11/17: Meals and fitness for the week
Hi friends! Happy Sunday. Hope you’ve had a wonderful weekend so far <3 After a week of amazing adventures, it’s nice to be back home with the fam.
We had an awesome dinner at Renee’s Friday night, spent Saturday hanging out, and enjoyed a homemade dinner last night while cheering for Bama football.
Goat cheese-stuffed pesto chicken atop veggies (spinach, carrots and sweet potato in balsamic, truffle oil and garlic). It’s always refreshing to eat some veggies after vacation 😉
I’m excited to try out some new meals this upcoming week, and Livi and I already made some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. We made a dozen and they’ve somehow almost all disappeared already… Hashtag quality control.
Here’s what’s on the menu:
-Butternut squash and black bean enchiladas, lime and cilantro rice
-Grilled chicken and artichoke pasta
–Salmon with olive anchovy tapenade -we had it last week and I’m already craving it again!- and mashed potatoes
-Plan and prep: pumpkin protein pancakes, French toast sticks for Livi, wash and chop veggies, steam eggs, made Paleo bread and cranberry amazeballs
Here’s what’s on the tentative fitness schedule for the week:
SUNDAY: Soli Beat Party
MONDAY: HIIT and Strength
TUESDAY: OFF
WEDNESDAY: Easy cardio (15 min) + yoga
THURSDAY: HIIT and Steady
FRIDAY: OFF
SATURDAY: Yoga and strength burner
As you can see from my schedule above, I’m no longer teaching at the resort. I put in my two weeks’ a few weeks ago, so my last day was last weekend. While I miss my work friends and the classes like crazy, it was the right choice. There’s a huge project that I’m currently working on, and we’re getting ready to move! I applied to pick up a couple of local Zumba classes until we get to San Diego. Teaching keeps me on my A-game and it’s one of my true passions, but I couldn’t continue to work the hours I was working and get my current project wrapped up before we leave Tucson. In the three years I taught at the resort, I became a better instructor -I got over my fear of aqua fitness!- and I’ve made some truly wonderful friends. Even though it’s bittersweet, I’m excited for the next chapter.
So tell me friends: what’s on the menu this week? Last time you changed jobs or moved? Fellow military wives or friends who have to move often can probably relate; it’s hard to quit jobs you enjoy when you have to relocate. Reason #24059 why I’m thankful to have this little blog. She’s a good traveler 🙂
Hope you have a lovely Sunday <3
xoxo
Gina
You might also like:
54 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Yum — some good eats on the menu this week!
It’s tough to leave a job you love, isn’t it? Best of luck with your project & move preparation!
Happy Sunday 🙂
it totally is. thank you- hope you have a wonderful day!
I can’t wait to hear your project! I know moving on can be tough but your blog family is here for you! I’ve been reading your blog for the past few years and I am truly grateful for what you share with us. (Especially the honesty about the tough times of being pregnant and afterwards) Good luck on your new adventure!!!!
thank you so much, moira!
Good luck with everything! We just sold our home and put a offer on our dream home and it was accepted! So as long as everything goes well we will be moving mid December. Right around the holidays. Yikes! I’m nervous about moving with a one and a half year old! I think we will hire a moving company to make it a little easier. Do you have any tips for me?? Lol
i haven’t moved with a toddler yet, so i can’t really speak from experience. let me know how it goes! i think the big thing for us will be keeping a positive attitude and try not to get stressed out. if we make it fun and exciting, hopefully she will see it that way too
I’ve been reading you blog for a while now, but not commented. I’m a military wife as well, although my husband just left active duty, transitioning to the reserves so he could attend graduate school. It was our first move together and it’s been tough. I’m sure you are a pro at it now, but finding a new job and a place in a circle of friends is always daunting. I wish you and your pilot (my hubby was as well) all the best in your move and with finishing your current projects!
thank you! it is daunting, but i think it’s forced me out of my comfort zone and i’ve grown a lot. it doesn’t make it easier, but i’m always thankful for the new friends, adventures and opportunities
best of luck to you <3
I will be married into the military soon and have worked so hard building a great chef career in Hawaii so far. I have to admit that I have feelings of bitterness and resent for having to leave in a few years after everything ive done, but anything could happen and I’m trying to stay positive about the journey.
i’ve felt like that before, too, but it has always worked out better than i thought it would.
hang in there and i’m sending positive vibes to you!
