Friday Faves (+ Hi from MA)
Happy Friday! Hellooooo from Massachusetts. I’m here at the exquisite Canyon Ranch in Lenox for a media trip. I’ll be posting about all of the adventures (and will be sharing pics on Instagram if you’d like to check them out!). Bonus: I’ll get to see Kyle and Meg!! 🙂
(The guy next to me on the plane was like “You know you need warmer shoes right?” haha)
It’s going to be a fun-filled weekend, and this morning I’m about to take a 300 Workout.
In standard Friday fashion, here are some faves from this week and around the web! I always love to hear what you’re enjoying, too, so please shout it out in the comments below. <3
Winter Shape Up, which starts on Monday! My friend Anne and I are so excited to share 4 weeks of FREE meal and fitness plans with y’all. Be sure to check out our blogs Monday morning for all of the details.
POSH Podcast. As I mentioned before, the coach at Barry’s Bootcamp played this during class, and it was FANTASTIC. It’s a club mix of top 40 songs, so instead of thinking about the fact that you’re sweaty on the treadmill, you can picture yourself dancing at XS in an only-ok-for-Vegas sparkly dress. Or something like that. Just download, and enjoy. I promise it’s amazing.
Suja Santa made a magical visit. I was greeted by a box of glorious Suja juices on the doorstep, including some new flavors and my beloved faves (Twelve Essentials and Glow). I’m especially enjoying the new Sunset Protein, which tastes like a tasty cinnamon dessert and has 10g of protein.
Longhorn Steakhouse. Of all of the crunchy and health-based restaurants I go fangirl over, this may seem like an odd restaurant to be excited about, but I looooove it. While I was at the Detroit airport yesterday, I did a little airport cardio: during long layovers, I like to spend some time walking around the various terminals. Not only does it feel wonderful to move my legs after sitting for so long on the plane, but it also gives me the chance to explore and shop. I love the funky boutiques in some airports (Seattle, you win so far). While I was walking around yesterday, I saw a Longhorn Steakhouse. I was so stoked, and had to have lunch there. My girlfriends and I would go to Longhorn almost every week when we lived in Valdosta, so my little Longhorn lunch made me miss them even more. (We’ve all moved all over the country since then, but somehow we’ll live close to each other again.)
Goodreads. I’ve had a Goodreads account since 2009, and I haven’t used it since 2009. I’m constantly on the prowl for new book recommendations, and a friend suggested Goodreads since you can see which books friends have read, and receive recommendations. With much hesitation, I read Fault In Our Stars this week. I mentioned it to my mom that I wanted to see the movie, and she said, “You have to read the book first.” I told her that the book would probably make me cry more than the movie, and she said, “It’s kind of love that you feel so fortunate to read about. Just read it.” She was exactly right.
This low-sugar dessert pizza recipe. I can’t wait to try this!
Studio Barre. I took a class with Jess this week, and it was a great workout. Sometimes it’s a treat to take one of the classes I teach, and enjoy it as my own workout, instead of coaching/talking/thinking of what we’re going to do next. It was awesome to take a barre class, and check out their new space as they just opened a little over a week ago. They have a great selection of barre apparel, and it’s a bright and tranquil vibe.
Gena’s lovely review post and giveaway.
Why more women are switching to natural birth control. I stepped away many years ago and have never looked back.
Thank you to my friends at POPSUGAR for featuring these chocolate coconut protein bars (that taste like candy).
6 health rules Matthew Kenney lives by.
Morning routines of 12 women leaders.
Any fave things/reads/eats/wears from the week?
Hope you have a very happy Friday!!
xoxo
Gina
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Thanks so much for recommending posh podcast. I love it!! So good for exercise -it almost could replace my beloved Girltalk.
Welcome to New England! Saturday we’re supposed to get snow/sleet/rain in Connecticut, but don’t worry…it’ll probably be 40 and sunny on Sunday. 😉
I love your outfit it’s so cute! I’m reading Big Little Lies right now and I seriously can’t put it down! Enjoy your weekend away Gina!
