Behind The Butter

I Need To Speak To Someone With Power

A blog is a beautiful thing.

You see, I have the power to write about whatever I want, whenever I want and make seemingly outrageous proclamations to the entire world. Sitting behind my laptop makes me feel powerful, the same way I feel when my quads are on fire after one too many chair poses or after I bike 30 miles and chug green smoothies.

Remember the movie Julie and Julia?

I WANT TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WITH POWER!

DO YOU HAVE ANY POWER?

….no.

Take what I say with a grain of salt, folks. It’s all in good fun.

pk-031~s600x600.jpg
It’s rainy and cold out. I feel the urge to cook something intricate and complex for myself.
Stay tuned.

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  • Erinn
    April 21, 2010 at 11:13 am

    thanks for getting real Jenna!!

  • Emma Ruth
    April 21, 2010 at 11:13 am

    i want power. i feel no power. i’m currently studying to get my masters in biology (why??? i do not know). interesting, but can do damage to one’s self-esteem.

    i currently want a graham cracker with rainbow chip frosting. NOT funfetti. rainbow chip.

    and a diet coke.

    • jenna
      April 21, 2010 at 11:15 am

      Emma Ruth,

      Will you send me one of those graham crackers when you find them, please?

  • Alexandra
    April 21, 2010 at 11:15 am

    Phew – I’m glad you said it – it needed to be said! Loving your blog and your style, as always. And thanks for the “just breathe” post. Really helped me too 🙂

  • jen trinque
    April 21, 2010 at 11:16 am

    Love, love, loving reading your blog lately! You’re in the zone, Jenna! Maybe you do have power!

  • Adam
    April 21, 2010 at 11:16 am

    Intricate and complex, huh? I hope it involves something to do with brussels and sweet potatoes because i am definitely craving some right now!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    April 21, 2010 at 11:18 am

    LOVE that movie…you should make lobster thermidor for yourself 🙂

  • Laughter-Loving Stacy
    April 21, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Lol, that movie is so cute. I love it. Ha,ha and yeah, people can forget blogs are mostly opinion based. 🙂 Good luck on your cooking endeavors!

  • Laughter-Loving Stacy
    April 21, 2010 at 11:23 am

    And everyone has some sort of power. It’s just a matter of embracing it and what you do with it, in my opinion. 🙂

  • Rachel
    April 21, 2010 at 11:23 am

    love this 🙂
    I wish people would just ease up…geeze

  • Katie
    April 21, 2010 at 11:24 am

    Jenna I rarely comment, but reading some of the negative comments from your previous few posts made me downright angry. You are fabulous, honest, funny, and a great writer. I am loving your posts lately and the fun and upbeat energy from the blog lately. Keep it up girl!!

  • Ann @ Appalachian Appetites
    April 21, 2010 at 11:26 am

    love that movie!
    and baby you got power 🙂

  • Cynthia (It All Changes)
    April 21, 2010 at 11:30 am

    Love that movie! Just try to stay away from the gelees they scare me.

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    April 21, 2010 at 11:31 am

    Good movie!! 🙂

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    April 21, 2010 at 11:35 am

    Oooh, intricate and complex…can’t wait to see it! Love that picture of “Julia” 🙂

    Did you read My Life in France? It was great!

  • Amanda@thgrainsofparadise
    April 21, 2010 at 11:35 am

    This is your blog Jenna…..you can write whatever you want to write. If there is anything I have learned with age it’s the older you get…. the less you will care about trivial things/opinions. I love you blog old/new. Just keep doing what you are doing 🙂 Aloha!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
    April 21, 2010 at 11:38 am

    Blogging does make you feel powerful in a way because your words have the potential to reach so many people — especially yours that has a lot of regular readers. But it must also cause pressure, knowing so many are reading your every word.

  • Liz
    April 21, 2010 at 11:39 am

    The controversy just makes your blog more interesting, and you’re my favorite blogger no matter what you write. I do miss all your self portraits and pretty dresses though!

  • LindseyAnn
    April 21, 2010 at 11:41 am

    I wish I had a little “thumbs up” picture to insert here. Or a little “rock on” hand. Like this– \m/
    It’s your blog, and it rocks. So rock on, Jenna, rock on.

