Nina Petronzio's Blog » FITNESS

Finally….The List Collective

Nina — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:08:32 +0000

Every brilliant idea seems obvious in hindsight, but that certainly doesn't mean that it was easy to pull off.  And this is certainly the case with Elaine Bauer Brooks' new website, The List Collective. Former Style network studio suit, Elaine's new website compiles an impressive group of Angelino mavens representing different fields and backgrounds, then reveals their favorite resources and experiences in Los Angeles.

Duh, right?  It's a brilliant and functional resource that I'm sure took a long minute to put together....but lucky for us that someone did it.

So, for example if you'd like to try a new restaurant, why settle for random stranger's feedback on Yelp...when you can look up Neal Fraser's (owner/head chef BLD, Grace) favorite noodle joint on his list?

Give it a surf, subscribe, you'll adore it.  www.thelistcollective.com

Steven on Conan last Wednesday….!

Nina — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 04:17:52 +0000

Babycakes

Nina — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:56:18 +0000

I'm really loving what's going on with Downtown Los Angeles lately. I've been hooked on Bottega Louie and fell head over heels for Babycakes NYC this past weekend.

Vegan and non-vegan cupcake fans alike lined up for their fix of the gluten-free, agave-sweetened treats at Babycakes downtown, which opened the beginning of this year in the Pacific Electric Lofts at 6th and Main streets (next to Cole's French Dip). At the LA post of New York-based Babycakes, cupcake flavors include vanilla, carrot, chocolate and red velvet, made with chickpea-fava flour or spelt flour.

Other vegan (and kosher) desserts include: scones, biscuits, corn bread, loaves (such as banana chocolate chip, pumpkin spice and lemon poppyseed), muffins, cinnamon buns, crumb cakes, spelt tea cakes, brownies, cookie sandwiches and macaroons. And doughnuts. Also, for those who think a full cupcake is too much cake and frosting "shots" are just too much frosting, there is the genius of the cupcake top (just the "tops" of the cupcakes slathered with frosting).

Hours are currently 10am to 8pm but will later expand to 8am to 10pm daily.

www.babycakesnyc.com  130 E. 6th St. (between Main and Los Angeles streets), Los Angeles | (213) 623-5555

Excerpt from Betty Hallock, LA Times Food Critic

I’m with Coco

Nina — Sat, 01 May 2010 23:59:07 +0000

I'm looking forward to Conan's return to television on TBS this November. As you may or may not know, my husband Steven was a regular on the former Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien - the initial news in January of NBC's decision took us all by surprise. Conan and his entire staff were nothing less than amazingly gracious to our family every time Steven was on, and I'm thrilled that they all found a new home at TBS.

Here's a clip of Steven putting Conan through stunt training - it was the last stunt segment (and most nerve wracking for me) they did with the NBC show.

Conan O’Brien with Steven Ho Ep 65 – watch more videos Conan Stunts w/ Steven

More Conan/Steven stunt footage on Steven’s site

A Sprinter’s Body

Nina — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:06:28 +0000

Here's an excerpt from Steven's Blog that I've incorporate into my regular workout.  I've always admired the bodies of female sprinters and thought you guys might find this helpful...particularly after the Holidays.

Posted in FITNESS & TRAINING TIPS on December 4th, 2009 by Steven Ho

“Family in town”, “Waiting to lose some weight before I go to the gym” “End of the year crunch”, “Too hungover”, “Waiting to start next year”, “Traveling a lot”, “Parties to go to”, “There’s a football game on”… I know.  I KNOW.

I’ve heard all the excuses and have used many of them myself.  The Holidays are arguably the most challenging time to maintain your fitness regime.  But unfortunately our bodies are not sympathetic to our busy lifestyles and schedules.

When I find myself limited on time, my go-to exercises are jump roping (which I’ve talked about in a previous entry) and SPRINTING. Unlike jogging or walking, sprinting (or fast running) will challenge and engage your entire torso and even arms (I’m trying to avoid the “core” word because I’m sure you’re all sick of this buzzword by now).

20-30 minutes of intense sprinting is a fantastic way to maintain your fitness level until your schedule opens back up.  And once you have more time to dedicate to yourself, this routine will be an excellent addition to your regular fitness regime.

If you’re indoors on a treadmill, here is the cycle that I personally use. Obviously you will have to select a speed that you feel matches your health and fitness level.

SPRINTING CYCLE

Stretch

5-10 minute warm-up.  Select a speed that will bring you to a light jog.

1-2 minute(s) of intense sprinting. Select a speed that you would chose to run if a hungry, carnivorous dinosaur were chasing you.  As a gauge, my personal clients who are in good shape will run at speeds from 8.0 – 12.0 for this duration.

1-2 minute(s) of walking.  If you sprinted for a minute, take a minute walk.  If you sprinted for 2 minutes, take a 2 minute walk.

Repeat the sprinting cycle 5x.

5-10 minutes of light to fast job.

Cool down walk.

How’d she do that in a Prada dress?

Nina — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:23:00 +0000

It's life's irony that I'm not a particular fan of action films, and that my husband's other career completely revolves around fighting, explosions, and blood.  It's our inside joke that I can't sit through any of his projects, but this one stood out.

Maybe because it's only a minute and a half, maybe because the wardrobe and styling was so exceptional, or maybe because these two are drop dead gorgeous.  Who knows?   Either way, I loved the final product.

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