I will have to check out that podcast! I am always looking for fun new music – especially for workouts. Enjoy your weekend away in MA! I hope you packed some warmer shoes. 🙂 Happy Friday!
If you liked Gone Girl, you MUST read The Girl On The Train. It was SO GOOD!!!!
That protein bars look so good!
Woohoo- You are in Mass!! I live in Western Mass! About an hour away from Lenox. I hope you love your visit. If you are lucky, we are supposed to have a snow storm on Saturday!
Have a great trip! I’m loving your almond cookies from your book. Already need to whip another batch this weekend.
This week I signed two more personal training clients. They’re so awesome I can’t wait to work with them! I also signed up for the Brooklyn Half Marathon. I love this race and loving that I have a team of 5 coworkers running it with me.
Gah! I love the Winter Shape Up picture. I’m pretty sure it’s the best graphic ever in the history of the internet.
I thought the book, Fault in Our Stars, was so much better than the movie. I use GoodReads too, but I rarely use their recommendations. However, I used to be a serious book hoarder. However, GoodReads let me keep track of what I read along with a rating so I have gotten much better about giving books away – since I’ll never read them again – and using the library.
seriously! i need to start loaning on my kindle more often
Welcome to cold, snowy MA! Hopefully you’ll survive the storm tomorrow and get a taste of a gorgeous snowy MA day 🙂
thank you! we’re supposed to have an outdoor excursion tomorrow… i am not sure if weather is going to allow it 😉
Can you share your Goodreads page with us? Would love to follow you!
sure! it’s under my email: fitnessista at gmail dot com
Have so much fun in MA! I’m the same and wear flats and sperrys all year round. My feet tend to be fine in whatever shoes I’m wearing, it’s the rest of me that freezes!
I’m so glad to hear there are some good healthy options at Longhorn! My neighbor gave my fiance and I gift cards to Bob Evans & Longhorn for Christmas, neither of which I’ve been to in yeeeears. Guess we will have to make Longhorn a date night! Still not so sure about Bob Evans though 😉
hahah! yes, longhorn is so good 🙂
Welcome to MA! Just in time for our first big winter storm. Seriously-I hope you packed warmer clothes! So jealous you’re at Canyon Ranch! I love that area of Massachusetts. My husband and I went to Cranwell for our 5 year anniversary in September, so I was just there recently. Lots of beautiful sights, delicious eats, fun shopping, and healthiness! Enjoy!
P.S. Totally agree with you on natural birth control. I haven’t been on any hormones for about 10 years because they gave me migraines, but it’s nice to be in tuned with what’s going on with your body (and appreciate the entire process).
it seriously changed my life! never going back 🙂
So just curious, do you still after all these years take your temp every day and chart it? Or do you just understand your cycles now well enough to not have to?
I loved the 12 morning routines article! & excited to try out the podcast 🙂
What thu? Natural birth control. That’s something I’ll have to look into. Have fun in Mass! Those bars look totally awesome!
I can’t wait to hear about canyon ranch! i’ve almost wanted to go!!!
it is gloooooorious
I saw your picture and thought “I hope she packed some long sleeves” ha ha. Then I saw what the guy on the plane said.
i did haha! lots of layers since i don’t have “real” winter clothes 🙂
Welcome to MA! You might even get lucky and see an actual snow storm while you are here!
ahhhhh! i saw ICICLES this morning. it was amazing haha
I just bought a bottle of the Suja sunset protein drink yesterday and haven’t gotten to try it yet so good to see it tastes good! Especially by your description 🙂 I just got my hands on the s’mores quest bars and I must say my new favorite!
I too have a GoodReads account and really need to start using it more. The Fault in Our Stars was such an awesome book (and movie). Can’t wait to try your featured recipe…looks amazing! Have a great trip!
