fithiphealthy

ME ON MONDAY (RISK). 15 May 2013

Since the Queen of Hearts article debuted in the May issue of Philly Mag, I've received many emails from entrepreneurs, people asking my advice, and women asking me questions about business, in general.  Which I love, BTW.  I adore helping women; I think that we women should be helping each other.  All this has really made me think a lot about my past, my story, and how Lithe as a business would have been very different if I had listened to people tell me what I shouldn't do.

Last week I found this picture.  It was 2007.  Jordan had just purchased his loft (two years later it became our loft).  I had just opened Lithe Rittenhouse, and my dog Edie and I were somewhat homeless.  Two months prior to this picture, I signed a lease on an awesome corner one bedroom apartment in the loft district.  Just one month into my lease the economy tanked and my lovely realtor Nella allowed me to exit my lease when I realized I had bitten off more than I could chew.   

The irony of the story is that just six months prior, Jordan and I had just started dating and he had asked me to move in with him.  I said no; I was Miss Independent.  Been there, done that.  Guess who went crying to Jordan when she realized that she couldn't make ends meet?  Yours truly.  There I was drinking wine, sobbing on his couch asking HIM if I could move in.  It was so ironic, that he decided to snap a picture of the moment.  Guess what?  It was one of the best decisions that I've ever made.  I could have gone home to live with my parents, I could have stayed with a girlfriend temporarily, or listened to all of my friends who told me not to do it (I heard he was a player).  At that moment, I had hit rock-bottom.  I was so scared, and I would have loved to have some sort of commitment from him, but I went for it anyway. 

One thing that I've always subscribed to in my personal life and with my career is that I've always trusted my gut and I've always done things that I'm not totally quite ready to do.  I've also always accepted the possible consequences of failure. You know the feeling that you get when you're like, 'what have I gotten myself into?' When you get that feeling, you have to hold on tight and push through it.  Take that feeling and run with it because something really great usually happens. 

Image of Lauren from 2007 via Jordan

WARMTH. 14 May 2013

Josie Maran's Argan Tan Extending Body Lotion, Nora Kogan's Mama ring, Loeffler Randall Marta clogs, Madeline Weinrib cotton carpets, do TERRA Citrus Bliss essential oil in my water (via Mama's), my Mint Julip recipe and Domino Mag (it's back!). 

Images via brand websites and Lauren via Jordan

ME ON MONDAY (MY WELLNESS RECOS). 6 May 2013

Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting my recos from wellness to healthy food here in Philadelphia and beyond.  This week, I'm talking about the people that I trust with my body and mind.  If you're super busy and always on the go, you know that sometimes it takes a village to care for YOU.  I highly recommend the women above; they're true healers, experts in their fields, and I'm lucky (and proud) to call them my friends.  Read about my go-to's for when I want to really feel beautiful inside {clockwise}:

Mother's Helper:  Paige Chapman of Mama's Wellness Joint.  Have you been to the Joint?  Like Paige, it's completely beautiful and serene.  I go for Paige's yoga, raw milk, Salt of the Earth, raw local honey, and her ridiculously amazing selection of essential oils.  What's our history?  Paige was my doula. 

Eastern Medicine Master:  Julie Schwartz of Julie Heals/Queen Village Acupuncture.  Julie has been my acupuncturist and herbal guru go-to since 2007.  She has shortened the healing time of muscles in spasm,  turned Mars from his breech position at 38.5 weeks with acupuncture/moxibustion, and helps me monthly with stress management.  What's our history?  She married Jordan's best friend, Mark and her daughter Sophie is one of Mars's BFF's.  For those of you who Lithed from 2007-08, you may have experienced our collaborative workout, Lithe EnerChi. 

