I'm off to Portugal! (for 2 weeks)

I am so excited to explore a new part of the world I have never seen before! I will keep a journal of the fun foods, and all the crazy adventures I will face in  the Azores... and I will report back when I return to the USA.

While I am away there will be a very cool person managing my facebook page- and website. So stay tuned! She will be posting my prewritten blogs and videos.

See you when I get back XO

My online classes will be ON HOLD for two weeks. But I will be back with some more times. Check out and sign up for my online classes when I return.

Here is my class coverage for the next two weeks. THANK YOU!

Paula K

Abs and Barre Burn Monday August 13th and 20th Back Bay

Barre Burn Wednesday 15th and 22nd Franklin Street

Shandell

Tuesday AM Barre Burn August 14th and August 21st

Both of my AM classes 6:15-7am and 7:00-7:45am Franklin St

Chad? Kristy?

ZUMBA Tuesday night Back Bay August 14th and 21st 5:15-6:30pm

Joanne

ZUMBA Fitness International

Tuesday 12:10-1pm August 14th and 21st

Penelope

Ballet Body 1:20-2:00

Fitness International

Tom

The Sports Club LA/Boston Barre class 9am-10am

Posted on August 11, 2012 and filed under Uncategorized, fashion.

Try my online studio for free!

Just about a month ago I began teaching a live class online. That means that through our computers I see and hear you and you can see and hear me! It is exactly like a class you would attend at a studio, except for some obvious differences like being in your own home and not being visible to other students in the class (unless you choose to be). I get excited about this online class because anyone can do it anywhere they have an internet connection. For a lot of people, the hardest part about going to the gym is actually getting to the gym and my online studio takes that step out. You can workout in the comfort of your own home and in even your PJ's if you wish (although I do suggest getting into workout clothes to prepare yourself mentally).

Check out my online studio and sign up for a class here. Type in trylauren and get class for FREE and, of course, feel free to share this code with friends and family! The code only works once per email address.

Tips to have a successful online class:

1. If you are going to take an early morning class, get everything ready the night before; your mat, towel, weights, computer...anything you may need.

2. Sign into class 5 minutes early to make sure you feel comfortable and everything is right. I am always there at least 8 minutes before!

3. The angle of your camera is so important. I want to be able to see your whole mat and whole body. If I can only see your head, one leg, or your ceiling, I won't be able to let you know if you need to make a correction in your exercise. Also, if you have control over the lighting, try to have the  light in front of you and not behind you. If the light is behind you things look dark.

4. I have an HDMI plug that allows me to connect my computer to my TV. I love this because it is much easier to see everything and everyone on my TV rather than struggling with my tiny laptop screen and I recommend using it if you have one.

5. Tell a friend to join you in the morning. It will be a fun experience for the both of you. Especially if you are in different states, how cool! You can still get your morning workout in together.

The first class is a trial time. You will be figuring out this new fitness experience. You will love it. Give it a chance and see what it is about. I am going to give you a ONE TIME ONLY FREE CLASS experience. Sign up for class and see what its about. Please email me with anything questions. I added some new class times. Hope to see you soon!

Posted on July 31, 2012 and filed under fitness.

The best baby.... food

"Hey! I am Mason. I am ready to eat!"

I do NOT have a baby. But above is my friends baby, Mason.  She is also a trainer and into healthy living so it is only natural for her to give her child the best and the most clean food she can. She told me how her little man is starting to eat real food, and she is making it from scratch. Not only is it healthier but it actually SAVES money!

I recently bought her a  Solids Started Kit. This kit is a BPA free ice-cube like tray. After making her puree of whatever vegetable or fruit she desires she places the puree in the kit and freezes. She said the frozen items last up to 3 months! I assume she transfers the frozen food cubes into a plastic bag of some type to free up the starter kit so she can freeze more. GO PATS!

I asked her last night about what she was making. One tray of zucchini and one tray of sweet potato (both from her moms garden)! Here is her set up all ready to go!

      After steaming her zucchini (and baking her sweet potato)

she put the zucchini into her blender (or food processor) and mixed it to a puree.

Into the trays they go!

The trays make food easy to portion out, freeze, and pop out when ready.

Even if you do not have kids, what can you take from this post? Mason could be one of the cutest babies and these BPA free trays work as a great gift item for your friends or family members who do have kids!  :)

Posted on July 30, 2012 and filed under baby, food.

A workout video in HotDrop Apparel

NEW BRAND ALERT: HotDrop Apparel Meredith Evangelisti, who lives in Boston MA,  is a Bikram yoga teacher who just so happens to have her own fitness apparel line, HotDrop. I always love and admire when fitness people branch out into FUNCTIONAL fashion (like Kelly Dooley Of Body Rock Sport). You just know their product will be that much better.

Right now HotDrop is mainly in Bikram yoga studios, but Meredith is trying to expand her brand to more than just Yoga. Meredith shared some of her goodies with me, and I really love them. I have tried on each of her bras and they were all really awesome. I did zumba in the snake skin one, and a whole body workout video in Brallet. Across the board the support and style factor were totally there!

I will be wearing HotDrop in my next class. Make sure to check it out. :)

Here is your full body workout to start your weekend off right: I am wearing Brallet from HotDrop

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubhrzYGE-5A&w=560&h=315]

Posted on July 27, 2012 and filed under Uncategorized.

Bride arms and a wedding dress to go with them.

As some of you know I got engaged this past Thanksgiving! Crazy enough... it just so happens to be my brothers best friend aka my camera man. EEEEK! I couldn't be happier. I have trained many brides, helping them get into tip top shape and feel their best for when they put on that wedding dress.  Most brides want to focus on back and arms, the two things most exposed in a dress.

Learn how to get great arms using just cans here.... And even if you are NOT getting married in the near future, screw it... I am sure you still want nice arms and back, right? DO this: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWKG_DbABp8&w=560&h=315]

I might be a crazy bride... well I am... only when it comes to dress shopping. I have tired on so many dresses. People say you get that "tada" feeling when you try on the right dress... umm not me, at least not yet. I have tried on at least 70 dresses, all around NYC- Boston- and RI. I know, I know.

So after about 6 months of searching, and no luck, I finally decided to design my own dress. I started sketching and combining my favorite elements from all the different dresses I had tried on.

I took the back of one dress, the front of another (celebrity inspired), the material of another, and the cut of another and then added my own flair. This was so fun to do and a bit scary at the same time. I am by no means a dress or clothing designer, but I am confident the final dress will be perfect- with the help of the wonderful people who have guided me along the way.

This past weekend I went to NYC to start the making process of my dress. This is not a 1-2-3 step type thing. It takes a bit longer. But I am exited to keep you posted on this journey. XOXO

What type of wedding dress did you end up with? What kind of dress do you picture yourself in?

PS PLEASE VOTE FOR ME FOR BOSTON A LIST! for BEST ZUMBA! Competition ends this week! Thank you! :)