Wine country, weekend and weekly workouts
Greetings, friends! How was your weekend? Mine was good! I’ll give you the details, and then we’ll get into the usual weekly workout recap …
A relaxing evening of catch-up at home
On Friday night, Dave and I had Whole Foods sushi at home, caught up on life and watched TV. He was exhausted from being away all week for work and was glad to lay low. Fine by me!
On Saturday morning, I went to a yoga class first thing at a new studio I’m trying out called Yoga Treat, which I will give you a full review of very soon. After I got home, I quickly began getting ready, and Dave and I headed off to wine country for a fun event.
Drinking wine in the sunshine in St. Helena
We had tickets to the Kathryn Hall Release party in St. Helena at HALL Wines winery. Lucky for us, we’re just about an hour from the Napa area, and perhaps even a little bit closer now that we live in the East Bay outside of the city. And by the way, I hadn’t been to wine country since January, and that’s just far too long. (As most people, I happen to love sipping wine and smelling grapes.)
We were pleasantly surprised to find the temperatures weren’t quite as high as expected that day, so it was fine to be outside. Check out the multitude of wine, nibblies and shaded areas. My kind of place.
The theme of the day was a Texas-style BBQ with a live country band, barbecue food and of course, wine. There were hundreds there to take part in the celebration, which is held each year to commemorate the release of the winery’s new wine. We were lucky enough to get the invite to be a part this year, and neither of us had even been to a wine release party before.
While I’m much more into white wines, I was totally impressed with the Kathryn Hall Cabernet Sauvignon being debuted and so was Dave. It had a really dark, dense and jammy taste.
For a couple hours, we walked around the Great Lawn, sampled wines, had some food and people watched. Let me just tell you, there were some seriously well-dressed people at this event. I couldn’t help but stare …
That cab is good stuff and pricey too, coming in at around $150 a bottle (way more expensive than we’d ever buy, of course). And those little chocolate pudding pie cups with marmalade? One fabulous melt-in-your-mouth bite, as a sweet treat to complement the wine tasting.
Kathryn Hall herself opened up the event and welcomed the guests before talking about the wine, so that was cool too. Overall, we’re really glad we went, so thanks to the team at HALL for hosting us.
Because we were already in wine country, we didn’t want to head back without one more stop. So we pulled into the Grgich Tasting Room for a short tasting, which is a place we went with my Mom more than two years ago when she visited, and it was a good time again. Our wine pourer was a really friendly and chatty guy who lives near us, so we enjoyed talking to him about restaurants in our area. After going through a short tasting, we hopped in the car and headed home to hang out on the couch and play with Rudy.
Shared small-plate dinner in Walnut Creek
On Saturday evening, we went out to Kanishka’s Gastropub in downtown Walnut Creek, which is a place we’ve dined before. We had a good meal, stopped for some froyo and called it a night.
Some of the highlights of Saturday night’s eats include this Indian cheese plate, spicy chicken in a martini glass and large cups of delicious froyo.
Sweating together and getting work done
On Sunday, Dave and I did something huge — we went to the gym together! Even though I spend my days in gyms, Dave and I have never really gone to the gym together (outside of him attending a handful of my classes) for the entirety of our relationship. Well I recently found out that Dave was eligible for a free membership at 24 Hour Fitness, so we finally went to activate it yesterday. After getting him all signed up, we did 45 minutes of weights together and broke a good sweat.
Sunday afternoon was just thrilling. I did laundry, dishes and work, and then we had a tasty grilled meal in the evening. It was a good weekend! Now let’s switch gears …
My recent weekly fitness and workouts recap
Every single Monday, I like to talk workouts. Here’s how they’ve been going for me lately …
(Photo credit to Leah Bentley Photography, 2015.)
Weekly Workouts
- Monday: Did a 45-minute resistance session, foam rolling
- Tuesday: Took a 45-minute barre class and a one-hour gentle yoga class
- Wednesday: Took a one-hour Orangetheory class
- Thursday: Taught a 45-minute BODYPUMP and a 30-minute core class, foam rolling
- Friday: Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, took a one-hour barre/TRX class
- Saturday: Took a one-hour gentle yoga class
- Sunday: Did a 45-minute resistance session, foam rolling
What was good about my week of workouts?
