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Studio Marina Del Rey

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Lisa's Likes--Travel Essentials (Just In Time For The 4th of July)

It’s official.  SUMMER is here! Hello June, July, August and sun.

But before we get too ahead of ourselves, remember those resolutions that you set back in January? Of course you do (especially when you start to see your hard work pay off as you slip on your swimwear and head to the beach). 

It's important to remember those resolutions and honor your commitments to push yourself to new limits at The Studio (MDR), but what's equally important is taking time to relax and simply enjoy some R&R.  Nothing says "relaxing" like going on a summer vacation, and SimplyStylist.com recently asked our own, Lisa Hirsch, to share the must-haves in her travel bag.

Lisa's picks are fashionable, practical and functional but our personal fave on the list is the Luna Chocolate Dipped Coconut Bar For women.  Lisa admits, “Airports are the worst when I’m trying to eat healthy so I always have a couple of Luna Bars on hand. Chocolate Dipped Coconut are my favorite, especially when I get stuck on an unexpected layover.”

To read the full article, click here.

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Lisa's Likes: Summer Meeting Style

When I’m not working at The Studio (MDR), you will probably find me attending a meeting about the studio somewhere nearby, like Zinque on Abbot Kinney.  And when meetings stack up, I rely on some of my personal, favorite things to get me through the day (and sometimes on through the night!). First thing’s first – the outfit.  Joie is one of my "go-to" brands when I’m not in my Lulu’s or Beyond Yoga wear.  This dress is just as comfortable as a pair of work out pants & a tank, but it looks way better for a stroll down Washington as I head to dinner at Casa Ado on the beach.  I pair it with flat gladiator sandals for day and chic wedges in the evening.

Like many of you, I am addicted to my iPad.  I use it for so many things…to approve expansion & design plans for the studio, to listen to audio books on everything from Feng Shui to Shades of Grey (my students are obsessed with it!!!), to watch our “coming soon” MDR workouts on YouTube, and to check emails and class sign-ups.  It goes with me everywhere and I store it in an adorable Rebecca Minkoff case (my fave).

Accessories make my look complete.  My necklace is a gift from me to myself for my 40th birthday.  A girl should never have to wait for diamonds and I didn't intend to!

Fendi is making a big comeback on the fashion scene. I love pairing designer bags with my workout clothes. It makes me feel chic even after I break a MDR-induced sweat.  Also, I support local businesses (since I own one), so I love buying my eyewear at my friend Susie's store - Eyes on Main. Not only does her eyewear scream style, but it supports the local economy and helps my baby blues see!

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Lisa's Likes - Summer Read

Spring’s arrival is just a reminder that summer is coming!   This is the time of the year that I revel in living and working on the Westside in Los Angeles.  It really doesn’t get much better than stepping out of The Studio (MDR) after a sweat-drenching total body workout and feeling the warm sun on my skin along with the cool ocean breeze that is literally steps away. Beach days in Venice are the best, especially on the weekend.  Admittedly, I am attached to my Blackberry and MacBook, but there is something to be said about curling up on the sand with a good, old book.  And Teacher Appreciation Week reminded me of one of my favorite teachers, Ms.Simon, who encouraged me to read The Alchemist.  This classic is one of those books I read over and over again.  Paulo Coelho’s fable is powerful, thought provoking and inspiring– I truly believe EVERYONE should read it.  This book is bursting with optimism and reminds us that we really can do anything we want to do.

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

As Coelho eloquently puts it, "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting" and I wake up every morning with such a feeling of gratitude that my dream came true when The Studio (MDR) opened its doors.

So, fellow bookworms, what are you reading right now?

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Superfood Saturday--Say Hi to Açaí

It's time for Superfood Saturday's on The Studio (MDR) blog. And today, we want you to say hi to Açaí. Also known as nature’s energy fruit, the Açaí berry is one of the most nutritious foods in the world.

Açaí, harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, is chock full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids, making the tiny berry a weight loss and anti-aging superfood1!

While it may be difficult to find Açaí berries in your local supermarket, Açaí juice is widely available.  There is also, a new product featuring the unsweetened pulp of Açaí which provides many benefits including2:

  • A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.
  • A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.
  • An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.

So, if you’re feeling a little sluggish, or if you just need an extra boost of energy, this recipe for an Açaí smoothie is a fantastic choice to consume before or after your workout at The Studio (MDR).

Açaí Berry Smoothie 

1 Unsweetened Pure Açaí Berry Smoothie Pack 8 oz Almond Milk 1 Banana 1 Scoop Whey Protein Powder 1 Tablespoon Flax Seed Oil

Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy!

Is there a superfood you'd love to read more about? Let us know, we are looking for future "Superfood Saturday" ideas.

