How to recover from mom burnout

Talking about mom burnout on the blog today.

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful morning so far. I’m meeting with a friend for coffee and then working on a Fit Team document for Self-care September to send out tomorrow. It’s not too late to join us here!

For today’s post, I wanted to talk a bit about mom burnout. While I’m in a positive space with motherhood, there have absolutely been times when I’ve felt overwhelmed and burned out. I wanted to share a bit about it in this post, along with some of the things I’ve learned, and always love hearing about your thoughts and perspectives, too. I also recognize that as a mom, I know I’m fortunate and privileged in many aspects of life and am grateful for all of them. There will always be those who have it better or worse than yourself; the best you can do is have gratitude for the blessings in your life, and compassion for those who are having a difficult time.

What is mom burnout exactly?

I think of it as a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion that most moms are likely to experience at one point in their lives. I’ve learned over time that various factors can contribute to mom burnout. It can happen when you have maxed out your capacity to care for others, and it can also come from the invisible emotional and mental load mothers need to carry. Peer pressure, unrealistic expectations, and social media can play a part in causing mom burnout, and I think it’s SO important for moms to fill their own cups first.

Mom burnout should not be taken lightly, and if you feel like you are suffering, please reach out and get the help you deserve. Please keep in mind that I’m NOT a professional on this matter, just a mom sharing my story and things I’ve learned. You can absolutely love your kids like crazy and still experience mom burnout. It doesn’t mean you’re not a good mom; you just need a little extra TLC.

How to recover from mom burnout

Taking breaks and taking time to recharge

This can be so hard to do, especially if you have a tiny newborn. Take any opportunity you need to take a break and recharge, even if it’s for a short nap, a hot shower, or 10 minutes to blankly stare at the wall.

Talk it out

When you feel overwhelmed, whether you’re dealing with parenting exhaustion or life stuff, it can be so helpful to talk it out. It can be with a trusted friend, partner, or a professional, but often it can feel like a load has been lifted when you can speak your frustrations. Also, when you say things out loud, it’s easier to develop an action plan or objectively see the situation without so many emotions attached to it.

Prioritizing self care

This can be a tricky one, especially when you’re so devoted to caring for others, but I’m a big believer that you can’t pour from an empty cup. Take some time to do the self-care practices that you love in your routine, like your favorite weekly yoga class, a phone call with a friend, a hike or walk outside, time to read a book, whatever self care looks like for you. It also doesn’t have to be *all the things*; it could be one thing that you look forward to each week or each day.

Focus on the bare essentials

When you feel burned out, try to delete the unnecessary tasks from your routine. This might be something like having an impeccably clean house and crossing off all of the items on your to-do list. Keeping other humans alive, happy, and fed is a huge task, and if you accomplished this (along with feeding yourself), feel proud of yourself. <3

Do something that makes you feel like YOU

This can be something like dusting off your ukulele, reading a book, a dinner date with your partner, meeting up with a friend for a coffee, or a solo shopping trip. It can be as short as 15 minutes during naptime, but try to do something that brings you joy and that was a part of your pre-kids life that you’ve been missing.

Delegate anything you can and don’t be afraid to ask for help

Wherever it makes sense for your family and budget, outsource as many items as possible, especially the tasks that you despise. For example, if you love cooking but hate grocery shopping, try grocery delivery. If you hate cooking, try some pre-made meals each week from a service you like. (Some of my clients have found out that their husbands love to cook, so they’ve taken over the meal prep and dinner duties.) Hire someone to clean the house if that works for you (it is a lifesaver for me, and I sacrifice other things to carve this into our budget), or any other tasks that are adding additional stress. See what can be deleted, and delegate as much as you can.

Drop the mom guilt

I feel like it’s SO easy to feel guilty about so many different things, especially when there’s so much…passionate… messaging online. Whether you work from home or in the office, are a stay-at-home-mom, have a vaginal birth or c-section, breastfeed your baby, do attachment parenting, sleep routines, medical decisions, etc. People have a lot of opinions about how you choose to raise your kids. At the end of the day, you have to trust that you’re making the best decision for your family and drop as much mom guilt as you can. (This is something I’m working on myself, and often feel guilty whenever I have to work or film videos and the kids are home.)

Meet with a professional to get hormones and nutrient deficiencies addressed

When I was going through postpartum anxiety and depression, there was a lot going on (a cancer diagnosis in the family and a baby with severe reflux), but I was also facing nutrient deficiencies, sleep deprivation (this makes everything worse), and significant hormone imbalances. Once these things were addressed, the dark cloud lifted, and I finally started to feel more like myself.

If you feel off, I think it’s absolutely worth speaking with your doctor or functional medicine practitioner about developing a plan to help you feel better! Also I can’t say enough good things about therapy. It’s helped me through many situations in my life, and I’m grateful for the kind and experienced therapists out there.

Invest in relationships

Take the time to invest in the relationships that are meaningful for you. This is huge for overall health and mental wellbeing, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. Connect with your tribe and reach out to those you love, even if it’s just a quick text to say hi.

Surround yourself with positive and inspiring examples of motherhood

I’m so so thankful to be surrounded by a group of moms who also love being moms. We can share our challenging moments with each other, but we also cheer each other on, and their positivity and perspective always brings me a dose of positive energy. They want me to be a better mom, and constantly inspire me.

On the same note:

Watch out for social media. Don’t be afraid to do a social media cleanup or detox.

It took me a while to realize that social media can be triggering for me on the motherhood front. When I first had Liv, it’s like you weren’t allowed to say that anything was difficult or challenging, or you were a *bad mom.* (And I’ve totally been called this, multiple times, by strangers on the internet.) Now, on the other hand, if you exude too much happiness, you can be accused of “toxic positivity.”

