My Favorite Winter Workout

Feeling sluggish now that the cold weather is creeping in? I know how it is! You have plans to wake up early to workout. You set your alarm, and when that 5:45am buzzer goes off you see that it is dark out, feel a chill in your body, and then snuggle back under the covers for another hour. 

The hardest part about working out in the morning (or any time of day) is getting up, pumping yourself up, and getting dressed!

I have some ideas on how to make this winter a more successful workout season:

1. Get your gym clothes/bag prepared the day before. This will give you one less thing to think about in the morning. Your brain is half asleep. It will thank you and you can get dressed with your eyes closed! 

2. Set your alarm and WAKE UP! You can do it. I know how hard it is, but once you get moving it will be amazing! If you do not feel like facing the outside elements that does not mean you should go back to bed, you CAN still get in your workout. My favorite winter workout: Sweat With Lauren Hefez Videos. I heard she has great workout videos! (wink wink) My videos have saved me multiple times. Sometimes I really need that motivation and do not feel like heading out for a run or to the gym, especially when its snowing. 

3. Even if you do an at home workout get dressed in gym clothes. Do not stay in your PJ's. You will have a more successful workout when you dress the part.

4. Plan a gym date with a friend. Committing to someone else will make you stick to your plans. 

5. Go for a walk, even when its cold out. Some of my favorite walks have been when its SO cold out, and I bundle up every part of my body. There is something invigorating about feeling the cold air but being protected by your fabulous winter gear. A nice brisk walk around your hood will get your blood pumping and give you more energy. 

What is your favorite winter workout? How do you stay active in the winter? 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Target® C9 through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Target® C9 all opinions are my own. 

The Most Amazing Class I Ever Taught.

I will spare you the details leading up the main event because that is not the important part. Here’s what happened this Friday afternoon:

I was late to teaching my class and in this teaching world of mine, you CANNOT be late. It is not an option. There is only on time and on time means early. As I was on my way to class, knowing I would be VERY late, thoughts and scenarios were running through my mind. Will anyone still be in class? If they are in class will they be mad and grumpy? Will I get death stares and upset comments? I pictured my students all sitting on their mats, arms crossed and pissed off. I pictured myself apologizing and feeling terrible because I let everyone down. I pictured all of my positive energy being sucked up and not being able to get rid of the terrible pit feeling in my stomach. For all the teachers out there, you know the feeling. It’s in your gut, that feeling of letting people down and of disappointing people who depend on the schedule.

I frantically parked my car, ran through the gym, and burst into the main studio. What I saw made me immediately smile and touched my heart in so many ways. All my anxious feelings dissipated and all I wanted to do was give everyone hugs. This was about to be the most amazing class I ever taught.
All of my students were working out in unison. They all had the bar in their hands with their legs lifted behind them.

The room was silent except for my own faint voice coming through a dedicated student’s (also named Lauren) phone. The phone was strategically placed on the lip of the mirror and everyone was following the person in front of them. Lauren, in her regular front left spot, led the class while watching one of my videos. The whole class was 25 minutes into one of my YouTube videos. The picture above shows the exact moment they were at when I entered the room. Rather than being upset and annoyed, or complaining that their instructor was late, they did something amazing. They joined together, worked together, and found an awesome solution. I instantly felt calm, proud even, when I saw their smiling, sweaty faces! Thank you Lauren for saving the day...I will be forever grateful! And thank you, class as a whole, for making this a learning lesson for everyone, especially me. I left class that day feeling so energized, happy, and thankful for teaching the most amazing class.

I ended up teaching that class for a about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I worked them hard and they all kicked a$$. I love all my students, but this particular class I taught will always stand out, and not for the reason I initially thought it might. Much love to anyone who has ever walked into my class. You all ROCK!

Are you buying the right eggs?

Marketing and labels can be misleading when it comes to food, especially eggs! There are so many different eggs and options: cage free, organic, free range, farm fresh, hormone free... and the list goes on! What does it all mean and what should we be looking for?

The Bullsh*t Terms:

 

• Farm fresh: Really means nothing. Just a term marketing uses to make the eggs seem more "fresh" and appealing. 
• No hormones: It is actually illegal to give poultry hormones, so this term means nothing.
• Free-range: bah!  All it means is that the chickens have access to the outdoors which is only a  small screened off enclosure or patio.

