Hi guys!
Thank you all for the sweet comments earlier…unfortunately I am still quite congested but I made a doctor’s appointment for tomorrow afternoon (the first available!) so hopefully I can just make it through this night and tomorrow and then get some meds!
This morning after my workout (speed intervals on treadmill for 20 minutes followed by triceps and biceps) I snacked on half of this Primal Strip for a protein boost. I was eating lunch in an hour and not really hungry anyways but you should always try to replenish your body after exercising! (notice Cuppy & Kleenex in background. Meh)
The verdict?
Great!!! I am SO pleasantly surprised by this product because the whole concept of it (meatless beef jerky) seems rather…odd to me. However, this has a great texture and TONS of chew. I loved the flavor of the bbq and it actually really did taste just like the real thing.
The highlight of my day today definitely was the a-m-a-z-i-n-g lunch at Grassroots that I shared with Courtney! I’ve eaten at Grassroots tons of times before, but for my new readers that don’t know—Grassroots is a 100% vegan and mostly raw restaurant here in Tampa. You can click on the link to check out their menu….I LOVE this place!!!
Everything is so fresh and healthy and you leave feeling revitalized and full of energy. I immediately ordered some hot green tea upon sitting down because I need the extra vitamins right now!
Every time I go I usually order my favorite sandwich, which is just called “Sabrina’s Favorite Sandwich”, and is a combo of raw cashew sheeze with raw hummus (made from nuts, not beans), sprouts, lettuce and avocado on raw onion bread. However, this time I really felt the need to branch out so I took the risk and ordered something else…..the raw burrito!
Look at how pretty this was! Not your typical burrito by any means but it was to die for! The burrito featured the restaurant’s signature “raw-fried beans” made from sunflower seeds and spices and served with huge chunks of avocado, lettuce and parmesan sheeze, all served on a huge lettuce leaf! The flavor in this burrito was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed every last bite. Courtney ordered my signature raw sandwich and she loved it!
There was a point when we were eating when we both looked at each other and went, “we NEED to learn to cook like this!!!” Agreed.
And then, the highlight of the meal (and my day) was what came next………….dessert! When we heard that the dessert of the day of vegan key lime cheesecake we totally made the splurge!
IT.WAS.THE.BEST.THING……..EVER!!!!!
No seriously, this slice of pie was heaven. It was extremely cold, creamy and had a very definite key lime taste. You could not in a million years guess that this cheesecake was vegan. The only reason it wasn’t raw was because the base was tofu. Everything else (the crust included) was raw and it was drizzled with agave nectar. We both went to town on this and afterwards I was so impressed (I honestly didn’t think it could be THAT good!) I even sought out the chef to see if maybe I could have the recipe. Sadly, that was a no-go because it is apparently “top secret”. 
However, I was pointed in the direction of a few raw cookbooks that they highly recommend, so I immediately went out and bought the one they raved the most on—-
Everything in this cookbook looks SUPER easy and you don’t even need a dehydrator for most of the recipes. I read the book cover to cover this evening and am thoroughly obsessed with Ani. Check out her making these donut holes—I NEED to make these! She is also releasing a raw dessert-only cookbook on May 1st and you better believe yours truly will be getting a copy. This is reason number 1,0000 why its very cool to have a pastry & baking degree…..playing with cool new techniques and healthy ideas!
After lunch and Borders, I headed over to Sarah’s house for our Thursday afternoon bible study. It was great as usual…Beth never lets me down! The subject of this week’s study was fear and how, really, there is no need to ever be afraid because the Lord knows what He is doing! Such great words to hear, especially with everything going on with the economy right now and the sense of doubt and uncertainty we all might have. Its such a comfort to know that the number one commandment in the bible is “DO NOT BE AFRAID”. In every single troubling situation we should ever find ourselves in, we can 100% count on God to comfort us and give us a sense of peace. Psalms is such a great journey for learning to release our fears and trust in God…I’m still reading every single morning (at 3 am!) if anyone wants to join me for the remainder of the month!
Quote of the day: “You may be only one brave decision away from the most important turn in your life” Beth Moore
Midway through the video session, I snacked on this bar
It was just meh. Or maybe not so good because I can’t taste or smell ANYTHING right now
I also sipped on this deliciousness!
Oh my goodness…SO good. I tried to drink only half so I could bring the other half to work tomorrow morning because it was seriously amazing. All the goodness of the mojito without the alcohol. Very refreshing with a slight hint of yummy spearmint!
