You can't ask a big Jewish family to keep any secrets. Since March I was planning to go home to surprise my grandpa for his 75th birthday, with high hopes of pulling through with the surprise, but what was I thinking?! Of course my family can't do surprises. 

I flew home to Florida last weekend and as I was getting of the plane, my sister calls me from Israel, literally across the world to talk to me and the first thing she tells me is that my grandpa knows and the surprise is no more. Awesome. And my sister of all people who wasn't even in the country tells me! I think my family was going to try to play it off to make me feel better. Although it was ruined, it was still a blast. It's such a treat to go home to sunny florida and soak up family time, beach time and pool time. Happy birthday Poppies, I know you're reading this! Yes, I still call my grandpa Poppies. In fact, the whole family does. 

It was back to the grind this week! Can I just say how much I love my job again. I actually can't quite call it a job when I get to train freaking awesome people all day and teach group fitness. What is life?! I'm so grateful.  I had a client last week touch her toes for the first time ever in her life and she was so happy that she cried. And then I almost cried. Definitely one of my top trainer moments so far and I haven't been doing this for that long. This is why I get so excited to go to work everyday. It's the best. 

Raspberry Swirl Chocolate Chip Bread

[yumprint-recipe id='26']YUM! This bread is my favorite. It's easy to make and the swirl makes it feel oh, so fancy.

Have a great Wednesday beautiful people!

XO - Rach

Can your family keep a surprise a secret? 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter/Passover weekend! I was able to go home to spend Passover with my family, which is something that I haven't done in a long time! School has always been too busy at this time. This weekend was special because my grandparents held the seder on Friday night and it was also their 51st wedding anniversary on Sunday...and they had NO idea I was coming home! It was such a fun surprise. I love surprises. Instead of writing about it I'll just share a bunch of pictures! I got home Thursday night and had dinner downtown with my dad and sister. My dad just moved into a new condo downtown that is right on the river and beautiful! Going home is vacation more than anything!

Friday consisted of a strength class at the gym I used to go to at home and then I hit the beach with my sister and mom. It was GORGEOUS. Man, I miss the beach here.

Friday night we made it over to my grandparents place for Passover and they were definitely surprised!

Our seder was nice, can never go wrong with matzoh ball soup and Manischewitz - a kosher wine that tastes like straight up grape juice if you are not familiar. Delicious, but a recipe for a wicked hangover if more than eight ounces is consumed.

Saturday morning I did an aerobic step class with my mom - HARD. The choreography was wild and it left me drenched. Step is underrated these days! It's so fun and such a good workout. Saturday we grilled chicken & steak, made garlic bread, salad and other munchies for a little anniversary party for my grandparents. Whenever I go home it entails a lot of food and a lot of family time! All things I love.

It was a fun and super relaxing weekend! We also made an amazing cocktail Saturday night and I will share the recipe in a future post :)

I look forward to a little more down time after graduation!

How did you spend your weekend? Family? Food? Sun?