Posts filed under Uncategorized

a taste of Paris

The title of this blog is a bit ironic considering everything listed below has really no French roots, or does not scream "FRENCH FOOD". Regardless, they are all on my list of what I think is wonderful food. My favorite dish so far has been this amazing pumpkin and tomato soup. The restaurant is called Les Philosphes and they pride themselves on making everything from scratch and using only local and organic ingredients when possible. It was quite delicious. It was a cold night and my camera man and I opted for outside seating and chose a spot under a heater. We drank some wine and shared this wonderful bowl of soup. France recently passed a law that smoking is not allowed inside, but is allowed outside. Hence the tables, chairs and heaters outside. I LOVE sitting outside. If I have a heater I am fine, but the smoke does taint the wonderful fresh air. It amazes me how many people smoke. It is part of their culture for sure. Yesterday we went to a huge mall in paris called Printemps. There, I also had another awesome meal. This place was a grab and stay (or go) type place. You can choose from all types of fresh pre-packed food.  The ingredients were listed in French, but this is what I gathered: lentils, crushed walnuts, oranges and parsley carrots, noodles, crab meat, peanuts, lime juice (dish pictured all the way to the left) This dish had a Thai feel to it. amazingly seasoned quinoa, raisins, grapes, hazelnut, blue cheese, and parsley Though a bit on the pricey side it was so fresh and delicious. I think Boston needs a place like this. To-go food that is healthy and fresh. Would you buy your lunch, or a quick on the go snack at a place like this? What would be your ideal mixture? A couple blocks away is the Galeries Lafayette. It is another HUGE department store.  There I bought a "cape". It has no arms, but has arm holes, and covers you like a poncho! Everyone around here has one ( I will do a fashion segment later this week). It's Perfect for throwing over a tun of layers on a cold day!

If you click the photo below to enlarge you can see the cape.

I leave you with a picture of me and the camera man in front of the Tour Eiffel. WOWZA. It was awesome. You always see the Eiffel Tower in pictures, but seeing it in person made my heart stop. We were able to catch the light show that happens every hour after dark. We are going to the eat some falafel and baklava at the Jewish quarter today. Should be delicious!

Posted on November 16, 2011 and filed under Uncategorized.

Your personal massage therapist 24/7... for $20

OK, so maybe 'your personal massage therapist 24/7 for $20' is too good to be true, but I consider my foam roller my massage therapist. I can not always afford a $100 massage, so the foam roller is the next best thing. We have a love/hate relationship, but after quality time with the roller I feel GREAT! What is a foam roller? If you are not familiar with a foam roller picture a pool noodle, just larger and more dense. By using your own body weight against the roller you can soothe tight fascia (myofascia release method) and help release tight muscles. Myofacia is made up of muscles and facia (connective tissue located just below the skin). Sometimes the fascia and the underlying muscle tissue can become stuck together and the result is reduced flexibility, soreness, pain, restricted range of motion.  It is a bit painful when you start to foam roll, like a deep tissue massage, but soon your body will really start to love the feeling. The foam roller will help increase blood flow and circulation, make you feel more open, and help you break down those tight fibers and scar tissue.

Watch the video below to learn how to use a foam roller:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI1N5752-0Q&w=560&h=315]

When? How often? I do not really follow any rule on this. Just foam roll when you feel like it. Before a workout, after a workout, you can do it every day if you wish.  If I find a sore spot I will work out that area until it feels a little less tender. Each body is different, test it out and do what feels right for you. Some spots will be more sensitive than others, that does not mean to shy away from them, rather work through the tenderness.  Experiment with the foam roller and I bet you can hit more muscles groups that you thought. Let me know how your next foam rolling session goes!

Posted on October 15, 2011 and filed under Uncategorized, video, fitness.

National Dance Day

Yesterday was National Dance Day and to celebrate I taught a 45 minute dance/ZUMBA class to some awesome and energetic dancers and then bustled over to  Lululemon Pudential Center to dance in their window! This is not the first time I have done this, and hope it won't be the last. The different reactions I get from walker-byers are priceless! You have people smiling, waving, and cheering as they walk by. You have people who stand and watch and those who quickly hustle by and not even make eye contact. My favorite are the little boys and girls who watch in amazement and then start dancing with me!

The whole crew at Lululemon was so supportive and excited to dance. I even had Laurin, one of the assistant managers, jump on the "stage" and boogie with me! Thank you Saturday morning dance crew girls and Lululemon Atheltica for sharing National Dance Day with me!

Photos from the window dancing :

I am wearing Dignity Halter and Wunder Under Crop Light

Posted on July 31, 2011 and filed under events, fun, Uncategorized, vogue, fashion, fitness.

The BODY SHOP lips!

My lips felt flaky and dry yesterday and I needed a solution. I walked into The Body Shop looking for a lip scrub. I have never used a lip scrub before, so was confused on where to start.  I asked an uber enthusiastic employee if she could point me in the right direction, and she sure did. I ended up with this.

Lip Scuff $12.00

It's smooth, and at the same time rough. The lip scrub is a lip balm with these little sand like particles to help grind away the dead skin. It felt nice to exfoliate my lips! I will make this a weekly ritual. Is that too often? I have no idea.

After exfoliating, my lips wanted some nourishment. I applied their Aloe Lip Care.

Lip Care Aloe $9.50

I am super picky when it comes to lip products, and I really enjoyed this one. It's NOT sticky, and it gives your lips a little shine. Fragrant free. On my lips it felt comparable to Aquaphor.

Within seconds of picking these two items, the Body Shop employee informed me that if I bought two items the third item is free. So, I went a little crazy and got "NEON PINK COLOUR GLIDE"!

Neon Pink Colour Glide $12.50

For me, this is considered a daring purchase. I usually don't like trying makeup samples in a store, so when I get home from a makeup trip  it's always a mystery as to what I purchased.  As for the neon pink lipstick, it was actually sheer pink, and not the LOUD color I was hoping for. I guess I will ease my way into neon pink!

Here I have the "Neon Pink Colour Glide" with "Aloe Lip Care" on top.

What is your favorite lip product?

Posted on July 15, 2011 and filed under Uncategorized.