Horchata in the Casa
Hey hey hey 😀 What’s up, bloggies?
How are those Summer Shape Up workouts going? Anyone pleasantly sore from yesterday’s speed workout?
Also, keep those bids coming on Angela’s Shop 4 a Cause! Ya’ll know when I say I’m sending macaroons that I’ll really throw something else in there, too, right? 😉 Maybe some cookies… bars… I don’t know, something fun 😉
Right now, we’ve got some *almost* horchata in the casa:
It takes 24 hours to make, but the pilot had requested some 😉 It’s kind of a funny story… when we were in Orlando this weekend, the pilot said something about horchata and my aunt looked at me and said “you should make some.” The pilot’s eyes almost popped out of his face when he looked at me and said “you can MAKE horchata?!”
For those of you who aren’t familiar with horchata, it’s a Mexican cinnamon rice drink. Hit up your local Mexican restaurant or taco stand and pick some up! It’s a perfect complement to spicy foods and well, it tastes like my childhood 😀 I made this batch with brown rice—I’m excited to see how it turns out!
Some of today’s eats:
Larabar + Vega Tropical Tango Smoothie after Insanity (Plyo)
(Loved the tropical flavor, but Vanilla is my fave)
Perfect Protein Pancakes when I got home from work
and later, a salad beast with millet croutons + fruit leather.
I plan on grabbing some more fuel since I’ve got to teach spin (which I’ll teach off the bike again so I don’t overdo it), Zumba and Abs class tonight.
After that, INDIAN FOOD with Jeni! Me <—– stoked.
xoxo,
G$
Today’s tip: Add the salad dressing to the bottom of the bowl before you add your greens and mix-ins, then toss. It makes it easier to fully coat the lettuce and doesn’t leave you with nekkid salad at the bottom 😉
Something to talk about:
Right now, Oprah is playing in the background as I type this- it’s a DVR episode with Julia Roberts on Eat, Pray, Love. It’s one of the my all-time favorite books and I can’t wait for the movie to come out! Anywho, Oprah always asks great questions and I thought it was awesome when she asked Julia Roberts what her “Eat, Pray, Love” is and got me thinking about my own.
Here’s mine:
Eat: A salad BEAST. Not a wimply house salad with iceberg lettuce and some sliced tomato… I’m talking about a fierce salad creation with shrimp, roasted veggies, goat cheese, dark leafy greens and a bold vinaigrette. Nothing makes me happier that chowing down on a ferocious salad beast.
Pray: Usually during the first child’s pose of my yoga practice, I stay there for a while and think about all of the things I’m grateful for. My family, my husband, friends and the fact that I have a healthy body that enables me to practice yoga and do the things I do. Since yoga is often one of the only quiet and still times in my day, I usually spent quite a bit of it being thankful and praying.
Love: Right before we go to bed, when the puppies are snoozing and I’m curled up with the pilot. That’s when everything is perfect 🙂
Feel free to share yours if you’d like – I’d love to hear them <3
71 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
You are so good with the Bow Pose!!!! I am working on it but wish I could hold it for so long because its so pretty and feels GOOD.
i can’t wait to see that movie! i’d say eat bread – it’s the stuff of life! pray – when i wake up and when i go to bed. it starts and ends my day on a note of gratitude and joy. and love – the same as yours…when i’m snuggled up with my husband and our two pups i feel safe and wholly loved 🙂
Oh yeah. I’ve had to teach off the bike sometimes! Once I had to teach 2 spin classes, then go on a 3 hour scary hilly ride outside with our tri group. That day was NOT fun!
Hmmm. My Eat, Pray, Love would be (LOVE the book by the way):
Eat: huge ass salads like yours or perfectly homemade pasta in Italy. nothing beats it. Except maybe my peanut butter chocolate chip cookies but all are close!
Pray: I’m not religious, but I’ve very spiritual. Anytime I do yoga, I get a chance to connect with the world and my body and clear my mind at the same time.
Love: same as yours. My military man isn’t home very often just like yours, but when he is, I’m perfectly content in his arms.
awh i loved this post! i think you might still believe youre in the bahamas with that post-insanity breakfast! 🙂 im on day 2 of the SSU because i started a day late, so today is spin class! i love it and i cant wait for it!
eat: (can i change this to cook?) i want to cook and open a restaurant one day
pray: im not religious and i dont pray, but i love to lay in bed thinking about everything i am greatful for and how fortunate i am, as well as keeping someone in my thoughts if they need it
love: my family and my boyfriend and all of my wonderful friends, plus the fact that i have a wonderful, happy, and healthy life 🙂
aww I love this post too! and yes, that is CERTAINLY one ferocious salad beast! here’s mine:
eat: copious amounts of fruit and vegetables. such simple food but SO good.
pray: usually at the end of the day, when i’m laying in bed before i fall asleep, i think about all the people and things in my life that i’m thankful for. sometimes this takes a very long time!
love: i had to think about this one, but i think it would be all of my lovely friends around the world and my family. after i’ve had a really great conversation or after i spend time catching up with someone, i feel super happy and optimistic. 🙂
I actually did strength yesterday and I have to say my shoulders and biceps are sore! I love it! I’m off to run tonight…I thought about doing your awesome run/lunge/run//tricep dip speed workout, but figured I would get a couple of funny looks around my neighborhood!
