Can I just say again that I love where all the wonderful comments you all make are going? I really feel so good that this has become such a supportive, loving community because so there’s so much “sketchiness” on the internet these days…I’m so glad we all have found each other and I’m so glad everyone has kind words to share rather than not-so-kind…as I have seen in other blog comments. Thank you all so much!
Okay..enough with the cheesiness! I just got back to Orlando and am about to go do some cardio at the gym…probably just the elliptical machine because I ran yesterday and tomorrow I have a personal training appt so I don’t want to do anything too crazy today! The guy who will be working with me tomorrow looks scary enough and said “he will make me very sore”. Sweet. I need it!
Before I left Tampa I made Ryan a huge smoothie with a banana, low fat strawberry banana yogurt, ice and OJ. And popped a vitamin into his mouth. Hopefully he will feel better before the weekend comes because I have saturday night off and want to have fun! Also before I left I stopped by my parent’s house to make lunch..they always seem to have a plethora of random leftovers and I found some of my mom’s great homemade pulled bbq chicken in the fridge. I heated it up and had it on a toasted whole wheat bun. I also had a pear that I brought along with me yesterday but never ate! Lunch was very filling but also healthy because, well, my mom made it and she’s a healthy cook for sure!
Off to the gym!
I’m really not sure how many calories this lunch was because it was homemade by someone other than myself! I would guess the whole lunch was probably around 400 though.
Annie
January 30, 2008 at 6:11 pmI absolutely loooove pulled chicken. Thers only one place around me in MA that has it, and its definitly my number one comfort food. Is it easy to make? Do you have any idea how to do it?
Lynn
January 30, 2008 at 6:20 pmJenna, we just got a Teevena! (sp?) I am so excited! I didn’t realize it was a chain. Any recommendations?
You recommended to Beth to eat a small something before working out. There is an hour and half yoga class early in the morning I would like to try. My problem is I find eating something small actually makes me more hungry than not eating. Do you find this happens to you as well?
I am afraid I will get hungry mid yoga with only a banana or cliff bar before hand. Also, do you typically just drink water after yoga or something more like oj? Sorry for so many yogi questions!
Susan
January 30, 2008 at 6:22 pmNothing beats mom’s food!
In the morning I often feel stressed and shove down/rush through my favorite meal (breakfast) because I am thinking of all the things I have to get done before I leave the house. You do even more! How do you not get stressed and enjoy your breakfast knowing you need to eat your breakfast before you can post it, go to class, plus I’m sure you check some blogs, your email, etc.
Jenn
January 30, 2008 at 6:33 pmhey does anyone know if Whole Foods allows you to grind your own peanut butter? thanks!
mags
January 30, 2008 at 6:50 pmThis is actually in response to jennifer’s post from this morning and all the responses. I am in the EXACT same situation but have never been able to articulate it as you all did! So thanks! Anyways, Jennifer I would love to see what you eat in a typical day. I have seen nutritionists about this and maybe people on the blog can help!
Liz
January 30, 2008 at 6:54 pmJenna: Not to add to the cheesiness, but just wanted to say that it’s so refreshing to read your blog each day. As someone else had mentioned this morning, all of the other blogs are so consumed with negativity and this extreme diet mentality rather than trying to live (and maintain) a healthy, active lifestyle. It’s great that everyone here seems to be healthy and/or on the right track with out the negativity and obsession. Thank you for your positive and healthy outlook on food, life and exercise – it’s a breath of fresh air!
Katherine
January 30, 2008 at 6:57 pmI have poor posture (think hunch back-ok maybe not that extreme!) I am not strong enough to do pull ups or assisted pull ups. Any suggestions. I study most of the day leaning over a computer-def not helping the situation! Thanks!!!
