Category: Weight Loss

Hi friends! How was the weekend? I hope you had an amazing one. This blog post is a way to bring it back old school and share some more real-life adventures. Quite a few of you let me know that you missed the style of blogging from the past (I do, too!) so I’m trying to do it in a way that’s low-key and still focused on my experience, instead of the kids’ experience if that makes sense? It can be tricky because the kids are obviously a huge part of my life (and by far the most exciting and such an enjoyable part of my life). I’m still trying to navigate blogging in a way that feels authentic to me without overdoing it on kid content, while continuing to create value-driven posts, too.

If you guys enjoy this and want more everyday-style posts, let me know!

This weekend was a wild one and packed with so many fun adventures. Friday night, we went to a local fall festival with the fam. My dad, stepmom, aunt, cousins, Kyle and Meg, and their kiddos were all there.

We also ran into so many familiar faces that evening! Tucson is a small world, but feels smaller the longer we stay here.

BEFORE fall festival, the Pilot took P to a birthday party while I took Liv to dance, so P had double fun times. The kids played in the obstacle courses, got their faces painted, did the cake walk and bingo thing, and it was a blast.

Saturday morning, P had a soccer game, I took care of some work stuff and chores, and then one of Liv’s best friends came over for a sleepover.

We took the crew to sushi at Ginza,

(dress is here! Heads up that it runs big, so if you’re in between sizes, I’d size down)

and then picked up one of P’s friends so she would have a buddy, too. We headed to the mall, where the younger kids hit up the giant arcade with the Pilot, the older girls and I went to Claire’s and got boba teas.

We made it back to the arcade for some motorcycle races, Dance Dance Revolution, and then grabbed ice cream before P’s friend went home.

(they’re 10 and way cooler than I’ll ever be)

Sleepover breakfast was crepes! I hadn’t made them in years, but used this recipe (added a little vanilla to it) and they came out really well! The kids loved building their own crepes with bananas, strawberries, Nutella, marshmallow fluff, and we served everything up with crispy bacon, hash browns, and orange juice.

Later that afternoon, we saw Lion King at Centennial Hall! TBH I tend to feel a little meh about Lion King (I think I just overdid it from watching the movie 1800 times in the 90s with my JTT obsession), but the live production is so different. The costumes are set design are truly breathtaking, and we all loved it.

Also worth noting that Broadway in Tucson has STEPPED UP their theatre snack and drinks game. They had charcuterie boxes, hummus and veggie boxes, chocolate gummy worm pudding for the kids, wine, beer, giant cookies — 10/10 recommend a snack stop if you’re seeing a show. 

(dress is here, Liv’s plaid outfit here, and yes, she’s almost as tall as me!)

Sunday night dinner was filet with asparagus, homemade sourdough, salad kit (we’re fans of the dill pickle salad kid from Whole Foods), and a little wine to cap off the weekend.

I ended up taking Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off from the gym, so I’m feeling refreshed and ready to get back into my workout mojo this week. If you want to join us for Fit Team, the link is here! New workouts go out on Wednesday and I’m filming a new mobility workout for the platform this afternoon.

I hope you have a happy Monday and I’ll see ya soon!

What was the highlight of your weekend? Any fun sleepover breakfast ideas? I usually do pancakes, but crepes were a good way to switch things up.

xoxo

Gina

Sharing my full (non-sponsored) review of Book of the Month and if it’s worth it. If you’d like to try it out, my referral link gives you access to your first month for $5!

Hi friends! How’s the week going so far? I hope you’re having a great one. It’s been cloudy and rainy here (so lovely!) and it’s been a pretty normal week taking care of Caro (the meds seem to be helping), doing the work thing, and shuffling the crew to activities.

For today’s post, I wanted to talk about Book of the Month since I’ve been using it for over a year now! A couple of years ago, I vowed to start reading three books per month, and it’s ended up being a realistic and attainable goal that’s brought more joy into my life. Book of the Month has been a huge part of that. It’s a monthly subscription that enables me to try out new books and authors, and I’m pumped to share more details about it with you.