The Muscle Mender (who really knows your workout):  Tiffany Nork of Lithe's Body Boosters (she previously owned On The Spot Wellness).  Since 2008, Lithe Instructor and "Lithe Therapist" (Tif's our in-house, certified massage therapist), has been kneading away our chronic sore spots, peeling away super tight connective tissue, and correcting our muscular imbalances with her own two hands and her therapeutic Lithe Melt "mini-balls" since 2007.  What's our history?  Tif began Lithing in 2005 and became an instructor in 2006 (currently, she is my "oldest" instructor).  I see Tif bi-monthly for psoas and piriformis tightness from all the tucking and squeezing that I do, and those crazy, hurt-so-good spinal rolls that only she does.  And, because she performs true bodywork, it really works.  Those of us who swear by her know it's not an ordinary massage. 

Image of Paige Chapman via Paige, Julie Schwartz via Dominic Episcopo and Tif Nork working on Lauren at Lithe Old City via Johanna

 

ME ON MONDAY (CLOSE CALL!). 8 Apr 2013

 

On Sunday, Jordan, Mars and I spent hours walking all around Philly. I loved experiencing our city through the eyes of our 20 month old; everything felt so new and fresh.  Mars loved watching the skateboarders at Love Park (Philly, can we please just obtain a sponsor and make that a real skateboard park?), and he adored running through the water fountains and climbing the "mountain" in the Children's Discovery Garden at Sister Cities Park. 

Check out this video of Mars and watch him come *this close* to getting drenched.  He's so cute right now; he makes my heart melt!  Have you guys explored our city recently?  Do you remember what your favorite Philly spots were as a child?  If you haven't checked out our city lately you should; there are so many great places to explore.  

ME ON MONDAY (SECOND CHANCES). 1 Apr 2013

I think that I've found my other happy place.  While I was on vacation in North Captiva, I decided to go ocean kayaking.  And now I'm obsessed.  Like, for the past 24 hours I've been scouting out kayaks and all the gear for this summer.  I've been kayaking a few years back and for whatever reason, I just didn't dig it.  Now, I'm pretty sure that you just may see me on the Schuylkill.  Maybe this time was different because I was in a great mood and Jordan was making me laugh, or because there were dolphins three feet from our kayak, or because I could see the sea bottom, but wow, what a thrill (and what a challenging workout). 

Sometimes I feel like I'll never "get into" anything (workout-wise) more than Lithe.  After all these years, very few activites can hold a candle to it.  Nothing can challenge my mind and my body like Lithe can.  This kayaking experience made me think about how important it is to give things second chances.  If I would have decided not to go based on one prior experience, I would have never known just how happy I'd be in a kayak.  I can't wait to do it again.  Any of you ever fall in love with a sport after not liking it and giving it second chance?

Image of LBG in N. Captiva via Jordan

ME ON MONDAY (BAGGAGE). 27 Mar 2013

I'm currently spending time with family on North Captiva Island, FL., and, everywhere I go on this tiny island, I seem to have all this stuff with me.  Like, all these surprising little things that I really cannot live without.  Only three short years ago, I was the girl who could go anywhere, for any length of time with all of her belongings in one small, carry-on duffel.  I've always hated being bogged down with things; I love the feeling of freedom. 

Now, I could pass for a pack mule when I travel. I literally can't go anywhere (I panic) without my rugged as luggage Jonathan Adler mom bag.  Part diaper bag, part work bag, part-beach bag and part day-tripper, this baby has six inner pockets that I stash all of my lifesaving essentials in.  I'm dumping out my bag right now (literally) so I can tell you what I'm hoarding: Sun Bum spf 30 stick, coconut sugar, Korres lip butter, lip balm, Josie Maran's Argan oil stick, gum, hand sanitizer, a tiny car, a ball, nasal saline spray, scarf, advil, two books, two diapers, a swim diaper, diaper balm, wipes, a changing pad, water, an avocado, a sippy cup, a banana, a pen, floss, my camera, my computer, my phone, a Lithe iPod, sunglasses, Mars's sunglasses, an extra shirt for Mars, a few band-aids, and my wallet.  Can you believe it?  I think what we women carry around on a daily basis is fascinating.  Whether you're a mom or not, what are the must-haves in your bag?

