Earning my Keep

Hi guys!! Happy Monday! Hope your morning is treating ya well 😀

After church last night, we came back to the casa to munch to food I’d prepped earlier.

burger

Salad (I drizzled mine with Dijon mustard and Garlic Gold– my cousin is already a new Garlic Gold fanatic. She said she wanted to drink it. I think we’re related, haha)

Emily’s black bean burgers (I use extra oats instead of the pumpkin seeds- the fam LOVED them!)

burger (2)

And crinkle cut sweet potato fries (cut using a Pampered Chef crinkle cutter and seasoned with EVOO, sea salt, pepper, chili powder, cayenne, garlic and paprika)

fries

Since I’m basically an Orlando squatter in my aunt’s house, I thought it would be fun to cook dinner and treats for them every now and again. 😉

I worked on the paperwork that’s due for my HR appointment today, started Sarah’s Key (I’m HOOKED already! Has anyone read it??), and called it a night.

This morning, I’m about to munch a funny-shaped organic apple:

apple

and go sweat my face off in yoga 🙂

i-duz-yoga-ta-relax

The plan for the day:

-Walk dogs

-Yoga

-Work (first day! Thank you so much for first day good vibes!)

-Make macaroons

-Weights

See ya later this afternoon!!!

xoxo,

Gina

Something to do:

If you’re in the voting mood today, please take a minute a vote for the Next Food Blog Star. You can read my first entry *here* 😀 (Voting starts around 9am, EST)

Something else to do:

It’s been a while since we’ve had a reader’s request post! Tweet requests to @fitnessista , or shoot me an email (fitnessista at gmail dot com subject: reader’s request)

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61 Comments

  1. Jessica @ How Sweet on September 20, 2010 at 8:42 am

    Have a great first day Gina! 🙂

  2. April @ Crazy Fabulous Life on September 20, 2010 at 8:42 am

    Woohoo! Good luck at work!

  3. Mara @ What's For Dinner? on September 20, 2010 at 8:44 am

    Have a great day today!!! Good luck!

  4. Amy M on September 20, 2010 at 8:45 am

    Have a great day at work…
    I must say I am super curious LOL! I do understand the need for protecting yourself though.. I keep wondering if its teaching classes or cooking in a health food restaurant, or a health food store…
    Whatever it is I am sure you will do great! 🙂

  5. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on September 20, 2010 at 8:46 am

    Hey Gina! It’s my first day of work today too so from one newbie to another, good luck! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on September 20, 2010 at 8:48 am

      good luck to you, too!

  6. Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine on September 20, 2010 at 8:49 am

    I’m sure your family loves the cooking…my parents are always impressed with how good healthy food can be!! Good luck at work today, I’m sure you’ll rock it 🙂

  7. Dana on September 20, 2010 at 8:58 am

    Good luck today!

    Sarah’s Key is hauntingly good and the story really sticks with you. I have learned about the Holocaust all of my life and never was taught about the French Jews. I was actually on a cruise when I started reading it and the story became so gripping. I came back to my cabin one night at 4am and started reading it, because even in my “tired” state, I couldn’t put it down.

  8. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman on September 20, 2010 at 8:59 am

    Good luck on your first day!

  9. RhodeyGirl on September 20, 2010 at 8:59 am

    Have fun on your first day of work! Dinner looks fabulous- must be fun to cook for more than 2 people!!!!

  10. Katie on September 20, 2010 at 9:03 am

    Good luck on your first day and hope you have a good yoga session. 🙂

    I read that book this summer. Holy cow it was amazing! I didn’t want to put it down!

  11. Tina on September 20, 2010 at 9:11 am

    I know I would appreciate your cooking! 🙂

    Hope you have a great first day.

  12. Holly @ couchpotatoathlete on September 20, 2010 at 9:12 am

    I’ve heard great reviews of Sarah’s Key. I have so many books on my list that I won’t get to it for a while. Keep us posted on how you like it!

    Good luck with your first day of work!

  13. Mimi on September 20, 2010 at 9:16 am

    I’m glad to hear that you are having fun experiencing and settling into Orlando. It’s great that you have family to stay with… Plus, it’s always fun to cook for new people. (:

  14. Whitney @ Whitinspired on September 20, 2010 at 9:17 am

    I need that pampered chef tool! Crinkle cut sweet potato fries made at home…yummy!

  15. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg on September 20, 2010 at 9:29 am

    Have a great first day!!!

  16. Lisa on September 20, 2010 at 9:44 am

    Good luck! I hope you love this new job! =)

  17. Little Bookworm on September 20, 2010 at 9:47 am

    Hope you first day goes well!

  18. Alyssa Johnson on September 20, 2010 at 10:11 am

    I think we may be living parallel lives. Me and my husband also a squatters in my aunts house (temporarily I hope!) and I just started reading Sarah’s Keys and am also addicted! Love your blog!!!

  19. Bekki on September 20, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Sarah’s key is fantastic…how hard to put down? I just wanted to stay home and read all day!! Enjoy the first day!!

  20. Shanna on September 20, 2010 at 10:15 am

    Enjoy your first day 🙂

  21. Kristina @ spabettie on September 20, 2010 at 10:28 am

    you can squat at MY house anytime… 😉

  22. Caitlin (EatFeats) on September 20, 2010 at 10:31 am

    AHaha that cat.

