I just started getting used to the “no work” thing and I kinda liked it. We had no set plans each day and kinda went with the flow. Each morning we started our day with breakfast & a long walk. It felt great to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather as well as get our bodies moving bright and early. It just set things off to a great start.

On Friday we made another trip to Tod’s Point. We really couldn’t have lucked out anymore with the weather. Blue skies and warm temps made our vacation beautiful.

Friday night Marc and I had a “date night.” My mom offered to watch Ava so we could get out and have some alone time.

We decided to go to L’Escale Restaurant in Greenwich CT.

It’s a fancy restaurant located right on the water in the Delamar Harbor. Marc and I arrived around 6:15pm and we were asked if we wanted to sit inside or out. It was such a pretty night so we didn’t hesitate to take an outdoor table.

For an appetizer we had Roasted Oysters that came in a bacon, shallot, wine sauce.

I’ve only had oysters a couple of times before and I wasn’t a fan until I tried these. They were so tasty and I was sold after my first one.

Marc and I also enjoyed a glass of Chateau Red Wine. For our entrees I chose the Halibut Provencal which came with fennel, artickoes, tomatoes & potatoes in a saffron sauce.

It was amazing and I’m pretty sure I couldn’t put my fork down. Marc had to tell me to slow down!!

Marc had Branzino Boillabaisse which was rock shrimp, mussels, saffron potato, sea beans, rouille. He liked it a lot!

Our night was perfect and I am so thankful for the quality time we were able to spend together at dinner. After dinner we decided to go to another local steakhouse called Gabriele’s that had a small bar to have a drink together so we didn’t have to rush home!

Marc had a Cucumber Gin Fizz and I had a Skinny Margarita. Both drinks were quite refreshing.

After lots of chatting and good times we headed home!

Saturday and Sunday were all about productivity we did some attic cleaning, some organizing and stuff around the house.

We also had spent some time at Fairways At the Griff.

Ava loved being outside and of course smelling the flowers.

Our vacation was full of great food, lots of smiles, awesome workouts, perfect weather, relaxation and family time. I really hate to say this but I wasn’t looking forward to going back to my regular routine. I enjoyed having Marc home to spend my days with and I might shed a tear that vacay is over.

Now I’m off to teach Group Power and get my sweat on!

How was your weekend?

Is it tough for you to get back to work after taking a week vacation?

We have enjoyed the last couple days at the beach and are planning to go to Todd’s point again early today. The weather has been perfect and we’ve practically had the beach to ourselves.

It’s so relaxing and peaceful and I really don’t want summer to end.

Sorry I didn’t post yesterday but vacation time got in the way of me blogging.

I figured today was a great day to share some of the things I’m loving this week!

First up is my workouts. Being able to workout the way I want to has been so awesome. Don’t get me wrong I love my job as an instructor, but sometimes I’m forced to do specific workouts on certain days when I would rather be working on a different area of fitness. So this week I took advantage of mixing up my workouts. I did a few 21 day fix workouts plus boot camp class and it felt great. I feel a difference in my arm strength this week and my inner thighs are on fire….two thumbs up.

This quote was perfect for my workouts this week. I literally dripped so much sweat but you know what it felt great!

I’m loving Terrafina Trail mix. I bought it when we were in Rhode Island and it’s a great mix of nuts, seeds, & raisins. We have been snacking on it while we are at the beach and it’s almost gone. Mixed nuts have been my snack of choice this week.

We have eaten a few lunches at home this week. Once we left the beach Ava was wiped so we came home so she could nap and I ran out to Citarella to get some food. This Orange Glazed Chicken was AMAZING. We also had roasted butternut squash with carmelized onions and cranberries. SO Delicious. I love stores that offer fresh prepared meals. It was like eating at a restaurant in our house. I highly recommend Citarella.

Twice this week I had a Quest bar after my workouts. It’s an easy snack for me to grab and I love that it’s super high in protein because my muscles needed it this week. I’m pretty sure the cookie dough flavor is to die for.

I found this Quinoa mix at Stop and Shop the other day and I’m glad I did. It only has “real” ingredients and it was so easy to make. It was the perfect side dish to chicken or fish and I the taste was great!

Spending time with family this week has been incredible and I don’t want it to end.

It’s made me push aside all the non important things in life and focus on what really matters and to me that’s happiness. If you aren’t happy you aren’t living.

Have you ever had a “staycation” before?

What’s something you are loving this week?

The second part of our vacation was just as great as the first part. We spent more time by the pool, which meant more running around and chasing Ava. She enjoyed looking at the birds & ducks in the pond behind the condo.

So basically she didn’t sit still for more then 5 minutes.

She has actually been able to make some really good “quack-quack” duck noises on her own. I’m pretty sure ducks are currently her favorite animal besides dogs.

We had a couple nice meals outside at restaurants where we sat overlooking the beach.

There’s something so enjoyable about sitting outside at a restaurant.

And of course having a cocktail on the beach. I ordered a Mojito without added sugar!

I’m not gonna lie, eating out with Ava isn’t easy but she was such a trooper and impressed me with her great behavior at the table. I think we also timed everything perfectly and avoided times where she would have probably through a tantrum or have been fussy!

I wish we could’ve stayed in Florida longer!

