St. Patrick’s Day recipes

 Hiiii! How’s the day going?

Megaformer

Oh my legs.

I met up with Ashley for a CORE40 class, and it was probably the most intense one yet, which says a lot because the Megaformer = torture device in itself. I was so excited to spend time with Ash, and also take Alona’s class. Whenever I tell locals that I like CORE40, they ALWAYS ask if I’ve taken Alona’s class. I was missing out, because she is amazing. She had such a great energy about her -authentic and encouraging, but without being fluffy/fake about it- and is very knowledgable. I also liked that many of the exercises we did incorporated light weights, so lots of compound movements and thigh shaking. It was awesome. Also, I’m fully convinced that I’ll never be able to finish a class, which I mentioned to Alona, and she said, “That’s not the point. If you can easily finish, you’re not challenging yourself enough.” True true. I’m going to be walking a little funny tomorrow.

After class, we grabbed acai bowls at Juice Crafters, which is a cute little juice spot in Little Italy.

Acai bowl

They have a variety of fresh or pre-made juices, acai bowls, and raw snacks. Their menu is incredible! I rolled with the berry bowl, which had golden berries, goji berries, strawberries, pineapple (going pineapple crazy right now), coconut + gluten-free granola. So good.

Little italy

 We enjoyed our acai bowls and chatted for a while before it was time for me to pick up noodle. We had a pizza lunch here at the house (leftovers from Pizza Nova),

Pizzapizza

(Pizza Nova on gf crust. It had smoked salmon, capers, goat cheese, red onions, and lots of garlic.)

and Liv ate a salad with her pizza! Keep in mind that it was probably the dressing she liked (Tuscan Italian from TJ’s) and not the lettuce, but I’m not even going to question it. 

I can’t believe that St. Patrick’s Day is a week from today! Do you have anything fun planned, or any traditions that you love?

My mom always makes corned beef, potatoes and carrots, and the most delightful cabbage on the grill. The cabbage is seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper and butter, and wrapped in foil before grilling before nicely caramelizing. I’m going to try and recreate it here at home! (I’ll post the recipe if we do!)

I like to put together a little feast for my Irish hubby and have been brainstorming ideas. After searching around online, here are some of the things I found: 

Corned beef and cabbage

Potato cakes

Chocolate Guinness cupcakes with Bailey’s frosting

Lucky Irish Girl (or Dude) cocktails

Drink  1 of 1

 

If you have any faves, please let me know!

Some favorite St. Patricks’ Day memories:

-Going to Savannah with the Pilot when we had first moved to Valdosta. It was CRAZY, and a lot of fun, and the power went out in the entire city because there was a crazy storm. Of course, being the paranoid person I am, I was convinced we were under some type of attack and the Pilots were all singing and rejoicing because this meant that the bar tabs had all disappeared in the outage.

Blast from the past pic:

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(hard to believe that was 7 years ago) 

-When the Pilot and I made these drinks, dyed them green, and then walked to Wal-Mart to buy a Wii

-Dancing in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. I Irish danced for a while growing up, and performing in the parade was always a part of it. I could light jig for hours in those days, and while my feet were killing me, I knew that soda bread would be waiting at the festival afterwards. 

I’m excited to see what fun local events they have here! I’d love to take Liv to watch Irish dancers and have her first soda bread experience. 🙂

Hope you’re having a great afternoon! I’m off to teach a barre class and then we’re meeting up with friends and their kiddos afterwards. 

xoxo

Gina

Check in with today’s workout here! I’ll be surprising a participant with a fun treat at the end of the month, like a new lulu top or some cool fitness-y gear. Love all of the check-ins so far and so happy to hear many of you are enjoying the calendar. xo

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18 Comments

  1. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on March 10, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    Hi Gina! First of all, I only took one CORE40 class in San Francisco, and it was rough! My sweaty feet were sliding all around that Megaformer, and I felt the burn. Second of all, I had a great acai bowl in Fort Lauderdale this weekend, and it made me want to create one at home. I love St. Patty’s Day and hope to have something festive to eat. I better start planning! Have a great night, I’m off to teach BODYPUMP!

  2. Taca @ A Side Of Dessert on March 10, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    Oh that acai bowl looks so delicious and the pineapple so juicy! I’ve been trying to recreate an acai bowl but to no avail. I’ll be trying out the recipes you posted a few months back next! I’m hopeful yours will be way more successful than mine! I’m on the lookout for some St.Patty’s Day recipes too so thanks for sharing the ones you found! Have a great nice at barre!

  3. Yaara Leve on March 10, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    That pic is adorable! You guys are so cute. That is so cool that you used to Irish jig. I’ve always wanted to learn. When I was a kid this amazing Irish Dance Company would come to Chicago and we’d see them perform and I’d always wish I could join lol. They were incredible. And I’ve always loved Irish folk music. It’s so pretty. Do you still listen to it? And that Acai bowl looks like heaven.

  4. Kaila @healthyhelperblog! on March 10, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Oh wow that pizza with lox and capers looks BOMB. I have never thought of using those as pizza toppings but now I must try that!!

