Friday Faves + Hiya Pitaya

 Hi friends! Happy Friday! Any fun plans this weekend?? I’m excited to spend it with the fam in Vegas, baby. Mon Ami brunch, I can taste you already.

In standard Friday fashion, here are some faves from the week and around the web. I always love sharing fun finds with ya, and especially love when you share yours! If you’d like to join in the fun, please shout it out in the comments section.

Snacking on pitaya bowls. 

Pitaya  1 of 1 3

I’ve had one before, but it was my first time making it at home. Pitaya is commonly called dragon fruit, and is a superfood, packed with antioxidants and nutrients. It’s often blended into smoothies and bowls like acai. It’s lower in sugar than acai and a beautiful fuchsia color.

Pitaya  1 of 1 2

I blended one Pitaya Plus pack with a cup of Almond Breeze, the meat from my leftover Seis de Mayo Thai coconut, and one date.

Pitaya  1 of 1

I poured it into a bowl and topped with Renola (the grain-free granola from Larabar), shredded coconut, banana and honey. I’ll spare you from blogging this every day from now on, because it will probably be my snack of choice… 

Pitaya  1 of 1 4

I’m also glad I took those photos with my real camera, because it was its last photo shoot. After holding my dangling macro lens on to the base since the holidays, it’s time for a new one since my kit lens and macro lens are both broken now. I’m debating between the T5 and this one… and technology is intimating. 

Desserts from Hungry Lu’s. They fill the cannoli as you order them, and the guy who works there always surprises Liv with some little cookies.

Hungry lu desserts

You know I was all over that coconut macaroon.

Macaroooon

Meal prep tips from the pros.

Using a Pinterest hack that actually worked! Sometimes my Pinterest ideas look like the classic Pinterest fails. Our lighter was out of fluid, and I knew I wanted to light a bunch of candles (candle hoarder problems), so I remembered reading that you can use a spaghetti noodle to light candles. I lit a match, used it to light the spaghetti noodle, and it totally worked. 

These pants. Liv has a similar pair, and I’m always wishing they had some in my size haha. Looks like I finally found some! Totally going to rock the mom and daughter twinsies look until she’s too cool.

This made me laugh.

45 life lessons written by a 90-year-old woman.

THIS SONG. It is awesome for cardio! Add resistance during each break. 

 

43 fat-blasting moves for those who hate to run.

Chocolate chip peanut butter bars. These just look so good.

Snuggling with Caro. Even though she has definitely made leaps and bounds since we adopted her -I never thought I’d see the day where she happily walks on a leash, but here we are- but she still surprises me when she’ll jump up for a snuggle. I was relaxing on the couch, and she leapt up to smash right against me, and immediately started grunting for me to pet her.

Caro snuggles

10 iced coffee hacks you shouldn’t live without.

12 healthy no-cook breakfasts.

The sweetest little crown braid.

Crown braid

Coconut hand cream. When I forgot all of my toiletries for our Tucson trip (this is what happens when I pack last minute), we had to make a little Target run. I just got some of the essentials like contact solution, floss, toothpaste, a jar of coconut oil, and picked up this hand cream. It smells lovely and is the perfect size for my gym bag. 

Rachel Zoe, doing it right.

Read, eat, wear, listen to, or find anything awesome this week?

Hope you have a very happy Friday! See ya later today with the latest Stitch Fix.

xoxo

Gina

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47 Comments

  1. Erica {Erica@EricaDHouse.com} on May 8, 2015 at 7:45 am

    That bowl looks delicious!

    As for cameras, I have a Canon similar to the one you linked to and love it. The only downsize is it’s size. I’ve thought about upgrading to a smaller one like the second one you listed. I really like the ones that have WiFi so you can automatically share Hi-def photos on FB/IG!

  2. Kelley on May 8, 2015 at 7:49 am

    I just bought the Sony A5100 and I love it! Perfect for me because I have no idea what I’m doing yet, easy to use and I love having the wifi and being able to send pictures directly to my phone. The big sell for me was the size, it’s so small and lightweight. I knew if I got a larger one I wouldn’t end up bringing it out much because of the size.

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      that’s why my DSLR usually stays home. it’s like having an extra toddler haha

  3. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job on May 8, 2015 at 7:52 am

    I love that color! Brightly colored foods always make me happy, so I may have to find this and bring some light into my life 🙂

  4. Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me on May 8, 2015 at 8:19 am

    The color of that pity bowl is vibrant as can be! I cannot even imagine eating it because I am in awe of the brightness.

