Essentials + Today’s Ab Challenge

Hey hey hey 😀 How’s your morning treating ya?

flowers

I started my day off with a Bella walk, and then some breakfast pizza + hot water, apple cider vinegar and cayenne

egg pizza

(Egg whites and marinara with red pepper flakes. Quite a few people have asked why I *always* only eat egg whites. I only seem to be posting egg whites lately, but I definitely enjoy the yoke too! When you eat eggs multiple times a day, having the yoke every time isn’t a grand idea)

Pizza is always so so good. Even when you try to make your own skillet crust,

it is a fail

crust

and you opt for a brown rice tortilla instead 😉

It was nice to have ingredients to work with this morning since I did a lil grocery shop last night.

Some staples:

groceries

-Maple syrup

-tempeh (this is a new thing I’m excited to play with)

-organic bell peppers, yogurt for Bella

-brown rice tortillas

-2 egg white salads

-goat cream cheese

-organic romaine

-pre-made lentils (best invention everrrr)

-organic cucumber

-green tea

groceries (3)

-Turkish apricots

-hummus

-frozen blueberries and strawberries for smoothies

-carrots

-eggs

-broccoli slaw

-seaweed snacks

-marinara, tomato sauce, tomato paste

-garbanzo beans, cannelini beans, lentil soup

+ the flowers in the first pic above

everything certified organic (minus the seaweed snacks, canellini beans and apricots)

= $75

Trader Joe’s rocks my world.

I was very stoked to try this new-to-me egg salad for my before-bed meal:

egg salad

and beefed it up by adding some chickpeas, serving it salad beast style:

beast

+ a sauce made of Dijon mustard, hummus, nutritional yeast and almond milk to thin it out.

beast (2) 

A very tasty yellow meal 🙂

Dessert:

apricots

Well, I’m off to get started on the day’s to-dos!

Bella is not 😉

bell

I also have a phone consult with my homeopathic doc today. I’m anxious to talk to him because I’ve had some interesting things going on with my chart.

Have a lovely day and I’ll see ya this afternoon! <3

xoxo

Gina

Something to do: Blast your absolute favorite, motivating, high energy song and bust out some abdominal exercises for the entire song. My current “get it” song is “More” by Usher- LOVE it for abs. Need some moves? Check out my faves *here*. If you’d like to leave a comment and let me know what song you chose and how it went, I’d love to hear about it 🙂

Tucson bloggies: Today’s Living Social Deal is an amazing one- $39 for a month of unlimited classes at BreakOut. Hit it up if you would like!

Something to talk about: Is anyone else scary excited for the royal wedding? I’m totally having an all-night watching party 😉

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108 Comments

  1. Jackie @ Baking Charms on April 26, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    Egg white salad?? Omg I can’t wait til I get to Charlotte and there is a TJ’s… ahhhmazing prices. Hope everything is okay with the doc!

  2. kate@ahealthypassion on April 26, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    Love TJ’s I wish I had one closer seaweed snacks are amazing and so cheap! Tempeh is delish too cant wait to see what you do with it!

  3. Carrie on April 26, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    I love TJ’s mint melange tea! My bust it out song right now is Pitbull’s “Krazy.” Jump up and get ‘krazy?’ Don’t mind if I do. 🙂

  4. suzi on April 26, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    Um yeah – I watched like 5 specials on Will & Kate Sunday night. I’ve always been a Prince William fan so I’m all over this! The big concern this morning in my senior’s class was, “I hope nothing exciting happens Friday morning during our exercise class!” Personally I would like to cancel the class just to be sure 😉

    Hmmmmmm, interesting chart stuff eh? Perhaps a mini fitnessista or pilot is on the way! 😀

  5. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on April 26, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    I’ll be doing your ab challenge today! My sister lives in London and I told her that I fully expect her to go out and line up at the Buckingham Palace gates! 🙂

  6. Holly @ The Runny Egg on April 26, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    That TJs marinara is my favorite and I have been dumping it on everything. No lie.

    I haven’t watched too much Royal Wedding stuff yet, but I am planning on getting up early to watch some of the festivities on Friday!

