Fitness

Sharing the book recap from June and if I’d recommend adding these to your list!

Hey friends! How are you? I hope you’re enjoying the morning so far! I’m off to an F45 class and am looking forward to taking the crew to see the new Minions movie later today. I also might get brave and post my first TikTok video (the first one feels like so much pressure!). I’d love to hear what you have going on!

For today’s post, I thought I’d share a recap of the books I read in June. One of these was an accidental re-read, one is a cookbook that’s destined to become a staple, and the other one was the most fun book I’ve read in a long time. Let’s get to it, shall we?

June book recap

1. Book Lovers by Emily Henry

If you’re looking for a cupcake of a book for summer (light, fluffy, sweet and satisfying), this is the one. It’s one of the most feel-good books I’ve read in a long time and I didn’t want it to end. I LIVED for the witty banter, the Sweet Home Alabama vibe to the whole situation, and the fact that while it was simple, it still had me fully intrigued and trying to figure out how it would end. 10/10 would recommend diving into this one this summer!

From Amazon:

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.

Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.

If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

2. Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow

This cookbook, by Shalene Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky, includes so many mouthwatering and healthy recipes that are designed to be nutrient-dense, yet cooked quickly. These are the exact type of recipes I love to make on weeknights for the family, and there are so many new ideas and recipes in here. I’m so pumped to try these! I’ve been in a food rut for a while – I just feel sick of cooking and uninspired – and this made me excited to plan this week’s menu. We’re making Superhero Muffins, Power bowls with a green goddess tahini dressing, a frittata, and pesto pasta with sardines this week.

From Amazon:

Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. is full of pre-run snacks, post-run recovery breakfasts, on-the-go lunches, and 30-minutes-or-less dinner recipes. Each and every recipe—from Shalane and Elyse’s signature Superhero muffins to energizing smoothies, grain salads, veggie-loaded power bowls, homemade pizza, and race day bars—provides fuel and nutrition without sacrificing taste or time.

3. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Housseini

I read this book when Liv was a baby, and didn’t realize it until I was a few chapters in. At this point, I was fully committed and decided to re-read the book, which is something I never do. It was interesting to read these pages again older and hopefully wiser. Khaled Housseini is brilliantly talented and he has a way of drawing you into a story, and breaking your heart open while also filling it with hope. (I also highly recommend The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns if you haven’t read them.) This book was poignant, devastating, and explores the way our choices affect those around us. 10/10 would recommend, especially if you enjoy historical fiction and plots that cover a variety of characters’ perspectives.

From Amazon:

Khaled Hosseini, the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each passing minute.

What was the best thing you read in June? Anything that’s on your list this month?

xoxo

Gina

The post June book recap appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Sharing a recap of some of the thing’s I’m loving lately – summer edition! Here are some of the items we’ve bought lately and I find myself using them all time time, and constantly recommending to friends. 

Hi friends! Hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you had a safe and happy 4th! We’re back from an incredible weekend in Vegas – I’ll share a recap soon – and while I’m a total zombie this week, it was 100% worth it. We had such a great time and it was a huge treat to spend some time together as a couple and also with our friends Betsy and Jeremy.

I’m slowwwwllyy making my way back into real life (and getting ready for a fun visit from the Pilot’s side of the fam this weekend!), studying for IHP and getting the finishing touches on Summer Shape Up. If you’re not signed up already, grab your spot here!! It’s free and we start on Monday!

For today’s post, I’m sharing a list of some of my very favorite things for summer, along with some of your top recs and fave purchases.

Things I’m loving lately (summer edition)

1) This backless strapless bra

Friends, I have worn this sticky bra SO many times with all of the strapless, off-shoulder, and tank tops this summer. The only downside is taking it off, which is borderline painful lol, but it keeps things covered and in place without wires (THE WORST) or straps. I just wash it with hand soap and water and let it air dry, and it’s remained perfectly sticky. The funny thing is that I originally bought it for an event, thinking I’d never wear it again. Who knew it would be such a staple?! It’s 14000x better than strapless bras.

2) These Madewell earrings

My friend Nicole has these earrings and I automatically thought they’d be super pricey because they’re structured so beautifully. Found out they were $28 and bought them that day! I wear them constantly with cute tanks and dresses, and always get compliments on them.

3) Our Traeger grill!

YOU GUYYYYYSSSSS. This may be my favorite thing of the summer! Technically it was a gift for the Pilot for Father’s Day and in the end, it was a gift to us all. We’ve done whole chicken, a brisket, chicken breasts, and everything has been amazing. The best part is that it’s completely foolproof. I’ve always been a little intimated by grilling, but the app walks you through the entire process and tells you when the meat is finished. After a lot of research, this is the model we ended up getting.
(Wearing the jean shorts below, and hoops and sticky bra all in this pic)

4) The most perfect jean shorts

I’m pretty picky about jean shorts, and because I’m not very tall, sometimes they’ll fit weird. I don’t want them to be too stretchy – otherwise they lose their shape by the end of the day and look baggy – and I have to watch the rise because if it’s too high, it goes up to my boobs lol. The AGOLDE shorts are a little too baggy on me (I think I’m right in between sizes), and these have a lower price point and awesome quality. They’re also on sale right now!

5) A giant Croc-ish beach bag

I’ve seen so many people post about these bags, and despite the fact that they’re not very fashionable, we’re all about function in this situation. I’ve ruined so many cute Apolis totes with wet mermaid Barbies and soggy towels. This one can get wet and then dry without becoming mildew-y. You can hose it off, and if you get sand in it, it’s easy to get out. They’re kind of hard to find but in the end, I ordered from this shop, which is totally legit.

