I’m in pretty good spirits this evening for a number of reasons.
First of all my sandwich was awesome at lunch today!! It kept me full afternoon long and while I did snack on my grapes, I didn’t even feel hungry enough to eat my almonds. A winning combo for sure! Second of all, I came home this evening to find a fedex package next to my door. The folks over at Amy’s Kitchen apparently read the blog, love it, and sent me some goodies!!! I got a really nice Amy’s t-shirt, some cute magnets and five free product coupons!!!!! Now I can try all out those frozen meals/veggie burgers I’ve been dying to get at Whole Foods. What a fun and uplifting surprise!!! Thanks, Amy! 🙂 It totally made my day!
And lastly…the big news is that I accepted an externship position today. My Greenwise interview isn’t until Sunday, but I got a call from the yacht club that I did some pastry work at last spring a couple days ago and they offered me a position working with the head pastry chef there for 3 months. It’s not an offer I can pass up because of all of the amazing experience I will gain and the connections I will make, so looks like I’m moving back to my hometown of Vero Beach in September for a couple months! Of course Ryan is crying because the plan was for me to move in this fall, but I think he wants a little bit more of the bachelor life anyways ;). We both agreed this is the best choice for me, career-wise— and I will be moving back to Tampa mid-December to start my life there! Stay tuned….I’m sure it will be interesting as I work 40 hours a week actually in the industry. I will have lots of stories, I’m sure!
So back to food!
Its sort of stormy outside (per usual here in mid-summer) and I was craving something comforting. I made Annie’s Shells and White Cheddar and added in some rotisserie chicken for protein and some broccoli to get in some veggies. I also made a small salad with some mini carrots drizzled in woodstock dressing. This mac and cheese is so delicious and was the perfect combo with the chicken. I divided the box in two and am saving the other half for probably tomorrow night’s dinner so it won’t go to waste.
I’m bringing a chocolate chip z-bar with me for later. Have a great night!
caitlin
July 8, 2008 at 9:30 pmHey jenna-
Nice job with the free stuff! A question: I loove the cheese powder sauce in those mac and cheese boxes, but I feel like it’s a little wasteful not to make it myself what with all the whole wheat pasta I have lying around.. have you ever encountered a recipe for a similar tasting sauce? thanks!
Becca A
July 8, 2008 at 9:45 pmThats great news about your externship! Congratulations!
natalie
July 8, 2008 at 9:47 pmCongrats Jenna! sounds like an amazing opportunity!
I love the amy’s magnets to 🙂
Justy2003
July 8, 2008 at 9:49 pmCongrats on the externship! And on the goodies from Amy’s…how nice of them to send you all that stuff!
Andrea
July 8, 2008 at 10:24 pmThat pasta is so tasty, and suprisingly good for you. I will have to steal your idea of adding veggies and protein to make it a meal.
ibex hk
July 8, 2008 at 10:28 pmCongrats, Jenna! What a great day 🙂
angelcubbie
July 8, 2008 at 10:59 pmHey Jenna, I was just wondering, do you still think you’re eating about 1800 calories a day? I know you don’t count, but it just seems like you are eating a lot less than that.
polly
July 8, 2008 at 11:05 pmHi Jenna,
That is so cool about the Amy’s products and your extership! You seem so sweet and I’m so happy for you!
Also, have you ever tried a simple avocado, fresh spinach, and dash of black pepper sandwich? OH YUM. Tried it tonight and it was so good.
Every Gym's Nightmare
July 8, 2008 at 11:07 pmaw, lucky! I love the Tshirt
Your chicken mac and cheese is my favorite quick meal. i usually use tuna, but thats just cause im cheap.
http://www.groundedfitness.com
Alyssa
July 9, 2008 at 12:06 amCongrats!!! You will have a blast actually working in the industry. I’m working in the industry I want a career in and it is awesome. You totally deserve it! 😛
Kimberly
July 9, 2008 at 12:37 amCongratulations! On both the externship and the sweet Amy’s swag 😀
Kath
July 9, 2008 at 1:32 amCongrats on the job!!!
Tracy
July 9, 2008 at 1:49 amHi Jenna!
I was wondering what brand of bagels you have. I know many others have a lot more calories, and those look good! I try to buy the Western Bagels Alternative bagels, but they can be hard to find!
Thanks!
Amanda
July 9, 2008 at 1:51 amCongrats on the externship 🙂
Free gifts make my day too!
Michelle
July 9, 2008 at 2:48 amWooHoo congrats!!! I love Amy’s veggie burgers! In fact, i pretty much eat them 3 nights a week! So so tasty!!!
Anna
July 9, 2008 at 2:58 amCongrats on your externship, that’s so amazing!
I just wanted to let you know that I tried a Z bar today and fell in love. I got the Chocolate Brownie one and went back for more. I’ve been trying to find an energy bar I actually LIKE and these are it. Your chocolate chip one reminds me, I need to try that kind next!
sarah
July 9, 2008 at 10:17 amcongrats on the externship — and the amy’s 🙂 will you still be working at your other job, or will it be full time?
i like my annie’s pasta w/ peas and tuna to create a totally lazy ‘casserole’ taste.
and as to your last post — i know the feeling of it feeling WAY harder than usual to do what was once easy after a break from working out! but things usually come back surprisingly fast and sometimes i think the rest actually leads to improvement in the long run.
jenna
July 9, 2008 at 12:05 pmsarah,
No, I won’t be working at my other job because I’ll be moving away from Orlando and doing my externship full time—40 + hours a weeK! My lease is up here the second week of september or something. I’m excited!
Tracy,
Those are Rudi’s honey sweet whole wheat bagels and they can be found at whole foods. they are the best bagels I have found because of their size and calorie count (only 130 calories) and they are hearty and satisfying. I believe they are a very new product though so they might not be available everywhere yet.
angelcubbie,
I honestly have no idea how many calories I eat a day. I don’t strive for any set number, 1800 or not. I just eat when I’m hungry and if I’m not hungry I don’t eat so I don’t know what that adds up to. Every body is different though and I don’t think theres a set number that anyone should strive for. its just what feels right for you. I haven’t lost weight so I am assuming I’m eating the amount I always eat, some days less and some days more. When I was on vacation I’m sure it was a ton more!!! 😉
~C~
July 9, 2008 at 12:13 pmCongrats, Jenna! And Hooray for Amy’s products. I love the butternut squash soup in the winter!
Woodsie
July 9, 2008 at 2:19 pmJust wondering about your portion size for the mac n’ cheese. I find that I only get a couple of servings out of a box…
Thanks
jenna
July 9, 2008 at 8:22 pmWoodsie,
I usually make the whole box and then just visually divide into two and save the other half for another day. I could probably eat the whole box though, its that good. 🙂