• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • My Healthy Living Philosophy
    • Favorite Quotes
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
    • Pancakes, Muffins & All Things Breakfast
    • Smoothies, Beverages & Juices
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Appetizers & Sides
    • Pasta & Grains
    • More Dinner
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
  • Fitness
    • Workouts to Try
    • Studio Reviews, Workout Inspiration & Events
  • Travel & Reviews
    • California
      • California Hikes
    • New England & New York
    • Other U.S. Adventures
    • Europe
    • Mexico
    • Thailand
    • Morocco
    • Costa Rica
  • Motherhood
  • Nav Widget Area

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter

Foodie Loves Fitness

Sharing my passion for living a healthy & happy life

Subscribe

Subscribe to email updates & never miss a post!

Archives for April 2015

DietBet Week 1 Recap + Letting Go of the All-or-Nothing Healthy Living Mentality

Hi friends! My post title makes this pretty obvious, but I'm currently participating in a DietBet game. I figure that springtime is the perfect time to shed a couple of pounds and tone up. Each week for the next month I'll be doing a recap of my weekly progress, as well as discussing an important healthy living theme. So what is DietBet?   DietBet is a game that emphasizes online community in helping people to lose weight. I'm participating in Jen Widerstrom's Summer Shake Down - whose The Biggest Loser trainer - which currently has 2,128 players and a pot of $63,840! For this game, all participants bet $30 on themselves that they can lose 4% of their body weight in a month. Everyone that achieves that goal wins the game and gets to split the pot evenly (after an admin ... [Read More]

April 29, 2015 11:36 am foodielovesfitness 22 Comments Filed Under: DietBet, Health, Health Coaching

My Current Favorite San Diego Studio Workouts {April 2015}

Hello, hello! Today we're talking about the local workouts that I've been loving! Recently I mentioned that I collaborated on a new project with ClassPass, which means that I've been a ClassPass workout crazy person. I think I'm sort of on a mission to try all of the awesome workouts that my health-conscious city of San Diego has to offer, and ClassPass is a great way to explore tons of studios in the area. Last week my friend Trish and I attended a ClassPass event at Core40 in Little Italy. You may recall me talking about Core40 in Solana Beach before because it's a total butt kicking workout, and this was the first time that I visited their downtown location. Since I live in the northern part of San Diego County, I haven't spent much time downtown lately. The class was ... [Read More]

April 27, 2015 2:22 pm foodielovesfitness 6 Comments Filed Under: San Diego

Chocolate Coconut Caramel Smoothie [Vegan & Healthy!]

Like most Americans - any Americans with a sweet tooth, at least - I have Girl Scout cookie memories. Growing up, my mom had a similar sentiment to the food kept in the house as I do now: lots of healthy food, and then a few "goodies" in one cabinet that were treats we broke out after dinner some nights for dessert. (source) My mom bought Girl Scout cookies, but she would usually get ones that I deemed weird (and that still wouldn't be my pick today). I remember some sort of shortbread cookie and something with lemon (ick), and then there were the two I liked the most: Thin Mints and Samoas. This Girl Scout cookie season, I found myself craving the chocolate mint and chocolate coconut caramel flavors that I looked forward to as a kid for dessert at night. This led to me recreate these ... [Read More]

April 24, 2015 5:00 am foodielovesfitness 25 Comments Filed Under: BlogHer Ad-Free, Recipes, Smoothies

My New Yoga Playlist {April 2015}

“Keep close to Nature’s heart ... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” - John Muir Happy Earth Day! You may remember that a few weeks ago I shared a new playlist that I've been rocking out to. Well, when I get on a music downloading and playlist arranging kick, I don't stop at just one playlist. Besides my latest feel-good workout playlist, I also came up with a new playlist to listen to while I practice yoga. Besides yoga, I've also been listening to this playlist during stretch/foam rolling sessions. It'd also be a good one for those who do barre workouts on their own. The playlist is a combo of slower jams (i.e. Sam Smith's "Lay Me Down") and more fast-paced songs (like Imagine Dragon's "I Bet My ... [Read More]

