A chef in the kitchen

A cloudy day:

cloudy

Perfect for morning tea and chocolate

tea7 

and there’s a chef in the kitchen making breakfast….

buddy

I’m a fan of that.

Kyle accidentally went in to work too early, so he came to chill over here for a while. For breakfast, he made parfaits

parfait2

with gf granola, blackberries, bananas, blueberries and goat’s milk yogurt

parfait

and the Pilot is cooking up turkey sausage and eggs.

Last night was pretty chill- we went to hang out at Eric and Kelly’s house and watch the Broncos game. It was our first time taking Livi over to someone else’s house, and she was a perfect angel- she saved the screaming until after we got home 😉

Jack!

jack

He used to do long runs with us in Valdosta. Kelly’s other dog is a speed machine –he’s ran more than 20 miles before- and Jack likes to keep things more around my pace. He’s a good running buddy.

This morning we’re just taking it easy for now- maybe take Bell for a long walk, dinner, courtesy of the neighbors

dinner

(they are amazing)

and I’m going to get the rest of the Winter Shape Up stuff together. This week’s workout and meal ideas will be up in the morning!

Have a very happy Sunday <3

xoxo

Gina

Something to talk about: If you could have any chef cook for you, who would you choose? I think we all know that I would have to say Bobby Flay….

Something to think:

"No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change."

-Barbara DeAngelis

Post Navigation:

58 Comments

  1. Christina on January 15, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    Livi! What a cute nickname for her! You have such a great blog…I have made several of your recipes and have been doing many of your workouts..thank you so much for sharing your story! Congratulations to you and the pilot on your adorable little peanut!

  2. Pam on January 15, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Haha, Bobby Flay for me too! I have a weird crush on him. He’s not my typical type. Heard him on the radio last week…
    So great to have others cooking for you! Love the nick name, Livi, very cute.
    Jack looks like my cousin’s dog, such a loving animal.

    • Fitnessista on January 15, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      same for me! he’s not my type at all… but i like him 😉

  3. Julia on January 15, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    That looks soo yummy, such a pity ur brother is taken….hehe
    Have a great day!

    • Fitnessista on January 15, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      haha! he’s a good guy

  4. Emily @ The Swallow Flies on January 15, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    It may sound silly, but I would choose my mom to cook for me. I wish she lived closer so that she could do it more often – there’s nothing like a good mom-cooked meal. 🙂

  5. Lora Lee on January 15, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Valdosta?!?! I had to do, and read, a double take! I am originally from Valdosta and lived there up until 2 yrs ago when my husband and I moved to St Simons Island, Ga. I just thought it was weird and funny…what are the chances that I ‘like’ a blogger that’s lived in Valdosta?!?! I assume ‘the pilot’ was stationed at Moody. That would make the most sense.
    Anyway, I enjoy your site and your baby is a cutie.
    Happy Sunday and weekend!

    • Rhiannon on January 15, 2012 at 6:14 pm

      We vacationed in St. Simons last year and loved it! What a gorgeous place to live.

  6. Keely :) on January 15, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    I’m over here in the UK and it would have to be Nigella Lawson. or Jamie Oliver, but he would just be too look at while he cooked 😉 x

  7. Emily on January 15, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    Livi! I love the nickname. I think its beautiful.

  8. Julie on January 15, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    I would definitely have either Ani phyo or Chandra Isakow cook for me! Decadent vegan and decadent raw!

  9. Kelli on January 15, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    Jacks adorable!! what kind of dog is he?

    • Fitnessista on January 15, 2012 at 3:07 pm

      He’s a pitbull lab mix- I love him

      • mel on January 20, 2012 at 11:10 am

        aww pits…I love them!!

  10. mi-an d. on January 15, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    hmmm I would have to say either Ina Garten, Iron Chef’s Morimoto and Mario Batali!

  11. Katie @ Raisins&Apples on January 15, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    …and now I want blackberries! Even with clouds it sounds like a wonderful day for yall 🙂

  12. Morgan @ morganshines on January 15, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    I am pretty sure your “something to think” quote was meant for me today.

  13. Nicole @ Making Good Choices on January 15, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    yum…. i think i shall have a parfait!

  14. Kristen on January 15, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Sounds like a pretty relaxing day! Its a cold day here and I only have one thing on my mind…your vegan (better than tollhouse) chocolate chip cookies! Oh yes… That will happen today.

