Producs We Love

As you probably read, last week I participated in a 34K XC ski race (post here). Since November, I have been using a Garmin Forerunner 210 watch to track my training (heart rate, distance, speed, calories, etc.) It has been a great tool to not only track my training but also motivate me to ski faster and work harder.

Unfortunately, the watch had some problems consistently sinking with my computer, so earlier this week I returned it to REI and upgraded to Garmin's new watch, the Forerunner 220! Of course I got the purple and white one! Fashion and function all in one!

This watch is definitely an upgrade with a high resolution color display (you can even choose your color scheme) and wireless bluetooth upload to your smartphone. If you are a runner, hiker, XC skier, etc, I highly recommend this watch. 

Check out this great product video that was filmed in Bend, OR. 

Happy Trails!

Let's Get Physical

I realize that we talk a lot about barre3 here on C&C…what can I say, I'm a barre3 believer! :) That said, I do participate in other forms of physical activity…yoga, weight lifting, pilates, roller skiing, cycling, hiking, walking…to name just a few…

Anyway, on saturday my friend Kiki invited me to join her at a new spin studio here in Portland called BurnCycle. I'm always up for trying out new fitness studios, so I was super excited about the invitation. 

BurnCycle is located in the Pearl district on 10th Street, between Lovejoy and Kearney and is an ultra cool space. I'm in LOVE with the light fixtures! 

I taught spinning after college and in graduate school, but I haven't spent much time on a spin bike since becoming a competitive cyclist. While I am definitely a purist when it comes to cycling, I appreciate a good workout, and this is definitely a kick butt workout! 

Our instructor Will had great energy and enthusiasm. He pretty much had me at "I spent my Friday night mixing music and watching Project Runway!" Sounds like my kind of Friday night! He lead us through 45 minutes of high cadence, high energy pedal strokes…mostly out of the saddle…while we rocked out to Run DMC, Macklemore and JayZ, among other artists. The class included some upper body work with 2 lb handheld weights that make it into a total body workout. The music is loud, the room is dark, the pace is fast and you will sweat! 

This is what a hot, sweaty mess looks like after 45 minutes of the Burn! 

So if you live in Portland and are looking to try a new, kick butt workout, you should definitely check out BurnCycle. Lucky for C&C readers, BurnCycle is offering you 15% off classes using the code ccburn15! 

Enjoy the ride! 

28 to Great Update- Day by Day

Three weeks down and only one to go! As I mentioned last week, I am spending this final week in Sun Valley. I wouldn't call it a vacation, as only trips that don't include children are truly a vacation. This my friends is a trip!

Back to 28 to Great (or what might end up being 21 to Great)....Last week I pushed reset after Sunday night's gluttony and gave it my best effort to follow "the rules."

Let's take it day by day...

Monday- I taught class and went for a 5 mile walk. Then in the afternoon I made these homemade granola bars (recipe here). I modified the recipe adding almonds, coconut and raisins. Honestly, I don't think I will ever buy a granola bar of any type ever again. When the Mini Fashionista starts school, these homemade treats will be going into her lunch box.

Baking these was my way of avoiding the barre3 bars. Really it was just replacing one poison for another. And, once again I ate too many. However, I figure once they are gone, then I can't eat anymore...so the faster I eat them, the sooner they disappear (completely illogical, I know).

Tuesday- Tuesday I actually made it to the studio and took an entire 60 minute class!! It doesn't happen often, so It was a rare treat! I made a delicious "28 to Great approved" lunch of DIY salad for my fellow instructor Bonney. Here is a picture of Bonney and the Mini Fashionista at our lunch table. I really wanted to open a nice bottle of white wine, but instead we drank lemon water. Refreshing!

Bonney brought over some healthy energy bars she had made and we commiserated on our lack of self control for these "healthy treats". Misery loves company, so it was nice to know I am not the only one with a portion problem! Tuesday night I made a great flank steak and roasted vegetable dinner and finished it off with a class of white wine. I guess I hadn't stopped thinking about it since lunch, and the lemon water just wasn't cutting it! 

Wednesday- I ate too many "homemade" granola bars. End of Story.

Thursday- I once again made it to the studio to take class and then I taught class. There were no more barre3 bars or granola bars to eat, so I stuck to the rules. I ALMOST made more, but I used all the self control I had and instead ate blueberries. Let's be honest...they were not as satisfying.

Friday- Let's pretend I'm keeping score: +2 for Regan...taught the 8:45 barre3 class and then took the 10:00 class. Then let's talk about dinner. We went to Ken's Pizza, and if you go to Ken's, you can't not eat Pizza. It's an unspoken rule. Let's call this -2 (I ate two pieces). Oh, and there were those two pieces of dark chocolate that I ate after lunch....maybe I shouldn't be keeping score...

