The Pilot is home from a trip (YAY), and we’re just hanging out this long weekend. We’ve been traveling a ton lately (and were honestly looking forward to another short trip this weekend!) but I’m looking forward to a low-key weekend at home with the crew. Our friends are having a housewarming party, we’re going to see the new Spiderman movie and the kids are planning on swimming with friends. I’d love to hear what you’re up to!

(Fun Farm Rio skirt from my last RTR shipment!)

I owe you guys a huge update, but I’ve been hard at work behind the scenes on my new coaching program. I’m completely revamping everything, adding in new support options and layers, and can’t wait to share it with you.

For now, i’s time for the weekly Friday Faves roundup! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

(Friendly reminder that affiliate links are included in Friday Faves! Thank you so much for supporting the blog)

9.4 Friday Faves

Fashion, beauty, random:

Labor Day weekend sales! There are SO many good sales this weekend.

Here are some of my top picks:

Farm Rio. Always the Farm Rio. I usually buy dresses when they have sales, like Labor Day and Black Friday. I have my eye on this, this, this and this. It’s up to 50% off sale and extra 20% with code EXTRA20

Oganifi! Spend $150, Get FREE Red Juice + 10% off with my code FITNESSISTA here.

Lumebox is 45% off for Labor Day! If you’ve been wanting one, now is the chance. Check it out here and your discount will automatically be applied. I use this every.single.day for so many things: skin, healing, aches and pains, headaches, my neck, just when I need a lil mood boost. You will love it.

Melalight! This is a new product and they sent it to me this week. I absolutely love it. If you also hate white and florescent lights at night, this is the answer. It’s perfect on your nightstand for a little nighttime mood lighting while you relax or read, or if you need to wake up during the night, you can turn this on instead of an overhead light or traditional bright lamp.

Blue light negatively impacts our body’s melatonin production, so red light can encourage deep, restful sleep. Check it out here! They’re 20% off for Labor Day but after the weekend, my code is FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off.

(Also wanted to mention here that I’ve *known* the founder of this brand through the online world for many years, so I’m so excited to support this endeavor. If you want to support a NEW female-founded wellness brand and get an amazing product, this is it)

Aviator Nation. We all love AN but it’s a million dollars so a sale is always appreciated. I got this hoodie

OneSkin. My favorite peptide skincare. Use the code FITNESSISTA here. I highly recommend the tinted SPF moisturizer, lip mask, and the body lotion. They have a new product coming out this month that is INCREDIBLE. I’ve been able to test it over the past week and can’t wait to post about it when it’s out.

My holy grail lip product:

HigherDOSE. If you’ve had your eye on a sauna blanket, PEMF mat, red light cap, or a healthy hair set, this is one of top wellness brands. I own so many things from their collection and use HigherDOSE products every single day. Check out the goods here. 

This nail concealer is amazing in a pinch. It fills in all of the ridges and makes your nails smooth, and it also adds a bit of protection.

Read, watch, listen:

Downloaded this book and was quickly reminded why Lisa See is one of my favorite authors.

Are you excited for the DWTS pairings? I’m READY.

What school books have stuck with you?

My Lupus markers came back. Here’s why I didn’t panic this time.

Why rest should be a priority and not a reward.

Fitness, health, and good eats:

Went to a Pilates class for the first time in forever. I’m excited to add it back to the routine since Liv also enjoys reformer pilates.

I also took a line dancing class with a friend this week and it was SO much fun. I’m definitely going back. This is weird, but in the moment, I can totally learn and do the dances. But, the next day, I can’t remember a THING. Friends who line dance: how do you actually remember the dances long-term? Do they just get stuck in your brain eventually? Tell me your secrets

Pinch of Yum meal for the win. (I always make tofu when the Pilot is out of town because he likes meat but the kids and I adore tofu)

Thank you so much for stopping by today, friends! The blog world has been totally wacky this year so just in case I don’t say it enough: it means the world to me that you’re here. I love hanging out with you here on the blog.

