Hi friends 🙂
Spinning was great this morning. My new gym doesn’t offer the standard “spinning” class, but offers instead cycling….from what I understand, spinning is a set program to 7 songs (correct me if I’m wrong) and cycling can really be anything. Regardless, it was a great 45 minute class, full of jumps, climbs and sprints and the instructor played some great tunes. I’m going to try to hit up spinning classes at least twice a week now until my triathlon…and actually, there’s a class at the gym that focuses strictly on tri training, involving a 50 minute cycling class followed by a short run outside right after. I don’t know if I’m ready for that right now, but maybe in a few weeks! Sounds super intense, huh?!
When I got home from the gym I made a quick snack of a mug full of raw tabbouli to refuel—
This tabbouli is pretty much the perfect post-workout snack because it incorporates a killer combo of protein, carbs and fat. Quinoa, as I’m sure most of you know, is a complete protein and by sprouting it instead of cooking it, none of the healthy benefits were lost.
And then all afternoon was spent with my mom, checking out different appliance stores for the new oven. Unfortunately we haven’t found it yet but we are shopping around. Everything is just so expensive!! I did find a great deal, however, at Lowes and if Ryan doesn’t see anything tonight at the Sear’s Outlet, I’m going to go ahead and buy it tomorrow. There’s only so long you can go without an oven….geez! In the midst of everything, we stopped at Fresh Market to pick up a sandwich. I was starving and got the biggest, baddest sammie EVER:
This sandwich was seriously the size of my head and I devoured every last crumb. Four hours later now and I’m still stuffed to the gills but it was worth it. The sandwich was honey smoked turkey, lettuce, red onion, sprouts, muenster cheese, hot cherry peppers, tomato and honey mustard on wheatberry bread…and I got it grilled so it was melty and delicious.
It was seriously the largest sandwich ever. I was so full! To drink, I had my favorite flavor of Honest Tea: Peach Oolong.
I’m actually going to a 5:30 power yoga class this evening…..honestly, keeping active like this is what is holding me together right now. Because of my previous work schedule I could never make my favorite 5:30 class (Chay is my favorite yoga instructor EVER) and now I finally have the time. It feels so odd. My hamstrings are absolutely killing me and I neeeeeeed to do some deep, therapeutic stretching.
This morning I was unpacking a box of books, piecing through the layers and pages that have seen me through so many stages of my life. I dug deeper into the box and pulled out one of my favorites, Melody Beattie’s Journey to the Heart. I sat down and flipped through the pages, pausing to read yesterday’s message. I couldn’t even believe the words as I was reading them and feel very strongly the impulse to share them with you.
May 3
Say Good-Bye with an Open Heart
On our journey, we meet many souls with whom we interact, exchange energy, in a way that enhances our growth and theirs. We learn lessons together. We break bread. We share love. But there often comes a time to say good-bye.
A good-bye can come suddenly, unexpectedly, without much warning. Or a good-bye can be expected, planned on, and take a while to work out. The length of time doesn’t matter. What matters is how we handle our good-byes.
We can do it with our hearts open, saying thank you for all we’ve learned. Or we can close our hearts and bitterly say we’ve lost again. We can say good-bye with an attitude of trust, faith, and love, believing our hearts led us together, for the time we were close, to celebrate life and further our journeys. Or we can do it with harsh judgment, asking what’s wrong with us that our paths didn’t let us stay together. We can say good-bye with our hearts open, feeling our sadness, our longing, and our joy. Or we can say good-bye with emotions walled off, saying that’s just the way life is.
Sometimes, it’s hard to say good-bye. We can’t always choose timing, but we can choose the words of our heart. And sometimes it’s not good-bye. It’s till we meet again.
Allie Katie
May 4, 2009 at 1:39 pmThat is a beautiful passage! No matter what any of us are going through, big or small, it is something we all need to be reminded of.
Thanks, Jenna!
katie s
May 4, 2009 at 1:40 pmThanks for sharing, Jenna! I love that passage and it is so true! That makes me want to go read that book quite badly!! Enjoy yoga tonight!!
Lynna
May 4, 2009 at 1:41 pmThat sandwich looks so amazing! wow. This might be an odd question, but with your rigorous workout schedule, how often do you shower and wash your hair?
