Happy Humpday!
I can’t tell if my week goes by faster because of school at night, or slower. I think it goes by faster but I have a longer week because of classes Friday night anyways. Well, still happy its already Wednesday and I actually slept in til 8:00 for once! That’s a good thing because I didn’t get home last night til 11:45 and neeeed my 8 hours! Someone asked why my class is randomly so late—its because the Patisserie & Baking Program is only a night program! I would much rather it be in the day but this is the only option. Last night we baked some simple white loaves just to get started. We made a couple different shapes: a batard (small, fat baguette) a boulle (circle) and simple loaves. The dough we used was very soft and relatively sweet because of added shortening and sugar. They also had milk and eggs in them for a richer taste. I asked my chef instructor if, when I made these at home, I could leave out the eggs and use soymilk instead of the milk. He said I def. could try. The eggs really don’t “do” too much for the bread and soymilk could probably work just fine. That might have to be an experiment for a rainy day. Tonight we are making traditional baguettes and foccaccia–my two favorites!
For breakfast this morning I had steel cut oats with hempmilk, pb, flax and bananas. I added more hempmilk this time (I used some when I cooked the oats yesterday and also this morning when I “rehydrated” them) so the end product was 10 times more creamy and delicious.
Last night I packed one of those Nana’s Peanut Butter Cookies in my toolkit for a snack. It was soooo good! I seriously love these cookies! I was pretty hungry when I got home late so I ate some grapes then, too.
VeggieGirl
February 20, 2008 at 1:39 pmSo glad that you were able to get enough sleep after a late-night of baking!! I can’t WAIT to see the baguettes and foccaccia that you’ll be baking tonight :0)
Happy Wednesday!! We’re halfway to the weekend!! :0D
Annie
February 20, 2008 at 1:44 pmHi Jenna, The bread looks so good. I rememeber you saying that you were trying to figure out someone to give some too, is it posible to donate it to a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, somthing like that. At least it wouldnt be going to waste, but there might be some type of rule saying that its not allowed. Just a thought.
Heather(II)
February 20, 2008 at 1:57 pmFor all my oatmeal loving blog reader friends:
http://www.yumsugar.com/1051184
Heather S
February 20, 2008 at 2:02 pmHeather(II)-
Wouldnt that be the perfect way to wake up? Thanks!
BethT
February 20, 2008 at 2:03 pmOne last chickpea cutlet question, as I think I posted too late last nite:
What is the texture of the end product supposed to be? Mine were kind of moist and doughy, making me wonder if I made them too thick and they didn’t cook all the way thru. Thoughts? They were kinda like a crab cake…wonder if they should have a more springy/meaty consistency.
jenna
February 20, 2008 at 2:13 pmBeth,
They def. didn’t cook long enough. I baked mine and they were so “chewy” I had to saw threw them with a knife or pick them up and eat them. Did you fry or bake yours? I recommend baking because it lends a more chewy consistancy
Romina
February 20, 2008 at 2:22 pmThat bread is gorgeous! I’m sure it doesn’t need eggs in it. I’ve never heard of bread with eggs anyway.
Isn’t it great to be able to sleep in? I can’t live without my 8 hours, no matter what! It’s something my body just craves.
Mmm… hemp milk in steel cut oats sounds great. Hemp milk is so healthful and tastes great. Good combo with the PB!
Lizzy
February 20, 2008 at 2:37 pmInteresting to know that the eggs don’t do much for the bread. I’ve always wanted to bake my own baguette, do you happen to have a good recipe on hand?
I’m so glad I found your blog, because seriously… how awesome is it to know someone you can turn to when it comes to questions about nutrition and exercise? Also, I admire how devoted you are!
And I am totally craving oatmeal now!
Becky
February 20, 2008 at 2:38 pmJenna or anyone else who made it:
What size baking pan do you use for your olive oil cake?
Thanks!
Aimee H.
February 20, 2008 at 2:44 pmI used a nine-inch round pan for the olive oil cake. It turned out great! My boyfriend and I both loved it.
Erica
February 20, 2008 at 2:53 pmJenna, do you find that the flavor of the agave nectar really comes through when you add it to your oatmeal? I had made oatmeal for my friend this morning and added a squirt of agave, and she didn’t taste it much.