I feel like a lot of the messaging around motherhood, in an effort to be *real* has ended up being extremely negative in various accounts. There was a video of a mom, giving her child a plate of alphabet chicken nuggets that spelled out “f you” to her child. The child clapped and joyfully ate the nuggets while the mom snickered behind the screen. It wasn’t *real* to me. It was cruel, and I cried after I watched the video.

I realized I like accounts of moms who share their fun adventures with their kids, and while they absolutely share snippets of more difficult experiences, on the whole, they enjoy the members of their family.

You have to assess what type of messaging you like seeing online, and act accordingly by deleting the accounts that make you feel sad, negative, encourage comparison, or that are harmful for your mental health. It also feels good to put the phone on airplane mode for a day or so every now and again. 😉

Remember that all stages of motherhood are fleeting

I used to get used to routine or habits and then within a couple of weeks, everything would change. Now that the kids are older and way more independent, I’m constantly aware of how quickly time passes. You don’t have to enjoy every single moment (especially when you’re sleep-deprived, covered in milk stains, and recovering from birth), but I think it can be helpful to remember that time really does go quickly. Before you know it, you can ask them to do their homework.. and they’ll do it… by themselves. It’s wild, I tell ya.

So tell me, friends: what motherhood accounts do you like to follow online?

Any tips for mom burnout, or burnout in general?

xoxo

Gina

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Our Favorite Healthy Fall Soup Recipes

These healthy fall soup recipes, made with real food ingredients, are nutritious and will warm you up on a chilly autumn day.

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We caught up on some things around the house, I taught a barre class, we met up with friends for dinner, and got the Fit Team workouts out for September. If you’d like to join us, the link is here!

Since we’re back in the school routine, I’ve been on the hunt for healthy and delicious recipes I can make quickly or in advance. Soups are one of our-go dinner options, because you can pack in a ton of nutrition at once, the kids love soup, and leftovers are amazing for lunch (or breakfast!).

Today I’m sharing a round up of some of our favorite heathy fall soup recipes from the blog + fellow blog friends.

Our Favorite Healthy Fall Soup Recipes

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

A delicious and hearty soup for the upcoming fall months. It freezes beautifully, and is easily reheated in the slow cooker or on the stove top.

The Best Black Bean Soup

It’s a thousand times better than my beloved black bean soup from Panera. Give it a whirl for a delicious vegetarian lunch or dinner option! It’s a savory black bean fiesta in a bowl!

Miso Noodle Soup from Kath Eats

This Miso Noodle Soup is simple to make and full of flavor! It’s a hearty, comforting and nutrient-dense meal for cooler weather and is also vegan and gluten-free.

One Pot Golden Curry Chicken Soup from Fit Foodie Finds

Get out your stock pot because we’ve got an amazing healing one pot golden curry chicken soup that is calling your name. This veggie-packed coconut curry chicken soup has a delicious flavorful broth filled with anti-inflammatory spices and includes 2 types of protein.

One Pot Everyday Lentil Soup from Minimalist Baker

An easy, everyday recipe for lentil soup with potatoes, carrots, kale, and simple herbs and seasonings. The perfect plant-based main or side that requires just 10 ingredients, 1 pot, and about 30 minutes to make.

Taco Soup from Kristen Boehmer

This taco soup is a delicious blend of ground beef, vegetables and seasonings, all simmered to perfection and topped with all the taco fixings. An easy dinner option that’s kid-friendly and quick to make! Instant Pot, Slow Cooker and Stovetop instructions included!

Outrageously Delicious Vegetable Soup from Eating Bird Food

This is the best vegetable soup! It’s loaded with fresh veggies and seasoned with plenty of spices and herbs for amazing flavor. Plus, it’s dairy-free and vegetarian.

Tell me, friends: what’s your favorite soup or chili recipe? Please share the love in the comments section below!
xoxo

Gina

You may also enjoy:

• 10 Vegan Recipes For Fall
• The Ultimate Fall Salad
• Our Go-To Easy Weeknight Dinners

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Friday Faves

Hi friends! It’s the weekend! What do you have going on? The kids have a bday party, Liv has dance, and I’m getting the new Fit Team workouts and Self Care September guide out and ready to go. Join us here!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. Please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

#1 most exciting thing on our list right now: I booked a fall trip for us to go to NYC. Last time I went was a girls’ trip with Liv in fall 2019. I can’t wait to introduce P to such a magical place, eat all the pizza, and see all the shows. Please drop any of your favorite kid-friendly shows or any must-do activities! I know P will love the Museum of Natural History – it was one of our favorite things last time.

Friday Faves

Read, watch, listen:

Where should I eat in Tucson? A bucket list for every craving. I haven’t tried all of the spots on this list but agree with Anita’s for their burritos (the tortillas are unlike anything in the world), Estrella for the best donuts of your life, Le Buzz,  Barrio Bread, but strongly disagree on Kingfisher (sorry not sorry, it’s terrible).

Indian Matchmaking. Obsessed and love it for background noise while I work!

What’s something you splurged on that was worth it?

The “corn kid” that’s all over TikTok right now. So wholesome, adorable, and relatable for so many. (TBH I hate most corn except Mexican street corn.)

This devotional. If you’ve been looking to study the Bible, but aren’t sure where to start, this is an amazing starting point. I meditate, journal, and do a bit of this devotional each day.

4 essential self-care tips.

Top Gun Maverick is out to purchase/rent on Amazon! You know we’ll be watching it on and off all weekend, in between listening to the Pilot describe all of the inaccuracies in the movie lol.