April 22, 2015 5:30 am foodielovesfitness 20 Comments Filed Under: Exercise Music, Yoga

Las Vegas Fun: Boating Around Lake Mead & Vegan Dining at Downtown Container Park

Hi there! Hope that you all had a great weekend. The highlight of my weekend was hanging out in beautiful La Jolla, where my favorite activity is.... ...sea lion stalking! It's the time of the year when all of the mamas give birth and there are lots of sea lions and their pups lounging around. It is too cute! La Jolla is always packed with people, and it's no secret as to why. I think the coast there has the most gorgeous views in San Diego, and I've taken a lot of my visitors there to walk around, check out the seals, and visit some of the shops and restaurants. Any who, today I want to back it up a bit to two weekends ago when I arrived in Las Vegas for work. Before the show I was there for started, my co-workers and I got away from work to have some fun in ... [Read More]

April 20, 2015 1:41 pm foodielovesfitness 18 Comments Filed Under: Travel

5-Ingredient Creamy Honey Fruit Dip

Happy weekend everyone! I'm looking forward to a few days being home with my hubby. Last week he was away training for the Marine Corps Reserves, and then I left for Vegas for my work trip before he got back last weekend, so this weekend we're excited to get some time together. On our agenda is finishing up our bathroom revamp, repainting part of the exterior of our house, and also having some fun outdoors and relaxing. Any fun plans for your weekend? Speaking of weekends, last Friday night I got together with my friend Tiffany for a wine night. We see each other pretty often, but usually we make workout dates, so it was nice to chill, talk, drink wine, and munch on snacks together (and not be sweating while I was with her for once!). For our wine night I whipped up a few healthy ... [Read More]

April 18, 2015 6:00 am foodielovesfitness 15 Comments Filed Under: Dessert, Recipes

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to my blog!

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…

Looking for Something?

The Latest on Instagram

📍The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Springs is such a charming place to spend an afternoon! At this conservation-focused zoo, we loved all of their animatronic displays & children’s play + learning spaces — and a highlight of the day was definitely getting to feed the giraffes! 🦒

#palmsprings #animallovers #giraffes #kidswhoexplore #familytravel #roadtrip #californiatravel
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
📍The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Springs is such a charming place to spend an afternoon! At this conservation-focused zoo, we loved all of their animatronic displays & children’s play + learning spaces — and a highlight of the day was definitely getting to feed the giraffes! 🦒 #palmsprings #animallovers #giraffes #kidswhoexplore #familytravel #roadtrip #californiatravel
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
La Jolla is an ever popular area, but for good reason… It’s one of the most beautiful areas in San Diego ☀️ & my favorite time of year to visit is NOW when it’s Harbor Seals Pupping Season! 🦭

📍Casa Beach is closed off from humans from mid-December through mid-May for birthing & bonding, and most of the seal pups are born in February & March. They are so much fun to watch! 

#sandiego #animallovers #exploremore #lajolla #familyfun #sealsofinstagram #californiawinter
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
La Jolla is an ever popular area, but for good reason… It’s one of the most beautiful areas in San Diego ☀️ & my favorite time of year to visit is NOW when it’s Harbor Seals Pupping Season! 🦭 📍Casa Beach is closed off from humans from mid-December through mid-May for birthing & bonding, and most of the seal pups are born in February & March. They are so much fun to watch! #sandiego #animallovers #exploremore #lajolla #familyfun #sealsofinstagram #californiawinter
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Last weekend we got to ride on the world’s largest rotating aerial tram car, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 🌴⛰️ Guests travel 6,000 feet up in just 10 minutes! 

Once we reached the top, we hiked a couple miles of trails in Mount San Jacinto State Park - where it was only 37 degrees and windy, brr! - and took in the beautiful views. 