  • allison @ livingoneday
    April 21, 2010 at 11:45 am

    amen, sista.

  • allison @ livingoneday
    April 21, 2010 at 11:46 am

    oh, and i have RAINBOW CHIP icing in my fridge right now (not funfetti, rainbow chip) if you supply the graham crackers, i got the frosting

  • Jil
    April 21, 2010 at 11:47 am

    Amen to that. People need to realize…that you can say whatever you want – and that…if their opinion differs…well, then it does! Sometimes people take things/life way too seriously.

  • Carolyn
    April 21, 2010 at 11:48 am

    Jenna~

    I read your blog every day but I’m not the commenting type. However, I wanted to pipe in and say I’ve been really enjoying your posts lately and your blog has slipped into the #1 position in the order I check my daily blogs. I feel a bit confused about this so-called controversy going on in your comments…. Am I the only one who honestly just doesn’t get what the controversy is?? Are people seriously arguing over whether you’ve changed your style, or whether that was a good or bad move (I’m asking this seriously, too – I actually do not understand where the issue is here)? All I see is that your posts have a bit of extra spark and life to them lately – it’s still you behind the words and to be truthful I had no idea there even was a “style change”! WHY is this a controversy??? Aren’t there bigger fish to fry in this world? Keep on keepin’ on, Jenna. I love your blog and look forward to your posts. Although you’re making me seriously heartsick for the west coast – I want to be back there!

  • Sarah
    April 21, 2010 at 11:50 am

    Ooh, I hope you get to make something intricate for yourself:). That sounds wonderful.

  • VeggieGirl
    April 21, 2010 at 11:51 am

    BOOM. Hahaha love it. Hopefully the haters will understand your message and ship out 🙂

  • Suzanne de Cornelia
    April 21, 2010 at 11:54 am

    It is stormy here, too! I LOVE cooking something complex and listening to music in weather like this. My ritual is get the flowers, wine, recipe and movie to watch later that all go together. If for today might be ‘Enchanted April’ they leave stormy Italy, travel in a miserable night. Awaken in a sea front Italian paradise where everything changes. And so for the theme, Puccini, sunflowers, maybe the Silver Palates popular Chicken Marbella, which have never made but always have heard is delicious, Italian wine.

    Re empowerment. I once paid $600. for the pleasure of walking over 2,000 degree coals barefoot as a metaphor for how strong our beliefs/thought are. Did the training with Anthony Robbins and became a fan. He is pretty amazing in person. Love his TED talk—(except for the swearing–save that for private!) ‘Why We Do What We Do.” http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/tony_robbins_asks_why_we_do_what_we_do.html

  • Tricia
    April 21, 2010 at 11:55 am

    Booya! So glad you said that!
    It was really making me mad to read some of those comments lately….and I don’t even know you so I don’t really know why!? I like your posts way better lately! So keep workin’ it girl!

  • Andrea
    April 21, 2010 at 11:56 am

    Amen sista! I am looking forward to a post on your intricate and complex recipe!

  • Lauren (Health on the Run)
    April 21, 2010 at 11:58 am

    Haha…ever since I read this post I can’t get jock jams out of my head: “I’ve got the POWAH!!! dun-dun-dun-dun…” …just me?? 😉

    Anyway, I read blogs because I like to see a VARIETY of lifestyles and opinions. I love what you have to say and that you remain true to yourself no matter what! Keep rockin’ 🙂

  • Kara
    April 21, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    I love your recent posts, Jenna. I’ve been going through a tough time recently and the last few days your blog has made me smile. Thanks!

    Can’t wait to see what intricate and complex experiment you come up with! You rock, girl!

  • Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
    April 21, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    Sometimes people take these too seriously and too literal. So if someone doesn’t like your comments our how you are feeling, well that’s their problem.

  • M(a different M than the other M!!)
    April 21, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    Got your point!
    Tipping my hat 😉

  • Paige
    April 21, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    Haaaaa that picture cracks me up every time. Keep your head up girl!

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair
    April 21, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    LOL. I think you’re hilarious and the nay-sayers need to get a life!

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    April 21, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    I was so confused there for a second (you know, before I went back and read all the comments to your last few posts). I’ve been reading your blog for a bit and I didn’t pick up on anything worth getting riled up about. It’s your blog—do whatever you want. I think a little humor is a nice!