I moved so much when I was little {navy brat!} and it’s never easy :/ but the experiences are so awesome ! good luck!
Love those veggies!
On the menu this week…
BBQ Chicken sandwiches
Eggplant Rolotini
Chinese Night- I usually get shrimp and broccoli
Hot Dogs and baked beans (one of the girls favorites)
Tacos
Cute little Livi is growing up fast! =)
That chicken looks fabulous! It’s tough to end something you really enjoy. At the same time it’s exciting when there’s exciting things on the horizon!
Your cranberry amazeballs look like perfect holiday snacking fare. I lost my job the day before Thanksgiving a few years ago and it was really hard. I spent too much time dwelling on when I’d find another one and not enough time enjoying all the free time I had. If I could have a re-do, I’d make the most of the time knowing eventually I would end up with something. It always works out in the end.
What’s your big new project? I’m excited – is it a secret?
The butternut and black bean enchiladas sound delish! 🙂
I am getting going on my weekly food prep right now! Preheating the oven to cook up some local organic chorizo sausages I picked up at the farmers market, plus I’m gonna roast up some squash I got there, too. I loooooove winter squash and I find it’s so nice to have on hand to throw into packed lunches to be heated up at work.
Curious to hear what your new project is! And now I think I’m going to make some butternut squash and black bean enchiladas for dinner tonight- thanks for the inspiration!
Congratulations! I love that exciting heart-in-the-mouth feeling that comes with a big change, even if it can be scary. After checking out a free barre class (new to me!) I’ve been spending my Sunday prepping veggies, quinoa and some tomato sauce for the week.
what did you think of the barre class? 🙂
I just quit my job and moved a little less than three months ago. It was hard to leave such a great job, but I felt like being closer to the family was more important.
I had to leave a job I loved 2 years ago so I could marry my husband (we worked together at the time). It was so hard!
Wow! Good luck with everything! Sometimes change is good. It’s all in your attitude 🙂
thank you! totally agree
While we are not military my family moves a lot for the hub’s job. Last time was a couple years ago when I was 34 weeks prego. Don’t ever move half way across the country when you’re that pregnant. I think we will be moving again soon, while I am a pro at it, I’ve never moved with a toddler so it might get interesting. I am worried that he will freak out when strangers (the movers) come in and take all our stuff. I will be interested to know how Livi handles it, hopefully I get some tips.
that sounds terrible! we moved when i was newly pregnant and it was intense to say the least
it should be even more fun with a toddler 😉
the good news is that some family is going to drive up with us and help us get settled when we move, so that way we can unpack quickly and get it over with
Good luck with everything Gina!! Though I am sure it is tough to leave Tucson, I’m so jealous of your move to San Diego- I’d LOVE to live there!!
Oh, and I need to cook up sone carrots – look delish!
I prepped Pumpkin Chicken Chilli for ghe week and will make Crustless Chicken Quiche a few times this week. Also, I made more homemade Almond- and Coconut Butter!!
I can’t wait to hear about the project!!!!!
New project! Fun!! I have an inkling what it might be. 😉
I made an awesome veggie quiche with a zucchini/carrot crust last night. On the menu for this week: spaghetti squash stuffed with spinach/tomatoes/goat cheese, fish tacos and pumpkin cashew coconut curry. I need to make some amazeballs or mini oatmeal bars….my snacks have been lacking and I need to make sure I’m getting enough. 🙂
haha, you know what it is 🙂
the pumpkin cashew curry sounds amazing! might have to try that next week
xoxo
http://paleomg.com/pumpkin-cashew-coconut-curry-coconut-rice/ it’s. so. good.
Stuffed sweet potatoes sound awesome! Best of luck with the move! It must be hard to relocate once you’ve settled in somewhere but at least you get the chance to meet even more wonderful people and have great new experiences!
Long time reader here( since August of 09) and wishing you all the best as you start your new journey. BTW your treadmill workout you posted years ago( when you were in OKC) is still one of my favorites, I just did it yesterday!
awesome, so happy you’re still enjoying it!
That goat cheese chicken looks AMAZING!!!!