6) LMNT electrolytes

These save me everyday, but especially during the summer. It’s so hot here, and if you add in a workout, it’s an easy way to sweat out minerals and deplete electrolytes. The LMNT flavors are amazing, and I especially love the watermelon salt and the chocolate salt. I asked them for a discount code and was denied, so unfortunately I don’t have a code to share with you, but find the cost to be worth it.

7) This cute belt bag!

They’re currently sold out but will restock sporadically. This is perfect for quick errands and walks outside, as it holds a small wallet, my phone, and keys. I also heard that you can throw it in the washer if it gets dirty, but haven’t had to deal with that yet. Highly recommend it!

8) A hat that’s made for high buns

This is perfect for when we’re at the pool and I don’t want to smash my hair with a baseball hat. I can still protect my face and rock my high, messy bun. This hat is a bit ridiculous, and I absolutely love it. You can also roll it up into your suitcase or pool bag.

9) Summersalt swimsuits

I’ve tried a LOT of swimsuits lately (with no luck… I’m sorry but I just don’t want my buttcheeks out when I’m at the pool with the kids), and Summersalt has been a consistent win. I have the ruched one-shoulder, the triangle bikini, ruffle oasis one-piece, and the ruffle bikini top and mid-rise bottoms. The suits are high quality with a super flattering fit. They’re still currently 20% off sitewide, too!!

10) Moroccan oil hair mask

If your hair also gets dry during the summer, this mask is a game changer. Even better: get the single packs (I usually get two masks out of each one) and stash them in your pool bag and travel bag.

Reader friend faves

When I put the call out for things you’ve bought this summer and love, here are some of the things that you shared on Instagram and here on the blog! Thank you so much for those of you who chimed in; you introduced me to so many amazing new things!!

A rechargeable USB lighter

I got all my friends one of these for Christmas and people are obsessed! Sleek, compact and never runs out of juice. 

Dazzledry nail polish

I’m a busy mom of 2 with my own business, I have zero time to commit to getting my nails done. Actually; I never really was one to get my nails done professionally anyways…:? But since having my kids I have needed a little pick me up here and there that can be done without making an appointment. Dazzledry is awesome! It’s a nice looking manicure that lasts about a week. People have actually thought it was professionally done. It’s been my top things I say helped me adjust to mom life and not feel so “I got hit by a bus”

Madewell jeans

This is a little silly (especially given the heat) but I recently bought a pair of Madewell jeans that fit like an exquisite, beautiful glove. They were on sale at the time, but I didn’t realize I couldn’t stack my teacher discount on top of the sale price. As soon as I got home from the mall with them, I immediately felt weird about spending 3 figures on a pair of damn jeans and vowed to return them, but when I went back to the mall a few days later, the Madewell store was closed indefinitely for renovations. I’ve worn these god-forsaken jeans 3 times since then despite the surface-of-the-sun level temperatures in Nashville this month, and every time I wear them I think ‘dammit these are good jeans.’ So yea, any Madewell denim, depending on your style preference and body type for your desired fit – highly recommend. The quality is top notch.

Beautycounter Countersun Daily Sheer Defense for Face (the best daily sunscreen!)

Trtinoin cream from the dematologist

The Talkspace App

Diva laundry detergent

The rocking folding chairs at Costco! Perfect for watching my son’s football practice

Pregnancy must: Reflux Gourmet natural supplement stops reflux and tastes like caramel

The Air Fryer!

Kitchen Air Sno Cone attachment (I didn’t even know this was a thing!!!)

Stanley mug keeps water so cold and encourages me to drink more water

Salux Japanese body scrubbers

Full star brand chopper on Amazon. Makes chopped salads so simple!

Latisse

Frownies (I’m still obsessed with Frownies!)

Handheld frother

Tovala oven and meals

Might patch pimple patches

JBL GO3 waterproof portable speaker

Rio Deo aluminum free deodorant

Indie Lee brightening cleanser

Miller cloud sandals

Saie beauty products

Clip-on silicone pot strainer! It fits every pot size and so much easier than a regular strainer

So, tell me, friends: what are you LOVING this summer? What’s something you’ve purchased recently and find yourself using all the time?

xoxo

Gina

The post Things I’m loving lately (summer edition) appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Sharing tips on how to make and flavor your own kombucha at home!

Hi friends! Hope you’re having a lovely morning! This week is a bit bonkers and we’re enjoying time with some friends who are here from Florida! I’ll be back on Friday with some faves, but in the meantime, here’s a post from the archives. If you’re curious about making your own kombucha at home, here’s the full how-to!

So, it FINALLY HAPPENED.

After about a year (maybe a little longer?) of inconsistently making kombucha at home, I finally made some that tastes even better than store-bought stuff.

How To Make And Flavor Kombucha At Home

Homemade Orange Cranberry Ginger Kombucha

It was getting really close, and I was happy with the flavor combos I’d tried, but it was always a little too tangy, too sweet, not fizzy enough, etc.

After quite a bit of experimentation, I got the result I’d been searching for my finished kombucha; it was a glorious moment indeed. A warm embrace was shared with the kombucha jar before holding the scoby in the air like a baby Simba while singing a celebratory chant.

(Ok, just in my mind.)

Tips on How to Make Kombucha at Home

-I followed the steps in this post, but will outline them again, updated with the current techniques.

