Dessert/ Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness

Biking & Blondie Bliss

I feel better right now for two main reasons:

First—

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A super sweaty 40 minute bike ride with the gear cranked way up to work my booty. I was totally geared up with my ipod, camel bak and heart rate monitor…I was just curious to see how many calories I burned because last time this bike ride kicked my butt. I was right—344 calories in 40 minutes. Check out the sweat!

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And then…when I came back, SURPRISE PACKAGE WAS AT MY DOOR!!!!!!!! =)

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I could smell the heavenly aroma even before I opened the package…..a VeggieGirl baked good at its finest!!

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I ripped the package apart to find amazing freshly baked Vegan Chocolate Chip Almond Blondies with Fig!!!

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Holy yum is right. Holy freakin’ yum is more like it! I just HAD to try a big piece right then and there—

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Amazing. VeggieGirl, I hereby crown you baking goddess. The blondies were incredibly moist and dense with huge chunks of dark chocolate and a just a hint of figgy goodness. Fig surprisingly took these blondies from just a “really good” level to an OUTSTANDING level. This baked good surprise was just what the doctor ordered today…thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!

After my blondie sample, I neatly packaged up half of the blondies in little baggies and froze them so I could experience vegan baking bliss for many, many moons. Then, I started dinner. I finally had all the necessary ingredients to make the dinner I was supposed to make last night (Broccoli Tofu Cashew Teriyaki Stir Fry out of Eat, Drink and Be Vegan), so it was very easy to assemble last night. I marinated 1/3 block of tofu in rice wine vinegar and tamari for an hour and then I stir fried it with broccoli, a few cashews and a serving of red rice. Poured the finished sauce (all I had to do was add cornstarch) over top and voila!

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And then after I ate, you know I went back for more blondie….

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It was as if I died and went to vegan blondie heaven. I kept going back and eating all the crumbs/stray chocolate chips out of the box, then finally made my mom close the box and take it away from me before I ate the whole thing. This will be dangerous.

So, I’ve been stretching my shins like CRAZY. I mean, it’s the first thing I do when I get out of bed in the morning and I feel like I do it all day long. I really think it’s helping! I didn’t run today, obviously, but it doesn’t hurt to walk or anything like it used to sometimes last fall. Thank you guys so much for all the great tips (keep ’em coming!!!)!! I’m also doing “shin taps” every day, which I like to fondly call “crunches for the shins” because they are a killer! Basically, I just sit down and tap my feet very quickly (with heel staying on the ground) for as long as I can stand it. After about 30-45 seconds you can really start to feel the burn. A trainer taught me that at the gym I worked out at last fall and said that it really helps to strengthen the shins. I’m planning my next run for Saturday morning and hope to do a practice 5K since the race will be a week out. Think happy thoughts for me!

I’ve got a Fitnessista-inspired breakfast treat all set for my lunchbox tomorrow morning! See you after work 🙂

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  • Victoria
    March 5, 2009 at 4:23 pm

    Wow! VeggieGirl is a goddess. Those look delish!

  • Sarah (now in FL)
    March 5, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    You are the biggest nerd ever and I love it! As Tyra would say, work the fierceness.

    Anyway, Becky and I are consulting your website tonight because she bought bison at Greenwise yesterday and is cooking it for dinner tonight. We’ll let you know how it turns out. The vegan cupcake was yumalicious! I loved the frosting.

  • Maggie
    March 5, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    Oh my gosh those blondies look so good! VeggieGirl is amazing 😉

  • Marissa
    March 5, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    Ha ha funny picture 🙂

  • Runeatrepeat
    March 5, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    You do look hardcore in that race 🙂
    I totally believe in stretching an injury to help heal yourself back up. I should probably stretch more often and not just when something hurts!

  • Natalie
    March 5, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    Haha, such a cute pic! 🙂
    Oh my gosh those blondies look heavenly!!!

  • Megan
    March 5, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    Haha I love that feeling after a hard workout when you’re all sweaty and you feel great!! And wow those blondies look sooo amazing!!

  • Adi (oatonomy.com)
    March 5, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    That stirfry looks awesome.
    And the blondie… wow. WOW!

  • FoodsThatFit
    March 5, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    I am trying your shin tapping trick as we speak! Ouch! I can totally see why it works though!

