Good evening (or good morning for my east coast readers who won’t see this until tomorrow!)!
Thank you all so much for your kind comments earlier…..I think I just need a few nights of solid sleep and to get my apartment and car squared away. I’m so thankful I have such great friends that are willing to take me in (as the enchiladas cook in the oven haha), but I’m ready to get my own space and unpack everything. Living out of suitcases is no fun, especially when it’s all your belongings….I’ll have something in mind that I need and have to dig, dig, dig through like five bags to find it. ahhh! It will all work out though…I must be patient.
Please also bear with me with emails! I’m working through all my emails and blog comments from the past few days but it’s taking some time. If I haven’t responded to you yet, don’t worry! I will…I promise! I appreciate your patience so much 🙂
This afternoon I just relaxed and listened to music. Snacked on an unpictured honeycrisp apple and go to work on my enchiladas. I feel like I’m like the house mother or something at a fraternity house. It’s very interesting to say the least. Hahaha 😉
Mmmmmmm I used all TJs ingredients for the first time—-whole wheat tortillas, light sour cream, salsa, organic chicken and reduced fat cheese. Healthy!
Finished product:
Rocky and I had a hot sauce tasting competition and I clearly won by tasting and then dribbling the “widow” all over my enchilada:
Oh boys. They clearly didn’t know who they were dealing with. 😉
Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo)
September 28, 2009 at 10:07 pmOK here’s a Trader Joe’s story. When I lived in SF going to school, the first and only TJs in the SF area was in MILL VALLEY. YES, you have to get THROUGH the city of SF (not an easy task) then CROSS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, drive another 15 minutes and you reach mecca aka TJs. ANd you know I was such a nut job that I did it. I’m sure they have more of them now, but back then it was slim pickins! 😀
Hope you get settled soon- disorienting living out of a suitcase, or five 🙂
Sarah
September 28, 2009 at 10:20 pmWay to go with the hot sauce, girl! I’m proud.
Rachael
September 28, 2009 at 10:23 pmWow do those enchiladas ever look awesome. If you ever make it up to Canada, you can stay at my house if you cook them for me!! 🙂
Just have to tell you that I love your blog and I think you are totally inspiring. Congrats on the new job, the new city and wishing you lots of luck on the apartment front!
Julia
September 28, 2009 at 10:53 pmThose enchiladas look very yummy!
Way to show those boys who’s boss with the hot sauce!
Have a great night!
Michelle
September 28, 2009 at 11:08 pmIt’s so funny to see you as a west coast blogger now..later posts…fun. They get me through the work day here in Australia.
I LOVE enchiladas. I always try to cook them for people in Australia, because they don’t have anything like that here. Have you ever tried topping them, after they’re cooked, with cottage cheese. It’s heaven.
Ellen @ peaceinmotion
September 28, 2009 at 11:19 pmSpicy food is my jump off. I love it when my mouth feels like its burning. Probably not a good thing…OH WELL 🙂
Leah @ Simply fabulous
September 28, 2009 at 11:25 pmOh my gosh, those look so good! That hot sauce looks somethin’ fierce. Right up my alley!
You will get things unpacked and sorted out soon enough. You just moved across the country.. give yourself some time 🙂
Cara (Cara Craves...)
September 28, 2009 at 11:58 pmI can’t say I have ever tried enchiladas before (I know, probably sounds crazy), but your looks deliciously cheesy and quite good. When I am in a kitchen with an oven again, I will have to give them a try! Yum!
Julia
September 29, 2009 at 12:40 amGood morning (for me)!
Love that dish and your positivity shining through your posts, as always! Great start of my day:)
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
maria
September 29, 2009 at 12:50 amClearly you are a bad ass…. and I am not. I’m such a wimp when it comes to the spicy foods. No fun!
christie, honoring health
September 29, 2009 at 3:13 amThose enchiladas look amazing!!
I hope everything works out with the apartment and all that jazz soon so you can feel back to normal. Hang in there, I’m sure this is a really hard transition for you.
Susan
September 29, 2009 at 3:32 amHa, I love the names of hot sauces!! Maybe you should challenge them to a grass drinking contest? 😛
Phyllis
September 29, 2009 at 3:35 amMmmm, mmmm, that looks good. If you ever move to Nashville you can live with us as long as you cook… eh, I mean want!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
September 29, 2009 at 3:42 amMMMmmmmm enchiladas are one of my favorite foods to make!!
Kirsten
September 29, 2009 at 3:49 amHi Jenna, when I moved abroad I was in a temp apartment for 2 weeks, living out of suitcases and I felt so displaced, so I know how you feel. You’ll be settled in in what seems like no time though, I’m sure. Enjoy!
