Hi everyone! Thank you again for ALL of the sweet birthday wishes!!! Ya’ll are too wonderful 
I started out the day with a wee bit of a hangover, made some much-needed Caramel Drizzle coffee and some pumpkin almond butter banana oats:
-1/3 cup oats
-1/3 cup pumpkin
-small smashed banana
-tbs of the raw almond butter Megan got for me Which I LOVE
-lots of pumpkin pie spice
I watched the morning shows, was a giant bum for a while, then finally hit the gym for a little legs.
I like to take legs easy on Thursday because I teach step later and we usually do a TON of squats
| Elliptical | 10 minutes, cross country 1, level 5 |
| Leg extension | 35 lbs, 3 sets of 12 |
| Hamstring curl | 50 lbs, 3 sets of 12 |
| Abduction/adduction | 50 lbs and 35 lbs, 3 sets of 12 of each |
| Kettleball squats | 12 lbs, 3 sets of 12 |
| Total time: 30 minutes | |
For my after-gym snack, I had a Kardea bar while I drove to Target:
I picked up some 100% maple syrup (to make some raw vegan macaroons!), thank-you notes for birthday gifts, a sports bra, an athletic top, and some stocking stuffers for the pilots. God forbid I would only purchase what I needed, right?? Target is so sneaky like that….
When I got home, I was greeted by SOD (surprise of the day) #1:
FLOWERS FROM THE MADRE, NANA, AND BROTHERS
Beautiful!!! It’s perfect too, because the flowers will last until next when when I leave for Tucson to go visit them
I took the puppies on their walk, came home…
and SOD #2 was arriving via FedEx
A FOOD DEHYDRATOR!! The best of the best!
I don’t have to borrow Megan’s anymore now!
I had to take a pic on the Tinkerbell tablecloth
Thank you, pilot <3
Well I’m off to make some lunch, study, pack my stuff up, teach step, then off to school!
I wonder what other surprises today has in store 
Have a fantastic Thursday! TGIAF
Much love,
G$
Edited to say: Birthday cookie how-to will happen tonight.. get your protein powder, oats, nut butter, milk, and mix-ins ready if you want to make one before bed!
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
SUCH AMAZING SURPRISES!!!
I have that same dehydrator!!!
im not trying to criticize but just asking since im interested in raw foods too, but is maple syrup considered raw?
Sounds like between last night and today you had a great b-day!
(And I feel your pain with Target- I can never get out of there for less than $50!)
strictly speaking, it is not considered raw since the sap that is gathered from the maple tree is boiled to refine it. it is a “heated” food.. i’m not a raw foodist but try to eat raw foods when i can as there are more nutrients. since maple syrup is a sweetener, which is used sparingly in this recipe (which i got from a raw vegan “cook”book), i don’t think it’s a big deal.
great surprises! Target is definitely a money pit for me as well!
Oh ok thanks so much for your response, that makes since!
Woooooooo more surprises! Have fun!
Yeah for surprises!!
A food dehydrator sounds cool! (Although I’d have no idea how to use it!)
P.S. If you ever come across a recipe you really want to make that has agar in it, please don’t hesitate to let me know, and I will send you some!!!
Let the birthday celebrating continue!! Damn that Target, they always get me with their clothes and accessories…Can’t wait for the birthday cookie how-to later!
woohooo. Those are great B-day suprises!!
Can’t wait to see what you make with the food dehydrator!!! I could spend hours in target… sad? haha. Hope the fun surprises keep on comin, you deserve them!
Target is one of those places I must avoid because I walk in for one thing and walk out with bags…
such pretty flowers!
Target always has a funny way of making me spend more money than I intended. Good thing the closes one is 40 minutes away!
Can I ask what a dehydrator is and what it’s used for? Thanks
I am excited for the cookie how-to
happy Thursday Gina! Hope your manic sneezes go away soon
fun day!
hope you had a great birthday Gina!! i was just wondering why you always exercize on days when you teach classes? do you not think the classes are enough or is there some other reason!! thank you! love your blog
Mel
awwww what nice surprises!!!!! the pilot sure does know you ay?!
Yay for birthday surprises!!!!!!! what a great day you had!!!
santa barbara dreaming- you can make almost anything in a dehydrator.. seriously! pizza crusts, tart shells, chips, taco shells, dried fruit, granola, cookies, macaroons, dried veggies/veggie chips, jerky, fruit leather.. a ton of stuff! thank you but sadly the crazy sneezes are still here :/
hey mel- i have to weight train on top of teaching because i do a TON of cardio (anywhere from 1-2 hours per day depending on what i’m teaching, mon-thurs) and if i don’t weight train on top of that, i look like a stick figure and lose all of my muscle tone. it’s not cute.
Wow, those surprises are definitely amazing! You have so wonderful gift givers
)
I always buy sports bras and workout clothes at Target – it’s impossible to leave with only what you went in there for.
Love how you signed it G$ – holla at ya girl.
Eeee food dehyrator!!! So very excited for you – I love my dehydrator! Can’t wait for you to educate me on some awesome dehydrator recipes.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!