Have an amazing weekend and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

The post 9.4 Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Hi friends! How’s the week going so far? I’m in content creation mode for something new I’m working on and doing the usual school and sports scramble with the crew. Fall is officially in the air (jk it’s going to be like 100 here until November) but I like the pretend with a cozy bowl of soup.

I have a mental list of quick grab-and-go meals that I can swoop in a pinch, are healthy, and that I really enjoy. Thankfully, Tucson has a lot of amazing healthy restaurants, which makes it pretty easy. If I find myself in a bind and hangry in between picking up kids and running errands, it’s nice to know I have some faves I can easily pick up.

Whole Foods Red Lentil Dal Soup (copycat recipe)

This is one of my favorite easy healthy pickup meal options. I’ve had this lentil soup so many times this fall season already, I knew I needed to try to recreate it at home. The result is a super hearty, flavorful soup, with lots of nutrients, and is great with a large salad for lunch. It also freezes beautifully.

Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a try!

Ingredients:

One yellow onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 ribs of celery, diced

3-4 cloves of garlic

1 knob of ginger, peeled and grated

2 cups dried red lentils, rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes

32 oz vegetable broth

Juice of 1 lime

Good pinch of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon curry powder

Turmeric

1/2 bag of spinach

1 can coconut milk

Salt and pepper

Instructions:

Step One

In the Instant Pot on saute setting, saute the onion, carrots, garlic, and celery for 2-3 minutes in olive oil, until softened and fragrant. Add in the tomatoes, ginger, lentils, and spices. Season well with salt and pepper.

Step two

Stir in the broth, seal the lid, and cook on soup setting for 20 minutes.

Step three

Allow the pressure to release naturally, and then stir in the lime juice, spinach, and coconut milk. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving. Top with some dairy-free yogurt and cilantro if you’d like!

Note: Allow to cool completely before storing in the fridge or freezer.

Here’s the full recipe. Please let me know if you decide to give it a whirl!

Whole Foods Red Lentil Dal Soup (copycat recipe)

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

A delicious and hearty vegan soup that’s packed with protein and nutrients.

• Author: Fitnessista
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

One yellow onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 ribs of celery, diced

3–4 cloves of garlic

1 knob of ginger, peeled and grated

2 cups dried red lentils, rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes

32 oz vegetable broth

Juice of 1 lime

Good pinch of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 bag of spinach

1 can coconut milk

Salt and pepper

Cayenne if desired

Instructions

In the Instant Pot on saute setting, saute the onion, carrots, garlic, and celery for 2-3 minutes in olive oil, until softened and fragrant. Add in the tomatoes, ginger, lentils, and spices. Season well with salt and pepper.

Stir in the broth, seal the lid, and cook on soup setting for 20 minutes.

Allow the pressure to release naturally, and then stir in the lime juice, spinach, and coconut milk. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving. Top with some dairy-free yogurt and cilantro if you’d like!

Notes

You can definitely make this on the stovetop. Just bring up to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover. Cook at a low simmer for around 45 minutes or until the lentils are cooked and soft. Then add the coconut milk, lime juice, and serve with desired toppings.

Have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya soon!

xo

Gina

The post Whole Foods Red Lentil Dal Soup (copycat recipe) appeared first on The Fitnessista.

We were able to get in a brunch date this week at the Hills, which was amazing. They have great food and a cozy vibe.

The rest of the weekend will be spent poolside, prepping for a content shoot on Monday, NCL event, and my dad’s bday dinner.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves roundup! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

(Friendly reminder that affiliate links are included in Friday Faves! Thank you so much for supporting the blog)

8.28 Friday Faves

Fashion, beauty, random:

Girls’ night! The perfect night of wine, chatting, and creme brulee at Fleming’s. The funny thing is that I hated creme brulee for YEARS and now that I’ve been gluten-free for three years and it’s usually one of the only gf desserts on the menu, I’m now a huge fan.