*Note: this review is not sponsored and my membership is not gifted. If you’d like to use my referral link, you’ll get your first month for $5!

Is Book of the Month worth it?

(my fave hoodie in all the land)

What is Book of the Month?

Book of the Month is a monthly book subscription. You can select from a handful of new curated titles each month, or browse previous reader faves. If you don’t see something that you want to read, you can skip that month and resume the following month. I currently pay $16.97 per month and have read 14 books through my subscription.

They have BFF rewards along the way and you can earn rewards like pins, a book bag (I love mine!), birthday book, Book of the Year book, and a 20% discount in their online boutique.

Benefits of Book of the Month

You expand your reading horizons

The main reason I joined to Book of the Month was to try new authors and titles that I otherwise might not find. They provide a thorough synopsis for each book, and add excellent emoji descriptors for each option (like emotional, social issues, book length, decade, LOL, light read, slow build, quirky, rural, action-packed, non-linear timeline, supernatural, etc.)

I discovered some new favorite authors and all-time favorite books through Book of the Month.

It encourages me to read more often

When I get a fresh new hardcover each month (digital books will never be as satisfying as the real deal), I’m immediately excited to dive in. I know that having Book of the Month has absolutely helped me to reach my goal of 3 books per month. I also feel like reading on my phone is distracting because I immediately open email and Instagram. This way, I have a book, which is separate from my phone, to enjoy. I also like reading physical books because the kids can see me reading, instead of thinking I’m playing around on my phone.

The downsides

Sometimes I don’t like the available selection

There have been a handful of months where the available titles and the previous reader faves weren’t intriguing to me. I’ve also had one book that was a dud. You can’t win them all, and overall, I’m usually thrilled by the diversity of genres they offer each month.

It’s pricier than simply ordering a book on Amazon

At around $17 per month, it’s more expensive than ordering books on Amazon. At the same time, they’re gorgeous hardcover books and I’ve been sharing them with friends and donating the others to our local library.

Is it worth it?

100% yes it’s been worth it for me. I think of all of the times I waste $20 throughout the month, so it’s a small investment to pay for something that brings me joy and encourages me to read more often each month. I also like that I’m not charged when I skip months, so it’s NBD if they don’t have something I want to read each month.

Have you tried Book of the Month or anything similar?

Are you in any book clubs?

What are you reading right now?

xoxo

Gina

Check out my great 2021 book recap here

Hi friends! I’m so excited to be chatting with Laney Schwartz from Life Is But A Dish on the podcast today.

Here’s what we’re talking about:

– Her tips for getting out of a cooking rut

– Meal prep tips and kids’ lunch ideas

– Her go-to ingredients and staples

and so.much.more.

110: Getting out of a cooking rut + meal prep tips with Laney Schwartz

Here’s more about Laney and her background:

Laney Schwartz is an everyday mom, founder and creator behind the food blog Life Is But A Dish, and a girl who’s obsessed with food. Born and raised in Maryland, Laney now lives in Los Angeles, California with her two daughters Zoe and Ava, her husband Zach, and her dog Lou. Laney is on a mission to help busy home cooks across the world gain confidence in the kitchen, create simple and delicious meals and cook without being tied to a recipe. After 7+ years of blogging Laney has over 600 reliable recipes on her website, all using simple everyday ingredients. Laney created a program called Cook with Confidence to help the overwhelmed and anxious home cook learn how to build foundational cooking skills for life. She has successfully moved over 200 students through the program, changing people’s relationships with the kitchen.

Connect with her on Instagram and check out her course, Cooking with Confidence. HIRL listeners can get $100 off at this link!

Resources from this episode:

I love love love the meals from Sakara Life! Use this link and the code XOGINAH for 20% off their meal delivery and clean boutique items. This is something I do once a month as a lil treat to myself and the meals are always showstoppers.

Get 15% off Organifi with the code FITNESSISTA. I drink the green juice, red juice, gold, and Harmony! (Each day I might have something different, or have two different things. Everything I’ve tried is amazing.)

