Chips and Roons
Hi guys 😀 IT’S FRIDAY!!! Yeahhhhhh. Anything exciting going on this weekend? The pilot has a lot of important flights and work stuff this week, so I figured I’d get out of his hair and take a spring break to Orlando 🙂 If any Orlando bloggies want to meet-up while I’m there, hit me up! It will be a week of pool lounging, yoga, vino and shopping. Bring it.
Here are some of the tasty highlights from yesterday 😀
Chocolate macaroons were made:
Salad beasts and black bean hummus were munched:
Kale chips are dehydrating away:
And I’ve eaten half of the batch already. They taste SO GOOD warm out of the dehydrator 🙂 So much for road trip snacks.. they don’t have a chance to make it through today 😉
Workout-wise, I had another lovely solo spin sesh at the base gym.
For the record, Chelsea Handler makes awesome spinning reading material:
It’s hard to jump on the bike when you’re cracking up 😉
Today, I’m meeting with my Lifestyle Challenge group at the gym, going for a light run, and getting ready for Orlando. No dinner plans yet.. maybe the pilot will want some 306 North? I hope so.
Hope you all have a fabulous Friday- I’m out like [raw] sauerkraut.
xoxo,
Gina
Something to talk about: What book are you reading right now?? I need one to start when I finish this Chelsea Handler gem (which will probably be today). Both fluffy girly books and intellectually stimulating literature suggestions would be appreciated mucho 😉
* If you’ve been needing a spiralizer, early next week I’ll have a chance for you to get a free one 😀
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I just finished reading The Girl with Glass Feet which was a hauntingly pretty book, and I’m about to start The Idiot Girl’s Action Guide, which sounds like it will be funny and Chelsea Handler-eque. Have you read I Was Told There’d Be Cake? It’s a good one!
That Chelsea Handler book is on hold right now for me at the library!
I’m a pretty avid reader and I have a few books to suggest –
Fluffy reads – Sookie Stackhouse vampire mysteries by Charlene Harris
Moderate reads – Time Travelers Wife (best book I have read in the past year)
Hardcore reads – Pillars of Earth or Mists of Avalon (long, epic books, but really worth it!)
Have fun on your trip!
haha you’ll love it
and yes, TTW was absolutely incredible
I’m not a fan of chick lit, so no suggestions there. I did just finish two awesome books: The Help and The Road. Cormac McCarthy is just brilliant anyway, but I literally read The Road in one sitting it was so great.
2nd the rec for The Road.
OH MY GOODNESS, the road is INCREDIBLE. it’s one of my absolute favorite books ever. i can’t recommend it enough, it’s so beautiful.
Anything by Jen Lancaster is good. “Such a Pretty Fat” is about her trying to lose weight and its hilarious because she’s such a hot mess.
You’ve got the right idea in mind to take a break. My hubby and I were just talking about taking a mini vacation. I got the idea from you. Thanks!
i am reading racing in the rain-so good so far!
have a great trip 🙂
how fun!
i meant the art of racing in the rain! sorry!
Sadly, I don’t have a book suggestion. Just a question…
How on Earth can you stand reading while on a spin bike/elliptical/treadmill? I’ve tried it and every time I end up feeling like I’m going to throw up! (But I NEVER get motion sickness from anything else…weird…)
Have a great trip to Orlando – the weather will be beautiful! I’m heading there for a get-away at Disney with my hubby/sister/parents/brother/SIL/niece/nephew and can’t WAIT!
hahah! i used to not be able to, but now i can read on pretty much any type of cardio equipment 🙂
have so much fun at disney!!
Eat, Pray, Love! BEST. BOOK. EVER.
yes, it was by far one of the best books i’ve ever read 🙂
I literally JUST started reading “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan. Definitely more of a textbook style read than a fluffy girly book, but definitely informative so far! To keep myself from getting too intellectual I’ve been fluffing it up by alternating in some SELF magazines I have stashed away that I didn’t have time for before… always some good info and fluff in there to keep it light! 😉
Yep, this is a must read…Gina it’s probably likely that you’ve read it though?
I am currently reading “Veil of Roses”, which I’m thoroughly enjoying. And another book I really enjoyed recently was “The Passion Test” (no, not THAT passion, more about finding out what you’re truly passionate about).
