Like a ‘dance’ virgin - Confessions from an uncoordinated dance floor

Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow have demonstrated to us (through their extremely fit bodies) that the Tracy Anderson method works. Tracy has also sculpted the bodies of Shakira, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston and cougar Courtney Cox. So who the heck is she?

Initially an aspiring dancer, Tracy was battling some weight issues. After gaining more than 25 kg during her pregnancy she was determined to ‘cut the fat’. She began questioning doctors and doing extensive research and discovered that the key to weight loss was working the accessory muscles (not those ones that make you pick up that cute handbag), rather than the large muscle groups. So after using herself as a guinea pig for six weeks she had slimmed down to her current size and has stayed the same shape ever since (FYI Sam is now ten).

Tracy then decided to take this out into the world and tested on 150 customers, which confirmed that she “could take any woman from any genetic background and turn her in this teeny-tiny dancer type”. You could even eat whatever you wanted and still maintain this shape - She had me at eat whatever I want.

I was an eager beaver and bought two of Tracy’s DVD’s; The Tracy Anderson Mat Workout (which will be reviewed at a later date) and the Tracy Anderson Method. When the DVD arrived I thought “Woohoo, small dancer’s body here I come!” Then I hit play - turns out in order to achieve a small dancer’s body, you must dance. Who would have thought it! A choreographed dance routine from multiple views, intended to ‘get her flow’, left me feeling less like a dancer and more like an uncoordinated relative on a wedding room dance floor.

To get a second opinion I then let Elise borrow the DVD and her response was “It's hard, but for the wrong reasons. She isn't a good instructor. Her moves felt like an 8 year old trying to choreograph a routine in her backyard after 6 months of dance lessons.” So it’s not just me. Phew!

Despite my reaction to the DVD, there really is no stopping this petite dancer/fitness guru as a reality series is in the works that is said to be a ‘docusoap’ that will chronicle her life in New York City.

I also still have her Mat workout to try; my current expectation is that it’s a mixture of Pilates and dancing – review to come soon (without photos of me prancing around Tracy Anderson-style, this dance is not visually friendly).

Picture Source: EzyDVD

Got Fruit Flies? WWMcGD?

I’m not sure where these fruit flies are coming from, but I’ve been finding fruit flies loitering around my sink (damn hooligans!). This is not my ideal sink situation. So I asked myself - what would MacGuyver do?

A quick Google search provided a plethora of ways to catch and/or kill these pesky insects – one way even suggested utilising the oven or dishwasher as a trap to lure and subsequently torture/kill the fruit flies at extreme temperatures. I instead choose a more humane method.

All you need is;
Red Wine Vinegar
A small glass jar/cup
Cling Wrap
A fork

Half fill the small glass jar with Red Wine Vinegar and then cover it with cling wrap. Using the fork, poke some holes through the cling wrap – this acts to let the fruit flies in, but not out. The fruit flies are attracted to the smell of red wine vinegar because it smells like rotting fruit. Place the jar near the infested area and watch as the fruit flies trap themselves. Simple! Leave the device overnight and in the morning you will find nothing but floating remnants of a past problem. Thus, with a few simple, household items, I was able to manifest a device so successful at catching fruit flies that I now find myself wanting more of these pesky insects around (if only to catch them again).

Sexy Spanish can be made at home? Ole!

Upon my return from Hong Kong, my partner and I received a belated Christmas present – a Spanish cooking class voucher from Red Balloon. We were elated by this because learning to cook an exotic cuisine had placed high on our to-do lists of 2010.

Spanish has always been one of those cuisines that I assumed I could never make myself - a litre of sangria will do that to you. However, this course did show me that it is as easy as empanadas!

The Cheeky Chefs (from the Cheeky Food Group) Terry and Daniel, demonstrated everything from the basics of cutting an onion without getting emotional to the numero uno dish - seafood paella. Oh, and lets not forget the scrumptious chorizo dish that consisted of chorizo, sherry and flames (the eyebrow singeing kind). Simplicity never tasted so good.

During the three hour class your hunger for learning slowly develops into real hunger and the blood, sweat and non-tears that went into the cooking is rewarded with an earned (self-cooked) culinary feast and a few glasses of wine.

Muchos gracias Cheeky Food Group!

