Y’all really know how to make a girl smile! Thanks for your sweet comments. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous to publicly state all that (even though Rocky, Adam and I have been laughing about our california weight gains forever now!), but once again, your comments have totally blown me away and made me feel even MORE comfortable in my own skin…so thank you! 
On another note, I was having crazy real dreams about cupcakes and frosting last night and woke up starving at 7 am.
Overnight oats with half a banana, dried cherries, cinnamon, almond butter and maple syrup.
Let’s see…what’s on the agenda today. I’m about to go work out right now and then I have some Amazing Grass stuff to work on and some appointments this afternoon. I also need to figure out asap what dessert I’m making for Thanksgiving. Nothing like letting it go to the last minute….
***
Speaking about weight gain, here’s how NOT to gain weight during the winter! 
I’ve been procrastinating getting ready by g-chatting with Caitlin for the past hour. You know you are chatting with a good friend when she has you laughing hysterically on the other side of the laptop.
up, up and away!
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re still beautiful. I’m sure the curves suit you just fine. I love your positive outlook.
Big changes in your life (like moving to California and getting a book deal!) can spark a weight gain or weight loss. You’re such a healthy person by nature, I’m sure you’ll be back on track in no time! A cupcake dream? I wonder if you can analyze what the dream meant based on what KIND of cupcake/frosting combo it was
I gained some weight when I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, but all that wine, olive oil, and gelato were worth it! Good food makes life better
Sounds like you are enjoying your life, which is what it’s all about! I’m a huge procrastinator, so I fully support your procrastination
Dreams about cupcakes? Sounds like a good nights sleep!
If you are happy, that’s all that matters!
I love your honesty. I’m making chocolate pecan pie for thanksgiving and a mini apple pie for the boyfriend who doesn’t like nuts
hope you have a great day!!! nothing a bowl like that to get it started right.
ahhhh see that’s why they say that laughter is the best medicine, wait they do say that don’t they?!?!
Happiness is the priority! It sounds like you’re happy and living your life!
Glad you are feeling our support!
I may chug two servings of amazing grass before Thanksgiving dinner to fill me up 
and give me tons of energy so I don’t pass out after!
Mmm overnight oats!
Enjoy your day.
I’ve been on twitter for the past hour, ignoring my work! Ugh, internet, why do you make it so easy to procrastinate!
Love your attitude girl – work it, own it!!
have a great day!! you started it well, those overnight oats look fab!
Laughing with a good friend always makes my day.
Have a good one!
Your breakfast looks so well rounded; if I was dreaming about cupcakes all night, that’s what would have been on the menu
Yum, that’s a gorgeous picture of oats.
Great tips for the holidays, thanks! And yummy oats
You are happy! You go girl!!!
if eating those delicious, hearty oats is how you are gaining those beautiful curves, then how could you go wrong?!
You should make that amazing olive oil cake you used to make. That thing was insane!
Great for you! I know I’m carrying around 5-7 lbs more than my “goal weight” used to be, but I have to admit that my spouse and friends don’t like my goal weight because I start looking…gaunt. I am naturally a woman with curves, and I have to choose my face or my a@@, and I choose my face.
That’s nothing…I gained 10 lbs overnight last week. I wish I was joking
I’m slacking on finding a dessert recipe too. Pear Crumble Tart, perhaps? Good luck!
I’m a little behind on my Reader and am just catching up.
The weight gain is nothign to worry about. You still look beautiful and more importantly, healthy and happy! You are living your life to the fullest right now, and that is what is important in the long run.
You aren’t going to remember how much weight you gained. You will remember the moments, the good food, the good wine and that is what is most important!
I am making the Four-Layer Pumpkin Cake with Orange-Cream Cheese Frosting from Bon Appetit for my Thanksgiving dinner (which will be lovely after the Turkey with Poblano-Cilantro Pesto and Chili Gravy, Chorizo Bread Pudding/Stuffing, Chipotle Cranberry Sauce, Roasted Green Beans, Creamy Onions with Anchos, Yams with Ginger and Cilantro and Beer Bread)! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THANKSGIVING!!!! Hooray! The cooking begins to-night!
