Stretchy stretchy

Feels good to be home 🙂

Today ended up being a longer day than anticipated, so lunch break was a blitz through the house to grab more food and clothes

after work

teach some more (it was a Zumba day! Always a great thing)

and then back home to my favorite people.

the fam3

(I’m sad that picture turned out blurry)

With a sleek, groomed puppy

bell15 

(who was looking a little homeless before her appointment. Sorry Bellerton.)

and a voluptuous glass of red.

wine2

We sat on the patio and caught up on our days while picking through the last of the chocolate.

chocolate4

Our system goes like this:

-Take a bite, describe the flavor, and offer the rest to the other person

Dinner is cooking away

sauce  artichoke

and we’re going to enjoy it al fresco on the balcony 🙂

Pimp my stretch playlist

At work, some of my work friends were talking about stretch teaching styles, because everyone teaches stretch differently. Some are really hilarious and throw in awesome jokes (like one of the girls who yells, “stretchy, stretchy!!”) and others are more what my friend likes to call “Airy Fairy.” I fall into the Airy Fairy category. I joke around a little bit, but make it make it more of a yoga-y, pay attention to the movement of your breath, breathe into the muscle, namaste type class.

Here’s the thing, though. I’m still using the basic playlist than I was using before I went on leave. I added a couple of new songs, like the Jason Mraz song I posted yesterday and “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, but that’s it.

Do you have any relaxing, noodly, namaste tunes to share? I always love your suggestions and will post my new stretch playlist when I get it revamped.

Time to eat!

See ya in the am <3

xoxo

Gina

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59 Comments

  1. Danielle on April 18, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    Love your stemless wine glasses! And chocolate sounds like the perfect appetizer 🙂 glad you had a good night.

  2. Sana on April 18, 2012 at 11:11 pm

    The posts with your family make me so so happy 🙂

  3. Destini on April 18, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    Its not really a stretch warm up, but I do listen to it while I warm up for my walk around the track at the gym “We found Love by Rihanna” I find its the perfect tempo to start slowly and warm up to a decent pace for the sweaty mess I am about to do. 🙂

    I cant believe how big she is getting!!! Love it 🙂

  4. Ava on April 18, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    Hi Gina! I’ve talked to you a few times and as you know I love your blog. It ended up inspiring me to start my own little bloggie and I just posted 2 songs a friend of mine sent me. Take a look if you get a chance. The second one is particularly relaxing and makes me smile so hopefully it does for you too 🙂 Can’t for the new playlist!

  5. Maria on April 18, 2012 at 11:18 pm

    Mmmmm red wine 🙂 LOVE your quote! I was at my moms house venting to her about my horrible day and she told me about a 47 year old ALS patient she has a work (shes a nurse at the VA) who’s actively dying. Definitely puts things into perspective and makes you realize that no matter how bad you think it is, someone always has it way worse.

  6. Shaina on April 18, 2012 at 11:18 pm

    the yoga station on pandora always comes up with some good stuff. Thievery Corporation is a good funky sound to throw in sometimes too.

  7. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde on April 18, 2012 at 11:26 pm

    Some of the music I like to listen to for relaxing, quiet moments are: The Blow (“True Affection” is great!), Priscilla Ahn (“Lullaby” is really pretty and soothing), Bon Iver (pretty much anything from their self-titled album, I particularly like the song “Holocene”), St. Vincent (I especially like the song “Strange Mercy”), Stars (the song “Dead Hearts” is so pretty), and Beach House (I like the song “Apple Orchard”). Hope this helps!

    I love the picture of Bella – just letting the wind blow through her hair, haha.

  8. Catalina @ Cake with Love on April 18, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    I like ur chocolate system I should do this with my husband!!

  9. Sara on April 18, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    I go searching on the Squeezebox radio stations for something ‘ambient’. Sometimes it’s a win and sometimes I just waste 15 minutes of my time testing stations that aren’t what I’m after at all. I love it when you post playlists BTW, it saves so much time thinking about what to download for workouts. Playlists and music vids are my favourite things that you post.

  10. Allison on April 18, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    that pic of Bella is adorable! and the cute little family pic, even though its blurry. 🙂

  11. Kelsey on April 18, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    Ruby Frost and Mt. Eden- Oh That I Had. Has to be my all time favorite song to wind down to 🙂 I love the quote, it’s so important to be thankful for every new day, something that I need to be reminded of from time to time!

