the beet, gratitude, and halloween house

Hi friends! How are ya this morning? I hope that those of you who are enjoying a long weekend are enjoying the day off. I’m double dipping in the teaching pool (barre and Spin!) and also getting a much-needed haircut. I have officially reached what I call “witch hair” and even though it is Halloween time, it has to go haha. 

What did you do this weekend? Any fun fitness events or local adventures? I’d love to hear about them.

I FINALLY got my computer screen fixed after dropping it a couple of months ago. I hesitated to get it fixed because Apple said they’d need to take my computer for 5 days. I could never find a good time to do it, especially since I have all of my blogging software, important drafts, and logins on one computer. I talked to a local computer repair man in PB, and he let me pay for the missing screen, ordered it, and as soon as it arrived, he fixed my computer in 45 minutes. It was AMAZING. While my computer got a facelift, I walked around PB and enjoyed this enormous smoothie from the Mad Beet:  

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All of their menu options are puns on music artists’ names. This is the Kenny Spinachesney, with Sun Warrior protein. (Why do smoothies taste better when they’re $10 and someone else makes it?)

Mad beet

The Pilot got back late Friday night, and I headed to Betsy’s as soon as he got home to help her throw her first online Beautycounter social. They are so much fun to throw on Facebook; you just pour a glass of wine and enjoy sharing info about this inspirational company and all of the products. (Love this article that came out this weekend.) Of course, we chatted long after the party was over, and I headed home.

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Saturday morning was Livi’s ballet class, errands, and relaxing around the house. Saturday night we were invited to enjoy dinner at Cafe Gratitude, which is one my favorite vegan restaurants. (I love their San Francisco location!) I was so excited to return, and as expected, everything was delicious.

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Everything in the restaurant is certified organic with a focus on local ingredients, and entirely plant-based. Any “cheese” you see on the menu is likely made with a cashew or nut puree.

Each menu option is a positive affirmation, so it starts with “I AM” and follows with something like this:

Community (warm spinach artichoke terrine),

Artichoke terrine

Brilliant (coconut and summer squash ceviche) and

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Honest (Tempeh Reuben with spicy sauerkraut, cashew cheddar, on a gluten-free amaranth and millet bun). 

Tempeh reuben

I had a hard time choosing an entree, but was so happy with my decision. The tempeh reuben was such a satisfying combination of flavors and textures, and I couldn’t help but think it would have been my pregnancy craving dream come true. 

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To be totally honest, my forays in raw vegan food kind of traumatized the Pilot. There was that one time he ate an entire plate of raw beet lasagna in one spoonful and looked at me expressionless, like “That was food?” He will try anything, but isn’t the hugest fan of raw vegan cuisine. When we started in on the coconut ceviche, which was bold, spicy and had an eerily conch-like texture from the coconut pieces, he was like, “This is NOT like the other vegan food. This is amazing.”

Mexi bowl

My “before we leave San Diego” bucket list now includes eating here as often as possible. 

Tom and p 7

After the girls were in bed, we enjoyed some wine and Chef’s Table on Netflix. Have you seen it?!? I’m officially sucked in, and have been Googling restaurants like crazy just to see how long it takes to get reservations (you know, in case we randomly find ourselves in Modena, Italy  <— not super likely) and to give myself major FOMO. 

Chefs table more seasons

Source

I was so excited to see if my brother Kyle had seen it, since he’s a chef and everything.

 

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I guess I’m a bit delayed here hahah.

Sunday morning, we laid low since Miss P was a little under the weather and in the afternoon, we had tickets to see Disney on Ice. The girls LOVED it -P was clapping and saying “yayyyyyy” the entire time, and Liv was fascinated by the skating- and it was a fun family outing.

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(The photo quality range in this post is amusing me right now. AHHHH)

The evening was just the girls since the Pilot had a Master’s final exam, so we hit up Trader Joe’s and I made Brittany’s turkey spinach feta burgers for dinner. I’m so glad I’m following her recipes from the ebook this week because it made grocery shopping a breeze. I printed the list out, added some staples, and done. 