1) The quality of the scoby (the starter bacteria that looks like a flat, opaque gummy disk) makes all the difference in the world. I got an awesome scoby from Amazon, but I’ve also ordered a dud that ended up molding. (A little tidbit about mold: a lot of people are rightfully fearful about making moldy or bad kombucha. If the batch is bad, it’s an obvious thing. You will know it’s bad just by looking at it. The scoby will have blue or greenish patches on it, and well, it will look like mold. Don’t drink it; throw it away to start over.) The scoby I picked up from the farmer’s market in Ocean Beach is a BEAST.

(I got a bottle from the farmer’s market, filled with scoby strands and starter tea. To say I was skeptical would be an understatement. Shame on me.)

I’ve made multiple batches with said amazing scoby and also gave one to Whitney; she now has a full-up scoby hotel.

I like ‘em thick.

Scoby handling guidelines: always make sure your hands, tools, container, anything that comes in contact with the scoby, are fully sanitized. Do not touch the scoby (or stir your kombucha) with anything metal; it can destroy it. Use wood or plastic tools instead.

The Kombucha Fermentation Process

2) After you have your scoby, make your starter tea (black and green tea with NO added essential oils work well). I like the Newman’s Own organic black tea. 8-10 cups of water to 8-10 bags of tea (equal water:tea ratio). After the water comes up to a boil, I add the tea bags, remove from the heat and stir in one cup of organic sugar. Let the tea cool completely to room temperature before straining it and pouring into your kombucha jar (this is a perfect one).

3) Next, you’ll add about 2 cups of starter liquid (or whatever came with your scoby), and gently place the scoby on top. If the scoby and tea are the exact same temperature, it will float beautifully to the top. If it sinks to the bottom, NBD. Just let it swim around and a new scoby will grow on top.

4) Cover it with cheesecloth or a paper towel (covered to protect, but with something that will enable it to breathe) and secure with an elastic band before placing in a dark cabinet to ferment. Avoid looking at it while it’s fermenting (the kombucha is brewing!), and start checking the taste of the mixture in about a week. This is where you’ll decide how tangy or sweet you like it.

Dip a clean plastic spoon into the ‘buch and give it a taste. If it’s to your liking, you’re ready for a second ferment! If it’s too sweet, give it a couple more days to become more tangy/acidic. Or if it’s too tangy, move onto the next step (flavoring and second fermentation) and add some extra fruit juice.

The duration for your kombucha fermentation will vary based on your climate and taste preferences. In hot Tucson, it was ready in about a week. In cooler weather, it could take up to two weeks. Be patient, young grasshopper.

Kombucha Brewing

5) When you’re ready for your second fermentation, this is the fun part: flavoring it! Get another jar or two (that has a flip lid, like these ones), or some airtight bottles like mason jars for the second round fermentation + flavoring the mixture.

Here are some flavor ideas:

Fruit juice (apple, berry, orange)
Berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries); I’d recommend using fresh vs. frozen fruit
Herbs (lavender, dried ginger, mint)
Fresh ginger for that zing!
Strawberry basil is also a favorite combo of mine. Have fun experimenting!

To each jar or bottle, add some juice, herbs (if you’d like) and (this is KEY) some dried fruit (like dried cranberries or raisins). The sugar in the dried fruit will continue to feed the bacteria, and will also make the kombucha fizzy. Another thing that helps will fizz factor: dried ginger. This stuff is particularly awesome; a little (like a hefty pinch for each Mason jar) goes a long way. Pour the kombucha into each jar or bottle, but be sure to leave at least 2 cups of kombucha in the original jar to use as your “starter tea” for the next batch.

6) Seal the flavored kombucha and place back in the pantry (in a dark, temperate spot) for 2-3 days. 

7) Next, you’ll transfer the jars/bottles from the pantry to the fridge to chill and enjoy! (if you used any “whole” fruits, herbs or berries, strain the mixture before sealing again to place in the fridge.

Homemade Kombucha Tips

So what do you do with the old bottle of kombucha (which now has the old “Mother” scoby in it + the new layer “baby” scoby growing on top)? You separate the baby from the mother (yes, this involves touching it with your hands and cringing as you peel the slimy layers apart). The baby scoby can now venture on its own into the world to make its own kombucha (so you can have two batches growing at once). Or even better: put it in a baggie with some starter tea and gift to a friend! The gift that keeps on giving haha.

A little tip: I only use one scoby for a max of two batches of kombucha, and then will switch over to the baby scoby. They become weaker with each batch, so it’s good to switch to a new scoby after a couple of rounds.

Hope this helped those of you who were considering making your own kombucha!

Kombucha: yay or nay? Have you ever made kombucha at home? If so, what are your favorite flavors? Anything unique that you like to make or ferment? I would love to experiment with homemade ghee or goat cheese!

xoxo

Gina

Try these kombucha cocktails!
More adventures in fermentation
Homemade sauerkimchi

The post How to Make and Flavor Kombucha at Home appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Hi friends! Happy Friday! I hope you’ve had a wonderful week. Ours was a bit of a whirlwind. We headed back from dance competition Nationals

(we stayed at the Scott, which has super cute decor and a pool that the girls LOVE)

straight into fun with friends who visited from Florida for the week,

straight into VEGAS, BABY.

The Pilot and I are hopping on a plane to meet up with our friends Betsy and Jeremy in one of our fave spots. If you have any new Vegas recs, please send them our way!! We will absolutely be shopping (a lot), gambling (a little), and eating all of the amazing Vegas food.

Caviar spread going down in 3….2….

