Rise and shine

Can you believe that I’ve actually started to not mind waking up early in the morning? (Note: I didn’t say “I like” it, but for me to go from utter loathing to not minding is a huge deal haha.) It’s so much easier to be productive and plan out the day, and by the time Liv goes down for her first nap, it’s still pretty early. 

Last night was her first sweet potato experience and she LOVED it.

Sweet potato

I had it on a plate in front of her, and after I helped her figure out what it was and gave her a couple of bites, she went after it. It was the cutest thing ever, and note Bella in the photo, anxiously waiting for any casualties.

She had her own chicken and sweet potato, too, but inhaled it within 4 seconds. I always have to remind her to chew.

Bella s food

Before our dinner, we had absolutely no groceries, so the Pilot was so kind to go pick some up. I appreciated it so much because it gave me the chance to chill for a sec and hang out with Liv after a long day of teaching, and he always surprises me with what he buys when he grocery shops. I really wanted Popchips, so he bought 3 different flavors (sweet potato, salt and vinegar and BBQ)

Groceries

(I busted into the salt & vinegar as soon as he got home)

also in the mix: a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, Endangered species chocolate bar and a new jar of almond butter because I was out, 

+ ceviche and wine for appetizers

Ceviche and wine

Steak for the mister, chicken for me, sweet potatoes for both of us:

Grilled

(Chicken in the middle was plain- 1/2 for Bella and 1/2 for me to eat on a salad or in a wrap today)

I put both the chicken and sweet potato on top of greens and covered it with balsamic vinaigrette- it was amazing.

Today, we’re going to go to the park before it gets too hot, and maybe enjoy a date night tonight.

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
xoxo

Gina

Summer Shape Up 2012 officially starts TOMORROW! All of the details will be up then, but I wanted to try and get the grocery list and meal plan up by this morning for those of you who like to plan ahead and grocery shop on Sundays. If you’re participating in the Shape Up and want to follow along with the meals, here’s the full list of meal ideas and groceries for the first week 🙂

****After your grocery shop and/or prep for the week, leave a comment here to check in!! Let me know what your plan is, what you did to prepare for the week and/or a meal or recipe you’re excited to make. 

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42 Comments

  1. Julie on June 10, 2012 at 11:31 am

    I have stalked your summer-shape up for SO long… I’m thinking I may actually do it this time around 🙂 Looking forward to seeing your post tomorrow!

    • Mollie on June 10, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      haha me too! I am really planning to do it this year!

  2. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on June 10, 2012 at 11:40 am

    Aww I love that the Pilot surprised you with flowers, how thoughtful! And Livi eating that sweet potato is so cute!

  3. Emma S. on June 10, 2012 at 11:48 am

    I am ridiculously excited for this year’s shape up! Been following the 2011 summer one so this new version is just in time for the end of that one! Thank you Gina 🙂
    Very excited to make the Greek Quinoa and might give the sushi bowl a go! x

    p.s. your daughter is adorable!

  4. Lana on June 10, 2012 at 11:50 am

    Your baby is adorable! She has beautiful eyes ?

  5. Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy on June 10, 2012 at 11:55 am

    awww he got you flowers and chocolate!!! What a great husband:) and how cute — Livi the sweet potato princess!

  6. Melissa (Better Fit) on June 10, 2012 at 11:56 am

    That is too cute with the sweet potato. I love Bella licking her lips as well.

    Nice meal plan set-up! I might get back into the b-fast cookie thing. Now that the weather is starting to get warmer, oatmeal doesn’t seem as tempting.

    Have a fun date night!

  7. Amanda on June 10, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Yay! Excited for the Summer Shape Up! Just made the banana almond muffins! I didn’t have a few ingredients so we will see how they turn out – but I did add 1/2 scoop protein powder and 1t flaxseeds to make them a little more filling & add the benefits of flax since I barely ever eat them!
    PS – The Pilot is so sweet to bring you flowers! I love having fresh flowers in my condo 🙂

  8. Mandy M on June 10, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    Funny how different our husband’s carts can look from ours…
    Livi is looking adorable as usual. Love that you’re letting her eat on her own.
    Thank you so much for posting the menu Sunday. I usually shop for the week right after I drop the kids at school Mon morning, so it’s super helpful.
    I’m actually just going to use your menu as the menu for the whole family this week. Makes it super easy for me. Excited for the Caprese salad and the Sushi salad!

