Dessert/ Dinner

Good and Green

Thanks everyone for the great arm advice! I’ll now put in my 2-cents ;). MY favorite arm exercise are just full on manly push-ups. When you do them right, they tone every part of your arm and chest and I’m usually sore the next day. It’s hard for me to make myself do them though because as great as they are, I really don’t like to do them (because they’re hard!). But…after I do I always feel a sense of accomplishment. Oh, and chatarungas help loads as well. I could never do the full version until I started doing push-ups and building some muscle in my arms. Those babies take a ton of strength!!

I finished “Trail of Crumbs” today. A-MAZING!!! One of the best books I’ve read all year, maybe even the best! I just couldn’t put it down….all the descriptions of the food made my mouth water and I got so into the narrator’s love triangles and inner conflicts. I can’t recommend it enough. One of the women I work with just finished this book today and gave it to me. I’ve been wanting to read this for awhile but they were always out at the library and I just never bought it for some reason.

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Any thoughts?

For dinner tonight I made the most amazing Annie’s combo yet I think. A reader awhile ago suggested I add some tuna to the mac & cheese to boost the protein and make it more like a yummy tuna casserole. I have to admit, I was very skeptical because I just couldn’t imagine hot, cheesy tuna. My mom never made tuna casserole when I was growing up and I never thought to try it before. But….I decided to take the chance anyways so tonight I made my mac & cheese and added 6 oz of tuna to it as well as about 3/4 cup of peas. And, well, it was amazing. SOOOO good and definitely enough protein to keep me going tonight. I ate half the box and saved the other half for tomorrow at some point.  I don’t think I could eat Annie’s plain anymore—it’s just so easy to dress up! 🙂 I also had  simple spinach salad with balsamic vinegar. Lots of green going around tonight!

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I had two more dates for dessert but popped them into my mouth before the camera came out….hehe

For a snack later I’m bringing this bar that’s been in my purse for months and months. I’ve never tried this bar before but the ingredients seem pretty good and it looks to be filling. Has anyone tried these?

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My roommate came back today with the puppy! It’s a German shepherd mix and is 12 weeks old. Him and Dexter were having a field day running around our shoe box sized apartment! Once they got used to each other they were fine but there was definitely a moment of “who’s boss around here?”! This will be very interesting….

Tonight is ice cream (plain vanilla) and souffles!

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  • Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
    July 22, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    I’m not a big mac & cheese person, but that combo looks great!

  • Maureen
    July 22, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    I love the Kashi Rolls! The turtle flavor is the best IMO. They are pretty filling as a snack and taste like dessert. 🙂

  • Alyssa
    July 22, 2008 at 9:49 pm

    What are chatarungas? Clues for the clueless 😛

  • Alli W.
    July 22, 2008 at 10:05 pm

    Hey Jenna! I’m not in love with the Kashi rolls, they are super super chewy, which I find annoying. But they taste pretty good! As for Water for Elephants, it is one of my favorite books ever! Good choice

  • Erin
    July 22, 2008 at 10:16 pm

    Water for Elephants is INCREDIBLE. Takes you through so many issues: the depression, elderly, love, poverty, and of course, the circus…oh, and mental illness! It’s a FANTASTIC read. I’m glad your friend lent it to you. I was skeptical but LOVED it.

  • Chandra (Eating to Live)
    July 22, 2008 at 10:24 pm

    Wow, I’m impressed with your arm-exercise-of-choice! I can’t even do ONE normal man pushup 🙁

    I haven’t read Water for Elephants, but I hope you enjoy it, and report back!

    And yum, Annie’s! The best quick pasta for sure. Have fun tonight!!

  • C
    July 22, 2008 at 10:33 pm

    I will have to check out that book, sounds like you really enjoyed it!

    Also, do you mind giving ua a review on the kashi roll once you have it? I have always wanted to try them but have never given them a shot.

  • Kristen
    July 22, 2008 at 10:35 pm

    I enjoyed Water for Elephants, but thought it was a bit predictable. Have you read Gentlemen and Players? If not, I highly recommend it.

  • Victoria
    July 22, 2008 at 10:37 pm

    I agree with you on the push-up, but I can really only do 1 in good form, then i must revert to knee push-ups which I still find incredibly difficult.

