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SoCal

Locking Up Your Bicycle: Rules & Regulations in Los Angeles

June 23, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

So you finally purchased the women’s cruiser bike of your dreams and are headed down one of Los Angeles’ beautiful bike paths. Do you know and understand the rules of biking in LA? If not, take a moment to learn about the correct way to ride in the City of Angels.

Safety First

Before you start to ride, check LA’s rules for the safety equipment all bikes are required to have. Failure to equip your bike properly is not only dangerous, it can result in fines or citations. According to the law in LA, bikes must have the following:


• A brake that allows for a wheelskid on dry, level, clean pavement

• A permanent, regular seat

• Yellow or white pedal reflectors and a red rear reflector

• Handlebars that are not higher than the operator’s shoulders

• A white or yellow reflector on the front that is visible from the side

• A red reflector on the back that is visible from the side

If you plan on riding your bike at night, it must also have a white headlight. Alternatively, the rider can be wearing a white light that is visible from the front.

In addition, bicyclists may not wear earbuds in both ears or headphones that cover both ears. Riders under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet, whether they are a passenger or the operator of the bike.

Security Second

A beautiful beach cruiser bike or trail bike can be a real temptation to bike thieves. Keep your bike locked up tightly to protect your investment. There is no such thing as a steal-proof bike lock. Any lock can be broken eventually. The object of the lock is to buy you time. The longer it takes the thieves to break the lock, the less likely they are to steal your bike.

There are four basic types of bike locks. Consider your options and choose the one that will offer your bike the most protectionfor your situation.

1. Chain locks. These have been around for a long time, and they’ve only gotten better. A strong chain that is at least 12mm thick will delay any would-be thieves the longest.

2. U-locks. These have the advantage of being the easiest to toss into a backpack or messenger bag. Be sure to use the U-lock on the wheel, not the top tube.

3. Cable locks. Lightweight and easy to carry, these are fairly easy to cut with bolt cutters, so they aren’t the best choice for most situations.

4. Folding locks. Another good lock to toss into a backpack, these locks are strong and designed to withstand cutting.

Remember, your bike lock is only as good as the pole you’ve attached it to. So when you’re trying to secure that electric fat tire beach cruiser, make sure the pole you’ve chosen is solidly in the ground and can’t just be lifted right out. Also beware of scaffolding as it comes apart quickly.

Do your research and invest in a quality bike lock to protect your fabulous set of wheels.

Thank you for reading!

Filed Under: SoCal Tagged With: bicycle, bike, LA, Los Angeles

Archie Events SoCal

LA Needs a Dog Beach; A Press Release from LAdogbeaches.com

April 29, 2016 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

Los Angeles – April 29, 2016 – An L.A. county ballot initiative is underway and gaining momentum to add 4 small off leash dog beaches across LA county.

They have collected nearly half the 200,000 signatures required to qualify for the Nov 8 election.

Jeff Douek & Jerry Teigen, the proponents of the county ballot initiative, are celebrating their 21st anniversary this Sunday, May 1 at noon at Pawsapalooza.

To celebrate their anniversary and to focus everyone’s attention on collecting the remaining 100,000 signatures needed before May 15, they will be offering the over 500 Pawsapalooza attendees free bread pudding from the nearby restaurant they own, WeHo Bistro.

Pawsapalooza / West Hollywood Park / Sunday May 1 from 10-3pm / 647 N. San Vicente Blvd. / Bread Pudding at 12:30

Angelenos are now demanding 4 small stretches of beaches in the L.A. area where dogs can roam off leash with owners to enjoy the California sunshine.

Together these 4 small stretches of beach would add up to only 1 mile of the 75 miles of LA county coastline.

Currently the most populous county in the country, has only 1 off leash dog beach and it’s located in Long Beach, California. The only other options for dog owners is to drive to Orange or Ventura counties, and that becomes an all day affair that is too far for most residents..

As ‘Pet Personification’ is no longer just a trend but a reality, and people today see their pets as children and part of the family, many residents feel an urgent need for dog beaches. By 2019, the pet industry is expected to hit $91.72 billion in sales. Peoples’ perceptions of pets have shifted from man’s best friend to man’s “surrogate  child.” Today’s attitude and sentiment toward animals has changed in California, and there is now a call for a few small stretches of beach to be devoted to dog lovers.

For the last five months, two veteran West Hollywood business owners have spearheaded the LAdogbeaches.com initiative to great success. Stanford University graduate, turned hotel tech and restaurant entrepreneur, Jeff Douek, and his husband and restaurant co-founder Jerry Teigen realized the need for beach time, when many of their clients of their popular restaurant, WeHo Bistro (located in the heart of West Hollywood), would bring their dogs to the cafe and often spoke of the issue with great compassion and desire.

“Today people treat their dogs like family like never before, and Los Angeles is one of the most dog friendly places in the world. There is no question that a city like this must have a few small stretches of beach dedicated to off leash, in this day and age, as dogs are now such a part of so many peoples lives of all ages,” says Teigen.