Here are a few tips for optimizing a Palm Springs Aerial Tramway adventure: 

✨Show up early. We didn’t realize how big of a production this excursion would be, and when we arrived at 11 am, the wait time was 2 hours to ride the tramway. If I could do it over, I would show up at opening time. 

✨Bring breakfast. While they do have food options while you wait for your tram ride, it’s stereotypical not very healthy American food. Pick up food at a local cafe and bring it with you to enjoy outside. We love @palmgreenscafe!

✨ Bring extra clothes. The temperature at 8,500 ft elevation varies from 20-40 degrees colder, so make sure to pack a jacket, sweatshirt, hat, even gloves.

#californiatravel #palmsprings #makingmemories #familytravel #roadtrip #adventure #kidswhoexplore #views #desert
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
Last weekend we got to ride on the world’s largest rotating aerial tram car, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 🌴⛰️ Guests travel 6,000 feet up in just 10 minutes! Once we reached the top, we hiked a couple miles of trails in Mount San Jacinto State Park - where it was only 37 degrees and windy, brr! - and took in the beautiful views. Here are a few tips for optimizing a Palm Springs Aerial Tramway adventure: ✨Show up early. We didn’t realize how big of a production this excursion would be, and when we arrived at 11 am, the wait time was 2 hours to ride the tramway. If I could do it over, I would show up at opening time. ✨Bring breakfast. While they do have food options while you wait for your tram ride, it’s stereotypical not very healthy American food. Pick up food at a local cafe and bring it with you to enjoy outside. We love @palmgreenscafe! ✨ Bring extra clothes. The temperature at 8,500 ft elevation varies from 20-40 degrees colder, so make sure to pack a jacket, sweatshirt, hat, even gloves. #californiatravel #palmsprings #makingmemories #familytravel #roadtrip #adventure #kidswhoexplore #views #desert
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
And I’d add, the more you like the person you’ve become, the less stock you put into others liking you. 

#sunset #reflections #worrylesslivemore #sandiego #momsofinstagram #beachday #quotestoliveby #createalifeyoulove
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
And I’d add, the more you like the person you’ve become, the less stock you put into others liking you. #sunset #reflections #worrylesslivemore #sandiego #momsofinstagram #beachday #quotestoliveby #createalifeyoulove
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Who else is pumped for the Olympics to start?! 🇺🇸

This curling competition experiment is a hit with my kiddo! Here’s how to make it: 

You’ll need: 
✨A rimmed baking sheet
✨Aluminum foil 
✨Permanent markers (we used black + red) 
✨A variety of pebbles 
✨Optional: buttons, craft pom-poms and other objects to experiment playing with 

1️⃣ Spread foil across your baking sheet. Draw the starting line on 1 side and a small circle inside a large circle on the other side. 

2️⃣ Place your “rink” in the freezer, then fill it with water halfway up the sides. Chill until it’s totally frozen. 

3️⃣ Time to play! Each player picks 3 pebbles. Take turns using a finger to push your pebble towards the target. 

🥌 Pebbles that land in the inner circle = 3 points each 
🥌 Pebbles that land in the outer circle = 1 point each
🥌 3 rounds = 1 game 

❗️Players can hit other pebbles & knock them out of the circles, which is fun! 

❗️Once all players use their pebbles, that’s the end of round 1. Tally the scores as you go! 

