Boston Sports Club UFX & VBarre Giveaway

How is it almost Friday already??  This week flew by, which is great, but its been crazy busy too!  I’m still having Reach the Beach withdrawals, Brian turned the big 3-0 yesterday (!!), and we’re having a big birthday bash at the house this weekend that I am feeling very unprepared for. 

Well, I’m prepared but I just wish I had more time to get everything done!!

I also still have lots to share from the rest of my Reach the Beach experience, but first I have an AWESOME giveaway…unfortunately this is for the readers that live near a Boston Sports Club!

Boston Sports Clubs has recently started two new Small Group Training classes:  UFX and VBarre!

In addition to the regular classes offered to members of BSC, they also offer these small group training sessions where you pay an fee to take a specialized class for a session (usually 8 weeks).  These small group training classes are offered to members AND non-members. 

I took these descriptions from the BSC website:

VBarre

(source)

Vbarre transcends the typical ballet barre exercise class by blending ballet, Pilates and resistance training into a calorie-burning workout. The result is a lean and sculpted body in minimal time. Choreographed movements using a ballet barre, light weights and a glide board are set to motivating music. (source)

I’d imagine this is their version of the barre classes that have become so popular lately. 

The other class is UFX or Ultimate Fitness Experience!

What happens when you combine personal training with team motivation? You get in the best shape of your life with the UXF ultimate fitness experience. This eight session, cross-training workout blends strength training and cardio conditioning to improve your flexibility, agility, strength and endurance. Equipment such as TRX, kettlebells, ropes and bars are mixed with plyometric exercises to create a balanced circuit where you progress at your own pace. UXF is your one-stop shop for a total-body workout. (source)

This class has a lot of what sounds like aspects of Crossfit!  If I wasn’t already involved with Crossfit I’d definitely want to take this class!!  I bet its a butt kicker!

So now for the details!

I am giving away one package of VBarre sessions and two packages of UFX sessions!!! 

Here’s what you need to know:

UXF (Ultimate Fitness Experience)

Get in the best shape of your life with UXF – the Ultimate Fitness Experience. This comprehensive, body-changing workout combines strength training and cardio conditioning to improve your flexibility, agility, strength and endurance.

You’re challenged to achieve your personal best and progress at your own pace during eight sessions that span four weeks. Equipment such as TRX, kettlebells, ropes and bars are combined with plyometric exercises to create a well-balanced and varied circuit. UXF is your one-stop shop for a total-body workout.

Things to note about UXF:

• Location: UXF is offered at EVERY Boston Sports Club location – times and dates available upon request.
• Timing: The next session starts June 4th! This is a 4 week session that meets twice a week.  Usually a Mon/Wed, Tues/Thurs/ or Wed/Fri, and almost all locations offer sessions early in the morning before work, or in the evening after work! 
• Total Value: $199 MSRP per 8-session package
• What if I can’t attend all sessions?  No worries, you can drop in and out as you please.

Things to note about Vbarre:

Vbarre transcends the typical ballet barre exercise class by blending ballet, Pilates and resistance training into a calorie-burning workout. The result is a lean and sculpted body in minimal time. Choreographed movements using a ballet barre, light weights and a glide board are set to motivating music.

• Locations: ONLY BSC Downtown Crossing & BSC South End
• When: 8-week session, once a week (8 classes total). 
• Timing: The next session begins on July 9th
• Total Value: $149 MSRP per 8-session package
• What if I can’t attend all sessions? No worries, you can drop in and out as you please.

So just to reiterate:

• Giving away 3 packages:  2 are for UFX and 1 for VBarre
• you do NOT have to be a BSC member!
• UFX is offered at ALL BSC locations
• VBarre is ONLY offered at Downtown Crossing and the South End BSC locations. 

How to enter:

1. Leave me a comment telling me your favorite fitness class!
2. In that same comment specify whether you want to enter for UFX, VBarre, or either!
3. Tweet about the contest for an extra entry and then leave a separate comment telling me you did so. 

This contest is open until Wednesday May 30, 2012 at 9pm EST.

Eversave Mother’s Day promo + Protein Powder

First the winner of the $10 Eversave Reward is…

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6

Which would be Erica!! I need your email address that is tied into your Eversave account!  If you don’t have one yet, sign up HERE!