Shannon
February 20, 2008 at 3:03 pmThat bread is gorgeous! I can’t wait to get the recipes of your “alternate” recipes … I made two huge batches of vegan brownies last weekend and they were so amazing. I really want to start experimenting more with vegan baking. So exciting!
blueberrybabe
February 20, 2008 at 3:16 pmGood morning girls! Sorry I posted trying to find other new yorkers last night then went MIA! To Nicole, Becca, Rae, Becky, and Danielle… I live in Manhattan! You guys all seem to be in different areas of new york booo. But can we still be friends!? Ok now I have a question about this Agave Nectar thing. I am due to buy some honey because I have been a cheapo using those little packets you get at starbucks haha. What is the difference between honey and agave nectar? Taste? Nutrition? I have to say I’m not a die hard honey fan- when I use it it is on a pb sandwich and i BARELY drizzle any on just enough for the sweetness. Anyways besides the sandwiches I am looking for sweetener for oatmeal and decaf lattes… and i think that is it!? I thought the list would be longer. Ok rambling! What do you guys like?!?!?
Becca A
February 20, 2008 at 3:27 pmHi Blueberry Babe! I’m actually in a part of PA called York, about 10 hours from Manhattan (actually it might be less), but we can definitely be friends! I saw you on the facebook page so you should add me! I have a couple of posts on the wall about finding hempmilk haha!
SDF
February 20, 2008 at 3:37 pmHey ladies,
I have a really stupid question, but I figure somebody on here will know. How do you know if you’re gaining weight from muscle or if it’s from fat?? I started working out regularly about a month ago, and the last 2 weeks I’ve gained a pound a week.
The reason I’m unsure about if it’s fat or muscle is because I only weigh myself once a week (I don’t own a scale so I always weigh myself at the gym right before my swim) and it’s usually after the weekend where I tend to eat unhealthy and drink. I haven’t noticed a difference on my body, but I’m wondering if it even could be muscle because I essentially only do cardio (I run 3-4 times a week and swim 2-3 times). Any advice would be helpful! Also, how do you all stay on track during the weekend? My boyfriend loves cooking (and makes the greatest food EVER) but he uses a ton of olive oil in everything he makes.
Thanks everyone!
Carrie
February 20, 2008 at 3:46 pmHeather (II),
Thanks for the chocolate oo cake recipe yesterday! I appreciate it,
Carrie
arimcg
February 20, 2008 at 3:49 pmSDF, I would pay attention to a difference in the way your clothes fit rather than the scale. If they seem to be a little loose but you still weigh the same, or even more, you’re gaining muscle and loosing fat (because muscle also takes up less space). But – someone correct me if I’m wrong – it would be hard to gain a pound of muscle a week doing only cardio and no strength training. I mean, I think it would be hard to gain a pound of muscle in one week WITH strength training, but everyone’s body is different.
Ashley
February 20, 2008 at 3:50 pmHey SDF,
I’m sure others will chime in too, but it could also be water weight. You can gain and lose up to five pounds (or more sometimes) a day in water weight. So for example, you asid you weigh yourselg after eating unhealthy all weekend, are the foods you are eating over the weekend greasy or high in sodium, or are you drinking sodas, alcohol, eating chips, etc, because those things will cause you to retain water which will take a couple days to go away sometimes. Also, are you weighing yourself in the morning or at night? You’ll get a more accurate number if you weigh yourself first thing in the morning before you put anything into your body. I’m not sure, but I think it typically takes more than a couple weeks to put on muscle but I doubt you are putting on a pound a week if you eat pretty healthy throughout most of the week, it takes 3500 extra calories to put on a pound so you would have to eat 3500 calories per week over what you burn every day just to keep your body alive and on top of exercise which seems pretty unlikely.
Sorry for the long answer, hope that helped!
arimcg
February 20, 2008 at 3:51 pmAlso, blueberrybabe, I live in Brooklyn! I responded to your question about bagels/healthy restaurants the other night, but I was way late and I guess you didn’t see it.
blueberrybabe
February 20, 2008 at 3:56 pmUh oh I feel like I am gonna be on this blog all day today! But really work is no fun compared to this! SDF- the only way to know if you are gaining muscle or fat (short of body fat tests) is to see how your clothes fit. If you are gaining a couple of pounds of muscle your clothes will feel looser because 1 lb of muscle takes up much less space than 1 lb of fat. i can especially say this with confidence bc you are not weight training or attempting to put on bulk muscle which could be a different story. if you are gaining weight that is fat your clothes will likely feel tighter. i know it might not be the easiest but my best advice would be to just watch and see what your weight does for the next couple weeks. my guess is that it will just level off on its own and you will have nothing to worry about. it is great that you are working out on a regular basis now so you should feel great about yourself. NO ONE knows the number you weigh on the scale and it is impossible for people to notice a couple of pounds difference. congrats on the new healthy behaviors!
blueberrybabe
February 20, 2008 at 3:57 pmarimcg- can you repost?!?! i am dying to find 100% ww bagels ahhh! 🙂
Katie R
February 20, 2008 at 4:11 pmblueberrybabe.. I’m a new yorker and I work in Manhattan! sorry i didn’t see your post last night…
Brianne
February 20, 2008 at 4:12 pmThat bread looks so great!
