Latest favorite things and some news
Hi, friends! Happy Cinco de Mayo! I hope you’ve been having a great week. This weekend, Dave and I don’t have a ton on the agenda. Sadly, I will not be sipping on any skinny margaritas, but hopefully I’ll get my hands on enough chips and guac to make up for it.
The one thing I really need to do is shop, because we’re off to a wedding in San Diego next weekend, and this growing pregnant gal needs a new cocktail dress (and have yet to be successful with finding anything online). We’ll also be watching the Warriors playoff away game on Saturday night and staying cool in the summer heat, which has recently overtaken Walnut Creek and the Bay Area.
Ebook coming on Monday! Are you signed up?
Before we get started on the favorites, let’s talk about my first ebook. For the last few months, I’ve been working on something that I’m so excited to share with you about health, fitness and fertility. On Monday, my ebook is launching and will be available for sale right here on the blog.
Here’s the deal: On Sunday night, I’ll be emailing a discount code to everyone who is signed up to receive A Lady Goes West emails. So if you think you’re going to want the book (more details on its contents coming on Monday too), then please sign up for my emails today. In addition to getting a free gift when you sign up for the email list telling you “how to have a great week of workouts” checklist and action plan, you’ll also get new blog posts by email and more (and it means a lot to me to have you on the subscriber list). To sign up, head to the sidebar of the blog or to the bottom of this post and enter your email. Thank you, friends!
My favorite superfood breakfast toast
If there’s one thing that has remained consistent in my diet since becoming pregnant, it’s having toast for breakfast. I don’t just choose white bread with margarine though (please don’t choose that either), I like to use sprouted whole wheat or flax bread, which I top with almond butter or sunflower butter for a little fat and protein. And most recently, I’ve been eating the tastiest sweet and salty combination toast.
A layer of nut butter, a chopped-up banana, chia seeds, raw pumpkin seeds and sweet goji berries. It really can’t be beat. The salty from the seeds and nut butter, combined with the sweet of the banana and berries is perfection. Not to mention, there are all sorts of nutrients in each of the toppings, so it’s like a little salad on a piece of bread. Here are the products that I use: bread, goji berries and chia seeds, with the nut butter and pumpkin seeds coming from Trader Joe’s.
My favorite mid-week outings
So I’ve got to be honest, I’ve never been much into social activities during the week. For many, many years, my weeknights were always filled with teaching group fitness classes. (Right now, I only teach in the evenings on two days, so that’s not my excuse any longer.) And although I love to see friends and eat out, I’m quite into my weekly routine, which centers mostly around being home.
That being said, the NBA playoffs always prove to be a great reason for me to make plans with some friends and get out on weeknights. On Tuesday night, I went to the first game in the second round of the playoffs with some of my girlfriends shown above (who all happen to be married to fellows who work for the team). And I also met a girlfriend at the game who lives in SF and who I haven’t seen in many months! Loved catching up!
On top of the Warriors game hang-outs, I also met a wonderful blog reader for coffee this week in the middle of the day at Coffee Shop in Walnut Creek. (Hi Katie!) Because my schedule is much more flexible now that I’m not going into an office every day, and also because my life is about to change dramatically when I become the care-taker of a tiny human in a few months, I’ve told myself I need to get out more. Well this week was a success!
After my coffee date (in which neither of us actually got coffee), I stuck around Coffee Shop and ordered the delicious Asian chicken salad you see above and did some work. A good day!
My favorite sweet treat
Because I like to try every single frozen treat out there, I picked up Enlightened last weekend for my dessert pleasure. I only tried two flavors. One was quite good, and the other was REALLY good.
Caramel oatmeal cookie crunch is totally delish, and I would recommend it for sure. Some of you have asked me how Enlightened compares to Halo Top, Arctic Zero and Nada Moo (other healthier ice cream brands). Halo Top is really good, and I liked every flavor that I tried. Arctic Zero is good-ish, but definitely not as good, and it tastes much less flavorful, although I still like eating it over not eating anything sweet (if that makes any sense). And Nada Moo is the healthiest of them all and still has a good flavor (while Arctic Zero has the least amount of calories). It’s hard to say, but I think Nada Moo and Halo Top may be the best, but then again, caramel oatmeal cookie crunch from Enlightened could be the overall winner. I think I would have to do a side-by-side comparison to give you a clear answer. Sorry!