Eversave actually is having another promo this week!

This time in honor of Mother’s day:

“Better Together

Whether it’s a post-breakup pity party or a trip to the spa

some things are just better when Mom comes along.

Tell her how much she means to you.”

Now, you can win a save for a facial at Salon Kokopelli in Belmont, MA!!  You can purchase this save for $29…a $65 value, but you could just WIN the save without spending a dime by finishing the following:

Dear Mom,

Thanks for… (INSERT YOUR RESPONSE HERE)

Email your response to share@eversave.com before 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 10th to enter.

Then, earn an extra entry by purchasing the  Salon Kokopelli Save on Eversave.com — if you win, you’ll get to spend some Q.T. with your best gal this Mother’s Day!  In simpler terms you can buy the save, get an extra entry, then if you win you’d have a free save to take a friend to the salon too! 

Added Bonus:  Any NEW Eversave member who signs up using this link, will automatically get $5 in his/her Eversave account!!  The $5 will be in your account for 60 days. 

AND they also have a $2 promo code for this Salon deal!  Enter the promo code MOM.  This code is good until Thursday May 10, at midnight EST. 

Phew that’s a lot of info!  If I didn’t explain anything clearly enough or you have a question please comment or email me!! 

Speaking of Mother’s Day…any plans?? I’ve been taking my mom out for High Tea for the past 5+ years…and I think we’ve exhausted most teas in Boston.  Hmmm.  Or if you’re a new mom (I feel like I know a lot of those right now), what are you doing different this year??

P.S. I’ve finally found a protein powder I like!!  Seriously it felt like the never ending quest.  Luckily Whole Foods carries some individual packets of a few brands so I could try them.  I never wanted to buy a big tub of something I had no idea if I liked. 

Well after all that I did finally go out on a limb and buy a container of this…

It’s Whole Food’s 365 brand so it was pretty economical.  It has 16 grams of protein and tastes great to me!!   I hate the taste of artificial sweeteners, and usually can’t even stand Stevia either.  This one does have some Stevia, but it for some reason doesn’t bother me.  I’ve found it nearly impossible to find a protein powder sweetened with a regular sweetener/sugar. 

Also love my new blender!

It’s basically the Cuisnart version of the magic bullet.   

Small, compact, easy to clean, and multiple containers to use. 

I’ve been enjoying these after my Crossfit workouts.  I also keep is SIMPLE:  frozen berries, milk or Almond Milk, and protein powder.  Done and Done.

Less than 2 weeks to Reach the Beach!!

I had a lovely 8 mile run Sunday!  There is a paved bike path from Lexington to Bedford…I thought the paved path went all the way into Concord.  It doesn’t.  It changes to an unpaved rail trail. 

So more than half of my run was like this.  Very pretty, scenic, but probably won’t do that again alone…there were a few times I found myself by myself on the trail.

Either way I felt great through the 8 miles!! 

Nice full post jam-packed with randomness…Happy Tuesday!  Possible discussions…  Mother’s Day ideas??  Fav protein powder??  Running trails??

Sweet Cheeks Q & Some BBQ For You

Last night Brian and I finally got to try the new-ish BBQ place near Fenway Park that everyone seems to be raving about: Sweet Cheeks Q.  Sweet Cheeks opened in November 2011 and is chef-owned by the well known Tiffani Faison of Top Chef fame. 

I love some good BBQ and there aren’t too many place in and around Boston to get it. 

We had Red Sox tickets that night, so I met Brian after work for an early dinner before the game!  He got their before I did and grabbed 2 seats at one of the communal tables (basically you share with whoever else needs a seat).  In this type of atmosphere (casual & kind of noisy) I don’t mind that seating.  Wouldn’t recommend it for a first date or anything though.

Brian had already ordered a beer, so I scanned the menu and picked my own.

I’ve had Sweaty Betty before and remember liking it.  Refreshing, flavorful blonde ale.  They didn’t have too many beers on tap, but they did have a fantastic selection of bottles and cans!

To start we ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes.  Neither of us have ever had them.

Thick slices of juicy tomato, and a crispy browned coating.  They came with a sort of ranch dressing that had a nice kick to it!  With the ranch these were awesome!  The tomatoes themselves weren’t the most flavorful, but it’s not tomato season so it’s hard to complain. 