The weather is cooling down, and I’m still obsessed with my sauna blanket. It feels even BETTER when it’s chilly outside and you can use the code FITNESSISTA15 for 15% off! This is one of my favorite ways to relax and sweat it out. I find that it energizes me, helps with aches and pains, I sleep better on the days I use this, and it makes my skin glow. Link to check it out here. You can also use my discount for the PEMF Go Mat, which I use every day!

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I just finished Level 1 and have started Level 2. I highly recommend it! You can check out my initial thoughts on IHP here!

Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you. 

xo

Hi friends! I’m so excited for today’s podcast episode because it’s a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: Fertility Awareness Method!

I’ve been practicing FAM since the old days, when I first got off birth control in 2009. It changed my life. It was the first chance I had to understand my cycle and how it changes throughout the month and gave me key insights into my fertile and non-fertile days. It’s a non-hormonal form of birth control that can be very effective, especially if you’re diligent about tracking your symptoms throughout the month. It can also tell you if something is off, like if your cycle starts to change lengths drastically, or if you’re not ovulating.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m chatting with Jess Suchan and Candace Burch (an incredible mother-daughter duo! Candace’s daughter Ryan also works on the family business) all about birth control and Fertility Awareness Method.

109: Fertility Awareness Method and getting off birth control with Jess Suchan and Candace Burch

Here’s what we discuss:

– Why hormonal birth control can be problematic

– What is FAM and how does it work?

– Tracking apps and how to track throughout the month

– Hormone balancing tips

– and so.much.more.

It’s also worth mentioning here that birth control is a super personal topic and at the end of the day, you have to research and do what makes sense for your body and life. This podcast episode is not meant to convince anyone; we’re just sharing our experiences. You gotta do what works for you, boo. Also, friendly reminder that this is not medical advice and just intended for informational purposes.

You can also check out my previous podcast episode with Candace Burch here!

Here’s a little bit more about Candace and Jess and their backgrounds:

Jess Suchan is a board certified Holistic Health Coach who coaches her clients towards finding a life of bliss, free from fad diets, overexercising, and burnout. She believes that in order to change our habits we must address the “holistic picture” and compassionately investigate how all areas of our lives are interconnected.

Jess spent over a decade yo-yo dieting, exercising for punishment and ignoring the messages her body was sending her. This lifestyle coupled with a slew of stressful jobs, led her to develop debilitating migraines which she eventually cured with a holistic approach. When she discovered the power of food and lifestyle as medicine, she decided to become a health coach via the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and dedicated her time to helping others find that “2.0 version of themselves!” Today, she coaches clients privately and works in partnership with Your Hormone Balance (she also recently completed a Hormone Health Extension course through I.I.N.).

She is also the creator of the Sexy Sugar Cleanse and Sexy Swaps & Recipe Guide and in the Spring of 2021, she launched a line of superfood latte blends for detoxification & energy -a great hormone balancing swap for black coffee!

Candace Burch is a Hormone Health Educator with a Masters in Health Education and over 25 years of experience in the field. In 2017, she founded Your Hormone Balance as a one-on-one consulting practice, and is now joined by her two daughters, Ryan and Jess, who have expanded YHB’s reach to women around the world (keep reading for the full story behind this family biz!).

Candace’s background includes working as a health editor, writer and investigative journalist in London, leading educational patient and provider initiatives for ZRT Hormone Laboratory (as their Director of Education for 12+ years), as well as spearheading “Body in Balance,” a hormone testing and rebalancing weight loss program at Metabolic Research Center (a nationwide weight loss company).

Candace continues to raise awareness about hormonal health and disease prevention through her work as a writer, speaker and podcaster (Listen to Candace and her cohost, Kyle McAvoy, NP, on the Women Talking Frankly Podcast).

Today she lives in McMinnville, Oregon with her husband and son/schnoodle, Riley. Outside of hormone health, her passions include sketching, reading, dancing, music, long walks, swimming, international travel, quality time spent with loved ones, and making sure that every day is filled with purpose, love and zest for living!