SDF
February 20, 2008 at 4:19 pmThank you ladies for all the quick posting! I know exactly how you feel blueberrybabe about being on here all day-it’s practically a compulsion to check it every 20 minutes! And I’m so jealous of all you lucky ladies living in New York! I wish! I visited there in May for my 21st birthday, and absolutely fell in love with the city-I hope to move there some day.
Since everyone was so helpful (and quick!) with my last question, I have another one. Is there any particular foods that you should eat if you’re getting sick? I feel a terrible cold coming on, and besides drinking tea are there any recommendations as to what I could be eating to keep myself healthy and bump up my immunity system?
VeggieGirl
February 20, 2008 at 4:23 pmI’ll be in NYC, during the last week in March!!! :0D
Christin
February 20, 2008 at 4:23 pmSDF- I would say it is more likely muscle you are gaining if you just started working out about a month ago and the weight gain started two weeks ago…unless you have also started taking in way more calories also. As some of the other posters mentioned, your clothes will feel looser if its muscle than a month ago, and tighter if it is fat. I am a prime example of this…I have been the same weight give or take 5 punds since my junior year of high school (I am now 26 as of tomorrow), however I wear a smaller size now than in high school, and my body is much more toned from having bumped up my workouts in the last few years. Stick with the workouts…you will see long term results in the WAY you look, even if not your weight.
Christin
February 20, 2008 at 4:28 pmHello everyone and happy wednesday! I have been lurking around this blog after reading Kath’s for awhile, but I just wanted to introduce myself so that I am not just some random commenter. I am a 26 year old from California, and I am very interested in nutrition and exercise…specifically dance. I love the openness this blog has, and the mature way you all interact.
I used to work for Aveda, and have since had a growing appreciation for vegan and vegetarian cuisine as well as for the environment, so even though I eat meat, I have a great appreciation for the creative meals and discussions on this blog. Nice to meet you all! 🙂
Allyson
February 20, 2008 at 4:31 pmbluberrybabe-didn’t see your post last nite either! I’m in Westchester county, ny 🙂
blueberrybabe
February 20, 2008 at 4:36 pmpost number 839823 and it is only 11:30 am yikes:
VeggieGirl- we need to make plans immediately if not sooner! It would be sooooooo fun to meet!
i am a super starbucks addict (with no merit of course bc i get decaf) but i just wanted to share that i usually get it with 2% milk and today i got it with soy just for a change (not for the first time but the first time in a while i guess) and it was AMAZING!!! so creamy yum. that is the only thing this damn cold weather is good for: hot drinks from starbucks obvi.
i’ll try not to hit the 900000 mark for posts today 🙂
VeggieGirl
February 20, 2008 at 4:57 pm**blueberrybabe:
I would love to meet up!! Do you have an email address that I can contact you at (sorry for the terrible grammar, haha)?
Betsy
February 20, 2008 at 5:18 pmblueberrybabe (and other new yorkers)
I live in manhattan too! i wrote a ‘getting to know you’ post last week, but haven’t been able to make a comment since. 100% whole wheat bagels?? hmmm…i like Murray’s bagels. have you had them?? they’re THE BEST!! although, i’m not sure if they’re 100% whole wheat, but they do have whole wheat everything bagels, which are a truely wonderful find!
Danielle
February 20, 2008 at 5:42 pmAllyson,
What part of Westchester are you from? I’m from Valhalla, it’s the town right about White Plains.
City girls (blueberrybabe, arimcg, etc),
We should all go out to eat one day/night! Allyson and I can ride into Grand Central together (right Allyson?, haha). It’d be great if we could do it when Veggiegirl is visitng. Oh and maybe we could even fly Jenna up 🙂
Alessa
February 20, 2008 at 5:59 pmHi guys! Ive been reading for awhile and have never actually commented.. love this blog, and it always keeps me entertained when I have downtime at work! I eat very similar to you Jenna.. but dont always have time to cook, I work until almost 8pm every night! Christin, I live in California too. Just thought Id chime in since all the New Yorkers are bonding! haha.
VeggieGirl
February 20, 2008 at 7:30 pm**Danielle:
That sounds so fun! :0D
Ashliqua
February 20, 2008 at 9:06 pmHey all!
I’m still new-ish but I’m also in New York City and want to be included! 🙂
Kristin
February 21, 2008 at 4:00 amHi! I just found your blog and love it! I read through the past 10 pages or so (back to before you went veggie). Anyway, I’ve noticed that you like peanut butter.. I was wondering if you have ever tried almond butter? I buy the crunchy almond butter (creamy might be better to mix with steel cutoats) from the big tubs at WF. Its sooo tasty, I definitely suggest you try it!!