Maybe 1 minute later our meals came out!

I ordered the pulled chicken tray with sides of heirloom baked beans and the farm salad.  I also ordered a single biscuit instead of the sliced bread that usually comes with the meal.

If you only order one thing there…GET A BISCUIT!!!  O.M.G.  The menu has an order of a basket of 4 with honey butter on the side, but you can order just one even though it wasn’t on the menu.  AND make sure to ask for some of that honey butter.  WOW.

First of all the biscuit was HUGE.  Easily 4” diameter and so thick and fluffy.  Warm, crisp on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside.  That with the honey butter was a match made in heaven.  I’m drooling on my keyboard right now.

       

Brian’s tray:

Ribs, collards, and potato salad.

The pulled chicken was delightful.  Tender, juicy, flavorful…especially with their housemade BBQ sauce.  The table also had a bottle of their housemade vinegar sauce, and habanero lime hot sauce! 

The farm salad had tons of seasonal veggies, nuts, grapes, arugula, parmesan, and a mustard vinaigrette (I believe).  I loved all the veggies and it would of been perfect with just a tad less dressing.

I stole a lot of Brian’s collards.  Vinegary, and cooked with some type of pork which gave the greens an awesome flavor. 

I also stole a bite of the potato salad, 2 thumbs up.

The ribs were incredible tender, and not overly fatty.  I don’t mind fat, but hate actually biting into it. 

The one thing I wasn’t crazy about was the beans.  They were pretty good, but tasted way more like chili than baked beans.  Too smokey, too much cumin for me.  But they were still sweet, which I wouldn’t like my chili to be so it was just a conflict of flavors for me.  Brian really liked them though.

We still had time to kill before the game so we went with another round of beers.

Brian HAD To order this as we never see it ANYWHERE

I tend to not like overly hoppy IPA’s because they are usually bitter, but this one is just the opposite.  No bitterness, but just tons of hop aroma.  Delish.

All in all it was a great night.  Would have been better if the Sox won but what can you do?

 

Pretty good seats too!

Now with all this BBQ talk, I have the perfect contest you can enter!!

Eversave is giving away 2 of these prizes of $250 worth of delicious BBQ catering from Dickey’s Barbeque Pit! 

Now, there aren’t any Dickey’s in Massachusetts (closest ones are in CT, or in Portland, ME)…but this is open to anyone so maybe there is one near you.  But if there’s NOT…don’t fret, if you win you could also choose a $250 gift card to Omaha Steaks!!   Create your own feast with that prize!

Just enter HERE!  This contest goes until Sunday, May 6, and they will notify the winner on Monday, May 7!

And in case that doesn’t pan out for you, the folks at Eversave are letting me give away a $10 save reward (to use on any Save) to one of you!

In the spirit of BBQ, to enter for the $10 save reward, leave me a comment with your favorite side dish to order at a BBQ joint.  If you’re not a BBQ fan, then just your favorite other restaurant side dish!

I’ll choose a winner for the $10 save reward by 10 p.m. EST on Monday May 7th!

Grilling for the 4th: Giveaway!

Maybe some of your have already checked out of work for the long weekend and are heading to the lake or the beach for the 4th of July.  Maybe you’re going to stick around at home, have a cook-out, and just watch some local fireworks!
Either way, I’m willing to bet 95% of you are going to be firing up the grill at some point this weekend.

If you’re local to the Boston area, have you checked out the Eversave happening right now?? 
$10 gets you $20 worth of goods from McKinnon’s Meat Market in Somerville’s Davis Square!!
McKinnon’s is known for quality meats at great prices.  You could come home with a party-size amount of meats for the grill for that $20!
They also have all your other necessities too such as fruits, veggies, breads, and other dry goods.
There has already been over 4500 of these saves sold!  That should say something right there.
Luckily for you, the lovely folks at Eversave have offered to let me giveaway one of these saves!!
Here’s the ways you can win!
Leave a separate comment for each entry: 
You do NOT need to have a blog to enter!

1. Let me know what you’ll be grilling up this 4th of July weekend!
2. Follow me on Twitter @yogurtberries
3. Tweet about the giveaway:  “I want to win a free Save from @YogurtBerries and @EversaveBOS!”
4. “Like” Eversave and Yogurt and Berries on Facebook
5. If you have a blog, mention this giveaway and comment back letting me know.

