Easy on the butter, heavy on the cheesecake
Hey guys! How’s your morning going?? Mine has been pretty bueno- trying to keep the dogs from rough-housing. We used to let them play like that, but after Vies tried to make a snack out of Bella, they aren’t allowed to touch each other.
Last night was such a blasty 🙂
It was a friend’s birthday, so a group of us went out to dinner at Creekside Tavern– a pretty new place in Valdosta, and it was BUMPIN’.
I started with a Riesling:
and before our entrees, the server brought out a fabulous family-style salad (kinda like Olive Garden).
This one had greens, carrots, sunflower seeds, mandarin oranges, dried golden raisins and cranberries, and a sweet vinaigrette.
I had two hefty plates full– since I still haven’t made it to the grocery store, I’ve been salad hankering like you wouldn’t believe.
For my entree, I chose the sautéed shrimp with asparagus, and asked them to go easy on the butter.
It was lovely 🙂
Jeni brought a cheesecake for the birthday girl:
(sorry my cup is in the way!)
I usually don’t splurge on store-bought treats, particularly those with dairy, but last night I made an exception because:
1) It was a birthday – I always feel rude turning down dessert on a birthday or special occasion
2) It looked really, really good.
And it was… really, really good 🙂
I came back to the casa, took the puppers out, read The Help in bed (I can’t wait to finish it! What an awesome book), and crashed out.
I woke up to some Core Fusion pilates.
Viesa was mesmerized by the beautiful abbies on the screen.
Vies is a supermodel, though, so she already knows how to keep her abs in shape 😉
Honestly, I wasn’t impressed with this DVD.
– The warm-ups in the beginning of each segment were awkward and unnecessary.
– The voiceovers during the exercises are very monotone, which makes it difficult to feel motivated.
-While it was semi-challenging, I felt like it repeated a lot of the same movements and I prefer to switch things up pretty often.
– It wasn’t really Pilates. I was craving the traditional Pilates exercises, so after 20 minutes, I switched it to a Winsor Pilates advanced DVD and did that instead
– Grade: C-
I probably won’t do this DVD again. I do like the total body Core Fusion DVD, but wasn’t a huge fan of this one.
Well I’m off to make some bfast and get to work!
Have a great day <3
G$
52 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Hahaha priceless to see your dog watching the abs! 🙂
You brought a cake to the restaurant?
i didn’t, jeni did. and yes- most places have no prob with that
Thanks for reviewing this DVD I was considering buying it! I have the glutes & thighs (which is amazing) you should try it out! Although I definitely agree that it’s hard to feel motivated with the monotone overvoice! Your din din looks amazing!
Oooh I am intrigued by those abbies too. Too bad the DVD wasn’t good. 🙁
Glad you had fun celebrating with your friends!
Yeah I’m not a huge fan of the core fusion DVDs, but the actual classes at exhale spa in chicago are amazing!!!
Vies does look totally mesmerized by the abs. haha I’ll admit – I’ probably be a little mesmerized too if I had those abs in front of me.
The cheesecake looks like it was totally worth it. 🙂
I like the total body version of that DVD, but haven’t tried any of the others.
Yay for cheesecake!! And wine! 🙂
I am loving that you do DVDs; I think I might make a purchase- is it good?
being healthy = making exceptions for birthdays etc. you’re a great leader in the health arena
I have a big dog and a tiny dog. They play well together most of the time, but there are moments…usually I know what will set the larger dog off (being jumped on by the puppy while I’m giving attention to the big one) and avoid those situations. It’s hard to balance between letting the little one learn his lesson and keeping him safe.
Sometimes life requires a little cheesecake:) Glad you had a good time!
Gina, you will LOVE the end of The Help! It is such an excellent book. And I know you said you didn’t like Julie and Julia, but you should read Julia Childs bio ‘My life in France’, 1000X better than ‘Julie and Julia’.
Have you ever tried a Cathe DVD (www.cathe.com). She rocks. Kick Max is a great no equipment workout!
Hey Gina,
I highly recommend that you try the Physique 57 dvds, they are so so much better than the core fusion ones. I think you will really enjoy them.
I like these dvds too!
ok, looks like i’m off to amazon to order them- i’ve heard great things. thank you for the recommendation!
P57 DVDs are AWESOME! The main instructor (on the 30 minute & the 60 minute full body workouts) is a little…crazy…but the workouts are killer. I also really like the Arm & Ab Booster, and I like that instructor (Shelley, I believe her name is) better. GREAT DVDs.
I’m reading The Help too! Every time you mention it, I get a little twinge of anxiousness to get home and continue reading! Feel like I may have separation anxiety once it’s over….you know..with my friends, Aibileen, Miss Skeeter and Minny. hehehe
seriously! i feel like i’m living in the story!! glad you’re loving it, too 🙂
From reading your post and all of the comments, it seems like The Help needs to go on my summer reading list!
