Current faves: Dinner event, food, fun and weekly workouts
Hi, my friends! How are you? I’m doing well-ish. This week has passed by in a blur, that’s for sure. Having my Mom here has been totally awesome, but I think I’ve been trying to fit in too much during her visit, because a cold made its way around our house this week, and I rarely ever get sick, so it must be a sign to slow down. Anyone else ever feel that way?
But today, let’s keep it light and get to our regularly scheduled selection of favorites …
Events
Inspiring dinner event in Russian Hill in SF
Earlier this week, I ventured into Russian Hill in the City for a dinner hosted by a company called Brandless. Brandless is a pretty new company, sold only online, with a mission to get healthy and useful body, home and grocery food products into the hands of people for a very reasonable cost — like everything is $3, which is incredibly reasonable. I hope to talk more about Brandless soon, but wanted to show some highlights from the dinner I attended, because they’re worth sharing.
All of these photos are courtesy of Brandless too …
I walked into the door happy to see some local influencers that I’ve met before and really enjoy hanging out with, and then I also met some new people, including a few gals I’ve followed for forever and was hoping to meet in person one day. It was an excellent group, and we were treated to an amazing dinner as well as conversation. And Brandless made donations to Feeding America in our names …
Now while the food and scenery were both great, what was absolutely the best part was the conversation. I don’t know the last time that I had dinner table conversation with such inspiring, strong and smart women about such important topics — health, wellness, fitness, the Bay Area, you name it. We each shared a little bit about ourselves and focus and then just chatted. I loved it! I had originally planned to leave by 9 p.m. so I wasn’t out too late, but the first time I even thought to look at my watch it was already 9:15 p.m.. Time flies when you’re having fun.
It’s not easy for me to get out to these things, and I’m so glad I made the effort for this event. I love learning about quality companies and spending time with like-minded gals — away from my usual night-time set-up of momming and staying home. Thanks to Brandless for a great night.
Fun
Seeing a show with my Momma
This week, my Mom and I went to see Mamma Mia the musical at our local theatre, the Lesher Center in downtown Walnut Creek, which resulted in another late night for me. The show was super cute, and I loved the tunes and dancing. It had been a fairly stressful day for me trying to get a bunch of things done that I was behind on work-wise, and we even considered skipping the show (actually tried to sell our tickets and had no takers), but both my Mom and I were so glad we went. Good times and a perfect show for a mom and daughter to see! Oh, and I wore this new shirt, with my favorite black pants …
Food
Tasty bone broth
Now that the temperatures are cooling down, I’ll probably be having bone broth a lot more often. I recently got a shipment of some Osso Good organic bone broth, and it’s delish. I usually have to add sea salt, turmeric and pepper to my plain varieties to drink straight up, but this kind is good as is. It comes frozen, so you defrost the pack when you’re ready in the fridge, then heat up your servings in a mug or pan or add it to dishes you are cooking (I’ve added it to boiling water for lentil pasta before — major flavor booster).
Osso Good is made in Marin, California and it’s a quality product. The beef version is grass fed and the chicken version is antibiotic free.
So what’s the deal with bone broth? It’s warming, nourishing and has a lot of valuable protein and collagen too, and it also has gut healing properties to help your digestion and tummy. Apparently it’s pretty easy to make, but I like to get it already done for me. Thanks to Osso for sending me the samples.
Books
Because everyone else is reading it
I ended up ordering the book “Girl, Wash Your Face” because it seemed like it was getting a ton of coverage. Quite honestly, I listened to the author, Rachel Hollis, as a guest on a podcast and I didn’t really like her. But I heard good things about the book, and I’m about halfway into it. I can tell you for sure that it’s not as good as “You Are a Badass,” which I reviewed here and we read together in the A Lady Goes West Friends Facebook group. (P.S. I’m still trying to decide what our next official book will be. Let me know if you have any suggestions.)
Anywho, I’ll share more thoughts when I’m done. It’s a quick read, and I’m enjoying it, I just don’t think it’s quite as significant for me as some other non-fiction books, but maybe the second half will change things. Anyone else read it and have thoughts?
Apps
Check the safety of your products with Healthy Living
I just learned about this Healthy Living app yesterday and am still working with it, but so far, I’m totally liking it. Basically, you download the free app, then scan the barcode of the beauty and body and home products that you use to check to see what the EWG, Environmental Working Group, thinks of the ingredients and their safety, as far as chemicals and additives.
I try to use nontoxic products, and you can read more about that in this post, “Five nontoxic body product swaps I’ve made to my daily routine,” but I still have a lot of work to do. This app is definitely eye opening. Nobody is perfect, but making a few changes here and there certainly adds up.
Fitness
Weekly workout recap
Here’s a look at my workouts from last week.
- Monday: 45-minute full-body weights workout, 11 a.m.
- Tuesday: 45-minute SoulCycle class, 10:30 a.m., 45-minute barre class, 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 30-minute GRIT Strength class, 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday: Taught 1-hour Bootybarre class, 12 p.m.
- Friday: 30-minute CXWORX, 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday: 25-minute BODYPUMP workout, 10:30 a.m.