I’ve spent two extended trips in Guatemala, my first time there I fell in love with horchata. The second time I went I couldn’t stand it, not sure what changed but I still don’t like it. Still don’t know what happened there since I really want to like it again.
Eat: Berries. Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, salmon berries. That’s my childhood speaking right there. 🙂
Pray: As much and as often as I can.
Love: My husband, right before bed for me too. It’s the quiet, calm time that is always so relaxing.
Hey Gina, I was just wondering. Are you fluent in Spanish?
yup 🙂
Great post Gina! I also loved that book and can’t wait to see the movie. I would say my eat: a huge gigantic salad with some type of fish. pray: before I go to sleep I usually say what I’m thankful and appreciative for. love: my husband, family and friends. 🙂
I have wanted to try horchata FOREVER! Please come over and make me some, too. Thank you.
if you trade me for some of those cookies you just made, we have a deal 🙂
I’ve never even heard of horchata before, but oh my, does it ever sound dang good! Eat, Pray, Love is one of my all time favorites, too. I’d say eat: Almond butter, yes, I went there. Pray: When I am feeling a little blue or need some inspiration. Love: My boyfriend, family and dog.
great post!
my eat, pray, love:
Eat- avocado! i spread it on toast, use it in omelettes, a dip for carrots or whole wheat chips, put it in raw/vegan “tacos” my list is endless haha!
Pray- before my daily yoga practice i sit in meditation for a few moments reflecting on gratitude, lessons learned in the past week, inspirations and aspirations
Love- my hubby and our little 4-legged family. nights when we just all clamor on the couch and watch TV and just chill… total bliss.
The book Eat Pray Love opened my eyes and saved me in so many ways when I read it. I didnt even know I needed to hear it, until I was already half way through and it was like “ah ha” so that’s what’s up.
Eat: anything that brings me back to a good memory. My mom’s chicken lasagna on christmas eve, caprese salad from our trip to paris, chocolate peanut butter cup pie from my grandma. Close your eyes, and let the taste fill your mouth, and the memory fill your heart.
Pray: crying in the shower. This may sound weird but I cant even tell you how many times Ive had a breakdown mid-shower session. I hold it in all day, I stay strong…but I know in the shower I am at my alone time. and then I let it all just come out. I leave that shower feeling cleansed inside and out 🙂
Love: during that long COMFORTABLE silence between someone who means a lot to you. No words need to be said, you both are just “there”. and it just feels right, like you dont need to be anywhere else, the world has stopped around you. That is love.
and here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:
“You were given life; it is your duty and also your entitlement as a human being to find something beautiful within life no matter how slight.” – Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love
i’m loving reading all of these comments SO much! so beautiful <3
that's one of my favorite quotes from the book as well 🙂
xoxo
I’ve never heard of horchata, but it sounds good. Wanna pass on a recipe? 🙂
Eat: Big giant salad for me, too.
Pray: Daily
Love: Is it wrong to mention chocolate here?
eat: veggie wrap made with fresh hummus, falafel, veggies in a spinach tortilla at my favorite local Mediterranean restaurant Ali Bab-bas yummm!
pray: while I’m stretching in the morning.. that’s the time I tend to think about how awesome my life is : )
love: laying in bed with my love and the puppers knowing we have the whole day off and nothing planned but to spend time with each other…
Gina, this is a gorgeous post! I’m sure I’m about to get more personal than I ever anticipated, but here goes!
Eat: Crusty, warm, fresh baguette. I denied myself of one of my favorite foods for years, based on fear of “white” bread and carbs. But it is one of the simplest, most delicious foods. So simple.
Pray: I live a bit far off campus, and it’s a mile walk to anywhere on campus. My street alone takes me five minutes to walk down (and I’m 5’10” with gigantic strides). When I leave my house in the morning, I spend those first five minutes of my walk praying, talking to whoever my God is, thanking the universe for my life and the people in it. When I come home and return to my street, I do the same thing.
