crunchy. sweet. spicy.

Hiiiii friends! How’s the day going? Hope you’re having a great afternoon! <3 Thanks for all of the awesome feedback on the homemade Bitchin’ Bowl! Let me know if any of you give it a try. 

Smoothie in the sun after yesterday’s BODYPUMP, while I waited for the Pilot and Liv to meet me for her gymnastics class: 

Smoothie blog

This post is going to be a little random, because nothing in the day had anything in common. So, here’s something crunchy, sweet and spicy. 🙂

Crunchy: (and no, it isn’t anything hippie-ish I’ve been doing lately, though we all know that list is loooonnnnggg)

This glorious salad. The inspiration started off with the spinach salad I had added to our meal plan, and while I started to make it, I was reminded of a salad that I love from Eclectic Cafe in Tucson with walnuts, feta, berries and chicken. I used crunchy romaine, chopped raw walnuts, blueberries, strawberries, grain-free baked chicken tenders (similar to these), and a creamy dairy-free Ranch dressing. It was GLORIOUS. I forgot how sweet and delicious fresh berries are in salads! Will definitely be making again soon.

Berry crunch salad

Cruncy salad

Sweet:

These Trader Joe’s cold-pressed juices. I wish they were organic, but for the price ($4.99), they are awesome! I really liked the green one, but the yellow one wins so far. It has bell pepper, which I adore in juices but feel like I should eat bell peppers instead of juice them (organic ones are kinda pricey), and it gives it a great little kick. The pineapple in the juice is also super refreshing, and I can’t get enough pineapple lately. 🙂

Me and yellow

Tj green juice

Spicy:

Flamenco today! I’m so glad I decided to finally take a class last week, because it is so.much.fun. The instructor is SO good (talented, sassy, kind), and the ladies in class are super sweet. It’s definitely challenging, as flamenco is extremely technical and it’s all new to me, but it’s been such a nice way to shake up my routine. It’s funny because we started off with the footwork for the Sevillana, and I was like YEAH I GOT THIS and then she added in the arm and wrist movement and I was like oh noooo. I’m excited to keep up with class, keep practicing and learning.

One of my very favorites, which is actually from Riverdance:

 

 

What’s something sweet, spicy or crunchy from your day? Anything you did lately that was new or challenging, or inspired you to change up your routine?

Have a great night!

xoxo

Gina

PS I’m doing my first radio interview for “HIIT It!” tomorrow! I’ll be sure to post the link when it’s live.. if I don’t sound like a goober. 😉

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35 Comments

  1. Yaara Leve on January 20, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    Eeeee! Good luck tomorrow. That’s so exciting! I need that chicken tender salad in my life. Looks incredible! Crunchy–I’ve lately been loving Persian mini cucumbers in salads and just straight up as snacks–they’re sweeter than normal cukes and really good with mustard–just saying!
    Sweet–loving sugar cookie sleigh ride tea with lots of vanilla stevia–soo good!
    Spicy–I recently made a really good marinade for chicken with sweet curry powder; smoked paprika; and lemon juice. I’m addicted to smoked paprika thanks to you. There’s nothing like it.

    • Fitnessista on January 20, 2015 at 4:10 pm

      thank you- i’m super nervous about it.
      that marinade sounds so great!! smoked paprika is one of my faves 🙂
      xoxo

  2. Tamara @ A Side Of Dessert on January 20, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    Wow that salad looks amazing! How do you keep coming up with these awesome combos? I’ve never tried bell pepper in my juices but after your recommendation, I might just have to try it!

    • Fitnessista on January 20, 2015 at 4:10 pm

      restaurants usually inspire me 🙂
      hope you have a great night!!
      xoxo

  3. Brynn on January 20, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Sweet was my husband’s love note he left me this morning next to a fresh lot if coffee. Crunchy was the tablespoon if walnuts on my morning oatmeal. And spicy is my baby’s attitude- to be fair he is teething. 🙂 making the coffee and love note that much sweeter!

    • Fitnessista on January 20, 2015 at 4:09 pm

      i love that so much! what a great way to wake up 🙂
      and yes, teething is the worst

  4. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on January 20, 2015 at 3:47 pm

    Sweet -> I made your almond cookies from your book. OMG yum! Seriously that recipe is amazing. Spicy -> shrimp and butternut squash rice for dinner. It has a kick but oh so good. Crunch -> kale & butternut squash salad with spiced pecans. I gotta go eat now!

    • Fitnessista on January 20, 2015 at 4:09 pm

      YESSSS. those are in my top favorite cookies for sure!!
      that shrimp dinner sounds fantastic

  5. Becca on January 20, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    Haven’t commented in a while, but wanted to stop in and say how much I have been enjoying your blog lately! I don’t know what the difference is really, but I am LOVING checking in during my morning “routine” and again during nap time! 🙂 Thanks for all you do! <3

    • Fitnessista on January 20, 2015 at 4:09 pm

      thank you so much, becca, and thank you for reading! 🙂

  6. Hilary on January 20, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    I have gone to hot yoga classes the past two weekends and I have to say I am loving it! I just wish the studio was closer to where I am living and live would be great!

    • Fitnessista on January 20, 2015 at 4:09 pm

      ahhh i miss hot yoga so much! i think you inspired me to take a class again 🙂

  7. Linda @ TheFitty on January 20, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    i lpve salads with a crunch! usually the “good” stuff on the salad are al the crunchy ones.

  8. Kaila @healthyhelperblog! on January 20, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    I’ve seen those TJ juices!! I was wondering how they are….glad to hear they’re pretty good! But really, TJ’s can do no wrong!

