fithiphealthy

LOVING/GIFTING.

Vitamix, Shashi gold plated bracelets and necklaces from Third Street Habit, Little Bones onesies, Salt of the Earth (available at Lithe Old City & Rittenhouse), Lithest Meal Plan #3 for Post-Holiday bloat (Happy Holidays Lithe Instructors!) and Mother denim. 

LITHE GIVEAWAY FRIDAY!

Happy Friday!  This week we're giving away a pair of Lithe's Lace Insert Leggings ($95 value!)!  For a chance to win, please visit our Facebook page, "Like us" and then leave a comment at the post.  A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow and the winner will be announced on Monday!  Good luck!

Image of Lither, Jaclyn Obeso via Dom

MARISA SHAABAN.

From: Syracuse, New York

Favorite City: Venice, Italy

Enjoys: Spending time with family and friends, Lithe, running and training for distance events, skiing, tennis, traveling, changing of the seasons, crosswords and Scrabble, my morning coffee ritual, "Pizza Friday" with my kids, entertaining, and reading (I love discovering new authors and my monthly Vanity Fair fix).

Favorite Lithe Exercise: Tie: medial knee rotation at the barre in Barlesque and the twist in Spirit.
 
Other Job: Lobbyist, but currently taking some time off to stay at home with my son (4) and daughter (2).

How'd she land a spot on the Lithe team?:  Marisa has been Lithing for over 4 years.  She is intense, determined, SO strong, athletic and has amazing focus. She has transformed her body twice through Lithe after the birth of her two children. Anyone who can do that is pretty inspirational in my book!  I'm so excited to have her on the team!

What you wouldn't know just by looking at her: I am 35 years old.  I speak Italian (my mother's side of the family all live in Italy).  I graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a BA in International Politics.  During my time at PSU, I was on the ski team and held a summer internship at the White House (not with Monica Lewinsky though).  I can recite the 50 states in alphabetical order.  I have lived and worked in Washington, DC and Syracuse, NY before moving to Center City Philadelphia seven years ago.  I have a pug, Lola; she was a wedding gift.  I love staying active through exercise and walking everywhere I can, but I could sit on the beach (under an umbrella...with SPF) forever! 

Marisa Shaaban via Dominic Episcopo 

JUST LIKE HEAVEN.

My friend Paige gave me an awesome gift for the holidays.  One that I'll be giving as well.  This is probably the most amazing salt I've ever tasted. 'Salt of the Earth' is a fragrant blend of pink himalayan salt, rosemary, and lavender that you can literally put on everything and anything from soups to salads, meat, fish, dressings, etc.   All of the herbs are organically grown and hand picked by Paige's mom from her uncle's property in Monterey County, California.

The product is often times blended right here in Philly so  it's kinda local!  Beverly DeCer coined her company Pastures of Heaven after the magical hills which John Steinbeck referred to in his first book of short stories, “Pastures of Heaven.”- that's the exact area where all of these delicious herbs and roses are being grown! 

Foodies, Salt of the Earth will be for sale ($12) at Old City and Rittenhouse starting on 12/22!

Pastures of Heaven Salt of the Earth via Lauren

HELP IS ON THE WAY (BY SAYEH)!

Yesterday, Lauren encouraged us to “be lithe” by make sure to stretch at the end of each class, and by taking advantage of stretch-heavy Rare Form, Thinny and Melt. This is a great start for sure, but if you’re anything like me, you need extra help.

I am the least flexible human on the planet. I’ve done the splits exactly once in my life. It was during gym class in the 4th grade, and it was only because this guy I really liked was watching. Adrenaline took over and I somehow just found myself down on the ground, legs splayed in front and behind me. It was an incredible moment. I was shocked, but of course totally played it off like I do it all the time (I was a super cool 4th grader). I also couldn’t walk for several days after, and my crush was totally unimpressed. (Loser!)

Since then, my body has rejected all forays into flexibility. Even putting my leg up on the low barre in the studio is a challenge. I struggle to touch my toes, and my hips are so tight that I often just laugh in class, when comparing my range of motion to others. And although I know the the key to increased flexibility is consistent stretching, I just can’t bring myself to do it on my own. Also, I don’t even really know what stretches to do.

If you find yourself nodding to in recognition while you read this post, never fear! Help is on the way. Starting in the new year, Lithe TV will begin premiering mini stretch workshops for you to use in your homes, at your own leisure, to supplement your stretch time in the studio. Watch and laugh as Melissa Weinberg grazes the ceiling with her toes, and I struggle to get my leg up to hip height.

And if you’re thinking to yourself, I’m already flexible and amazing, then....GOOD FOR YOU! Show off! (So maybe I’m a little jealous.) But I am told, that even if you’re generally flexible, consistent stretching is still important to keep you feeling centered, limber and of course Lithe. So stay tuned to the blog to see the first Lithe Method stretch workshop video, and have a few laughs while you give your body what it needs to keep Lithing.

See you in class!  

Image of Lauren Boggi Goldenberg in Cinch Side Bends wearing Lithe's Haramaki (Cinch Band) via Dom

BE LITHE.

Do you know that the literal definition of Lithe means bending and flexing with ease?  Stretching is one of the most overlooked components of our classes.  It lengthens muscles, relaxes you, improves your overall range of motion and really decreases your risk of injury.  Our workouts are so intense and It doesn't happen often, but I cringe when Lithers walk out on our final moments of stretching during class.  Want to get inspired to stretch more?  Try Lithe's Thinny®, Melt or Rare Form® and reap the benefits! 

