Pucker up

Guess who I got to kiss today?!

vies

Viesa!

I was so excited to see her furry face. We went over to hang out with little Meg, my doula friend (Viesa’s new mom) and her family, so we got to cuddle Vies the whole time we were there. Love it <3

Of course, when we got home, Bella couldn’t stop sniffing us- she recognized her sissy right away.

bell

Even though it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, they really were best little friends.

In addition to Viesa kisses and taking Bella to the dog park, it was a pretty amazing Sunday over here.

Started off with brunch with the fam –there were 11 of us- at Blue Willow, one of my favorites.

blue willow

We usually go to Blue Willow for lunch or dinner, so I’ll get a salmon Greek salad or veggie creation. I was excited to try breakfast, which I’ve heard is phenomenal:

breakfast 

and it totally was.

I ordered 2 eggs with brown rice, corn tortillas, and turkey sausage, covered it all in salsa. Perfect.

Afternoon snack:

fruit

The Pilot and I ran some errands, and went to Home Goods so the Pilot could see the mirror I like for the master bedroom- approval granted. We also went to Trader Joe’s, where we found this little beauty:

cookie butter

You read that correctly, my friends. Apparently it’s like Biscoff spread, which I’ve never tried, but the Pilot and I each had a bite from the tester booth (not gluten-free) and he was hooked. It’s basically crunched-up cookies in peanut butter……

He got a jar to enjoy on top of toast (or on a spoon) and the Trader Joe’s employee said it makes an awesome cupcake frosting, too.

It’s dinnertime over here, and then I’m going to start working on this year’s holiday gift guide. It will be up in the morning, just in time for Cyber Monday!

Have a lovely night <3

xoxo

Gina

Something to talk about: What’s on your holiday wish list this year? Let me know if you have any awesome gift ideas for yoginis, gym-goers, girly girls, or domestic diva friends 🙂

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47 Comments

  1. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn on November 27, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    I saw that spread! And literally died and went to heaven. Omg. I didn’t buy it for the same reason, so I’m on a mission to make my own. It’s gonna happen.

  2. s on November 27, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    whoa i just bought a ton of biscoff spread (from the actual manufacturer) … i didn’t know that cookie spread was a thing now! craziness, i’ll have to check it out.

  3. Samantha on November 27, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Speculoos is amazing!!!!!! The first time I had it was in NYC from a waffles and dinges cart in central park!!! unbelievably good!

  4. RachelG on November 27, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    This months issue of Yoga Journal has a great baking idea! Fill a mason jar, layer by layer with dry ingredients for yummy baked goods like otmeal chocolate chip quick bread. Then attach a little card with the instructions and enjoy! Totally making it for my mom and preparing a baking themed gift basket. 🙂

  5. Christine @ BookishlyB on November 27, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    Anthro aprons for domestic gals! Always a fun gift that most people won’t buy themselves.

    • Fitnessista on November 27, 2011 at 10:18 pm

      love that! they have the cutest aprons

  6. Liz @ Southern Charm on November 27, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    My holiday wish list: dehydrator, food processor, gift cards and a boyfriend (bahaha, you said wish list, right??)!

    Ideas for friends: I need to get on this! I do know for the girlie girls that I’m close to, I think I may do Chanel lip gloss! It’s about 30$. While it is small, I gave to to one of my close friends for her birthday and she is still thanking me a month later for making her feel like a girl 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 27, 2011 at 10:21 pm

      sending boyfriend vibes to you! 🙂 hoping he’ll fall out of the sky and into starbucks like the pilot did
      great idea- chanel makes AMAZING lipgloss

  7. Lauren @ Sugar Coated Sisters on November 27, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    My jar literally hit the floor when I saw the Cookie Butter photo. MUST GET SOME NOW!

  8. Ilana on November 27, 2011 at 10:22 pm

    yogi gift ideas- a mat towel (like the manduka eko), i swear this is something tons of yoginis will never think to buy for themselves but makes alllllll the difference; a unique yoga mat bag (my friend makes really cool ones out of used jeans but there are plenty on etsy and stuff like that) or just a really high quality one (I have the lululemon one in mind); a wrap for apres-yoga (a la the wraps from Hanuman clothing, or Beyond Yoga); a class pass to a preferred studio; yogajournal subscription.
    hahaha wait is that my wishlist?

