Friday Faves 11.17

Hi friends! Happy Friday! How are you? I hope you’ve enjoyed the week. I feel like it was our first *real* week back in the world. I started to ease my way back into workouts, the girls were back at school, and we got to celebrate my birthday with the fam.

I just wanted to get together for brunch, so we had a lovely brunch at First Watch with our small party of 15 🙂

We had the BEST gluten-free funfetti cake from Lovin’ Spoonfuls with buttercream frosting:

(fun inside scoop: I went to high school with their pastry chef and we order the cake from her every year. I also look forward to it all year! My favorite cake in the world.)

And the rest of the day was perfect and low-key. I read a book, we had a Pilot-cooked dinner here at home, and watched Home Alone. The rest of the week has flown by in a blur and I’m looking forward to the weekend!

Liv has a birthday party and one of her friends is sleeping over, I’m getting a much-needed mani pedi, we’re going out to dinner, and decorating for Christmas. Since we’re traveling next week, my favorite grinch gave the green light to decorate early. Usually he’s the captain of team “Honor the Bird” but he’s making an exception this year.

Flashback to our enormous tree! Frida is too big to move her now. 😉

I’d love to hear what you have going on!

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. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section  below.

Friday Faves 11.17

Fitness, health, and good eats:

SO many Black Friday deals are happening early. Here are some of my faves so far:

– You can use XOGINAH for 25% off Sakara. I LOVE their meal delivery – it’s something I do to treat myself once a month – and their snacks and supplements. The meals are fresh, vibrant, energizing, and beautiful. I highly recommend giving it a try — this is their best sale of the whole year.

– FITNESSISTA20 will get you 20% off at HigherDOSE. (My regular code is FITNESSISTA15 for 15%.) I use their sauna blanket, PEMF Go Mat, Red Light Face Mask, and Red Light Neck enhancer on a regular basis. I’ve notice a huge difference in my energy, mood, skin, and sleep since I’ve started implementing their amazing products. Check it out here and you can read a roundup of my favorite HigherDOSE products in this post.

– My favorite rower is on sale for the only time this year. If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your home gym, I highly recommend Aviron. It stores vertically and is the best quality rower I’ve used. You can stream Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and play games while you row. I’m totally going to row and watch some Friends episodes this weekend. (If you’re curious about the rower and have questions, send me an Instagram DM. I’d love to help! My full blog post review is here, too.)

– If you have anything in your cart from EquiLife, wait until Monday! Same goes for Organifi. 😉

Read, watch, listen:

I started Fourth Wing to see if it lives up to the hype, and while fantasy usually isn’t my go-to genre, I’m completely sucked in. The writing is excellent and it’s super intense so far! The only problem is that I read it before bed and have weird dragon dreams lol.

Check out this week’s podcast episode here! We’re chatting about immune system tips and food allergies.

What holiday coupons would your kids love?

FINALLY. Sheesh.

Fashion + beauty:

I have to admit that Nap Dresses 100% live up to their reputation. (They’re 30% off right now!) It’s super flattering and comfortable and now I want every color. (I’m trying to decide if I like this style or the Somerset more)

Wore this slip dress this week with a cardigan and GG low-tops. The quality is excellent and they have so many colors.

Happy Friday, friends! Did you decorate already or are you waiting until after Thanksgiving?
xo

Gina

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144: Immune system tips and food allergies with Kate Ares

Hi friends! I have a new podcast episode up with my good friend Kate Ares. 

Here’s what we talk about:

– Her *many lives* and her amazing background and story

– Immune system tips as we head into the holidays and winter season

– Her experience navigating food allergies for her children and how they’ve improved their allergies

– Her tips for staying Healthy in Real Life

and so much more.

Here’s more about Kate and her background:

Hi! I am Kate Ares. I am a registered nurse, nurse coach, and mother. My husband, Nate, and I have two daughters, Elora and Olive, a son, Bowman, and our first baby, a German Shepard, Willow. Throughout my life and career, I have found that I am passionate about helping people build confidence through self-trust, discipline and curiosity. It is through my personal journey I discovered my path in becoming and creating The Wholesum Nurse.

You can check out her Instagram here and her website here.

 

More resources from this episode:

I love love love the meals from Sakara Life! Use this link and the code XOGINAH for 25% off their meal delivery and clean boutique items (early Black Friday deal). This is something I do once a month as a lil treat to myself and the meals are always showstoppers.

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission. You can absolutely join if you don’t currently work in the health or fitness industry; many IHPs don’t begin on this path. They’re friends who are passionate to learn more about health and wellness, and want to share this information with those they love. You can do this as a passion, or start an entirely new career.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I highly recommend it! You can check out my review IHP Level 1 here! I just finished IHP2 and will share a review of my experience, too.

