The soup to my soul

Hi 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying the morning and had a wonderful weekend.

It was a great one over here: the perfect mix of relaxing, friends, teaching and random adventures with our little family.

W livi

Some weekend pics:

A fruit cup (cucumber, watermelon, mango, pineapple and jicama) while walking around Old Town, topped with fresh lime juice, salt and chili powder. This needs to be recreated ASAP….

Fruit cup

(I couldn’t help but wonder how awesome this combo would be with a little tequila poured on top. Just sayin’.)

Acupuncture is located in Old Town, so after an appointment, I’m always excited to meander around the little shops and weekend market, surrounded by the smell of fresh tortillas and random outcries of “¡Viva Mexico!” (not even joking. It was pretty amusing to hear while I was on the table with a bunch of acupuncture needles in my back). Frida Kahlo and Mexican skeletons are everyone, and it reminds me of the mercados my family and I would visit when I was younger.

Skullz

(They begged me to take them home, but I knew I’d be vetoed by the remaining 2/3 of the family who undoubtedly be creeped out by said skeletons.)

We spent Saturday night at Wynston’s 1st birthday with Whitney’s family. It was a blast to celebrate such a huge milestone surrounded by the people who have kindly adopted us here in San Diego. 

Photo 179

(How cute are the little dirt cups?!)

Bodypump plates:

Bodypump

In the past three days, I’ll have taught a total of seven classes (a mix of Bodypump, Zumba and barre) and while my throat and legs are giving me the middle finger, I wouldn’t have it any other way 😉

We also enjoyed a glorious beach day, and while the weather has been unseasonably warm -or maybe more noticeable here since AC is the exception and not the rule- it was quieter than usual, and the perfect way to spend a day: splashing in the waves before relaxing in our beach tent.

And the reason for the title of this post: the soup to my soul.

Cioppino

Zuppa di pesce, seafood soup, with a mix of wild-caught fish (including salmon, clams and calamari) in a savory tomato broth.

We had dinner at Caffe Bella last night after our Sunday Funday of cleaning/errands, and it we’ll be back soon. It’s a quaint Italian restaurant in PB, with a romantic atmosphere (twinkly lights outside, dim interior lighting, red walls, and Italian art); while it would be a perfect date night spot, it was surprisingly kid-friendly. Everything we had tasted extremely fresh and well-seasoned, and Livi was kind enough to share some slices of her kids’ Margherita pizza, too. 😉

I’d love to hear about your weekend adventures! What’d you do for workouts this weekend? Standard Italian restaurant order? 🙂 

Hope you are enjoying your morning <3 

xoxo

Gina

New Livi-isms on the Family page

PS. My friends Briana and Vanessa are opening their Pure Barre studio in Tucson TODAY!!! If you’re in Tucson and looking to check it out, they’ll be offering grand opening events and specials this week. 

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43 Comments

  1. Amanda @ Slimplify Life on September 15, 2014 at 7:29 am

    That soup looks amaze!

    I ran a half-marathon this weekend and everyone was so friendly and the weather was absolutely perfect, it was one of those “I love my life” 13.1 mile runs =).

    Italian food for me is definitely pizza. All. the. carbs.

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 10:47 am

      that is so awesome! happy to hear you had a great race <3
      same. gimme all the pizza

  2. Kaila @healthyhelperblog! on September 15, 2014 at 7:34 am

    Mmmmmm seafood soup! That looks incredible! All my favorites in one dish.

  3. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on September 15, 2014 at 7:41 am

    Mmm the fruit cup sounds amazing! I’m so envious of your beach time because it’s getting cold wayyyy to fast here in Ontario and I don’t think we’ll be wearing shorts to run outside for much longer. My weekend adventures included a long run, lunch at a new restaurant with some of my besties, a surprise birthday party for one of those besties, and checking out a fun healthy food industry tradeshow yesterday. The food geek in me was ecstatic about it! 🙂

  4. Christa @ Living Unablanced on September 15, 2014 at 8:08 am

    That soup is now what I want for lunch!!

    My weekend workout was a game of kickball. SO much fun!

