Vacay mode at home
Now that my Portland recaps are over, it’s back to “real life” blogging for this girl. My little trip was a lot of fun and so very relaxing. It was positively luxurious to be able to get dressed without putting on a one-woman “Twinkle, twinkle” show, ahem, go to the ladies’ room solo, and sleeeeeeeeeeep, glorious sleep. As relaxing as it was, it feels amazing to be back home with the people I love so much. Monday morning, while making breakfast as Liv sat singing in her high chair, I thought to myself, “This is the good stuff.”
We hopped right back into our routine of hanging out together, play dates and music class, and it’s also been great to be back in the kitchen. Going on vacation always motivates me to try new things, and thanks to Kure Juice Bar, I’ve been on a huge juice and smoothie kick. No one seems to mind 😉
I’ve also been enjoying these drinks we picked up at Costco before I left:
While I love the nutrients and combos of store-bought “cleanse” drinks, the price sends me running to my own juicer to make my own. ($12 for one juice? I can’t do it.) The three-pack was $14.99 at Costco, and while it’s not cold-pressed, it’s a delicious way to sneak in some extra vitamins. I’ve been drinking tons of juice (the lemon flavor is gone and the brazil nut one is like a dessert), eating egg burritos, Paleo PB&J on homemade bread, voluptuous salads, and making real dinners.
For a while, I’ve been prepping our dinner while I make Liv’s lunch — it works out fairly well. I do whatever I can in advance, so when the Pilot is home, we just need to cook it; everything is already prepped and ready.
A quick and healthy risotto:
(overly garnished since a Facebook reader said “it looks like vomit.” Don’t hold anything back now, haha.)
I chopped the veggies, made the rice and baked the chicken during the day. At night, I added it to a large pot with fresh chopped herbs, garlic, coconut milk, saffron, sea salt, pepper and mustard powder:
Even though I’m back, it still feels like we’re on vacation, probably because I haven’t had to work. We went to story time at the library with friends, Whole Foods to get juice and diapers, then went to paint some pottery. I’m always looking for fun, air-conditioned things to do during the summer, and it was out first time at Color Me Mine.
You just pick whatever you want to paint, grab some brushes and paints, and then leave it there to be baked and glazed.
Workout-wise, it’s been nice to get back into my usual schedule. Monday night, I did an INTENSE quick circuit, based on the Week 3 Summer Shape Up workout. (The passwords are all removed now, if you want to check out the plan!) My total gym time was 45 minutes, and I was dripping in sweat when I left. Just how I like it: short, effective and sweaty. Last night, I took a Zumba class. It’s always a treat to take a class and just shake it without thinking and planning 🙂
Today’s my first day back at work and it’s Zumba time! What’s on your workout plan for today? What’s for dinner? Let’s have a little “What I Ate Wednesday” in the comments section- I’d love to hear what you’re making and enjoying.
Have a wonderful day <3
xoxo
Gina
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My version of the Bowl of the Gods → ← 4th of July + a red, white and BOOTY circuit50 Comments
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I headed to hot yoga at 6AM with a friend. I’m drinking tons of protein smoothies now that summer is here!
I did a pretty intense workout last night so I think today will be a walk at lunch with friends, then a short cardio workout and stretching. Meal plan is sandwich for lunch but taco salad for dinner.
Glad you’re home with the fam now, it must feel good to take a little break and get back there. And I’m totally with you on the smoothie and juice kick. I can’t get enough.
Today I haven’t decided if I’ll go to a pilates class later or if I’m taking a rest day, since I’m not feeling the best.
I made the best smoothie last night with frozen berries, avocado, 1/2 scoop protein powder, almond milk, ice and a little coconut flour. So good.
Reading everyone’s recaps and seeing some of my favorite people together last week made me want to be there sooooo badly! Hopefully next time 😉
I laughed out loud at your shout-out to the vomit comment. 🙂 Sometimes the tastiest food is the ugliest!
Hi Gina!
I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now but have never posted before. Just wanted to say hi and that everything you write is really inspirational. Today I went to a 6:30 Vinyasa class. And I’ve been eating lots of chocolate zucchini cake, blueberries and almond butter and banana sandwiches.
I taught a BODYPUMP class this morning. Today I did the latest Les Mills BODYPUMP release 86 and it was 55 minutes of great resistance training. Followed it up with a protein shake and now am about to down some overnight oats.
Social media can be so cruel 🙂 ! What happened to the good old “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say something at all!” rule? But true, it’s hard to make a risotto good looking on camera.
