Lauren Bra By BodyRock Sport

From reading my previous posts or following "sweat with lauren hefez" on facebook, I am sure most of you know how I love BodyRock Sports bras. Kelly Dooley, designer and creator of these bras, names each bra she creates after someone. In her "about" she closes by writing:

"Each product in our collection suits different personalities--each piece is named after both real and mystical women whose confidence, energy, passion, style, and/or spirituality have inspired me. When you're happy, you glow from the inside out. I want all of you to GLOW.............xoKELLY"

Kelly told me last night that she was naming a bra after me! I am so excited and honored about this news.  Here is a little snip-it of what the Lauren Bra looks like. I LOVE it, and feel a total connection to the colors and pattern! Nice work Kelly.

The Lauren Bra is  the blue version of the Sophie Bra that Kendall Jenner was spotted wearing in People Magazine and all over Keeping Up With The Kardashians. 

Her new collection has not yet been released on the website but you can pre-order the Lauren Bra, just contact Kelly at kdooley@bodyrocksport.com. Either way, anytime you buy the Lauren Bra, and you live in the Boston area, email me and you will get a FREE 30 minute personal training session by me. Just a little thank you for supporting BRS.

Thank you again Kelly for making women feel beautiful inside and out.XO

*For a 10% discount type in LAURENH  (case-sensitive) at checkout

Why blanch?

I blanched this weekend for the second time ever, and I for sure will continue to do so.  Blanching (yes a funny word when said over and over again) is a quick and easy cooking technique.  Blanching is AWESOME because it keeps your veggies BRIGHT in color and crisp in texture, and really cuts your actual cooking time in half! After you blanch your veggies you can then quickly saute, or eat them the way they are.  You can add some seasoning like lemon, salt and pepper, or you can store right away and eat the next day or throw them in a fresh salad. Not only does blanching seal the vegetables color, but it also keeps the nutrient content and crispness of the vegetable. How to blanch:

Prep your veggies. Wash. Cut. Do what you would normally do.

Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add in  your vegetable.

The amount of time you boil your veggie is key! You do not want to over boil, or else it defeats the whole purpose of blanching. I boiled the asparagus for about 3 minutes. I gave it the "pinch test". I took out an asparagus and made sure it had a little "give" to it. Not too squishy and not too hard, yet still had a nice tenderness to it.

After veggies are cooked you want to take them out with a pair of tongs and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water. The transition from boiling hot to ice cold water will "shock" the vegetable.  Shocking stops the cooking process and preserves the bright color of the veggie. I left my asparagus in the ice water for about 20 minutes. But for the future I think 10 minutes will do.

Final product! Enjoy blanching!

class playlist update

I put a lot of effort into my playlists for my classes. Music selection is key when trying to create an atmosphere. My music helps me create a fun, upbeat, energetic and inspiring class. Here is my updated music list. Listen, enjoy, and DANCE!

Saturday events!

Join me this Saturday for zumba from 10:30-11:20am at International Place (158 Oliver st). This is an ongoing OPEN class that is usually held from 11-12pm, but I changed the time due to an awesome event; Salutation Nation! This yoga event will be held from 12-1pm at Boston Common-Parkman Bandstand. Estimated number to attend is about 1,000 people! The hour-long yoga class with be lead by Lynne Begier of Back Bay Yoga and owner of Sweat and Soul Yoga.[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhPvOep6H4o?hd=1&w=560&h=345] Here are more details about the event

"anyone. everyone. do yoga.

On Saturday, September 10th at 12pm (EST), roll out your mat and do yoga. Join your community to move, breathe, connect and get your down dog on!

Salutation Nation is an annual, international day of yoga led by local yoga ambassadors. Our Boston region will be led by Lynne Begier of Back Bay Yoga and owner of Sweat and Soul Yoga. She will be teaching a Hip Hop Yoga class, and will be assisted by several other local yoga ambassadors.

Before rocking out in Lynne's class, Kevan Gale, director of Stil Studio and lululemon Legacy Place ambassador, will lead us in a 15 minute meditation. Kevan is a PranaVayu yoga instructor, and has trained with David Magone!

This yoga experience is open to ALL levels, and is complimentary. Simply join us down at the Boston Common, ready with your yoga mat and water to participate in this amazing event!

Water will be provided, but please bring your own water bottle, so we can eliminate unnecessary plastic cup waste.

You'll know where we are because we'll be rocking the new ROCKSTEADY bright blue color. Come into the store and grab your color too if you want to match us!

For full details and to check out other locations, visit: www.salutationnation.com"

Fight the Frizz after your workout

I sweat at least once a day. I have naturally CURLY hair but straighten it often. As you may know, once naturally curly hair that has been straightened gets wet... it goes right back to curly. I have dealt with my curly hair-line by using a headband after I sweat.  How do you deal with your hair after you sweat and have to head back to work or be presentable for a dinner date with no time to shower!? Here are three hair style ideas from Fab Fit Fun.

This is one purchase I will be making! "Bigger, better, full-on glamorous hair. This invisible dry hair spray builds in incredible volume and sexy texture. Patented polymers absorb oil at the roots, leaving you with just-styled hair for days (and nights)."