(skirt is old from Anthro but shoes are here!)

Another Olive & June nontoxic gel mani for the win. (It only lasts about 5 days but perfect in a pinch)

Fishing with the cousins. They came over for swimming last weekend and we went fishing at a nearby lake afterwards. It’s apparently stocked with bass, catfish and trout, but we didn’t catch anything. It doesn’t matter; the kids still loved it.

Don’t Say Good Luck on Netflix. I don’t know if I can call it a fave because I cried like a baby, but it was beautiful and well done. Liv loved it, too.

Read, watch, listen:

I’m reading this book after one of the mediums at Miraval recommended it (after our past life regression!) and it’s blowing,my.mind.

On the same note, this was an incredible podcast episode.

Ok friends, who are you cheering for in Dancing with the Stars: the Next Pro? I’m team Adele but think that all of the finalists are insanely talented.

Unpopular trainer opinion.

Fitness, health, and good eats:

Your dog told me it would like some of this healthy homemade dog food.

This fruit tart is always a hit. I need to make one this weekend for the fam!

Interesting study about beta-glucan. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today, friends! Have an amazing weekend and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

The post 8.28 Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

We’re finally finding our groove with the kiddos back in school and the Pilot’s travel schedule. Liv is back in dance, P is taking a break from basketball to play soccer, and we’re already looking forward to fall break. This week, I’ve been diving back into work stuff (some exciting things on the way!) and also met up with some friends for lunch and juice which was a nice lil treat.

Last weekend, we went to KCON in LA! Our two K Pop fans wanted to go, so we took a trip to LA for the weekend. It was pretty cool: SO many bands performing on various stages, food and beauty vendors, and a huge arena concert featuring the headliners from each day.

The lines to get in were the craziest lines I’ve ever seen. There were thousands of people still lined up when we arrived, which is reason to skip it next year or get the Express Access pass.

Once we got inside, it was a lot of fun. Liv was able to see so many groups she loves, and P enjoyed walking around with us, checking out the vendors, eating all of the tasty food, and popping into the mini concerts throughout the day.

I knew she’d been tired from an early flight, so I only booked two tickets for the arena concert Saturday night. Liv would want to rally and P would want to chill, which was fine with me lol.

The Pilot took Liv to the concert, and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that I accidentally bought VIP executive suite tickets. I was just trying to buy tickets that weren’t in the nosebleed section and got them from a resale site.

After waiting in line for so long earlier in the day, I was so pumped that they were able to walk right in! They also had awesome seats for the concert. While they were watching the show, P and I were back at the hotel in jammies wearing face masks, watched Great British Baking Show Juniors and playing dress to impress on her iPad.

This guy is such a good sport.

Aaaaand check out my K beauty haul from the weekend! About half of this was free and I maybe spent $60 for the rest of it. So many new things to try!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves roundup! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

(Friendly reminder that affiliate links are included in Friday Faves! Thank you so much for supporting the blog)

8.21 Friday Faves

Fashion, beauty, random:

Wore this to meet a friend for bfast. Looooove all things Polo bear. (This top is sold out but there’s a similar one here!)

Another shirtdress moment The fabric is amazing on this one and true to size.

This week we celebrated our 19th anniversary. We went to dinner at the Flying V and it was perfection. I feel like we’ve lived so many lifetimes together since the early days (and I’ve been blogging for almost all of it!) and and grateful and proud of the life we’ve built together.

New HigherDOSE red light shower filter. We’re remodeling the bathroom after the mold remediation and I told them I wasn’t super picky about the design; I just want to include this shower head! It’s HUGE and has 10-step filtration, plus the benefits of red light. I can’t wait to take a shower in the dark with the red light going. Bliss. Check it out here and use FITNESSISTA15 sitewide.

Read, watch, listen:

I wanted to invite you to join me over on Substack. I’ve been posting over here for the past few months and am loving it! If you’d like to check out some of my posts over there (like what the Miraval psychic told me, my past life regression, and identity crisis) meet me over here. I’d love to see ya

7 ways to make back to school fun.