That risotto looks so good! I’m usually too lazy to make it from scratch, but Trader Joe’s has a yummy asparagus risotto in their freezer section that I buy. I’ve already been to the gym today and did a 20 minute run, then worked my legs and abs.
I love that risotto from TJ’s, too! 🙂
Can’t wait to check out the workouts!
I’m intrigued by the Costco juice pack. How large are the bottles? Are you “suppose” to drink them all in 1 day?
They’re huge! I think it’s a 3 or 4 day pack?
gina, seriously, uh-mazing arms and chest in the photo with liv! just beautiful…hope that doesn’t sound creepy.
I’m going to spin and doing a short jog. I did Workout 1 from SSU yesterday– it was awesome!
We’re getting a costco in town this Fall and I am so excited! Will have to check out those drinks. With no WF or TJ anywhere, it’ll be nice to have some other option for new eats.
Sometimes the foods that photograph the worst end up tasting the best.
You are a brave, brave woman to go to a pottery shop, with a child, who has the paintbrush in her hand….. and wear white. 🙂
Smoothies are definitely the best! The risotto looks delicious!
I’m planning on a 6 mile run in the afternoon, if it doesn’t get too hot! I’ve never actually ran that far before, so it should be interesting! Portland looks fantastic, glad you enjoyed. 🙂
Hey Gina!
I recently bought a vitamix and want to start making my own green juices/smoothies. I need some ingredient ideas. What are some of your favorite combinations?
Thanks!
Dayna 🙂
I LOVE getting dinner ready when I feel Connor lunch or breakfast. It makes dinner so so so easy later! 🙂 We had grilled chicken, corn and salad last night. Tonight I’m using the leftover chicken and making some fajitas! Yum!
That painting class looks like a blast! I hope you post the creations once they’re finished!
Fun idea for comments! I’m on vacation, so I’m just now about to head out for a run in the gorgeous mountains of Colorado and then do a little circuit workout. I had some Greek yogurt, pumpkin, cinnamon, berries, and a mini piece of crumbled up banana bread for breakfast. I’m feeling a green smoothie for lunch, and we’re having friends over for some grilled chicken, barley salad, roasted veggies, and cherry-arugula salad tonight. Yum!
I drink my smoothies in the car on the way to work so i can’t handle a smoothie bowl. I don’t eat smoothies on the weekend because I’m sick of them and need a break, but that means I reach for something not so healthy. I should try to bowl it up to spice it up. Oh I like that tag line! Don’t steal it 😉
And that paint brush, tiny apron, and chubby baby arms… I die.
I did a monster spin class today at lunch. The instructor is so full of energy it leaves you dripping and fighting for air!
First breakfast was two eggs, spinach and sriracha, second breakfast 😉 was Greek yoghurt, banana, apple and muesli and lunch was oven roasted butternut squash and sweet potato wrapped in a tortilla with jalapeños and cheese and heated then plonked on a salad with hot salsa and avocado and MORE Greek yoghurt. I actually thought ‘Gina would love this’!
I think I will do a little stir fry for dinner and I fancy a cold beer and lemonade shandy!
Nothing’s on tap workout-wise today (holla’ if you love a rest day haha) — as for my eats, there’s been lots & lots of salads. I’ve been craving fresh produce with all the warm weather we’ve been having.
I’ve got a little afteroon circuit + HIIT planned for this afternoon. And there are some beets staring me down so I think some roasted veg for dinner with a little balsamic over chicken might be in order.
I’m getting ready to head to the kitchen and make your chocolate mint protein fudge!! I’ve been waiting for some down time to get all the ingredients and try it out 🙂
We’ve been doing easy dinners out because it’s been 90+ in Oregon and we don’t have AC. So we’ve enjoyed pizza (& salad) night with the runners on Monday and last night the manfriend brought home turkey Subway sandwiches. Tonight I’m planning to heat up the house a bit more and boil some chicken and make some quick black bean, veggie and chicken burritos.
My kids love Color Me Mine! We did their handprints on plates and I have them hanging in the kitchen. So many fun things there to make a little artwork collection as they grow up. I’m “eating like a pro” lately with all of the yummy fresh summer fruits and veggies :). Salads with protein and snacking on Greek yogurt with chocolate & almonds added to make a healthier fro-yo at home.
The juice Liv is drinking what are the ingredients? Thanks
I love smoothies during the summer time they make life sweet 😉 I love your quick meal ideas! It makes my kitchen so much smoother and knowing what I am eating makes life easier instead of every night debating and missing ingredients etc. Thanks for sharing! Love + Shine CourtStar
It has been so hot here in California I have been enjoying lots of smoothies (Almond milk, Chocolate protein powder, peanut butter, spinach and coffee), cereal, and cold turkey sandwiches with lots of veggies form the Farmer’s Market.