The Stuff  That Matters:

• cage free

• pasture raised

• organic

For more info on this read here! OH and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! XOXOXO

Win TWO tickets to The Boston Ballet: The Nutcracker 2014

I was SO excited when The Boston Ballet reached out to me asking if I wanted to see The Boston Ballet perform The Nutcracker this year. The last time I went to The Nutcracker I was 10 and it was in NYC. I do not remember much, only a big tree and feeling so magical. Being a Jewish girl I didn't really get to experience much of the Christmas Joy, but I feel like The Nutcracker gave me a little taste of what Christmas really feels like!

Apparently, in recent years, a lot has changed in The Boston Ballet's Nutcracker. There is more humor weaved in to the performance and the costumes have been updated. 

My favorite character was the the dancing bear. How amazing! It was this huge bear costume and the dancer was able to move like it was nothing! The bear has this giant head and is only able to see out of a small mesh part out of the nose.  I also loved the humorous rats (gross but funny!), the black sheep, and ginger bread! 

Jennifer Phelan, a good friend and Boston Pilates instructor, was also invited to see the performance. I love Jenn, and was so  pumped to find out she would be there too! During intermission we were invited to a VIP party. We mingled, grabbed a few drinks, and had a photo opp with two of the BB dancers.

These girls literally JUST came off the stage. They were flushed and still glistening. So sweet, modest, and friendly.

Aside from the actual performance my favorite part was getting a back stage tour. It was amazing to see the behind the scenes props, lighting, and costumes. While watching from the audience everything seems calm, peaceful, and anything but hectic and when you walk backstage you realize how much work is going on behind the curtain. 

The TREE!

"snow" I bet it was so slippery while dancing. You would have never known!

Where the dancers prep their point shoes before heading on stage.

Jenn and I having  a moment while getting the view of what the dancers see while performing.

In order to spread the Holiday cheer I am teaming up with Boston Ballet to give one lucky winner TWO tickets to the Boston Ballet. Tickets are non transferable so YOU must be able to attend the performance, and you can bring a friend/date. 

How do you win the tickets?

1. Follow me on instagram @SweatWithLaurenHefez

2. Post a picture of you and your best ballet pose OR capture the way you are spreading holiday cheer/love!

3. Hashtag #WinNutcrackerTickets2014 (This hashtag is very important because this is the way I will find your submission!) All submissions must be in by Sunday December 14th 10am. Winner will be contacted by Sunday 12pm. Good luck and I cant wait to see your photos!!!

*If your settings are private on Instagram I will not be able to see your photo! Change your settings.

Dates to pick from:

Wed, Dec 17 @ 7:30pm
Thu, Dec 18 @ 1pm
Thu, Dec 18 @ 7:30PM 

 

Turmeric Milk Recipe

As weird as turmeric milk sounds, it is actually quite delicious! I was reading some blogs and came across turmeric milk and knew I had to try it. I just finished my first half cup and I loved it! I do not think I could drink a whole cup, not just yet. This is a soothing drink that I think would be best to drink at night. 

Why turmeric? Read up on the many benefits of turmeric: here and here.  And check out my awesome turmeric dinner recipe here!

Turmeric milk is made of any kind of milk- usually coconut or almond milk- and then a small amount of turmeric and pepper. The pepper is added because pepper and turmeric go well together and help absorption. Some people like to add in ginger, I still  have not tried that.

I made my own homemade coconut milk:

• 1/4-1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2-1 cup HOT water, not boiling.
• Put in blender on high and blend for 2 minutes.

I doubled my cheese cloths and drained the milk right into a pot. Squeeze all the liquid out. There will be some coconut flesh in the cloth. I just tossed mine. I started with a 1/4 cup of coconut flakes and 1/2 water. I may up it next time if I feel adventurous.

NOTE* If you do not want to/do not have time to make your own homemade milk you can of course buy almond or coconut milk in a carton. I have used almond milk in a carton for my turmeric tea, and it was delicious.

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After the "milk" is made and in a pot, put fire on medium heat and add in 1/2 tsp of turmeric, some black pepper, and fresh ginger. If you do not have fresh ginger powdered is fine. If you need some sweetness add a medjool date to the mix and let it melt a little. Mix around and take the pot off the fire just before it starts to boil. Do not let it boil. Strain (optional), pour in a cup and enjoy!

You can be creative with what you add to your tea. I have added cinnamon and pumpkin spice to my tea. This was amazing, like a little treat! (image above) Just remember the base of the tea is the milk, turmeric and pepper. From there you can add whatever spices and sweeteners you wish!

This is a super helpful blog post about all the different kinds of "milks" and their nutritional value. 

I will be drinking this maybe once a week before bed. It is soothing, tasty, AND good for you! Have you ever tried turmeric milk? How do you make it?