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Foodie Loves Fitness

Sharing my passion for living a healthy & happy life

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Hug Your Pooch, it’s National Dog Day!

Hey friends!

So, I wasn’t planning on blogging today, but here I am chatting with you because I found out….

IMG_3713

It’s National Dog Day! 

I know that there are lots of random, silly holidays on every day of the year, but truth be told, I think some of them are fun because 1.) I love any excuse to celebrate, and 2.) I enjoy acknowledging days designated to something near and dear to my heart. And pretty much everyone that knows me knows that I’m obsessed with dogs, especially my own pooch!

Hiking at Elfin Forest

Hiking with Harley a couple of weeks ago

Having a dog that you adore is a special bond.

For me, it’s knowing that I have someone to sleep by my feet while I work in my office, that I always have an enthusiastic hiking partner….

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It means having one entertaining creature around that constantly cracks me up…

Harley Chobani container

It means having a witness to all of my cooking endeavors and knowing that any dropped food will be promptly licked up cleaned…

Harley loves broccoli

It means having a companion who alway likes to be near, whether she’s sitting next to me while I’m hanging out studying, or pulling her blanket up to be at the foot of my yoga mat.

harley-yoga-mat

In the days of Marine Corps deployments, I spent more time with Harley than any other living creature, and she always somehow knew when I was having a hard day to be extra sweet and cute. Dogs somehow just know sometimes.

Having a dog means having someone to run around and relax at the beach with… dog beach selfie

Harley beach

Harley reminds me that life’s too short to be serious, that every day is a great day to get out there and run free….

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…and boy, does she love to run free!

running at the dog beach

Sometimes I wonder just what goes on in that pretty little head of hers…

IMG_1248

…but I love my nutty dog and am so happy to be her pawrent. One day, I’ll have human children of my own, but for now, I’m good with just a puppy as my child!

Harley playtime

I can’t help but feel like people who have never loved a dog before are missing out. There’s a reason why they call them woman’s best friend: They’re such loyal creatures that love unconditionally. In the years I volunteered at the animal shelter, I was always amazed at how forgiving dogs are. Some of the dogs I worked with had been neglected and abused, yet still, they were usually quick to trust me, because all they wanted was the love of humans.

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So pawrents, I hope that you give your pooch an extra hug, special treat, or nice long walk today in honor of National Dog Day. 🙂

Questions: Are you a dog owner? What’s your favorite animal? 

Though dogs are high on my list, lions are my absolute favorite!

Spread the love

August 26, 2014 3:48 pm foodielovesfitness 11 Comments Filed Under: Dogs, Harley

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    August 26, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    We don’t have any pets – I’ve never had a dog and I guess I’m fine with that. Right now I can’t imagine taking care of it (and I know it would end up being me doing the work).
    Glad you have your dog to keep you company!!!

    Reply
  2. Ali says

    August 26, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    Awe, Harley is such a pretty dog! Very sweet post. I Love dogs too!

    Reply
    • foodielovesfitness says

      September 4, 2014 at 9:07 pm

      Thanks, she’s a cutie!

      Reply
  3. Amalia @ Live Travel Eat and Run says

    August 26, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    Awww yay! I didn’t know it was national dog day. I have a puppy that lives with my parents in a different province — I should facetime her and tell her how much I love her!

    Reply
    • foodielovesfitness says

      September 4, 2014 at 9:08 pm

      Awww! Does your dog at all understand Facetime? Anytime I Skype or FaceTime with my hubby and try to say hi to my dog, she’s totally confused and doesn’t get it. Haha.

      Reply
  4. Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com says

    August 27, 2014 at 8:36 am

    Aww!! This is so sweet!! Happy dog day! Glad that you love yours! They can be woman’s best friends too!! haha… sweet! Dogs really are a great way to keep active as well!!

    Reply
    • foodielovesfitness says

      September 4, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      My dog is totally my little buddy 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says

    August 27, 2014 at 9:31 am

    This was a really sweet post and it made me want to go home and give Coco the biggest hug ever! Dogs are the best companions. Brandon and I had to live apart for a year and my girls were the only thing that got me through those times! I can imagine it would be even harder in your situation with your husband being in the Marine Corps. I’m glad Harley helped you through it. She is such a pretty girl!

    Reply
    • foodielovesfitness says

      September 4, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      Aren’t they?! You and I are like two peas in a pod when it comes to our feelings on dogs and animals in general. Love them like crazy!!