You know, a little splurge on special occasions isn’t going to kill you. Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh, and I loved The Help, too. When I put it down I wanted to start it all over again.
what a yummy splurge! I can never turn down cheesecake!
Stinks your dvd wasn’t very good :-/
Hey Gina! I just started following you and LOVE your blog. You may have talked about this, but I didn’t see it anywhere — do you use a heart rate monitor, and if you do, what percentage of your max heart-rate were you normally working out in during the insanity tapes? Would it be the difficulty of say running an hour? I’m definitely interested in purchasing them!
it was way harder than running an hour. insanity made running feel easy, no joke. i didn’t wear my hrm during workouts but jeni’s heart rate was in the 90% range for a lot of it
Have you ever seen the Dog Whisperer? Maybe he can help the puppers get along, dog psychology is really fascinating!
yes, i looked at sending viesa to his camp and it’s … 10,000. no joke
That so disappointing to hear about Core Fusion. Exhale has a location here in Boston and I’ve always wanted to go try their classes. I wonder if it is worth it as they are very $$$
That cheesecake looked worth it! Every bite! 🙂
Just catching up… sorry to hear about Zumba. The lady you hired stinks. Majorly.
Might be a blessing in disguise?!
i hope so!
That salad looks so good. I’m craving a delicious one too!
One of my cats is very overweight, so i think he could do with paying attention to an exercise DVD or two! Those shrimps look absolutely delicious, i’m not usually a seafood fan but those actually look very delicious! xx
I appreciate your honesty (and the pups memorization) on the DVD. I was looking for a good Core workout. I think I might hit up Netflix. Let me know if you find one you like.
I am not usually a big cheesecake fan, but you’re completely right…that one looks REALLY, REALLY GOOD!!! Good for you for going for it and enjoying it :). I hate when I waste my time on a sub-par workout, like if I try a new fitness class and it’s really lame-o and I end up having to stay even longer to get a REAL work out in. Hate that.
You have such a great attitude towards indulging on treats, Gina! Reading your blog has definitely helped me relax when it comes to the occasional splurge. 🙂
Mmm. Loves me some cheesecake! I can’t stand most workout DVD’s. I get so bored after 5 minutes!
Riesling is my favorite wine! If you are a fan, you must try St. Urbans- its a German wine! It is amazing!
i’ll look for it! thanks 🙂
Haha, the abs picture is funny. I took doggie pictures yesterday that I want to write about too. 🙂
love the in depth review! thank you, now I know that I will not waste my time!
ohh that dinner looks delicious! I totally agree with you about certain splurges that are totally worth it esp on birthdays 🙂 glad you had a nice time!
Thanks for the honest review of the DVD! I’ve been looking for a good ab DVD, so if you have any that you DO recommend, I’d love to hear about them!
the winsor pilates dvds are my favorite for abs so far 🙂
I have no problem in taking cakes to the restaurant for a birthday 😀 At least here in Europe it’s ok! By the way, that cake looks delicious 😉
Viesa is right, I would be mesmerized by these abs too 😀
Have a great weekend Gina!!
Just read your Insanity recap. Ummm hello, Shaun T abs. Seks.
If you got a VW, I <3 mine so much!!
Random unrelated question but what kind of dog is Vies? I love him! (I know it’s kind of forward since I haven’t met him yet.. so shhhh don’t tell him!) 😉
viesa is a shiba inu. it is a *she* but you can still love her 🙂
here’s a random question for you gina.
how often do you change your clothes during the day? if i do a late morning workout and i know i have an evening workout coming up that same day, i find it difficult to shower and get ready again, only to put on workout clothes again later on…lol. don’t get me wrong, i shower! but sometimes it’s just easier to stay in my workout clothes for a few more hours. plus i run out of workout outfits fast!! do you ever run into this problem?
yes! i stay in the same clothes if i know i’ll be working out again later- or i’ll just change my shirt and/or sports bra.
i wash my workout clothes all the time- since i change outfits at least twice each day, the laundry adds up
You know what… I think that we have a connection you and me… I was thinking about buying a pilates dvd and though to myself : lets see which one Gina suggest and BAM that is exactly your topic of the day! lol
haha i read your mind 🙂
WHat a fun girls night/birthday dinner! Good for you for rolling with store bought cheesecake…it really does look yummy! 😀
Love Creekside! I didn’t have the salad when I went but I’m going to try it next time because it sounds pretty good.
Isn’t The Help amazing!!!! I couldn’t put it down…can’t wait for the movie!
i just leave munching and eating cheesecakes, they are tasty and yummy*~`