    • Ilana on November 27, 2011 at 10:49 pm

      also yoga books- Autobiography of a Yogi, ANYTHING by Pema Chodron, Jivamukti Yoga by Sharon Gannon and David Life.

  9. Ashley on November 27, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    Next time you have to try getting the eggs sunny side up and mixing it up with the brown rice! So good!

  10. Kim on November 27, 2011 at 10:33 pm

    i have had my eye on the book meditations from the mat as a gift for myself, maybe it would make a good yogi gift? so funny, i am making my christmas list now and having a hard time coming up with things, hoping this post will help me : )

  11. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on November 27, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    Omg cookie butter?? That sounds like heaven! I hope the Pilot enjoys it!

  12. Kristen @ Chocolate Covered Kristen on November 27, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    My fave gifts I’ve seen/bought for someone/received in years past have been Anthro aprons, sparkly BIC bands, mat towels, bright colored compression socks/sleeves, subscriptions to Food Network magazine, sweat resistant headphones, and pretty ceramic bakeware… just to name a few 🙂

  13. Rachel @ Eat, Learn, Discover! on November 27, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    oh my goodness… trader joe’s makes spekuloos?!? must find…
    I’ve got my eye on some new lululemon gear for the holidays! I love it so much, but my college-sized wallet definitely does not.

  14. Lucy on November 27, 2011 at 11:06 pm

    OMG! You found Speculoos at Trader Joes!! I was so sad to leave that stuff behind in Europe! It’s the most amazing thing ever!
    Thank you so much for sharing! < 3

  15. Karen on November 27, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    What kind of dog is Viesa? She’s beautiful. Why does she not live with you?

    • Fitnessista on November 27, 2011 at 11:43 pm

      she’s a shiba inu, and yes, totally gorgeous and an amazing dog. i linked to the whole story in the post, but in a nutshell, she and bella didn’t get along. she tried to eat bella a few times, and the last time, bell was badly hurt so we had to find another home for her

  16. Lu @ A Mix of it All on November 27, 2011 at 11:41 pm

    Biscoff Spread = Heaven in a jar. I wonder if I could find the one you found…

  17. Laura @ She Eats Well on November 28, 2011 at 12:40 am

    Oh, I cannot wait for the Gift Guide. Maybe not the most fun idea, but practical and a “stocking stuffer” would be a runner ID bracelet? Also, for the yogis out there, a lululemon towel for the yoga mat? I have always wondered if they are worth it…it seems they are since everyone at my studio has them! I also always love to give Lulu’s headbands- they are so fun and colorful!

    • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 12:43 am

      they are definitely worth it! especially if you like power yoga 🙂

    • mountain girl heidi on November 28, 2011 at 7:25 am

      A Runner ID bracelet (especially the interactive one from Road ID) is an AWESOME idea!

  18. Ali on November 28, 2011 at 1:08 am

    Aww, it looks like you guys had fun with V! I am sure she misses you just as much as you miss her. When I first saw your cut up persimmon, I was SO confused about what it was! Why do you eat it like that? You can eat the whole thing, you don’t have to cut it out!

  19. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga on November 28, 2011 at 1:34 am

    I was *just at* TJ’s about a half hour ago. Had I read this post before going there, I’d have gotten that spread.

    Speculoos cookies are almost exactly identical in taste to Biscoff cookies. I bet the spread is a dead ringer.

    I love love love Biscoffs and the spread and now I won’t have to order it online!

    And your hair has gotten so long! Beautiful! 🙂

  20. Sara on November 28, 2011 at 3:17 am

    Cookie Butter???? I can’t even imagine. Actually I’m not even going to think about it – I could just see myself in the kitch attempting to construct some tonight.

    The Viesa thing is like an open adoption. It’s heartwarming.

  21. Jess on November 28, 2011 at 3:30 am

    Speculoos is a very special Dutch spice mix that traditionally only comes out this time of year in the form of ginger snap cookies that Sinterklaas (Dutch Santa in a way) leaves for children in their shoes. Glad to know it’s available in the US, too.
    I enjoy reading the blog everyday. Congrats to you, the Pilot and Bella on the little family expansion coming soon!

    Greetings from the Netherlands!

    Groeten uit Nederland!

  22. Cait @ Beyond Bananas on November 28, 2011 at 6:23 am

    Cookie Butter!?! Goodness.. that looks like a little jar of heaven. I will have to look for it when I get to Trader Joes!