Love: Being at my parents’ house in Cincinnati, sitting in the living room with Mom, Dad, Matt and the pups, all laughing about something ridiculous. Being with my best friend in my living room, talking about all our hopes and dreams and fears. Being with a man that you cannot help but constantly smile and laugh around (shooo, he doesn’t know this…shhh!!). It’s ALL good. It’s ALL love.
xoxoxoxo
loved your comment, my friend <3
Eat: fresh fruit. I’ve loved fruit since childhood, and nothing tastes better to me on a consistent basis and makes me feel so good at the same time.
Pray: when I’m hiking in the mountains…or hiking anywhere really. I feel that being in such amazing scenery is a true spiritual experience. I feel as though I’m conversing with God when I hike beneath the great evergreens and gape at the wonder of the canyons, valleys, mountains, lakes, oceans, deserts on this beautiful earth.
Love: when I’m with my loved ones and we’re laughing hysterically. Be they family, friends, or boyfriend…I feel their love most when we’re laughing together.
sex and the city tonight!!!!
i’m seeing it tomorrow! i CANT WAIT
Eat: A hearty plate of pasta, a salad and crusty fresh bread. Yes, in one meal. 🙂
Pray: I randomly reflect on everything I am thankful for and often ask the powers that be for strength and mercy when I am stressed.
Love: When my husband and I are hugging and smiling and our cats rub between us wanting to be part of the lovins’ 😀
Jenn
Eat: Caprese salad with perfectly ripe, summer tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and basil. With really good olive oil and sea salt.
Pray: When I get in the zone on a run or a ride and everything is quiet and it just clicks and feels effortless.
Love: In the morning when Aaron rolls over and wraps his arm around me and we fall back asleep.
Loved to know about “your” Eat, Pray, Love, made me smile. It’s crazy how knowing other people are happy makes you happy too 🙂
Your Speed workout was AWESOME by the way. I had to do it today instead of yesterday, and in the heat and humidity of DC, I was the sweatiest beast when I was done! Thanks again for an awesome workout plan!
I haven’t read the book but I watched the interview yesterday. I really want to read it now.
Eat: Creamy greek yogurt with fresh berries, pineappple, mango, or peaches.
Pray: Hoestly I’m bad about traditional prayer, but my time with my Maker is on a morning run outdoors or during a quiet moment in yoga. Being out in nature or feeling connected to the earth makes me feel connected in general.
Love: Dinner at the table with my husband who I haven’t seen all day. We talk about our day and then let the dogs in for the night. They are so happy just to be inside and everyone gets settled in.
I have wanted to read that book for awhile, but can never nab it when it’s available at our library. My eat, pray, love would have to be…
Eat: Fresh fruit! There is something so satisfying in its juicy sweetness.
Pray: My quiet time every morning where I read my Bible and take time to pray.
Love: When snuggled up reading a book with my daughter or at night wrapped up with my husband either on the couch talking or in bed falling asleep.
eat – seafood extravaganza!
pray – for good health and happiness
love – my boyfriend
i’ve never even heard of horchata before and with a 24 hour prep time i doubt that *i* will ever make it..maybe i can convince someone to do it for me haha
the 24 hours isn’t active prep.. it’s maybe 15 minutes active prep but has to sit overnight before you can strain it
Hey Gina! I’ve been reading your blog for a little over a month now and I’m hooked! You’re truly an inspiration and I see a lot of myself in you! 🙂
Question about the perfect protein pancakes… I have tried making them twice, with two differen types of protein powder (once with vanilla hemp protein and once with chocolate soy protein) but both times the finished product tastes slightly chaulky… who am I kidding, the hemp one tasted downright awful! Am I using the wrong kind of protein? Is 1.5 scoops too much? Let me know what you think!
hahaha, to me, hemp protein on its own tastes pretty icky. try doing it with the soy protein and just 1 serving and see what happens
agreed! I bought it on a whim and for the price I paid at WF, I can’t see throwing it away. Argh! I’ll try again with soy and let you know how it goes! 🙂
I definitely need to read Eat, Pray, Love!
Eat: Oatmeal with almond butter and other fixings. It warms my heart
Pray: Right before I go to bed I lay down and think of how amazing my life is and how grateful I am for it
Love: I do everything with a fierce passion. I try to spread warmth to those around me and make sure everyone is cared for.
Lovely post, Gina.
Eat: A fresh vegetable straight off the vine. Nothing makes me feel more connected to the earth than a chomping into a ripe tomato or crunching on some snap peas. I used to work on a farm so this was acutally part of my reality! Hah I am such a crunchy hippie. Whatev.