Fitness, health + good eats:

New HigherDOSE detox drops! I was able to try these out as part of their initial tester group, and they’ve finally launched! The cocoa mint flavor is lovely, and they’re packed with tons of nutrients and minerals. Code FITNESSISTA15 gets you 15% off here.

Buffalo chicken bowls with cauliflower garlic rice.

So pumped to see this list of 15 book suggestions from Julie! I haven’t read any of these, so I added quite a few to my ongoing to-read list.

A 17-minute mobility flow.

Fashion + beauty:

LOVE this off-shoulder pullover.

Been living in my Vuori joggers this week. If you haven’t treated yourself to a pair, you’ll never go back. They look super cute with a tank or tee and low-top sneakers.

Happy Friday, friends!
xo

Gina

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Fall Things To Do In Tucson

Sharing 15 of my favorite fall things to do in Tucson!

Hi friends! How’s the day going so far? I hope you’re having a great morning so far. I’m subbing a dance cardio class and then spending the rest of the day getting the September Fit Team workouts ready to go. Join us here! New workouts go out on Sunday.

August is acting like it has somewhere to be. I can’t believe that next week is already September! Fall is almost here and Tucson is absolutely dreamy in the fall. The mild weather makes it a long and beautiful season for different activities, and there are also plenty of festivals and events that can make me enjoy the season even more. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of activities that you can do to experience the beauty of fall in all its glory in Tucson. I’d love to hear some local friends chime in the comments if I’m missing anything!

15 Fall Things To Do In Tucson

1) All Souls Procession Weekend

All Souls Procession is one of my favorite activities of the entire year. This year, it’s November 4th – November 6th. You can check out details and photos here. This event draws so many different types of people and they all walk the parade route together, with their faces beautifully painted, costumes, and carrying handmade ofrendas to honor those who have passed. With all of the division in the world, it’s a great reminder that we’re all human; it’s a meaningful experience that our entire family enjoys.

From their website:

The All Souls Procession is one of the most important, inclusive and authentic public ceremonies in North America today. The Procession had its beginnings in 1990 with a ceremonial performance piece created by local artist Susan Johnson. Johnson was grieving the passing of her father, and as an artist, she found solace in a creative, celebratory approach to memorializing him. Says Johnson, “From the beginning, it was different people’s ethnic groups, different cultures, but also it was all these different art forms put together.”

After its inception, many artists were inspired to continue, growing the Procession into its modern incarnation. Today we find ourselves organizing well over 150,000 participants on the streets of downtown Tucson for a two-mile long human-powered procession that ends in the ceremonial burning of “The Urn”.

The Urn is filled with the hopes, offerings and wishes of the public for those who have passed.Myriad altars, performers, installation art, and creatives of all kinds collaborate to prepare their offerings for this amazing event. The All Souls Procession Weekend is Honors the Ancestors and our lost loved ones and Celebrates Life.

2) Cowboy cookout at Tanque Verde Ranch

We LOVE the cowboy cookout at Tanque Verde Ranch, and it’s one of our favorite dinner spots to take out-of-town guests. It’s outdoors, so we can enjoy the dreamy Tucson fall weather, they have live music, BBQ buffet (the cobbler is to.die.for) and the BEST prickly pear margaritas. Even better? Turn it into a little staycation!

3) Sonoran Desert Museum

Our Desert Museum is truly a unique Tucson experience, and when the weather is nicer, you’re able to see more animals. There’s a gorgeous butterfly exhibit, and you have the chance to see desert foxes, javelinas, scorpions (AHH), and other desert creatures up close and personal. This one is a huge hit with the kids. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s worth it!

4) Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival

Marana has really upped their game in the past few years, and what used to be a smaller pumpkin patch with a petting zoo and a couple of activities has turned into a full-out fall festival. They have multiple rides (including swings, slides, a Corn-ado spinning ride, a train), lots of amazing food, games, and activities for the entire family. Definitely check it out! A little insider tip: go at the beginning of the season instead of closer to Halloween.

5) Apple Annie’s Produce and Pumpkins

Apple Annie’s is an orchard and farm located in Williams, AZ (about an hour and 15 minutes from Tucson). You can pick your own produce, including apples and peaches, and they also have a corn maze and craft fair to look forward to in September and October. Get the pie – you won’t regret it!

6) Tucson Meet Yourself Festival

October 7,8,9 2022 in Downtown Tucson. Three days of music, dance, folk arts, and food from Tucson’s many cultures. My family and I refer to this event as Tucson Eat Yourself, because you’ll just go and eat all of the delicious food, including elote, kettle corn, tacos, and shaved ice from many street vendors. While you enjoy your meal, you can watch some of the performances from local musicians and dancers, representing a variety of cultures.

7) Tombstone Hellorado Days

We haven’t taken the kids to Tombstone yet, but I feel like they’re the perfect ages, especially since Liv is very into history. Helldorado is held every third Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October and consists of gunfight re-enactment shows, street entertainment, fashion shows and other entertainment.

8) Reid Park Zoo

We have a small zoo here in Tucson, which makes it ideal for spending an hour or two with kids. They usually host a Halloween event with elaborate light displays and treak-or-treating stations.

9) A trail ride at TRAK or Tanque Verde Ranch

A trail ride is the perfect way to enjoy the weather, some time outdoors, and enjoy a novel experience you may not get to do all the time (unless you’re P, who is a professional). Both TRAK and Tanque Verde Ranch offer trial rides for various riding experience levels and lengths of time.

10) Mount Lemmon Oktoberfest

Mount Lemmon is a Tucson treasure. It’s 45 minutes to an hour away, and the scenery changes dramatically. You leave cacti and brown dirt for enormous pine trees, greenery, and much cooler weather (20-30 degrees colder!). They have an Oktoberfest event, or you can even head up for the day to picnic, hike, and enjoy pizza and a cookie from the Cookie Cabin.