I didn’t see a way to email, but I’d be ahppy to be a guest blogger (I suppose it depends on if you like my writing), and would be happy to email you my ideas. But it also depends when you’ll be away, as I’m going out of town myself in the middle of May.
I love this post as I am getting so many great ideas now too!
Im just going to name off a few that I have read more than once:
Serious:
The four agreements, I dont even know what I would classify this as maybe self help but it really made me have a different outlook on things.
The shack, sort of religious but also fiction and honestly just a really good book
Both of those are older
Fluffy:
The sookie stackhouse series is really good
My life in france which is Julia Childs biography, even though she doesnt inspire healthy eating her story is fun and inspirational
The lost symbol by Dan Brown was one of my favorite fiction books I have read since the twilight series.
Gina! Of the (embarassingly high! :p) number of blogs I follow on my google reader, yours is my favorite by far! Please don’t ever change! Love your blog and love your attitude towards food, fitness, and health!
As for books….for a more serious read “Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer” was absolutely amazing.
I also absolutely loved “Still Alice by Lisa Genova” a first person account of a women in her early 50’s who was diagnosed with Alzheimers’s Disease, and how she deals with it. It was fascinating.
Take care girl, have a wonderful, well-deserved vacation!
xo
I love Chelsea Handler and all her books! If you like that one, you should read “Are you there vodka, its me Chelsea”. Similar style as Horizontal Life, very very funny.
Right now I’m reading “the Handmaid’s Tale,” which is soo sad, but really good so far. And I just finished reading “Putin’s Labrynth,” which is nonfiction so I don’t know if that’s your thang, but it’s a really good account of Russia’s government under Vladimir Putin. It’s so interesting and very sad at times, and much more fascinating than most academic-esque reads.
The Handmaid’s Tale is a great one!
Gina, do you like travel writing books? If you do, I recommend anything by Bill Bryson. My favorite is The Last Continent. It’s about his travel through small town America. He’s definitely a funny man. There are a ton of food books I enjoy but I’m sure you are aware of them or someone else has suggested them (i.e. Omnivore’s Dilemma) Excellent book, by the way. A serious book I liked: The Assault on Reason by Al Gore, A book that makes you want to pack your bags and fly to Italy for the summer: Eat Pray Love, and a beach, pool lounging book but still enjoyable: Confessions of an Ex-Girlfriend. (I was in English major in college and avid reader. Like your excitement for raw food, books give my mind-gasms) ENJOY.
I just read “The Piano Teacher” by Janice Y.K. Lee and loved it, and am now reading “In Other Rooms, Other Wonders” by Daniyal Mueenuddin. There’s SO MUCH that I want to read!
Those kale chips look so good! I love Chelsea Handler. She is so funny!
finishing up the twilight series w/ breaking dawn right now…and i know you’ve already read that!
just had to put my 2cents in…I LOVE CHELSEA HANDLER! i read those books over the summer and LOL-ed my way through them. so funny!
The BEST book I have EVER read was “Pillars of the Earth” I read it some 19 years ago and it has stayed with me ever since… Just google it and look at what every one says about it, you will be amazed how many people say that this the best book they ever read. You will get lost in the pages and think about it all day long.
This is the book that Oprah recommended and said something like “she was on page 800, and did not want it to end, and started reading it more slow” I know that feeling it actually has 1000 pages but you will be so sad when you get to the last page. I will just tell you that I love to read, and have read so many books & for me to say this is MY FAVORITE is saying ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love chic lit…I would suggest any book by Marian Keyes- especially Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married and Last Chance Saloon. Also, any Sophie Kinsella book- she’s the one who writes Confessions of a Shopaholic 🙂 As for other types of books- I’m in the middle of Madame Bovary right now and I’m loving it!
I’m currently reading the follow-up to eat, pray love “Committed” and finding it very interesting. I also just finished “a reliable wife” and “All we ever wanted was everything” both of which were great reads!
Well, I’m a bit late jumping on the bandwagon, but right now I’m ready the Twilight Saga. I’m currently on Breaking Dawn. Almost finished with it, actually. I can’t wait until Eclipse comes out this summer!
totally jealous, I plan to go to Orlando someday, Sask will never compare ha. At least its decent weather here, but definitely not pool weather. Have a good little vacay!
