Friday Favorites: Gold, healthy eats, fitness reads and more

ByAshley Hours
Comments 62 Comments

Hey ladies and gents (and yes, believe it or not, some gents actually read this blog), here’s to you! The first full week of the year after the holidays is not always the easiest, and we’ve nearly done it. It’s behind us. We’re into the new year. Cheers to that!

This week was actually pretty good in my world, outside of missing the festivities of the holidays. As you can imagine, as a group fitness instructor and coach, I see tons of new people and full classes, which I love. I know some regular gym goers get annoyed with the influx of newbies filling the parking lots and monopolizing equipment, but I appreciate it. Welcome new gym friends, I hope you keep coming back. It’s worth it. Small daily habits like working out can change your life.

As far as this weekend is concerned, it’s not exactly booked solid for Dave or for me. The weather has been cold and rainy lately, so I’m guessing we’ll have some indoor play. Now let’s chat favorites …

This week’s finds for “Friday Favorites” 

Because it’s the end of the week, I’m keeping it light today with my latest edition of my favorite recent finds  …

My favorite gifts of the week

I got a lot of great gifts for Christmas this year, and Dave did especially well. While I didn’t tell him what I wanted or make a list, he somehow came up with some awesome presents for me, perfectly suited to my taste. I like to save new things when I get them, so I actually just broke into these …

Michael Kors gifts via A Lady Goes WestWhy the B? It’s the nickname that Dave has always called me. Short and sweet. And these bobbles are perfection, as is my new favorite arm candy.

I’ve been a Michael Kors fan ever since he first appeared as a judge on Project Runway. I have Michael Kors shoes, bags and jewelry and basically want everything his line comes out with. So of course, I loved this selection of gold earrings, a keychain and most importantly, the bangle. Just my style!

My favorite foods of the week

The freezer section gets a lot of flack for being home to unhealthy and processed “convenient” foods. However, when you make it over to the veggie burger aisle, there are a few stand-outs that you shouldn’t be afraid to put in your cart. Dr. Praeger’s my friends …

Dr. Praeger's sensible foods as a favorite by A Lady Goes WestCalifornia deliciousness, spicy Black Bean amazing and some kale Super Green goodness. Pick your sensible-eating pleasure. All natural. Individually wrapped. Full of nutrients!

I’ve shared my love of the California burgers the first time I tried them last year, well now I’m obsessed with all three of these versions. You can cook them in the microwave with just one minute on each side, then mix them with veggies, eggs, fruit or more for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you’re looking for a quick and easy healthy option, I’d pick up a box of any of these. I’ve found I can get the cheapest at Sprouts Farmers Market for just $4 a carton, which is only $1 a burger. A win! (Special note: plop some avocado on the black bean ones for an extra tasty bite.)

My favorite cozy item of the week

Would you believe that Walnut Creek, California in the San Francisco Bay Area is the coldest place I’ve ever lived? It certainly is. While we don’t get snow, the weather here in the winter is actually colder than within the City. We’ve seen low 30s at night and in the mornings, which is pretty cold in my book. My feet are in need …

Cozy Cabin Socks as a favorite by A Lady Goes WestIn addition to being cute and colorful, Yaktrax Cabin Socks are infused with aloe to keep your feet extra warm and toasty. And you can find them online or at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

These soft socks were another little gift from Dave for Christmas this year, and I just love them. Even if where you live isn’t cold, nothing feels as good as slipping something soft and warm onto your feet. Right? Anybody out there sleep with socks on? Not me.

My favorite links of the week

Did you miss the latest on A Lady Goes West the past couple of weeks? 

And from around the web worth checking out …

  • This list of exercises has some new-to-me moves, some of which I used in my core class I taught this week. Check out SkinnyMom’s “50 Moves to Work Your Entire Body.”
  • This video is worth watching whether you’re into fitness or not. These cardio exercises are awesome. Click on “70 Best Bodyweight Cardio Exercise to Seek and Destroy Fat” from Men’s Health.
  • If you need some comfortable pants to change into the second you get home from work, may I suggest these beauties? I’ve been living in them. They cost $20. They are magical. End of story.
  • Totally excited to be included as a local expert in Diablo Magazine’s January fitness issue. I did the interview over Thanksgiving break by phone and finally saw the print edition with a little blurb from me …

Expert tips in Diablo Magazine by Ashley Pitt

You heard it here: Have a varied workout routine, focus on functional movement and work out first thing in the morning if your schedule allows it. Those are the tips that made it in print.

And that’ll do it for now. By the way, congratulations to Ray, the winner of the Sunwarrior giveaway. Have a wonderful day, my friends! 