11) Pima Air and Space Museum

This is another one of our spots to take out-of-town guests, particularly because the Pilot has a couple of plaques and patches on display. It’s fun to see the various aircraft, especially with our Tucson Davis-Monthan Air Force Base history, and the exhibits are amazing.

12) Live music in downtown Tucson at Hotel Congress Plaza

Hotel Congress frequently has live music on the weekends, and it’s a great place to enjoy a cocktail and some music/dancing. They feature local artists and also small booths from artisans, including handmade accessories and jewelry. Bonus: have dinner at BATA and then head to Hotel Congress to music and drinks.

13) Buckelew Farm Terror in the Corn Maze

Buckelew Farm is a bit of a hike (around an hour) and they have a huge pumpkin patch + haunted attractions if that’s your thing (it’s not my thing lol). You can check out the details here if you’re looking for a spookier experience.

14) Hike Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon is my favorite hiking destination in Tucson. You can explore many of the trails, or take a tram ride to the top and walk down. You can check out All Trails and a full guide to hiking Sabino Canyon here. You can often see water and wildlife on the trail, and the views are spectacular.

15) Gaslight fall show- The Wizard of the Rings

Gaslight is another Tucson treasure! Their melodramas are always loosely based on popular shows and movies, and the audience is encouraged to cheer for the hero and boo for the villain. They serve popcorn and a full 50s diner menu as you enjoy the show.

What are some local fall events that you look forward to each year?

xo

Gina

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How to break up your workout days

Sharing some ideas how to to put your weekly plan together and break up your workout days to optimize performance and recovery!

Hi friends! How is the week going? I hope you’re having a lovely morning so far! I had a call with our amazing travel agent regarding spring 2023 travel (the best) and am putting the Fit Team workouts together for September. If you’d like to join us for Self Care September (focusing on workout nutrition and self care strategies), join us here! Anyone who signs up today will also receive a custom nutrition guide a thank you from me to you 🙂

For today’s post, I’m chatting about breaking up your workout days and how to do this strategically. I’m a big fan of split training throughout the week. It can help you strength different areas of the body, giving you enough time to recover, and also freedom to control the way you train.  Today, I’m sharing practical tips to help my reader friends break up their workout days and get the most out of their training routine.

(Please keep in mind that while I’m a certified personal trainer, I’m providing general information for educational purposes. This is not medical advice. Always seek out the help of your doctor before starting or changing your fitness routine.)

How to break up your workout days

Whole Body Split

This type of split involves a total body workout each time you train. The benefits of this type of training is that you’re able to use more fancy and *fun* compound-type movements, working multiple muscle groups at once, and due to peripheral action training, your heart rate may higher, which indicates a higher calorie burn during the workout. I like working total body for my beginner clients (focusing on bodyweight-only exercises first), and also my clients who have significant weight loss goals.

The downside of this type of training is that it may be harder to hit muscle fatigue, which encourages muscle growth, and that you shouldn’t ideally train your entire body two days in a row. I’d recommend alternating total body workouts with rest and cardio.

Upper / Lower Split

This is when you work your upper body one day (back, shoulders, chest, triceps, biceps), and your lower body on a different day (hamstrings, glutes, core, calves). The benefits of this type of training are that you’re able to strength train on consecutive days (upper body one day, lower body the following day), and  you’re more easily able to add volume and load to a specific muscle group. This can encourage muscle development, which is the *toned and lean* look so many of us are after.

My personal favorite way to set up a split is upper body one day, lower body the following day, and a total body circuit on a different day. This is how I set up most of our Fit Team workouts, too.

4-Day Split

For your four-day split, there are a few different ways you can do this:

upper body, lower body, and two total body days

and antagonist or synergistic muscle training.

Antagonist muscle groups

This type of training involves working opposing muscle groups, like chest and back one day, biceps and triceps the following, hamstrings and calves, and shoulders and calves (they’re kind of on their own lol). This is especially effective for superset-style workouts, because you can move directly from one set to the next, allowing the opposing muscle group to rest. (When one of the antagonist muscles is contracting, the opposing muscle is stretching.)

The main benefit of this type of training is serious muscle-building capability. If you’re looking for gains, possibly try out this style of training.

Synergistic muscle groups

This is when you use agonist muscles (the ones that work together to perform a movement). An example of this would be:

shoulders, chest and triceps,

legs and core

back and biceps.

This is another one of my favorite ways to train, and another great way to build muscle. I would recommend this type of training for friends who want to see serious muscle definition, improve their metabolism, and have three days to strength train each week.

Workout Split Samples

Your workout split will depend on different variables, including the equipment you have access to use, your current training level, what you enjoy (!), and your fitness goals. The key here is to figure out how many days per week you want to strength train. I like to hit each muscle group at least twice per week (on non-consultive days or within the same workout), and make sure I have at least 1-2 days of full rest each week.

If you need help planning out your workouts for the week, join us in Fit Team! I also have a free PDF here on how to create your workout schedule and set up your plan. If you’re looking for personalized training plans, my 1:1 coaching application is here.

Have a wonderful morning and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo

Gina

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Sharing my full review of the HigherDOSE sauna blanket and if I think it’s worth it. This post isn’t sponsored, but I use and love this thing SO MUCH. The company generously offered a discount code for you all if you’re interested in trying it! Use FITNESSISTA15 for 15% off at this link (<— affiliate link).

Hi friends! How’s the week going? I hope you’re having a good one so far. We met up with friends for dinner and I caught a glorious hot yoga class.

