Me-Time

Hi!

Big Summit News!!!

The long awaited day has finally arrived! Yep, that’s right: THIS THURSDAY at 8 pm EST registration for the Healthy Living Summit will open up on the website. Remember, we are only taking 125 attendees so be sure to get on there at 8:00 to reserve your spot!

Want even MORE good news?

Each of us (Kath, Tina, Heather, Caitlin, Meghann and I) will be giving away one totally FREE ticket!!!! Note that this ticket is just a ticket to the Summit and does not include travel or hotel accommodations. Anyways, the giveaway will be tomorrow morning so be sure to tune in then! 🙂

So, how’s everyone doing? Quick notice about the e-cookbooks: if you donated and emailed me yesterday but never received one it is because for some reason your email could not handle the large file. In every batch that I send out I get a handful of “error” messages shot back at me that certain email addresses aren’t valid or won’t accept the Word document. If you never heard from me this might be the case with you so email me again and I will try to send it again from a different server. Hopefully it will work! I hope everyone who has gotten one loves it though—aren’t the recipes fab? There’s just SO MANY! 🙂

Now, back to my day. Mid-morning I snacked on a half serving of Barbara’s Shredded Oats cereal (like quaker oatmeal squares but organic):

And then I went to the gym for a wonderful non-impact cardio session around 10. I’ve been really struggling lately with time management and finding enough time for “me” during the day. I’ve just been so focused on conquering the world (lol) that I have forgotten that the most important person I have to take care of is myself. Lately, I haven’t even felt like I’ve had enough time to go to the health club to work out and then take a steam because I’m always so busy. I feel so strongly about “me-time” that I just wrote a True/Slant article about it—what is YOUR “me-time”? I challenge us all to do ONE thing solely for ourselves every single day. Check out my article to find out more! 😉

At the gym I did the elliptical for 20 minutes and then jumped in the pool to swim laps. I was on fire or something this morning! I was silly not to time myself for how long I swam (and it probably wasn’t extremely long), but I really worked it hard and didn’t take many breaks in between laps. By the end, my shoulders were on fire and my heart was beating so fast that I thought it was going to jump out of my chest! Now THAT’S a good workout! 🙂 I really like swimming because its like a totally different world that you can escape to where all you have to do is breathe.

To treat myself, I took a long steam and showered at the gym—I felt so good and renewed afterwards! Then, I came home to make a big salad for lunch:

I used:

almost an entire bag of organic spring mix
1 tomato
1/2 cucumber
Sunshine Falafel Burger
drizzle of Annie’s Woodstock Dressing
2 scoops of hummus
Mary’s Gone Crackers

I really, really, really liked the falafel sunshine burgers! They tasted pretty much dead on but crumbled very easily! I really liked it except for the staying together aspect. It was especially delicious when topped with hummus!!

I also had another cup of green tea. Love the quote:

Amen 🙂 Life is so short—live it to the fullest!

I’m just here working all afternoon and then I’m headed to my parent’s house for dinner tonight since Ryan is going to the baseball game with his mom. See you later!

Exercise Lunch Snack

June 23, 2009 By jenna

The Dynamic Duo Choco-holic

Jenna

June 23, 2009 at 1:05 pm

🙂 i love your tea message!!! so suiting! Your salad looks AMAZING!!

Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)

June 23, 2009 at 1:05 pm

Glad you got some you time this morning. Sounds like a great workout!!! It can get hard to find time but it is so important to do so.

That salad is GORGEOUS!!! YUMMMM! I could eat the screen. Love giant salads like that, especially after a great morning workout.

Hope you have a great day and get some more “you” moments! You deserve it girl.

Run Sarah

June 23, 2009 at 1:16 pm

Those falafel burgers sound amazing – perfect for a crisp salad! I need to make more me time in my day, it can be so hard with a busy schedule.

Mrs. Myers

June 23, 2009 at 1:27 pm

Your tea message is perfectly zen. I love it!

brandi

June 23, 2009 at 1:28 pm

great salad! glad you had a good workout, too, and for taking time to steam!

I painted my toenails last night, which I don’t do nearly enough 🙂 That was my me time yesterday, plus yoga both mornings this week!

I wish I could afford to get to the summit – it sounds like so much fun!

katie s

June 23, 2009 at 1:29 pm

Love that quote!!!! And totally agree with the “Me” time!!!