I’d love to hear what you have going on this weekend and I hope that all of my fellow US friends have a safe and happy 4th of July.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below!

Friday Faves 7.1

Fitness + good eats:

Summer Shape Up starts one week from Monday! If you’re ready for a little fitness motivation, all-new workouts, and community support (plus, it’s freeeee), check out all of the details here. I can’t wait to do this with you all!!

I took a Pure Barre class this week and it killed me. I’ve been teaching barre this entire time, but haven’t taken a class in months. Needless to say, my legs have been feeling it this week.

Got this cookbook last week after interviewing Stevie Smith for the podcast and I want to make everything. It’s exactly the type of food that the fam and I love to eat – lots of nutrients with bold flavors. I haaaaate bland “healthy cookbooks,” and all of the recipes look absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to dive in and cook some of these after our trip.

Red, white and booty circuit

Salmon and potatoes are always a solid duo 

A month of meal ideas

Healthy 4th of July recipe ideas!

Read, watch, listen:

Ok this language on this is a little strong (just a heads up), but this made me laugh so hard I was crying. Please read and enjoy. Perchance.

Happiness tips for busy people

Has anyone seen the new Elvis movie? Worth it?!

What non-alcoholic drinks do you like?

Fashion + beauty:

4th of July sales!

SO many great ones this weekend:

HigherDOSE is Buy One, Get One this weekend:

-buy a sauna blanket, get a towel insert free

-buy a red light face mask, get a serum free

or buy a full-sized PEMF Go Mat and get a cover for free

Use the code FOJ22 for the deals and check everything out here!

At the time of writing this post, Summersalt suits are 30% off! I have two suits and the price and quality are both amazing. They’re also extremely flattering. Some of my other cheaper swimsuits have fallen apart, and these ones still look brand new. I ordered two more suits during the sale and can’t wait for them to arrive!

gap! Ordering the kids’ uniform essentials this weekend + a couple of things I found for myself. This tie-back dress in khaki is SO cute.

J Crew – up to 70% off with code GOFORTH. Adore this smocked dress, this cutout dress, this coverup, and these block heel sandals.

Madewell 40% off shorts, tees, and swim (+25% off many other things). These are my current fave jean shorts! (true to size)

Have a happy Friday, friends. Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today!
xo

Gina

The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Sharing a recipe for the best dairy-free broccoli salad. This is the perfect side dish for dinners, delicious leftovers for lunch, and an awesome healthy summer BBQ or potluck side dish.

Hey friends! How’s the day going so far? We’re back in town after a trip to Phoenix for Nationals, and have a mountain of laundry + have some virtual 1:1 appointments.

For today’s post, I thought I’d share a summer side dish recipe! Whenever we have friends over during the summer, finding recipes for the *fun* stuff like appetizers and desserts is always super easy. I always like to make sure we have some kind of salad or vegetable, and am always looking for new favorites. Mia recently shared her favorite broccoli salad recipe with me and I knew I had to post it here on the blog! It lasted about 15 minutes in our house.

I accidentally found out that the girls love raw broccoli when we were low on groceries and I was running out of options while packing their lunch + snacks for school. I’ll typically roast broccoli with dinner and they tend to be pretty meh about it. I needed one more spot to fill in their lunch bento boxes, so I added some raw chopped broccoli. When I picked them up, they both said how much they loved the broccoli in their lunch, and I’ve been adding it ever since. This broccoli salad was a HUGE hit in our house – we each had a bowl and it was gone.

Broccoli salad is a great source of fiber and vitamins. It’s also dairy-free, and includes blanched broccoli, which still has a crunch, but can be easier to digest than raw. You simply mix all of the ingredients into a bowl and enjoy! It’s also a versatile recipe; feel free to customize it as you like. You can swap out the almonds for another type of nut, or use a different type of dried fruit (like dried cranberries or raisins) instead of the dates. Just make sure that you don’t skip the celery seed, as it gives it a unique flavor and crunch.

The best dairy-free broccoli salad

Ingredients

1 head of broccoli (or a 12 oz bag of pre cut florets)

Avocado oil mayo (Chosen foods, Sir Kensington or homemade. I like to make my own, or order Sir Kensington from Thrive Market)

Maple syrup (or honey) for a little bit of sweetness

Celery seed – don’t omit this ingredient!

Salt & pepper, to taste

Onion powder

Red onion

Apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar

Toasted, sliced almonds or pecans (you can also use walnuts, sunflower seeds or cashews)

Chopped dates

Bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped, optional (I used turkey bacon and it was SO good)

Instructions

Step One

Chop the broccoli into florets. Fill a 2 qt saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Salt the water and drop in the raw broccoli florets into the pot. Set a timer for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Set next to the stove.  When the timer ends, skim the broccoli from the hot water and submerge into the ice bath.  Let stand in the ice bath for 5 minutes.

Step Two

Remove broccoli from the ice bath and allow it to drain on paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth.

Step Three

In a large bowl, combine mayo, maple syrup, celery seed, salt, black pepper, onion powder, chopped onion, and vinegar.  Whisk to combine.

Step Four

Add broccoli and stir to coat completely. Add toasted, sliced almonds and chopped dates. Next, add the optional bacon if you’re using bacon.

Step Five

Chill the salad until ready to serve. Can be made up to 4 hours before serving!

*Tip: to make this a fully vegan broccoli salad, use Vegan mayo and skip the bacon. I love serving this with some protein, like grilled chicken or fish.

How long is broccoli salad good in the fridge?

