Foodie Friday: Paleta Catering – A Marriage between Healthy & Sinful

Posted on May 2, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Here’s the conundrum.

Picture it. My BeautyFrosting 2nd Bloggiversary. April 16th, 2014.

Just a few of the 70 fab-fashionista-fit-foodie bloggers at the shindig. What-oh what- to do? Photo by Drunken Pixel

You have 70 bloggers as guests. Fashionistas – who are foodies – who are fit – who are fabulous…who also have to be photograph-ready at all times. And you also have cocktails. And, um, cake.

So corndogs and pizza are definitely out of the question. But what you do when you have a houseful of nutritionally-minded mavens who are hungry but don’t want to blow their diets and want to be healthy but don’t want to sacrifice taste?

Well, there’s only one way to turn – my godsend – Paleta.

The Paleta spread: When Healthy Meets Sinful. Pacific Rim Chicken & Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce, Local & Imported Cheese Board, Crudite with Assorted Hummus and Greek Yogurt Dip and Paleta Power-Up Chewy Bites *Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

I’ve been a fan of Paleta for a while now – ever since I met Chef Kelly and learned about her passion for pleasing the palate while promoting health through healing. What sort of healing? The kind of healing that comes from eating farm-to-table fresh and filling your body with whole foods.

Paleta Crudité with Lemon Hummus, Sundried Hummus and Greek Yogurt Dip. Um, You know, "Taste the rainbow?" Well, this truly IS tasting the rainbow - but of farm fresh veggies rather than high fructose corn syrup. Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

My guests couldn’t stop gushing about the eats. I was shocked at how much these girls could put back. Sorry, y’all, just speaking the truth here. It was refreshing to see my fashionista friends ACTUALLY EATING at a party. It’s a rarity – like seeing Bigfoot or something. But, yep, that’s how good it was.

Paleta Pacific Rim Thai Chicken & Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce *Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

I did have one complaint though. My guests ate ALL the satay and I never got a taste!!! I was craving it so much after hearing everyone rave about it that I actually just ate a spoonful of the spicy peanut sauce. Oh, don’t you judge.

Next up for me? After a month of Coachella, trips to Palm Springs and events galore (see aforementioned cake and cocktails), I’m gonna give Paleta Home Meal Delivery a try. At the very least, I’ll be giving myself the gift of health and at best, I may lose a few pounds so I can be a swimmie siren this summer. Lofty goals, I know, but I really do think Paleta can help me get there!

Thanks so much, Chef Kelly and Paleta for being a BIG part of my very special day!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Which Paleta delicacy are you most craving now?

Fitness Friday: Flywheel Highland Park in Dallas

Posted on January 10, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Oh, how I love the tex-mex food at Mi Cocina in Dallas. I know you’ve heard me wax nostalgic over my favorite family haunt in a few of these blogs so you know what I mean. But here’s the thing. I have been spinning and working out regularly here in LA and knowing I was going to be home for 12 days, I knew if I was going to be enjoying that oh-so-yummy queso and those delicious chips and tasty margaritas, I was going to have to come up with a Dallas fitness plan to keep in shape.

Naturally, I took to social media to find out where to go and the answer was unanimous: Flywheel Highland Park. When I asked my Facebook friends about it, I received dozens of comments with suggestions for Flywheel instructors they loved and even a super sweet big ole Texas welcome on Facebook from instructors, Mark S., Cristin C. and Kelly M.

How could I not love this place?

Well, love it I did. And Troy Aikman is also my biggest fitness inspiration…but more on that later…

First impressions. My first impression of FlyWheel Highland Park was clean, clean, CLEAN! With streamlined lockers, elegance to spare and my beloved Bliss products in the bathroom, it felt more like a spa than your standard spin studio. And for a beauty blogger like myself, that is a MAJOR plus. I mean luxury and losing weight? Yeah, I can do that. Plus, they supply the spin shoes for free (many studios don’t) so that’s worth its weight in gold right there.

The water is even a little luxe...

Bliss products at my spin studio? Heck, YEAH!!!

Instructors. I ended up going to classes for 8 of the 10 full days I was there. Yep. It was that good. My family was impressed. My friends couldn’t believe it, “But you’re on vacaaaaaation!” My mom actually went with me the first day for our class with Missy Q who was just as adorable and energetic as they come. Great music, great energy and super supportive to boot! She was especially supportive of my 67-year-old mom who was attending her first spin class! Go Mom!! I ended up attending a few of Missy’s classes and left each time feeling amazing! Another favorite instructor was Mark S. Mark was full of happy, encouraging energy and had a powerful playlist both times I went to his classes. Overall, there wasn’t one instructor that I wouldn’t go back to.

The Studio...

What Makes It Different. At Flywheel, they really emphasize the importance of using your resistance or – as they call it – torq. This was a new approach to me. At my regular spin studio in LA, we sweat it out more with speed. But I loved getting this different take on it. And it obviously worked – as I’d lost 2 lbs when I got home! And remember, y’all, this was over the HOLIDAYS. Mission accomplished. Many folks who are more competitive than me also enjoy that they keep a digital “TorqBoard” in class so you can see how you compare to your fellow riders. It wasn’t for me but then again I’ve never been the competitive sort. I’m the cheerleader sort. But I talked to a few fellow classmates and they swear it is the edge that propels them forward in every class. I also loooooove that you can view your stats, calories burned, average RPM and see how you compete with your fellow Flywheel classmates privately by looking at the “My Performance” tab on your online account. I wish every studio did this! Not only is it helpful to know these details as you’re getting in shape but it also inspires and encourages you every step of the way.