  7. Leanne (Bride to Mrs) on April 26, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    I’m SO excited for the Royal wedding! I’m going to tape it while I’m gone and then have my own little viewing party on Friday night 🙂 PARTY of one….. I don’t think my future hubby will watch it with me.

    I wish Trader Joe’s & whole foods were in Canada… There’s a “whole foods” type grocery store opening up near where I live but I have a hankering that it’s going to be crazy expensive!

    🙂

  8. Leanne (Bride to Mrs) on April 26, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I am SO excited for the Royal wedding! I’m going to tape it while I’m gone and then have my own little viewing party on Friday night 🙂 PARTY of one….. I don’t think my future hubby will watch it with me. Oh wells!

    I wish Trader Joe’s & whole foods were in Canada… There’s a “whole foods” type grocery store opening up near where I live but I have a hankering that it’s going to be crazy expensive!

    🙂

  9. Mandy (theamazonprincess) on April 26, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    I wish I had Trader Joes near me! 🙁 It’s tragic.

    P.S. I got my salt lamp from your Open Sky today! I LOVE it! So much better than I even thought.

    • Lauren C. on April 26, 2011 at 1:36 pm

      Me too! The TJ’s I go to is 45 minutes away. Such a bummer.

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:13 pm

      so glad you love it! it’s one of my favorite things 🙂

  10. Pfieffer on April 26, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    101cookbooks.com has the most delicious tempeh recipe I’ve ever tried- orange glazed tempeh. It will knock your socks off! Even my boyf, whose very suspicious of my CA Hippie food (he’s very anti-Amazing Grass), loved it!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:13 pm

      good to know, thank you!!

  11. Kimberly on April 26, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    Quick question…yogurt for Bella? I didn’t realize yogurt was good for the fur babies, how often do you give it to her? Just got a little fur baby and was wondering. Love your blog.

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:14 pm

      i give it to her once a week with her angel eyes. it’s good for their digestive systems because of the probiotics 🙂 since your fur baby is so little, i’d wait a while and then maybe give less than a tablespoon

      • Kimberly on April 26, 2011 at 5:58 pm

        Thanks Gina!!

  12. mian on April 26, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    just did ab workout to pokerface by lady gaga! thanks for the challenge. im just sitting here at work at yoga studio so i just did it right now! 🙂

    • mian on April 26, 2011 at 1:55 pm

      p.s. im mega excited about the wedding too!!!!

  13. Paola on April 26, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    What’s up with the hot water, apple cider vinegar and cayenne? I don’t think I heard of it from you before… Just curious!!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:11 pm

      it’s good for restoring a good ph balance, and i like the taste of it 🙂 i’ve had a cup every morning for the past two months or so, but i usually drink it before i have bfast

  14. Melanie on April 26, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    I am so excited for the royal wedding, I’m wondering who is going to look more gorgeous – William or Kate!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:11 pm

      right?! omg, i can’t wait

  15. Len on April 26, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Hmmmm… the apple cider drink sounds intresting. I know that apple cider vinegar is super good for you… but what is that drink supposed to do or what prupose does it serve? I have hot water with lemon every morning but maybe i need to shake things up!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:11 pm

      it’s good to restore the ph balance of your body, so i drink it pretty much every day

  16. jenna on April 26, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    hey gina, why do you drink apple cider hot water? I’ve used to make a similar drink in the past and the motives were not very good!

    I’m so excited for the wedding. I’m dying to see that dress!!

    i hope the’interesting things’ going on with your chart are all positive! 🙂

    have a wonderful tuesday!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:15 pm

      don’t you fret- it’s not a master cleanse type thing 😉 i like the taste of it and it’s also good to help with ph balance and alkalinity

  17. Lauren @ Sassy Molassy on April 26, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    I LOVE how affordable Trader Joe’s is and such fabulous ingredients without a lot of extra ingredients.

  18. Laura J. on April 26, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Just curious– what is that hot water, apple cider vinegar, cayenne concoction? Sounds like it would taste kind of awful, haha 🙂 Are there some health benefits to drinking it or is it just a drink you like?