If you use blanched broccoli, which can be easier to digest than raw broccoli, it will keep for one day. If you choose to use raw (which absolutely works with this recipe!), it will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Here is the full recipe:

Print

The girls and I absolutely LOVED this one. If you’re looking for a delicious summer side dish, definitely give it a whirl!

So tell me, friends: what are some of your favorite summer recipes? Please link it up in the comments below!

xo

Gina

More summer recipes:

S’mores in a jar with vegan chocolate mousse

Healthy summer party and grilling recipes

Vegan artichoke dip

Berry crumble in a jar

The post The best dairy-free broccoli salad appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Hi friends! Happy Friday! What’s going on this weekend? We’re off to Liv’s dance Nationals competition (so excited) and spending the rest of the weekend hanging out with friends. Our dance team has worked so hard all year, so I’m absolutely looking forward to seeing the dances one more time and celebrating the end of such a wonderful season. I’d love to hear what you have going on!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

Friday Faves

Staycation at Tanque Verde Ranch

Last weekend, we had a little Father’s Day staycation at Tanque Verde Ranch. Last time we stayed on property, I was pregnant with P! We’ve gone back many times to enjoy their Saturday night Cowboy Cookout. I highly recommend it if you’re visiting Tucson! We wanted to stay for the weekend and take advantage of the extra activities, like horseback riding, archery, and fishing.

The girls shocked the instructor with their perfect archery form:

(all of the practice with P’s toy bow and arrow has really paid off, let me tell ya)

and after archery, we headed to Barnyard for dinner before seeing a family of javelinas right outside our hotel casita! Fun trivia: a group of javelina is called a squadron.

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early for horseback riding. The girls take lessons, but the Pilot and I hadn’t been on a horse in years. (We always joke that we’re a little bit jealous while we watch their horse lessons.) It was SO much fun. We had a private lesson for the four of us in the arena, and took turns doing barrel turns and trotting around the arena.

After horses, we went fishing on the property lake (it’s catch and release and we all cheered when P caught an enormous bass lol) and then went swimming. Our friends met us for the Cowboy Cookout dinner, which was unfortunately moved inside due to rain, but we still had a blast.

If you’re visiting Tucson, I highly recommend checking it out! The activities are incredible (the kids are still talking about it and can’t wait to go back) and we also LOVE the food. The breakfast and lunch buffets were fantastic.

Read, watch, listen:

If you haven’t read Book Lovers already, I finished it last night… and WHEW. It was everything I look for in a summer read, with quirky/witty banter, romance/intrigue, and breezy to blast through before bed. What are you reading this summer?

A low-key summer checklist.

Check out this week’s podcast episode here.

Effects of alcohol, additives in wine, and wine sensitivities.

The power of reframing.

More reasons to work on minimizing stress.

Fashion + beauty:

This has been one of my favorite masks for years. I always pack it in my makeup bag when we travel to rehydrate my skin. You can order it on Thrive Market here (just search, “rose mask”). It smells gorgeous and has tons of extra serum in the pack, which I rub on my neck, chest, and hands.

My friends at Hylete sent over some new workout goodies, and these are my new favorite athletic shorts. The fabric is dreamy soft and I love the color. They also sent this sports bra and this tank! I haven’t tried their workout clothes in a couple of years, and feel like the quality used to be excellent and has skyrocketed to the next level. Soft, luxe, and fits perfectly (true to size).

Fitness + good eats:

The Pilot got a Trager for Father’s Day (after doing quite a bit of research, we decided to get the Ironwood 65) and we’re already reaping the benefits of this magical creation. He’s made brisket (ughhhh so good) and yesterday, I did a whole smoked chicken. (My first time using it and it was SO easy and by far, the best chicken we’ve ever made.)

I can already tell it’s going to be one of our most-loved cooking essentials. If you have any favorite Traeger recipes, please send them my way!

Met up with a friend yesterday to try out the Pure Mangada at Pure Love Juice. It has mango, lemon, coconut water, chamoy, salt, and cayenne. It was EVERYTHING.

The Sakara probiotics. They have digestive enzymes and I’ve been using them to incorporate small amounts of dairy back into my life. I haven’t had any stomach issues and my skin isn’t breaking out, so I’m calling it a huge win. You can use XOGINAH for 20% off the Sakara site. The meals are so fresh and vibrant; highly recommend if you’re looking for some convenient and healthy eats.

Summer Shape Up is coming July 11! Get your spot here and join us for two weeks of fitness fun, new workouts, and giveaways. Here are all of the details (totally free).

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! Thanks for stopping by the blog today. 🙂

xo

Gina

The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Hi friends! I’m so excited to have Stevie Smith, a Registered Dietitian who works with InsideTracker, on the show today! This show isn’t sponsored, but you can use my link to get 20% off at InsideTracker here and read about my experience here! I’m so excited to re-test soon and see how my numbers have changed.

Here’s what we talk about:

– The most common biomarkers that people need to improve through their Inside Tracker results

– How can athletes and those who are more interested in finetuning their nutrition use their results

– What types of recommendations and analysis she provides for athlete clients

– How recommendations differ based on goals (strength, endurance, overall health/longevity)

– HRV (Heart Rate Variability) and what factors affect this

And so.much.more!

