thoughts on a Thursday (+ a simple homemade pho)

Hey hey friends. How are you? How’s the week going? Thank you so much for the awesome feedback on the Hamilton Workout! I had a little too much fun putting it together. Please let me know if you give it a try!

This week, it’s been a mix of the usual shenanigans: school, gymnastics, wrangling these two nuggets. I feel like between the three of us, it’s a constant snack rotation. It’s like an endless loop around the kitchen haha.

A friend on Instagram told me that her kiddos always ask for her coconut butter cups, and I was like, “Liv and P don’t know they exist.” I eat them alone, usually while they’re distracted or sleeping. I share 99.97% of my food with them, but sorry. No coconut butter cups for youuuuuu.

I do share my smoothie with them. 

Smoothie

(Frozen cauliflower, almond milk, spinach, collagen, Vanilla protein, almond butter, cinnamon)

Easy Homemade Pho

Dinners have been quick and easy as usual, and I received some requests to share this super simple pho recipe.

Easy homemade pho

We were all in the mood for homemade pho, so I found this recipe to try out… but lost one of the pieces to the Instant Pot. (It has since been recovered. It was somehow in the toaster so there ya go.)

Instead, I rolled stovetop style and it came out SO good. Liv was like, “I can’t believe you made pho! This is amazing.” She’s also really into puns right now, so when I said, “This is pho you” as I set it in front of her, she actually thought it was funny. Or at least she pretended? The lame mom jokes are only just beginning. 

Here’s the recipe:

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Easy Homemade Pho

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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 yellow onion, rough chopped
  • 1 head of garlic, sliced in half
  • Copious amount of bone broth (you can use chicken or beef! Veggie friends can definitely make this with vegetable broth. I used about 4 jars of the Epic bone broth thinned out with a little water)
  • 2 star anise pods
  • A generous sprinkle of cardamom
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 giant piece of ginger, peeled and rough chopped
  • A chunk of lemongrass if you can find it (i could not, but it would have been awesome)
  • About 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, bring all ingredients to a boil.
  2. After the mixture is boiling, bring to a simmer and cover. Let simmer for an hour or so.
  3. Start soaking your rice noodles. (This isn’t the “fast” part, but I just let it chill on the stove while I did things around the house and chased the girls around)
  4. When you’re ready to serve, strain the broth mixture
  5. Set the amount of noodles you’d like into each bowl and top with protein of choice (I used sliced chicken that I baked with salt, pepper and garlic)
  6. Top with the broth
  7. Serve with lime wedges, basil, hoisin sauce, sriracha, bean sprouts, sliced fresh jalapeños, any toppings you like!

It made me nostalgic for those OB Noodle House days.

Here’s an even faster recipe if you want to skip the broth boiling part.

Healthy homemade single serving bone broth soups

I accidentally but amazingly got two Stitch Fixes this week. One was lost in the mail and magically showed up, and the other one was the replacement. There were lots of gorgeous off-shoulder tops and dresses (including this one!), and just to guarantee I’d keep something: jogger pants and a t-shirt. I think I’ve worn joggers with a tank or tee for the past 3 weeks. 

Joggers and a tee

(with the infamous Band Aid shoes)

Some link love from the week:

NEW Fitness Marshall!

These muffins look awesome

Meal ideas to make for others

Tips on making the school year easier

2 weeks of vegan dinner recipes

5-minute grounding meditation

Hope you have an amazing day!

xo

Gina

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26 Comments

  1. Amanda Ryan on August 17, 2017 at 8:16 am

    Love pho! Will have to try this. Have you tried the pho place in Valdosta? I’m hesitant.

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:37 pm

      haven’t but tom has taken the girls. he said it was surprisingly good!

  2. Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed on August 17, 2017 at 8:20 am

    I love pho! I’ve only made it once, but I feel like the star anise really gives it that authentic flavor.

    I still haven’t tried to coconut butter cups. I’m afraid I’ll get addicted haha!

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:37 pm

      yes, it’s definitely one of the things that’s stood out to me
      haha and yes they’re so addicting! but in a good way 😉

  3. Carrie on August 17, 2017 at 8:32 am

    Oh gosh, I need those green cargo pants! So darn cute and stylish. I’ve never had pho– never been a huge noodle soup fan, but my goodness is it popular over here in SF!

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:36 pm

      oh you need to try it! SF probably has incredible pho

  4. Julia on August 17, 2017 at 9:51 am

    That Pho looks pretty amazing, Gina. Lame mom joke = also amazing. These are the moments haha. I’ll have to try it out veggie. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:36 pm

      haha thanks, love! let me know if you give it a try!

  5. Isabelle on August 17, 2017 at 11:02 am

    Hi 🙂 Where can i find your coconut butter cups?

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:35 pm

      hi! i get them from thrive market 🙂 they’re the evolved brand

      • Isabelle on August 18, 2017 at 8:16 am

        Oh… Here in Québec City (Canada) we probably don’t have them…. We need to find a recipe 😉

  6. Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups on August 17, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    I love pho, we make it at home all the time during the winter. Those joggers are super cute.

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:35 pm

      it’s such an awesome winter meal <3

  7. Liz on August 17, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    I would not be sharing coconut butter cups either lol! The pho looks so good. I cant believe Ive never had it before I need to get on it!

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:34 pm

      yes! i think you would love it 🙂

  8. Hillary on August 17, 2017 at 2:33 pm

    Love your jogger & tee outfit, so cute!!

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:34 pm

      thank you!

  9. Katie on August 17, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    I got a Stitch Fix box this week too and I had asked for some fall options (I am SO ready) and while I did send a few things back, the items I kept, I LOVE and can’t wait for the weather to cool down so I can wear them!

    • Fitnessista on August 17, 2017 at 11:33 pm

      yes, it definitely made me excited for fall, too!

  10. Andreanna Ruscio on August 17, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    Gorgeous pictures and definitely going to give the pho recipe a try. It looks delicious!

  11. jodie on August 18, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    HI Gina,

    Which vanilla protein do you use? Thanks

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      i really like the garden of life grain-free one (from thrive market)

      • jodie on August 20, 2017 at 3:12 pm

        thank you

  12. Jennifer on August 22, 2017 at 1:40 pm

    I would be eating those coconut butter cups alone as well! XD It is sad, I have to eat peaches when my baby is asleep because 1) He would eat peaches until the cows come home, and I dunno, I don’t think an 8 month old should be eating 2 whole peaches in a day and 2) I don’t wanna share! I want all the peaches for myself while they are in season

  13. Coleen on August 23, 2017 at 11:03 pm

    Thanks for this recipe. I planted a small lemongrass plant in late spring and it is now 4 feet tall and spreading like crazy. I really need lemongrass recipes and this looks amazing. I also have jalapenos growing in my garden so even better.

  14. Tammy on September 6, 2017 at 11:34 am

    Love your pants! Where did you get them? 🙂

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