I must take issue with the risotto looks like vomit comment. 1. Was it really necessary, nameless, faceless, FB reader? 2. Some people are so gross! and 3. The best foods can look the worst. I love Indian food and my FAVORITE dish is Eggplant Bahartha! Not too great too look at, but man I could eat that every day of my life and not hate it. Hmmm craving it now. I may have to break my cold-food spell and run across the street to my fave Indian restaurant and get some for dinner. Yummy!
Have a safe and Happy 4th!
I have a 4 miler on the schedule for today and I just ate sushi rolls from Whole Food’s. So good! Not sure what’s for dinner but I’m thinking something on the grill – maybe grilled veggies and burgers? 😀
Tonight’s dinner is chicken and potato packets on the grill. Its our mini-4th celebration since the husband works tomorrow night :(. I did a WOD at home today, definitely feeling ready to take on the day!
Gina, you have probably mentioned this before, but what do you use to make your drinks and smoothies?
I just did a kick ass at home hour of power yoga (love me some Mark Gonzales!) I have been drinking iced coffee like there is no tomorrow (must be the heat!) and downing the homemade whole wheat bread I made! I think it will be some yellow split pea recipe for lunch today…
As much as I love to travel, I have to admit that I kind of love coming back home. Getting back into my routine, sleeping in my own bed, and cooking in my own kitchen are things I always look forward to. And speaking of cooking, tonight’s dinner is probably going to be something along the lines of leftover sesame chicken stir fry. It’s been too hot to even consider turning on the stove, so I’ll probably just end up eating them cold… whiiiich, I have to confess, is kind of my favorite way to do it anyways 😉
Happy Wednesday!
I made my very first green smoothie today! I also tried to pick up some of that Vega protein powder you recommended, but my Whole Foods was out of the big containers… I bought a smaller packet to try it out though!
We’re having homemade Chipotle bowls tonight! We’ve been hitting Chipotle way more often than I care to admit lately. My kids (and I) are obsessed!
Today I tried out Dr. Praeger’s veggie burgers from Trader Joe’s for the first time….they tasted awesome! And I recognize ALL the ingredients:) Also just got a fitbit; it’s definitely helpful to keep me moving and keep me on track with my diet!! Can’t wait to try your smoothie bowls!
I still have yet to try a veggie juice, hating tomato and carrot juice as a kid makes me afraid to try them! And dinner tonight is salmon, a rice pilaf and probably some steamed broccoli – healthy and delicious!
Gina,
So based on your recommendations, I bought the Crossfit Nano’s and am in LOVEEEEE. Reebok owes you like 12 more pairs because I’m addicted. Light weight, comfortable and great traction. The only problem is the over $100 price tag which I hate to spend…but so worth it.
THANKS!
i’m glad you like them! i am OBSESSED. wore them all day today! 🙂
I am doing another round of SSU, so this morning I did w/o 1 & the hills challenge. That hills challenge kicked my butt again! I’m so glad you posted your juice find from Costco! I don’t have a juicer, and buying juices individually is a rare treat for me (so pricey!), but that seems like a deal I can swing a little more often.
I love juice and juicing! I was just in NYC and they have a ton of juice bars there! I stopped at one that offered only cold-pressed juices and was surprisingly disappointed with how disgusting it was! I couldn’t even finish it :/ Such a bummer but I’m glad to be home with the comfort of my own juicer again.
I love that you and Liv do so many fun activities together 🙂 Did SSU Workout 1 this morning and dinner tonight is fish tacos with chips + guac. A lady named Margarita might make an appearance, too!
I need to start prepping dinner early so it will be ready to go. We’ve been eating way to late! I’ve been trying to get out of vacation mode but now my hubby is off for a few days which makes it feel like vacay again! Not that I’m complaining, great to have more time with him 🙂
No workout today since I had to do a Costco run and pack for our 4th of July getaway.
I started my day on a delicious note with banana protein pancakes. I can’t get enough of them! Made a ton since I had 3 bananas going bad.
Munched on crunchamame–these new freeze dried soy beans (non GMO) that I just discovered Costco sells (found them originally at Whole Foods). So good!
My workout plan for today was a 20 minute cardio plus a lower body workout. I was proud because I stuck to it!
Just did your “six-pack in a sweater” workout on youtube. Holy cow.
🙂 !