Recipes

Thursday, September 8, 2011

VIBE – Personal Training and Nutrition

Visualize:
Picture yourself at peace with the way you feel, inside and out.

Inspire:
Tap into what motivates you and use that as your source of fuel.

Believe:
Know the strength of the power inside of you.

Energize:
Put your thoughts into action - transform your body and light up your life!

These are the core values at VIBE, a new personal training studio for women in Wakefield, MA.

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This is my friend’s studio!!!

My friend from college, Lauren, and her friend Jenna are both personal trainers and decided to follow their career dreams, leave their jobs at other gyms, and open their own training studio!

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(I want those chairs)

Don’t let the feminine decor fool you, this little blonde kicked my butt!!

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They use a functional training style with their clients in order to maximize your time and efficiency.  Using multiple muscle groups at one time, and moving from one exercise to another increases your calorie burn all while building lean muscle!

They aren’t kidding.  I did two training sessions with Lauren, and even though we were focusing on strength training (as opposed to cardio) my heart rate was way up there and I was sweating just as much as a run…only with multiple muscles burning!

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Each session is 45min long, and even though we were chatting away, I never once slowed down. 

You don’t have to go along though!  Maybe you and your friend want to workout together, or maybe you want to be in a small group.  All are options at Vibe.  They have one-on-one, pair, and group training (4-8 people).   The group sessions are led more in a boot camp style so everyone is getting their maximum workout! 

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A group of our college friends are actually trying to schedule a group session!  I can’t wait :)

In addition to training, they also offer nutritional evaluations and guidance.  Lauren studied nutrition in college, and I know for a fact she has an arsenal of amazing recipes!  It was funny, when she sent me her big word document full of recipes I kind of laughed to myself because they reminded me of many of the popular healthy blogger recipes out there!! 

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They also offer many nutritional services to help you eat healthy everyday at home!  They will meet you at the grocery store and teach you how to navigate each department, read food labels, and compare brands.  Take that one step further and they can even develop a list, purchase, and deliver your groceries right to your door and even provide guidance, recipes, and ideas on how to put it all together.  Finally, they can also teach you healthy cooking techniques and how to prep your meals for the week!

I love how they have a very hands-on approach to nutrition.  If you’re just learning how to eat healthy it can be pretty intimidating to think about preparing healthy meals for lunch and dinner during the week.  People think it’s so much more effort that they don’t want to try, but sometimes they just need to be shown exactly what to do :)

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I could go on and on, but I just really wanted to get across that they have set up a great business here.  Wakefield is only about 15min north of Boston, and if you need a break from your same old workout routine I’d highly suggest checking this place out!!

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Also Lauren is one of THE NICEST people I know!  She’s super sweet, and no she’s not going to yell at you Jillian Michael style, but she’ll cheer you on in a way that you really want to finish that last set!

Full disclosure: I received a free training session from Lauren, but I would have wanted to write about her studio regardless.  Blogging aside, she is a friend and I think she started a great company.

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I’ve been meaning to write about VIBE for a while now, but I’m almost glad I waited until today because…  there is a SUPER DEAL on weforia.com right now!!!

$29 for 4 Training Sessions and a Nutritional Evaluation at VIBE!

That is seriously an awesome deal!  $29 is a small price to pay to try out a new place…who knows you might love it! 

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Monday, September 5, 2011

B’s Anniversary Weekend + Oleana

There were a lot of “B’s” this weekend…  Bridget, Brian, Bromley, Beer, Bruins…

Most important of course are the first two: Bridget and Brian.  It is our anniversary weekend after all :)

Technically, we’ll be married for 2 years tomorrow, September 6, but since it was also the Sunday of Labor Day weekend that year we take the whole weekend to celebrate!

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Kind of jealous of Elizabeth right now, since she’s just getting to begin the process!!  Congrats girl!! 

 We left off Friday right before Brian and I headed to the Massachusetts Brewers Fest…Beer time!

This was our first time at this particular festival, and the venue was amazing!  It was at the Seaport World Trade Center, but instead of being inside the convention areas, it was in their Head House Concourse which is a beautiful outdoor/indoor area with spectacular views!

The line waiting for the gates to open at 6pm, luckily we didn’t have to wait too long!

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Samples.  Lots of breweries had their Autumn styles ready to taste.

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Pumple Drumpkin!

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The Wormtown Pumpkin might have been my favorite

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Crisp Summer/Fall evening

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The band set up outside with the Boston skyline behind…

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I’d love to come here for another event!    

It was Sunday night that we had our official Anniversary dinner.

I FINALLY got to try Oleana!  It’s one of those restaurants that I’ve wanted to try for years, then I learned about their patio so I was holding out for a special occasion in the warmer weather :)

Cue anniversary dinner!

Luckily I did my research and knew to get there before they opened at 5:30 in order to secure a spot on the patio!

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No really we were both outside, I just had my back to a wall :) 

We were right up near a beautiful garden, much of which was made of herbs and fruits!

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We started with cocktails (and an iced tea for me as well)

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I had the PaoPao which was sparkling wine with peach and lemon verbena.  Lightly sweet and refreshing

Brian had the Isla: Cocchi Americano, Mint & Bitters

I knew I wanted to try a bunch of the Meze’s, and that we did.  Our eyes may have been slightly larger than our stomachs however.

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First was delicious bread with kalamata olive oil.  I loved the little chunks of some type of herbed bread like foccacia!

IMG_0878  The first 2 Meze’s:

IMG_0879Warm Buttered Hummus with Basturma & Tomato 

Basturma was the cured meat around the hummus.  Brian loved this, however there was some spice in there that reminded me of curry (which I hate), so even though I liked it, I didn’t love it.