OMG!!! You’re in my neck of the woods -sort of – I’m in Central Mass!! Have a great time and get ready for some snow. Enjoy your weekend! Your blog friend Gina (from central Mass)
Hi Gina! Yay for a fun media trip. I went to a yoga conference on Sunday and came away with a great gift bag full of various Pukka teas. I’ve been trying a new one every day and it’s a fun little treat. Have a great weekend! 🙂
So checking out that motivational POSH podcast. I wonder why they call it that?
I’ve been wanting to see the movie but now I want to read the book after reading this post!
Hey Gina, would of ever consider writing an update about the birth control method you use? I.e FAM? I’m really interested in other women’s experiences, as I’ve been researching FAM for years but am still nervous about trying it. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I loved the article on leaders’ morning routines, so interesting! I have never tried suja juices before (so expensive!) but they sound amazing
I’m loving the Trader Joes’ Truffle Salt Almonds. SO. GOOD.
I read The Fault In Our Stars a few weeks back and literally finished it in 2 days (tears and all!). And then the next day, watched the movie. I just told the husband last night actually that I watched the movie without him haha. I think he was pretty shocked that I would do such a thing. #noshame! I had to see it…clearly haha. Have a great trip and stay warm! xo
Welcome to MA! I live down the street from a Longhorn and my boyfriend and I go there all the time for date nights. Have fun on your press trip. Can’t wait to read all about it!
Did you see the funny spoof on the morning routines of 12 women leaders? I think it’s pretty funny, even though I enjoyed the original article as well 🙂
http://www.scarymommy.com/morning-routines-four-regular-women/
Just downloaded the POSH podcast – so excited!! I’ve been in a bit of a workout music rut, so I’m pumped. Thanks!!
Your mom’s comment about Fault in Our Stars is so true! Both the book and movie were so painful, but in a good way. You need to watch the movie! I sent you a friend request on Goodreads. I think you’ll really like using it. I like being able to look back over books I’ve read and use it to give suggestions to friends. I also use it to remember if i’ve read a book!!! They all run together sometimes! Lol
Have a great time in MA!
Oh my goodness.. that article about children growing up. ALL THE TEARS IS RIGHT! Im a sobbing mess.
Wow, Canyon Ranch looks amazing!
Looking forward to seeing the start of Winter Shape Up. Anne is another great blogger we’ve been following for a while now, so super excited!
Hope you enjoy the excursion and have a great weekend 🙂
I just finished reading jojo moyes’s book one plus one. She also wrote me before you which a friend recommended to me but my library doesn’t have it. It is laugh out loud funny. I think you would enjoy it plus I loved all the British culture in the book.
Thanks to your information on alternate methods of BC many moons ago, I went off BC and have never regretted it.
I’ve been listening to “The Girl On the Train” via Audible on my long drives to work and it is really good! If you liked “Gone Girl” I recommend this too. And if you haven’t read “Gone Girl” then definitely check that out!
Have fun on your trip! I just started a good reads account as a way to expand and find new books as well!
The chocolate coconut protein bars look delicious! I want to try them this weekend
Have fun!
What a fun trip you have planned!!! Xo C
You look so cute- enjoy!
What’s a 300 workout?
I’m really looking forward to the Winter Shape Up.
Hope you are enjoying all the snow here in MA. Im from Boston we are in the middle of the storm and already have about 5 inches.
Hope you are having an awesome time at the Canyon Ranch in MA! This week I’ve been loving a snack mix with TJ’s dried blueberries and goji berries. It’s crunchy, sweet, and chewy, not to mention delicious!
super excited for your Winter Shape Up Monday! 🙂 shared some of my favorites from the week over on my blog, including some really great reads 🙂
xo Danielle
http://stylecrushdiaries.blogspot.com/2015/01/friday-favorites-1.html
Love the idea for POSH podcast! I just added it 🙂
Thanks for sharing the Morning Routines article. I read it and found it fascinating to hear how varied mornings are for some of America’s most successful women. One thing does seem to hold steady though– hustling kids along seems to take up a fair chunk of time!