  5. Tiffany B on May 8, 2015 at 8:24 am

    Did you know you can sub pitaya for acai in any of the bowls at Tiki Port and Cafe by the Bay? I’ve been doing that a lot lately when I feel like a bowl but with a little less sweetness. They’re just as delicious, even with peanut butter! You can also ask them to add spinach and they blend it right up with the acai (haven’t tried the spinach/pitaya combo yet). Maybe you already do that but I thought I’d throw it out there just in case. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      yes! i need to start doing that. it will be fun to change it up a bit 🙂
      xoxo

  6. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries on May 8, 2015 at 8:33 am

    I can’t get over how bright and pretty that pitaya bowl is! Love Livi’s braid…teach me how to braid like that?!

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      come on over! 🙂

  7. Missy on May 8, 2015 at 8:36 am

    I looooove coconut macaroons. So good with coffee for dessert. Not sure where you’ll be staying at, but last time I was in Vegas (this past winter) Monte Carlo hotel had “Savasana Saturdays”, yoga outside on their front patio on Las Vegas Blvd. It was free for hotel guests and a small fee for non-guests. It started at 8:00 or 9:00. They provided towels, water, mats, and security.

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      ahhhh that sounds amazing!

  8. Sarah on May 8, 2015 at 8:51 am

    I have a Panasonic Lumix G5 (also a compact mirrorless) and I love it because it is really light weight but has interchangeable lenses. It also has a digital viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen and I actually wouldn’t buy a compact mirrorless without it. I did some traveling with it, and in bright sunlight it’s really difficult to use the LCD screen to take a picture — with the viewfinder, you can put your eye up to it and block out the surrounding light and still see what you’re about to take a photo of.

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:38 pm

      thank you for letting me know! i’ll look at those now!

  9. Molly on May 8, 2015 at 8:59 am

    I have the Canon T5 and love it! I bought the bundle pack that came with some extra lenses and filters and other fun stuff. I had an old school Canon 35mm Rebel G which I used before the digital age and loved it. So when it came time to buy a good DSLR, I went back to Canon and am so glad I did! Let me know if you have questions about the T5!

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:37 pm

      awesome- thank you! i think i’m going to go for it. i was thinking of a new smaller mirror less one (the DSLRs are so bulky!) but i like having more control over the images. looking at bundle packs now 🙂

      • Karla on May 8, 2015 at 4:03 pm

        I have a Sony mirror less and it is great! You can do manual mode too. I believe Costco has a bundle pack and a great deal right now.

  10. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on May 8, 2015 at 9:07 am

    Caro!! <3 <3 I'm so glad she's doing so well. Have so much fun in Vegas! I loved eating at Mon Ami when I was there!

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:37 pm

      so good! thank you!

  11. Lesley on May 8, 2015 at 9:17 am

    I literally have dreams about the baked brie I had at Mon Ami two years ago. Amazinggggg. Happy Mother’s Day!

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      ahhhh that sounds delightful! thank you- have a great weekend!

  12. Katalina @ Peas and Peonies on May 8, 2015 at 9:19 am

    Love the braid, I am obsessed with them now and trying different styles on my hair. The pitaya bowls look amazing, the color is so pink, that I would inhale in a second, obviously I am a pink fan 🙂 happy Mother’s Day and Happy Weekend.

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      thank you so much, katalina! hope you have a great weekend, too 🙂

  13. Talia on May 8, 2015 at 9:23 am

    Hi Gina- You have used goat’s greek yogurt numerous times in your recipes and I cannot seem to find it anywhere! Where do you purchase this? Unfortunately dairy is not my friend but I love greek yogurt. Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:36 pm

      whole foods! i can’t remember the brand, but it’s right by the goat and sheep yogurt

  14. Alexandria @ Al2getherfit on May 8, 2015 at 9:36 am

    That bowl is so bright and amazing!! Trying one pronto! I remember watching the Rachel Zoe Project years ago on TV and thinking about how cool it was that her kids ran around her office while she was working. I bring my 18 month old to work with me and she goes around and runs all my business errands with me too. I call her my business partner and feel so lucky I can do that! We allow our employees to bring their dogs to work (we own a junkyard) as long as they don’t mind them getting dirty outside! 🙂

  15. Diana on May 8, 2015 at 9:37 am

    I have never heard of Pitaya before. I love learning new things and will need to keep an eye out for that one.

  16. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on May 8, 2015 at 10:06 am

    I saw that stuff at Sprouts and wondered how it tasted. I absolutely love the color. I’d eat it just for that!