Image of LBG walking Mars on No. Captiva Island

ME ON MONDAY (LIPSTICK). 14 Mar 2013

Late again!  I should change this column to Me on Thursday. 

Lately I've been thinking a lot about beauty products and I think it's interesting that many of us don't stray too far out of our comfort zones with lip color the same way that we do with nail polish (I prefer black and white on my nails, and I would probably not wear that on my face).  I'm guilty of getting really stuck on a lip color and then before I know it I've been using the same color for like, 12 years which is completely crazy.  The perfect lip color can be life-changing.  I'm serious when I say that the last time that I remember thinking that about a lip color was when my mom introduced me to Clinique's Black Honey in the seventh grade. 

I've recently found the perfect coral-pink.  And, it's not a gloss or a stain, or a barely-there-sheer; This one is bright and beautiful and just what I needed for spring.  I included it here, but I've received so many questions and compliments that I figured it was worth a post.  Check out Bobbi Brown's Calypso Coral on lips (and cheeks) as a base, with (or without) a swipe of Korres Coral 45 on top.  Anyone find a great lipstick or gloss lately? 

Image of Lauren via Lauren

ME ON MONDAY (ROOTS). 20 Feb 2013

 

My childhood friend, Carisa Ploch's family farm was featured here by Sweetgreen.  It reminds me a little bit of my first attempt at Lithe TV, and reinforces just how important it is to know where our food grows, and that we should give praise and recognize our local farmers.  My grandfather had a bumper sticker that said:  No Farmers, No Food.  Not only has that statement been etched in my mind since a child, it's one of the reasons that I created Lithe Foods.  This short video is beautiful (can you believe this is New Jersey?), features my hometown, and is worth a watch.  I love this so much, I had to share. 

ME ON MONDAY (GETAWAY). 6 Feb 2013

I'm late again, but I have a good excuse.  This past weekend I traveled down to Florida to spend some time with family in Highland Beach.  I have to tell you that I didn't realize just how tightly wound I was until I was three days into my vacation.  On day three, I got off my butt, traded in my bikini top for my sports bra, and worked it out on the beach, Escape style.  It brought back a lot of great memories.  I can't tell you how much I miss Lithe Escape: R&R, fabulous food, fitness, friends, fun and RESULTS! 

Since 2009, Lithe Escape has been a big part of my life; something that I really look forward to every six months.  I haven't been able to pull myself away all that much since Mars was born, but now that he's 18 months old, I'm ready (I promise, post Lithe NYC opening!). 

I've heard through the grapevine that some of you are dying to go again, as well.  I have some ideas in my head but I'd love to know where you would like to go!  We could revisit some of the beautiful and luxurious villas and small boutique hotels that we have been to already (Bolt House, Highland House, La Luna & Hibiscus Hill House, Harbour Island, but I'm always game for something new and exciting.  I'm taking requests and I'm all ears!

Images of LBG Lithing on the beach in Highland Beach, FL via Jordan

ME ON MONDAY (BUZZ). 11 Jan 2013

Better late than never, right?!  You sure can tell that the holiday "daze" is over and everyone is getting back to business, and back on the Lithe wagon.  These past two weeks have been pretty crazy in my world so I apologize if I have been out of sight in the studios and quiet here on the blog.  Jordan, Mars and I are currently packing up our loft and moving into center city (early next week), Lithe Foods is amping up for full production again, Lithe's NYC studio continues to progress, and everyone is getting back into the groove here in Philly.  I've also had an exciting few days representing Lithe for the New York Times and FITNESS Magazine (above).  Are you all feeling the January buzz?  I'm really excited for 2013, It's going to be a great year!

Out-take image of Lauren shooting for FITNESS Magazine in NYC on 1.10.13 wearing Lithe Wear