You can check out Your Hormone Balance here and use the code FITNESSISTA50 for $50 off any of their test kit packages.

Resources from this episode:

Beyond the Pill

Taking Charge of Your Fertility

Natural Cycles

iPeriod (this is the app I use)

Check out Jess’ latte blends here! I’m so excited to try these!

I love love love the meals from Sakara Life! Use this link and the code XOGINAH for 20% off their meal delivery and clean boutique items. This is something I do once a month as a lil treat to myself and the meals are always showstoppers.

Get 15% off Organifi with the code FITNESSISTA. I drink the green juice, red juice, gold, and Harmony! (Each day I might have something different, or have two different things. Everything I’ve tried is amazing.)

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. This is the certification I’m currently working towards and highly recommend it. You can check out my initial thoughts on IHP here!

Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you. 

xo

Hi friends! It’s the weekend! What do you have going on? The kids have a bday party, Liv has dance, and I’m getting the new Fit Team workouts and Self Care September guide out and ready to go. Join us here!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. Please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

#1 most exciting thing on our list right now: I booked a fall trip for us to go to NYC. Last time I went was a girls’ trip with Liv in fall 2019. I can’t wait to introduce P to such a magical place, eat all the pizza, and see all the shows. Please drop any of your favorite kid-friendly shows or any must-do activities! I know P will love the Museum of Natural History – it was one of our favorite things last time.

Friday Faves

Read, watch, listen:

Where should I eat in Tucson? A bucket list for every craving. I haven’t tried all of the spots on this list but agree with Anita’s for their burritos (the tortillas are unlike anything in the world), Estrella for the best donuts of your life, Le Buzz,  Barrio Bread, but strongly disagree on Kingfisher (sorry not sorry, it’s terrible).

Indian Matchmaking. Obsessed and love it for background noise while I work!

What’s something you splurged on that was worth it?

The “corn kid” that’s all over TikTok right now. So wholesome, adorable, and relatable for so many. (TBH I hate most corn except Mexican street corn.)

This devotional. If you’ve been looking to study the Bible, but aren’t sure where to start, this is an amazing starting point. I meditate, journal, and do a bit of this devotional each day.

4 essential self-care tips.

Top Gun Maverick is out to purchase/rent on Amazon! You know we’ll be watching it on and off all weekend, in between listening to the Pilot describe all of the inaccuracies in the movie lol.

Fitness, health + good eats:

New HigherDOSE detox drops! I was able to try these out as part of their initial tester group, and they’ve finally launched! The cocoa mint flavor is lovely, and they’re packed with tons of nutrients and minerals. Code FITNESSISTA15 gets you 15% off here.

Buffalo chicken bowls with cauliflower garlic rice.

So pumped to see this list of 15 book suggestions from Julie! I haven’t read any of these, so I added quite a few to my ongoing to-read list.

A 17-minute mobility flow.

Fashion + beauty:

LOVE this off-shoulder pullover.

Been living in my Vuori joggers this week. If you haven’t treated yourself to a pair, you’ll never go back. They look super cute with a tank or tee and low-top sneakers.

Happy Friday, friends!
xo

Gina

These healthy fall soup recipes, made with real food ingredients, are nutritious and will warm you up on a chilly autumn day.

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We caught up on some things around the house, I taught a barre class, we met up with friends for dinner, and got the Fit Team workouts out for September. If you’d like to join us, the link is here!

Since we’re back in the school routine, I’ve been on the hunt for healthy and delicious recipes I can make quickly or in advance. Soups are one of our-go dinner options, because you can pack in a ton of nutrition at once, the kids love soup, and leftovers are amazing for lunch (or breakfast!).

Today I’m sharing a round up of some of our favorite heathy fall soup recipes from the blog + fellow blog friends.

Our Favorite Healthy Fall Soup Recipes

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

A delicious and hearty soup for the upcoming fall months. It freezes beautifully, and is easily reheated in the slow cooker or on the stove top.

