Dry brushing. Can it really help you firm up and reduce bloat?

When I first heard the term dry brushing I had no idea what to think. But it really is exactly what it says. You brush your body with a dry brush, and you are dry. Why? Exactly.  Just what I thought.

Dry brushing is thought to stimulate the body’s circulation and lymphatic systems. By massaging or stimulating your lymph nodes it helps shed excess water and toxins from your body. Your lymphatic system, unlike your circulatory system, does not move on it's own and relies on the movement of your muscles and diaphragm. Dry brushing can give your lymph a little oomph. (hehe)

I have even read some people swearing that it reduces their cellulite. I am not sure how I feel about that one. In the end of the day dry brushing is inexpensive (about $15 for a brush),  takes 5-10 minutes, will feel amazing on your body, and you will for sure shed some dead skin, right?

Things to know about dry brushing:

The Brush:

You can purchase the brush at a Whole Foods, or a health foods store. Look for natural bristles, not synthetic. Look for stiff bristles, but not too tough for your body. Test it out on your hand to see how it feels. Try to get a long handle brush so you can reach your back!

How to dry brush:

Start at your ankles and create firm strokes in toward the center of your body. I also read that some people make circular motions and move toward their heart. You want to brush toward your heart because this is the natural path of your lymphatic system. Do not push so hard, like a crazy person, it should not be painful. Your skin will most likely turn pink, but it should not be bright red and painful. After you finish your legs brush your arms, shoulders, stomach and armpits! I know there are a lot of lymphs in the armpits! 

How often:

If you are just starting off, 2-3 time a week. After your skin and body are used to the dry brushing you can slowly increase to every day. People who "dry brush" usually do it before they shower.  If you only shower once a week, you can dry brush before you go to bed.

I plan on trying this dry brushing thing. Does you dry brush? Has you ever heard of it before? Let me know down below! XO

Watermelon, mint and feta: summer appetizer idea.

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I have had so many people asking about my playlists. Here is my July Playlist. I am working on putting it up so that you can just click "play" and listen to them all! Until then: (click to enlarge)

This weekend I had the best appetizer/snack! It is so refreshing and the combination of flavors is amazing. Watermelon, mint and feta. YUM.  Make sure the watermelon is REALLY cold. What is your favorite appetizer for a hot summer day?

I just filmed a prenatal video. It was actually fun. Stay tuned. I will post tomorrow!

10,000 YouTube Subscribers and roasting a whole chicken

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Thank you all so much for your support and for getting me to 10,000 YouTube subscribers! This is a huge milestone for me and I am so excited to share it with you. In case you have not subscribed yet... DO IT! I post at least one new workout video every week! They are all full length videos so all you have to do is follow along with me. It takes the thinking out of "what should I do for a workout??!" I am always taking requests, so feel free to message me!

Last night I made a WHOLE roast chicken (for the second time in my life). I do not mind eating chicken, but when it comes to looking at and touching a raw piece of meat it kinda grosses me out. BUT I have to say that cooking a whole chicken is SO easy and actually tastes pretty darn good!

Keeping the skin on when you roast a chicken is great because it gives the chicken so much flavor, keeps it moist, and you do not need to add any other sauces or dressings.  I take the skin off before I eat the chicken, though I think some people may eat it.

After over an hour of cooking... this is what happened!

I looked up different recipes online and grabbed ideas from them.

I rubbed my chicken with salt, pepper, and Herbes de Provence. I squeezed a little lemon on top and then stuffed the lemon up the chickens butt. That was the weirdest part for me!

For side dishes I blanched some broccoli, and in a separate dish I cut up some carrots, celery, and some cute little baby potatoes, seasoned it with salt pepper and a little EVOO. I put everything in the oven to cook together.

check out the blogs below on how to cook your bird:

Perfect Roast Chicken: Food Network

Making the Basic: Simple Roast Chicken (Annie Eats)

While your chicken is roasting how about you do this workout? It is awesome because you DO NOT need a mat and it is PERFECT to do in your kitchen while your meal is cooking.

Enjoy! And keep me posted on how your roast chicken came out. (Makes great leftovers too! Chicken on salad!)

Product REVIEW: LIVE LOVE DREAM Apparel

When I was approached by Live Love Dream they described their new clothing line as "... a fashion forward approach to active and lounge wear. Launching July 7th online and in store’s, this collection will complete your lifestyle in every way! From skinny sweats to active capris, shorts with spandex underlay and an amazing anorak, Live Love Dream is perfect for the gym, running errands, and hanging out with friends in style."

Could it sound more perfect?! As you have probably heard me say before, and I am sure a lot of people agree, it is the best when you can wear your gym clothes out and not feel like a total slob!