Matt

June 23, 2009 at 1:29 pm

Amen to that quote! I am going to use that on my blog post today!

Joelle (Chasing Pavements)

June 23, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Ah I love the Yogi tea with quotes!! They’re always great… ps. I just bought those falafel Sunshine burgers- they look fantastic!

leslie

June 23, 2009 at 1:31 pm

your quote about swimming is amazing! “all you have to do is breathe.” it almost makes me want to try it…if i wasn’t the worst swimmer ever.

also i really like what you said about “me time.” especially when you’re working freelance, which i do too, you spend so much time juggling multiple projects and planning your next one (or in your case, it seems like you next 10 projects :)). it’s so important to take that time for yourself!

Judy

June 23, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Hi Jenna,
You may want to check this out for the issues you are having sending your large cookbook file:
http://www.yousendit.com
You can sign up for a free version if you don’t plan on sending one person more than one file at a time.
Hope this helps! 🙂 Good luck and congrats on the success of the cookbook!

Melissa

June 23, 2009 at 1:34 pm

I live in Boston and can’t wait for the Summit.
I wish I had enough time for “me time.” Between work, looking after my niece (my sister passed away a few years ago and I have custody), pursuing my phD, and working out…I don’t have much “me time.” I do cherish the moments in my car when I can listen to music or a book on tape. Making the best out of small moments is all you can do 🙂

Amanda

June 23, 2009 at 1:36 pm

I totally agree with you on the “me time”. I live about a mile from my boyfriend and we hang out most nights after work, but every once in a while we decide to just have a night to ourselves. I love to go to a yoga class or go for a peaceful run, make dinner, have a glass of wine, and just unwind!!

katie s

June 23, 2009 at 1:38 pm

By the way, I really like your bowl you use for salads… where is it from? Anthro??

jenna
June 23, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Katie S,

Hahaha LOL that would be probably Ryan’s college dorm, like, 12 years ago. He’s had these dishes foreverrr!

saramariesue

June 23, 2009 at 1:42 pm

I always feel totally uplifted when reading your blog. You are such a positive person and it spreads through your words. This blog reminded me of my “me time”…which I always try to include everyday – but this was a reminder of how important it is in order to maintain a healthy life balance. Thanks for sharing!

Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)

June 23, 2009 at 1:42 pm

falafel burger + hummus + veggies = perfect lunch! congrats on the swimming workout – i found a swim cap and goggles weeks ago, but haven’t gotten the nerve to go swimming yet. i’m worried the other pool-goers will notice how uncoordinated i am in the water :-0

Leah

June 23, 2009 at 1:45 pm

Jenna,

I think it’s really great that you are doing the e-cookbook! Have you looked into publishing it as a Google Doc and then when people buy it, you can give them the password to access it so they can download it directly? I’m not exactly sure how it would work but it’s just an idea. My friends and I share documents that way all the time. I plan to buy the e-cookbook soon! Just waiting for payday!

Best,
Leah

Danielle

June 23, 2009 at 1:56 pm

Thanks for the reminder at how important ME time is. I feel like the gym, or when I go on my run is my ME time. I can take care of my body and it I just feel so great when I’m done! I’m definitely scheduling a pedicure for a little me time later this week. 😉

Maria

June 23, 2009 at 2:16 pm

That salad looks so good with the sunshine burger and hummus. Mmmm. Love that the tea’s message is similar to yours–take care of yourself so that you can enjoy life! 😀

Kati

June 23, 2009 at 2:20 pm

That salad looks AWEsome! I like this quote too: “Life is about investing in what you love.” Happy Tuesday! :>

Jo @ Seeking Healthy Balance

June 23, 2009 at 2:21 pm

I love the combination of falafel and salad so your bowl looks amazing to me! Great message about ‘me time’ and something I will think about

Sarah

June 23, 2009 at 2:26 pm

I agree about the crumbliness of the falafel burgers, but they sure do taste good! 🙂

I am so inspired by all of your article writing. It’s great that you are following your passions at such a young age…I know I am not that much older than you, but still. I hope to get to that point soon.

Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter)

June 23, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Jenna,
Glad you’re taking time for yourself as it is so easy to forget, but so important.

