Sharing some of my thoughts on taking care of yourself when things are hard.

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a lovely morning so far.

Today, I wanted to chat a bit about hard times and making an effort for yourself, even when you’re going through it. I’m pre-writing this post for Spain, and using Spain as a carrot of something to look forward to, because we’ve been going through it over here. It’s been a hard year all around with the kids and the school situations and marriage and lots of things, so I’m using this for a reminder for myself, too.

It’s also worth mentioning here that I never like to be a complainer, especially because I know we all have varying levels of *hard.* The grief comparison is rough and I try to be mindful of the fact that just because someone has it harder or worse than you, it doesn’t mean that it’s not ok to feel the way you do.

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. We all face moments of heartbreak, disappointment, illness, loss, or overwhelm. Personal challenges are a normal part of the human experience, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy. In fact, it’s during these difficult times that it becomes all too tempting to fall into a cycle of negativity, disengage from the habits that support us, or indulge in unhealthy ways of coping.

Whether it’s numbing out with screens, skipping workouts, or emotionally eating to get through the day, we’ve all been there. I’ve been there. And what I’ve learned – through both personal experience and working with clients – is that while we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control how we respond.

Implementing healthy habits and a mindset rooted in staying positive isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about supporting our bodies and minds so that we can face tough times with resilience and grace. Today, I wanted to share some of my strategies, so you can feel empowered, even in the storm.

Why Positivity Matters During A Personal Challenge

Positivity isn’t about toxic optimism or ignoring your feelings. It’s about choosing hope over helplessness and actively engaging with tools that support your mental health and well-being.

When you embrace positive psychology during challenging times, it can:

Reduce stress levels by shifting your nervous system out of fight-or-flight.

Help you stay motivated to make choices that support your long-term health.

Strengthen your immune system, improve sleep, and promote healing.

Offer clarity so you can make better decisions and see new solutions.

How To Stay Healthy And Positive In Personal Challenges

1. Prioritize 30 Minutes of Movement Daily

Even w

Sharing a roundup of high volume low calorie recipes if your goal is to increase your fiber but not your total caloric intake. 

Hi friends! How are you?? I hope that you’re having an amazing week! We’re here in Spain living.the.life. I’m excited to share some of the fun in Friday Faves and I’m posting a ton on IG if you’d like to follow along.

Today, I wanted to chat a little about volume eating and share some of my favorite recipes that are high in volume and flavor, but still light and refreshing.

Ever finish a meal and feel like you barely ate? You’re not alone. When you’re trying to eat a little lighter, hunger can sneak up fast, and it’s not fun. That’s why I love high volume, low calorie recipes. You can eat generous portions that leave you feeling full and happy, without overdoing it on calories and feeling like you need a nap afterwards. Whether you’re working toward a health goal, trying to keep your calorie intake in check, or just want to eat more fruits and vegetables, these meals check all the boxes.

All of these meal ideas are loaded with whole, nourishing ingredients like lean proteins, fiber-rich veggies, and satisfying textures. Many are gluten free, simple to prep, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

What Makes a Meal High Volume?

Let’s chat about what makes a meal “high volume.” These types of meals usually include foods that are high in water or fiber, like leafy greens, berries, or green beans, and are lower in calories. That combo helps you eat more food (volume!) without racking up the calories.

What Are High Volume Low Calorie Foods?

High volume low calorie foods are filling, satisfying, and easy to love. Think big salads, soups, hearty veggie stir-fries, and meals that are piled high with lean protein and colorful produce.

These types of meals support healthy weight loss by keeping you full and reducing the need to snack all day. Plus, they’re a great way to get more nutrient dense foods into your diet.

Low Calorie High Volume Recipes

Egg Roll in a Bowl

This one-pan favorite is a lighter twist on a takeout classic. It’s packed with ground turkey or pork, cabbage, carrots, and a dash of garlic and ginger.

Calories per serving: ~250-300

Main ingredients: ground turkey, cabbage, carrots, garlic, coconut aminos

Gluten free and great for meal prep!

 Try this version from Skinnytaste

Sushi Roll in a Bowl

A deconstructed version of sushi that’s quick, fresh, and totally customizable. Use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Calories per serving: ~350

Main ingredients: rice or cauliflower rice, cucumber, avocado, nori, shrimp or crab, coconut aminos

Sharing a full recap of our cruise on the Disney Fantasty from Barcelona to Rome, Pisa (Florence), Genoa (Milan), Bandol (Provence) and back to Barcelona. This is Disney cruise #6 for us (gold, baby!) and was my favorite one so far. For Disney cruise tips and tricks, check out this post.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having an amazing morning. We’re here in Sevilla having a great time with our friends and enjoying some chill time after our trip to Barcelona, epic Disney cruise through the Mediterranean, and time in Barcelona following the cruise. I hope that your summer is off to a wonderful start, too!