The past week was perhaps one of my best for workouts in a long time. I picked up weights four times this week, which makes me very happy. No two days of workouts were the same, so I had a ton of variety, with the addition of two barre classes, a TRX session, two light yoga classes and two solo gym sessions. Although I did have movement every single day without an official day off (which is rare for me), the gentle yoga session I took on Saturday morning was the perfect active recovery day.
What could have been better about my week of workouts?
I felt great in all of my workouts this past week and really enjoyed trying new things, so I have no complaints.
Today, I’m coaching at Orangetheory in the morning and teaching some BODYATTACK in the evening, as well as working on the computer. Happy Monday, folks! I’ll see you back here tomorrow! (And if you haven’t already seen the giveaway I’ve got going on right now, be sure to enter to win some tasty Rise bars!)
Questions of the day
What did you do this weekend?
Do you have a gym buddy or do you work out alone?
I love your outfit for your wine tour! I work out alone (or with a toddler trying to copy) but I am trying to encourage my husband to create a home gym in the garage and work out with me. I think it would be so much more motivating. My motivation for exercise is definitely lacking at the moment. I have a week of multiple workouts and then a week like last week, two workouts in total (and they were both on the same day! haha).
Hi Krissy! That’s totally normal about your workouts, so don’t get down if you miss a few. And yes, having a home gym for your guys to work out together would be awesome. Maybe you just need to find some new inspiration? Are you doing online workouts or making up your own thing? Something new may get you excited to jump back in regularly. Hope you had a nice weekend, lady! 🙂
I would have a hard time not staring at the fancy people too! I watch the Bravo Housewives all the time & wonder how do people live like that?
Hi Megan! I know! The clothing, the make up, the glam … it’s a lot. 🙂 It’s fun to watch, because I usually do so while in gym clothes on my couch. hehehe. Hope you had a great weekend!
I love when I have the chance to work out with Alex. Like when I got to run with him–it is so rare and so special! And such a cool thing to share with your partner–something that you love. Looks like such an amazing weekend! And like I said, next time, I fit into suitcases 😀
Hi Susie! Yes, it’s really cool to work out with your partner, so I’m glad we’ll be able to do that now. Enjoy those runs with Alex when he is available, lady! 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!
Awesome job on your workouts! You nailed it! Aaron never comes to the gym with me, or works out, ha. I wish I could get him into it. I’m thinking after I have the baby and basically start over, we can start on the same level and it’ll be less intimidating 😉 We shall see. This post made me want a wine tour so badly! I’ve actually never been to one, but I”m thinking after I have the baby, I need to find one asap! haha
Hi Heather! That’s the perfect time for you guys to work out together, you’re right. I hope it happens! And yes, you need to get to a winery as soon as you can get back into wine heheh! 🙂 Hope you had a nice weekend!
I’m so jealous of your access to wineries all around your area. Although perhaps it’s a good thing I only get to visit them as a treat so I don’t overindulge.
Hi Jen! Yes, it’s cool to be so close, but we don’t go all that often. This is only my second time this year. 🙂 Hope you had a nice weekend, lady!
I usually workout alone (a lot of running) but am hoping to get back into gym classes/lifting with my boyfriend this fall after NYC! I’ve never been wine tasting but I’d really love to go and learn more 🙂
Hi Jamie! Yes, I know running takes up much of your active time these days! 🙂 Hope you had a nice weekend, lady!
Wow, what a fun event!! We spent the weekend at a few wineries up in Door County, WI as well and I just love the atmosphere. Also- that chicken in a martini glass looks so yummy!
That’s awesome, Katie!! I hope you guys had fun celebrating!! 🙂
LOVE being close to wine country! We should plan a trip sometime to meet in Napa or Sonoma. It’s about an hour away from us too!
Hi Giselle!! YES! Especially now that the harvest and season is in full swing. Let’s plan!! 🙂 Hop you had a great weekend with your ladies!
Last week I took it easy but this weekend I went to a bunch of events which was really fun as normally my husband and I don’t do much during the weekends! Thanks for sharing xo C
Hi Courtney! It’s good to have a mix of busy and non-busy weekends! Hope you had fun at your events. 🙂
My husband refuses to do bodypump with me (he hates the music lol). However, if I go for a run or lift free weights he’s all for it! In fact, we ran a half marathon together last year. He makes a great running/life partner 🙂
Hi Amanda! How nice that you guys run together! And he needs to give BODYPUMP another shot, because the music is always so different heheh! 🙂 Happy Monday, lady!
Going to wine country is at the TOP of my bucket list since I’ve moved to the Bay Area. I’m trying to hint to the boyfriend to plan something for my birthday!
