Dining Al Fresco
Hiiii 😀 How are ya? How was your Sunday? Mine was a longie, but bueno 🙂
As much as I wanted to have b-fast cookie cereal this morning, I was determined to have something different to change things up 😉
Kamut bread with Earth Balance and Polaner jam:
and pumpkin protein yogurt with pumpkin puree, Goat’s milk vanilla yogurt, Sun Warrior, Stevia, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, almond milk to thin it out, and topped with cacao nibs
and packed up lunch for the day in the bento 😀
Black bean spaghetti with a spicy almond butter sauce (almond butter, Nama shoyu, cayenne, garlic, almond milk), carrots and snap peas + arugula that I ate plain—it tastes so spicy and fabulous on its own 🙂
+ banannerrrr
I actually had to remind myself to take a day off from working out this week– it’s a little easy to go crazy with classes when you get to TAKE them instead of teaching them 😀 There’s so much to choose from, too! I’m in paradise fo sho, but have to remember to give myself some rest, too.
Work was pretty good today- I met a lot of amazing people and when the time came for lunch, I dined al fresco with the birdies.
I just now got home, scarfed two macaroons and am about to prowl for some dinner.
Have a great night! <3
xoxo,
Gina
Something to talk about: How often do you take rest days? Do you schedule them or just go with the flow? Also, what would you like to see on the blog this week? I have a few fun posts in mind, but always love your ideas 😀
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I take my rest day(s) when my body asks for them (at least 1X per week). I’ve found that if I schedule my rest day (rather than listening to the bod) then usually 1-2 days later my body tells me I need a day of rest and I’ve already used it up!
PS…Where on Earth did you find black bean spaghetti???
whole foods
Reader Request: Trader Joes now sells peanut flour. I’d love to know how to use it!!
i’d love to know how to use it too! from what i understand, you can use it instead of peanut butter in recipes (smoothies, baked goodies, etc).. it gives it the same nutty flavor.
I love adding it to smoothies. It has 16g of protein per 1/4 cup so it’s a good replacement for protein powder. It’s basically the same thing as PB2, so you can make “peanut butter” by adding liquid to it, peanut sauces, use it in baking in addition to (or replacing) regular flour. It’s pretty awesome.
that’s amazing!!
Itzy has a couple of yummy sounding Peanut Flour recipes on her blog: http://itzyskitchen.blogspot.com/
I usually take 1-2 rest days, but only do cardio on 5 days, and weights on 3 days (one day just weights, 2 days with cardio).
I take a rest day every Friday. I love being active and working out, so I usually have to make myself consciously stop. Hence the Friday rest day. This week had a few more rest days than normal b/c I’m fighting the plague. Blah.
Where do you get the black bean spaghetti?! I would love to try!
Oops never mind, I saw your above comment. Is it with the other pastas in WF? I looked yesterday but didn’t see anything like it. Maybe mine just doesn’t have it.
I have to be sure to have a regularly scheduled off day because I always have so many workouts I love doing and want to fit in. It’s hard to do all the faves!
What’s a “rest day”?… 😉
haha my thoughts exactly.
That pumpkin protein yogurt looks delicious! I don’t really like goat yogurt. It tastes like “damp” to me, I dont know how to explain it! Weird aftertaste! But that looks so good =)
Yay for the bento! I love seeing packed lunch boxes because I always get such great ideas for what I should pack for myself.
I work about a block from an in-city waterfall park. It’s a man-made waterfall of course, but it *looks* like a pretty decent waterfall and the whole park is green and pretty. Loved it when it was still warm out, my coworkers and I would eat our lunch there at these cute little wire tables. Miss it!
I take one real rest day (Sunday) where I do 40 minutes of gentle yoga, max. Throughout the week I have 2 days of more “active rest” where I do 60 minutes of vinyasa yoga. I like to divide my exercise between 2 days each of cardio/strength training/stretching. 🙂
i like to schedule in a complete rest day once a week – usually sundays. rest means more than just a break from the gym though – it also involves a break from emails and tedious chores. i feel like i really need it to regain my motivation for the week ahead!
I just kinda go with the flow as far as rest days go. I don’t schedule them, and I usually do something active, like a walk, even on rest days. But some days I do nothing at all 🙂
I take 1-2 rest days per week. On Sundays I look at my schedule: what appointments I have after work, plans, etc and figure out what days would work best for rest 🙂
I am so jealous of your bento box and just might have to get one for myself 🙂
I love goat cheese, but not used to goat milk yogurt just yet. I don’t have gym membership as I can’t afford it right now, so all my work outs are at home…yoga online, running outside, weights…but lately i’ve been bored! i really LOVE going to classes at the gym! 🙁 do you have any ideas on how to spice up working out at home?? thanks!!
I used to schedule my rest days, but 9 times out of 10 would end up feeling antsy to work out on those days, and tired on one of my scheduled workout days!
Now I just go with the flow. Since I enjoy moving my body, if I’m feeling too tired to do it, I know it’s probably a good day for a rest. This usually only happens about once a week, but if it happens more, I just listen to my body!
This week on the blog I’d love to see a demonstration with pictures of a few effective toning moves to do outside of the gym! I’m pretty schooled in nutrition but have no idea about this fitness stuff
Thanks! 🙂
I have to say, as a worker bee myself, I am LOVING seeing your bento lunches. The way you eat really inspires me to make choices that are right for myself. It is so awesome to see some real examples of what it is like to eat healthy on the go and having to pack lunches/snacks for your work day. I can’t wait to see more! It is inspiring me to do more than the almond butter and jelly standby:)
thank you, that is so awesome! it’s been fun to get out of my comfort zone and pack more interesting things for you guys 🙂
I was thinking… if you have any advice for how to pack a healthy lunch with staying power. Like what combo of things you think to add in together based on how long it needs to last you, types of snacks, etc… I would love a post like that:) I work all day and am away from the house from about 8-6. I work in a very snacky office with lots of candy bowls, cupcakes, and DAILY treats. I am constantly trying to find ideas of how to pack a healthy lunch for me that is filling so I am not tempted. Also, to avoid the all day long every free chance snacking that can go along with an office. Its tough sometimes!
that’s a great idea! maybe reader’s request post this week??