      Reply
  6. Britt@MyOwnBalance says

    August 28, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Harley is so adorable in these photos! I love the Chobani photo! Haha. We do not have a pet due to lack of space and time. I just don’t think its fair to dogs in this city. If we had more space and we were both home more it would be different. I would feel bad leaving a dog for 12 hours a day! 🙁 I’ll see if I can keep a human alive and then decide if I can also keep a dog alive. Haha.

    Reply
    • foodielovesfitness says

      September 4, 2014 at 9:13 pm

      I know, the Chobani photo really cracks me up! She had her entire face in the yogurt container for a solid 10 minutes.

      Yea, I hear ya. My dog is spoiled since I work from home. I think that they get used to it, but I definitely felt bad when we lived in a small apartment that she didn’t have much space/any type of yard to move around in.

      Reply

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I'm Nicole, and I’m passionate about all things food, fitness and healthy living. I'm a toddler mom, certified health coach, freelance writer, and long-time health nut. Here I share my vegetarian recipes, workouts, fitness trends, travel adventures, and motherhood & health musings. Read more about me…

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Do you remember when you truly realized that the world is wide and you’ve only experienced a speck of it? 🌎

For me, it was the eye-opening opportunity of a college study abroad program in amazing Sicily. I fell in love with Italy, and the experience made me realize that I wanted to prioritize traveling and living in different places when I became a “real adult” (or in other words, when I graduated the following year). 

Getting to return to the charming town of Taormina nearly two decades later with my family was a dream. 

I returned to Sicily in a different phase of life: Older — I’ve almost doubled in age! Wiser. A mom. A wife. 

Yet, still wide-eyed, always up for an adventure, and filled with wonder at the beauty of this world. 

Different, but the same. 

Taormina is still stunning, bustling with more tourists and more fame than I remembered thanks to things like “White Lotus” and Dolce & Gabbana fashion shows (one was happening while we were in town). 

And so, I found Taormina herself to also be different, but the same — and definitely still a magical place ✨

#sicily #mytinyatlas #travelgram #familytravel #italygram
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Do you remember when you truly realized that the world is wide and you’ve only experienced a speck of it? 🌎 For me, it was the eye-opening opportunity of a college study abroad program in amazing Sicily. I fell in love with Italy, and the experience made me realize that I wanted to prioritize traveling and living in different places when I became a “real adult” (or in other words, when I graduated the following year). Getting to return to the charming town of Taormina nearly two decades later with my family was a dream. I returned to Sicily in a different phase of life: Older — I’ve almost doubled in age! Wiser. A mom. A wife. Yet, still wide-eyed, always up for an adventure, and filled with wonder at the beauty of this world. Different, but the same. Taormina is still stunning, bustling with more tourists and more fame than I remembered thanks to things like “White Lotus” and Dolce & Gabbana fashion shows (one was happening while we were in town). And so, I found Taormina herself to also be different, but the same — and definitely still a magical place ✨ #sicily #mytinyatlas #travelgram #familytravel #italygram
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Obsessed with my @airbnb view of both the sea & Mount Etna 😍 10/10 even though every walk home is a sweaty glute workout! 

📍Taormina, Sicily 

#myview #travelgram #wanderlust #sicily #italy
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Obsessed with my @airbnb view of both the sea & Mount Etna 😍 10/10 even though every walk home is a sweaty glute workout! 📍Taormina, Sicily #myview #travelgram #wanderlust #sicily #italy
1 week ago
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Got to bake up some delicious macarons in the beautiful city of Paris! 💕 

Macarons are high on my daughter’s list of favorite desserts, and it was lovely learning how to make them from a Parisian pastry chef! The macaron ingredient list is short, but making them is an art ✨

#paris #familytravel #macarons #baking #wanderlust
Got to bake up some delicious macarons in the beautiful city of Paris! 💕 

Macarons are high on my daughter’s list of favorite desserts, and it was lovely learning how to make them from a Parisian pastry chef! The macaron ingredient list is short, but making them is an art ✨

#paris #familytravel #macarons #baking #wanderlust
Got to bake up some delicious macarons in the beautiful city of Paris! 💕 

Macarons are high on my daughter’s list of favorite desserts, and it was lovely learning how to make them from a Parisian pastry chef! The macaron ingredient list is short, but making them is an art ✨