Saturday- Quite possibly the worst travel day of my life. We started with a 3:15 wakeup call for a 5:30 flight to Sun Valley. Due to weather we never made it to Sun Valley. We made it back to Portland after  a refuel in Bend and a flight change in Seattle....8 hours later. Oh, and did I mention only 1 of our 3 bags made it with us? Needless to say this was not a day of exercise or healthy eating. I was lucky to eat at all. This is life though! And sometimes you just have to go with it.

Sunday- The final day of the week! We finally made it to Idaho and let's just say I'll be back on track come Monday.

I hope you all have a great start to your week! Look for two posts from Katie's recent trip to California! I'm sure she'll have plenty of non-28 to Great approved food and wine to share with you!

28 to Great

As many of you know, I am an instructor at barre3 (read more about my barre3 journey here) in Portland, and Katie works out at the barre3 in Georgetown. 

Yesterday began barre3's new year challenge called "28 to Great". Clients are challenged over the next four weeks to do barre3 (and some sort of additional activity: running, walking, etc.) six days a week. 

My barre3 "arm candy". I decided these hair ties make great workout bracelets! 

The barre3 workouts can be done in the studio, online or a combination of the two. The challenge also includes a nutrition plan created by Andrea Nakayama of Replenish PDX.  

It may surprise you, but this is the first time I have ever participated in any sort of a workout/nutrition "challenge". For the most part I lead a balanced life, exercising, eating well and splurging when I want to. So what motivated me to join? Well, there is always room for improvement in our lives, so why not. Here are a few of my motivations for participating in "28 to Great"!

1) Since having a baby I find that eating a full, healthy lunch has become a challenge. I spend so much time preparing food for the Mini Fashionista that my needs are often overlooked. One day in, and I already see how my lunch is healthier and more filling.  

2) We eat a lot of fruit, but sometimes I fall short on the vegetables. The challenge has me thinking more about veggies, veggies, veggies, which is always a good thing.

3) I'm competitive, and I love a good challenge, so bring it! 

It's not too late for anyone who wants to join. You can find more info here. I promise to report back in the coming weeks on how it is going. Katie has a lot of travel planned in the next month, so this will definitely be a challenge for her, but I know she is equal to the task. 

In the mean time, let me share my new favorite snack recipe, the barre3 bar!! 

barre3 bar
These bars are so easy to make you can whip them up within minutes. They don’t need to bake and all you need is a glass dish and a food processor.Feel free to adapt the recipe to suit your needs. Sample before pressing into the dish and adapt anything to taste.

Ingredients:

6 dates, pitted

2 TBS coconut oil

1⁄4 cup sunflower butter or almond butter

1⁄4 cup goji berries (raisins work too)

1⁄4 cup shredded coconut flakes

1⁄4 cup ground flax2 tsp ground cinnamonaCouple pinches of sea salt (unless sunflower or almond butter is salted)1 cup almonds

Handful of cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips (I prefer cacao nibs)

Preparation:

1 . Place the pitted dates and coconut oil in the base of your food processor. Add the seed or nut butter. Whirl these three ingredients until blended.

2. Add the goji berries or raisins, the coconut flakes, the ground flax, the cinnamon and the sea salt and whirl in the food processor again, until the mixture is well incorporated. It’s OK if its a bit more chunky at this point.

3. Add the almonds and the cacao nibs or chocolate chips and pulse your food processor until you have a chunky mass that looks like cookie dough.

4. Scoop dough-like mixture into a 8×8 glass container and press the mixture down with the back of a spoon.5. Store in the fridge for at least one hour to harden. Cut into bars to grab-and-go to your barre3 class and store extras in the refrigerator.

Fitness Fashion Passion

My love for fashion extends into my love for workout gear. Growing up as an athlete in an extremely active community, my workout gear became a collection of its own in my wardrobe. With C & C's other half having spent 6 years at Nike, my small obsession was fed and slowly over time became an addiction...the kind they have support groups for. "Hi, my name is Katie, I have tank tops, capris, running shoes, t-shirts, half-zips, sports bras, shorts, skorts, and jackets...to name a few...in various colors, lengths, cuts, and styles for every sport and occasion.

My mantra is, you cannot control how you are perceived, but you can control how you are presented, and that even applies when you're working out. So, when I was in Dick's the other day (Note: I didn't buy one thing) I was inspired by all the Nike brights and thought I'd share some of my favorite workout gear with you! I love how Nike follows the season's trends, like stripes, polka dots, and tie dye-making it easy to be functional and fashionable while you're sweating your butt off. So here are three staples in my workout wardrobe. They are figure flattering, functional, and come in an array of colors. So get out there, and in the words of Nike, Just Do It!
1. Race Day Women's Running Capri
2. Tradition Rib Women's Training Tank Top (Dri-Fit)
3. Dri-Fit Cotton Women's Training T-Shirt