  12. Mary on April 18, 2012 at 11:30 pm

    I love a lot of the slow songs from the different seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. So many great options.

  13. Averie @ Averie Cooks on April 18, 2012 at 11:31 pm

    Deva Premal, all the way on mood music for what you describe you want.

    And those artichokes look great…and the way you describe your chocolate taste-testing…classic, priceless 🙂 It’s what I do, too!

  14. Stephanie @ Mr and Meatless on April 18, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    I fully approve of chocolate and wine before dinner! 🙂

  15. maria @ a life to Bragg about on April 18, 2012 at 11:44 pm

    You had me at wine and chocolate. And then with that pic of Olivia.

  16. Yaara on April 18, 2012 at 11:52 pm

    I love stretchy yoga music. After an intense workout it feels sooo good to do sun salutations and twisty lunges. I agree with Avery too–Deva Premal is great–but check out these tunes–I love them:

    Amos Lee–“Colors”
    Aimee Mann–“Save Me”–from “Magnolia” soundtrack
    Angus and Julia Stone–“Big Jet Plane”
    Baka Beyond–“Ohureo”–beautiful and haunting!
    Bon Iver
    Anoushka Shakar– “Beloved”
    Iron and Wine

    These are some of my faves!

  17. Samantha on April 18, 2012 at 11:58 pm

    Ong Namo by Snatam Kaur is an amazing song for what you’re looking for. I Am What I Am by Aykanna is another good one. And if you go to tadasanafestival.com they have a free download of 30 songs from the festival.

  18. Kaye on April 19, 2012 at 12:28 am

    I want a box of chocolates RIGHT NOW!

    I always end Piloxing with a stretchy relaxation song. The current one is an ultimate favorite song ever:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvHJOus1pRo

    It’s beautiful.

  19. Marina Chekhovskiy on April 19, 2012 at 2:06 am

    My favorite cool down song: “Fade Into Me”~ by David Cook. Every time my sister and I hear the song we chuckle cuz it’s time to stretch 🙂

  20. Colleen on April 19, 2012 at 6:14 am

    I love the song “After Tonight” by Justin Nozuka; energizing but relaxing!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrJG6MUBFHI

  21. Kayla on April 19, 2012 at 6:22 am

    i have that same lululemon bag that you were holding in the first photo.. so handy and the perfect size! 🙂

  22. Laura on April 19, 2012 at 6:58 am

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nwdjQmc_N8&ob=av2e Emeli Sande- Next to me. Absolutely amazing when stretching!
    Xx

  23. Kristen on April 19, 2012 at 7:15 am

    You had me at red wine…then the chocolate. That’s my dream dinner, er, I mean treat. 🙂

    I needed that quote. I was having myself a little pity party last night for no apparent reason (just one of those days). Then I wake up this morning refreshed and read that. It makes me look at my life and smile!

    Little Bella cracks me up in her pictures. She’s either acting crazy or being kinda dramatic, as in the one above. All serious, with her hair blowing in the breeze.

    • Fitnessista on April 19, 2012 at 11:05 am

      she is outta control 🙂

  24. Vanessa N on April 19, 2012 at 7:24 am

    I used to take this yoga class where the instructor would play zen-like music the whole time. One class, he forgot his usual CD so he put on Sade’s Lover Rock and we did the class to the whole album. It was awesome! Such great stretching/yoga music!

  25. Heather K on April 19, 2012 at 8:22 am

    how are u cooking/going to eat that boiling artichoke?
    would love a how-to on it! 🙂

  26. Stephanie @cookinfanatic on April 19, 2012 at 9:24 am

    I just love this inspirational pic/quote – so true!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  27. Allison k on April 19, 2012 at 9:26 am

    I apologize if this is already on the list, but I love “somewhere over the rainbow” by the Hawaiian artist Iz. He has a huge long Hawaiian name that I can’t spell or pronounce, but I think he went by Iz.

  28. Tara on April 19, 2012 at 9:42 am

    Lost by Anouk is my go to relaxation song, also Giving Everything Away for Free by Daniel Merriweather. And anything by James Morrison, mainly because his voice melts me : )

  29. Tara on April 19, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Oh and Dream by Priscilla Ahn

  30. Ashley @ Sweat for Sweets on April 19, 2012 at 9:46 am

    Hey Gina! Try listening to “Just Breathe” by Telepopmusik. It’s the most soothing & amazing song in the world to me 🙂 Hope you like it!

