Breakfast/ Exercise/ Fitness/ Lunch

Rush, Rush, Rush!

Wow, my day really went from sailing by slow and smooth to becoming CRAZY right after lunch! And I’m still trying to catch my breath….just one of those days!

This morning I had this for breakfast:

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That’s right! My oatmeal this morning was top secret because it was my creation for the Quaker Top This Bowl contest (open to us 15 food bloggers that went to Chicago two weekends ago!). I had to use the “heart healthy” portion size for my oats, which was 3/4 cups dry! It made a HUGE bowl of oats and was even too big for my cereal bowl so I had to eat out of ugly tupperware. The picture wasn’t cute anyways, yall aren’t missing much. It DID taste good though and was under 400 calories!

And then this morning at work, I cranked out some mini Super-Charge Me cookies from ED&BV. I didn’t have spelt flour, so I used all purpose and used 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup maple syrup since I ran out. I really liked the way they turned out though this morning so I might start making them with honey from now on!

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These are “mini” because Dreena says the recipe makes 9-10 (I think?) and I came out with 16. I used a small ice cream scoop to portion them out.

And then I had one for a mid-morning snack!

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I love how I can have a cookie for a snack and know that it is HEALTHY and good for me!

Today for lunch was day one of my “no-sandwich challenge” but I got off easy since I just brought leftover split pea soup from last night! I also had a huge honeycrisp apple:

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And then after lunch my day just seemed to get really stressful as I was trying to rush and get out of work by 2:00 to make it to the gym. Well, I didn’t get out at 2:00, I had to stay until 3:00 to finish stuff up so I ended up just working out at the home gym here instead. On my way home from work I snacked on a peanut butter stuffed date (thanks, VeggieGirl!) for some quick energy:

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Working out today was a complete lifesaver. I was feeling incredibly stressed because I have to be back at work from 5-8 tonight and just feel like I have a lot to do! I even snapped at Ryan on the phone and felt really bad about it since it was me and my hormones talking. Grrr. I felt SO much better though after I lifted weights for a little bit and released some of that pent up energy. Here’s what I did:

5 minutes on elliptical to warm up

3 sets of triceps kickbacks—12 lbs, 12 reps each set

3 sets of bicep curls—12 lbs, 10 reps each set

3 sets of shoulder press with dumbbells—12 lbs, 10 reps each set

3 sets of lat raises—50 lbs, 12 reps each set

2 sets of assisted pull ups—10 reps each set

2 sets of lower back extension with 10 lb weight—12 reps each set 

And now I’m rushing to take a quick shower and get ready for this “party” tonight. I heard we have to play fun bonding games, which I’m not a fan of but at least I will get a glass of red wine to relax! I’m going to grab a substantial snack with some protein in it before I head out the door because I think the appetizers tonight are just things like cubes of cheese. I might just wait to eat dinner at home when I leave. We’ll see!

I was sooo rushed today at work I didn’t even take pictures! But here’s what I did and you can just imagine: I baked 400 rolls, focaccias, chocolate chip cookies, reverse chocolate chip cookies, 200 mini cookies, 4 dozen mini blueberry muffins and a huuuuge batch of pate sucree (sweet pie dough).

I also made the kalamata olive and sundried tomato hummus from ED&BV!

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Originally, I was going to make it for the party tonight but even with a double batch it still didn’t produce enough for everyone! So, I just took it home and will eat it all week myself! It is very tasty but next time I think I will add more tahini. The recipe basically has zero oil in it and uses lemon juice and water to thin it down. I added some evoo though at the end for a creamier consistency. Perfect for the no-sandwich challenge week!

I’ll be back tonight!

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  • Amanda
    November 17, 2008 at 3:10 pm

    Ooh! Another idea for the no sandwich week would be to make a little mediterranean platter. You could bring in your hummus, toast and triangle some of those sandwich thins or pitas, and bring in cucumbers, carrots, etc to dip in the hummus. There is also an awesome, healthy falafel mix (I think by Near East) where you just broil them in the oven. That could be a fun idea!

    I hope your work party ends up being fun!

  • Mariposa
    November 17, 2008 at 3:10 pm

    i have to not talk at all to my honey sometimes because i get so emotional at that time of month! i dont get mad, but i will cry at the drop of a hat… so bad!!! love the peanut butter stuffed date!!! you made those?

  • Moran
    November 17, 2008 at 3:16 pm

    Even though I am from Israel (and eat hummus every single day) these variations, such as sun dried tomatoes and/or garlic are so weird for me! We just have HUMMUS and maybe add some toppings to it for a little extra flavour

  • ashley (sweet & natural)
    November 17, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    I love PB and dates!

  • Tina
    November 17, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    I’m so curious about all of these secret oatmeal recipes!!! Will they be revealed to the blog world?

