2/15: Friday Faves
-Weekly hot yoga dates. We went to the $4 60-min class again this past week and it was glooooorious. The studio is super packed -maybe an inch in between yoga mats- it’s stupid hot, the instructor is fantastic, it’s perfect.
-Tucson Gem Show. The gem show is yearly in February, with minerals, gems and wholesale jewelry- we got our wedding bands at the gem show. Today, picked up a few things for Liv and some bracelets:
(I already had the two middle silver bracelets, but the red one was $5 and the bottom black/gold one was $10. Amazing)
As much as I love shopping around, my favorite part is the Greek food tent outside- I’m easy to please 😉 Falafel, hummus, salad and grape leaves….Oh yeahhhhh.
–This awesome coconut curry recipe. I made it for dinner Wednesday night, and put everything (minus the curry paste, fish sauce and coconut milk) in the slow cooker. Set it on high, then when I got home from work, I stirred in the coconut milk, fish sauce and curry paste,
(+ a sliced red bell pepper that was on the edge of its life)
boiled some quinoa and dinner was served. I especially loved the additions of sweet potato and green beans- Livi was a huge fan, too.
-These little things. Bell and Caroline have been cracking me up lately; I think they’re definitely past the “oh, you live here, too?” phase and onto full-on sister mode. They’re attached at the hip, snuggle and chase the day away, and also get into some mischief. When Liv and I got home from a baby shower, they had dragged my camera from the couch onto the floor. I was pretty sure they’d cracked it, but since Liv the parrot was in my arms, I chose my words carefully.
“REALLY, dogs?! Really. Really?”
and Liv was in my arms saying, “Really, dogs?”
The camera wasn’t cracked and I’ve learned make sure downstairs is spotless when we leave.. you never know what they’ll find. (Like Caro, who figured out how to open the pantry and drag the Snap Crisps out)
-Study mode. It’s not really a “fave,” but I’ve been focused on making study time a priority, especially over the past few weeks. I’ve been studying to take my NASM PT exam for a few months now, but it fell on the back burner when NASM offered the opportunity to also get my Weight Loss Specialist certification. (They paid for my course enrollment for WSL, which is seriously awesome.) Having this certification is going to be extremely helpful in coaching clients with weight loss, and I’ve already learned so much about how various health considerations affect the body and its ability to lose weight and achieve health goals. It’s convenient that all of the course text and reviews are online, so I’ve been able to study on my computer instead of dragging both books around with me.
I’ll be posting a full review of the course after I take both tests, but wanted to give a heads up that NASM is offering $99 down for the Weight Loss Specialist course if any of my fellow fitness professional friends are interested!
-Baked breakfast cookies. These have been dubbed the snack of the week since I’ve had two, covered in sunflower seed butter, almost every day. They’re an awesome portable snack, and perfect for in-between classes.
-Your awesome pics/tweets/Insta photos from the week! Can you believe we only have one week of Winter Shape Up left?! We have a couple of giveaways planned for next week (including a grand finale giveaway with 25 winners) but for today, I’d love to introduce your BodyMedia fit giveaway.
Here’s how it works: this snazzy little armband tracks your calorie expenditure, activity level and sleep for the entire day. You plug it into your computer (via USB or Bluetooth, depending on which model you choose), enter your fitness goals and food for the day, and it helps track and support your goals. I’ve seen many clients and participants wearing these devices in my classes, and they’ve all raved about them.
One lucky Winter Shape Up participant will get their own BodyMedia Fit device (provided by BodyMedia- valued $119-149)! Here’s how to enter: send me your Winter Shape Up success stories. I want to hear about your thoughts from the challenge, maybe a couple of pics, nothing too long or crazy. Maybe a little blip about your fitness goals, what you liked about the Shape Up, your results, etc. Send your entry to fitnessista at gmail dot com (subject: WSU success) by next Wednesday, February 20. I’ll announce the winner on February 22 (Friday)- the end of the Shape Up! Your fuel will be up Saturday and the week 4 workout will be up Sunday <3
I’m off to make some dinner- hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start.
xoxo
Gina
Something to read:
7 things your trainer won’t tell you (<– if your trainer does not make sure you have proper form, and doesn’t make you push yourself with weights: fire your trainer)
28 parents who are trolls at heart (just for kicks)
You might also like:
28 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I can’t believe there’s only one week left too! I’m going to take a week of heavy training (easy cardio lighter weight sessions) after week 4 then I’m going to repeat the shape up!