Here’s my meal plan for the week:
http://www.livehalffullblog.com/2013/11/17/meal-plan-1110-1116/
Change can be tough!! But sounds like the extra time is much needed right now and big moves are stressful! Good luck with everything, I’m sure it will all go really well!
Good luck with the move and your project. I hope you love San Diego. If it were not so far away from my family I would move there in a heartbeat! Can’t wait to see your SD pics AND I have great dinning out tips to offer! 🙂
Thanks for sharing! All of those recipes look amazing! Good luck with your move. I know change can be hard but it sounds like it was the best for you right now. I just posted my weekly meal and fitness plan too and I’ll also be doing a HIIT workout this week. Don’t you love it?!
HIIT is the best 🙂
Love your blog! And I love reading about my hometown, Tucson, also!!!
Hi Gina,
Thanks for the wonderful blog. I am a daily reader and am inspired by you often. I was wondering how you eat the Paleo bread because I noticed you make it weekly. Do you use it for sandwiches or just munch on it for snacks.
One more question. I am 28, and pretty normal weight wise, but have high Blood Pressure and even slightly elevated cholesterol already. I am determined to start exercising daily again and eat better and maybe even drop a few pounds so I don’t have to go on medication. Do you think that I can eat things like Paleo bread and still lose weight, or would you do a lower fat diet and limit some carbs? You’re input is greatly appreciated as I admire your energy level and your plentiful and healthy food choices.
Thanks!
Hi J,
I know you asked Gina for advice on shedding a few pounds and lowering your cholesterol, but I thought I might give a little suggestion too, if that’s alright?
I am currently a PhD student studying Nutritional Biochemistry at Rutgers, and from what I have learned in my courses – and seen in my own study (a behavioral weight loss intervention with a low-fat and low-carb group), eating lower carb is definitely the way to go. By default, Paleo is a lower carb diet, which may be helpful if that is the direction you want to go. Without going into a ton of details, a diet of 25% carb, 60% fat (butter, bacon, lard…. just no vegetable oils) and about 15% protein seems to be the most biologically sound. If you are interested in a book, “Perfect Health Diet” by Paul and Shou-Ching Jaminet is amazing. Truly incredible- cannot recommend it enough.
Hope this was helpful!
Very interesting and helpful. Thanks!
I’m a Navy wife (hubby a pilot as well) so I know how it feels to move so often. Exciting and challenging. We just left San Diego and back on the East Coast. You will love it out there!!!!
We are actually going to be moving in about 6 months. I am unemployed after I lost my job 3 months ago so I am hard at work trying to find another job but it has been difficult! I am in the process of figuring out my menu for the week now! Looks like some of these recipes might make the list 🙂
I haven’t commented in a while and wanted to say “happy birthday” for last week, good luck on the new move and can’t wait to hear about the new project! I’m really grateful your blog travels too. Your recipes, fitness, fun and toddler tips are ace, so please always keep this job ok?! From the other side of the world, thank you for being awesome Gina! xx
I guess with every separation/departure, we grow (mentally of course). 🙂
Changing jobs is fun, I think it keeps you young & fresh 🙂
I haven’t planned anything out this week. It’s kinda all over the place at the moment since we’re prepping for my family Thanksgiving this Saturday. (My MIL gets the actual Thursday) There are quite a few leftovers in the fridge the hubs and I can survive on until Sat and I know there will be a ton more after THAT dinner.
I have been working at my dad’s business for the past 8 years. (holy mole) I think I’d be a wee bit lost as to what to do when he retires and closes the business. I know I would love to be able to support myself with my own art business and writing, but I just have gotten there yet 🙁
We just got our assignment to…Turkey! Moving next summer. Talk about making your head spin! We’re super excited though. Nothing like the craziness of the air force to keep you on your toes! Good luck in San Diego!
NO WAY! that will be amazing!
When you say you prep the french toast sticks – do you freeze them? Or just make them ahead of time and refrigerate?
make ahead and freeze. i pop them in the toaster oven for breakfast and they come out amazing! she loves to dip them
Dude. I cannot believe it’s been three years since you started there! Of course, look how big Livi is now and she didn’t even exist then. Good grief time goes by so quickly!
I had a sneaking suspicion you were no longer teaching at CR. If I ever have the pleasure of making it back to the resort, I’ll hate not having the possibility of running into you or taking one of your killer Zumba classes. No one inspires my hips like you do! 😉