The TORQ-MASTER…bahahaha…okay, that's just what I call it. Nevermind.

Bonus? I’ll just say this: If I was able to ride next to Troy Aikman EVERY day of my life, I would be in the BEST shape of my life. Yep, Troy was my FlyWheel buddy for two days. Ahhhh, memories.

Well, hey there! It's my spinning buddy, Troy Aikman!

Prices. The prices are a little cheaper than my studio here in LA. And yet the amenities are amaaaazing. I mean, the Bliss products alone!! It’s 1 class for $25, 5 classes for $117.50, 10 classes for $225 or 20 classes for $400. If I were living in Dallas though, I’d DEFINITELY-without-a-doubt opt for the $180/month unlimited special. It’s a deal, y’all!

Overall. I HIGHLY recommend Flywheel Highland Park if you’re relocating to Dallas or just visiting there like I was. Like me, you will love the clean and luxe facilities, super comfy bikes (seriously, I’ve never felt a more comfortable bike seat in my life of spinning) and the sweet and accommodating staff who specialize in customer care. Also, for you new riders, there is a super helpful staff member there at the beginning of every class to help you get all set up and feel comfortable while doing it. Love that!

And I love the fact that now whenever I go home, I also have a home studio that I can call mine. Thanks, Flywheel!

Thanks, FlyWheel HP!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What’s your favorite way to get in shape?

Thirsty Thursday: Paleta Pressed Core Detox

Posted on August 9, 2012 by BeautyFrosting

This is no typical Thirsty Thursday.

I am the queen of cupcakes and the sheba of sugar but not today my friends.

Today, I am here to tell you the juicy details of my Paleta juice cleanse…and how it changed my weight, my habits and my life.

Well, the proper name is Paleta Pressed Core Detox Cleanse.

It’s serious folks!
Juice all day long.

Some of my friends had tried it and loved it — and by friends, I don’t mean the hundreds of celebrities who love Paleta such as Mila Kunis, Adrien Grenier, Brooke Bourke, Kaley Cuoco, Lisa Rinna, Giuliana Rancic and more.

I mean friends who had tried it and swore that it changed their eating habits and health.

So what could I lose except a day of having to plan out my meals and excess weight?

Nothing. So I did it.

I only ordered one day (for $54.60 – $64.50/day) and, to be honest, I was dreading it!

So imagine my delight when my cleanse day started with this at the door:

Good Morning Sunshine from Paleta!

“Un fleur? Pour moi?” (That’s “A flower? For me?” in French for you non-francophiles).

“S’il vous plait et Merci” (That’s “Yes please and Thank you”, also in French). I’m tres Paris!

That cheerful gerber daisy got me excited and in the mood! I took out all of my fresh pressed Paleta juices and lined ’em up on my dining room table. They were kind of the ultimate who’s who in healthy juices!

Unusual Suspects: Paleta Pressed Juices & 2 Boxed waters

Here was my Paleta Core Detox menu for the day:

My Paleta Menu

I started the day with the Sonic Tonic.
It was the perfect start to a perfect day!

Paleta Sonic Tonic - a chlorophyll-rich, refreshing drink!

What were my favorites?
The Kale Kooler (AM Snack): A super-powerful, delicious limeade hybrid which removes heavy-metals, stimulates metabolism (YES PLEASE!) and is antioxidant-rich. I want some more of this right now on this hot summer day!

One of my faves: Paleta Kale Kooler

The Carrot Cocktail (PM Snack): Sweet, punchy yet smooth, this vitamin C, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, stomach soothing cocktail was better than any happy hour special. And, better for me, of course!

Made it fun by sipping the Carrot Cocktail with my orange & white paper straw!

AND
The Magic Milkshake (Dinner): a vanilla bean, date-sweetened, protein-rich milkshake with omega-3, protein, and fiber that aids in digestion and is great for skin, hair & nails — which, mind you, I loved so much that I drank it too quickly and, alas, there is no picture. Yes, it was THAT delicious!

One of the pieces of advice that Chef Kelly Boyer gives you in your informative email is that you should sip and CHEW your juice. I did that for every one – HONEST!! But that magic milkshake was just too magical! My will was weak. Have mercy, Chef Kelly.

So what were the results?
A 1-lb loss in one day that has stayed off and a cleanse that inspired me to get healthier.

As many of you know, I have lost over 40 lbs in the past year and I’m really proud of that. But this was kind of a wake up call for me. I’m all about moderation. I love the good things in life but this delicious, uber-nutritious juice cleanse was just what I needed to push me gently, and healthily, towards losing that last 20. Now, nothing can stop me! And with Paleta & Chef Kelly, as my guides, I’ll know I’m on the right path to the healthiest me possible!

Next up?

I can’t wait to try the Paleta Farm to Table meal delivery.

I just hope they will include that magical Magic Milkshake! I’m dreaming of it now…

And, to my utter surprise & delight, I am game for another cleanse because a photo shoot, guest appearance or love of my life may be right around the corner! You just never know…

xoxo,

BF Asks: Have you ever “done” a cleanse? Did you enjoy it? What were your results? And what did you learn from it?