Hey lovely bloggies 
How are ya?? Good news: IT’S FRIDAY (unless you’re an Aussie reader, from the future!)
Thanks so much for your sweet comments on the Raw Gingerbread Bites- if anyone makes them, please let me know what you think!
Sorry for disappearing on ya yesterday… between working, prepping stuff for dinner and getting my own workout in, it was a cuhrazy day.
Also, it was girl’s night at Jeni’s house:
I brought over some of my favorite artichoke dip from Eat, Drink and Be Vegan:
Roasted veggies to go with our meal (eggplant, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, onion, garlic, rosemary, sea salt and pepper)
Raw pumpkin pie bites to go with dessert:
And a whole one for our gluten-free friend
(for these, I made my own crust –recipe to come- and the pumpkin pie filling, minus the thyme, from Matthew Kenney’s Everyday Raw)
As usual, Jeni had a beautiful dinner at her casa and I had a blasty hanging out with the girls
Appetizers:
(Gouda, goat jack cheese, brie with chutney, fluffy pita crackers, Mary’s crack and my glass o’ red)
Salad:
Greens with goat cheese, dried cranberries, walnuts and balsamic dressing.. I had two servings- it was awesome
Dinner!
The best grainy bread from Publizzle, maple-glazed salmon, roasted veggies and a baked sweet potato.
Everything was ridiculously delicious, but it was hard for me to join the clean plate club because I was saving room for this…..
Almond pound cake with berries and raw pumpkin pie bites. Swooning allowed. And necessary
We also had an ornament exchange –I got a gorgeous sparkly snowflake ornament- and just sat around chatting. Twas a glorious evening.
Today I’ve got a couple of training appointments and meeting up with some friends for dinner and a movie later. I haven’t cooked once this week! Un-cooked, yes, but haven’t made dinner since last weekend. While it’s been a nice vacay, I’m looking forward to getting back in the kitch this weekend- I really want to make some sweet potato latkes
Have a very happy Friday!
See ya later with a review of the Mandy Ingber DVD, a package from the nana and madre, and (hopefully) a Reader’s Request post thrown in there 
xoxo,
Gina
Today’s tip: In your next workout, try single-arm or single-leg exercises— instead of resting between sets, immediately begin the exercise on the opposite side. Your other leg or arm will be resting as you work the other one, and it’s a great way to shake things up. Also, when you’re forced to work each arm and leg separately, it decreases the dependence on the stronger limb.
You always have such healthy, yummy looking food at your girls night gatherings!
I loooove sweet potato latkes! I made them last year and they were a huge hit! I want you to make them and see your wonderful recipe!!
“unless you’re an Aussie reader, from the future!”
Hahahahahaha
LOVELY girls’ night feast!
Is that artichoke dip usually popular? I have to make two dips for my family’s Christmas gathering and I was looking through that cookbook and couldn’t decide which one to make.
yes! all of my friends love it
look AMAZING, I want one of those pumpkin bites
or the whole pie will do fine toO!!!
TGIF!!
Those pumpkin pie bites look SO GOOD!
And so does that artichoke dip!
Why haven’t I bought ED&BV yet????
Your girls nights look fun! And the foods look fantastic. I had gone to a Christmas party and cooked a clean dish thinking no one would want it (it was the only healthy thing there!)but it was a huge hit! (wheat berry salad). I was surprised! My friends aren’t as health conscious
it’s funny how you can trick people into eating super healthy dishes… i’m very lucky that all of my friends eat well and always have food i want to eat
Wow you guys go all out for girls night.
Sound like a blast!! I really wanna make that artichoke dip!
And hey we’re twins!! I put a footnote at the bottom of today’s post explaining my workout – abouy working the opposite muscle side, though, instead of taking rests. I love that tactic
have a great day, Gina!
That looks like such a fun night! I love the idea of an ornament exchange! That artichoke dip looks like it might be yummy, I guess you can’t share the recipe as it’s from a cook book!?!?
Have a great day,
no, i can’t share the recipe
it’s very easy and super delicious though!
I will have get-togethers starting next week and I am quite scared I’ll be tempted to overeat. Ack! Healthy food never looked this good!
- Kaith
don’t be scared- dinner parties are so much fun
eat slowly and enjoy your company, you’ll be fine
What a great dinner party!! I wish my group of friends threw dinner parties – I love cooking/baking for other people. Sweet potato latkes sound delish! Can’t wait to see them
What fun!! We have plans to attend TWO parties tomorrow and I can’t wait.
Glad you had so much fun, all your goodies look like they were yummy! It’s nice one in a while to get a break from cooking each night.
Those desserts look fabulous! I’ve never wanted to try a raw dessert as much as I did today looking at the pumpkin tarts
oh! i totally love “todays tip”
that grainy bread does look super delicious and now i’m totally in the mood for a sweet potato!
sweet potato latkes are SUCH a good idea
i made them with butternut squash last year and they came out deliiicious!
bnut squash latkes?! girl, you are a genius
Is it weird that I salivated when I saw the berries on your dessert plate? I miss fresh berries already and winter has barely begun.
not weird at all
fresh berries are amazing!
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog after stumbling upon it while researching heaters for hot yoga (I know random…) but still very happy indeed to enjoy your life and good eats! Had a question, I was wondering if you’d ever tried pilates reformer and what you thought about it?
hey lauren,
thanks so much for reading and saying hi
i haven’t tried a reformer, but have heard amazing things about them. if you try it, let me know what you think!
I just make potato zuchinni latkes! Sooo good. I didn’t even think about using sweet potatoes. That sounds even better!
Wow, I neeeed to try that artichoke dip!! Do you make the exact recipe from the book or alter it a bit?
i make the exact recipe — soooo good!
Well actually I’ve been doing the reformer semi-regularly for a couple of months now at the pilates studio/gym where I work and have fallen into love with it. The reason I ask is because if you hadn’t tried it I was going to say you definitely should!!! I have always been a soccer player/avid runner but pilates reformer is definitely a good workout without all of the super high impact. If you do get a chance to try it I would love to hear what you think!!
wow, good to know! someone is selling one at the gym and i’m thinking about buying it
AHHH I READ YOUR BLOG OFTEN BUT I don’t really comment. BUT I JUST HAD TO BECAUSE THIS ONE TIME COZ IM FROM AUZZIE
))))))))
hahaaa thank youu hehehe
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I’m always envious of your girl’s night dinner parties- all the food always look delicious and I dearly miss my girlfriends.
I hope you do end up making some sweet potato latkes!!
PS I’m sure someone has already told you, but I keep getting warnings that you site is an attack site.
Greetings from the future! Hehe
Good advice about working one side at a time. I’m a big kettlebell fan and I find I can lift a lot more if I do one side at a time.
Those pumpkin pie bites look amazing!
wow! you made tons of yummy food for the party
jenna
Love your site! I check it constantly! Have you done the Mandy Ingber Yoga DVD yet? I can’t wait to see what you think. I’m thinking of asking hubby for it for Christmas.
yes, i did it and thought it was awesome! i’m hoping to get the review up tomorrow
Thanks!