NYC Blogger Playdate Rides Again! March 1st, 2015

Oh hey- fancy seeing you here. It has been approximately eight trillion years since I've posted (scientific estimate), so be on the lookout for a blog-facelift soon. So much new and exciting in this girl's world. Stay tuned for details. I've kept busy, I promise. 

In the meantime, I'm thrilled to announce that the NYC Blogger Playdate is returning on March 1st, 2015. befitnyc will be hosting a swarm of NYC fitness, food, nutrition and lifestyle bloggers for free classes in the morning and then we'll convene for brunch that afternoon in the Upper West Side. 

Want in on the action? Comment here, get at me on Twitter, Facebook me, shoot over an email, or smoke signal me. 

NYC Blogger Playdate- January 2012- Kettlebell Kickboxing and Buddha Bodai

I feel like I've been run over by a truck, in the best way possible. My EVERYTHING is sore. And happy.

Kettlebell Kickboxing very graciously offered the NYC Bloggers a free, private class to experience owner Dasha Libin's exciting and comprehensive new fitness fusion. 

From their website:

Kettlebell Kickboxing™ is a one-of-a-kind FEMALE only method developed by fitness & martial art expert Dasha Libin, MS,NASM-PES, NASE. Kettlebell Kickboxing™ redefines the body by combining the sleek and deadly motions of Muay Thai with the power and strength of Russian kettlebell training, creating a NON-impact 60 minute total body scorching class. Burn 1,000 calories – getting Long & Lean at the same time.

This high intensity workout combines classic kettlebell moves with kickboxing, martial arts and self-defense movements, broken up by plyometric bursts and a KILLER floor series that focuses on the core. 

Kettlebell work focuses on complex movements involving large groups of big and small muscles, challenging stability, balance, strength and cardiovascular endurance. The addition of kickboxing gives more dynamic and explosive options, keeping your body guessing and constantly engaged!

I have a history with kettlebells, so most of the moves felt pretty natural for me. Our instructors were very good at giving specific and easy-to-follow direction to help those without KB experience. We were all happy pools of sweat on the floor at the end! :) This workout leaves no muscle untouched!

Our gorgeous, strong and sexy group! 

@freckleandspice - Freckles And Spice
@RebeRoad - REBEats
@Sproutandpea- Sprout & Pea
@bkforkandspoon- Brooklyn Fork & Spoon
@AubrieF- Drunk on Opportunity
@_ErikaLeigh- Shoes, Shirts and Other Sh!t
@fitnessnyc- Fitness NYC
@dareyoutoblog- Dare You to Blog
@lschwech- Laura from Greatist.com
@kellyannefitz- Kelly from Greatist.com
@tonee78- Running, Loving, Living
@finishurbroc- Finish Your Broccoli

Thank you so much, Dasha, for having us! I will DEFINITELY be back for more! :)

Kettlebell Kickboxing has a DVD coming out soon- join their mailing list for updates!

By sheer coincidence, I had planned the January Blogger Playdate in Chinatown during Chinese New Year. 

The streets were full of revelers!

Trudging through the throngs of people to get to our restaurant was a workout in itself!

It's the year of the dragon!

I would NOT want to be the person who has to clean all of this up...

Our party of 7 settled in to a table at Buddha Bodai immediately- they very graciously accommodated us, even though we didn't have a reservation.

This vegetarian restaurant has a trillion options! Their menu is huge and everything looks delicious!

I got the steamed veggie dumplings (I'm a dumpling freak)!

I also ordered a bowl of Curried Vegetable Noodle Soup.

From L to R: Myself, Toni, Ashley, Aubrie, Colleen, Meredith and Erika.

(Fun Fact- there are four Fitfluential Ambassadors in this picture including myself, and three of us are wearing our awesome Sparkly Soul headbands- giveaway coming soon!)

The NYC Blogger Playdates keep getting bigger and more exciting! I'm so grateful to everyone who helps make them a success! Email or Tweet me for details on our next event!

Check out our past events:

September 2011- Hot Yoga
October 2011- Yoga Vida
November 2011- Five Points Academy Kickboxing

NYC BLOGGER PLAYDATE!

Just a quick post this AM, pals! I'm off for today's NYC Blogger Playdate with Kettlebell Kickboxing, followed by lunch at Buddha Bodai! We have an awesome group of some of NYC's best fitness, lifestyle and healthy living bloggers attending today's event!

If you'd like to join us for a future meetup, or if your business is interested in hosting the NYC Bloggers, check the page for contact details!

Recap comin' atcha tonight!

NYC Blogger Playdate #3- November!

I can't believe it's already November, and we've already had THREE NYC Blogger Playdates!