  • Sharon
    April 21, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    Totally feeling you today, girl. Had our employee forum at work which always seems to degenerate into a massive b**** session…I just want to scream at them all SUCK IT. Quit your bi***ing, get back to work, and stop complaining. Seems like everybody has a problem with some little thing or other. It’s the usually pettiest, stupidest crap too.

    Power? that just makes me think of MIA’s “Bamboo Banga” where she sings over and over again “MIA is coming back with power-POWER!” yeah, I think you need that one on your next Ipod running mix…

  • eatmovelove
    April 21, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    I don’t get the big deal either?? Your blog is the same to me…next month could be a different turn…who are these stupid people who insist your write for them?? seriously – a blog is for the writer to write about what they want to write about…GET OVER IT PEOPLE!

    And YES – cook something intricate and show it off please 🙂

  • jenna
    April 21, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    i’m falling in love with your blog all over again! 🙂 these fun little posts on random thats add excitement to my life!! I need to get out more obviously!

  • jenna
    April 21, 2010 at 12:22 pm

    *thoughts instead of thats*

  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete
    April 21, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    haha. I think it is sad (and funny at the same time) that you have to point this out to your readers. Chill out people!!!

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
    April 21, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    Yay – Jenna’s 1st draft is turned in and she has lots of time to b.l.o.g. Blogging is beautiful! =]

  • Tammy (Defining Wellness)
    April 21, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    That movie was so inspirational, just like you! 🙂

  • megan
    April 21, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    Seriously, your recent posts have really resonated with me. And to heck with the naysayers, it’s your damn blog 😉 Keep up the lovely writing and wonderful food!

  • Chandra H
    April 21, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    a blog is a beautiful thing. your recent posts are just my style 😉

  • Liz
    April 21, 2010 at 12:41 pm

    That picture is so disturbing! I’m all about eating chicken but my goodness… Looks like chicken porn. And by the way you see powerful…the written word is a powerful thing and you have inspired me and made me life time and time again. Keep it up 🙂

  • Kerry
    April 21, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    Ohh I totally busted out with that old school song, “Ive got the power!” … and will continue to sing it aaaaall day long. thanks? Lol 🙂

  • Katharine
    April 21, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    Haha such a perfect picture from that movie! And what a cute movie it was. 😉 Loving your recent, honest posts by the way!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
    April 21, 2010 at 12:49 pm

    Well said 🙂

  • Jo
    April 21, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Bah. I rarely comment but I have to here. Ever since people started “liking the new you” (whatever that means) you just sound contrived, self-absorbed and like you’re trying a little too hard to be offbeat and interesting.

    Rather than refreshing, it comes across as a wee bit desperate. Good luck with with whatever you’re struggling through.

  • Lori @ All About Me
    April 21, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Hey Jenna,
    I wanted to tell you that I read about oatmeal and nut butters on your blog last week–never though about it before. Over the weekend I tried oatmeal with almond butter and OMG am I hooked!! Thanks for the idea!!

  • Diana
    April 21, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    It is weird to me that people take everything so seriously and can sometimes be really rude and intrusive. It’s like they’re watching a novela and you’re the main character or something. I don’t know. The internet is obviously very serious business.

  • Steph-exercise physiologist and artist
    April 21, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    YOU have the POWER!!
    We all BELIEVE in you!!!! You can and will do anything your heart desires. I know that is true!!
    Until that time comes sit back relax and enjoy the ride. I wish I had done more of that when I had the chance.

  • Monica
    April 21, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    Jenna, I think you’ve had a rough year with a lot of changes going on in your life. It seems like you are truly happy lately and that makes me happy for you 🙂 I’ve been reading your blog since the beginning and just want you to know that you ROCK!

  • kate
    April 21, 2010 at 1:00 pm

    Amen sister!

  • Tiffany
    April 21, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Hey Jenna! So I love your blog and don’t “get” the big to do about your new “style” or whatnot. To be honest, I didn’t really notice anything new…I figure your life/mood changes daily, the same as anyone else, and your posts just reflect that.
    But, before I wrote the above, I was going to comment and ask (jokingly) WHAT ARE YOU ON?! 🙂 You are cracking me up with your whimsical, random posts!