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 10:46 am

      that sounds like a blast! i haven’t played kickball in years. need to remedy that 🙂

  5. Brynn on September 15, 2014 at 8:12 am

    I love Old Towne and that fruit cup sounds amazing! Cucumber is such an awesome addition…but tequila would be too. 😉
    We spent the weekend with my family celebrating my niece’s third birthday and enjoying the turning of the seasons.

  6. Meg @ A Dash of Meg on September 15, 2014 at 8:43 am

    no wonder we are friends 😉 that would be the soup to my soul too xoxo

  7. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on September 15, 2014 at 9:05 am

    That fruit cup looks lovely! The temps dropped in Austin so it was just nice to get outside and go for some long walks. I’ve missed being able to do that!

  8. Lucie@FitSwissChick on September 15, 2014 at 9:27 am

    Oh my Gosh, that fruit cup looks amazing!! So pretty! And I love the skeletons too 🙂

    I spent my weekend in Berlin and went to a CrossFit Box there. It was so nice to see how others structure their classes and get to know other CrossFitters 🙂

  9. Run wright on September 15, 2014 at 9:30 am

    I think a lot of us just did a mental revision of our weekly meal plan to include that soup. I’m thinking how I can make it dinner tonight!

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 10:46 am

      seriously! i want more for lunch today…

  10. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on September 15, 2014 at 9:31 am

    Oh man I LOVED dirt cups growing up!

    This weekend was spent with my dad! He flew out to Omaha from Pennsylvania to spend time with me and Josh. I’m so excited for the rest of the week!

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 10:45 am

      that’s awesome your dad came out to hang with you guys 🙂 hope you have a great week!!

  11. Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy on September 15, 2014 at 9:40 am

    Yum!! Seafood soup? Was it slightly spicy and tangy and have the taste of tomato?

    How do you manage to teach so many of the same classes without getting tired and bored of the routine and music?

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 10:45 am

      it was more garlicky than tomato-y, but it was absolutely perfect
      that’s a huge reason why i change my playlist and routine for every class. the only one i’m stuck doing the same thing/music is bodypump, and I’m definitely ready to learn a new release so i can switch it up.

  12. Sandra F. on September 15, 2014 at 9:55 am

    It was weights and Zumba for me this weekend! I wish I could zumba every day! It is what makes me happy 😉

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 10:44 am

      same- i love it so much!

  13. Tracy @ sprinklesandsquats on September 15, 2014 at 10:22 am

    That soup looks ridiculously delicious. Seafood is my favorite protein, by far. I could honestly eat fish, shrimp, crab, every single day. Noms.

    I celebrated my 27th birthday this Saturday with a large family dinner. It was full of Korean food, vanilla cake with sugar-laden icing, and lots of love. I couldn’t have asked for more!

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 10:44 am

      that sounds wonderful! happy birthday to youuuuu 🙂

  14. Laura @SheEatsWell on September 15, 2014 at 10:51 am

    This weekend I got in a beautiful outdoor stairs workout in last night. No yoga unfortunately but hopefully soon! Now I am craving mussels…that broth looks SO tasty. I love mussels and frites and slurping down all the broth!

  15. Domi @ Eat, Pray, Lift on September 15, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Love Old Town SD! There’s a spot (can’t remember the name!) with a happy hour special that is $4 margs and unlimited “snack bar”…except the snack bar is little mini burritos and enchis and chips, so it’s pretty much a $4 dinner, haha. One of the best girls nights I’ve ever had!

    Standard Italian order? Tall, dark hair, broad shoulders, and a good tenor. 😉

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 10:58 am

      HAHAHAHA. *high five*
      (and ps i’m on a mission to find the $4 marg place)

  16. Kirsten on September 15, 2014 at 10:58 am

    I spent my weekend doing a yoga workshop, followed by a few yoga classes and then a long run for half marathon training. My legs are giving me the middle finger too!

  17. Laura B @ FitMamaLove on September 15, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    Yum! Love that soup! That fruit cup sounds good too! Sounds like a fun weekend.