    Thanks for the book recs. I always enjoy hearing what everyone is reading!

  • krissie
    July 22, 2008 at 10:59 pm

    Water for Elephants is WONDERFUL. One of my favorite reads. The husband liked it too.

    Have you read The Time Traveler’s Wife? Probably my favorite of all time…

  • AshleyP
    July 22, 2008 at 11:17 pm

    I LOVED Water for Elephants! I didn’t expect to like it nearly as much as I did. I want to know your English major interpretation of the end- you’ll have to do a spoiler alert or something. I heard some pretty neat interpretations that I never would have thought of on my own but make total sense once someone explained!

  • RhodeyGirl
    July 22, 2008 at 11:43 pm

    this is one of my favorite books! enjoy!

  • angelcubbie
    July 22, 2008 at 11:58 pm

    I’m not in love with the taste of those bars, but eat them because I find them to be really filling as a snack.

    I did however try this bar today: oohmega in cherry pie and it was SO SO good, organic ingredients only and tasted like dessert. Has anyone tried these before?

  • hk
    July 23, 2008 at 12:03 am

    This book is waiting for me after I finish the one I’m on right now- can’t wait!! I’ve only heard great things 🙂 Glad you liked you’re “jazzed-up annie’s mac”– it does look yummy!

  • Every Gym's Nightmare
    July 23, 2008 at 12:09 am

    mmmm mac and peas. doesnt get any better than that.

    http://www.groundedfitness.com

  • Becca A
    July 23, 2008 at 12:16 am

    Glad to hear things are going well so far with the fur-kids!

  • Tammy
    July 23, 2008 at 12:18 am

    Our neighborhood Walmart just started carrying Annie’s mac-n-cheese. I couldn’t believe it!

  • Mandee Lei
    July 23, 2008 at 12:27 am

    I like the Crunchy Bars by Kashi more than the rolls.. something about those rolls just didn’t do it for me! I have always been intrigued to read Water for Elephants but haven’t gotten to it yet, so I’m excited to know what you think.

  • Kimberly
    July 23, 2008 at 1:10 am

    Water for Elephants was WONDERFUL!! Just pure, well-written escapism, with a good healthy dose of Americana history. And the narrator’s crotchety old sense of humor is too endearing. I can’t wait to hear what you think!!

  • KatieF
    July 23, 2008 at 1:15 am

    I LOVED that book! Couldn’t put it down. Enjoy!!

  • Trish
    July 23, 2008 at 1:36 am

    Wow! you go through books like nothing.. haha (i wish i was a fast reader), im new to your blog and I’m really enjoying your posts. You seem like a really nice and cool person.

    i also like how you’re different from other food bloggers. It seems like you actually have a fun life and not thinking about what you’re going to eat 24/7. in other words, you’re not overly obsessive to the point where you must weigh a peanut before you eat it. And to me, that’s very inspiring because i can be one of those OCD people sometimes. haha.

    keep doing what you’re doing! =D

  • Allyn
    July 23, 2008 at 2:03 am

    Those crunchy rolls should be called chewy rolls. They taste great, but I was worried about my dental health as I gnawed my way through the bar. I guess that could be good because you definitely can’t eat it quickly.

    I just finished Dave Eggers book What is the What. While it’s not the most uplifting book, I think it’s an essential read considering the current genocide in Darfur. Plus, it’s a well-written.

    P.S. I was an English major too!

  • Betsy
    July 23, 2008 at 2:03 am

    i LOVED that book. I can never ever ever read in cars (I get really car sick) and that is the only book I’ve ever been to able in a car-it kept me to enthralled. Such a good one.

  • butterjessfly
    July 23, 2008 at 2:20 am

    Great book-one of my favorites!

  • nicole r.
    July 23, 2008 at 2:27 am

    alyssa:

    a chaturanga is the style of push up done in yoga. at the gym, when you do a push up or watch someone else do them, typically the hands are placed wider than the shoulders and the elbows bend out to the sides. in yoga, the push up is done with the hands directly beneath the shoulders and your elbows bend back so they end up brushing against your body. i find them MUCH MUCH MUCH harder than regular push ups, and i think most other people do too! these get at your triceps much more, i think.

