Friday Faves
Hi friends! Happy Friday! How’s the week going? I hope you had a great one so far! I’m writing with some exciting news this week: we’re getting a puppy soon. It’s been 9 months since we lost Bella – I still think about her all the time and while the grief isn’t as crushing, I feel it every day – and we knew we wanted to get a friend for Caro. It’s been a long process and the pandemic made it nearly impossible to rescue a dog. This is a GOOD thing because so many dogs were able to find homes. They did not update their database regularly, and you weren’t able to just show up and see the animals. You had to have an appointment for a specific animal, and once I’d get a hold of a real-life person to see a dog we had in mind, she would be gone. (Like I mentioned, it’s a good thing! So many dogs were able to find homes during this whole ordeal.)
For now, we’re getting a puppy from a wonderful breeder – our friends have a puppy from the same family – and definitely would like to rescue again in the future. (Our other dog, Caro, is a rescue and it’s important to adopt whenever possible. Just wanted to let you know I’ve been trying!! It hasn’t been working out for now, but we’re so so excited to bring a new furry friend into our lives.)
In the meantime, please drop all of your favorite puppy recs and necessities in the comments below! It’s been like 8 years since we’ve had a puppy, so I’m sure that there’s a lot of new stuff out there and training resources. I can’t wait to meet our new fur baby and can’t wait for Caro to have a friend. <3
(This is our dog niece, Nova. She’s my brother’s dog and she’s AMAZING. I think she’ll like the new member of our family, too)
It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below!
Good eats + fitness:
Fit Team price jumps TONIGHT. If you’ve been wanting to join in, now’s the time! I’m not sure when I’ll open enrollment again and the July programming is SPICY. We’re doing a Summer Shred for our power month (all months are phased for optimal results), and we’re focusing on short, sweaty, explosive workouts. They’re convenient (all you need is dumbbells) for my friends out there who are home with the kiddos or heading off on vacations. I really wanted this to work with your life and schedule! We have some exciting things to look forward to in the fall, so jump on the Fit Team party now. Snag your spot here before price jumps! Enrollment closes Sunday night.
Sakara delivery! They did a Sakara’s Best week, featuring favorite menu items from subscribers, so I ordered an extra delivery. It included the Chocolate Love Muffin (MY FAVE), the Strawberry Shortcake, a Thai salad, a burger with root veggie fries, so many good things. I’m pumped that I have two more days’ worth arriving today. (To try out Sakara, use my code XOGINAH for 20% off)
Taking more steps daily may lead to a longer life.
Harney Cobb is always a home run. Romaine, cucumber, chicken breast, black olives, turkey bacon, avocado, tomato, Primal Kitchen Ranch, hard-boiled eggs. It makes my heart happy that the kids appreciate a bomb salad just as much as we do. They crush it!
Read, watch, listen:
In the Heights. I did switcheroo with a friend this week – I took the kids home from camp to play at our house for a few hours, and then she did the same – and got to enjoy a matinee with madre and nana, which felt like such a huge treat. I can’t remember the last time I dropped everything in the afternoon the see a movie. It was gloriously indulgent, and I LOVED every second of In the Heights. So much of it reminded me of our family, and the dancing, singing, Lin-Manuel as the piragüero, everything was incredible. I highly recommend it!
I’ll share more about this in my June book recap but I just finished this one and it was beautiful. I loved the way it was written and it was one of those books that you remember long after you turn the last page.
They’re making a Wicked movie?!
Coming home dinners. (The comments are so good.)
Fashion + beauty:
I’ve been using this serum lately and really like it. It’s not greasy and I can feel my skin absorbing everything. I let it dry before adding my moisturizer. A little goes a long way and it’s been a good addition to my typical routine. (I switch up the serums and toners I use to keep things fresh.)
I was influenced into buying two Summersalt swimsuits (this one and this one) when their amazing catalogue came in the mail. I’ll definitely report back!
Happy Friday, friends!
xo
Gina
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Small dogs are scarce here too–they’re in high demand from rescues even here in Canada (I’m in Alberta). So much so, that some organizations bring in dogs from other places, Mexico in particular. My boss got a lovely little chihuahua from one of the Mexican rescue batches–the poor puppy must of thought she’d landed on another planet because she’d never seen snow before (and it’s not her fav). Also, one of my kettlebell friends in Pennsylvania got a lovely puppy from the Sato Project, which rescues and rehabs abandoned/street dogs from Puerto Rico. I’m happy that so many dogs are finding homes. Good luck with your new puppy!
I recently read a really good book, How Stella Learned to Talk. It’s written by a speech pathologist who taught her puppy to communicate using buttons that you record words into. Hard to explain succinctly. Here’s a video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m-xupLJc4M
You’re probably way too busy for this but I think the idea of a dog communicating with words is incredible. The book is also interesting because she talks about some of her clinical work with children who have language disabilities.
Good luck with your new puppy!
Oh I am so curious about what kind of puppy? We lost our two lovies almost 3 years ago now and I havent been able to adopt/rescue/get a puppy yet. I was SO attached to them and they went within 2 weeks of each other. They were ancient for their breeds but still so heartbreaking. A puppy will be so much fun especially with kids old enough to help with some puppy duties!
that is so heartbreaking. they truly are family <3 we're excited to have a puppy again. it's a mini sheepadoodle
I’m so excited for you! Yay for a new puppy! What breed is it? Good luck with puppy training. It will go by quickly if you’re consistent!
a mini sheepadoodle. we’re so excited 🙂
Bully sticks for the puppy! They’re expensive, disgusting ( ), and smell horrible but of course our puppy is obsessed!!!
i got some based on your rec! here we go haha
I’m so excited to hear more about the new family member!! I totally get the rescue thing. I spent nearly a year trying to rescue a dog, and experienced the same thing as you. I found it to be emotionally exhausting – getting my hopes up that a dog would work out, only to find out they’d been snapped up within an hour of them being posted on the rescue’s website. The demand is high for rescue dogs! All that to say, as long as you select a reputable breeder, there’s no need for anyone to judge the choice. I am so curious as to which breed of dog you selected and why!
yes- it’s so emotionally draining. it’s a good thing they’re getting snatched up so quickly but it does play with your heart
the breeder we’re using is wonderful 🙂 it’s a mini sheepadoodle! we wanted a poodle mix and these look like lil teddy bears
Ahhh I knew you would love AJ Fikry! So glad you did! Such a beautifully written book 🙂 Xo!
What kind of turkey bacon do you use? I don’t eat pork but have yet to find good turkey bacon.
i use the one from whole foods – it says paleo on the cover but i don’t remember the brand. it doesn’t have preservatives or anything sketchy in it 🙂