Hi guys 
How are ya? Hope that you’ve all had a wonderful day! We’re back in Valdosta.. I’m stoked, can ya tell? 
I’m actually not bummed to be back after having such a lovely weekend.
This morning, despite all of the vino from last night, I got up early like a champion and went to Bikram yoga. Not gonna lie, some poses were a little extra painful, but I made it through and was so glad I did.
When I got back to the hotel room, the pilot and I checked out the menu for room service.
The pet menu always makes me smile
Open-faced beagle burger, anyone? 
Bella and Viesa would be all over that.
They brought in the tray of goods.
Two fresh-squeezed orange juices,
a panini and house-made chips for the pilot:
and I asked for a salad with veggies and goat cheese:
It was everything I could wish for
After chilling at the hotel for a while and then checking out, we stopped at the utopia of food perfection (aka Whole Foods) on our way back:
I got the usual essentials (bars, produce, salad dressings, condiments) + random fun things that got thrown in the cart, and a kombucha as they can help after a rough night.
Check out the bacteria strands in this bad johnny:
*Shudders* No, I didn’t drink that part. I don’t like to chew my kombucha, thank you
We made it back to Valdizzy, picked up the puppers then unloaded the car.
I really wasn’t starving for dinner, so I decided to make something I’ve had my eye on for a while: Kristen’s Cherry Chocolate Bomb Shake
I followed her recipe almost to the “T” but made the following changes:
1.5 cups almond milk instead of water
Sun Warrior for the protein
1 T hemp seeds instead of two
added 1 T raw cacao nibs
It was pretty much incredible. Kristen, my friend, you know your stuff But we all knew that already.
I’m off to Wizzle to get the rest of this week’s groceries and then have a date with the Kardashians.
Have a wonderful evening!
xoxo,
Gina
Preguntas y Respuestas: (from my Ask Me Anything page)
Where did you go to college?
University of Arizona GO CATS!
I noticed you use Stevia in some of your recipes and was wondering if you worry about the "harmful side effects" some believe it may cause?
Nahhh, I’m not too worried about it. I think in moderation, it’s one of the best sweetener choices out there. I don’t really think the studies are too effective because if you pump up a rat with 10 times its body weight of anything, no matter what it is, chances are that it will get sick. I think as long as I don’t get too crazy with it, it’s fine. Splenda on the other hand was a disaster.. I used to sprinkle it on EVERYTHING and it was quite the beast to quit. When I stopped with the Splenda, I went cold turkey and used no sweeteners, so it taught me how to appreciate food’s natural sweetness. After you stop sweetening your food, naturally sweet foods like fruit and sweet potatoes taste like candy
Any advice on how to lose the last 5 pounds?
The “last 5 pounds” are often the hardest to get rid of because as you have less weight to lose, the more difficult it can be. This is your chance to kick things up—tighten up eating and increase the effectiveness and intensity of workouts. See what changes you can make in your food choices and exercise routine to encourage your body to continue changing. Try adding a salad or broth based soup to your meals and adding in speed intervals to your training.
Where do you and the pilot want to move when you leave Valdosta?
ANYWHERE! Bahaha. For real though, we’re praying for Tucson. Most of my family is there along with job opportunities and a house that we’d like to buy. The ironic thing is that when I lived in Tucson, I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Now, I can’t wait to get back.
Hi, love your blog. Does the pilot have a younger, single brother? You know, just asking for a friend…
To many girls’ dismay, the pilot only has a sister. No bothers, no guy cousins, nada…. I know, I know, it really is a waste of dang good genetics
Love kombucha!!! It’s so expensive..but so worth it. And Whole Foods is like my favorite place on earth
I have never tried kombucha, it looks….interesting. I guess I can’t judge until I give it a go!
I never thought I would want to live in my hometown but the longer I’m away and the older I get, the more I would loooove to be close to my family. PS- That pet menu is crazzzy silly!
There is no place like home – I’ll second that! Now I just want to be back home, too, and I’m super close!
I love reading the answers to your questions! so fun. After taking a road trip to Providence (3 hours from me) I had to stop in Whole Foods there also, they have the biggest one I’ve ever been in there. love it!
I love Kombucha! How expensive is it in Valdizzle? I paid $5.99 by accident for it the other day. The cranberry is soo good!
That smoothie looks YUM! I’m also very bummed that the Pilot doesn’t have a younger, single brother.
LOL “a waste of dang good genetics”. You’re too cute! Isn’t it good to be home?
I always drink/chew those strands– I figure that’s where all the good stuff is!!!
I’m the same way about Tucson. I went to The University of Arizona for undergrad (Bear Down!!) and couldn’t wait to leave. I’m from Seattle and after a few cross-country moves post-undergrad, I’m back in the Seattle area. I love Seattle, but I think I miss how carefree undergrad was as well as the warm weather. Every time I visit Tucson I want to stay (and I’ll be going back in a couple weeks!).
yummy looking smoothie and haha “waste of good genetics” i was hoping for a younger brother like whoever asked that question!
yummmmy KOMBUCHA!!! Citrus always refreshes me too. Glad you had a good day and welcome home.
p.s.
You all should move to austin!!!
You keep reminding me that I need to stop at Whole Foods soon. Welcome home!
