Hey everyone! Hope you’re having a great night 
Thanks so much for your sweet comments on the workout video- if you enjoy them, I’ll keep ‘em coming. Stay tuned for a Zumba video in the near future, too
Look what came in the mail!
I was so stoked when we got back from vacay to see Jackie O (the Garmin’s name) on the doorstep, waiting for me.
So today, the pilot and I took her for a spin.
The original plan was to do 7 miles.. but it was windy, and frizzin’, so we rolled with 4.25 instead. I LOVED being able to see our pace while we were running! So. effing. awesome.
(Check out the MJ-style sleeves! Nike rocks)
4.26 (that’s for you, Kath) miles in 39.51, including two times when we stopped to pet a cat 
After we finished our run, we walked around the track to cool down and stretched.
My running buddy:
Swooning allowed.. and necessary 
I was so happy because today was a “family day” and the guys had the day off work. So I got to see his face all day, with the exception of a couple of training appointments
Some recent eats:
Smoothie with almond milk, strawberries, Stevia and Sun Warrior protein
Egg with goat jack cheese, spinach and salad with Annie’s Goddess dressing:
Fruit!
and ITALIAN NACHOS!
Roasted eggplant rounds topped with organic marinara sauce and goat jack cheese. Topped with pizza seasoning (marjoram, garlic, basil, rosemary), sea salt and pepper. Fan-freaking-tastic.
Well I’m off to watch a movie with the pilot and take it easy the rest of the night. There’s some BBQ salmon with my name on it
Enjoy your evening <3
xoxo,
Gina
Something to talk about: Do you have a workout buddy, or do you prefer to work out alone?? My weights buddy is Jeni, and I run with the pilot, Meara or Kelly and I think it’s great to have someone to share their energy with me and push me a little. Sometimes there are days when I prefer to work out alone, too. It’s therapeutic and a great way to mentally prepare for the day.
I mostly prefer to work out alone!! It’s my zen time! but one of my friends is a trainer at the gym and so I take her butt kicking classes from time to time! and when I trained to ride in my 75 mile bike ride this past summer I had a friend that I rode with once in awhile!! Hope you enjoy your new fitness toy!! And as always your food rocks:)
love the italian nachos. Those look amazing!! New fitness gear is always super fun too=)
I usually prefer to workout alone. Its the time that I spend to myself and I really enjoy it. I can kind of collect my thoughts and really just let all my stress from the day just melt away. Plus I find I can concentrate alot more while Im working out. Just personal preference though Im sure. Have a wonderful evening!
I’m glad swooning is allowed. Your hubby is the hottest of blog hubbies. Don’t tell the others…
hahah i’ve always thought so, too
what can i say, i’m a lucky girl
Oh, Paula. You clearly have not been reading my blog. Let’s call this one a tie, eh?
LOL. how could i forget about papa pea?? he is a total beefcake
i’ll definitely say it’s a tie
yay for a zumba video!!!!!
I tend to workout alone most days, but have 2 clients that have became super strong and who I love to work out with. It is fun and motivating.
I love running with my sister, but she’s so far away! I work out all by my lonesome, except for my tiny beagle who is a surprisingly fast running buddy.
Could you two be a cuter couple?!
I usually like working out alone because it’s “me time”, but sometimes I like working out with someone who will push me harder than I would alone. Depends on the day, I guess
thank you! <3
same here, sometimes i prefer alone, but sometimes i need friends around for that extra push
I WISH I had a workout buddy! It’s hard to find people who are just as intense as I am about sweating, though! Canada definitely needs some like-minded Fitnessistas
Yay for the Garmin arriving! I got my love this weekend too and, much like you, couldn’t wait a moment to get out and play with it. Even though the temps were brutal, the love and obsession of the little toy could not keep me away.
So happy you are enjoying and and even more happy that you enjoyed this wonderful day with your wonderful man!
