Prepping for Spring Fitness with Westin

Last week I was invited to The Westin Grand Central for their Spring Fitness Break event. As a resident of NYC, it's not often I step into hotels here, although I had actually visited this hotel when my Dad came and stayed here last year.

This event was FULL of freebies. Upon entering I got a water bottle from FiTMAPPED and a Westin t-shirt. I also got a raffle ticket to win prizes like a one-night stay at the Westin, new running shoes, or a pack of classes to Mang'Oh Yoga.

Sadly my luck was not turned on that night as I didn't win the raffle, however I went home with a bunch of great (mostly liquid!) samples. Citibike was also on hand giving out a couple yearlong memberships and free bike maps.

Plinko with the Moonwalk

Pacific Flavored Almond Milk

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Kind Bars

Oat Works Drinks

Bai Antioxidant Infusions

For the actual event, a panel of fitness experts including nutritionists, a fitness entrepreneur, a yoga teacher, and a wellness coach. They took questions from the audience about the best foods to eat when trying to lose belly fat (it's all about balance), exercises to try if you haven't worked out in a while (low-impact activities and yoga), and how much water/liquids we should be drinking every day (72 oz. for women and 100 oz. for men). The yoga teacher also led us in a revitalizing and relaxing stretch and meditation.

A representative from Westin gave a short presentation on their many options for health-conscious guests. First, they offer a gear rental program for hotel guests. For $5 you can have a bag of New Balance gear (shorts, shirt, shoes and socks) to use throughout your stay, and you get to keep the socks when you go home. The Westin Grand Central also offers twice-weekly group runs for guests, discounts at Mang'Oh yoga, and flavored water to keep you hydrated.

Westin running map and flavored water stations

Westin's group run leader and panel

As a side note, that Oat Works is really good stuff! They said that one bottle has as much protein as two bowls of oatmeal, and the flavors are really great. I would definitely try the peach mango again!

Beer & Bites Times Two

Tomorrow, 3/25, is a big day for beer pairing dinners at two fantabulous venues with menus and prices so amazing we just had to share:

The Bell's Brewery Beer Dinner
Snowdonia - 34-55 32nd St, Astoria

For only $45 you will receive a 3-course meal featuring oxtail lasagna...Mmmmmmmm!...with each course paired with a beer from the Midwestern brewery. Snowdonia is an awesome new gastropub that opened recently in my neighborhood, but just because it's in Astoria doesn't mean they don't totally know what they are doing. This is an excellent opportunity to break out of your comfort zone and try something new! Seatings are at 7 and 9:30 and can be reserved with a $15 nonrefundable deposit.

Sam Adams Beer Dinner

David Burke at Bloomingdales - 1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street

The iconic department store restaurant has joined forces with the classic New England brewery to offer a 4-course meal in conjunction with the Art of Shaving. Roasted duck and a chocolate panna cotta martini are on the $65 menu, with each course paired with an all-American brew. This is sure to be a culinary treat.

AWESOME ALERT: Macaron Day is TODAY!!!

One of my favorite days of the year is the day when the most elegant of cookies, the macaron, are given away en masse throughout the city. And guess what? (your day is about to get amazing..................)....................FREE MACARON DAY IS TODAY!

There are 15 participating locations in NYC (Gothamist has a helpful Google map if you want to try and get to all of them), and since I work in Midtown East I'll most likely hit up the Bernardaud store for MadMac macarons, FP Patisserie, and Macaron Cafe. All proceeds from further macaron sale will go to City Harvest.

Yummmmmmmmmmmmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to The Bridges of Madison County

Every so often a new musical comes around and completely blows me away. The Bridges of Madison County, a palpable love story based on the book and 1995 movie, is one of those. I was invited to see it last week and became wrapped up in the love triangle of Francesca, her All-American husband Richard, and the "hippie" National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid who whirlwinds into Francesca's life and changes it forever. What would you do if you got a second chance at love?

Songs like "One Second and a Million Miles" and "It All Fades Away" were stuck in my head all weekend; catchy an emotional, but milder and not as sing-song-y as showtunes can often be. Kelli O'Hara (Francesca) is a vision on stage and, especially if you saw her in Nice Work if You Can Get It, is an extremely versatile performer. Steven Pasquale, making is Broadway musical debut, melted my heart a little bit with his rich singing voice, and, oh that hair! The set was simple, yet elegant, and call me weird, made me want to visit rural Iowa.

