Health-Fitness Tips,Tricks And How To Tutorials Which Will Help To Live Life Healthy-Wealthy And Enjoyable Forever.
Fighting with Your S.O.: How to Be Heard, Not Hurt
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Be Your Body’s DJ: Manage Your Flow with a Period Disc
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Jolt Juice: The 9 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2020
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Need a Psychiatrist? Here Are the Best Online Psychiatry Services
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Family movie night + latest adventures
Sharing a themed Ratatouille family dinner and movie night + what we’ve been up to lately.
Hi friends. I hope you had a lovely weekend. Thank you so much for your outpouring of love and sweet comments, DMs, and emails about Bella’s diagnosis. Even though she’s had a very long and happy life, surrounded by people who love her and just want to feed her the chicken she desires, I’m still gutted by the news. I talked to her wonderful vet tech for for a while on Friday and he gave us an idea of how this will progress and things to look out for. (Basically I need to make her food as appetizing as possible so she’ll keep eating.)
It was a rough week and to add to the fun, I threw out my back. I saw a chiropractor hoping for sweet relief but she only used the little hand clicky thing and it didn’t help. I’m seeing another chiro tomorrow with hopes that she’ll hold me like a baby, pop everything into place, and I can be normal again. (I throw my back out maybe once every 2-3 years and it’s horrible. I’ve been hobbling around since last Wednesday and crying over Bella. I’m a hot mess, let me tell ya.)
One of the few things to get me out of this funk was a family movie night that we’d planned a while back. Before you think I’m creative and crafty, I cannot take credit for this cute idea. One of my friends (a real-life Pinterest mom) has been hosting themed movie nights for her kiddos each week. I thought the girls would love this, so I planned a movie night around Ratatouille – a light-hearted movie that we all enjoy.
I created a menu and movie tickets,
(just made these on Canva)
Ordered some chef hats from Amazon,
and we feasted on grapes, cheese, and homemade sourdough, Remy’s potato soup (recipe is here and it was AWESOME. I used almond milk instead of the cream), classic ratatouille (my first time making it) and movie candy. It was such an easy at-home activity and a fun way to switch up the usual movie night. The girls have already requested their next selections. 
We’re going to do Princess and the Frog this week!
Over the weekend, we had our usual girls’ weekend fun (the Pilot was out of town). P had horseback lessons (she’s getting so good and loves it!), Liv had dance, we met up with friends for dinner at the pool, and Saturday was my dad’s birthday.
We love hanging out over there and the girls always have a blast swimming and playing in the playroom. We feasted on Mexican food, sang, “Happy Birthday” to my dad, and ate volcano for dessert.
This week, we’re back into the swing of things. It’s nice to have a little bit of a routine and predictability even though distance learning has still been a bit tricky. How are you guys doing with the distance learning thing? Any tips or things that are working well for you? I just feel like it’s not a lot of actual instruction and a lot of work/assignments.
Any fun weekly things you’ve done with the kiddos to give everyone something to look forward to? The girls loved weekly “sleep in a tent” nights until the novelty wore off a few months later. 
Family movie night is taking the place for now.
Happy Monday and I’ll see ya in the am with a post on how to set up your Peloton or any spin bike.
xo
Gina
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Just So We’re Clear: “Toxic” Is Not a Romantic Type
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Sciatica Pain? There’s a Yoga Pose for That (11 of ’Em, Actually)
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The 9 Best CBD Concentrates of 2020 (That You Can Ingest or Apply)
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a Bella update
Hi friends. I hope you’ve had a wonderful week and that you’re enjoying the morning.
I’m sorry that I don’t have the usual Friday Faves post this morning, but we received devastating news this week. I mentioned last week that we took Bella to an ophthalmologist because her eye has been extremely swollen and inflamed. He put her on some meds and said he’d like to eventually get a CT scan to see what was going on. The meds hadn’t helped, and Sunday morning, her eye looked even more swollen and now had a bubble on the lens. I called the doctor again Monday morning, he saw her that afternoon, and was very concerned that it was worsening. He got her in for a CT scan and biopsy the following day.
After the CT scan, he called with the results: it’s a large tumor behind her eye and has invaded her eye, the bones in her face, and her nasal cavity. He didn’t remove the tumor or the eye because the tumor is so large, and it would require extensive bone surgery. Because the tumor was so vascular, they had a hard time stopping the bleeding from the biopsy. He said he’d call me back once the bleeding was under control, and we drove down there so we’d be right outside if she didn’t make it. We were sick with worry when it had been almost an hour, but thankfully, the technician was able to tell Tom at the door of the office that Bella had made it through the procedure and was recovering.