Are you watching Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro? I’m so glad I started watching it a few weeks ago and it’s starting to get exciting. I can’t wait to see who wins and am definitely team Adele.

The magic of following joy.

I think we need to plan a spring London trip.

Fitness, health, and good eats:

P and I got Doordash while the Pilot and Liv went to KCON early Sunday morning. (We slept in and wanted pancakes.) It was my first time trying Honey Hi and it was sooooo good. I can’t wait to try it again and am so glad I also ordered half a loaf of gf sourdough to bring home in my suitcase.

Power of a good multivitamin. This is the one I use and they have a new flavor!

Thank you so much for stopping by today, friends! Have an amazing weekend and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

The post 8.21 Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope that your day is going well! Today, I have a couple of calls and am looking forward to some time in the sauna blanket after a workout. It should be a pretty low-key day!

For today’s post, I’m calling on all dog owners. I wanted to share our dogs’ obsession with you: homemade dog food. If you’re looking to upgrade what you feed your dog, this simple recipe is PACKED with nutrients, and both dogs goes crazy with it.

(See the crazy eyes?? She’s INTO IT. Also Lola patiently waits in the kitchen each morning for her dog food. She loooooves it.)

TBH, I always felt a little bad giving Maisey packaged dog food because this creature LOVES fresh food. She’s constantly begging for scraps of broccoli and bell pepper (her two faves), has stolen an entire brisket off the counter (and ate it on our new white couch..), a whole chicken breast (bones and all, and thankfully didn’t get sick), as well as ramen and curry. But can you blame her?

Knowing her flavor profile, I would pour her kibble into her bowl and feel a little bad for the gourmet gal. To spice things up, we would put Fresh Pet on top from Whole Foods (SO expensive and still felt like a block of packaged meat), but I knew there had to be a better way.

I started researching a ton, and found a vet-approved recipe online that inspired me to finally make our own.

I’m excited to share all of the details with you! It’s less expensive than Fresh Pet, with certified organic, farm fresh, and wild-caught ingredients, and I love that I know everything that went into it. No preservatives or extra stuff. Friendly reminder: always talk to your vet or veterinary nutritionist before changing your dog’s food.

While this works for Maisey and Lola, it’s important to note that dogs can have different allergens, or may just be unable to tolerate certain things. It’s also helpful to gradually increase new foods so the transition is more gentle on their stomach.

*Little note that this post may contain affiliate links. They don’t impact purchase price but enable me to earn a small kickback that I use to keep this lil blog running. On that note, thank you so much to those of you who choose to shop with my affiliate links!

Healthy homemade dog food recipe

Benefits of Homemade Dog Food:

Making your dog’s food at home can have a ton of benefits, including:

Control Over Ingredients: By preparing your dog’s food from scratch, you have full control over the quality of ingredients used, ensuring that your furry friend gets only the best.

Avoidance of Sketchy Ingredients: Conventional dog foods often contain questionable ingredients such as fillers, artificial preservatives, and low-quality meats that can be harmful to your dog’s health.

Tailored Nutrition: Homemade dog food allows you to tailor your dog’s diet to their specific needs, whether they require a certain protein source or have allergies to certain ingredients.

Increased Digestibility: Whole, fresh ingredients are more easily digestible for dogs, leading to better nutrient absorption and overall health.

Ingredients and Their Benefits:

The recipe that inspired this one is Dr. Judy’s Puploaf. She has the full post here, and you can actually order it online! Since this is more of a topper, Maisey still gets some “I and love and you” Nude Super Food kibble (you can order it from Thrive Market) in her bowl—I didn’t have to be as specific with ratios of ingredients.

I’m also including a few extra ingredients that aren’t in the original recipe, but they’re just as beneficial and yummy for your dogs. Just like humans, dogs thrive on meat and veggies. (Just make sure to avoid garlic and onions.)