  23. Emily @ The Front Burner Blog on September 20, 2010 at 10:34 am

    mmmmm love those bean burgers! looks good! 🙂

  24. Liz @ Blog is the New Black on September 20, 2010 at 10:35 am

    I’ve read it! SOOOO GOOD!

  25. Deirdre on September 20, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Have a great first day!

    I read Sarah’s Key this summer and LOVED it.

  26. Lauren on September 20, 2010 at 10:45 am

    have a great first day!

  27. Nic on September 20, 2010 at 10:51 am

    Enjoy your day at work!

    I haven’t read Sarah’s Key, but I just finished my last book… so I guess I have my next one lined up. Thanks for the suggestion!

  28. Joslyn (missfitbliss) on September 20, 2010 at 10:51 am

    What a thoughtful thing to make dinner for your family! That’s one of my favorite ways to say “thank you” to my loved ones!

  29. Kat (My Fruity Life) on September 20, 2010 at 11:08 am

    Are you excited to find some new Indian places in Orlando??

    Sarah’s Key was amazing. I finished it in 2 or 3 days I think. I balled the whole first half of the book – you feel so close to Sarah and her pain torments you. Its one of the best books I’ve read. Glass Castle is also a good one when you’re finished with Sarah’s Key. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on September 20, 2010 at 12:21 pm

      i’ve read glass castle- it was AMAZING 🙂

  30. Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) on September 20, 2010 at 11:09 am

    Sarah’s Key is on my “to read” list. Glad you are enjoying it! Good luck today!

  31. Lauren on September 20, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Delicious dinner & good luck on your first day!! 🙂

  32. Jaclyn on September 20, 2010 at 11:24 am

    Good luck on your first day! What’s your new *line of work?*

  33. Raewyn on September 20, 2010 at 11:27 am

    Yum, dinner looks great, Gina! I hope you have a fantastic first day of work (dancer at DW???) – I’ll definitely say a prayer for you that everything goes smoothly and you have a blasty. 🙂 I didn’t know you were in Orlando – my familia and I were at Disney World til Saturday and I had wanted to try and meet you, but I thought you were back in Valdosta. 🙁

    P.S. I sent you a reader’s request last night…I really hope you pick it! (I’m Grace btw)

  34. fittingbackin on September 20, 2010 at 11:29 am

    Those fries look great – I love the pampered chef!

  35. Heather (Heather's Dish) on September 20, 2010 at 11:34 am

    hope the first day is amazing! have fun girl!

  36. Jen on September 20, 2010 at 11:48 am

    I love Sarah’s Key!!! Good luck with work! And, so glad that you are happy!!!

  37. melissa @ the delicate place on September 20, 2010 at 11:48 am

    ahh crinkle cut! it just makes fries more fun 🙂 glad to see you’re adjusting in orlando. i have family down in clearwater and orlando and there’s plenty of stuff to do down there PLUS the weather is soooo much better than a northeastern winter 🙁

  38. Emma on September 20, 2010 at 11:52 am

    I started University today, so I can definitely sympathise with the first day nerves! =)

  39. Liz @ Tip Top Shape on September 20, 2010 at 11:57 am

    Hope you have a wonderful first day 😀

  40. Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) on September 20, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    Totally sending happy first day vibes your way!

  41. Tracy on September 20, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    I have 20 pages left of Sarah’s Key! I don’t want it to end:( When I’m finished with it, ‘Push’ is next up…has anyone read that?

  42. Kate on September 20, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    Happy first day of work? What is your new job!

    Those black bean burgers look delish!

  43. Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter on September 20, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    Have a great first day of work!

    I read Sarah’s Key all in one day this summer. It was probably the most depressing day, but it was SO good.

  44. Paige @Running Around Normal on September 20, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    I’m sure the fam is more than thankful for your meals!
    Good luck on your first day, Gina!!

  45. Jessica@tastyandtrim on September 20, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    I need to get myself one of those crinkle cutters, your fries look so perfect and yummy! Good luck on your first day, you’ll do great 🙂

  46. Jennie @ seejennrun on September 20, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    Those fries look amazing! How do you cook them in the oven? I have made them a few times, but they never come out crispy.

  47. gigi on September 20, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    dinner looks delicious! good luck on your first day
    not really a readers request but I love when you blog about fitness, weight training, solo spin ect

  48. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) on September 20, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    “crinkle cut sweet potato fries (cut using a Pampered Chef crinkle cutter”–ok I was wondering how you made those so purrr-dey. (pretty). LOL. Got it. The Pampered Chef to the rescue.

    I think it’s great that you are able to stay at your aunt’s, that you hooked her up with din-din, and that you went to church and blogged about it.

    Best of luck on your first day of work!!!!!! No, you don’t need luck. You have SKILLS and talent and experience; you don’t need any luck b/c your qualifications speak for themselves 🙂 But knock em dead anyway girl!

    xoxo

  49. Evey on September 20, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    Sarah’s Key is so good, and so sad. You just feel so connected with Sarah and what’s happening to her… highly recommended! Let us know how you like it, and good luck with your interview! 🙂

  50. Miss Muffin Tops on September 20, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    I had never heard of garlic gold before but I looooove garlic and that sounds soo tasty delicious!

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