Hey guys! It’s humpday, which means tomorrow I leave for Tucson!! I’m so so so excited 
This morning, I decided to have a Laraball –aka raw donut hole- before walking the puppies with the pilot.
When we got back, it was bfast time! The pilot had Puffins and eggs, while I made some juice:
Once again, it was a putrid shade of brown but still tasted amazing. I guzzled it down and had a very full juice belly
I got ready for work, and when I got to school I found out that the teach I TA for canceled classes—I only had to work for 1 hour!!!!
With my extra free time I went to Publix for some necessities and snacks for our trip, the new health food store, and snacked on a Larabar:
I picked up Megan and drove her back to my house because she left her car here last weekend when we left to Orlando, and she got me a little gift:
ORGANIC CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT
YUMMMMMMM! I’m excited to experiment with it- it would be a great dessert garnish or perhaps we’ll put some in raw ice cream? Hmmmm….
Lunch was super amazing today!
I decided to whip out the new spiralizer and make some raw pesto pasta
I got this idea from Megan –aka raw food extraordinaire and coconut ninja- when she made it for me a few months ago. I spiralized the zucchini into thin angel hair “noodles” and made the sauce out of a palmful of raw walnuts, juice of 1 lemon, sea salt, fresh garlic, lots of basil, nutritional yeast and a drizzle of EVOO.
On the side, I had some raw flax crackers:
It was a delicious lonchi
I’ve got tonight’s dinner quiche in the oven, just received a package that I can’t wait to open!!, and am off to write my organizational behavior paper, make new cds, teach spin and Zumba, then meeting with my group at school. Crazy day!!!
Hope you have a happy humpday!
xoxo,
Gina
Q & A sesh: I received this email earlier today and thought I’d answer it on the bloggy for ya’ll:
Hey Gina,
I was just wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing your spanish rice recipe? It looks so good.
Also, I was wondering, Lately I have been feeling pretty blah…I think it comes down to the fact that I have been consuming more red meat than usual. I can’t really explain how I’ve been feeling, I’ve just had more stomach problems(I haven’t been getting sick or anything though) I’ve been bloated and don’t have as much energy as usual. I don’t think i’m fully ready to commit to the raw/vegan world yet. But I want to head in that direction. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on it and I’m feel so overwhelmed with everything. You can’t do this you have to do this. You have to eat organic. No coffee. I’m just wondering if you have any tips or could give me some direction on how to transition. My family (like yours) eats alot of meat and youre right making 2 meals every night gets to be so time consuming and hard. So that is another obstacle.
I hope you have a great Wednesday
Thanks for your help. Your blog has been so useful.
Oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to ask you if your friend Megan has started a blog or is planning on it? It seems like you two have such great times together…..and her cooking sounds A.mazing.
–
Jenna
Hey Jenna!
First of all, thank you so much for reading my blog and for your email! Hopefully I can help you out a little…
1) The spanish rice is SUPER easy to make- I call it my cheater spanish rice. I boil 2.5 cups vegetable broth, reduce the heat and add 1 heaping tbs of tomato paste, then I add 1 cup sticky brown rice, cover and simmer for 45 minutes. When the rice is done cooking, I add 1/2 can diced tomatoes with green chiles and onions, lime zest, cumin, salt and pepper.
2) I used to feel the exact same way! It started in September when I first started teaching so many aerobics classes in addition to working out on my own. By mid-afternoon, I was exhausted and couldn’t make it through teaching without feeling like I was going to be sick. At the suggestion of a few friends, when I told them about how nasty I was feeling, they advised that I cut out meat during the day to see if it helped my evening energy levels while I was teaching. It made ALL of the difference in the world. I told myself that when I stopped eating chicken, turkey and pork –I’ve stayed away from red meat since I was 8- that if I changed my mind and wanted to go back to eating meat it was no big deal. It was something I was willing to try to see if it made myself feel better and I haven’t gone back.
Changing eating habits is something that needs to be done GRADUALLY to avoid burnout, feeling deprived and overwhelmed. Within the span of 2 years, my eating has changed full turn. I went from eating “healthy” (lean meats, smart carbs, fruits, veggies, lowfat/nonfat dairy), to avoiding processed foods and chemicals, to eliminating meat (except fish, eggs and occasional dairy), to adding more raw food into my diet, to eating raw until dinner. Baby steps, friend. Why don’t you try having some raw versions of your favorite foods (Gena has great tips for this here) and reducing the amount of meat in your life and see how you feel? Maybe red meat once a week (or less) and stick to occasional white meat for now? Then, when you’re ready. ease out the white meat and see if it helps. It’s the all or nothing approach with ANY eating plan that can make you discouraged and want to quit—if you do it gradually, your body will adjust, you’ll become more creative with your food choices to avoid boredom, and you’ll be able to better assess how you’re feeling.
Just because you eat a certain way doesn’t mean your family has to follow suit. I know my husband likes meat –LOVES meat- and I would never stop making it for him. I found that it’s easier to make meals for dinner that we both enjoy and can eat –we both love fish- and if it’s vegetarian/vegan, I make him some roasted chicken/pork tenderloin/something meaty on the side. There’s no reason for him not to stock up on fruits and veggies, so you can bet your booty that when I make those as part of dinner, he eats them too
3) No, Megan doesn’t have a blog… yet
Hope this helps a little! Shoot me an email if you need ANYTHING! You know I’m cheering you on
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
That raw pasta looks great! Yay AZ!
Love that zucchini pasta! I’ve been thinking about getting one of those gadgets since I tried to make zucchini ribbons by hand a few weeks ago – pain in the butt.