  18. Jackie B. on September 15, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    Ah I love going to Old Town– my fiancé and I were there for sushi last night, of all things. Probably not the type of cuisine you’d think of first in Old Town, but the sushi is actually really good and our service last night was spectacular. I’d definitely recommend it.

    My workouts this weekend were a little lackluster because I thiiink I strained my calf muscle from the running the stairs at the Convention Center. Totally skipped my long run this weekend because of it. The muscle is feeling less sore this morning, so I’m hoping to catch up on my run this week.
    Enjoy your morning!

  19. Amanda on September 15, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Ran an 8-miler this weekend and enjoyed a much-needed rest day to boot – enjoyed that SoCal weather too! 🙂

  20. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on September 15, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    I was brave enough to have my first acupuncture experience thanks to your last post about it. It was amazing. I have no idea what happened or how, but when I woke up yesterday almost all the pain in my calf had disappeared. I keep blinking thinking it will come back. I’m not sure how many more sessions I need, but I am seeing him again this week.

  21. Jessie on September 15, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    I tried my first Acai Bowl, finally decided to google where I could find one here in KC, sooo good! I might have to add it to my weekend rituals 🙂 Other than that, long weekend walk with the BF and pup, shopping, and rest 🙂 That soup looks bomb.com!

  22. Jill on September 15, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    My moms family is Italian so pretty much every Italian food is my fave! Haha. I call that seafood stew Cioppino and I love it! I had some at the beach this summer made with super fresh seafood of every kind and it was incredible. Annnnnnd now I’m starving! Ha. Sounds like a lovely weekend 🙂

  23. Katie @ Balanced RD on September 15, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    I love all of the classes you teach! My favorite is body pump! Unfortunately, it is not offered where I live ;( Was it difficult to get the certification? I have looked into it, but it seems like you cannot teach it unless the fitness center pays to be a Les Mills club. If you have any insight on becoming a Body Pump instructor I would love to hear about it 🙂

  24. Yvette on September 15, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    Not sure when your book popped up over there on the sidebar — just noticed (and purchased) it today! Congreatulations <—– that was a typo that deserved to stay…..

    • Fitnessista on September 15, 2014 at 4:22 pm

      AHHHH! thank you so much!!!

  25. Giselle on September 15, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    I’ve always seen those fruit cups but have never tired them. There are little food carts scattered in different areas here where they sell those and fruit on sticks. Might have to try them some day! I love that you are wearing birkinstocks! I haven’t seen those in so long but remember them being SOOO comfy!

  26. Monica on September 15, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    Hi Gina!
    This is Monica! I took your barre class yesterday at 8:30. I just wanted to let you know that it was great meeting you. I also loved your class! I am still sore today! Have a great week!!

    • Fitnessista on September 16, 2014 at 10:36 am

      hi monica! thank you so much for saying hi- it was great to meet you 🙂 hope you’re having a wonderful week!
      xoxo

  27. Alex @ Get Big, Go To Work on September 15, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    I’m so envious of all the fresh fruit/acai bowls/fresh juices you post from farmer’s markets! I wish we had more around here.

    I did a track workout on Saturday and a leisurely walk in the nice, crisp fall weather on Sunday!

  28. Tricia on September 16, 2014 at 5:43 am

    I went to an early morning spin class this weekend for my workout. I was kind of slacking so I need to start getting back into incorporating some strength training into my routine!

  29. shaina on September 16, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Oooh I’ll def check out the new barre studio next month! We’ll be in Tuscon for Patrick’s reserve drill. Where should we eat?!

    • Fitnessista on September 16, 2014 at 10:39 am

      CAFE POCA COSA, blue willow, north, the abbey, proper…

      • Shaina on September 16, 2014 at 3:36 pm

        Awesome thanks!!

  30. Kelly on September 17, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Hi Gina!
    I’ve been a loyal reader of your blog for years and it’s so crazy how small the world is! Briana Acuna and I used to work together when we both lived in NYC and worked for Fox News! It’s so awesome to see what she’s doing in Tuscon, and so fun that you guys are friends! xo

    • Fitnessista on September 17, 2014 at 5:37 pm

      that is so amazing! i love her, and am so happy to see her chasing after her goals 🙂 thank you so much for reading! xo

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