I’m still obsessed with my sauna blanket. This is one of my favorite ways to relax and sweat it out. I find that it energizes me, helps with aches and pains, I sleep better on the days I use this, and it makes my skin glow. Link to check it out here. You can also use my discount (FITNESSISTA20 for Black Friday deals or my regular code FITNESSISTA15) for the PEMF Go Mat, which I use every day, and the red light face mask, which is a staple in my weekly skincare routine.

Get 15% off Organifi with the code FITNESSISTA. I drink the green juice, red juice, gold, and Harmony! (Each day I might have something different, or have two different things. Everything I’ve tried is amazing.)

Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and 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. 

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Gluten-free Thanksgiving Menu

Sharing a full Thanksgiving menu that’s entirely gluten-free! Check out the details below. 

Hi friends! How’s the week going? I hope you’re having a great one so far. I’m here cranking through work and really, really looking forward to Thanksgiving next week – my favorite holiday!

Thanksgiving is almost always celebrated with an elaborate spread of food, desserts, and drinks, and some traditional Thanksgiving dishes, such as gravy, stuffing, casserole, etc. may contain gluten. Some members of your family (or you!) may have gluten intolerances or may be gluten-free. Planning a gluten-free Thanksgiving menu may seem daunting, but how there are plenty of gluten-free dishes you can prepare that are just as good as any traditional Thanksgiving recipes. Today, I’m sharing a gluten-free Thanksgiving menu to help you create a spread everyone can enjoy!

*Note: if any family members are Celiac, please be extra mindful of cross-contamination. 

Here is a roundup of delicious meals that you can enjoy on Thanksgiving – all of these are gluten-free, and many of them are vegan, too!

Gluten-free Thanksgiving Menu

The Best Thanksgiving Turkey in all the land

The turkey is the star of the show, and while it can seem daunting, it’s really super easy with this foolproof brine recipe. It makes the turkey super moist and delicious!!

The easiest turkey gravy

This recipe is not designed to be gluten-free, but just swap out the flour for your favorite gluten-free flour. I love Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 baking blend.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Forget the marshmallows (don’t throw anything at me) but I prefer a crumble-esque topping! This one uses oats; just make sure they’re certified gluten-free.

Pulled BBQ Chicken Deviled Eggs

I don’t know what it is about deviled eggs, but they disappear so quickly at any holiday gathering. They’re the perfect quick bite, and these bbq ones have a fun southern twist. Check out the recipe here!

Make-ahead Vegan Green Bean Casserole

This one is SO much better using fresh ingredients instead of canned soups, and I love that you can make it a day or two ahead and pop it in the oven before the feast. Just make sure to sqap out gluten-free flour and make sure the crispy onions are gluten-free. They have them at Sprout’s and Whole Foods.

Green beans with almonds, goat cheese and cranberries

This is a great recipe if you want to swap things out from the traditional green bean casserole. It’s vibrant and fresh, with a tiny bit of sweetness from the cranberries.

Honey-Dijon roasted root vegetables

I love using the different colored carrots for this one. It’s a little tangy, a little sweet, and a lovely way to add more veggies to the spread. The recipe is here.

Gluten-free stuffing

This one is simple, very flavorful, you can customize it, and it doesn’t use a million ingredients.  I like to change up the stuffing a bit each year; sometimes I’ll add sausage, cranberries, or try a different type of bread. I’d made gluten-free stuffing for quite a few years, it always tastes amazing, and no one can tell  it’s gluten-free.

Bourbon chocolate pecan pie

Omgggg you guys. This pie is incredible. It’s impressive, tastes ridiculous, and the only swaps you need to do are to use a pre-made gluten-free pie crust, and gluten-free flour blend. Everyone will ask you what recipe you used.

Silky Sweet Potato Pie

This pie has a gluten-free crust and is lower in sugar than many of the pie recipes out there. I haven’t tried this one, but I’m adding it to our Christmas/winter menu!

So, tell me, friends: what’s on your Thanksgiving menu this year? Do you do the cooking, or just bring a side/dessert? Please shout out any tried and true favorites in the comments section!
xo

More:

Try this gluten free turkey meatloaf, this recipe for banana pumpkin muffins, and this healthy egg bites recipe

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The best HigherDOSE products

Sharing a roundup of my favorite HigherDOSE products, just in time for their Black Friday deal. Starting now, you can use the code FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off sitewide (minus bundles and full-sized saunas).