I’ll choose a winner by the end of the day Saturday!   EDIT:  I'll be choosing the winner on Wednesday, July 6th, by 10pm!

Good Luck!
Also, if you’re eyeing that beautiful looking burger above, that was a Turkey burger I made Monday night for dinner:

What I did:

• Took just over 1lb of lean ground turkey and mixed it with:
• 1 T olive oil
• 1 T ketchup
• 1 T Dijon mustard
• 1 T Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• Formed 4 patties
• Grilled until cooked through
• Provolone cheese on top
• Classic toppings:
• whole wheat hamburger bun
• lettuce (ok, actually arugula)
• sliced tomato
• sliced red onion
• sliced pickles
• whole grain mustard
• ketchup

I could barely bite the whole thing, but it was delicious!

Happy Grilling!

Beer and Blunders: A Weekend Recap

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!  The weather here in Mass was AMAZING.  Dry, sunny, and in the low 70’s. 

Our weekend was moderately busy.  A lot went on, but I still felt relaxed. 

Friday started the busy-ness with the first run of one of the pieces my dance company is doing!  We have a show in September, but our director was involved in a showcase at a high school in NH where she coaches the dance team, so we decided to perform a piece!

It’s a long 12 minute number, but it’s really interesting with a LOT going on so you don’t get bored.  Anyways, it was fun being on stage again, the dance still needs some work, but I can’t WAIT for September for the full show!! 

On Friday, Bromely and I also saw a cute Swan Family on our long walk:

The mom kept diving for food to feed her babies

 

It was so cool to watch!!  Then we continued:

And took breaks in the shade

 

Saturday involved a pretty lazy/awesome morning.  Sometimes you just need to not rush, have a leisurely breakfast, and maybe even watch the Food Network. 

p.s. iced lattes taste even better in fancy beer goblets ;)

Our favorite French Toast!  With fresh strawberries, sliced peach, and a dollop of TJ’s non-fat Greek yogurt with homemade blueberry sauce.

Blueberry sauce – this is a great way to get rid of berries that are past their peak, but not quite bad enough to toss. 

• Place berries (any kind) in a sauce pan, add water but just to the point where you’re not fully submerging the berries.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon, and 1-2 T of sugar or sweetener of choice…I used maple syrup.
• Bring to boil, and then reduce to low and simmer until berries cook down and liquid is reduced.   

Brian had the blueberry sauce on his French toast.

Finally broke into my gallon of happiness:

 

The rest of Saturday was great…well until we missed the Red Sox game, but let me rewind.

After a 4-mile run, we got changed and headed into Boston.  I had gotten Brian Red Sox tickets for his birthday (which was May 23).  We planned to stop by Mead Hall in Cambridge for a beer and maybe a snack before the game.

Brian’s been dying to try Mead Hall.  It’s the latest craft beer bar/bistro boasting 100 different domestic and international beers on tap.

They weren’t kidding:

After perusing the menu and having a few samples I decided on the Bacchus; a Belgian sour ale from Van Honsebrouck.

Really enjoyed this beer.   It’s not as sour as some of the other sour ales I love (like Cherry Woods), but it had a mild sourness and was very refreshing. 

We also ordered a cheese plate (which went unpictured).  It was OK, still needs a little work.  Actually too much cheese, not enough accompaniments.   You know how much I love cheese, but I also love the different flavor combinations you can create with a nice cheese plate.

Overall I really liked Mead Hall and we are looking forward to returning.  I loved this huge bar area, with big windows to let in the natural light.  I feel like so many beer bars in the area are so dark and cramped.  This is nice and open with high ceilings and an upstairs with couches and flat screen TV’s.

Back to the story, the “blunder”.  After Meadhall, we headed over to the Fenway area to look for a parking spot. 

Found a spot a little too easy, but maybe just our lucky day.  Then as we’re walking towards Fenway, I’m oddly noticing some groups of people in Red Sox attire heading away from the ballpark!? 

Then it hit me.  I didn’t even think to check the game time as the tickets say 7:10, but as the Bruin’s playoff game started at 8pm, the Red Sox had moved their game up to earlier that day.