  9. Abby on June 10, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Totally excited for this! Just have to pump up my stability ball which had been sadly collecting dust haha.

  10. Rebecca on June 10, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    I can’t believe the timing of the SSU–just as I was lamenting my lack of workout-mojo and discomfort with my recent loss of muscle/few extra el bees, you come swooping in with an amazing plan! It’s like having my own personal trainer!

    I just sat down and meal planned for the week so I know what to prep for the week and make packing lunches for work a breeze. I’m thinking of making your dijon chicken with sun dried tomatoes for dinner (served with quinoa and roasted asparagus). Lunches will be ginormous salads and bfasts will vary. I’m excited to have it all down on paper–it’s much easier to stick with a plan when I know exactly what’s coming up and can have the satisfaction of crossing something off the list when I finish.

  11. Averie @ Averie Cooks on June 10, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    There’s something about being a mom that you come to not really “mind” the early mornings and wake-ups; you don’t “love” them but they become par for the course. And going down for early naps…mommy’s break-time 🙂 Love those!

  12. leah o on June 10, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Is it necessary to modify daily eats for summer shape up if you’re breast feeding?

  13. Juls on June 10, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    I always thought Liv was a clone of you but I’m starting to see the pilot in her too! She’s adorable

    • Fitnessista on June 10, 2012 at 2:23 pm

      i definitely see both of us in her! it’s really amazing to see 🙂

  14. Amanda on June 10, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    Do you make your own balsamic vinaigrette or is it store bought? I’m having a hard time finding a good store bought one that isn’t full of junk, which I wanted for convenience though I suppose it’s not hard to make your own.

    • Fitnessista on June 10, 2012 at 2:23 pm

      i make my own with balsamic, olive oil, garlic, dijon, thyme, salt and pepper

  15. Courtney on June 10, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Just got back from shopping! I got a new to me hummus that I’m excited to use on salads this week! I love the taste of hummus & balsamic vinegar mixed on a salad so I am looking forward to this new kalamata olive flavor 🙂

  16. Lisa on June 10, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    Can’t wait for summer shape up to be released! That is awesome she loves sweet potatoes! How nice the pilot picked you up some chocolate and flowers, what a cute gesture!

  17. Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs on June 10, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    Omg that top pic is AMAZING I especially love Bella licking her lips waiting to snatch up any leftovers Livi might leave behind.

  18. Elise on June 10, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    It’s always so cute to see how excited dogs get waiting for kids to drop food! I’ve seen the Sweet Potato Popchips in the grocery store and have been wanting to try them (and the Jalepeno . . .), you’ll have to let us know how they are!

  19. alice @ bake n beebz on June 10, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    I’m jumpin’ on board and im excited to join in with yall. I’m in such a rut, Looking forward to mixing up workouts!!!
    x

  20. Marie on June 10, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Adorable picture!

  21. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More on June 10, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    I love how Bella is licking her lips in that first picture. She’s ready as soon as Livi is done! How adorable.

  22. Marie on June 10, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Cutest pic of Livi yet; did you get a video of her eating it? She gets more and more adorable!

  23. Kristy @ Southern In-Law on June 10, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Oh, your Livi is too sweet!
    I had to laugh when I read “I always have to remind her to chew” – that’s exactly how my oldest dog, Gizmo is – I swear she is a pomeranian cross pekingese cross vacuum cleaner! She will then go for my pup’s dinner because Chanel is the polar opposite and will only eat when she feels like it or when it’s something different.

  24. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness on June 10, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    Can’t wait to see what’s in store tomorrow for SSU. Checking out the meal list now! That picture is the cutest! Between Livi and Bella! They’re both adorable!

  25. Mari on June 10, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    That picture of Livi and Bella is my favorite picture ever on your blog!! So cute!!

  26. Megan on June 10, 2012 at 7:54 pm

    That baby is stunning! Can’t wait to start SSU, thank you so much!