I like working out with a buddy and alone. I’ve been getting into running a lot more and would love to do a longer run someday. The program I’m on is half walking and half running. When the weather is nicer, I go out with my dog Desmond.
I prefer to work out alone. Sometimes I go for runs with Stephen, but (don’t tell him this!) it usually messes with my chi.
I do LOVE group exercise classes though.
I usually work out alone but a couple times a week I’ll go for runs with my hubby. This may be a silly question but how does the garmin keep track of your pace? I just got one for my car and I’m pretty psyched!
ps I did your lunge and lift today – i can already feel it!
whoo hoo! i’m so glad you liked it
i have no clue exactly how it does it, but it uses satellites to determine your mileage and pace with gps. pretty techie and fancy schmancy
wahoooo! SUCH a fun gift- love it. Very cool that you got to spend a lot of time with your pilot today. Josh and I are both working from home tomorrow and I am SO looking forward to spending time together (even if we’re both typing away on our laptops! I want to try Italian nachos!!
yay i am happy the garmin arrived!!
italian nachos? genius!!!
i wish i had a workout buddy! i love working out alone but i wish i had someone to do more stuff with like run! somedayyyy
The eggplant nachos look good. I’ll have to try that next time.
My workout buddy used to be my hubby but now he has a different work schedule and has to go in the morning. =( I miss him. Hopefully he’ll be able to change his schedule soon so we can workout together again.
Those eggplant nachos are GENIUS! Totally covering some of those babies with salsa tomorrow!
I like a balance of working out alone and with others, but for the most part I like to be by myself. However, during practices where we are doing intervals at a certain pace, I do like to run with people that have the same pace because we sort of feed off each other’s pace.
Yay for family day!
your shake looks soo good!
what do you think of the Sun Warrior??? is it worth the investment???
TOTALLY worth the investment. a little chalky, but the nutritionals are the best
YAY Gina!! So glad Jackie O finally arrived! I adore mine – I got it for Christmas last year to replace my first Garmin, which was old like a dinosaur!!
Garmin ROCKS! It makes running even MORE fun!
ENJOY!
RE: workout buddies – with weights I prefer to be alone. With running I prefer to have running buddies. Time flies by faster when you can chat the whole time.
Have a great night!
glad you got the garmin! those italian nachos look heavenly!
jenna
Italian nachos yum!
I am making those eggplant nachos…once my Excalibur comes in the mail! I am sure they can be made raw. Well, why not?
they can totally be made raw
When I was single, I always worked out alone. Then, in the last few years, I got used to having my husband as a running and workout buddy. Now that we have a 5 month old, we have to take turns working out, and it’s definately harder to do alone after being used to my “buddy.
“
Fancy Garmin!
I like to work out alone. That’s when I do my best thinking!
I always work out alone…or I’ll do the group cardio classes. Both can be fun. I feel like I don’t push myself if I’m with a friend though.
WOOHOO! for the Garmin:D So glad it got to you safely. That’s awesome you have a running buddy in your husband. Nice run!
Those Italian nachos look fabulous!
I like working out along 75% of the time and with someone 25% of the time. Sometimes I like to focus, and sometimes I like to socialize. It’s nice to have both:)
I’m so weird because I really enjoy working out by myself, but in a public setting. I try to tell myself that people are watching me so I push myself harder (see? weirdo!) but I do love classes and running with friends from time to time too
hahah totally not weird.. i do the same thing. the girl on the treadmill or elliptical next to me usually has no clue i’m RACING her!
I just bought a Garmin Forerunner 305 on Saturday!!!! I (hopefully) should be getting it in the mail tomorrow, but we’ll have to see
it’s definitely exciting and 100% worth the money.
All the food looks delicious.
Do you make your own organic marinara sauce? Or do you purchase?? What brand?
XXOO
nope, i bought it at the health food store. i want to say it’s muir glen?? i prefer to make my own, but it’s faster to open a jar
I’m so excited for the zumba video!