    I am coming to Florida in April to run the Crooms Trail Run…Caitlin and Meghann are also running, would you be interested in doing it also? I bet your shins wouldn’t be as bad on the trails b/c it is so much softer than the road!

    • jenna
      March 5, 2009 at 5:08 pm

      Abbie,

      I totally would love to but there’s NO WAY i can possibly train for 15 mile trail race in one month. Hahahahahaha I think I would die. I wish!

  • Kailey (SnackFace)
    March 5, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    Glad a workout and some BLONDIES helped make ya feel better! VeggieGirl really is a baking goddess! Those look fantasticly delicious!

  • Michelle
    March 5, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    omygosh I looove this post! Beginning with the sweaty picture, because it gets me pumped for my workout tonight! hahahah Lucky for youuu vegan blondies!! 🙂 I wish all the people who tried MY baked goods responded like you did. hahahah

    I’m also in love with your stir fry!!! Marinades are the best inventions after yogurt, oatmeal, and cereal. muahhaah

  • Eliza
    March 5, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    ahh the blondies look so good!

  • Ace
    March 5, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    Hey Jenna, What a fun post! I have a question, although I apologize if you’ve answered this elsewhere. What kind of heart rate monitor do you wear? How does it monitor your caloric expenditure? I’m pretty petite, and so I always figure the machines at the gym aren’t giving me accurate numbers–I’m not a big calorie counter, but I would like to get a ballpark estimate! Thanks!

    • jenna
      March 5, 2009 at 5:07 pm

      Ace,

      I have a Polar F4 HRM. I like it …I usually don’t actually put the attachment on my chest to track my calories though because its sort of a hassle. I did today to see, but I think the last time I did that was last fall when I was running a lot more. I think it is pretty accurate..or at least that’s what I’ve heard. Its definitely more accurate than going by machines!

  • Red Head, Yellow Dog
    March 5, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    wow you’re pretty hardcore, Jenna. That picture is very intimidating! haha I love it! and those blondies look sooo delish! what a way to end the day 🙂

  • Sarah (lovINmytummy)
    March 5, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    That first pic of you looks like you need a prune 😉

    I need a blondie.

    I feel a breakfast cookie comin’ on!

  • VeggieGirl
    March 5, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    Love all your running!! Be careful with the pain though, girl!!

    Hooray for the blondies – enjoy them in good health. Love ya!! 🙂

  • Emily
    March 5, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    OMG! Those blondies look amazing!

  • tiffany
    March 5, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    Shin taps?! What a great idea. I remember doing those in a cardio kickboxing class during warm up now that you mention it. I have the same shin problem. =( I feel your pain, girl.

  • Marissa
    March 5, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    I have a shin splint prevention tip for you (sorry if it’s a repeat!)- try rocking back and forth a couple times from your toes to heals before running. I usually do it right before I’m about to take off while I’m waiting for my Garmin to locate the satellite. That, in addition to getting proper fitting shoes, has totally helped me with shin splints!

  • megan
    March 5, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    Yay for VeggieGirl blondies! She’s the best, right?! Those look amazing!!!!
    Thanks for the shin exercise…I have never heard of that before! I will try, for sure.
    Have a wonderful night, Jenna!

  • Shelby
    March 5, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    Baking Goddess? I would have to say I agree, especially after seeing those blondies! YUM!

  • Sarah (Tales of Expansion)
    March 5, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    luckyluckylucky girl!!! those blondies sound beyond amazing. and way to go on the bike ride!

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
    March 5, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    Girl you are fierce!!! And those blondies!!! YUM!

  • Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday
    March 5, 2009 at 6:21 pm

    hoooray for veggiegirl baked goods!

  • Meg
    March 5, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    Lucky you to get an amazing Veggiegirl treat!

  • K
    March 5, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    Yahoo for treats from VeggieGirl!! Those look amazing!

  • RunToFinish
    March 5, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    veggie girl is such a sweetie!!! way to go on the sweaty run!

  • Michelle Hisae
    March 5, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    I had almost the same dinner. Yum. BTW, LOVE the sweat – it’s the best part of a workout! Ok, 2nd best. Feeling a good stretch all-around wins.

  • Alisa - One Frugal Foodie
    March 5, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    Nice job!

    A VeggieGirl gift … I am sooo jealous!

  • brandi
    March 5, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    those blondies look AMAZING!

    way to go on your hard core bike ride!