Love Kombucha! Do not like the green one, though. YUCK! The bacteria kind of skeeves me out too, but I get through it
I moved far away from my hometown…and have never regretted it.
Kombucha totally freaks me out still. One of these days I’ll grow a pair and try it
You know where I’m vying for you to go next… fingers crossed!
yay, I love the questions and answers!!
I’ve never had kombucha but not gonna lie, that bacteria freaks me out! I’m taking Microbiology right now and that looks almost exactly like the bottom of a test tube I was streaking the other day…
I LOVE your shoes in the V-day post! I also would really like a glass of champagne now, so thanks for that
Champagne is my favorite kind of booze. Have a nice night!
Yes, definitely a waste of good genetics, you are one lucky chica!
Never tried citrus Kombucha, but I love the ‘bucha! What is your favourite flavour?
I love reading your blog; you give me tons of great food ideas! I do have a couple of questions. What is the difference between Whey Protein and and Rice Protein? I know you talked about it once before but I can’t find that post. I always use the Whey Protein powder but have noticed that a lot of bloggers use the Sun Warrior Protein Powder. Also, where do you buy your honey stingers gummies? I found them online but I want to try them out before I order a whole case. Thanks!
My friend calls the chewies mushroom floaties. Totally grossed me out when I heard that, but I drank ‘em down anyway. Cheers!
You’re so right about sweeteners Gina. I went cold turkey for a few months, and lean to love all my foods, even oats totally plain. Then I started using stevia again, and it just makes me crave everything sweet. Wish I didn’t use it so much, but it’s definitely better than some other options out there.
Hope you enjoyed bonding with the Kardashians tonight!
Kombacha is so good!
Currently in grocery store envy!! I love Whole Foods and wish I had one nearby!!!
-emily http://www.emilyeatsclean.wordpress.com
Whole Foods is one of those places that I can only go occasionally and it feels like a special treat/vacation. LOVE, love, love that place! too bad there’s none close to me…..
Great question about the pilot having a brother. Bad answer.
I always thought you should shake up the little strands in the kombucha?! Good to know that you ignore them.
Ewww, I hate when I get an extra “chewy” kombucha! When that happens, I try to swirl it around, then I close my eyes and drink up! The things we do for the sake of health.
I’m nervous about those chewy kombucha strands, too! No thank you.
I quit sugar cold-turkey a couple months before my wedding, and I was amazed how naturally sweet things were, too! I practically went into sugar shock when I took a bite of my wedding cake!!
I’ve found that a gentle shake mixes up the floaters in the kombucha. Obviously gentle is the key. I always give it a shake before I unscrew the cap, and I haven’t had any sprayage yet.
LOOOOOOOVE Kombucha!!!
I made your sweet potato chili again for a dinner party this weekend and everyone LOVED it!
http://www.biochemista.com/2010/02/roadtrip.html
Your salad they brought you looks divine! Hope you guys get your wish to tuscon… Nice n toasty
The pet menu makes me smile
I’ve never heard of a pet menu before! It’s a good idea though 
I hope your wish comes true…go Tucson
Love Tuscon! It’s always funny how you can’t wait to get out of your home town but suddenly…you miss the fam and need them back in your life!
Losing those last 5 pounds is intense. I’m embarking on that currently before our wedding. The only thing that has helped me the most is actually removing the pressure of doing it. Then it just makes eating better and working out harder more of a challenge- not a required thing to do.
Hey! I live in Jax! That’s my WF! It’s so nice to see it on your blog! Where is that hotel that you stayed at? Maybe I can convince a certain someone that we need to go on vacation at home…
Glad you had a nice time here, I’m sure Jacksonville was sorry to see you go.
hey girl,
we stayed at one ocean http://www.oneoceanresort.com/
i think you would LOVE it.
we’ll be back soon, maybe i’ll have to do a blog meet-up there.. looks like there are a lot of jacksonville bloggies!
I just bought some cacoa nibs yesterday so I will be trying that smoothie very soon
love the last question. don’t love the last answer.
I wish there was a Whole Foods near me. I always have to visit when I am in NYC bc their WF near Central Park is amazing!!
YES! it’s gigantic!
i could live in the cheese room
The puppy menu is way too cute! I’ve actually never seen a puppy menu before. Ordering room service is one of my favorite things about hotels. I once ordered toast at 11:30 at night one time – I had a craving!
you’re hilarious! i hope you guys find a way to get to Tucson, that would be great! i’m glad you didn’t “chew” your kombucha…the girls at work do and it kinda grosses me out
blahhhhh. i just threw up in my mouth a little when i read that, haha
I made Kristen’s Cherry Chocolate Bomb Shake yesterday evening too! LOVED IT!
isn’t is AMAZING? i can’t wait to make it again
I love that animal menu! There are a few dog restaurants in the city where I live … we keep meaning to take our pups there for a special occasion, but with 3 of them, it’s definitely something to plan for!
K
you’re supposed to drink the stands, it’s called “the mother.” that’s where all the nutrients are. no clue why you’re under the impression that they’re “chewed.” give the bottle a little twirl when you get low and you don’t even notice that you drank them.
The pet menu is just precious! And the cherry chocolate bomb shake is just delish!
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