Jenn
January 30, 2008 at 7:05 pmLynn,
I LOVE Teavana. I know you’re asking Jenna, but here are my suggestions:
-Haute Chocolate
-Mate Vana
-Rooibos Chai
They also have fruity teas that taste great iced in the summer! Plus you should definitely get the rock cane sugar — it adds just the right amount of sweetness! Hope that helps!
linds
January 30, 2008 at 7:11 pmhelp! there are snowpeas in my fridge that must be eaten (I feel so bad if I have to throw out food) and I have no idea what to do with them. I’ve had “Asian” inspired dinners with them for the past two nights and reallly want a different flavour for tonight. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated 🙂
Rachel
January 30, 2008 at 7:23 pmLinds-
I was bored and looked these ideas up for you, for a side dish:
Sugar Snap peas with Mustard: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1950,154163-246195,00.html
or for a main dish ideas:
SEASHELLS WITH SHRIMP AND SUGAR SNAP
PEAS
http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1745,152174-243205,00.html
PASTA WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS, ASPARAGUS
AND PARMESAN
http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1950,148171-227199,00.html
hope this helps!
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 7:24 pmAnnie,
I’m going home again this weekend and will get my mom’s recipe and post it. the only thing is that you have to have a slow cooker! she says its super easy though!!! (all the more reason to buy one!)
Lynn,
I’m SO jealous! I used to live a couple blocks from a teavana and would go everyday. There’s not one here in Orlando but I still go in Tampa when I can! My favorites are:
To Life–white tea blend
Cranberry Black
Matte Latte (their form of a latte made with tea…gross sounding but really good!)
I also like all the fruit flavors iced….you know you can also mix flavors! I like to mix fruit flavored herbal tea in the summer!
be careful, teavana is seriously addicting! ($$$$)
What time is yoga? When I go to yoga at like 9 or 10 in the morning I always eat breakfast beforehand…I usually wake up around 7 so thats not a problem. If its a REALLY early yoga class I would suggest eating a slice of wheat bread w pb before you go or a clif bar or something so you don’t run out of fuel!
Susan,
I honestly have no idea. I dont really get too stressed for time except for when I’m trying to get to work because I like to eat dinner, get ready and post before leaving and traffic makes it so frusterating to get there! But then again…I need downtime too and that’s why I suggested making the comment space more like a forum for everyone to jump in an answer questions!
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 7:24 pmJenn,
Yes you can at whole foods!
linds
January 30, 2008 at 7:29 pmRachel,
you are too sweet thanks for the ideas 🙂
Lynn
January 30, 2008 at 7:30 pmI’m excited too-I don’t like coffee, so this will be my starbucks!
Yes, Jenna, my class is like at 10. If you eat at 7 are you not hungry mid way though your 10 o’clock class since its so many hours before?
Like everyone, I have limited time. My goal is not to lose weight. Do you think aerobics is necessary? Could I just do yoga and some free weights?
Also, is yoga enough lower body building? That is if I just did yoga do you think I would still need to do leg presses, etc.
hk
January 30, 2008 at 7:35 pmhey jenna quick question!
i am planning on moving to orlando in the next six months. do you know of any fun/great places to work (think marketing type stuff). you make life sound so fun, i want to know your thoughts!
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 7:36 pmLynn,
Eat a big breakfast around 7:30…oatmeal with pb, kashi waffles, bagel and pb..something like that. It should hold you over! If not, have some almonds right before the class!
I think yoga IS enough for a workout IF you are an active person already. If you have a sedentary desk job i would suggest more cardio….incorporate some walks with your yoga and free weights. That’s what I have done in the past and really enjoyed it! And yes, there are TONS of lunges, squats..all of that in yoga. It’s enough. Well for me anyways! Yoga makes me more sore than any weight training session!
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 7:37 pmhk,
wish I could help more!!! I really don’t know about that just because I’m very new to Orlando as well and sort of live in a bubble here just going to school, work and home on the weekends. What brings you to orlando? Do you know what part of orlando you are moving to? there’s so many parts and its so spread out!
Lynn
January 30, 2008 at 7:39 pmThanks Jenna! Not to sound naive but what is pulled chicken versus bbq chicken? It looks SO good!
Katie
January 30, 2008 at 7:41 pmJenna, I don’t know if you saw my post this morning because there were so many but I would love to hear your opinion.
How do you all exercise during that time of the month? Literally all week I just feel crappy. Obviously, the first few days are the worst, but the last thing I feel like doing is getting sweaty when I feel so gross. Since yoga is in a heated room, it seems like the worst exercise. How do you continue your programs such as weight lifting and yoga? I would appreciate any advice because I don’t want to have a set back 25% of the year! Thanks!