Oooh, what a glorious dream!
Hi Jenna! Thanks for sharing all of that personal information. Being someone who is curvy, but in good health, I love hearing that you like your new curves
Your positivity is really inspiring. Thanks for that as well. I should aslo tell you that you convinced me to try eating oatmeal again. I hated it before, but your combo of oatmeal with almond butter, pumpkin butter and bananas is TO DIE FOR! I love breakfast and am happy to add this recipe to my weekly AM routine. On that note, I have a breakfast question for you. It seems like you get up, get ready, eat breakfast, and then go to the gym. I wake up starving, but I always work out first and then eat breakfast, because I am afraid of throwing up. About how long do you wait after eating breakfast before working out? Does it make a difference what you eat before working out? I would so love to try this, but am still stuck on the idea that eating oatmeal and then doing kickboxing directly afterwords (I work out at home, so there’s no travel time) could making me feel kind of sick. What are your thoughts?
You look amazing! Can’t tell you’ve gained an ounce.
Mmm cupcakes! haha The oats look yummy, too!
I love having a little curves! I really do think that looking like you enjoy life and food and treats every now and then is way sexier than looking deprived. Men seem to love it too!
I let my stuff go to the last minute too!!!! I just decided on a pumpkin cheese cake. YUM!
Hey!
I love your blog I check everyday! I went to the San Diego food and wine festival this weekend and thought you might want to see pics so check out my post at heatherinacandyshop.com!
Curves are a wonderful thing!! Its good that you can appreciate that!
Its weird that you said you had dreams about cupcakes last night. I did too!! How weird!
delicious food is almost always worth it…and your pictures of food have been delicious looking so i can only assume it has all been well worth it. i’m glad you’re laughing about it- i like your style of “it will all work out in the end”.
Jenna, You look beautiful and I’m sure every calorie you have consumed has been totally worth it! ENJOY! And YES it’s true most men think we are all too skinny! LOL! My boyfriend looks at old pics of me ( when I was 30 lbs heavier ) and tells me how hot I looked then! hahaha Aloha:-)
It’s got to feel great to have so many people giving you positive feedback!! I’m overwhemed and it’s your blog!!
I’ll add in, though, that I think your attitude is perfect. Focusing on the fun you had gaining it and the positive things about your “new” body is very inspiring!
Your True/Slant article is dead on – Moderation, Moderation, Moderation. Thanks for helping us all keep perspective.
I often dream of food and wake up starving! Sometimes it is great and sometimes it stinks! I try to think of what I am having for breakfast before I go to sleep…so I wake up wanting what I was planning on having! I take medication in the morning and have to wait at least an hour before I can eat anything! So sometimes it is awful to wake up starving! I try to take it when I first start to wake up so I can lay back down for an hour or so to help the time go by!
And I always wait until the last minute to decide or make whatever I am taking! We have had to put hot food in a box in the trunk so nobody would get burned!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Ok. I have to comment.
First of all, Great outlook!
Secondly, I also had dreams about cupcakes and frosting last night! How weird is that??
I’m just curious- do you feel like you want to lose those ten pounds? Some of the commenters have said things like “don’t worry, you’ll be back to normal soon!” etc. and I just wondered if that was a goal/expectation for you, or if you prefer to be this weight (for the reasons you stated in your post).
I really appreciate your honesty this morning- it’s very meaningful to hear someone talk about both sides of the coin- eating amazing, delicious foods, but also gaining a bit of weight, even while exercising and being healthy. Sometimes I think it’s easy to look at others and be like, “oh, she can’t eat anything and it never affects her” but that’s really not true for anyone. Thanks for a great post!
Jenna…you are GORGEOUS! Good for you for embracing yourself! We all need a reminder that we are all beautiful…thanks sharing your confidence. It is inspiring!
Also..I am making the banana cream tonight. I just put 2 bananas in the freezer…SO EXCITED! Thanks for posting!