Turkey burger

After the Pilot finished his test, we made one of the Trader Joe’s Halloween houses. Aka we squirted icing onto a house while trying to convince Liv not to eat all of the candy haha.

Gingerbread house  #nailedit

Gingerbread house 2

Hope you had a wonderful weekend, too!

I’ll see ya soon with a healthy and delicious new breakfast recipe.

Thanks for stopping by today. <3

xoxo

Gina

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18 Comments

  1. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on October 10, 2016 at 5:34 am

    Yeah for fixed computer! I think mine is due for a replacement. I can’t open photoshop without it crashing and the card reader no longer functions. Guess I’m making too much good food!

    • Fitnessista on October 10, 2016 at 9:16 am

      ahhh that is a bummer! yes, it just can’t handle eating so many delicious things 😉

  2. Jodie on October 10, 2016 at 5:44 am

    Cafe gratitude looks great. Yes I agree on the smoothies, always better when someone else makes it. Happy you got your computer fixed.

    I am so bummed, being injured really puts a damper on everything 🙁 .

    Have a wonderful week.

    • Fitnessista on October 10, 2016 at 9:16 am

      sending you lots of healing wishes, friend <3

  3. Kailey on October 10, 2016 at 6:44 am

    Yay for computer being fixed!
    Wish Cafe Gratitude was in New York! I keep seeing posts about it and it looks amazing. And your pictures of your family are always so perfect <3

    Ran the Rock n Roll Brooklyn half marathon this weekend (so fun) and probably need a date with the foam roller…

    • Fitnessista on October 10, 2016 at 9:15 am

      i can’t believe you don’t have one in nyc! maybe they’ll make their way out there
      congrats on the half!! hope you’re not too sore today <3
      xoxo

  4. Jessica @ Semi-Sweet Tooth on October 10, 2016 at 7:42 am

    So cute – love all of the family outings!

    I’m going to honest… I completely forgot that it was a three-day weekend for some! Just shows how grown up and mature I am, right? Ha!

    This past weekend, I attended a Bachelorette party in Nashville and had the time of our lives! Though I definitely cannot hang like I used to. I feel like I’m going to be out of commission for the next 6 weeks. Ha 🙂

    So glad you guys had such a great weekend!
    XO, Jessica
    http://www.semisweettooth.com

    • Fitnessista on October 10, 2016 at 9:15 am

      hahah why does that happen? if i have more than one glass of wine now, i’m dying the next day
      so glad you had fun! 🙂

  5. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on October 10, 2016 at 9:53 am

    I’ve always wanted to go to a Café Gratitude! One day!

  6. Sara M on October 10, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Nice job on the Halloween House! It is adorable.

  7. valerie on October 10, 2016 at 11:24 am

    Love your shoes and jeans in the Café Gratitude pic…do you mind sharing the brands?
    Thank you!!!

  8. Cassie on October 10, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Looks like a busy weekend!

  9. Stephanie on October 10, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    Wow! What you had looked very delectable. I can’t wait to try them myself!

  10. Raimie on October 11, 2016 at 11:42 am

    Have you been to Barbarella in La Jolla? We were visiting a couple weeks ago and my aunt said we just had to see this place in particular while we were there, but wouldn’t say why- this turned out to be some major Halloween decorations, which was a fun surprise. I’m sure your girls would get a kick out of them if you’ve never been!

    • Fitnessista on October 11, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      no way! sounds like so much fun. thank you for letting me know- the girls would love it

  11. Cathy Imbler on October 11, 2016 at 7:33 pm

    You are so lucky to have Cafe Gratitude there. Sadly, although CG started in SF/Berkeley, due to labor dispute, all of them closed. So we Northerners have to go South for some rawsome food! They have the best raw food in my estimation.

    Enjoy it as often as possible before moving…..:(

  12. Bethany on October 11, 2016 at 9:48 pm

    That is an amazing Halloween house!

    • Fitnessista on October 12, 2016 at 9:19 am

      thank you, lovely!

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