The Best Black Bean Soup

It’s a thousand times better than my beloved black bean soup from Panera. Give it a whirl for a delicious vegetarian lunch or dinner option! It’s a savory black bean fiesta in a bowl!

Miso Noodle Soup from Kath Eats

This Miso Noodle Soup is simple to make and full of flavor! It’s a hearty, comforting and nutrient-dense meal for cooler weather and is also vegan and gluten-free.

One Pot Golden Curry Chicken Soup from Fit Foodie Finds

Get out your stock pot because we’ve got an amazing healing one pot golden curry chicken soup that is calling your name. This veggie-packed coconut curry chicken soup has a delicious flavorful broth filled with anti-inflammatory spices and includes 2 types of protein.

One Pot Everyday Lentil Soup from Minimalist Baker

An easy, everyday recipe for lentil soup with potatoes, carrots, kale, and simple herbs and seasonings. The perfect plant-based main or side that requires just 10 ingredients, 1 pot, and about 30 minutes to make.

Taco Soup from Kristen Boehmer

This taco soup is a delicious blend of ground beef, vegetables and seasonings, all simmered to perfection and topped with all the taco fixings. An easy dinner option that’s kid-friendly and quick to make! Instant Pot, Slow Cooker and Stovetop instructions included!

Outrageously Delicious Vegetable Soup from Eating Bird Food

This is the best vegetable soup! It’s loaded with fresh veggies and seasoned with plenty of spices and herbs for amazing flavor. Plus, it’s dairy-free and vegetarian.

Tell me, friends: what’s your favorite soup or chili recipe? Please share the love in the comments section below!
xoxo

Gina

You may also enjoy:

Hi friends! So excited that the podcast is BACK 🙂 I anticipate summers being more low-key on the podcast front, but now that we’re back in a routine, I have interviews stacked up and so much content to share with you guys. Please subscribe to the show if you’d like to be notified of new episodes as they go live!

For today’s episode, I’m chatting with Laura Varney about prenatal fitness, birth experiences, and how fitness perspectives can shift over time.

108: Prenatal fitness + shifting fitness perspectives with Laura Varney

We talk about:

– Her background and how she started working in the fitness industry

– Prenatal fitness tips

– Her experience in the bikini competition world

– How fitness perspectives and messaging have changed over time

– Her tips for being Healthy in Real Life

and so much more.

Here’s a bit more about Laura and her background:

Laura’s mission is to create a more empathetic approach to wellness – especially for those entering motherhood. Laura is a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and registered yoga teacher in Los Angeles. Her vigorous resume includes the specialization of strength and functional training, pre/postnatal training, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), and power vinyasa yoga.

She is the founder of The Baby Body: a 35-week prenatal exercise designed to keep women strong throughout all stages of pregnancy, during labor, and while being a parent. Laura’s passion for seeking an “unrestricted” life has catapulted her into the pursuit of empowering, supporting, and inspiring the women around her.

You can check out her website here and her Instagram accounts here and here.

Resources from this episode:

If you’re listening to this episode when it first launches, it’s Labor Day Sale sitewide at HigherDOSE, the makers of my favorite portable sauna blanket. Use this link and the code LDW22 for 20% sitewide! If you’re catching up on this episode later, you can use FITNESSISTA15 for 15% off! I LOVE the sauna blanket, PEMF Go Mat and red light face mask.

I love love love the meals from Sakara Life! Use this link and the code XOGINAH for 20% off their meal delivery and clean boutique items. This is something I do once a month as a lil treat to myself and the meals are always showstoppers.

Get 15% off Organifi with the code FITNESSISTA. I drink the green juice, red juice, gold, and Harmony! (Each day I might have something different, or have two different things. Everything I’ve tried is amazing.)

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. This is the certification I’m currently working towards and highly recommend it. You can check out my initial thoughts on IHP here!

Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you. 