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope you’re having a wonderful morning. I just took my first workout class in two weeks – I took 16 days off with being sick/recovering/blah – grabbed a smoothie, and had a wonderful chiropractor appointment. I’m back home getting some work done before it’s time to pick up the crew and start the evening routine.

Today, I have some exciting news: HigherDOSE started their Black Friday promo. You guys know that I’ve been a fan of their products for a few years. I bought the sauna blanket for a Black Friday gift for myself a few years ago, and it’s become a wellness staple in my routine.

Today, I’m sharing some of my top picks, and you can use FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off! This is the best promo they have all year, so if you have your eye on anything, now is the time. Please also remember that all of these things are just fun to have, and might be some extra joy, zen, and rejuvenation to your routine.

Sharing the goods here if you feel like treating yourself!

The best HigherDOSE products

The sauna blanket

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.

I use the sauna blanket 3-4 times a week and I sleep so much better, I get an awesome sweat, and it makes my skin glow.

You can check out my full review of the sauna blanket here.

PEMF Go Mat

PEMF technology was originally used by NASA to promote health of the astronauts while in space. PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, and is designed to mimic the vibrations found in nature. These vibrations interact with our organs and tissues to help promote healing and relaxation. It’s been scientifically shown to potentially reduce aches, pains, inflammation, improve circulation, and other ailments. It’s been FDA approved for decades and is used in animals as well as humans. You may have seen PEMF used by doctors, surgeons, physical therapists, and chiropractors. Thankfully, they now have lower-cost and portable versions like this, so you can get the benefits at home!

I use the PEMF Go Mat every.single.day at least once in the morning for meditation/prayer, and later if I just need a moment to reset and recharge. It makes me feel relaxed yet energized at the same time, the heat feels great in the morning, and I hope that it’s made a difference with some of the inflammatory issues I’ve been dealing with.

You can check out my full review of the PEMF Go Mat here.

Red Light Face Mask

 The HigherDOSE Red Light Face Mask can be used for short-term skin goals or as part of a daily routine. The facemask includes red and near-infrared lights that can help to boost mood, collagen production, and skin healing, and can help to reduce wrinkles and sun spots. It’s non-invasive and limits low-level rejuvenating wavelengths that are found in natural sunlight. I notice that it has an instant calming effect and is such a mood booster, especially during the cold winter months.

I use this a few times a week and noticed a difference in my skin as soon as I started implementing it! I also feel like it’s very relaxing.

You can check out my full review of the Red Light Face Mask here. 

Red Light Neck Enhancer

Red Light Therapy, or Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), uses low-intensity red or near-infrared light to penetrate the skin.

This non-invasive treatment offers various potential benefits:

• Collagen Boost: It can stimulate collagen production, leading to smoother and firmer skin.
• Wrinkle Reduction: By increasing collagen, it can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Skin Healing: It can accelerate natural healing, making it useful for scars and acne.
• Pain Relief: Red Light Therapy can relieve muscle and joint pain.
• Improved Complexion: Enhanced blood flow results in healthier, more radiant skin

*You can explore studies relating to these potential benefits on the product page here.

You can check out my full review of the Red Light Neck Enhancer here.

HigherDOSE discount code

If you’ve been wanting to try HigherDOSE, head to the website and use the code FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off. This Black Friday promo is the best on of the year, so if you’ve been wanting to try it, this is a great chance!

Do you own any HigherDOSE products? Which one if your fave? What do you have your eye on from the list? I’m ordering the serotonin soak and Get Salty spray. 

xoxo

Gina

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Our Favorite Holiday Recipes

From Nana’s Famous Egg Dish to Spiced Sangria and Bourbon Pecan Pie, these are our favorite holiday recipes that we enjoy every Christmas!

‘Tis the season for all of the festive eats and drinks. We’ve been enjoying this cozy week at home cooking our favorite holiday recipes and getting ready for the Christmas weekend

While most of the time I aim to eat nourishing recipes with greens and protein and fresh wholesome ingredients (like these spa cuisine recipes), I like to live by the 80/20 perspective, allowing plenty of space for special treats. I’m also a big believer of enjoying holidays, special food, and time spent together.

We have several traditional-to-us recipes that make an appearance on our table during the holiday season year after year; like it’s tradition to have Alton Brown’s Overnight Cinnamon Rolls on Christmas morning while opening presents. From brunch casseroles to spiced sangria and Ina’s rib roast, I’m sharing our favorite holiday recipes – enjoy!