The two men say that the simple ballot initiative will make a lot of people happy, while not disturbing others and at a very low cost.

“Instead of ballot initiatives for internet rates or sewer lines, this is a grass roots effort to simply enjoy our beaches with our dogs. Pets are now most popular among couples with adult children, unmarried professionals, and childless couples. They are a huge part of the population and the family. According to the American Pet Products Association’s annual report on pet industry spending, Americans spent $58 billion in 2014 on their 397 million pets, so they sure do love their pets. Since Los Angeles County owns and operates so many beaches, a few should now include man’s best friend,” says Douek.

“Today, over 5,000 Angelenos have over 10,000 petitions at their home and offices. Now we need these people to sign and mail these petitions to WeHo Bistro 1040 N LA Cienega Blvd (corner Holloway Dr) West Hollywood, California 90069. We are nearly halfway there.

If you don’t have a petition yet, you can probably find one at your local dog park or go online, print and hand-sign the petitions at LAdogbeaches.com,” says Teigen.

“For those who drop off their completed petitions at WeHo Bistro, we offer a complimentary soup or our signature dessert bread pudding, hands down best in the city, at what has become LAdogbeaches.com unofficial headquarters. We welcome all to drop by with their dogs anytime,” adds Douek.

Other Southern California Dog beaches are:

Long Beach: Rosie’s Dog Beach, Ocean Boulevard between Granada and Roycroft Avenues, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Orange County: Huntington Dog Beach, 100 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

San Diego Ocean Beach Dog Beach, off Ocean Beach bike path, , open 24 hours daily.

San Diego Fiesta Island, off Fiesta Island Road, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Santa Barbara Arroyo Burro Beach, 2981 Cliff Drive, , 6 a.m. to sunset daily.

 

TV and radio producers, assignment editors, writers: To set up a news report shoot, or interviews on the beach with pet owners, the petition, Jerry Teigen, Jeff Douek and several residents who have signed the petition with their dogs in tow to meet you – please contact Jeff Douek at 323.668.0200. Thank you.

Filed Under: Archie, Events, SoCal Tagged With: California, dog, dog beach, LA, LAdogbeaches, Los Angeles, SoCal

Events Health SoCal

Vinyasa to Vino with Grip The Mat Recap

April 4, 2016 By lyndsinreallife 7 Comments

Yoga? Wine? Charity? COUNT ME IN!

Last Wednesday, I attended Vinyasa to Vino: a yoga event hosted by Grip the Mat. The event took place inside C.A.V.E. Gallery in Venice, Calif., and as a one hour yoga session followed by wine tasting. AMAZING, right?! I attended the event on behalf of Time Out LA. The event was sponsored by Sweaty Betty, Beaming, and JustChill Drink.

grip the mat venice 1  grip the mat venice 4

How beautiful is the C.A.V.E. Gallery?! :: Please pardon my blurry photos; my iPhone camera is broken!

Grip the Mat is a group of half-selected yoga instructors that hold yoga sessions in various, unique locations. After the one-hour yoga session, the bar opens. This includes anything from locally-made juices, to wine, to champagne. They are located in DC, Boston, and LA.

We did a one-hour Vinyasa flow taught by Ben and Ari (wonderful, energetic instructors!), which consisted of a half hour sweaty sesh, followed by a half hour cool down. Afterward, we had a social hour and a wine tasting with ONEHOPE Wine. ONEHOPE Wine is a lifestyle brand with a world-class vineyard in Napa, Calif. They give back to the community through their brand. For Vinyasa to Vino, we sampled four wines, each of them giving back to different organizations. The wines we tried + organizations they benefit were:

  • California Brut Sparkling Wine / Each case provides 25 meals to a child in need
  • California Sauvignon Blanc / Helps save the planet
  • California Pinot Noir / Funds pet adoptions through the ASPCA
  • California Cabernet Sauvignon / Helps children with autism

ONEHOPE Wine

A few bottles of ONEHOPE Wine; image courtesy of onehopewine.com

Light bites were also offered from sponsor Beaming. We had the opportunity to try banana bread and cookies made with Beaming’s superfood protein blend. We also got to try their green juice and a lemon/ginger juice. They were so good! I’ll admit, I took two pieces of the banana bread and two of the green juices. 😉

grip the mat beaming  grip the mat onehope wine

During the wine tasting, there was a raffle! There was one winner of the grand prize, and then six winners of an outfit from sponsor Sweaty Betty (a British activewear company that opened a store on Abbot Kinney in Venice). I was one of the lucky winners of the Sweaty Betty outfits! (I’m so excited to choose my outfit; thank you!)

I had such an awesome time! It was a great workout (I was sore for two days!), and the wine + food were really yummy. All guests even got a swag bag, complete with tea, chocolate, a coupon for a spa day, a Sweaty Betty water bottle, and more!

grip the mat sweaty betty swag

I highly recommend attending any Grip the Mat events in your area (again, DC, Boston, and LA only). You can find events and get tickets on gripthemat.com (the next Vinyasa to Vino in LA is April 27th fyi!).

 

Thank you for reading!