✨Idea from @kiwico_inc’s Winter Wonders experiment book 

#kidactivities #olympics #funathome #momsofinstagram #curling #letkidsbekids
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
Who else is pumped for the Olympics to start?! 🇺🇸 This curling competition experiment is a hit with my kiddo! Here’s how to make it: You’ll need: ✨A rimmed baking sheet ✨Aluminum foil ✨Permanent markers (we used black + red) ✨A variety of pebbles ✨Optional: buttons, craft pom-poms and other objects to experiment playing with 1️⃣ Spread foil across your baking sheet. Draw the starting line on 1 side and a small circle inside a large circle on the other side. 2️⃣ Place your “rink” in the freezer, then fill it with water halfway up the sides. Chill until it’s totally frozen. 3️⃣ Time to play! Each player picks 3 pebbles. Take turns using a finger to push your pebble towards the target. 🥌 Pebbles that land in the inner circle = 3 points each 🥌 Pebbles that land in the outer circle = 1 point each 🥌 3 rounds = 1 game ❗️Players can hit other pebbles & knock them out of the circles, which is fun! ❗️Once all players use their pebbles, that’s the end of round 1. Tally the scores as you go! ✨Idea from @kiwico_inc’s Winter Wonders experiment book #kidactivities #olympics #funathome #momsofinstagram #curling #letkidsbekids
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Welcome to my new series, Easy Plant-Based Meals, where I share simple, nutritious meals that I make for my family on the regular. 🥦🥕🥬🧅🧄🫘🫑
 
Today I’m making Garlic Pearled Couscous with Roasted Chickpeas & Veggies. 

Here are the ingredients you need to serve 4: 

1️⃣ 2-3 boxes of Near East Pearled Couscous with Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil (I find that 3 boxes yield about 4.5 cups; you can also use a plain pearled couscous)
2️⃣ 1 can garbanzo beans 
3️⃣ 4 TSP avocado oil 
4️⃣ 1 zucchini 
5️⃣ 1 bell pepper
6️⃣ 2T-1/4 cup pine nuts, optional but I like the added heart-healthy crunch
7️⃣ Salt, pepper & paprika to taste 

Directions:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375. Drain & rinse chickpeas, then add to a baking dish. Add 2 TSP of avocado oil, and a nice sprinkle of salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Mix it up, then cook for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. 

2️⃣ Cook the couscous according to the box directions. 

3️⃣ Heat 2 tsp avocado oil in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Chop the zucchini and bell pepper, add a sprinkle of salt & pepper, then cook until tender. 

4️⃣ Lightly toast the pine nuts. 

5️⃣ Plate the couscous, add the roasted chickpeas & veggies on top, & sprinkles pine nuts onto each plate. Enjoy! 

Get a printable version of the recipe on foodielovesfitness.com #linkinbio or comment RECIPE for a direct link. 

If you like this new Easy Plant-Based Meals series, let me know what kind of recipe you’d like to see next 👩‍🍳

#healthyeating #easyrecipes #eatrealfood #veganfood #plantbased #healthylifestyle #recipereel
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
Welcome to my new series, Easy Plant-Based Meals, where I share simple, nutritious meals that I make for my family on the regular. 🥦🥕🥬🧅🧄🫘🫑 Today I’m making Garlic Pearled Couscous with Roasted Chickpeas & Veggies. Here are the ingredients you need to serve 4: 1️⃣ 2-3 boxes of Near East Pearled Couscous with Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil (I find that 3 boxes yield about 4.5 cups; you can also use a plain pearled couscous) 2️⃣ 1 can garbanzo beans 3️⃣ 4 TSP avocado oil 4️⃣ 1 zucchini 5️⃣ 1 bell pepper 6️⃣ 2T-1/4 cup pine nuts, optional but I like the added heart-healthy crunch 7️⃣ Salt, pepper & paprika to taste Directions: 1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375. Drain & rinse chickpeas, then add to a baking dish. Add 2 TSP of avocado oil, and a nice sprinkle of salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Mix it up, then cook for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. 2️⃣ Cook the couscous according to the box directions. 3️⃣ Heat 2 tsp avocado oil in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Chop the zucchini and bell pepper, add a sprinkle of salt & pepper, then cook until tender. 4️⃣ Lightly toast the pine nuts. 5️⃣ Plate the couscous, add the roasted chickpeas & veggies on top, & sprinkles pine nuts onto each plate. Enjoy! Get a printable version of the recipe on foodielovesfitness.com #linkinbio or comment RECIPE for a direct link. If you like this new Easy Plant-Based Meals series, let me know what kind of recipe you’d like to see next 👩‍🍳 #healthyeating #easyrecipes #eatrealfood #veganfood #plantbased #healthylifestyle #recipereel
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
California has it all, & I love this area that I get to call home! Last weekend’s fun included: 

