Bites of My Life

Consistently my favorite weekend in OKC. The last week/weekend of April is home to the Festival of the Arts and the Memorial Marathon. I've been going to the arts festival for as long as I can remember. I'm partial to the "culinary arts" aspect of the festival, but it is all great none the less. See past visits here, here and here. And a ghetto archived post here.

The Memorial Marathon is always a favorite event too. My knees won't allow me to run it, but I love waking up at the crack of dawn to watch friends and co-workers over the years. Helps that the marathon runs right through my parents neighborhood. 

To add to the weekend, there was a baseball game, a basketball game (RIP the Thunder's playoff season), a charity event and the most fun couples shower. You know you helped throw a good party when it transitions from barbecue, to flip cup tourney to all-guest dance party lasting until 1AM. 

April, you were exhausting but a good one.

-Death by BBG. Kathleen and I are now on week of BBG. While it's terrible, it helps to have a buddy and works. 
-Working through dinner aint so bad with an açaí bowl on the back patio. 
-Cauliflower fried rice recipe aka a freezer clean-out. Recipe is highlighted on my instagram!
-Got it from my momma // 1 scoop vanilla, 1 scoop chocolate Arbonne protein, 1/2 frozen banana, some ice, 1 tsp. almond butter and almond milk!
-I typically branch out more at the arts festival, but you can't beat a classic Indian taco.
-Loved the little details for our "I Do BBQ"
-Showered our Staysh!
-All eyes to Gabe in the corner of this picture. Cheering on the marathon runners at Gorilla Hill. 
-After a v long weekend and all the eats and drinks this was necessary. An all green veggie salad eaten in bed, then promptly to bed right after (at 6:30PM).

Annie

Hop Till You Drop

If you know me at all or have followed me on social media for 5 seconds you have probably heard or seen me mention StudioHop. 

Quick facts about StudioHop... StudioHop is a multi-studio membership where you get access to some of the best fitness studios around the city all at one monthly price. The membership is $135 a month, but if you use my promo code AnnieHop20 you get $20 off your first month! $115 a month is a steal for everything you get access to. 

StudioHop originated in Dallas, but is now in Fort Worth, Austin, Tulsa, New Orleans and yours truly OKC! OKC studios that participate in SH include Union Performance, Beyond Studios, Four Graces Pilates, Soul Yoga, This Land Yoga, Yoga at Tiffany's, Body Mind Yoga, Hidden Dragon Yoga, The Yoga Box, Yoga Bliss, Cycle 3 Sixty, Moxieride, Higher Ground Runner and Urban Row. Easily reserve your class through the SH app or online. 

Now why I love StudioHop... I've been doing StudioHop since February, and can't imagine working out with out. I'm a studio junkie. In a studio setting I find motivation having an instructor pushing me as well as getting to work alongside new or familiar faces who have the same goals. As compared to the intimidating solo act of maneuvering a gym.  

I'm also slightly ADD, so the ability to hop from one studio to the next, one workout to the next, day after day is ideal for me. Yoga one day, bootcamp the next, followed by pilates mid-week. Not only does this satisfying my spazziness, it's also great for your body. Studies have shown how changing up your workout creates results. You never want your body to get stagnant. Keep it working and challenged by changing up it's routine. 

My StudioHop favorites include Union Performance, (hi friends ^^), Beyond Studios (remember when #teamtakeabite took over?), Soul Yoga, Yoga at Tiffany's, The Yoga Box and Four Graces Pilates. StudioHop just released their survey for the "Best of 2017" awards. You bet I'm filling this out highlighting all my favorite classes and instructors! If you're a hopper, make sure to nominate your faves too! Chelsea's lunch class at Union Performance, any class Dallas teaches at Four Graces, the Reform & Run format class at Beyond, Stacy and Janelle's classes at Soul Yoga, the list goes on for all my favorites!

Because of StudioHop I am able to continue my practice of yoga, challenge my body at bootcamp and discover my love of pilates. I had never taken pilates until StudioHop and I'm not sure what took so long. Because of the access and luxury of being able to try so many different studios and workouts I was able to find this new workout (to me) and fall in love with it. 

A few things to note about StudioHop...the studios included are not dog friendly, despite Gabe's impressive downward dog ;) You are limited to 5 classes per studio per month. Another thing to mention, if you cancel a class within 12 hours of it's scheduled time you will be charged a $12 late cancel fee. If you don't show up it's $15. My tip** don't sign up until a few hours before a class to make sure you will be making it. In OKC we have the luxury of classes typically not booking up fully so you can afford to sign up closer to time. 

If you have any questions about StudioHop, please ask! I'm happy to share more about it and my experience. If there is class on SH you want to try, call/text/email/DM me and let's try it together! And last but not least don't forget to use my code AnnieHop20 for $20 off your first month!

p.s. shoutout to Farm Fresh Designs for my adorable Kale Workout tank! And to KGC Photography for all the pics. 

Annie

Bites of My Life

I started last week with the mindset to be more intentional. More intentional with constant friendships, reconnecting distant friendships, intention with work, creativity and personal life. "An intention synchronistically organizes its own fulfillment." - Deepak Chopra. I'm not one for quotes, but with more intention, I was so easily more fulfilled.

Starting the week out with a positive mindset led to spending quality time with friends I see every week, haven't seen in weeks, those that live down the street and those that live in different states. A lunch date, a workout date,  a new recipe, celebrating The Scout Guide OKC's vol. 2 launch, celebrating the start of fall with OKC KKG alum, celebrating one of my favorite local non-profits, and the grand finale celebrating Lauren getting married with all of my best friends. Live with intention and you will be fulfilled. 