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:09 pm

      i like the taste of it, and it’s good for alkalinity.

      • Laura J. on April 26, 2011 at 6:15 pm

        Aaa sorry you had to answer that question 20 times! I should’ve read the above comments before writing mine 🙂 Thanks for filling me in tho!

        • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 6:45 pm

          No worries at all- that’s what I’m here for 🙂

  19. Char on April 26, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    WOW that’s amazing for $75. I’d love to try those seaweed snacks!!! I hardly ever eat seaweed!

  20. Courtney (greeneyedrunner) on April 26, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    I loveeee using brown rice tortillas for little pizzas! Soohooo good.

    How are you doing in terms of gluten intolerance? I wanted to buy that tempeh last time I was at TJ’s, but I think it had barley in it 🙁 Unless that’s a different one, in which case I’m going to have to pick up some very soon!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:09 pm

      i’m gluten sensitive, but not totally intolerant. so i’ll probably try the tempeh and see how it goes??

      • Courtney (greeneyedrunner) on April 27, 2011 at 12:30 am

        I hope it’s totally fine! Maayyyybe for some selfish reasons as well-I’d love to see what you do with it 🙂

  21. Jennie on April 26, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    I love the TJS egg white salads! Almost eat a whole container at once though 🙂
    Just curious, has your homeopathic doctor helped a lot to regulate your hormones? I went off the pill in November and my cycles etc have been all over the place 🙁 I do accupuncture and try to de-stress as much as possible. Any other ideas or suggestions on what has helped you?

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:08 pm

      my doc has totally changed my body in a good way. before, i wasn’t even having “real” cycles, when i thought i was. through the supplements and meal plans he’s put me on, i’ve seen dramatic changes in my skin and my cycle

  22. Elisa on April 26, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Hi Gina!
    I have been following your blog for maybe 2 weeks now. I was googling “Mess Dress” to see what my fiance will look like when I walk down the aisle in December. A picture of you and pilot popped up!

    Then yesterday the following convo occurred:
    Fi: “Let’s go to Trader Joe’s!”
    Me: “OMG YES! I found this new blog of this awesome girl who’s really fit and she always posts her eggwhites with this green salsa from Trader Joes. I’ve been wanting to go to TJ’s to check it out and to perk up my eggs in the morning! Let’s go!”
    Fi: “Wait? What girl?”
    Me: “This girl named Gina. I found her blog when trying to google your mess dress so I could get a better idea of what you’d look like.”
    Fi: I’m confused.

    p.s. I love the green salsa.

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:07 pm

      hahah that is so cute!!
      thanks so much for saying hi 🙂 i’m so glad you like the green salsa <3
      xoxo
      ps. congrats on your upcoming wedding!!

  23. Katherine: Unemployed on April 26, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    something to do: look for that salad at TJ’s! that’s awesome. I love egg whites. Is it terrible to eat liquid eggs that come in cartons? They better egg puffs than whole eggs

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:06 pm

      nope i think they’re totally fine- just wish i could find organic ones!

  24. Alexandrina on April 26, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Love Usher’s “More” song. Always motivates me to push myself harder during a workout!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:06 pm

      me too- whenever i hear it, it totally pumps me up 🙂

  25. Barbara on April 26, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    literally LOL @ the pizza crust fail. so funny. oh, and score on all the fabulous goods @ TJs for $75, sheesh!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      it was a total disaster, haha 🙂

  26. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) on April 26, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    “a sauce made of Dijon mustard, hummus, nutritional yeast and almond milk” = that sounds great…on anything! TJs has so many awesome dips, salads, and items in their refrigerator case, it’s hard to figure out what to try next!

    Great looking pizza and I didnt know you were that into eggs that you eat them multiple times a day..learn something new every day. Whatever works for you!

    Have a great day, Gina, and thanks for the relink to that ab post.

    Oh and your chart…oh, wow…that’s newsworthy! Hope you get everything figured out!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      did you do the charting thing?? if so, i might have to ask you if i could send you mine
      hope you’re doing well- love you!

  27. Ashley @ Feeding Ashley on April 26, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    I’m so excited for the royal wedding! They don’t happen very often.
    Why the water vinegar and pepper? Does that actually taste good?

