my favorite frozen yogurt place in Chicago is Forever Yogurt.  How could you not love a self serve place with multiple flavors and an abundance of toppings?!  Here is my most recent concoction: chocolate froyo with sprinkles and s'more bites on top and blueberries on the bottom...yummy!

I recently saw a recipe (on Pinterest...obviously) for making frozen yogurt using frozen bananas, so I decided to give it a try.  I combined my banana (for one serving use 1 frozen banana) with crunchy almond butter and dark chocolate pieces.  Overall, I thought it was a success and so easy to make.  While I'd prefer frozen yogurt, its a great at home healthy alternative.  Next time (and my advice to you if you try it at home), I would add cocoa powder to the frozen banana to lessen the dominating banana flavor.

Not the prettiest picture, but that's what it looked it!

Go out and celebrate National Froyo Day!  Enjoy!

"You're Hungry? Do you want something to drink?"

I hate it when people ask if I want a drink when I say that I am hungry.  However, they are right.  Sometimes, the hunger you feel is your body's way of telling you that you are becoming dehydrated and need to drink.  And with me, chances are that is most likely the case.

I have a bad habit...I rarely drink water.  With breakfast, I drink coffee.  I don't keep a cup at my desk to drink at work.  For dinner, I pour myself a glass of water but usually end up throwing it out.  I bring a water bottle with me to the gym and drink while I'm working out. So, as you can tell, the gym is the only time I actually drink.

According to the Institute of Medicine, the average man is suppose to drink 3 liters (13 glasses) and the average woman is suppose to drink 2.2 liters (9 glasses) of water a day.  That sounds like a lot of water, but not once you consider that water makes up 60% of your body weight.  Here are just a few benefits of water:

1. Young and Beautiful
Water helps keep your skin healthy by moisturizing it and keeping it fresh.  It contributes to helping you look youthful and clear of acne or zits.

2. Slim and Trim
Drinking water can help to contribute to goals of weight loss. Water helps with weight loss by removing the by products of fat and keeping you healthy.

3. Fresh and Clean
Water plays a vital role in our bodies.  Every system of your body depends on water in order to function.  When you drink water, you are ensuring that your body is clean and "running smoothly".

Every New Year, one of my resolutions is to drink more water.  And every New Year, I do a great job at it for a few weeks and then fail.  So, I'm making a mid Year re-resolution to drink more water.  The water bottle I bring to the gym is a little less than a liter.  I am pledging to drink 2 bottles worth each day.  Hopefully this resolution holds up longer than before and becomes a habit.

Me and my water bottle starting the day off right!

Is anyone else trying to set a health/fitness goal for the next couple months or the rest of the year?