We missed the whole thing :(    So frustrating…not so much missing the game, but wasting the money and the fact that we had to miss one of Brian’s friend’s housewarming party for the game as well.

Boo Red Sox Boo.

The weekend wrapped up Sunday with the first EVER Woburn Famer’s Market!!  The best part is that it’s like a 5min walk from our house!!

Kringle from Danish Pastry House

Bees.  Frightening.

Purchases:

• Kringle
• Almond Croissant
• “pop tart”
• strawberries
• hummus
• iced coffee

Home to enjoy my treats.

Brian’s pop tart from the Danish Pastry House

       

Next up was a graduation party for a few of my cousins and my aunt made a spectacular candy themed cake!

How freaking cute is that!??

Sadly we had to leave before eating any as I had dance rehearsal to get to, but I had some candy :)

Phew!  That was a long post!!!

I’ll close things out with the winners of the
AllMenus.com giveaway!

Using a Random Number Generator, the 3 winners are:

1. Shannon
2. Erica Thomas
3. Jocy

Ladies, email me and I believe I can have your $10 coupons emailed to you!!  Hope you have a yummy take out dinner soon!!

Thanks Signpost for letting me host this giveaway!

Giveaway – Your Favorite Takeout!

Happy Long Weekend!

I love this weather! It’s finally FINALLY feeling like summer. I guess technically it’s not summer yet, but it’s Memorial Day weekend and for most people this is the unofficial start of summer :)

I’m going to be ringing in the holiday weekend with my first HALF MARATHON!!!

I can’t believe it’s tomorrow!! Brian and I are heading down to Boston shortly to pick up our race packets and check out the expo :)

I’m actually really glad the race starts at 8am tomorrow morning, because the weather’s only JUST warmed up so most of our long runs have been in much cooler weather…I hope it doesn't screw us up too much.

This week I’ve drank a lot of these…

Mmmm homemade iced lattes. Look how cool the milk looks combining with the espresso and ice!

Most of the time I don’t bother frothing milk just for the topping…but sometimes I do ;)

Some random breakfasts

• 1/2 honey wheat bagel. 1/4 with PB and J, 1/4 with chive cream cheese.


• homemade biscotti

Another day, another latte. This time no foam, but in a beer goblet!

• whole wheat cinnamon raisin breakfast thin


• 1 egg


• 1 slice cheddar cheese


• 1 slice ham

This breakfast sandwich was the bomb.

Yogurt & Berries

Specifically:

• 0% Plain Chobani


• raspberries


• blueberries


• sliced almonds


• drizzle of honey

First peaches of the season!! They aren’t local (but from Georgia!), but man…they were incredible.

You can see how juice it was!! I think a perfectly ripe peach could possibly be my most favorite fruit of all time….at least top 3.

Ok enough randomness.

Some days the most effort you want to put into lunch or dinner is pulling a menu from the drawer and calling in an order.

There’s nothing wrong with that my friend ;)

Signpost.com has offered to do a giveaway for Y&B readers!!

If you’re in the Boston area I would definitely recommend signing up for Signpost! You get daily emails letting you know about deals and bargains all around town. It’s not always for-sale deals like the one I’m giving away, but maybe it’s what restaurant is having half price appetizers or other limited time deals that you may never hear about.

Now for the giveaway!

What could be better than half of at your favorite takeout spots?! For $5, you’ll receive a $10 coupon code applicable to any delivery order from Allmenus.com. Essentially, it’s like getting that next order of sushi, pad thai, pizza or burritos at 50% off. Allmenus.com has partnered with hundreds of restaurants in the city, such as b.good, Elephant Walk, Cafeteria Boston, Modern Pastry Shop and more, so you'll be sure to find a restaurant that fits your cravings.

Three lucky readers will each win one of these deals. If you just can't wait to see if you've won, and want to purchase now, you can view the deal here.

Ways to win (leave a comment for each entry)

• Leave a comment telling me your favorite thing to order for take-out!


• Follow me on twitter @yogurtberries


• Tweet about the giveaway, be sure to mention @yogurtberries and @SignpostBOS


• Mention the giveaway in a blog post

Other important info:

• You do NOT need to have a blog for this.


• But you probably should be local to the Boston area to enjoy the benefits if you win :)

I’ll choose 3 winners on Wednesday June 1st by 10:00 PM EST.

Good Luck!!