Fri night dinner party

Hey! It’s the freakin’ weekend!!! 😀 Hope yours has been lovely so far.

I’d have to say last night’s dinner party was a success.

Before:

kitchendining

After (at the end of the night):

after

I made the standard Gina appetizers (using pics from the archives for these since I was making the fish while everyone had drinkies and snacked)

Hummus and Mary’s crack

hummusandcrack

Veg:

carrotsbellcuc

Cheese plate with herbed havarti, goat jack cheese, goat cheese, persimmon

cheeseplate

Spicy olives, pita and Artichoke Dip from Eat, Drink and Be Vegan

olivepitaart

For our meal, I made an autumn salad

autumnsalad

With spinach, mixed greens, sliced apples (with lemon juice so they wouldn’t turn brown), and raw candied walnuts that I threw in the dehydrator yesterday (walnuts, maple syrup, sucanat, cinnamon, sea salt, nutmeg)

Mashed sweet potatoes

mashedsp

5 sweet potatoes, baked at 375 for an hour, then put into the slow cooker with Earth Balance, almond milk, sea salt and cinnamon

Pomegranate and Lemon Herb Tilapia

tilapia

(Using whole wheat panko bread crumbs)

My plate:

fishandsp

Salad (with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil)

salad

And quite a few of these babies….

pomtinisss

POMtinis!!!!!

Dessert was the best part 😉

marbledcheesecake

Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecake = foodgasm

You guys know about 99% of the time, I choose not to eat cow’s dairy. The 1% of the time that I do, it will most likely be in cheesecake form 🙂

We had a great time having drinks and feasting with two other couples, and we ended up playing Catch Phrase until around 12:30. That’s two nights in a row that I’ve been up late… this old woman is feeling young again!

That is, until everyone left… the pilot cleaned up EVERYTHING (thank you, face) and I passed out on the couch with the puppies.

crashed

It was a good night 🙂

Today, I’m going to clean the upstairs because my twin friends are coming to visit (!), hit up the gym for some cardio, yoga, stop by the health food store, then off to dinner at Meara and her pilot’s casa.

Have a wonderful Saturday <3

G

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52 Comments

  1. Siobhan on November 21, 2009 at 11:04 am

    Awww Gina you look so cute and comfy in the last pic with the puppers! I look forward to reading your blog [b]every[/b] day! Have a great weekend!

  2. Lisa on November 21, 2009 at 11:04 am

    Wowee!! That spread puts “Cooking Light” to shame; way to go. Where did you get the cheesecake recipe? (Unless it’s a secret) I want to make that for T’giving.

  3. Melanie on November 21, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Hey:). love your blog! I’ve been reading for about six months now…commented a couple of times. Anyway…that salad bowl is gorgeous…where did you get it??

    • Fitnessista on November 21, 2009 at 11:31 am

      targizzle!(aka target)

  4. KRISTEN'S RAW on November 21, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Sounds like an amazing night!!! I haven’t thrown a party in a long while… you’ve inspired me. 🙂

    XOXO,
    Kristen

  5. GirlonRaw on November 21, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Yum. Your dinner party looks delicious and effortless…my kinda dinner party. Yum. Say hi to the twinnies for me 🙂 Don;t mind a good bloggy catch up 🙂

  6. katie on November 21, 2009 at 11:20 am

    Wow you throw a wonderful dinner party, girl!!

  7. GirlonRaw on November 21, 2009 at 11:22 am

    PS your dogs are uber cute…isn’t it great that they want to be soooo close to you all the time…

  8. VeggieGirl on November 21, 2009 at 11:24 am

    Love the photo of you, Viesa, and Bella – ESPECIALLY since those two pups are near each other without fighting! Yay 🙂

  9. Shelby on November 21, 2009 at 11:26 am

    And why wasn’t I invited?! 😉

    Everything looks so tasty!