  17. becky on May 8, 2015 at 10:10 am

    I have a question that is off topic but thought I’d ask anyhow. I’ve been going to orange theory for a while now but have trouble finding a shoe that I like that works well for running on treadmill but also gives me the support I need for my ankles in the weight rooms. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:29 pm

      i’m loving the new balance fresh foam zantes. they’re supportive enough for running (and i pronate) and super light

  18. Amanda on May 8, 2015 at 10:39 am

    What a beautiful bowl! I am definitely going to have to try and find some pitaya around here!

  19. Lauren on May 8, 2015 at 11:00 am

    Where’d you get the pitaya?? I had pitaya bowls when I was visiting friends near San Diego and fell in love!

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      they have it in the freezer section in smoothie packs at most health food stores, like whole foods and sprouts

  20. Jessie R on May 8, 2015 at 11:43 am

    Some day the MidWest will get acai and pitaya smoothie packs… some day… 🙁

    Loving cycle class at my work’s gym! I finally have no meetings during one of the classes, LOVE getting a great sweat in during the day! I come back to my desk high on ALL the endorphins :)). A nice change from my usual weights or stairmaster session.

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      that is so awesome 🙂 love spinning and i think that’s so cool your work gym offers it

  21. Britt@MyOwnBalance on May 8, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    I am all about the pitaya. I buy the fresh ones from our local grocery and they are insanely good. I love the hot pink ones but they also sell orangey/yellow ones that are delicious too!

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 12:21 pm

      i’ve had those! so good 🙂

  22. Katie on May 8, 2015 at 12:47 pm

    Did you break the camera body, or just the lens? If you just broke the lens why not just buy a new lens instead of a new body/kit lens? Maybe I misunderstood the problem though.

    • Fitnessista on May 8, 2015 at 1:28 pm

      Both lenses are completely broken now, so after having to buy two new lenses I can pay $100 more and get an entirely new model camera since mine is 6 years old. So I think it’s worth it to bite the bullet and get a new one

  23. Jessie on May 8, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    That Pitaya bowl looks insane- so good! I should make those chocolate peanut butter bars soon:) I make those almond butter brownies that you posted a couple weeks ago and I make them about once a week. They’re so good! Have fun in Vegas!

  24. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on May 8, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    I’ve never heard of pitaya, but I like the looks and sound of it! And the braid? Also loving that! A big happy Friday to you, Gina! Hope it’s a great weekend in Las Vegas. Brunch at The Wynn? That’s a must! Wear your stretchy pants, because it’s all-you-can-eat! 🙂

  25. Alex @ True Femme on May 8, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    I have yet to find frozen dragon fruit near me but I can’t wait for the day I do! I love the stuff! This week I made some pretty awesome quinoa “fried” rice (Be Well with Arielle’s version) and picked up a pack of honey mints from Trader Joe’s. I love that they only have 3 ingredients and taste so delicious! Hope you have a great weekend and mother’s day!

  26. Heather@hungryforbalance on May 8, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    I have never had dragon fruit before or (hangs head in shame) acai . A whole foods just opened near us and I may have to stop in this weekend.
    I made coconut flour pumpkin muffins this week that were so good!

  27. Pitaya Plus on May 8, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    Hey Gina,

    Thank you so much for including us in this lovely post… we hope you love our Pitaya as much as us:)

    As for the camera, I’d say get the Sony. We shoot all Canon but it’s not very practical to bring around. Another fun solution if you have an iPhone is to purchase a “Olloclip” lens. That will really change your world:)

    Have a great wekend!

  28. Andrea on May 8, 2015 at 3:16 pm

    I just upgraded to the T5 before our honeymoon, since I knew I would want to take lots of pics and my old Sony had seen better days. It is a bit bulky, so I took it when we were sightseeing (it fits in my purse with the smaller lens), but I also still rely on the iPhone a lot. I’m loving it though.

    Here is the bundle I have: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-rebel-t5-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-and-75-300mm-lenses-black/1004002.p?id=1219459331617&skuId=1004002

    Have fun in Vegas!

  29. Yaara Leve on May 8, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Those canolis look amaze! That’s so cool that they fill it fresh for you. This week I’m loving soft cotton booty shorts–the weather in the Chi is finally getting warm enough for shorts weather. I found some cute pairs from American Apparel.
    This video. http://www.buzzfeed.com/alivelez/heres-what-happened-when-girls-and-women-aged-5-50-were-aske#.coEvoZ9aGq–
    omg–I was sobbing my eyes out! I showed it to my mom too–and we both were crying.
    And PS: I love love love your ankle booties with the peep toe that you just posted in your stitch fix post–what brand are they? They’re so cute!

  30. Chocolate-Covered Katie on May 9, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Love you!!!

  31. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona on May 9, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    Liv’s hair is so cute!

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