Good news! I'm giving away a pair of tickets to a Tues-Thurs performance of The Bridges of Madison County now playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 W. 45th St., between Broadway and 8th). The winner will need to redeem his/her tickets for a show before April 3. To enter to win, please use the form below and follow the instructions carefully. If you don't leave the comment requested and subscribe to my blog you cannot be the winner. A winner will be chosen and notified on Friday March 21.

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AWESOME GIVEAWAY: 2 Tickets to The Cripple of Inishmaan

Danielle Radcliffe isn't just Harry Potter anymore. The Londoner is set to star in the West End transfer of The Cripple of Inishmaan, a black comedy set in Ireland about a young "cripple" who vies for a part in a Hollywood documentary being shot in the region. Who knows? He just might get his chance!

The show is written by Martin McDonagh of In Bruges fame. Here is the official Broadway trailer:

Previews begin April 12 for an opening on April 20. Good news! I'm giving away 2 tickets to a lucky reader for a Tuesday-Thursday performance. Enter using the widget below by Friday March 14. Make sure to follow all the rules to avoid being disqualified (I check if you actually commented!). Best of luck!

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AWESOME DEAL: A Fabulous Fitness Find Returns!

Some of you may remember my post about the American Health and Fitness passbooks last year. This was seriously one of the best purchases I've ever made as it allowed me to sample boutique fitness and yoga studios all over the city for an entire year. I could not stop talking about it and convinced several of my friends to buy the passbook as well and join me on a fitness adventure.

If you've ever step foot in an Exhale or fancy Pilates classroom, you know those classes regularly cost upwards of $35. The passbook normally costs $90 and is available in a yoga, fitness, or Pilates version. You can view all of the specific studios available to you here, but know that at a minimum each coupon allows you 2 visits (some places give you a full week!).

Lifebooker is currently selling the books for $45 a pop with a 15% off discount using the code SCOREFIFTEEN (that brings it down to $38.25!!!). With this deal you are basically paying pennies for top-notch classes all around the city (in Queens and Brooklyn too!). To purchase, please use my referral link and go to the fitness section of Lifebooker Loot. You'll see it listed as "$45 Choice of Class Passbook: Choose from Fitness, Yoga and Pilates."

My favorite studios from last year were:

• Exhale Spa: I'm addicted! Their Core Fusion Sport class will make you sweat like no other and builds core strength in a matter of minutes
• Moving Strength: These small Pilates reformer classes feel essentially like private sessions as you get an amazing amount of personal attention and correction. Newbies welcome!
• Atmananda Yoga: A clean, welcoming yoga studio conveniently located near Union Square offers a wide range of classes
• Yoga Vida: You'll find any class you're looking for at this large, unique yoga studio also located near Union Square. I highly recommend their restorative classes for a nice wind down.
• Pure Yoga: I visited the Upper East Side location to try their signature Figure 4 class and was sore for a week! This is the most intense barre class you will ever take, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Seriously guys, no one is paying me to say this but I absolutely love these passbooks. I can't tell you how many trainers and studio administrators looked at me and said "this is the best deal!" when I checked in with my book.I never had any issues using it and was always welcomed into the different studios like any other client. It's good through the end of the year, so the sooner you buy it, the more time you'll have to use it! Trust me, you'll want to get all your friends in on this as well. 

Get Your Drink and Sweets On

So many of my favorite things (beer, dessert, and the rooftop at Hotel Chantelle) are combining for an awesome event: Beer et Bonne Bouche: A Beer & Dessert Experience is a project of both Braving the Brew and Sugartooth Tours (more to come on them soon hopefully!) with the goal of teaching you how to pair decadent sweets with your favorite pints.

Tickets are $55 per person or $90 per couple and can be purchased here. The event will be held this Tuesday 3/11 at 7:30pm. The rooftop at Hotel Chantelle is one of my favorite places--whimsical and calming, yet trendy and happening. I highly recommend you check it out!