Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness

Are There Pores In My Purse?!

Well, I’ve gotta say—the super-charge me cookies from ED&BV are JUST AS GOOD as the amazing chocolate peanut butter ones I made a couple weeks ago. Seriously, these things are freakin’ awesome…and the best part is that they really are seriously healthy! Only 2 tbsp of canola oil and no white sugar or flour at all in the entire recipe! Granted, I took the liberty of adding dark chocolate chips 😉 but they still really are a great, healthy snack. The recipe called for quick oats but I used multigrain cereal and it worked perfectly. I also forgot to add salt. Oops. Couldn’t taste the difference though! I just ate 2 of them—I should know!

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Anyways~ this afternoon I didn’t get to lay in the sun but I did get a lot done…and I went shopping! Bad, bad jenna….I totally cannot afford to go shopping right now and I made a huge mistake to walk into Urban Outfitters today! I walked out with a sundress, a tank top and a new purse! This was the first time I’ve been shopping for clothes though in about 6 months so I guess it’s forgiven. I thought it was funny when I asked the girl at urban if this purse was leather (hoping it wasn’t but it def. looks like it!) and she looked at it, sniffed it, then said “no, its not. Animal skin has pores in it and this is pore-free”. Thinking about holding onto animal skin with pores sort of made me want to gag!

I snacked on a vanilla soy yogurt today and some grapes before hitting the gym. The yogurt was interesting. It wasn’t bad…it wasn’t great…I’m not sure what it was to be honest. I think it would be better with pb granola on it, but what wouldn’t be better that way?! It fueled me for a great upper body workout though (10 minutes on the stairmaster doing intervals to warm up then pushups, various arm machines and abs for 30 minutes) and kept me going until dinnertime.

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Speaking of dinnertime! I had been planning all week to get take out from somewhere tonight because I have nothing in my pantry to make and I’m just plain pooped. I was going to get sushi but then I decided instead to hit up Dandelion again, this time to try out their famous “Giddyup” salad. Basically it was your normal taco salad with lettuce, tomatoes, blue corn chips and topped with a totally wonderful chili. I got a side of their “Goddess” dressing to drizzle on top and that was the kicker. I started eating this dressing with my fork it was so tasty! I really liked the salad too but there just wasn’t enough chili for me. I was still hungry and also ate the little container of hemp hummus they give you with your meal. It was awesome—I just want more of it! I think next time I will try it in a wrap, which seemed to be the more popular way to get it. I had a glass of my red wine with dinner and had the entire thing outside on my balcony, picnic-style.

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Like I said, I just polished off two of my cookies. Seriously–buy this book and make these. Healthy AND tasty…the perfect dessert!

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Cookie Troubleshooting: I’ve been hearing things from yall that you are baking cookies and they are turning out dry. Here’s my take on that: I always make smaller cookies than what the recipe calls for. This recipe said it produced 11 cookies and I made 20. Therefore, I baked them for 10 minutes, which is under the recommended cooking time. Since there isn’t any dairy or eggs in the cookie, they don’t need to be baked for as long and also WILL dry out if you bake them for too long.  I baked my chocolate peanut butter cookies for 10 minutes also and didn’t have a problem at all. Main point: if you are baking vegan cookies and are unsure if they are done or not—PULL THEM OUT! They will carry-over cook on the cookie sheet even after they are out of the oven. This should solve any dry cookie issues!
I’m off to go put a face mask on and chill in a bubble bath…….then make tea and read my new book. Yes, I am apparently 65 years old but I know all you “cool kids” out there secretly think this is a pretty hip way to spend a Friday night. Peace.

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  • mags
    March 29, 2008 at 12:01 am

    jenna, i am 23 years old and that sounds like the PERFECT friday night to me!! enjoy 🙂

  • Brynn
    March 29, 2008 at 12:15 am

    I just made Dreena’s oatmeal raisin cookies (using dark chocolate chips instead of raisins) and they were AMAZING! You should try them. 🙂

  • MLT
    March 29, 2008 at 12:41 am

    Can we see a pic of the new dress/purse! (i’m on a budget “diet” too but I love to see what others buy, hehe). Enjoy your night off!

  • ashley
    March 29, 2008 at 12:48 am

    I want those cookies! I’m glad you told us about the yogurt- I almost bought one today!

    have fun on your trip!

  • ana
    March 29, 2008 at 12:55 am

    eeeww! pores on my purse? LOL! I love urban outfiters, and every gal needs some cute clothes, so you’re right-it’s totally forgivable (of course, I’m saying that b/c I just spent $125 on clothes, too -_^ TARGET! Got to love it)

  • erica
    March 29, 2008 at 12:58 am

    I’ve got to make those cookies one of these days. They really stood out to me when I was reading through ED&BV because of all the fabulous ingredients! And yours look amazing of course.

  • Romina
    March 29, 2008 at 12:58 am

    I think the blogging world can agree that Dreena is the cookie queen!

    I agree about the cookie sizes. I always measure mine out with a tablespoon and always end up with more than what a recipe says, it keeps them moist. And especially with vegan cookies, people leave them in too long thinking they’re not cooked, but they don’t realize that the cookies are still baking even when you take them out of the oven. I always either go with the full bake time or a few minutes less.

  • Steph
    March 29, 2008 at 1:01 am

    Haha I am 25, and your Friday night sounds absolutely PERFECT!

    Quick question for everyone: I need to prepare a quick and healthy dinner for myself (husband’s working late). I just bought spicy hummus for the first time, but I’m not sure what to do with it. I’m thinking a wrap, but what goes well with hummus inside a wrap? Thanks!