#paris #familytravel #macarons #baking #wanderlust
Got to bake up some delicious macarons in the beautiful city of Paris! 💕 

Macarons are high on my daughter’s list of favorite desserts, and it was lovely learning how to make them from a Parisian pastry chef! The macaron ingredient list is short, but making them is an art ✨

#paris #familytravel #macarons #baking #wanderlust
Got to bake up some delicious macarons in the beautiful city of Paris! 💕 

Macarons are high on my daughter’s list of favorite desserts, and it was lovely learning how to make them from a Parisian pastry chef! The macaron ingredient list is short, but making them is an art ✨

#paris #familytravel #macarons #baking #wanderlust
Got to bake up some delicious macarons in the beautiful city of Paris! 💕 

Macarons are high on my daughter’s list of favorite desserts, and it was lovely learning how to make them from a Parisian pastry chef! The macaron ingredient list is short, but making them is an art ✨

#paris #familytravel #macarons #baking #wanderlust
Got to bake up some delicious macarons in the beautiful city of Paris! 💕 

Macarons are high on my daughter’s list of favorite desserts, and it was lovely learning how to make them from a Parisian pastry chef! The macaron ingredient list is short, but making them is an art ✨

#paris #familytravel #macarons #baking #wanderlust
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Got to bake up some delicious macarons in the beautiful city of Paris! 💕 Macarons are high on my daughter’s list of favorite desserts, and it was lovely learning how to make them from a Parisian pastry chef! The macaron ingredient list is short, but making them is an art ✨ #paris #familytravel #macarons #baking #wanderlust
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Happy 250th Birthday America 🇺🇸

#4thofjuly #boatday #thislandisyourland #america250 #brucespringsteen
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Happy 250th Birthday America 🇺🇸 #4thofjuly #boatday #thislandisyourland #america250 #brucespringsteen
3 weeks ago
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Packed with fruit… but my kid calls it ice cream🍦We love breaking out our @yonanas gadget all summer long! 

My favorite way to make fruit soft serve 👇🏼

INGREDIENTS
1 sliced ripe banana, frozen
2/3 cup strawberries, frozen
favorite toppings: sprinkles, nuts, nut butter, etc

INSTRUCTIONS
Remove your fruit from the freezer. Allow it to thaw for about 10 minutes, until it starts to slightly soften.
Place the frozen fruit into the Yonanas maker, a handful at a time. I like to run about 1/2 the banana, then the strawberries, and then the rest of the banana through the machine straight into a bowl. I then use a spoon to swirl the fruit together, and immediately place the soft serve into cones if using.
Add in your favorite toppings and enjoy before it melts!
Serves 1 - scale up as desired! 

#healthyeating #eatrealfood #fruit #healthydessert #yonanas
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Packed with fruit… but my kid calls it ice cream🍦We love breaking out our @yonanas gadget all summer long! My favorite way to make fruit soft serve 👇🏼 INGREDIENTS 1 sliced ripe banana, frozen 2/3 cup strawberries, frozen favorite toppings: sprinkles, nuts, nut butter, etc INSTRUCTIONS Remove your fruit from the freezer. Allow it to thaw for about 10 minutes, until it starts to slightly soften. Place the frozen fruit into the Yonanas maker, a handful at a time. I like to run about 1/2 the banana, then the strawberries, and then the rest of the banana through the machine straight into a bowl. I then use a spoon to swirl the fruit together, and immediately place the soft serve into cones if using. Add in your favorite toppings and enjoy before it melts! Serves 1 - scale up as desired! #healthyeating #eatrealfood #fruit #healthydessert #yonanas
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Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

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Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎

#californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
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Palm Springs snapshots 🌴☀️😎 #californiatravel #palmsprings #exploremore #familytravel #roadtrip
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Drop a comment if you consider yourself a scrunchy mom too 🤎 #momsofinstagram #mindset #momlife #scrunchymom
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Drop a comment if you consider yourself a scrunchy mom too 🤎 #momsofinstagram #mindset #momlife #scrunchymom
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
School’s out for my little girl ☀️& here are 4️⃣ screen-free tools that I’m using to keep my 6 year old busy and learning when we’re home this summer: 

1️⃣ @mondaymandala’s awesome array of free digital printables on just about anything you can think of 🖍️

2️⃣ @youngwildandfriedman’s amazing sensory kits that are high-quality and last forever. I have purchased a serious amount of these play dough and sensory sand kits over the years & they are worth every penny! My kiddo will spend hours setting up all of the little trinkets and building little play dough towns.