Matt
September 29, 2009 at 3:53 amLooks good! I think the worst thing about traveling is living out of a suitcase. I know you aren’t traveling, but you know what I mean!
Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope
September 29, 2009 at 4:07 amLove hot sauce!!
Pam (Pamcakes and Eggs)
September 29, 2009 at 4:15 amI love spicy foods too. I’m pretty sure I’m slowly burning off my taste buds…. Are you going to post the recipe for the enchiladas?? I’ve attempted them twice and both times I wasn’t too pleased. I think I skimp on the cheese too much.
Jen Trinque
September 29, 2009 at 4:17 amI know exactly how you feel: you’re living a new life and trying to find your new identity! I’m so glad you have friends to help you out for now, though, and you’ll be settled into your new life before you know it. Hopefully you’ll be completely caught up on sleep soon, too!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
September 29, 2009 at 4:18 amI’m so glad you took some time to help feel a little more settled. I know things are so crazy right now, but you sure are handling this move like a pro! Just keep taking things slowly and don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. I’m positive you’ll be fully adjusted in no time! 🙂
Shannon
September 29, 2009 at 4:32 amBoy, those look good! Your friends might not let you move into that lovely new apartment if you keep feeding them beautiful meals! Hope you’re settle soon.
Stephanie
September 29, 2009 at 4:38 amYou are so brave with the hot sauce… I have very little tolerance for heat!! Din looks great 🙂
Mom
September 29, 2009 at 4:44 amHave a Blessed day Honey ~ Those “boys” clearly do not know that you are the “queen of spice”!
emily
September 29, 2009 at 5:04 amDid you buy hot sauce at TJs or did they have all of those already? That is an impressive hot sauce spread!
justrun
September 29, 2009 at 5:20 amOkay, I want enchiladas for breakfast now. It’s good to see you settling into and having such fun with this new chapter of your life. Inspiring, really! Good luck with everything!
MarathonVal
September 29, 2009 at 5:26 amI’m so excited that you finally have a TJ’s by you!!! I always complaint that the nearest one in Chicago is a bus-ride away from me (because then I can’t buy 5 bags-worth, haha), but really I have no reason to complain!
Although I do feel sorry for ME since I have STILL never had a honey crisp apple despite the hype and excitement surrounding them!! 😉
Kasey (Fit For Wellness)
September 29, 2009 at 5:28 amWhere did you find all those awesome hot sauces? I love the names 🙂
leslie
September 29, 2009 at 5:28 ami’m excited that you have a tj’s nearby, not only because you should have it in your life, but also so i can have someone to clue me in on good deals! that honeycrisp apple price you posted about is amaaaaaze.
i’m glad you’re having a blast and starting to settle in over there!
Danielle
September 29, 2009 at 5:49 amWow those look so good. I’ve never been to a TJ’s but I think there’s one about an hour away, maybe someday I’ll make the trip since everyone raves about it!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)
September 29, 2009 at 5:55 amThose enchiladas look SO cheesy and delicious!
Rocky Slaughter
September 29, 2009 at 6:07 amCan you please make every following meal ever with a “Widow Sauce option”?
I should forward this to every girl I know in hope that they will get it and grow some Jenna spice huevos.
Rocky Slaughter
September 29, 2009 at 6:13 amP.S. Ha. You should probably post about how hot these sauces are, actually (750,000 scoville units – Three times the strength of some industrial grade police pepper sprays). I just have a feeling someone may die in the line of reading your blog and trying the sauce.
P.P.S. Emily should know that this is only 0.05% of my REAL hotsauce collection. When I moved from Boston, I had to ditch all my good sauces there.
Here are some notable names from previous sauces
1.) Mustard Gas
2.) Island Rectal Rocket Fuel
3.) Death Sauce
4.) Pain is Good
5.) Road to Hell
6.) Pure Hell
and a few other greats I cannot remember at 6:12 a.m.
P.P.P.S. If you are a girl and can tolerate these sauces in regular doses of entirely unnecessary amounts, Jenna will give you my number. Yahoo.
Food Makes Fun Fuel
September 29, 2009 at 6:17 amh my god I think I could eat that whole pan it looks soo good
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans
September 29, 2009 at 6:29 amthose enchiladas look amazing! I think I may have to dust off a sweet potato enchilada recipe for tonight!
skinnyrunner
September 29, 2009 at 6:40 amthose enchiladas look so cheesy and delish!
whenever we go on vacay, hubby unpacks his suitcase right away bc he hates doing the “digging through it all for one thing on the bottom” routine. im just a mess so i throw stuff all over…. hope you get to leave the frat house and move into your own soon!
Megan
September 29, 2009 at 7:09 amYour enchiladas look fabulous! Yay for TJ’s ingredients 🙂 Those boys are super lucky to have you cooking for them, girl!