    • Fitnessista on November 21, 2009 at 11:30 am

      you’re always invited! get your booty down to south georgia 😀

  10. Laura J. on November 21, 2009 at 11:28 am

    the food at your dinner parties always looks to die for! you got some lucky friends! 🙂

  11. Lauren @ eater not a runner on November 21, 2009 at 11:36 am

    That cheesecake looks AMAZING! so jealous!

  12. Erica on November 21, 2009 at 11:38 am

    all looks so good! Can’t I just have that whole bowl of mashed sweet potatoes 🙂 The way you cut the cheese (the five year old inside me just giggled) looks so pretty. Enjoy your Saturday

  13. angiolle on November 21, 2009 at 11:48 am

    Those sweet potatoes sound and look amazing!!!!
    I have been reading your blog for awhile, and noticed you use maca powder. I have been wanting to try it, but was curious as to what it taste like?

    • Fitnessista on November 21, 2009 at 12:07 pm

      it has a “malt” flavor and tastes wonderful with chocolate

  14. Anna on November 21, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    Dinner parties are really the best. Good food, good wine, and good friends. My friends always want to go to bars but I’d much rather be classy and have a night like yours!

    Happy Saturday!

  15. Carrie on November 21, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    Your dinner looked wonderful. I wish I had a friend like you! Have a wonderful weekend.

  16. Christina on November 21, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    All that food looks so delicious! I had sweet mashed potatoes yesterday and they were so good!

    Have a great weekend!

    xoxoxoxoxoox

  17. chocolate-covered Katie on November 21, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    Pomatinis!!!
    Ohmigosh, those things rock the world! Someday I want to hang out with you, because you have the best parties (and love Indian food even more than me!).

    Have a terrific Saturday, Gina (and pups)

  18. Light Delight with TouTou on November 21, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    the pumpkin cheesecake DOES look amazing!!!

  19. TorontoGirloutWest on November 21, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Looks like fun!!!!!! 🙂

    Especially since it totally shows a pescatarian dinner party can be just as yummy as every other dinner party!

  20. Jenna on November 21, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    wow gina! i wish i was at your party last night, all of the eats look amazing!!
    have another great day with friends 🙂 sounds like a fun weekend.
    jenna

  21. Liz on November 21, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    Mmm, that cheescake looks DELICIOUS. I may just have to drag myself to Cheescake Factory and buy myself a good ol’ piece of cheescake (and then share the ginormous piece with all of my roommates, haha).

    Hope you have a great weekend!

  22. glidingcalm on November 21, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    awww! I love your house and your dinner parties!! they are the cutest!!!!!!

    mashed taters and cheesecake AND tilapia?! someday I’ll sneak my way into your dinner table!!

    LOVE YOU GINA BOO!

  23. Julie @savvyeats on November 21, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    That cheesecake looks amazing.

    Do you seriously call the Pilot “face”? If so, that’s awesome, because that’s what my fiance calls me!

    • Fitnessista on November 21, 2009 at 4:08 pm

      yes, we call each other face! so funny you guys do that too 😀

  24. Jenna on November 21, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    Your ‘after’ photo definitely proves that your dinner party was a success. All the eats look fantastic. Especially the cheesecake, but that is a given 🙂

  25. Katheryn on November 21, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    Hey Gina,
    Where did you get the dishes the hummus and veggies are in? I’ve been looking for something similar and have come up with nothing.

    Love your blog!

    • Fitnessista on November 21, 2009 at 4:08 pm

      bed bath and beyond! 😀

  26. Kristin (Kristin's Nibbles) on November 21, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    Beautiful set up! And oh my… the food looks incred! I think I am going to take a roadtrip to GA asap (from RI, obviously) just to join in on your foodgasmic parties 😉

    That cheesecake looks especially fab. I want to make it!

    xo
    K

  27. rhodeygirl on November 21, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    Beautiful dinner party Gina! I love playing hostess, don’t you?? Have so much fun with the twins!!! Are you going to Disney in January to support the marathon? PB and I are running the half and would LOVE to meet up!

