Welcome to my favorite

MONTH!

I looooooove November! Beautiful weather and so many things to look forward to:

  • My birthday (I’m going to be 25! Is there a quarter life crisis in the midst?)
  • The date-aversary (when the pilot and I declared –via MySpace four years ago- that we were officially together)
  • Thanksgiving.. or what I prefer to call “Shrimpsgiving
  • Sweaters, jeans and moccasins
  • Christmas songs
  • Breaking out every snowman item I own (I have a minor snowman obsession)

Sounds like a blasty to me 😀

Here are some of the recent eats and shenanigans….

Yesterday, I got started on making some of the goodies for girl’s nights.

First was the raw malted chocolate tart with coconut almond macaroon crust

I made the the crust:

crustdough

Filled the tart trays and put them into the dehydrator:

crust

Then made the filling, which I would dub a foodgasmic victory

filling

I filled the tarts (and made two without crusts in case anyone doesn’t like coconut) and popped them into the freezer.

tarts

I’m not sure why, but I had set aside quite a bit of time to make the tarts since they have so many ingredients. Making the crust and filling took me 20 minutes. I just got back into my “working at the restaurant” goove and cranked them out—I’ve still got it!! Matthew, may I come back?? haha

After that, I met up with the girls at Meara’s house to spend our Halloween at her kitchen table, drinking a Costco-sized gigantic bottle of Shiraz.

We got Indian to-go:

indiantogo

(Roti and Baigan Bhartha)

And spent a few hours gabbing and drinking. It was glorious 😀

My hangover headache this morning, however, was not quite as glorious. But so worth it 😉

I shuffled into the kitchen to make some oats:

oaties

(1/3 cup oat bran, 1 cup water, 1/2 banana, 1 T carob powder, 1 T almond butter, sea salt, stevia, vanilla, cinnamon)

and then met Ashley at the gym for some weights.

Bosu push ups Body weight 3 sets of 12
Bosu crunches Body weight 3 sets of 15
Body bar lat raise 12 lbs 3 sets of 12
Body bar supine chest press 20 lbs 3 sets of 12
Assisted dips 75 lbs counterweight 3 sets of 10
Overhead press 8 lbs each 3 sets of 12
Side dips 5 lbs 3 sets of 10 on each side
Back extension 5 lbs 3 sets of 10
Total time: 50 minutes    

After that, I hit up the commiscary for some groceries (I have vegetables in my house again!) and then came home to the puppies.

We’re about to go for a walk, then I’m off to do some running intervals, go to Publizzle for the rest of the ingredients, make the lasagna and take a nap somewhere in there. Oh, and bring out the snowmen 😉

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xoxo,

Gina

Today’s tip: SNACK! By having little snacks, not only are we keeping that metabolic fire burning in full force, we’re also ensuring that we don’t overeat later. In between breakfast and lunch, and lunch and dinner, reach for a snack containing a healthy fat, smart carb and lean protein. It will keep your metabolism going and also hold you off until your next meal. Snack away 😀

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36 Comments

  1. Mara @ What's For Dinner? on November 1, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    ooh lasagna… i might have to make one soon 🙂
    I love november too, and i think i’m going to love it even more after this year since our wedding is in 27 days!!!

  2. Sana on November 1, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Those tarts look delishhh!

  3. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is on November 1, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    November is also my birthday AND favorite month! I love it!

  4. The Voracious Vegan on November 1, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    I love November because it is almost socially acceptable for me to start singing Christmas songs….which I’ve been doing since September. I can’t help it, I am OBSESSED with Christmas! It is my absolute favorite thing ever. Although those delicious looking chocolate tarts are probably going to be a close second….they look amazing!

  5. Haleigh on November 1, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    November is by far my favorite month too. I think I just died and went to heaven at first glance of those chocolate tarts.. oh my, they look amazing!

  6. Jenna on November 1, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    november is a pretty cool month!
    jenna

  7. VeggieGirl on November 1, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    “Shrimpsgiving,” haha – love ya 😉

  8. Diana on November 1, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    I like November but I LOVE December 🙂 eheh
    Those tarts look good!

    Have a great sunday 🙂

  9. Shelby on November 1, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    November is a beautiful month. I just wish it wasn’t so cold!

    Those tarts look scrumptious!

  10. Abby (Abby's VeGaN Eats) on November 1, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Sounds like a fun Halloween… love your tip too, Im a snacker so Im set! lol 🙂

  11. K on November 1, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Via Myspace – haha, that reminds me how “if it’s not on Facebook, it’s not official” 😉 Christmas music starts playing in Detroit tomorrow! I’m so excited!!

    Those tarts sound incredible!! I’d kill to have one of those!

