Queen of Substitutions
Hey bloggies hey! It’s FRIDAY 
What are you up to this weekend??
I’m going to be planning out my life, chilling with the fam and Tucson friends, and making up for lost vegetables 
When the Madre and I got into Tucson last night, my grandparents suggested getting Sweet Tomatoes to-go since we were all hungry and I was craving a salad beast.
I got the above salad (greens, jicama, egg, garbanzo beans, olives, red pepper, mushrooms, carrots and beets with balsamic) and made a twin salad for my bro’s girlfriend. The two of us also shared a small black bean soup and I ate one of the wheaty muffins off of this platter:
I curled onto the comfy chair and fell asleep watching novelas with the fam. Glorious
This morning, my bro and I hit up The Fanfreakingtastic Egg (aka the Good Egg) for some b-fast.
I was dubbed the Queen of Substitutions.
Traditional Day Starter with scrambled eggs, black beans instead of potatoes, and a house salad with balsamic on the side instead of an English muffin.
Menus are just suggestions, mmm k?
Plan for the day:
-Check out the place where the pups and I will be living
-Car wash
-Check out potential Dance Trance studio
-Dance Trance call
-yoga (my aching back and legs could use a little stretching)
-Interview
-Buddy the Elf and vegan hot cocoa
See ya later today!!!
xoxo,
Gina
Something to talk about: Are you a substitution queen too? What do you usually change about your meals? I like to ask for toppings/dressing on the side, no cheese, and salad instead of something. I’m always friendly and polite to the server so they don’t seem to mind my ordering antics.
*Sun Warrior promo update: Finally!! We’re going to be doing something new for my OpenSky promos- we’ll have a follow page and if you click to follow, you’ll be able to get the sahweet deals if you like. I’ll post the link to the follow page when it’s up and running! xoxo
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I have one word to say… RAWNOLA!!!!!!
I just want to say your an amazing person Gina, don’t let anyone ever hurt your spirit 🙂
i am substitute chica too..
I have chrons disease, and my digestive system does NOT respond well to dairy, gluten, or sugar. Though i still eat all of those i try to keep it at ONE servings TOPS a day.
I always ask for extra veggies cuz i a VEGGIE FUHHREAK. seriously..
Hope your “new life” goes well! P.s.. will you be updating your recipe page soon?!?!
Gina and Pilot,
You guys rock. Thanks for the blog and to the pilot for serving our country. I read every day and I continue to be inspired by you and all you do. Glad you are safely in a great place. 🙂
I ALWAYS substitute or ask for things to be removed. I work off the sides menu too as that’s where you can great little simple salads and veggie sides and then get a few of those each time. Yum!
To Cheryl: you give military wives a bad name, and by perceiving yourself as some kind of hero for living on base (which I bet every single one of us have done at one point or another) and enduring the hardships of being a spouse with 2 kids and a deployed husband, just makes you seem petty – clearly you need a hobby because military life is suffocating you, maybe you should take advantage of the 20 hours of free childcare we get when they’re gone to go do something fun for yourself; you know, instead of trolling blogs and making hateful comments about someone’s life choices. If you dislike Gina’s blog so much, then stop reading. Our husbands fight for your freedom to be able to make a simple choice like that, and I think you pointed that out yourself. Also, you might want to move off base and surround yourself with people who aren’t in the same position as you are; you might receive more support from people whom you can bellyache to because they aren’t living the same daily struggle as you are.
Gina: I modify everything!! We were on our way to Branson today and I forgot my cooler of food at home 🙁 Everyone wanted McDonalds and since there was no where else to go, I decided to make the best of it. I got an angus burger, minus the Angus and asked for every veggie they had. They were more than happy to accommodate my request, and I was thankful to have some veggies to eat on the road since I failed at bringing my cooler. Hopefully I can find something not fried while in Bransvegas 😉
I always have to sub out cheese and dressings at restaurants. My meals usually consist of side dishes and I always sub out rice for extra vegetables….when it comes to baking though, that’s a whole different story. If you’re the queen, then I’m the duchess when it comes to substitutes in cooking. Have a good night!!
I try to not to be too antsy but I would always try my best to get my salad dressing on the side 🙂
Hey Gina…just read the awful comment. But girl, I’m glad you’re not even trippin over it. People who put others down are jealous and very insecure. I feel sorry for her.