Here’s a bit more about Stevie if you’re not familiar with her:

Stevie Smith is an experienced Registered Dietitian, board certified in sports nutrition, with a demonstrated history of working with individuals, groups, and also in clinical settings. In her work with InsideTracker, Stevie helps athletes like Shalane Flanagan use the platform’s analysis of blood biometrics, DNA insights and fitness tracker data to create science-backed recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle interventions and optimize for strength, endurance and longevity. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) focused in Dietetics and Nutrition from State University of New York College at Buffalo and Masters of Science (MS) in Applied Nutrition with a sports and fitness concentration from Northeastern University.

You can connect with Stevie on Instagram, read her articles at InsideTracker, and check out her website here. 

Resources from this episode:

Get 20% off at InsideTracker here and get customized recommendations based on your personal biomarkers. If you’re looking to take your health to the next level, this is an amazing tool!

Book recommendations from Stevie:

Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat slow. I ordered a copy after recording this episode and the recipes look AWESOME.

Rise and Run

Next Level

Roar

I love love love the meals from Sakara Life! Use this link and the code XOGINAH for 20% off their meal delivery and clean boutique items. This is something I do once a month as a lil treat to myself and the meals are always showstoppers.

Get 15% off Organifi with the code FITNESSISTA. I drink the green juice, red juice, gold, and Harmony! (Each day I might have something different, or have two different things. Everything I’ve tried is amazing.)

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off th Integrative Health Practitioner program. This is the certification I’m currently working towards and highly recommend it. You can check out my initial thoughts on IHP here!

Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you. 

The post 106: HRV and hacking your routine with Stevie Smith MS, RDN, CSSD, CDN appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Sharing the latest books I’ve read, if I’d recommend them, and what I’m reading currently. 

Hi friends! Happy Thursday! How’s the week been going? The girls have been over here swimming like little fish, and I’ve been trying to study and catch up on work stuff in between the summer adventures. I feel like summer is already going by wayyyy too quickly and can’t believe Father’s Day is this weekend! If you’re looking for last-minute gift ideas, check out this post. 

For today’s post, I wanted to share the latest book roundup. I always love to hear about what you’re reading, too, so please share your fave reads for summer (or ideas for vacation books!) in the comments section.

What I’ve read lately (June 2022)

The Good Left Undone

This book was a pick from Book of the Month, and while I thought it was beautifully-written, engrossing, and lovely… it wasn’t my fave. I tend to love multi-generational plot lines, but had high hopes for this one and was a bit disappointed. 7/10 would recommend.

Here’s the synopsis:

Matelda, the Cabrelli family’s matriarch, has always been brusque and opinionated. Now, as she faces the end of her life, she is determined to share a long-held secret with her family about her own mother’s great love story: with her childhood friend, Silvio, and with dashing Scottish sea captain John Lawrie McVicars, the father Matelda never knew….

In the halcyon past, Domenica Cabrelli thrives in the coastal town of Viareggio until her beloved home becomes unsafe when Italy teeters on the brink of World War II. Her journey takes her from the rocky shores of Marseille to the mystical beauty of Scotland to the dangers of wartime Liverpool—where Italian Scots are imprisoned without cause—as Domenica experiences love, loss, and grief while she longs for home. A hundred years later, her daughter, Matelda, and her granddaughter, Anina, face the same big questions about life and their family’s legacy, while Matelda contemplates what is worth fighting for. But Matelda is running out of time, and the two timelines intersect and weave together in unexpected and heartbreaking ways that lead the family to shocking revelations and, ultimately, redemption.

Dining with the Dead

The Pilot got this cookbook for me at the Hacienda del Sol gift shop after we enjoyed Sunday brunch. The author is from Mexico and the pages are filled with gorgeous color photographs and authentic Mexican recipes, including street food, desserts, moles, tamales, and salsas. It would make a gorgeous coffee table book, but I think the best spot is in the kitchen, well-used and covered in food splotches. I’ve only made one recipe from this cookbook so far (conchas!) and while it was labor-intensive, the final result was SO worth it. We all loved them!! I can’t wait to make even more recipes from this incredible cookbook. 10/10 recommend, especially if you’ve been wanting to learn how to make various Mexican staples.

Nine Perfect Strangers – DNF

I rarely call it quits on a book, but 200 pages into this one, and I couldn’t do it. You know when some books are extremely long, yet you’d wish they last forever? (Pachinko is one that comes to mind!) This one was long (about 450 pages) and I kept finding myself wishing the author would just get to the point already and MOVE ON. I’m a huge fan of Liane Moriarty, typically enjoy her writing style, and have read many of her books, but this one was a big ol’ flop for me.

From Amazon:

Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.

Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She’s immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don’t look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn’t even know she was seeking?

Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything Tranquillum House has to offer – or should she run while she still can?

It’s not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.

What I’m reading currently

Book Lovers

YOU GUYS. This is the book of the summer. By the end of the first chapter, I knew I was completely invested in the story and am blitzing through the pages as quickly as possible. This is my favorite kind of summer cupcake book and I’m absolutely loving it so far.

And the Mountains Echoed

Khaled Hosseini is the author of A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner (two of the best books I’ve ever read), and I was pretty thrilled when I found out he had a third novel that was written when Liv was one. I thought to myself, “There’s no way I had time to read anything when Liv was one” and ordered a copy. Turns out, I did read it. The initially portion felt familiar to me and a quick Google search lead me to this blog post. Good for past me taking time to read books lol.

I’m re-reading it, which is something I rarely do, and just like Book Lovers, I feel like I can’t finish it fast enough.

I also got a new book from Book of the Month (still highly recommend this!) and have been studying my face off for IHP 🙂 I’m still trying to finish this certification by the end of June, but with travel, it might be mid-July. I really want to head into Level 2!

