Hi friends!
Yoga was great again today. The theme of the class seemed to be hip openers and there were tons of half pigeons, full pigeons, and twists…..as well as the usual half moon, revolved half moon, standing splits, chatarungas and side angles. All 90 minutes practiced in the HEAT, of course, and afterwards I was a big sweaty (smiley but sans make-up) mess. 😉
I think I like this flow better than Bikram because its constantly changed up, wheras Bikram is a set 26 postures practiced the same way every single time. As much as I love it, I do get bored doing the same ol’ thing every class and this is a great alternative that is very detoxifying as well! I always feel so cleansed after I practice in the heat. As if every icky thing has just been wrung out of me.
When I got home I immediately showered and set to making lunch! The menu today consisted of Heidi Swanson’s Pan Fried Chickpea Salad with kale chips and a Dr. Kracker flatbread on the side, and I actually soaked and cooked the chickpeas myself. There’s SUCH a difference when you soak and cook your own beans, I swear. The taste, the texture…..everything!
Wow, what a killer recipe! This was phenomenal……so tasty! For my portion, I used 1 cup cooked chickpeas and made the Indian inspired yogurt dressing with 1/4 cup 2% Fage, some garam masala and just a pinch of sea salt. Healthy, filling and full of protein!
The kale chips were just four kale leaves baked at 350 for 10 minutes until nice and crisp, then sprinkled with sea salt. This is an original KERF recipe and I just adore it!
With more Yerba Mate tea on the side and an adora milk chocolate disk for dessert!
Being the intense dark chocolate lover that I am, I liked the dark chocolate adora disks better than the milk chocolate. However, these are still yummy and would be perfect for someone that loves the milk!
Things to do this afternoon include:
- write articles
- catch up on emails
- GET A MANICURE AT 2:15!!!
- head to my parent’s house at 4:30 to discuss possible blog updates & expansions with my dad 😉 and have dinner with my parents
Someone gave me a $20 gift certificate to have a manicure at the salon next door to my aparment (literally I could throw a rock and hit the salon…its dangerous) so I’m soooo excited to get another manicure today. This is the first time in years I’ve been able to make my hands look pretty and grow my nails out a bit and I just love it. Would you even believe that in culinary school they actually measured the length of our nails during daily line-up?! I know….crazy! Now if I could just get rid of all these horrible scars on my arms I would be in business 🙂
Ryan has somewhere to be tonight so making dinner with my mom and eating with them. Can’t pass up a free meal by mom, eh?!
See you in a bit!
Recipes for Creativity
May 21, 2009 at 10:39 amYour shoulders are the object of my envy. I guess I should take up yoga?
Enjoy din-din with the folks!
jenna
May 21, 2009 at 10:43 amRecipes for Creativity,
hahaha thank you!!! Well just so you know, I hardly lift weights at all these days and my shoulders are the result of many a chatarunga and forearm plank pose! Yoga builds lean muscle and I always sort of “scoff” at people who say its not *really* a workout. Um, yes it is! 😉 90 minutes of going back and forth to push-up position counts as a strengthening workout in MY book at least
Carrie
May 21, 2009 at 10:40 amHi,
I think it is so cute that you go to your parents for dinner even though you have moved out. I do the exact same thing (Thursdays and Sundays) are when I head up to my parents for dinners with them. It is really comforting to me to have my parents close by and that I can drop in on them at any time ( I am sure you feel the same).
Jenna
May 21, 2009 at 10:44 amyour lunch looks great! I wanted to try that recipe but wasn’t sure if I would like it! I might now per your recommendation! 🙂 Enjoy your manicure and homecooked meal!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
May 21, 2009 at 10:57 amI totally agree that yoga is a good strength workout – my instructor makes us do this move that makes my whole body shake: we balance on our butts, lift our legs to a 45 degree angle, lift upper body, and then twist clasped hands from side-to-side. OMG. It makes me want to cry (in a good way, I think).
