Good evening!
This afternoon I laced up my runnings shoes for a little jog since my race is two weeks from Saturday. Meghann and Caitlin will also be in town for the race and we were hoping to put together a little blog lunch on the following Sunday (March 1st) if anyone is interested in attending! Just shoot me an email and we will work out all the details 🙂
Today I ran for 13 minutes and walked for about 20 minutes. I’m going really slow with this because I don’t want any old injuries (gah! shin splints!!) to reoccur. It felt good today and I took a pretty scenic route along the water and by a park and horse stable. When I got back, I did Miss Polly’s 10 minute Yoga for Runners video!!! It was EXACTLY what the doctor ordered. I didn’t have time for a long class but knew I needed something for my muscles and this was just great. Afterwards I hung out in downward facing dog and then headstand for awhile, which felt equally fantastic.
Thursdays are normally my bible study day with Sarah, but she actually has her inlaws in town for the remainder of the week so this week I watched the weekly Esther video on my own. I swear, every time I turn on Beth Moore I just feel so much better. She always says exactly what I need to hear and today was no different!
Beauty was the common theme of today’s video discussion, as Esther was known by all to be very lovely.
So often we get so consumed by beauty that we look past the most important thing—that we are made beautiful by the Lord. Beth was talking about how true beauty comes from the Lord shining down on us and it is so true. We don’t need to be obsessed to be the prettiest/skinniest/fittest/hottest to get the attention of other girls or GUYS, we just need to relax a little about the whole thing and realize that we already are so incredibly beautiful just the way that God made us. He made us this way for a reason….a bigger reason than we even know. I sipped on perrier with a shot of POM while I watched:
Speaking of beautiful, how GORGEOUS is this salad I bought at Greenwise today??! I NEVER buy pre-made salads because I think, generally, they are sort of a waste of money. However, I couldn’t say no to this organic spring mix with huge organic strawberries on top!
It actually was TOO huge for me to consume all in one sitting! I plated about 3/4 of it and drizzled Annie’s balsamic on top. Combined with a slice of my sunflower flax bread and a Morningstar Farms Original Grillers veggie burger with creamy garlic hummus, it was perfecto—
Dessert was my favorite:
Two perfect little schoolboy cookies. Does anyone love these as much as I do??!! I just think they are the best things ever. YUM!
I don’t know about you, but I am SO glad tomorrow is Friday. I am working in the morning, of course, going walking with Courtney (!!), and then have plans to make homemade pizza with the boy at night. I wish you all a happy and safe evening and I will see you tomorrow! =)
Little Dexter found a new favorite bed—-my dresser!
Kristin
February 12, 2009 at 5:00 pmThat is so true about beauty. Sometimes we strive so hard to look a different way, we lose sight of the true beauty we all have. Thanks for mentioning that, it’s a really empowering notion I think we should all embrace!
claire
February 12, 2009 at 5:01 pmhey jenna
I am a runner and only do yoga 2-3 days a week but I have noticed recently that my foot hurts the day after yoga when I go out for a run. It is pain on the top of the foot, and feels achy when I do warriors and get pretty deep into them. Do you think maybe the combo of running and yoga isn’t for everyone? Or maybe my tendency to get top of the foot injuries (high arches) just isn’t a good match with warriors, triangles, etc.? any ideas…ever heard of this?
jenna
February 12, 2009 at 5:13 pmClaire,
Interesting! I am obviously not a doctor but it sounds like when you are practicing yoga, your alignment is off and that is causing the pain. Even the most subtle shift in alignment really can be detrimental. I HIGHLY suggest having a certified yoga teacher watch exactly what you are doing and correct you if you are doing something slightly off. I have never heard of your exact problem but I’m sure its common….running does seem to bring on quite the possibility of foot pain! I would have it checked out if it doesn’t improve!
K
February 12, 2009 at 5:04 pmThis is going to sound odd – but I really like the lining of your dresser! It’s cute!
I’m so glad strawberries are starting to come back 🙂
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
February 12, 2009 at 5:16 pmWAHOO! Can’t wait to walk tomorrow!!! Love the Beth Moore message today. Really beautiful! (No pun intended)
See you tomorrow!
Red Head, Yellow Dog
February 12, 2009 at 5:21 pmWhat a lovely looking salad!