After a little more research into LLD I realized that they are an Aeropostale branch. I was hesitant and actually felt too "old" to be wearing Aeropostale.  But I gave LLD a shot, and I am glad I did so that I can share it with all of you!

I looked through their site and I got:

inset active capris

I opted for a gray color because I have so much black.The fit was fine. Not as flattering as some of my other capris, but it works! It held me in and felt good all through my 45 minute cardio dance class. The length of the carpi was perfect and I did not have to keep pulling them up or down like I have done with some other carpis. They also have a cute zipper pocket function in the back.

Compared to other fitness apparel brands these capris are very reasonable in price. However I fond them to be just average with quality, make and material. The seams in some places were not neat.

But it fits right, and looks fine. No one will be touching your pants other than you. So if you are cool with your fitness apparel not being above average then go for it.

I would not buy all my capris from LLD but If I found something super cute and funky (like these floral capris!!!!!) then I would spend the $25. I actually really love these and will get them now :)

cross-back sports bra

I got a medium in the sports bra, and I am thinking maybe I should have gotten a small? I did not feel much support under my boobs and there was a large space between my rib cage and the bra. But other than that the material felt good and the over all bra was comfortable. There is only one ply of material, when my other sports bras have two. Just an observation and I am not sure if it makes that much of a difference.

The cross back feature is cute and makes the bra more interesting. It is on sale for $15.00! You can't go wrong.

Two longs sleeve color block shirts (I can no longer find online!)

*I am wearing the LLD capris in the photo above

I am sad I can no longer find these because they were my favorite item from LLD! I have seriously been living in them! I got them on sale for $7 (each)!! They are comfy and super perfect for before the gym, after the gym, and anywhere you go in between! I am so glad I got 2 colors! Bring it back LIVE LOVE DREAM! Will you?

LLD also gave me this bag that I have to say I have been using EVERYDAY! I love it. It is perfect for my errands around the city and/or trips to the gym.

While looking through the LIVE LOVE DREAM site I do see some cute stuff that I would not mind getting because the price point is right. In this case, you get what you pay for. The quality will not be as good as some other brands, but I think LIVE LOVE DREAM works. It is functional, and has some cute patterns. One thing I am not a huge fan of is logos and some of their lounge apparel is full of logos so that limits things for me.

Overall, if you are looking for fitness function apparel check out LIVE LOVE DREAM. They have a very reasonable price point and I think some of their stuff is really cute, and not everyone wants to spend $80-$100 on yoga pants!

Thank you LLD for making budget friendly, functional, fitness apparel for the active and fashion aware girl.

Cupping. Yes it looks like a hickey.

Hi all! What a great day. Yes, it is totally hot but I love it!! My AC broke during the hottest day in Boston a couple days ago. It will be fixed tomorrow, but until then my windows are open and the breeze is making its way in.

During the week I train some clients at my apartment, but since it has been so hot in here without the AC we have opted for the outside! They really enjoyed the outside butt kick.

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I had these girls running up and down the hill, lifting light weights, holding planks,and doing push ups, traveling lunches, burpees, abs, and butt work. Anything and everything. It was an awesome sweat fest!

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Do not be alarmed! It looks worse than it feels. It looks like giant hickeys on my body, but it is actually the result of cupping. For the past month my neck has been a little off. I would usually go for a massage but this time I did something different; cupping. I am no "cupping" expert but I do know it is an ancient Chinese alternative medicine technique. There are these glass cup type things placed on your back (or I am assuming you can put them anywhere) and then there is a pump that creates a suction between the cup and your skin. Cupping is thought to increase the blood flow and energy in some blocked up areas which helps promote healing and clears toxins from your body.

Not only did I cup, but I did acupuncture too! The whole thing was a cool experience. I was more nervous about the acupuncture than the cups. Acupuncture was great though. It was amazing to see the different sensations my body went through. Some parts of my back got tingly and in other areas I got a weird sensation the moment she placed the needles in my back.. When she took out the needles some areas felt a little "hot" for about 5 seconds. I think everyone reacts differently.I am curious to see what my next session will bring.

Then came the actual cupping. It was very cool feeling, actually relaxing. NOT painful, even though the bruising after looks terrible.

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So now, three days later, I do feel better. It was NOT an immediate feeling of total relief like I thought it would be. In fact I felt almost worse a day after my first treatment. I was even more tight. Today I do feel better. I think in my case I may need more than one treatment. I would totally try it again.  Have you ever received acupuncture or cupping? What was your experience?

After my cupping I headed to Portsmouth NH for a weekend of fun for my friends bachelorette! I walked around the city with hickeys on my back, but I only got a few weird looks!

 It was my first time in Portsmouth! Such a cute little place. We ate good food and went out dancing of course (I even had late night pizza!! WHAT??!?!)

I am off to film your video for this week! See you :)

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