Soul Food
Hi guys:D How was your day?? I’m writing to ya’ll with a giant Southern food baby.
Tonight, I decided that I neglect to feed the pilot food from his youth. We eat a lot of ethnic foods (especially Mexican, since that’s what I grew up with) and FoodNetwork specials, but the pilot is a good ol’ Southern boy. I figured it would be a fun surprise to make some Southern food 🙂
We had jalapeno goat cheddar cornbread (recipe from the Babycakes cookbook)
He had BBQ chicken (I had tofu… usually I stay away from soy products but a little tofu in my life every now and again is a delicious treat), with wilted spinach(with cayenne, lemon juice, garlic, onion, and sea salt) and vegan baked beans (recipe here– I used a little dark molasses and Sucanat instead of the light molasses).
Ahhhhmazing.
We were happy kids 😀
The casa is done with the spring cleaning frenzy (it feels BEAUTIFUL!) and I ran errands and planned our meals out for the week. I didn’t hit up the gym –last day of recovery week- but I’m refreshed and ready to jump back into it starting tomorrow morning. It’s funny, after taking a week easy I can definitely see how exercise can slip out of the day’s plans. You really have to make exercise a priority and before this past week, it was right up there with brushing my teeth everyday. Since I was forced to take a brief hiatus due to my knee problemo, it’s even more obvious that if you aren’t determined to make exercise happen, it won’t. I felt a little lazy this past week, not gonna, lie and am excited for some exercise endorphins and SWEAT! I miss getting my beastly sweat on.
I’m off to film that breakfast cookie video and watch the season premiere of Kendra. I love her to pieces, even though her laugh makes my ears bleed a little 😉
xoxo,
Gina
Something to do: Hug someone you love <3
We had a death in our family yesterday. Even though it’s always sad to lose someone you’re close to, I was relieved to hear that he’s at peace now and am so grateful that he had a very long life, surrounded by so many people that love him.
To my great-grandfather:
-You taught me the value of hard work and persistence. Not just the type of work that’s annoying enough to make you complain, but the kind where sweat is stinging your eyes, you feel totally spent when it’s done, and then can reap the rewards of what you’ve accomplished
-You taught me the importance of family, and how you should always enjoy the company of the people you care about
-You taught me that once you find the love of your life, never let go
I love you, Tata.
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Aww…so sorry to hear about your great grandfather, Gina. Thinking of you and your fam. Grandparents are so wise. Mine have taught me the same.
Aw what a beautiful tribute to your great grandfather. I liked his advice never to let the one you love go, so true. Enjoy your jump back into exercise tomorrow! 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. The old picture you posted is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it!!
The meal you prepared looks great….thanks so awesome of you to do for the pilot! He’s a lucky guy!
So sorry for your loss Gina. That is a really lovely photo you posted. I love it.
What a gorgeous picture. I loved this post.
So sorry about your great-grandfather. Sincere condolences to you and your family. 🙁
I agree 100%. Working out is such a regular part of my life. However, when I take a couple days off, it’s hard to re-schedule it in. It’s almost like I’m losing time or something. So nice of you to cook the Pilot some Southern cuisine! Paula Deen would be proud!
((hugs)) to you and your family.
and i love kendra too. her laugh makes me laugh
so sorry to hear about your grandfather 🙁
I’m sorry for your loss. That photo is beautiful. I love photos from that era, the people always look so wonderful…truly timeless. I’ll keep your family in my thoughts!
Sorry to hear about that. The photo is really amazing.
I’m sorry to hear about your great-grandfather.
On a lighter note, your Southern feast looks delish, especially the cornbread!
I am very sorry to hear about your family’s loss. Prayers are with you friend 🙂
I have no great-grandparents and no grandparents still alive, it’s definitely a strange feeling…
That southern dinner you whipped up looks fantastic, I love the corn bread idea too!
mmmm, looks good!
Sorry to hear about your loss. I’m sending a big hug your way.
I’m sorry to hear about your family’s loss, but that is a beautiful tribute to your grandfather’s life. Thanks for sharing with us.
That cornbread looks YUM! I’m from KY and haven’t had southern food in quite a while. I’ve never been a shrimp ‘n’ grits kind of gal, but cornbread…I’m definitely a fan.
http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/
Oo i can’t wait to see the video! i can’t wait to make one someday.
Your grandfather must have been a wonderful man. Sorry for you loss. But on a happy note, you’ve made vegan BBQ look and sounds FANTASTIC! Love the babycakes cookbook. So good!
LC
Sorry to hear about your loss; I understand. And the exercise thing is my life right now too: a hard week of running and taking a 3 day break…it’s killing me!
So sorry about your great-grandfather. He looks like he was a sweet man.
