Dessert/ Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness/ Product Reviews

Sipping Along

Hi guys!

Well I’m sure everyone is waiting on pins and needles to hear how my preliminary phone interview went with Murphy-Goode! I thought it went great! We talked for exactly thirty minutes and, in my mind at least, it was a really good conversation. I got to say everything I wanted and didn’t blurt anything silly out. They said I wouldn’t hear back for a few weeks as they decide their top 50 so let’s all keep our fingers (and toes!) crossed because it would be SO cool to “report live” from the vineyards, no?!

To backtrack a bit though, around 2:00 I went outside for a 40 minute walk to clear my head. I’ve really been sort of blah all day but like yoga, the walk did help. I also got a beautiful gift from a good friend in the mail and it brought a ray of sunshine to my morning. I guess when you suffer a great loss, you have good days and you have bad days. I think I’ve been doing pretty well for the most part, dealing with John’s death the best I can— but there are still definitely days when I am down, down, down. I think I should just snap out of it and then I remember that wow, my brother only died three weeks ago! I might be a little too hard on myself. So I comfort myself. I make tea, do yoga and take walks. All the while just taking one day at a time because its the only thing you can do.

After my walk I thought about juice but I’m out of celery and my favorite combo (beet, apple, ginger, celery) is just not as good without that crucial element! So I had an apple with a serving of raw milk cheese instead—

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And drank a cup of peppermint tea while on the phone to calm any jitters. Have I mentioned how much I love peppermint tea?! 😉

After I got off the phone I headed over to my parent’s house to have dinner with my mom and dad since Ryan will be out late at the baseball game tonight. My mom, being the wonderful mom she is, took the liberty of picking up more Murphy-Goode wine for us to “sample”!

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And

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I had a glass of the sauvingon blanc while chatting to my dad—-

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And loved it! It was very light and citrusy. In general, I’m a big fan of sauvingon blancs and pinot grigios. I love the zestiness!

While we chatted, my mom made dinner. On the menu tonight was delicious whole wheat pasta with chicken and olive tomato cream sauce with fresh organic bread.

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I swear, just the smallest whisk of cream in this recipe makes all the difference in the world and the result is a rich, velvety sauce. I love this recipe!

I had a small splash of Liar’s Dice with my meal—

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And then, for dessert, an Adora disk (love me some calcium!) + Celestial Seasonings sleepytime tea

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I was going to dig in my purse and eat half a chocolate bar before I remembered that I had these awesome Adora disks! I got my chocolate AND calcium fix this way!

I’m pretty tired tonight and already starting to feel sore from this morning’s yoga so I may just soak in a bubble bath and hit the sack early. Tomorrow is Raw Wednesday! What do you have planned?! I yanked out the dehydrator for this one….you’ll see in the morning! 😉

In the meantime, these little guys have become inseparable!

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  • Sarah
    May 19, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    How cute is that picture? Makes me want a pet so bad again. 😀

    It sounds like the interview went well, which is always a good sign. Good luck with getting the spot! *crossing fingers!*

  • Anna
    May 19, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    I’m sure you did wonderful in your interview, I’m keeping my fingers cross for you! Good luck. 🙂

    P.S. That picture of Mikan and Mikey is PRECIOUS!

  • BethT
    May 19, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    That pic is so sweet. I’m sure Mikan misses your bro, too.

    • jenna
      May 19, 2009 at 7:01 pm

      BethT,

      Mikan misses my brother like crazy. Whenever one of his friends come over to visit my mom, Mikan will just start shaking because he recognizes the friend and wonders where my brother is. John slept with Mikan in his bed every.single.night. And now Mikan sometimes just sits by his closed door. Its pretty sad but animals definitely have that sense!

  • Jocelyn
    May 19, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    congratz on the interview going well!
    your mom’s pasta looks so yummy 😉
    and awwww what a cute pic of the animals!! best buds! lol

  • courtney
    May 19, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    I love animals! They can also be really great sources of comfort when you are down. Congrats on the interview, and thanks for the wine review! Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel are my two favorite wines, so I will be on the lookout for the Murphy-Goode brand at the store (I hope you mentioned to the interviewers how much publicity they would get through the blog if they pick you)!! 😉

  • brookesballbuster
    May 19, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    You are very charismatic, I would put money on you getting the spot! Gotta feel great about that:) Glad to hear you are pushing forward, you should be very proud of yourself.