Courtney
September 29, 2009 at 7:20 amYUM!! Those enchiladas look great. I’m going to make some turkey enchiladas for some friends who have a sick son…thanks for the idea of something quick and tasty.
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
September 29, 2009 at 7:21 amYour enchiladas look fantastic!! Way to beat the boys in a hot sauce competition. I love hot sauce too, but I doubt I’m brave enough to use The Widow!
Abby (Abbys Vegan Eats)
September 29, 2009 at 7:23 amOh my goodness.. my hubby would think he died and went to heaven with all those hot sauces. Good luck with your “living out of a suitcase phase” It will all be over soon enough! 🙂
HeatherBakes
September 29, 2009 at 7:41 amHang in there, Jenna!! I know it sucks to feel unsettled, but in just a few weeks I’m sure CA will feel like home.
SO JEALOUS that you have a TJ’s nearby!!! We don’t have ANY in TX. Lucky boys- those enchiladas look delicious 🙂
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life
September 29, 2009 at 8:07 amThe enchiladas look amazing!!!
Krista
September 29, 2009 at 8:25 amWow those enchiladas look amazing! Way to show up those boys… you have to keep them in line!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
September 29, 2009 at 8:40 amDo they not read the blog and see you add hot sauce to EVERYTHING? LOL!
I’m so glad that getting sme rest is helping. I’m sure you are getting anxious to settle in and make it really feel like home. It’s a big adjustment and you are awesome to keep blogging through it all 🙂 Praying for you as you settle in.
Julie
September 29, 2009 at 8:53 amI’m sad that I won’t be reading your posts in the same time zone! You’re a west coast girl now!
I hope you get settled soon!
MyThy as in "Mighty" ;)
September 29, 2009 at 9:47 amI’ve tried your enchilada’s and yours makes me want to make it again tonight!
Transitioning to a new city, state, and learning the street names and where you are is hard sometimes. I’ve moved from my home in “The Valley” to Riverside, all over Orange County to Michigan and now back to OC. You have to find your favorites again. Fave local pizza, sushi, Italian (Try LoCoco’s in downtown Santa Rosa off 4th St. You won’t regret it!), breakkie hangouts, coffee shops, and grocery stores. Fun but frustrating at times. Glad you found TJ’s though!
I was in Santa Rosa this past weekend visiting & checkin’ out the Handcar Regatta down the street from the Bikram Yoga you mentioned. I was wondering if there was going to be a Jenna sighting?!?! 😉
Love seeing the local pics. Makes me miss SR and Sonoma County and wanna visit more often!
Krissy - Single Serving
September 29, 2009 at 10:21 amThose enchiladas look awesome but I am so not a hot sauce girl. Good for you for keeping up with the boys!
Jenni
September 29, 2009 at 10:22 amI’ve been making Jenna’s Enchiladas for about 6 months now! So easy and delicious…sometimes I sub out the chicken and use Morningstar Farms crumbles. Yum!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale
September 29, 2009 at 10:41 amThat’s quite a collection of hot sauce! I love it!
Don’t worry – you’ll be settled in before you know it and look back at these crazy times with fondness, I promise!
Lauren
September 29, 2009 at 10:42 amMoving is always a lot of work, but you will get settles sooner or later. Your enchiladas look outstanding. I have yet to make something like this, but I love anything Mexican so I’m sure it was tasty!
natalie
September 29, 2009 at 11:11 amawesome! those look so yummy! glad to hear you’ve found the TJ close by. I am still far from one! 🙂
Liz
September 29, 2009 at 11:12 amI’m loving the look of those enchiladas. I bet the boys loved em. haha, you show those boys who’s boss!
Jenna
September 29, 2009 at 11:22 amhey! those enchiladas look great and especially with the hot sacuce!
jenna
SnowKat
September 29, 2009 at 11:43 amWas wondering if you found the enchilada sauce at TJ’s?
Ali
September 29, 2009 at 12:14 pmThose enchiladas look amazing! YUMMMMMM! Good jon with your hot sauce contest! HA!
Heather
September 29, 2009 at 2:30 pmToo hot for me!!!
Biz
September 29, 2009 at 2:40 pmLove all the hot sauce choices! Yum!!
Kristin (Kristin's Nibbles)
September 29, 2009 at 3:29 pmYEAH for spiciness! You go girl, the spicier the better!!
xo
K
Devan Geselle
September 29, 2009 at 5:26 pmgah. i looove hot sauce! on everything!
Seth @ Boy Meets Food
October 7, 2009 at 9:03 amHow did the Widow compare to Endorphin Rush? That’s the only one of those that I have tried, and wow is it hot. It adds a ton of heat, but I’m not all that impressed by the flavor.