For today’s post, I’m sharing an updated review of my beloved sauna blanket, the HigherDOSE. Every time I post about this magical wonder on Instagram stories, I’m flooded with questions. I did quite a bit of research before I finally decided to go for it, so I’m breaking it all down in this post.

I’ve now used this beauty for over a year and have so many great things to say about it. It’s become one of the non-negotiables in my weekly health practice and makes a huge difference in my skin and mood.

HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket Review

What is the HigherDOSE sauna blanket and how does it work?

The HigherDOSE sauna blanket is an at-home and portable version of an infrared sauna. It uses infrared heat (which heats your body from the inside out, not the other way around), along with healing tourmaline crystals, clay, and a charcoal layer (which all generate negative ions). It’s made of nontoxic materials and is extremely low EMF, so it’s not emitting radiation throughout your body while you’re relaxing and sweating.

To set it up, you just unroll the blanket and plug it in! You can easily adjust the heat settings with the remote and I usually give it about 10 minutes or so to heat up.

Benefits of infrared sauna:

Sauna means “bath house” in Finnish and heat as therapy has been used for thousands of years. Infrared technology was born in the late 1800s. Over time, saunas have been used for so many things, including healing and preventing illness, for burial preparation, and for childbirth. (It was fascinating to read a bit about the history of saunas here!) It encompassed the circle of life and heat was thought to be a powerful protective and life-giving force.

Obviously technology has changed a ton since then, but today many people still use saunas for the health and restorative benefits. You can find them at gyms, at the spa, and many people own one in their home. Saunas can potentially help with aging, illness, detoxification, healthy skin, increased blood flow, decreased anxiety, muscle soreness, relaxation, and improved mood. Not everyone is on board with the detoxification aspect (some say it’s a myth, but I’m a huge believer in the detoxifying power of a good sweat) and I notice that it makes my skin glow, my mood is improved, and I feel zen and relaxed when it’s a regular part of my routine.

(All wrapped up and sweating like a happy Chipotle burrito.)

Here are some pros and cons about the HigherDOSE option:

Pros:

 – It’s small and portable!! I would LOVE to have a full-sized infrared sauna in our house, but we have zero room here. It would be something weird I’d have to build into the closet. I also thought about a backyard option but when you live in AZ, the thought of a snake or scorpion making its way into the sauna is a very real fear. This gives you the same infrared benefits but it’s small, compact, and you can move it around easily. I typically use it on the floor of my office or in the living room.

– It feels AMAZING. I’m borderline addicted to how great it makes me feel and could use it every single day. (I usually have time to do it 3-4 times a week, usually after I get the crew to bed! I just listen to a podcast or pop a show on the iPad.) I love a serious sweat and it just fills me with endorphins. My skin looks brighter after I use it, I sleep like a baby, and I haven’t noticed any muscle soreness even though I’ve been pushing it with my strength workouts.

Cons:

– I’ve come back to this post three times and still can’t think of any. I’ve been extremely happy with it and haven’t found any issues or pain points. My only downside was that the older version of the blanket had a Velco closure; they’ve updated with a super easy-to-use zipper closure.

Tips for using the HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket:

When you use the blanket be sure the read the instruction manual and guidelines, but these are just some of my tips:

– Plug it in and let it heat up for about 10 minutes. Make sure it’s on a flat, fireproof surface.

– Figure out your sauna outfit of choice. They recommend being fully clothed in the blanket with lightweight and breathable options. I wear lightweight cotton jogger pants, a tank with a long-sleeved tee over it, and full socks. I also put a small towel under my tailbone or my booty gets too hot from pressing against the blanket on the tile. They just added a sauna insert that you can use instead, too!

– Find something to entertain you during your sauna time. It’s very hard to read a book because you don’t want to keep sliding your arms out to turn the page, but a TV show or movie, audiobook or podcast all work well.

– Sweat it out! You can play around with the heat settings and time to see what works best for you, and I recommend working your way up instead of starting too hot or too long. You’ll find that your heart rate will increase a bit and you’ll start to sweat. It feels amazing. My sweet spot is 35 minutes at level 7. (I always set a timer on my phone so I don’t fall asleep!)

– After I get out of the blanket, I open it up to start drying, and hop in the shower. After I shower, the blanket has cooled down a bit so I can thoroughly clean it with one of these wipes. These are the same cleaning wipes I use for the Peloton! I always unplug the power supply cord when I’m done using it.

– I let it dry completely before folding it and sliding it under my bed to store. (Make sure the cord isn’t wrapped or bundled when you store it. Try to keep it lightly looped.)

– For travel, they also have a super handy travel bag! I’m brining it with me for all future road trips.

That’s it! If you decide to try it out, use the code FITNESSISTA15 here for 15% off. It’s my favorite purchase in a LONG time. I also use and love their PEMF Go Mat and red light face mask. My discount code FITNESSISTA15 works on all of these things.

Here’s a quick video on how to use the HigherDOSE sauna blanket:

So tell me friends: are you a sauna fan or not so much?

What’s your #1 fave way to unwind?

xo

Gina

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Friday Faves + San Diego fun

Hi friends! Happy Friday! How was the week? Liv went back to dance this week and P heads back to soccer next week, so we’re officially back in the fall hustle. I’m looking forward to catching a hot yoga class with a friend this morning before doing the work thing. 🙂

Some fun things from lately:

the Pilot and I celebrated our 15th anniversary yesterday! The girl in this pic had no idea what the future would hold, and how we’d have these perfect, amazing, beautiful babies. Feeling very blessed to share this life with a man I love so much.

Our gifts to each other: we spent the day doing not much at all, and it was everything.