So tell me, friends: do you re-read books? What are some of the ones you’ve come back to? I’ve re-read some business and personal development books, but was thinking about re-reading some of the *classics* from high school and college with an entirely different (hopefully wiser) perspective.

Have a great day and I’ll see you with Fri Faves tomorrow!

xo

Gina

The post What I’ve read lately (June 2022) appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Hey hey! Happy weekend! What are you up to? I hope that you have the loveliest weekend ahead. It’s supposed to rain here (BLESS IT) and we’re also off on a little staycation. We’ll be riding horses, doing archery (the girls are pumped) and enjoying time by the pool. I’ll be sharing the fun over on IG stories if you want to follow along over there.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party. This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

(Pics from football camp at the University of Arizona! The girls were able to attend as part of Kids of Steele, a local organization that we belong to, and they also got photo ops with Wilbur and Wilma, plus the opportunity to tour the football facilities and meet the football players. It was such a fun event and the kids all loved it!)

Friday Faves

Fashion + beauty:

The new Beautycounter AHA toner is heeeeere! I was lucky to get my hands on an advance product sample and it’s one of my favorite new products. I’m so pumped I can finally spread the word because I’ve been using it now for the past few weeks with amazing results.

Here are some more details about it:

Made with a powerful blend of AHAs, beta hydroxy acid, kombucha, and niacinamide, this hardworking toner exfoliates skin to reveal a glowing complexion. Plus, it’s pore refining, helping to improve and minimize the appearance of pores.

BEST FOR:

Most skin types, especially those looking to brighten skin. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend doing a patch test on the back of your neck or inside of your wrist, and waiting 24 hours before full face application.

PERFORMANCE:

Brightening: Leaves skin soft, smooth, and glowing, and improves skin brightness.

*Pore-refining: Helps minimize and improve the appearance of pores

Resurfacing: Resurfaces dull, tired skin with 8% AHA + 5% phytic acid.

Purifying: Removes residual dirt and impurities, and does not leave skin feeling dry or stripped.

*Based on a 30-subject clinical study after four weeks, used once daily.

RESULTS:

I feel like this has absolutely brightened my skin and helped with pore size. My skin is super sensitive, too, and I haven’t had any problems using this. It makes my skin feel supple and smooth, and love including this as part of my routine.

KEY INGREDIENT BENEFITS

Niacinamide + Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid) Blend: Helps improve the appearance of dark spots and brighten skin.

AHA Complex: Blend of glycolic and lactic acids exfoliates dead skin to stimulate cell turnover.

Phytic Acid: Exfoliates to aid in cell turnover to help skin breathe for a natural glow.

Kombucha: Fermented black tea, which helps smooth skin and improve skin radiance.

HOW TO USE: Pour onto a cotton pad and swipe over clean, dry face. Use 1-2 times a week, gradually increasing to once daily use. Can be used as a morning refresh or an evening exfoliation. This would be used after cleansing and before a serum or the Essence. If you use the Overnight Resurfacing Peel or the AHA Mask, you will want to use the toner on opposite days. If you are using it in the daytime, make sure you apply SPF.

Shop it up here!  

Fitness + good eats:

The Summer Shape Up party starts July 11, but it will be here before we know it. Get on the list and mark your calendar now! I’m absolutely looking forward to some motivation to focus on healthy habits as we finish out the summer.

OMG THE BEST baked veggie chips ever. My friend Ana got them for me, who is my snack soulmate. We both love all things spicy, chamoy, and Tajin. These chips are crispy and coated in the most delectable seasoning. Liv and I ate the entire bag in like 20 minutes. I can’t wait to order more!!

Healthy meal prep for a week

Love going outside to harvest a few things each day 🙂 The okra is growing like crazy and this year, the carrots are really out of control. I’m pumped for the melon, bell peppers, and tomatoes to be ready – the rain this weekend will help.

Read, watch, listen:

I took the crew the see Lightyear yesterday at Roadhouse. While it wasn’t my faaave Disney/Pixar movie (it only made me cry once lol), it was very good. The kids adored it.

So many audiobook recommendations here.

Using mindfulness to become an “empowered introvert.”

Happy Friday, friends!

xoxo

Gina

PS I’m going to do a blog post of my favorite things lately and would love to include some of your faves. What’s something you purchased recently that’s changed your life? Something you find yourself using constantly? Something you frequently recommend to friends?

Please shout it out in the comments! It can be anything: clothing, accessories, home gear, kitchen gadgets, beauty products, etc.

The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Sharing tips on how to create a home gym on a budget and what equipment you really need.

Hi friends! Hope you’re enjoying the day so far and that all of my dad friends had a happy Father’s Day!

For this post, I wanted to chat about how to set up a home gym and what equipment you need, especially since many of us are still working out at home, or you might be considering creating a home gym on a budget.

Home gyms are getting even more popular since the pandemic started and there are SO MANY benefits to having your own gym at home. One of my favorite parts is that there’s zero commute time, and if the kids are home, I can just get in a workout while they play or watch a show.

Creating a home gym can be a bit challenging if you have a limited budget (some gym technology and gear is pricey!) but there are ways you can create a home gym that works for your needs without breaking the bank. You can also customize it based on what you like to do and what products you think you really need.

Before I get started, I just want to emphasize the fact that you don’t need fancy or expensive equipment to get in a great workout. All you need to get an awesome workout is a plan, sneakers that fit you, and motivation. Anything else is just a bonus.