  • Nicole
    March 5, 2009 at 7:40 pm

    Hi, Jenna! I don’t comment much, but I just wanted to offer up a little suggestion. I ws having problems with my lower legs that resembled shin spints except there didn’t seem to be a relationship with running to my pain (the pain came and went regardless of what I was doing at the time) and I tried EVERYTHING to make them better…evvveerything! I didn’t run for what felt like forever with no avail. Come to find out, I have a curve in my lower back that caused both an imbalance in my leg length (which could have led to more serious problems had I kept running and distributing my weight unevenly) AND nerve irritation. An insert and adjustments are fixing things…I could tell an immediate difference during my first run with the insert. Long story short…maybe think beyond your legs. Have you have an xray or anything lately…b/c it’s crazy how a problem (in the back, for example) could affect a totally different body part!! Either way, good luck with training!!

  • Melissa
    March 5, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    I am so jealous @ your blondies…. and relieved that I don’t have to deal with resisting them 😉

  • Emily
    March 5, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    Sounds like a fantastic bike ride!
    And those VeggieGirl blondies are LEGENDARY!

  • Jessica
    March 5, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    Hey Jenna,
    I’ve never really posted on here before, but I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and really like it. In fact, i’m going to get my nutrition & wellness certification this summer. Anyways, I ran track in high school and am 6 weeks away from my 2nd Boston Marathon. If your shins have been hurting soft ground/sand/grass is the BEST thing to run on. The worst thing is anything that is concrete sidewalks (pavement is like a middle ground, not the best, not the worst). While the grassy stuff can be a little more difficult, its better for your joints, ligaments, etc. Also, make sure to elevate & ice EVERY night!! It will help. Also, try to do some weight lifting & stair machine backwards (really!) to strengthen your leg muscles. Also, if the running hurts you can get to any race (even marathons) on only cross training. If you do the bike/elliptial for as long as you would run for its just as good. Not the same as being outside, but if running a race w/out pain is the goal a lot of cross training might help. Hope any of this is useful! Any questions, or more specifics, let me know, i’ve got loads mroe advice!
    Happy Running!
    Jess

  • Sharon
    March 5, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    Hahaha, love it! And those blondies, delicious!!!!

  • Meredith (Pursuing Balance)
    March 5, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    LOL I love the first pic of you!!!! Those blondies look so good! I’m glad you finally got to make your dinner!

  • Dulcie
    March 5, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    OH MY GOODNESS! Those blondies look absolutely DELISH! VeggieGirl definitely has a talent with baking. However, your breads look SO FREAKING GOOD! My mouth waters every time I set eyes on them!

  • Run Saraaah
    March 5, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    Your photo made me smile! Those blondies look fabulous – with figs too? What a great combination…I’d have devoured the whole box already!

  • Caroline
    March 6, 2009 at 12:50 am

    I don’t know which is better–the fig blondies or the ED&BV stir-fry…they both look fab!

  • Alyssa
    March 6, 2009 at 5:51 am

    Jenna (or any iron gurus out there!),
    I was wondering what foods are great sources of iron. I really need to get more iron in my diet, but am clueless as to what foods (except for spinach, which I don’t like) are rich in iron. Thanks!

    Nice pic by the way!

  • Beth
    March 6, 2009 at 6:19 am

    Looks like a great day! A great bike ride and delicious blondies 🙂

  • Kristie
    March 6, 2009 at 8:19 am

    You’re hardcore! I want to go on a sweaty bike ride now. The snow patches are a bit of a deterrent though.

    Those blondies look AMAZING. Veggiegirl is a STAR baker

  • Kelly
    March 6, 2009 at 8:43 am

    You’re making me wish it would warm up here already so I can take my bike out. I got it in the fall so I haven’t been able to get much use out of it yet.

  • Danielle
    March 6, 2009 at 9:09 am

    Oh gosh those blondies look soooo good, I’m jealous!
    And great tip on the shin taps, I can definitely see that burning!

  • Jess
    March 6, 2009 at 10:25 am

    I do shin taps too! I stand up and put my back against the wall.

    I also freeze my baked goods. Keeps me from eating all of them at once.

  • Jordan (Flows Down Yellow)
    March 6, 2009 at 11:59 am

    Those blondies look so good! Have a good weekend!

  • Marlow
    March 6, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    Veggie Girl is the sweetest!!

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