Eliza
January 30, 2008 at 7:42 pmSo I just realized that Ive taken in a little too many calories before 3 oclock. Almost 1150, and my goal is to have less than 1500.
I am going to the gym soon to do a little cardio but Im so tired (the rain makes me this way!!)
Anyway, what would be a good dinner to stay around my range?? Any ideas??:)
Thanks..any suggestions would be appreciated!
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 7:49 pmKatie,
I usually just do my normal routine…once I get at it I feel better! Its not advised to do yoga (because of certain inversions) during the time of the time but everything else is fine. I think the key is just to go for it…you will feel better once you exercise and actually cardio is said to alleviate cramps!
Lynn,
Same as pulled pork bbq but made with chicken! yuM!
Katie
January 30, 2008 at 8:02 pmThanks Jenna- so you normally skip yoga those weeks? That’s what I was thinking.
Amy
January 30, 2008 at 8:03 pmFlax seeds — I know you are supposed to grind them to get the nutritional benefits, but so, do you buy them whole and grind them in a coffee grinder? I don’t have a home coffee grinder, can I use the in store coffee grinders? I feel like it would contaminate the coffee grinders and my flaxseeds. I’ve only flaxseeds sold whole and I haven’t seen separate ‘grain’ grinders. (I was at Whole Foods wondering about this. However, I didn’t look too carefully or ask about it.)
Annie
January 30, 2008 at 8:09 pmEliza, I know you were asking Jenna, but you could just have a simple grilled chicken salad if you were really that worried about it. use 3-4 ounces of grilled chicken (or shrimp, turkey, tofu, etc.) and put it on a bed of lettuce or spinach, whatever you like, with tons of vegis. It will probly only clock in at a couple hundred calories. You still have 350 to play around with, so even something like a stir fry with just protein, vegis, and very little sauce (adds calories) or use some kind of seasoning (pepper, chili powder, soy sauce) to give it some flavor without added calories. You could probly even add some brown rice or a pita in there and be okay, even if you go a little over. Hope that helps, I always fall back on vegis and protein when Im worried about going over my cals.
Jen
January 30, 2008 at 8:10 pmJenna,
I’d like to echo what everyone else has been saying. I find this blog incredibly refreshing and look forward to your delicious posts every day. I’ve been recovered from anorexia and exercise addiction for a few years now and its wonderful seeing you inspire others and re-inspire myself to truly enjoy my newfound relationship with food.
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 8:14 pmNope—I go to yoga but sit in child’s pose during the inversions!
Trina
January 30, 2008 at 8:19 pmKatie, I saw Jenna answer this previously, so I thought I would chime in and give you a quick answer–I believe she said that she DOES go to Yoga during those weeks, but she sits out and stretches during the certain inversions that aren’t good to do during that time…
Hope that helps!!
Trina
January 30, 2008 at 8:20 pmI guess we were typing at the same time! 😉
katie #2
January 30, 2008 at 8:49 pmHi Jenn – I LOVE that line: “re-inspire myself to truly enjoy my newfound relationship with food!” It seems to be applicable for many of us here.
Katie R
January 30, 2008 at 9:06 pmNot sure if you saw this earlier… I don’t want to be a pain.. but I’m just going to copy what the other Katie did! 🙂
Hi Jenna! I’m new to your blog and I love it! You’re doing a fantastic job! Congratulations and keep up the great work!! My question is about your exercise habits… are you more of a morning person? Do you ever work out at night/during the afternoon etc…? How many times a week do you try to work out and for how long? I’m just trying to sort of find my happy medium… I love working out but obviously I don’t have the time or energy to work out 7 days a week, at least not for one to two hours… what do you typically do throughout the week? Thanks for the advice and enjoy your day off!
Sarah
January 30, 2008 at 9:15 pmlinds, I love snow peas with sauted with a little broth (chicken or vegg) and a swkirt of dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar! yumm
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 9:43 pmKatie R,
Sorry! I guess I must have answered this question in the past couple days and got mixed up! Anyways, I exercise about 5-6 times a week….I try to squeeze in a yoga class on the weekend and during the week I run or do the elliptical machine three times and lift weights usually about once. I’m much more of a morning person so I like to get up and get to the gym but my schedule is so crazy that I just go when I can and that seems to be about half in the afternoon. When I run, I run for about 30-40 mintutes and I usually spend about 25 minutes on the elliptical. I lift weights for about 30 minutes. My regimen is not that intense, mostly because I am on my feet usually all day long and I sort of count my hostess night time job as cardio as well because I RUN for about 4.5 hours usually! Its so crazy!!