I feel like with all of the ‘Rona stuff, I’ve handled it fairly well. Our lives have been turned upside down but in the grand scheme of things, we’ve been alright. So many times during quarantine, I would tell the Pilot, “Thank God Bella is here” or “Look at how much time we get to spend with the dogs!” I’ve been sad/stressed about the school situation for the girls, but knew in my heart it would all be ok.
In the past three days, I’ve cried until I was sure I had no more tears left. I’m ok for a little while and then before I know it, tears are once again streaming down my face uncontrollably. My heart is literally broken and this feels like something too cruel and unfair even for 2020. I can’t imagine life without Bella and it’s a horrible reality I’ll have to know sooner rather than later. She’s been there with me my entire adult life: through our wedding, four deployments, the birth of our babies, moves, traveling, sickness, deaths in the family, everything. She’s slept in bed, curled up next to me, for the past 14 1/2 years. She’s always been more of a person than a dog… my person. The only thing that’s brought me a tiny bit of comfort during this week has been the fact that I’ve never taken her for granted. I’ve always told her and shown her how much I love her and how much she means to me.
Baby Bella:
I keep reminding myself that the incredible grief that I feel is a small price to pay for the endless love and joy she’s brought into our lives.
We’re making the most out of the time she has left by spoiling the heck out her. (Caro is also really enjoying this new “eat whatever they want” thing.) I’ve been making them salmon, chicken for days, and showering her with belly rubs and kisses. We’ll also take the dogs on some outdoor adventures and walks when she’s had a little time to recover from the procedure. We’re determined to not let her suffer, so we’ll be watching her carefully for quality of life. For now, she’s still wagging her tail and begging for food, so that’s a good thing. <3
I’m sorry this post is the opposite of my usual Friday fare, but just wanted to share an update of what’s going on. Bella has always been a part of the blog and so many of you have said that you feel like you know this sassy chicken-loving gal. Thank you so much for those of you who have sent heartfelt and kind DMs and emails. I hope you know how much it’s meant to me this week.
Hope that you have a relaxing weekend ahead and I’ll see ya soon.
xo
Gina
The post a Bella update appeared first on The Fitnessista.
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Say Goodbye to Dry: 15 of the Best Body Washes for Dry Skin - 2020
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The Best CBD Oil for Back Pain 2020: 7 Products for the Cannabidiol-Curious
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Kick Some Butt with These 15 At-Home Butt Exercises
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From Tradition to Hashtag: How to Get into the True Spirit of Hygge
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11 Best CBD Topicals When You're So Over Ingesting It
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Is Olive Oil Really the Secret Ingredient That Gets Rid of Acne?
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Stevia Side Effects: Is Nature’s Zero-Calorie Sugar Substitute All Sweet?
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11 Gorgeous Pairs of Yoga Pants to Fall in Love With
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The Body Part You Really Should Be Working: Your Wrists
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057: Digestive health and building a healthy immune system with Dr. Melina Roberts
Hi friends! I’m so excited to have Dr. Melina Roberts on the podcast this morning. She was so knowledgeable and I really enjoyed our conversation. I hope you love this one!
Here’s what we chat about on today’s episode:
Tips for promoting a healthy immune system, especially with everything going on and as we head into the winter months
Go-to supplements
Alkaline water or regular filtered water?
Importance of digestive health and tips for promoting healthy digestion
Her experience with cancer therapy and things we can do to protect ourselves as we continue to age
And so.much.more.
Here’s a little bit more about Dr. Melina Roberts:
Dr. Melina Roberts is a Naturopathic Doctor, Author of Building a Healthy Child and Founder of Advanced Naturopathic Medical Centre in Calgary. She is recognized as one of the top Biological Medicine practitioners in North America and is a lecturer for the Paracelsus Academy. She is a leading authority in the field of naturopathic medicine specializing in Biological Medicine effectively treating digestive issues, chronic disease and cancer. Dr. Roberts is a graduate of the University of Waterloo and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. She did a 2 year post-graduate study in Biological Medicine with Paracelsus Klinik in Switzerland. She was selected to be a TEDx speaker for 2020.
You can connect with her on her website or on Instagram.
Check out her book, Building a Healthy Child here.
Resources:
Check out Daily Harvest for quick and delicious meal options, especially when we’re crazy busy. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and so so good. I love the smoothies, scoops, bowls, and flatbreads! Use the code FITNESSISTA for $25 off your first box.
