A Lady Goes West

A healthy lifestyle blog by Ashley Pitt

Favorite things: Les Mills video shoot, Must Have box, food and more

By 34 Comments

Favorites time! Are you about to embark on a long weekend? I sure hope so. For those of us on American soil, this weekend typically involves Fourth of July celebrations and maybe an extra day off of work. Yes!

I wanted to pop in a day early to say hello to you lovely folks before I begin my long weekend. After teaching BODYPUMP on Saturday morning, Dave, Rudy and I will be road-tripping north near Mendocino to have a quiet and peaceful couple of days. On the agenda? Maybe a stop at a winery. Maybe a hike. Maybe a whole lot of down-time in some cooler air. Definitely some good eats and sleeps. I can’t wait. Even though we toyed with hosting a Fourth of July party this year, like we did last year, the call of a getaway pulled us in and we accepted. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery.

While there’s still time left in the work-week for most, I have some awesome favorites that had to get out to you, so here we go. Oh, and if you haven’t already entered my giveaway to win a big summer essentials package, please do. It ends tonight. (Thanks for the support!) Now today, I have a varied selection. Get ready …

This week’s “Favorite things”  

Les Mills Video Shoot

If you had told me years ago before I moved to San Francisco that not only would I hang out with, work with and become friends with some of the most popular stars in the Les Mills group fitness world, I would have died from excitement. As you know, Les Mills group fitness is one of my favorite things, and it’s a massive international brand (which is getting bigger in the U.S. finally!). That being said, I was so happy to be invited by Reebok to participate in a Les Mills promotion video filmed in the Bay Area last week.

Les Mills Reebok video shoot favorite by A Lady Goes West

It was a very interesting experience. First of all, we didn’t get the exact time and location until a day before the shoot, which just kept those of us involved guessing – and perhaps growing even more excited. Second of all, we filmed overnight. Yes, you heard that – overnight. Thirdly, we were extras in a video that Reebok will be sharing widely in August, so we won’t see the finished product for a while. But we have no doubt it will be top-notch and representative of the whole Les Mills culture.

The shoot took place at a Crossfit gym in Oakland, and we did a lot of chatting and watching the first group being filmed (Crossfitters!) before being fitted for our Reebok Les Mills wardrobe, warming up, practicing and participating in the actual shoot. There was one star of the Les Mills spot (the beautiful and talented Lissa Bankston), and there were about eight of us extras, who served as class members. Overall, the shoot was a super cool experience – particularly to be part of and see the way these large-scale productions work.

But quite honestly, I love every time I get to hang out with fellow instructors, especially when we are coming together on behalf of Les Mills, even if it means working out and doing many repetitive motions just to get the right shot at 2 in the morning on a school-night. And YES, I will share the final video with you once it comes out. One Tribe!

POPSUGAR Must Have Box

Another amazing San Francisco company? POPSUGAR. A few weeks ago, I received the June POPSUGAR Must Have box in the mail, and it’s adorable. The POPSUGAR Must Have box subscription is just $39.95 a month, and with that you get a delivery of hand-selected goodies sent to you and you never know what you’re going to get. My favorite thing in this box? The card game. I will be bringing it on an upcoming trip for sure.

POPSUGAR Must Have Box favorite by A Lady Goes West

This is seriously an awesome gift for someone who is hard to shop for. NCLA nail polish, Pacifica deodorant wipes, a designer mirror, a scarf/sarong, a game, a cool bottle-opener and some snacks — what more could you ask for. Check out more from the Must Have team here. *Thanks to POPSUGAR for sending me the box to try.

Nutiva Nuture Vitality Coconut Oil

No this is not just another coconut oil, this is an organic coconut oil with a buttery flavor, and I have been putting it on everything. I believe this jar came to me in a big delivery from Whole Foods a few weeks ago, and I wish I hadn’t waited so long to dig into it. It’s super healthy. Non-GMO. Vegan, etc. But what you really want to know is that it smells divine and adds the perfect flavor to anything. Like buttery popcorn, but in a good way. It’s unreal. I could coat my body in it and ride off into the sunset for eternity. (Not an exaggeration.)

Nutiva coconut oil favorite by A Lady Goes West

Here’s how  I use it – Slather a thick coating on raw vegetables (broccoli or Brussels sprouts or sweet potato fries) using a tool like this on an aluminum-foiled baking sheet, then I throw them in the oven at 450 degrees for 22 minutes, until they come out a little charred. Buttery vegetable goodness. Get thee to the grocery and purchase this stuff. You won’t regret it.

Big Ol’ California Mug

When I took this California mug up to purchase it at Bed, Bath and Beyond with my 20 percent off coupon last weekend, the clerk said – “well, this is big enough to put soup in it.” She’s right. It’s big enough for soup, but also big enough for my massive morning helping of hot green tea (sometimes I use two tea bags, because one just isn’t enough).

Big California mug favorite by A Lady Goes West

Maybe it’s silly to have a touristy mug from your own state, but maybe it’s cool. I’ve been on the hunt for a cute huge mug for a while, and I can now officially stop my search. And get a little geography lesson while I’m at it. A win win.

My favorite links of the week

Did you miss the latest on A Lady Goes West lately? 

And more from around the web worth checking out …

  • Another one that I can’t stop watching or smiling from: “Me Too” by The Fitness Marshall.
  • I know I’ve mentioned this before, but the daily news round-ups on mindbodygreen are the best. 