Well he better deliver on that birthday wish ehehhe! 🙂 Yes, you’ve got to go!
Going wine tasting is one of my favorite things to do, lol. Especially in California there are so many awesome places to go. We made it up to Napa before we moved, I just loved it up there!
Hi Marielle! Oh good! So glad you’ve been to wine country — the smell of the grapes in the air is the best! 🙂 Hope you had a nice weekend!
I’m so jealous you are an HOUR from wine country. It looks so beautiful there! I’m also loving that blue dress on you. So cute! It looks like you had the perfect weekend. Here’s to a great week! 🙂
Thanks, Heather! Hope you had a great weekend too. 🙂
My husband and I don’t work out together either. I love group classes he likes to hit the weight room. I wish we went together more but we have to do what makes us happy. That’s great you guys went together, every once in awhile is nice!
That small cheese plate looks really tasty!
Hi Sheena! We went together again this morning! Two-in-a-row! hahah! I’m hoping to drag him to my classes here and there, but probably not too much. Gotta do our own things for sure:)
So jelly of your awesome weekend in wine country!! I have been dying to get up to Healdsbug/St.Helena since we’ve spent so much time in Sonoma and Yountville. We haven’t been in a YEAR. Omg. When I lived in NY I pledged I would go everyweekend upon moving here. Funny how you get used to things!! xx
I know! People always ask me why we don’t go more … well … there are other things to do! 🙂 And I haven’t done much in Healdsburg either!
I like going for runs by myself because it is such a stress reliever for me and a good time to think. I do however though enjoy doing strength trading workouts at the gym with my boyfriend. He is teaching me the ropes and we help cheer each other on 🙂
Hi Sarah! That makes total sense. Also, it’s good to have someone help you out with weights if you need it. Glad your man jumps in for that. 🙂
Ah, I haven’t been wine tasting in WAY too long – that looks amazing! 🙂
I skipped my run on Saturday morning (it’s been SO hot here – 81 at 5:30am means I’m not running, haha), but I went to a friend’s CX filming and then practiced the new Sh’Bam after. It was a nice change of pace (and significantly cooler).
Hi Breanne! Ohhh the warm weather should be going away soon for us both, I hope. That’s nice of you to go to a filming for a friend! 🙂 I need to try Sh’BAM!
I love fro-yo and I love seeing that some of my favorite healthy living bloggers go out for their fro-yo and yogurt along with their salads and protein shakes. <3 And that wine country visit looks fun, except I don't really like wine. 🙁
Hi Emily! Oh too bad … of course, you can always taste olive oil in wine country as well hehhe. And YAY for froyo, I hadn’t had any in a while because I’ve been eating other desserts, but it was nice to get back to it. 🙂
I can totally understand the staring at outfits haha but I happy to love yours at the release party! Definitely my kind of way to spend an afternoon 🙂 And that’s awesome about the little gym date. I have many workout buddies and it’s really fun that they all have different styles and push me in different ways.
I agree, Jacklyn! And people watching will never get old. At the gym too!! 🙂 heheh!
Your weekend sounds so fun! We did a wine tour for my mom’s 60th birthday a few years ago and it was so fun to see the winery and of course taste the wines !
This weekend my husband was out of town so my girlfriends from University came for a visit and sleepover ! Felt like old times yet we all now have kids lol
Ohhh Fiona, that sounds fabulous to hang out with your girls! YAY!!
Girl, you are always doing something fun! Never a dull moment. 🙂
Your dress for the wine event was adorable! And I have to ask, do you think the wine was worth the price tag? I’ve never tried a wine more than maybe $60 because, to me, I don’t notice that much of a difference after the $20-30 range.
Hi Sarah! I’ve been lucky enough to have expensive bottles before, and I must admit — they DO taste better. There is some sort of a mental thing or some sort of a quality thing, but I can tell when a bottle is really expensive. However, I do NOT spend that much and still enjoy cheap wine hehehe. 🙂 I can also tell with champagne …
I was just thinking today I’ve been running alone a lot lately… pretty consistently by myself, minus my dad riding his bike at the same time, for 2-3 weeks… since running is my gym, does that count? I have a few friends I run with as well, too!
YES! Running with friends totally counts, Cassie! 🙂 Good work!
Where do you take Barre classes?
Right now I’m trying Yoga Treat for barre classes in Concord. Review coming soon! 🙂