Yesterday AM I grabbed a NuGo Dark Mint Chocolate Chip Bar to snack on as I headed into Manhattan. Sweet, crunchy, chocolatey and satisfying. 

Our first stop was Five Points Academy on Canal Street. What an exceptional facility! Five Points Academy offers Muay Thai, Judo, Kali, Kettlebells, TRX, Sandbags and so much more. I want to work out here EVERY DAY!

We had our sights set on the Kettlebells! I've raved about my addiction to KB training on this blog- initiated by my trainer/ coach/ PR manager/ friend/ adopted mom Ellen Stein (aka KettlebEllen). I've only worked individually and in private training sessions, though, so yesterday was my first group KB class!

Instructor Arjan Steve Milles kept our very large group (appx 25 people) engaged and WORKING during this hour long class, including KB basics like the swing (YESSSS cardio and glutes), squat, deadlift and overhead press. 

From L to R

Jen at Mom's Gotta Run

Anonymous Awesome-Pants at 100 First Dates (hidden in the back- we won't blow your cover)!

Liz at An Interesting Year

Laura at Joyful Shimmy

Kayla at Learning to Say Yes

Myself

Arjan Steve Milles- Trainer, Coach and Instructor

Jocelyn at Peace Love Nutrition

 I've found I'm happiest when covered in sweat and holding a Kettlebell...

We were STARVING after class, so we strolled over to Patois on Mulberry St. for brunch! 

 Their $12.95 brunch prix fixe includes coffee, two Mimosas (or a Bloody Mary) and a delicious entree! 

I opted for the stuffed french toast with Mascarpone and strawberries. Heaven.

A HUGE thank you to all the attending bloggers who made the afternoon so wonderful! Hope to see you all soon!

Check out 100 First Dates' recap here!
Check out Joyful Shimmy's recap here!
Check out Mom's Gotta Run's recap here!
Check out Another Interesting Year's recap here!
Check out Peace Love Nutrition's recap here!
Check out Learning To Say Yes's recap here!

Bloggers We Love!

Yesterday I was still recovering from my very first all nighter- I headed into school for a rehearsal with my scene partner and then a reading of a new play by one of the Brooklyn College playwrights, which was HILARIOUS.

I grabbed a quick lunch at Quiznos with my classmates. The broccoli cheese soup makes me very happy. The sandwich did not. Sigh. You can't win them all...

After bidding farewell to my classmates, I headed into Manhattan to attend the BLOGGERS WE LOVE event at the gorgeous Lali Lali Salon. A HUGE shoutout to the fabulous ladies of Losing in the City and Chic Busy Mom for organizing such an amazing evening! 

 I don't drink very often (I can count on one hand the number of alcholic beverages I've had in 2011), but I was curious to try Barefoot Wine's (the evening's wine sponsor) Sweet Red. I don't like wine, but I LOVED this. Sweet and fruity with banana and berry notes, and sooooo smooth. I'm sold. 

 There were some delicious vegan treats being served, including kale salad, chick'n nuggets and mini cupcakes from Karrot.

 There were free manicures from polish sponsor Ginger and Liz! I chose the shade "New Money". So fun! their colors are SO vibrant and they dry incredibly quickly. Plus it's vegan-friendly and toxin-free! What's not to love?

I spent most of the evening chatting with my new homegirl Erika of Shoes, Shirts and Other Sh!t. We have a ton in common and it was so fun getting to know her.

The awesome Kaitlin of Lali Lali hooked me up with a blowout. 

I was so pleased with the result! Ask for her if you stop by Lali Lali!

 (Awesome tights twins)

Erika and I post-blowouts!

All in all, it was an amazing evening!

And now, off to the third NYC BLOGGER PLAYDATE! WAHOOOO! 

Yumm in the Mornin', Yumm in the Evenin', Yumm at Suppertime....

Since my marathon sickness has had an impressive run, I feel obligated to give updates. I'm still sick,  but *fingers crossed* I think I've turned the bend and am getting better! We shall see.

Greek yogurt, sunflower butter, bananas and a dark chocolate almond/ peanut combo is a pretty great way to start the day. 

I scarfed down another yogurt, some almonds and an apple during a break-I had a bunch of meetings yesterday in addition to class and rehearsal. 

When I got home (earlier than usual), I had a late lunch of Creamy Apple, Pumpkin and Delicata Squash Soup (which recently won the Swanson Blogger Recipe Contest) and a grilled cheddar and asiago sandwich. Mmmm....

And then, this salad happened. It was a few minutes before Fitblog Chat and I realized I was STARVING again. Avocado, wheat berries, tuna with hot sauce and TJ's Eggplant Garlic Spread. Heaven. 