Our Favorite Holiday Recipes

Nana’s Famous Egg Dish

This egg casserole is perfect for any brunch or holiday celebrations. It freezes beautifully to make ahead and tastes amazing with pico de gallo salsa.

Madre’s famous Grammie recipe

Oh, you have to try Madre’s Famous Grammie Recipe! It’s the perfect holiday dessert – a delicious cookie bar that will satisfy even the sweetest tooth. Trust me, after one bite, you’ll be begging for the recipe.

Greens Beans with Goat Cheese, Almonds & Cranberries

These green beans are bright and fresh, with creamy goat cheese, orange zest, crunchy slivered almonds, and sweet cranberries. The recipe is gluten-free and only takes 15 minutes from start to finish.

Dairy-Free Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Oh boy, do I have a delicious dairy-free recipe for you! This Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Casserole is perfect for a holiday meal and will please even the non-dairy eaters at the table. Trust me, it’s so full of flavor that you won’t even miss the cheese.

The Ultimate Fall & Winter Salad

This salad is a fall dream come true. It has butternut squash, spicy arugula, a tangy vinaigrette, chicken, pumpkin seeds, and goat cheese. It’s perfect for any holiday gatherings or parties and makes a veggie-packed side dish. My vegetarian friends can easily omit the chicken and it’s just as delicious without it.

The Best Raw Chocolate Tart

This raw chocolate tart, made with cashews and cocoa and an almond coconut crust is a decadent gluten-free dessert that doesn’t require any cooking!

Holiday Spice Sangria

Holiday spice sangria! It’s made in advance of any holiday soirees, and the flavors just get better over the span of a few days. It’s perfect to take to parties, as it’s a fun switch-up from the usual bottle of vino.

Ina Garten’s Mulled Wine

Warm up with a pot of Ina Garten’s Mulled Wine recipe, a mix of apple cider and red wine infused with cinnamon, cloves and orange.

Ina’s Sunday Rib Roast

Ina’s Sunday Rib Roast with mustard horseradish is often our centerpiece at a holiday party. It’s a crowd favorite.

Ina’s Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

Another favorite from Ina. Chocolate, bourbon, and pecans—what’s not to love? I’ve made this twice this year already and plan to make it again on Saturday.

Our Christmas Weekend Menu

Here’s what our menu looks like this year:

Christmas Eve

Ah, dinner at your dad’s house sounds like a fiesta of flavors and festive treats! A Mexican food buffet is a surefire way to spice up the holiday season, with delicious tacos, tamales, and enchiladas dancing on your taste buds. And let’s not forget the pièce de résistance – your Aunt’s famous egg nog! That creamy, velvety concoction has the power to transport you to a winter wonderland with just one sip. And of course, what’s a holiday meal without an array of mouthwatering desserts? Indulge in an assortment of sweet delights, from traditional favorites like flan and churros to decadent creations like tres leches cake. With such a feast, your dad’s house is truly an epicurean paradise.

Christmas Brunch:

• Nana’s egg casserole
• Alton Brown’s cinnamon rolls
• Bacon or ham (I haven’t decided yet)
• Tamales and beans (from madre!)

Dinner on Christmas Day:

• Cheese board and artichoke dip with crackers
• Mediterranean chopped salad
• Smoked turkey on the Traeger
• Stuffing and gravy
• Beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce
• Cheesy potatoes (madre)
• Fresh sourdough
• Bourbon pecan pie + dessert platter (tons of different cookies and candies)
• Mulled wine, egg nog, and champagne

It should be a very good, and very tasty, weekend ahead 😉

Enjoy your holiday get-togethers with some of the great holiday recipes!

Well, folks, we’ve come to the end of our mouthwatering journey through our favorite Christmas meals. We’ve covered everything from juicy turkeys to creamy mashed potatoes, and let’s not forget the underrated champs of the holiday table – Brussels sprouts! Remember, don’t let their little cabbagy appearance fool you – these bad boys pack a punch of vitamins and fiber. And of course, no festive feast would be complete without a show-stopping cheese ball. Whether it’s tangy, herb-packed, or smothered in nuts, this crowd-pleasing treat is sure to steal the spotlight. So go forth, my friends, and let these culinary delights make your Christmas merry and delicious!

See you tomorrow with a new podcast episode!

xo

Gina

You may also enjoy:

• 15 Festive Holiday Cocktail Recipes
• How To Brine A Turkey Breast Before Roasting
• How To Stay Healthy During the Holidays

 

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Friday Faves 11.10

Hi friends! Happy Friday! The weekend is heeeeere. What do you have going on? The girls have birthday parties, and Sunday is my bday.