  • Tara
    November 17, 2008 at 3:21 pm

    Those are my favorite cookies EVER!!! I make Super-charge me cookies all the time!! My family loves them so much that I now have my mom and mother-in-law making them at their houses. My latest version had a banana in it, along with cranberries (for the dried fruit), and of course, I never leave out the chocolate chips. Yum!! That’s so cool you made these at work.

    One thing I did this last time making them….was after a couple of days, I still had a few left (because my husband and I kept them all for ourselves), so I stuck them in the freezer. Then, I ate them straight out of the freezer. They were awesome like that!

  • Oh She Glows
    November 17, 2008 at 3:22 pm

    Ohh I am not a big fan of those types of games either (If I know what you are talking about!) I hope it isn’t as bad as you think…wine will always help! LOL

    Tara- I LOVE eating cookies out of the freezer! They have a whole other kind of taste to them!

  • Jenny
    November 17, 2008 at 3:24 pm

    I can’t wait to see your recipe!! pb stuffed dates?! YUMM

    Have a good day!!

  • Nicole
    November 17, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    I just got ED&BV, I’m going to have to try out those recipes!

  • Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
    November 17, 2008 at 3:41 pm

    Hope you have fun at the party tonight!

  • jenna
    November 17, 2008 at 3:41 pm

    Tina,

    Yep! I just have to wait until after December 5th when the winner is picked!

  • Runeatrepeat
    November 17, 2008 at 3:48 pm

    I recently made homemade hummus for the first time and am in love 🙂

  • K
    November 17, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    I can’t wait until the oatmeal recipes come out. The suspense is killing me! Have fun at the party even with the bonding games 🙂

  • Shelby
    November 17, 2008 at 3:52 pm

    December 5th!?! I don’t know if I can wait that long!!!

  • SmA033
    November 17, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    Hey jenna,
    i was wondering if you could post the recipe for those cookies?? They look AMAZING!!!

  • Mara
    November 17, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    I love split pea soup!

  • Fitness Surfer
    November 17, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    I had the same experience this weekend. I was cranky and snapping at my hubby about everything. I finally got on the bike and burned most of it off. The effect continued to kick in for at least an hour after my work out, when I finally felt back to normal. Hormones…seriously, thanks to exercise I can find myself again.

  • raybelle
    November 17, 2008 at 5:28 pm

    jenna–

    i just read about your no sandwich challenge. lately, i have really loved eating edamame + evoo and a bit of salt. it works well as a side–not filling enough for the main component of the meal. anyway, i love dipping the edamame in the evoo (just a tad) and sea salt–it’s delicious.

  • raybelle
    November 17, 2008 at 5:29 pm

    another idea! maybe try to top baked potatoes with veggie chili. that’s in my meal plan for the week (veggie chili and homemade cornbread for dinner then veggie chili on top of a baked potato for lunch the next day).

  • seelivelee (for the love of peanut butter)
    November 17, 2008 at 5:33 pm

    Jenna,
    I have some ideas for your hummus as apart of the challenge….

    1) Mixed in a big, hearty salad
    2) spread across rice & chicken or as a side
    3) dipped in raw veggies
    4) mixed into a soup
    5) With pita chips 😉 DUH!

    Hope these help you!! Enjoy-it looks quite tasty!

  • Julia (Santa Barbara Dreaming)
    November 17, 2008 at 5:57 pm

    oooh it all looks so yummy! I have a question though; how in the world do you make your cookies “healthier?” I’ve been experimenting with baking in my kitchen, band would love to know how to make them a bit more “guilt free!” (esp since I tend to eat them by the dozens! lol)

  • VeggieGirl
    November 17, 2008 at 6:18 pm

    HOORAY!!! Glad you liked the PB & dates 🙂

  • caroline
    November 17, 2008 at 6:30 pm

    That pb date looks so amazing! I have some in my fridge, hmmm..! 🙂
    -Caroline

  • jenna
    November 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    SamA033-

    I’m sorry but I can’t due to copyright and legal issues! They are from a cookbook called “eat drink and be vegan” by dreena burton!

  • Megan
    November 17, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    Yum…a peanut butter filled date! Have fun at the party!

  • Teenage Veg head
    November 17, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    whoever said cookies could never be healthy didnt do their research!
    haha all the food looks really good 🙂

  • Becci
    November 18, 2008 at 12:16 am

    WOW! That kalamata olive and sundried tomato hummus looks AMAZING. I am also trying to stay away from sandwiches so that would be great paired up with carrots and celery, or just in a spoon!

  • runjess
    November 18, 2008 at 10:56 am

    That hummus will be perfect for helping you get in the veggies too. You can bring veggies to work for dipping.

  • Kristie
    November 18, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    Here’s a delicious (but not very healthy) way I love to eat dates- stuff it with Stilton cheese, wrap it with bacon (put a toothpick through it so it will all stay together). Cook it in a pan until the bacon is cooked completely……YUM YUM YUM

    One of my favorite restaurants (Freeman’s Alley in NYC) serves them and calls them “Devils on Horseback”