  • Mama Pea
    April 21, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    You know I love you, so NO criticism is meant by this, but I’m a bit confused…you are “Julie” already, aren’t you? A blogger turned author? You are living the dream! Enjoy it!

  • Mama Pea
    April 21, 2010 at 1:10 pm

    Rereading it, that comment sounds negative. I’m sorry. I just hope you are happy about your experiences and opportunities!

  • Corinne
    April 21, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    woot wooooot

  • Carly
    April 21, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    The energy some of you feed into “hater” comments is FAR greater than any comment is meant to be taken.

    I like this blog for entertainment value/photos/general amusement and, therefore, read it. I can have an opinion that (GASP!) doesn’t fall in line with everything a blog author does/says. I will never understand the mentality that just because I comment on a blog I have to be a total groupie.

    You guys LOVED Jenna’s hair so much better brown, no wait… you meant it was better blonde…. no wait, whatever she does is your favorite. You LOVE the new blogging style, I mean, unless she goes back… then you will have missed the old posts.

    Just because someone posts their opinion, it doesn’t always make them a “hater.” Maybe they are just an adult forming their own opinions. The way some of you jump on posters dissenting is downright scary.

  • Jess @ MTL Veggie
    April 21, 2010 at 1:20 pm

    Sorry to see you’re getting flack on something you seem to enjoy doing. Personally, I enjoy reading your blog no matter what the style or the mood in which you write it. For those of you who don’t- I’m pretty sure she isn’t forcing you to read it, there are millions of blogs out there catering to even more millions of different peoples needs. There’s no need to be negative or overly critical of someone’s personal form of expression.
    You love what you’re doing and that’s reflected in your blog, your articles and soon (I’m sure) your cookbook. Keep up the good work and can’t wait to see what you’ve decided to create in the kitchen.

  • Kara
    April 21, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    It’s probably because you are clearly trying to be “witty” and it’s coming off as very forced. Sorry but you’re going to get critique now and again! Maybe not from the groupies and/or those who so desperately want comments on their blogs, but from the rest of us that peruse blogs for fun, and sometimes find them so ridiculous they just can’t turn away…somewhat like a train wreck.

  • A
    April 21, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    The way people are acting reminds me of road rage… you’re protected by your car, so you’re entailed to flip someone off? It’s like the same thing is going on here… you’re allowed to completely objectify the person, just because you’re physically distant from them and protected by a screen? No matter what your opinion is, it should at least be thoughtful and reflective and consider how it will make the writer feel on the other side of the computer. There’s a person behind every post and comment on a blog, so why not start treating each other like one?

  • Liz c
    April 21, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    Yes, your posts have been getting a LOT of flack lately. I do feel bad for you.

    You are becoming too big for the blog, move on to bigger, better things. The more you defend yourself (this post for example) the worse its going to get.

  • M(a different M than the other M!!)
    April 21, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    I like #62’s post….a lot!!
    As long as comments are coming from a place of respect towards the blogger I think that there is room for different tastes,suggestions,opinions etc.
    It’s when one’s opinions show a lack of respect for a blogger that they become offensive.And being offensive is….well,simply put ,is mean.
    Diversity is the spice of life….as long as respect and human dignity are part of the ingredients!

  • Anne
    April 21, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    Jenna! When I was finishing my masters thesis my adviser warned me that after it was done I’d feel some postpartum feelings — swinging emotions, etc. I feel like this might be what you are going through. I imagine you have tons of free time and energy and no real sense of focus. Just know it will come together soon. And in the meantime, cooking always helps me.
    Good luck.

  • Louise
    April 21, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    The people leaving negative comments remind me of “Debbie Downer” on SNL – waah waah. I love your blog. I think it is funny, well-written and inspirational. It inspired me to take my butt to the gym and spend 45 minutes on the elliptical machine. That may not sound like much, but I am the girl who managed to graduate from high school without ever taking P.E.! I look forward to reading your blog every day.

  • lucianna
    April 21, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    omg!! i can just imagine what some people are thinking when they read your blog, “hmm, i see what jenna is trying to do here, but it’s coming off as quite contrived…this has been done before. i’d better let her know.” PLEASE!! this is a blog on the internet, not a carefully edited work that she’s sending off to a publisher!! it’s funny how invested people seem to be. keep doing what you’re doing!! it’s your life, and your blog. ignore those that have nothing better to do but insult you. they need to get out more, seriously!!