    • Fitnessista on November 21, 2009 at 5:16 pm

      hey girl,
      i love playing hostess 😀 wish you lived closer- we’d throw some awesome parties together! i’ll totally drive down to orlando that weekend 😀

  28. Aletheia on November 21, 2009 at 5:34 pm

    Persimmon and cheese is ingenious!!

    I don’t own any four-legged critters so my next comment might be kind of..I don’t know.. silly, but I think it’s pretty cool that when you pass out on the couch, your dogs follow!

    • Fitnessista on November 21, 2009 at 7:57 pm

      yes, it’s a great combo!
      haha they definitely know when it’s sleep time 🙂

  29. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is on November 21, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    That cheesecake looks amazzzzing.

  30. Scorpio Woman on November 21, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    You’re so cute on the couch with your puppies 🙂 I saw the pomtini after lunch, I made it, and never closed your page and now I took the time to read the rest and look at the photos 🙂 I’ve had a busy day LOL

    I really love your kitchen 🙂

  31. lizzy on November 21, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    Ohh my delicious! your dishes look fantastic…so worth the clean-up! I hope your having a relaxing weekend!!

  32. Brittany on November 21, 2009 at 11:25 pm

    I’m always envious of the people who are able to attend your dinner parties!! The pilot was such a sweetie to clean up the dishes and I love your outfit. I’ve been on the search for tops to go with leggings. So comfy and cute!

    • Fitnessista on November 22, 2009 at 12:24 pm

      anytime you’re nearby, come over!
      i got the top and leggings at express, they have a great selection right now!

  33. Paige (Running Around Normal) on November 21, 2009 at 11:25 pm

    You sure know how to throw a dinner party! You’s got some skills, woman! And hooray for staying up late two nights in a row! 😀 haha
    Everything looks amazing.

  34. Melissa S. on November 21, 2009 at 11:51 pm

    what a great night! everything looks delicious!

  35. Devan G on November 22, 2009 at 2:53 am

    awe what a fabulous party!
    everything looks SO delicious. Pomtinis.. faantastic 🙂

  36. Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar on November 22, 2009 at 8:22 am

    Allrecipes also has a double layer pumpkin pie cheesecake that’s AMAZING. You should try that one, too.

    • Fitnessista on November 22, 2009 at 12:24 pm

      i’m so all over that 😀

  37. simpledaisy on November 22, 2009 at 8:35 am

    Looks like you had a great time!

  38. Cheryl on November 22, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Hi Gina!
    I emailed you about BCP questions during the summer and I just wanted to say i’m happy you found a great alternative :). I was just wondering if you could keep us posted on whether or not you feel any changes in your body from going off of it (significant or minor). I would really appreciate it since my bf and I will be doing long distance for at least half a year and I’m considering taking a break from the pill… i’m still hesitant though since i feel like my body’s finally adapted to it after 2 years and i feel like i’m in a healthy place now w/ my diet and exercise. If you’re not comfortable posting anything on the blog, you could also just send me an email. Thanks so much Gina and of course the food looks delicious! I think i’m gonna try and make the mashed sweet potatoes 🙂

  39. chrysta on November 22, 2009 at 11:46 am

    Yummy! food looks fantastic! Have a great rest of the weekend!

  40. Tina on November 22, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    Mmm looks like an awesome dinner! Love the crusted fish especially!
    And I’m with you–I don’t really eat dairy, but cheesecake is basically the best thing ever!!

  41. Hilary on November 23, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Gina,
    Great post! You have the best food on your blog! I am obsessed with sweet potatoes. Could you tell me what the benefits of goat dairy are over cow’s dairy? Is there really a huge difference? I have just heard that goat dairy is easier to digest.
    Would really appreciate your insight!
    Thanks,
    Hilary

  42. Carolyn on November 28, 2009 at 10:25 pm

    All the food looks great! You’re obviously a great hostess.

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