    I think I would want Giada to cook for me. Most of what she makes looks fabulous to me and she and I share the same obsession with chocolate so I’m sure I could count on that for dessert!

  15. Kaila @healthyhelperblog! on January 15, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    Mmmm those parfaits look delicious! Any chance of your bro sharing his granola recipe?! 🙂

  16. Dana on January 15, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    I would choose Ina Garten. Everything she makes seems so simple yet elegant. I would love to get lessons from her…

    I hope you’re having a great Sunday!

  17. tink on January 15, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    my sweet girl is Olivia as well and we call her Livi too 🙂 does she have a middle name?

    i am not up on the celebrity chef scene, I haven’t watched tv in forever!

  18. Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs on January 15, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Seems like you have wonderful neighbors! How lucky 🙂

    I think I would pick Jamie Oliver, but I also have a soft spot for Bobby Flay!

  19. Jodi on January 15, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Definitely Giada! She is such a wonderful cook!

  20. JennP on January 15, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    I’d have to go Rocco DiSpirito for the chef. I would just tell my husband it’s because of his cooking 😉 Baha.

  21. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga on January 15, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    I think I’d have Ina Garten bake for me…or go to dinner with Anthony Bourdin in like outer Zimbabwe..or something unique like that.

    Glad your neighbors brought over food and that your bro stopped by to help with food, too. That’s a lifesaver after a new baby!

    • Sara Nickel on January 15, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      Anthony Bourdin is one of my favorites! His sense of humor and sarcasim are kind of sexy for his age. As far as anyone else, Giada would be pretty fly too.

  22. Haley @Fit Young and Fabulous on January 15, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    Your brother is too cute! And he cooks?! Wow!

  23. Laura on January 15, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    I would have to go with Richard Blais from Top Chef. It would be an experience for sure with all his scientific fancy pants recipes. It sounds like you have some AWESOME neighbors!

  24. Mandy on January 15, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    Logan’s a perfectly behaved little boy too while we’re out… he saves his crank-pisodes for the car ride home. 😀 I can’t complain though, he barely ever cries nowadays… unless he’s in the car seat.

  25. jana @ newly wife healthy life on January 15, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    What a great brother you have! You are very blessed to not only have a chef in the family, but to have one who is more than willing to make you meals! I would have to say the celeb chef I would want to cook for me most is Giada. Her food overall seems light and flavorful, plus she seems like a fun person to have around! Bonus is that I am almost 100% positive that some sort of chocolate would be served for dessert! 🙂

  26. Rachel on January 15, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    I need to convince my little brothers to go to culinary school ASAP! Also, I’m going to LV in a few weeks, and was trying to find your blog entry about when you went to Mesa Grill…it’s on my To Do list for while I’m there, and I’m already trying to pick what I’m going to order. I can’t be the only person that does that….:)

  27. Ali on January 15, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Yes, but haven’t you already had Bobby Flay cook for you? Didn’t you eat at his place? I think you should have to pick someone new!!!

  28. Sonia the mexigarian on January 15, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    Tyler Florence and Michael chiraello. Awesome chefs and nice to look at 😉 lol. I love that rug that jack is sitting on.

  29. GetSkinnyGoVegan on January 15, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    We are ALL fans of men who make breakfast!

  30. Krystina (Organically Me) on January 15, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    I would love Bobby to cook me brunch! After watching his brunch show, I know he’s got some skills. 😉

  31. Julie M on January 15, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    Mmmm…Bobby Flay….But Stephanie Izard from top chef would be on my list too. Really I’d love to just go to every non-chain restaurant in the country and try them all…I like food 🙂

  32. Leslie Wingate on January 15, 2012 at 4:59 pm

    I would have to say Ellie Krieger (sp?). She is a healthy gal and makes the prettiest, well balanced food.

  33. char @ char on a mission on January 15, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    Ooo, Bobby Flay is an awesome option. I love Chef Michael Smith a lot, so I’d have to say him (representin’ the Canadian’s!). I’d also take any vegan chef though…does that make me easy!? hahaha

  34. Rebecca on January 15, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    Can’t wait for the Summer Shape Up! I was browsing through some old posts (because I’ll most likely work out before the SSU post goes up and am in a smidge of a workout rut) and I came across this post: http://fitnessista.com/2010/09/my-lunch-in-a-bento-box/. It gave me chills to read your ten-year vision from almost a year and a half ago and see how much closer you are to achieving it! You look so happy and Olivia is beautiful <3.