How To Create A Home Gym On A Budget:

Take advantage of what you already have and create a wish list for future items

Create a list or spreadsheet with the items you currently have and prioritize the ones you have your eye on.

Create a budget and estimate expenses

Determine a total spending budget and after doing some searching online, you can estimate how much your total gym set-up will cost.

Invest in multi-tasking tools at first

An example of this is if you’re looking for strength training equipment, find something that you can use for multiple things (like dumbbells) and is versatile, before expanding into different products in the same theme (like barbells, kettlebells, etc.)

Create a dedicated workout space

This can be a full room in your house, a garage, an office corner, whatever you have the room to use. If you don’t have a dedicated space, you could even store your workout items in a closet in a large bin. If space is an issue, focus on the items that don’t take up a ton of room (like resistance bands, jump rope, small Pilates ball, etc.)

Buy secondhand equipment

I usually get lucky on Facebook marketplace, or when you hear about gyms closing or relocating, they’re often looking to sell their equipment (if they didn’t lease it).

Choose equipment you will actually use!

This one seems obvious but don’t purchase anything you won’t be excited to use in your routine. 🙂 A spin bike makes a lovely clothing rack but would be a waste of money.

Here are some of my top home gym essentials!

Home Gym Essentials

– Weights and resistance training

Dumbbells: The classic never dies. I think if you add anything to a home gym, a couple of sets of dumbbells are really all you need and provide the best value and versatility. I’d go with a light pair (3-8 lbs) and a heavier set (12-25 lbs). Adjustable dumbbells are another great option if you don’t want to take up a ton of space.

Kettlebells: Kettlebells are a great way to switch up your strength training. I love using them for swings and unilateral strength work like single-leg deadlifts, shoulder presses, farmer carries, and rows. A kettlebell workout is here. 

Barbells: If you’re used to strength training with dumbbells, a barbell can be a fun way to do something different.

Bowflex or cable machine: A Bowflex is a little less cumbersome than a cable machine and does a lot of the same things. I have this one and love it.

TRX: TRX is another one of my must-have items. You can install them anywhere, they’re extremely lightweight, and you can do so many exercises with them. My favorite TRX exercises are here.

Resistance bands: These are perfect if you’re a beginner and don’t want to purchase dumbbells yet, or if you have limited space. These are also wonderful for travel.

– Cardio options!

For cardio options, check out Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. People are always getting rid of fitness equipment and you might find something awesome!

Treadmill: My #1 favorite brand is Woodway, but they’re hard to find, and Peloton offers a treadmill. <— I haven’t tried it but know it has to be good.

Spin bike: My Peloton is still one of my all-time favorite purchases. I use it at least once a week and LOVE the classes. The Pilot is hooked on it now, too! I recommend a spin bike because it’s low impact, you can get in an excellent cardio workout, and they don’t take up at insane amount of space. Check out my review of the Peloton bike here, and how to PR on the Peloton here. If you decide to go for it, email me and I’m happy to pass along my referral code.

Rowing machine: These are incredible to have at home if you want a different cardio option or you like interval training. I like the rowing increases strength and definition in arms and back, when these areas can be a bit neglected on the spin bike, treadmill, or starclimber. The IndoRow is my fave brand. 

Battle rope: Battle ropes are so much fun (lots of exercises here!) and a fantastic way to get your heart rate up quickly.

Jump rope: This is the most economical cardio option. Grab a jump rope and do some jump intervals.

– Stretching, yoga, and recovery

Foam roller or rumble roller. My tips for foam rolling are here!

Mat. Any mat will do, and Target and Amazon offer inexpensive mat options. My all-time favorite mat is Manduka.

Theragun. This handy tool is inssannnnneee at relieving sore muscles. If you’re looking for an ultimate recovery tool, this is a good one.

– Fun extras:

(I miss my lil Bella Boo)

Apps and On Demand workouts:

Peloton App:

I think we all know I love Peloton. The classes are fantastic and I love the music. I will say I definitely prefer the cardio and yoga classes over the strength and bootcamp classes, but I think they do an incredible job. Check out my full review of the app here.

Les Mills On Demand:

Les Mills On Demand. Les Mills On Demand is one of my very favorite resources for home and travel workouts. The instructors are the best of the best and the workouts and science-driven and research-based for maximum effectiveness. They put a lot of care and science into the structure and design of their workouts, and you can tell. My top classes are BODYPUMP, BODY ATTACK, and GRIT. Get 21 days of Les Mills On Demand for free with this link.

Sweat app:

Sweat App. If you’re looking to follow a precise plan, the Sweat App is the place to be. They have so many different programs and I really like these workouts when I don’t want to think about anything and just go.

Barre apps:

Physique 57, Pure Barre and barre3. These are perfect if you’re looking for a barre workout! I used to prefer the P57 workouts but I feel like the On Demand ones have been a little stale lately.

More equipment:

A bench.

A pull-up bar. It’s fun to have family challenges but also kind of crazy that Liv and P can crank out pull-ups like it’s NBD.

Plyo boxes. Love these for step-ups, box jumps, box hops, and burpees with a box jump.

Sound system or even a portable Bluetooth speaker.

Do you work out at home or at the gym? If you could add anything to your workout space, what would it be? I really want a Peloton tread… or a Technogym Skill Mill.

Do you use any apps for classes?

xo

Gina

More:

Easy ways to update your home gym

Working out at home

Best Fitness Apps for moms

Workouts you can do with kids

How to combine Peloton with other workouts

The post How To Create A Home Gym On A Budget appeared first on The Fitnessista.