Recovery mode + Friday Faves

Hi! Happy Friday! Thank you for all of the wonderful “get well” wishes. I appreciate them so much! My thumb is pretty sore today -and I’m pretty bummed that activity is pretty limited for now- but thankful that it’s on the mend.

A pretty blah morning turned into a beautiful afternoon and evening. After Liv’s nap, we headed down to Belmont Park to play games, ride the carousel and enjoy dinner. There’s something magical about beachside ceviche. 

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Excited for the weekend ahead. Hope you have a great one, too! <3

Some faves from the week and around the web:

Trader Joe’s plantain chips. I keep meaning to take a pic, but the bag doesn’t tend to live very long in our house.

This self tanner. It’s the most natural option I’ve found and the color is a true bronze; no Oompa Loompa glow 😉

An interesting study about kids who read Harry Potter.

Mexican mochas with almond milk.

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A guest post on the Bowflex site. Check it out for my tips on amping up your strength training routine.

This video made me laugh so hard I cried a little.

Toxic habits that will steal your joy.

10 reasons why being a kid in the 80s was the best.

Have a fantastic Friday!

Beach  1 of 1

xo

G

Something to do:  This cardio workout! It’s a fun and sweaty one for a weekend workout.

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30 Comments

  1. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on August 1, 2014 at 7:28 am

    Thank you SO much for recommending a self tanner, Gina! Quick question, do you find that it has a strong self tanner-like smell? I’ve found a few that aren’t so bad colour-wise but the smell always puts me off! Thanks!

  2. Brynn on August 1, 2014 at 7:37 am

    Glad you are feeling better! And I totally understand the plantain chips from TJ disappearing, they are so good.

  3. Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed on August 1, 2014 at 7:53 am

    That is so scary. I definitely cut myself every once in a while chopping something and I always have this OMG that could’ve been bad moment. I probably need to be more careful. Glad to hear your day got better. Everything is better beachside 😉

  4. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on August 1, 2014 at 8:01 am

    I love that Harry Potter study! And what a fun night out with your family.

  5. Kirtley Freckleton@ The Gist of Fit on August 1, 2014 at 8:07 am

    Wow all those pictures look like they come from some dream land haha. Beach, carnvial, sunrises 🙂
    Fun stuff!

    I am a red head and always trying to tell myself I need to accept and love my white skin haha. But I did find the best lotion tanner ever (that also smells good@Angela) from Bath and Body Works.

    Thanks for the fun articles–sorry your thumb is so sore, that’s such a downer. Have a great weekend!

  6. Megan on August 1, 2014 at 8:27 am

    Looks like you had a great night! Have a great weekend!

  7. RachelG on August 1, 2014 at 8:54 am

    I miss that pier! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  8. Britt@MyOwnBalance on August 1, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Haha! I love that video! So hilarious! Happy Friday!

  9. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun on August 1, 2014 at 9:28 am

    Such a beautiful sunset! Hope your hand starts feeling better soon!

  10. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on August 1, 2014 at 9:37 am

    Happy Friday! I’m really looking forward to a rest day this weekend, which I’m in need of. Because you’ve talked about the kettlebell before, thought you may want to take a look at my recap of what it’s like to get certified in kettlebells. Provides an overview of the tool as well: http://aladygoeswest.com/2014/07/31/the-details-on-kettlebell-athletics-training/

  11. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on August 1, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Glad to hear you’re on the mends. Take it easy in the kitchen this weekend!

  12. the delicate place (@Misathemeb) on August 1, 2014 at 9:48 am

    must be the week of the knife jabs…nate sliced the top of his finger off earlier this week chopping mint. i used to work as an EMT when i was in undergrad so i got to use those skills again ;p i applied pressure and got a nice gauze bandage out to tide him over until we drove to urgent care before i went to work. i figured they had sterile saline and clotting gauze at the very least which was better than we had at home. after they flushed it and packed it, he went back to work! #champion hah

    the best self tanner i found is also a skincare product as well! it’s by dr. dennis gross and they are called ‘glow pads’ with glycolic and lactic acid so they help exfoliate as well! i don’t wear makeup anymore except lipstick because they give you the perfect sunkissed glow! i have a medium skin with yellow undertones and these work great for me. i think they probably wouldn’t be a good color with someone really fair/pink undertones (too orange?) but i prefer them since i try to avoid the sun as much as possible. working in cancer research has totally given me a scare about sun exposure and premature aging and incidence of melasma. no thanks!