I’m so glad you’re back and happy 🙂 We all love you! Right now, I’m going fluff because I’m on my spring break- I’m reading Dear John right now (saw the movie and loved it but the book is amazinggg too so far!) and up next is the Last Song (i guess i’m on a Nicholas Sparks kick haha). They are both quick and easy and good love story reading! You would also like Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophia Kinsella…they are hilarious! For a more intellectually stimulating, serious book I’m reading Three Cups of Tea and its great so far! Have fun in Orlando!
I recommend Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl. It’s not about physics! It’s very literary and smart, with a lot of cool pop culture references.
Have tons of fun in Orlando! I want a spring break too 🙁
Reads:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (serious)
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison (serious)
Born To Run by Christopher McDougall (just cool!)
I would also be curious to hear Gina’s review of Born to Run, about a very sensitive vegan dude who decides to run barefoot with Native Americans in Mexico.
whoa, that sounds awesome!
I just started reading “Green for Life” and I bet you will find it interesting. The author, Victoria Boutenko, was in search of the perfect human diet and compares the standard American diet with the diet of wild chimpanzees.
Have fun in Orlando!
You need to take a mental health vacation to Minnesota!!
heyo!
two questions
1. where the heck did you find black bean hummus?? it looooks good
2. what did you think of the core fusion body sculpt dvd?????
ive been waiting to hear. i own it, but havent done it yet
1. from bleu cafe! it was so stinkin good!
2. i LOVED it.. still need to write that review up!! xoxo
I *love* “My Horizontal Life.” It’s weird because I actually really don’t like Chelsea’s show on E!, but that book is hilaaaarious! Yesterday I picked up “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea” & I can’t wait to read it!
Have a fab trip! Sounds heavenly.
i don’t really like her show that much either, but i love her books! are you there vodka was ahhhhmazing 🙂
Hey Gina! I really like this post! 🙂 I am also getting lots ok ideas! I have just finshed reading hush,hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Its like a whole bella & edward love triangle, except this time its a fallen angel.
You should really read the twilight saga. Even if vampires are not your thing the writing is so great it is worth it. I have had trouble reading anything after these books because they were that good.
I’d totally take a road trip just for those snacks!
I wish I could do more reading for pleasure and less for work/school right now! I do enjoy my studies though, so it’s not so bad. But TC Boyle is a favorite; he writes some great short stories too, if you don’t have time for a novel.
Enjoy your trip!
I’m reading Moby Dick right now because I’ve designated this year to be the year I read all the books I should’ve read in high school. It’s fantastic — if you love literature, it’s a must read.
As for more fluffier lit, I’ve been wanting to read Sloane Crosley’s collection of essays, “I Was Told There’d Be Cake.” It is supposed to be really funny too.
you’ll love it- i read it last summer and it was fabulous
I’m reading the help by Kathryn Stockett. Definitely recommend it!
Hey Gina,
You may be 407 bound already, but I want to hear your plans! I can’t find your email [I’m reading from my phone so I’m not puttin forth too much effort…] Hopefully I can join!
Jen Lancaster is hysterical! I highly recommend her books. Enjoy your R&R!
Just curious about the (horrible) Styrofoam containers?
it was take-out from bleu cafe. hahah i would never keep syrofoam on hand at the casa 🙂
Anita Shreve’s books are very good- the last time they met, fortune rocks, the weight of water…
The Great Gatsby–F. Scott Fitzgerald
This Side of Paradise–F.Scott Fitzgerald
A Separate Peace–John Knowles
Wonderland–Michael Bamberger
How Doctor’s Think–Jerome Groopman, M.D.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf–Edward Albee
Lord of the Flies–William Golding
Angels and Demons–Dan Brown
Da Vinci Code–Dan Brown
Picture of Dorian Gray–Oscar Wilde
I just finished The Help- so good! And righ now I’m reading Little Bee. So far I really like it and would definitely recommend it.
Kale chips are so tasty. It always seems like I’m making a ton but then they’re gone in less than 48 hours. Opps.