Barre Fitness Craze

This week, I had the opportunity to try Barre-based classes from two different studios, Metropolitan Fine Arts in Alexandria, VA and Lava Barre in Arlington, VA.

Barre fitness is described as ballet meets Pilates meets yoga and often credits Lotte Berk, a German dancer, as having developed this method which targets specific areas for strengthening and flexibility training.


Both classes I attended were 60  minutes long and lively, upbeat (current top 40) music was  played to go with the workout. Both studios provided props used during the classes:

• Mat
• Hand weights
• Strap
• Ball
• Ballet bar that is affixed to the wall

My daughter takes her dance lessons with Metropolitan Fine Arts so I'm very familiar with this place. I purchased a 5-pack class MetroBarre package from Groupon for $29 which was a really good deal. They do offer a free first class. Most the classes are in the evening and the location is convenient to my home with plenty of parking spaces in the strip mall where the studio is located. Vibe of the place is typical dance studio with parents waiting for their kids to come out of class and students (kids) waiting for their class to start. During this class, I wore black cropped leggings and a CRB. No socks required. No need to pre-register since the studio is large and can accommodate a big group.

I discovered Lava Barre through the Lululemon Clarendon store. They offered a free class but since it sold out very quickly, a coupon code was made available to take the class at their studio for free. Studio is smallish for no more than 12 people at each class. They share the space with Saffron yoga studio and the vibe is more grown-up - tranquil and spa-like. They require participants to wear grippy socks which they also sell instudio for $12/pair. They handed out lavender scented cold towels after the practice (just like some Bikram studios.) Parking is very limited but it is two blocks from the Clarendon metro station. Vanessa, one of the studio founders, taught the class and she was and excellent teacher. I found this class harder than the other one but it could also be because my muscles felt tight from last night's Kazaxe class. I will write about Kazaxe some other time because I absolutely love that workout.


Photo from Lava Barre website

There's a couple more Barre-fitness studios in the DC area (bFit and Barre3) and I'm plan to try them all. Overall, I really enjoyed it. Movements are small but the reps are higher past the point of fatigue. You really get a good workout (and sweat) without the jumping around of a cardio workout. You don't need to be a dancer or ballet training to do well and enjoy this workout. I will definitely incorporate Barre in my regular fitness cycle.

Subscription Boxes - A Whole New World!

I recently discovered the world of subscription boxes. How did I not know this secret club existed?! After research and reading reviews from other bloggers, I settled on two boxes to try: KlutchClub and Nature Box. Subscription boxes are expert-curated based on the theme of the box or company. There are beauty boxes that send make-up and beauty product samples, mommy-themed boxes, snacks, etc. 

KlutchClub bills itself as a lifestyle, wellness and fitness company which intrigued me. I am always up for trying new health products that can enhance my fitness goals. Nature Box, on the other hand, sources health snacks. Each Nature Box snack is packaged in their own special packaging, not branded.

I received my boxes within a day of each other. What joy it is to open a box to be surprised. It is truly like Christmas.  Since I signed up in July, I received both July and August KlutchClub boxes this week.

The July KlutchClub July box includes:

• CasCal Fermented Soda in Fresh Tropical flavor in 1 12oz can 
• Truvia zero-calorie sweetener (sample box)
• Broye du Poitou French butter cookies
• Zoye Vegetable oil - two 20ml sample pack
• 1st Step Liquid Vitamin B12 complex - 2fl oz 
• Mighty Leaf teas - 1 chamomile citrus, 1 green tea tropical, 1 organic earl grey
• Mole Cule R molecular gastronomy agar agar (comes with small recipe booklet, coupon for free mold or free popping sugar
• Mineral Hygienics makeup super coupon or $15 gift certificate
• Nia workout - coupon for 30 day free online Nia Passion Workout, 40% off Nia products (music, clothing, DVDs) and $500 off Nia White Belt Training

The August KlutchClub box includes:

• PopCorners Popped Corn Chips in Sea salt 1.1 oz bag
• Japan Gold Seaweed Salad on the Go 0.9 oz
• Alo Awaken Wheatgrass + Aloe Vera 16.9 fl oz
• Nanogreens Superfood Solution in Natural Green Apple 3 0.42 oz powder you mix with water
• Go Nola Wild Berry Wave granola 1.1oz
• Twist Band 1 orange hair tie
• Tieks gift card worth $50
• iBodyFit.com 1 year free workout
• Go Sport ID$10 gift card

The August Nature Box includes:

• Bombay Curried Cashews
• Mexicana Mango dried mango
• Maui Onion Crunch almond crunchies
• Dried Fancy Figs
• Far East Rice Crackers

If you want to try out Nature Box, visit www.naturebox.com/checkout and enter promo code REFER25 for 25% off.

I had not planned on posting my review and thoughts of the products contained in the boxes. If there is interest though, I would do it. So let me know.

* I purchased these boxes with my own money and did not receive freebies nor compensation from these companies.

Protein is Power!

I am trying to diversify sources of protein in my diet and looking for food that do not have a high calorie or fat content. I love the flavor of peanut butter and cheese. I can eat peanut butter straight from the jar (who needs bread?)  But since that is high in fat and calories, I use it sparingly. I am happy to have recently discovered this product called PB2 from Bell Plantation. It is powdered peanut butter where all 85% percent of the fat is sucked out. I bought two varieties (from Amazon) to try: PB2 and PB2 with chocolate. I made a shake using 2 tbs of PB2, 1 packet of chocolate flavored egg white protein powder, 1 cup of almond milk and crushed ice. It is very good and very filling. The roasted peanut butter flavor was there but not overpowering. Next time, I will add a half frozen banana (for more body) and try the PB2 chocolate. I did like the protein powder that I tried so I may get more of that at Whole Foods. I am also dying to try the PB2 in other recipes and with oatmeal.

PB2 for you

Ready to drink

 












Another protein-packed meal I ate recently is the Protein Power Breakfast at Silver Diner.  I love that Silver Diner is adding more interesting menu items, healthy and locally sourced ingredients.  According to their website, the protein power breakfast has egg whites topped with cremini mushrooms, spinach, roasted tomatoes, feta cheese, turkey bacon, strawberries, whole wheat toast (Cal 514, Fat 29g, Sat. Fat 6g, Chol. 61mg, Fiber 8g). It was an excellent recovery food after a long weekend run. I am dying to try their Bison Huevos Rancheros.

Did you eat anything interesting lately?

Lunchtime Shopping

I decided to take a short trek on over to Clarendon (in Arlington, VA) at lunchtime for a shopping errand. I was lucky that the Lululemon store there had the studio dance crops in Porcelain (sz 6) that I've been wanting for a long time. Although I paid full price (ugh!) these crops are so awesome that I don't mind it. Perfect color for summer and the fabric weight is suitable for this hot weather. That is not me on the photo. Picture courtesy of Lulumum blog.


Lululemon dance crops in Porcelain blue

Another cool purchase includes a Run: A Marathon Skirt (sz 6) in corcord grape which was on sale online for $59. It was also on sale at the store for $49 (holla!). I didn't think I'd like it because it looked tiny in the photos I've seen. But I really like that the skirt cover the bum (good-bye VPL!) The bottom shorts also have grippy things on the hem to keep them from riding up when running. Lots of pockets which is what I look for in running bottoms. That is me on the photo.

Run: A Marathon Skirt in Corcord Grape

During the same trip, I also bought 2 Crumbs cupcakes (salted caramel & squiggles) and a small Red Mango peanut butter froyo.  I'm so glad I don't work in Clarendon. I'd be broke if I did.