  27. C on June 10, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    OH MY GOD, look at Bella on that bench licking her chops! My parents let their dog, who looks like Bella, sit at the kitchen table when they eat. He has his own designated chair…

  28. The Hobby Lobbyist on June 10, 2012 at 10:31 pm
  29. Jess on June 11, 2012 at 12:07 am

    Livi is so cute eating that sweet potato! We sort of ended up baby led weaning, because I found my girls couldn’t handle food until they could handle food. Haha if that makes sense. I love watching babies eat and really enjoy all aspects of their food- texture, colour, temperature. And I love that they are cuter then ever covered in it! 🙂

  30. Britta on June 11, 2012 at 6:58 am

    Livi is so presh – she is becoming more and more of a little person with every pic!

    I’m all set for the week! I’m excited to try a few Fitnessista staples that I haven’t had yet (protein pancakes, amazeballs). I’m probably going to set up a Google Doc spreadsheet to track. I’ll share when it’s put together!

  31. Clare on June 11, 2012 at 7:31 am

    I’m going to try the Greek Quinoa later thus week, and I’m going to pick up some protein powder (first time trying it!) to make a breakfast cookie and protein pancakes. Love the meal plan, I’m going to change it up a bit (vegetarian and not trying to loose weight so will add in some more treats!), but will try to keep eats as clean as possible and make sure I keep protein up – would you say 1g of protein per kg of body weight, or more like 1.5g?

  32. OntarioGirl on June 11, 2012 at 7:32 am

    oh my, the picture of Livi enjoying her first sweet potato is adorable! Bella sounds so similar to my dog it makes me laugh…my dog is going to love when I have this baby and the baby starts eating! I can totally see him sitting there licking his lips as well haha
    He also doesn’t chew the food I give him sometimes, he’s so excited he just swallows it whole! silly dogs.

  33. Madison on June 11, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Made my almond banana muffins last night and did my big grocery shop for the week! It was nice to stock up on a lot of the staples I’ve been missing since I recently moved. Now I just ate my perfect protein pancakes that I pre-made last night and I’m feeling ready for the day (and the next four weeks)!! xoxo Gina, you are a motivational trainer!

  34. Chuck on June 11, 2012 at 10:19 am

    I really like your recipes and would like to see more raw / vegan or dehydrator recipes. Thanks for keeping it fun.

  35. Liz @ Southern Charm on June 11, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Um that pic of Liv enjoying her sweet potato and Bella licking her lips in the background is priceless!! Absolutely beautiful!

    This weekend, I stocked up on some fun, on the go, meats: pulled pork (plain), brisket, chicken sausage & jalepeno burgers since I didn’t have to worry about my fruits and vegetabes. My parents purchased a lot of fruit and vegetables intending to make something for our family reunion this past weekend, but we weren’t able to make it. While I was sad, I’m stocked up on apples, bananas, oranges & brussels sprouts!

  36. Suzi @ Confessions of a Fitness Instructor on June 12, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    Sweet Potato Pop Chips!?!? How do I not know about these????

    • Fitnessista on June 12, 2012 at 2:48 pm

      you must find them. my new fave.

  37. calivozbelle on June 12, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I am addicted to Pop Sweet Potato Chips. I have to restrain from devouring whole bag in one sitting! Oh the life of a single gal. 🙂 I don’t eat gluten, dairy or soy but I love your easily modifiable grocery list. During my Sunday whole foods run I picked up some halibut (last night’s dinner, topped with mango salsa and over a salad beast), salmon (tonight’s dinner), veggies (organic- spring mix, cucumber, red pepper, asparagus, red onion, avocado, tomatoes), fruit (organic-raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, mango), 1 1/2 lbs organic chicken breast (poached on Sunday, salad topping for last two days of lunch), Applegate organics chicken sausage (great breakfast, mash 1/2 avocado, spoonful of fresh salsa (I love to cheat with whole foods pre-made fresh salsa, an expensive addiction) mix together for deliciousness!), Applegate organics smoked turkey breast (quick lunch!), So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage (to make smoothies with my already stocked frozen berries and sun warrior powder), and some Garden of Eatin’ Red Hot Blues Chips for a spicy addition to guacamole.

  38. MMiller on June 14, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    I first noticed Liv’s eyes…and then laughed at Bella staring at Liv’s plate wanting to finish her sweet potato!

    My husband does most of the cooking in our house…and we eat out…a lot!

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