Last night I happily ditched the gym
and went on a date 
(Malbec! Yum.)
During the week, when the Pilot comes home, we’ll hang out and have dinner, put Livi to bed, and I’ll hit up the gym for a little while. When my mom called on her way home from work to see if we wanted to go out while she hung out with Liv, we took her up on the offer 
It was our first time out together in almost 8 weeks without our little sidekick- weird and wonderful at the same time. When we came home, she was bathed, in her nightie, and cooing at her nana <3
Breakfast this morning was the return of one of my faves:
Why oh why haven’t I made one of these in so long? Oh yeah, because I’ll eat the same breakfast every day for a month or so, burn out, switch breakfasts and repeat
I got the mix together and added some blueberries
and left the required “taster” amount in the bowl to eat before putting the rest in the fridge
It was just as glorious as I remembered.
Random tidbit: the Pilot haaaaaaates breakfast cookies. Whenever I’m making one, I tease him and say something like “your favorite breakfast will be waiting for you in the morning!” just to watch him roll his eyes. Once he said when I get a book deal, he’ll eat an entire breakfast cookie. I’ll load it up with chia seeds, mesquite powder, cacao nibs, goji berries, spirulina, the works
So today is the beginning of a new month, a chance to start fresh, plan out goals and events, and evaluate how February went. Here’s how fantastic it was over here:
1. Buy something red. New red top: check
2. Make a new Superbowl recipe. No Superbowl recipes over here, but I did make some new amazeballs flavors!
3. See a mushy, lovey flick. I haven’t been to the movies since… Horrible Bosses with my friend Emily? It’s been a LONG time! I still am dying to see The Vow, but looks like I may be waiting until we can watch it On Demand. That way, I can eat bowls full of popcorn with chocolate chips and cinnamon on our own comfy couch
4. Do something that you’ve been putting off. I dominate the mail pile, next on the list: a trip to the department of motor vehicles. My soul.
5. Profess your love or gratitude to someone unexpected- just a simple email or card to tell someone you appreciate someone can go a long way. Not totally unexpected, but I put together something for the midwives to tell them how much we love and appreciate them.
6. Take someone special out on a date. Last night! And it was awesome
7. Try out a new cardio workout. I started taking employee Tabata and World Beat classes at work to get ready to start teaching again. I definitely need to take more Zumba classes to refresh my “shaker” muscles and am still really weak as far as endurance goes. Every day I get a little bit stronger, and I feel like by the time I go back, I’ll be ready for it.
If you’re looking for a new workout to try, here are the ones I posted in February:
- WSU week 4 and Schweaty February Workout
-Biscuits are burning! Elliptical workout
8. Buy some Valentine’s candy. Eat it. I ate quite a bit of chocolate in February… but that’s not unlike any other month
9. Master a heart-opening yoga pose. I love camel pose, and the next heart opener I want to work on is scorpion:
Pretty badass, huh?
I could do it against a wall this time last year, so after getting that back, being able to do it unassisted is a yoga goal of mine.
10. Find a new blog to add to your rotation. Per your suggestions, the blog that I became hooked on in February is Enjoying the Small Things. I read the birth story, cried my eyes out and was instantly inspired and filled with love for this beautiful family. The photography is amazing, too.
So how was your February? What’s something you accomplished that you’re proud of?
Hope your day is going well so far!
xoxo
Gina
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!
Sounds like you had an amazing February! For me, some of the things I did in February that I’m proud of are paying off my car loan and making tons of progress on my (still pretty new) blog!
Great progress Gina!! I definitely enjoyed a little V-day candy too, but I’m all about the cinnamon hearts!! My February was pretty great because I totally reduced my spending on eating out by a ton, and saved a lot of money overall. I also challenged myself to bake naan bread (anything with yeast scares me, so I wanted to conquer the fear!) and it turned out really well! (You can see the final product here if you want! http://eat-spin-run-repeat.com/2012/02/27/february-2012-goal-check-in/). Have a lovely day!
I also find myself in breakfast food jags! I eat the same thing every day for forever and then one day I’m totally burned out so I move on to something else-for the next few months. Wash and repeat!
We were trying to remember the last movie we saw in the theatre, I know it was something over the summer while I was still pregnant. Since having our little girl On Demand and our movie channels are out best friend. We had the opportunity to go to the movies a couple of weeks ago, but wouldn’t you know it there was nothing we wanted to pay the money to see. Ahh well, maybe we will make it back there once she is 5 haha.
I’m glad you and the Pilot got to go out on a date! That was really nice of your mom to offer to watch Liv. I had a breakfast cookie this morning, too! SO good
I liked reading about the things you accomplished in February. That was so thoughtful of you to put something together for the midwives; I’m sure they really appreciated it. Something that I’m proud of accomplishing in February is completing all 4 weeks of WSU, and starting it over again! I’ll finish my second time through at the end of next week, which is perfect because it’s right before my spring break.
