Hi friends! I hope you all had a great weekend.
Mine was eventful and filled with delicious food. Scott and I enjoyed a date night out in Brooklyn on Friday, and I managed to sneak in some fun workouts and trips to the City when I wasn’t working.
It’s a long one, so let’s dive right into a weekend recap!
Friday
I left work for the day around 5 p.m. and planned to take an Orangetheory Fitness class at the Williamsburg studio an hour later. Scott had never tried the workout before, so he joined me!
For any of you who are familiar with the classes and heart rate zones, he got 47 splat points and was in the red zone for 34 minutes. There were times where his max heart rate hit 102%! What? I couldn’t believe it. I’m interested to see what his numbers are during his next class. (I’m guessing that the red and even orange zone minutes will go down the more he gets conditioned in classes.)
After class (thank goodness for showers!), we made a night of it and had a date night in Williamsburg. I asked my friend, Lauren, if she had a dinner suggestion, and she immediately responded with Aurora on Grand Street.
It’s a romantic place filled with exposed brick and character. The inside is cozy and elegant, and the outside patio is gorgeous with greenery and twinkling lights. I usually prefer to sit outside on patios, but since I was outside all day and just finished a sweaty workout, the controlled air conditioning inside trumped all.
Using this as our big date night out for a bit, we started with a round of cocktails (I had some kind of genius Prosecco concoction) and a bowl of Gazpacho. It was made with watermelon, cucumber, and croutons, and was so, so good.
We split a peach salad next (yum!), and finished with two entreés: the Bistecca (steak and fingerling potatoes) and Orecchiette con Gamberi (shrimp pasta). Not pictured is the incredible espresso gelato. The plate of gelato came with a side of warm espresso to pour over it. It was the best!
Saturday
I spent the majority of my Saturday working. I can’t complain, however, since I started my shift on the patio at Morgan’s Barbeque.
Since I live in the neighborhood where the studio is going to open, it’s easy for me to do market research and see when the heaviest foot traffic happens in the area. Scott joined me before I actually started working, and we enjoyed huge portions of brunch.
Knowing we would leave with leftovers and agreeing to eat salads the rest of the weekend (ha), we split a pancake to start and each ordered a dish. I never would have guessed that a barbecue place would have amazing pancakes. It might have been the best pancake I’ve ever tasted, and that’s saying a lot because I used to work at a breakfast place that was known for their pancakes in Florida. (First Watch – I miss your food!)
Scott’s breakfast burrito included barbecue pork, which was weird, but also great. My chilaquiles, however, were a bit underwhelming.
It was a good meal, but it was huge and the leftovers turned into mush. I’ll definitely try something else next time.
I worked until about 3 p.m. and then walked home to quickly change and head out to Union Square. Some of you might have caught this on my Instagram, but for those who missed it, Paragon Sports is having a huge warehouse sale!
Everything on their warehouse level is 50-80% off! I was invited by the store to come out and shop the sale, and I left with a pair of running shoes and Converse All-Stars for Scott and a new pair of sneakers for me. (The Nike’s were gifted.) If you’re in need of activewear, especially sneakers, definitely check this sale out that is going on until September 21st!
The rest of my Saturday included the couch, the DVR, and catching up on emails.
Sunday
Yesterday was September 11th. I knew that it wouldn’t be an easy day for New Yorkers, and I woke up early to watch the 9/11 Memorial Service on television. Scott actually went on-site, and I asked him to describe the experience in a few words. His answer was tear-jerking, humbling, gut-wrenching, and chilling.
I snapped this photo of the Tribute in Light when I caught a glimpse of it out of my kitchen window on Saturday night. I immediately went up to the roof, and this view took my breath away. I still can’t believe that we live this close to everything that happened fifteen years ago. Literally. Right here.
I said a few extra prayers for the loved ones that are still affected by the tragic events today.
After a somber start to the day, I got ready and headed to Midtown for a Zumba class that was taught by my blogging friend, Diana. The class was donation based and raised money for Autism Speaks.
It was so much fun! I almost forgot how much I love dancing, and how challenging Zumba classes can be. I left a sweaty mess and plan on taking more classes in the near future. (Thanks for inviting me out, Diana!)
As soon as I got back to Brooklyn, Scott and I ate lunch at home, grabbed Roadie and iced coffees, and set out for an afternoon in Prospect Park.
We caught the tail-end of Wanderlust, a huge yoga festival that includes a 5K, a 90 minute yoga class, meditation sessions, and several other mini-classes as well as numerous tents and vendors.
If I wasn’t so tired from Zumba and walking (a lot), I would have hopped into the barre3 class!
