don’t make me go

I feel like all of my post titles for the next 9 months or so could be some version of “keep me here forever” haha.

First beach day

How was your weekend, friends? Hope you had a great one. Ours was magical, and definitely reminded us of our first couple of months here. We did a lot of uniquely “San Diego things” and enjoyed being out and about, spending time with friends, and playing outside. I think no matter where you are, it’s easy to fall into the same habits and do the same things, and while we’ll always be creatures of habit, it was fun to add some new activities into the rotation.

Friday afternoon, I met up with Betsy for lunch,

Brain food

(we ordered Saffron from Postmates! That’s the “brain food” which is kale, chicken, sweet potato and spices, including turmeric and ginger. It is everrrryyyyything.)

and Friday night, Jess, her husband and daughter came over for dinner. The Pilot made his famous turkey burgers (recipe is in HIIT IT!), I roasted some sweet potato fries, Jess brought over an incredible salad (I’ll replicate it for the blog soon!) along with wine and beer, and I put together some quick appetizers.

Appetizers

Chunky guacamole with blue corn chips,

Guacamole

a cheese board with different goat cheeses, dried fruit, nuts, and olives,

plus a dip (recipe to come) + mini cheese board for the littles.

Bitsys 3

For dessert, we had pizookies. I prepped a variation of this dough in ramekins,

Pizookie dough

stored in the fridge, and baked for 10 minutes as everyone was finishing up dinner. Just top with coconut milk ice cream before serving. 🙂

Pizookie

We had such a blast hanging out with everyone, especially since our travel schedules have been totally opposite lately. The best part was that the girls played the entire time, P went to bed at her usual early bedtime, and the adults could chill and have full conversations. Always a nice treat. 😉

Saturday was a friend’s birthday party at the bay,

The girls 2

and Saturday night, the Pilot and I had a date night!

Balboa

Even though we have our usual favorite spots that we frequent, we were determined to switch it up and try something new. So, we headed to Prado in Balboa Park. We had seen it in passing a couple of times and heard good things, so we decided to give it a whirl.

My date

We enjoyed some drinks in the lounge before heading to our table, and had a lovely view of the patio. 

Rita

Prado offers modern twists on Latin dishes, and everything on the menu looked amazing. It was tough to make a decision, and I think we’ll have to go back to try out more of the tapas and appetizers.

To start, we shared a chile relleno, which was stuffed with seafood and goat cheese,

Chile relleno

and for my entree, I went with the salmon. It was topped with shredded Napa cabbage and an Asian-inspired dressing (sesame, soy and ginger). The fish was perfectly looked and the flavors were fantastic.

Dinner

While the food was good, the best part was the view. It’s in the heart of Balboa with lush trees surrounding the property and little twinkling lights.

Patio

We were proud of ourselves for stepping out of our usual rotation, but after dinner, we had to go to an old favorite: Shout House. (I posted some clips in my Snapchat! Username is fitnessista.) The pianists were in a mood that night, especially when it came to calling up audience members to dance on stage (or the embarrass random people in the crowd). The best part was when they called a woman up on stage to serenade her with “Happy Birthday.” The birthday girl was turning 60 and was engaged to a man in the audience. So, they invited her fiancé (<— a dapper fellow in a suit with silvery grey hair) up to dance to “Fools Rush In” with her, turned the lights down, and turned up the disco ball. It was very sweet. THEN her fiancé asked for the mic so he can sing. He took the mic and was a legit crooner. It was like Frank Sinatra was in the house! The entire bar was on their feet cheering. So so amazing.

Sunday, we had absolutely nothing on the agenda (besides the usual grocery and errand rotation), so we headed down to Mission to play in the bay. It was P’s first real beach day!

First beach day 3

First beach day 3

The weather was dreamy: warm in the sun with a cool breeze. P and I watched Liv and the Pilot swim and splash for a little while, and hung out under the Sport-brella to keep her in the shade. She was adorably confused to have sand in her toes.  🙂

After the beach, we went through the Roberto’s drive-thru for breakfast burritos, and I silently rejoiced that the season of sand in the car, buckets rolling around in the back, and lots of sunscreen is officially here. 

This morning, we’re off for a family walk, and meeting up with our friends who are in town from Tucson. Hope you have a lovely morning! See ya later today with a new breakfast recipe!

xoxo

Gina

New post up on the PBB site here! Sending lots of love to my friend Kim. <3

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43 Comments

  1. Sana on April 18, 2016 at 6:52 am

    Your beach weekend looks like a dream! Soak it all in!

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:41 am

      thank you friend- hope you had a great one too!

  2. Anna @ THE POSH BODY on April 18, 2016 at 7:03 am

    I’m heading to San Diego for a vacation and this is making me so excited! Is the water warm? Growing up in northern California dipping your toes in was as far as we could “swim” in the pacific haha!

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:41 am

      the water is freezing haha, but the weather is perfect 🙂

  3. Theresa on April 18, 2016 at 7:14 am

    I feel like I missed a post, are you going to be moving again soon? It looks like you had a lovely weekend. My husband is from Carlsbad and he’s always told me how fun the Shout House is!

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:41 am

      either the end of this year or beginning of next year. we’ll see what they do with us!
      if you visit, you have to go to shout house! it is the best 🙂
      hope you had a great weekend!

  4. Shaina on April 18, 2016 at 7:19 am

    I LOOOOOOOVE Prado!