  • Nicole
    May 19, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Awww, that is such a cute picture! And I’m really glad that you felt like the interview went well; I bet they loved you. I mean, who wouldn’t?!

  • Help Meghan Run
    May 19, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Congrats on your interview! I’m telling you, I have a good feeling about this…Also, that is the cutest picture ever. 🙂 And I’m sorry you had a tough day, but you’re right. Don’t be too hard on yourself! You’re doing amazing. (And Mom’s cooking looks yum!)

    www. HelpMeghanRun .com

  • haya
    May 19, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    oh my goodness that is the cutest pictures ever!!! thanks for sharing. all of my digits are crossed for you.

  • BethT
    May 19, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    OMG, that is so sad….I’m sad for Mikan, too, now 🙁 At least he has you guys and little Mikey.

  • meg
    May 19, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    Love the pic. They are so cute! Dinner looks yummy!

    Walks are the best!

  • Recipes for Creativity
    May 19, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    Oh, that’s so sweet about Mikan missing John, I am glad he has Mikey now to keep him company. Good news about the interview, we can’t wait to hear more (you know, when they let you know you’re in the top 50!)

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance)
    May 19, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    love the picture – so precious 😉

  • Graze With Me
    May 19, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    I can’t wait to get a juicer, your fav combo is first on my list to try.

    I’m glad the interview went well, good luck! (I’m a peppermint tea addict myself…)

  • Still Life in South America
    May 19, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    I’m happy that the phone interview went well. You have a lot going for you: your knowledge of food and wine pairings, media savvy, and vibrant personality.

    Pinot grigios and sauvingon blancs are my favorite white wines. They are so crisp!

    Don’t be too hard on yourself for feeling down. You seem to have a great handle on what you need in a given moment. –blessings.

  • Sarah W.
    May 19, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    the pic of mikan and mikey is the CUTEST!!!!!!!

  • alison
    May 19, 2009 at 7:19 pm

    Hey Jenna!
    First off, good luck with Murphy-Goode! I have my fingers crossed for you… Secondly, despite all the loss and everything you have been through, I have to say, quitting your job seems to have given you a new, happier lease on life. I am so glad you decided to give up the 3 am mornings and are pursuing things that seem much more “you”. You are such a reminder that life is too short to be unhappy and to make the most out of each day 🙂 xoxo

  • Sara
    May 19, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Jenna,

    You should definitely cut yourself some slack and embrace the good days and the bad days as they come. It’s OK to live in the moment, whatever it may be, and do what you need to do to get by.

    Not sure that even made sense. Yikes. Anyway, I hope the interview went well!

    Sara

  • Becky@I Heart Running & Food
    May 19, 2009 at 7:27 pm

    Yum-that pasta looks so good! I usually try to avoid cream sauces but if just a little makes a load of difference, it’s worth trying right?! I’m sure you did awesome in your interview! 🙂

  • Courtney (The Hungry Yogini
    May 19, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    Glad the interview went well! I’m so excited to see what happens!!

    It’s okay to greive my friend. We are all here to support you and ready to ride the waves of your grief with you. So just be you!

    Dinner looks wonderful! Especially with all that wine…makes me thirsty =)

  • Kelly L.
    May 19, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    Jenna,

    Congrats on your interview. That’s awesome! I’m sure Ryan is so happy for you. Is he worried you’ll be moving away yet again?

    • jenna
      May 20, 2009 at 6:09 am

      Kelly L,

      Well we are trying not to get our hopes up. I think the prospect of being able to make enough money to pay off all my school debt and be able to fly Ryan and my family out to visit is more appealing than the sad fact about moving away. Ryan and I dated long distance for 2 years of our relationship and this is only a short term thing. And, if I were to get the job, I’m sure he would be out there quite often! 😉

  • Kailey (SnackFace)
    May 19, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    Awww that last picture melted my heart! So, so sweet!

    I’m really hoping you get this job, Jenna! You’re just so perfect for it! Oooh, love dinner, too!

    You’ve been incredibly strong and I think sad days here and there are normal, and are all a part of the grieving process.

    Hope you have a good night!

  • kristi (sweet cheeks)
    May 19, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    How exciting about the interview!!

    Hope you have a nice relaxing night and get some good sleep tonight!

  • Rebecca Hoover
    May 19, 2009 at 8:31 pm

    I just can’t stop thinking about you and your family. What a difficult time this must be for you. And dammit, now I feel bad for the dog too. Anyway, my prayers are with you all.