It’s been so busy the past couple of months that we were talking about how incredible it would be to just sit around all day and watch TV and enjoy each other’s company. I introduced the Pilot to F45, we drank coffee, ate fresh sourdough, and planned out travel and events until next summer, and then I took a nap while the Pilot caught up on some work. It was the low-key and lovely day we’d both been craving.

We took the babies with us for anniversary dinner at Vivace, which is a classic Tucson Italian restaurant with gorgeous views of the foothills. We shared antipasto, escargot (Liv’s fave), enjoyed amazing entrees, wine, and dessert. It was the perfect way to celebrate.

I’m looking forward to a weekend at home after being gone for a few weeks, even though we had the best time in San Diego last weekend! We drove up for the weekend to celebrate Max’s Bar Mitzvah. We’ve known Max forever – his mom Betsy is one of my BFFs and her husband and the Pilot are also good friends – so we knew we had to be there for such a special occasion. We got into San Diego early evening, and took the kids directly to Belmont Park to ride all the rides (don’t take your children on the rickety old roller coaster just FYI) and a late dinner at Crack Shack.

I pretty much never eat fried chicken. It’s greasy, makes me feel tired, and often hurts my stomach, so I skip it. Crack Shack fried chicken is a gold star, not greasy, and always worth it to me. I had some crispy nuggets on my salad (tossed with spicy buffalo sauce) and it was so so good. (They also use quality ingredients so I didn’t feel sick at all afterwards.) Also highly recommend the biscuits with honey miso butter. YUM.

Saturday morning, we had Naked Cafe for breakfast, and then hung out at OB and let the kids run around in the waves. We made quick stop at Nordstrom for shoes for the kids (they outgrow everything in 4 seconds right now), and then got ready for the Bar Mitzvah. The ceremony was at Congregation Beth Israel and was so incredibly beautiful and meaningful. We loved the music, and we so impressed watching Max read from the Torah and saying the speech he’d practiced so much.

(Dress is here, P’s dress is here on sale now, and Liv’s dress is here)

After the ceremony, we went to Betsy and Jeremy’s for the big fiesta! An event company completely transformed their house into Max’s Cantina, with a taco stand and fresh tortillas, tons of appetizers, live mariachis, a full bar, a churro and ice cream station, and vintage video games in the backyard for the kids. It was a BLAST. I didn’t take a ton of pics of the incredible decor, but the company did a reel if you want to check it out for party inspo!

We stayed late and partied, and then ended up driving back to Tucson late Sunday afternoon. We all agreed that the trip was way too short, but will definitely be back soon. We can never really stay away for very long.

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

Read, watch, listen:

It’s ok to have no purpose beyond being and enjoying this moment.

New season of Never Have I Ever is out! Has anyone watched it??

What do you consider your expertise to be?

Fashion + beauty:

Don’t forget to check out this post with fall fashion finds.

If you’re looking for back-to-school bows for the kids, I highly recommend this set from Amazon. The bows are gorgeous quality and super inexpensive.

Barefoot Dreams at Nordstrom Rack! If you’ve been wanting a cardigan, they have them here and they rarely go on sale. It’s the best to wear around the house when you’re chilly (or with pajamas) and also an excellent gift for postpartum mamas.

Fitness, health, + good eats:

Can’t wait to try this cilantro lime grilled shrimp.

I just found out that they’re raising the cost of IHP enrollment next month. If you’d like to join me – I’m cranking away at Level 1!- the link is here! Use FITNESSISTA for a discount. If you sign up now, you’ll receive access to the new bonuses they’ll be offering: biweekly live Zoom calls with Dr. Cabral’s team of experienced IHP coaches.

Each week we’ll focus on a different topic from the DESTRESS protocol (Level 1) or functional health labs and related protocols (Level 2). This is unlike any other support offered when going through a Health Coach Certification and I’m SO pumped to be able to learn even more. Be my study buddy here.

I want to try this taco salad pasta with Banza pasta – I think the kids will love it.

15 chickpea recipes.

Lean machine total body workout.

Hope you have a happy weekend!
xoxo

Gina

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Fall Wardrobe Essentials

Sharing some of my favorite fashion finds for fall + some new wardrobe essentials.

Helloooooo! How’s the week going? I hope you’re having a great morning so far! I’m subbing a class at the gym and meeting with a friend for coffee afterwards. It’s been raining a ton here in Tucson lately (summer monsoons are the best) and it’s cooled down a bit. While we’re definitely not ready for boots and sweaters here, it’s making me very excited for fall.

For today’s post, I thought I’d share some of the fall fashion picks that I have my eye on + some wardrobe essentials. I’d love to hear what you’re scoping out for fall and if there are any trends this season that you actually like. Fashion has been a bit weird the past couple of years, but I tend to stick to the classics, like blazers, sweater dresses, cute headbands, and cozy sweaters over the fall and winter season.

Here are some of my top picks!

Fall Wardrobe Essentials

Tops and sweaters

This gorgeous cut-out sweater. I have one from last year and wore it all the time.

Classic v-neck button-up.

This recycled cashmere wrap sweater.

This off-shoulder pullover.

Outerwear and blazers

Classic black blazer.

LOVE this plaid blazer.

This lightweight star jacket.

Dresses and skirts

I want this sweater dress in every color.

This floral dress would be so cute with booties or heeled sandals.

These sleeves are everything.

The perfect date night dress.

Jewelry and accessories

These hoops look expensive but are $28.

This leopard hair clip.

This versatile crossbody.

A hot pink pop of color.

This gold link bracelet.

Loooove this logo hinge bracelet.

Boots and shoes

Classic brown loafers.