My favorite links from the week
Some valuable stuff from around the web …
- People: It’s not about calories in and calories out when it comes to your weight and overall wellness. The health of your gut is a major player. Here’s how gut bacteria affects your weight.
- Finally! I’ve been talking about foam rolling, rest days, lighter workout days, yoga and sleep for a long time. I loved reading this article about how the fitness industry is taking it easy too.
That’s it! Have a fabulous weekend, sign up for the email list, and hope to see you back here on Monday for the ebook launch!
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Are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo?
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Are you signed up for A Lady Goes West emails? Do it! 🙂
Caramel Oatmeal Cookie Crunch sounds delicious! My take on the various “healthy” ice creams is that the CHUNKY Arctic Zero is my favorite (especially the black cherry crunch), then Halo Top, then Enlightened. So that just means that we are all happy–because I won’t steal yours, you won’t steal mine! lol!
Looking forward to the ebook, have a great weekend!
Have I tried the chunky Arctic Zero? Is that new? Now I feel like I need to get them ALL and do a taste test. Want to come over for that?? hhaah! Happy Friday, Susie! 🙂
I am usually so not a fan of social activities during the week, but sometimes I feel like I should get out every so often to break up my normal routine. But being on the couch by 7:30 (with dessert) is so nice too! lol. Congrats on the upcoming ebook too! Have a great weekend!
Hi Patricia! Being on the couch in pajamas by 7:30 p.m. is CERTAINLY how I like to do it as well hehehe. But I guess it’s good for us to branch and get out sometimes. Happy Friday, lady! 🙂
We both posted about avocado toast this week…not surprised bc it’s soooo good! I am excited to read that article about gut health! Thanks girl, have a great friday!
Hi Christina! Yes! I have avocado toast a few times a week for sure. Well, I have all sorts of toast all the time hahaa. I just like bread right now. And YAY for gut health! Hope you enjoy the article. Happy Friday, gal! 🙂
Congrats on the ebook!! So exciting!! I definitely want to try Enlightened– Its made its way to the blogosphere lately and I’m definitely intrigued. I’m getting dinner at a tapas place tonight with family and I’m going on a big trip soon, so that’s what I’ll be up to 😉
Ahhh yes, tapas are one of my favorite things to eat. I like to have a little bit of everything — way more fun than your own entree, you know? Happy Friday! Let’s do an ice cream taste test together of all the healthier kinds hehhe! 🙂
I don’t really like social events during the week either. If I do something, its usually an early dinner with a friend or something. I like my chill time after loooooong days at work.
Dittttto! But, it’s good to see your friends too. Luckily, an early dinner doesn’t usually take it out of you like a later outing would. Hope you have a FAB weekend, Christen! Thanks for saying hi! 🙂
I’ve heard some really good things about Eat Enlightened and Halo Top. 🙂 I’ve wanted to try Halo Top, but it’s so expensive.
That’s so wonderful that you’re coming out with an E-book; I’m thankful you can blend your journey with fitness and fertility into one book.
Hi Emily! Ohhh thank you! I’m SO excited about getting the book out there next week. It’s been a long time coming! And yes, sometimes the healthier ice creams are even more than the regular ice creams. But we always seems to have to pay a price for healthier! 🙂 Happy Friday, gal!
we are doing bbq + friends birthday celebration for the weekend but nothing major. congratulations on your e-book!!!!
Hi Dixya! Thank you, gal! Ohhhh yes, it’s the perfect time of year to get BBQs started up. Have a great time, lady! 🙂
Yeah so excited for your ebook girl!
Yay for ebooks! Thank you, lady!! Can’t wait to get it out there! Happy Friday, my friend! 🙂
Wow congrats on the ebook so exciting! 🙂 Hope you enjoyo your weekend! Any Motherhood Maternity stores near you? I had success in finding work/dressy clothes there!
Yes! There is a Motherhood Maternity, and I haven’t gone in yet. I will try it this weekend! Happy weekend ot you to, Heather! 🙂