For dinner I had a huge salad first with organic greens, grape tomatoes, carrots and raw broccoli topped with Sabra’s hummus:
And then I made an “un-raw burrito” (haha I just now realized I had two “burritos” today) using a Rudi’s 7 grain & flax wrap with organic vegetarian refried beans, a sprinkle of part skim mozzarella, salsa and tons of hot sauce
It was good but actually not as good as my burrito at lunch!
Again, I reallyyyyyy wanted a glass of red wine tonight (please, please, please!) but knew it would only make my congestion 500 times worse, so I stuck to coconut water again
Dessert was a lovely macaroon (which I froze and now are suuuuuper chewy) and a tiny square of chocolate
Sleepytime tea (celestial seasonings brand) in my favorite tea pot
I got this teapot when I visited Miravel Spa after I graduated high school (sigh…take me back there PLEASE) and love it…brings back such amazing memories!
Airborne!!!!
I’m very very happy tomorrow is Friday. This week has been rather tough and I’m looking forward to just relaxing with the boy and then running my race on Sunday! I’m going to unfortunately have to rely on benadryl again tonight (even though it didn’t do anything for me last night or the night before) and try to get to sleep early. I think the fact that tomorrow is Friday will motivate me even more!
In the blogworld—
- Check out Heather’s fantastic Turtle Mountain coconut milk product giveaway! The deadline is tomorrow so yall better rush to enter….yummy coconut!
- Bobbi, from N Her Shoes, is doing a MixMyGranola giveaway...I love the whole idea of mix-and-matching my granola! Thanks, Bobbi =)
- The deadline for Gina’s Quaker giveaway is fast approaching….umm tonight! We all know how comfy that robe is, so you better hustle for another chance to win new Simple Harvest Trail Mix bars plus the soft and comfy organic robe and slippers!
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, so sorry you feel bad. I hope that you get a good night of rest and have some medicine to clear you up tomorrow. I just wanted you to know that your Odwalla bars prompted me to try some…these are the BEST bar I have yet to try! No funny fruity taste (like Lara bars to me). SO good!
Lunch was fabulous…although that pic of me is a tad scary =) I’m still full from lunch! Who would have thought that raw and vegan food would have so much staying power!
I WANT THAT COOKBOOK!!!! Looks awesome. Glad you had a great rest of the day. It was wonderful to see you! Can’t wait to do it again.
Hope you feel better. Have you heard of the documentary Enlighten up? Filmmaker Kate Churchill is determined to prove that yoga can transform anyone. Nick Rosen is skeptical but agrees to be her guinea pig. Kate immerses Nick in yoga, and follows him around the world as he examines the good, the bad and the ugly of yoga. The two encounter celebrity yogis, true believers, kooks and world-renowned gurus. Tensions run high as Nick’s transformational progress lags and Kate’s plan crumbles. What unfolds and what they discover is not what they expected.
http://enlightenupthefilm.com/
I thought you might want to check it out. I know that I am.
I HAVE THAT “COOK”BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, everything looks so good – I don’t know how you can stay sick for long when you eat as great as that!
Feel better soon, Jenna!
Love the green cup and saucer at Grassroots (green is currently my fave color).
I’m going to look for Ani’s cookbook!
Hope you feel better soon! That lunch is 100% divine!!
I just saw Courtney’s recap, this place looks awesome!!! Yay for burritos
I need to get on this raw cooking (uncooking?) bandwagon. Holy yum!
Feel better soon! Lunch looks so delicious, especially the dessert. I wish I had a vegan restaurant near me.
All of that food looks delicious! I have never had a raw food meal, but I am toally up for it!
Feel Better!
That place looks fantastic!! I’ve never eaten at a raw food restaurant, but I’d love to try!
All your food looks so delicious today. I would like to do more raw cooking too…it seems like it won’t be too difficult either. I would love to make burritos like that! Hope you feel better soon
Ok, that looked like the funnest sick day ever! And you look like the most vibrant sick person ever! Hehe
Jenna, I have to tell you that EVERY week when you tell us what you studied during your weekly Bible study, I get the chills! I’m sort of…spiritual more than religious, but every single one of the things you talk about are the exact same things I believe in. Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
On another note, I LOVE raw food when it’s done well! We have an awesome vegetarian restaurant, the Laughing Seed, in Asheville, North Carolina, near where I live, and they have a different raw food selection every day, and they are AMAZING! Let us know how your attempt at the recipes go!
