I.made.it.
Enough said. WOW—BodyPump is definitely a challenge!!!!! I didn’t realize it was a total hour devoted to strength! For some reason I thought there were cardio circuits but this was just lifting and squatting and lunging…repeat! Throughout the whole class I was thinking, “why am I here?!” but I’m really glad I went because, like usual, after working out I feel a ton better. I didn’t enjoy the class as much as spin, but I would like to try to do this once a week because it was a really good all around strength class. In my mind, spinning is FUN and this was….hard! Haha!
When I got home from the class it was about 7:00 and my tummy was ready for dinner! I had an awesome combo tonight…..earlier, I made the tamari roasted chickpeas from ED&BV and I served a portion of them atop this interesting new product:
This looked so intriguing at Publix that I just couldn’t say no! It was actually really really good…..and cooked in about 10 minutes! I also had a little over half of a roasted butternut squash and some spinach with hummus for a complete meal.
It was a “pretty” dinner, don’t ya think?! It also tasted great and was so filling that I didn’t even need dessert after. I am sipping on some sugar cookie tea with agave though 🙂
Some people in my last post asked how exactly I make my breakfast cookies. Well, I followed Gina’s instructions on her blog! Here’s what to do:
The night before mix 1/2 cup oats with 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder (or not) and 1 spoonful nut butter. Add two tablespoons skim or soymilk and half a mashed banana. Mix well so everything is nice and combined and then flatten the entire mess out on a small plate. Flatten it so its all relatively the same thickness and then stick it in the fridge! The oats will soak up the moisture and liquid and will “harden” to be cookie-like. Enjoy!
I’m honestly not sure how cocoa powder would taste…try it and see! You might need some sweetener because cocoa powder is bitter and chocolate protein powder is pretty sweet. Play around with it and see what works best for you!
I’m off to catch up on emails and hit the sack with my book!
See you tomorrow!!! 🙂
Edited to add: ahhhh yes there’s my infamous sweet tooth hollerin’! I just had a SCM cookie to satisfy it and now am calling it a night…..
Shelby
November 19, 2008 at 6:52 pmVery delicious dinner! I love how big that couscous is. Once I get some protein powder, I would love to try that cookie.
Angela
November 19, 2008 at 7:05 pmI second the above comment. I’m going to buy protein to try the “cookie”! 🙂
Tina
November 19, 2008 at 7:06 pmBody Pump is my FAVORITE!!!!! An hour of strength training passes by in no time– it’s SO FUN! I used to do it twice a week religiously when I lived in a different part of Boston. Now that I am south of the city, I can’t find it anywhere! 🙁 I still have a TON of the Body Pump songs on my iPod. It’s the BEST workout music!
Jennie
November 19, 2008 at 7:10 pmHi there!
Question about the breakfast cookie… Do you eat yours with a spoon or does the “cookie” actually hold its shape to the point you can hold it and break pieces off of it and eat it like a real cookie? Or do you still have to use a spoon to eat it?
Megan
November 19, 2008 at 7:11 pmYour dinner does look pretty!
Sounds like an intense class!
Megan
November 19, 2008 at 7:17 pmYay for a good workout!
I need to make that breakfast cookie. I am pretty sure my Dad has some chocolate protein powder laying around somewhere 🙂
And, yes your dinner does indeed look pretty- nice, fall colors haha.
Have a good night!
AshleyH
November 19, 2008 at 7:24 pmyeah I went to a class exactly like at the gym by my house. I had actually went to the gym to do a step class but the teacher couldnt be there so this other class was held instead it kicked my butt with the squats but i felt so strong after. well actually I felt like jello but i was really impressed with myself! haha!
Adi
November 19, 2008 at 7:33 pmHi Jenna!
Your dinner looks yummy. How do you prepare your butternut squash? I’ve got one in my cupboard now that I need to eat up, but I’m looking for a different way to make it.
Thanks!
VeggieGirl
November 19, 2008 at 7:33 pmHooray for a great gym class and a GRRRRRRREAT dinner!! 😀
Enjoy the book!!
ashley (sweet & natural)
November 19, 2008 at 7:36 pmOoh – those chickpeas look awesome. I really need to get myself a Dreena Burton cookbook.
jenna
November 19, 2008 at 7:41 pmJennie,
Haha no, you eat it with a spoon. It does not get “hard” technically….but rather just becomes firmer than oatmeal in a bowl because of the starch soaking up the moisture. Its still wet and its still raw oats. The only way you could get THAT kind of cookie is if you actually baked your cookie in the oven! 🙂
Adi,
I peel it and then just slice it into rounds. Bake for about 20 minutes at 400, flipping the rounds once throughout baking. I used to use oil but its just as good without it! I LOVE butternut squash!
Shannon
November 19, 2008 at 7:47 pmGood for you for getting through BodyPump! Don’t you just feel so accomplished after finishing something so hard?
To answer your question: Yes, I do think your dinner looks pretty!
K
November 19, 2008 at 8:12 pmI am now on the lookout for that couscous – sounds great!