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Whipped Feta with Sweet & Hot Peppers

I was most excited to try this feta spread!!  Ever since I heard about it, I thought it sounded very similar to my favorite feta spread that I used to get at my FAVORITE restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard (sadly went out of business).

AWESOME!  I loved it.  Tasted just like I was hoping it was! 

Also confirmed to me, that the dip I MADE tasted dangerously close to this!!

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Spinach Falafel with Tahini, Yogurt, Beets & Crinkled Cress

Another winner.  The tahini on top was my favorite part, or maybe the pickle, or the falafel…I don’t know, but the flavors blended so well. 

The next 2 (yes we ordered 5 and 1 entre…) were specials that night.

The first was a take on a panzanella salad.  However, instead of croutons they used pieces of fried green tomato.  Then in addition to tomatoes, they had fresh chunks of melon!  Topped with a cured ham (similar to prosciutto) and goat cheese!

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This was freaking incredible.   I’ve never had fried green tomatoes, but now I love them.  All the flavors and textures made for a different experience with each bite we took!  This might have been my favorite of the night.

Next up was the whipped blue fish crostini.  Similar to a pate, but it wasn’t a smoked fish. 

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I was incredibly full by this point, but the bites I took were amazing.  The warm, crisp, buttery crostini made for a perfect bite.  

With 5 Meze’s down, we still had 1 entre to go… Vermont Lamb with Turkish Spices, Pide & Everything Green with Garlic & Yogurt

Somehow missed a picture of it but I was actually WAY too full and it ended up being something I wasn’t expecting.  It was more like a ground lamb with spices in somewhat of a sausage form that was sliced.  Brian loved it, and we ended up taking most of it home.

This is where the story gets sad.  In all my talks about coming here, I wanted to be sure to get dessert.  However, I knew it would just put me over the edge and I wouldn’t enjoy it…seriously I was SOOO FULL!!!

So sadly no baked Alaska for me, but now we have an excuse to go back…soon! 

I was extremely happy with our dinner, and so glad I finally dined on the patio at Oleana!   

B:  Bromley

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B: Bruins

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I was actually part of another Flash Mob today for that guy, Mr Andrew Ference of the Boston Bruins!  It was so fun and so crazy!  I’m waiting to find a good video of it but I’ll be sure to post as soon as I do!

Back to work tomorrow, but I’m actually thrilled the temperature is going to drop a little this week…it was hot and humid this weekend and I think I’m officially ready for summer to be over.  I love seasons :)

Hope you all had a fabulous Labor Day weekend!! 

Friday, September 2, 2011

Friday: Beer Time!

TGIF!!!

It’s been a long and busy week for me!  My dance company show is next week so there has been many rehearsals and late nights for that…I cannot WAIT to sleep in tomorrow.  We also have a free night without the kid (the pup) tonight!  My mom offered to take her dog and Bromely to the groomers tomorrow for 8am appointments so she is going to take him overnight :)  I’ll miss his little furry butt, but it will be nice to not be woken up early tomorrow.

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Also bonus that it’s a long weekend AND our 2nd anniversary weekend!  Well it’s technically on Tuesday (the 6th!), but since we were married on Labor Day weekend, it’s an anniversary weekend.  Man looking at that old post made want cake!  Hmmm I’m thinking we need an anniversary cake???

Unfortunately we don’t have anything big planned…I wish we were heading to Nantucket like last year!  But rehearsals are in the way.

Right now I’m hanging in Boston after work, waiting for Brian to come meet me as we’re heading over to the Mass Brewers Fest!  Over 80 beers from over 20 Massachusetts breweries!  I saw the list and am very excited to try all the Pumpkin and Fall themed beers

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It was a gorgeous walk over to the Seaport area

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It’s crisp, sunny, and low 70’s.  Perfect.

Even chilly enough this morning for a delicious Thinking Cup cappuccino!  My goal this fall/winter is to learn how to make the foamed milk look like that!

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Other favorites this week:

Best lunch goes to the falafel salad from Sultan’s Kitchen:

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The falafels are actually shaped like little tubes, and honestly the falafel themselves aren’t my favorite.  However, with this meal comes a BOATLOAD of hummus and tabbouleh over mixed greens.  Their hummus is one of the best I’ve ever had! 

Favorite outfit:

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I normally don’t take my outfit pictures before work, so I’m still rocking some puffy morning eyes…my bad.

  • Light pink dress: Zara
  • Navy Blazer: Banana Republic Outlet
  • Navy belt: my grandmother’s
  • Nude peep toe pumps: Rampage

I’ve definitely been enjoying getting dressed up for work!  My office doesn’t by any means have a strict dress code, but maybe it’s the fact that I’m in Boston everyday makes me want to look a little nicer :)  Plus now I have more blog-worthy outfits to share!

Today’s isn’t my favorite, but I’ve realized that I’ve worn Navy like 4 times this week!  Apparently Navy is the new Black for me haha!

Casual Friday

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  • Navy lace top: Forever 21
  • Navy tank underneath: Old Navy
  • Grey skinny jeans: Gap
  • Same nude pumps!
  • Pearls :)

And in case you missed my tweet Wednesday, here’s me and Andrew Ference from the Boston Bruins!

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Yeah he’s easy on the eyes ;)

Well I think that concludes this quick Friday wrap up!  I’m just waiting for Brian to get here so we can start tasting some delicious beers!

Have anything fun planned this long weekend???