Fun stuff! Enjoy this light read full of #fitness and more ... Share on X

Read more Friday Favorites

If you like this post, visit the the link-up hostesses, Heather and Katie, or check out all of my older “Friday Favorites.” 

*There are a couple of affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support.

Questions of the day

What are you up to this weekend?

What was your favorite Christmas gift this year?

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62 Comments

    1. It’s in the mail … 🙂 It will be worth money one day. hahaha Or will make a great platform for painting your nails on the couch. Just sayin’. Happy Friday, Courtney!

      Reply

  3. Congrats on the feature! Those socks look fantastic, and I love the jewelry! You know you are getting older when you get jewelry and socks and are SO EXCITED. Have a great weekend, Ashley!

    Reply

  4. Yay! That’s awesome you were in the newspaper 😀 I bet that was pretty exciting to see! Hope you guys have a nice weekend…it’s been raining here too, LOVE it 🙂

    Reply

    1. Enjoy the rain, lady! I know we need all the rain we can get, but it’s not fun when having to walk a puppy all the time heheh! Have a nice weekend!

      Reply

  5. Congratulations on being in a magazine! That’s pretty impressive 🙂 I love the gifts from Dave! We didn’t really exchange gifts this year since we’re saving for a house (and don’t need anything!) but we did go out to see Star Wars right before Christmas 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Gretchen! That’s smart to save on gifts when you know you have a big purchase coming up, lady! I haven’t seen Star Wars and have no desire — but of course Dave really wants to go see it. 🙂 Have a great weekend!

      Reply

  6. Congrats on the feature!!! Super cool! I’m looking for some non-meat subs, so those burgers are a great recommendation 🙂 My favorite gift this year was a full body massage certificate- can’t wait to book it!

    Reply

  8. im traveling this weekend so looking forward to some down time..i dont have too many MK products but i really like that bracelet. i do get freezer friendly meals sometimes but its always nice to know which ones taste good and are healthy..coz sometimes i will buy based on the package only and regret later.

    Reply

  10. Looks like I need to head in to Old Navy to pick up some pants! Always on the hunt for cozy pants to wear around the house, and those look perfect <3 And congratulations on the feature, lady!!! So totally well-deserved 😀

    Hope you have an awesome weekend!

    Reply

  12. Congrats on the feature :). I love cozy socks as well, perfect in the chilly weather. This weekend will be pretty chill, meeting up with a friend for breakfast, organizing the cabinets, and finishing a book. It’s supposed to snow and get quite cold here, so hopefully the snow waits till I’m done with my errands.

    Reply

    1. I have a book I need to finish from months ago – yet I somehow doubt I’ll finish it this weekend heheh! AH! Enjoy the snow, Jessie!! 🙂

      Reply

  13. Congrats on the article, Ashley! SO exciting. Those socks look so cozy… Woke up to snow this morning so I think we’ll go skiing this weekend 🙂

    Reply

  20. Yay for being published in a magazine, that’s way cool! 🙂 My favorite Christmas gift was something so simple, but a new travel cup for my coffee. I needed an update and I use it almost daily!

    Reply

  21. Congrats on the article feature, Ashely! That’s awesome! And it looks like Dave did very well in the present department. Scott actually surprised me with a Michael Kors watch for Christmas and I’m obsessed with it. I’m sure it will be in next week’s faves 😉 Thanks for linking up and enjoy your weekend!

    Reply

  23. whaaaaa i’ve NEVER seen those veggie burgers in my grocery stores 🙁 it’s always President Choice and Yves. But those look amazing! sighhh
    i am also pleasantly surprised when men tell me that they’ve read one of my posts haha. Makes me feel as though I should re-think my obsession with pink all over my website =P

    Reply

  25. Congrats on the awesome feature, Ashley! That’s so exciting!! 🙂

    And yes, this is the coldest place I’ve ever lived too. I had to purchase a whole new set a warm clothes when we moved here. I have these fleece lined pants from Athleta that I love but I wear them way too much in the winter. Like, it’s embarassing how much I wear them, lol! I actually just bought a second pair.

    Those socks sound amazing though. I love that they’re infused with aloe! I need to get me some of those too. Happy Friday!! 🙂

    Reply

    1. I had to buy all new clothes to live in San Francisco and now even more in Walnut Creek! hehehe! Good thing we have more closet space out here. 🙂 Happy weekend, Sarah!

      Reply

  31. Hi there Ashley, congrats for featuring in the mag. I haven’t used Dr. Praeger yet but I have heard some yummy news about it. I usually try to avoid anything unnatural and junky for the sake and so far I think I have gathered enough evidence that its all natural. Thanks for sharing.

    Cindy

    Reply

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