Ground Beef: An excellent source of protein and essential amino acids for muscle health. Bonus points if it’s lean ground beef!

Ground Turkey: Low-fat lean protein that is packed with essential nutrients. It’s also considered hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for pups with allergies.

Organ Meats (Heart, Liver, Gizzards, Spleen): Rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, vital for your dog’s overall health.

Butternut Squash: Packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants to support immune function and digestion. (Sweet potatoes are a great alternative.)

Sardines: A great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and coat, reduce inflammation, and support joint health. Sardines are one of Maisey’s all-time favorite foods!

Leafy Greens: Provide essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, calcium, and folate, for overall health and vitality.

Green Beans and carrots: Great for providing vitamins, minerals, and a high dose of fiber. Green beans and carrots help with things like vision, the immune system, and bone health. I was surprised to learn how much Maisey loves certain vegetables!

Eggs: Rich in choline, protein, and essential nutrients. If you’re using farm-fresh eggs, you can also add the shell. Since I use organic eggs from the grocery store, I use the membrane inside the egg whenever I use this ingredient in my recipe.

Oysters: High in zinc and selenium, important for immune function and thyroid health.

Cranberries: Rich in antioxidants and beneficial for urinary tract health.

Broccoli: Contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin C and calcium, for optimal health.

Bell Pepper: Provides vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants to support immune function and eye health.

Flax Oil: A source of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, as well as joint support.

Ginger: Has anti-inflammatory properties and aids in digestion.

Brown Rice: A healthy addition to any diet because of its fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Healthy homemade dog food recipe

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, organ meats, butternut squash, sardines, leafy greens, oysters, cranberries, broccoli, bell pepper, and ginger. You may find this easiest to blend in a food processor, but it’s personal preference.

I keep the flax oil in the fridge and drizzle on a small amount before serving.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and lightly bake for 20-30 minutes at 325°F.

Allow the food to cool before serving to your dog. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, and you can freeze the rest in individual portions. I use Souper Cubes to feed our fur babies this super yummy meal until it’s time to make more! I just put them in the freezer.

Healthy homemade dog food recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

This healthy homemade dog food recipe is based on Dr. Judy’s pup loaf recipe. It’s a great way to give your dog fresh food with tons of nutrients!

• Author: Gina Harney // Fitnessista.com

Ingredients

2 lbs organic grass-fed ground beef

1 cup of chicken hearts

Add in any other organ meats, like spleen, gizzards, or liver – we used a blend from a local farm that contained heart, spleen, and liver

2 cans of sardines in water

2 cans of mussels in olive oil

3 eggs (if farm fresh, use the shell. If from the grocery store, use the egg membrane on the inside of the shell)

1 cup butternut squash, chopped

1 cup of broccoli, chopped

2 bell peppers, seeded and chopped

a handful of leafy greens (I used chard), chopped

1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger

1/2 c dried cranberries (make sure there is no added sugar, and no extra ingredients)

cold-pressed flax oil, to serve

Instructions

In a large bowl, stir the ground beef, organ meats, chopped butternut squash, sardines, leafy greens, oysters, cranberries, broccoli, bell pepper, and ginger. I keep the flax oil in the fridge and drizzle on a little before serving.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and lightly bake for 20-30 minutes at 325°F.

Notes

Allow the food to cool before serving to your dog. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days, and you can freeze the rest in individual portions. I used Souper Cubes.

It feels so good to give our dogs fresh food that’s also packed with nutrients!!

So, tell me, friends: do you make your dog’s food? Are there any brands you love?

xo

Gina

More:

If you’d like to outsource the meat of this recipe, I use We Feed Raw + regular ground beef as the meat mixture in this. It’s perfect, and she goes crazy for it. You can check it out here and use FITNESSISTA40

Homemade dog treats are here

The post Healthy homemade dog food recipe appeared first on The Fitnessista.