Katherine
January 30, 2008 at 9:53 pmI have poor posture (think hunch back-ok maybe not that extreme!) I am not strong enough to do pull ups or assisted pull ups. Any weight lifting suggestions. I study most of the day leaning over a computer-def not helping the situation! Thanks
Also, why is cardio important? I know people do it to lose weight.
Lynn
January 30, 2008 at 9:57 pmSorry, I literally meant what is pulled meat? I have had shredded bbq chicken and bbq glazed chicken, but never pulled.
hk-#1
January 30, 2008 at 10:01 pmso not used to having two hk’s….hi hk! i’ll be switching my name to ibex..
ciao!
Amanda
January 30, 2008 at 10:02 pmI’ve been reading the comments and it’s inspiring to see so many other people in similar situations, wanting to change. I’m underweight (5’3″ and 87 pounds, although I’m up a pound now!), and have been diagnosed by my GP with anorexia. I’ve always been thin, even when I was in my early twenties (27 now) and didn’t exercise, but when I began to take running seriously, then came the calorie counting. It snowballed into an obsession within the last year or year and a half, and here I am. My GP says I ought to be at 115, but we should aim for 100 for right now.
Here’s my main hurdle: my fiance. He thought I actually looked sexy, fantastic, whatever, at 87 pounds (I’m still at that weight). He made an offhand comment about how his ex-wife was 92 pounds when he first met her, and that triggered me to begin losing weight from about 96 pounds. I dropped it rather quickly, and my family began to plead with me to get some help. However, my fiance didn’t say anything except that he thought I was sexy. When I began to mention to him that everyone thinks I’m too skinny, that my doctor wants me to gain weight, etc., only then did he begin to parrot back what I was saying (“Oh, you should gain some weight then, you should be healthy”). It just felt insincere to me. I don’t feel like he’s truly happy, and I feel like he’s terrified that if I begin to gain weight, I’ll continue to pile on the weight.
What do I do?!?! This is the man I am supposed to marry. It hurts when I read how other peoples’ boyfriends are so supportive…mine only tells me once in a while, when I bring it up, that he wants me to be “healthy.”
Can you tell I’m stressed?! 🙂 I’d LOVE to begin eating over 700 calories a day…but I can’t…
Sorry to use your comments section as a venting forum, Jenna. I do appreciate your blog and admire you for what you do.
Courtney
January 30, 2008 at 10:25 pmquick question Jenna, does the AFPA Nutrition and Wellness Consultant certificate expire ever?? I’m thinking about doing it, so I was just wondering how long it lasted! Thank you!!
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 10:26 pmCourtney,
Yes, you have to renew it every four years I believe? not quite sure! Its not a detailed thing to renew though…I think you just take a quick test
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 10:27 pmPulled meat is meat that has been stewing for so long that its so tender you can literally “pull” it off the bone! It is one of life’s greatest pleasures so I suggest you go and find your nearest whole in the wall bbq place and get some tonight!!!!!!!
jenna
January 30, 2008 at 10:28 pmKatherine,
I suggest you try try to sit up straighter in your chair at school. Be very conscious of it and also, yoga, helps a TON with that!
Cardio is very important because it exercises your heart! It prevents all sorts of diseases and gets your heart rate going and your blood pumping!
mel
January 30, 2008 at 10:35 pmOh Amanda…I am so sorry! I also used to be anorexic in high school and my boyfriend was one of my main supporters to get healthy (he is still my bf!! 🙂 ) I honestly don’t think I could have done it without him telling me how beautiful I looked when i started gaining weight and how comfortable he made me feel when eating around him. I think you should seriously sit him down and have a talk with him. I hate to tell you this but if you don’t get help, the situation could get much worse. I know you love him but your fiance is supposed to be your number one supporter, esp with your health. anorexia is a life and death sickness and 700 calories is not enough to keep anyone alive. I have no idea how your relationship is, but I know I would choose my life and my health over anything else in the world! Good luck hunni! You can do this!!