  12. Gabriela on November 1, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    I love November too! Though I think December wins the favorite month title, just because of Christmas. Your girl’s night food sounds incredible- I want to come! Be sure to share pics of the finished products 🙂 Have a great day!

  13. MelissaNibbles on November 1, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    Drooling over those tarts!

    The workout sounds killer! Great way to kick off November 🙂

  14. Jess on November 1, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    Oh my goodness, those tarts are to die for! YUM!

    Shiraz AND Indian food? You’re on your way to my heart! 🙂 Thanks for the tip about snacks, I’ll keep that in mind!

  15. Erica on November 1, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    I cannot believe its November already! Craziness. The tarts look AMAZING- I bet the girls are going to love them. Enjoy your day

  16. Heather on November 1, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    This is a stupid question but i was reading the previous posts on roasted brussell sprouts. Are they frozen brussell sprouts?

    • Fitnessista on November 1, 2009 at 4:01 pm

      nope, they’re fresh and then i roasted them

  17. Heather on November 1, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Thanks! Im going to give roasting veggies a try.

  18. Tay on November 1, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    I love the holiday season so I can whip out all my polar bear stuff!! hehe

  19. Mellissa on November 1, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    Happy Birthday Month! Unfortunately I a huge scrooge, I really don’t like Christmas. I don’t put up a single decoration. Maybe one day I will like it.

  20. Paige @ Running Around Normal on November 1, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    Those tarts look fabulous! How did the girls like them?

  21. kristi (sweet cheeks) on November 1, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    Ahhhh, I want to live in your town just for that Indian food alone. Mmmmmmm, how does it always look SO GOOD?!?

    I love snowmans, too! You can’t help but smile at ’em! 🙂

  22. Melissa (Melissa Likes To Eat) on November 1, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    Yummy looking tarts! December is my favorite month (my bday is in Dec). 🙂 Your talking about Shiraz made me want to open of bottle of wine…..hmmm….maybe I will!

  23. Jenny on November 1, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    happy November, pumpkin! 🙂

  24. Katie on November 1, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    HAPPY NOVEMBER I love November and December because it means more family time and as frusterating as they are it’s still wonderful to know they are there for you and remember the good things. Um yes I’m a snacker or grazer. I heart me some snacks maybe too much so. Those tarts look delish.

  25. fittingbackin on November 1, 2009 at 8:11 pm

    ooh you do have a lot to look forward to in November!! Great workout and great tip – as always! Thanks, girl!

  26. Nicole on November 1, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    We have a lot in common! My birthday is in november, my husband and i started dating in november and i love snowmen. what a great month! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 1, 2009 at 9:13 pm

      seriously!! i love it 😀

  27. elizabeth on November 1, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    November’s my favorite and birthday month too!!! so many wonderful things happen in this month! when’s your birthday??

    • Fitnessista on November 1, 2009 at 9:13 pm

      november 12 😀

  28. Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness on November 1, 2009 at 9:03 pm

    Those tarts – so gorgeous and delicious looking!

    What is the commisary like? I have never been on a military base, I am curious.

    Bust out the Snowmen! Just under 2 months until the Holidays, woot!

    • Fitnessista on November 1, 2009 at 9:13 pm

      hey laura,
      the commisary is a grocery store- everything is just super cheap and its all tax free. so if i can buy it there, i totally will! i looks just like any ol’ grocery store except the line system is different. everyone stands in one huge line and when a register is ready, a sign lights up and it tells you which aisle to go to. also, they take your groceries out to the car for you. it’s pretty nice 😀

  29. nomnomnom on November 1, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    fitnessista!! i have a dilemma…
    i work in high end retail so im constantly running around all day/afternoon. I literally have no time to snack and feel like I end up overeating for that exact reason. Any suggestions on proper meals that will equal enough nutrients and protein for the day when i am able to eat? Thanks!

    • Fitnessista on November 1, 2009 at 10:00 pm

      hey girl,
      i worked retail for a looong time, so i feel ya! some of my favorite things to bring to work were hummus and veggies, homemade trail mix (some mixed unsalted raw nuts, dried fruit and a few chocolate chips), bars (larabar, luna bars, z-bars), fruit (an apple or banana), wraps (veggies and hummus or almond butter and banana), oatmeal transports super easily (just make it ahead, put into a plastic container and bring your toppings on the side and add them in before you eat it) and i also used to put milk (or almond milk) in a cup in the fridge and stir in some protein powder.

  30. Amy on November 2, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    Happy Birthday Month!! I love November too! It’s my Bday month as well! Actually today is my bday! I love your blog and look forward to reading it everyday! You have inspired me to eat better and keep moving!

    • Fitnessista on November 2, 2009 at 12:34 pm

      amy,
      have a very happy birthday, november twin! 😀

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