CBD has changed my life. It helps so much with my anxiety and sense of calmness. You can read more about my experience with CBD here and use the code FITNESSISTA here to get an extra 15% off your first order. (I love the flavored drops!)
Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you.
You can listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.
xoxo
Gina
The post 057: Digestive health and building a healthy immune system with Dr. Melina Roberts appeared first on The Fitnessista.
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Dry Skin SOS: These 25 Serums Have Your Back (and Your Face)
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4 Reasons Why You Should Be Peeing in The Shower...If You're Not Already
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Attention Delicate Flowers: Here’s the Best Hypoallergenic Makeup of 2020
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Can You Gain Weight From Eating Too Little?
There’s a risk you might read only one sentence and then leave this page, but it’s worth the risk to make sure this point is clear: you will not gain weight from eating too few calories.
If there’s nothing else you learn from this post, let it be that. But, there’s so much more that explains why (and how) under-eating can seemingly lead to weight gain.
One of the hardest parts of dieting — which happens to almost everyone — is that moment where you get frustrated with weight loss and you try to reduce calories, even more, to make the scale drop lower again.
And what happens? You appear to be gaining weight.
It’s incredibly frustrating and you insist your body must be broken, or maybe it’s the gluten…or dairy…or artificial sweeteners that are making you fat. But, artificial sweeteners are not to blame, and your body isn’t broken.
3 Reasons You Gain Weight (When You Least Expect It)
So what’s going on? Precision Nutrition outlined many reasons why it seems like under-eating can lead to weight gain, even though it’s not the case.
In our experience with online coaching clients, we’ve seen everything. But, when it comes to weight loss, there are three common reasons you might continue to struggle with weight loss, even if it seems like you’re doing everything right.
All of them, ultimately, deal with the ways that it’s easy to misunderstand calories. As we already mentioned, you can’t under-eat your way to weight gain. But, you can appear to be under-eating and still gaining weight.
We want to make sure you can easily identify all of the sneaky ways you can be tricked into following a diet that only leads to added frustration (and a scale that won’t move).
Foods With Hidden Calories
Whether you’re a dieting pro or don’t know the difference between a carbohydrate and protein, hidden calories suck and they are everywhere. The Precision Nutrition article shared the following example, which we’ve witnessed hundreds of times:
I once had a client discover he was using ten tablespoons of olive oil — 1200 calories — rather than the two tablespoons — 240 calories — he thought he was using in his stir-fry. Oops.
It’s frustratingly simple for hidden calories to pile up quickly day-over-day, and week-over-week, and that’s all it takes to keep you in a plateau or even gain weight, despite your best efforts.
Rather than worrying about counting calories, it’s important to easily recognize where most hidden calories are typically found.
See the graphic below, so you can think twice when you eat. What makes all of these hidden-calorie foods so difficult is that they are calorically dense. That means, even if they are healthy for you (which several of them are), just a small serving packs a big punch of calories, which is why it’s so simple to eat much more than you thought.
How Much Is A 2,000-Calorie Diet
Because very few of us spend our time measuring and weighing food (and rightfully so), it can be shocking to learn just how much we underestimate the number of calories we consume a day.
And the research backs it up. On average, people will underestimate their caloric intake by 30 percent, and sometimes they can estimate by as much as 45 percent. That makes a big difference.
And, to be fair, a lot of people will make it seem like this is an education issue, but even pros can’t tell how much food is in a meal. Case-in-point:
A few years ago Dr. Berardi (JB, as he’s known around here) went out to eat with some friends at a well-known restaurant chain. He ordered one of their “healthier” meals that emphasized protein, veggies, and “clean” carbs. Then he finished off dinner with cheesecake. Curious about how much energy he’d consumed, he looked it up.
Five. Thousand. Calories.
I’ve had the same issue. And it can be minor things. Like how my “1 spoonful” of Justin’s Maple Almond Nut Butter is closer to eating half a jar, but I could count 1 spoonful. You might not keep track, but your body does.
Calories-In, Calories-Out Is Confusing
Yes, this law of thermodynamics is still the #1 determinant of weight loss or gain. But what counts as “calories in” or “calories out” is not that simple.
For instance, all of the following factors can influence your “calories in” equation: the composition of your meals (protein, carbs, fats), your body type, the amount of muscle/amount of body fat, hormones, genetics, your environment, how you slept last night, levels of stress, and much more.
Let’s just take one small example. When you eat a meal, each type of food has a different “thermic effect of food” or TEF. This is the rate at which your body metabolizes a meal. Or, in other words, it’s how many additional calories you’ll burn when you eat a specific food.
Protein has the highest TEF, which ranges from 25 to 35 percent.