I just did a 20 minute yogadownload myself and after a whole day of sitting down it felt wonderful! Looks like no matter what your day is (up on your feet all the time, sitting down all the time) yoga always feels gooooooooooooooood 😉
Shelby
February 12, 2009 at 5:22 pmBeautiful Salad!
skinnyrunner
February 12, 2009 at 5:23 pmgreat post about beauty. How come God thinks we are beautifully and wonderfully made and too many times we don’t see that? If the Creator of the Universe says you’re beautiful, you better believe it! a lot easier said than done…
polly
February 12, 2009 at 5:28 pmJenna = GO-juss inside and out. 🙂
Claire… I had that problem when I was running in my pre-yoga days! I am not a doc, but I do teach yoga and have lots of experience with runners. If you want to email me, you can sweetie! (email address is on my blog) XOXO
Natalie
February 12, 2009 at 5:37 pmI’ve missed seeing pictures of Dexter!
I couldn’t agree more on the message of true beauty. 🙂
Janet
February 12, 2009 at 5:52 pmThose schoolboy cookies are the best – they make the best s’mores! Mmm, gourmet s’mores!
Becca A
February 12, 2009 at 5:52 pmVery well said.
Dexter is too cute. Cats crack me up. They never seem to sleep in a normal spot. My cat’s current fav is balanced on top of the cable box.
Bec
February 12, 2009 at 6:04 pmLove the school boy cookies they remind me of when I was little visiting my best friend’s grandma, we still get them all the time when we go visit her!
Sarah (lovINmytummy)
February 12, 2009 at 6:38 pmYour comments about beauty are spot on. I always look at my girls and see how gorgeous they are, physically and spiritually, and I am in awe that I created them! Funny to think that the Lord does the same thing with each one of us!
Meredith (Pursuing Balance)
February 12, 2009 at 6:38 pmAll of your food looks so good today!! Dexter is definitely a cutie in your dresser. Does he sleep there often?
joyful
February 12, 2009 at 6:54 pmThat message about beauty was wonderful!
VeggieGirl
February 12, 2009 at 7:15 pmAmen!!
Alisa - One Frugal Foodie
February 12, 2009 at 7:16 pmFoodie beauty, I love it! That salad is gorgeous 🙂
megan
February 12, 2009 at 7:18 pmThat is so true about beauty. I am reading the book Love to Eat Hate to Eat…and Gods view of us…as beautiful no matter what is heavily stressed. It is a wonderful book!
I love that big salad with the big strawberries 🙂 I love fruit in my salad.
Enjoy your night, Jenna! Tomorrow sounds like a fun day for you…one to look forward to!!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)
February 12, 2009 at 7:48 pmyes, that salad is definitely beautiful. i’m glad you had such an uplifting day!
Victoria
February 12, 2009 at 7:48 pmGreat message. Your Friday night sounds great! I’m so looking forward to this weekend! Seems like it’s been a long week for a lot of people!
Graze With Me
February 12, 2009 at 7:57 pmI LOVE LOVE those cookies! Have you ever tried the dark chocolate ones? They’re great too. The perrier/pom looks so refreshing 🙂
the Clean Veggie
February 12, 2009 at 8:33 pmlove the post about beauty. I wish more high school boys knew this – its stick. There is a hallway I walk down every day and there are four boys rating girls from 1-10. I have to go a whole other way to get to class now because it bothered me so much.
On a more positive note – your salad looks great/colorful!
Meg
February 12, 2009 at 8:39 pmLove the thoughts on beauty!
Dexter is so cute!
Oh She Glows
February 12, 2009 at 8:43 pmI love the beauty talk. It is SO true.
Someone once told me that BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ARE HAPPY PEOPLE and I always remind myself that whenever I am feeling less than pretty. The best accessory is a smile, right?
Angela
Steph
February 12, 2009 at 9:07 pmJenna, I absolutely adore those cookies! YUM =)
brandi
February 12, 2009 at 9:30 pmI’m glad today was better than yesterday for you!
I love Beth Moore – she does always seem to say just what I need to hear.
Rebecca Hoover
February 12, 2009 at 9:42 pmThis is a stupid comment, however I just love that you call “him” the boy. I always call my boy that, and he’s 38. I wonder if they ever really grow up? 🙂 Anyway, it always brings a smile to my face.