- Sunday: Rest day
This past week of workouts was all over the place! I took a lot of classes and did one solo workout, and I had a lot of variety. I did three official resistance sessions, so that’s all good stuff. I only had two days that had workouts an hour long — the rest were much shorter — and that’s fine by me. Remember — workouts DO NOT have to be an hour to be effective! 🙂
Suggested reading
Best links from around the web
- Kitchen cleaning. I’m guilty of a couple of these mistakes when it comes to cleaning up the kitchen. Whoops!
- Stop rushing. This is a simple list of ways you can slow down a bit and stop rushing from task to task in your life. The first one? Just breathe.
- Productivity. Have you heard of the concept of deep work? Basically, it means to truly focus. I love this article on how to do it. (Hard to do as a mom much of the time, am I right?)
- Dance. I like to watch the show, “World of Dance,” and this performance was the first ever to get a perfect score. It’s totally captivating!
A Lady Goes West favorite archives
- Have you ever tried a FlyWheel or SoulCycle class? Here are my thoughts … “The difference between FlyWheel and SoulCycle cycle classes.”
- Not sure what to do in the gym? Here’s some structure … “What should you do in the gym?“
- And just for fun, a walk down memory lane, as we approach the 1-year mark for little Brady … “My second trimester of pregnancy favorites.”
And I’ll leave you with this picture of my two little men and me last week when I was all dressed up before I went out for a baby sprinkle …
Have a most wonderful weekend, my friends! We don’t have a ton on the agenda, except a dinner party with friends and some birthday party planning for little Brady — and some relaxing. Talk soon! xoxoxo
Just some food, fitness and fun favorites on A Lady Goes West Click To TweetQuestions of the day
How was your week?
What are you up to this weekend?
What’s your favorite part about attending a birthday party?
Read anything good lately?
My sister told me about Brandless a little while ago, I have yet to buy anything though so I’ll be eager to hear your thoughts! And what a fun night out with your Mom, I love a good musical.
Enjoy your weekend!
Hi Patricia! You seriously cannot beat the price of the Brandless products — so go check them out for sure. Happy Friday to YOU, lady! Hope it’s a good one! 🙂
I did not think this day would ever come, but I disagree with you! Hehe.
I actually enjoyed Wash Your Face waaaaaay more than Badass. But I think that is probably because I am super sensitive these days with this kind of stuff. Badass made me feel like I was not doing enough. While it was motivating, it left me feeling like, ok but what if I don’t do these things? What if I am not SUPER inspired to be a Badass or a Girlboss or whatever. Wash Your Face made me feel like I already am enough and to just keep pushing myself and moving forward.
I totally understand how Badass can appeal to more people and I truly think it has to do with how we are all in such different chapters in life. I am quite “behind,” so certain books leave me feeling more overwhelmed than motivated.
I’m so sorry you have a cold and that really stinks. I’m happy your Mom is there to help with Brady though in case you need an extra hour or two on the couch to help kick that cold to the curb. Happy Friday!
Hi Court ahahhah! OMG — it’s TOTALLY okay to disagree with me! And I totally hear what you are saying about how you felt after reading Badass. I also felt like I needed to do more, but yet, still enjoyed the book. I guess I opened up Wash Your Face with a chip on my shoulder just hoping not to like it hehhe, so I need to push past that, and like I said, I’m only halfway, so my thoughts could change. Thank YOU for sharing your opinion, my friend — a very valid one. Happy Friday, to you!! And yesss to extra couch time today!
Hey Ashley. You know anytime you put a picture of Brady on the blog it will be my favorite part of your blog. He seemed to be waving at all of us. Do you happen to have any ideas on low sodium diet or menus. Maybe a good place to look for it. It is very difficult to purchase food not with low sodium content.
Brady loves to be featured on the blog! Low sodium! Ahhh interesting topic — so processed food and microwavable and canned food has a lot of sodium — you can usually find low sodium canned veggies, but frozen veggies are better to buy, as they don’t have any preservatives. As far as restaurants — the healthier restaurants won’t have as much sodium, but I can’t give you much info on more popular chains — you’d have to check their menus. Are you trying to reduce your sodium input? The easiest way to do that is to cook more of your own food — using sea salt isn’t bad at home, but it’s mostly the processed and store-bought meals that hold a lot of sodium.
I read and loved The Great Alone! Highly recommend! I actually have a question… I can’t remember if you used/consumed stevia during your pregnancy, but I’m reading and hearing so many different views on it. Did you have it?
Hi Allison! I did have stevia — it’s natural and from a plant, and I only had 1-2 packets a day in my tea — I think it’s fine — for me anyhow. You will drive yourself crazy reading, so you can ask your doc and then go with your gut! 🙂 Thanks for the book rec, lady!
I second The Great Alone! I couldn’t put it down
I haven’t read the Badass book, but I loved Girl Wash Your Face. But I listened to the audiobook, so maybe that’s different? Sorry you don’t love it! My favorite chapter was the new mom one. Have you gotten to that yet?
And I’m so sorry about your cold! What a bummer. I’m trying the Healthy Living app too…slowly trying to switch to less toxic things (but it can be so overwhelming too!).
Hi India! I don’t think I’ve read the new mom chapter yet — maybe that will help hehehe — I’m actually like the book a bit more as I get more and more into it. I’m TOTALLY switching to more non-toxic items! I’m going to write more about it all soon! 🙂