Comparatively, carbs are only 6 to 8 percent, and fats are the least metabolically active with a TEF of about 3-5 percent.
That means if two people each eat a 500-calorie meal, but one person has more protein and the other person has more fat, the “calories-in” model will look different for each individual, even if they are having the exact same number of calories.
All of which is to say, many factors matter in determining how your body stores (and burns) calories. So, when frustration kicks in, don’t give up on yourself, don’t try to be perfect, and remember that there’s no use in trying to outsmart the system.
It’s not that we’re lying (though we can sometimes deceive ourselves, and others, about our intake). More than anything, it’s that we struggle to estimate portion sizes and calorie counts. This is especially difficult today when plates and portions are bigger than ever. And energy-dense, incredible tasting, and highly brain-rewarding “foods” are ubiquitous, cheap, and socially encouraged.
Instead, search for a diet you think you can follow. And when you start following it, add checks and balances to keep you accountable, and support to remove the need for “perfection.” And then other systems that ensure you won’t be overeating without your own knowledge.
If you need help with finding the right diet, or someone to help you with those checks and balances, our online coaching program may be right for you. Every client is assigned two coaches — one for nutrition and one for fitness. Find out more here.
Have questions? Share them in the comments below.
READ MORE:
Should I Cut Out Alcohol To Get Rid Of Fat?
The Beginner’s Guide To Fat Loss
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Crunchy almond butter chocolate bars
These crunchy almond butter chocolate bars are a quick and healthy dessert or treat idea. They’re gluten-free, only take 10 minutes of active prep, and can be easily tweaked for my vegan friends.
We could all go for a little sweet bite, right? To be honest, I just really needed something this weekend where I could leave half the mix or dough in the bowl just for myself and sit on the floor and eat it. Anyone else? 
I used to bake and make kitchen creations all the time. Lately, I don’t know if it’s been the heat, the overwhelming feeling of everything going on, or what, but lately I just haven’t been into it. I’ve made muffins and banana bread with the girls, but haven’t felt that creative kitchen mojo lately. It’s the most I can do right now to just make sure everyone is fed – so.many.snacks – and the kitchen clean in between.
Needless to say, I found a random blast of inspiration this weekend. The girls were playing dolls together, I felt like I had caught up on chores, and I saw this box of puffed brown rice cereal in the pantry. I immediately thought of my beloved crunchy almond butter truffles and thought they’d be amazing in bar form.
I ask the girls if they wanted to help me make a tasty treat and they were immediately on board.
The best part is that this recipe makes a pretty large batch, so they’re perfect to store in the fridge or freezer when you need a sweet bite. I love a little chocolate or something sweet around 3pm, or while I’m watching a little mindless TV at night.
Here’s the quick and easy recipe if you want to make a little dessert with the kiddos or treat yourself this afternoon!
PrintCrunchy almond butter chocolate bars
A delicious little sweet treat that’s gluten-free and easily made vegan. Make these to store in the freezer for a delicious healthy dessert!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
Ingredients
5 cups puffed brown rice cereal
1/3 cup coconut butter
2 tablespoons butter (or vegan butter)
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2/3 cup smooth almond butter (or nut butter of choice)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extra
Big pinch of sea salt
1/2 bag of chocolate chips for dipping
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Pour the brown rice cereal into a large bowl.
- In a small saucepan, heat the coconut butter, butter, cocoa powder, almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt on medium-low heat until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the mixture onto the brown rice cereal and gently stir to coat.
- Gently press the mixture into the baking dish and set in the fridge to harden, about 1 hour.
- In a glass bowl, microwave the chocolate chips for 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and melted.
- Remove the bars from the pan, using the parchment paper, and cut into 24 pieces. Dip each bar into the melted chocolate and place back on a parchment-lined serving platter or the baking dish to set in the fridge.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Store in the fridge until serving because at room temperature, the bars don’t hold their shape as well.
Freeze any additional bars! They’re so good out of the freezer.
Keywords: healthy dessert, brown rice crispy bars, gluten free desserts
Please let me know if you give it a try!
What’s your go-to when you want a sweet treat?
Hope you have a lovely afternoon and thank you for stopping by the blog today!
xo
Gina
More of my fave healthy treats:
No-bake almond butter oat bars
Chocolate peanut butter protein cake
The best pumpkin chocolate chip bars
S’mores in a jar with vegan chocolate mousse
Banana nice cream protein bites
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30 Minute Runner’s Strength Workout with Lanni Marchant
Pro marathon runner Lanni Marchant takes you through this 30 minute circuit to help build coordination and power.