Why I have been M.I.A.

Yes, I know I have been seriously slack and M.I.A over the holidays and in the New Year. I apologise and assure you that I have been doing stuff which I will definitely share on my blog.

All I need now is to find the time to regurgitate all my experiences...

For a sneak peak into my adventures I'll tell you that I have been to Hong Kong and Macau, I've been to a rad concert at the Enmore and I have watched some pretty good movies. I will also include a rant about Richard Wilkins- a man who continues to frustrate me, I know I never get personal, but this guy is asking for it.

So yes... please watch this space for the adventures of Kat.

Blog you later!

New handbag!

For my upcoming trip to Hong Kong, many have warned me of bag snatchers.

So I have been in search of the ideal handbag to take in order to keep my must needed shopping dollars safe. Today at the Strandbags at East Gardens Westfields, I found the one! It was perfect. With an over the shoulder strap which was adjustable with a zipper for the main compartment and one at the front for change. There's even a zipper on the inside for valuable documents. It's also big enough for my camera!


Price: $24.99

Is 3 Jugs of Bulmer's too much for a work Christmas Party?

NAH!

Last night I attended my department's Christmas party at the Paddington Lawn Bowls. It was a lovely event organised by my usual partner-in-crime, Elise. My favourite food was ordered, MINI FOOD! This included mini hotdogs, mini vegetarian pizzas, mini hamburgers, mini chicken schnitzels and mini gelato cones. This was ALL delicious!

So the game itself was boys versus girls, blue balls vs. the pink. Our instructor was Tom, he also doubled as our man candy (it's a tough gig but someone's gotta do it- and I'm glad it was him). The games was explained to us and it was pretty much bowl the ball gently along the green and try and get closest to the jack (small white ball at the other end of the green). The 'catch' is the ball is weighted on one side so when you roll it, it will curve.

We also had trophies to entice our performance, Best and Worst on the field. So I was excited since I had never known the feel of holding a trophy. I also expected to really suck at the game since I had done so previously, so the Worst on field had my name written all over it.

This is where the 3 jugs of Bulmer's comes in. No one else in my department was drinking it, so every time someone went for a drink run, they got me a jug. So as the afternoon continued I began to get quite 'relaxed' and my game also improved, in fact I managed to get my ball touching the Jack... it was a beautiful moment *tear.

Fast forward to the end of the night, everyone voted in a secret ballot who was best and worst on the field... Worst on field was a Batman obsessed 'gentleman' KAV and Best on field was ME! So I am now Kat, owner of a trophy.

P.S- Love a place that has cider on tap.

WANTED: A facial with some serious removal of dead skin cells

So it's the start of the summer season and the party season. So a facial was definitely in order. "Goodbye dead skin cells, goodbye!"

I was also in need of some serious extractions, stat! So I made an appointment with my beautician from by old hood, Sonyla of Sonyla's Beauty Spot in Merrylands. She is the queen of extractions and will get every one of the little buggers. Although it is slightly uncomfortable, the end result is lasting and when I walk away my face is smooth as a baby's tooshie!

Unfortunately Sonyla wasn't available today, but I was placed in the very capable hands of Steph, who also introduced me to a new facial product they had just got in, Sothys. This was instead of the usual Dermalogica facial which is what my skin was use to and although it was good, Sothys is better as it promises more instant results. I was intrigued. My love for trying new products had taken over.

The products used smelled amazing and was so soothing to my face. I was most impressed with were the product which lifted all the blackheads and whiteheads to the surface, making it easier to see all the necessary extractions. Then there was the exfoliator which didn't have the usual sand-like texture, it was more like a cream and when it dried you lightly rub it off the skin and it takes the dead skins cells along with it. It was gross and amazing at the same time. You just felt so much cleaner! Then there was an incredible calming and hydration mask with help my sore and previously dry face.

Currently my face is slightly red, but not as red as it usually is after a facial. My awesome chin pimple (which looked like it was just going to become a permanent fixture on my face) had also instantly looked better after my session.

I can't wait to see my face after a few days to see the real results.

SUMMER HERE I COME!

Where: Sonyla's Beauty Spot (02) 9633 4115- Shop 2, 5 Hilltop Rd Merrylands NSW

Cost: $75