Mind + Body: March 2016
Raising the Barre: A new fitness studio in Lakeview focuses on building strength from the inside out.
The Barrre Code, a fitness franchise that started in Chicago, recently expanded to the New Orleans area with a new studio in Lakeview. Local owners Kelley Ellis and Marissa Brown celebrated its grand opening Feb. 13 with complimentary classes, fresh treats from local brands (such as NOLA Beans) and pop-up shops from Lucy Rose, About Face and Athleta. The space includes a studio that can accommodated 22 clients per class, a retail area and two changing rooms (that come complete with a fully stocked vanity area). The simple and clean interior design elements provide an atmosphere of inspiration and motivation.
“Offering a combination of intense barre workouts, cardio classes and stretch makes The Barre Code a one-stop shop for women’s fitness needs,” Ellis says. “The philosophy of The Barre Code is different from other studios in that it promotes a lifestyle of positivity and change from the inside out. Living by The Barre Code means finding strength in the struggle, and finding and promoting the best in those around you.”
The Barre Code NOLA offers an ever-evolving class curriculum so that participants will never reach a plateau. Core classes include the original Barre Code, a 50-minute, total-body workout of isometric holds, heavy repetition and deep stretching; to Brawl, a combination of kickboxing and strengthening moves. Other class options include the HIIT class, featuring plyometrics, speed work and agility training; and TBC — a bootcamp-style class that includes full-range-of-motion strength training.
“I was introduced to The Barre Code by a good friend from college who instructed for them in Chicago,” Brown says. “I went to visit her a few summers ago and was drawn to the variety of classes, tough workouts, positive instructors and community feel of the studio. Kelley and I … have been very excited to share what ‘Living by The Barre Code’ means with New Orleans ever since.”
By combining cardiovascular conditioning, strength training and restoration (a new yoga-type of stretch class will be offered soon), women can expect to be challenged to take what they learn in class and apply it to the rest of life. “For example, if there is strength in the struggle during a workout and you can get through that struggle, you can apply that to daily life outside of the studio. The Barre Code emphasizes a sense of community, of women supporting other women, of positivity and strength.” 787 Harrison Ave., (504) 900-1770, thebarrecode.com
Sweet Dreamzzz: This stylish bracelet can help you sleep better.
Lack of sleep has been proven to weaken our immune systems, cognitive functions and memory, and it can even promote unhealthy eating habits. Beginning on March 6, the National Sleep Foundation will celebrate Sleep Awareness Week — an annual event to raise awareness regarding the health benefits of sleep and its importance to safety and productivity. And on March 13, we’ll spring forward by advancing the clock one hour for Daylight Savings Time. If you’re one of the many Americans who has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, the Philip Stein Sleep Bracelet may be your new best friend.
The bracelet, which is available in a number of different band colors, uses Natural Frequency Technology to increase your body’s production of melatonin — the hormone that synchronizes the sleep-wake cycle. The bracelet contains a metal component that acts like a tuned antenna, which are tuned to pick up natural frequencies that are beneficial for sleep. A recent study by Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, found that the NFT disks increased melatonin production in human cells by as much as 20 percent. When worn, the bracelet allows you to sleep deeper and longer, without feeling drowsy the next morning. Starting at $395; available at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans and at philipstein.com.
Maria’s Pick: Meal Deal – Save time and lose weight with a healthy meal delivery program developed by a doctor.
BistroMD is a meal delivery program developed by founding physician, Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D., a board certified bariatric physician, in 2005 at her medical weight loss clinic. At that time, she noticed that many of her patients were lost and frustrated when it came to planning and cooking healthy meals at home. The company offers several different meal plans for men and women — the Standard Meal Plan, the Gluten-Free Meal Plan, the Diabetic Meal Plan, the Menopause Meal Plan and the new Silver Cuisine meal program that’s tailored for seniors — all focusing on correcting metabolic dysfuntion (a common metabolism condition that makes weight easy to gain and hard to lose). BistroMD helps reset your metabolism by including the right balance of macronutrients in your diet so you can lose weight and keep it off.
“Time after time, I hear friends of mine — some of whom are busy with careers, and others who are busy raising families (or both) — who just don’t have time to cook healthy meals,” says New Orleans Living publisher Maria Muro. “The bistroMD program keeps things simple and delicious by delivering healthy meals to your door each week. I love the quality and variety of meals, such as grilled salmon with lemon Dijon dressing, the chicken feta meatballs with grilled vegetables and the chicken cordon bleu.”
The program includes chef-prepared meals, delivered directly to your front door, that you can customize from over 150 different entree selections. The seven-day program includes free unlimited support from registered dietitians and weekly program emails; seven breakfasts; seven lunches; and six dinners (you get one free night to practice what you’ve learned). $135 for the first week; $180 per week thereafter; bistromd.com