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Filed Under: Events, Health, SoCal Tagged With: Beaming, Grip the Mat, JustChill Drink, Los Angeles, ONEHOPE Wine, Sweaty Betty, Time Out LA, Venice, Vinyasa to Vino, wine, yoga

Events Fitness Nutrition SoCal

How I Champion Women’s Wellness with thinkThin® (+ Sunrise Yoga!)

August 27, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 3 Comments

This post is sponsored by Women’s Forum and thinkThin®. All opinions are 100% my own.

If I had to choose only one thing I am passionate about, it’s wellness. To me, wellness means feeling happy, healthy, energized, and having an all-around feeling of contentment. To obtain this, I balance nutrition, yoga, meditation, writing, and outdoor adventures.

I champion women’s wellness through nutrition with thinkThin® lifestyle bars and oatmeal! The bars are the perfect pick-me-up for my super busy days (which is practically every day). I’m not often in a place where I can refrigerate snacks or meals, so having a high protein, low sugar bar in my bag is essential. The best part? I don’t have to choose between healthy and delicious; these bars are both!

Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 17

I had the privilege of trying the oatmeal at the Sunrise Yoga event with fitness expert Andrea Metcalf (hosted by Women’s Forum and thinkThin®). The Farmer’s Market Berry Crumble oatmeal was SO GOOD! It’s my new go-to breakfast. It’s seriously so delicious; the fact that it’s healthy makes it that much better! thinkThin® knows what’s up. 😉

Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 6   Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 3  Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 18

So, more about this Sunrise Yoga event. It was held a few weeks ago (Thursday, Aug. 6) at The Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. Andrea led a 30 minute yoga session (starting at 7 a.m.) followed by breakfast and the opportunity to talk with Andrea/other yogis! Andrea is full of energy and happiness; she inspired us to thinkPostive®. She is the definition of the modern-day health and wellness woman.

Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 9 Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 22

Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf

How @balancebrunette champions women’s wellness w/ @thinkproducts + Sunrise #Yoga w/ @andreametcalf recap! http://ctt.ec/qSHcB+ #sponsored

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The women who participated in the sunrise yoga event were confident, strong, positive, supportive, and full of gratitude. The atmosphere was uplifting and the view was beautiful!

Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 2 Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 11

Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 13 Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 14

It was such a privilege doing yoga with Andrea Metcalf and the beautiful LA yogis! I left feeling excited and optimistic about women’s wellness.

thinkThin® inspires (and nourishes) me to live a balanced lifestyle; after all, I am The Balanced Brunette!

Sunrise Yoga ThinkThin Womens Forum Andrea Metcalf 21

What helps you live a balanced life? What does wellness mean for you?

Strong Body Strong Mind thinkThin

#LiveLoveInspire

Follow thinkThin® on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and thinkproducts.com.

How @balancebrunette champions women’s wellness w/ @thinkproducts + Sunrise #Yoga w/ @andreametcalf recap! http://ctt.ec/qSHcB+ #sponsored

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Filed Under: Events, Fitness, Nutrition, SoCal Tagged With: #liveloveinspire, #wfinspire, Andrea Metcalf, California, Exhale, health, Los Angeles, nutrition, SaMo, Santa Monica, sponsored, sunrise yoga, The Fairmont, thinkPOSITIVE, thinkTHIN, wellness, Women's Forum, yoga

Events SoCal

Father’s Day Plans? Celebrate At The 2015 Progressive San Diego International Boat Show

June 5, 2015 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

This press release is from Synergy Communications, in partnership with the Progressive San Diego Boat Show. I received two free tickets to attend Media Day on June 18. All opinions are 100% my own.

The 2015 Progressive® Insurance San Diego International Boat Show® is almost here! It’s going to be the perfect family outing for Father’s Day weekend (June 18-21); especially if you’re in/near San Diego, Calif. I attended last year, and it was super fun! Check out my recap and see for yourself!

Progressive San Diego Boat Show Logo

San Diego Boat Show Progressive

As the region’s premier summer boating event, the 2015 boat show provides attendees an all-access pass to discover the boating lifestyle and a chance to shop the newest boats and marine accessories. More than 120 vessels, from entry-level family cruisers and personal watercraft to sailboats and superyachts, will be docked in the marina and parked on land for visitors to browse, board and buy. The boat show also provides visitors of all ages boating chance to get their feet wet with a variety of activities including:

  • Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) and free sailing lessons aboard the Sailing Simulator.
  • Boaters can also sharpen their skills with boating and sailing lessons on the water or through complimentary seminars at Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center and the new Sportfishing Pavilion.
  • ‘Be A Diver’ Pool
  • A variety of eats from the area’s popular food trucks, beverages and live entertainment are also available.