(Had to use Canva to remove a couple of people from the front of the pic. Kind of worked lol. Link to the dress is here!)

For today’s post, I wanted to share a recap of the cruise! You guys know we loooove Disney cruises – I never thought I’d be a cruise person in general, but here we are – and this was an itinerary I’ve wanted to do for years. I was a blitz through all of my favorite places (so far): Spain, Italty, and France. It was an absolute dream.

Disney Fantasy Spain, Italy and France recap

We booked this trip with some of our closest friends and cruise buddies – I think this was Disney cruise #17 for them. We planned this trip *hoping* the Pilot would be done with airline training – he had to complete training again when he retired from the military and went back to commercial – but unfortunately the timeline didn’t quite work out. Since he’d be gone anyway, we decided to stick with our plans and enjoy a girls’ trip. I think the girls will always remember this solo cruise trip with just the three of us plus some amazing friends.

Disney Fantasy verandah room

We got a verandah room and in the past, we haven’t taken advantage of it as much as we should. This time, I spent a lot of time on the verandah drinking coffee and reading, or

Why not sneak a lil protein in with our sweet treats?

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a lovely day! We’re back in Barcelona and living that Spain life. If you have any questions while we’re here, please let me know, and please send any recs my way!

Today, let’s talk about protein desserts. TBH, I feel like if you’re going to have a dessert… have a DESSERT. Like a real one. No protein powder, no chickpeas, just give me chocolate and real sugar.

But I understand that those options aren’t the best for blood sugar and that every desserts can have a little extra nutrition added in. For these occasions, I’ve rounded up eight high-protein dessert recipes that are not only delicious, but packed with good ingredients to keep you feeling fueled and satisfied. Whether you’re gluten-free, dairy-free, or just want some new post-workout treats, I’ve gotchu.

Here are 8 protein-packed dessert recipes to try:

8 High Protein Desserts

1. Homemade Protein Ice Cream

This one’s a favorite at our house! Made with frozen bananas, your favorite protein powder, and a splash of almond milk, this dreamy, creamy treat comes together in minutes—and you don’t even need an ice cream maker. Totally customizable and kid-approved.

2. Collagen Protein Brownies (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)

These brownies are rich, fudgy, and packed with protein thanks to collagen peptides and almond flour. They’re also gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfect for meal prep. Bonus: collagen is great for your skin, joints, and hair.

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cookie Cake

This is the best of all dessert worlds—a giant cookie meets protein-packed cake. It’s soft, chewy, and made with oat flour, peanut butter, and protein powder. Perfect for celebrations or just because.

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What’s worth the hype and what isn’t…

You know I love a good wellness gadget, especially when it actually helps you feel better. I’ve tried a lot over the years – some were gamechangers, others… not so much.

There’s so much noise in the biohacking world right now that it can feel like you need a $10,000 setup just to have decent energy or sleep through the night. Spoiler alert: you don’t.

Here are some biohacking products (and trends) that I think are totally overrated – and what to do instead for real, sustainable results.

(worth mentioning here that my fave Lumebox and castor oil pack are not overrated)

Biohacking habits that I think are overrated

1. Taking a Million Supplements “Just Because”

If you’ve ever looked at someone’s supplement shelf and thought, “Should I be taking more??” –  you’re not alone. But loading up on random pills without a clear reason can burden your liver, drain your wallet, and possibly make symptoms worse.

Many of us are taking things our bodies don’t even need – or can’t absorb properly – because we saw someone on TikTok recommend it.

Try this instead:

Get functional testing done first. This could include minerals, gut health, inflammation, hormones, and food sensitivities. I do this with my 1:1 clients, and it changes everything. You’ll save money and get better results by only supporting what your body actually needs. Testing removes the guesswork. If you’re interested in leanring more, email me gina@fitnessista.com subject TESTING.

2. Cold Plunges for Everyone

Cold plunges are everywhere right now. While they can have some benefits (like reduced inflammation and increased resilience), they’re not a fit for everyone, especially women dealing with hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue, or autoimmune flares.

If your nervous system is already running on overdrive, jumping into a tub of freezing water might just stress it out even more.

Try this instead:

Start slow. Try a short cold shower at the end of your warm shower, or finish with a splash of cold water on your face. Focus on nervous system regulation first – think breathwork, gentle movement, and prioritizing sleep. Then, if your body feels ready, gradually introduce cold exposure. Also heat exposure, like my beloved sauna blanket, can be a much better fit!! I WAY prefer heat over cold.

3. Super Pricey PEMF Devices with Wild Claims

I love PEMF therapy and use the Higher