Jenna, you’re gorgeous! I bet the pounds look fabulous on you
Have a great day!
G-chat is such a time thief!! I used to get on there and chat with my sister, and suddenly 2 hours would pass by in what seemed like minutes!
Totally worth it though
Hey Jenna, I have a question (that you might have already answered in previous posts?)– How did you find out about the original Murphy Goode contest? Did you just see it online? Just curious!
i think you look gorgeous! you know, my feel good weight totally fluctuates with the season, where i am and what is going on in my life. being from the dance world – i totally can get a unhealthy perspective about my body, but i am mindful to accept where i am and be proud of that. the accepting part is harder for me than i want it to be – you rock at how relaxed you are and are a total inspiration for me to continue to be proud of where i am! i mean this body does get me through life and allow me to dance, run, do yoga, hike, play – all the things i love! i was the super skinniest at my wedding this summer and am not sure i’ll ever be there again and i’m ok with that! thanks for an inspiring few posts!
ps – finally remembered to check out amazing grass when i was grocery shopping today. just ate one of the bars – yum! can’t wait to try a smoothie in the morning!
You look wonderful like always and I haven’t noticed a thing! For someone who works with wine and food, you should be enjoying yourself. I think it’s so admirable for you to speak out about it, you’re a beautiful girl inside and out
Your attitude is inspiring! I’ve gained almost 10lbs over the past few months as well, and I’m not nearly as level-headed about it. Am going to try my best to try to change the way I see it.
AND am definitely (finally) going to try your overnight oats for breakfast tomorrow. That photo sold it!
By the way Jenna who made you’re incredible header? Looking for someone to help with mine
Thanks for being so honest and always being yourself. G-chating is the BEST.
Your breakfast sounds delicious. All of the ingredients are just so droolworthy! Maple syrup! Almond butter! DRIED CHERRIES! Nommm. And, I’ll say it again: you’re beautiful! Just look at that picture of you on the sidebar. You just glow gorgeousness.
With good friends, you don’t even need to meet face-to-face before you start ROFLing. Laughter is essential for health and sanity.
I’ve been dreaming about making cupcakes (really just baking ANYTHING) while I’ve been in Aussie. I can not wait for an oven again!!
I totally dream about food! I’ve definitely been known to wake up with cravings set off by my dreams…
Great article by the way.
So great to hear that you feel comfortable in your own skin
that’s what it’s all about!
You’re beautiful and nothing will change that. The blogging world is here to help you remember that.
i love your refreshingly honest, its ok attitude bc you are still healthy and pretty much dang gorgeous and slim!
I had overnight oats for brekkie too! I thought your article was really good. Very helpful comments
.
Jenna, you are my favorite blogger, hands down. You’re such an inspiration to me as a young woman about to graduate from college in New York City, aspiring to become a food editor and go to culinary school. You’re seriously everything I want to be. I’ve been reading your blog since its beginnings and really admire the way you’ve handled the complete 180 your life has made – you’ve been through a lot over the past year, both good and horrific things – and you’ve come out of it all absolutely shining, inside and out. I think you’re resilient, beautiful, talented and have so many good and exciting things ahead of you. These past few posts totally embodied a certain peace that I think you’ve found within yourself over the last few months, and I’m so happy for and proud of you, as a loyal reader. Bravo, keep inspiring young women!
You have already learned this year that life is too short to sweat the small stuff. 10 lbs is no big deal, and you know what? It looks good on you. You’re happy, you’re living your dream, life is good…as long as you’re still living a healthy life – which you are – who gives a crap what the scale says. Keep living each day to the fullest and enjoy those curves!
I’m so making those overnight oats when I get back from visiting my family! I’ve seen them far too many times on the blog and each time I say “I should really make those” and I never have. Sunday morning, they are mine!
“Get in my belly!” – haha!
love your over night oats!
jenna
Jenna, I adore how you’re learning and taking others right along with you. And even more, I adore that you dream about cupcakes.
Hope you had a great day!
Your overnight oats look so yummy. That’s weird! Me too the same night as you, I dreamt about doing cupcakes.