Image of Lithe Instructors, Bari Rosenthal & Gerri Trooskin via Dom

TWITTER TUESDAYS!

 

Tweet with us and win!  Here's what you have to do:

Start following http://twitter.com/lithemethod if you're not doing so already.  Then, answer the question, @lithemethod "What #LitheFoods items or flavors are you craving for Winter?” (include the hashtag #fithiphealthy).  What do you win?  A Lithe Foods Prize Package (1 drink + 1 food item)! 

We'll announce the winner on the @lithemethod Twitter page. Remember, all entries must be received by 11:59 pm/et on 12/20/2011. Limit one entry per day per person/twitter address.  Check out the rules here. 

Image of Lithe Foods via Stuart Goldenberg

LITHE FOODS PHILOSOPHY.

 

Our Level 2 & 3 meal plans go on holiday sale ($150) today at noon! We're in a soft launch phase right now but you can expect a full Lithe Foods website, on-line ordering, full nutritional information, imagery and more come January!  Get in on the first order while you can.  Ordering for January 5th pick-up closes tomorrow, Tuesday December 20th at 5PM!

I've always said Lithe is a lifestyle, not just a workout. And eating right is a key ingredient in my "fit, hip, healthy" mantra. So, in addition to our muscle-shaking workouts, we're proud to offer you a smart way of eating designed to reduce cravings, maximize energy levels and build your lithest, leanest body yet.

Lithe Foods is lean, local, seasonal and (mostly) vegan.  Like our workout, our food is playful, fun, and accessible to everyone.  We've worked with certified nutritionists and skilled chefs to create a line of clean, healthy, delicious meals and snacks that will fill you up, get your motor running and power you through your workouts (or, satisfy your hunger afterwards!).

Our philosophy is simple: we believe in good food. Food that will nourish, food that will fuel, food that will delight. That includes knowing and appreciating where our foods come from. We insist on unprocessed, organic (whenever possible), locally sourced (ditto), chemical-free, vitamin-rich, nutrient-intense, flavorful food.  We know how much discipline it takes to shop, prepare something balanced and healthy, AND count calories every day. Lithe Foods does the work for you, and then packages it 'to go' so you can keep moving!

Our menu changes often, to make the most of the seasonal harvest and to keep your taste buds buzzing. So you'll always find something new 'cooking', including our popular 'healthy cheat food' renditions of your favorite decadent foods. 

Image of Lauren Boggi Goldenberg via Dom

LEVEL 3: LITHEST MEAL PLAN

Level 3: Lithest -- a lighter, nutritionally complete, totally vegan, but mostly liquid 3-day meal plan full of delicious juices, smoothies, soups, puddings, & mousses. This energy-packed, gluten-free, heavily raw-foods option is ideal for someone looking for maximum nutrient absorption with a side benefit of liver detoxifying, all while banishing hunger pangs and maintaining optimum energy levels. (~1200 calories per day).  $225  ($150 launch sale now through 12.28.11!

  Download January Level 3 Lithes Meal Plan, Welcome Letter & Lithe Wise Info Sheet

 

Ordering & Pick-Up

•All meal plans must be ordered in advance and are available for pick up (i.e., start days) Mondays & Thursdays

•In order to pick up Monday, one must place their order by end of day the Wednesday before; to pick up Thursday, the order must be place by the Monday before by NOON.

•Orders can be placed by phone (215-625-4919 ) 

•Meal Plan items are perishable & must be refrigerated; for best results, we recommend picking up your package  the morning of your start day and beginning with your Day 1 breakfast items right away

 

Allergy Information

•Unfortunately, we are not able to cater to individual ingredient/item requests & allergy-related adjustments at this time

•All nutrition information (including ingredients, calories, & full nutrition profile) will be included in your meal plan package 

•Please note that all of our Lithe Foods items are produced in a facility that also processes meat, dairy, nuts, corn, and wheat.

Image of Level 3: Lithest Meal Plan via Stuart Goldenberg

LEVEL 2: LITHER MEAL PLAN

Level 2: Lither -- a nutritionally packed 3-day meal plan designed to power your body through your day & your Lithe workouts. We've created a menu that includes 3 delicious meals and two decadent snacks each day, carefully constructed with whole foods high in nutrients, protein, fiber and fresh flavors to energize you and satisfy all your savory and sweet cravings. Note - plan may include some chicken, and light dairy. (~1500 calories per day)  $180    ($150 launch sale now through 12.28.11!)

 Download January Level 2 Menu & Welcome Letter

 

Ordering & Pick-Up

•All meal plans must be ordered in advance and are available for pick up (i.e., start days) Mondays & Thursdays

•In order to pick up Monday, one must place their order by end of day the Wednesday before; to pick up Thursday, the order must be place by the Monday before

•Orders can be placed by phone ( 215-625-4919)

•Meal Plan items are perishable & must be refrigerated; for best results, we recommend picking up your package  the morning of your start day and beginning with your Day 1 breakfast items right away

 

Allergy Information

•Unfortunately, we are not able to cater to individual ingredient/item requests & allergy-related adjustments at this time

•All nutrition information (including ingredients calories, & full nutrition profile) will be included in your meal plan package 

•Please note that all of our Lithe Foods items are produced in a facility that also processes meat, dairy, nuts, corn, and wheat.

Image of Level 2:  Lither Meal Plan via Stuart Goldenberg