Don't forget to let me know if you're in the area and want to join for any of the upcoming NYC Blogger Playdates!

Also, I signed up to attend the BlogHer Holiday Meetup- any other local bloggers going?

NYC Blogger Playdate UPDATES!

I'm so excited about the upcoming NYC Blogger Playdates! Details are going out to interested bloggers about the November playdate in the next day or so!

I'm THRILLED to announce that for the month of December the NYC Bloggers Playdate is partnering with the Burlesque Bikini Bootcamp on Saturday, December 10th for a private blogger class at an extremely discounted price! 

Interested bloggers- email, tweet or comment below if you'd like more details! We have to cap the class at 25 attendees and spaces are available on a first come-first served basis!

Starting the Week Off Right!

Catch up time! Sunday AM I whipped up some chocolate protein oats with sunflower seed butter. Looks gross, tastes divine. 

The sun was shining as I walked to the train to go to rehearsal. 

We had a very successful rehearsal of a scene from Shakespeare's Richard III- I play Queen Elizabeth, and it the scene Richard (my brother-in-law who has murdered two of my sons and my husband and my brothers) asks to marry my young daughter. Ya know, like ya do. 

After rehearsal I headed to Connecticut Muffin on Cortelyou Rd. to catch up on homework and grab some coffee. 

And maybe snack on a Maple Scone. Mmm....

I was joined by my alternate mom/ former personal trainer/ constant inspiration Ellen Stein. We hadn't seen each other in a month or two, so it was good to catch up. 

When I got home, I had a mountain of homework to finish, but I was STARVING! TJ's Saag Paneer and some brown rice to the rescue!

When your husband works for Wafels and Dinges, sometimes, magical things like this appear in your home and make everything seem better. That, my friends, is a sweet, chewy Liege wafel with bacon baked into it. Run, don't walk. 

Yesterday AM I whipped up a smoothie to bring with me to school, as I was running a bit late to get to rehearsal...

+

+

 = A filling, refreshing and delicious breakfast. 

After rehearsal I had an Improv class yesterday, which was a blast! We got a special Halloween discussion about the origins of storytelling and my teacher and classmates brought in a TON of candy. I had three mini-Hersheys, two Reese's PB Cups, two mini-Snickers, a mini-Milky Way and some candy corn throughout the four hour class. Holy. Moly. 

After class I ran over to the school's gym and hopped on a treadmill- I've been itching to run and it felt GOOOOOOOOOOOD. 

When I got home, Joe had dinner waiting. It. was. epic. Enjoy his recipe below!

Peanut Butter and Je...Swiss Chard?

-1 Bunch Swiss Chard
-1 Package Extra Firm Tofu
-1 Handful of Cranberries
-3 Tbsps Peanut Butter
-1 Tbsp Olive Oil
-2 Tbsps Balsamic Vinegar
-3 Cloves Garlic

1. Chop garlic into tiny pieces and put into good-sized pan on stove.
2. Add olive oil and start cooking on medium heat.
3. Cut tofu into half-inch squares and throw into pan.
4. Cook for a bit.
5. Cut stems off swiss chard, cut into manageable pieces and put into pan.
6. Add balsamic vinegar.
7. Add cranberries.
8. Cook until swiss chard is limp and tender.
9. Add peanut butter and mix around thoroughly.
10. EAT!

In other news, I'm participating in NaBloPoMo! You should too!

My first contribution to Brokelyn was published yesterday! Check out my Concrete Jungle Gym Series!

I'm starting to plan the November NYC Blogger Playdate! I. Can't. Wait!

NYC Blogger Playdate #2

The October 2011 NYC Blogger Playdate was a success! It was so wonderful to see so many beautiful blog friends! We began the day at Yoga Vida's 99 University Pl. Studio, where we took the 12p Flow class with Alex. 

The studio is gorgeous and very reasonably priced- $5 per class for students and $10 for a first time visitor one-week pass for anyone! 

Yoga Vida also offers mat storage- a must for anyone who rides the subway every day!

Alex's class is quick paced and challenging but not too difficult- we all left feeling centered and relaxed. Ahhh...

After class we bid farewell to Sofia, Theodora and Ashley and headed to The Barrel NYC for brunch!

Their $11.95 brunch special includes a beverage...

I chose sangria! Pretty much the only boozy beverage I enjoy...

Allie and I both ordered the steak and eggs, served with homefries and creamed spinach. 

The food was good and the conversation was EXCELLENT! It was such a pleasure getting to know Allie and Laura and learning more about Ashley and Juliette! 

From L to R: Myself, Laura, Ashley, Juliette and Allie. Thanks for such a wonderful afternoon, ladies! :)