Friday Faves

Hi friends. Happy Friday! I know itโ€™s been a bit of a crazy week, so I hope youโ€™re all hanging in there and taking care of yourself. The Pilot was gone for a few days, so the girls and I have been doing the usual things around here: soccer practice (P has her first game this weekend!) and their other activities, the distance learning fun, and getting everything ready to launch online personal training and team training next week. If youโ€™re interested in joining in the fun, make sure youโ€™re signed up for my newsletter! Newsletter subscribers will get all the details in their inbox Sunday night and Iโ€™ll post the details here Monday am. So excited to do this with you all!

Some highlights from the week:

P did most of the meal planning for our dinners, so we got to try out new recipes. It was so cute to see her take ownership and also prepare most of the dinners with me while Liv did homework.The Beast Quiche from this cookbook was a huge hit! (We used the vegan Violife cheddar and while it took a bit longer to cook, it was delicious.)

Halloween decorations were packed up, and it felt good to unearth our few Thanksgiving decorations. I got this little flameless candle from Pottery Barn a couple of weeks ago and LOVE it. It looks so real!!

The girls are officially obsessed with horses and look forward to their lessons every week. <3

Just some laughs:

Source

Read, watch, listen:

I started reading American Dirt last night and can’t decide if I like it. It’s very well-written but pretty intense. Have you read it?

10 things to chill you out today.

Check out this fascinating podcast episode by one of my very favorites.

Listen to this weekโ€™s episode of Healthy in Real Life with my friend Kath. ๐Ÿ™‚ Iโ€™m feeling inspired to organize some closets around here…

Fashion + beauty:

Got these sparkly Converse for the kiddos and theyโ€™re so dang cute.

Madewell 30% off boots and sweaters! This embroidered flower one is my fave.

This weekโ€™s Beautycounter pick is the new deodorant trio! If youโ€™ve been wanting to try a nontoxic deodorant, now is the perfect time. Theyโ€™ve been working on the formulation for years and itโ€™s finally here! The deodorants are cornstarch and baking soda based for dryness, while coconut oil, shea butter, candelilla and beeswax hydrate and condition skin. ย Iโ€™ve tested various versions of the deos and packaging for the past 6 months or so and am so thrilled with how they turned out. Check it out here.

Fitness + good eats:

We had this chicken recipe this week and it was AWESOME.

November Knockout Workout!

Tempted to make this now and celebrate Thanksgiving food early.

How exercise can stall cancer growth.

Sending you all a big hug and bigger glass of wine as we head into the weekend. Happy Friday, friends.

xo

Gina

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16 Comments

  1. Alicia on November 6, 2020 at 10:21 am

    I read American Dirt and absolutely loved it, but it is intense and gets more and more intense. I started in March right after the lockdown started and realized quickly that I didn’t need that extra stress so I put it down and picked it back up in July when I was in groove and felt like I personally had things in control. I know everyone is handling this all different, but adding extra stress/tension if you aren’t ready for it probably isn’t the best. The book will always be there, but that being said it is really good and something I think most Americans should read to gain new perspective.

    • Katie on November 6, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      I agree completely!! I loved American Dirt but you have to be in the right mindset for sure. Definitely worth the read though!

  2. Jessie R on November 6, 2020 at 10:38 am

    Agree with the above comment about American Dirt. It was one of my favorite books this year, but it is very intense! Worth the read ๐Ÿ™‚ That quiche looks delicious and your Thanksgiving decorations are super cute!

  3. Michelle on November 6, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Hi Gina! What kind of crust did you use for the quiche?

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2020 at 11:43 am

      Hi! I used the gluten free frozen crust from Whole Foods. It was flaky and perfect!

  4. Monica Giovinazzo on November 6, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    American Dirt is a GREAT book; I really enjoyed it but it was slow to start.

  5. Danielle on November 6, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    I just finished American Dirt and absolutely loved it! It is intense but I feel like it’s a good intensity. I don’t want to get political, but we need to be aware of the realities of what drives someone to make a migration. Great book, it brought up a wide variety of emotions for me!

  6. Allison on November 6, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    I loved American Dirt. Yes, intense but I’m glad it is raising awareness of what so many people go through just to live safely. I have a 9 year old son and can’t imagine having to go through that with him. Really hoping our country becomes more inclusive and welcoming to anyone who wants to come here.

  7. Sandra on November 6, 2020 at 2:54 pm

    I read American Dirt before it came out when the publisher sent me an early copy. I was put off by it. As a Mexican, this book is very problematic to me. I would suggest you look into it, even Oprah backpedaled after announcing this as her book pick. There was an outrage by the Latinx community on how this book was handled and what it said. There are many books written by own voices that are much better than this book.

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2020 at 3:20 pm

      Iโ€™m glad you let me know. We have family from Mexico on my moms side, so I was wondering how Iโ€™d feel about it. I just read the reviews and they were all like โ€œeveryone should read this book!โ€ So I downloaded it and now Iโ€™m questioning if I want to continue

  8. Tracy on November 6, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    I was initially interested in reading American Dirt but after I heard about all the controversy surrounding it I’ve put it off. You might want to do some research and then decide if you want to keep reading!

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2020 at 6:24 pm

      yes, i didn’t even know it was controversial – i’m so glad you guys have given me the heads up. i don’t think i’m going to read any more of it… it was too stressful for me right now with everything going on anyway

    • Alicia on November 6, 2020 at 10:29 pm

      I read all of the controversy and understand it, but it made me want to read the book even more. I think itโ€™s worth reading and drawing your own conclusions.

  9. Julie on November 9, 2020 at 9:26 pm

    I loved American Dirt. Itโ€™s the book Iโ€™ve been recommending to all my friends this year.

  10. Charlene on November 15, 2020 at 3:55 pm

    I bailed on American dirt. It was stressing me out. Maybe at some random unspecified point in the future when regular life is not stressful AF?

    • Fitnessista on November 17, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      agreed. i called it quits

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