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30 Minute Circuit with Emily Ricketts
Move your body with this 30 minute circuit with Under Armour trainer Emily Ricketts.
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Hair routine + fave products for healthy hair
Per a couple of requests, I updated this older post with my current hair routine and tips.
Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope you’re enjoying the week so far. I’m looking forward to catching outdoor yoga class tonight – my first group fitness class since March!!- and taking it easy with the fam.
For today, I thought we could chat about hair. I’ve been asked to share some of my favorite hair products + the latest hair routine and thought it would be a fun kinda different post. My hair has been through so many crazy stages over the past six years. From luxurious pregnancy hair, to postpartum shredding + regrowth (the lovely Frankenstein baby bangs), changes in texture (my hair got super wavy after I had P! We joke that it’s because the reflux and everything stressed me out that much) and environment (beach air, dry desert air, and swampy humidity), and getting rid of anesthesia from my system 3 times (<— which can make you shed and your hair do funky things).
(trying to decide if I should keep my current blond-ish highlights or go dark again for fall!)
Just this past year, my hair started growing like crazy. I feel like I’d hit a growth slump, and would often have to get a trim merely because the ends were shaggy; never because it was “too long.” While I’ve been working hard to take care of it, I also think that getting my implants out a few years ago and decreasing the inflammation in my body has made a positive impact. I’ve been taking a couple of new supplements that I think have helped and I think it’s responded positively to the super low-key approach I’ve had lately.
Here are some of the things I do to keep my hair healthy:
-Supplement. I used to take a prenatal vitamin, but instead, I currently take a mix of different things: a liver supplement (that has Biotin in it), vitamin b12, vitamin C, D3/K2 and an adaptogen blend.
I also have a scoop of collagen either in my [decaf] cup of coffee or smoothie.
Collagen has been hyped up for a long time, but it wasn’t until I took it on a regular basis that I noticed a difference. My skin looks smoother, and my hair and nails are noticeable stronger. It doesn’t taste like anything, so it’s easy to add into hot or cold drinks. You can check out more about collagen and why I love it in this post.
I also take MCT oil (usually in my smoothie or coffee) for a quick dose of healthy fat. You get the the huge bottle at Thrive Market.
-Watch the heat! This one is hard for me because I like showers that literally burn my skin. Like, I want it to feel like burning lava. When I take a super hot shower, I bring the temp down to wash my hair. My mom is a hair stylist and has always told me to rinse my hair with cold water because it closes the hair follicle and makes it more shiny. I’ve actually started listening to this advice. I just turn the water to ice cold before I get out of the shower and lean my head back so the freezing ice water doesn’t touch my body. Bonus: cold showers can help the lymphatic system, too.
When I know I’m going to heat-style my hair, either with a blowdryer or styling wand, I pick 1 thing to use for heat styling. So, if I’m going to round-brush it with a blowdryer, that’s it. If I know I’m going to curl it, I let it air dry first, so I’m not doubling up on hot tools.
-Get regular trims. This one is tricky with the kiddos and with the current situation, but I’ve noticed a difference in my ends since I started getting regular trims. In normal circumstances, I try to go every 4-6 or so. For now, I’ve had one trim since January and am super overdue for a new one.
(When salons re-opened, I masked up for some highlights and a trim just to feel like myself again. This was a couple of months ago.)
-Don’t wash it a lot. I wash it 2x a week max. If I need to take a shower because I got a sweaty workout or hit up the pool, I’ll rinse my hair with water and just put conditioner or a mask on the ends. I think shampoo can be really abrasive and drying, and if you shampoo every day, it can make things crispy fast.
While I don’t wash my hair a ton, thankfully my hair doesn’t get too greasy – it will get a little dandruff snow if it’s been a while – but dry shampoo comes to the rescue. I’ve tried SO MANY, but this one and this one top the list.
Favorite hair products:
-Moroccan oil: I’ve been using this for years, and it’s the best ever. I’ve tried the light and really like it but prefer the heavier oil. We’ve also been using it on the girls since they were toddlers. We never have to use detangler on their super long hair because Moroccan oil does the trick.
-Hair mask. This is my #1 favorite hair product. It makes SUCH a huge difference in the texture of my hair! My stylist in San Diego first recommended the Kerastase mask to me (the one in the pink jar), and I couldn’t believe how smooth and silky it made my hair. It was pricey but well worth it. Since then, I’ve tried a few different ones and really like the Loreal silicone-free. The only bummer about good hair masks is that you have to get them from a licensed salon for the most part. I’d hop into one (especially if you have a local salon with Kerastase products) and see what they recommend for your hair.