Anne
May 21, 2009 at 11:03 amI couldn’t agree with you more about making your own chick peas. After your last post about it I was inspired this weekend! I made “Balti Tofu and Chickpeas in a Thick Creamy Coconut Sauce” (from Diet, Dessert and Dogs) and it was better than normal – all because the beans weren’t from a can! Now I’ll try Heidi’s recipe!
rhodeygirl
May 21, 2009 at 11:04 amyou sound so happy today jenna. i am happy for you that you have been able to smile now and again after losing your brother. i hope you have a full day full of smiles and laughs!
enjoy your mani!
elliebelle
May 21, 2009 at 11:04 amOoo, those chickpeas look really good! Maybe I should go on lunch break now. haha
Lynna
May 21, 2009 at 11:08 amHey Jenna,
Since you talked about how easy and how much better tasting using dried beans can be I decided to try your large lima bean recipe since I had some in my pantry. However, I soaked the beans and many of the skins began to peel off and shrivel after only two hours. Then I boiled them and most of the beans dissolved! I started with at least 1 1/3 cups and ended with about 15 beans (the ones that the skins didn’t come off of). Any ideas what went wrong? I peeled off some skins, but most just came off on their own.
jenna
May 21, 2009 at 11:11 amLynna,
Well lima beans are a much more “fragile” bean than a chickpea. When I cook limas, I usually lose a lot of their skin as well but the key is to not overcook them because they will easily turn to mush! I’m sorry that happened to you! Here’s exactly what I do:
The night before I combine dried lima beans in enough water to cover and let sit overnight.
In the morning, drain the water, fill with fresh water and simmer for one hour. It really only takes one hour for lima beans because they are so fragile and soft!
runeatrepeat
May 21, 2009 at 11:15 amI have been craving those kale chips too!
Kat
May 21, 2009 at 11:25 amHave you ever tried Mederma for your scars? I thought that it was only for new scars but then my doc said to give it a try on some old ones that i had and they look so much better now. You might want to give it a shot. BTW, I love the Creative Loafing articles; I wish you wrote for the ATL Creative Loafing!
justrun
May 21, 2009 at 11:31 amAlways an inspiration, Jenna!
Mary Catherine
May 21, 2009 at 11:38 amYUM your lunch looks amazing!
Are you still drinking Amazing Grass?? I haven’t seen it on the blog in awhile!
The Novice Berker
May 21, 2009 at 11:49 amI definitely agree. The flavor of the beans just pops better when you soak/cook them on your own. Canned beans are just so bland and texture-less in comparison!
Yay for manis! I’m going to get a pedicure today, hurrah. 🙂
Emily L.
May 21, 2009 at 11:56 amOH I love home cooked meals. It kills me that I live 1,380 miles away from my parents. But they live in michigan, and those winters kill me too.
Anyway, keep on living the manicured nails dream!
Natalie
May 21, 2009 at 11:56 amYour lunch looks delicious! Yum! I may have to give yoga a try too… 🙂
Mara @ What's For Dinner?
May 21, 2009 at 11:59 amThat chickpea salad looks fantastic! I’ve yet to cook my own beans, but I think I may do it just to make this salad!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
May 21, 2009 at 12:03 pmMy Mister had plans tonight so I’m eating dinner with my fam, too!
Have fun 😉
Matt
May 21, 2009 at 12:18 pmMmm looks good!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
May 21, 2009 at 12:26 pmGlad you loved yoga!! Lunch looks wonderful. I love chickpeas.
Have a great time with your parents =) Gotta love a meal with Mom!
Sarah
May 21, 2009 at 12:37 pmI love chickpeas, but I have always eaten them out of the can so I will have to make them myself!
I did Bikram yoga one time and I think it gave me a bad impression of “hot yoga” so I will have to try another class. Thanks for your input about that too.
Have a great day!
K
May 21, 2009 at 12:37 pmThe nail measurement sounds like the military! How intense! Enjoy your manicure today 🙂
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)
May 21, 2009 at 12:39 pmwhat an awesome day you have lined up: hot yoga, chickpeas, AND a manicure! keep enjoying life, jenna 🙂 it’s so good to see you doing things for yourself!
Jenni
May 21, 2009 at 12:41 pmWe just got a brand spanking new Pita Pit and I went there today for lunch! I was so excited…I got tons of veggies and lots of hot sauce. It was delish!! I am hooked.