  28. Cait @ Beyond Bananas on April 26, 2011 at 3:11 pm

    That egg white salad looks great! I haven’t really been into all the Royal Wedding stuff. Won’t be watchig it ilve, but I’ll catch up on with it on other shows

  29. Cheryl Lynn on April 26, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    I love Trader Joe’s, my husband and I go every week and usually followup a trip to TJ’s with a stop at Whole Foods. I have to say I was all excited to try the Roasted Seaweed Crisps, I love salad with seaweed on it. UGH, the crisps were nasty. Not sure if I got a bad bag of them, but it was nasty. It had a very intense fishy taste. You haven’t mentioned anything lately about Dance Trance are you still doing it? Any good news on the house front? I hope everything is going good for you.

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      that’s so crazy. i’ve had one bad package, but they definitely have a fishy taste. i’m obsessed, haha
      DT is on hiatus for another week or so- we’re moving to a bigger studio! just waiting for the schedule to be finalized 🙂
      xoxo

  30. Sana on April 26, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I love the egg salad chicky peas combo!

  31. Heather (heathers dish) on April 26, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Hope everything is ok with the doctor convo! I’ll be thinking and praying for ya 😉

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:04 pm

      thanks girl!

  32. Mo on April 26, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    I had that exact goat cream cheese in my hands the other day, but I put it down ’cause I already have the standard goat cheese at home. Do you love it? What do you do with it? I’d spread it on everything I guess. Bella is so cute when she is sleeping. Is she a snorer? Between the hubby and the pooch, I hear snoring in stereo. Maybe that’s why I’m not such a good sleeper? Take care my friend.

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 4:03 pm

      it’s delicious on everything and much easier to spread than regular goat cheese 🙂
      bella is not a snorer, but she’s a little cuddler. she’s snuggle right next to me, almost underneath me, so i’m always worried about smashing her
      enjoy your day, friend 🙂

  33. Stacey on April 26, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    Your chart?! Maybe I’m jumping the gun, but my mind’s already spinning. Could this mean what I think it does?!

  34. Nelly on April 26, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    YES please update us on the chart! 🙂

  35. Julie (A Case of the Runs) on April 26, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Hope all is well with the chart. I read that book you mentioned about that, and it seems very interesting! Definitely something to consider once I’m married (which will hopefully be within the next few years). =D

  36. Dana Marie on April 26, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    I’ve never spent 75 on groceries at once – of course I live in NY and have no car = buy what you can carry only

  37. Laura @ Backstage Pass on April 26, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    I also love Usher’s “More” for abs! I blame Body Pump 😀 I totally listen to the song and do the Body Pump ab routine at home! My boyfriend laughs at me, but I know that he secretly loves the ab moves as well… haha.
    And YES – totally excited for the Royal Wedding. I’ve been enjoying Lifetime’s series about the preparations for the big event. I’ll totally be awake and Tweeting through the wedding on Friday morning!

  38. Alaina on April 26, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Trader Joe’s is the best!! My next grocery trip will definitely be there. 🙂

    I love listening to “More” on my runs. It definitely boosts my mood!

  39. Dana Marie on April 26, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    omg you have been on the pill 12 years??? Did I read that right? I’ve never been on it and haven’t even been sexually active for 12 years (and not at all for the past year!) People have such remote lives from mine- and yet they are common – crazy

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 6:07 pm

      I was on it because of health reasons. Not because I was a 13 year old floozy

    • Danielle (Shrinking and Studying) on April 26, 2011 at 7:20 pm

      A lot people take the pill for a lot of non-sexual reasons… I’d be willing to bet that a good majority of people start on the pill before they are even close to being sexually active. It’s a personal choice that usually has nothing to do with whether or not you plan on having sex.

      PS. Gina – I’m SO excited for the royal wedding even though the majority of Canadians seem to be complaining about all the hype it’s getting. Did you by chance see the Will and Kate “mockumentary” on lifetime? It was actually pretty good!