  5. Cara's Healthy Cravings on March 10, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    I love having a holiday like St. Patrick’s day to make a themed menu. I always make soda bread and colcannon, not sure what else I will make this year. Lots of good ideas to choose from. Pinterest can also be a dangerous place, I can’t stop looking at all the fun ideas 🙂

  6. Andrea on March 10, 2015 at 7:22 pm

    My hubs is Irish, too, and plays in a Pipes & Drums band. A couple of years ago, I started making the Guinness cupcakes with Baileys frosting & ganache for the guys and they are a huge hit.

    This year, I am planning on making Baileys cookies (because I have one hand in a cast and don’t think can do cupcakes). Trader Joe’s also has bangers right now, so it’ll be bangers & mash for us on Tuesday. Yum!

  7. Kellyl on March 10, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    I started going to Core40 Little Italy after you mentioned what a great workout it was on the blog. I have to say though, Alona was my least favorite teacher. Actually she left a bad taste in my mouth and I’m not sure I’ll go back. She definitely was tough, but she called out people individually to the whole class which is not cool. She also complained in the middle of class that everyone was “too slow” to her cues… I prefer my instructors with a little less ego I suppose. So many great instructors here so oh well… Moving on.

    • Fitnessista on March 11, 2015 at 4:16 pm

      that’s so interesting to hear. i loved her, but then again, i’ve loved all of the instructors at core40 that i’ve met so far. she called me out, and sometimes i hate when instructors do that, but i found it to be in an encouraging way. i get what you mean about certain instructors not jiving with you; i’ve had a couple at orangetheory that i didn’t like, so i just make sure they’re not teaching when i take a class

  8. Brittany @ Fun on a Budget Blog on March 10, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    I’m so excited about cooking a mini Irish feast this year. Thanks for sharing the recipes!

  9. Becky on March 10, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    We go to San Diego pretty often for vacation and we recently discovered Pizza Nova. How is it sooooo good? Your pictures are making me so jealous!!

  10. Sarah F on March 11, 2015 at 1:38 am

    Love the St. Patrick day memories! I completely forgot the day was even coming up- it’s not really celebrated in the UK (despite being that much closer to Ireland) so I haven’t had any all-green encounters.

    Sadly this year my St. Patty’s day celebrations will be working, but will definitely try and have something green over the weekend as a pre-celebration.

  11. Stacy @ SweatingTulipz on March 11, 2015 at 4:59 am

    I love the ‘hurt so good’ feeling from a good workout! Boy am I missing it lately!

    I am a huge fan of St. Patty’s Day! It is just such a fun day to get greened out and party! We are going to a local pub. Pittsburgh has one of the largest St. Patty’s Celebrations, and we usually go downtown for it, but since I’m on crutches it will just be too much this year…so it is a lower key plan! I hope you find something fun to do with your little one!

  12. Courtney Violet Bentley on March 11, 2015 at 5:36 am

    Wow Core40 looks so cool! I hope to try it the next time I visit the states and I will for sure be eating a acai bowl afterwords, that is one thing I truly miss about being abroad is the smoothie/juice/acai bowl bars! Thanks for sharing xo C

  13. Ali @ Peaches and Football on March 11, 2015 at 6:38 am

    I saw the first picture with the Core40 machines and thought “omg that looks like a torture chamber” and then laughed when I read your comments afterwards. But, it always is great when you get a good core workout. I love feeling that slight burn the next day knowing my muscles got worked. 🙂

  14. kristin | W [H] A T C H on March 11, 2015 at 7:58 am

    that gf pizza looks delicious.

  15. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job on March 11, 2015 at 10:17 am

    I love CA food options. So jealous.

    I am Irish, but never did a lot for St. Patrick’s Day. Doesn’t help that I dont drink anymore haha. Since I moved to Chicago though I didn’t realize it was such a big thing here and when I try and get people to sign up for my class this Saturday they all can’t bc it’s “St. Patrick’s Day weekend.” Really??

  16. Tracy on March 11, 2015 at 11:00 am

    1. You don’t look a day older than 7 years ago!! For real.

    2. I’m so intrigued about the grilled cabbage because roasted cabbage is a favorite veg of mine. Is the cabbage whole? Sliced? wedges? before wrapping in foil? Dying to try this!

    3. I grew up eating my mom’s corned beef and cabbage along with my grandma’s Irish Soda bread Yummy memories <3 <3 <3

    4. St Patrick's Day is also special because one of my twins is named Patrick! When the twins were first born the nurses kept asking if they were my little Irish leprechauns because his sister's name is Bridget 🙂

    • Fitnessista on March 11, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      1. you are a sweet angel
      2. wedge! just cut into wedges (removing the core), place on foil and cover with some butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper, wrap up in foil and place on the grill. it’s SO GOOD 🙂
      3. the best <3
      4. love that so much!! my little brother was born on st patrick's day and used to wear a shirt that said "birthday leprechaun" so fun 🙂

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