  • kathy
    July 23, 2008 at 2:50 am

    I see you’re reading “Water For Elephants”. I read that a month or so ago and loved it. My sister is reading it now. I’m trying to decide if it would be a good book for my dad. We can discuss the book the next time I see you.
    Ryan’s Mom

  • Alyssa
    July 23, 2008 at 2:56 am

    nicole r.,
    Thanks! I’ve been taking yoga classes and never knew the name!

  • kathy
    July 23, 2008 at 2:58 am

    A message for BETSY—-I always used to get too carsick to be able to read in the car, now I take 2 ginger root capsules, wait a half hour and I can read anything in the car. Hope this helps.
    PS. Always eat a little something after taking the ginger root to wash it all the way down, so it won’t “burp up”.

    Ryan’s Mom

  • Jennifer
    July 23, 2008 at 3:04 am

    Loving the book too, I’m a few chapters in! I have to echo all the other comments about the Kashi rolls– they are super sweet and almost too chewy (like eating refrigerated caramel) for me. When I finish them I feel like I’ve just eaten a bunch of sugary stuff 🙁 I have to try the Annie’s creation!

  • lexi
    July 23, 2008 at 3:09 am

    hi jenna! i usually dont leave commets but i read your blog ALL the time ! :o) if you ge a chance i gave you an award at my blog!

  • Julz
    July 23, 2008 at 3:22 am

    PUPPIES = one of the most exciting/coolest surprises ever!! Have Fun Miss Thang! And Have Fun making Souffles!! My faaavorite <33

  • smjohnson30
    July 23, 2008 at 3:29 am

    Hi there, I’m a big fan even though I’ve never posted before on the site; I also am an avid viewer of kerf, eatlikeme, and gliding calm…just wanted to let viewers know I’m starting a new blog; not a food blog, something a little different, and would love you to view and leave comments/opinions/tips! it’s simplestpleasures@wordpress.com

  • Bridget
    July 23, 2008 at 3:35 am

    I’m reading Water for Elephants right now and I really like it!

  • Cara
    July 23, 2008 at 3:36 am

    aww I am happy the animals are getting along well!

  • CookiePie
    July 23, 2008 at 3:39 am

    I loved LOVED LOVED Water for Elephants — could not put it down. Without giving anything away, it also has one of the best endings of a book in recent memory. Read it – you’ll love it!!

    I don’t love the Kashi rolls, though I do love many Kashi products. Have you tried Raw Revolution bars? I love them — they’re really satisfying.

  • Caroline
    July 23, 2008 at 4:24 am

    I LOVE those Kashi Roll! bars. I grab one whenever I get a candy bar craving–I highly recommend the Fudge Sundae flavor:)

    PS Another English major here–can’t wait to hear what you think of the book!

  • Amanda B
    July 23, 2008 at 9:22 am

    English grad here, as well (and high school English teacher)…do you like historical fiction? If so, I can make some fantastic recommendations.

    About arm exercises…I was killing myself with weights and push-ups until I decided to try a heavy resistance band. I form a loop at one end, hook it around my foot, and pull it towards me with one hand–that’s one set of 20. Then I repeat on both sides for however many sets I can handle. I cannot emphasize enough the vast difference in my arms–I am CUT! I still have retained the push-ups (different beats, not just up-down, up-down) and tricep dips, too.

  • flipflopsadopts
    July 23, 2008 at 10:35 am

    I love that Annies Combo. Delish, comfort food!

  • Tina
    July 23, 2008 at 11:00 am

    I totally agree about the Annie’s! I’m always adding something to it! So delish!

  • Natalie A
    July 23, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    I LOVED Water for Elephants! It’s a great story with a lot of drama…I had a hard time putting it down.

  • evan
    July 24, 2008 at 12:53 am

    Hi-
    I loved Water For Elephants. It was just a good read. Nothing too amazing, but entertaining. As for gaining more muscle, I think you could probably get more healthy fat in your diet. More olive oil on things could help. That’s what helped me when I needed to gain some weight/muscle mass.
    Evan