The Vow is just okay. Definitely not pay-full-price worthy (in my opinion). And definitely not “the love story of the century” as proclaimed by the voiceover in the trailer.
Yeah my friends and I were disappointed as well… I mean it was good, but I’d rather rewatch The Notebook
i’m glad i didn’t miss anything legendary!
DMV… (shudder)
I contested a parking ticket yesterday AND got my car inspected. I felt like a superhero.
Glad you got to get out w/ the Pilot. How nice
I know what you mean about the stamina part of doing Zumba! I am going to be getting teacher certified in April here in Washington and am excited but nervous at the same time because of the stamina! I have never had a better workout that Zumba and fell in love with it just recently!
Let’s see…things I’m proud of in Feb.? I relocated across the country (Illinois to Washington) with my boyfriend, we adopted our best friend, our dog, and have settled into new jobs and life in Seattle!
For March, to accomplish finding us a new apartment (we are not happy with the one he have), working on finishing internship, taking more Zumba and getting our adopted dog healthier!
Have a great day, Gina!
I too love me some Malbec! Glad you had a nice date with your hubby!
In Feb, I conquered headstand – now I’m working on scorpion as well! We got this
My Feb. was ok. I lost my grandmother that I was close to but I’m happy she is no longer suffering. She was having such a tough time for a few years and was always sick. Apart from that Feb. was a great month for my blog. I added a lot of new interesting tips regarding the Horse industry! So any horse people check it out, haha
Hope you have a great day!
I’m glad you had a date night, Malbec included. My February was ok. I hurt my back and haven’t been able to work out for about half the month, but I did start a blog, so that’s something right?
Pincha mayarasana is a pose I do every day. The day is not complete without it. In one fell swoop, I can invert, open my heart, practice balance, work on core strength, I love that pose!
And the Pilot not liking breakfast cookies? Crazy! For awhile there in 2009-2010ish, I was making them almost daily! Great memories
You should come to my yoga class! we tackle scorpion all the time! let me know
Yay for getting in a date night! My biggest accomplishment in February was running my first race and half marathon.
This is a great post! I love red wine and date nights. Perfect combo. This month I have a lot to be proud of. I had my first mommy weekend away (I so needed it!). I am taking a CrossFit 101 class and did my first handstand push up. My goal is to be able to do more of those and get to 5 unassisted pull ups. I also started my own blog. So exciting! Along the lines of holiday candy, I have a weakness for jelly beans. Starburst sour jelly beans only come out during this time of year and I have already brought home two bags!
have you ever read shannon’s blog — the daily balance? Her son just turned a year and she writes about him, food, fitness, life — i think you’d really like her.
Her one year letter to her son brought tears to my eyes…
http://www.thedailybalance.com/2012/02/22/for-my-little-man-on-his-birthday/
A pic of the real “live” monster’s inc girl, aw!!! http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/87538786476984969_4uF4rdTT_f.jpg
What a fun, spontaneous date! Malbec has recently been my fav wine… So yummy!
What did you wind up doing for the midwives? I am nearing the end of my pregnancy and looking for ideas for how I might be able to thank mine once the baby is born.
massage gift certificates for the ones who were there when liv was delivered and a basket full of treats for the other midwives (soaps, lotions, body wash, bath bombs, etc)
I have no ability to remain quiet for the time it takes to do yoga. My tongue and larynx start to itch and I get allllll ADHD and start pissing off people chakras.
Congrats on all you accomplished even with a new little one in the house! You definitely inspire me to set more goals for myself. ETST is one of my favorite blogs as well. Kelle is a beautiful writer and photographer. Hope your date night was a blast!
-S
Everytime I read your post about your family helping you I get so nostalgic, my family is in Eastern europe and I live in NY, so I definetely miss them very much since we are very close, I want to get pregnant and I am always scared how would I handle it here without my family being able to help
On the other note, I am happy for you and the Pilot that you had some quality time together!
Something I accomplished in Feb – after almost a year of watching from a distance, I launched a healthy living blog of my own! I miss writing and am so excited to have a new and exciting hobby. I’m looking forward to reading your March goals for some ideas.
happy new blog!
Date nights are always so fun!
And I did your elliptical workout this morning. I didn’t think I’d get as great of a workout in 30 minutes as I did…my legs are feeling it!
awesome!
Hey Gina! What heart rate monitor do you use/recommend? I had a Reebok one and the strap broke, so I’m thinking of just getting a new one/upgrading, so figured I’d ask!
We had date night last night as well and it was fantastic. I love a mid-week date. The breakfast cookie thing is too funny. That’s how my husband feels about overnight oats and chia seeds. He also used to make fun of almond butter and say it looked like dirt but I think he has gradually come to love it.
once i put almond instead of peanut butter on the pilots sandwich and he called me and said our peanut butter was rancid
You had me cracking up over the Pilot’s disdain for the breakfast cookie. My hubby feels like same way about pumpkin smoothies. Oh well… more for me!!
amen, more for us!