I like working out often too but sometimes I’ll have only showered 12 or so hours before I want to go to the gym again. I don’t want to shower/ wash my hair too often because I know it can cause more oil build-up and isn’t necessarily the best for your hair. Is there anything you would recommend? I don’t want to let shower/ hair troubles deter me from working out!
jenna
May 4, 2009 at 1:59 pmLynna,
Well this is the first time I’ve able to work out twice in a day but what I did today spin in the morning and then shower, get ready after that…and then tonight, yoga isn’t over until 6:30 so at that time I’ll just come home, make dinner and then take a bath later. Yes, I guess I am a fan of laying in my own sweat but I just love bubble baths.
Amy
May 4, 2009 at 1:43 pmThat passage is so wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope it helped you a bit during this time too. I think you’re a very brave, strong person. I think it’s great that you are moving in with Ryan and that you are moving forward on the path you were meant for rather than staying at a job you dislike. You deserve all the happiness you can get. Have a great yoga class tonight. You deserve some nice stretches after all you’ve been through lately. 🙂
Amy
May 4, 2009 at 1:44 pmLynna, just my advice. When I work out twice in one day, I use a dry shampoo for my hair if it’s greasy (I got a spray one at Sephora). I have such fine, straight hair that I need to put something in it. I also hop in the shower for a minute to just rinse off my skin. I find that’s a quick solution that keeps me from getting stinky! 🙂
Jenna
May 4, 2009 at 1:47 pmWhat a beautiful passage! I feel like I can see God right there with you helping you get through this. Its so great that you randomly found(or remind) this passage at this time in your life.
Stay strong and keep smiling.
Good luck getting your oven fixed! I hope you have a wonderful yoga class! 🙂
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
May 4, 2009 at 1:51 pmOh my gosh, what a beautiful message. You are showing that your heart is open already Jenna! By going through with moving in with Ryan and all the plans you had, you are showing your heart is open. It isn’t easy now but with an open heart, the joy will come.
Enjoy yoga!! What a great, healing practice =) You know I am a fan!
Coley
May 4, 2009 at 1:51 pmGreat passage, Jenna! Thanks for sharing. It’s so great that you can now focus on training and being active, spending time with your family and Ryan, instead of getting up at 3am!! Enjoy it! What do you think you will do for work?
Coley
jenna
May 4, 2009 at 1:58 pmColey,
I have no idea. I actually do make a (meager) living off of blogging so I’m fine for the time being. Just taking one step at a time I guess….
rhodeygirl
May 4, 2009 at 1:54 pmspinning requires a specific certification by spin and cycling certification is offered by many different certification programs.
jessnyc
May 4, 2009 at 1:56 pmthat passage was perfect. i love the ‘until we meet again’. so true!
Leila
May 4, 2009 at 1:58 pmthe sandwich looks so delicious.
I love spinning classes. I think what it consists of is so varied. I’ve found that it depends on the teachers and the program they choose to teach that class (i.e. focusing on sprinting or hills, etc). I’ve never heard the set song thing, but you learn something new every day, that definition kind of reminds me of Bikram yoga (set poses, etc).
have a great class tonight.
fitforfree
May 4, 2009 at 2:02 pmThat passage just made me cry – it hits home for me right now so much. Thank you for sharing it—I know I’m not the only one who relates.
April
May 4, 2009 at 2:07 pmJenna,
I took my first spinning class last week, and my tush hurt for days! I’m thinking about going again today, but I’m worried about being sore – do you eventually get used to it? Or is there something I can do that will help?
Thanks!
Megan
May 4, 2009 at 2:32 pmWow that sandwich looks so absolutely delicious! I would love to try a spinning class but can’t find any near where I am =( And I love that passage.. =)
Have a great class tonight! I can’t wait to hear about it!
-Megan
brandi
May 4, 2009 at 2:33 pmglad you had a good workout and that sandwich does sound awesome!
great quote – and it’s so true. goodbyes are always hard, no matter what. It’s one of the hardest parts of life, especially when they come so unexpectedly.
Red Head, Yellow Dog
May 4, 2009 at 2:34 pmI’m tearing up after reading that. it’s so beautiful and true. Thank you so much for sharing that
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
May 4, 2009 at 2:35 pmbeautiful passage — thanks for sharing.
That sandwich looks amazing! The Mister and I went to a panini party yesterday, I ended up having a monster myself 😉
Jen
May 4, 2009 at 2:36 pmThat’s a fantastic excerpt, Jenna. So absolutely true, and totally stunning in how concise it is. Glad you found a good deal on the oven too. One can only live with a doorless oven for so long. 🙂
Meredith (Pursuing Balance)
May 4, 2009 at 2:37 pmWhat a fitting passage!