  9. Carrie (This Fit Chick) on January 20, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    haha i love the sweet spicy and crunchy idea! the sweet thing of my day is this apple I’m eating!

  10. Jessica @pilateshappyhour on January 20, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    A radio interview?!?! You go girl!!

  11. Molly on January 20, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    Your book has inspired me to prep on the weekends for healthy meals/snacks during the week.
    On a side note, what is the name of your polish? Love it!

  12. Elle on January 20, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    Spicy- I just got a new chipotle white cheddar cheese I’m excited to try out in some breakfast quesadillas.

    Good luck on your interview!

  13. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on January 20, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    I went to an outdoor bootcamp class today in the park, and it was not my usual “group fitness” room session, but I loved it! Crunchy? That would be the brussels sprouts that were part of my lunch!

  14. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance on January 20, 2015 at 6:16 pm

    I haven’t tried TJ’s cold pressed juices but it’s great to read that they are worth the buy!

  15. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on January 20, 2015 at 6:41 pm

    Whenever I see something from Trader Joe’s it makes me want to run there immediately. The juice is no exception. That is awesome about the dance classes. I am looking to shake up my routine a bit too. Good luck with the interview!

  16. Maggie on January 20, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    Soo jealous of all your Trader Joes finds! Maybe they can make all the Target locations that are closing here (Canada) into Joes’ instead 😉

    On a random note, could you do a post on good workouts to do before bed? I often find that the only time I have to do a workout is right before bed – so I want to figure out something to do that will tone me up but not keep me awake for hours! Any suggestions?

    Good luck tomorrow!!

  17. Sandra F. on January 20, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    Good luck tomorrow! Crunchy – I bought teddie’s organic crunchy PB by accident but it’s been a nice change to my oatmeal! Sweet – decided to indulge a little and had a slice of homemade pumpkin cake with tea. Spicy? Dinner was Portuguese style pea stew with linguica and eggs. Yum

  18. ali on January 20, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    Orange Theory just opened up and I finally got to try it, SO MUch fun! It went by super quick and I loved the variation from my normal routine. As an Instructor, sometimes it’s nice to just take something like OT and put my head down and go to work. Loved the competitive nature, it totally brought out the college athlete in me! I’m hooked, and totally want to teach it now 🙂 Who knew doing 8lb Dumbbells in a pyramid style intermixed with rowing could thrash ones upper body so good. Crazy mad love for that class 🙂

  19. RunEatRepeat on January 20, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    Good luck tomorrow! You are the best 🙂

  20. Letizia@thefitlabel on January 21, 2015 at 12:37 am

    Crunchy: Yesterday I had a salad with raw fennel it in. I don’t usually buy fennel but I’m glad I did because it was really good!
    Sweet: I have been eating medjool dates as a snack and they are so sweet! I’m obsessed.
    Spicy: I finally had the balls to start my own healthy living bog 😉

  21. Ash Bear on January 21, 2015 at 1:49 am

    Crunchy – I can’t get enough cashews these days! Bo and I bought a HUGE bag and divided them out using a scale to weight 1 serving and then put in individual baby Ziplock bags. It’s such a tasty afternoon snack when paired with an apple!

  22. Lucie@FitSwissChick on January 21, 2015 at 2:08 am

    Haha, I just started to take HipHop Dance classes ( I did this years back) and I am the same – I think I got it and then the music starts and we move faster and there I go, #epicfail 🙂

  23. Gillian on January 21, 2015 at 5:00 am

    that salad sounds amazing! here in spain we have some lovely fruits and vegetables available for pretty cheap, but berries are on the pricier side..

    crunchy: golden apples- I’m obsessed. I keep them in the fridge and they are the perfect sweet ending to a meal!

    sweet: purple sweet potatoes- these power me up for my workouts almost every day and are SO good with almond butter (a combo i first tried after reading it on this blog.. MAJOR thanks for that one!)

    spicy: ceviche that i had yesterday for lunch with some girlfriends- spanish food isn’t very spicy generally so it was nice to switch it up with some peruvian and get a little bit of spice in my mouth.

  24. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen on January 21, 2015 at 6:21 am

    Yum that salad looks great!

  25. Lizzie @ The Magic Tree on January 21, 2015 at 8:18 am

    I’m headed to Trader Joe’s later today and might have to try one of those juices. I rarely buy store bought juice – is $4.99 the going rate lately?!

  26. Gianna @ Run, Lift, Repeat on January 21, 2015 at 9:22 am

    $4.99 for juice?! yet another reason to love TJ’s – thanks for the heads up!

  27. Tracy on January 21, 2015 at 10:48 am

    Today in yoga the instructor had us practice a “twisted root” headstand (headstand with eagle legs). It was fun to try something new and I surprised myself with how easily it came to me 🙂

  28. Annie B on January 21, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Love those TJ’s juices!

    Today’s sweet – brekkie! 1/2 avo, 1/2 frozen banana, and 1 scoop of chocolate sunwarrior blended into a pudding!

    Today’s crunchy – seaweed snacks! (I now have little seaweed crumbs sprinkled everywhere!)

    Today’s spicy – lunch! big ole’ salad doused in hot sauce. always. 😉

  29. Lisa O on January 21, 2015 at 10:17 pm

    Pineapple… can’t get enough… smiley face?! This made me think of a junior Fitnessista! I craved pineapple and summer fruits for both my pregnancies in the early stages. I’m crossing my fingers, I just loved following your pregnancy journey with Olivia. Having two is even more awesome from my experience! xx

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