June 2014 - The Blonde Side

Wanderlust Aspen

Wanderlust – the evolutionary yoga lifestyle brand

One of the best parts about running The Blonde Side and covering the worlds of sports + travel + fitness is I’m introduced to so many amazing athletes, towns, events, and more. Sometimes I’m even lucky enough to be introduced to an event (or concept actually) that combines all of the above – Wanderlust Aspen.

Though I’ve yet to experience Wanderlust firsthand (I was credentialed to cover this one, but had to cancel due to other obligations), I have no doubt it is in fact as epic as everyone says it is.

Wanderlust is the largest multi-day yoga and music festival in the world. Beginner and experienced yogis can hit the mat with world-renowned instructors from across the world and embark on an adventure of the mind, body and soul in one of the most beautiful towns in America (Aspen!). This is a time where you can truly get in touch with yourself, network and sweat out the good life with so many like-minded individuals from across the country. What’s not to love about such an event? Such a lifestyle? Such a way of life?

This will be the first year Wanderlust will head to Aspen-Snowmass, and attendees can look forward to breathtaking 360-degree views of the Maroon Bells and beautiful hikes and backdrops. If you’ve never experienced Aspen in the summer, you will absolutely fall in love.

Wanderlust was created by three friends with long and deep relationships. The 20+ year husband and wife duo of Jeff Krasno and Schuyler Grant joined forces with their mutual friend (also Jeff’s business partner of a decade), Sean Hoess. Hearing the Wanderlust story is simply empowering – to see these individuals take a friendship and an idea and actually make it happen. Why don’t we all follow our dreams and our goals the way they did? It’s downright encouraging and a reminder we should keep at our goals. Their story is amazing for many reasons, but their ambition to get Wanderlust off the ground and running has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands over the course of their tenure and is still going strong.

Since Wanderlust is known as a brand and lifestyle, it makes sense that the festival also pays focus to sustainable living, offering signature Farm-to-Table dinners presented by Eating Well and Fitness Magazine.

Hit the mats with world-renowned yoga instructors

A few other pieces to Wanderlust Aspen-Snowmass you’ll want to check out:

Adventure Race: This weekend-long race incorporates running, cycling, swimming and yoga and more for an all-out physical challenge. Be prepared to sweat, get your cardio up and solve mental, physical and team challenges while having the time of your life.
Photoflow Photography Workshop: Photographer Ali Kaukas invites guests to bring their cameras on a nature hike, to capture some phenomenal shots of North America’s most exquisite terrain.
Amir Magal Tribal Art: Amir’s art/photography is a unique expression of how all generations are seeking to be part of a tribe and claim identity. You may see Amir painting, sculpting with mud or engaging guests of all ages.
Viceroy Snowmass Spa: Designed by acclaimed architect Jean Michel-Gathy, the 7,000-square-foot spa offers a selection of holistic wellness experiences, from Ute Indian-inspired therapies to contemporary beauty rituals. Wanderlust attendees receive a 20% off discount for all spa services before 1pm, or 15% after 1pm.
Fits Arts Capoeira / Smoothments: Smoothments is a mix of traditional and contemporary capoeira taught by Alfred Kendrick, a Hollywood personal trainer whose list of clients include celebrities, super-models, performers, and athletes.
Keith Mitchell Speakeasy: NFL Pro Bowl player Keith Mitchell’s career ended when he had a paralyzing injury on the field. Keith credits his yoga practice with his recovery. Keith will lead a speakeasy lecture on nurturing our intentions, as well as meditation workshops on the chakras.
Walkabout with Nahko Bear: This afternoon hike with the lead singer of Medicine for the People, promises a journey thorough ancient trails, story telling, laughter and, of course, yoga.

In case you’re not already completely sold on the idea of Wanderlust Aspen, here’s a list of 25 reasons you should attend.

If you can’t make it to Aspen, there are still three more cities hosting the evolutionary yoga event this summer -next up is Wanderlust’s original birthplace, Squaw Valley (July 17-20), then an extended 5-day event in Whistler, BC, Canada (July 31 – August 4), and finally a newly expanded festival at Tremblant (August 21-24) to cap off the summer season.

To stay up-to-date, follow Wanderlust on FB and Twitter.

June 30, 2014/by Jayme

Run10Feed10 Houston Race w/ Promo Code

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Run10Feed10 in Houston – Use promo code WHLAMM for $5 off

Hey Houston, are you ready for a brand new race series in your town? The Women’s Health Run10Feed10 Race will take place in Houston on Sept 27th, and yours truly is an Action Hero trying to help make this race and the great cause behind it really take off!

I know it seems really far away, but we’re trying to get as many signups as soon as possible – this series has been going on for three years and this is the first time Houston will host their own race, so we need to show the powers that be that Houston IS a run town.

Plus, it gives us more time to get our training butts in gear!

The race series is really cool – aside from getting cool swag (see below), each and every signup will provide TEN meals to hungry kids right here in our own backyard. So yes, this money STAYS in Houston to help our neighbors. By signing up, you will also get:

– You’ll get our 2014 limited-edition FEED bag! (the one all the celebs carry around!)
– A special FEED bracelet as a finisher prize!
– 10 issues of Women’s Health mag for free (you can decline this option and get a $10 refund on your sign-up if you wish)

Sign up for the race here. Use promo code: WHLAMM (at the very end of signup) for $5 off.

There is also a GREAT fundraising component to this event – if you want to donate something (even as little as $10) to the cause, you can go to my page and make it quick and easy.