Boat Show San Diego Progressive

Show Details:

When:

Thursday through Sunday, June 18-21, 2015

Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19–Noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 20–10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 21– 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where:

Sheraton Marina on Harbor Island

1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

Price:

 Admission: $12 – Adults (16 years & older)

FREE – Children (15 years & under)

FREE with proper ID – Active military personnel, Fire and Police

Advance tickets can be purchased online at SanDiegoInternationalBoatShow.com

Visit sandiegointernationalboatshow.com; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – #SDBoatShow

My boyfriend and I will be attending, and we hope to see you there! There’s SO many fun things to do and see; you’ll wish it was longer than a weekend. Share your posts with @sdintlboatshow and myself @balancebrunette (Twitter) & @thebalancedbrunette (Instagram)!

  • Will you be attending this year? Did you attend last year?

  • What would your favorite activity be: SUP, Be A Diver pool, kayaking, or checking out the boats?

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*Media Contact: Preview photos, interviews and additional information are available upon request by contacting c3 Communications, Inc. at joice@c3publicrelations.com or by calling 858-794-6974.

*About the Progressive Insurance San Diego International Boat Show: The San Diego International Boat Show, in partnership with the California Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA) and San Diego Superyacht Association, is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.

*About Progressive: The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies (collectively, “Progressive Insurance”) is a leader in boat insurance and the largest seller of personal watercraft insurance in the U.S. It offers flexible, year-round coverage so boaters can go wherever they choose, whenever they choose and have peace of mind they’re protected. Specialty coverages which vary by state include On-Water Towing, Roadside Assistance, Personal Effects, Total Loss Replacement and Pet Injury. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies makes it easy to understand, buy and use auto insurance. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach it whenever, wherever, and however it’s most convenient —online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, on a mobile device or in-person with a local agent.

Filed Under: Events, SoCal Tagged With: boat show, California, event, family, family fun, Father's Day, Father's Day 2015, LA, La Mesa Rotary Club, Los Angeles, media, press release, Progressive Insurance, Progressive San Diego International Boat Show, San Diego, San Diego Superyacht Association, SD, SoCal, yacht

Lifestyle Nutrition Reviews SoCal

Are You Too Busy To Cook, But Still Want Healthy Meals? My Fit Foods Has A Solution For That

February 16, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 8 Comments

Let’s face it, we live in a pretty fast-paced world. We are constantly on-the-go, whether it’s for work, school, parental responsibilities, and so on. One of the first things to fall by the wayside is cooking, let alone healthy cooking. Of course we want to be healthy, fit, and fueled by good nutrition, but what are we to do when we don’t have the time to meal prep?

The answer? My Fit Foods.

My Fit Foods Studio City The My Fit Foods Store in Studio City, California

Disclosure: A My Fit Foods PR representative contacted me to visit a MFF store, and share my experience on my blog. I received one day’s worth of food for free so I could offer my honest opinion. No other compensation was received. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

What is My Fit Foods?

Created by personal trainer and former Marine Mario Mendias, MFF is “a revolutionary new way to enjoy fresh, great tasting, and healthy food on your schedule.” Mendias started cooking meals in his home for his clients in 2006. His concept then grew into what My Fit Foods is today. There are various stores throughout Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, California, and Illinois (Chicago). I visited the store in Studio City (Los Angeles), California. Each store is stocked full of healthy, pre-portioned meals. There are several options, such as gluten-free (note: the kitchen is not certified gluten-free), sodium sensitive and calorie controlled, low glycemic grains, fresh produce, and antioxidant rich spices.

My Fit Foods 21 Day Challenge  My Fit Foods Healthy Snacks

How Does It Work?

You walk into a MFF store and tell them what you’re looking for (quick meals, dinners only, etc). There’s an entire wall of refrigerated food: snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and desserts. You can either look at the meals and choose what you would like to purchase, or ask for the on-site nutrition coach (Studio City’s coach is Natalie). The customized nutrition coaching is complimentary, meaning FREE! Each coach is highly-trained and certified.

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 2   My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 3

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 4

Here’s A Walk Through Of How I Started:

I met with Natalie (and MFF PR representative Whitney) to talk about what MFF offers. I shared my struggles and my goals with Natalie. For example, I’m always on-the-go, 7 days a week. I know how to eat healthy (I used to be a health coach), but I don’t know what my body specifically needs. Should I be gluten-free? Is red meat really going to give me a heart attack? There are so many fad diets out there (especially in LA), that I feel like our perception of good health gets skewed. Also, I really dislike cooking.

Natalie told me about their 21 Day Challenge. Basically with this challenge, Natalie (or that store’s nutrition coach) puts together a customized 21 day meal plan based on your health goals, lifestyle, occupation/schedule, and what your body needs. She tailors it to your likes; for example, I don’t like seafood. So she was able to put together a plan that didn’t contain seafood, but still offered enough calories, vitamins, and so on for what my body needs. Natalie printed out a form that has your meals/snacks laid out for 21 days. It’s awesome, because you won’t really have to think about what to eat and when to eat it. I’m sure some people want to have the freedom to eat what and when they want, but for people like me, I want whatever is the simplest option! I would then pick up my food in the store twice a week.