  • jenna
    March 29, 2008 at 1:06 am

    Steph,

    I make TONS of hummus wraps! Here’s my “classic” so to speak:

    take a whole wheat wrap and spread it with about 4 tbsp (1/4 cup) of hummus. Layer on some grated carrots, celery, spinach leaves, cucumber slices, tomatoes…oh what the heck—toss on anything and everything you can find in your vegetable drawer. Now attempt to close it. Eat and love it!

  • Ella
    March 29, 2008 at 1:21 am

    haha I agree…staying in and doing girlie things is soo underrated! those cookies are making me wish I had gone cookie-ingredient shopping today!

  • Paula
    March 29, 2008 at 1:26 am

    Kelly L.,

    Regarding your earlier comment about new things you bought a Whole Foods: the YVES pepperoni is so much better (IMO) than the Smart Deli kind. I started out with the YVES kind, and then bought the Smart Deli kind because it was on sale and I thought it tasted yucky. I hope you like it, though! If you don’t, try the YVES kind – sooo good! Also, I love Mr. Krispers Rice Crisps, too! The Sour Cream and Onion kind rock!

    Jenna,

    Your evening sounds great! Not boring at all! Sometimes I just crave alone “me” time. We all need it! Enjoy!

  • Kelly L.
    March 29, 2008 at 1:46 am

    Paual- I was wrong. I did buy the Yves kind!! They were yummy. I made the best dinner. I sauteed some peppers and onions and then cut a pita in half and stuffed each half with peppers, onions, pizza sauce, mozerella cheese and pepperonis. Then I put them in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees. They got all melty, hot and gooey. The pita crisped up a little bit. It was like eating a healthy stromboli or pizza pocket. SO GOOD!

  • butterjessfly
    March 29, 2008 at 2:28 am

    Hi Jenna! I’m not sure if you answered this before, but do you measure your foods like your breakfast cereals?

  • kay
    March 29, 2008 at 3:14 am

    The title alone gave me bad goose bumps…. Pores on a purse just sounds so horrible! It made me want to gag too 🙁

    I want to try that PB granola so bad but can’t find it yet…. Does it have a strong PB taste to it??

    Relaxing evening = the Best 😉

  • Susan
    March 29, 2008 at 3:22 am

    Jenna,

    What grade maple syrup do you buy?

    Also, for the black bean burgers did you make your own beans or used canned?

    I bought a can of no salt added chickpeas from WF and they smelled horrible. Is it that canned beans smell or do beans in general smell?

    Your friday night sounds great…..I always veg out after finals, the only thing I don’t get is why so many girls like baths……the water gets so luke warm!

  • Katherine
    March 29, 2008 at 3:32 am

    Jenna,

    That sounds like a great way to spend a Friday night – I am watching the movie “Once” while clearly on the internet. Sometimes I feel lame but I just love hanging out on Friday night with my boyfriend and waking up early to have a full Saturday.

    I took one of those tests once called “How old are you?” turned out I was 75 based on car choice, drink choice, and about 8 other questions which I completely answered honestly. My boyfriend did the quiz as well and he was 15…hmm they never do grow up though do they?

    I also followed your lead and bought a cheap bottle of red tonight – delicious and affordable. I guess I am just as classy as you.

    Have a great relaxing night.

    Kat

  • Jill
    March 29, 2008 at 5:32 am

    Soy yogurt is just one thing I cannot do. I eat soy-everything else, but the yogurt is just not the same! Ah well.

  • Alice (in Veganland)
    March 29, 2008 at 6:58 am

    I do think your Friday night plans were great. Grrrreat! And that salad you got? It’s calling my name!
    I never let cookies dry out. My recommendation is to eat them fast!

  • jenna
    March 29, 2008 at 11:58 am

    butterjessfly,

    I usually only eat oatmeal, granola maybe once or twice a week, and my roomie and I have these cool measuring cups that are actually scoops from target (i think?) so I just use the “scoop” to get the oatmeal out of the cannister so it gives me a 1/2 cup serving every time. I haven’t used my food scale in months, so no, I don’t actually go for the exact gram of oats that the back of the container says.

    kay,

    No…it really doesn’t. It has yummy peanuts in it though and yes, its totally hard to find. I haven’t seen it again since I last bought it. You might have to look online!!

    Susan,

    I buy Grade A Dark Amber. I believe those bean burgers were made with canned beans…I don’t really remember though because literally, I made them at least a month ago and just froze one. Canned beans are really convenient though for stuff like that! And yes, canned beans smell a little funny. No worries though..its just because they are canned in their own liquid. Just drain and don’t forget to rinse!

  • Kristin
    March 29, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    Jenna,
    We are definately very alike! I cannot walk into my favorite stores like Urban Outfitters (or Anthropologie!) without buying SOMETHING… and I’ve asked about leather purses myself! Sometimes I get funny looks but hey, what’s wrong with being conscious?

    Those cookies look absolutely delectable! Definately next on my list to make. I made the PB ones last night and cooked them for 10 minutes as you suggested, and they came out pefectly delicious!

    Also, I consider myself a pretty “cool kid” and that sounds like a fantastic, relaxing way to spend a Friday night!
    What kind of face mask do you use?

  • diana
    March 29, 2008 at 1:58 pm

    Love, love, love the information everyone gives here!!!
    You all just rock!
    I have been looking for a way to start a vegan livestyle, sans straight out of some cookbook/lifestyle book – this is just perfect!

    Thanks Jenna, I am going shopping this weekend to get the ED&BV book (lets home B&N has it in stock!). I wish we had a Whole Foods here, but alas, we don’t . Our grocery stores do carry some great organic, vegan stuff now – yay!
    🙂
    Love the purse, I so want to go buy a non-leather purse for spring now! I agree on the Friday night – staying out late surrounded by cig. smoke (can you smoke in bars in Florida?) is bad for your skin!
    Have a super adventure – enjoy!
    🙂