Thanks so much for posting that quote from Beth Moore! That was deffinately something i needed to read. There is a big decision, something good but i’ve been hesitant about it mostly because of fear, so now i know what i need to do! Thanks!!
That food looks amazing. There’s a raw food movement workshop where I live on making smoothies..sounds interesting to me. I loved your quote…it really hit me. Hope you’re feeling better
I love all the raw foods in this post!
The pie looks amazing, and I love that cookbook! I’ve been wanting to make those donut holes too =)
I’m totally going to be eating more Odwalla products from now on, they always look so good on your blog!
jeez you ate yummy looking food today! Key lime pie is my favorite dessert and I think the raw version looks amazing, I am very looking forward to seeing what you produce from that cookbook!
Omg I tried the primal strips the other day too. Found them at Whole Foods. As a vege I was VERY SATISFIED with the creation. I’ve gotta stock up next time I go, they make a great snack.
-E
Oh man I was soo close to getting those jerky things at whole foods! next time…
That burrito looks soo fantastic! I love all the different colors and that it’s in a lettuce leaf! I’ve been meaning to make some cabbage rolls…I need to do that asap.
Feel better!! Good work on the treadmill though, running always makes me feel better when I have a little cold. I think garlic is supposed to be good for colds too
I totally want to go to that restaurant! My bf and I have a date set at a vegan restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale the next time he flies in, and they also have a key lime “cheese”cake on their menu! I think I’m going to try it
Just wanted to say I love your blog! The raw resturant looks amazing!! I wish we had one of those near me!
i have that cookbook and adore it- the recipes are so easy and delicious!
i can’t wait to visit that restaurant sometime soon! will you please take me?
hope you have a great night and that you feel better soon!!!
thanks for posting a link for the giveaway <3
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and this is my first time posting. I just got over this virus that’s going around. I never get sick and I never go to the doctor but I did this time. The meds I got were so effective that I wanted to share. In addition to an antibiotic, I insisted on an anti-inflammatory (prednisone) that immediately relieved the congestion. It’s a short-term course of treatment and was over in a week with no side effects. I hope your doctor is progressive enough to know that inflammation is the real problem. Of course, you can be proactive with your doctor and insist on a prescription for an anti-inflammatory medicine that will relieve your symptoms instantly. I learned about this treatment from a progressive allergist because I also suffer from asthma. Do yourself a favor and explore the anti-inflammatory treatment.
Raw, vegan restaurants are usually delicious! That key lime pie looks so good and so did both your burritos! Feel better!
I am going to have to get that cookbook! If it’s easy, healthy and simple, this college student wants it! That looks like an absolutely great lunch! You and Courtney look so cute! And I’m so glad you have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow! I hope you’ll feel better in no time! (I’m sorry I ended everything with an exclamation mark)
Feel better soon! And oh wow, everything is so colorful!
Jenna,
Glad you’re up and moving, and I hope you get plenty of rest tonight. Yay for Fridays!
Raw foods totally intrigue me, and I’ve only heard good things about Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen. It’s definitely at the top of my cookbooks to be purchased list. Grassroots sounds amazing – my kind of place!
Thanks for the link love.
Fantastic post, even when you are sick!
Looking good, even when you are sick!
Awesome cookbook find, even when are sick!
Odwalla MOJITO?!, even when you are sick?
Stupid comment that keeps going on and on, even when you are sick!
Hi Jenna, I’ve been doing a raw challenge this month to incorporate more raw foods into my diet and I’ve made a few things from that cookbook. I think you’ll like it because, like you said, everything is pretty easy and there weren’t that many crazy ingredients.
I would love to try Grassroots… I am so jealous!! I used to eat only raw so I would have died to be able to try out their food. That pie looks amazing.
I own Ani’s book and I will say one thing about the recipes… (I have made quite a few of them!) … you don’t always need so much of the fats. She calls for a ton of fat in a lot of the recipes and they turn out fine if you add less. Her cheeses are delicious, but make sure you soak your nuts before you try making them for maximum digestibility, because when you eat that many nuts at once, it can give you some issues. Same with the crusts for the desserts. Soak and then dehydrate the nuts, unless they are nuts that shouldn’t be soaked. I have an excellent Raw cheesecake recipe on my site that tastes like key lime pie. You would love it!! I would link to it here, but I don’t know how!! http://nicolerawawake.blogspot.com/2008/11/raw-mango-cheesecake-new-look.html…. ok copy and paste that if you can.