I always make Saturdays my rest day, unless something comes up – like if I have to sub a spin class on that day. Then I just change it to Friday or something like that. I agree with you about getting excited about participating in classes, rather than teaching. SO much fun!
the spicy nut butter sauce sounds incredible…i wander what it would taste like with things like cashew butter…
i’m sure it would be just as good! 🙂
um… I don’t really DO rest days!! 😀
unless I’m sick ! 😉
That black bean spaghetti and spicy nutty sauce sounds sooo good! I have to find that pasta sooooon!
I would love to run everyday, but I make sure to schedule two specific rest days each week. I stick to it religiously because I know it’s key for injury prevention – learned that the hard way.
Something that I’d love to see (but know it would be time consuming) is to show us your groceries purchases for the week, then how those groceries came together to make your meals for the week. I’m definitely a “monkey see, monkey do” kinda girl, so that would help me to with grocery lists and meal ideas! 🙂
I want to see more pilot secrets on the bloggy 😉
I’ve tried goat’s milk yogurt, and the texture was just horrendous. I’m not sure if it’s just not a food for me or if I chose the wrong brand. What kind do you buy?
i don’t have any more or i would look for you, but it’s at whole foods and has a picture of a goat’s head on the front
I take 1-2 rest days every week and I usually schedule them.
O-My-Gosh your Pumkin yogurt looks so good.. I think I have to go shopping tomorrow and pick up some pumkin. Where did you get your cacao nibs?
opensky – http://shopopensky.com/fitnessista/buy/cacao-nibs-certified-organic 🙂
Rest days are sooo hard for me. I was just talking with another friend about this. Mentally, I go STIR CRAZY when I rest. That’s where my yoga practice grabs me by the neck and speaks to me..lol. I LOVE the mental relaxation and freedom and endorphin high i get from getting into my cardio/yoga/lifting zone and HATE giving it up. So I dont really give it up too easily and dont rest as much as I should. It’s my total work in progress personal deal that I always work on.
On the blog this week? Pictures of you, living life in O-town, living large and in charge, doing your thing. No topics necessary, just pics 🙂 That’s all i ever care about is wanting to see pics of what everyone’s up to, no commentary required!
xo
oh my gosh i must check wf for black bean spaghetti – i looked up the nutritionals and it has 20g of protein! crazy. i made some pumpkin protein yogurt today too! its so good! and as for rest days… well, i’ve just started college and haven’t had much time to work out so far actually. but usually i take 1-2 rest days per week. sometimes i will work out everyday, but the intensity levels vary, so i think its okay. it is super important to give your body a break though!
I don’t know if this is too weight-lossy, but do you have tips on night time snacking/slothiness?
I can eat healthy all day and work out in the morning, but come evening, all I want to do is veg in front of the TV with snacks! I’m also afraid of working out at night because I heard it can affect sleeping–is that true?
Thanks!
That black bean spagetti looks soo good, pity we don’t have a Whole Foods here. I would love to see a post on eating on the go/eating when travelling etc.
I have the same problem. I teach spin classes 2-3 times a week and I like to mix it up with running and maybe a boot camp or pilates class and of course some weight training. It’s often very hard to remember that my body needs a day of rest. And I don’t want to miss out on all the fun! So, I shoot for one day a week! Love your blog BTW!
I take rest days about 1-2x per week. There are also some days where I workout, but I keep it pretty low intensity so that I’m not going balls to the wall on the 5-6 days that I do workout. I don’t want to burn myself out!!
Love the sounds of that almond butter sauce! I’ve got to try that out. I’m a big fan of doing sunflower seed butter + soy sauce + lime juice as a sauce for my noodles.
My rest days are usually by default when I have too much else going on or no one to watch the boy. I usually jump at the chance to go to yoga, zumba, or on a trail run.
I love kamut bread..I eat kamut puff cereal all the time too!!
My whole food doesn’t carry the black bean spaghetti. What is the brand name so I can try to find it online?
explore asian
my gym just got TRX and i’ve used it a few times but it can be intimidating! i would love for you to design a workout on it!
I love being able to get outside and eat lunch under the sunshine. I used to work right near a park and could literally picnic myself silly every day when the weather was nice! The ol’ office desk definitely can’t compare…. :-\
Okay really? Black bean spaghetti?! Must. Locate.
Hi Gina! Just found your blog from Janetha’s Meals & Moves the other day. Love it! I actually incorporated some of your moves into my circuit training today!
I usually rest unexpectedly. Everyday I have it in my mind that I will workout…sometimes in the morning (bleh, not my fave), sometimes in the evening. But if I just don’t feel it or, due to unexpected changes in plans, I can’t fit it in, I don’t worry about it…just consider it my off day and start back the next!
I loved reading about your “ravioli making adventure”! It looked so good! I myself have always aspired to make homemade pasta but have been very intimidated by it. Oh, and I was wondering, is there a recipe for the gorgeous cake that was on that post? Looks to die for!
A friend of mine lived by the view that life will always demand rest days from your workout- esp. for him because he had a hectic work schedule. I liked this idea, so I just plan to work out every day. If I notice Life hasn’t interrupted in more than a week, or if I just plain feel the need for rest, that’s when I’ll plan a rest day.
But life usually interrupts: without planning rest days, I usually get a max of 5 workouts per week.
🙂 I like this