Sharing my full review of the HigherDOSE sauna blanket and if I think it’s worth it. This post isn’t sponsored, but I use and love this thing SO MUCH. The company generously offered a discount code for you all if you’re interested in trying it! Use FITNESSISTA15 for 15% off at this link (<— affiliate link).

Hi friends! How’s the week going? I hope you’re having a good one so far. We met up with friends for dinner and I caught a glorious hot yoga class.

For today’s post, I’m sharing an updated review of my beloved sauna blanket, the HigherDOSE. Every time I post about this magical wonder on Instagram stories, I’m flooded with questions. I did quite a bit of research before I finally decided to go for it, so I’m breaking it all down in this post.

I’ve now used this beauty for over a year and have so many great things to say about it. It’s become one of the non-negotiables in my weekly health practice and makes a huge difference in my skin and mood.

What is the HigherDOSE sauna blanket and how does it work?

The HigherDOSE sauna blanket is an at-home and portable version of an infrared sauna. It uses infrared heat (which heats your body from the inside out, not the other way around), along with healing tourmaline crystals, clay, and a charcoal layer (which all generate negative ions). It’s made of nontoxic materials and is extremely low EMF, so it’s not emitting radiation throughout your body while you’re relaxing and sweating.

To set it up, you just unroll the blanket and plug it in! You can easily adjust the heat settings with the remote and I usually give it about 10 minutes or so to heat up.

Benefits of infrared sauna:

Sauna means “bath house” in Finnish and heat as therapy has been used for thousands of years. Infrared technology was born in the late 1800s. Over time, saunas have been used for so many things, including healing and preventing illness, for burial preparation, and for childbirth. (It was fascinating to read a bit about the history of saunas here!) It encompassed the circle of life and heat was thought to be a powerful protective and life-giving force.

Obviously technology has changed a ton since then, but today many people still use saunas for the health and restorative benefits. You can find them at gyms, at the spa, and many people own one in their home. Saunas can potentially help with aging, illness, detoxification, healthy skin, increased blood flow, decreased anxiety, muscle soreness, relaxation, and improved mood. Not everyone is on board with the detoxification aspect (some say it’s a myth, but I’m a huge believer in the detoxifying power of a good sweat) and I notice that it makes my skin glow, my mood is improved, and I feel zen and relaxed when it’s a regular part of my routine.

(All wrapped up and sweating like a happy Chipotle burrito.)

Here are some pros and cons about the HigherDOSE option:

Pros:

 – It’s small and portable!! I would LOVE to have a full-sized infrared sauna in our house, but we have zero room here. It would be something weird I’d have to build into the closet. I also thought about a backyard option but when you live in AZ, the thought of a snake or scorpion making its way into the sauna is a very real fear. This gives you the same infrared benefits but it’s small, compact, and you can move it around easily. I typically use it on the floor of my office or in the living room.

– It feels AMAZING. I’m borderline addicted to how great it makes me feel and could use it every single day. (I usually have time to do it 3-4 times a week, usually after I get the crew to bed! I just listen to a podcast or pop a show on the iPad.) I love a serious sweat and it just fills me with endorphins. My skin looks brighter after I use it, I sleep like a baby, and I haven’t noticed any muscle soreness even though I’ve been pushing it with my strength workouts.

Cons:

– I’ve come back to this post three times and still can’t think of any. I’ve been extremely happy with it and haven’t found any issues or pain points. My only downside was that the older version of the blanket had a Velco closure; they’ve updated with a super easy-to-use zipper closure.

Tips for using the HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket:

When you use the blanket be sure the read the instruction manual and guidelines, but these are just some of my tips:

– Plug it in and let it heat up for about 10 minutes. Make sure it’s on a flat, fireproof surface.

– Figure out your sauna outfit of choice. They recommend being fully clothed in the blanket with lightweight and breathable options. I wear lightweight cotton jogger pants, a tank with a long-sleeved tee over it, and full socks. I also put a small towel under my tailbone or my booty gets too hot from pressing against the blanket on the tile. They just added a sauna insert that you can use instead, too!