  1. http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/Açaí -berries-and-Açaí -berry-juice-what-are-the-health-benefits
  2. http://www.oprah.com/health/Açaí -Dr-Perricones-No-1-Superfood

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Real People, Real Results: True Stories Of 230lb Weight Loss From The Workout Trenches Of LA

Real people. REAL results. Over 230 lbs lost amongst 6 people  in one year alone (we're still counting and there's more than that)! This is what The Studio (MDR) is all about. Forget fad diets, deprivation and denial and say hello to a healthy lifestyle where people experience a total transformation with a little help from their friends.

Transformation is a powerful word.  For some, it can mean a loss of weight, a change in attitude, the commitment to living a healthy lifestyle, and so much more.  Personal transformation means something different for each person. That's what makes our little fitness enclave so special. Forget a cookie cutter approach, experience individual results!

After opening our doors just one short year ago, the physical transformations amongst our community of MDR loyalists have been astounding and so much so that every 4 weeks, we are honored to feature one of our fabulous clients as a Transformer of The Month.

As of February, six transformers had been featured in our newsletter. Each individual has overcome personal struggle and adversity to achieve life-changing transformation!

Was it easy for our "warriors"?  Absolutely not.

Possible?  Definitely.

Each of these lovely ladies exemplify proof that with commitment and hard work, change is not only possible but inevitable.

For Heather Keopunna, mother of two, transformation has meant losing over 50 pounds and reversing her pre-diabetes diagnosis.

Busy TV production executive, Christine Sanchez, is now in full remission from Lupus and is 35 pounds lighter thanks to her clean, detoxifying vegan diet and consistent weekly MDR workouts.

Lindsay Hallam dropped 50 pounds and 10% body fat in a little over six months, and she believes so strongly in the benefits and effectiveness of this method that she is now training to be an instructor at The Studio (MDR).

After trying everything from gyms and personal trainers to ab rollers and the Santa Monica Stairs, Donna Ohana found success, dropping 25 pounds, when she began taking classes atThe Studio (MDR).

Sone Vaynerman is over 25 pounds lighter after cutting out alcohol, sugar and gluten. She found her support system in the people who were breaking a sweat right next to her at The Studio (MDR) each week, proclaiming:

"It's a community full of wonderful people who are in a perpetual state of supporting one another."

Susan Benjaminsen's journey at The Studio (MDR) advanced from weight loss and physical fitness to creating new pathways of mind-body awareness and connection. She learned it's one thing to make a physical transformation and yet another to "own" it psychologically.  This year, Susan turned 50 -- and dropped from 169 pounds and a size 14 to 137 pounds and a size 4.

So wherever you are in your journey of transformation for 2012, let these encouraging stories of success inspire you to reach your goals.  Better yet, implement a workout at The Studio (MDR) three to four times per week, check out the healthy recipes featured on our blog and make a commitment to your health.  Look It + Feel It + Live It. Because you deserve it!

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Superfood Saturday: Crazy For Coconuts

Superfood Saturday is here and this week at The Studio (MDR) we are crazy for coconuts!  Coconuts qualify as a "superfood with flying colors" due to their supremely unique and nutritious qualities. According to best selling author David Wolfe of Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future "eating coconuts in their raw state speeds up metabolism, reduces risk of heart disease, lowers cholesterol and boosts energy1." An additional benefit of this superfood happens to be the coconut water that comes from a young coconut.

Did you know coconut water contains one of the highest sources of electrolytes known to man and can be used to prevent dehydration? Hint hint--coconut is the perfect superfood to help you rehydrate after breaking a sweat in at The Studio (MDR)! Here's another interesting fact: coconut water is identical to human blood plasma and plasma makes up 55% of human blood. That said, by drinking coconut water, we give ourselves an instant blood transfusion2.  Amazing, right?

While many believe coconuts are unhealthy due to their saturated fat content, they actually contain lauric acid, a type of fat that is easily absorbed by the human body and used instantly as energy3. So the next time you are at your local health food store (like Whole Foods Venice), grab a young coconut, crack it open and discover the electrolyte-replenishing water and soft, delicious and nutritious meat inside.

Is their a superfood or blog topic you'd like for us to cover? Let us know in the comments section below or by adding it to our community page on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/thestudiomdr

AND SPEAKING OF FOOD, HAVE YOU ENTERED OUR ASHLEY KOFF CONTEST? One lucky grand prize winner will receive a one-on-one phone consult and copy of the book Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged from celebrity dietician and author Ashley Koff. Contest ends on Tuesday February 21st, 2012. Enter today!

1. http://www.disabled-world.com/fitness/diets/diet-information.php 2. http://mindyourbody.info/articles/young-coconut.html 3. http://zentofitness.com/the-benefits-of-coconut-oil-water-flesh/

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