Glad you’re enjoying spinning. And yes, that sammie looks amazing!
Rachel
May 4, 2009 at 2:40 pmI’m so glad that you are staying active. Hang in there and enjoy yoga!
Beadie
May 4, 2009 at 2:43 pmWhat a beautiful message. I think things like that have a way of speaking to us with just the right words for the moment.
Alison
May 4, 2009 at 2:47 pmWow, I love that passage. I never thought of it that way before. Thanks for sharing Jenna!
weight and meditate
May 4, 2009 at 2:49 pmThat gave me goosebumps. And the timing of you reading it is just perfect.
Marissa
May 4, 2009 at 2:57 pmI bet yoga will be really great tonight!
Mara @ What's For Dinner?
May 4, 2009 at 2:58 pmIt’s amazing how the universe helps us find things we need right when we need them, huh? Call it faith/God/higher power… but I’ve had it happen so many times… Enjoy yoga tonight!
Run Sarah
May 4, 2009 at 3:00 pmWhat a wonderful passage – thank you for sharing. Have a great workout at yoga tonight.
Leah @ Simply Fabulous
May 4, 2009 at 3:03 pmWonderful passage. Thank you for sharing it Jenna.
Enjoy your class tonight.
Heather
May 4, 2009 at 3:05 pmThe lovely Lord was speaking to you through that amazing passage. Have a wonderful yoga class, Jenna!
Ashley
May 4, 2009 at 3:07 pmBeautiful passage, it brought tears to my eyes. I think you’re doing such a strong, wonderful job at not just getting through right now, but trying to still live your life.
Also, sorry to ask such an unrelated question, but I think I’m going to make that tabbouli, do you know the nutritional information?
Kaneil, Balance is Best
May 4, 2009 at 3:13 pmWow, Jenna. Your faith is incredible. I can only hope and pray to have your kind of strength if I’m ever faced with such a tragedy. Keep on truckin, girl!
Kaneil, balanceisbest
K
May 4, 2009 at 3:18 pmWhat a wonderful passage, thank you for sharing that! That sandwich looks awesome!! I may need to recreate something like that one of these days!
runeatrepeat
May 4, 2009 at 3:18 pmThat was very pretty, thanks for sharing.
Jenny
May 4, 2009 at 3:26 pmWhat a beautiful passage! Thank you for sharing that. It’s such an important and wonderful reminder to not be bitter and think that we’ve “lost” when goodbyes come our way, but to embrace them and be thankful for what we gained from the experience. And for me it’s always, “’til we meet again.”
Samantha
May 4, 2009 at 3:30 pmWhat a beautiful message and great timing!
I need to google sprouting quinoa, I usually cook mine. But I’d like to keep it as whole and raw as possible.
Glad you’re back to the gym and enjoying classes!
bibixs
May 4, 2009 at 3:31 pmbeautiful beautiful words and great timing! my best friend’s mom died last week, im so going to share this with him
thanx jenna 🙂
Vaala
May 4, 2009 at 3:32 pmThat passage is really beautiful and powerful. Thank you for sharing.
The spin classes at our gym (called Peloton instead though) are either 45 minutes or an hour long and the instructor just tries to put in as many tracks as possible (and they love fitting in an extra track and going overtime which is fine by me!). I had no idea there was a set pattern for them!
ash
May 4, 2009 at 3:41 pmwow that was beautiful
Brittney
May 4, 2009 at 3:44 pmWow…that’s amazing that you happened to come across that passage. It’s like you were meant to find it.
Marisa
May 4, 2009 at 3:45 pmThat tabbouli really looks fabulous!
The passage is beautiful, I’m one of those believers in signs being put where/when we need them ….. have fun at yoga tonight! it’s yoga week in DC so I’m doing free bikram in the morning =)
mel
May 4, 2009 at 4:02 pmthat gave me the chills.
Jaci
May 4, 2009 at 4:22 pmI’ve been an avid reader of your blog for a while, and it felt almost like a close friend lost their sibling when you’re brother passed. I’m so sorry for your loss. I know this is very off topic, but I’m starting a 21 day raw diet on Sunday. I’ve been reading a lot of books, blogs, etc. about it and although it seems difficult I’m ready to take the plunge. I saw the raw tabbouli salad you made and it looks amazing. How did you sprout the Quinoa? Was it difficult to make this?
Shelby
May 4, 2009 at 4:28 pmAbsolutely lovely passage Jenna.
I need that monster sandwich! YUM!
Kt.