Also, loved the Pilot’s response! wooot woot!
as far as substitution, i love doing so!! it’s the best way to eat out healthfully. 🙂
Don’t let that negative comment get you down. We love you!
Hi Gina! I’ve never commented before, but I love your blog and read it daily. I’ve suffered from an eating disorder for 6 years and reading your blog/fitness tips/recipes prompted my recovery. I discovered your blog while I was in the hospital and have been making your recipes ever since. What I want to say is…
don’t let the obnoxious, critical posts get you down. You obviously have a lot of blog friends who care a lot about you, me being one of them! Even though I’ve never met you, you and your amazing recipes (literally) saved my life. I was given 2 weeks max to live but your style of eating, faith in your body, and infectious optimistic attitude gave me hope when there wasn’t any left. I thank god for you every day.
This may seem weird (now that I’m writing it), but thank you for saving my life.
kelsey,
your comment made me cry happy tears. words like yours make me want to keep blogging, even when i have a not-so-good day (like yesterday). i have a special place in my heart for you and am SO PROUD of you for taking your health into your hands and getting well. many years of health and happiness to you my friend.
xoxo
I’m too chicken to be a substitute queen 🙁 I think it’s time I speak up, because your meal looks amazing!!!!
Have a great weekend 🙂
Jen
Let me just say, Gina you are doing a great job. To anyone who has an issue – Gina has no children (other than the puppers) and her husband is deployed. Why should she locate herself on base? The base is a great source of support (if you aren’t a negative, crappy neighbor) and is a terrific place for military spouses who have kids or who have no family to locate themselves near. Base families generally act as a family in the absence of loved ones. Gina had another choice to make, one that allows her to ride out this deployment with love and support. Good for her.
Subs are expected and normal in most “family style” restaurants. Fine dining is another matter entirely but even in those they would desire to serve the customer. In a regular restaurant you work with substitutions and “on the side” because so much stuff comes at least partially pre-made (especially in chains) whereas in fine dining you say, “Could you suggest something vegan, gluten free or whatever.”
Karen
Gina- I’m a regular reader, occasional commenter and just wanted to speak up to add my support. Your blog is no place for bitter haters. If you don’t have anything nice to say…
Re: substitutions– I do it all the time, but it always reminds me of that scene from When Harry Met Sally- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnlm2e3EN78
i’ve actually never seen that movie (!) but loved the youtube clip!
Really?? It’s a classic rom com. Totally worth seeing!
I always change up the menu! I will always asked for a baked potato instead of the fried potatoes, and usually ask for things without the sauce, no butter, etc.
It depends on my mood and what I’ve had that day/week. Usually though I subout “extras” cheese, sour cream, guac (I live in TX, if I ate guac on everything they put it on…), and always sauces/dressing on the side. I always ask for wheat option of grains. Oh and of course sub fruit whenever I can!
Gina I would like to thank you for your blog. I am too a recovered ED patient and your blog has helped me see how somoene can have a healthy, rewarding and nutritious relationship with food in their life. Thankyou. Oh and I used to hate exercise but now I LOVE it 🙂
The Pilot is an amazing man for what he does. Im Australian but my best friends hubby serves in our airforce and I know how difficult it is at times for her. The fact that you handle things with such style and grace no matter how difficult the situation makes me want to be a better person.
thankyou,
Dani
WOW – I guess negative comments are part of the blog thing, I usually don’t read that many comments, but I love what the pilot said, so I’m glad I read through all of it to see his post!
I’m so glad you found a happy place to to live and thrive and keep on blogging girl!
Kim
Gina, Having haters means you’re doing something right. Keep on keeping on, chica 🙂 Congrats on the big move, and great job on staying positive!
I make substitutions often- mostly a veggie instead of fries or no onions/mayo/cheese with visible mold (I am scared of blue/gorgonzola/etc thanks to my time spent in a micro lab :)). I’ve never had a server bat an eyelash over it! I say please and thank you and tip well. Being nice is SO helpful… certain people should try it. They’d like it I bet. 😉
Good for you for being brave and making difficult choices in the name of your happiness. Life is far to short to NOT choose happiness!
I am glad that you are safely home and enjoying the perks of being close to family.
I am not a substitioner… I eat whatever they bring me exactly has it comes.