3️⃣ @Canva’s printable educational worksheets ✏️ For instance, I printed out money worksheets & am planning on doing a money lesson that includes us emptying out her piggy bank to delve deeper into currency & paying for something she wants at the store with her own 💵

4️⃣ A @brain_quest workbook — I bought one last summer as well & we love incorporating it into little lessons at home! 

#kidactivities #summerbreak #screenfreeparenting #momsofinstagram #learningathome
foodielovesfitness
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School’s out for my little girl ☀️& here are 4️⃣ screen-free tools that I’m using to keep my 6 year old busy and learning when we’re home this summer: 1️⃣ @mondaymandala’s awesome array of free digital printables on just about anything you can think of 🖍️ 2️⃣ @youngwildandfriedman’s amazing sensory kits that are high-quality and last forever. I have purchased a serious amount of these play dough and sensory sand kits over the years & they are worth every penny! My kiddo will spend hours setting up all of the little trinkets and building little play dough towns. 3️⃣ @Canva’s printable educational worksheets ✏️ For instance, I printed out money worksheets & am planning on doing a money lesson that includes us emptying out her piggy bank to delve deeper into currency & paying for something she wants at the store with her own 💵 4️⃣ A @brain_quest workbook — I bought one last summer as well & we love incorporating it into little lessons at home! #kidactivities #summerbreak #screenfreeparenting #momsofinstagram #learningathome
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Spent the day at 📍Murrieta Hot Springs & thoroughly enjoyed it there! 

While we have visited numerous fun hot springs with our daughter, it was definitely nice to be out of mom mode & experience our local hot springs while our little one was in school. From hot tubs and cold plunges to saunas & clay mud, we got to kick back & enjoy it all! 

#daydate #hotsprings #californialiving #relaxation #playinghooky
Spent the day at 📍Murrieta Hot Springs & thoroughly enjoyed it there! 

While we have visited numerous fun hot springs with our daughter, it was definitely nice to be out of mom mode & experience our local hot springs while our little one was in school. From hot tubs and cold plunges to saunas & clay mud, we got to kick back & enjoy it all! 

#daydate #hotsprings #californialiving #relaxation #playinghooky
Spent the day at 📍Murrieta Hot Springs & thoroughly enjoyed it there! 

While we have visited numerous fun hot springs with our daughter, it was definitely nice to be out of mom mode & experience our local hot springs while our little one was in school. From hot tubs and cold plunges to saunas & clay mud, we got to kick back & enjoy it all! 

#daydate #hotsprings #californialiving #relaxation #playinghooky
Spent the day at 📍Murrieta Hot Springs & thoroughly enjoyed it there! 

While we have visited numerous fun hot springs with our daughter, it was definitely nice to be out of mom mode & experience our local hot springs while our little one was in school. From hot tubs and cold plunges to saunas & clay mud, we got to kick back & enjoy it all! 

#daydate #hotsprings #californialiving #relaxation #playinghooky
Spent the day at 📍Murrieta Hot Springs & thoroughly enjoyed it there! 

While we have visited numerous fun hot springs with our daughter, it was definitely nice to be out of mom mode & experience our local hot springs while our little one was in school. From hot tubs and cold plunges to saunas & clay mud, we got to kick back & enjoy it all! 

#daydate #hotsprings #californialiving #relaxation #playinghooky
Spent the day at 📍Murrieta Hot Springs & thoroughly enjoyed it there! 

While we have visited numerous fun hot springs with our daughter, it was definitely nice to be out of mom mode & experience our local hot springs while our little one was in school. From hot tubs and cold plunges to saunas & clay mud, we got to kick back & enjoy it all! 

#daydate #hotsprings #californialiving #relaxation #playinghooky
foodielovesfitness
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Spent the day at 📍Murrieta Hot Springs & thoroughly enjoyed it there! While we have visited numerous fun hot springs with our daughter, it was definitely nice to be out of mom mode & experience our local hot springs while our little one was in school. From hot tubs and cold plunges to saunas & clay mud, we got to kick back & enjoy it all! #daydate #hotsprings #californialiving #relaxation #playinghooky
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
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