You are also encouraged (though not mandatory) to start your own fundraising page – it will give you the option to set up your own page during race registration – just click yes and you’ll be prompted to set that up after your registration is complete.

This is a huge event for so many people, including me. I would very much appreciate each of your support on this event

Who wouldn’t want a limited edition FEED bag while helping kids?

(whether running/walking with me, donating a few bucks, or sharing it with friends and family via email and social media). Remember, this is a fun run, so it’s 100% OK and welcome if you’re not a fast runner or a runner at all, you can walk the race, we just want you there.

We also have a list of races in other cities (go to the main Run10Feed10 website to see which cities – folks in other cities can also use the WHLAMM discount code for $5 off).

If you know of any businesses in the area that want to donate or perhaps match our donations, that would be AWESOME, please let me know!

If you don’t already follow The Blonde Side on FB, please do me a favor and LIKE it.

Happy training y’all!

June 30, 2014/by Jayme

Minute Maid Park: Baseball Gameday Guide

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Minute Maid Park: Baseball Gameday Guide
(photo: Getty Images)

Maximize your baseball experience with our guide to what to do before a Houston Astros game, where to eat at the stadium and things to do nearby after the game.

Welcome to Minute Maid Park

Minute Maid Park (also known as “The Juice Box”), home of the Houston Astros, is located in downtown Houston, the fourth largest city in the country. The ballpark has had disappointing attendance records for a few years now, and as a result, ticket prices are usually very inexpensive.

The stadium itself has a distinctive boxy, modern look that sets it apart from other ballparks. A large white retractable roof that’s crisscrossed with blue support beams keeps fans cool and dry on hot or rainy days, then retreats back to open everything up when the weather’s nice. Although it’s nothing like the former ballpark, the Astrodome (nicknamed the Eighth Wonder of the World) it’s still an impressive place to catch a game.

City sports fans are pretty familiar with the area around Minute Maid Park—the neighborhood is also home to the Toyota Center (Houston Rockets) and BBVA Compass (Houston Dynamo). But overall it’s not a very exciting pregame setting; the downtown Houston business crowd tends to disappear right at 5 p.m. There’s also quite a bit of construction going on across from the ballpark as METRORail expands to a new station a block away. (Currently, the closest stop is six blocks away, at Preston Station.)

There are a handful of bars within a few blocks of MMP, including the B.U.S., Home Plate, Lucky’s Pub and Little Woodrow’s. But since there isn’t too much around the stadium before the game, many fans opt to save their energy (and money) for the festivities, food and fandom inside the ballpark.

QUICK LINKS

This Astros Baseball Gameday Guide originally appeared on Mapquest. Click here to see the original article including links, special tips, quotes from super fans and much more.

June 27, 2014/by Jayme

Wahl: Deep-Tissue Massage Product Review

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Wahl Deep-Tissue Massager

As an athlete (former and current, thank you), massages are a crucial part of my life. When at home in Houston, I tend to get a massage every two-three weeks from Massage Heights, but sometimes, I need something in between. I was asked to test out a new Wahl product, a home massager.

I can’t really tickle myself, so I was hesitant to a massager I had to use on myself, but I was willing to try it out.

Massages improve circulation, decrease muscle fatigue, helps control blood pressure, reduces anxiety (yes please!) and offers a ton of offer benefits for athletes and just the everyday person.

The Wahl deep tissue massager (only $59) comes with four attachments (four-finger flex, raised bump, deep muscle, accupoint) and it’s easy to use. Remember, I write The Blonde Side, so I need products and technology that is easy. This one was great. You literally plug it in, and twist off one attachment and push on the other. Update: I can honestly say 10 years later, I still have and use this massager.

My favorite place to get worked on during a massage is my neck/back/shoulder area, and the Wahl deep tissue massager works well for that, but I think what I loved best about this product was using it on my recently strained quad muscles. I had injured myself playing kickball (yes, I know, make fun of me) and it hurt in pretty much every activity and was keeping me from the gym. The attachments and speed-setting allowed it to get deep into the muscle space and work it out – it stung a little, like massages often do when breaking up lactic acid, but overall, I truly think it helped speed up my recovery.

Another great option for an electric massager is the Theragun. We use ours regularly, especially after a long day playing golf and we love it!

Therabody also has great products for athletes trying to heal and rest their bodies.

June 2, 2014/by Jayme

Skimmies: Product Review

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Seize the Day in Skimmies Slipshorts

As a sports + travel + fitness writer, I pride myself on being fit, but sometimes, I could use a little extra help. Thankfully I was recently introduced to Rachel Zoe’s new line and partnership with Jockey and the Skimmies Sliphort. I’m not going to lie, when I first got them, I thought it was just a new advanced version of Spanx and it kind of scared me off.

I didn’t think I needed help squeezing things in, but I’m glad I tried it.

Since it’s summer, I’ve been rocking maxi dresses quite a lot, and these slipshorts are the perfect thing for underneath, to help smooth some of my “stuff” out. I drink a lot of Bud Light, so having these slipshorts, which cover like a slip but fit like shorts, work really well. They are anti-static and a wicking material (like my workout clothes, odd comparison I know), but truly are a new part of my wardrobe.

They are also running a contest: #CarpeSkimmies – so check it out and see if you can win some fun prizes (like a $5000 Visa card towards an adventure of a lifetime!). Expand your comfort zone, I did.

June 1, 2014/by Jayme