I’m sorry for your loss Gina!
So sorry to hear about your great grandfather! You’re dinner looks delicious, I’m sure the hubs appreciated some “soul food!” 🙂
-emily
Gina, your optimism is inspiring- as always. 🙂
So sorry to hear about your loss. 🙁
I’m so sorry about your loss girl, so sorry.
I’m a southern girl so I can fully appreciate that dinner, sounds fabulous!
I lost a dear friend this weekend, too. It really makes you appreciate life and those that you HAVE. Nothing is guaranteed, live life to the fullest! No regrets.
That southern dinner is making this southern BOY hangry. btw.
Very sorry for your loss Gina, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Your family is in my prayers, Gina! As difficult as it was to lose my great-grandparents, I was always SO grateful to have had them in my life. Some people never have the opportunity to even know their grandparents. Thanks for the reminder to give my grandma and grandpa a little extra hug when I see them on Easter. <3
my heart goes out to you and your family, and you are all in my thoughts and prayers…i’ve been to too many funerals in the last couple of months and it’s heartbreaking to say the least…may your tata rest in peace!!! *hugs*
<3
love what you learned from your great-grandfather. We all need to take more time to listen and learn from our grandparents. My grandfather was an amazing man and father of 9 with miles of knowledge to share. He left this world too early and I regret not sitting down just to chat with him more often.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. So glad that your great-grandfather instilled so many wonderful lessons un you.
I’m sorry for your loss 🙁
Your dinner does look delicious though ! I’m assuming if that is a babycakes cookbook recipe it’s vegan? That whole plate looks so comforting!
yup it’s vegan! i de-veganized it by adding raw goat cheddar, though 🙂
I am sorry for your loss, but I’m sure he is at peace now. My great grandmother is suffering so much recently, and I hope she will be at peace soon.
I call my grandpa Tata, too!
i’m so sorry for your loss girl, but i think you have an amazing outlook on it. he sounds like he was an incredible man 🙂 hope you guys have a wonderful night!
I am so sorry for your loss Gina, your great grandpa sounded like an amazing man.
So sorry to hear about your loss Gina. I’m glad that you had time to get to know and appreciate him and for that, he will be with you always.
P.S. I think we should always choose things that are good for our soul… especially when it comes to food 🙂 you’re such a talented cook.
I am so sorry for your loss. My wonderful granny passed away this Friday. I’m actually back home even as I type this for the services. Her and my grandfather were going to have their 60th wedding anniversary this year, so I think she and your great-grandfather’s share a page from the same advice book concerning keeping a hold of the one you love. Hug.
Aw Gina, so sorry to hear about our great-grandfather 🙁
I hope starting to exercise again makes you feel better. It always de-stresses me!
I’m sorry about your great grandpa, hon. Much love to you.
I can totally relate to not wanting to take an exercise break. I have a hard time not being able to be active, and I get kind of cranky! I hope you can get back to it soon. I have the 20 minute Shred by Jillian Michael’s and she does this exercise where you like squat and then do forward punches for 30 seconds. It is actually a bit of cardio without jumping, running, etc.
Ooooh (healthified) soul food!! Love it. The cornbread sounds ahmazinggg as does the tofu, beans and greens–so, basically everything!
Sorry about your great grandpa, Gina. But he sounds like he was such a sweet man, and definitely taught you a ton. I hope you’re doing okay! But have fun working out tomorrow!!!! I know you’re pumped 🙂
Sorry to hear about your grandfather.
Your southern comfort food feast sounds pretty sublime! I’ll have to try out that cornbread recipe…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on exercise. It is most definitely something I have to prioritize to get done, so my trick is to walk to and from work minus a little train commute, which makes sure that even on days I have no willpower I still walk for 1h20 at top speed. It’s easier than going somewhere specific, or trying to motivate me once I’ve arrived home. It’s certainly kept me going this past winter.
Hi Gina,
I’m so sorry about your great-grandfather. He sounds like a great man.
This dinner looks delish! I’m a southern gal myself. I’ve been reading yours and Heaby’s blog since the POM trip and I definitely think I’m living a healthier lifestyle now, which is something I didn’t think I’d take away from the trip.
Anyway, keep up the good work. Glad you could watch the show! Sorry about all the drama and tears. Ahaha. And thanks for the hair compliments! 🙂
Gina,
So sorry to hear about your great-grandfather. You are right…he is at peace with the Lord! Stay strong. Us bloggies love you!
-Heather
I’m so sorry for your loss, Gina. Your family is in my thoughts.
So sorry to hear about your great grandfather. I’m sure he lived a long, wonderful life and is at peace now =)
That southern meal looks to die for!!!
xo
K
Sorry about your great-grandfather. Loved the things you learned from him! 🙂