-Heat protectant. This is another huge one. I love the Drybar Hot Toddy and the Kerastase Discipline.
-Hairdryer, styling wand, and Revlon styler. I use the Revlon styler after my hair is about 80% dry if I want straight smooth hair. I’ll finish it off with the Drybar round brush and my regular hairdryer. When I want waves, I’ll let it air dry and fix the crazy pieces with this styling wand.
So, tell me friends: what’s your hair routine like? What are some of your fave products? A friend of mine swears by using apple cider vinegar instead of shampoo, but I’m scared to try it.
Any crazy hair stories?
I have two:
-When I was little, I would cut off chunks of my hair and hide them in my toy box. My mom quickly noticed what I was doing.
-My friend wanted me to dye her hair blonde in high school. I didn’t know you had to bleach it first, so I just covered her hair in blonde dye. The roots were the only thing that took the color, so she looked like she was wearing a bald cap with hair sticking out. She cried, and I felt like the worst friend ever. Thankfully, madre fixed it.
Have a great day and I’ll see ya soon!
xo
The post Hair routine + fave products for healthy hair appeared first on The Fitnessista.
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Friday Faves
Hi friends! Happy Friday to ya. I hope you had a wonderful week. It’s been a good one over here. I’ve been cranking through some work stuff in between helping Liv navigate her Google classroom times and homework, drawing and working on letters with P, doing a couple of science experiments, and making time for the pool in the afternoon.
(One of my fave poolside salads: chicken salad, egg salad, and tuna salad in artichoke heart bottoms with greens and balsamic)
I feel like we’re still trying to find a groove with everything, but this week feels better than last week, so I’m calling it a win. I hope everything is going well for you, too, especially as the kids head into school or distance learning.
It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party. This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and I always love when you share your faves, too! Please shout out something you’re lovin’ in the comments section below!
Random/life:
– Anniversary celebration! For the first time in quite a while, the Pilot was in town on our anniversary and we got to celebrate it that night! It was our first date night in almost 6 months and it was amaaaazing.
(Even on the drive over there we were like THIS IS WEIRD because it was our first time in the car, just the two of us, since before the world turned upside down.)
We went to Hacienda del Sol and sat on the patio. I’ve been to weddings and events at Hacienda but it was my first time dining at the restaurant. The food is incredible and since it seemed family-friendly (there were kids there), we could absolutely take the girls. We had an insane charcuterie board, cocktails, and for my entree, I chose the curry special, which had scallops, octopus, and mussels in a curry broth. We shared the bread pudding for dessert.
– 4 weeks to read. A friend recommended this for P since her 4-year old loved it and it did indeed teach her how to read. I LOVE the interactive design of this program. (We have the “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Lessons” and while it worked for Liv, P is not into it.) You do 3-4 letters per week, and each lesson focuses on one letter and its phonetic sound. You play the alphabet song, talk about the letter of the day and what sound it makes, read a cute poem focusing on that letter, sing a song focusing on that letter’s sound, and practice writing the letter and coloring pictures that start with that letter. The lessons are short – maybe 15-20 minutes total – and P loves them! I also like that they have an app you can use on your phone instead of using the CD. They break everything down for you and it makes me happy that P really looks forward to this time.
Fashion + beauty:
I shared my experience with the embrace Active Skin Defense wipes and stickies in Instagram and they’re offering a 20% promo through the 31st if you’d like to give them a whirl!
Nordstrom sale has been bananas so far but there’s still a lot of great stuff left! Hanky panky thongs, Barefoot dreams throw, my fave classic black leggings (lots of sizes still available in black), these super cute mules (mine arrived last weekend and I love them!), these amazing Hunter boots, and kids’ North Face jackets (the girls were so pumped when theirs arrived the other day).
Read, watch, listen:
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. I needed something lighthearted to watch and this has been exactly what I needed. It’s heartwarming, witty, and who doesn’t love a random song and dance break? 10/10 recommend.
My latest post for WebMD is here! Tips for using stairs for your workouts + a sample circuit.
Don’t forget to check out this week’s podcast episode here.
I love this idea for anniversary photos!
Fitness + good eats:
Peach cobbler might need to happen this weekend.
Some new meal ideas in this post.
Another reason to promote activity for our kiddos.
Happy Friday and hope you have a great weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today.
xo
Gina
The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.
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056: Breastfeeding, exclusively pumping, and tips for postpartum with Sandy J. Green
Hi friends! I’m so excited for today’s episode because I’m chatting with Sandy J. Green about quite a few things I wish I would have known for our first pregnancy and postpartum experience. She’s so knowledgeable and I really enjoyed our converstaion.