21daychallenge_badge

 

My Fit Foods 21 Day Challenge Effects

Photos courtesy of MFF’s website

When doing the challenge, Natalie recommends a multivitamin (there’s one for men and one for women) and a liver cleanse to clear the toxins out of your liver. I’m not doing the 21 day challenge at the moment, so I did not purchase either of these. However, I did purchase their raspberry B12 liquid supplement (my body is severely lacking in B vitamins). It comes in a dropper bottle, so I mix it with my Drip Drop hydration drink. It’s delicious! I also purchased a bottle of probiotics, which my body desperately needs as well.

My Fit Foods Probiotics B12 Supplements  My Fit Foods Healthy Supplements

Does The Food Taste Good?

Yes! So good. I am a very picky eater, so I was happy to see how many options there were! I took home a one day supply of fresh meals (never frozen and cooked/delivered every morning) and tried each of them three hours apart (Natalie’s recommendation). My boyfriend, Tim, also tried the meals/snacks. Tim tends to be skeptical of things that cost money when he can just do it at home. He tried the meals thinking he wasn’t going to like any of it; he LOVED all of it! And I agree. Everything was super delicious! The meals range between $5 and $12 (each). The snacks range from $1 to $4.

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals One Day  My Fit Foods Healthy Meals

My First Day Consisted Of:

  • Breakfast: Oat Bake (my favorite meal)
  • Snack: Protein Bar (their brand)
  • Lunch: Gimme More Chicken Wrap
  • Snack: Veggies In The Raw
  • Dinner: Asian Flat Iron

My Fit Foods Oat Bake Breakfast MFF Oat Bake

I purchased these absolutely DELISH raw cacao truffles (60 calories for one) because I like to have a piece of chocolate after dinner. I definitely need some more! 😉

My Fit Foods Living Raw Chocolate Truffles

I’m excited to begin my 21 day challenge with My Fit Foods! Like I said before, my schedule makes it hard to eat healthy consistently. Since the meals can be microwaved (or cooked on stove top for a bit more flavor), I can definitely take them with me. The snacks can either travel in an insulated tote or simply in your bag if they don’t need refrigerated. If you don’t have a tote, they have ones in the store! And they’re big enough to hold a day’s worth of meals/snacks. I will definitely be going back to pick up food for myself and Tim, and probably this week!

My Fit Foods Tote

To find a My Fit Foods store near you, visit their website –> locations (or click here).

To check out their entire menu, visit their website –> menu (or click here).

There’s also a list of 101 reasons why MFF helps you lose weight and live healthier that’s pretty awesome!

My Fit Foods Logo

Follow My Fit Foods on social media to keep up-to-date with the company:

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – YouTube – LinkedIn

  • What is the hardest challenge you face while maintaining your healthy lifestyle?
  • Would you be interested in a store like MFF? What do you like/dislike about it?

Thank you for reading my blog! I love chatting with people, so please leave a comment below. 🙂 Thank you to My Fit Foods for the opportunity!

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Filed Under: Lifestyle, Nutrition, Reviews, SoCal Tagged With: #21DayChallenge, #EatFit, #LiveFit, #MyFitFoods, 21 Day Challenge, Arizona, blog, California, fitness, fresh, gluten-free, health, health coach, healthy, lifestyle, Los Angeles, low calorie, low sodium, meal prep, My Fit Foods, nutrition, nutrition coach, Oklahoma, personal trainer, preportioned, review, SoCal, Studio City, Texas

Fitness Reviews SoCal

LA’s First ‘Workouts on Demand’ App: Handstand

December 23, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 6 Comments

For almost two years, I lived in Los Angeles without a car. Being a fitness enthusiast and health coach, it was important to me to be active. I was able to run outside and do workouts at the park, but if I wanted a personal trainer or to attend a yoga class, there weren’t many options for me.

Now I have a car, but I also work a lot. I babysit for 3 families, I have a very energetic puppy, and have to keep up with the housework. By the time I get home, going out to a studio or yoga class is the last thing I want to do.

Lucky for me (and people in a similar situation), there’s Handstand.

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Cover

Disclosure: I received a free session using the Handstand app in exchange for an honest review on my blog. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Handstand is LA’s first ever ‘workouts-on-demand’ app, and it allows you to search, book, and pay for a fitness professional to come to your house for a private session. It’s like Uber for fitness. How awesome is that?! You can book a yoga session, cardio workout, sessions for two people, and more! However, it’s currently only in LA.

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga 2 Archie was really excited to do some yoga 🙂

I had a Q & A with the founder of Handstand, Tiffany:

Why did you create Handstand?

I really believe that working long or unpredictable hours, making time for friends, catching up with family, finding relaxation time, having young children, on top of all of the other responsibilities that only increase as we get older– leaves minimal time for health and fitness- which is where I came from and why I created Handstand. I made the time, woke up early, drove to the gym, worked out, showered, changed, ate, made it to work, but that was ridiculous. In fact, it was counterintuitive and left me over exhausted. And we read all these quotes that a “one hour workout is all it takes” but as I came to find, it was 2 hours and that was if I hurried.

What was your inspiration for Handstand?