katie #2
January 30, 2008 at 10:57 pmHi Amanda – As I explained in response to some earlier posters, I have been where you are with regard to anorexia. So I know when I recommend that you reach out to a therapist who can work with you, you aren’t going to like my suggestion. As Mel just counselled, anorexia is very, very serious and has long term health consequences if it goes untreated. Of course, I thought those words were all blather when I was anorexic, but now I know better. Furthermore, this dynamic between you and your fiance really complicates the matter for you. Please, please, please seek out a qualified professional to hold your hand through this. Remember: you are the decision maker; nobody can force you to gain weight, etc. Good therapists act as partners, coaches, advocates, which is exactly what you need.
Lynn
January 30, 2008 at 11:21 pmHi Annie! This is for you and anyone else out there who would like it! I am Jennifers mom, and here is the recipe. It is a hit with EVERYONE who has ever tried it, and I don’t know if Jenna mentioned this or not, but it is Ryan’s FAVORITE! So here goes:
SHREDDED BARBEQUE CHICKEN
1 and 1/2 lbs. skinned and deboned chx thighs. ( I have tried using breasts, but it is a bit dry)
1 Tbl olive oil
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 Tbl Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbl cider vinegar
1 Tbl yellow mustard
1 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 tsp garlic salt
Brown Chx 4 min on each side in 1 tbl hot oil in a large skillet over med-high heat.Remove from heat and place in a slow cooker.
Combine ketchup and next 6 ingredients. Pour over Chx.
Cover and cook on High for 1 hour. Reduce heat to Low, and cook 5-6 hours. Remove Chx from sauce; shred Chx. Stir shredded Chx into sauce. Spoon mixture onto buns, serve over a salad, or coleslaw.
Makes 4-6 servings.
I normally double, triple, or… to go with the crowd that we are serving!
Enjoy!!!!
Annie
January 31, 2008 at 12:19 amThanks Lynn! Pulled Chicken is absolutely my favorite thing. The recipe sounds so easy, thanks for posting!
linds
January 31, 2008 at 12:24 amLynn,
Thanks for posting that recipe! I just wanted to add in that I found a recipe for pulled chicken that called for a purchased rotisserie chicken- just shred the already-cooked meat and let it simmer in the sauce for a little while. That way seems like a quicker alternative, though also probably more expensive. Anyway just thought I’d throw that out there 🙂
Jen
January 31, 2008 at 12:53 amThanks, Katie #2. Its something I’m proud of. 🙂
Sarah
January 31, 2008 at 3:38 amAmanda, at 700 calories a day you are killing your body. If your fiance loves you, which I’m sure he does, he will want you to do what is best for yourself. I like to think that EVERY woman is beautiful and sexy in her own way. You don’t have to be as thin as his ex wife for him to love you. He loved you at 100 lbs before didn’t he? I don’t have a lot of knowledge about eating disorders to give too much advice, but I do know that the first thing you need to do is love yourself enough to want to take care of your body!
jenna
January 31, 2008 at 4:09 amThanks, Mom 🙂
jenna
January 31, 2008 at 4:09 amps everyone–my mom calls me Jennifer too!
jennifer
February 1, 2008 at 12:20 amhey jenna this is only my second time looking at your site. and just so you know i like it a lot! I saw that you went to CofC. I live in Charleston, so I was wondering if you could recommend any good restaurants??
thanks!
jenna
February 1, 2008 at 12:30 amI’m so jealous, Jennifer! I miss charleston SO much!! You HAVE to go eat at 5 loaves on king street or cannon street if you haven’t already. That’s my absolute favorite place for lunch in the whole world. I love it so so so much! Great (but also expensive-perfect for a date) restaurants include Magnolias, SNOB, Hank’s Seafood and Coast. My favorite picks for cheaper fare include Papa Zuzu’s (on king street) and 5 Loaves. Oh and PLEASE go to Kamingsky’s deli for me…its a dessert place with the most fabulous berry cobbler I have ever had in my life. Can you tell I love food???!!!!