This ankle strap sandal.

Water-resistant Chelsea boots.

Jeans

High-waist straight leg jeans.

These ankle jeans.

I think this jean wash is perfection.

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

xoxo

Gina

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How Not to Kill Your Houseplant

Sharing tips on how to not kill your houseplant and keep indoor plants alive and thriving!

The Pilot says I used to have a gangrene thumb. I was the person who’d walk through the plant shop and plants would instantly recoil in fear that I would bring them home. The unlucky chosen ones were brought into our house, neglected, and lived a sad, yet quick, death.

With a huge learning curve, over past handful of years, I’ve really turned things around! We now have a full garden with lots of herbs and veggies, multiple thriving indoor houseplants, and the legendary Frida, our 10 ft-ish fiddle leaf fig.

Houseplants can make such a difference in home decor and the overall vibe of the house! They can help purify air and can also add more style and character to your home. Plants naturally grow in the wild but you can recreate a plant’s natural habitat indoors. Today, I’m sharing some tips that can help my horticulturally challenged friends out there kiss their black thumb goodbye and keep your plants alive thriving inside your homes.

How Not to Kill Your Houseplant

Choosing plants wisely

Don’t be afraid to start with an “easier” plant, like a succulent, lavender, aloe, cacti, spider plant, or my fave easy plant, the Heart leaf Philodendron. This post has a list of popular houseplants. Check out the tag to see how much sunlight and water they need and plan accordingly for the type of care that’s required. Succulents and cacti need very little water (too much can give them wet feet and soggy roots), while aloe needs a bit more, and the Heart leaf Philodendron likes to dry out a little and then be completely drenched.

Put plants in the right spot

Sunlight is a critical factor, as some plants need a lot of sun and others don’t need much at all. Before making your purchase, check out the tag of the plant or do a quick google search to see how much light they prefer. Our fiddle leaf fig loves being in a large south-facing window, which receives hours of indirect sun. Other plants in the house do well with indirect sun from various windows. When you bring your plant home, place it into its spot in the same pot you brought home from the nursery. This way it can get used to its new environment before experiencing the stress of repotting.

Choose the right pot

Check the bottom the pot and make sure that it has a drainage hole. You want to make sure the soil can drain, otherwise you may experience root rot. If you really love the pot you want to use but it doesn’t have a drainage hole, you can place the plant in its plastic pot inside of the larger pot. This way, you can remove the plant to water and drain, then put it back into its decorative pot.

Keep plants nourished

Seek out a good fertilizer for your plant and use this twice a year. I like to do this in the spring and fall. I’ll typically lurk Amazon reviews or ask someone at the plant shop what they recommend. Many plants don’t end up needing fertilizer, but it can make a difference in the overall health and growth of the plant.

Avoid overwatering and underwatering

Probably my #1 tip for plants is to use a water meter. This is the best way to tell if your plants need water! Many people believe in giving their plants a bit of water every day, but the method that’s worked best for me is to wait for them to dry out a little (a 2-3 on the water meter) and then a drench the heck out of them. Here is the water meter that I use! Also, plants love showers if you want to water them in the shower!

Cleaning dusty leaves

When the leaves are dusty, it makes it more challenging to absorb sunlight and for photosynthesis to occur. Use a mister and a paper towel or soft cloth to gently clean the leaves. I’ve heard of people using neem oil (and even mayonnaise!) to clean their plant’s leaves, but I find that good ol’ filtered water works the best.

Use sharp scissors for cutting dead leaves / branches

Don’t be afraid to cut off dead leaves or branches. Also if your plant has any brown spots on the leaves, you can gently trim this using a pair of scissors. When I was first getting used to caring for our fiddle leaf fig, I had some brown spots that the plant was constantly using its energy to try and repair. My nana told me to cut off the brown spots at the edges of the leaves, and it made a huge difference.

Use artificial lights as needed

If you find that your plant isn’t getting enough sunlight or may need an extra boost, you can use a grow light at home. Amazon has so many of these!

Rotate plants regularly

This way your plant won’t have an obvious front and back, but instead will stay growing upright and will look nice on all sides. I like to rotate my larger plants every three months.

Groom your plants

Take a look at your plants and make sure to trim off any dead leaves, remove any mushrooms (a sign of healthy soil), and trim them as needed if they start to get out of hand. 

Address root rot as needed

If you notice that your plant is looking soggy, dropping leaves, yellowing or brown leaves despite regular watering, it may have root rot. This is a helpful post with signs that your plant may have root rot and what you can do about it. In may cases, you can absolutely rescue your plant from root rot.

Check for pests

Check your plants from pests (here are some common ones!) and address accordingly by removing the pests and cleaning the leaves.

Filter your water

This seems like it wouldn’t make a difference, but it has absolutely helped with the leaves of some of our plants. Even if you don’t filter for regular watering, try using filtered water to clean the leaves. Our water in Tucson is extremely hard, so when I switched to Berkey filtered water for the leaves, the plants started to look much healthier.

Give them attention… but not too much attention.

This is a huge one. At first I wanted to give my plants ALL the attention. I watered them daily, played Michael Bublé, and turns out that’s a great way to assassinate your houseplant. So, I water when they dry out, clean the leaves, and then otherwise, play it cool. 😉 I love having an oasis of of happy flourishing plants.

What plant tips am I missing? Are you a green thumb or a plant killer?

Have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya tomorrow with a fashion post 🙂

xoxo

Gina

More:

How to take care of your fiddle leaf fig

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What I read in July

Sharing the books I read in July and if I’d recommend adding them to your list!