We’re discussing some new mom topics, like:
– Exclusive pumping and tips for low supply
– Viewing breastfeeding and pumping through a lens of self care (and not the Instagram kind of “self care”)
– Favorite books/resources
– What a postpartum doula does
– And so much more
I wanted to note here that I understand this this topic is pretty niche and if it’s not your thing, I totally get it! Before we had babies, I would have loved to have access to this type of info to store in my brain for access later on.
Also, I wanted to tell my friends out there who are on their fertility journey or have experienced miscarriages: I’m sending you my love and the biggest virtual hug.
Here’s a little bit more about Sandy:
Sandy J. Green is a breast pump expert, a maternal health advocate and she exclusively pumped for both of her babies.
When Sandy had her son, Avi, over 3 years ago, she knew nothing about pumping and hoped to breastfeed. It started off pretty well but when Avi was around 12 weeks, he stopped gaining weight. It turned out he had a tongue tie and the procedure to fix it didn’t help the feeding issues. Sandy wasn’t ready to stop breastfeeding, so she turned to exclusive pumping.
Once Sandy could see how many ounces Avi was getting, he started to gain weight which was great. But in a lot of ways, life didn’t get easier for her and she was plagued with feelings of doubt, anxiety and failure for pumping instead of nursing.
She found great resources online for all tips and tricks of pumping, but her mental and emotional health was in decline. She realized that she needed to take that emotional aspect of pumping into her own hands and started diving into meditation, exercise, and mindfulness among other things.
Simply put – Sandy started to take care of herself and make her needs a priority.
Sandy became a Certified Lactation Counselor and Postpartum Doula so that she could help other moms to feel better about pumping, too! And now, her goal is simple – that all moms have the knowledge, confidence, and pride to make infant-feeding decisions that work best for their baby, their family, and themselves.
You can connect with Sandy on Instagram and on her website
Resources from this episode:
Get your free download here on protecting your milk supply in times of stress
Check out Empowered Pumping here
Book recs
Don’t forget to sign up for your free 30 days of Les Mills On Demand! This is one of my all-time favorite workout platforms. The instructors are knowledgeable and motivating, plus the music is incredible. There are so many different formats, you’ll definitely find something you love. Get your free workouts here. Perfect opportunity to switch up your routine now that so many of us are working out at home.
CBD has changed my life. It helps so much with my anxiety and sense of calmness. You can read more about my experience with CBD here and use the code FITNESSISTA here to get an extra 15% off your first order. (I love the flavored drops!)
Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you.
You can listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.
xoxo
Gina
The post 056: Breastfeeding, exclusively pumping, and tips for postpartum with Sandy J. Green appeared first on The Fitnessista.
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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale top sellers and picks under $50
Sharing the bestsellers from my Early Access post and faves under $50 from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! The sale is live for public access starting at 6:30PST/9:30 EST today.
Hi friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful week so far. I finished up that huge video project – I’ll share the news soon, I promise – and am going to start getting everything together for Barre Bootcamp 2. I’m so excited to have some community this fall as many of us are working out from home!
Today, I wanted to share some of the things we’ve received from the Nordstrom Sale and some of the top sellers from my Early Access post. I wanted to make another little note that I know 2020 is the worst and many are struggling financially. Quite a few of you have let me know that shopping has brought you joy right now, so I wanted to share the good stuff from the sale. I don’t ever use the sale as a chance to go buck wild and order all the things, but instead, I focus on ordering staples we need and classics that will last for years. For example, I always order the girls’ winter jackets during this sale. (It’s so fun that many of the clothes I buy for Liv are worn by 5 total kids! Quality really lasts.)
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale top sellers and picks under $50
Here are the top sellers from my Early Access post last week:
(*= I already wonder or purchased during the sale)
*My fave wireless bra. It’s no wonder this is a huge hit because it’s the best bra ever.
*These shortie pajamas and my fave pajamas. The Moonlight pajamas run a little big, so size down if you’re in between sizes.
*Alo high waist moto leggings. I LOVE the cut and fit of these leggings!
*The famous Spanx leggings. I’ve had these for years and love wearing them with longer button-up tops and sweaters.
*Wubby fleece sweater. I lived in this sweater all winter last year! It’s an awesome price point, too.
*Barefoot dreams cardigan. Since we’re going to be chilling at home a bit longer, I finally ordered this after scoping it out for years. I can’t wait for it to get here!
*These thongs. I always stock up on them during the sale.