Jenny
November 19, 2008 at 8:16 pmBody pump IS insanely hard, but I agree, a totally worthwhile class! I love the soreness I feel after a good pump routine…Have a great night 🙂
Hil
November 19, 2008 at 8:24 pmI love body pump. I don’t have access to a gym that offers it anymore, but I used to be an addict. It’s such a great workout…It really helped me tone up and get stronger.
rebecca
November 19, 2008 at 8:55 pmOh wow, A healthy version of cookie dough for breakfast! Sounds delicious:D
Runeatrepeat
November 19, 2008 at 8:56 pmThat is a “pretty” dinner and I love all of the things on your plate 🙂
Jennifer
November 19, 2008 at 9:26 pmYour dinner is so pretty! looks yum!!
body pump is a great workout! you might be sorry tomorrow….hehehe 😉
claire
November 19, 2008 at 9:33 pmWhen I lived in the neighboring town, I used to do a PUMP class…I did it twice a week EVERY week for like 5 years. Seriously, I rarely missed a class. I was SO toned…then medical school happened and I moved 20 minutes away from that gym. Grrr…I miss that class and the gym I go to now doesn’t offer night classes, only early morning and lunch time…neither of which I can go to. That really annoys me b/c I miss my weights class…it motivated me! Keep it up with yours!
Elina
November 19, 2008 at 9:34 pmHi Jenna, you’ve been awarded the Superior Scribbler badge. Check out my blog for the rules!
Oh She Glows
November 19, 2008 at 10:18 pmohhh I used to do body pump all the time when I was a member of a gym in university! I loved it. It is super tough.
Delicious looking dinner!
Nellie
November 19, 2008 at 10:40 pmI LOVE Israeli Couscous, mmmmmmm. It’s like pasta, risotto and couscous all rolled up in to one yummy package. And the rest of the meal is gorgeous as per usual!
Sara
November 19, 2008 at 11:17 pmI hope you keep Body Pump up! I swear, it’s done things for me that lifting on my own never did.. mostly I think it’s because it doesn’t let me cop out on reps and being in the group setting keeps me honest with form and not being too lazy to skip a muscle group. The best ever is if you can combine BP with some sort or cardio workout… my favorite is doing a Body Pump/Step or Body Pump/Body Attack doubleheader!!! Ohhh, the sense of accomplishment!
Nann
November 19, 2008 at 11:45 pmWhat is an scm cookie?
Moran
November 19, 2008 at 11:55 pmToasted couscous is SO popular where I come from!
Julia (Santa Barbara Dreaming)
November 20, 2008 at 12:03 amI love Body Pump type classes! I actually came back from one, called “Battle of the Bulge”, lol! 🙂 I love feelin’ the burn!
I’ve made GIna’d B-fast cookie too. I made it with Greek yogurt instead of the milk, and it was amazing…….! Seeing that you love Greek yogurt, I thought you might want to try it out sometime 🙂
Happy humpday
andrunwithit
November 20, 2008 at 12:32 ami agree, looooooove that israeli cous cous!! it’s so chewy and yummy in yer tummy. <3
Laura
November 20, 2008 at 7:50 amI make a similar “cookie” for my 3 daughters. It is a Sara Snow recipe. It has pb or ab, oats, spirulina, honey and unsweetened cocoa. Also flax seeds. It looks a lot like a no-bake cookie. The great part is the girls think they are having a HUGE treat-cookies for breakfast, and I know they are starting the day off healthy!
aliljag
November 20, 2008 at 8:27 amDo you heat the cookie up then in the morning? Just curious – cuz their is egg in it right?
Those chick peas look FABULOUS! 🙂 Have a great day!
cbland
November 20, 2008 at 8:30 amNann,
SCM cookie = Super Charge Me cookie. I’ve been reading about them but I haven’t seen a recipe.
Jenna can you post one??
Thanks!
HangryPants
November 20, 2008 at 8:55 amUh yeah that dinner is beautiful! That class sounds challenging!
LisaR
November 20, 2008 at 9:17 amI just finished Redeeming Love! OMG! I balled during the last few chapters and almost went through a box of tissues! ha! What a beautiful love story!
Allison
November 20, 2008 at 10:20 amI always felt like Bodypump was hard when I was in class, but I didn’t really notice a difference in my muscle tone. I don’t think I knew the correct weights to use…..
runjess
November 20, 2008 at 10:50 amYou lift a lot of weights, so Body Pump must be KILLER if you found it so hard!
Fitness Surfer
November 20, 2008 at 12:53 pmI could totally make those cookies. Anything that doesn’t take too long, I’m all about, and I have protein powder on hand….except it’s mint chocolate (I love it). Just another good reason to get some plain chocolate protein on hand.
Your body pump class reminds me of the Turbo Jam Sculpt. I’ve never maxed out on squats and lunges before I tried that. I haven’t done it in a month…probably because it’s “hard” but I’ll remember it the next time it’s to icy to go to the gym.
Teddy
November 20, 2008 at 2:19 pmYour squash is so vibrant… i thought it was an orange at first!
jenna
November 20, 2008 at 2:40 pmcbland,
I can’t post the recipe, no, because of certain copyright laws and legal issues. I can only post recipes that I create. Sorry!
aliljag,
Nope–there’s no egg in it at all! I eat it cold.
cbland
November 20, 2008 at 3:00 pmOh sure that makes sense. I didn’t realize it wasn’t your recipe.
Thanks, Jenna!
Erin
November 20, 2008 at 5:20 pmI have done BodyPump before and looooved it. I actually noticed my strength amount changing after one week! I used to to it then BodyFlow afterwards. You should try it if they offer the class!