Leanne
February 12, 2009 at 10:02 pmLove this post… Inspirational words!! By the way, I have that Annie’s balsamic right now, and I don’t like it!! It’s the first Annie’s dressing I’m not crazy about. What’s your take?
Marissa
February 12, 2009 at 11:07 pmGreat post!
Sharon
February 12, 2009 at 11:27 pmOh my gosh, love this post!!
Josie
February 12, 2009 at 11:34 pmWhoa, so jealous of your salad!
1 Peter also has some great stuff to say about beauty, how it doesn’t come from appearance but from a “gentle and quiet spirit.” Very reassuring, is it not? 🙂
Kailey (SnackFace)
February 13, 2009 at 12:37 amDexter!!! Fantabulous to see the babykitty again! I miss my puppers!
Anyway, those cookies look divine, though I’ve never had them! I feel like I’ve had something like them before, though. Have a great night and FRIDAY!!! Whooot! You deserve a wonderful Friday!
Samantha
February 13, 2009 at 3:21 amA friend and I are getting ready to start Esther too and I’m so excited! We live on opposite sides of the world so we’ll just discuss via email and skype. I’ve done 2 Beth studies and you’re right…its like no matter what she says, its the perfect thing for that moment!
I finally found some POM today…I’ve been craving it after reading your blog! But at $5+/bottle I can’t do it too often! I’m looking forward to a spritzer tomorrow after my 90 min vinyasa class in the AM.
Great job on your run workout today! You’ll do Greenwise proud!
Danielle
February 13, 2009 at 4:20 amCongrats on a great run beautiful girl 🙂
Becca
February 13, 2009 at 7:41 amLittle schoo boy cookies = my most favorite cookie ever!
Danielle
February 13, 2009 at 8:39 amI love love love love those cookies, definitely a favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing the thoughts on beauty, definitely a good message to remember.
Baylee
February 13, 2009 at 8:53 amFirst time reader! 🙂 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the fact that you take pictures of your food!! I may have to steal the idea!!
Fitzalan
February 13, 2009 at 9:40 amSo cute of the cat! My cat has taught herself how to open dresser drawers, so often we find her hidden in there. It is awful though because clean clothes get covered in her black cat hair!
sweets&sweats.wordpress.com
Ryan
February 13, 2009 at 11:39 amI’ll be at the lunch after Gasparilla! Can’t wait to meet you!
Majrhoulihan
February 13, 2009 at 12:06 pmClean Veggie,
I’m usually a lurker, but I had to come out of the dark to comment on that quote. That behavior is sexual harrassment and under Title IX, you have the legal right to attend school without being harrassed. You should mention this to a school adminstrator – not just for your sake, but for all of the other young women who attend school with you.
AMy
February 13, 2009 at 12:16 pmJenna—-
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU for the bit about beauty. It was just what I needed to hear, as I’ve been unable to do vigorous exercise (including yoga) for a few months (various arthritis issues) and have been discouraged by the way my body has changed as a result, even with healthy eating.
THANK YOU for putting it all into perspective for me, love the blog!
Amy
Jenny
February 13, 2009 at 2:10 pmJenna,
I’m new to the blogging world and just stumbled across your blog. I go to the same church as Beth Moore and I did her Esther study live when she was filming it for the video – how cool is that! I absolutely loved it and could totally identify with all she said. And the conclusion, which I won’t spoil, is awesome, beautiful, powerful and truthful. Enjoy the journey!
Elina (Healthy and Sane)
February 13, 2009 at 4:32 pmI think those cookies are the best thing ever! I really love those! Can’t have them in the house though, because I have no control around goodies like that 😉
Sarah (now in FL)
February 14, 2009 at 7:46 amAh! I’m late getting to this post due to the in-laws, but DEXTER!!! Love him! I love your reflections on beauty too–I was just at the zoo yesterday and I loved looking at how God had made each animal different, and to our human eyes some are ugly, but I’m sure He thinks they are all beautiful. He doesn’t make un-beautiful things.
elisha
February 15, 2009 at 4:52 pmI just got those schoolhouse cookies today never seeb before but yea they are good