-Everyone needs an Alexis in their life. A friend that radiates positivity into your life everyday. 
-Kicking whole 30 snacks butt with this Banana Chip Savory Snack Mix. First batch is gone and I'm quickly planning when I'm making my next batch. 
-Reality is dragging your coffee table into your kitchen to get the best natural light for your food photography. 
-The best intentions to have a fun workout together, ended as more of a near death experience. But being with Katie and Annie felt like sophomore year in the Kappa house all over. 
-Pumpkins in their prime.
-Spontaneous Tucker girl lunch with mom, sis and Elle.
-On my coffee table: Vol. 2 of The Scout Guide and The Jones Assembly on the cover of Edible OKC. 
-When you rent a lake house with 18 of your closest friends and top it off with one of the funnest weddings, it's a sure combo for a perfect weekend. 
-Unapologetically caught in the act of capturing precious moments.

Annie

Why You Should Join StudioHop

photo cred KGC Photography

If you follow me anywhere on social media then you have probably seen me hopping around town taking full advantage of my new obsession StudioHop. What's StudioHop you ask? It's a monthly membership to the best of best fitness classes in the city. Say you like spin but love to get your flow on in a hot yoga class. Tired of paying for two memberships or drop-in classes here there and all over. Ya, me too. Welllll, now that StudioHop has touched down in OKC you can get all the benefits of different studios with only paying one price. SIGN. ME. UP. 

StudioHop hand selects their favorite studios so you know you are getting the best of the best. Take a look here, to see the studios Oklahoma City has to offer. In the past month I have been hopping back and forth from Beyond Studios to Soul Yoga and Union Performance to Yoga at Tiffany's. I love getting my cardio in at the Beyond 500 classes, but love nothing more than a 6am sweat sesh in hot yoga. Union Performance is new to me, but I try to fit in their bootcamp class at lunchtime for a mid day pick me up. My girl Chelsea gives you a full body workout that you will be feeling the next day! 

I read an article a few weeks ago about how switching up your workout routine is the ticket to start seeing results. In a study done on people performing the same exercise day in and day out, individuals bodies simply stopped responding. When they were then exposed to different exercises, their fitness only improved!

I had been in a rut lately of doing the same thing, barre mixed with moderate cardio. I enjoyed my workout regime and could go on about my love for barre workouts for hours, but it was getting a little boring as well as results become stagnant. My favorite part of StudioHop and the #1 reason why I think you should join, is the change! The ability to change up your workout everyday, every week. Spin on Monday followed by a hot yoga flow on Tuesday. Bootcamp Wednesday and pilates Thursday. Your body will love you for keeping it challenged and never getting settled into one form of exercise. The most economical way to make this changing routine happen is by joining StudioHop. One price, once a month, but instead of one workout class you get a multitude of different workout options! Join me, you won't regret it. 

Photo Cred KGC Photography

StudioHop offers a monthly unlimited package for $135 as well as a 4 class bundle and 8 class bundle package. More info about pricing can be found here. If you have any questions about how the packages work or what studios have limitations, you can get answers in their FAQ or feel free to ask me in the comments below!

StudioHop is like the gift that keeps on giving! And to keep the giving going, use my code anniehopokc in checkout to get $20 off your first month! This code can be used for class bundles or the monthly unlimited package. That means access to the best studios all about town for $115, WIN! (Hurry and sign up, code expires 3/6). Give StudioHop a follow on insta and a like on Facebook, and make sure to sign up for their newsletter (just scroll to the bottom of the page)!

Now, hop to it!

Annie

Bites of My Life

January is coming to an end and so is Whole 30. It has felt long, but also an extremely short 30 days. I'm ready for February. Another new beginning. I've grown up a traditionalist and liked things kept the same, but as I get older I always feel so refreshed with new weeks, new years, new months, new beginnings. Do you dread the start of a new week or month, or feel encouraged by the difference it brings?

-Made my first sweet potato toast and O.M.G. Jill Bauer said just this morning on the Today Show that it is the new avocado toast! Just thinly slice your raw sweet potato lengthwise, run it through the toaster twice, then top with desired toppings!
-I'm slightly obsessed with this recipe and want you all to make it. I posted this Crock-Pot Curry Chicken over Cauliflower Rice last week and you just haaaaave to have it. 
-I finally got some Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides after seeing it go viral on instagram. Collagen is essential in everyday health, but you can read more specifics here. VP powder dissolves into virtually anything. Put it in your morning coffee, tea, smoothie, soup etc.
-Banana and almond butter is my favorite Whole 30 breakfast. It tastes so indulgent to me for some reason. A pretty presentation helps to! Just split your banana lengthwise, spread with AB, sprinkle with cinnamon and an optional drizzle of tahini.
-Spicy Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup was lunch everyday last week. The recipe is posted so you can enjoy it too!
-I shared my step by step tips on how to make perfect fried eggs in a cast iron skillet in my insta stories on Thursday. Missed it? Leave a comment and I'll give you the run down. I then topped them with the goods: maldon salt, sumac and turmeric.
-Woke up Sunday to then enjoy the most delicious brunch at recently opened, The Pritchard. A full restaurant review will be coming later this week!
-StudioHop gives you access to a curated list of local fitness studios so you can enjoy one membership at multiple studios. They started in Dallas and are now coming to OKC! I'm so excited to help share the news! The fun starts 2/6, but sign up for their newsletter here (scroll to the bottom) so you can be the first to know more. Now #hoptoit!
-In this final weekend of Whole 30, my non W30 cravings were strong. I wanted pizza and chips and dips so hard. I attempted to fullfill the cravings with veggie chips and compliant salsa. Along with plantain chips and guacamole and copious amounts of cashew butter...

Annie