To be totally honest, I always get a little bit of the birthday blahs. I feel like another year is a reminder of all of the things I haven’t yet accomplished, and I’ve never been super into the birthday pomp and circumstance. This is why I usually like to go camping, but I canceled our Sedona trip since we’re all recovering from the flu.

I didn’t have the mojo to get us packed and ready to go. So instead, we’re doing brunch with the family, and taking it easy.

I wanted to do a little something special here to celebrate the ol’ 3-9, so from now until Monday at midnight, you can get 6 months of Fit Team for $197. (Note: this is a membership and can be canceled at any time.)

ALL of your fitness programming, done for you, plus bonuses to make meal planning easy, recipes, playlists, and community support, all for less than $33 per month.

You can sign up here!!

FAQs and more info can be found here. If you have questions, please let me know – I’d love to help! This is the lowest price Fit Team will be and after Monday, it will go up to regular price, which is $297.

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 anything you’re loving in the comments section below.

Friday Faves 11.10

Read, watch, listen:

How do you parent a tween?

New Mean Girls musical trailer.

Loving this predictable yet sweet read.

My friend Brittany recommended this book on IG, so I ordered a copy to read with P. She says it’s her new favorite Christmas book. It’s a great story and we’ve loved reading it together.

Fitness + good eats:

It feels good to be back in cooking mojo. I’ve made beef chili and gf cornbread this week, pesto pasta with shrimp, and a roast chicken. After 10 days of takeout, it’s been good to get back into the swing of things.

If you’re planning your turkey recipe, I’ve got you.

Kale apple salad with crispy shallots.

Sakara Black Friday is here early! You can use XOGINAH for 25% off sitewide. I’m obsessed with their meals. They’re so healthy and delicious and it feels like such a gift to eat these beautiful meals I didn’t have to make.

Fashion + beauty:

*Just a heads up, if you have your eye on HigherDOSE, wait until Monday!

The gift guide party is going strong! Check out For Her, For Him, and For the Kids.

October bestsellers from the blog:

It’s always fun to go through analytics and see which products you loved the most each month that I’ve shared here. I appreciate it so much when you shop through my affiliate links. It directly supports our family and your support means so much to me.

Here are the top picks from October:

– This half-zip! The softest coziest dreamiest sweater in the land.

– Custom pet embroidered sweatshirt

– These kids’ one-piece pajamas.

– This Somerset dress for holiday parties.

– These cute and comfy joggers

– This long wool cardigan

Happy Friday, friends!!

xo

Gina

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2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Him

2023 Holiday Gift Guide For Him: It can be so hard to shop for the guys for the holiday season! I’m sharing gift ideas for him at varying price points, and for anyone in your family you may be trying to cross off your list. 

Hi friends! How’s the week treating you?

For today’s post, I’m sharing a gift guide for the guys since it can kind of be impossible to shop for them. Sharing some gift ideas here, but I always love to hear if you have any awesome guy gift ideas! Please share the goods in the comments section.

2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Him

For the fitness fanatic:

The best sports headphones – we both have these and love them!

A classic metal vent tech tee

The Pilot’s fave workout shorts

New weights or even a bench set with squat rack

New running shoes

For dads/uncles/brothers/guys who are tricky to shop for:

Funny golf socks

Customized pet portrait

Waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker << this one is the best!

Customized face socks

Pajama pants

New slippers

A cozy robe

A Hatch light – we love ours!

For the chef and foodie:

Some fancypants whiskey from a local distillery.

A pizza oven

The ultimate BBQ set

Mountain decanter

Cold beer coats

A real chef apron

For the guy who appreciates good fashion but needs you to shop for him:

A new jacket

The best polo

A dressier coat

Casual pants to wear to the gym or for life

A classic watch

Half-zip

Classic aviator sunglasses.

The most amazing button-down shirts – the Pilot LOVES these!

Casual low-top sneakers

Stocking stuffers:

A nod pod weighted sleep mask.

Golf in a tin.

Mini grooming set.

Zen garden kit.

A scalp massager. Why do these feel so amazing??

This is hilarious.

So tell me, friends: what are you gifting for your husband, dad, or the guys in your family this year? Any good experience gift ideas?

xo

Gina

Note: None of this post is sponsored and companies are unable to purchase spots on my holiday gift guides. These are all curated by yours truly and include items I genuinely think would make awesome gifts. Affiliate links are included, which have no impact on purchase price, but enable me to earn a small kickback. When you shop through my affiliate links, you directly support my little blog and the cost of keeping everything running smoothly over here. Thank you!

More Gift Guides:

• Gift Guide for Her
• Gift Guide for Kids

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