I love reading your blog! I know you listed the ingredients for the Strawberry Smoothie but how much of everything did you use? I want to make this in my mornings!
1 cup almond milk
about 6-7 strawberries
1 scoop sun warrior
5 drops liquid Stevia
t vanilla
So glad you got your Jackie O finally! It seemed like it took forever. Sometimes I like to work out with people, but I have to push myself to do it. Then I’m fine, but most of the time I don’t like to, because I make funny faces when I hit the weights
it DID take forever!
hahah my pilot makes some hilarious weight faces too
I secretly wish I had a workout buddy. LOL DH and I go to the gym at the same time, and we chat periodically, but we don’t run/lift/cardio anything together. We’re basically just in the same room together.
I’ve been burned by the workout buddy phenomenon in the past, so I guess I just quit trying. I had friends who wanted to work out with me, but they weren’t really committed to it, and ended up making me feel like I should SKIP workouts. Not go!
I don’t have any friends locally that are as into fitness as me.
I live vicariously through my healthy bloggers like yourself!
we’re your virtual workout buddies
I am definitely a solo exerciser. I want a garmin though! So jealous!
I love the running outfit! Woohoo for the Garmin
Those Italian nachos need to be in my kitchen now. I don’t care that it’s 9:27AM, they sound heavenly!! Glad you guys had a great family day!
I workout alone during the week and the husband usually works out with me on the weekends. I prefer to be alone, especially at 5:30am!
Nice Garmin! Have one like that and I loooove love looove!! Garmin’s are one of the best running partners next to a hubby!
My boyfriend is my workout buddy most of the time. When I do classes, though, I like to do them unaccompanied. I find that I concentrate better on the instructor that way.
I totally want one of those GPS things! Maybe I’d actually start running again if I had one.
Oh my, your smoothies always look so good!
I normally work out by myself. I always find that I don’t work as hard if I’m distracted and talking with someone. But sometimes I do like going to classes with my mom, sisters, or friends!
Oh! My family made tamales the other night and it totally made me think of you. I’m sooo in love with homemade tamales.
ahhhhh tamales!!!! eat extras for me
Yay for the Garmin! I’m actually looking for one right now. For some reason they are hard to find in my neck of the woods. If you don’t mind me asking where you get yours? Thanks!
i got mine from amazon
just don’t get the free shipping though, it took FOREVER
I actually prefer to do my workouts mostly alone, unless I’m walking which I like doing with one friend in particular. Also, I like the social aspect of spin classes at my gym, it makes them pretty fun.
So glad the pilot could accompany you on the Garmin run!
I wish I had a workout buddy!!! We moved and I left all of my friends! Starting over sux! But at least we all still keep in touch with our workouts via texting. But of course it’s just not the same (or as fun). Question for you: What is that Nike jacket/hoodie style #? I LOVE the sleeves and this is the 2nd time I have seen this on a Nike item in the past week… but yours looks much better on you (and it’s purple!) Enjoy the Garmin!
I enjoy my ”me” time at home but for running, I stay motivated if someone is running with me.
I mostly work out alone, but I think it’s partially because I have such a tight schedule while in graduate school that it’s difficult for me to find someone who has the same times available as I do.
I bought my boyfriend the Garmin Forerunner 405 (I think it’s the newest one-touch screen) at Costco for $229.99! I think they were discontinuing it-the site stopped carrying it and I found it in-store…if anyone is looking for one, check your local Costco in case they still have them. It was in the jewelry/watch section.
good to know, thanks!
Yay for finally geting the garmin! I’m researching them now so I can get one in the next couple months or so – any advice on what features are useful?
2-to-the-6!!!
I’m going to upgrade my Garmin. Is that the 405 or 310? Glad you enjoy it!
it’s the 305 and i love it!
[...] first one started with Italian nachos, a Gina creation that I new I would be recreating when I first saw it. With an eggplant that needed [...]