I cannot find those Sunshine falafel burgers anywhere. 🙁 Enjoy one for me!

Danielle

June 23, 2009 at 2:31 pm

Me time is so important, I really need to work that into my day as well.

Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)

June 23, 2009 at 2:32 pm

What a great quote!

katie s

June 23, 2009 at 2:37 pm

How funny (about the dish)!!! It totally looks like something you would get at Anthro! Nice taste, Ryan!!!

Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope

June 23, 2009 at 2:38 pm

I have to check out that Barbara’s cereal. Look delicious! Do you eat the original or a flavored variety?

Sounds like an awesome workout at the gym! Have a great time at your parent’s this evening!

K

June 23, 2009 at 2:43 pm

I’ve ironically been having ‘me’ time issues as well! It’s as if now that there’s not A LOT of my plate (school/work/etc) I always think, “Oh I can have me time tomorrow!” Glad you got some ‘me’ time today 🙂

Sheri

June 23, 2009 at 3:10 pm

Your lunch looks so yummy! I try and be really good at working in ME time! I have to or I would loose my mind with working full-time, being a Mom and a wife plus all the little things! I relish my me time! The spa is my friend at least twice per year! 😉

Pam

June 23, 2009 at 3:18 pm

That salad looked delicious! I’ll have to try that falafel burger – I’ve made some with lentil beans, but they crumble, too. 🙂

The way you feel about swimming is the way I feel when I run! It’s almost zen-like. You just are.

Have a great time with your parents!

Emily L.

June 23, 2009 at 3:19 pm

YUM i love barbara’s!

Nicole

June 23, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Yay I am SO excited for the summit!!!!

kristi (sweet cheeks)

June 23, 2009 at 3:52 pm

Such a great quote. I think we all need a reminder like that at times, so thank you. 🙂

Laurie

June 23, 2009 at 4:04 pm

Hi Jenna,

Been following your blog silently for a few months now. For large files you should try yousendit.com it’s free.

Best,
Laurie

Tammy (Defining Wellness)

June 23, 2009 at 4:13 pm

The falafel looks amazing. My husband gets a falafel sw every day for lunch, and he lost a bunch of weight, so now there’s a rumor that he lost weight BECAUSE of eating a falafel sw a day. Um, not so much. It is hilarious how rumors start. Anyway, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for those falafels! No luck so far!

Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now

June 23, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Love the quote– so appropriate!

Lynette

June 23, 2009 at 4:46 pm

Never had a falafel burger – I’ll have to try one!

Ada

June 23, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Swimming is SUCH a great form of exercise! If you need some swimming workouts http://www.swimmingworld.com has a great collection of them. I’m super stoked for the summit registration to open 🙂

Ally

June 23, 2009 at 4:56 pm

Hi Jenna!

Me time is so hard, isn’t it? I work myself ragged during our busy times of the year and then get sick–feel guilty about calling in sick and then get sick again. It’s terrible!

I really need a vacation, but, I know we can’t really afford it right now, so, I asked for a few days off next week and even though we can’t really “go anywhere” (plus, I have a race on the 4th) I’m going to just enjoy sleeping in, going to the gym when I want (rather than at 6 AM because I must be at work at 8) and spending time with my husband and doggies. 3 days of “me time”. If that’s not a vacation (even if no tropical beach is involved!) then I don’t know what is!

Thanks for bringing this topic up!

Brie

June 23, 2009 at 4:57 pm

Jenna! You convinced me to make my first Green Monster today and I’m really happy I did! I used about 2 c. spinach, 1 c. soymilk, some chocolate protein powder, a little natural peanut butter and half a banana. Yum! I’m not always the best at getting my greens in, so thanks for the idea. I’ve been having some breakout issues lately, so maybe the added nutrients will help. Thanks!

ashley

June 23, 2009 at 5:14 pm

I have turned all my friends and some of my family on to the Green Monsters! A few of my friends are also trying to shred. I just tried level 2 the other day and whoa! kicked my butt. It was great. Your salad looks great, I think I might do that for dinner.

Meredith (Pursuing Balance)

June 23, 2009 at 5:40 pm

I completely agree with you about the importance of “me time”. We shouldn’t always be putting ourselves at the bottom of our to-do lists! It takes such a toll on our health.