Pray: While trail running on the trails around my home. I feel the most grateful for my life’s blessings when I’m out in the woods, heart pumping and feet moving.
Love: Laughing around the dinner table with my family!
Hey Gina
I’ve been following your blog for a few weeks now and just wanted to let you know I look forward to reading it on a daily basis! I’ve been trying to lose weight for the past six months and hit my 20 pound weight loss goal today (Holla!) Anyway, the recipes and workouts are great and thanks for inspiring me and countless others!
Ohhh Horchata! That looks pretty sweet, can’t wait to see it tomorrow! And I really enjoyed this post, your eat, pray, love is so cute and so you. (:
I really enjoyed the book Eat, Pray, Love and will see the movie just for the gorgeous scenery.
Eat: fresh seafood on the beach
Pray: Sunday mornings at church when the music is playing and everyone gathers together
Love: potluck dinners with my best friends
Eat: Do I have to pick one? In the past few years, I’ve really revamped how I eat: focusing on integrating more raw foods, experimenting with new recipes and ingredients, and cutting down on my meat consumption. I credit a lot of these changes to you, Gina! You make it look accessible and delicious 🙂
Pray: I’m not religious but there’s something very powerful with yoga. Right in the middle of a hardcore flow session, it’s so nice to slow it down in tree pose (try it on a yoga block!). I feel so in touch with myself, and I feel like I’m flying.
Love: my husband, I know I’m the luckiest person in the world to spend the rest of my life with him. Everyday, I can’t help but be grateful; it’s not uncommon for me to ask him if everyone is as happy as us.
Gina, I have been reading your blog for years. I cannot seem to find your e-mail address. I would love to e-mail you and ask you a few personal questions (personal for me, not you 🙂 …)
I could be missing it completely I’m so sorry!
-Erin
fitnessista at gmail dot com 🙂
Day two gave me flash backs to high school track practice. I loved that I could take my workout out of the gym and to the park to enjoy the breezy sunny spring day. I did feel a little awkward doing the butt kicks in front of fellow park dwellers, but I guess it’s good to get out of comfort zone from time to time. I was quite sweaty by the end, you weren’t joking about water!
Needless to say I throughly enjoyed yoga class today.
AWESOME and awesome <3
thank you for updating me! keep letting me know how it goes 🙂
OMG horchata!!! So good. I loved Spanish class in high school because when we had fiestas, one of my classmates always brought in homemade horchata. YUM.
I am so excited for the film version of Eat, Pray, Love! Julia Roberts is so down to earth, love it. My EAT would be a veggie tempeh stirfry: kale, sweet potato, onion, garlic, broccoli, mushrooms and tempeh. It’s always filling, stabilizing and never leaves me feeling grody. Although this garlic & herb goat cheese I got at WF is pretty damn delicious. PRAY: I am not religious AT ALL but when I do yoga, I take time to just breathe and focus on the quietness, something I think a lot of people take for granted (myself included). LOVE: all the amazing people in my life, the fact that I am alive and getting a college education, that I am able-bodied and have no serious illnesses. Love your list.
Also, next time you’re at Whole Paycheck, look for the Celestial Seasonings KOMBUCHA!!! It isn’t as pungent as the Synergy Kombucha and has more calories but it is sooooo good and fruity.
celestial seasonings KOMBUCHA?! whaaaat? how have i not heard of this? on a mission…
I’m with the Pilot on this one – you can make horchata? I’m from southern CA and didn’t know that! If the recipe you are using works out, could you post it? Please? Pretty please, with an organic cherry on top??
yes, i’ll post it tomorrow!
Awesome! Thank you!
It’s official, there’s nothing you CAN’T do. I didn’t even know what Horchata was until now! Those protein pancakes look SOO yummy!
http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/
As a Hispanic chica living in Canada (where it’s impossible to find horchata), I hope you’ll totes share your recipe if it works out!!!! 🙂
I’ve seen horchata and heard about it in the song I mentioned on my last comment, but never tasted it. Can’t wait to see how your brown rice version turns out!!
Have you tried wasabi edamame? I know you like wasabi peas so you’d probably enjoy wasabi edamamae as well. I just found some at Fresh Market!
eat: i agree a huge beautiful salad, or a roasted veggie wrap, or…..my fave dessert icecream!
pray: actually Molly read my mind about the praying in the shower. I didn’t know if that would sound wierd or not, but that is the one time of day when I am alone in my thoughts and prayers and I know no one can interupt. it brings so much to the surface for me.
love: my family…being together no matter what were doing. i love my friends too, but my family has always been my backbone and there for me, so they will always be my number 1!
=)
I love what you said about your grateful, prayer-filled, calm and quiet moments in child’s pose. That was beautiful 🙂
Oooh, I’m looking forward to the horchata recipe!!