  13. Jill on August 1, 2014 at 10:45 am

    Beautiful pictures!
    What is Mexican mocha???
    I need to hop on this sunless tanner stuff. I am so sun-safe because like a commenter above, I work in cancer research and am all to aware of the dangers of even limited sun exposure (plus, wrinkles – ew!) but haven’t done the self tanner or spray tan thing so I am blindingly white all summer!
    Give that finger a rest, and heal up soon!

  14. Jen on August 1, 2014 at 11:24 am

    Glad you are mending and I hope you get to treat-ya-self this weekend!! I just read what happened yesterday and you are such a great role model for Liv. Since your fam is now far away I hope you have some nice neighbors in your new area so you can build a support team in case of emergencies. 🙂

  15. Sue Faunt on August 1, 2014 at 11:25 am

    I loved the video “Things You Can’t Do When You’re Not A Toddler. I Can’t Stop Laughing!”, had to immediately share with my sister, the proud momma of an 18 month old LOL.

    Hope you mend quick!!

    • Fitnessista on August 1, 2014 at 11:48 am

      thank you, friend! glad you liked the video too 🙂
      happy weekend!

  16. Jennifer on August 1, 2014 at 11:38 am

    Thanks for the Friday faves. The video was great. Glad your on the mend. Have a great weekend.

  17. Amy S on August 1, 2014 at 11:57 am

    Feel better! So sorry to hear about your thumb. It’s crazy how much an injured finger can hurt 🙁 Sounds like you are on the mend though – and at least it’s the weekend!

  18. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries on August 1, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    SO glad to hear you’re on the mend and your thumb is feeling a little better today. I just read your post from yesterday – so sorry to hear about your accident! That must’ve especially been scary with you being the only one home with Livi. I totally would’ve jumped to the phone right away too! Have a great weekend!

  19. Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine on August 1, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    love TJ’s plantain chips!

  20. Tracy on August 1, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    Hope you have a nice, relaxing, healthy weekend! Better let the Pilot handle the knives 😉

  21. Domi @ Eat, Pray, Lift on August 1, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Girl, if you like TJ’s plantain chips, you HAVE to try making baked tostones. So easy and so good. And I mean so good that I cannot physically eat one without dancing for joy at the same time.

    Have a wonderful weekend and make sure you’re getting lots of that healing chocolate! 😉

  22. Lori on August 1, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    Agreed on the plantain chips! Would you consider them a “healthier” alternative to chips (in moderation of course)?

    Oh and where did you get that cute dress from?!

    • Fitnessista on August 1, 2014 at 5:21 pm

      definitely! they’re still salty and probably fried but great in moderation
      thrifted it! calvin klein

  23. Jenni on August 1, 2014 at 5:16 pm

    That toddler video is amazing! Spot. On.

  24. Laura B @ FitMamaLove on August 1, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    Just caught up on your posts–aah, how scary about your thumb! Glad you’re doing better. I have yet to injure myself badly, so I’m not sure how I’d do, but my hubby has and I’ve nearly fainted each time. Not sure how I’ll do when the kids start getting cuts that are worse than scrapes.

    TJ’s plantain chips are so good! They taste really similar to Terra Chips, which I also love.

    Happy weekend!

  25. Giselle on August 2, 2014 at 12:41 am

    That’s one of the worst things about injuries like that Having to limit activity when the rest of your body feels fine! Hope it’s better soon!

  26. Pua on August 2, 2014 at 2:21 am

    Thanks for posting the link to why being an 80s kid was the best. So many memories! Thank goodness my mom talked me out of the perm, but I definitely had the friendship bracelets and Babysitter’s Club book collections!

  27. Kristen @ Vitamin K Girl on August 2, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    Thanks for the self-tanner recommendation–been trying to find a good natural option!

  28. Lisa on August 5, 2014 at 10:47 am

    I know I’m late to the game (playing catch-up today!) but your beach pictures are just absolutely GORGEOUS! What an amazing view! Hope you’re on the mend and enjoying some recovery time 🙂

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