🌊 Soaking up the sun at Carlsbad State Beach, where my daughter tried surfing for the first time 🏄‍♀️
🥾 Hiking in Wildomar
🍷 Wine sipping in Temecula

#californialove #weekendfun #sandiego #temeculaca #hiking #getoutside #mywinter #adventure #socal
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
California has it all, & I love this area that I get to call home! Last weekend’s fun included: 🌊 Soaking up the sun at Carlsbad State Beach, where my daughter tried surfing for the first time 🏄‍♀️ 🥾 Hiking in Wildomar 🍷 Wine sipping in Temecula #californialove #weekendfun #sandiego #temeculaca #hiking #getoutside #mywinter #adventure #socal
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
🌎 The largest National Park in the contiguous U.S. - 3.4 million acres! - did not disappoint 🔥 Here’s what we had on our agenda for Day 2️⃣ of exploring Death Valley National Park: 

📍Explore the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
🛷Go sledding down the dunes! 
🥾Hike Mosaic Canyon Trail ~ a 3.5-mile out & back trail with 974 ft elevation gain. This trail was so much fun & the rock formations are gorgeous! My daughter loved climbing & bouldering around. It features some cool slot canyons and difficult rock scrambling - our kinda speed! 
🚰 Refuel at Stovepipe Wells Village ~ Nearby pitstop within the park for gas, restrooms, a general store & restaurants 

#roadtrip #california #travelgram #familytravel #kidswhoexplore #momsofinstagram #hikingadventures #deathvalleynationalpark #nationalparks #wanderlust #adventureseekers #hikingtrails
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
🌎 The largest National Park in the contiguous U.S. - 3.4 million acres! - did not disappoint 🔥 Here’s what we had on our agenda for Day 2️⃣ of exploring Death Valley National Park: 📍Explore the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes 🛷Go sledding down the dunes! 🥾Hike Mosaic Canyon Trail ~ a 3.5-mile out & back trail with 974 ft elevation gain. This trail was so much fun & the rock formations are gorgeous! My daughter loved climbing & bouldering around. It features some cool slot canyons and difficult rock scrambling - our kinda speed! 🚰 Refuel at Stovepipe Wells Village ~ Nearby pitstop within the park for gas, restrooms, a general store & restaurants #roadtrip #california #travelgram #familytravel #kidswhoexplore #momsofinstagram #hikingadventures #deathvalleynationalpark #nationalparks #wanderlust #adventureseekers #hikingtrails
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
That thing you always talk about & think about doing but haven’t gotten the guts/energy/time to do? Make 2026 the year you freaking GO FOR IT. 

#livemoreworryless #2026goals #goalgetters #entreprenuermindset #sunset #chasingsunsets #viewoftheday #windowseatview
foodielovesfitness
foodielovesfitness
•
Follow
That thing you always talk about & think about doing but haven’t gotten the guts/energy/time to do? Make 2026 the year you freaking GO FOR IT. #livemoreworryless #2026goals #goalgetters #entreprenuermindset #sunset #chasingsunsets #viewoftheday #windowseatview
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
Follow Me

Tags

appetizer recipes at home workouts banana breakfast California California travel index dessert dessert recipes dogs European travel exercise featured adventure post fitness fruit giveaways goat cheese health health coaching healthy dessert healthy dinner ideas healthy eating healthy lifestyle healthy living healthy recipes healthy snacks hiking hiking trails pasta pumpkin quotes recipes San Diego smoothies snack recipes snacks travel vegan recipes vegan snacks vegetarian vegetarian recipes weight loss workout index workout inspo index workouts yoga

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Post Categories

Subscribe to My Health Coaching Newsletter!

Calendar of My Posts

April 2015
S M T W T F S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« Mar   May »

© Copyright 2016 · Pretty Lifestyle WordPress Theme by: PDCD