*Bombas socks. These are my go-to athletic socks for the entire family. They last for such a long time and are great at moisture wicking for super sweaty workouts. 
Classic black mules. I haven’t ordered these yet, but I really need some new classic mules. (I wore the heck out of mine from Target last year.)
*These leopard Hunter boots. I tried them on and LOVE LOVE them so much. I can’t wait for chilly, rainy days, just because of these bad boys These are true to size. I usually wear an 8 and an 8 was perfect.
Under $50 picks that are still in stock:
My fave leggings. These run true to size and the quality is amazing.
Leith cozy long cardigan. Looks way more expensive than it is.
*This sweater! I got it in tan last year and love the fit. (Runs a bit big. I got a small and it’s pretty slouchy on me, so I can wear it with leggings.)
*Anastasia brow basics kit. This is what I’ve been using on my brows since we lived in San Diego! It gives them an awesome color and shape.
*These everyday leopard mules. I know I’ll wear these a ton with jeans and a tee or sweater.
This cozy oversized V-neck sweater.
This crescent pendant necklace.
*Gazelle sneakers for the kiddos. These were the girls’ “Back to school” shoes last year.
This beautiful aromatherapy diffuser. It would make an awesome gift!
Classic V-neck shirt for the guys.
Love this pom pom sweater for the girls.
Are you shopping the Nordstrom Sale this year? If so, what’s your favorite pick?
xo
Gina
Note: Affiliate links are included above. These don’t affect purchase price and enable me to earn a small kickback when you shop through these links. It’s an easy way to support the work I do here and our family. Thank you! <3
The post Nordstrom Anniversary Sale top sellers and picks under $50 appeared first on The Fitnessista.
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Tuesday thoughts
Hi friends! Happy Tuesday! I hope you’re having a lovely morning. We’re doing the distance learning thing this morning, and I’m finishing up filming this afternoon. Can’t wait to pop some champagne when I’m done this this whole thing! I feel like we haven’t caught up a bit lately, so for today’s post, it’s more of a thought dump than anything.
– Today is our 13th anniversary! We’re officially at that point in marriage where we have to calculate how long we’ve been married. It’s been a wild ride to say the least, but so thankful to have this guy by my side. This week, we’re going on our first date in almost 6 months! Before the ‘Rona, we went on dates every week and it’s something I’ve really missed. I’m looking forward to having him all to myself, an amazing patio dinner out, and uninterrupted conversation.
Wedding recap here, how we’re navigating this current season, things I didn’t know about marriage, and how we met here. <3
– We’re having a bit of a hard time with Bella lately. I noticed that her eyes had gotten a bit cloudy over the past 6 months, but chalked it up to old age since she’ll be 14 in December and she was acting completely normal. About a week and a half ago, we noticed that one of her eyes was swollen and inflamed and that she wasn’t tracking correctly. She’ll look at me straight on with her right eye, but her left eye just looks to one side. It was a red flag, so I took her into the vet for an emergency appt last weekend. The vet said that she definitely has the canine version of cataracts – the lens hardens as they get older, which is expected in smaller breeds as they age – but the swelling an inflammation could be linked to something behind the eye. The recommended taking her to a dog ophthalmologist to figure out an action plan, and I got an appointment for her yesterday morning.
The ophthalmologist agrees that it’s either an infection or tumor behind her eye and they want to do a CT scan to figure out the plan. They took blood work yesterday to see if it’s safe to anesthetize her for the CT scan and we’ll go from there. I’m trying to not worry until we know for sure what’s going on, but I’ve been pretty sad for our first-born baby. 
We’ll do whatever we need to do and I keep reminding myself that it’s just an eye. She’ll be ok. I just love her so much.
– Distance learning has been a peach, let me tell you. It’s been pretty challenging to get Liv logged into classes while trying to keep P busy and also get anything done around here. I just keep crossing my fingers that it will be easier. P’s preschool went back to school this week and I can’t help but wonder if we made the right choice keeping her home. She constantly asks when she can go back to school and see her teachers and friends again.
– Lox on toast is pretty much the best thing ever.
(I’ve been using the Cook’s gluten-free sourdough with Kite Hill cream cheese, lox, capers, and red onion. SO satisfying.)
– I started watching Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and am already obsessed. When a crowd of people started impromptu singing and dancing in the street, I was like, “I’M IN.” 
Ok, I think that’s it. I hope everyone has a great day and thanks for stopping by the blog today!
Any friends out there with one-eyed pets? I’d love to hear any recovery tips or things we could do to help her, if we need to go down that road.
Best thing you’ve watched on TV lately?
xo
Gina
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