I love that you shared your eat, pray, love. Oprah has such insightful questions, I’m going to have to think about this. 🙂
Dear gina,
I loved your eat pray loves!! Unfortunately I don’t have any at the moment:) creativity has been all used up! I do have a few questions for you though. I’m doing the summer shape up and have so far been successful with the workouts.. But not the clean eats! I’m still in school and struggle with finding portable healthy options. Could you give me some suggestions please? I only have 2 weeks of school leftbut I want to look great for graduation!!!!! Thank you!
gina
in spain the horchata is a different drink. it is made with chufas no with rice.
it is the typical drink for Valencia.
I have not read Eat Pray Love yet, but plan on doing that as soon as I can! Your salad beast shown above looks so yummy 😀 I love salads with shrimps too 😀
I love salad beasts and fresh fruit, above all melon or watermelon!
I always pray for my fiancé and my mum! Love them so much. I am thankful everyday for the life I’m given! Of course I also think of the people who are not so fortunate to have a home and enough to eat!
I love the quality time spent with my loved ones! Most of all my fiancé, who is traveling too much for work 🙁 I hope this gets better soon 🙂
Good lord I love this post.
and you.
you are so focused on the important things in life.
family health LIVING AND EMBRACING every moment.
xo xo
You really do bow pose beautifully. That’s one of my favorites! Seems to hit everything!
Eat: Sushi!! It warms my heart, is unique, and I almost always tend to share it with my boyfriend which makes it even more wonderful. 🙂
Pray: Everyday during yoga I’m at peace.
Love: When I am able to make someone laugh or they make me laugh (or even better when we laugh uncontrollablly together). It’s the best feeling ever.
Ahaha I can almost see the pilot’s bug eyes when he found out you could make horchata… kind of like when my fiance found out I could make devil’s food cake… from scratch… 😉
My eat… fresh fruits and vegetables, picked from the vine and gently sliced, chopped, cooked and prepared into a lovely home cooked meal no more than a few hours later. Like I ate in Italy… pure love, pure bliss.
My pray… at the beginning of each yoga practice, I set an intention to embrace the day and approach everything life sets in front of me with calm. At the end in savasana, I give a prayer of thanks for the universe bringing me such wonderful friends, family and happiness.
My love… when I wake up in the morning with my kitten curled between my fiance and I, to another beautiful day, in my favorite city in the world, doing what I love. That is love.
What a beautiful post, Gina. Love.
Eat – biiiig salads, with goat cheese, garlic, broccoli, red pepper and warmed asparagus. All tossed with tons of sharp, tangy dressing. I also love peanut butter and toast – childish food and it reminds me of my Mommy. Avocados, hummus, cold-pressed oils, brown rice … good for the soul and hair!
Pray – at the gym. My brother recently got back from Afghanistan, and while he was deployed, I felt somehow that I was hovering above my life sometimes, thinking, I could drop a knife and this would tear, break, rip – and I would be forever changed. I knew if something happened to him, some things would survive and others wouldn’t. I’d wonder, what will survive? Will I? For he is the link to my childhood that is supposed to last even after my parents, and to have that severed — and to know he was out there in the desert, far from the warm shores of home – it felt wrong, perverted, terrible.
When I would be working out, I would suddenly reach my breaking point and feel the prayers come. Just ‘please’, was all I could say. But ‘please’ seemed enough, somehow.
Love – I feel grateful to have so much love in my life. I feel it when I am returning to Canada for a visit and I see my parents as I come out of the Arrivals doors – they are on the edge of anticipation, waiting, smiling. They tell me that they always look out for my pink luggage. They almost can’t stand to look for my face because they’re too happy and excited, so pink it is.
When I am with my boyfriend and the love of my life, about to go to sleep and I am in the warm snuggle of his embrace.
When my family is all around one table, which happens so rarely – and we are toasting with red wine and good food, and everything is simple – just like when I was a child – it’s perfect. Home. Love.
LOVE your comment.
made me cry a little.. so beautiful <3
i'm so happy your brother is home safely- i'm very grateful to him for serving our country
xoxo
I am getting teared up at these beautiful posts..
eat – fresh ripe fruit, nothing could be more simple and delicious
pray – at least once a day. I like to pray out loud, and really talk to God. Feelings come out I didn’t even know were there..dreams, desires, thoughts. You feel so refreshed afterwards.
love – Family and my amazing husband. Helping someone out in the grocery store. Smiling at strangers. Making a meal for a friend or neighbor you know will appreciate it. You get the idea:) And all my bloggie friends!! True love right there! 🙂