– Find something to entertain you during your sauna time. It’s very hard to read a book because you don’t want to keep sliding your arms out to turn the page, but a TV show or movie, audiobook or podcast all work well.

– Sweat it out! You can play around with the heat settings and time to see what works best for you, and I recommend working your way up instead of starting too hot or too long. You’ll find that your heart rate will increase a bit and you’ll start to sweat. It feels amazing. My sweet spot is 35 minutes at level 7. (I always set a timer on my phone so I don’t fall asleep!)

– After I get out of the blanket, I open it up to start drying, and hop in the shower. After I shower, the blanket has cooled down a bit so I can thoroughly clean it with one of these wipes. These are the same cleaning wipes I use for the Peloton! I always unplug the power supply cord when I’m done using it.

– I let it dry completely before folding it and sliding it under my bed to store. (Make sure the cord isn’t wrapped or bundled when you store it. Try to keep it lightly looped.)

– For travel, they also have a super handy travel bag! I’m brining it with me for all future road trips.

That’s it! If you decide to try it out, use the code FITNESSISTA15 here for 15% off. It’s my favorite purchase in a LONG time. I also use and love their PEMF Go Mat and red light face mask. My discount code FITNESSISTA15 works on all of these things.

Here’s a quick video on how to use the HigherDOSE sauna blanket:

So tell me friends: are you a sauna fan or not so much?

What’s your #1 fave way to unwind?

xo

Gina

Sharing 15 of my favorite fall things to do in Tucson!

Hi friends! How’s the day going so far? I hope you’re having a great morning so far. I’m subbing a dance cardio class and then spending the rest of the day getting the September Fit Team workouts ready to go. Join us here! New workouts go out on Sunday.

August is acting like it has somewhere to be. I can’t believe that next week is already September! Fall is almost here and Tucson is absolutely dreamy in the fall. The mild weather makes it a long and beautiful season for different activities, and there are also plenty of festivals and events that can make me enjoy the season even more. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of activities that you can do to experience the beauty of fall in all its glory in Tucson. I’d love to hear some local friends chime in the comments if I’m missing anything!

15 Fall Things To Do In Tucson

1) All Souls Procession Weekend

All Souls Procession is one of my favorite activities of the entire year. This year, it’s November 4th – November 6th. You can check out details and photos here. This event draws so many different types of people and they all walk the parade route together, with their faces beautifully painted, costumes, and carrying handmade ofrendas to honor those who have passed. With all of the division in the world, it’s a great reminder that we’re all human; it’s a meaningful experience that our entire family enjoys.

From their website:

The All Souls Procession is one of the most important, inclusive and authentic public ceremonies in North America today. The Procession had its beginnings in 1990 with a ceremonial performance piece created by local artist Susan Johnson. Johnson was grieving the passing of her father, and as an artist, she found solace in a creative, celebratory approach to memorializing him. Says Johnson, “From the beginning, it was different people’s ethnic groups, different cultures, but also it was all these different art forms put together.”

After its inception, many artists were inspired to continue, growing the Procession into its modern incarnation. Today we find ourselves organizing well over 150,000 participants on the streets of downtown Tucson for a two-mile long human-powered procession that ends in the ceremonial burning of “The Urn”.

The Urn is filled with the hopes, offerings and wishes of the public for those who have passed.Myriad altars, performers, installation art, and creatives of all kinds collaborate to prepare their offerings for this amazing event. The All Souls Procession Weekend is Honors the Ancestors and our lost loved ones and Celebrates Life.

2) Cowboy cookout at Tanque Verde Ranch

We LOVE the cowboy cookout at Tanque Verde Ranch, and it’s one of our favorite dinner spots to take out-of-town guests. It’s outdoors, so we can enjoy the dreamy Tucson fall weather, they have live music, BBQ buffet (the cobbler is to.die.for) and the BEST prickly pear margaritas. Even better? Turn it into a little staycation!