One of my friends watched Cooper for us while we were away and we received tons of awesome pictures of Cooper having fun playing with his girlfriend Barley. I’m pretty sure he had a fun vacation too!

This is a picture of Marc and his family outside Sandbar Restaurant on Anna Maria Island which is only about 10 minutes from the Condo.  While we waited for our table Ava playing with her cousin Natalie in the sand. This is probably the whitest softest sand ever and I wish I could have brought some back with me!

When Ava wore this hat, my heart almost melted.

I know she’s my daughter but the hat was just too cute on her!

If I could pick a second home away from home it would be Florida. I love the beach, and I love that it’s a hop skip and a jump away from Connecticut.

This vacation was the break I needed from work & life, and I honestly felt rejuvenated once I got back!

Whats your favorite thing to do on vacation? 

Are you a beach or pool person?

Vacations are much different now with a toddler that doesn’t want to sit in one place for more then 5 seconds so I can’t say we sat a lot this trip but I’m not complaining because our bodies weren’t meant to sit.

 

HAPPY FRIDAY

What is your favorite part of vacation? swimming is my favorite part, I love the water! I also love the relaxation part

I don’t have much going on this weekend besides catching up on some coaching and getting organized for my 30 day Challenge. I guess I didn’t make any plans for tonight because we are supposed to get something like 5 inches of snow. I’m still hopeful that spring will hit soon.

It’s nice to have a weekend with zero plans. It allows me to get all the “little things done.” Including a manicure, pedicure, or massage. I think I need some sort of treat, what do you think?

Today I decided to post some of the things I have been loving lately:

Healthy Fats: Over the past couple of weeks I have been eating my fair share of Nuts, Avocado, & Peanut butter… I can honestly these 3 fats are my favorite, they make everything taste better right?

Sweet Potato Soup: I know you guys hate me because I can’t share the recipe but this soup is gold 

Stick rolling: Since I strained my hamstring I have been doing extra stretching and deep tissue massage with The stick. It is torturous but helps get rid of all the extra tightness I have going on.

Pushup Jack: This exercise is no joke and I fatigue pretty quick but there’s something about it that I like.

Maybe I like it because the first time I did it I thought I was going to face plant and I didn’t! haha Marc took a video of me doing the exercise and screened shot these 2 pics from it!

Zoodles: (Zucchini Noodles) If you haven’t gone out and bought a Veggetti yet, you probably should. It’s cheap & easy to use, plus you get this fun little side dish to eat!

VACATION: Marc and I planned a Trip to Florida for the middle of April. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to get away. I’m also very excited to be on a beach and in a pool with Ava. If she’s anything like her mama she’s gonna be a water baby!

I hope you all have an awesome weekend!

Thank you to everyone that sent me comments on my Reader Feedback Survey from yesterday! In case you missed it please feel free to comment

 What is something you have been loving this past week?

Do you have any fun plans this weekend?

We went to the beaches in Greenwich and got to enjoy the lovely weather and had some fun in the water! 

Ava already has a love for the water, just like me! 

 

Ask me to pronounce these 3 dishes… not gonna happen! I left feeling overly stuffed and pretty much got all my veggie servings for the day in 1 sitting!

Making healthy choices… even on vacation!! 

The thought of vacation gets me excited and I’m sure it gets you excited too. It is something to look forward to and a time to spend with friends and family without any obligations. When I go on vacation I think of it as a time to relax, rejuvenate, see different places, try new things… but by no means do I leave all my healthy habits behind.

Do you use vacation as a time to splurge on unhealthy food & drinks, just because you are away from it all?

Here are some tips to staying healthy and to make wiser choices while on vacations:

1. WALK… there are so many places to see when you are on vacation so take the scenic route and walk. Explore all the shopping areas and restaurants in the town or city you are visiting. Better yet rent a bike!
2. Indulge but don’t SPLURGE.. if you want a slice of pizza have it but pair it with some veggies and a tossed salad. If you want ice cream or dessert, consider it a treat.. don’t have it every day you are on vacation.
3. Drink water… being on the beach or out in the sun can quickly dehydrate you. Don’t let it happen. Carry a water with you and keep an extra in your bag.
4. Don’t eat until you are stuffed… eat until you are satisfied. When you feel like your button is going to pop off your pants, you ate TOO much.
5. If you are drinking alcoholic beverages… limit them to non-sugary drinks such as light beer, wine spritzers, etc. Don’t forget to drink water!
6. Exercise… sure the walking counts but you have way more time then you normally do so hit the hotel gym or do some bodyweight exercises in your room such as pushups, situps, and squats.

Remember to have FUN… you deserve it!

Vacation was amazing and I really wish I could’ve stayed longer, but it’s back to the grind!

Here is a photo recap of our vacation!

First Plane ride… she was a saint!

Ava Slept the whole plane ride down

This was our first day by the pool, and Ava was soaking in the beautiful surroundings!

Cooper was not on vacation with us, my mom took care of him and he even got to play at doggy daycare with some other dogs one of the days!

I somehow took a picture of the place we got “Local” cuban food from but failed to take a picture of the food, think I was hungry??

Pictures outside by the lake

Ava getting her feet wet.. she didn’t go swimming, but next time I bet she will!

Family shot

All smiles

Tummy time on daddy

Lots of playtime

Ava’s first pair of sunglasses

Happy Birthday to me! what a nice gift to spend vacation away with the family!