There are so many yoga poses I would like to conquer, but that would require a little more yoga than I’m currently doing.
It is important to remember how fun and needed date nights are. Sometimes it’s just too easy to stay “let’s stay in” or “let’s just save money.”
Please tell me where you got that amazing bird plate! I have to have it!
pier 1! it’s old, though :/
Enjoying the small things is one of my favorite blogs (along with yours of course). Such beautiful photography and she is an amazing person. Your wine looks so good! I am 30 weeks pregnant and dreaming of a glass of red
it tastes even better than you remember- i couldn’t wait to have a glass! so excited for you
Scorpion pose looks like it would land me in the hospital! I’ll stick to my favorite, Tree pose. I also LOVE Enjoying the Small Things. Nella’s birthstory was just beautiful. Have you read SkinnyRunner? One of my favorite fitness blogs. She is hilarious. Have a great day!
yes, she’s super cute!
I’m that way too when it comes to breakfasts but I need to bring back the breakfast cookie! It’s been far too long since I’ve had that goodness! And it sounds like you have had a very productive February! Can’t wait to hear all about what you have in store for March!
Sounds like a great February! That breakfast cookie is looking mighty good… haven’t made one since summertime and I think I may bust one out soon!
The Vow was a major letdown. I wish I could say I loved it, because I really reaaally wanted to. And I’m super easy to please in the mushy chick flick arena. I mean Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams? How could it go wrong? But it did. Just don’t go into it expecting The Notebook and maybe you’ll be fine
Gotta admit I tried the bfast cookie once and could not eat it. Not my thing. haha. It’s funny that Pilot doesn’t like it.
How wonderful and kind that your mom gave you both that break! How adorable that you came home to Livi cooing at nana. What a sweet image! I found it so refreshing having dates post baby because I appreciated every minute of time “alone” together even more than before. Heck even getting a chance to go by myself to a grocery store was bliss. Lucky you to have a warm and loving family closeby. I was so happy when we moved closer to my parents. I knew when we went out my child would be well taken care of and happy as can be. We also found a dream sitter (a student taking classes at night to become a pediatric nurse) for when I went back to work part time. I was so sad when she grasuated and moved, though happy for her of course!
I wish I could do that yoga pose! I am trying to get into yoga, maybe I’ll make that my goal!
i’m glad you and the pilot were able to have a date night!
i need to have one of your breakfast cookies again soon too… i completely forgot about them, but i love them, so it’s about time to have one again! oh, and the white chalky hearts are my fave too. any chocolate wins for me overall though!
How can someone not like the breakfast cookie?!
probably the same reason why some people don’t like chocolate. i’ll file that under “mysteries of the world”
I injured myself (again) while running and instead of getting all depressed and upset I dealt with it calmly and I am already recovering
im kind of obsessed with popcorn lately but i havent tried it with sweet toppings..i think i need to start adding chocolate chips!
I went to my first “Big Three” Mardi Gras ball and had the time of my life!! So huge, yet so much fun! Can’t wait til next year!!!
February marked the end of the first trimester for baby #2, which was about all that I was capable of accomplishing this month
How can he hate the breakfast cookie?! It is nothing but extreme deliciousness. Do disappointing! Looks like you accomplished all of your Feb goals! I managed to not give into some temptations this month and hit up the gym instead which deserves a big pat on the back if you ask me:)
Somehow knowing that I’m not the only one who leaves a “required taster amount” is very comforting LOL
Haha sometimes I “taste” half of it
So much to say about this post! That popcorn mixture sounds amazing, and I know you’d LOVE the vow, make sure you tell us how you like it! Malbec mmm, my rest days often end up being spontaneous too, and oddly enough wine is often involved
that breakfast cookie looks good, usually I see them and am not sure I’d enjoy, but the blueberries make me REALLY see it as a pancake!
February was about finding my balance and reaffirming my goals. Once a month I try to re-visit my New Years resolutions (time flies so fast!) to ensure I’m still on the right track. I realized I don’t want to do it all, I don’t need to have it all, I need to focus on what makes me happy and whole and plan accordingly. I canceled my gym membership so I could focus on running without the guilt, I witnessed a lovely wedding that I might have canceled on due to the cost of traveling, and I’m whittling down my omnipresent to-do pile
I love February for many reasons some of which include
it’s my birthday month
Valentine’s Day
The gym is still busy but not chaotic
There are pink goodies everywhere you look
Pinterest is full of heart shaped desserts that look amazing!
Yey for date night and yey for wine!! You deserve it my friend!!!! My very first date night away from baby was at Seasons 52. It was so weird the first time, but really nice! She pretty much goes everywhere with us now still, except on Saturday night! Friday is dinner out as a fam, and Sat is playtime for mommy and daddy. Sunday, family day again It took a few months but now we have a good schedule down on the weekends!
In February I re-did my certifications and took some new courses. It felt good to get them all done and learn some new things!