  31. Claire @ Live and Love to Eat on April 19, 2012 at 9:55 am

    Bella’s just letting her newly trimmed mane blow in the wind… SO adorable. 🙂

  32. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on April 19, 2012 at 10:20 am

    After reading the Hunger Games that quote really rings true. I love the family picture of the three of you, and Bella looks so happy with her hair blowing in the wind!

  33. Helen on April 19, 2012 at 10:36 am

    It’s kind of old school, but I like to listen to Cat Stevens when I stretch. It’s nice and relaxing!

  34. Kate on April 19, 2012 at 10:39 am

    “The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack” by the Liars is great for stretch. I have heard it a few times while taking a yin yoga class and it is perfect!

  35. Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola on April 19, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    That’s such a cute picture of your little family! Wine and chocolate while waiting for dinner to cook sounds like a perfect night and I’m excited to hear what’s in the pot– it looks delicious! What a wonderful quote too- I think we all could use that reminder!

  36. Julia on April 19, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    I really love the song “Other side of the World” by KT Tunstall. So relaxing

  37. Melissa (Better Fit) on April 19, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Haha- I love Bella’s ears flowing in the breeeeeze! It’s cute that you have a baby carrier in your ready-to-head-to-work photos now.

    In terms of stretchy music inspiration… 10 years ago I might have said Enya! 😉 But I probably go with music without lyrics as a general rule for relaxation sessions conducive to stretchiness.

  38. Anna @ The Guiltless Life on April 19, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    For a really chill song I absolutely love Sia’s “Breathe Me”. She’s an Australian singer who isn’t that well known over here although she was just featured on Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones” – which is funny because it’s a world away from the type of music she does on her own, but I love ’em both!

  39. Julie on April 19, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    In one of my classes we always cool down to Jason Mraz’s cover of Rocket Man. I love love love it!

    • Fitnessista on April 27, 2012 at 1:23 pm

      loved this one!!

  40. Ryan Travers on April 19, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    You’ve got a nice family, Gina 🙂

  41. Sam @ Fit for My Fork on April 19, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    I keep seeing artichokes all over the place – I’ve only ever had them in a dip before. Are you boiling them in that picture?

    • Fitnessista on April 19, 2012 at 11:48 pm

      yep!

  42. aj on April 19, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    Ooh I was going to suggest Bon Iver and Beach House too!

  43. Talia @ Bite Size Wellness on April 19, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Norah Jones is my favorite when it comes to laid back jams.
    I love your wine glasses!!! Where are they from?
    And, I rarely eat chocolate, but when I do…my system is pretty similar to yours unless I happen to get one with caramel or peanut butter. Then it is all mine!

  44. Valerie @ FreshMutz on April 19, 2012 at 3:56 pm

    Yay, a whole family shot! I’m sorry it’s blurry, too. My song suggestion is Coldplay’s “The Scientist” and given that you are a fan ,Christina Perri does an amazing cover of it.

    • Fitnessista on April 19, 2012 at 11:46 pm

      i can’t wait to download that!

  45. Courtney on April 19, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Ah, red wine and chocolate! DOES LIFE GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT?! 😉

    • Fitnessista on April 19, 2012 at 11:46 pm

      nope. i don’t think so 😉

  46. Moni Meals on April 19, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Seems we share the same “eating chocolates from a box” technique!
    Cute pic!!!
    GREAT Quote, the BEST really. 🙂

  47. Ana on April 19, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Olivia is such a pretty baby Gina!
    How are cooking those artichokes, boiling or frying?
    My son loves artichokes (he is 10 years old), and I usually steam them and we eat with a balsamic or lemon vinaigrete for dipping. But I am always looking for ideas on how to make them since we are all fans of the artichokes at our house!
    Ana

    • Fitnessista on April 19, 2012 at 11:41 pm

      boil/fry- boiling water with jalapeno olive oil in there for 45 min

  48. Sandra on April 19, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Check out Gossling “Ancient Love” and ” the only way” are my favs from her. Birdy’s “skinny love” is good too. Oh, and Santigold “disparate youth” and so many others!! ( Im’ a lyrical dance teacher- lots of stretching songs on my ipod;)

  49. GiGi Eats Celebrities on April 19, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    I love that you called your glass of wine volumptuous! LMFAO!!!!!

  50. kari on April 19, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Hi Gina, i like the picture of you coming home and of you and your two favorite people. you all are beautiful couple and baby Livi!

    • Fitnessista on April 19, 2012 at 10:54 pm

      thank you, kari! <3

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