    Must have been nice to see Viesa again! We are adopting our first dog… getting him Saturday. CAN’T WAIT!

  23. chelsey @ clean eating chelsey on November 28, 2011 at 7:18 am

    man oh man I wish that cookie butter was GF!! I guess I’ll have to recreate it!

  24. mountain girl heidi on November 28, 2011 at 7:24 am

    OH my gosh. I need to get my butt down to Trader Joe’s NOW to find some of that Spekulaas Butter. Thanks for telling us about it. I LOVE those cookies. I also love that the Commissary has them so my in-laws don’t have to send them all the way from Holland.

  25. Amy on November 28, 2011 at 7:40 am

    Vieasa looks super happy to see you two! OH man, I knew I’d need to get over to TJ’s, now I have another reason………………that sounds delish……………………!!! Have you had their salmon burgers? A new discovery for me……………..so good………………:)

    Have a great day Gina……..:)

  26. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on November 28, 2011 at 7:50 am

    Oh wow I wish there was a soy nut butter version of that cookie spread! It sounds amazing!

  27. Amanda on November 28, 2011 at 8:18 am

    And that cookie butter is the reason I can never stick to my list when I shop at TJ’s. They always have at least one new yummy food that I have to try! I will be on the lookout for that. 🙂

  28. Liz on November 28, 2011 at 8:45 am

    I have a Shiba-Inu as well. She is amazing:)

  29. AnneW on November 28, 2011 at 9:15 am

    I was just in Belgium and Speculoos is what they put on Belgian waffles! SERIOUSLY one of the best things I’ve ever tasted! TJ’s knows what’s up!!!

  30. Chelsa on November 28, 2011 at 10:16 am

    I bet the cookie butter is unbelievable. I try not to keep jars of nut butters in the house because I have no self control with them. I just buy the single serving packets so they’re already portion controlled. As for Xmas gifts I got most of mine but good ideas are… A great winter coat, beauty gift sets (they have so many good ones right now), mini nespresso machines (such a good gift). My fiance and I are getting someone on our list a nice vintage bottle of red wine with Riedel decanter and glasses as a gift.

  31. HRCK on November 28, 2011 at 10:36 am

    Cookie Butter?? Sounds AMAZING! And like something Paula Deen would make 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 28, 2011 at 11:01 am

      right? or how about “butter butter?”

  32. Janine @ThePurpleGiraffe on November 28, 2011 at 10:51 am

    Umm… cookie butter? Holy. Crap. I neeeed a Trader Joe’s near me!

  33. Liz on November 28, 2011 at 11:05 am

    I just bought the cookie spread this weekend too :)!

  34. Carley on November 28, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Oh brother that spread looks heavenly!!
    Ah almost forgot about cyber Monday!

  35. meghan@ struggle muffins on November 28, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    Speculoos?!!?! Cookie butter?!? I was just at TJ’s a mere two days ago and did not see such a delight. Oh myyy, I have to go back, that sounds so amazing.

  36. Lauren @ Sassy Molassy on November 29, 2011 at 12:15 am

    OMG, I need to go in search of that stuff. It sounds amazing. Love TJ’s.

  37. Carrie on November 29, 2011 at 1:50 am

    Oh Viesa!!! Lookin’ foxy as usual…lol… it’s so great that you guys get to see her! I’m sure she loves it too!!!!

    I love to give people a great book, to match their interests, and maybe another trinket to go with it, like a theme. I.E. a new cookbook, and a great chef’s knife. Or if I remember that someone really wanted to learn to crochet, I get them a how-too book in a craft store and add some beautiful yarn skeins and a basket.

    It can be as economical or as luxurious as you like! My Mom always gave books as gifts. 🙂

  38. Shayla @ The Good Life on November 29, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Omg I just got the Cookie Butter yesterday too and it is to.die.for!! I’ve tried the Biscoff spread and it definitely tastes just like it – not as creamy as the Biscoff but the flavor is spot on. I’m a fan of just eating it off the spoon too – or better yet just my finger 😉

  39. Lauren on December 5, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    I found ‘Biscoff spread’ at Kroger here in Richmond. My son and I are pretty much addicted. 🙂

    • Lauren on December 5, 2011 at 12:59 pm

      Sorry, Richmond, VA. 🙂

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