That’s it for now. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a safe, happy and healthy Fourth of July, if you’re celebrating. (Check me out on Instagram to see some adventures.) Thanks for reading friends. I really appreciate it that you keep coming back. 

A look at some #LesMills fun and other faves ... Click To Tweet

Read more Favorite things

To see more favorites, visit Heather‘s blog or my older “Favorite things.” 

*There are affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support!

Questions of the day

What are you up to this weekend?

What was the best thing that happened to you this week?

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About Ashley

I'm a mom, writer and group fitness instructor, and A Lady Goes West is where I share fitness and wellness tips, as well as stories and learnings from my life in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
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Comments

  1. Patricia @sweet and strong says

    Must have been so fun shooting the Les Mills video, I can’t wait to see it! And does that coconut oil taste really ‘coconutty’? There are very few foods I dislike and somehow coconut is one of them 🙁 I can use coconut oil when cooking most things, but I don’t like it with roasted veggies. Have a fun long weekend! A road trip sounds so fun, we have a wedding and I’m hoping to spend some time by the pool and make some good eats.
    Patricia @sweet and strong recently posted…Greek Couscous Salad with Basil VinaigretteMy Profile

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      Hi Patricia. Yes, you can taste some coconut, but I think the buttery taste is more present. It’s good! Too bad you don’t like coconut, but you never know, your tastebuds may change one day. Hope you have a great time at the wedding!! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Fiona MacDonald says

    OH man that shoot for Les Mills looks so fun ! Our gyms have virtual Les Mills as well as the classes and the videos are the videos you guys train on ( I think ) so it’s soo fun to see the instructors from New Zealand and get a glimpse of what you guys get to experience!!

    My sister just bought me a FabFitFun box for my birthday and there is something about getting surprise treats in the mail that I just love! Too bad the subscriptions usually aren’t cheap!

    It’s our independence day (Canada Day) tomorrow so we are all off for a cottage weekend! Have a great long weekend!

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      Oh cool! I haven’t seen how virtual is set up yet and would love to. And how sweet of your sis to get you the FFF box. 🙂

      Have a great weekend, Fiona! How’s little one??

      Reply

      • Fiona MacDonald says

        Yah it’s really cool, and nice to have an option to still do a class even if the time you want to work out is off with the set times for live classes.

        Oh gosh Sully is great, will be 1 this month!!! So nuts, he’s a huge dare devil and is obsessed with the dog, the feeling is NOT mutual…lol..so I”ve been struggling to get down time to catch up on my fav bloggers 😉 Hence the radio silence!

        Reply

  3. Jessica @ Semi-Sweet Tooth says

    Congrats on the promotional shoot – that’s awesome!

    My mom was actually a fitness television star in the 80’s (totally random), so it’s been a looooooooooong time since I was on set of a fitness video. I’m sure it’s totally crazy now with all of the cameras and crazy lighting. It had to be a blast!

    Sounds like you have a wonderful weekend lined up. Have fun!
    XO, Jessica
    http://www.semisweettooth.com
    Jessica @ Semi-Sweet Tooth recently posted…Matcha Mint Latte Iced TeaMy Profile

    Reply

  4. Julie says

    Such a small world – we’ll be up near Mendocino this weekend too! Definitely looking forward to good wine, good food and some nice hikes 🙂

    Reply

  5. Laura says

    What a fun experience. Love the me to video, inspired!!!! I am all into the flavorful coconut oils, so far I have garlic and pumpkin so this definitely makes the cut. Have a great romantic weekend. Thanks for all you do here for us.

    Reply

  6. Emily says

    That Les Mills video shoot looked really fun. out of a lot of the fitness companies, I may have to say that Les Mills is one of my favorite + the P90X workouts. And a LONG weekend getaway sounds so relaxing. Sometimes that’s just what you have to do, because a party can be a little overwhelming. I understand that feeling.
    Emily recently posted…TOLT: Why Food Helped My RecoveryMy Profile

    Reply

  7. Julie Przybyla says

    That’s really neat about the Les Mills video shoot. I follow Jeremiah Evans an IG (he was my CXWorx trainer back in the day when it was called CX30) and I saw him mentioning about this little project. I recognized your face from your blog. What a small TR1BE we can be! I bet that was an amazing experience. I just completed my second time through AIM2 this weekend with some super star trainers. It was amazing!

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      Hi Julie! Small world of instructors all over the big world hehehe! Wow nice work on going back to AIM 2. I’m due for another visit myself! And I need to be doing CX more, I don’t have my own class and haven’t been doing it. My poor core misses it heehhe. Have an awesome day!

      Reply

  10. Jessie R says

    Exciting video stuff, and that butter/coconut oil-yum!! I’m sooo glad I’m taking Friday off, we are heading out to Alaska for a week of vacation, yay!

    Reply

  12. Melissa says

    Oh my gosh, the photo shoot – ahhh!!! There are no words for how cool I think that is!! Can’t wait to see the video! I just placed my huge Reebok.com order for all the new stuff. Can’t wait to get that package! I am launching BP 98 on Monday, the 4th of July. Very excited to launch it – loving it so much. Best thing this week, got a pedicure and my hair done. Feeling good 🙂 Have a great get away trip. It sounds amazing!

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      Nothing feels better than a little grooming, right? How nice, Melissa! Good luck with BP 98. I’m launching it the week after. 🙂

      Reply

  14. Susan says

    Mendocino was was of my last stops before moving from SF back east. It is so beautiful, I hope you have fantastic time. Enjoy every minute!!

    Reply

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