SO GOOD!! But you have to eat it fast, because with the rejuvelac it likes to ferment!! YUM either way.
I want to go to Grassroots!!! That burrito seriously looks so tasty!!
P.S. you will get better! My trick is fresh squeezed fruit juice. Lemon, ginger and honey lemonade… and fresh green smoothies. Take care!!
so sorry you are still feeling sick! I can’t believe the first available appointment is not till tomorrow – thats awful! hope you feel better =)
Aw, hope you’re feeling healthy and well soon! I love the raw food pictures. That meal–and dessert–looks amazing! Your passionate review of Ani’s book makes me crave my own copy!
I had a delicious salad for lunch today: baby spinach leaves, cauliflower, avocado, macadamia nuts, drizzles of olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon. Yum-O!
Michele
Blech I don’t like those jerky bars at all – Think I tried the mesquite one and the thai peanut one. Prefer to make me own gluten the sausages and the like for a quick protein-y snack if needed.
I do strongly recommend the neti pot for your allegies once they are more under control, just make sure the seasalt is unidionised and the water is warm which will help melt (sorry) all the goo up there. Even start with your head over a bowl of boiling water with a towel thrown over to start the ‘melting’ process.
Good Luck, I hate allergy season. I break out in hives as well, so just be thankful you don’t have that as well!
I love those Primal Strips! I especially recommend the Thai Peanut flavor. I used to order those all the time from Amazon because I can never find them in stores.
Wow those eats look absolutely delicious! I wish there was a restaurant around here like that! Yum indeed. Maybe I should look into that cookbook too… Hope you feel better soon!
it definitely sounds like you would benefit from some nasal steroid spray and some zyrtec, allegra, or claritin — hope the dr is able to help you out!
I hope you feel better soon. I love those meatless jerkies actually, but I thought they were totally strange when I first witnessed them too. The raw food looks AMAZING!
I will have to look out for that drink. I love things that taste like alcoholic beverages, but are not! I guess that’s the opposite of most.
tHANK YOU so much for the info on ani! (she is so talented/gorgeous!) Looks like you had a wonderful day
I hope you start feeling better
I am craving burritos now! Great eats today, I’m going to have to look for a raw restaurant near me.
i hope you start to feel better soon! i went through the same thing this weekend and am now feeling MUCH better- some rest and some meds will do a body good!
that raw food looks amazing!!!! i would love to eat all that raw goodness! I should go out and buy that cookbook…
I’m so glad you enjoyed the raw foods soo much! I love raw foods especially raw desserts. There’s a recipe for a raw chocolate cheesecake that is TO DIE FOR! I make it for my moms birthday and no one could even guess it was raw. Here’s the link http://kristensraw.blogspot.com/2007/12/organic-double-chocolate-cherry.html I think you’ll love it! and if you want some more raw resources you can always e-mail me
I usually do a raw food diet in the summer so I have a bunch of books and tons of links with great recipes. 
Hey! I just started to read your blog and I love it. Are you doing the Esther bible study by Beth Moore? The reason I ask is because I just got through with that lesson! It’s a great study. Hope you feel better, and thanks for such an inspiring/fun blog.
Yum, the food looks great!
Cool cookbook!
what cute pictures of you and your girlfriend! that raw food looks amazing.
That raw burrito looks incred! I love the idea of using a romaine leaf for the “wrap” – so much easier than futzing around with iceberg lettuce cups (I’ve tried that before – it’s SO much work!). What’s the texture of the “refried beans” at the restaurant? I’ll bet we could figure out a way of making them! I’m guessing the spices they use include cumin, coriander, lime, cilantro and maybe a hint of paprika, since the food has Mexican flavors. (Can you tell I love a food mystery?)
feel better soon! that vegan cake looks amazing!
Holy YUM-everything looks amazing!!!Especially the cheesecake! You look so tan girl!!!
OMG – that cheesecake looks AMAZING!!!!
I will have to check out the book!
Diana
Where can you find the meatless beef jerkey? And that burrito looks delicious!
Erin,
I got these at Whole Foods!
I’m so glad to hear you liked the Primal Strip – they rock.
Just catching up from the week..wanted to let you know that I NEEDED that Beth Moore Quote today! I am printing it out for my bathroom mirror…thanks!
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