I have all the ingredients for te baked bfast cookies, I’m SO excited to make them!
I love how Livi is your parrot! So cute. And now I’m craving a felafel with tahini sauce 🙂
I was literally laughing out loud at “Liv the parrot” when my own toddler started mocking me with her signature fake “I’m only laughing because you’re laughing” laugh. Gotta love kids 🙂
hahah she does that too! i’ll start cracking up and she’ll laugh too, even though she has no idea what i’m laughing at. it’s the best
I absolutely love the bracelets. I’m going to have to google to see if we have some gem shows in the ny area.
That is so cute how well Bella and Caroline are getting along! Those breakfast cookies look amazing too! I really can’t wait to try out that recipe!
How long did you leave the crockpot curry on high?
6 hours
I just took a batch of breakfast cookies out of the oven and can’t wait for them to cool down enough to have a bite. They smell absolutely amazing!
Today I was feeling a bit sore, so I did a little bit of light yoga, which seemed to stretch out some of the kinks. It’s been ages since I did any, and forgot how much I love it.
I’m about to start studying for my NASM PT…. is the Weight Loss Specialist a completely separate certification or does it pair with the PT certification? That sounds like a great knowledge base to pursue! Would love any guidance/suggestions you have! 🙂 There’s also a PT workshop coming to my area in about a month that I’m thinking about registering for. Have you been to one or know anyone that has? Trying to decide if a live workshop would be worth it! Thanks in advance! 🙂
it’s separate, but the cool thing is that WL counts for CECs for your PT recertification.
i haven’t been to pt workshop but have for group fit- it was really helpful
xo
Oh that’s awesome! I will definitely have to look into that! Last question – I won’t have had much studying done before attending the live workshop… do you think that’s a problem? Should I wait for a later one when I’ve done more studying first?
i think it will probably be more helpful if you study first because the workshop will help cement everything in your brain, but then again, it might make it easier TO study if you learn concepts from the workshop. either way it will be beneficial!
Thanks a bunch for your insight! 🙂 Good luck with your tests!
Love the variety in the workouts!
Cute pic but as a yoga teacher, your tree pose is dangerously incorrect. Foot should never be at the knee, even for a photo op. I’m constantly correcting students about that. 🙂
after that class, my leg would not go any higher. you’re right though, i should have put it on my shin instead.
tiredyoganoodleasana.
…and Liv was in my arms saying, “Really, dogs?”
I just died of cuteness. So excited for week 3! Bring it 🙂
Just a quick thought/suggestion……..I made some amazeballz and loved them! I had to do a little digging to find all of the varied recipes……could there be a section on the recipes page that lists them all? Some posts have links to other posts with recipes, but I was looking for the PB cups ones, and then happened across the pumpkin ones by accident. Yum! 🙂
$4 for yoga?! Holy smokes! $4 won’t even get you an hour of street parking in San Francisco.
I’m also diggin’ your bracelets, the red one fits right up my alley.
Oh I loooove your bracelets so pretty!!! And the dogs and Liv are beyond cute. Yay for a new certification, so excited for you! Ps. Check out linklove on my last post (Friday Favorites) 🙂 swissfitchick.wordpress.com
You should try a class at Session Yoga- they are awesome!
Good luck on the class! I would love to do this someday and can’t wait to hear about your experience with it! BTW, love the bracelets!! 🙂
What a great deal on yoga! I’m so glad you got to enjoy and that your camera wasn’t broken.
I don’t know if anyone else is experiencing this problem but none of the pictures in your post are loading for me.
Your little dogs look so cute and innocent!!! Not at all like camera dropping, snack taking pups!
LOL to those trolls, hilarious. Happy weekend 🙂
Cute jewelry and greek food. Sign me up!
Gina I have to say, I love your Friday Faves post! They bring a smile to my face and honestly remind me to be thankful for the little blessings I have too. Thank you. 🙂
Also, I love the 7 Things Your Trainer Wants to Tell you article- seriously, so much of this has applied to me even in the not so distant past (especially form)- actually it was a good personal trainer who got me on the road to proper form AND helped heal a bad back injury I kept re-injuring, in large part because of bad form.