I was always into fitness and discovering new trends. When I initially tried yoga at a class in a gym, I remember feeling incompetent and frustrated. I wasn’t relaxed after the session, but let down and discouraged. After some time, I gave yoga another shot in a smaller group setting with my cousin who just wouldn’t leave me alone about it! The yoga instructor came to my house and 10 minutes in, I immediately understood why my cousin pushed me into this. The instructor was different and the one that came over that day didn’t make me feel like a beginner, or that I wasn’t flexible enough, but rather she encouraged me to try different poses and adjusted me based on what she saw.  I felt her trust and by the end of the class, she was able to guide me into a handstand— something I NEVER thought I could do! So, I named this app “Handstand” which is symbolic of the goals we can reach when we have the right instructor or trainer guiding us. Every single trainers and instructor on Handstand is Handstand approved and can truly help anyone reach their goals- may it be a handstand or something else they’re reaching for.

Where do you see Handstand going in the future?

With Handstand, no matter where my users go, whether it be alone on a business trip in San Francisco, or to New York for a quick visit, they’ll never be alone or have to miss a workout. Hassle-free, accessible, affordable, and truly a new experience in every city. There will always be someone new to meet, someone there to motivate, change, and show my users new moves in a new city when they have time. 

Handstand is constantly being updated with new instructors and new workout types, which is where we’re heading now. Want to try meditation but don’t want to find a studio on your own? Find one on Handstand and invite a friend! Want to workout with your fiancé before work? Order a bootcamp session on Handstand for two. It’s affordable, accessible, and hassle-free.

What makes Handstand stand out from its competitors- if any?

Handstand is the first Workouts on Demand App in LA – and it comes from a place of need. It’s for everyone out there; people who want to work out with their friend, but go to different gyms; for the girl who’s trying to lose some weight, but just can’t afford a trainer to help her; for the mother who has a young child at home and has to find a sitter to make it to the gym; for the man who wants to try yoga but hasn’t the first clue of where to go or start– this is for everyone. 

I want my users to know they can feel comfortable with everyone on the platform because that was my inspiration and goal. No judgments, no commitments, no hassles. Planning, scheduling, and finding the right class or time isn’t what fitness is about. So no one has to sweat that now- Handstand has it set up for you- anytime and anywhere.

Thank you, Tiffany!

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Logo

I had the amazing privilege of trying Handstand. Here’s how it works:

  • Download the app (iOS) or go to the website.
  • Click “Find a Workout”.
  • Choose your neighborhood.
  • Search for a trainer! You can choose by searching time, type of workout, or price.
  • Book your trainer for your desired date and time.
  • Pay.
  • Have an awesome session! (You can rate the trainer after the session)

Super simple and convenient, right?

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Logo 2

I scheduled a yoga session with Nikka for Saturday at 12:30 pm in my apartment. Nikka showed up right on time, with a yoga mat and blocks in hand. I already have a mat, but it was awesome that she brought one just in case! She didn’t mind that I had two small dogs locked in the bedroom. They barked for awhile, but it didn’t distract her. I really appreciated it! We talked for the first 10 minutes or so, which I really enjoyed.

It was a little strange having a trainer come to my house who knew nothing about me, but she was extremely friendly and we had a lot in common. She asked me what yoga I like to do, what injuries I have, and what kind of yoga I wanted to do for our session. I told her about some health concerns I’ve been having (joint issues, specifically), so she suggested restorative yoga (for stretching). We also talked about what brought us to LA. It turns out, we are both from the Midwest! It’s always awesome connecting with people from the Midwest; we’re pretty similar and I love it!

The session lasted an hour, and it was EXACTLY what I needed! Nikka showed me an inversion pose that I now do every single day. I felt centered and happy the rest of the day. I will definitely be scheduling another session with Nikka, and I highly recommend it to anyone in the LA area looking for private sessions!

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Archie (my pup) & Mocha (a friend’s pup) were excited that Nikka was over!

If you’re excited to give Handstand a try, they have graciously allowed me to offer a 20% discount to my readers! Simply enter code founder20 when you’re ready to pay.

Follow along on social media as Handstand grows and expands: website, Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook. You can also download the app for Apple iOS here.

  • Is being active difficult for you due to your busy lifestyle?

  • Would you use Handstand if it was in your area? If you’re in LA, is it something you will try?

 

Thank you for reading!

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XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Fitness, Reviews, SoCal Tagged With: app, Apple, barre, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, California, cardio, dog, Downtown LA, fitness, Handstand, HandstandApp, in-home, instructor, iOS, LA, Los Angeles, one on one, personal trainer, pet, private, puppy, restorative yoga, Santa Monica, session, SoCal, Studio City, trainer, Uber, Venice, West LA, Westwood, workout, Workouts on Demand, yoga

Lifestyle Personal SoCal

What Are You Thankful For? A SCBS Link Up

November 25, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 3 Comments

Happy Tuesday! This month, I am the head blogger for the SoCal Blogger Society link up. Check out the bloggers participating below, and link up with us if you’d like!
 photo monthlylinkupbadge_zpsff0e4704.jpg

Since Thanksgiving is this week, I would like to share who and what I am thankful for.