  • Brandi
    April 21, 2010 at 2:37 pm

    Love. This!

  • Callina
    April 21, 2010 at 2:49 pm

    Ah yes, criticism: welcome to the world of professional writing! 🙂 I’m an editor and writer, and it is hard to deal with criticism, but it’s a fact of the profession that everything you do will be criticized by other colleagues AND readers en masse. In my job, you can’t assume that people will take your work with a grain of salt–we don’t get the pleasure of publishing those words with every article. 🙂 But when we get negative responses, WE have the POWER to take those comments with a grain of salt. It can work both ways. And it is part of the job. Personally, I welcome criticism–I’m open to new ideas and suggestions, because they only make me stronger. I love the community you have created on your blog here, and (rude comments aside) I love that some of your readers feel comfortable with expressing their opinions, whether or not they coincide with your own or those of other readers. I hope you will continue to foster an honest, open community. Good luck with your blogging and writing! (And PS: I thought the book was so much better than the movie–have you read it? If not, you should!)

  • M
    April 21, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    -Jenna blogs and she writes whatever she wants
    -Anyone can read it
    -Anyone can comment

    I enjoy reading her blog, but I too, don’t understand why people get so upset when other people have comments/questions that don’t agree with Jenna. This is her job. She gets paid because WE read her blog. At my job if I didn’t answer questions or get feedback I wouldn’t be successful.

  • Callina
    April 21, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    Just wanted to add–I didn’t mean you should take the “professional” approach to your personal blog. Sure it’s a blog, it’s light, can change depending on mood, etc. Have fun with it! I just wanted to point out the parallels of criticism when you write professionally. (But it does seem like this blog has shaped you as a professional. Which is awesome!)

  • Glitterati
    April 21, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    I think dissent can be just as interesting and helpful as adoration when it comes from a place of respect. Obviously, some critical comments are more respectful than others. As much as a blogger writes for her/himself, if we didn’t want an audience, we wouldn’t post on a public blog. And by opening ourselves to positive feedback, we put ourselves on limbs for every other type of feedback too. You obviously can’t please everyone all of the time, but try to be a boring statistician about it. The opinions of those near and dear clearly count the most. As for everyone else? If the balance of opinions is mostly good, but sprinkled with bad here and there, well, that’s great! If the tides start turning consistently, then maybe there is something worth thinking about there.

    This is all speaking in the abstract, anyway. If I found any stylistic ‘changes’ or whatever *that* unappealing, I would simply stop reading, which is obviously not the case! But if you (or any blogger I follow) posted something that really got to me, I would say something. Even if I simply disagreed on an interesting topic. It is in fact a sign of respect… I wouldn’t waste my time debating with someone whose opinion I didn’t care about. Just as I wouldn’t sit silently if a good friend said/did something that I really took issue with.

    Even the greats lose fans when they change their styles (Miles Davis, for example). But they also gain new ones. It’s just evolution at work.

  • Glitterati
    April 21, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    Also, Callina, you are one wise lady! 🙂

  • Natalie
    April 21, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    Dearest Jenna, I must say that as much as I fell in love with your southern charm, your Californian spunk is pretty darn awesome!!!

  • Maya
    April 21, 2010 at 10:04 pm

    hey Jenna! I’d like to jump on this band wagon of support too! I’m in the process of recovering from bulimia and I love love love reading your blog. Your honesty with your body and exercise are truly such an inspiration to me and I look forward to catching up on your posts so keep them coming woman! 🙂

  • Lauren @ Running Examiner
    April 22, 2010 at 8:39 am

    Aww Jenna, I adore your blog — and this post!

    …yeah that’s all I had to say. 🙂

  • Heather
    April 22, 2010 at 9:21 am

    The comments by some people above were a bit harsh but I have to agree with some of them. I haven’t read in a while and I decided to glance at your blog and saw some really negative posts as well.. your post style has changed. That’s okay, we all go through things. Hope you come out on the other side okay.

  • Katherine
    May 9, 2010 at 5:10 pm

    I just realized I used the same pic for a recent post! Oh julia, timelessly beautiful