    • Rebecca on January 15, 2012 at 10:15 pm

      oops…I mean Winter Shape Up!

      • Sara on January 16, 2012 at 4:20 am

        It’s summer over here!

  35. Natalie @ southern fit foodie on January 15, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    Bobby Flay and Michael Simon for me! They are both adorable and have such fun personalities (love Chef Simon’s laugh), not to mention their mad cooking skills.

    Livi is such a precious nickname!

  36. Christine @ BookishlyB on January 15, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    Michael Mina for sure!

  37. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on January 15, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    I would have to say Jamie Oliver. Then I’d get dinner AND eye candy. 😉

  38. Laura@mypurposefullife on January 15, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    Those parfaits look so good! I am now craving that exact parfait. 🙂 I LOVE your quote today. You always have phenomenal quotes, but today’s hits home. Thanks!

  39. Maria on January 15, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    I love the nickname for Olivia 🙂 I’ve never heard that before. If I could have any chef cook for me, it would be Julia Child 🙂 I love french food!

  40. Marla on January 15, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    Hi Gina! I had a question for you regarding physique 57. I’ve been a cardio queen but I want to incorporate new types of workouts into my routine. I was thinking of trying physique 57 but didn’t want to waste money if it wasn’t suited for beginners. I’d love to get your thoughts. Also, for your shape up plan, do I need to have had experience with weight training. Like I said I’m a total beginner here but Ive read all the benefits and hope to get started. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

  41. Kerry @ Totes My Oats on January 15, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    What a great brother to come and cook for you! I think I would have Ina Garten cook for me, I guess she’s technically a chef but she’s fabulous!

  42. Cat @Breakfast to Bed on January 15, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    one of my bff’s is named Alivia, (not exactly the same) but we call her Livvy, I adddore that name. If your Olivia is anything like my Alivia, hold on to your hat for awesome. (I am sure your Liv is going to be super Love.)

  43. Keri on January 15, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    Jamie Oliver! I love him!

  44. Sara on January 16, 2012 at 4:19 am

    If I was having someone cook for me, I’d pick someone that does amazing full-fat desserts with alcohol in them (I mean, it would be a treat, not an everyday thing). Someone like Nigella, with her fabulous boobies on display in a low-cut dress. I think it’s the sexy clothes that make her recipes so good.

  45. Allison on January 16, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    That’s a nice way to use up extra time- what a treat! And his cooking even looks pretty 😀

  46. Laura@mypurposefullife on January 17, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    Okay, so I already commented on this post when you first posted it. But this quote really lit a fire in me about a job I’ve been supremely unhappy in for 11 months. I am a full time nanny for two special needs kids. I love the kids, have enjoyed the challenge of working with the children, their psychologist, and their psychiatrist on behavioral modification, nutrition (!) etc.; and am thankful to have had the whole experience, but 90% of the things about it have been incredibly stressful from the get-go. I was at the whim of the parents, worked crazy-long hours, was told about appointments for the kids at the last minute (we live in Manhattan so I’d frantically be traveling across town), and for over half the time I’ve been with them have not been paid. I have been bringing up the payment since last May and this past weekend, after working a 50 hour week, they again only gave me part of my paycheck. I finally told them that I could not come into work until they could afford to pay me and they antagonized me and told me I was out of line. Ironically, I had just read this post a few days ago, so the thought of “I really need to get out of this job” was already in my head. Today I quit. It was awful. I hated leaving the kids. Everyone was crying. But I’ve needed to do it for so long but was too afraid. Thank you for inspiring me to take charge of my own health and happiness every day on your blog. Livi is the luckiest girl in the world to have you for her Mama. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on January 18, 2012 at 12:52 am

      wow.
      that had to have been so hard, but i’m really proud of you for putting yourself and your happiness first. life is too short <3
      keep taking care of yourself! change can be really scary, especially when it comes to jobs, but i'm confident that you'll find something way better.
      xoxo

      • Laura@mypurposefullife on January 18, 2012 at 10:51 am

        Thank you so much, Gina! I really appreciate it. Thanks for inspiring to put myself and my happiness first. 🙂

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.