SCBS Nov LinkUp Pic

My Parents

My mom and dad live in Ohio- 2300 miles away from me (LA). It’s hard being so far away from them, but they do everything they can to make sure I know I’m loved. Whether it’s helping me pay my rent, sending me essential oils to help my immune system, or sending a text to check up on me, my parents are there giving me support. I look up to them so much, and I’m thankful to have such smart, loving parents!

Archie

Puppies are the best anti-depressants. Ever. No matter how much I’m feeling down, Archie is always there to lick my tears and give me snuggles. He loves unconditionally, and he is a little ball of happiness. Plus, he’s just so dang cute!

Archie In LA Blog Button Tim

My boyfriend, Tim, is my partner-in-crime. We’ve been best friends for 20+ years. We’ve been dating for exactly 2 years. We laugh EVERY day. Tim is my backbone; my support system. He loves me for me, and encourages me to live the life I want. I’m thankful to have a partner who truly makes me a better person.

hiking with tim

California Weather

It may be silly, but I am incredibly thankful for the weather in SoCal. The abundant sunshine helps my bipolar and seasonal affective disorder bearable in the winter. Even when it’s cloudy and in the 60s, I love the weather. Like, LOVE it. 68 & sunny is my perfect day, and that happens pretty often this time of year. Plus I live 6 miles from the ocean. It’s perfect!

LA Los Angeles SoCal Palm Tree

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

I invite you to link up with us below!

An InLinkz Link-upCheck out my feature on SoCal Blogger Society and get more info on this month’s link up!

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XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Personal, SoCal Tagged With: #socalbloggersociety, autumn, boyfriend, California, dad, dog, fall, grateful, head blogger, holiday, host, LA, link up, linkup, Los Angeles, mom, November, parents, pet, SCBS, SD, SF, SoCal, SoCal Blogger Society, thankful, thankful for, Thanksgiving, Weather

Lifestyle Nutrition SoCal

Giving Back Has Never Been So ‘Fresh and Easy’

November 9, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

When I first moved to Pasadena, California, Fresh and Easy (F&E) became my all-time favorite grocery store. Healthy foods at great prices; what more could someone ask for? Now that I live in West Los Angeles, it’s a bit more of a drive, but completely worth it!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received monetary compensation in exchange for promoting Fresh and Easy’s giving back bags. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Fresh and Easy Giving Back Bag 3

 

The F&E Express in West LA

Fresh and Easy prides themselves on having healthier options (all F&E foods are free of high-fructose corn syrup, added trans fats, artificial colors or flavors) for less cost. They’re able to offer their foods at low-cost because all their stores are designed to save money! All stores use LED lighting and energy-efficient refrigerator doors. Plus their checkouts are all self-checkout, which means they save money by only hiring a few workers to help customers. It’s perfect because the shopper gets great products at great prices, plus there are just enough associates to help the customers!

My favorite thing about F&E is their prepared meals. I’ll admit cooking is not one of my hobbies. Between measuring the ingredients and the amount of time it generally takes, I am all for meals that just need heated up in the oven or microwave! F&E offers tons of options in the prepared-meal department; from Asian, to American, to Mexican, they pretty much cover it all!

Fresh and Easy Giving Back Bag 4

 

A few of the prepared meals at F&E

This holiday season, Fresh and Easy is giving back through their Giving Back Bag program. Here are the details:

  • Purchase a Giving Back Bag at any F&E for $10
  • Every bag contains 13 essential, non-perishable food items, such as cereal bars, canned tuna and canned green beans.
  • You can either leave the bag at F&E for them to donate to a local food bank, or you can take it with you and donate the bag to a charity of your choice!
  • The program runs from 11/5-12/25 (2014).

Fresh and Easy Giving Back Bag 2 Fresh and Easy Giving Back Bag 1

 

In the F&E Express

It is that simple! Giving back has never been so easy. F&E does all the work for you, and you get to help people-in-need this holiday season!

Fresh and Easy Giving Back Bag Details

In addition to my love for F&E, I love donating to people who need it. I’ve been donating my clothes to a community that’s less-fortunate for as long as I can remember. So of course I needed to head to my nearest F&E store and purchase a Giving Back Bag!

Fresh and Easy Giving Back Bag 5

I went to the F&E Express in West LA. The express store has fewer items, but it still has everything I need! They even have organic dog treats and food, which is perfect for my puppy Archie. They had a great deal on coconut water (which is my favorite drink ever), but I settled for coconut flavored water because I wanted to try something new!

Fresh and Easy Giving Back Bag Dog Food   Fresh and Easy Coconut Flavored Water

The Giving Back Bags were at the self-checkouts, and were already packed with goodies. F&E truly made it as easy as possible for people to donate. So we purchased our dinner (prepared fried chicken and garlic bread- SO good!), coconut flavored water, and a Giving Back Bag! All for under $25.


 

If you live near a F&E store, I definitely recommend getting some (if not all) of your groceries there, and purchase a Giving Back Bag (or two!) to donate to a local food bank! It truly is a fresh and easy way to give back. You can find store locations on their website here.