May 4, 2009 at 4:41 pmJenna, You will find different things will happen, they’re signs to help you through. You never know when they’re going to happen, but they do and you’ll take great solace and comfort when it does. When my Mom passed away, just 10 months after my Dad I was devastated, until my dream. My Mom talked to me in my dreams, it was quite real, and to this day, 4 years later, I can recall that dream like it was yesterday, even her voice, it was my gift from my Mom, I find it brings me peace whenever I think about this. What made you look through that box and happen upon that passage, it was your gift, how ironic that you would find this gift in a book, John knew your love of books and knew that you would find this message. this was your gift. Kt.
Glidingcalm
May 4, 2009 at 4:44 pmthanks for sharing this Jenna! It’s beautiful.
laura
May 4, 2009 at 4:48 pmhi Jenna
That passage is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
i live in Tampa and i would like to do yoga where do you go? and which is your gym?
thx
Lisa D
May 4, 2009 at 4:52 pmthose are beautiful words about saying goodbye. and your sandwich looks amazing! I love going to places where you can pick out all the toppings, although sometimes it is just as much fun to pick all the random things out of my fridge. Good luck with the oven shopping!
Bec
May 4, 2009 at 4:53 pmmmm what a fantastic sandwich, I am glad you are enjoying everything your brothers gym has to offer. I am sure he would be thrilled that you are using his membership!
Stacey M
May 4, 2009 at 4:56 pmWhat a great coincidence. “He works in mysterious ways”! Keep your head up. Don’t feel forced to get right back into the busy swing of things until you feel ready. I am rooting for you!
PS – That sandwich looks delicious; glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Samantha
May 4, 2009 at 5:01 pmThat was beautiful, thank you for sharing 🙂
Alex
May 4, 2009 at 5:07 pmGreat passage!!! Slow and steady wins the race. Have a great day. 😉
Lisa
May 4, 2009 at 5:13 pmWhat wonderful words. Just beautiful and so meaningful. And your sandwich seriously looks amazing.
Caitlin
May 4, 2009 at 5:45 pmthat sandwich looks SO GOOD!
Alison
May 4, 2009 at 6:00 pmSpinning is killer but fun. My gym does two versions – a 45 minute interval class and a 60 minute endurance ride.
Brie
May 4, 2009 at 6:06 pmThat passage is truly beautiful. I passed it on to a friend today who recently lost someone important to her. I was so touched reading it that tears came to my eyes thinking about how it’s been so long since the death of my father, but I’m still so emotionally walled off and bitter about it. I think it’s time for me to finally say good-bye to him with an open heart, all these years later. Thank you for posting that! (And I can’t wait to see the new tattoos on Wednesday!)
Stacey
May 4, 2009 at 6:37 pmWow, that is a great passage. I am so glad you are doing ok! Though I dont comment a lot, I read the blog all the time and want you to know that you are in my prayers!
Spinning seems awesome, gonna have to give it a try! Good luck with the appliance hunt 🙂
Michelle @ Find Your Balance
May 4, 2009 at 6:44 pmI’m glad you are staying active and channeling your energy in a positive way. Way to go! I’m cheering for you! (And I’ve been meaning to check out Spin at my gym too, except they call it REV. Seriously?)
Tiffany
May 4, 2009 at 7:24 pmI LOVE spin. It’s gotten me through some not so fun times. Now I’m addicted and love the intensity of it! I’ve also started incorporating raw foods into my diet recently and I’m curious about the sprouting technique you mentioned. I’ve googled it, but I’ve gotten mixed info; how do you do it?
Michelle Hisae
May 4, 2009 at 8:08 pmWow, that IS an intense training class! Don’t hurt yourself! 🙂
Angelina
May 4, 2009 at 8:20 pmBeautiful words!
Tabby
May 4, 2009 at 8:32 pmWow thanks for posting that goodbye passage. I love how something like that can take on totally different meanings for different people who read it. For you, you can think of your brother and how it might be goodbye for now on this earth but you will see him again in Heaven. For me I am moving at the end of this week back home after being at college/ grad school for the past 5 years. I was initially excited but this weekend and the rest of this week is me saying goodbye to all my awesome friends that I’ve made over the years I’ve been in Richmond. That passage is really awesome and helped me feel better about the move!
Aaryn
December 9, 2014 at 9:13 amHoly heckoly, this is a good reminder–even five years later.
I needed this reminder on goodbyes. More so than writing my paper for finals. I knew there was a reason I clicked on this post in your archives 😉