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:40 am

      it was good! i think i liked the vibe more than the food though

      • Shaina on April 19, 2016 at 6:04 am

        oh yeah….the ambiance and the view are definitely the best part.

  5. Julia on April 18, 2016 at 7:21 am

    Girl, that chile relleno is naked poor thing. It’s healthier without the flour bath, but I have never seen a relleno like that in all my life! HaHa. I bet it tasted great though.

    Glad you had a nice weekend. I’m still slowly plugging away at PBB, and met my enemy the stairclimber yesterday at the gym – for 20 minutes of torture. My hip flexors are no accustomed to having to lift my legs lol.

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:40 am

      right? i was like this is not a relleno. i’m used to the batter-dipped ones fried before your eyes 🙂 it was good, but a little… crunchy 😉
      so glad you’re still enjoying the PBB workouts! the stairclimber is under appreciated. that thing is killer!

      • Julia on April 18, 2016 at 10:06 am

        hahahaha. If you are ever around El Paso we shall find you a Triple dipped monster relleno. Although I’m sure Tucson has plenty of all the delicious Mexican Food.

  6. Lauren on April 18, 2016 at 7:35 am

    great post… did you find out where/when you are off to your next adventure city??

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:39 am

      we have an idea, but things always change so we’re waiting until it’s official to spread the news

      • Lauren on April 18, 2016 at 10:15 am

        Thanks:) fingers crossed its amazing!!

  7. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on April 18, 2016 at 7:37 am

    Hopefully you’ll at least go somewhere that has a beach! I’ve always said my two perfect places to live in are Tucson and so Cal.

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:39 am

      it looks like that’s a no hahah, but at least there are some close by 🙂
      i totally agree. so cal and tucson are my fave!

  8. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on April 18, 2016 at 8:49 am

    What a fun weekend! I’d love to live in San Diego. Do you know where you’re headed next?

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:38 am

      we have an idea, but are waiting until everything is official to spread the news because things always change

  9. Sam @ Barrister's Beet on April 18, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Looks like a lovely weekend! SD looks awesome : )

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:38 am

      thank you! hope you had a great one, too

  10. Britt@MyOwnBalance on April 18, 2016 at 9:53 am

    Looks amazing! I would give anything to live in Cali.

  11. Amy on April 18, 2016 at 10:58 am

    Oh wow, San Diego always looks so good when you share about restaurants and outdoor pics!
    p.s. Your pilot looks sooo much better sans stache:)

  12. Crystal on April 18, 2016 at 11:05 am

    I love that you made a little cheese plate for the kids–so cute!

    My dad was in the Air Force, I remember how hard it was to move every 3-4 years, especially when we left the really amazing locations. I don’t blame you for not wanting to leave SD! looks like you’re making the most of your time there 🙂

  13. Tracy on April 18, 2016 at 11:12 am

    Can’t wait to find out where you’re off to next…. because we get to go with you 😉 virtually of course!! It’s time to really appreciate your current dreamy location! Looks like so much fun 🙂

  14. Denise Rico on April 18, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    I will for sure be checking out Prado the next time I’m in San Diego!

  15. Taylor on April 18, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    Looks like you guys had such a nice weekend!! All that food looks amazing!!

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:50 pm

      it was great! hope you had a wonderful one too

  16. Kaleigh on April 18, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Ok- you have to do a fashion post for kiddos! Your girls are always adorably dressed! Where do I sign up to get their hand-me-downs for my 1 month old daughter??

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:50 pm

      thank you so much! i have way more fun dressing them than i do dressing myself 🙂
      if you see anything you want, send me an email! p is outgrowing things like crazy. i had to get out all of the 9 month stuff today!

      • Kaleigh on April 21, 2016 at 8:29 pm

        That’s amazing, thank you! It’s funny- I’m not much of a fashionista but it is a blast shopping for her! I have a lot of outfit planning to learn

        • Fitnessista on April 21, 2016 at 8:36 pm

          shopping for little girls is way more fun than shopping for adult clothes 🙂

  17. Sarah on April 18, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    Your dinner party food spread looks amazinggg!!! I vote y’all need to end up in Seattle next!

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:49 pm

      ahhh i wish. LOVE seattle
      xoxo

  18. Jess on April 18, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    Looks like a fantastic weekend and makes me miss living in SD!

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:47 pm

      it is the best <3

  19. Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More on April 18, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    A beach day sounds heavenly! I’m ready for our beach vacation in June!

    And now I want tapas! We have a couple of fantastic Spanish restaurants here. Always so good!

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:45 pm

      where are you going in june?!
      and yes to tapas. all the time. 🙂 xoxo

      • Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More on April 19, 2016 at 12:08 pm

        My family (16 of us!) are to Orlando for 8 days with at least 3 of those days to be spent at a different beach each day!

  20. millie on April 18, 2016 at 9:21 pm

    your girls are so cute! and you look so pretty in your date night picture! 🙂 i love your sunglasses. mind sharing where they’re from?

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2016 at 9:45 pm

      thank you, friend! they’re from HM! they were like $10 🙂

  21. Joanna on April 27, 2016 at 11:50 am

    I just had this realization that you could potentially be coming to live in the same city as me (Wichita, KS) and totally geeked out. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on April 27, 2016 at 2:43 pm

      yup we totally could!!

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