You can find Fresh and Easy on their website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!

Share your photos of your Giving Back Bag on social media by tagging @freshandeasy!


 

So tell me,  

  • Do you shop at Fresh and Easy? If so, what is your favorite F&E product?

  • Would you purchase a Giving Back Bag? Who would you donate it to?

Thank you for reading my blog! If you want to receive new posts by email, subscribe here:

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XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Nutrition, SoCal Tagged With: Arizona, blog, California, charity, christmas, dog food, donate, F&E, Food Bank, fresh, Fresh And Easy, give back, Giving Back Bag, Giving Back Bag Program, grocery, holidays, LA, Los Angeles, natural, New Mexico, organic, prepared meals, promotion, shopping, simple, SoCal, social media, store, Thanksgiving, West LA

Archie Events Lifestyle SoCal

An LA Halloween + Archie’s First Outing!

November 4, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 6 Comments

For Halloween this year, I was determined to find some type of pumpkin patch in LA. Growing up in Ohio, aka farm land, there were pumpkin patches EVERYWHERE. I’m talking multiple ones within 5 miles of me. I love autumn and all the festivities that come with it! So I wanted to find something Halloween-related close by.

After searching the interwebs, I found a family-friendly festival. It was the Cheviot Hills Harvest Festival! Cheviot Hills is down the road (about 2 miles) from Palms, where I live (West LA).

IMG_3971 I had never been to the recreation center before, and it had all the activities I wanted. I decided to take my new puppy Archie with me! This was his first outing since he came into our family. He was nervous at first (the music was a bit too loud for him), but then he calmed down and had a great time!

Halloween LA Harvest Fest Dog CostumeArchie dressed up as Super Archie! I babysit a young girl who wants to be a fashion designer, and she was really excited to make Archie a costume.  She hand-sewed a cape, and Archie loved it (as did I). He wore the costume to the festival and everyone loved it!

Here’s a few photos of the festival:

Halloween LA Harvest Festival Pumpkin Patch Halloween Los Angeles LA Harvest Festival Halloween Los Angeles LA Harvest Festival Family

There was a hay maze, pumpkin patch, bouncy houses, food, crafts, costume contest, and more! There were other dogs there, too, and they were all on leashes and well-behaved.

I put Archie in a wagon to snap a picture… he wasn’t feeling it:

Halloween LA Harvest Fest Dog Wagon I thought  it was adorable though!

Another awesome thing about this day was that the 1-year-old I babysit (we’ll call him Jack) and his mom came with me! I wanted Jack and Archie to meet, plus Jack and his family are moving away next week. I figured this would be the perfect hangout!

Jack loved the pumpkin patch! The bouncy houses were his favorite. Plus he and Archie loved each other! Archie is only 4.5 lbs, so he’s the perfect size for little Jack. It was great!

Halloween LA Harvest Fest Archie Archie & me at the festival

I took a TON of photos of Archie, but this is one of my favorites:

Halloween LA Harvest Festival Dog Pumpkin

It was a perfect autumn day (the weather was very fall-like, love it!). I highly recommend the Cheviot Hills Harvest Festival if you’re in the West LA area next Halloween. It was super fun hanging out with Jack, his mom, and Archie! Oh, and by the way, the Cheviot Hills area has a golf course (Rancho Park), playground, pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and an unofficial dog park. It’s great for year-round activities!

Later that night, the neighborhood dogs came over to our apartment (we call it the make-shift dog park) and we passed out candy to the trick-or-treaters three families that walked by. It was awesome hanging out with our neighborhood friends and their pups! The pups all play really well together, and they totally love it (as do we).

We dressed Archie up as a pumpkin for the second half of Halloween because it got pretty chilly (and eventually rained– which LA needed badly). The pumpkin costume kept him warm, and it was super cute!

Halloween Los Angeles Dog Pet Costume Pumpkin

Archie had a fabulous first outing, and I had a fabulous Halloween. I couldn’t have asked for anything better! I’m so happy that after almost two years of living in Los Angeles, I finally have that sense of community I’ve been looking for. Various friends literally around the block from me, children and their cool moms down the road, and dozens of new dog friends for little Archie.

So tell me,

  • How was your Halloween of 2014? What did you do?

  • Did you or your pets dress up?

 

Thank you for stopping by & reading my blog! If you like what you see and want to receive new posts by email, subscribe here:

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You can also subscribe to Archie’s blog by clicking here! Archie In LA is a blog dedicated to finding dog-friendly things to do in Los Angeles!

XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Archie, Events, Lifestyle, SoCal Tagged With: #definebrave, #PoweredByBits, #sweatpink, Archie In LA, autumn, California, Cheviot Hills, Cheviot Hills Harvest Festival, Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, costume, dog, dog blog, dog park, EnergyBits, fall, Halloween, Harvest Festival, IDEA inspired blogger, LA, LA Blogger Babes, Los Angeles, October, Palms, pet, rain, SoCal, SoCal Blogger Society, SoCal Lady Bloggers, Total Activyst, West LA

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