Sarah (lovINmytummy)
May 21, 2009 at 12:43 pmThis is meant in the kindest (and most envious way) but you look like you are about 12 when you aren’t dolled up and without makeup! Adorable!
Christie
May 21, 2009 at 12:53 pmGlad you enjoyed the hot flow!! I’m jealous but I already told you that!
That chickpea salad looks great!
Alyssa
May 21, 2009 at 12:55 pmJust saw your fb status, I hope everything is ok!
Amy
May 21, 2009 at 12:57 pmPigeon poses are just evil!! 😀
brandi
May 21, 2009 at 12:57 pmsounds like a good day – yoga, homemade lunch, mani and dinner made by mom? I wish that was my day 🙂
Jenny
May 21, 2009 at 1:25 pmawesome yoga sess – i love half pigeons 🙂 I could legit sleep in that pose.
raybelle
May 21, 2009 at 1:34 pmhey jenna!
in the spirit of blog updates…
i was wondering if you have thought about doing more bread baking, tips, and baking recipe sharing/”teaching”. i don’t know of bread is one of your favorite aspects of baking and food writing, but i would love any recipes or advice you have and are willing to share on the blog.
Stef
May 21, 2009 at 1:39 pmmmm kale chips! Have you tried sprinkling them with a little bit of apple cider vinegar before popping them in the oven? It makes a world of difference! I don’t see how you manage to look gorgeous even after a sweaty hot yoga sesh!
Jess
May 21, 2009 at 1:43 pmI really want to try the kale chips!! They look fantastic and so do YOU! Have fun with your mom and dad 🙂
<3 jess
Jean
May 21, 2009 at 1:47 pmJenna,
I just recently discovered your blog and I’m hooked! I love being inspired by your healthy attitude with food and all your gourmet meals! 🙂
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
May 21, 2009 at 1:59 pmWow I never knew that about Bikram – that it’s the same 26 poses! That’s really crazy about culinary school checking your nail length…!!
Gabrielle
May 21, 2009 at 2:20 pmYour lunch looks so good! I’ll have to try cooking my own beans sometime.
Christina
May 21, 2009 at 2:20 pmI love all of Heidi’s recipes and that chickpea salad looks great! Have fun tonight at dinner 🙂
Becca
May 21, 2009 at 2:27 pmThat chickpea salad looks great! I’d be interested to hear more about the yoga class.. I really want to try one!
Ann
May 21, 2009 at 3:52 pmSeriously, every time I read about you doing yoga I wish I was half as good as you! Or at least, look half as good as you! lol
The thing about your nails reminds me of when I used to go to cadet summer camps when I was around 14. My hair can get pretty frizzy in the summer if not taken care of properly, and naturally it went nuts while I was at camp. They would actually make me use a toothbrush to apply gel to my hair and watch me do it because of the stray hairs around my face! I felt bad for the girls whose hair was even curlier than mine.
Amy
May 21, 2009 at 4:05 pmYou know, I think you’ve been posting more pictures with your face in them lately, and I love it. It’s great to see your smiling face so often. It reminds me to stay positive and keep smiling everyday!
Bec
May 21, 2009 at 4:07 pmlove the chickpeas!
amanda
May 21, 2009 at 4:49 pmhas anyone ever told u u look like a young cameron diaz?
spicygranola
May 21, 2009 at 4:54 pmLast week I felt like I was doing hot yoga in my apartment. It was almost eighty degrees in here. I was sliding around on my mat but felt great afterwards.
Heidi
May 21, 2009 at 5:30 pmGlad you liked the chickpeas Jenna! It really does make a big difference when you cook the beans from dried. I’m hooked. I wanted to mention – keep your eyes peeled for the dried chickpeas that look a bit tiny. I think you’d like them. I sometimes come across them in Italian food shops and always stock up. They look like mini garbanzos.
Congrats on a great site, -h
LK- Healthy Delcious
May 21, 2009 at 7:01 pmi just talked about using dried beans today too… I agree- canned doesn’t even compare!
I found a yoga studio here that ha what sounds like a similar hot class… I’ve only ever done dvds and gym classes though so I’m scared to go to an actual class!
Michelle
May 21, 2009 at 7:11 pmI am making kale chips tonight…super excited.