"I Do Yoga and Pilates and the Room is Full of Hotties"

Well, well, well, the Hip Chick blogs again. Didn't think it would come so soon, huh?

In my last entry, I don't think I did my trainer, Tracie Hendricks, enough justice with one shout out....apparently, neither did she. Before her nod of disapproval of my sharing that I had brown rice with dinner, she pulled me aside and told me that she didn't like how food stole her Lean Mean Fighting Machine spotlight. I explained to her that the Hip Chick blogs about food; although, now that I have her in my life, she thought I should put more emphasis on physical activities - not just food - in LA...

...and, since I love her and she is transforming my body into steel, I agreed.

As I've mentioned time and time again, I workout a lot. For those of you that go to the gym, run, hike, do yoga, yadda yadda yadda, you know there comes a point in the workout where you just have to stop; it becomes too hard. Let me tell you a little something about Tracie. The first time I trained with her, I almost puked. After 150 side/leg lifts at the end of our hour-long workout, I had to run upstairs and stick my head in the toilet. No, I didn't hurl, although I came pretty damn close. Tracie pushes me to the point of no return. In addition to reminding me to relax my face, stick in my tongue, and contract my abs, she constantly tells me that training my body is so beneficial, and she works with my strengths and challenges me in ways I never thought possible. She is very realistic, keeping the mindset that she trains her clients so she can one day set them free, applying the knowledge she has given them after the trainer/client relationship comes to an end.

Even though some may look at me and think I'm crazy for hiring a personal trainer, this is something that I am doing for my own well-being, happiness and health. Tracie teaches me to honor, worship, and listen to my body, strengthening and maintaining its health for years and years to come. She lets me take breaks but never lets me quit.

And the relationship doesn't stop when our time together is up. Tracie is always texting me, asking how I feel after a workout. She also makes me feel a bit crappy over text, telling me that if I don't feel sore after a workout then I'm just cheating myself. Tough love? I think so. And it sure as shit works. If I'm out at a restaurant and can't decide what to eat, I can shoot her a text and ask for her advice. Despite her favoritism of healthy, protein-packed meals, Tracie doesn't believe in depriving oneself of deliciously unhealthy treats; she'll just push you that much harder the next time you meet. Another benefit to working with Tracie? You get to experience her classes at Equinox where, I believe, all the beautiful people go. This morning I saw Janice Dickinson, her barely legal boyfriend, and Jackie from "Work Out."

The best thing about Tracie? She always puts a smile on my face. Whether she's yelling, "Oh Challah!" (yes, that spelling is correct) to the passing cars or laughing at me for wearing pigtails and running like a five-year old girl, she reminds me that this personal training is something that will only help me in the long run. She has also blessed me with the mantra, "Hair down, boobs up," reinforcing the fact that looking good at the gym and putting a little mascara on the eyes never hurt anyone. Personal training and improved self confidence go hand-in-hand.

Next week we're upping the ante with hikes at Fryman and...eek...running. Will I survive the intensity and be able to blog again? Only time will tell.

Again, if you want to link up with Tracie, feel free to contact me directly.

I'm in LA, Trick!

The Banana Pudding at Toast: Well worth the $6.95 and bazillion calories

One of my favorite things about living in the city is the plethora of opportunities at my fingertips. It's pretty rare if I have to get in a car to experience great food, a good workout, or a new wardrobe (hey, I can't help it if Old Navy's workout clothes are on sale). I walk everywhere and discover new and exciting things every day. Here are some of my newest LA finds:

A.O.C. 8022 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles 90048

To quote a dear friend, "A.O.C. - A.O.Amazing!" This was my second time trying A.O.C. and it had been about three or four years since the first time I tried it. I indulged here with three of my closest friends, and we - so "Sex and the City" like - chatted over wine and small plates filled with cheese, salads, vegetables, fish, and, of course, dessert. The roasted dates with parmesan and bacon were out of this world, as were the beet salad and farro and black rice with pinenuts and currants. This is a great place to go with a small group of friends or on a date, and they even have a private terrace upstairs which would be great for parties. This place is pricey, but well worth every penny. And the wine list has something to satiate everyone's palate.

Boss Sushi 268 S. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills 90211

Sushi is my favorite food, by far, and Boss did no less than impress. Try the Princess Camille, Beverly Hills 90211 and Rainbow Dragon rolls. The portions are huge. The seaweed salad and green tea are great too. Parking in back or try a meter in front (free after 6p). They accept reservations, but they're not always necessary. Yet another great sushi joint in LA. You got it, Boss!