Laraball, HAHA!! Love the name
And that pesto “pasta” looks diiiiivine.
Have fun in Tuscon!!
Thank you so much Gina!!! I really appreciate it. This has really helped. I know its a gradual process and something that won’t happen overnight. It’s nice to know others have gone through this.
the pasta looks great!
i’ve always wanted to try chocolate peppermint.
yummy raw pesto “pasta”
ooh gina – chocolate peppermint? that is SO cool!
whoaaaaaaaaaa the raw pesto pasta looks awesome. I want to try that
A CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT plant??? I’m floored!
Heym new blogger here. Just wanted to say I love your blog, and have gotten so many new recipe ideas from you. Also, if you like beets, they go great with tomato and apples in juice
The raw pasta looks fabulous, Gina! I “made” zucchini fettuccine the other night using a veggie peeler, but I might have to get the Spiralizer. So cool!
Hey girl,
Can I ask you where you got your spiralizer and how much it cost?
I have been putting off my purchase, but now that the warm weather is rolling in…
plus your pasta looks delish.
Thanks!
http://nicolerawawake.wordpress.com
Great pasta dish!
That pasta looks yum! Just one more kitchen gadget I’ll have to get! I already have a air popcorn popper, foreman grill, panini machine, bullet blender, food processor, blender, rice cooker and more, more, more! Hubby will think I’ve lost my mind! Sheesh. Have a wonderful weekend in civilization this weekend! I’m getting out of my tiny town this weekend to go to Seattle
yay!
The pasta looks fabulous! I can’t wait to see what you do with that chocolate peppermint plant!
You are so right about changing your eating habits: baby steps are the way to go! There was so long when I thought I would die without cheese. And then I kept eggs around. But then I went vegan and it’s still so easy!
That raw pesto looks AMAZING. Who says eating raw can’t be ridiculously delicious?!?
That pasta looks great. I bet it would appeal to lots of people who would otherwise be afraid of raw food.
I love your tips, Gina!! Way to go — and keep it up, Jenna
that was a really great response!! i have just decided to start leaning in to being vegetarian and I knew that a full on no meat wouldnt’ work… but I can step in to it over the next few months
Have you ever been to Lovin’ Spoonful in Tucson? It is a fabulous vegan restaurant on Campbell. I live in Phoenix, but went to high school in Tucson. Have fun!
I love how you labeled the Q&As in Spanish.
A spiralizer is definitely on my list of kitchen gadgets to purchase now that I'm out of the tiniest kitchen on earth!
I'm wondering what you and Megan have up your sleeves… I can't wait to see your new project!
That raw pesto pasta is PHENOMENAL! I'm in love with it!! Fabulous Q&A and I think Megan needs to make a blog asap!
laraball! how cute!
I think you raw pasta idea is so clever – and I looooove pesto, its my fav pasta falvor. I’m gonna go look into here i can bu a spiralizer now =)
Wow, that pasta looks SO good…I may need one of those gadgets! I love the ‘juice belly’ feeling!
Chocolate peppermint??? Did I miss something? Seriously? That is wicked. How do I get some?
Pesto pasta! yum! My fav:) Love the larabar wink wink
That is such great advice about changing your diet, baby steps. You really do have to do it slowly or else it’s going to be too overwhelming. But it’s worth it! My bro lives in AZ, just talked to him and he said the weather is perfect now. So enjoy!!! Get a tan for the rest of us:)
Man I love all your new raw eats!! I need to get some of your “tools”!
Great Q and A!!
I’d love to see Megan start a blog, too!
can’t wait to see what you and megan have in the works
lovely eats!
That lunch looks amazinggg Gina!! Raw zucchini pasta is so much volume for such simple veggies! I love it!
And yay Tucson is ready for you…bring clothes for the heat, IT WAS 97 DEGREES OUT TODAY!
Hey Gina!
I love your blog.
I have two quesions…
where’d you get you’re spiralizer?
and
What kind of dog is Viesta?
he is sooo cute!
thanks,
Lauren
Gina! Your pasta is BEAAUUUUTIFUL!!! I’m so proud!!!
We’ll miss you and the pilot this weekend, have fun in Tucson with the madre and tell her I said hello
love, megan
Ahh you may be on your way to Tuscon right NOW! Yay! I’m so excited to get in some serious dry heat ;o)
I love your raw pasta! And the email you responded to was great – so true what you said about being able to co-exist with a meat eater. I am starting my own “gradual process” experimenting right now and finding it a lot less stressful and demanding when I don’t overwhelm myself with “all or nothing” scenarious.
WOW! the raw pesto pasta looks amazing!! my stomach is growling now
Just wanted to let you know that I tried my first Zumba class today…it was awsome! I thought of you because one of the last songs we did was the one on your blog awhile ago with “Hips Don’t Lie” that you said you got offline!
They had an awesome cool-down to Kid Cudi – Day and Nite. I’ll def be going again!
I love all the pictures, and truly a full juice belly is a happy belly, isn’t it?
I also appreciated your naming it a laraball, it’s such a cute name and it works wonders. So much better than a donut hole, in my opinion hehe.
I love your blog! Keep these coming.
Okay I just made zucchini “pasta” and I have to thank you for this miraculous idea! Although I am not a raw foodie, just trying to make healthy choices. I have been searching for a spiralizer and could not find one so I used an orange/lemon zester. Although it takes some more work, totally work it. I made my own version which i quickly sauteed with olive oil, mushrooms, and tomato sauce and it was fantastic! It tastes just like the comfort food pasta I needed without the carbfest!