I didn’t find out about the event until the last minute, and I’m bummed I missed out of all it had to offer this year. Next year, Scott and I both want to take it all in!
Speaking of popping into fitness classes … it’s FITWeek in NYC!
NYC FITWeek
FITWeek is an annual event that aims to bring the NYC fitness community together for philanthropic good. It was created by Emily Cook Harris of EMPOWERED, and has raised over $10,000 for local and global nonprofits.
This year’s FITWeek kicks off today and ends September 17th. To participate, simply go to nycfitweek.com to book fitness classes. Each class is $30, and 100% of the proceeds support She’s the First & Donors Choose!
If you end up going to any of these classes, make sure to tag #FITforGood and #NYCFITWeek on your documented fitness adventures in the City this week!
(Please note that you must book classes through nycfitweek.com, not the studio’s website to participate and support the causes.)
And, last but not least, last week’s workouts …
Weekly Workouts
(September 5 – 11, 2016)
You can always find more in-depth workout ideas and plans on the Weekly Workouts page.
- Monday – 60 min. Orangetheory Fitness (Strength) Workout
- Tuesday – REST
- Wednesday – 19 min. Muffin-Top-Melter Workout via Popsugar
- Thursday – 30 min. Pure Barre & 30 min. Cardio Sweat Party (SALUTE NYC Event)
- Friday – 60 min. Orangetheory Fitness (ESP) Workout
- Saturday – REST
- Sunday – 60 min. Zumba Class
Thoughts …
This was an active week for me! I got two strength training workouts in, a (shortened) barre class, two cardio dance parties, and an at-home bodyweight burner. All in all, I’d say that I rounded things out pretty well. Here’s hoping I can repeat the trend this week!
No meals to share today since I’m not going to be home three weeknights this week. Scott made a great barbecue ranch chicken salad last night that I plan to have tomorrow, too. (Leftovers = bae.) If I can track down the recipe, I’ll be sure to share it.
I guess that’s it for today, friends. Thanks so much for checking in!
» Linking these Weekend Snapshots up with Erin and Katie
Questions of the Day
• What is one highlight from your weekend?
• Have you ever been to a yoga or fitness festival?
Have a great Monday!
Julie
Heather!!! I just bought a monthly OTF membership (woop woop!) but I’m wondering what type of shoes to wear. I wore a pair of older running shoes to my intro class, but they’re on their last leg. I want to buy new shoes but I’m wondering if I should go with running or cross training shoes for OTF. Let me know what you think when you get a chance! xo
Heather
Hi Julie! That’s so awesome to hear – welcome to the OTF Family! Great question. I definitely recommend wearing shoes that you feel comfortable running in. Running shoes are great. Training shoes that don’t offer much support won’t do much for you on those treadmills! I just got a pair of Nike FlyKnit Max sneakers, and they are perfect for this style of workout. Not too bulky, but more cushioned than regular cross-training shoes. They’ll be a feature in this week’s Friday Favorites! 🙂
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub
When I did OTF, I struggled so hard to get into the orange zone. But because I marathon train, my heart rate is a lot lower than the average persons. That’s the only downside I see to the program, but it still makes me push as hard as I can to get into the orange zone!
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Heather
I feel you! I got plenty of splat points my first two classes, but it has been a struggle to get in the orange zone since I’ve become more conditioned to interval training. Some days are better than others, too. I think it also has something to do with how rested and fueled I feel going into the workout. Love hearing that you enjoy them!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood
Leftovers are eeeeeverything in life. I can’t even. Als, those chilaquiles looks so good, but its a bummer that the lftovers were no good (though I totally get it.)
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood recently posted…Best of the Weekend: Target and Cabela’s Adventures
Heather
Right?! Why cook more than you have to? *note to self, order chilaquiles when you’re suuuuper hungry*
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
That festival looks so fun! Ahh I have serious NYC envy!
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Heather
It’s been treating us well so far, love the festivals!
Nancy
That Aurora place looked so good!!
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Heather
Oh my goodness, it was!
Sara @ saralouyoga
That restaurant that your friend recommended looks beautiful!
I’ve been on a yoga retreat and loved it…it was a weekend of relaxation, so nice!
One day I would love to go on a week long retreat…or LEAD one!
xo
Patricia @ Sweet and Strong
What a busy but fun weekend! I’ve never been to a yoga festival, but that looks so fun! I live close to DC so I need to look into that because I’m sure they do some. Every time I read your blog I always want to go to NYC though!
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Emily Swanson (@Emily11949309)
Just catching up and it looks like you got some good workouts in, good family time, and wonderful rest. <3
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