Toast Bakery Cafe 8221 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles 90048

If you try eating here anytime before 2p.m. any day of the week, don't expect to immediately snag a table. This place is PACKED! Whether it's the food, the location, or the celeb spottings (isn't that Scarlett Johansson??), there's something special that puts Toast on the edible map. I've been here a few times and always seem to order the Garden Salad: mixed greens, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, pinenuts, strips of grilled garden burger, and house vinagrette dressing. I recommend the half portion, since the regular size is massive. Now don't get me started on the dessert. They have this birthday cake thing, which is vanilla cake with buttercream frosting, and I would make it walk down the aisle with me if it could. I was also introduced to the banana pudding (see pic above) the other day by my love, Liza. This pudding is to die for!! Liza and I split it and chomping through the layers was like unwrapping each of the eight Chanukah presents: the very top is Oreo cookies; the second layer is banana pudding; the third layer is Oreo crumbs; the fourth later is banana chunks; and the fifth later is all that shit mixed together. OMFG! Amazing! I had a ginormous tummy ache later that night, although the pain was well worth it. Is that a banana in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

Toppings Yogurt 349 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills 90211

Ma Nishma? Toppings is both a fantastic yogurt spot and a Kosher eater's delight. So many Chosen People -- I love it!! It's always nice to connect with your peeps while satisfying your belly. This place is, apparently, along the lines of Menchie's, where you serve yourself and pay by the ounce. Great yogurt selections and even better toppings. You might find it beneficial to put the toppings on the bottom and the top. Try the coconut yogurt bottomed and topped (that's what he said) with rainbow sprinkles, heath bar, cheesecake bites and chocolate chip cookie dough balls. Yeah, that's right, I put all that on my yogurt. I also really enjoy the peanut butter yogurt, my cousin's fiancee likes the mint, and my cousin and brother like the chocolate. A lot of something for everyone at a totally reasonable price. How can you complain? You fill it up yourself!

Now, I know you're probably thinking, "My lord, woman, STOP EATING!!" Well, my friends, if you are dedicated readers and have been following me from the start, you will know that I eat hard and exercise hard. Although I don't deprive myself of delicious eats, most days are spent eating vegetables, fruit, tofu, and brown rice. I also workout five-to-six days a week and have added a personal trainer to the mix. A BIG shout out to my trainer, Tracie Hendricks, who kicks my ass into shape and never lets me quit. For more information on how you can link up with Tracie, feel free to contact me directly.

If you ever wonder how I crank out all this witty jargon, I do it by sitting with my laptop in my living room or at some type of a coffee shop, pop in my earbuds, and listen to Pandora or ITunes. Try this one on for size: Dance is Dead (Tocadisco Remix) by Boosta. Enjoy!

Movin' On Up!

Lunch at FOOD+LAB in West Hollywood

Well, my friends, it has been quite some time since I've blogged. Despite my brief hiatus, I am back, and ready to take on the blogging world. Allow me to fill you in on some of my recent happenings.

The main reason for my lack of blogging is the fact that I moved. Yes, kids, I'm out of the valley and back out on my own in the City of Angels. Words can't express the amount of gratitude I feel towards my aunt and uncle for taking me into their home for the past two significant years. They gave me such huge amounts of love and support through so many life changes, that I grow teary-eyed when I think of how much I'll miss their daily presence. In the past two years, I survived grad school (What did you say? A 3.9 GPA? Yeah, that's right.), received my teaching credential in Elementary Education, landed a job for the fall at a wonderful school in the valley, ended a relationship that was masking my inner happiness, got two tattoos, went to Israel, and encountered the deaths of four of my beloved family members, one of which was my maternal grandmother and my last living grandparent. Needless to say, these past two years have been life-changing, and I would not have been able to hold my head up through most of these events, had it not been for my aunt and uncle. But, as we all know, life goes on, and it's time for me to grab the reins of life by myself once again.

Okay, okay, I know what you're really here for, my take on LA life. So, slow your roll, and allow me to share...

FOOD+LAB 7253 Santa Monica Blvd., Trannyville, CA 90046

This place is totally hidden amongst the Russian markets and nudie bars in West Hollywood. It was introduced to me by one of my best friends, Steph, who read about it on Daily Candy, and we decided to try it one Saturday afternoon. We shared the prosciutto with ricotta, fig, and balsamic honey reduction sandwich, cucumber salad, potato salad with prosciutto (Kosher, much?), and a couscous-like salad with dried fruit. Everything was delicious. The one drawback I have is that the service was slow, but we were very happy once the food came. Few tables, parking in rear or meters on Santa Monica Blvd. Definitely a place to check out, and the food is reminiscent of Joan's on Third, another fave and my new local hotspot.

Joan's on Third 8350 West Third St., Los Angeles 90048

What can I say about Joan's on Third? It's simply delicious. From the apricot glazed ham and brie sandwich, to the baby field greens salad, to the everything cookie and the Snickers cupcake, you really can't go wrong. Apparently, the egg salad sandwich and macaroni and cheese are amazing. A bit of a steep price for a simple lunch, but the food and ambiance are well worth it. Don't expect to snag a table as soon as you get there; this place is always crowded. Great for peeping LA locals and celebs (What up, Dr. Hahn?). Parking might be tough (meters on 3rd), but if you dine with Yours Truly, it's a 2-minute walk from my apartment. Look forward to bumping into you there.

Bollywood Dance, 24 Hour Fitness 8612 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood 90046

Talk about having fun while working out. This class is AWESOME! One of my best friends, Alice, is in town from NY, so she and I decided to try this class last night. Rahul is a fantastic instructor, with a British accent to top it all off. He combines intricate footwork, hand movements, and head nods to give you a heart-racing cardiovascular workout. With or without athletic kicks, you'll be jumping and dancing your way to a newer you. Great music, great energy, and great moves. Wednesday nights at 8p.m.

Tonight, I'm seeing what these free concerts at the Santa Monica Pier have to offer. Apparently, they're great. Tomorrow night, A.O.C. Cheers!