  • Mary
    May 19, 2009 at 8:31 pm

    congrats on the great interview!!

    Those Adora chocolates look great! I love the idea of a chocolate fix + calcium in one! Do they have a funny taste or is this GOOD chocolate?

    • jenna
      May 20, 2009 at 6:08 am

      Mary,

      I was expected it to have a funny taste but, actually, NO! It tastes just like really yummy pure chocolate. I did get these as samples to try and I have heard they are sort of expensive but I’m going to look for them at the store because I’m so bad about taking a calcium supplement and these just make it a whole lot easier and sweeter!

  • Angela
    May 19, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    I loved the video! I will vote for you forsure 🙂 Goodluck hun!!!

  • Hallie
    May 19, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    CUTE pic of the animals!

  • Christina
    May 19, 2009 at 10:29 pm

    Omg that picture is so cute! Did you ever see The Adventures of Milo & Otis? Totally reminds me of them.

  • Caroline
    May 19, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    Fellow peppermint tea devotee here!
    I love all your cute wine glasses!

  • Christie
    May 20, 2009 at 4:49 am

    (I’m the commenter formally known as Beadie but I am no longer writing my food journal blog anymore)

    What a sweet picture of the furbabies! I am so glad they love each other so much!

    I don’t know if this will help, Jenna, but after 4 years of my brother being gone, I still have bad days. The good news is that the good days do out weigh the bad days. You have been so awesome and honored your brother’s life in so many ways. I know he is up there smiling down on you with pride.

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner?
    May 20, 2009 at 4:55 am

    My fingers are crossed for you!! I love the picture of Mikey… too cute 🙂

  • AlliJag
    May 20, 2009 at 6:27 am

    OMG – my heart just absolutely melted when I saw that picture of Mikan (sp?) and Mikey! Seriously!!!!!

    Glad to phone interview went so well – I’ve got everything crossed for you 🙂

  • Jenna
    May 20, 2009 at 6:35 am

    what a sweet/priceless picture of mikan and mikey!!! 🙂

    I hope you are doing okay dear! I can’t even imagine your heatache.

    I can’t wait for you to hear back on your phone interview!! that is just so exciting!!

  • sammy
    May 20, 2009 at 6:53 am

    Thinking of Mikan’s longing for John’s company is incredibly heartwrenching,yet so incredibly loving and sweet to think the love those two had for each other.
    I am sure you and your parents must feel such comfort and emotion from the two animals that John cared for so deeply.
    Sympathy for the grief that Mikan is going through as well-may Mikey bring him some comfort too.

  • Rose
    May 20, 2009 at 8:05 am

    Glad things went well with the interview! I personally think you’re a shoe-in 🙂

  • Fitzalan
    May 20, 2009 at 8:30 am

    I adore the palm tree wine glass!

    Okay, and the dog+cat combo couldn’t be anymore adorable!

    Happiness Awaits

  • Jess
    May 20, 2009 at 9:55 am

    i love those wine glasses! And that is the CUTEST picture I’ve ever seen! I’m so glad they’re becoming friends!

  • Menden (SkinnyMenny)
    May 20, 2009 at 10:40 am

    The pic of the pets is just precious!

    Glad to hear the phone call went well….I’m rooting for ya!

  • Elise
    May 20, 2009 at 11:00 am

    Murphy goode! That’s so great. They are family friends and our grapes are even in liars dice. If you get a chance check out Dieden vineyards (also in sonoma). We grow grapes for zin. Glad to have another wino in the food blog community! I hope you get the job!!

  • Kelly L.
    May 20, 2009 at 11:01 am

    Jenna,

    Of course, I’m sure he and your family would be out there all the time. It is a once and lifetime experience so if you get it who knows what it will lead to in the future. You and Ryan have a wonderful relationship and he seems very supportive. What a great guy!!

  • Jenni
    May 20, 2009 at 11:17 am

    Wow! Mikey is already getting bigger! That’s what love and companionship will do to help you grow, inside and out! 🙂

  • Kelly
    May 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    You are really doing a wonderful job handling all of this. Even though I definitely think you made the right decision (and I can see why you made it) quitting your job, I think that also makes it harder for you in some ways because you have a LOT of time to think. It’s great that you are keeping busy with a lot of writing and working out 🙂 Don’t ever feel bad for having a “bad day”, everyone does!

  • Megan
    May 22, 2009 at 5:22 am

    I love your wine glasses! They are so cute! Your pasta looks yummy too 🙂