3) Sonoran Desert Museum

Our Desert Museum is truly a unique Tucson experience, and when the weather is nicer, you’re able to see more animals. There’s a gorgeous butterfly exhibit, and you have the chance to see desert foxes, javelinas, scorpions (AHH), and other desert creatures up close and personal. This one is a huge hit with the kids. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s worth it!

4) Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival

Marana has really upped their game in the past few years, and what used to be a smaller pumpkin patch with a petting zoo and a couple of activities has turned into a full-out fall festival. They have multiple rides (including swings, slides, a Corn-ado spinning ride, a train), lots of amazing food, games, and activities for the entire family. Definitely check it out! A little insider tip: go at the beginning of the season instead of closer to Halloween.

5) Apple Annie’s Produce and Pumpkins

Apple Annie’s is an orchard and farm located in Williams, AZ (about an hour and 15 minutes from Tucson). You can pick your own produce, including apples and peaches, and they also have a corn maze and craft fair to look forward to in September and October. Get the pie – you won’t regret it!

6) Tucson Meet Yourself Festival

October 7,8,9 2022 in Downtown Tucson. Three days of music, dance, folk arts, and food from Tucson’s many cultures. My family and I refer to this event as Tucson Eat Yourself, because you’ll just go and eat all of the delicious food, including elote, kettle corn, tacos, and shaved ice from many street vendors. While you enjoy your meal, you can watch some of the performances from local musicians and dancers, representing a variety of cultures.

7) Tombstone Hellorado Days

We haven’t taken the kids to Tombstone yet, but I feel like they’re the perfect ages, especially since Liv is very into history. Helldorado is held every third Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October and consists of gunfight re-enactment shows, street entertainment, fashion shows and other entertainment.

8) Reid Park Zoo

We have a small zoo here in Tucson, which makes it ideal for spending an hour or two with kids. They usually host a Halloween event with elaborate light displays and treak-or-treating stations.

9) A trail ride at TRAK or Tanque Verde Ranch

A trail ride is the perfect way to enjoy the weather, some time outdoors, and enjoy a novel experience you may not get to do all the time (unless you’re P, who is a professional). Both TRAK and Tanque Verde Ranch offer trial rides for various riding experience levels and lengths of time.

10) Mount Lemmon Oktoberfest

Mount Lemmon is a Tucson treasure. It’s 45 minutes to an hour away, and the scenery changes dramatically. You leave cacti and brown dirt for enormous pine trees, greenery, and much cooler weather (20-30 degrees colder!). They have an Oktoberfest event, or you can even head up for the day to picnic, hike, and enjoy pizza and a cookie from the Cookie Cabin.

11) Pima Air and Space Museum

This is another one of our spots to take out-of-town guests, particularly because the Pilot has a couple of plaques and patches on display. It’s fun to see the various aircraft, especially with our Tucson Davis-Monthan Air Force Base history, and the exhibits are amazing.

12) Live music in downtown Tucson at Hotel Congress Plaza

Hotel Congress frequently has live music on the weekends, and it’s a great place to enjoy a cocktail and some music/dancing. They feature local artists and also small booths from artisans, including handmade accessories and jewelry. Bonus: have dinner at BATA and then head to Hotel Congress to music and drinks.

13) Buckelew Farm Terror in the Corn Maze

Buckelew Farm is a bit of a hike (around an hour) and they have a huge pumpkin patch + haunted attractions if that’s your thing (it’s not my thing lol). You can check out the details here if you’re looking for a spookier experience.

14) Hike Sabino Canyon

Sabino Canyon is my favorite hiking destination in Tucson. You can explore many of the trails, or take a tram ride to the top and walk down. You can check out All Trails and a full guide to hiking Sabino Canyon here. You can often see water and wildlife on the trail, and the views are spectacular.

15) Gaslight fall show- The Wizard of the Rings

Gaslight is another Tucson treasure! Their melodramas are always loosely based on popular shows and movies, and the audience is encouraged to cheer for the hero and boo for the villain. They serve popcorn and a full 50s diner menu as you enjoy the show.

What are some local fall events that you look forward to each year?

xo

Gina