Hi friends! How are ya? Hope you’re enjoying the morning so far! We’re back from a super quick trip to San Diego to celebrate Max’s Bar Mitzvah. I wish we could have stayed longer (!), but we managed to do as many San Diego adventures (and eat as much as much amazing food) as possible. I’ll share some more pics and adventures in this week’s Friday Faves.

For today’s post, I’m sharing the books I read last month! I’ve been slacking a little bit on IHP studying, but managed to read five books in July. Sharing the goods (and not-so-good…) below! If there’s anything I need to add to my list this fall, please lmk!

(Suit is here. One of my faves!)

What I Read in July

The Alchemist

The Alchemist seemed to me like one of those books that “everyone has to read.” It’s received overwhelming positive reviews, is frequently recommended in my online book groups, and I appreciated it was rejected by various publishing houses before becoming a worldwide sensation. It reminds me of a fable, and is very short and easy to read. It’s based on the story of a shepard named Santiago who seeks out to find treasure and various characters and situations he encounters on the way. Despite obstacles during his journey, he remains dedicated to achieving his “Personal Legend.”

The Alchemist demonstrates that the journey can sometimes be more important that the destination, the importance of staying committed to our goals, and that our desired destination sometimes isn’t what we truly need or expect.  While I did enjoy the message behind the book, it’s not in my top five favorite books. I felt like I could have read the Cliff’s Notes synopsis and been completely satisfied. My rating: 6/10

From Amazon:

 Paulo Coelho’s enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is art eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

The Obesity Code

I’ve heard Dr. Jason Fung speak on a few podcasts and really appreciate his perspective and knowledge, so I was excited to read his book, The Obesity Code. Just a heads up, if you order this, make sure you receive the correct version! I ordered a copy from this page, and received a book that was actually written by Dr. Jason K. FUNG, aka a bot based out of another country. I’ll share some of the text on IG stories, but the Pilot refused to let me return it because we were cackling with laughter reading it.

Sooooo once you have the correct version, I highly recommend. He explores the tie between insulin resistance and many of the common health issues we face today as a society, as well as an action plan for how to maintain more stable blood sugar and improve insulin response. He also dives into obesity and why weight loss can be so difficult to maintain, as it diminishes your metabolic baseline. It was a valuable and enjoyable read, but some portions were redundant, so I give it a 9/10.

From Amazon:

Everything you believe about how to lose weight is wrong. Weight gain and obesity are driven by hormones – in everyone – and only by understanding the effects of insulin and insulin resistance can we achieve lasting weight loss.

In this highly listenable and provocative book, Dr. Jason Fung sets out an original, robust theory of obesity that provides startling insights into proper nutrition. In addition to his five basic steps – a set of lifelong habits that will improve your health and control your insulin levels – Dr. Fung explains how to use intermittent fasting to break the cycle of insulin resistance and reach a healthy weight – for good.

It Ends with Us

My first Colleen Hoover book and I was excited to see if it lived up to the hype! I read the entire book in one sitting (on our flight to Hawaii), and was locked in the entire time. Even though the plot is very good (trigger warning: contains domestic abuse), I found her writing to be lackluster. Don’t throw anything at me, but after reading so much vivid and descriptive storytelling over the past couple of years, it felt like there was so much untapped potential. Even so, I’ll absolutely be reading more of her books. 7/10

From Amazon:

 Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

One Italian Summer

This was probably my second favorite read of the summer (next to Book Lovers). I also read this book in one sitting (the flight home from Hawaii) and it was magical. I LOVED that it was set in the Amalfi Coast (I’m drying to go back) and I really love this author’s style of writing. She also wrote In Five Years, which I highly recommend. 10/10 if you’re looking for a breezy and enjoyable read.

From Amazon:

When Katy’s mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn’t just Katy’s mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all the answers and now, when Katy needs her the most, she is gone. To make matters worse, their planned mother-daughter trip of a lifetime looms: to Positano, the magical town where Carol spent the summer right before she met Katy’s father. Katy has been waiting years for Carol to take her, and now she is faced with embarking on the adventure alone.

But as soon as she steps foot on the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to feel her mother’s spirit. Buoyed by the stunning waters, beautiful cliffsides, delightful residents, and, of course, delectable food, Katy feels herself coming back to life.

And then Carol appears—in the flesh, healthy, sun-tanned, and thirty years old. Katy doesn’t understand what is happening, or how—all she can focus on is that she has somehow, impossibly, gotten her mother back. Over the course of one Italian summer, Katy gets to know Carol, not as her mother, but as the young woman before her. She is not exactly who Katy imagined she might be, however, and soon Katy must reconcile the mother who knew everything with the young woman who does not yet have a clue.

Rebecca Serle’s next great love story is here, and this time it’s between a mother and a daughter. With her signature “heartbreaking, redemptive, and authentic” (Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author) prose, Serle has crafted a transcendent novel about how we move on after loss, and how the people we love never truly leave us.

The Bodyguard

This was a Book of the Month find, and while I wasn’t super excited about the plot, I figured I’d give it a whirl. I LOVED this book. The writing was witty, the storyline was sweet and unexpected, and the whole book was a lighthearted treat. If you’re looking for a light cupcake of a book, definitely check this one out. 10/10

From Amazon:

She’s got his back.

Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka “bodyguard”), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.

He’s got her heart.

Jack Stapleton’s a household name―captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.

They’ve got a secret.

When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah―against her will and her better judgment―finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it.

What could possibly go wrong???

Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.

I’m still using Book of the Month, but I’ve skipped it for a few months because I haven’t been intrigued by their latest selections. Crossing my fingers that they’ll offer more this fall that I want to read!

So, tell me, friends: what’s the best book you read lately?

What’s on your list right now?

xoxo

Gina

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