      PPS. Your b’fast looked delish! I’m definitely going to try it. 🙂

      • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 7:22 pm

        YES! i stayed up sunday night to watch it, and it was awesome 🙂 glad i’m not the only one super excited 😉
        <3

  40. Denise on April 26, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    Hope you all don’t think I’m crazy, but I’m from England (live in TX now)and am not in the least interested in the Royal Wedding!!! I remember watching Di and Charles’ wedding when I was at work, many years ago, I still lived there the morning I put on the news and heard about her tragic death 🙁 I cried for days, watched her funeral and cried some more (even my hubby sat with tears in his eyes with me, and he’s from CA!). I will want to see the dress of course and I’m sure I’ll watch tv on Friday to catch the news, but I won’t be setting my alarm for 4am to get up and watch it 😉
    Oh, and about the pill (and Dana Marie’s surprise at 12 years!) I’ve been on it since I was 17 and I’m 47 now!!! I took a break for two years, one year to try and get pg, and then of course 9mths after that while pg. I’ve never had a problem with it so never thought to come off it!

  41. Denise on April 26, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    Don’t know why my name won’t link to my site, it’s showing up with your url first?
    http:thehealthyden.blogspot.com

  42. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on April 26, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    Have you never tried/cooked with tempeh before? I’m excited to see what recipes you come up with!

    I actually haven’t really joined in the wedding hype. I feel like I’m the only one! 😛

  43. Allison @ Food For Healing on April 26, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    i’m sorry to say i am not following the Royal Wedding stuff! lol
    but have a great day! We’re having the first thunderstorm of the year, which is really odd because i live in Saskatchewan, Canada.

  44. Leea on April 26, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    Gina what do you do with the yolk when you cook with only egg whites??

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 6:47 pm

      Put it down the garbage disposal. I feel wasteful but there’s no way I could eat 6 yokes a day. Any ideas?

      • Sara @BakingandWine on April 26, 2011 at 6:50 pm

        You could save some of them for aioli or hollandaise sauce on the weekends or what have you.

      • LindsayH on April 26, 2011 at 7:01 pm

        I cook them and give them to my dog! She loves them. (Not 6 per day, my husband eats maybe 6 eggs a week with 1/2 being just the whites.)

        • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 7:04 pm

          i eat anywhere from 2-6 whites per day, and one yolk max per day. love the idea to cook them- bella would go crazy for that!

  45. Katie on April 26, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    I am so stoked for the royal wedding ! I wish we could watch it together and make yummy dessert and have a bottle of wine! That would be sweet!

    love ya girl! xoxo

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 7:39 pm

      you still have time to get a ticket! haha

  46. Kathy on April 26, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    I read that warm lemon water does the same thing for alkalinity as the apple cider vinegar water…do you know if that is true or not? Read it on an LA fitness trainer’s twitter along with some other good(?) info: @jeffdeperon Check it out if you want. Thoughts Gina?

    Also best of luck with that chart thingy!! And OF COURSE you weren’t a 13 floozy LOL – I was on the pill early too for health stuff.

    That photo of Bella is TOO CUTE

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 7:21 pm

      yep it totally does- sometimes i’ll put a squeeze of lemon in there too 🙂

  47. Lauren on April 26, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    I think we have the exact same granite countertops!

  48. April @ Grits & Granola Bars on April 26, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    You had me until egg white salad. Egg salad makes me cringe. Haha 🙂

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 7:37 pm

      i have to be in the mood for it

  49. Rhoni on April 26, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Hey, Gina –

    You mentioned awhile back that you would eventually post who your homeopathic doctor was and I’ve been anxiously awaiting that moment…is that time approaching anytime soon?! I’m really curious to learn more about him!

    And I love Usher. “More” is great, but I’m biased…basically he can do no wrong by me!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 8:30 pm

      i’m going to do a full post about him eventually (hopefully in the next couple of months) but if you email me, i’d be happy to give you his info

  50. Sadie on April 26, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    Are you worried at all about the vinegar drink affecting the enamel on your teeth? I always want to add it to my daily routine but am worried about it affecting my teeth or throat tissue.

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2011 at 8:31 pm

      nah, i don’t think a tablespoon would be that bad

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